The Ensigns - The officers 2

Chapter 20 - The Patrol part 2

A/N: Not totally happy with the chapter but it will do.

Even as Mila was dealing with the station master Holcum was glaring around the room at the detainee's, "I am going to question a number of you. I am Ensign Whitewater and I am a Were. I can smell, see, and sense when you are lying to me. My testimony is valid and I will be more than pleased to provide evidence at your trials if you try and lie to me." Several people tried not to react when he spoke, "Secure those three and keep them separate. I will deal with that one first." He pointed at a rather sultry looking woman. Based on what he had seen she was a lady of the evening. If she was didn't matter to him since it was now a valid profession. What she might know did matter.

Once in the room he pointed at a chair, "Sit and don't even bother. My mate is far sexier than you are and if you do try anything I will deal with you. By the world laws, supernatural laws, and military regulations if you try and force yourself on me I can kill you. Don't bother lying and simply answer the questions. If you do lie I will simply recommend spacing you and move on." His voice was cold and emotionless.

"Who are you and what did you have to do with the fight in the bar." She kept lying until he quoted a regulation at her, "Based on the traitor section of the United Military I can, and will, have you spaced. I will write a report, submit it to my command and won't even have a nightmare over what happens. Take her away and prep the one of the space locks for her." He closed the folder he was looking at and started to stand. When she started to scream out information Holcum sat back down, "Be truthful or I will do exactly as I said."

It took most of the day but they finally had a decent idea of what happened. The ones involved had been identified and secured aboard the ship. Everyone else had been released to the police. It had been aimed at the Marines. They had tried to make it look like they had started the whole thing but it hadn't worked out. The ones involved didn't have a great deal of information. The best he and Lt. Wilcox could work out was whoever had set this up was trying to discredit the military.

That evening a number of the senior officers had been called to the Captains conference room. There had been orders for both Ensign's to attends as well. The meeting had been as short as possible but it had taken several hours. Mila had informed them of what the Station Master had said. He was also in their brig at the moment. Once done with Mila they had Holcum come and explain what had happened.

"The pirates appear to be looking to take over this station as a way point for their needs. According to the woman of the night she was one of their points of contact. She seemed to think they wanted to take over, use it as a way to fenced their stolen loads. The best idea about the fight was to make the Marines and military look bad. If they had even though they can't refuse us docking rights they could limit where we went in the habitat. I didn't get a great deal of information about outside ships or contacts but she seemed to indicate there is a major combatant from the wars acting as a communication ship for one of the pirate fleets. I have generated a report though I will need to review since it is a preliminary report."

The captain looked around the table, "Suggestions and recommendations? We have certified reports from our two Were's. Idea's, options, suggestions?" She was going to wait to see what might be said.

People started speaking after she called for thoughts. It took some time but she eventually called the meeting to a close, "Prepare to leave dock. We are going hunting for that cargo ship. We do have a potential course for her and we are going to find her. I do not approve of any of my crew attacked. One is still in critical care with a brain injury. A heavy glass mug was heaved at her and she was badly injured. Once we leave we are going to total Emissions Control, EMCON, if anyone breaks it they will be held for court martial. Dismissed. We are leaving within the hour." She stood and walked out.