Tobias: Family in Crisis
The morning on Evergrand Island began like any other. Tobias was at the kitchen table, eating a quiet breakfast of toast and fruit, when the sharp knock at the door broke the calm. He froze mid-bite, his ears twitching.
“Who could that be this early?” his mother, Marina, asked, wiping her hands on a towel as she headed for the door.
Edwin, Tobias’s father, looked up from his coffee, his brow furrowing. “I’ll get it,” he said, rising from his seat.
Tobias watched as his father opened the door, only to be greeted by a group of uniformed officers. They stepped forward, their expressions grim.
“Edwin and Marina Rowe,” the lead officer announced, holding up a datapad. “You are under arrest for acts of treason against Starfleet.”
---
Shock and Confusion
Tobias’s jaw dropped, the toast slipping from his hand. “Treason? What are you talking about?” he demanded, rushing to the door.
One of the officers stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Tobias’s shoulder. “Stay back, son. This doesn’t concern you.”
“Doesn’t concern me?” Tobias snapped, his tail lashing angrily. “You’re taking my parents away!”
His mother’s face was pale, her ears drooping. “There must be some mistake,” she said, her voice trembling. “We haven’t done anything.”
Edwin’s expression was calmer, though a flicker of worry crossed his eyes. “What’s the charge? What evidence do you have?”
The officer ignored the question, pulling a set of restraints from his belt. “You’ll have the opportunity to answer questions during your hearing.”
Marina turned to Tobias, her eyes filled with worry. “Stay strong, sweetheart. We’ll figure this out.”
“Mom! Dad!” Tobias called as the officers led them away, his voice breaking. “This has to be a mistake!”
---
Seeking Help
As the door closed behind the officers, Tobias stood frozen in place, his mind racing. His parents were the most honest, hard-working people he knew. Treason? The idea was absurd.
Grabbing his war hammer, Tobias bolted out the door, his feet carrying him toward Virtuoso’s base. The journey felt longer than usual, his thoughts clouded with anger and fear.
When he finally arrived, he found Virtuoso standing at a console, her red eyes narrowing as she turned to face him.
“Tobias,” she said, noting his disheveled state. “What’s wrong?”
“My parents,” Tobias said, his voice shaking. “They’ve been arrested. Starfleet says they committed treason, but it’s not true. It can’t be.”
Virtuoso’s expression darkened, and she gestured for him to sit. “Tell me everything.”
Tobias recounted the morning’s events, his words tumbling out in a rush. Virtuoso listened intently, her claws tapping lightly against the console.
---
Uncovering the Truth
“Starfleet doesn’t make arrests like this without evidence,” Virtuoso said after a moment. “Whether that evidence is legitimate or fabricated is another question.”
“Fabricated?” Tobias asked, his tail flicking anxiously. “You think someone set them up?”
“It’s possible,” Virtuoso said. “Your family’s connection to me and the Dolmen makes you all targets for anyone looking to destabilize the region. If someone wanted to send a message—or weaken us—they’d start with those closest to you.”
Tobias clenched his fists, anger simmering beneath the surface. “Then we need to find out who’s behind this.”
Virtuoso nodded, her red eyes glowing faintly. “I’ll access the public records of their arrest. If there’s a deeper conspiracy, we’ll uncover it.”
---
A Long Night Ahead
As Virtuoso worked, Tobias paced the room, his mind racing with possibilities. Could someone in Starfleet really be trying to hurt his family? Or was this part of the larger plot to control Salibad and the Grand Cross Trade Route?
Virtuoso’s voice broke the silence. “The charges are vague—’unauthorized communication with a known adversary of Starfleet.’ No details, no evidence cited in the initial report.”
Tobias’s ears flattened. “That doesn’t make sense. My parents wouldn’t do that.”
Virtuoso placed a hand on his shoulder. “I believe you. But proving their innocence won’t be easy. We’ll need to dig deeper.”
Tobias nodded, determination replacing his fear. “Whatever it takes. I’m not letting them go down for something they didn’t do.”
---
A Plan in Motion
As the night wore on, Virtuoso began piecing together fragments of information, her claws working tirelessly at the console. Tobias stayed by her side, his resolve growing stronger with every passing hour.
“This isn’t over,” Tobias thought, gripping his hammer tightly. “Whoever’s behind this will pay.”
With Virtuoso’s help and his own determination, Tobias knew he wouldn’t rest until his parents’ names were cleared—and the truth behind their arrest was brought to light.
