[Colonel Helena Vasser Conference Room, NSS Soteria ]


It hadn't been a surprise at all when the Ko had come up on their long range sensors. Granted, Vasser had been curious who would be the one to do the deed. It turned out that it was Colonel Nox Tallorin. She didn't see him as a calmer hand, but certainly a steadier one. Vasser knew that ultimately, she would be the one to answer to high command. In fact, she wouldn't have it any other way. Things had gone awry on he watch. And now, it was time to face the consequences.

She waited for Colonel Nox to actually come aboard. When it had been announced that he had been escorted to the conference room, she finally left her ready room, quickly en route to the destination. As the doors parted, she noticed the colonel there, being served tea by one of her own subordinates. "Colonel Nox," Vasser said greeting him with a slight smile. "My apologies for keeping you waiting. I certainly wish we were meeting under better circumstances." She stood opposite the man, her hands clasped behind her back. It may have been her ship, but given the situation, he was the one driving this particular conversation.

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Tag: Kaya Som (Col. Nox)

[Colonel Helena Vasser Conference Room, NSS Soteria ]


A skill that tended to come with command was the poker face, and Vasser had had some experience in developing her own. It was quickly obvious that the brass wanted to lay this all at her feet. It was a responsibility she would gladly accept, but it seemed more than evident that if the Alliance needed a scapegoat to sacrifice it would be her. Or perhaps Banks. Colonel Nox asked if they'd had any luck extraditing her, to which Vasser answered. "Unfortunately, no," she responded. "Starfleet is dragging their feet through the process. They haven't even had a proper sit down with one of our negotiators. Though, they have stated that they will allow a legal advocate to speak with her."

Vasser took a deep breath before continuing. "I sent a request up the chain to have a JAG officer sent to Front Ear," Vasser stated. "However, if there isn't anyone available, I'd be willing to serve as counsel on Lt. Banks' behalf in the mean time." She felt she knew the answer before she asked the question. With her likely being the recipient of charges, it was an ill-advised course of action.

"Commander Eastman can be rather... principled about all of this," Vasser volunteered. It was a polite way to say stubborn. "I believe that if I could speak with Commodore Perry individually, that we could find some consensus." That was likely a suggestion that would be shot down as well, but Vasser thought it was worth a try. Besides, one way or another they'd likely find themselves talking about this.

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Tag: Kaya Som (Col. Nox)

[Colonel Helena Vasser Conference Room, NSS Soteria ]


So, it appeared the Nyberrites preferred that she deal with Eastman. It wasn't a matter that Vasser was going to press. She then listened as Nox revealed more of the strategy. He didn't seem overly fond of sticking with the story that Banks had been following Vasser's orders. In all honesty, Vasser had been rather vague when it came to those orders, but one didn't have to imagine much beyond the words that had been spoken. "It is what happened in a... non-specific sense," Vasser added, not entirely comfortable with leaving Robyn out to dry.

It would be so easy to hang this all on Robyn. She had history with the Mac crew, and she certainly had a grievance. Hardly no one would question that she had gone rogue and was up to her old tricks. Still, Vasser didn't think it fair that she should be punished for actions she couldn't have taken without Vasser's approval. The young colonel didn't voice as much as Nox told her to sit down. He also made it clear that he wasn't hear to collect her head. Apparently, this was what he considered help.

Vasser lowered herself into the seat opposite him, and stared across the table. "I know that the easiest out of this is to hand them Lt. Banks on a silver platter," Helena said. "But I'm not in the habit of serving up my crew to save my own ass. They put their lives on the line for me without question. What kind of commander would I be if I didn't try to do the same?"

Vasser took a deep breath. "There has to be another option," she said. Though, she knew the options were rather limited, especially depending upon how Starfleet wanted to play this.

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Tag: Kaya Som (Col. Nox)

[Colonel Helena Vasser Conference Room, NSS Soteria ]


Vasser sighed. Clearly, her superiors were looking for a quick resolution. If it cost them a lowly lieutenant, then so be it. However, Vasser wasn't inclined to let a member of her crew go without a fight. She took a deep breath before finally responding. "Banks is solid," she said quickly. "I have every confidence that she will say nothing. She's loyal. And to be honest, I think that should count for something."

She thought it, and knew that this likely wouldn't escalate to the height of actual war crimes. "They won't push war crimes. Politically, that paints the Alliance as an adversary. Federation bureaucrats won't allow Starfleet to muddy the relationship with the Alliance. However, they may push to prosecute her as a civilian just to make their point." Vasser took a deep breath before continuing. "If we don't push back on this, they're going to poison the well."

She paused to see if Colonel Nox would see the perspective she was pushing. "They'll flood the press with titles such as 'Nyberrite Soldier goes Rogue,'" Vasser began. "That sort of image could stifle our recruitment. They push the narrative that we seek out unruly persons and have no control or structure. The fact that she was Starfleet first would be conveniently buried. And if we just throw her to the wolves, our recruits: present and potential, will think that we only expect loyalty and don't reciprocate it."

Vasser was far from a politician, but a tactician she was. Only in that respect, did she thinks he was of any use. "You said I'm familiar with Eastman, and you're right. I really don't think she gives a damn about Banks. I wager it's me she's really pissed at."

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Tag: Kaya Som (Col. Nox)

[Colonel Helena Vasser Conference Room, NSS Soteria ]


To hear Colonel Nox actually willing to push for the extradition gave Vasser a slight sense of victory, as well as confidence in her decision to join the Nyberrite Alliance. She nodded. "It may sound rather arrogant, but I think Eastman wants me," Vasser stated. "She is, or at least was, rather open to the idea of a consistent Nyberrite presence and allegiance. I think this episode has soured that notion, or rather specifically, I have. I think she wants me held accountable in some fashion." Vasser shrugged. "In some respect, I agree with her. The problem is, and she knows this, there's not a tribunal that would render such a verdict with the given evidence."

"Reassignment or a demotion would send the wrong message to our people," Vasser continued. "There could always be a reallocation of duties. Perhaps direct dealings with Starfleet could be taken off my plate, and someone else could be appointed as an official Liaison to the station. Someone the Commander would find more... palatable." Vasser paused to see what Colonel Nox thought of her suggestion.

He then brought up the notion of a spy. He seemed rather amused by the notion. "Major Chromar hasn't discovered this person, but seems quite convinced. There were reports of a Starfleet officer looking to rendezvous with an individual, presumably male, but that could have been a misdirection," Vasser reported. "The Major also mentioned that he was approached by an Andorian Intelligence Officer, offering intel on such operations. It could be a trap, but he's presently attempting to vet the Andorian as a reliable source. This happened on the same day as the infamous incident."

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Tag: Kaya Som (Col. Nox)

[Colonel Helena Vasser Conference Room, NSS Soteria ]


Colonel Vasser nodded at the idea of pushing for extradition. Politically, that could have some repercussions, but it's what the Federation would do. Perhaps there was some wisdom in Colonel Nox's words. Play the Federation game by their rules. Perhaps this was the way to get around Eastman. "Their rules," Vasser repeated. "Perhaps that's the exact approach we should take. Get this out of Eastman's hand. Make the argument that she is too close to this."

Vasser shrugged as she began to talk through strategy. "After all, this went down on her watch. She could simply be trying to save face." It was an argument that could be used, but tactfully so. Vasser was all too familiar with Starfleet, and they didn't care to have anyone bad mouth one of their own. Still, they wouldn't want it to look as if they were being biased. "In some ways, dealing with the Tal Shiar would be easier."

"So, we push for extradition," Vasser stated. "Is this something you want me to do personally, or will a seasoned Negotiator be dispatched?" She knew it could be a possibility that she'd have to clean this mess up herself. Perhaps Nox had the answer, perhaps not, but she'd never know until she asked.

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Tag: Kaya Som (Col. Nox)

[Colonel Helena Vasser Conference Room, NSS Soteria ]


Vasser nodded as Nox stated that this was all still her exercise. He was willing to have someone else run interference, but it seemed the ball was still in her court. It may have been her experience, or perhaps her superiors had seen the value in what she had managed to accomplish in the exercise, regardless of the the unexpected outcome. "Honestly, this is my mess, and I would appreciate the opportunity to clean it up," she replied. She took a deep breath. "Am I to presume that I have the full support Command? It would give a great deal of leverage where negotiations are concerned."

Vasser also considered Tallorin's earlier point about Eastman possibly being on the hook for what occurred. It was true that there were likely inquiries as to how a Nyberrite soldier was able to infiltrate the ship so easily to begin with. "I can certainly make an argument of shifting the focus from Banks to Eastman, considering all of this happened right under her nose," Vasser stated. "Still, a two-pronged approach is preferable. Redirect blame while still being willing to bring something to the table in the name of diplomatic relations." Vasser's finger tapped the table. "And I think I have just the chip to bargain with."

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Tag: Kaya Som (Col. Nox)