Confrontation I

Posted on Wed Dec 24th, 2025 @ 11:54pm by Lieutenant Commander Emilio Navarro
Edited on on Fri Jan 2nd, 2026 @ 7:43pm

1,169 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 1: A New Sheriff in Town
Location: Big Bear, California, Just Outside the San Bernadino Forest
Timeline: Seven Days Prior to Joining Starbase Mohave

Navarro and Cortes remained in the security office in silence. Disbelief hung heavy between them. Their security chief was a suspect or at the very least, a person of interest.

“Computer, restart the analysis,” Navarro ordered.

“Affirmative. This will take a moment,” the computer replied.

The system restarted, reconstructing a representation using surveillance footage and correlated data to refine the identity of the figure seen near the tree line earlier.

As the computer processed the request, Navarro turned slightly toward Cortes.

“Do you know where the Captain is?”

Cortes shrugged. “Not sure. Wasn’t she on vacation or something?”

Right on cue, Ensign Ansol, Captain Lake’s assistant, entered the office.

She walked past them without breaking stride, as though the rest of the room didn’t exist. A small brown briefcase hung from her right hand. Earbuds were in place. A data pad occupied her left hand. Efficient to a fault or so it seemed, as Navarro and Cortes tracked her movements in silence.

She set her things down at her desk beside Lake’s and sat. The console activated automatically, and she began reviewing messages immediately. The sound of music emanating from her buds.

After several seconds, Ansol finally noticed them. She turned awkwardly, finding both men watching her from across the room.

“Hello…” she said at last.

“What’s up?” Cortes replied.

Navarro didn’t wait. “Quick question do you know where the Captain is right now?”

Ansol frowned. “She’s on leave. I assumed you knew. She submitted the request last week.”

“Yes,” Navarro said evenly. “Yes she’s on leave but do you what her location is? At home? Off-world?”

“I don’t know,” Ansol said.

“Analysis complete,” the computer announced.

“Computer, show results,” Cortes said, stepping closer.

The image materialized. It was identical to the first. A likeness of Captain Lake, refined to within a five-percent margin of error.

“What are you guys doing?” Ansol asked.

“Nothing,” Navarro replied immediately “Reviewing old files.”

He checked the time.

“Cortes,” Navarro said, “we need to head out and retrieve that report from downtown.”

“Oh right. Let’s go.”

Cortes locked the console, gathered his things, and headed for the exit. Navarro followed.

Outside the building, they paused at the top of the steps overlooking a white promenade, a marble fountain, shaded trees, and walkways leading to adjacent facilities.

Navarro spoke first.

“Listen. Right now, Captain Lake is the only a person of interest. Nothing more.”

“Maybe she took a walk this morning,” Cortes offered.

“Maybe,” Navarro said. “But we proceed carefully.”

“What’s the protocol?”

“Well, I think we need a little more evidence. If we find any, we move up the chain of command. The Provost is on leave as well. We go to the Dean sBut not yet. First, we dig. Quietly.“

“Understood,” Cortes said.

“I need to meet someone. I’ll contact you in a few hours.”

Navarro left Cortes without a response. He zippered his black jacket as a bit of chill hit the air.

The road ahead was narrow and unforgiving. Captain Lake had rights. The investigation demanded discretion. But duty required one thing above all else: Follow the evidence. Wherever it led.

It was now 4pm. Navarro arrived at Captain’s property, tucked away on the edge of the wilderness bordering the San Bernardino Forest. He came alone and without letting Cortes know. He wanted answers now and he would be going around established protocols to get it.

He looked up, momentarily struck by how high the sugar pines rose. They were towering sentinels encircling the residence as if standing guard against intrusion. At the moment of his arrival, a relentless downpour began. Rain pelted his face and quickly soaked the ground beneath his boots. It was like he was in a real life black and white noir scene. All that was needed was the suspenseful music. He was grateful for his coat.

His heart pounded as he approached the short path leading to the front door, his thoughts a turbulent mix of doubt and determination. He needed answers.

Uh oh. The front door was open.

As he stepped to the door he did the dare. He stepped inside the residence without knocking, bell, or announcement.

The warm, slightly musty air of the house was a stark contrast to the cold rain outside. He took in the living room. It was sparsely furnished, a single lamp casting a dim glow across the space.

Everything was orderly. Almost too orderly.

He moved carefully, his footsteps nearly silent against the floor. As he neared the hallway leading deeper into the house, movement caught his eye in a room across the hall. Someone inside. Their hands moving across fabric. Was it Lake? Maybe she was doing laundry.

His pulse quickened as he weighed his options. Either confront Lake or whoever it was directly at the end of the hallway or take the stairs to the left and see what the upper level might revealed.

Was Lake the Thunderbolt killer? A name he just coined? Or be arrested for trespassing and subject to judicial proceedings. Possible dishonorably discharged from Starfleet service.

He chose the latter and went upstairs. His gut offered him its own opinion.

Navarro ascended the stairs quietly. The first room off the landing was a small study. He entered.

The study was dim, illuminated only by a desk lamp casting a yellow glow. Navarro scanned the room methodically. Bookshelves lined the wall. A large leather chair sat behind a desk cluttered with loose papers and several data pads. No computer display.

One data pad was opened on the desk.

Navarro picked it up and began reading.

It was the autopsy report of his victim found on the grounds of Starfleet Academy earlier that morning.

Why did she have a copy of the autopsy report? Was this the evidence he needed? Or was she exercising her right to view the report regardless of whether she was on leave?

He placed the pad down and continued his search. Nothing else stood out beyond the wall of books and the rain outside.

Navarro returned to the hallway, confirmed the coast was clear, and moved to the next room.

A bathroom. Small. White walls. A standing shower.

He had time for only one more room before he either he confronted Captain Lake or left unnoticed.

He approached the next door.

Locked.

The door was slightly thicker than the others. Reinforced.

Navarro attempted access via the digital panel on the wall. Error messages flashed back at him. Incorrect authentication. Again. And again.

Frustration crept in, tightening the knot in his stomach. Time was slipping away. The locked room clearly mattered but he wasn’t getting through it.

With a controlled exhale, Navarro turned to leave.

The lock clicked.

The door swung open.

One person he never expected to see inside.

The young officer’s face was set with determination.

Navarro’s heart sank.

“Cortes?” His voice was low and edged with disbelief.

----To Be Continued----

 

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