Going to Earth Pt. 3

Posted on Sat Jan 26th, 2013 @ 9:34am by Admiral Deela T'Lar & Fleet Admiral Mike K`Wor Bremer & Commodore Andrew Clifford & Captain R'nard Lokran & Captain Torilla Yamaguchi

4,578 words; about a 23 minute read

Mission: Mission 81 - Revenge
Location: Essex - Starfleet Command
Timeline: Same time as "The Chase"

Torilla raised an eyebrow as she could feel his emotions as she turned her attention from the turbolift doors to the Generals face, truth be told he was younger then she was and he was a handsome member of his species but she
was happy with her own mate and husband. "So... could I stand there and look intimidating while you try talking?" she inquired in a neutral tone. "This should be interesting.... how do ask someone what they know about recent events without giving our hand away..." she then shruged. "Personaly. I'd like to just interogate them and call it a day." she added, in the same neutral tone but she suddenly smiled, clearly she had an unusual sense of humor, very dry and witty.

"We'll start with Janeway and then move down the ladder", said Andy

"The others will be interesting.. but the question is... what role should I fill in these meetings... because I am technicaly your aide.."

"Once we begin the interrogation it won't matter... just remember we are interviewing a superior officer and that we could get courtmartialed if we get this wrong", answered Andy.

The doors opened before she could respond and both she and the General who clearly wanted her to exit first but truth be told she did not mind the curtosy but he was a one star General and she was a mere Lt Commander but she was not going to complain as they walked into the transporter room which was nearby. "Ensign... do you have a large PADD I could borrow for a time?" she inquired with a smile.

"Let me look sir." the young woman responded without batting an eye to the strange request as she returned a moment later with the item in question which she then handed to Torilla. "Whenever you are ready General sir. I can send you and the Commander whever you wish to go."

T'Lar and Clifford walked to Admiral Nechayev's office. They rang the chime and waited to be recognized. "Enter." They walked in and took a seat, "Thank you for seeing us."

Admiral Nechayev nodded, "I heard about Admiral Bremer's wife and children. Let him know how sorry I am."

"We will." Deela gave a quick smile, "Reason that we are here is that we believe that someone is helping Westmoreland stay one step ahead of us. I believe that one of them works here at Starfleet Headquarters."

"And who may that be?" Admiral Nechayev asked.

"Admiral Riggs contacted Admiral Bremer saying that Starfleet Intelligence had learned that the Romulans had deployed an additional thirty Warbirds along the Neutral Zone. It wasn't a secret that Bremer was going on vacation with his family. And yet, Admiral Riggs still requested that he take care of it and no one else. I was perfectly equipped to take care of it myself."

"That is strange especially when I wasn't even aware of such a report. Something that huge, I would know about."

"LaForge confirmed it, there were no ships in the area at all. When I confronted Admiral Riggs, he became nervous. When I mentioned that Westmoreland killed Bremer's kids, he became agitated and defensive. Then he cut the transmission. He sounds guilty to me."

"I have to agree. The evidence against him can't be ignored Maybe he can clear things up for us." Admiral Nechayev made a decision, Security, please escort Admiral Briggs to my office." They waited. But that wait was short lived."

"Admiral Nechayev, Admiral Riggs' combadge is in his quarters but Riggs is no where to be found. Orders?"

"Keep searching. I saw him about thirty minutes ago so he couldn't have gone far."

Admiral Nechayev looked at Deela and Andrew, "I don't know what to say. Will you be here for a while?"

Deela nodded, "Yes, for a day." They stood up, "I guess we will leave you to your work. Let me know if you find Riggs."

"You'll be the first to know."

Walking out, Deela looked at Andrew, "When I mentioned to Riggs that Westmoreland killed Bremer's kids, he looked shocked for a brief moment then agitated. I don't think he knew that Westmoreland was going to murder, let alone, innocent kids."

Andrew hesitated before answering then said, "That sounds reasonable, Ma'am. Riggs, sorry 'Admiral' Riggs may actually be in over his head on this. The thing is why is he involved at all? Helping Westmoreland is one big gamble for someone who now stands to lose everything." He looked at the admiral, "Do.. Do you think Westmoreland has something over him? Something that would destroy his career anyway? It wouldn't be the first time blackmail has been used to secure assistance."

"I believe so. I know Riggs has an aide. Why don't we go talk to him."

Deela looked over at Jones and Yamaguchi and sensed some confusion from Yamaguchi.

Torilla Yamaguchi who untill now had been silent as she stood there inquired. "All of us?" she inquired. "the bunch of us heading there will tip the man or woman off to our aims... we should split up... assume they are onto us and plan accordingly."

"There is only one person I believe has been helping Westmoreland and he isn't here. Admiral Nechayev just told us that Riggs has left Starfleet Headquarters so Captain Clifford and I are going to talk to Riggs aide. Nechayev has pretty much said that Riggs was acting alone. I still want you both to go see Janeway, Toddman and the rest as planned." She thought for a moment, "Remember, this isn't an interrogation. We just want to confirm that no one knew of such Intel."

Yamaguchi nodded her head gently. "I'll try to remember that Admiral." Torilla responded in an even tone. "I will however be gentle.." it was hard to tell if the Hallian was joking or not untill one saw her smile. "Admiral... we may need to consider where he has gone if he's gone off world."

T'Lar wanted Lokran to know what happened, "Admiral T'Lar to Commander Lokran."

R'nard was unused to being in the command chair. He was used to being down where the action is. But he answered. "Lokrran here."

"It looks like Riggs has disappeared without his combadge. I have a feeling that he didn't know that Westmoreland was going to kill someone, especially an Admiral's child and he's upset with him. If I was Riggs and just found this out, I would stow away on a ship that would get me closest to Remu III. Check to see which ships have left within the half hour. Also, check the ships that are planning to leave within the next fifteen minutes. Scan the ships for an extra body without a combadge. If you find him, I want you to beam him aboard the Essex and detain him for questioning."

"Will do. Checking it now. Lokrrran out."

Yamaguchi and Jones separated from Clifford and T'Lar, both to talk to people about Riggs.

Yamaguchi nodded. "General.?" she inquired. "Shall we sir?"

"WE Shall...", answered Andy

They both went straight to Janeway's Office and waited to be let inside, once they where seated in the office Andy fired the first Shot...

"Ma'am we are here because we are helping Admiral Bremer to find the Killer of his twins... I would like to know, if possible, if Admiral Riggs Mentioned something about an intelligence report that showed that there was movment on the neutral zone", Asked Andy

"Well there wasn't any intell like that I would have known... besides with your Intell cleareance level you should aswell... why are you asking this kind of questions... May I remember you both that acuse a superior officer without some proof may end in a courtmartial", answered Janeway

"I know... The thing is that Admiral Riggs specially requested that Bremer stayed behind to solve that matter...looks like there is something wrong here... Besides Captain La Forge confirmed that no such movment ocurred", said Andy

"Very well I'll make some inquires by myself and get back to you and T'Lar... Ok?", was Janeway's Response

"Thanks Ma'am", Said Andy

"Dismissed"

They Both stood saluted her and exit the office

Yamaguchi raised an eyebrow. "Well that could have gone better." she paused. "Toddman next. Let me try... sometimes men respond better to a womans touch." she then gave him a smile as she turned to look left then right, clearly hesitant. "WHich way?"

"Very well Commander... Let's go to Toddman's Office", he answered

They reached Admiral Toddman's office several minutes later as Torilla looked at the Admirals aide who was seated at her desk. "Is the Admiral about?"

"Yes ma'am... I'll let him know you're here... can I inquire as to what this is about?" she inquired.

"We're doing an informal investigation into a recent tragety and we need some
infomation to help our case."

Andy just played along as previously arranged between both of them.

The younger woman nodded as she tapped a few keys. "Go on in.." she opened the door as Yamaguchi thanked her and the two of them walked into Toddman's office where they found Admiral Toddman standing next to the large viewport as he was cleatrly contemplating something.

"Admiral." Yamaguchi addressed him quietly. "We know you're busy sir so we'll come right to the point... we're investigating the murder of Admiral Bremer's children and we were wondering if you could help us with some infomation?"

"You think Admiral Riggs is involved?" It was not a question and not phrased as such so Yamaguchi answered in kind. "We think he had a hand in the matter, Yessir." she responded in a cool tone.

"Well, what do you wanna know from me?" he turned and went over to his desk. "You guys want anything to eat or drink while your here?"

"A cofee will do for me sir black no sugar... Thanks", Answered Andy

"Just a glass of orange punch for me please.."

Toddman nodded as he replicated the two drinks and he handed them to his visitors as he raised an eyebrow, clearly waiting.

Torilla sipped her drink as she decided to come right to it. "We want to know if Riggs knew about anything along the Romulan boarder recently.?"

"No. the Romulan intell he fed Admiral Bremer is a load of hogwash. There is nothing happening along that boarder..."

"Mmm... It begins to form a whole theory here... Adm Riggs is way over his head on this", answered Andy

"Sure he is...", reflexionated Toddman

"Very well sir... thank you for your time."

"Of course, please pass along my condolances to Admiral Bremer about his children.. and we'll deal with Mr Riggs... now if there is nothing further?"

"No sir." Yamaguchi still held her drink in her hand and her padd in the other as she drained her glass in one healthy swig.

"Very well. Dismissed." and with that Yamaguchi and the General departed.

A few minutes later she raised an eyebrow. "General. penny for your thoughts?" she inquired from the younger officer.

"You probably didn't know but Riggs and I have a quarrell when I worked on DS14... It was Vice Admiral T'Lar who helped me with him... It's kind of gratifing see him go down in flames... at the same time the prize is too high to be paid... I have lost my whole family during the war and I wouldn't be in Bremer's shoes for anything in the world", Answered Andy

Yamaguchi brushed some of her bangs which had fallen into her face, away from her eyes as she looked at him, since they were of equil height, she could comment that she had known much about the senior staff of Starbase 400, or that she could see the darkness in his eyes and the fire in his soul which she could feel almost as a blanket that was oppressivly tight around her or that she could see the lines on his face that marked him as a combat veteren but what she said was very little. "I understand.... I keep seeing my own children
in the morgue and I can't get past it..." she sighed. "I want Rigg's head as much as you do."

"Ok next would be...", Said Andy

Torilla exhailed softly and then she inhailed. "Admiral Ross. Lets go see the big cheese himself.." and with that she turned and began walking down the hallway, within moments she head his footfalls behind her as she considered what she wanted to say to the man who was one step from being the Fleets Commander in Chief. "You had the first one and I had the second... any ideas?"

"How about we do this one together?", Answered Andy

Yamaguchi nodded and a few moments later, they approched the offices of Admiral Ross.

Torilla mentaly counted to five and then she asked the young man behind the desk who was busy admiring her curves and the like, she had raised three children and yes she had nursed them herself, her biggest issue with young men was that sometimes they made their intentions a little too obvious as she sighed. "Ensign?"

"Sorry Commander.. let me check."

Yamaguchi sighed as she suddenly felt an urge to throttle the man, however that would cause more issues then anything else especaly when word of the Ensign's brutal demise got out.

Meanwhile...

T'Lar and Clifford went to Rigg's office, looking for his aide. The gentleman saw them standing there, "Admiral Riggs is not here. How may I help you?"

"Yes, we believe that Admiral Riggs was helping someone in getting revenge on one of our admirals."

"Ah, that explains it. I was wondering why he was acting so nervous. And he was in a hurry. He said something about that son of a bitch and then he said something about just wait until he gets his hands on him. Then he left without a word to me."

"Did you see or hear him say anything about some Intel involving the Romulans?"

"If he did, I didn't see it but it wasn't unusual for him to lock his office door and tell me that he didn't want to be disturbed. He never confided in me about anything either."

"Do you have any idea were he went?"

His aide shook his head, "No idea. I wish I could help you, I really do. You are more than welcome to go through his things."

"We will." Deela looked over at Captain Clifford, "Go see if you can find something, anything that might help us."

Andrew entered walked to the doorway and looked around the room. His initial scan highlighted nothing out of the ordinary, so he went in and started systematically searching the office, again nothing. He tapped the screen of the admirals computer console. It came to life, and oddly it was not locked. Andrew scanned quickly for references to the Romulan border and Admiral Bremer. Several files came to the fore, and Andrew downloaded them to his padd. He walked out of the office.

Deela continued to talk to Riggs' Aide while Clifford looked. She turned to see Captain Clifford walk out of Riggs' office. "Well?"

"There's nothing of interest in the office, Ma'am. However, he has left his computer unlocked, so naturally I had a look". He smiled at the Admiral. "There are several communications from Section 31, some of them going back two years. One of the recent ones mention the possible build up along the Romulan border with a request that Admiral Bremer be instructed to investigate".

"He probably left it there knowing someone would find it. According to Ross, it's no secret that Riggs is a known S31 sympathizer even though he isn't a member. He's trying to cover his tracks but it's too late. I hope we can find Riggs. I pity the fool when Bremer gets a hold of him." She shook her head, "Let's get back to the ship and see what everyone has found out."

R'nard was checking the records of the ships, and who was on them, scanning for anything unusual.

As for Jones and Yamaguchi they had just finished with the interviews and proceed to the Essex, as they beamed up he went straight to the Bridge and spoke to Cdr R'nard

"Commander... I have the conn... Report!...", Said Andy

"Sir... Conducting scans as ordered... Nothing else to report"

"Commander Yamaguchi... I want a report on the inquires we just made... Please have it before the meeting with Admiral T'Lar", Said Andy.

Yamaguchi nodded. "It'll take me a few minutes to go over my notes.." she responded evenly

Andy Looked as Torilla walked out to finish the report and said "Understood Carry on!"

Yamaguchi nodded as she turned then she quickly walked off of the bridge.

Meanwhile, Riggs was pissed. He could see his whole world crashing down around him. He was working on emotions now. He’d tried to hail Westmoreland, but was receiving no reply. He’d sent him a message, but no response had been received. He thought about commandeering the USS Ticonderoga in orbit, but that would be too obvious, and a small runabout was just too slow.

‘Never thought I’d be sitting here.’ He said to himself as he sat alone in a chemistry lab at Starfleet Academy. When he heard the Essex was in orbit, and why, he’d rushed to his office to pick up PADDs and erased logs that could further incriminate him. He didn’t even bother going home, he figured his house in Upstate New York would be crawling with Security by now. Hiding in nearly plan sight seemed the best thing to do until he could get off the planet.

‘He said he was just going to scare them…get Bremer angry enough to chase him to Remu III before eliminating him once and for all…no one was supposed to be hurt.’ Riggs thought to himself as he whipped the sweat off his brow. He looked at his PADD again, reading the names and classes of ships in orbit, and one finally jumped out at him. He walked over to the comm-panel in the lab and, cleared his throat, and opened a channel.

“USS Clamagore, this is Admiral Risshhs,” he made a static sound, “with Starfleet Command. Lock onto his signal and stand by to beam me aboard. This is a Priority Two-Alpha order.”

After a moment, a reply finally came, “Um, aye sir….Admiral. Ah, sir please be advised that our Captain and Executive Officer haven’t arrived back from their meeting at Utopia Planitia and the rest of the Senior Staff is on shore leave, we’re due to report to Utopia Planitia in three days for decommissioning.”

“Fine, fine, I’m aware. Beam me aboard and stand by to break orbit.” Riggs was pacing now, holding his PADD tightly. A minute later, he felt the tingle as the was transported up to the Miranda class refit USS Clamagore. A sixty year old ship, he thought it would be the best to sneak out of the system.

Meanwhile, in the lounge on deck two on the USS Essex, Lt Commander Torilla Yamaguchi was seething with anger and frustration as her thoughts once again turned to torment her with images of her babies, all lying dead on morgue tables, together in death as they were in life and she pushed the images away as she sat down in a chair.

She proceeded to start writing her report, which was fairly simple to write and did not require much thought and in a short time she was finished, she drained her tasteless coffee as she rose to her feet and stalked off back to the bridge, brimming with rage as she wanted to find Riggs and then extract his confession from him.

Suddenly the officer on the science station reported "General the USS Clamagore is moving"

Andy saw the gamble on itself and played it in order to capture Adm Riggs "Helm... Set course to intercept... As soon as we are in range I want a tractor beam on that vessel... Comm... Notify Admiral T'Lar and Captain Clifford of our status"

Andrew and T'lar were then about to beam about when Comm told them the Essex was breaking orbit. Andrew frowned and looked at the Admiral, "So the General has taken over command of the Essex and is leaving orbit. Why the rush? The Clamagore is an old Miranda class ship and the five minutes required to beam us aboard would not have made the slightest difference to the Essex catching it."

Deela sighed, "I don't know. The death of Bremer's kids has made everyone angry. Anger causes people to make brash decisions. They've probably found Briggs and are so gun-ho to get him that I am sure they just quickly reacted. I'll talk to them later. In the meantime, let's get something to drink until they get back."

Andrew pointed down the corridor, "The nearest lounge is this way then, Ma'am. The two of them set off towards the lounge.

Clamagore, Bridge

Riggs had made his way to the Bridge to find it manned by one Ensign, a Petty Officer, and two Crewmen. They all jumped to attention when Riggs entered, each one with a confused look on their face. “Take your stations and break orbit. Set a course for Remu III and go to warp once we’ve cleared lunar orbit.”

“Um, Admiral, where is your comm-badge?” The Petty Officer asked as she down at Ops.

“Admiral we’re breaking orbit now, but there’s another ship on an intercept course, it’s the USS Essex, they are ordering us to come to a stop and prepare to be boarded.” The Ensign reported.

Riggs slumped down in the chair. He was trapped. He couldn’t out run an Intrepid Class ship aboard a Miranda Refit. Beaming back to the surface wouldn’t do any good, the Essex would pick up the transport and have Security waiting to meet him.

“All, stop, clear the Bridge.” Riggs said as he sat up in the chair. The four crewmembers looked at each other as they slowly left the Bridge, leaving Riggs to his fate.

Uss Essex, Bridge

Torilla had moved over to the tactical station as she eagerly awaited the order to fire her weapons as she brought the phasers and torpedo launchers online and powered up the shields, clearly preparing for a fight as she smiled. 'I have you now Riggs.... you cannot hide from me...' she thought to herself as she turned her attention to the General. "Sir, he is stopping his ship and dropping his shields.... orders sir?"

As they came about to intercept the miranda class ship he told the officer on tactics "Tractor beam... Secure that vessel!"

As the ship was under control he said "Comm open a channel to Vadm T'Lar and notify her that we caught the admiral"

Yamaguchi noted the course the USS Clamagore was on as she was heading to the Remu system, she raised an eyebrow as she recalled from memory what she knew of the system, the place was home to a Cardassian shipyard and coloney which an experimental prototype of a ship named USS Universal had demolished the shipyard and then had unleashed a planetary bombardment which had extinguished most of the life on the planet, she didn't recall the order in which it had happened but she did recall that several ships including the USS Pegasus-A had been assigned to that mission and the Federation force had lost two ships, one was in the first battle and the Pegasus-A was lost after the battle but what jumped off the page at her was that Admiral Bremers estranged wife had been killed there.

"Have we captured him sir?" Torilla inquired. "Request premission to secure the Admiral... sir?" she was not the Chief of Security aboard the USS Essex and she did not wish to offend the officer in question.

"Negative... We'll leave that honor to Vadm T'Lar... Just make sure he can't do anything stupid like taking his own life", answered Andy.

Starfleet Headquarters

Deela waited for a while before checking up on them, Vice Admiral T'Lar to Essex, what is your status?"

"Ma'am we have secured the Admiral and he awaits you in the Brig of the ship", answered Andy "we are on our way back"

"Excellent. I cannot wait to welcome the Admiral to the Essex. T'Lar out." She then looked at Clifford, "I am so going to look forward to this."

Essex Brig

Deela entered to see Admiral Riggs sitting in her brig. She walked over to the cell he was in and stood there with her arms crossed, "I would have never thought that I would be seeing you in my brig, well, at least, not on that side of it. I understand that Penal Colonies do not take kindly to Starfleet Admirals. Now what to do with you."

Riggs just sat there, he didn't even look up at T'Lar. He was too lost in his own thoughts. At this point, he hoped Bremer had killed Westmoreland. It was bad enough to be caught spreading false intel and as a possible accessory to murder. It would be far worse if Starfleet Command learned why he was aiding Westmoreland....

Deela was sure that Starfleet would soon be taking Riggs into custody but what she really wanted to do was take him to Bremer and let him dole out his punishment. She was so tempted. She could sense what he was feeling. "I hope whatever Westmoreland had on you, I hope it was worth it."

Deela walked out of the brig. Lost in her own thought, she ended up on the bridge. She relieved Jones and took her seat. Captain Clifford joined her. "Contact Admiral Nechayev that we have Admiral Riggs and we're ready to transfer custody to them."

Torilla Yamaguchi checked the short range sensors as she watched the Miranda class ship, which was safley ensconced inside the tractor beam from the USS Essex like a mother holding her child, as she thought that she let out a soft sigh as she relized what this mission had cost her personaly, her demons which had always been powerfull had taken on a whole new degree of strength over her because of the mental images of her children, slain in an act of evil and lying side by side in a morgue somewhere.

She dismissed the image and with a smile as she watched the Miranda class ship float in space, she banished her demons back to the dark places in the back of her mind where such things belonged. 'Go back to your hell.. demon' she thought as she did so. "Order sir?" she inquired as she looked at Vice Admiral T'Lar who had returned to the Essex.

"As soon as Nechayev's Security team has beamed back to Starfleet headquarters with Admiral Briggs, we will be leaving Earth. Make sure that the transfer goes right. I don't want anything to go wrong."

Yamaguchi smiled wolfishly, her one main desire in this assignment given form. "I'll take great pleasure in that sir... consider it done, premission to leave the bridge."

"Permission granted." Deela sat down in her chair and wondered about the
Pegasus and how they were doing...

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