Jurisdictional Issues

Posted on Sun Dec 10th, 2023 @ 9:31pm by Lieutenant Commander Kevin Lance & Captain Mira Rodale

Mission: CSI: Chuck Norris
Location: USS Chuck Norris
Timeline: Current

{Barracks}

Mira opened her eyes to see a few of K'ner's men walking around half dressed, getting ready for duty. She started to slip from the bed in boy shorts and a tank but felt a warm body, half laying on top of her. Peaking over her shoulder, she saw Vaytoc. At some point, he must have found her and was keeping her warm. She gave a little shove and moved out from under him.

Walking over the replicator, she entered her code to get her clean command staff uniform and then started to dress as her commbadge went off. hearing Sheris’ voice she frowned, what did the jerk want now?

"Mira here."

=/\= Oh good, I wanted to have a morning meal with you?=/\=

Mira growled, making a few men laugh.
When she didn't answer

He tried again =/\= Now, spots I know you were hurt recently and eating is very important in recovery. I am just trying to build better diplomatic relationships with the Pink Skins, and you, by far, are a better liaison. Besides, I am starved.=/\=

Mira heard several more laughs behind her. “Have you had to deal with that the whole time he has been on the ship?” one of the guys asked.

Mira nodded yes “Fine I’ll join you.”

{Sheris' temp quarters}

Standing there for a few moments not really wanting to deal with him, Mira shook her head but keyed for entry.

Sheris answered the door in pants. Mira raised an eyebrow at him. "It took you this long to put pants on?"

"Well, I was hoping you would stop by and I wouldn’t have to?" Sheris told her with a wink.

"No," Mira told him, then tried to walk away, but he took hold of her arm. "Ok, how about breakfast, and I tell you what is happening in a few hours?”

Mira sighed “Fine but you better not disappoint me. I am not a woman that handles being disappointed well.”

She let herself be lead to the mess hall.

{Bridge}

Captain, an Andorian Cruiser, just dropped out of warp, bearing 135 mark 20, forty-seven thousand kilometers and closing," the duty officer called from the Tactical console.

Most eyes on the bridge turned to the main view screen as the image refocused onto the approaching ship.

"The Andorians are hailing us, sir," the communications tech announced.

The Captain nodded, "On Screen”

Mira walked in and handed a cup of coffee to the Captain while she sipped her Raktajino.

The screen showed a Andorian “Since the recent death of a delegate……”

Mira had known this was going to happened so she cut him off.

“It wasn’t your delegate therefor it doesn’t fall under your jurisdiction.” Mira raised an eyebrow in challenge. “I am sorry I must have missed the part where you introduced yourself Captain?” she said firmly.

The man sat back “Representative Th'qyhraq, and I demand to see our delegate.”

Mira smiled “You wouldn’t be calling me a liar? Because Sheris and I just had a lovely breakfast and by now he is sound asleep in my quarters were I left him.”

Mira smiled she knew her words were very misleading, but that had been her intention. If this plays out the way Sheris had predicted, she was going to have to owe him 2 more meals together.

"Delegate Sheris is a member of the Andorian diplomatic service, not Star Fleet," Th'qyhraq returned to the attack, "I am ordering his return to our authority.

"Before we comply with your request, Representative," the Captain replied smoothly, "We will need to validate your credentials."

"My credentials?" the Andorian asked, his voice rising shrilly.

"Indeed," the Captain continued, "While I recognize civilian control of Star Fleet, I can't in good conscience hand over my charge to just anyone who asks."

"Don't you know who I am?" The Andorian was turning a shade of purple as he approached apoplexy.

"No but I hope to shortly," the Captain demurred, "Norris, out".

And with a hand gesture from the Captain, the transmission was terminated.

"I bought us some time, Mira, but will eventually have to accede to the request. What are you playing at?"

Mira smiled. "Sir, you yourself gave the order to lock down the ship. No one off, and no one on and, no transmissions. We have a group of Suliban on our ship that got help from someone to get on our ship. I have either an admiral in starfleet that has deliberately compromised our ship or the code that admiral uses is compromised. I find it very strange that the Andorians know of the murder when it hasn't been reported yet. First, they think it's their delegate that was killed, and then they ordered us to turn him over when just a week ago, they didn't have the time to bring the same delegate to earth? If they are so concerned, they can escort us to earth. But if we give into their demands without an order from Star Fleet command, we are the ones who are going to have to answer for it. We are in the middle of an investigation that will be compromised if we let him or any other off this ship. Now, if starfleet wants this whole mess dropped on another ship, then by all means, they can send someone else to deal with all of it." Mira folded her arms.

"I had to report the incident to the sector commander," the Captain replied, "A murder, especially of a civilian, isn't something that I could have, or should have, concealed. This isn't the days of Archer or even Kirk. Admirals have too much communications gear."

"Your point of being in the middle of an investigation is well made," the Captain continued, "But we are running out of time. I would be seriously surprised if Th'qyhraq isn't giving the Chief of Star Fleet an earful right now. We need to find the culprit before the ship is crawling with civilian authorities."

Mira nodded slowly "I'll talk to Sheris. If he is still willing to stay and I am very sure I can easily convince him to do so. " Mira frowned not to happy with the plan forming in her head. "We continue the investigation." Mira looked to the helm. "Max speed but watch it. I don't want to damage the ship."

"Aye ma'am."

Mira's lip tightened as she started to walk away.

"Lt commander what are you planning?" The captain asked her.

"Nothing illegal Captain but whatever I have to do to keep the ship and her crew safe." Mira told him before biting her lip. Hopefully when this was over she could still look at herself in the mirror.

Off:

Lt.Commander Mira Rodale
XO

and

Lieutenant Kevin Lance
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Chuck Norris