U.S.S. Corsair - NX-011979
Nebula II Prototype
“Sic Parvis Magna”
(Greatness From Small Beginnings)
“Progeny of the Progenitors – Part 14”
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Recap:
While his starship the USS Corsair undergoes repairs at Starbase 343, Captain Tav Ramius is asked to assist with several local murders the starbase authorities attribute to a shadowy religious group known as Aditus. Taverain agrees to assist and looks into the murders and the mysterious group using his intelligence resources. He discovers the group hides a deadly and sinister agenda controlled by a mysterious figure whose whereabouts and identity remain unknown. The trail leads to a vigilante preacher who infiltrated the Aditus organization and offers to assist the captain with the goal of exposing the group and its dark secrets.
Following a lead, Ramius learns that the group has a possible presence on a Romulan planet deep within Star Empire space. Convinced he has stumbled upon the fringe of something evil and dark the determined captain rushes repairs to his ship and sets off for the Romulan Neutral Zone. After several days of scanning the border the Corsair attracts the attention of the Romulans. Ramius proposes a joint mission to investigate the clues he has amassed and now waits for an answer from a wary and suspicious ally.
## Bridge – USS Corsair ##
Doctor Durandal returned to the bridge and took a seat near the captain as several hours had passed since their last communication with the Romulans.
“Nice of you to join us again Doctor”, Ramius said as the doctor sat, “did you find something for that headache of yours?”
“Indeed. I hope I do not develop another one sitting up here.”
“Well one can…”
“Sir, incoming communications from the Romulans”, came the exuberant voice of the ship’s communication officer interrupting the captain’s reply.
Tapping his fingers lightly upon his armrest, Captain Ramius gestured for the officer to initiate communications. Again the face of the Romulan captain appeared on the screen. The air on the bridge was still as officers and crewmen alike held their breaths wondering and waiting what news the Romulan would bring.
“Captain. I have forwarded your request to my superiors and they have agreed to permit your suggestion of a joint security mission. I am transmitting instructions. You are to follow the course without deviation. Any alteration in your heading will be considered an aggressive act. My ship will escort yours to D’aisnenn where we will conduct a survey of the planet and look for these criminals you have described. If we discover any Federation citizens you will be allowed to return with them after we have had a chance to interview them for our own investigations into this matter.”
“I appreciate your time and candor in this matter”, Ramius replied. “When may we proceed? I look forward to our collaboration in this matter of mutual security.”
“You may cross the Neutral Zone at your discretion. We stand ready to escort you. Tevelan out.”
The channel closed leaving the bridge bathed in silence for several brief moments.
“Helm, input the Romulan’s flightpath.”
“Flightplan ready sir.”
“Captain I don’t like this”, Doctor Durandal stated from his chair. “It’s too easy. Too neat. They’re hiding something.”
“Do you not trust our allies Doctor?”
“No”, came the terse reply. “I’ve been around long enough to know that the Romulans are a modern day Jekyll & Hyde. The only problem is you never know when they are Dr. Jekyll or when they are Mr. Hyde. They can be both and neither simultaneously. They may be our allies however they are not to be trusted.”
“An interesting metaphor Doctor. We will just have to hope none of them drink the formula that causes them to transform into anything overtly hazardous.” The mental image of an angry, super-Romulan with a British accent running through the decks of the Corsair quickly danced across Ramius’s fertile imagination before fading behind much more important thoughts.
“And how will we know until it is too late?”
“Calm yourself doctor. We will be cautious.”
Ramius turned over his shoulder toward tactical. “Mr. Redstone, you and your staff will maintain a round the clock watch on our escort and the surrounding area while we are in Romulan space. I suspect that the Wind’s Edge will not be the only ship in the vicinity, but do nothing that might upset our hosts. Despite the doctor’s misgivings they are our allies and we need not give them any reason to reconsider their invitation.”
“I won’t take my eyes off of them sir.”
“Satisfied doctor?”
“Hardly, but then I am not sitting in the big chair. I’m just a simple doctor.”
Ramius suppressed the urge to chuckle. The doctor was his usual colorful self however his concerns were not without some merit. They would have to remain vigilant for the duration of the mission. Ramius was optimistic that this joint mission might serve to strengthen the tenuous and often strained relations between the Federation and Romulus should his instincts about Additus bear out.
“Helm, lay in course and engage at Warp Six.”
“Aye sir.” There was a slight pause as the Corsair’s engines sprang to life filling the ship with a familiar hum which had been absent for many long days.
“We are now entering the Neutral Zone. ETA is four days nine hours present speed.”
Durandal leaned over toward Ramius. “I hope you’re happy”, he said in a low voice.
“Locating and destroying this criminal organization and rescuing any poor souls who have fallen into their vile web will make me happy doctor”, Ramius replied. “Right now I am simply satisfied of our progress.”
“Well just some friendly advice; don’t get too comfortable sitting there. Bees are typically harmless when left alone but when you set your sights upon their honey then they become quite territorial not to mention dangerous and tenacious. Be cautious captain.”
Ramius turned his blue eyes shining with a hint of playfulness. “Doctor I am sure you can produce an appropriate analgesic should any of us get stung.”
Durandal rolled his eyes. “However Doctor, I am not after honey. I want the hive, its workers, the queen – everything. We’re on a pest control mission and my work always comes with a 100% money back guarantee.”
“When can I ask for my money back”, Durandal muttered eliciting a slight chuckle from the nearby first officer.
“I would be happy to give you my two cents in the ready room any time doctor”, Ramius answered.
“Doctor, I’m not sure the prognosis of this conversation is a positive one”, Commander Novada noted.
“Indeed. I would venture to say it is terminal.” Durandal stood rubbing his salt and pepper beard and adjusted his uniform. “Commander Novada, keep an eye on him. Someone around here needs too.” The doctor grinned ever so slightly with his dry, acerbic humor and proceeded to the turbolift.
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Captain Taverain Ramius
Commanding Officer, USS Corsair
Commander Alanis Novada, XO
Commander Keith Durandal, CMO
(apb Tav)
