## Backlog ##
U.S.S. Corsair - NCC-011979
Nebula Class Starship
“Sic Parvis Magna”
(Greatness From Small Beginnings)
Captain Taverain C. Ramius, Commanding
In Orbit Above The Astate Colony
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"Captain's Prerogative"
Captain Ramius sat nervously on his bridge as he stared quietly at the planet Astate on the viewing screen before him. A chronometer above the screen tracked the time remaining before he could leave orbit and put some distance between himself and this planet which had recently become a focal point of intense scrutiny. This was the type of attention he had hoped to avoid however recent events had brought the bright lights of both the Federation and the Romulans and with the light came investigations and questions none of which he was willing or able to answer. Every moment the Corsair sat in orbit put him and certain agendas in potential jeopardy. Having given Astate a brief and vague description of their alleged engines difficulties he had to wait it out before he could depart. Leaving too early could rouse suspicion that is if their presence here had not done so already.
His only saving grace was that he and his ship were under the jurisdiction of Starfleet Intelligence. Such a designation, orchestrated in part by his step-father Admiral Valtren, gave him certain liberties and protections other starships did not enjoy. His detour here to Astate was a personal matter, but given his broad authority and the ability to keep most of the Corsair’s missions on a ‘need to know’ basis he had the flexibility to pursue certain extracurricular activities without incurring too much unwanted attention.
While he had specific orders to carry out, Ramius could defer current orders to pursue NeoDyne related matters when required. His stepfather had managed to convince Starfleet brass that NeoDyne deserved watching after it was exposed years before of leaking sensitive technologies to the Breen. The Corsair’s activities were thus kept classified so as not to tip off the company or possible informants to the surveillance.
This situation was different. The nuclear explosion below had been unexpected and with it had brought a galactic magnifying glass to this isolated and quiet planet. Being under a lens given his unique situation made Ramius especially anxious and uncomfortable and the longer he was forced to sit here the greater those feelings became.
As he anxiously watched the chrono, Ramius’s first officer, Alanis Novada, leaned over and quietly addressed her CO.
“Captain, why are we sitting here sir”, she said discreetly to avoid being overheard.
Ramius didn’t move, but his eyes moved to his right and then resumed their forward gaze. “We are not sitting here. We are providing aid and assistance in response to the recent catastrophe below.”
“Sir, we completed scans of the explosion site hours ago. Astate has yet to request further assistance from us as the other starships that arrived are dealing with the situation. What exactly is going on sir?”
“Difficult to say Commander”, Ramius quickly replied. “There was an unusual explosion while we were making repairs. It appears we just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“I see. It seems this ship attracts coincidences like a magnet. Our cryptic orders to alter course, our sudden engine and system difficulties which held us here, and a nuclear explosion on a uninhabited island that lies on a remote planet; it is almost too much to believe.”
“Do you have a point commander?
“Not at all. I am simply making an observation. The more astute among the crew are also drawing certain conclusions.
Ramius turned. “Such as?”
“Scuttlebutt has it that the Romulans are seeking a pretext for a possible conflict which is why we were ordered here. We’re the firepower to prevent such thinking. Another rumor has it we’re tracking black market profiteers who had an accident in a deal gone bad with local criminal figures.”
“Is that so? Well I wouldn’t put my faith in such conjecture commander. It serves no purpose without a basis in fact.”
“What are the facts sir?”
“You seem to imply I have knowledge where none exists commander. Being presumptuous is not a beneficial trait.”
“Who is being presumptuous sir? Sometimes a question is just a question.”
“There are many questions in life commander. Many of them have no answers. In any case, our mission does not include recent events on Astate therefore we will not be concerning ourselves unless ordered to do so.”
Novada leaned back. The captain was being especially cryptic; more so than usual. She had a strong hunch he knew more than he was saying especially by his strong reaction to her line of questions. However if he felt no need to disclose certain facts then she would not hound him. With the Corsair assigned to intelligence their missions were often classified, dangerous, and need to know. Her position was often hampered when Ramius kept her in the dark, but she had learned to deal with the situation and to some degree the captain himself.
“Perhaps I should visit Engineering and see how the chief is coming along with our repairs.”
Ramius gave Novada an odd look but said nothing.
“Engineering to Bridge”, came a sudden call from engineering.
“Ramius here.”
“Engines repaired sir. All speeds now available.”
“Excellent chief. Bridge out.”
“Helm, hard about. Break orbit and get us back on our original patrol route along the Neutral Zone. We need to make up for lost time and complete our inspections of the listening posts in our patrol area. Set course and engage at Warp 9.”
“Are we in a hurry captain”, Novada asked.
“You are just brimming with questions today commander”, Ramius answered as the Corsair slowly altered course and prepared to make the jump to warp.
“I wouldn’t be much of a first officer if I didn’t ask questions now would I?”
“No, no I suppose you wouldn’t”, Ramius acknowledged. “However, I’m not obligated to answer them all.” He turned and shot Novada a short smile. “Captain’s prerogative.”
“Indeed”, she replied leaning back in her chair.
A few moments later the Corsair leapt into warp leaving Astate and its problems behind.
“Commander, I have a question for you.”
“Yes sir.”
“Think you can handle the bridge for awhile? I have a few matters to attend to.”
“Hmm… difficult to say sir”, she replied with mock sarcasm.
“Well I’m sure you’ll figure it out”, Ramius said as he stood. “You have the conn.” He headed toward his ready room leaving Novada in command.
Novada stood and moved to the captain’s seat. She glanced at the closed ready room doors. Something was occurring. The captain, prone to cryptic and unusual orders, was acting particularly odd. She could sense a certain anxiety from Ramius despite his guarded expressions and emotions. Few things prickled the tough skin of Ramius and his years of combat experience. If the captain was tense she had cause for great concern. She sensed danger but had no idea of its form.
As the stars streaked by on the viewscreen she hoped her senses were wrong this one time.
[ To Be Continued ]
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Captain Taverain Ramius
Commanding Officer, USS Corsair
Commander Alanis Novada
XO, USS Corsair
(NPCs APB Tav)
