A Friendly Interrogation

Posted on 10 Apr 2025 @ 7:58pm by Lieutenant Commander Sebastiaan Van Der Laar

Mission: M4 - Falling Out
Location: Obsidian Colony
Timeline: TBD
1867 words - 3.7 OF Standard Post Measure

The sun was setting out across the Desert landscape, casting a growing shadow across the sandy expanse below. Behind where he perched, high in the crags of the Colony border, Oly knew those same shadows had cast the space into the muted gloom of evening. He savored the cool that came with the departure of the sun; even back home his favorite times of the day had been those hours just before and just after the light of day.

“Just how wise is it for you to be clambering around up here?” Shirin’s voice came from somewhere below, bringing a flicker of a smile to Oly’s lips as he turned and made a quick descent to the platform where she stood. His ribs had lost most of the ache that lingered after healing - experience had taught him that the echoes always remained as a memory to caution, but it seemed he wasn’t all that accustomed to minding the lessons. As he came face to face with the El Aurian woman his amusement deepened as she leveled a half-hearted glare at him. “I don’t understand what compels you to climb up here, but I won’t cry the day you end up falling and cracking your skull open.”

“You wound me, Shirin! Declarations like that would make a man think you actually care about him.” Oly took up a place just behind the woman as they descended the path of rock and scaffolding leading to the level ground below. “Personally I think you’d be heartbroken for all the opportunities missed. Who would you nag every day?”

“The possibilities are endless.” Shirin snorted. Gone was the cagey Intel officer who had accompanied them into the colony. With the security of the natural barricades Van Der Laar had lightened up considerably. He still held a good deal close to the chest, but he didn’t seem as wary of losing his grip. “Besides, Captain Dhow wanted you to join them for dinner. Wouldn’t want to keep him waiting, would you?”

That caught his attention. Ever since waking in the Colony infirmary it felt as though Oly had been waiting for the man to find a free moment in his schedule to offer more than a passing greeting. Rationally he could have departed with T’Sheng days ago when she returned to the station, but Oly had opted not to take the chance. Whether he didn’t trust the Planetary enforcers to keep Turo under wraps, or he suspected the man was not working alone, the thought of possibly endangering the woman had compelled Oly to stay behind. “It would help if he’d let me know he’s expecting me.” A deadpan stare met him, framed by a slender brow arched in irony. Oly grimaced, not sure whether a smile was all that warranted. “I take it you’re the notice.”

“Consider yourself notified, Lieutenant Commander.” With that, she turned and resumed the trek down to ground.

===

Kit glanced at the chronometer and noted the time was edging ever closer to dinner and still no Shirin or Van Der Laar. Granted, the former had notified him that they were en route, but had not specified from where, leaving their arrival time to anyone’s guess. He exhaled, mentally running over the dinner preparations even as he moved to pour a glass of fruit juice. Aiden had made himself scarce since learning of the invitation, closeted to his Dark Room. While Kit couldn’t blame the young man, he had been hoping to get his impression of their guest to add to what Cyrus and Shirin had passed on. He sipped the chilled beverage as he considered the implications.

Van Der Laar was Intel and what reports he had received indicated he had been on the planet searching for - as he claimed - a ‘dead man’. While no name had been attached to the mystery, there was Aiden’s own complicated history to weave into the mix - added to the fact Van Der Laar specifically requested to speak with him. Whether it had to do with his rank, or his connection to Aiden, Kit couldn’t say; he could only prod the man for answers and hope it was something he could at least marginally trust.

As he was finishing the glass and considering a refill the entrance chime sounded to announce guests. Seconds later Shirin entered alongside a man who was likely the Lieutenant Commander. He was wearing attire that looked borrowed - the pants a touch too wide in the hips and looked to be cinched together beneath the hip-length tunic that seemed better suited. “Mr. Van Der Laar.”

The tan face eased into a smile. “You can call me Oly, Sir.” He looked to be in his early to mid thirties, dark hair showing the faintest sparks of silver, but face lined with little more than the regular signs of an outdoor life.

“Then I’ll return the favor and ask that you address me as Kit. Please, sit down. Shirin, will Cyrus be joining us?”

“There was an issue in town and he went with Maec to see to matters. He sends his regards.” She shrugged, moving to take a seat before adding. “Where’s the Youngling?”

“In his room,” Kit started, but was interrupted as the door opened and Aiden emerged, nodding to Shirin before taking his seat. “Alright then. Serving’s casual, so feel free to help yourself. I wasn’t entirely sure of your preferences, Oly, so I defaulted to Middle Eastern since it’s a preference around her. We also have Juice and water.”

“That works for me.” Settling into a low seat, Oly eyed the offerings. “I’ll opt for the water, thanks.” Observing the Commander and Shirin, he took one of the small plates and selected a few meat rolls and some fresh fruit before sitting back.

”I’m sorry we did not get the chance to meet before this. Matters have been … a bit chaotic of late - both in regards to issues with the planet as well as on the station. Part of the cost of still being an officer, I suppose.” Kit smiled. “Thankfully I have the support of my civilian partners to keep things moving when I am away.” He took a slice of melon for himself, savoring the richness of the fruit. “Cyrus tells me you have made yourself comfortable here in the colony.”

Oly paused, not quite sure what was meant by the statement. He’d been made welcome for sure, but he kept waiting for the moment he was told to leave, seeing as he was neither Obsidianite, Romulan or El Aurian. “Your people have been gracious, Commander.”

”Please, call me Kit. You are welcome here as long as you choose to stay. I understand there is some conflict of interest between yourself and your commanding officer; I do have connections I could possibly utilize if you are seeking a resolution.” Granted. Oly had not shared much of the situation, other than to say he had been sent here on the pretense of a mission, only to have his Commanding officer deny the fact once he arrived. And then there was his altercation prior to arrival.

”To be frank, I’m not sure how much assistance you could provide. I appreciate the offer, Kit, but I’m in over my head here. Have been for a while, I just didn’t want to accept it.”

“Does it have to do with the man who tried to kill you? He’s been detained.” Shirin suppressed the urge to scoff and what she could only characterize as a show of dramatics.

“Turo.” Oly offered. “Lieutenant Makrin Turo. He’s Sharpton’s right-hand man and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Commander arranges for his deportation from the planet. Not out right, mind you. Things happened some years back and Makrin’s not as … politically acceptable. He’s maintained his rank but he stays in the background for public affairs.”

Kit frowned. “He claimed you to be a double agent.” Intelligence machinations had never been his preference - too much left unsaid and one seldom knew where they truly stood in the matter.

”He would; we were under cover together and my duty was to gain the trust of our target. I did my job and uncovered his own agenda in the process. The mission more or less went south at that point and resulted in an emergency extraction. Since then it seems I have either been sidelined or farmed out to missions guaranteed for failure before I ever stepped into the game. Either my cover was blown before I could even make contact, or I’m targeted by my own side.” Reaching into his pocket, Oly pulled out a data chip. “I made a copy of my mission notes leading up to this assignment and through my time here in the colony. It’s in code, but if you run it through a translation program for Siksiká you’ll be able to read them.”

Taking the chip, Kit arched a brow in curiosity. “Siksiká - is that even an option in our database?” He was aware of many languages but had not heard of that one. “What planet does that originate from?”

Oly grinned. “Why Sol, Commander. It’s a language of the First Nations. You likely are more familiar with it as Blackfoot.” His smile widened as realization dawned on the man’s face. “It’s not all that evident but I am descended from my mother’s side. Learned the language alongside Standard growing up. It’s easier for me to dictate my thoughts in the tongue and makes for a secure recording in case it falls into the wrong hands.”

”Blackfoot,” Shirin peered at him. “Wasn’t that one of those old tribal groups in the Americas?”

”Call them what you will, they’re family all the same. They’re also part of why I had a ken for this place. I grew up in the Montana regions; scrubland and mountains where it wasn’t miles of corn.”

”I’ll take a look at this, see what I can discover on my own. I do have a friend on the station who might be able to lend a hand as well if she’s willing. A’koja Dea; she runs a private investigation service - an impartial party, if you will.

Choking on his sip of water, Oly coughed to clear his throat. “De … Dea? Was … did she ever serve in the Fleet?”

”You know her?” Kit watched Oly’s expression as he processed the news.

”Briefly, perhaps. I doubt she would even remember me.” And if she did, would she even want to help? “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to get another opinion.”

While the man didn’t give much away, Kit gathered there was something there. “I’ll let you know if I end up going that route. In the meantime, maybe you could tell us a bit of what your Commander’s initial purpose was for sending you here.”