"A Captain's Conscience - Part 1" - Duty Log - Cpt. Taverain Ramius

Posted on 241510.20 @ 10:13am by Commodore Sebastian Ascari

Mission: Reconciliation & Reconstruction [Fleet Plot]
Location: Starbase, Earth Orbit
Timeline: Current

“Haven’t seen this place in a while”, Ramius stated looking around the corridor. “Hasn’t changed much.” In fact he never liked this station with its sterile, white, bulkheads and omnipresent lighting. He took in a breath of air which also smelled the same in that it had no smell at all. Filtration and ionization processes removed all traces of anything almost everywhere aboard the giant, metallic mushroom. As such, the location lacked character and uniqueness. It felt more like a holographic simulation than an actual place.

“Are you familiar with the spacedock detention facility sir”, Lieutenant Redstone, the Corsair’s tactical officer, asked his superior officer.

“I’ve spent a few nights here in the past – yes”, Raimus replied with a smirk saying nothing more. “Chief I need you to look over the computers in the trilithium storage bays. According to our information the shipment records were altered or tampered with. I need to know if this suspected crewman was solely responsible, if he had assistance, or if we are dealing with a sophisticated systems breach.”

“Yes sir. I’ll run a full systems and diagnostic check. If there’s any sign of advanced tampering, I’ll find it.”

“Good man. I’ve been informed that our subject’s name is Lieutenant Erikk Chellan. He has a sister. No living relatives. His condition is listed as unstable. Recent events appear to have left him shaken. Doctor, I would appreciate it if you would monitor the man’s condition and offer any advice as needed. We need to keep Chellan calm, cooperative, and communicative. Lieutenant Redstone, we’re going to play this by ear so stay alert. It may be necessary to switch tactics to keep him talking. Watch for my signals and play along as needed. Any questions?”

Seeing none, Ramius nodded. “Chief, let me know what you find on those computers. Doctor, Lieutenant, you’re with me. Let’ go.”


== Detention Facility, Spacedock, Earth Orbit ==


Stepping through the sliding doors, Ramius and his crew entered the detention facility. The cramped facility seemed like an architectural afterthought. Massive grey conduits ran over head carrying a dizzying array of waters, coolants, and power throughout the station. Large industrial systems protruded from the walls each humming with a deep rhythmic tone that was at times soothing and others maddening. The air was warm as it passed over various mechanical and industrial systems picking up heat that blead through the station’s aging shielding and insulation.

“Are you sure this is the correct place”, Redstone asked surveying the surroundings. “This seems more like an engineering maintenance corridor.”

“No lieutenant we’re in the correct place. We’re in the heart of this station surrounded by a dozen power generators and industrial systems. The EM interference produced by the mechanical and electrical systems and their corresponding shielding makes it difficult if not impossible to transport anything out of here and since we’re surrounded by a labyrinth only an engineer could love or understand it makes any attempts at infiltrating or escaping difficult as well. Trust me, I know.”

“Remind me to never to get thrown down here”, Doctor Keith Durandal stated.

“Don’t. The environmental systems never quite keep up with the waste heat that seeps through some of the insulation and shielding given we’re surrounded by EPS mains and plasma streams. But if you ask me, I think security keeps it uncomfortable down here on purpose.”

“Sir, may I ask how you know so much about this place?”

“No”, Ramius quickly replied a fleeting grin flashing across his lips.

A lone officer could been seen approaching from the long corridor that stretched out before the trio. “Our welcoming committee gentlemen. Prepare for a frosty reception despite the warmth here. I expect security won’t be thrilled to have us interfering with their affairs.”

The officer approached and stopped. “I am Commander Sutton. You must be Captain Ramius?”

Ramius nodded and shook the man’s hand despite an icy stare. “I’ve heard some interesting stories about you captain.”

“Just interesting”, the captain inquired. “Hmm…well they are from some time ago. Perhaps some of my exploits have lost a bit of their varnish over the years”, he stated with a hint of mischievousness in his voice. “However”, he stated his voice hardening, “I’ve not come to discuss the past. I am here to speak with Mr. Chellan.”

Mechanical clangs sounded overhead as some large piece of machinery moved in the conduits overhead. Ramius cringed. He really did hate this place.

“Yes, I received your request. We’ve already spoken to him at length since he was brought into custody. I’m afraid he hasn’t been particularly helpful. He claims to know very little about the people he claims were coercing him.”

“You don’t believe his story?”

“Tell me you don’t Captain? This is nothing more than a desperate man acting in any way he can to escape justice. Why else did he attempt to escape when confronted?”

“If he is being uncooperative to lessen criminal penalties explain to me how he is responsible for the attack on the surface? He has no motive that has been ascertained as of yet, he certainly doesn’t have influence or connections of any relevance, and he hasn’t been on the surface in three months. I would hardly label him as a criminal mastermind at this point or even a petty criminal. He appears to be a man who was exploited with his sister used as a pressure point for others to obtain trilithium. Speaking of his sister, has anyone attempted to locate her?”

“Talk to him. I think you’ll change your tune. He’s feigning ignorance. He knows more than he’s telling. As for the sister I made some inquiries. What does the sister have to do with this? If she isn’t just a fictitious red herring designed to throw us off the trail then she’s of little consequence.”

“Little consequence”, Ramius repeated. “Since when is any life of little consequence commander? The real crime here is that we may have acted too slowly to save a life by allowing ourselves to be caught up in emotion and personal bias.”

“Are you taking this criminal’s side Ramius?”

“Not at all, but he’s hardly a criminal until he has been found guilty or innocent by a court of law. We are not here to judge or pass sentence on the man. I am here to gather the facts in this matter. I can see that may now be more difficult since you have already tried and convicted the man before his side of events has been fully heard.”

“Whose side are you on”, Sutton shouted. “It’s no wonder Earth has been attacked so many times with people like you working for intelligence. Chellan is in interrogation room two. Talk with him and you’ll see what I have been talking about. He’s complicit in the attack. The proof is undeniable. His access, codes, and clearance was used to transfer the trilithium. We even have surveillance video of him doing it. He didn’t even bother attempting to tamper with the video or many of the computer records which means he had to have an escape plan which was foiled by Commander Canaris. That proves he’s still working with the enemy!”

“Your assumption is at odds with the facts however I have no more time to debate the matter with you here”, Ramius stated his voice turning harsh.

“Whatever. You know where he is. I’m sure you and your people can take it from here. My orders are to stay out of your way and that’s what I’m doing. Just don’t kill the bastard while you’re in there with whatever methods you have for extracting information. Someone needs to stand trial for what has happened. Given your recent track record, I don’t put much stock in intelligence these days.

Good day captain.”

Sutton turned and disappeared down the hallway.

“What does he take us for”, Durandal muttered. “Savages? We aren’t here to injure the suspect.”

“Whatever he thinks doctor, it is clear he has a low opinion of our chances. Why don’t we see if we can prove him wrong and get some answers?”

“Aye.”

“Let’s go.”

The trio of officers set off down the corridor to speak with the lieutenant who appeared to be responsible for at least in part the calamity that had befallen Earth and who also provided a spark for far too many latent hatreds, prejudices, and misconceptions.


~ To Be Continued ~

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Captain Taverain Ramius
CO, USS Corsair
Starfleet intelligence

Doctor Keith Durandal
Chief Medical Officer

Lt. Alexander Redstone
Tactical Officer

and

Cmdr. Sai Kusinagi
Chief Engineer