Felicity Ellis
Command
Cap'n Mum
[TI11]
Posts: 719 Likes: 59 
Rank: Commander
Position: XO
Species: Human
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Post by Felicity Ellis on Aug 20, 2021 16:54:29 GMT
[Lieutenant Gerard Smüggintel - Holosuite 7, Front Ear Station]Approximately five days following the events of S2 - E8/M8 Unlike his mentor, Gerard Smüggintel had no feelings whatsoever about this installation. He was not one to get bogged down in aesthetics and he cared not for the calibre of residents. What the operative liked was his work, and he was very good at it. He had dedicated himself to it and he had no real interest in anything unrelated to it. Which was why when he found out that his assigned interviewee was spending her downtime in the holodeck, he immediately felt superior. He stepped into Holosuite 7, cleared his throat, and issued an order. "Computer, end program. Authorisation Smüggintel-Two-Seven-Two-Delta."The holograms and holographic representations fizzled away into nothing, and all there was to look at was a blank grid and the Intelligence Officer's smug smile. "Hullo, Sylvia."
Tag: Syl O'Connell
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Syl O'Connell
Flight Control
[TI8]
Posts: 662
Likes: 9
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Position: Flight Control/Caldonia 5
Species: Human
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Post by Syl O'Connell on Aug 20, 2021 19:03:53 GMT
[Lt. JG Syl O'Connell - Front Ear - Holosuite 7]The hiss of the doors opening was just enough warning for the adventurous pilot to rappel back down the cliff face she'd been climbing. Her feet had barely touched solid ground when the voice she didn't recognize so rudely ended the program, and everything - even the safety harness she'd been wearing - disappeared. Hearing the name only ever spoken by her parents, she huffed with indignation and spun around to face the stranger. "What, is this my mother's way of apologizing?" She spat, before the reality of the situation sunk in. Before her stood a man she'd never seen before, and he was blocking her path to the only door. Her attitude fizzled into uncertainty, and she swallowed, instinctively taking a step back to put more distance between them. "What do you want?" She asked him, a little more quietly than she liked.
Tag Felicity Ellis
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Felicity Ellis
Command
Cap'n Mum
[TI11]
Posts: 719 Likes: 59
Rank: Commander
Position: XO
Species: Human
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Post by Felicity Ellis on Aug 21, 2021 17:22:03 GMT
[Lieutenant Gerard Smüggintel - Holosuite 7, Front Ear Station]He found her words curious. Was she waiting on an apology from her mother? As far as Smüggintel was concerned, mothers were not people who generally owed apologies to their offspring. In fact, he believed as the ones who brought them into this world, they were deserving of their gratitude and respect, not entitled expectation. He'd studied the dossier Admiral Ellis had put together on Sylvia O'Connell, and it indeed had mention of familial estrangement. This was certainly something that the young Intelligence operative could use during this interview. He watched as indignation turned to uncertainty on her face, and she stepped away to put some distance between them. Her question was somehow a demand, and yet delivered without the strength one would come to expect of same. "My apologies, Sylvia, how rude of me not to introduce myself first!" His smile never reached his eyes, but he made a show of deference all the same. "My name is Lieutenant Gerard Smüggintel." The 'u' of his name was extended enthusiastically, making it sound more 'smoog' as opposed to 'smug'. "I know, it is a mouthful. Call me Gerry, would you?" He didn't wait for a response. "Great."Gerry took a step forward, closing the distance between them again. "I am to conduct a debrief interview on behalf of Admiral Ellis."
Tag: Syl O'Connell
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Syl O'Connell
Flight Control
[TI8]
Posts: 662
Likes: 9
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Position: Flight Control/Caldonia 5
Species: Human
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Post by Syl O'Connell on Aug 22, 2021 21:29:47 GMT
[Lt. JG Syl O'Connell - Front Ear - Holosuite 7]Syl ran a hand through her hair nervously, trying to keep herself composed as he introduced himself with false friendliness and stepped towards her. She'd almost forgotten about the Admiral's visit. It had taken longer than she expected... Perhaps something had come up that delayed departure from Earth. "Can we talk about this somewhere else?" Somewhere public... Syl was grateful that she was at least able to keep her voice from shaking. Hoping to stress her intent to leave the Holosuite, she moved to step around Gerry, but tried to stay out of arm's reach as she did so.
Tag Felicity Ellis
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Felicity Ellis
Command
Cap'n Mum
[TI11]
Posts: 719 Likes: 59
Rank: Commander
Position: XO
Species: Human
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Post by Felicity Ellis on Aug 24, 2021 20:40:15 GMT
[Lieutenant Gerard Smüggintel - Holosuite 7, Front Ear Station]"Oh, of course, Sylvia!" Gerard Smüggintel exclaimed, a contrite expression tugging his facial features. He even smacked his palm against his forehead. "I must apologise again, I am being a terribly inconsiderate interviewer overall."Then he clasped his hands behind his back, and moved to block her exit. "Computer, run program: THEPIT-ONE-THREE." He smiled at her as a recreation of the Kurjarian Labour Camp she'd been imprisoned in materialised around them. He began to walk deeper into the prison, then paused and turned to look back at her, as though waiting for her to join him on this stroll. "It's not perfect, of course, there are inconsistences. I recreated it mostly from Caldonian schematics and a recorded account from that Kurjarian terrorist leader who was apprehended here a year and a half ago. I do apologise for my lack of precision, I was rather hoping you would help me fill in the gaps - so to speak."On a nearby walkway a prisoner fell to his knees, hands wrapped around the collar that was attached to his throat. He spasmed, overcome by the shocks, and then fell to the ground. "Barbaric," Gerry observed, but he was still smiling. "Effective, it seems."
Tag: Syl O'Connell
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Syl O'Connell
Flight Control
[TI8]
Posts: 662
Likes: 9
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Position: Flight Control/Caldonia 5
Species: Human
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Post by Syl O'Connell on Aug 25, 2021 11:54:18 GMT
[Lt. JG Syl O'Connell - Front Ear - Holosuite 7]Syl watched in horror as the grid around her transformed into the crowded rocky prison she still saw in her dreams. For a long moment she was paralyzed, fear clawing at her chest. Why was she back here? As the Kurjarian prisoner fell, her hand flew to her throat to clutch the collar around her own neck, only for her fingertips to brush the scarred skin. This wasn't real. But it sure looked real. A snarl curled her lips as she turned her gaze to the man who seemed utterly unaffected by the cruelty in front of him. Rather... He seemed to be enjoying himself. "What sick game are you playing?" she spat, not taking any steps to follow him deeper into the prison. This wasn't a debriefing. This was psychological torture. Her heart hammered in her chest and she took a step backward, fighting to remind herself that this wasn't real. But damn, it sure looked real. It even smelled the same. Or perhaps that was just her memories filling in the gaps...
Tag Felicity Ellis
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Felicity Ellis
Command
Cap'n Mum
[TI11]
Posts: 719 Likes: 59
Rank: Commander
Position: XO
Species: Human
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Post by Felicity Ellis on Aug 27, 2021 22:56:21 GMT
[Lieutenant Gerard Smüggintel - Holosuite 7, Front Ear Station]Smüggintel watched her closely, like a scientist observes a test subject. He was intrigued when her hands rose to her neck, just as the Kurjarian prisoner's had. It suggested that that part of the intel he'd collected was accurate, and that all prisoners were fitted with shock devices. Crude, but obviously an efficient and lasting tool of demoralisation. He raised both brows at her angry outburst, genuine surprise colouring his otherwise smug expression. "Oh, Sylvia, I assure you," he began, his tone earnest, "I am playing no game. This is very serious for me."The Intelligence operative took a few steps closer to the downed Kurjarian, who had keeled over and loosed his bowels. "Tell me," Smüggintel mused, no longer looking at O'Connell, but instead at the unfortunate prisoner, "How often did they shock you? Several times a day? Once an hour?"
Tag: Syl O'Connell
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Syl O'Connell
Flight Control
[TI8]
Posts: 662
Likes: 9
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Position: Flight Control/Caldonia 5
Species: Human
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Post by Syl O'Connell on Aug 28, 2021 3:35:53 GMT
[Lt. JG Syl O'Connell - Front Ear - Holosuite 7]She needed to get out of here. Her breath had increased with her heart rate, her arms crossed tightly in front of her. Beads of sweat broke out on her forehead, though whether it was from her rising panic or the memory of the blistering sun was difficult to say. "Depends on the guard," she answered him quietly, though her hazel eyes were unfocused. "Some considered breathing an act of defiance. Others didn't care so long as you did what they said." That was how she had avoided the beatings even when the others weren't around to protect her. Kept her head down and the pick moving. She survived it once, she'd survive it again. No, this wasn't real. She had to remember this wasn't real...
Tag Felicity Ellis
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Felicity Ellis
Command
Cap'n Mum
[TI11]
Posts: 719 Likes: 59
Rank: Commander
Position: XO
Species: Human
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Post by Felicity Ellis on Aug 31, 2021 12:59:58 GMT
[Lieutenant Gerard Smüggintel - Holosuite 7, Front Ear Station]Naturally, the Operative noticed the physical reactions that Sylvia O'Connell was having to her new surroundings, and he took mental note of them, but he did not react or comment. Instead he listened and then carried on talking as though the pair were engaging in nothing more than a diverting conversation about the weather. "I see, yes! So they had some autonomy, and almost no overseeing if they could treat you in whatever manner they saw most fit, individually." The smell of the soiled Kurjarian's loose prisoner attire grew too much, or perhaps too realistic, for Smüggintel, so he stood and began to walk with a sure step toward The Pit itself. "I believe it was expected that you labour here for shifts of 12 hours. I expect you were the model prisoner."It wasn't exactly a question, but he raised a brow anyway and looked back at her to ensure she was coming along.
Tag: Syl O'Connell
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Syl O'Connell
Flight Control
[TI8]
Posts: 662
Likes: 9
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Position: Flight Control/Caldonia 5
Species: Human
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Post by Syl O'Connell on Sept 1, 2021 5:41:17 GMT
[Lt. JG Syl O'Connell - Front Ear - Holosuite 7]Syl didn't move, nor did she look at the man that continued asking her questions. Questions that didn't really matter. All Starfleet Command had to do was ask for their medical records, and it would be obvious how badly they had been treated. But this officer was determined to make her relive the worst parts in details. As casually as though they were watching an ancient black and white film. Her hazel eyes were unfocused, staring off into the distance where she knew The Pit to be. Even without the echoing of the mining tools, she knew this path by heart. Holograms of prisoners bumped into her, guards shouted, and still she didn't move. Her fingers against the warm flesh of her throat was the only grounding she had to keep her talking. "I don't know how long we worked. We kept track of days by scratching on a rock at lights out." It was the only way they had to remind themselves they'd only been there for weeks, rather than the years it felt like. Syl's voice was as distant as her gaze, and she didn't seem to notice him checking to make sure she followed. She wouldn't follow. Even if she wasn't terrified of what waited for her farther in, her muscles wouldn't respond. That she knew... Because they weren't turning and running to the Holosuite exit like she wanted to. "I kept my head down and did as I was told. That was the only way to avoid the beatings." She added after a moment, her mind finally processing the question. The young woman could still feel the guard's harsh grip on her arm... Could still see the flurry of movement as Kova came to her rescue. She still watched as her savior fell to the shocks and the ensuing beating that almost killed her...
Tag Felicity Ellis
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Felicity Ellis
Command
Cap'n Mum
[TI11]
Posts: 719 Likes: 59
Rank: Commander
Position: XO
Species: Human
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Post by Felicity Ellis on Sept 2, 2021 13:15:15 GMT
[Lieutenant Gerard Smüggintel - Holosuite 7, Front Ear Station]He was waiting, turned to the side as he looked back at her. A flicker of impatience crossed his face when it seemed as though she would not be following him as she was supposed to. But it was gone quickly, replaced by the bland expression of smugness that had been plastered onto his face from the beginning. "Excellent!" Smüggintel enthused when she confirmed she'd worked hard and done what she was told. "Come on now, in that case, you can take me through the exact, precise procedure involved in mining the ore. Don't be shy, Sylvia."Without waiting for a response or for her to catch up, he walked into The Pit. His gaze scanned and then wandered upward as he affected awe. "What a marvel. The old ways really are the best, the most productive. Nothing like this would ever be permitted on Earth now."
Tag: Syl O'Connell
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Syl O'Connell
Flight Control
[TI8]
Posts: 662
Likes: 9
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Position: Flight Control/Caldonia 5
Species: Human
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Post by Syl O'Connell on Sept 5, 2021 3:48:17 GMT
[Lt. JG Syl O'Connell - Front Ear - Holosuite 7]Her fingers slid down her neck, and felt the chain hidden beneath her shirt collar. Pulling out the mariner's cross pendant, she clutched it tightly, squeezing her eyes closed. "Bring me home. Bring me home..." the pilot whispered the mantra she hadn't been aware she had. It was obvious this man wasn't going to let her avoid going deeper into The Pit, so she tried to focus on the subtle differences, though there weren't many. It wasn't quite as hot. She wasn't hungry, or dirty, or in pain. This wasn't real. Her feet shuffled along the rock, carrying her towards him, until his words finally penetrated her mind. He wanted her to show him?! Anger flared within her, as hot as the Caldonian sun, and when her eyes flew open they fixed upon him with a hardened ferocity. "You want to know what they did to us? Go to Caldonia and find out! They didn't treat us any differently than the Kurjarians!" Syl wanted no part in his twisted torture fantasy. Was this man even really in Starfleet? She knew different officers did things different... But this went against everything Starfleet stood for, especially to do to one of their own. "When you're interested in a real debriefing, I'll be on the Promenade. Computer, door!" With that she spun around, looking for the exit to be revealed so she could get away from there.
Tag Felicity Ellis
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Felicity Ellis
Command
Cap'n Mum
[TI11]
Posts: 719 Likes: 59
Rank: Commander
Position: XO
Species: Human
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Post by Felicity Ellis on Sept 5, 2021 22:38:44 GMT
[Lieutenant Gerard Smüggintel - Holosuite 7, Front Ear Station]Gerard Smüggintel did not care for her unnecessary explosion of emotion. He blinked in the face of her anger, wondering if her time in the prison had damaged her mind irreparably. "I do not care what they did to you, Sylvia," he told her, matter-of-factly. "I asked you to show me the mining process."Perhaps she was too far gone, too weak. "The Admiral will be so disappointed." He shook his head and sighed, his own attitude seemingly one of disappointment. "And after she pulled all of those strings to make sure you had a posting to go to."With a lingering look after her as she ordered an exit, he made his parting shot. "What a waste."
Tag: Syl O'Connell
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Syl O'Connell
Flight Control
[TI8]
Posts: 662
Likes: 9
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Position: Flight Control/Caldonia 5
Species: Human
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Post by Syl O'Connell on Sept 9, 2021 2:40:33 GMT
[Lt. JG Syl O'Connell - Front Ear - Holosuite 7]As the door materialized, Syl heard his comments behind her, and slowly turned to face him once more. Had she not been so furious, and still fighting back a panic attack, those words probably would have stung. But as it were... She couldn't care less. A sneer curled her lips, venom dripping from her words as she continued. "You do not need me to show you anything. There is no valid reason for this program to even exist in a Starfleet database. You wouldn't have brought any of the others here, because you know they wouldn't have tolerated it." Syl was the weakest of the Caldonia Five. The one easiest to manipulate. She knew that. She also knew that was why she ended up in this arrangement with Admiral Ellis in the first place. But she had grown since her return from The Pit, and was learning how to stand up for herself again. "I've upheld my end of our agreement thus far. And I won't be any good to her if my counselor relieves me of duty. I will happily answer your questions, but I will not be victimized again." Spinning on her heel, Syl stormed out of the door and made a beeline for the turbolift to take her to the Promenade. She could definitely use a shot of vodka right now. Or five.
Tag Felicity Ellis
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Felicity Ellis
Command
Cap'n Mum
[TI11]
Posts: 719 Likes: 59
Rank: Commander
Position: XO
Species: Human
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Post by Felicity Ellis on Sept 11, 2021 13:37:08 GMT
[Lieutenant Gerard Smüggintel - Holosuite 7, Front Ear Station]Gerard Smüggintel might have had something to say in response to defend his intentions - he genuinely did need to know the process behind mining trillium, but Sylvia gave him no opportunity. Following her self-obsessed diatribe, she left. It had been what, mere minutes? Either she was as much of a victim as she believed she was, or he was getting better at his job. With a smile, he contacted the Admiral. =/\= "She did not cooperate." =/\=
Tag: Syl O'Connell , fin.
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