We can’t afford that kind of scrutiny
Posted on Fri Oct 31st, 2025 @ 9:39am by Treon Brevor
758 words; about a 4 minute read
Mission:
Second Light
Location: Starbase 369
=/\= Starbase 369 – Cargo Ring Access Corridor =/\=
The corridor echoed with the sound of Treon’s boots. At this time of day, the promenade above was thronging with people, but down here it was quiet — which was exactly why Deirdre had chosen to keep her office here. Out of the way. Out of sight.
Treon stopped by an unmarked door, glanced quickly around to be sure she was alone, then keyed in a code and stepped inside.
The room was small and crowded, a makeshift office wedged between cargo bays. A few desks were scattered with datapads and half-finished manifests. Deirdre sat behind one of them, not looking up as Treon entered.
“Hold on,” she said, "I’ll be with you in a minute.”
Treon sat in the visitor’s chair and waited.
The two sisters were similar enough that the family resemblance was unmistakable — though Deirdre’s edges were harder, her tone sharper. When she finally looked up, her expression was all business.
“Where’s Corin right now?” she asked, without preamble.
“On the Starburst.” A pause. “But you already knew that.”
“He’s very excited that his aunt let him work on an actual warp core.”
Treon could see that Deirdre was not happy. “Venn says he’s very helpful. He’s actually optimistic now, which, you know, for Venn is-”
“Treon…” Deirdre leaned back in her chair. “Do you have any idea what kind of attention that could bring? An active-duty Starfleet officer spending time aboard your ship? We can’t afford that kind of scrutiny.”
Treon’s jaw tightened. “It’s a humanitarian run, not a weapons deal. I’m not smuggling contraband.”
“Not as far as Starfleet’s concerned,” Deirdre shot back, adding before Treon could respond - “You’re not just endangering the mission — you’re putting Corin in serious trouble.”
“Corin isn’t involved,” Treon said, a little too quickly. “And two days from now, he’ll be on the Arawyn. The risk is minimal.”
Deirdre rolled her eyes. “He’s a Starfleet officer, Treon. You don’t have to involve him — proximity is enough as far as they're concerned. And what if his new crewmates start asking how he spent the past couple of days?”
Treon exhaled. “Okay, look, Dee. My last run didn’t end well — you know that. The warp core’s shot, and I could use a couple more engineers. Corin just turned up.” She knew it was a weak excuse.
Deirdre nodded slowly. “The best thing to do right now is to get him off your ship, and hope this blows over.”
Treon looked at her sister for a beat. “That’s why you wanted to see me?”
“No.” Deirdre’s tone softened — barely. “That’s not the important news. Talking about scrutiny... Somebody’s been looking into you.”
Treon blinked. “What?”
“Pulling your old records, duty logs, shipping manifests. Whoever it is, they already know you’re connected to the Starburst. I got a ping from a friend before the trail went dark.”
Treon frowned. “How would they even know that?”
“Good question.” Deirdre’s voice dropped. “And I suppose you know the Destiny’s here.”
“I’ve heard.”
“I don’t believe in coincidences.”
“I checked their roster. There’s no one there who knows me — not on the command staff.”
“Thank goodness for small favors,” Deirdre said dryly.
Treon shrugged. “Even if somebody looks me up, they’ll just find a former Starfleet captain who runs cargo. There’s nothing illegal about that.”
Deirdre’s gaze sharpened. “You’re underestimating your opponent.”
“Starfleet is not my opponent.” She could see her sister disagreed. “And I’m not exactly hiding. If they want to find me, I’m right here — on their starbase.”
“The thing is, Destiny’s just a symptom.”
Treon raised an eyebrow. “Meaning?”
“Epsilon Fleet’s moving operations here. Their Fleet Command’s already here, and more ships are coming. It’s getting dangerous for us.”
Treon frowned. “So what do you suggest?”
Deirdre hesitated. “It might be time to move.”
Treon started shaking her head, but Deirdre continued, voice low and insistent. “Think about it.”
“I will,” Treon said. Then, more quietly, “It’s not that I have anything on this station... I just don’t feel like running.”
Deirdre held her gaze for a long moment before replying. “Trust me. Sometimes running is the best option.”
Treon didn’t answer. She just stood, straightened her jacket, and said, “I’ve got to get back to the Starburst.”
=/\=
Treon Brevor
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