U.S.S. Corsair - NX-011979
Nebula II Prototype
“Sic Parvis Magna”
(Greatness From Small Beginnings)
“Progeny of the Progenitors – Part VIII”
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Captain Taverain Ramius and his unusual guest, a one Father Frederick Dakota, emerged from the grip of a transporter beam within the confines of Ramius’s Ready Room aboard the USS Corsair still within drydock undergoing repairs. Sitting patiently on the nearby sofa was intelligence operative Captain Zane Akina who quickly stood upon seeing the two men.
Ramius moved to his desk and beckoned for the father to have a seat. “I have invited Captain Akina to join us. He also works in intelligence and is assisting our efforts in this matter regarding recent events aboard the station. Father Frederick Dakota, Captain Zane Akina, Starfleet Intelligence.” The two men nodded at one another as Ramius took a seat, leaned back, and threw his boots on top of his desk.
Akina muttered something incoherent under his breath which Ramius promptly ignored.
“I am quite interested to know Mr. Dakota why a member of the clergy finds the necessity to arm himself with a powerful and expensive weapon that is military issue and not available to the general public.”
Akina’s eyebrows shot upwards at Ramius’s brazen question.
“You do not mince words do you captain”, Dakota replied. “I like a man who speaks his mind. However as to your question I carry many things in my travels, but as you no doubt know there is evil in this universe and it cannot be stopped by words alone. One must carry a sword if they are to step onto the field of battle. To do so unarmed would be suicide would you not agree?”
“It depends on the battlefield and who is being fought”, Ramius answered.
“Does Evil require a reason to be vanquished? Does it truly matter where the battle is fought so long as it is indeed fought? You captain I am sure have seen your share of battle. The Hero of Anatarain should already know this?”
Ramius smiled at the comment though he noticed Akina’s face tighten with a degree of concern.
“You appear quite well informed for a simple preacher Mr. Dakota.”
“I never said I was simple captain.”
“Indeed. You did not.”
“Excuse me, Captain…I am sure you didn’t bring the Father here to engage in mere conversational banter. Does this meeting have some relevance to the case”, Akina asked being unaware of what had occurred on the station between the two men.
“Akina is right. Let’s get straight to the point. You indicated Father that you are not a member of Aditus, but that you have infiltrated their ranks? If so, why? And what have you learned about the group’s leadership and activities?”
“It is an organization that is not to be trifled with nor underestimated. I warn you captain this is no ordinary organization. It is populated with the darkest henchmen with access to large sums of funding and lethal equipment. Its members are ruthless, brainwashed souls beyond redemption and salvation. I have yet to uncover the sources behind the group yet someone dark and powerful controls Aditus from the shadows. Their motives are as black as their actions and they must be exposed and stopped but such things are far easier said than done.”
“We managed to get a look at the group’s shipping records”, Akina stated. “I’ve been analyzing the records we obtained earlier. While there are no direct clues as of yet the activity strongly suggests the possible presence of such criminal activities as money laundering, weapons smuggling, black market operations. Do you have any knowledge of such things?”
“Yes and no. Yes in the sense I know the group is involved in all manner of illegal trade. They are so very careful though and meticulous to a fault. Even I do not have a full picture of their operations. It is too well managed, too clean, too surgical to be anything more than a carefully controlled front for some other, darker purpose. Be it syndicate, black market, pirates – no one runs operations this efficiently and ruthlessly. There is always someone inside who lusts for power or is overcome by greed or whose loyalty can be bought or sold – but not here. The group is run like a corporation.”
Ramius’s eyes widened for only and instant as his blue-grey eyes immediately locked with Akina’s. The mention of the word corporation had a chilling effect on the two captains.
“This leader”, Ramius stated, “who is he?”
“He is known only as Lord Icarin. I know virtually nothing about him. His messages to his followers delivered in sermons and teachings are transmitted via holographic projection. I have tried to trace the source but have been unsuccessful. Other messages are recordings delivered by courier who has no knowledge of where the packages come from or who sends them. The man is a vexing, dark mystery. His soul swims within the darkest and most foul waters. He must be found. He must be stopped.”
“What does he look like?”
“I cannot say. He face is always covered by a cloak. All that I know for certain is that he is human and male or at least that is what the images reveal if indeed they are to be believed. Who can say if this Icarin even truly exists?”
Ramius promptly stood and moved to a nearby cabinet where he opened its doors and fumbled around inside for something. Turning around he gripped a phaser in his hand and leveled his cold blue eyes upon the man sitting nearby.
“I appreciate your information father, if indeed that is who you really are, but now I suggest you talk about yourself and how you came to be in Aditus’s company. Please spare us no detail.”
Dakota stiffened at Ramius’s actions.
“Ramius”, Captain Akina said standing. “What are you doing? Why are you threatening our best source of information in this case?”
“Because Akina, he is not who he claims to be.”
“And how do you know that”, Akina shouted angry that the captain was again exhibiting cryptic, unpredictable, and unusual behavior.
“Simple. On the station the good father was able to catch me off guard. Only someone with exceptional skills would recognize a stranger following them. In addition the father caught me by surprise, a feat which is no small task to be sure, but one executed with the stealth of a trained professional. Third, the father has an unusual marking on his forearm which was visible to me several times despite his attempts to conceal it. Such markings are reminiscent of those who have served in the fleet. The marines perhaps? Fourth, is the father’s expert handling of some expensive and illegal firearms. Only a man trained in their use would carry such a weapon. Fifth is the way the father carries himself. Again, only a military man walks with such precision no doubt from countless years of discipline and training.”
Ramius leaned against the cabinet with ease but kept his gaze squarely upon Dakota. “So you see Captain, this holy man, was or is something more. What we must ascertain is who is he, why he is here, and how much of a danger he poses to us and others. You will forgive me father, but I find it hard to trust those who go to lengths to conceal the truth from others.”
Ramius fell silent as Akina’s protest faded amazed at Ramius’s skill and observational acuity. The two captains simply waited for the father’s explanation for a series of facts which seemed to cast a cloud of doubt over everything they had been told.
[ To Be Continued… ]
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Captain Taverain Ramius
Commanding Officer, USS Corsair
Captain Zane Akina
Starfleet Intelligence
Father Frederick Dakota
???
