When Templeton Meets Refelian

Posted on Wed Nov 28th, 2018 @ 8:53pm by Candy Templeton & Captain Horatio Refelian

3,756 words; about a 19 minute read

Mission: Mission 2: Into The Breach
Location: Captain’s Lounge, Command Hub
Timeline: MD03 - 1000 Hours

Harry had arranged two seats to be facing each other ready for his official interview with Candy Templeton the new Federation News Service Reporter who’d been assigned to the Faltan Station to report on the goings on within the Raeyan Sector Block. This was his first official interview with anyone from the press but came with the position of Station Commander. Mint had filled him in on some of things she knew about the reporter so he was ready for anything but at the same time he hadn’t had he chance to fully speak to the Reporter on a one to one basis so he kept an open mind while he waited for her to arrive.

Candy came in alone. She wore a form fitting red shirt and a simple black skirt. Both accentuated her small waist and her hourglass figure. She wore stiletto high heels and walked with a comfortable ease that caused her hips to sway sensually. This woman knew she was attractive and enjoyed displaying it. As she entered, she stuck out her right hand limply with her palm angled down, giving the Captain the option to kiss the back of her hand or to shake it. As she closed in, “Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me. I know you must be super busy with the ceremony and everything.”

“Busy, yes, but I have an excellent crew who have taken all this within their stride.” Harry said as he took the reporters hand and shook it lightly. “Please take a pew.” Refelian said gesturing towards one of the seats he’d set up.

"A pew?" Candy asked confused. "I had not realized that you intended to be so formal, Captain. Generally, I like to get to know people well before interviewing them officially. Perhaps we could go get a drink?" She wrinkled her nose and said, "I so, hate stuffy environments."

“A chair.” Harry replied translating ‘pew’. “Forgive me, it’s a habit I picked up from my father, he always called chairs ‘pews’. Of course, what can I can get for you, Miss Templeton?” The Captain asked as he headed in the direction of the replicator.

"So, you're a church man?" Candy asked curiously before saying, "Um, I'll have an Andorian Sunrise, if you don't mind; but, if it is any trouble, a water is fine. I'm really easy."

“No, my great grandfather was a church man, I think it’s just one of those words that gets picked up generation after generation.” Harry said as he ordered an Andorian Sunrise for the lady and a water for himself before taking them over to where they were sitting and gave the reporter her drink.

Candy took the drink, sipped it, and then placed it to her side. She crossed her legs, hiking up her skirt slightly. It fit more tightly against her skin and emphasized her curves. "Oh? So, you are not? What happened with the family that you did not grow up that way?" she asked casually.

“Starfleet happened. We’d rather be off exploring than praying.” Harry said with a shrug. “If people want to believe that’s fine by me but I’d rather be doing this job.” He said as he sat down, crossed his legs and made himself comfortable.

"So, you're no longer the explorer? Just an administrator?"

“It feels like Starfleet hasn’t done much exploration over the last few years. Tensions across the galaxy seem to be pushing us to defend ourselves rather explore the unknown. Hopefully, we’ll be able to get out and explore again.” Harry replied. “I suppose I am an administrator of this installation. Although, I’m hopeful we can make this station grow and become an important piece of real estate in the Raeya Sector Block.”

"That seems like a rather bleak point of view. Why do you think that Starfleet would rather hold territory rather than explore?" Candy asked interested.

“It’s not about holding territory it’s about keeping the Federation’s citizens safe.” Harry paused for a moment. “Have we started the interview already, Miss Templeton?”

"Candy!" she exclaimed in an instant correction. "Candy, please! And," she waved to empty room, "do you see any recording devices? No, no, no! This is a get to know you session. I want you to be comfortable with me, Captain." She held up her hands in a mock surrender, somehow not spilling a drop of her Andorian Sunrise. "I'm just a harmless lass making some friendly chit chat."

“My apologies, Candy, it felt like I was being probed during a friendly chit chat session.” Harry said with a chuckle. “Tell me, how long have you been reporting for the Federation News Service?”

"Being probed? Now, what kind of innuendo is that, Captain?" she laughed with a small snicker at the end. "How long have I been reporting? Oh, gosh! How long has it been?" She put a finger to her face and looked up, as if trying to mentally count the years. "Six years? Is that right?" She huffed for a moment and said, "Huh," and then shrugged. "I think Abby had been gone for a couple of years when I got to the FNS."

“So you’re an experienced reporter then? Covered any big stories?” Harry asked genuinely curious.

"You can say I've been around," Candy giggled and then took a sip of her Andorian Sunrise. "Oh, I have done a few stories. You might remember a piece that I did on the tragedy of the destruction of Romulus a couple of years back...."

“I can’t say I do. I was too busy helping the Romulans.” Harry said dryly.

"Ahhh," Candy answered. "So, where were you when Romulus was destroyed?" Candy asked, her curiosity piqued.

“I was Commanding the Solent when the star went super nova. We were patrolling the neutral zone when we picked up the explosion on long range sensors. Later that day we were ordered to help with the aid effort.” Refelian replied, remembering the day like it was yesterday. “So many souls lost, so devastating.”

"There were many that did not feel the same. After all, the Romulans had been a great problem for a great many years. Had the supernova not threatened us, as well, would we have really rendered aid?"

“I’d like to think so.” Harry replied as he crossed his legs. “True, the Romulans have been troublesome but it’s been nothing we can’t work out together. There is mutual respect for each other which I think is key to both our people’s survival.”

"Mutual respect?" Candy asked skeptically. "Recent history would suggest otherwise. The Treaty of Algeron was only signed in 2311 and re-defined the Romulan Neutral Zone. That's hardly warm and fuzzy. Not to mention that we have not trusted the Romulans very well, either. Was there not an incident in 2358 where we tried to develop our own cloaking technology, though banned? And in 2371, we barely got the use of one Romulan cloaking ship in return for ALL of the intelligence we gained in the Delta Quadrant?" Candy blushed, now realizing that her ditzy blonde routine had been blown.

She cleared her throat. "I suppose that I have spoken out of turn too much, here. Perhaps we should get back to getting to know each other? Just out of curiosity, how did you happen to choose Mint as your first officer?"

“Commander Prescott was assigned to Faltan Station but she is the perfect Officer I would choose for the position. She has proven herself as an asset since setting foot here.” Harry replied, agreeing moving on from the Romulans was the best way forward.

"So, you did not choose her?" she asked curiously.

“I haven’t chosen any of my senior staff. All were assigned by Starfleet Command,” Refelian answered.

"Perhaps you can tell me of the problems that you have had since you have come to Faltan Station and what you have done to solve them."

Harry smiled, “Our main problem was getting this station back to fully operational status. My Engineering and Operations teams have been brilliant. The next hurdle for us is host the opening ceremony.”

Candy took another sip of her drink before continuing. "Your Chief of Operations is Lieutenant Commander M'Mira and also your Second Executive Officer. She spoke highly of you and Mint. She is quite the charming woman and it sounds like she did a fine job of holding things together but there were other matters that were problematic, no? You're really glossing over some of the things that happened: You getting shot, the Romulan Ambassador's wife being kidnapped on Mint and M'Mira's watch, not to mention the Faltan government now speaking out strongly against the Federation. Why is that, Captain?"

’She’s done her homework, that’s for sure.’ Thought Harry before replying. “Glossing over? No. These things happened. The Ambassador’s wife’s kidnapping would have happened on anyone’s watch. The station and crew were in disarray with the shooting of their commanding officer plus still not fully staffed or fully operational. These aren’t excuses merely facts. Looking back, yes, things could have been done differently. Hindsight is a wonderful think, I’m sure someone like yourself has been able to look back at something in your life and thought ‘damn, I would have changed that.’”

"They happened, as you said. However, you did not mention them at the start. Why is that? What do you believe you could have done differently that would have helped any of these incidents?"

“You asked about Faltan Station, not anything that happened outside of the station.” Refelian replied cool tone. “On hindsight, perhaps I shouldn’t have put my crew in danger by going to the Faltan capital. However, we are Starfleet Officer’s, risk is part of the job we do. We went with a hand of freindship, I’m still keen on gaining there trust so we can work together.”

"The Romulan Embassy is at the station," Candy countered and let it hang for Refelian without further comment. "So, you went with a hand in friendship but chose to ignore Lieutenant Damon's recommendation to bring security. Why is that?"

“You don’t take armed guards to meetings like that.” Harry replied. “Would Security with weapons have stopped me being shot? Probably not. The shooter knew what they were doing and waited for the right moment. Actually, trigger happy Security could have made that situation a lot worse.”

"Then again, they might have been able to have protected you from a near deadly wound, if they were deployed discreetly, no?"

“No, they wouldn’t have. The shooter was in the building opposite and shot me through the window. All the security in the galaxy wouldn’t have stopped me from getting shot.” The Captain replied.

"Tell me Captain, there are a lot of rumors going around the station that you have a romantic relationship with your first officer. Is that true?"

“I don’t see what my personal relationship with Commander Prescott has to do with this interview?” Refelian replied, unimpressed about being asked about his private life.

"As I told you before, I wanted to get to know you. And certainly, you could understand how you, being the Captain, are more than a little bit of interest to the public," Candy explained to him as it was as obvious as night and day.

“I’m not fussed if it is or isn’t an interest to the public. All they need to know is, I’m doing my job to the best of my ability and my private life will stay exactly that, private.” Harry replied in an even tone.

That's what you think. "Many people feel that when someone says that, they have something to hide. I'm not saying that you do but why not clear up the rumors?"

“I have nothing to hide. I am merely a private man when it comes to my private life. Rumours do not concern me.” Refelian replied simply.

"If you have nothing to hide, then there's nothing to be concerned about with your private affairs," Candy replied unconcerned. "By saying nothing, you allow speculation, which could turn into some very nasty gossip and bad morale. I would not want to see that happen."

Harry smiled, “Goding me into letting you private information isn’t likely to gain you many friends here. I’m here to talk shop not about my private life.”

"Captain," she said getting up to rearrange herself and allowing the Captain to get long look at her ample bosom, "I would not think of goding you into anything." She turned around, brushed her chair and allowed Refelian to see her tight rear. "Ah, that's better!" she said, turning and sitting back down.

After a small pause Candy continued, "My interest is only in the running of this station." She crossed her legs, allowing her skirt to rise for a moment, hinting at what might be underneath. "Well, that's not entirely true. I am interested in meeting with the Faltan government, as well."

“Then stick to questions about the station not the personal life of the person running it.” The Captain replied unimpressed with the flirtatious nature of the reporters actions. “As for the Faltan Government, I doubt they’ll want to speak with you but I can mention it to them when I make contact after the ceremony.”

Nonplussed at the Captain's direction and completely ignoring it, she focused for the moment on the Faltan Government. There would be plenty of ways to find out more about Mint and Refalian's relationship later. "Why do you doubt that they would want to speak with me? I think you would find that I could be quite persuasive." She leaned in, her pouting lips smiling at the Captain.

“They dislike the Federation.” Harry replied simply. “Asking them to speak to a Federation News Service reporter probably won’t go down well, but I will ask.”

"I should probably ask, then. I find that most people are much more willing to talk to a reporter than someone who represents the very thing that they hate. I'm much more, how shall we put it...? Impartial?"

’I’ll believe that when I see it.’ Harry thought to himself. “Please feel free to contact them. I shall warn you, they can be fairly blunt and uncooperative.”

"I don't mind blunt. It means that I know what I'm dealing with. Then again, when I don't or I think someone is hiding something, well, I get all the more curious...."

Harry nodded, “Very well, good luck with the Faltan’s. My only advice is not to stand close to windows for too long.” The Captain said with a smirk.

Candy laughed at that. "I might get taken as a hostage," she said with an apologetic shrug. "However, I'm not likely to get shot. I don't really represent a threat to them."

“That’s a fair point. If they do agree to see you, you’ll need a security escort.” Refelian said.

Showing an independent streak, Candy quashed the idea. "First, Captain, I am not under your jurisdiction. Second, I would not take a security escort even if I were. I think that they have been spooked quite enough, don't you? They already feel threatened. Why make it worse? Who knows? Maybe I would end up being a good will ambassador for you, in some sense."

“Oh, my apologies, I thought you were a Federation citizen.” Refelian replied before changing his tone. “That’s right, you are a Federation citizen which means you are under my jurisdiction. You will have an escort after what happened the last time.”

Like hell, I will. "It would be very difficult to gain the trust of the Faltans when you saddle me with someone that they would hate."

“Then you won’t be talking to them. Unless you do it over a Comm channel.” Refelian replied firmly.

"I will be doing that first, regardless, no?" Candy replied simply, stating an obvious truth.

“Indeed.” Refelian replied simply. “Shall we continue?”

"Yes, we shall," she replied as simply but with a small smile. "What do you think of Commander Prescott and M'Mira and the job they did while you were recovering?"

“They were both excellent. I’ve put them both in for a commendation. I’m very proud of what they achieved under so much pressure.” Refelian replied, pride evident in his voice.

"And exactly what did they achieve?" Candy asked skeptically. There was something in the tone of her voice that hinted she had information that Refelian was going to have to account for in his answer.

“They kept the Station on track for being operational on time and kept the crew focused on the job at hand at a difficult time.” Refelian said.

"So," Candy said and then paused dramatically as she took another drink of her Andorian Sunrise. "It was completely competent for your staff to allow the Romulan Ambassador's wife to be kidnapped...." She looked away and then back into Refellian's eyes. "That was on their watch, right? You were incapacitated, correct? Just checking my facts...."

“Ambassador Telhas has his own security detail who were looking after the building site as as well the Ambassador and his wife.” Refelian replied in an even tone. “I know you’re trying to pin what happened on them but I won’t allow it. Were we caught off guard? Yes. Did we expect such aggression towards us? No. Security has been stepped up accordingly to prevent such things happening again.”

"Captain, captain, captain," Candy responded with a wave of her hand. "I think you misunderstand me. I do not pin anything on anyone. I gather facts and present them to the public. I'm not here to make any judgments. However, you must admit," she said with one corner of her mouth mischievously curling, "that this does seem to be a bit of problem - you and your staff being caught off guard. No? Beefing security now is like closing the barn doors after the animals got out."

“We did the best we could under the circumstances but being understaffed for the first few weeks made keep the station secure difficult. Hence why we didn’t allow civilians here until it was completely safe.” Refelian replied, not liking the reporters tone but not showing it.

"And what circumstances were those, that this was best?" Candy asked. "And how can you guarantee that we are safe, now? Have you yet found the person that shot you? Has peace been reached with the Faltans? Have the prior occupants of the station been found? What about the Ambassador's wife? Have those responsible for her kidnapping been caught and brought to justice?"

The Captain couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. “Can I guarantee your safety? No I can’t, I don’t know what will happen from one moment to the next, but I will make sure we do our best to keep you safe. As for the the person who shot me and those responsible for the bombing, we are unable to follow up lines of inquiry due to the Faltan’s not permitting us to investigate within their jurisdiction.”

"You don't know what will happen from one moment to the next," Candy responded, turning the Captain's phrase over in her mind and out loud before taking a long drink of her Andorian Sunrise, finishing it. How did this man become a Captain? He does not seem to accept responsibility for anything and rewards incompetence. Not to mention that he admits that he cannot anticipate problems. "That does not answer the question about the fate of the prior occupants. Have you at least discovered that?"

“Indeed we have. They were found murdered. Our investigation lead us to the Faltan’s but with them not wanting to cooperate we will have to wait to find the culprits. They will be brought to justice though.” Refelian replied.

"And how can you keep that promise with the current state of affairs, Captain? What, EXACTLY, have you done to bring those responsible to justice?"

“The investigation is still ongoing but we have got a fair amount of evidence including DNA. I’m hoping to negotiate with the Faltan’s after the ceremony to take our investigation further and bring those responsible to justice.” The Captain replied.

"Ongoing? After, how long, now? A week or two? So, would it be fair to say that you have DNA that does not match any on file and you are making the assumption that it is the Faltans? Or, do you have something more concrete?"

"I'm afraid I can't reveal details of the investigation results. We have evidence to present the Faltan's with after the ceremony has taken place." Refelian replied as rubbed his bearded face. He glanced at the clock on the wall. "Many more questions, Candy, as I do have a busy day today as you can imagine?"

Candy internally smiled larger. She had gotten to him and he knew that she had caught his incompetence. Satisfied, she said, "I see. So the people who are not cooperating with you on helping you with the person that shot you is going to just simply take your word on evidence that you supposedly have that supposedly implicates their people. Makes perfect sense to me." With that, she rose. "No, Captain, I think I have what I need for now." She placed the empty glass on the chair, giving the Captain another look at her rear. This time, however, there was no flirtatious intent. It was the result of the simple action. "I do look forward to hearing what you have to say at the ceremony."

Refelian sighed internally, she was turning his words around and making them sound bad. ’Typical reporter. He thought to himself as he also rose to his feet. “My pleasure, Candy.” He said as he offered his hand again to the reporter.

Candy took Refelian's hand, shook it confidently, her eyes meeting his, twinkling. After a lingering moment and thinking, Your pleasure, indeed. , she replied, "I look forward to future discussions, Refelian. See you at the ceremony." Confidently, she strutted away, allowing the door to open and close behind her.

 

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