The Shackleton papers

Posted on Sunday June 19th, 2022 @ 11:01pm by

Mission: New Worlds
Location: Intelligence Offices
Timeline: Current

On:

Jason tossed a pad through the door of his office, he looked around. He should have been happy about the promotion, but instead he has to deal with a research heavy mission brief. As he walked over too the common work area he finally saw the Intel officer, "Warrant Officer Karadis, we have exactly one hundred and twenty minutes too start compiling information on the Shackleton expanse for a mission briefing, I'm going to need a file pull of missions in the region for the last ten years, along with after action reports."

Pausing and realizing he needed something else "Outpost 50 will have most of what we need, also request the Files on the Akaruta system." Pausing too pour a coffee "If you get denied access too that specific file use the counter codes from the secured pad in the office safe, I do apologize now short notice research requests never bring the best out in me, I've been called a few things under that kind of time constraints."

Karadis watched as the PADD flew through the door and her Department Head followed in, sounding rather angry.

"It's Chief Warrant Officer Karadis or 'Chief', Sir" Karadis replied, not best pleased on his demeanour, nor at the fact he'd orally demoted her. Going back to what she was doing, the Klingon continued "I believe two hours is plenty of time to gather the information Lieutenant, we have enough of a pool of contacts at Intelligence HQ to gather what we need and Outpost Fifty can fill in what we don't get."

Looking over at the Klingon " 'Chief' there will be some time delay on some files being transmitted as they may be archived, and the Captain asked for a full work up going back ten years, plus the little I know about this sector I ran into three references about a race referred to as the Akaru." moving too the large display in the work area and keying in some commands a video file. The twelve second excerpt was of a Federation sensor log, the text in the corner indicated it was USS Kosmos, "The Akaru, a xenophobic race that have only been encountered on five occasions, This particular one was fourteen years ago and did not go well for the USS Kosmos."

Another video file began, a medium quality one of the near total destruction of the old Excelsior class Starship, "The potential of an encounter with the Akaru is low as they rarely venture from their territory, a report that I saw, the lone one on this area of space was about the total destruction of seven Klingon ships, I'd like to have as much as possible for the region at our disposal."

Jason now moved to the preverbal elephant in the room "Prior too this little stint in the field I was a researcher, a historian, not an officer, I don't know the proper military protocols simply because to me rank is just another level of responsibility to me, I don't have ambition to be in command, to be honest I wouldn't know how to address you in these situations since I'm not used too any forms of military formality, so if you feel still offended there's not much I can do, I never dealt with rank most of the time, if you work with me long enough you'll discover it gets in the way of getting the job done." pulling open a panel that revealed a safe, after a simple command it opened, revealing a dark green pad and two others "This pad has officer level codes that can expedite the library file pulls, the computer link ups will think it's me."

Jason held out the pad "The clock is ticking, shall we?"

"Before we do Sir, regardless of whether or not you have ambition to be in Command, you are the Chief Intelligence Officer of the ship, therefor have that responsibility. I 'do' come from an Intelligence and military background and have spent the vast majority of my time in the field, mostly with Commander Kerr. I mean no disrespect Lieutenant, but if were offended, I'd let you know, I was merely pointing out protocol. I've never been one to simply call people by their...I believe the term is 'Christian name', unless I know them extremely well or have worked with them for a long time and have a complete trust in them."

Taking the offered PADD, she added "Thank you, and yes Sir, we should get on."

Over the span of an hour the majority of the files on the Shackleton expanse rolled in, the large display in the main work room had a rough plot of events in the expanse, Jason leaned back in his chair, "The Klingons' have a longer history in the region, mostly random skirmishes with the Romulans and where they've had run in's with the Akaru, and lost." Jason tried to ignore the half dozen events that were closer too the federation border, "Outpost fifty's files are incomplete, which is no surprise."

"Perhaps they're under orders not to release everything Sir, it wouldn't be the first time I've come across a situation like that" Karadis replied "I don't know if it's of any help, but Commander Kerr is a level nine operative, if he contacted them, it 'may' open some doors for more information being sent?"

"take a look in to it, I'm not expecting any results." Jason said

"There is something else Lieutenant, and I hope you don't mind that I've done this, I contacted someone from The House of Kadar, my own house" Karadis replied "their loyalty to me is above reproach, they'll never tell anyone I asked them, and it turn out that the seven Klingon ships destroyed by the Akaru were all Warbirds. Taking out two or three Warbirds is unbelievable enough, but taking out seven in one attack...that's brutal. Whatever fire power the Akaru ships have, we must advise the Captain of this in the brief."

"The Akaru are just xenophobic enough long as we don't cross into their known territory we should be okay." Jason changed the view on the main screen "They also seem to be friendly with ships with this markings." pointing too a cargo ship with a partial marking resembling Jason's hidden tattoo. "We need to get going, briefing is in less than ten minutes."


Lieutenant Jason Elliot
Chief Intelligence officer - USS Oberon

Chief Warrant Officer Shr'Nesh Kardis
Intelligence Officer