Dark Omens

Posted on Tue Aug 10th, 2010 @ 8:12pm by Captain Vorn Krace & Commander Acle Walex

Mission: Shadows Fall
Location: Executive Officer's Office
Timeline: MM1 MD30 2248hrs

Acle leaned back from the terminal where he was working at and rubbed his brow. As the Executive Officer, Acle acted as a filter to the Captain, meaning that all, but, the most critical paper-work went through him before making it to Captain Krace. Acle understood the function of this task, he even agreed with it in principle... But, that didn't mean he had to like it. And there was a lot of paperwork.

The XO's office was somewhat dimly lit at the moment, the sole illumination other then the terminal coming from a desk lamp on one corner of the massive red maple desk. PADDs were scattered everywhere on the desk and there was even a few old fashioned paper documents stacked somewhat haphazardly at one corner. A mug of some liquid long-gone cold was perched near Acle's elbow and music softly played from above.

All the paperwork was due to the change in duty locations. Exploring new worlds and boldly going where no one has gone before is all well and good until it comes to all the paperwork.

Acle sighed and then looked at the clock mounted on the wall. He shrugged mentally, and then hit his commbadge.

==Captain Krace, this is Commander Walex. Do you have a moment?==

==Krace here. What is it?== came the response over the comm.

==If I could meet with you, at your earliest convenience? I just have some paperwork that I would like to go over with you Sir.==

Acle answered to the returned communication, already beginning to gather together said paperwork.

==On my way, Krace out.==

It took only a few minutes for Vorn to make his way down to the XO's office from his ready room, only traversing a couple of decks. He didn't bother pressing the chime as he walked in - he'd been asked to go there, so there was no need to signal his presence. "Command keeping us busy as ever?"

"That is why they pay us the big bucks, eh Captain?." Acle replied, completely deadpan. He gestured to a chair in front of his desk and stood up. Although he had, finally, relaxed somewhat in regards to military formalities, he still did not feel entirely comfortable sitting when his commanding officer entered the room. So, instead of standing and going to a position of attention, he simply stood when he entered.

"What have they sent this way so far then?" Vorn asked, taking the offered seat and leaning back in it. Despite his resolution to distance himself from his crew, he always found it difficult to remain formal with his friend and first officer - he had known Acle for a long time, longer than Abigail, Peter, or any of the rest of the crew, and it just felt wrong to brush him off. He knew that Starfleet had sent them a dispatch that day, as they dropped out of warp to traverse the Sol system at impulse - they were due to arrive at Earth tomorrow.

Acle dropped down to his own seat. He took a brief moment to gather his thoughts and then grabbed one of the padds. "We are getting several new transfers aboard, mostly enlisted crew and a few junior officers. But, there is one here that I thought you should see ASAP." Acle glanced down at the padd once again before handing it to Vorn.

Retrieving the offered PADD, Vorn began scrolling through the data on its screen. "Oh?" he asked.

"Starfleet Command just assigned us a new Chief Flight Control Officer. A Ensign. One Mr. Erich Ciliax." Acle said as he looked at the same information on his terminal. "This would be his first assignment. Although he received excellent marks from the academy."

"First assignment?" Vorn asked, looking up. "A fresh graduate is being assigned as a department head and bridge office?"

"Yup." Acle said simply, his expression carefully neutral. "I requested confirmation from star fleet and received it. He will be our new Chief Flight Control Officer. Of course, you could petition the assignment." Acle said.

Acle straightened and leaned back. "Although, I do have to say... He was recruited into Nova Squadron his freshmen year at the academy. That is saying something for the kid." he replied, almost musingly.

"First year at the Academy?" Vorn asked, surprised. Many students worked hard to get accepted into the prestigious organization, and few did. Even fewer made it in before at least their third years. "No, I'll let the assignment stand," he said, making up his mind. "Starfleet wouldn't assign an officer a bridge posting for their first assignment unless they were particularly good. Can you set me up with a meeting with one of the Academy assignment officers, so I can meet the boy in person?"

Acle nodded once, clearly thinking. "I have a friend who is assigned at the academy. It has been a while since I have talked to him, but, I should be able to get you in there without much notice." he said.

Acle turned to his terminal and the keyboard in front of him. He entered in a series of commands until he brought up his mail system. Tapping in rapid fire sequence, he put together the message and the submitted it.

"I should hear back from him well before we arrive at Earth." Acle said.

"Excellent," Vorn responded. He was grateful for the opportunity to meet an officer in person prior to accepting them onto his staff, and he was also looking forward to the unexpected visit to the Academy grounds. Boothby always kept them looking so pristine, so beautiful; it would be good to stroll through the greenery again. "Is there anything else of note?"

Acle shook his head after a moment's thought. "No, not really. As I said, there are a few minor transfers, but, none that I can't handle." Acle said.

Vorn nodded. "Sounds like you have it all under control then," he said, standing up and moving behind the chair, resting his hands on its back. "It's getting late, anyway. You should get some rest, or at least take some time in the Ridge. The paperwork can wait until morning."

Acle smiled slightly. "I just have a little left Sir. I would rest easier knowing that I didn't have something hanging over my head. It won't take me long, I assure you." he said.

Vorn was not only Acle's commanding officer, but, a long-time friend as well. Therefore, Acle took the advice seriously, but, knew himself well enough to realize that he would rest easier having completed his tasking.

"What is it?" Vorn asked, standing straighter and letting go of the back of the chair. It wasn't like Acle to make what sounded as if it would be a personal request, and the rare occasion deserved his full attention.

Acle hesitated for a moment, another thing that he very rarely did, then proceeded. "Sir, I have been in contact with a few associates from postings past." He began, stressing the word associates. "We are going to a brand new location, and I thought it would be useful to gain all the knowledge possible."

Acle hesitated for a moment longer, then pushed a PADD towards the Captain. "I know you don't really like or trust Star Fleet Intelligence, but, there have been some rather disconcerting reports. These are all unconfirmed, but, there has been Romulan activity projected along our currant route. My old agency has picked up a Tal Shiar Operative."

Acle made a slight face, then continued. "Trust me, he won't talk. But, his mere presence is indicative of something... More disturbing then a Tal Shiar Operative though, is the mass amount of sensor ghosts. Our scanners are powerful enough on our Star Bases and most outposts to penetrate the cloaking device at close range. In fact, with a little bit of luck, this ship could penetrate such a field at extreme close range. At long distance though, we are lucky if we get a soft return. Once again though, the sheer number of these 'soft returns' is indicative of some sort of activity."

"That's not good," Vorn said, recognizing the seriousness of the information - if Acle didn't think it meant anything, he wouldn't have brought it up. "According to the Diplomatic Reports, the Tal Shiar isn't an official arm of the Empire anymore... they may not have any qualms about starting an incident in Federation space."

Acle nodded. "That would be what I am afraid of as well. If this information is correct, we essentially have rogue agents on the loose here in the Federation... Along our path." Acle said.

Vorn was silent for a few moments as he mulled over the situation. "When we get in that vicinity," he said, "I want a discrete tactical alert at all times. Just to be on the safe side. Keep an eye out for any 'soft returns' we might get. Maybe we'll get lucky, but I'd rather plan for if we don't."

Acle nodded. "I was planning on keeping an eye out for them myself. I don't want to cause a panic aboard ship nor do I wish to distribute false reports." Acle looked up to his friend. "I'll make sure it is done."

"Good," Vorn nodded, standing up straight. "Keep up the good work. And make sure to get in some shoreleave at Earth - that's an order." Vorn smiled, guessing that Acle would usually rather work through their short stopover.

Acle offered a mischievous grin "Just pointing out something Captain... You would never know if I was taking shoreleave or working." Acle held up his hands to forestall any other orders, then said "But, I would like to visit my mother. It has been a while. I'll take it." Acle said.

He nodded to the captain once more and watched as his old friend departed, the hatch sliding closed behind him with a soft whoosh. He cracked his neck, then returned to the reports.

__________________________________________________
Captain Vorn Krace
Commanding Officer
USS Iapetus

&

Commander Acle Walex
Executive Officer
USS Iapetus