"Flag Officers Folly" - Part 1 - Captain Sebastian Ascari & NPCs

Posted on 241406.11 @ 8:14pm by Commodore Sebastian Ascari

Mission: Insurrection [Fleet Plot]
Location: USS Corsair
Timeline: Current

Aboard USS Corsair
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“Entering orbit of Celanus sir. No signs of Starfleet vessels within sensor range.”

Captain Taverain Ramius nodded from his chair. “Well what a shame.”

“Captain…what”, the XO suddenly asked as the bridge officers turned to look at their captain each with surprised looks on their faces.

“Kidding”, Ramius stated with a grin. “You people need to lighten up. I expect things to become serious soon, but for now we have some breathing room. I don’t want ship and crew snapping under the stress of events we cannot control.”

The bridge crew cast odd expressions at one another as they settled back into their routines. Captain Ramius was famous for being…unpredictable.

“Number One, please request the Admiral, and Captains Ascari and Akina to join me in my ready room.”

“Aye sir.”


=== A Few Minutes Later – USS Corsair, Ready Room ===


“Gentlemen we’ve arrived at Celanus”, Ramius stated from in his ready room desk chair. He folded his arms behind his head and lifted his boots onto his desk leaning back. Admiral Valtren, used to this captain’s unorthodox behaviors, simply sighed. Captain Ascari was about to say something about decorum, but bit his tongue. He would have to accept the lax behavior aboard this ship even if it killed him. Ramius was hardly a model officer, but somehow the USS Corsair had yet to be destroyed or worse so perhaps the man was doing ‘something’ right.

“Now that we’re here what’s the play Akina? You’re the one with the mysterious ties to this information broker known as Zephyr. You mentioned she was cute. She must be a knockout to drag you way the hell out here now and again.”

“Ahem”, Director Ascari stated. “I believe we have a mission plan to outline gentlemen.” Ascari said nothing more but continued to glare at Ramius.

“Well don’t look at me director”, Ramius stated with a smile. “I don’t know this shadow broker. I have the impression I might like to however.”

Ascari rolled his eyes about to lash out when Captain Akina began to speak.

“It’s simple. I’ll beam down. Talk to her. And beam back.”

“Sounds like a plan”, Ramius stated sitting upright in his chair. “If you need anything Ascari let Commander Novada know. Are we’re through?”

“What”, Ascari stated completely caught off guard by the total lack of concern for this mission and its importance. “Wait a moment. You’re going to let him go down there alone?”

Ramius squinted at the director. He was interested to see how long the flag officer would honor their recent truce. “He’s the contact for Zephyr. I can’t go. Besides, we don’t want to attract too much attention down there. Sitting here in orbit will likely draw a few eyes. It’s safe to say some of them may not be friendly depending on whose watching.”

Ascari shook his head. “How many security personnel are being assigned to this mission? Are there any contingency plans? Any I doubt this fits with established regulations.”

“Security personnel? Are you mad? I don’t want to attract that sort of attention. Regulations!?” Akina turned to stare at the director wondering why he was here. What did the director know about real field work? Akina said nothing hoping someone else would address matters.

Admiral Valtren stepped in. “Director Ascari, Captain Akina is a skilled professional. It is not standard procedure to send in more personnel than needed on missions that require covert actions and a degree of tact. Akina is correct. A large group of people would draw unwanted attention.”

“I’m not asking for us to send down an invasion force, but surely some security is warranted?”

Ramius stared at the ceiling. He kept telling himself Ascari was far more skilled in politics and organization. There wasn’t enough luck in the universe if they were forced to deploy him as an actual field agent. “Welcome to the front lines director. It’s not quite as ‘safe’ as you had imagined?”

“I find it troubling when anyone is placed in undue jeopardy Captain Ramius.”

“A necessity of the jobs that field agents take on every day without question sir. It’s part of the job.”

Ascari pondered the situation for a time before responding. “I see. It would appear I need a better understanding of matters in the field if I am to have a role in commanding such forces. I want to join the away team and accompany Captain Akina on this assignment.”

Ramius, Akina, and Valtren quickly turned to face the director. “You want to do what”, the three men asked in unison.

“You said it yourself Captain Ramius. My understanding of field work is limited. It is clear to me that experiencing the fronts lines myself would aid in my understanding and appreciation of such the risks that our field agents accept. According to the consensus this should be a low risk assignment. I want to see firsthand the work you personnel perform that I am not privy to as Intelligence director.”

“Director Ascari, this isn’t the sort of place for a high ranking official”, Akina exclaimed.

“Why not? I was just told you are an experienced professional. I believe this is considered an easy assignment. Am I mistaken?”

Ramius and Akina both quickly looked at the Admiral for backup. Valtren cleared his throat. “Don’t look at me gentlemen. I’m not the one in command.”

“But…”

Akina and Ramius looked at each other and then back at the director.

“Very well sir”, Akina reluctantly stated. “I believe we can accommodate your request this once. You’ll need to be issued civilian clothing and a concealed weapon. I do have one condition before we proceed.”

“Which is?”

“Once we’re on the surface you do everything you’re told without question. I am in absolute command of this away mission. You will not ask questions, talk to anyone, or attempt to pull rank. You won’t take a breath without asking me first. You’re an observer only – not a participant.”

“I accept your terms captain. When do we leave?”

“Meet me in transporter room two in half an hour.”

“Gentlemen, I know I’m no field agent. I’m not trying to become something I’m neither trained nor qualified to handle, but if I am to understand your world I need to see it as you do. Am I right Captain Ramius?”

Ramius begrudgingly nodded. Ascari had twisted his own words back upon him. Whether this stunt was genuine or not – he couldn’t tell.

“30 minutes, transporter room two. Admiral. Captains.” The director turned and left the ready room.

“Are we really going to allow this”, Akina shouted as soon as the doors closed. “He’s a worse than a first year cadet! He has no practical experience in the field. I’m not sure he can even use a weapon if things were to go sour! I refuse to be a babysitter!”

“How well do you know this Zephyr”, Valtren asked ignoring Akina’s objections.

“We go way back. Trust me. She’s a little rough around the edges, but she’s intelligent, cunning, and quite charming behind all the smoke and mirrors.”

“Smoke and mirrors?”

“She uses a variety of ploys to maintain her image of the ruthless broker everyone thinks she is. Half the security forces on Celanus are in her back pocket and the other half buy into the rumors and legends. They’re terrified of her and it’s all a well-orchestrated and cultivated lie. She’s public enemy number one, but it’s a carefully crafted façade. Having a fearsome reputation helps keep enemies wary and keeps her information sources from charging too much when selling their wares. I’m not saying she has a spotless reputation or anything…far from it, but she’s not your garden variety information dealer. I wouldn’t want to cross her, but she’s mostly harmless.”

Valtren wrinkled his nose. “I’m not especially happy with this, but if you believe the director will be in no danger than I suppose we can sanction such a thing this once. A taste of real intelligence work might help broaden the man’s perspectives. A desk is all he has ever seen and while the man is quite good at his job he lacks field experience. Obtaining some might go a long way to bring him around to our way of thinking gentlemen.”

“Agreed”, Ramius reluctantly stated. “Akina, you’ll have to deal with him for one mission. Let’s give him a flavor for things, but keep your eye on him like a hawk. I don’t want any problems down there. Beam down, get what intel you can out of her, and get back here ASAP. Take every precaution. If you run into trouble signal us and we’ll pull you out.”

Akina nodded with a grumble. “I’m not making this a habit”, he stated. “I don’t care if he declares himself the new UFP president.”

“No one is asking you to train him. Hold his hand this once. If he wants to play at field work then let’s give him the opportunity. I doubt another opportunity will present itself in the future.”

“Very well. Admiral. Captain. I have to attend to my…problem.” Akina turned and headed for the ready room doors. “I’d rather have a cadet along for the ride”, he stated as he walked out onto the bridge.

Valtren turned to Ramius.

“Don’t say it”, Ramius quickly said. “It’s not a great idea and we shouldn’t cave to Ascari’s demands like this, but we’ll be monitoring them both. Ascari won’t be able to take a breath without us not seeing it. I’ll put my best people on this. If something goes wrong we’ll transport them back in an instant.

I did sort of mention something about understanding our line of work and its challenges to him.”

“Is that what you two discussed in the conference room alone?”

“That, among other items.”

“I see. Well the fact that neither of you is in sickbay may be reason for some optimism. If you’ll excuse me captain.”

Ramius stood scratching his head. “Where are you going?”

“To attend to a few personal matters. I’ll leave this in your hands.”

The admiral quietly left the ready room leaving Ramius alone rubbing his head. For some odd reason the captain felt a headache coming on.

~ To Be Continued ~

============================================
Captain Taverain Ramius
CO, USS Corsair

Captain Sebastian Ascari
Director Starfleet Intelligence (Deposed)

Captain Zane Akina
Starfleet Intelligence Operative

And

Admiral James Valtren
Starfleet Intelligence Section 7