"Of Enemies and Allies" - Intelligence Log - Cpt. Sebastian Ascari & Amb. Ian Lamont

Posted on 241404.12 @ 8:16am by Commodore Sebastian Ascari

Mission: Insurrection [Fleet Plot]
Location: Undisclosed Location - Detention Cell - San Francisco, Earth
Timeline: Current

He opened his eyes. He was on his back on a hard, cold surface. The air around him seemed processed and ionized like that of a starship's and bright lights burned his eyes. It was obvious from just the smells he was somewhere secure, possibly underground. Moving to sit up he was suddenly overcome by several waves of pain, nausea, and stiffness. He waited for a time attempting to get his bearings. How long had he been here? Where was here?

Fragmented memories from the recent past slowly began to coalesce back into a coherent picture. He could recall being interrogated. His hand moved to his face. Gone were the signs of injuries that had been inflicted upon him at least on the surface. He still bore the pain and fatigue of several sessions with his interrogators despite the apparent ministrations of skilled doctors and medical staff.

Turning his head, Ascari looked about his surroundings attempting to ascertain his current whereabouts. He was in a high security cell. Judging by the color of the walls and what he could make out beyond the cell door he had a partial idea of where he was being held. If he was correct in his assertion then he had been placed in an area reserved for high value intelligence assets. It was ironic that he of all people would find himself locked in the cages he himself once presided over. Was fate simply having a laugh at his expense?

Rolling to his side the captain winced as he willed himself upwards into a seated position. His body ached and throbbed despite showing no visible signs of injury. How badly had they worked him over? He must have blacked out at some point. His memory was foggy. Perhaps, for now, that was a good thing. He had no urge to revisit what they had done to him over the past several hours or days...he had lost track of the time or the date. Such methods were useful tools when a person sought to break the will of another.

Deplorable acts, by deplorable people however Ascari had yet to uncover who had masterminded the apparent takeover of Starfleet headquarters. How far did their reach extend? The Starfleet campus? The Federation Council? Did it reach beyond Earth? He shivered at the thought of such things.
They still needed him for something it seemed. Perhaps they did not have full access or control of various power centers or else they were seeking to obtain more detailed knowledge quickly in order to prosecute continued purges of ranking officers and officials they deemed a threat to their consolidation of power and resources. He could anticipate their moves despite his limited knowledge. His captors actions were textbook. History was replete with examples of methods, tactics, and actions used by countless tyrants. Tyranny in all its forms always followed basic patterns...it had to in order to survive.

They still regarded him as valuable. Perhaps he could use that somehow to his advantage. He desperately needed a plan. He had been fortunate that they had resorted to vengeful interrogation methods. There were other methods of extracting information from him that were far more effective. The damage such banned techniques caused was not so easily reversed by those who practiced medicine in any form. He didn't want to stick around to witness first hand any enhanced methods that were at his captor's disposal.

He was alone, incarcerated, and unarmed. His tactical situation was abysmal. He was under guard and likely surveillance. The building he was in was a veritable fortress so escape would be next to impossible. He couldn't go on the offensive, but he wasn't prepared simply to sit here and wait for them to turn his mind or any other part of him to jelly in an attempt to make him divulge intelligence information. No doubt when they returned that would indeed be their primary objective otherwise he would have been shot on sight from what he had already witnessed.

Rubbing his head, Ascari looked up as the doors beyond his cell opened. Three heavily armed guards entered along with a tall, thin figure he couldn't easily see from beyond his cell. The thin man spoke to the detention officer at length both men motioning toward him. Ascari strained to hear what they were saying, but was unable to make out their words over the hum of the forcefields in place around him. He watched with interest as the men spoke his eyes attempting to interpret their gestures and movements. He was reminded of pantomimes which made him think of Paris and its street performers....lost to the pages of history in the Cardassian attack on Earth. More and more he blamed himself for not being able to somehow see the attack coming. There had to have been some signs - perhaps those who now sought power had a hand in Earth's sobering loss of intelligence and defensive capabilities.

After several moments the detention officer approached and drew his sidearm. "You have a visitor", he gruffly stated. "No heroics. I have orders to kill if you are contemplating escape."

"So we've moved straight to killing? What no stunning? No harsh treatment? Tell me, how easy was it for you to simply flush your Starfleet oath and sell yourself to this scourge of humanity?"

"Nice try", the detention officer replied. "Back against the wall, turn around, hands on your head."

Ascari stood. He contemplated feigning illness. That was the oldest trick in the playbook. Given the number of armed guards beyond his cell he quickly dismissed that as a useful tactic. He was anxious to finally meet someone in authority from this new power that had swept Starfleet and the Federation by storm. Perhaps now he would be able to obtain some answers.

Ascari complied with the guard's request and turned his back to face the wall. He could hear the hum of the forcefield stop only to reactivate a moment later.

"You have five minutes Ambassador."

An Ambassador? Did he merit such a visit by a distinguished official? Perhaps those now in power had more respect or placed a higher value upon him than he had calculated?

"Turn around captain and have a seat", a voice commanded. "My time here is short and you will want to listen to what I have to say." The voice was familiar. No? Could it be? It couldn't! He refused to believe it!

Ascari slowly turned and was confronted by someone he knew all too well or at least someone he thought he knew. His worst fears had come to pass. Had they managed to corrupt even him? What was this power they wielded?

"They sent you", Ascari asked refusing to sit. He was stunned that Ambassador Ian Lamont, someone he regarded as a friend and close confidant, would so easily turn against him. Perhaps the ambassador had been playing him from the very beginning quietly syphoning off tidbits of information and intelligence for his superiors.

"Since we had an acquaintance yes. It is my hope that I can convince you to come to your senses", the ambassador coldly stated.

"My senses", Ascari angrily replied. "I've been dragged from my office, stripped of authority and rank, addressed only as prisoner, seen loyal members of Starfleet gunned down in cold blood and have been beaten to the point of unconsciousness and you want to convince me to change my alliance and position on affairs at hand just like that? I never thought you to be the fool Lamont, until now."

"I admit their tactics and methods are harsh. I warned them not to employ them, but they miscalculated in their rush to remove various areas of disease that have infected the ranks of Starfleet and beyond. Surely you realize that swaths of Starfleet and the Federation have been corrupted. Earth and its security, the security of the entire Federation, has been compromised! Those who were part of the problem are being removed. We're taking back the Federation! We're saving it! Yes some mistakes have been made, but this is war Ascari. Surely you can appreciate the fact that there is always collateral damage in war. It is unavoidable."

Ascari curled his lip in disdain. "And which side do you speak for now Lamont? How have you become the mouthpiece for whoever or whatever is now in control? Is that what I am? Simply collateral damage? An accident? A name on a page that should not have been there?"

"Calm yourself captain. I am here to extend an olive branch. Don't be so hasty to reject it. The alternative is far less attractive."

"Forgive me, but that sounds less like an offer and more like an ultimatum."

"Would you kindly stop talking and allow me speak captain? I dear say your life as it is hangs in the balance. I am here in an attempt to save it. Surely you can at least listen before you reject what I have to offer."

Ascari took a seat on the bench extending from the wall and folded his arms. "You wanted the floor Lamont. It's yours. Hurry up and start talking before I throw you out."

The ambassador nodded approaching the captain. The distance separating them was beyond uncomfortable, but Ascari refused to flinch. He wouldn't let such tactics rile him. It was obvious the ambassador was attempting to intimidate him and doing a poor job of it in his opinion. He'd never taken the man for someone who had the backbone for this sort of direct, confrontational work. Lamont was the type who worked quietly and subtly from the background. Soft lies, misdirection, false smiles, state dinners,...lunches with ranking officials...those were his weapons. Something didn't seem right about this meeting.

"Three minutes Ambassador. Make it quick. I have strict visitation orders regarding the prisoner."

Lamont looked over his shoulder and continued. "I'm here to implore you to reconsider. If you work with us instead of against us we can uncover the corruption that has infected Starfleet from the inside out."

"Who is us", Ascari asked.

Lamont shook his head ignoring the question. "I've been told you could have your rank and position restored. We need people like you Ascari! It would be a shame if you were part of the problem instead of the solution." Ascari debated the merits of slugging the ambassador in the face as he glared at the man with a vile gaze. He wondered how many teeth he could dislodge in the attempt. If not for the guard just outside the forcefield...

The ambassador continue to prattle on about the new order of things as his hand slowly moved to the cuff of his uniform jacket. Ascari watched without any change in expression as the ambassador carefully withdrew a tiny screen from his cuff. Holding the unit just within Ascari's gaze he activated the small screen as he continued to drone on about duty and honor.

Ascari ignored the speech and focused upon the screen which quickly began scrolling a miniature message.

"Instructions received. Admiral Valtren contacted. Admiral and related assets intact. You are being transferred. Escape attempt planned. Wait for a signal. Code word: Tally Ho. You are not alone."

The message repeated itself several times before Lamont cautiously slipped the device back into his sleeve. Moments later his speech came to a conclusion.

"Well captain? You are being given a chance to escape all of this. I'm sure you realize the irony of your position? If you do not cooperate and continue to object I am afraid you will be questioned further. There are many who believe you were one of the ones responsible for the collapse of security in the Cardassian attacks. These people want you branded a traitor and dealt with harshly however if you help yourself and demonstrate your loyalty to Starfleet as you always have it will prove your innocence! We can continue our friendship and you can have the freedom and authority to track down those who are against the Federation and Starfleet and bring them to justice."

"I'm not interested in participating in your brand of justice Ambassador", Lamont stated. "It is obvious to me who the villains and heroes are in this sordid affair. I'm sorry to have to count you among the former."

"Time's up Ambassador", the guard stated.

Lamont quickly and quietly mouthed the word "Sorry". This perplexed Ascari but only until he was struck in the face by the Ambassador's fist.

"You damnable fool. Fine! Hold fast to your misguided beliefs and assumptions. If you are not willing to listen to the truth then it is you who have cast your lot with the enemies of the Federation. You deserve whatever fate awaits you. I doubt we shall meet again captain. Such a pity to see such a man as yourself destroyed over the inability to see what is right in front of you! There will be no reprieve captain. I am afraid your road does not end well. Guard!"

"Get up against the wall prisoner! Hands on your head!"

Ascari slowly complied as he exchanged a long stare with the Ambassador.

"Such a pity. Good day captain." Ascari heard the sounds of the ambassador's departure as the forcefield was restored. He turned to see the man and his armed escort promptly exit the detention room.

"You're more of an asshole that I thought you were", the detention officer stated with a smirk from the other side of the forcefield. "Takes some guts to turn down an offer like that. Too bad you won't have many left when they're through with you." Laughing the man retreated to his desk leaving Ascari alone.

The captain again took a seat his mind racing over the encounter he had just had with the ambassador. He had put too little faith in the man and their friendship. He hadn't expected the ambassador to become involved in this affair. Their friendship had been one of convenience and nothing more. Lamont was risking his life and career. He would likely be spared in the ongoing power struggles. Both sides needed credible, articulate, and well educated people to disperse their propaganda and debate the merits of their beliefs, objectives, and ideas with the public at large. Lamont was in little danger so why had he undertaken such a course of action? Duty accounted for some of the answer perhaps. Honor perhaps more still, but neither completed the picture. Assuming he survived to see Lamont again, Ascari would owe him a debt he was unsure could ever be repaid.

The brief message and its code word were legitimate. He had chosen the word and encrypted specific orders when he had transmitted them to the ambassador shortly before being taken into custody. Lamont would have had to have had the assistance of Admiral Valtren to decrypt the entire message and its contents. The code word was proof Lamont had not been coerced or compromised by the enemy.

How he had underestimated the man! The ambassador was both a statesman and an actor of the highest caliber. His performance had Ascari himself convinced his alliance had shifted. Ascari rubbed his chin which still smarted from Lamont's suckerpunch. Anyone watching or listening would have easily bought their exchange of words. No trace of fear or emotion - Ascari was beginning to wonder if Lamont was an ambassador at all or was merely a deep cover intelligence agent posing as a statesman.

In any event his fears and trepidation had now vanished. Admiral James Valtren was not a man with which to trifle. He was cunning, calculating, and paranoid which is why he was head of one of the most secret and clandestine of all the intelligence divisions. Anyone with an axe to grind with Valtren would hear nothing but whispers wherever they listened and see nothing but shadows wherever they looked. Valtren was a silent, unseen adversary whose battleground was the realm of dark shadow and whose weapons were seldom seen or heard. Valtren had always slightly intimidated the captain in their rare dealings as much as he hated to admit that fact to himself.

Ascari cracked a thin smile. If Valtren was out there then there was still a ray of hope, still a chance something could be done. The man had decks of hidden aces which given the circumstances would need to be played. He could only hope that the admiral's reputation indeed lived up to the legend. It seemed from the ambassador's message that he would soon find out just how capable the man truly was.
God help the poor bastards who crossed paths with James Valtren.

Ascari leaned backwards and stared at the ceiling inwardly laughing. Perhaps fate was not as cruel as he had thought earlier. At least now there was a chance at escaping a dismal fate. Given the last few hours and days even a plan with a 1% chance of success was preferable to the alternatives. All he could do for the moment was wait - that in and of itself was perhaps the most difficult of any part he himself would be required to play.

~ To Be Continued ~
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Captain Sebastian Ascari
(Former) Director, Starfleet Intelligence