#195 Malfunction or Malevolence?

Posted on Tue Oct 31st, 2023 @ 7:23pm by Commodore Cyndi Song & Chief Warrant Officer Niraasha "Nira" Whisperwind & Ensign James Frazier
Edited on on Thu Nov 30th, 2023 @ 10:01pm

Mission: Wedding Blues And Trouble
Location: USS Amandora
Timeline: Concurrent

On

< BRIG >

On a starship it is not uncommon for everyday officers and even civilians to find themselves in a ships hold cell.

Today Ensign James Frazier found himself hosting a civilian aboard for the night.

" How did you sleep Mr Phelps?" Feazier asked his guest.
" Lowsy, this pillow lost its form.
" You tossed all night. I found you in the floor once. You clearly can't hold your liquor." Frazier replied.

" I can't hold my senthahol. When can I get out?"
" I will let you out after breakfast." Frazier replied.
" You're a saint Frazier."

Mr Phelps was not Starfleet but he was a civilian serving aboard as a consultant to the holodeck systems. He had a bad drinking habit and even worse liked to chase his own holo deck women.

Unaware he was actually chasing a crewman, Phelps holodeck program almost turned to porn had Frazier not been with her. Subduing Phelps and arresting him for intoxication Frazier arrested Phelps and let him sleep it off in the brig.

NEXT MORNING

" Alright Phelps the bed and breakfast is over. Grab your gear and head back to your quarters." Frazier nudged.

" Hold your shirt copper. Save me some room I will probably be back." Phelps joked.

" By the way my girl pal isn't pressing charges." Frazier joked.

" That's a relief."


ONE HOUR LATER

Security was called to Holodeck 4 and Frazier drew the short straw to go. Entering the luminous room the scene still played but one figure laid on the floor.
Phelps had been shot and killed.

" Security Officer Frazier to the bridge. We have a homicide in Holodeck 4."

"What the hell!" Cyndi fumed as she tapped her com-badge "Nira join me at Holo deck 4, I received word there's been a death."

Hearing the Commodore calling her to holodeck 4, Nira acknowledged the call and then began to head that way. A death was not what she had expected to hear. She had to get there promptly and see what kind of death it was.

Cyndi arrived at holo deck 4 just behind Nira "What happened and who has been killed?" Cyndi demanded

Frazier being the first officer on scene acknowledged first.
" I am Ensign Frazier Commodore. I am the new brig officer. This humans name is Phelps. He is a civilian holographic engineer on loan from the Barkley Institute. I released him from the brig and I guess he came here after. Two Ensigns tried to use the holodeck but it was running. They entered and found Phelps laying on the deck dead from a stab wound.."

"I think you better start at the beginning and tell Nira and myself what he was doing that put him in the brig," Cyndi said looking to Nira to see how she wanted to handle this.

" I and a...female friend were in here yesterday . I had to step out to get something and when I returned Phelps here was trying to grope my friend. He said he thought she was a holo simulation. So I escorted him to the brig and let him sleep it off." Frazier replied.

Having listened while standing next to the Commodore, Nira found the explanation to be rather weak, and full of holes. Like her mate would say, the story had more holes than Swiss cheese. She tapped her badge and stepped a pace away. "Nira to Security. I want a four person team to holodeck four. Phasers set to stun and bring Security tricorders for a full crime scene sweep. Nira, out." Once those orders were given the Chief then turned and came back to Cyndi, her attention on her CO. "Commodore, we need to shut down all holodecks until further notice. Also, this entire section needs to be off-limits to all personnel except for those working the case. As it stands, with all of us here now, the scene is already contaminated."

"Agreed," Cyndi said tapping her com-badge "Lieutenant Montgomery shut down all holo decks until further notice. Turning back to Nira "Seal this section off. No one comes here without your or my permission. Ensign you'll submit to a full scan for security purposes. I want the persons responsible for this found. I do not want our guests finding out about this."

Nira gave nods as Cyndi spoke, her eyes going to the two witnesses and Mister Frazier. "You three are to remain until we can do a thorough scan of you and your clothing, and take DNA samples. Since you were here and found the body we need to eliminate you as suspects. If this is not to your liking then we can detain you in the brig until the tests are completed and the results compared to any other evidence found within this perimeter. What is your choice?" As Security Chief, Nira would not play nicey-nice and would go by the book on this. A dead crew member, especially one of the civilians, was cause for concern and presented a possible danger to all crew. Considering how the victim had died, which appeared to be brazen murder, all her precautions were logical.

" Look I am new here but I was following protocol. I answered the security call. I didn't know it was Phelps. But sure I will comply, Ma'am. I didn't even check the holo logs because that would contaminate the investigation. " Frazier replied.

"That is fair, Mister Frazier," answered Nira. "You have followed protocol and what I said was not meant as an accusation, merely a precaution. Once the others arrive to begin the investigation I would like you to join them and assist. I will access the internal sensor logs to see if there is anything of note they can provide." Her eyes went to Cyndi. "Commodore, I advise that all classified areas of the ship be secured. Three person teams in each section. I ask that I be allowed to call in the marines for aid in this."

"Make it so, just a bit of information General Long is aboard and has been. Have Doctor Long collect the DNA samples if you wish. The general is no threat to the ship and if you'd like to have her help I'm sure she will. But this is in your hands Nira. You make the calls, I only mentioned the general as you do need to know that. Major Barnes is currently in charge of the marines per the general's orders," Cyndi said.

Nira liked the sound of that, the Barnes portion. She had not seen the latest log updates, and hearing that he had been given command and promoted was music to her ears. Her mate, Captain Silk (Ret.) would be pleased to hear it. "I will take it under advisement, Commodore. Thank you."

"Your welcome, keep me and Commander Green posted on this and above all I do not want our guests aware of this. I already have an uppity Princess to deal with who hates the idea of an arranged marriage," Cyndi said

Frazier hoped the Commodore would soon leave as he needed to speak to his department chief privately about Phelps.

Down at a far end of this section Nira spotted her four-person team of investigators. She was still feeling a bit tired from porting Green's mate and her children to the Amandora, but the hours of rest before being called to this unfortunate event had done wonders for her. But, at this time, she had to secure the area. "With all due respect, Commodore, I need you to vacate the area so we can conduct our CSI (Crime Scene Investigation). Regular reports will be sent to you and Number One as soon as we know anything further."

"I leave it in your hands Nira," Cyndi said as she headed back to the bridge

After she left Frazier approached the door.
" Nira I know this is all circumstantial but I followed the rules by the book. I even gave him a major break to save his job. I did not kill that man."

Nira searched her memory for his name, and addressed him common when she remembered. "James, you are not under suspicion, despite what I said earlier. What I meant by that was that we needed to eliminate you, and the others, as suspects before we go any further. If those women were in there with him, or had been in there previous to his death, we need to know that. Once the area has been thoroughly scanned and searched, we will then move the body to Sickbay and allow them to perform an autopsy to determine exactly how he died."

" Deductive reasoning. Makes sense. Should I return to the brig to finish my shift or to my quarters?" Frazier replied.

"If you feel you need a break after seeing this, feel free to do so, Mister Frazier." Nira answered. "But, as I said, if you choose to be a part of the investigation I am not opposed."

" Thanks Nira." Frazier replied.

Nira gave him a friendly nod. "If you knew the victim then your insights will prove useful. Take a break, get your mind clear, then return when you feel you can. This section is closed until further notice as the investigation continues. I must speak to Number One and Engineering so I must depart for now. Things are not adding up."

Frazier nodded as he tried to remember the sequence of events with Phelps. How could such a gifted man die so violently?

Nira could see the faraway look in the Ensign's eyes. She reached out and gently clasped his upper arm, a friendly gesture of concern. "Relax, James. It is never easy to see death, especially death caused by violence. There are always motives when it is intentional, and I will not rest until this is solved." She looked him in the eyes, her gaze denoting sympathy since she knew that many species did not have the fortitude of her own people when it came to violence and death. Her hand dropped from his arm. "Go ahead and take some time for yourself. There is no shame in it, Ensign. We all adjust and accept in our own way, and in our own time. I need to get moving but my door is always open should you need to talk. Carry on, brother." Nira gave a final nod of understanding before turning and walking away. As she left she hoped he would recover well enough to come back and offer his insights into this incident.

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