Overheard Conversations

Posted on Wed Apr 23rd, 2025 @ 7:20pm by Lieutenant Inara Senn & Jasmine Armstrong & Lieutenant Commander Deanna Celes

1,422 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Genetic Purity
Location: Inara Senn's Laboratory
Timeline: Before the Away Mission.

A few hours after the away mission, Jas entered Inara's office.

“I heard what happened,” she said.

Inara was typing on a PADD. “Jas, after this tour of duty, I’m tendering my resignation from Starfleet. We’re heading outside the Federation—before it becomes Starfleet’s job to keep the Federation’s people inside the Federation.”

“Is that what you think Starfleet is becoming?” Jas asked, concerned.

“I led them to that ship, Jas. And when we got there, the word ‘Augment’ was thrown around—and then Celes activated Starfleet’s Augment Extermination Protocol,” Inara said bitterly. “Let that sink in, Jas. A protocol resulting in the immediate extermination of Augments. And it was just another goddess-damned Tuesday to Celes.”

“Yes, Inara. But you have to understand… Augments were monsters during the twentieth century.”

“That doesn’t mean we have to be monsters.” Inara’s voice cracked slightly. “Jas… I tried to explain that to the captain. But it was already done. And now? I don’t see this crew as my crew anymore.”

She paused, then added, “No one stopped it. No one stood up. They’re rebuilding Red Squad. I opposed it. We might as well bring back the Waffen SS. Starfleet was entirely in favor. No one said, ‘this is wrong.’”

“They just followed protocol—and blew that ship up.” Her voice dropped. “Damn them…”

She sat down behind her desk, her posture heavy.

“Damn them all. It’s a betrayal—a betrayal of dignity and virtue. We could have transported those augments to the brig. Maybe helped them. Maybe undone what was done to them. That was the Starfleet I remember… before the war.”

She looked away.

“I can't believe I was beginning to make up with Celes. But now I wonder if I am in the company of liars.,” she whispered. “I’m going to curse my naïveté forever. I should have known what Star—no, what the Federation’s military—would do. And if this isn’t evidence of a militarized Starfleet, I don’t know what is.”

“Inara… you can oppose them,” Jasmine said quietly.

“If I went public about it, they’d say I disobeyed orders. Starfleet PR would write me off as a lunatic. And let’s be honest, Jas—I haven’t been the most stable officer. Not after having my body and soul dragged through Hela’s torments. It hasn’t exactly left me sane. Not until I got you back.”

She stood again, walking slowly to the viewport.

“I have to choose. Starfleet… or you.” She turned to face Jasmine. “I choose you.”

There was silence before Inara added, her voice soft and raw, “If I tried to save the Federation… deep inside, I know I’ve already incurred a debt. I paid enough just to see your face again.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

“How much more would I have to pay to tell the truth of what happened here? And how much of myself will be left. They were Augments yes, that does not mean we lose who and what we are for Victory.”

The door chimed. When the door opened Deanna entered. "You appear to have taken recent events hard. I came to discuss things with you, because I know you are prone to rash overreactions, and I don't want you to do something that you will regret. I'm sure you take issue with how things played out on that ship, but if you take a step back and look at things from a realistic place, you have to admit that as sad as it was, it was the only course left to us. Augments are inherently dangerous, and StarFleet protocol under such circumstances doesn't leave any wiggle room. As in science, sometimes you can only come to one answer."

"Tell that to Doctor Julian Bashir. Maybe we should go and execute Starfleet Augment protocol on him." Inara countered. "Celes, just because a protocol exists, doesn't make it right, and doesn't make it orders worthy of being followed. We didn't even find out the situation there. We just executed extermination orders." Inara mentioned. "Expect my full resignation when this tour of duty is concluded. And I intend to submit a report on this to the Judge Advocate General, but I already know it will be buried in a file cabinet somewhere under the words 'War Crimes.' Now get out of my office, as I've lost all respect for you today."

Deanna fully expected such rash and rude talk from Inara, but it was time to give her a dose of reality. Being a coldhearted person wasn't something she enjoyed, but it was necessary at times as a high-ranking officer. "Your self-righteous attitude grows tiresome Inara. Don't talk to me about procedure or about Julian. I know all about him, far more than you do. I actually consider him a friend. You have a true issue Inara with protocol, especially if it is something that you don't agree with. Why you ever joined StarFleet at times baffles me, as does your belief that you are a scientist. You are far too closedminded to be an effective scientist. You may file whatever report you want. Nobody will stop you. You've shown that you will make reports to whomever and whenever you feel justified, breaching the chain of command. Just like that little report regarding the Red Squads cadets. You think nobody was aware of it, but I knew, as did the captain and Cmdr Grayson, but nobody said anything even though you should've been reprimanded. And don't try and get high and mighty with me. You are a lieutenant; I am your superior. This isn't your lab, it is a lab aboard the USS Washington that you have access to you, so long as the captain allows it. You want to resign, that is your business. Until you do, you'll behave like a StarFleet officer. Now we have a colony to check out thanks to you. You may have forgotten, but we only came here because you wanted to. I'll see you on the bridge."

"That will not happen, Commander." She took of her comm badge, "I was party to you murdering people on that ship because you thought it virtuous. I will not be a party to further murder on a colony." She left the office. "C'mon Jas. We're leaving this place. I hope one day Starfleet finds the ethics and virtues it abandoned." She stared at Celes. "I hope the four hells take you."

"You don't get to pick and choose when you are to perform your duties. You don't get to simply quit because something happens you don't like. You have nowhere to go Inara. You can't leave the ship just because you want to at this moment. What you characterize as murder would be viewed by others as a necessary action. Jas may go to quarters if she so desires, she is not an officer. You have to go to the bridge to see the captain. You owe him at the very least the respect to tell him about your objections in person. You should know though, he doesn't have to accept your resignation."

Deanna picked up the comm badge and handed it to Jas, "You may wish to have her put that back on. Perhaps talk with her. I understand her misgivings, even understand her generally misanthropic attitude, but she has obviously forgotten how many people here have helped her and even sacrificed for her. She'd be dead and in those four hells she seems others to dwell in as a pet for Hela or some other vile evil if it wasn't for the actions of the captain. And she wouldn't have you here either Jas. You'd be stuck in your own timeframe, destined for a rather poor outcome in life which Inara is in at least some way responsible for, or so she likes to think. She may not listen to reason from myself or anyone else, but she seems rather intent on listening to you." With that Deanna left, leaving Jas with the unenviable task of talking sense to Inara."

Tag.

OOC: Time to make a new character.
OOC: I don't think so. I think Inara simply needs to recognize the imperfections of life, be it in StarFleet and the Federation, in others, or most notably, in herself. She thinks she can do no wrong, and she ignores the sacrifices and efforts made by others to help and protect her.

 

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