U.S.S. Corsair - NCC-011979
Nebula Class Starship
“Sic Parvis Magna”
(Greatness From Small Beginnings)
“The Corsair, A Captain, and Confrontation”
[Part I]
== ==Backlog =====
[Bridge, USS Corsair]
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Commander Alanis Novada tapped the chime to the captain’s ready room.
“Enter”, came the CO’s response.
Novada stepped inside and noticed Ramius at his desk absorbed in work. She moved to the desk and placed a padd down sliding it toward the captain. “Sir, we’ve completed a full tactical sweep on long range sensors. Tactical reports no contacts other than a registered transport at the far edge of our sensor range which was heading away from us before we lost contact an hour ago.”
Ramius did not answer and did not look up from his computer terminal.
“We have completed our final course change and are now cruising at warp six per your instructions. Do you have any additional orders sir?”
There was a short pause before Ramius replied. “Increase speed to warp seven and put us back on our original patrol route. Inform me when we pass Alpha Eridani. Additionally inform outposts Five, Six, Seven we’re running behind. I believe we have some supplies aboard destined for a few of our listening outposts along the Neutral Zone.”
“Aye sir”, Novada answered turning to exit. She headed for the door but stopped turning to face the CO.
“Was there something else commander”, Ramius asked his eyes still fixed on his computer terminal.
“Yes. There is another matter. One I am reluctant to bring up.”
“Go on”, he said continuing to work without acknowledging her.
“Well to be frank sir, I want to know what is going on. Captain Akina and yourself appear to be engaged in let us say extra curricular activities and I’m finding it exceedingly difficult to perform my job as your first officer when I have little or no idea of our mission, our goals, and what types of circumstances the ship and you yourself are being place in. I cannot function as your first officer effectively shut out like this sir.”
Ramius finally stopped working and looked up meeting his first officer’s gaze. “Commander if I feel there is something you need to know given the situation I will inform you. I suggest you attend to your given duties. As captain I am not required to explain all of my orders to the crew. “
“Sir, with all do respect, you seldom explain anything. It is exceedingly difficult for me to fulfill my duties as your executive officer and protect you from danger when I have no knowledge of the situation.”
“Protect me?” Ramius suppressed the urge to laugh. “I do not require protection commander. In fact, everyone aboard would do well to remember that. It is safer that way. As for your duties you are doing a respectable job. Now unless there are other pressing matters you are dismissed.”
Novada met the captain’s steely glare and turned again to leave. The doors parted, but again she stopped. “No, I came in here to obtain a resolution to this situation. I will not let him push me out.”
Turning back, Novada again entered letting the doors close before speaking. “I apologize sir but I need a more concrete answer than the one you provided. If you insist on keeping me in the dark then you cannot reject my request for immediate transfer and reassignment.”
Ramius stood and shut off his computer. She could feel his ire, but she stood firm against the captain’s imposing nature.
“Your request for transfer is denied Commander. What other demands do you have as my time is limited and you seem intent on beating a dead horse.”
Novada mulled some advice she had received in the past from a high ranking official. She had heeded his words until this moment, but she found herself at a crossroads. If the captain would not budge this was her final card to play. She had a strong hand, but she feared the use of such leverage would only hurt her relationship with the CO not improve it however he had left her with little choice.
“I demand to know what activities Captain Akina and yourself are currently engaged in that require the use of this ship and its crew. If you are going to risk the lives of the men and women aboard on personal missions then as their representative I have a duty to know what is occurring sir.”
“You demand? You are in no position to demand anything Commander Novada”, Ramius answered his patience wearing thin. “Are you questioning my authority as captain of the Corsair?”
“No sir. I would never do such a thing. I simply want to know about our missions. I am tired of being kept in the dark.”
“You do not have the right nor the position to ask commander! Since when do first officers dictate policy to their superiors? Are you determined to obtain a formal reprimand for insubordination to be included in your file?”
“No sir.”
“Then get out of here before I change my mind”, Ramius barked.
“I will not sir. I’ve served faithfully for sometime as this ship and crew are assigned intelligence missions of exceedingly high risk. We always seem to get the impossible assignments and those that carry exceptional danger and challenges. Until now I’ve said nothing, but I can no longer remain silent. One could almost say we volunteer for such missions on a regular basis. I am not challenging your command or our orders, however I have a right to know what our objectives and purpose is sir. I cannot be effective to you or this ship without that information and in fact would be doing them both a disservice by not protesting.”
“Commander you are relived of command until further notice”, Ramius growled. “You are confined to your quarters until you have had a chance to think about what you have said. If you refuse, I’ll have security drag you to the brig.”
“I know about your abilities sir”, Novada said cooly.
Ramius’s eyes hit her with a force all their own. “What did you say?”
“I know about your unique abilities sir. I assume that is what this secrecy as of late is about and why you refuse to speak to me as a normal person.”
“Computer seal the doors.” Ramius approached Novada slowly. Stopping several feet away he glared at her with probing eyes as if searching for something hidden within her own. “Commander, I suggest you begin talking and do it rapidly. If your answers do not satisfy me believe it when I say your life is in serious jeopardy.”
“Admiral Valtren informed me you possessed certain unique abilities before you took command of the Corsair. He made it clear I was not to reveal this to you, but given recent developments I felt I could no longer obey his request. He did not elaborate, but only informed me you have certain irreplaceable and unique talents. I was ordered to keep careful watch of you, your activities, and ensure your safety at all costs even at the risk of my life or that of this ship and crew’s. As you can imagine sir, such a request was somewhat difficult to understand, but those were my orders sir.”
“Valtren? He told you?” Ramius appeared shocked. He turned and quickly moved to his window. “That stupid old man! What right does he have?”
Novada said nothing.
“Who else did he tell? Who else have you told commander?”
“No one sir. I was ordered never to reveal what I know to anyone. Only myself and the doctor are aware of certain facts. I suspect the doctor knows far more than myself. We’ve never spoken about such things.”
“That scheming…”
“Sir, I can say with some degree of accuracy that the Admiral’s orders were more than just that. He made them a personal request for me to accept or deny. I wasn’t forced into taking this position. I chose to accept the unusual request with the full knowledge that this would be no ordinary assignment and that you were no ordinary captain. Admiral Valtren spoke as a man with deep concern for your safety. One might speculate he holds some sort of strong, almost familial bond with you sir.”
“No reason to speculate”, Ramius answered taking a seat at his desk. “He’s my adoptive father. His concern was probably genuine if not completely irrational and foolhardy. He’s getting soft in his old age. Emotions are clouding his vision and affecting his judgment. Damn him!”
Ramius leaned back in his chair with a sigh as he looked at his first officer who knew of his secrets, but had kept that knowledge to herself for over a year. The length of time she had honored the Admiral’s request and the tact she had exhibited earned her a good deal of respect in Ramius’s book. He knew, at least, that he could trust her. In fact, since they had first met, he had wanted to trust her, but the facts had prevented him from doing so. It was true he had treated her poorly in recent months. Her irritation and complaints were justified. Had she been someone else he half expected this same behavior months ago. The fact that she had waited this long to vent her frustrations was a testament to her unique personality, patience, and character.
“Well it seems that the Admiral has forced my hand”, Ramius finally said. “I owe you an apology Commander. I have been harsh and cryptic for far too long. Please accept my sincere apologies for my behavior.”
“I refuse to accept it sir where no apology is needed or required. You are the captain sir.”
“Now I see why Valtren confided in you. You are as stubborn as he is.”
“If you say so sir.”
“I do”, Ramius answered. “But it is a quality I admire. It took a lot of bravado coming in here and standing your ground. If there was a medal for such a thing I’d be the first to award it.”
Ramius stood rounding his desk. “Commander..Alanis. I have a choice to offer. I regret that you have been drawn into matters. Much as the admiral offered you a choice I too will do the same. There are two choices open to you. You may continue on as you have been and we will never speak of this matter again unless I deem it necessary. Your duties will not change and I will ensure you receive the courtesy and respect your position requires. This choice carries with it a lesser degree of personal risk. What you do not know cannot hurt you.
Then there is a second option. Option Two; I will tell you more about myself and keep you apprised of certain aspects of ongoing events. But be warned. The second option is not to be entered into lightly. The knowledge you seek is fraught with personal danger and peril. Once informed of certain matters you will become a target and your life will be endangered due to the knowledge you will possess. There will be those who may attempt to use you in order to get to me. Should they succeed the quadrant and perhaps the galaxy itself could be forever imperiled as a result. These are the stakes and the responsibilities that come with such knowledge. Choose carefully commander as once you begin down this dangerous path, you cannot go back.”
[ To Be Continued ]
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Commander Alanis Novada
XO, USS Corsair
Captain Taverain Ramius
CO, USS Corsair
(APB Tav)
