U.S.S. Corsair - NX-011979
Nebula II Prototype
“Sic Parvis Magna”
(Greatness From Small Beginnings)
“The Key To Hell's Gates - Part VI”
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The interior of the tram car was filled with pulsing red light as it passed successive banks of crimson lamps that lined the sides of the converted mining tunnel. The Marines, sandwiched together in the tight confines of the car, anxiously waited unsure of what lie in wait for them at the end of the tunnel. NeoDyne knew they were coming, yet Captain Ramius seemed almost relaxed except for a look within his eyes which seemed harsh and unyielding. A few of the men noticed a reddish tinge in the Captain’s eagle eyes. Some wrote the color off to the passing red lights in the tunnel, but a few were not totally convinced the lights were the sole cause of the unusual color.
“Captain”, a marine in the back of the car spoke breaking the silence. “What is this NeoDyne? How did we get mixed up in this mess sir?”
“Corporal, you’re out of line”, the major snapped at the marine.
“No Major. It’s a fair question”, Ramius responded. “Every soldier needs a reason to perform their job, be it family, honor, loyalty, duty, or one of any number of other reasons. If I am to order these men to fight and possibly die then they have the right to know why I am placing them in harm’s way.”
The Major’s annoyed look faded somewhat as he looked at the captain. Ramius, holding on to one of the bars above for support, turned to his men to offer an answer to the question that had been posed.
“Gentlemen, the information I am about to tell you is highly classified. This information must stay within the confines of this car. Do not discuss this between yourselves or make mention of it to anyone else. Security leaks of this nature can and will result in the harshest of penalties given the nature and importance of this information. Do I make myself perfectly understood?”
“Yes sir”, came the loud reply. “Very well.”
“NeoDyne was a struggling defense contractor many years ago. It had a few meager products none of which were highly successful or widely profitable. With the company struggling to survive its founder and owner turned to increasingly dubious methods to generate profits. He began selling weapon technologies to less savory individuals; pirates, smugglers, the syndicates. Amassing tidy profits from under the radar deals, NeoDyne abandoned any moral and ethical standards. Its president and majority owner sought only profits at any cost. With a substantial criminal network filling NeoDyne’s coffers, it moved to larger targets and assassinated the company leadership of its direct competitor, Vector Industries. Along with murdering its corporate leadership it also stole much of Vector’s classified project data. After the dust settled, Vector collapsed and many of its most talented scientists and employees went to work for NeoDyne lured away by lucrative contracts and promises of unlimited research budgets. NeoDyne prospered from Vector’s demise and soon its products were being courted by Starfleet and other major powers. As more profits rolled in, NeoDyne acquired more companies branching out into biomedical and aerospace becoming the corporate giant it is today.
However the story doesn’t end there. With profits at all time records, NeoDyne’s leadership lost interest in money and lusted after something far more dangerous and that was power and influence. Having tasted success, NeoDyne wanted more. However it hit a road block with the company’s owner was exposed by Starfleet Intelligence for selling weapons and technology to the Breen. The company declined afterwards its founder dying in a shuttle accident on his way to prison. The public trial and breech of faith by NeoDyne damaged its reputation and crippled its sales and profits.
Shortly after, the founder’s son took command of the company. Blaming Starfleet and others for his father’s death he rebuilt the company and its image and made NeoDyne even larger and more influential than his father. He repaired the company’s tarnished name and indeed reenergized the company with new life. Swollen with profits and emerging as one of the quadrants preeminent corporate entities, NeoDyne began again down a dangerous path. They sought not only wealth, but power. They invested heavily in clandestine and banned genetic research. The humanoids we fought earlier are only some of the fruits of NeoDyne’s efforts. Intelligence has no idea the full extent of NeoDyne’s goals or objectives, but we have discovered enough to realize the company poses a clear and present threat to interstellar peace and security. Their aims are unknown, but that is what we were sent to uncover.
As for us getting involved”, Ramius paused for a moment. “The Corsair’s unique position places it in a category where we can do things other starships cannot or will not. We’re troubleshooters for problems that have no suitable answer. Starfleet had no hard proof of the company’s activities, yet all indications demonstrated something sinister was occurring. As more information became available it became clear NeoDyne was involved in a conspiracy, but no one could say to what. Witnesses disappeared, evidence vanished and all attempts through normal channels were wither quietly hushed up or simply faded away. NeoDyne is quite adept at bribing or extorting law enforcement personnel and even some officers within the Starfleet.
That is where we come in. We’ve been assigned to find and deliver the goods on NeoDyne and determine what secrets and crimes they have committed in order to expose them. Other ships and crews can’t do what is needed which is why, under the auspices of the Intelligence division, we can go where needed and do things red tape would otherwise prevent. We’re officially off the record which gives us additional – flexibility if you will.
I assure you that this mission has the unofficial attention of top brass. If we can deliver the bacon then NeoDyne can be stopped along with whatever sinister plans they are hiding. You’ve seen what they are capable of. Imagine those weapons let loose upon a populated planet? Imagine the lives that could be lost and the chaos caused if those ‘things’ were allowed to escape this place? Those questions alone should justify our actions. That is why we must fight and that is why we are involved. We’re the first and only line of defense given certain political realities. The Corsair has some of the most talented people, the best equipment, and the honor of exposing a terrible threat to the quadrant and perhaps the Federation and other powers.”
“Does that answer your question corporal?”
“Yes sir!”
“I did not anticipate events would occur as they have, but in battle especially in one against someone as nefarious and wily as NeoDyne, one must quickly adapt to the situation or face defeat for being inflexible. I have a plan on how to deal with NeoDyne.” Ramius flashed a glance at the Klingon controls nearby. They appeared to be about half way to their destination. “With some planning and a little luck I am confident we can turn the tide in our favor and secure the intelligence that will finish the company and put an end to this insanity once and for all.”
As he finished speaking, Ramius still holding most of the men’s attention noticed something odd outside of one of the windows of the tram. He gripped his rifle as his instincts tingled with the sensation of trouble. “Eight o’clock outside”, Ramius suddenly barked.
Several marines near a rear window stepped back as a thick, viscous liquid slowly seeped down the outside of the glass. “It’s the same blue ooze we saw back at the landing”, one of the marines shouted. There was a noise above the marines somewhere outside atop the tram car. The noise continued slowly at first growing louder. The movements above seemed to indicate multiple bogeys. More blue ooze ran down both sides of the tram car as the marines nervously shuffled about in the confines of the car.
The sudden sound of shattering glass and the shouts of his men overshadowed the muted words flowing from Ramius’s lips. “Son of a …”
[ To Be Continued…]
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Captain Taverain Ramius
Commanding Officer, USS Corsair
(APB Tav)
