Tobias: Secrets of the Dolmen
Virtuoso’s dimly lit control room buzzed with the hum of machinery and the glow of monitors. Tobias, Martha, Bruno, and Luna sat around the central table, watching as Virt manipulated a holographic display. The map of Salibad, a sprawling metropolis of gleaming skyscrapers, intricate transportation systems, and meticulously designed green spaces, filled the screen. The city's urban sophistication was seamlessly balanced with touches of nature, making it a marvel of modern city planning.
Virt gestured to a glowing icon on the map, her red eyes narrowing. “Salibad may seem like a shining example of progress and harmony, but beneath its polished exterior, tensions are rising. And Starfleet’s actions are about to make things worse.”
“What kind of tensions?” Tobias asked, his tail flicking nervously.
Virt pointed to a location marked Dolmen Headquarters, an elegant high-rise with a unique, tree-inspired design. “The Dolmen, a faction of the Pussyfoots operating in Salibad, have been receiving threats. And the source of those threats is troubling.”
“Who’s threatening them?” Bruno asked, leaning forward.
Virt’s expression darkened. “Starfleet. Specifically, factions here on Evergrand Island.”
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The City of Salibad
Martha tilted her head, her floppy ears twitching as she studied the map. “Why would Starfleet target the Dolmen? Salibad looks so... perfect.”
“It practically is,” Virt replied. “Salibad is a meticulously designed city. Its infrastructure integrates advanced technology and sustainable systems, making it a hub of innovation. Every block is connected by efficient public transportation, and every district is balanced to ensure harmony between its residents.”
“So, not an ‘urban jungle’ in the messy sense,” Luna noted, her calm voice cutting through the room. “It’s more like a masterpiece.”
Virt nodded. “Exactly. And the Dolmen are central to maintaining that balance. They mediate disputes, manage resources, and act as a neutral party to keep the city’s factions cooperating.”
“So why would Starfleet go after them?” Tobias asked.
“Control,” Virt replied, bringing up a new display showing intercepted messages. “Starfleet claims the Dolmen are withholding vital resources, hiding critical information, and even harboring fugitives. But the evidence is thin at best—nothing concrete.”
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Starfleet’s Hidden Agenda
Bruno frowned. “If there’s no real proof, why are they going so hard on the Dolmen?”
“Not all of Starfleet is as noble as they want you to believe,” Virt said, her tone sharp. She swiped the screen, revealing a breakdown of Starfleet’s command structure. “Most of Starfleet follows its core mission—peace, exploration, and cooperation. But factions within it see Salibad as an opportunity.”
“An opportunity for what?” Martha asked, crossing her arms.
“For influence,” Virt explained. “Salibad is a hub for advanced technology, cultural exchange, and rare resources. Whoever controls it gains a significant strategic advantage.”
Tobias’s ears flattened as he absorbed this. “That doesn’t sound like the Starfleet Dad talks about.”
“That’s because not everyone in Starfleet agrees with these tactics,” Virt said. “But the more aggressive factions are gaining ground. And now, they’re threatening Salibad to bend the Dolmen to their will.”
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The Dolmen’s Role
The screen shifted to show the Dolmen headquarters, a sleek skyscraper surrounded by parks and intersected by monorails. The building’s façade shimmered like water, blending seamlessly with Salibad’s urban elegance.
“The Dolmen aren’t just another Pussyfoot faction,” Virt said. “They’re a cornerstone of stability in Salibad. Without them, disputes between different groups could spiral out of control. The city’s delicate balance relies on their ability to mediate and manage.”
“But if Starfleet gets what it wants?” Luna asked.
“Salibad could fracture,” Virt replied. “And if that happens, the fallout won’t stop at the city’s borders. It’ll ripple out to the entire region, including Evergrand Island.”
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A Personal Connection
Tobias hesitated before speaking. “Do you think my dad knows about this? He’s in Starfleet.”
Virt considered him for a moment before answering. “He’s an ensign, right? He probably doesn’t have access to this level of information. But he might’ve heard whispers.”
“Maybe I could talk to him,” Tobias suggested. “If he knows something, it could help.”
Virt nodded slowly. “It’s a risk, but it could be worth it. Just tread carefully. If the wrong people find out you’re digging into this, things could get dangerous.”
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The Plan
Virt turned back to the group, her red eyes scanning each of them. “Here’s what we’re going to do. We need more intel on Starfleet’s accusations against the Dolmen. If we can prove they’re baseless—or at least exaggerated—we can put pressure on Starfleet to back off.”
“How do we do that?” Martha asked, her ears twitching.
“I’ll handle most of the investigation,” Virt said. “But I’ll need your help monitoring communications and gathering data from local Starfleet operations. This isn’t just about Salibad—it’s about stopping a power grab that could destabilize everything.”
Tobias exchanged a glance with Martha, his tail flicking with apprehension. “I’ll help. Whatever it takes.”
Martha grinned. “You can count me in.”
Bruno nodded. “Me too.”
Luna, ever calm, simply said, “Let’s do this.”
---
In the Shadows
As the group began discussing their roles, a familiar figure watched from the shadows near the bunker’s entryway. Edwin Rowe had followed Tobias again, his keen eyes narrowing as he pieced together the conversation.
“Starfleet threatening the Dolmen?” Edwin murmured to himself. “That’s not the organization I signed up for. Something’s wrong here.”
Stepping silently back into the elevator, Edwin resolved to dig deeper. If what Tobias and his friends had uncovered was true, it could mean trouble—not just for Salibad, but for the integrity of Starfleet itself.
