"Flag Officers Folly" - Part2 - Cpt. Sebastian Ascari & NPCs

Posted on 241406.13 @ 6:07am by Commodore Sebastian Ascari

Mission: Insurrection [Fleet Plot]
Location: Planet Celanus
Timeline: Current

Fading blue specs quickly vanished as the transporter beam released its two passengers. Captains Ascari and Akina looked around their surroundings. It was dark, late, and they were standing in a dim alleyway that reeked of sewage and spoiled garbage. Both men were clad in dark jackets and pants to blend in with their equally dark surroundings.

“Why did we end up here”, Ascari quietly asked as Akina withdrew a tricorder and quickly checked their location on a map of the area.

“Did you want us to beam in right in the middle of the street where everyone would see?”

“No, that isn’t want I meant.”

“Our destination isn’t far. This was the closest spot that wouldn’t draw much attention. Come on director we need to move. Just stay close.”

Ascari nodded as the two men set out down the alley.

=== Minutes Later ===

Akina and Ascari entered a seedy, local dive. The air was thick with smoke and odd odors bordering on unpleasant. Edgy music played throughout the bar which was filled with a light crowd for the evening. Ascari took a whiff of the air and coughed twice which instantly caught the eye of most of the bar’s patrons.

“Come on”, Akina said under his breath through gritted teeth. They weren’t two minutes into this mission and the director was already sticking out. Akina headed to the bar and took a seat. Ascari took one next to him and looked around behind him. Several unsavory individuals populated a handful of tables. Two men appeared to be engaged in some sort of electronic table game he did not recognize while several others appeared to be watching a popular sports channel. The bar had an distinct air of criminality about it. Sebastian was definitely out of his element. One wrong word, a careless accident, or an errant glance could quickly land someone in trouble in a place such as this. If they were meeting Akina’s mysterious information dealer why the hell were they stopping for a drink? On duty no less!

“What’ll you two be havin”, a scraggly and muscled bartender asked as he approached.

“Bourbon, straight up”, Akina answered with practiced ease.

“And you?”

Ascari looked at the man and then back at Akina. “I’ll have…make that two. And make it snappy. I’m parched!”

The man grunted and scurried off to prepare the drinks.

“Nice touch”, Akina stated quietly, “but drop the tough guy persona sir. Just act normal and try not to talk.”

“Captain, what are we doing in this…place? Is drinking part of this mission”, Ascari asked in a low voice.

“We aren’t here for the drinks. They’re props. We can’t just knock on Zephyr’s door and ring the bell. There’s a procedure to things. Just sit quietly and observe. Got it?”

“Your drinks”, the barkeep stated returning with two glasses. Ascari took his glass which appeared cloudy. He doubted sanitation was high on this establishment’s list.

“You boys from out of town? Haven’t seen you in here before”, the barkeep asked as he went about his work.

“Passing through”, Akina replied. He took his glass and downed the entire drink in a single swallow.

“That so? Where you from? Mostly regulars in here at this hour. I’ve heard all their stories more times than I care to count.”

“Mars. Course we haven’t been there in sometime. My partner and I manage a few small dilithium mines.”

“Miners huh?”

Akina nodded. “He’s the brains…I’m the brawn I guess you could say.”

“Not much dilithium here on Celnanus.”

“No, but that’s the reason we’re here among other things. Selling it is easier where there’s demand.”

“Well most of the freighter captains and merchants come through this way. If you would have been here a few hours ago you might have scored a few sales prospects.”

The barkeep looked at Asacri who was still nursing his drink from his questionably clean glass.

“You want another”, he asked Akina.

“Sure. Make it a black widow this time.”

The barkeep stopped and carefully looked the two men over with increased scrutiny.

“Excuse me”, the barkeep asked. “We don’t have anything here by that name.”

“Oh”, Akina replied. “It’s quite popular back home. Another bourbon then.”

The barkeep nodded. Akina watched the man as he rounded the bar and disappeared into the back.

“Son of a”, Akina suddenly exclaimed under his breath. “How long you going to nurse that drink man!”

Ascari seemed confused at the captain’s sudden anger.

“By not drinking it…you’re making us look suspicious! You told the man you were parched!”

Ascari looked at his cloudy glass and the beverage he did not want to consume. He wrinkled his nose and swallowed roughly half of the glass. The harsh liquor burned his throat. He was pretty sure whatever this was wasn’t bourbon. It tasted more like battery acid. He coughed again as an unpleasant warmth filled his chest sucking the air from his lungs.

Akina continued to look at him. “Just drink it. You’ll thank me later.” Begrudgingly, he swallowed the remainder of the rotgut and set the glass back onto the bar hoping this foul approximation didn’t make him sick.

The barkeep returned with another glass for Akina. He set a coaster down on the bar before placing the glass upon it. You two need anything else? I’m about to close up in a few minutes and have to kick a few of these characters out of here. You’re welcome to stay until close.”

“I think we’re fine. Parker?”

“Who”, Ascari asked. “Oh…just came in for the one. Top shelf stuff.”

The barkeep laughed. “Top shelf? You got yourself a real funny man here buddy.”

“He’s an idiot, but he knows a few things about accounting and mining operations so he’s good for a few things. As a drinking partner…not so much.”

“Well enjoy your stay. Just don’t stay out too late. This part of town can get a little rough at night.”

Akina nodded and settled the tab as the barkeep walked off.

The director was beginning to regret ingesting that glass of swill. He He turned toward the captain. “Do we just sit here now?”

“No”, Akina stated finishing his drink which didn’t seem to bother him. “We’re leaving. Let’s go.”

Ascari’s eyebrow shot upwards. Was this really just an excuse for Akina to get a few drinks?

=== Several Minutes Later – Outside ===

Having left the bar, Ascari and Akina walked the empty street. “I don’t understand captain. Please tell me we didn’t just stop there so you could have a few? I mean, what was the point of that?”

Akina continued walking growing ever more frustrated with the director. “It wasn’t pointless. I received this.” Akina shoved the coaster that had been under his drink into the director’s hand.

Ascari took the coaster and examined it in the street lamp light. “It’s directions and what…an intersection? When did you get this?”

Akina rubbed the bridge of his nose. The Admiral and Ramius owed him for this mission. He intended to collect when they returned. “As I said in the bar. You don’t just walk up and ring the bell. These things are handled quietly. From now on things will become more serious. Your name is Parker got that. Don’t speak unless spoken to and no clichés or funny accents. Answer with as few words as possible and keep a firm voice. If you say the wrong thing it could complicate matters.”

“More serious? How so?”

“Look, you wanted to tag along director. I can’t spell it out. Just stay close and keep quiet.”

Akina was cut short as a transport shuttle slid up and stopped at the street curb. A door opened and a man with a disruptor pointed its tip at them. “Get in”, was all that was communicated by the shady character.

Akina nudged the stunned director forward as they climbed into the dark transport. The door closed behind them as Ascari took a seat surrounded by two imposing strongmen and one woman. Everyone appeared to be brandishing weapons. What had he gotten himself into? The transport suddenly started moving. Ascari felt a certain amount of trepidation, however Captain Akina was cold as ice. So long as that remained constant he had few worries.

“You boys lost”, the woman asked. “I believe you were warned this neighborhood can get rough at night.”

“Rough”, Akina replied. “And here I thought this was normal for the taxi service on this planet.”

“Oh? A comedian. I hate comedians.”

“I hate disruptors pointed my direction”, Akina replied. “You already had a chance to scan us at the bar. I want to see Zephyr now…if you don’t mind.”

“Impetuous also? Well you seem like a man who knows what he wants. And what do you want again?”

“Just tell Zephyr that her Twilight Knight is here to visit.”

Ascari flashed a questioning look at the captain, but said nothing.

“Is that supposed to be a joke”, the woman asked pressing her disruptor into Akina’s chest.

“Just tell her already! I’m not in the mood for the usual games.”

The woman’s smile faded somewhat as she withdrew her weapon. “Well you are no fun at all. However I bet this one might be entertaining.” Ascari grimaced as the disruptor tip was pressed against his head. “What’s wrong? No pithy comments like your friend here? Do you have any idea what he’s gotten you into?”

“I have a good idea”, Ascari stated firmly. “That’s a type 12 disruptor pistol pressed against my head if I’m not mistaken. It’s manufactured by Zetrim Munitions. I’d be careful with that thing. At the setting it’s on you won’t just kill me if you decide to use it. You’ll blow a hole clean through this transport. I doubt I’m worth the price of a transport, not to mention the fireworks it would cause.”

Akina’s eyebrow now rose. He hadn’t expected the director to be so versed on small arms. It also appeared the director had a keen eye. Perhaps he wasn’t quite as inept as he had believed.
“What’s a pretty boy like you doing with that kind of knowledge”, the woman asked. “You don’t look like the type who would use such a thing.”

“Well if there’s time maybe you’ll grant me the opportunity to disarm you. I’m not half bad with several types of weapons.”

Akina rolled his eyes. Was the director hitting on her?

“Oh, you’re much more fun than your friend, but sorry babe. I’m afraid you’re not my type. I never mix business and pleasure.”

“A pity”, Ascari stated. “You’re far more entertaining than he is”, the director stated motioning toward Akina.

“Boss, she’ll see them”, one of the men gruffly stated.

“At last. Can we get on with it”, Akina muttered.

“All business. Very well.”

The shrill sound of a phaser suddenly rang out. Captain Akina suddenly went limp and slumped over onto his seat.

Ascari was suddenly gripped by a wave of fear. Were they in over their heads? Perhaps Akina had underestimated this Zephyr?

“Well sweetheart I’m afraid this is where we part ways”, the woman stated.

“No need to be hasty”, Ascari stated. “Let’s discuss this.”

“Too late cupcake. You’ve already purchased your ticket. A word of advice though. Tell your friend he needs to loosen up. Being that cocky might be the death of him one day.”

Ascari was about to reply when an electric shock ran though his body. The world around him crackled and exploded in a flash of light followed by nothingness.


~ To Be Continued ~

========================================
Captain Sebastian Ascari
Director, Starfleet Intelligence (Deposed)

and

Captain Zane Akina
Starfleet Intelligence Operative