Knock, Knock

Posted on Sat Jan 26th, 2019 @ 11:44am by Rear Admiral Gareth Tau & Rear Admiral Aerilyn Nyel

899 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: S1E3: Barbarians at the Gates
Location: Starbase 72 - OSI HQ
Timeline: MD 1

Fresh from his intelligence briefing with the Task Force command, Gareth readied himself to change his hat over from Starfleet's Alpha Quadrant politics to his true passion and calling -- Special Investigations. OSI was a bureaucratic Venn diagram of Scientific R&D, Intelligence infiltrator reports, and a host of classified projects big and small. Command duties were well and good, as TF 72 had a lot going on at the moment, what with the recent announcement of the Alrakis Pact, the rise of Freedom's Legion protests near and far, and even trouble brewing from the Gavarian Frontier. All of those burdens were just that -- burdensome. The secret projects of OSI would unlikely if ever find mention in any history books, and perhaps they were a greater joy for Gareth for that very reason. There was no political motivation. The only incentive was the personal reward of unlocking the secrets of the universe.

That he had to bring his favorite OSI agency into a political matter incensed him to no end.

"Commodore Tau, there is a transmission from Rear Admiral Nyel."

Gareth snapped out of his grumpy brooding at his desk to acknowledge his executive assistant. "Thank you, Clarice."

Dismissing his assistant from sight as well as mind, Gareth activated his desktop display.

"Admiral Nyel. Thank you for getting back to me so quickly." Though she was technically his superior officer, the tangled web of Starfleet bureaucracy meant that they exercised authority over one another largely depending on which topic of discussion was on the docket. Their bailiwicks overlapped as surely as any Venn diagram.

"Don't get excited, I just happened to not be busy," the woman said, leaning back in her chair as her fingers cleaned her glasses. "But make it quick, Gareth. I have an important meeting to get to soon."

"I'll be brief, Admiral. No doubt you are aware of the reports of Species 8472 in or around Cardassian space." The Alrakis Pact had seen to that, particularly with some of their more outlandish claims from the Breen Confederacy that the Cardassians had allied with the extra-dimensional alien species much like they had the Dominion a 15 years prior. "There has been another reported attack, this time in Federation space. Specifically, the T'ien system." He paused a moment to let her put the pieces together. One commonality between them was they were both people of few words.

"I've already been briefed on this new attack. If that's all you have to tell me, I really must be going," Aerilyn said, clearly annoyed at the man's disruption of her day.

"I give orders, Aerilyn, not briefings." Gareth folded his hands with fingers interlaced. "Starfleet Security is chasing its tail with its investigation. I want Memory Theta brought in to take over. Deploy the Phantom to the T'ien system to ascertain any Cardassian collusion as the Breen have alleged. A Talarian ambassador has come to Starbase 72 as a representative of the Alrakis Pact, and Cardassia has an ambassador due to arrive later today. Our peace summit depends on swift action and accurate intelligence. The Alpha Quadrant needs this, Admiral. We need Memory Theta."

"But you don't give orders to me..." Aerilyn sighed, looking rather annoyed as she picked up a PADD that lay on her desk. While she knew that she had the rank authority, there were times when Gareth's desired aligned with her own. With a roll of her eyes, she tossed the PADD back onto the pile. "I agree with your...suggestion," she said. "I think you could use the expertise of my team on Memory Theta. I will deploy the Phantom post haste."

"Thank you, Aerilyn," Gareth said gruffly. "I will have the sit-rep forwarded to their database. Does that Automate still intercept transmissions?"

"Yes, Ferrofax will receive it," she replied.

"Very good." Tau grimaced and let out a sigh. "I could do with less fleet politics. The tentative agreement struck between the Federation and Alrakis is teetering on a hair's breadth, thanks to all of this. If you ever think to retire from your secreted and unpublished position, please let me know."

"I enjoy what I do, Gareth," Aerilyn said. "And let's be honest, your job has made you look like..." She waved towards the screen, "Well, whatever you're looking like. I can't take the risk of ruining my natural beauty."

Despite himself, Gareth smiled at the remark. "Indeed not. Thank you, Admiral."

The woman nodded. "And next time, make sure the issue is important before you bother me again. All these...intrusions..well, you know how much they thrill me."

"You look like you could do with more thrills in life." Gareth's stony face turned smug at getting in the little barb. "One last thing. Make sure you have your very best on this. That means Commander Mrazak."

"You'll get who I give you, Commodore. Everyone who works for me is the best. Remember that," Aerilyn said before cutting the line off.

Gareth groaned at the woman's stubbornness. If Starfleet personnel were going to be this difficult, he did not look forward to hosting foreign diplomats and their entourages. At least this part was done. He sighed away his frustration though to little avail.

"Clarice," he called out with more of an edge to his voice than intended. "Next item on my schedule, please."

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