A Tangled Web pt I

Posted on Saturday, 10 July 2021 - 3:08pm by Lieutenant Alex Kingsley
Edited on on Sunday, 18 July 2021 - 4:46am

Mission: Operation: Lazarus
Timeline: 2369

2369, December 14th

Founded in the late eighteenth century, the headquarters for the Trinity Foundation was nestled in a quiet unassuming corner of St. Stephen's Green. Occupying a converted townhouse, there was nothing outwardly remarkable about either the building or the Trinity Foundation itself. Employees and visitors came and went, while the charity work the foundation was dedicated to continued.

Of course decades had come and gone, the world had constantly changed for good and bad. All the while, the Trinity Foundation had quietly flourished.

Created by the wealthiest, most prominent, families in Dublin society the true purpose went far beyond the betterment of the local community. Scholars, financiers, politicians… wealth, power and influence was at the heart of the organisation since inception and those three things had grown exponentially as they extended their reach beyond Ireland’s shores and indeed, out into the stars.

All the while those truly in control of the Foundation maintained anonymity.

From the second floor of the townhouse, Elise Corrigan sipped her cup of tea as she watched the first snowfall of Winter blanket the streets. Through a gap in the trees she could see children playing, enjoying the unexpected turn in the weather. A flash of irritation crossed her face as she glanced at her watch.

Had the evening gone to plan she would be clear across the city to welcome her son and his three children home for Christmas. Ensuring they would enjoy a traditional holiday season, complete with snow, had been but one part of her plans. Those plans had changed with four simple words.

We have a situation...

Rising to the upper echelons of the Trinity Foundation, a mere formality as a descendant of a ‘founding father’, Elise Corrigan knew those words were never uttered in her presence without reason. Especially today.

As one of the public figureheads, the woman did not enjoy quite as much anonymity as most; yet the position offered it’s own rewards and she employed many people to ensure her less ‘charitable’ activities could never link back to her. And her connection to the charity which operated under the foundation’s name meant few people questioned where the sizable donations came from to fund their work.

A chap at the door made her turn away from the window, her assistant appearing in the doorway. “Mr Reyas is here."

He stepped aside as Reyas entered, looking uncomfortable in a suit. "You didn't say this place was crawling with reporters."

"We were launching our new fundraising campaign, it is part of the reason why I am here and not with my grandchildren," Elise told him sharply as she crossed to her desk. "I do not have the luxury of time. I need you to leave, tonight. We have a situation with the Darwin facility."

"Dr Kingsley made another Frankenstein?" he smirked, taking a PaDD from her. He quickly skimmed through it without comment before returning it to her, all the information now stored within a cerebral implant. "You know, messing with genetics..."

"Careful," she warned, cutting him off before he said something to test their friendship.

He nodded, rebuked. "Once I find her?"

Elise smiled slowly, "I have always admired your confidence."

"I'm a bit hit with all the ladies."

She laughed at that. "Indeed. Find her and then report to me. Sarah Kinglsey wants her back at the facility, while her daughter wants the woman and the baby disposed of."

"And you?" he prompted. Because regardless of what anyone else wanted, he took his orders from one person only.

"While there is less risk in finding and killing this woman, I do believe I see an opportunity," Elise admitted with a cold smile. "Dr Kingsley has done remarkable work. Of course the child's mother isn't human but still... I am more than curious to discover if the child can even be carried to term and, if so, what he or she will inherit from her father."

"Still, it isn't natural," he commented.

"Says the man with neural implants," she countered with an amused smile. "Now, take a seat, have some tea and I shall tell you of my plans. And for once you may not even have kill anyone."

Watching as she poured a cup of tea her companion growled. "Where's the fun in that?"



Utopia Planitia, August 2nd 2370



“... absolutely incredible, isn’t she?” Andrew Kingsley declared from the upper level of the engineering deck, his smile full of enthusiasm and childish delight as he hurried down to meet his wife. It was rare that she came to the shipyard, rarer still that she did so unannounced. And while his curiosity was piqued, he was not going to miss an opportunity like this.

Construction on the latest Intrepid-Class was well underway and presently ahead of schedule. Lessons had been learned from the first build, making the newest addition to the fleet a far less daunting experience for all involved. Which did not mean it was a walk in the park. Fifteen decks packed with the latest technology in the fleet… such a feat did not happen by itself. But as an engineer?

“Before you kiss me,” his wife warned as she pressed a finger to his lips, “know that you are absolutely filthy.”

As a few of his colleagues chucked at this, he glanced down and gave a shrug to acknowledge the truth in it. His wife appeared to be amused too, accustomed to such sights by now.

“Did you come down in the turbolift? We got them online this morning,” he told her. “And all the gel packs are in place. And -”

“Andrew, we got a call,” she interrupted him, now looking more than delighted herself. He studied her, clearly waiting to know what was going on. She grinned, “it was Jenna Rodriquez? We need to meet her tonight, right after your shift. Commander Nyrani let me come over so I could tell you in person. That's why I'm here. They have a child who needs a family… a newborn. A baby girl! Can you believe it?!”

She was almost bouncing with excitement as he stood for a long moment in stunned silence. After all of the tears and the frustrations at not being able to start a family of their own, adoption had seemed a logical choice. But they were not alone and thankfully there actually were not that many children without a loving home. Or if there was, they were hiding from the authorities

So they had settled in for a waiting game.

And then her words finally registered and he let out a delighted cry as he scooped up his wife, kissed her and then set her down on her feet. Fumbling an apology he realised she was now as oil stained as he was but she waved it away as she grinned broadly..

“We are gonna be parents!”


OFF