Post 406: The Corbinsky Factor

Stardate: 70821.0949
Title: The Corbinsky Factor
Author: Fox Margolis
Scene: Main Conference Room
Time: Following "We're On Our Own"

Fox knew that all eyes were one her, and for once, she hated it. But she knew that while Xander Corbinsky was responsible for his actions, it was her presence that had drawn him to interfere with this ship and this crew. And for that, Fox did feel guilty.

But that guilt had to be pushed aside and replaced with a professional demeanor in the staff meeting which Zanh Liis now began. Addressing Fox, their current CO said, "Why don't you start, Lieutenant, by telling us what you know about Corbinsky."

Fox unconsciously shrugged her shoulders. "I'm afraid there's not a lot to tell. Well, anything useful, that is."

Zanh and Salvek shared a look, and it was the latter who then suggested, "Then start at the beginning. Where did the two of you meet?"

Fox thought about that first fateful meeting for a second before replying. "It was just over a year ago. I was in Paris, visiting my family, when we bumped into each other at the base of the Eiffel Tower. It started with a simple conversation and developed from there."

"Did he know who you were?" N'Dura interjected.

"No, I don't think so. He seemed surprised a few weeks later when I mentioned modeling." She paused, and then said, "And he's not often taken by surprise."

There was a sigh, and it came from Zanh at the head of the table. Temporal Investigations had given her very little information about Corbinsky, but one of the few facts they had let "slip" was that Corbinsky was always meticulously well prepared for any situation, not to mention well equipped to handle any contingencies. When she had asked her TI contact what he meant by "well equipped," she had been given a blank stare in response.

N'Dura continued with questioning. "And how long were the two of you together?"

"Less than six months. It wasn't that the relationship wasn't great, it was on many levels, but it just wasn't right. The longer it went on, the more I realized that it was a rebound relationship. For both of us." Fox paused and let out a long breath.

[[So, you broke it off and he did not take it well,]] Jariel signed from the other end of the table. It was clear from the look on his face that he was piecing together the personality elements of this story.

After waiting for his statement to be vocalized by Zanh, Fox answered. "Yes and no. Yes, I did end it, but no, he took it rather well. Too well in fact."

It was clear that the longer Fox spoke and the more she filled in about Corbinsky, the more tense and uneasy the occupants of the room became.

"What did he do?" Salvek asked, again trying to encourage her to be as forthcoming as possible. He knew that the more information they possessed, the better chance they would have in dealing with whatever Corbinsky was planning.

"He said he would accept my decision, but asked me to accept one final token of his affection." Fox picked up the Andorian stone necklace around her neck with her hand.

Looking at the stone with interest, Salvek continued, "May I see it?"

Fox nodded, took it off, and handed it to the engineer, who was sitting next to her.

He took the stone and held it up to the light, examining it. "Fascinating," he said. "Might I keep it for further study?"

"Sure, but it's just a gem. A pretty one, but it's just jewelry."

Wondering what Salvek suspected, Zanh inquired, "What are you thinking?"

"It may be nothing," Salvek conceded, "but Andorian gems are rare and many have unique properties. I will let you know if I find anything." He pocketed the gem and returned his attention to the room's occupants.

"So, we know the personal connection," TC Blane spoke up from his seat next to N'Dura, "but what about him professionally? What do we know?"

"It's clear he is quite skillful in temporal mechanics," Salvek stated, thinking about his conversation with Zanh prior to this meeting.

Zanh continued with the answer. "According to Starfleet and Temporal Investigations records, besides temporal mechanics, we know that he also holds doctorates in warp engineering, quantum physics, geology, and chemistry."

TC shook his head. "Is there anything he's not good at?"

Though the question was not entirely serious, Fox still answered. "Singing. He has a terrible singing voice." There were a few chuckles at her response.

Bringing the meeting back on track, Zanh said, "Well, we're still left with one major question: what does he want?"

"We aren't going to know until he wants us to know," Fox replied.

"That may be true," Zanh conceded, "but we're not going to sit around unprepared waiting for him to make the first move."

Faustine "Fox" Margolis
Operations Officer
USS Independence