U.S.S. Corsair - NX-011979
Nebula II Prototype
"Sic Parvis Magna"
(Greatness From Small Beginnings)
"Progeny of the Progenitors – Part Three"
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"You must forgive the detective", a calm voice said from afar.
Taverain turned to look at the lone Vulcan who was nearby. "He is obviously a proud and dedicated officer. He may be brash but I do not hold it against him."
The vulcan's eyebrow lifted slightly. "You are not what I expected."
Tav offered a mild smile. "What did you expect? You seem to have me at a disadvantage."
"I took the time to read your dossier when your ship docked. It is quite unusual to have such a ship, with a black hull and no paperwork, dock for repairs. I was intrigued. Your ship is as interesting as your colorful history captain."
"I have few regrets", Ramius offered. "However I like to know my company before speaking about my history."
"Yes of course. My name is T'Shian. I am one of many detectives aboard the starbase."
Ramius nodded. "Are you working on this case?"
"Affirmative. I am most gratified that you will be assisting our efforts. The perpetrators of these crimes are highly skilled and have access to sophisticated technology."
"If your duties will permit, would you show me the crime scene?"
"Yes of course captain. Please follow me."
[ Restaurant – Crime Scene ]
Taverain and T'Shian entered the small café where the latest murder had occurred. It was a grizzly scene. A dark, small crater in the center of the restaurant was the remaining testament to what was once a living individual. Overturned tables, chairs, broken glass, and a fine mist of blood coated the small eatery. Despite what had happened there was surprisingly little damage.
Taverain made his way to the crater and squatted down visually examining the charred floor.
"Hmm, blast was carefully focused and powerful. Has anything been moved inspector?"
"Negative captain. Everything is as it was after the incident", T'Shian answered with a cool voice.
"This looks like a photonic blast, but confined and extremely precise. The victim was vaporized within a contained field otherwise there would be more evidence. The blast also incinerated the device itself leaving no traces. Clever. The Romulans have a device similar to this however they are expensive and highly customized units. They would not be available publically nor sold in the black market or elsewhere."
He stood and surveyed the rest of the room before heading back outside.
"Well you won't find much more in there. The victim was likely wearing the device before entering this establishment. Such a device would be small and easy to plant on a target without their knowledge. Has the victim been identified?"
"We are working on that now. There were some DNA fragments remaining and trace blood remnants. The security computers should have a match soon."
"I am not as interested in the victim as I am in those he or she had contact with. Once we identify the victim we need to pull surveillance recordings in addition to locating friends, family, or other persons who may have an idea of where the victim was today and who they may have had contact with. Perhaps we can uncover a trail to the victim's assassin by connecting a few dots."
"How will dots aid us in solving this crime captain", the Vulcan asked with a cool, inquisitive voice.
Ramius looked up with a slight band of amusement upon his face. "An Earth expression inspector. Forgive the usage. I believe with some coordinated effort we may be able to piece together several facts and derive a person or persons of interest who may be connected to this crime."
"A logical course of action. Unusual to see such clarity from a former fighter pilot. My experience with such individuals reveals them to be highly emotional, erratic, and egotistical, but typically genuine. You however are quite different."
"I am thorough. Though do not mistake me for something I am not inspector. My heart is still that of a pilot. I simply have the benefit of experience to help keep it in check most of the time."
"Most?"
Ramius only smiled. He tapped his comm. badge.
"Ramius to Corsair."
"Commander Novada here sir."
"Number One, there's been a murder committed here on the station. It appears that such incidents have been occurring with some frequency and I have been asked by the station commander to assist in the ongoing investigations while we are docked for repairs. Assemble a team to conduct an investigation of the crime scene and have them beamed over when ready. I want a full intelligence grade sweep. Have the team report their findings to me when completed. I will be returning to the Corsair within the hour. Ramius out."
"Well T'Shian the team should arrive soon. Your help is greatly appreciated. Would you be willing to assist my team? Your familiarity with the case will greatly aid them."
The Vulcan nodded quietly in acceptance.
"I have one additional favor to ask of you", Ramius said his eyes dropping to the female's slender waist.
<<NO..its not what you think! Geesh people lets not let our minds wander here. Focus. Focus!>>
"Yes captain", came the reply as the Vulcan carefully watched the path of the human's eyes as they settled upon her.
"Your sidearm. May I borrow it?"
"May I inquire as to why Captain Ramius?"
"I would like to pay a visit to the temple of this mysterious religion. I would like to learn more about these progenitors as well as speak with the group's membership."
"Captain I must warn you this group is wary of outsiders. You will not be welcomed."
"Perhaps not as a Starfleet captain, but as a civilian, I might get a different result inspector. Especially for one interested in the faith."
The Vulcan gave the human a perplexing look which lasted several seconds before she unholstered her phaser and extended it toward the captain. "Do you require…"
"No. I work alone. It is safer that way", Ramius quickly answered anticipating the inspector's question. "Thank you and I shall return this to you."
Taverain bowed slightly before turning and heading off. Inspector T'Shian watched the man leave. "Fascinating", she said quietly before returning to her duties.
"Ramius to Akina."
"Akina here. Go ahead."
"Zane, I've stumbled into a murder investigation here on the station. I've been asked to look into the matter. From what I've seen we're dealing with someone with access to expensive, sophisticated weapons used primarily for clandestine assassination. The weapon used here was top quality and had to be stolen tech. I'm heading over to an area of the station that might shed some light on matters. Interested?"
"Let me get this straight Ramius – you stumbled upon a murder? And you want my help to solve it?"
"Yes."
"Taverain, we are supposed to be hunting NeoDyne not solving crimes. Let the local authorities handle their own problems."
"I have a feeling this is more than just a random killing Zane."
There was a audible sigh over the channel. "The last time you said that we nearly ended up dead."
"I was right wasn't I?"
"Fine. Give me your position. I'll beam over momentarily."
"Oh and Zane, leave your uniform and put on something comfortable. You might wear something appropriate for obtaining religious enlightenment."
"Come again?"
Ramius chuckled. "Meet me on Deck 27, Section 12 in twenty minutes. Ramius out."
Closing the channel, Ramius headed off to change into something a little less conspicuous and to meet up with Captain Zane Akina, one of Starfleet Intelligence's brightest, if not unorthodox, operatives. Tav had the feeling the next few hours would prove to be highly educational.
[ To Be Continued ]
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Captain Taverain Ramius
Commanding Officer, USS Corsair
