Fitting in

Posted on Wed Sep 9th, 2026 @ 12:51pm by Lieutenant Commander Isabelle Veran-Dallas & Commander David Wallace

Mission: CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT 09/26
Location: Various
Timeline: Current

After David departed the meeting Isabelle was quick to catch up. “Hey, wait up!” She offered a smile. “You said we could talk, now seems as good a time as any.”

"You're right," David said as he pressed his thumb to the fingerprint scanner for the secure turbolift, "My own cynicism about things within Starfleet and the Federation for the last few years has crept out." the door hissed open "Promenade level three, intel." David said.

Isabelle stood alongside him. “I’ve never had reason to doubt the Federation, but then I don’t have the access to high level information like you do.”

David stared blankly at the doors, "You watch the news broadcasts and they tell you what's going on, within reason." he paused "But there are times where the truth needs to be told, like what really happened at the Moran colony for example, especially where a wrong as been committed the guilty need to be punished and aren't." he paused again as the lift slowed, "Other times there needs to be acknowledgement of doing the right thing." the doors slid open, he stepped out, "Being an intel officer means not always getting credit, and in your case as well." as David walked the few steps to a plain unremarkable door with 'Intelligence' etched on it, Two junior officers nodded acknowledging the two officers as he walked by into his barely used office, on the desk were a pair of boxes and a green data device, "Take a seat."

Isabelle did as requested taking a seat in-front of the desk. “In all fairness if I can help someone back to a state of happiness, then my job has it rewards. Not everyone wants that help, some say thank you and some don’t, that’s the way it is.”

"Well actions in the field tend to have their rewards too," David picked up the pad and began to read "In regards to mission zero zero three dash five zero eight one, having reviewed the reports the office of the Deputy Director of Starfleet intelligence does the following; effective this date we award one Lieutenant Commander Isabelle Veran-Dallas the Bronze Intelligence Star for her actions in the field." David finished opening the larger box inside was a medallion with a small star get overtop of the intelligence insignia.

As David stood a small chorus of applause broke out, the bridge crew of the Cascade was standing just outside the door, a few cheers as well.

“Wh…what!?” Isabelle gave David a surprised look. “I just did what I had to do to help you.” She couldn’t help but smile anyway. “Thank you all so much!”

Hannah spoke next, "And we'd do the same for you." she stepped forward "We didn't just sign on here because it was the next assignment, we're doing this for a bigger cause."

Isabelle nodded. “Then anytime you need my help feel free to let me know. I want to do what I can.”

Hannah picked up the data module, "On here is a copy of the records of the Moran protest, including communication audio." she paused handing it to Isabelle, "It also has other things that no one has ever seen, including the orders General Hays gave, it's up too you on what you want to do with it, but there's a lot more." she said handing the device over to her.

"Through a little too much effort from Dad and some of his former and current colleagues we've connected then First Lieutenant Hays to a bombing on Deepspace five and a series of other attacks in the following twenty years, even after hitting a number of brick walls and some ethically questionably actions we found a bunch of subjective links to sitting members of the Federation Counsel, by subjective there's nothing enough to go to a court with let alone go public, but there's enough to be ready or try to if there's another move." David said "We hope nothing will happen."

“What should I do with this? If Starfleet finds out I have this who knows what might happen.” She had to admit her family’s safety worried her. “I can’t really share it with anyone…can I?”

Alex spoke next "Starfleet thinks there's only the badly damaged copies that's been used at the trial, in a sense of irony they don't know these exist and until a month ago neither did we." he paused resting hand on hers holding the device "We found it while I was cleaning up a storage locker on the USS Istanbul, the troop carrier, the one whose troops was the one that put down the protest, I kept it thinking it was empty, when I found it I turned over to some Admiral it turned out it was to bosses dad."

Isabelle nodded. “If it’s this important…” she paused looking at David. “I honestly don’t know what to do with it. If it falls into the wrong hands I’ll never forgive myself.”

David spoke next "There are several copies of it, but in the event things go sideways and we need to leverage our way out locking it up in the stations vault would be a good idea, especially if dad's suspicions get more fuel."

Isabelle nodded. “Am I permitted to share this with my father? I’ll ensure it gets locked away safely in the vault.”

"I know your dad expressed some concerns about the incident on the Moran colony along with similar ones, it's only a matter of time before these problems are on our doorstep so do it at your own discretion, I'm fairly sure your dad will figure out how you got it too, if you feel comfortable with that at some point we'll take you to outpost three three seven." David paused "This is beyond too much to take in, when I first learned about it I almost turned dad in to Starfleet security, but when I saw some of the things' he's seen I stopped questioning. I'm not blind in my loyalties either the Reman attack on the station convinced me."

Isabelle nodded. “Whichever way you look at it I’m in up to my neck anyway, I just need my family to be safe. I’m glad I married a security officer now!” She smiled.

"They'll be safe." David said a certainty in his voice.

Isabelle nodded. “I trust you when you say that, so count me in come hell or high water.”

"God be between you and harm in all the empty places where you must walk" Lydia said, "They're our family now."

Isabelle nodded. “I will do my upmost to never let you down. I do have one request though, if I’m to be off station for any length of time I’d like to bring my family along, John included where possible.”

"Except for a trip to meet with the old man we'll make that happen." David said "Melissa will keep an eye on them, along with Clint from station engineering."

Isabelle nodded. “Thank you, I appreciate it. You’ve all accepted me as part of your family when I barely know any of you. It means a lot.”

"I guess the mess hall is gonna have to have a kids menu now." Lydia said with a giggle.

“Most definitely!” Isabelle grinned. She was looking forward to the next time she joined the Cascade crew.