cooling down

Posted on Wed Aug 13th, 2025 @ 11:54pm by Commander Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels & Captain Xavier Carey

Mission: Those who are left behind
Location: outside sickbay

Xavier left sickbay, and walked up to Toni. "Walk with me."

Toni was still trying to get her composure back and not completely succeeding. "That bastard! You don't believe him, do you Xavier? You know my dad, he is loyal to the core. He would never." She had to stop to get the hyperventilation under control again.

"I know him, but Commander Price, given the evidence against your family... Is just as loyal. People follow the evidence. I am sure your grandfather would be the same way if he was given evidence." He paused. "I don't believe him, however, I believe he believes the evidence, however, he is willing to assist with finding out exactly whats going on with your family. Whether they are guilty or not."

"We have to tell granddad, and Kay and Melor. Oh god Kay is going to go balistic." Toni raked her hands through her hair. "What the hell is going on? Are they attacking my family again? God I am so tired of it, my whole life this has been going on."

"We will get to the bottom of it, do you think your grandfather may not be telling you everything?"

"My granddad? You think he is involved in this as well? But he would not do anything to endanger my mum and dad. I am sure of that."

"Hes Intel, his whole career was classified, not saying he is involved, but maybe hes protecting you from something. Or trying to do whats right for you."

"Hell no. You saw how he acted, it was malicious. He was out to get me. I don't know why, I tried my best with him, there is only one possible reason and that is that he is one of them. Working with the enemy."

"You have got to relax, I highly doubt that." He paused "Look I know you have every right to be paranoid given your past. But not everyone, that is against you, is on the bad side. Hes following evidence, which is exactly what I did when I was in security... The Commander is a little passionate about his work, and I respect that. Though he could tone it down a little bit."

Toni nodded, glad Xavier seemed to believe her. "We have to make sure my family is safe. You have to help me, Xavier. I can't lose another one. We have to save my dad."

"First we need to figure out why they are still after your family. For that we have to do a little digging."

"Hell Xavier, my dad and uncle Wain have been trying to do that for twenty years and they have a bigger network." She shook her head. "It is never going to end."

"Perhaps we need a new perspective into the investigation."

"If you have any more ideas I would love to hear them." Toni said calming down a bit.

"Perhaps you can talk with Price, a new perspective from the other side, may assist in the matter." Xavier offered, "Being focused on proving ones innocent for so long, can divert one from finding the guilty."

"Not now Xavier. I need to calm down first."

"Didn't mean right this minute."

"I will think about it. Am I allowed to contact my dad?"

"Hes your father, I wouldn't stop you."

"Thank you, Xavier." She gave him a quick hug. "Will we rendezvous with him?"

"He will be at the starbase when we dock."

"Thank you again." With that Toni left him to go to her quarters.