U.S.S. Corsair - NX-011979
Nebula II Prototype
“Sic Parvis Magna”
(Greatness From Small Beginnings)
“Progeny of the Progenitors – Part Seven”
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A solar day had passed since Ramius’s narrow escape from the Aditus temple aboard the starbase. With Akina’s help and skill they had managed to install a surveillance unit to quietly spy on the group’s activities. It was highly illegal of course, but Ramius was accustomed to operating outside the law and had the jurisdiction to do it when needed. If these religious zealots were guilty of murder and were perpetrating the killings aboard the station then they deserved justice.
Akina was aboard the Corsair reviewing the files they had lifted from the group’s computers as well as keeping an eye on the video and audio feeds. So far they had yet to come up with anything concrete, but Tav had a feeling the preacher they had run into was not what he seemed. It was just a feeling he had. The man’s intense eyes were not those of a clandestine leader or mindless follower. There was intelligence behind those dark eyes and perhaps something more. Be it pure, black, or otherwise, Ramius could not know only that he had seen something that was worthy of additional investigation.
He bit into an apple leaning against a cold bulkhead outside of the Aditus group’s temple. The maintenance corner he inhabited was dark keeping him hidden from view while he carefully observed those who came and went from the group’s facility.
He had barely made his way half way into the apple before his target emerged into the street. The apple in Tav’s hand hit the deck as the captain cautiously emerged from his vantage point and pursued his quarry at a reasonable clip behind.
The man’s pace was formidable as Tav struggled to keep him in view dodging obstacles and a thick stream of people as he attempted to stay on the man’s trail. He noticed the father turn down an alley and Tav followed. Breaking clean of the crowds, Tav entered the dark alley. To his dismay the man had disappeared. He increased his pace checking several doors. All of them were locked. He continued down the dirty, dark passage until a solitary metallic click broke the silence of the alley forcing Ramius to stop dead in his tracks. Standing motionless Tav slowly raised his hands. It was all too obvious who and what was behind him.
Slowly turning, Tav came face to face with the mysterious Aditus representative aiming a sinister looking weapon at point blank range.
“You”, the man said with some surprise. “I did not expect to see your face again. Why does a maintenance worker slink about in the shadows and why have you followed me? Choose your next words carefully.” The man’s grip on his weapon tightened. “I have no tolerance for lies or those who create them.”
“Heavily armed for a man of faith”, Ramius replied with a slight smile. “A type 16 Consolidated Firearm Corp Model 1232 Raptor isn’t the sort of thing you would expect your local preacher to be carrying these days. It is a little flashy and expensive for those under vows of poverty and the like.”
“I had a feeling you two were not who you claimed to be.”
“Is that so? Then why did you let us go?”
“Simple. You had committed no crime. Only the wicked deserve punishment. However, I am beginning to have my doubts about your intentions. Who are you and what do you want? It is obvious you are not who you say you are and are far more than you appear.”
“What gave me away?”
“Your eyes.”
“Really?”
“They are not the eyes of the guilty which dance about and are unable to remain still. Your gaze shows you are a man in search of something and who is determined to find it perhaps at any cost. I hope murder is not your intention as the wicked will be judged in either this world or the next.”
“And I assume you are judge, jury, and executioner?”
“I protect the righteous from the darkness in this world. Those that seek to destroy that which is righteous and good shall be judged by the hand and word of god.”
“And me? Am I in the light or in the dark”, Tav asked.
“You…you walk a fine line between good and evil. I sense a determination to right some terrible wrong, it shines within your eyes, however I fear that you could easily end up an agent of evil if you are unable to find or stop whatever it is you seek.”
Taverain was now even more intrigued by this so called preacher. Just who the hell was he?
“Starfleet Intelligence. I am Captain Taverain Ramius. And you are?”
The preacher slowly lowered his weapon and returned it to the dark folds of the black overcoat. “Frederick Dakota.”
“What is it you want captain? I assume you are following me to learn more about Aditus and its activities?”
Tav nodded. “Well you seem to be very well informed or else you are quite good at guessing. Yes. My ship is docked for repairs and I’ve been asked by the local authorities to assist in recent troubles which your organization appears to be linked to. I find it odd that someone who speaks with such convictions allows his organization to commit such violence.”
“It is not my organization captain. Much like yourself I too am investigating Aditus and its activities.”
“You’re one of them. How can…”
“I joined Aditus several months ago and have steadily risen in its ranks as I seek out the wicked who are afflicting the innocent. I go where I am needed much like yourself captain directed not by Starfleet, but a higher power. A terrible evil has infected and corrupted Aditus and is using its misguided clergy and members for some unknown ends. I am unable to stop all of the groups evil deeds, but I have been able to slow its activities. So long as time marches forward evil will prey on the righteous. So long as there is evil men like me must answer the holy call and defend those incapable of defending themselves.”
“A noble cause”, Tav answered. “And a difficult and dangerous path to walk. What have you learned? Perhaps we can work together? We both seek the same end.”
The man quietly considered Ramius’s offer.
“Very well captain. I will share what I know, but not here. It is not safe. If you could provide an alternative location to talk perhaps aboard your starship?”
“Consider it done”, Ramius answered.
Producing his communicator, Ramius called up his transporter chief. “Ramius to Corsair, site to site transport. Two to beam to my ready room. Ask Captain Akina to join us there please.”
“Aye captain, locked in and ready.”
“Is now a good time?”
“As good as any.”
Tav nodded. “Energize.”
The two men shimmered out of existence in the dark alley leaving no trace of their existence as the transporter beam shimmered briefly in a flash of blue and white before fading into nothingness.
[ To Be Continued… ]
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Captain Taverain Ramius
Commanding Officer, USS Corsair
Father Frederick Dakota
???
