== Backlog ==
U.S.S. Corsair - NCC-011979
Nebula Class Starship
“Sic Parvis Magna”
(Greatness From Small Beginnings)
======================
"An Unwanted Spotlight"
Captain Taverain Ramius poured through dozens of pages of seemingly useless daily logs that his ship's computer had managed to decrypt from Captain Zane Akina's tricorder readings of a destroyed NeoDyne facility on the planet Astate. The encryption of these files had been of a lower grade and thus easier to break, but the files themselves were as equally low grade as either intelligence or proof of NeoDyne's misdeeds.
Ordering the Corsair’s computer to tirelessly work at breaking the NeoDyne encryption keys, bits and pieces were slowly emerging from the vast quantity of data Akina had managed to extract from the NeoDyne computers, but at a slow and unpredictable rate. Despite the sophistication of his starship's advanced computer systems they seemed feeble given the high-grade modern encryption algorithms NeoDyne had used to secure its dark secrets. Ramius felt as though he was sitting on a cache of valuable dilthium yet he had no knowledge of its existence under his feet – so close to the truth, but yet so far away.
He glanced through more decrypted files which yielded nothing of real value other than daily logs, personnel movements, a few notable supply requisitions which might be of some investigative use, but on the whole the reports were mostly routine. There was no 'smoking gun' as of yet to aim at NeoDyne's head – and that was precisely what both Ramius and Akina wanted.
"Captain", his communications officer called out from her station snapping Ramius from his thoughts.
"Sir, incoming message for you. It's coded priority – Vice Admiral Jolias Enor is requesting communications."
"An Admiral", Ramius muttered. This couldn't be good. When Admirals called upon him it meant one of two things – either he was receiving a commendation or promotion for some selfless act of bravery or feat of amazing daring or courage or he was in serious trouble having tarnished some brass either intentionally or by accident. Since Ramius couldn't recall performing any feats of heroism lately he quickly assumed the latter. Someone had probably taken some interest in his activities. The Corsair's brief visit to Astate was likely the trigger for this call.
Ramius didn't know what was worse – nosy admirals or just admirals in general. Commodores were bad enough, but Admirals were the worst – he knew this conversation had a low success of ending well.
"Let's have it Lieutenant. Onscreen."
"Wouldn't you prefer this in your ready room sir?"
Ramius hoped the added publicity of the conversation on the bridge would help keep the Admiral's forthcoming questions to a minimum as well as Ramius's own evasiveness. He didn't enjoy bending the truth – in fact he hated it, but he couldn't afford to peak Starfleet's suspicions. The incident on Astate was going to be hard enough to whitewash, but he owed too many people too much. Captain Akina, his own brother Aiden, countless others, his step father, his parents – he owed them justice for NeoDyne's actions and atrocities and if that meant bending the truth and the rules to obtain it – then he would do whatever was needed.
"No Lieutenant, you heard the order. On screen. Let's hear what the good admiral wishes to discuss."
The viewscreen of the USS Corsair faded to the Starfleet Logo and quickly cleared revealing the face of a Starfleet Vice Admiral Ramius was not immediately familiar with.
"Greeting's Cap-" Enor was surprised when the small screen in his room showed the panorama of a Nebula Class's bridge. Normally secured messages were taken in privacy- obviously Captain Ramius had other intentions. Jolias decided to ignore the awkwardness and continue on with what he was going to say "Captain. I have in my hand" he waved a PADD at the screen "the report of your very recent visit to Astate Colony. You put in for repairs and extra supplies but I'm curious. You stated an emergency but from what I can see of your requisitions you didn't need much in the way of aid. Considering recent events on the colony I am curious about your reasons for visiting Astate. I would very much like to know the full nature of this emergency that sent you to a planet without a space dock or orbital repair facility."
Ramius stood from his chair on the Corsair showing the Admiral the respect due his rank with a brief salute. "I can fully understand your concern given the crisis on Astate", Ramius began. "Is there any more information on what happened on Astate? We were there when the explosion occurred and offered our services in orbit prior to the arrival of other starships while we made repairs."
"There was nuclear explosion. They're trying to investigate the root cause." Jolias decided not to elaborate. He got the feeling that Captain Ramius probably knew more then he was letting on.
"I see" Ramius replied. "A most disturbing situation nonetheless. I can hardly fathom how or why someone would use such a powerful nuclear device in this era especially on a remote planet such as Astate." Ramius paused ever so slightly as if ruminating over the consequences of the blast. His show of concern was an act for the admiral, but in truth his true concern over the events at Astate ran far deeper than anyone could know.
"Admiral, the Corsair has been on combat patrol for sometime. Even though the war had ended intelligence has us chasing down several high profile crime syndicates, renegades, smugglers, and war profiteers. We've been assigned to help mop some of the less pleasant aspects of the return of peace. We ended up in Beta Quadrant chasing down a high level crime boss. He was making a run for the Romulan Neutral Zone perhaps thinking a Starship wouldn't dare to enter the zone after him for fear of violating treating obligations. His ship was equipped with an exceptionally fast warp drive system. Unfortunately, we began experiencing intermittent engine fluctuations during our high speed pursuit. The fluctuations became unpredictable and our engineers were unable to determine the exact cause. As a result we had to break off the chase and slow down. My chief engineer's opinion of the engine troubles suggested there was a significant risk posed by continuing to drive them at high warp speeds.
Frustrated by having to forfeit our quarry Admiral, I ordered a reduction in speed. After several hours the engineers, unable to find the cause of the unusual problems, again stated the engines were fit for use. We resumed our hunt hoping to perhaps pick up the ion trail of the ship, but after again going to high warp velocities we again ran into engine trouble. Concerned the problem could pose a risk to the ship I ordered an inspection of the drive system. Astate, while poorly equipped to handle repairs, did have supplies and some repair parts. I was anxious to continue our search, so rather than putting into a starbase, I decided to head to Astate which was somewhat closer than the nearest Starbase and gave us an excuse to enter the Neutral Zone where we could conduct long range scans for the renegade we have been following.
We entered orbit and I ordered a full check of the drive system. I have confidence in my staff and crew sir and believe that whatever difficulties we encountered we could repair them while in orbit of Astate. My engineers believed they had diagnosed the engine problems and we requested several spare parts from Astate to resolve our engine troubles. During this time the detonation on the surface occurred.
I immediately called Starfleet personnel on Astate and offered our assistance in scanning the event from orbit or dispatching personnel to assist where needed. We assisted efforts for a short time until two additional Starships arrived to investigate and lend assistance. With our engines repaired and the situation, while immensely disconcerting, seemingly under control I ordered us out to continue our assigned duties sir and continue the hunt for the renegade in the area. With assistance pouring in to Astate, our presence there no longer seemed required.
That is how we ended up in this sector sir and was the nature of our short visit to the Astate colony.
Our engineer believes our engine difficulties are due to a minor defect that may have caused our initial engine problems. The Corsair hasn’t put in for major repairs in nearly a year. Since the war ended we’ve been assigned one mission after another. This old girl is tough, but I have a feeling she’s in need of a vacation.
Ramius stepped closer to the screen. "I apologize Admiral for any undue trouble we may have caused you or your staff. The proper course of action would have been a return to starbase for repairs, but we've been chasing these renegades for some time. Their crimes should be answered for and I felt the ship and crew deserved the satisfaction of capturing these criminals and bringing them to justice after spending a great deal of time locating their whereabouts and chasing them across the quadrant."
Standing rigid, Ramius looked directly at the screen and the Admiral. "Sir, I'm not one to play things by the book. I gambled we could repair the troubles ourselves and salvage our mission with a success after a hard series of missions. The decision not to put into Starbase was mine and mine alone. I accept full responsibility. However, I would repeat my actions again given the chance. I have faith in my crew. This ship can and has overcome more serious obstacles in the past. Fate appears to have caught up with us this one time sir."
Ramius remained at attention carefully gauging the Admiral's expressions and reaction to his full report.
It was a complete report and there was nothing there to suggest anything amiss. Jolias trusted Captain Savage when she suggested something off but there was nothing here he could pursue "Very well Captain. Please send all sensor logs to Starfleet Command for analysis."
Ramius nodded. "I will send you our files immediately sir."
Jolias just nodded his head. He didn’t have anything else to say except “I look forward to reading them. Good bye Captain.”
Ramius saluted the Admiral, a custom in the fighter pilot ranks, that was an old habit to break. The channel closed and Ramius returned to his seat falling backwards.
"Whew", he muttered under his breath. "That was close."
"What was close", his first officer asked quietly bothered by the captain's odd orders and recent events.
Ramius turned. "Figure of speech", was all he could manage on the spur of the moment. "I've had a few run ins with top brass before in the past. Admirals and I don't mix well historically speaking."
"Oh, I see", Commander Novada replied. "Why is that sir?"
Ramius chuckled. "There's a difference of opinion I suppose between those who are on the front lines and those who sit behind them looking at tactical maps, talking to advisors, and watching briefings. I've always had a slight problem taking orders from someone who isn't out here. While I can accept its not easy making the big decisions no one else wants to make, I also know that out here in space, situations change moment to moment. Following orders issued for a moment that has come and gone instead of adapting to the situation and the moment at hand never sat well with me, especially with lives on the line."
"So, you don't believe in the chain of command then sir", Novada asked testing the captain's tolerances. "Discipline and orders are optional?"
"I didn't say that", Ramius quickly added. "Some orders don't make sense given a rapidly changing environment. It is at that point, when lives are at risk, that officers should be able to alter orders as needed. I've done so in the past and it's ruffled feathers at the top, but I stand by my actions because they were the correct ones to take."
"So you have more experience and insight than our fleet's admiralty?"
Ramius turned to his first officer with a sly grin. "Not exactly, but let's just say I have a few talents they lack."
"Such as?"
"That's a trade secret Commander", Ramius whimsically replied. "I'm not the first officer in the fleet to bend the rules and I'm sure I won't be the last. I just try not to make it a habit."
"I suppose old habits are just hard to break", Novada answered verbally jabbing the captain.
Ramius nodded with a tiny smirk. "Perhaps."
[ End Log ]
=====================
Admiral Jolias Enor
(APB Thomas)
Captain Taverain Ramius
CO, USS Corsair
(APB Tav)
Commander Alanis Novada
XO, USS Corsair
(APB Tav)
