Post #198: Pre-emptive Steps

Posted on Wed Feb 12th, 2025 @ 10:09pm by Lieutenant V'Lar & Captain Marius Pontmercy

956 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Secrets
Location: Obsidian Station
Timeline: current

On:

The old Intelligence mantra was 'see the whole board' with each report that they got their vision of the board was becoming clearer. V'Lar was getting a little edgy as she could see the possibilities unfolding and not liking what she was seeing, so much so that she knew that they needed to up part of their timetable. Stepping onto ops she walked over to the ready room door and pressed the bell. This was a necessary conversation she needed to have under the circumstances, just not one she'd ever wanted to have or looked forward to.

"Come in," Marius called. He set down the data padd he was reviewing, and glanced up at the door as the Intelligence Chief entered the room. "Lieutenant V'Lar, what can I do for you?"

"I need authorisation to take some pre-emptive steps so we don't get into trouble if the worst happens in a few days time." V'Lar said "It's a little personal as well." she indicated the chair opposite Marius "May I sir?" Marius motioned for her to take a seat, and once she was settled, replied.

"What authorization are you looking for, and for what exactly?"

"If the worst happens and this becomes a case of run, hide and survive for us to the point where we become the last bastion of the Federation" V'Lar said "Then we're going to need to consider continuity of not only Starfleet Operations but Federation governance. The former we have capacity for in spades, the latter we don't. I'd like to get my parents aboard so if worst comes to worst that is covered." she paused before bringing up the potential thorny part "My mother is a Romulan but she is no friend of the Tal'Shiar or the Empress. I want to make clear that I never intended to trade on my parents background in ambassadorial and political roles but if our worst fears come to pass then we're going to need them." Marius frowned as he thought.

"I had a conversation with Lieutenant Quinn a few hours ago. Several of our allies have stopped replying to our overages, and I am growing concerned. I have reached out to Starfleet Command, but I haven't heard back as of yet." He readjusted in his seat and looked at the Lieutenant. "I trust you. If you say your mother has no ties to those organizations, than she is more than welcome to come here. As for governance, thankfully we have several Admirals from Quicksilver Fleet onboard, but I hope it doesn't come to that."

"Captain, Admirals are Starfleet Commanders, they are not Federation Government." V'Lar said "As for the outages I've seen the same reports that I presume Lieutenant Quinn has, for what it's worth this doesn't sound like Romulan or Cardassian involvement, it's not how they operate. The Cardassian's have a much greater prize of more significant tactical value to focus on if they want to do something like this, and the Romulans are sneaky enough but we'd have some inkling something was up, as good as the Tal'Shiar are sir they leave traces. This sounds more like the prelude to what we're worried about and if it's the Synthulan's this isn't where it'll stop."

"Are you suggesting we send for some of the Federation Leadership? I am having a hard enough time convincing Command that we are under a serious threat as it is."

"No sir." V'Lar said "Move any of the Federation leadership and you advertise something's up and we can't draw that kind of attention, hence why I sought authorisation for my parents, my father is a former ambassador and my mother was a member of the Romulan Senate and has worked with the Federation in regards to the resettlement of Romulans after Romulus was destroyed. I'm saying that if the worst happens there is going to be a need for someone to be in that position and I believe my mother capable of it given her experience. Let me get her here and if the worst happens we work out how things balance out between the political and Starfleet Operations, sit her down with you and the Admirals and hash it out. I'm your Chief Intelligence Officer, my job is to stay one step ahead of the threat and adapt as best I can, that's what I'm trying to do." With a sigh, Marius pushed back from his desk, his frustration evident.

"Damn it," he cursed. "You are right of course, but the very idea of it all..." he shook his head. "I will need to meet with the Admiralty, but yes, get to work Lieutenant... and quickly. We are two days from moving the base and I want them here asap."

"Yes sir." V'Lar said "There is one more matter." she paused "This one is standard procedure. I need you to log your authorisation in the duty log for me to disable the transponders on the base and the docked vessels before we move." Marius nodded.

"Of course." The Captain quickly did so, and then looked back at the Intelligence Chief. "I know it is the habit of those in your department to keep things close to the vest, but I am asking you not to do that.... at least for now. I need to know what you know, and when you know it. We are at risk of losing everything."

"Yes sir." V'Lar said "For the moment I'll direct what resources I can towards Trill, that's the most concerning right now." she sighed "Anything we find you'll know."

"Thank you Lieutenant, and good luck. You are dismissed."

Off:

Captain Marius G. Pontmercy
Commanding Officer
Starbase Obsidian

Lieutenant Junior Grade V'Lar
Chief Intelligence Officer
Starbase Obsidian

 

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