Phaedrae's Debrief

Posted on Sun Feb 9th, 2025 @ 3:59pm by Lieutenant Phaedrae Cyn & Captain Remy Johansen & Commander Maxun Spello

2,266 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Gone, Without Ever Knowing the Way
Location: Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: MD 0, 2100 Hours

Captain Johansen asked Lieutenant Cyn to join her and Commander Spello in the Ready Room while Jeda Nor was given quarters and an opportunity to be given a few creature comforts before he was talked to more formally. The captain wanted to talk Cyn first so that she could run any further inquiry that was needed into whatever information that Nor might have to share with Starfleet.

Once the doors closed behind the three of them, Remy walked to the replicator first. "Can I get you anything to eat or drink? I don't know when you've last eaten, I know it's been a long couple of days. We can sit over here if you like," Remy gestured to the more informal half of the room where there were comfortable chairs and a coffee table centered between them.

Cyn disrobed from her blue peacoat before taking one of the seats. "Sure, whatever you're having will be fine," she answered the offer of food and drink. The brandy had metabolized out of her system already and her stomach agreed that some food would be wonderful right about now.

She draped the coat over the back of the seat and took a deep breath. After tension on the transport, it felt good to breathe in a professional territory once again. A few more seconds back on Freecloud... they had barely made it off the planet, and she reflected on Nash's defensive remarks from the bay, defending himself against her judgement.

Sister. He had called her "sister" several times throughout the mission and that did not sit well with her. Her stomach clenched with the recall. It was not a term of camaraderie, not to her. Her jaw tensed with a subtle flare of irritation. But she was careful, taking another calming breath. It would do her no good to let that bother her at this time. She was here to debrief on the mission, not get a counseling session on how crewmates using familial phrasing would soon break her resolve.

In the end, she had done her job. She did what she needed to do and there wasn't room to second-guess her actions. The mission was a success, and that is what mattered.

She smiled at the incoming cup of tea and took a biscuit from the plate that was placed on the low table. She held her tongue, waiting for the first question. Long ago, Cyn had learned to offer information only as it was requested.

"Okay, well let's start from the beginning. I think that makes the most sense, unless you think otherwise," Remy said as she sat back in her seat a cup of tea in her hand. "Did you have any trouble making contact with Nor?"

"Making contact was not an issue. My contacts had a location for us shortly after we arrived." Cyn answered. "We had about fifteen minutes in the market first. I don't know this crew well yet, and I'm afraid I misplaced some of my team before finding Nor."

"That's not on you," Remy assured you. "Commander Winters was likely contacting Astrea when you lost track of him. We received a communication, and Lieutenant T'lenn overheard discussion on an unrelated matter and Winters recognized the name of ship that had been on Starfleet's missing in action list for some time now," Remy explained. "I'm not sure why you weren't notified of his whereabouts. But go on," she urged.

"I'm not sure either," Cyn replied. "Since time was of the essence, Doctor Siv and I couldn't wait for Nash and T'lenn. We proceeded to the meeting and contacted Nor without incident. Both the barkeep contact and Nor indicated incoming danger so our negotiations where fairly minimal. I didn't see any of the information from him yet, but I'm ninety percent certain he was not bluffing regarding the importance of his collection of data."

"What made you so certain?" Maxun asked as he listened to Cyn speak. His natural abilities were telling him that there was something not being said. He knew she wasn't lying about anything, however, he felt that she was holding something back.

"A party of Nausicaans chased us to where our ship was docked," she replied succinctly. "That's what increased my certainty, at least," Cyn clarified. "Nor knows a bit of an Enigma Cant, and I was able to pick up the degree of danger he was in, how limited his time was if he remained on Freecloud, and that if Starfleet didn't/doesn't act fast we could be facing a very uncomfortable future."

Remy gave her first officer a subtle nod, indicating he should keep asking questions.

Maxun frowned slightly. "What is an Enigma Cant? I'm not familiar with it." He then paused a beat, before continuing. "And what uncomfortable future are you referring to, should we not act fast enough?"

"The materials that the Nausicaans and Breen are trading go against the conventions of biological warfare. If we don't stop them, the balance of Federation power is in jeopardy," Cyn replied to the last question. "Even if the Federation makes mistakes occasionally, it is generally seen as benevolent. Take away the Federation and replace it with the Breen Confederacy, and the freedoms and safety the people know around the Alpha and Beta quadrants is in great peril. Nor indicated the information he has is intercepted communications as well as locations of several ships. We should review it sooner than later," she suggested.

"I told Dr. Siv to give the data packet to the science department so that they could begin their analysis. I assumed that Capulet would want to get her hands on it personally before anyone else, but we can double check that when we're done here. If there is anything buried on those data rods, she will find it," Remy said confidently. "Obviously, we'll need your expertise in its analysis, but I didn't want to let anything sit while we were talking to Nor."

Remy looked at the intelligence officer. Whether it was intuition or just a hunch, Remy had the feeling that there was something the Lieutenant was still not saying.

"We know why intercepting this weapon is important, and no one is questioning your judgement in bringing Nor back with you, Lieutenant. Whether it's for his safety or not, it certainly gives us more time in the security of our ship to find out what he knows," the Captain assured her.

Remy continued, "But I can't help but feel like there is something you aren't saying here. We can keep asking questions until we figure it out, or you could just tell us."

Cyn took a long drink from her cup, the silence in the room becoming uncomfortable. She sat her emptied cup on the table, the clunk sitting almost as heavy as the air while she considered her next words carefully. "As I said, I don't know this crew well yet. While on the way to Freecloud, created alternate identities for the team. I hadn't realized that no one had actually gone undercover previously..." She paused, though it was clear that she would keep talking in a moment.

"I'm not going to be safe on Freecloud for quite a while. I can normally keep a low profile and go unnoticed or change my appearance enough while breaking away that I'm lost in a crowd easily. When we arrived at the dock, Nash was talking about the mission out in the open. I tried to stop him - warn him - that people were listening. I get the feeling he thought I was over-reacting.

"Then I let him out of my sight in the bazaar... and he made a huge scene after I had made arrangements with Nor. I was truly afraid that I would not be ablet to get Nor to safety after that exchange," Cyn finished.

Remy tried to hide her disappointment in Cyn's report. Starfleet officers are trained to blend into their surroundings, and this wasn't exactly an operation where the crew were embedded in society for a period of time. Still, she didn't have all of the facts. The Captain was appreciative that the first officer spoke before she had. After hearing his calm tone and focus on moving forward, Remy realized that she may not have been so even tempered in her response.

Maxun let out a slow breath, nodding as he did so. "Anytime an undercover operation is started, there is the threat of disaster. Add to it, when untrained operatives, though they may be highly trained in their own fields, can only add to the difficulty." He gave Cyn a knowing look of understanding. "Do you have any suggestions, going forward, Lieutenant?"

"Never put Nash on an Intelligence mission again - even if he were gagged, I fear the possibilities of what he could do," Cyn answered. "There are eager eyes and ears looking for Starfleet on the planet currently, so if anyone else is sent there, they need to know there is an added element of danger. I was recognized by two previous connections on my way out. Both of them were bluffing, not sure why I was there... Luck might not be available for the next person."

The Captain nodded slowly. Nash had been on one with her long ago, but he hadn't left the ship she realized. The mission she had sent Cyn and Winters on had taken a few unexpected detours and Winters hadn't been needed, but she would have to consider alternatives for the future.

"Okay, so some of this can wait for your full report. Immediately, I assume you want to join security and possibly talk to Nor more, and get with science on looking at the data," Remy said. "Do we need to do anything about the people who confronted you as you were leaving Freecloud?"

Sh'Tag and Korrath... Cyn resisted the exasperated sigh as she quickly replayed their interaction. "I don't think so," she answered. "They aren't harmless. But in this instance, I don't think they'll pose any further danger." Then she thought of the Naussicaans. "There were four Naussicaans we left, stunned in the docking bay. I'm not sure what to say about them other than their eyesight is probably back by now."

Maxun considered this for a moment. "Could they positively identify you, the away team, or what you were after?"

"The ship had left by the time the Naussicaans were entering the dock, so they didn't see us in person. I'm not sure what they know, however," Cyn answered.

"Well, that tells us they are here," the captain commented. "It points to the intel being good. We're going to have to get eyes and ears out there."

"Circling back to Nash," Cyn said after further considering the question posed by the executive officer, "if he is interested in undercover work in the future, he needs training. It was unfair of me to say never put him on an intel mission again." She reached around for her jacket, sensing the end of the conversation was coming close. She wanted a quick shower before meeting with Nor again.

Maxun nodded thoughtfully to what Cyn had just said. "That's a very good idea, Cyn. In fact, it's a great idea." He glanced at Remy, then back at Cyn, "With the Captain's permission, I'd like you to set up a training program in one of the holodecks. Its goal would be to give officers and crew, who would normally go on away missions, some extra training in how to properly act, and react, when on an undercover assignment." He paused and grinned slightly. "I know we are all given rudimentary training in such matters back in the Academy; however, perhaps, some cross-training would be beneficial for the entire crew." He then looked back at Remy, as he continued.

"We could even run similar programs for the other departments as well, Ma'am. One never knows what catastrophe awaits us around the next nebula. Having at least a third of the crew being considered Jacks of all Trades, might not be a bad thing."

"It would be worth looking into. If you're interested in running such a thing, maybe even with Lt. Fulvia's assistance if it turns out that the two of you are able to work well together. I know she's new to us, but she's spent much of her career in undercover assignments as well," Remy suggested.

"This era more than ever and knowing the gist of Astrea's assignment, I can think of numerous scenarios other than intelligence missions where the crew would need to be able to practice discretion and cultural awareness," the captain added.

Cyn nodded, "Classroom teaching is not something I'm good at. But I could take one or two people at a time and work on those skills - in the holodeck, as suggested, is an ideal location. Maybe you," she looked at the XO, "would be able to create a roster of those that would benefit the greatest and I can work off of that?"

Maxun nodded as he replied. "I'll have a list compiled for you by the end of the shift." He then glanced at Remy, to see if she had more to discuss.

"I think that's enough for now. I'll definitely check in on the investigation here in a little while and see what kind of progress we're making," Remy stated.

"Good," Cyn replied with a curt nod. She stood, eager to see what information Nor had for them - and whether it was worth the trouble.

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