Fragments: Interrogation
Posted on Thu Sep 25th, 2025 @ 2:54pm by Captain T’Kal & Lieutenant Commander Clay McEntyre & Lieutenant JG Annika Johnson
Edited on on Thu Oct 9th, 2025 @ 7:55pm
1,070 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
ARYL 1X03: The Listening Post
Location: Deck 7: Brig
Timeline: Approx 6 hours after "Subterfuge, Part 2"
A few hours after her arrest, Petty Officer Oswin Simmons sat with her head in her hands in the brig of the USS Ark Royal.
A short distance outside her cell, the Chief of Security and Counselor planned their next move.
“I suggest we start by asking some baseline questions, ones we know are true along with those we know aren’t true.” Annika offered. “That way I have a baseline to know whether she’s lying, or just hiding something.”
Clay nodded in agreement, his arms crossed in thought as he observed the prisoner from where they were standing.
"Agreed. We'll take it slow then press."
Annika nodded. “You start and I’ll observe, anything that needs further clarification I’ll let you know.”
Clay nodded before he tugs his uniform, straightening it as he enters the interrogation room, the doors sliding open with a hiss. He sits across from the Petty Officer, setting his PADD down in front of him and putting on a pair of glasses. Glaring intensely, he spoke.
"This is a formal inquiry and questioning in regards to the charges of Manslaugher, Bio-Weapons Engineering and violations of the Starfleet Code of Military Justice. This questioning is taking place aboard United Starship Ark Royal, Starship Number 1791. Lieutenant Commander Clay McEntyre, Starfleet Security conducting with Lieutenant J.G Annika Johnson observing." Clay spoke for the record.
"Petty Officer, I will begin by asking you to state your name, rank, and station for the record." He directed the question to Oswin.
She kept her eyes on the table as she spoke. "Oswin Clara Simmons. Rank is Petty Officer Third Class. I am assigned as junior engineer aboard Station Delta Four."
Annika nodded just to confirm that she had a baseline for her scans, to allow continued questioning.
Clay nodded himself before he continued.
“Petty Officer, I want to begin by asking you about the materials we found in your cabin aboard Delta-Four. How did you acquire them?”
“A package from my brother,” she answered, her voice as steady as she could manage. “He remembered that I used to love chemistry back when we were kids, and thought I’d enjoy an amateur chemistry set.”
Clay glares over his glasses like a disapproving parent. A look he knows too well when dealing with his own kid.
"Would you care to revise that answer?" He asked her.
She let out a long breath. “I don’t know who it came from, okay? I got the package with the kit, and instructions, and some motivation.”
Annika nodded to say that Oswin was telling the truth this time, before she frowned at the last statement. “Oswin, May I ask what kind of motivation?”
The prisoner wiped at her eyes. "Photographs of me with a man I met during shore leave on Resten II. It looked like they were taken from the hotel across the street. They came with a note saying my husband wouldn't appreciate seeing them, included my husband's full name and address, and a set of instructions for what I needed to do for the sender to keep quiet."
Annika nodded. “I see. May I ask if you and the man you met were romantically involved? I know shore leave romances are common.”
Clay gave the petty officer his full attention looking for any sign of further deception on her part while he waited for an answer to Annika's question.
“It was a fling,” Oswin admitted. “He started talking to me at the bar, said all the right things, and it’s just been so long. Bill, my husband, was meant to join me but his holiday was cancelled. He’s a good man, and a good dad to our little boy. I was weak, I made a mistake, and I guess someone with a good camera saw.”
Annika nodded. “Or perhaps it was a set up from the start, if someone planned to use you then what’s to say they didn’t create the scenario to trap you.”
“I…I didn’t think of that,” Oswin said. “Anyway, they sent me the kit, told me what to do.”
Annika nodded looking at Clay. “As far as I can tell Oswin is telling the truth.”
Clay nodded in agreement.
"And did they contact you after you completed this task?" He asked directly.
She shook her head, “Not a word.”
Clay paused to consider what the Petty Officer had told him. It changes things, but not what she did. She still committed the crimes. The fact that she was blackmailed into doing it changes motive from intentional to coerced.
"Tell me what you were supposed to do after you completed your task? did they give you instructions for the aftermath?"
Annika stood quiet observing as Clay asked his questions, she could only imagine what Oswin was going through.
She nodded. “They told me the next few times I spoke with my husband and son, I should tell them about the cookies they sometimes serve in the mess. The number I ate meant the number of sick engineers. It kept me scared, it meant they were watching my calls home. They never told me someone might die, just that they’d be sick for a while and maybe need to ship out.”
Annika nodded. “Whoever they are, they knew exactly what they were doing.” She looked at Clay. “Do we have anyone who can be contacted, that can be trusted, to check in and keep an eye on Oswin’s family?”
"Possibly Starfleet Intelligence or Security. I can make a few calls." Clay replied.
“Please do” Annika nodded. “In the meantime what are we going to do with Oswin?”
“We confine her to the brig til we reach a Starbase. She is still an admitted criminal and we have more than a preponderance of evidence to convict her.” Clay replied just as serious.
Oswin sniffled and wiped her eyes. “Please make sure they’re taken care of.”
Annika nodded. “Of course we will.”
Clay nods silently as he got up.
“Ma’am, if you’ll follow me” Clay spoke.
Dejected and without hope, Prisoner Oswin Simmons stood and followed the security chief out of the interrogation room and back to her cell.
END
Lieutenant Commander Clay McEntyre
Chief of Security
USS ARK ROYAL
Lieutenant jg Annika Johnson
Chief Counsellor
USS Ark Royal
Oswin Simmons (rank suspended)
Prisoner
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