Posted by Commodore Drudoc Andone (Commanding Officer) in Main Sim - Conference Room - CNS-CO Talk
[snip]

Turning to pull over a PADD Drudoc again pulled up all information given about the Losa system from before, that she tapped at to read to herself again while she spoke, “..I checked both all normal sources of information on the region, supplies, pirates, safety, internal colonial politics, and even those I am connected with regarding classified intelligence. Nothing about our mission is concerning other then there is nothing to justify using the Ark Angel in this manner vs say a large cargo ship. Nor is there anything that could be assigned us per our mission orders once completed that once we finish delivery we return to Sol for further orders afterwards..” She said, “..This either means there is nothing concerning for Losa and as such is simply Admiral Stevens horribly mismanaging Fleet resources for some reason, or it is an attempt to misdirect any foreign parties of why the Ark Angel is being pulled off the frontier to be given something else at a later time which is above my clearance levels in Starfleet Intelligence which is.....rare..” She said indicating without saying that she probably had very high level clearances and so if something wasn’t able to be cleared for her it was very concerning likely in some way. “..Given Admiral Stevens is not connected to any intelligence branches and is nothing more then an internal colonial administrator for the Federation’s core worlds, I am, given the evidence considering it is him doing the former rather then the latter.”

Drudoc Andone CO

She knew from the get that she’d pressed a button she wasn’t personally close enough to press. But when the Captain vented about the frivolity, in her thought, of the mission, Mar merely listened in silence till she finished.

When silence finally settled between them, Mar nodded. “It’s true, I have heard nothing, myself, of the Admiral belonging to anything remotely connected to Intel or Spec Ops. Which would make me wonder,” she glanced at Drudoc, “why would he use the words bigger picture? Being a courier means interacting on a personal level while also remaining distant and aloof. Perhaps, having his pulse on the core systems, as you put it, he felt a flutter. Nothing grand enough to elicit a true diversion of power and resources, on the record, by enough to give him the ability to send a capable ship to the area.”

Leaving back in her chair, she pondered the thought as it fell from her lips. “If nothing is amiss, we were merely the only available ship to go. But if something is wrong… Would he not want a Fleet vessel capable of taking care of itself, and the colony, nearby? I would say go in to this situation with the outward appearance of this being a bothersome mission that you feel is beneath you. Let the crew carry the sentiment. By tell those closest to you, Department Heads and Command Staff, to be wary. Ignorance allows for a lot more freedom. No one would think to hide super well if they believed you were just ‘dropping off the mail’, so to speak.”

She let the words and ideas for over the CO. The Admiral’s choice of words had struck Mar as interesting and she hopped the Captain would come to the same conclusion.

Mar CNS

Drudoc was quiet moment digesting Mar’s words. She rose from the table to turn her back to the counselor gazing out the conference room windows. As they watched the ship began to move away from Starbase 243 and soon after leapt to warp in a brief flash of warp speed. After another quiet few seconds Drudoc turned back to Mar, “..You could be right, counselor. A part of me does hope that there is something more afoot here then we have been given. But another part of feels we are looking for trouble where none truly exists, and my gut tells me on reading about Admiral Stevens he is a man who wants more then his position affords him. As such if true it puts a sour taste in my month of officers playing foolish games with people’s lives and well being for political foolishness.” She said.

Shaking her head then, she seemed to come to a conclusion, “..Regardless we will perform our mission to the best of our ability as ordered. Thank you for our time counselor, unless you have anything further you are dismissed..” she said.

Drudoc Andone CO

Mar had stood, silently, as the Captain turned. A small smile hinting at the corner of her lip. “Most people desire more than they have, ma’am. Admirals are no different.”

When the Captain turned to dismiss her, Mar nodded. “If he suspects something, I doubt this subterfuge is politically driven. Perhaps he, like you, hopes there’s nothing to it. And no, I have nothing further.” She took a step back and respectfully nodded. “Ma’am…” She then turned and headed out.

The mission, indeed, seemed mundane and beneath them. But one never knew the truth till it was in front of them. Time would have to be the tell.

Mar
CNS