Black Badge

Posted on Wednesday 8 January 2020 @ 20:33 by Lieutenant Commander Rionuj ch'Anidem

Mission: Ghost Ship
Location: USS Merlin: Deck 4-5 Tactical Information Center (TIC)
Timeline: MD 1 1015 hours
452 words - 0.9 OF Standard Post Measure

Rionuj was in his office. It had been an hour since the senior staff briefing and he just finished compiling his report on Sector 715. Apparently long range sensor scans of the sector have revealed that warp travel in the region had increased by 50% in the past 5 standard years. A few civilian ships had reported suspicious activity. Rionuj's training and experience led him to believe that it could be smuggling, interstellar phenomena, a new species capable of warp or something more sinister. One thing was certain to the Andorian, whatever the reason why Command decided to send the Merlin to investigate meant that they were expecting conflict as a possible outcome.

As Rionuj continued to speculate a beep issued from a terminal on his standing-desk. The Andorian looked at the terminal and saw that he was receiving a priority one communiqué from Starfleet Intelligence. He groaned and placed his right forefinger onto the desk. After a moment a hologram of Admiral T'Nae appeared standing right in front of his desk.

"Greetings Admiral, how can I assist you today?"

"Lieutenant Commander Rionuj, why are you not wearing your correct commbadge?" Asked the Vulcan woman in her cold calculated tone.

"I was under the impression that I was considered a standard officer and not an agent of Intelligence." Responded the Andorian.

"You are mistaken. You are hereby ordered to wear the appropriate commbadge though you may retain your current division colors if you desire. I want regular reports on the Merlin and its crew. You will use discretion and refrain from frater..."

"With all due respect Admiral, whom I choose to fraternize with especially on a vessel in which you have no direct control of is not any of your business. I shall wear the black badge Admiral but my direct loyalty is to my current commanding officer one that has been approved by Command despite her being a former drone. Or is that what you have an issue with?"

The Vulcan raised her left eyebrow; "You have your orders Agent."

The hologram dissapeared and Rio was pissed. He punched the bulkhead hard and felt the bones in his right hand shatter. Some of his blue blood was on the slight dent he made and he scream-growled so loud Malia rushed in with a phaser at the ready. She saw her boss with a bloodied hand and knew what happened. The young Trill sauntered back to the TIC and Rio left out of a hidden door in his office to the deck 4 main corridor and headed towards the turbo lift hub.


To be continued...

○●● Liuetenant Commander MRionuj ch'Anidem
Chief Strategic Operations Officerr
USS Merlin