Affair on Astate: A New Assignment
Mars Colony, Sol System SFI Divisional HQ
“What the hell is the matter with you Akina”, Captain Peter Harris shouted as he paced around Captain Zane Akina who stood silently at attention in the captain’s office. “Do you know how much trouble you’re in – I’m in? I have half the brass on this rock clamoring for someone’s ass over this! I’m more than happy to send them yours. And look at this!” The captain read from a padd as he paced back and forth. “Excessive use of force, damage to public property, damage to Starfleet property, one wrecked transport, one dead, two wounded, and let’s not forget this one, operations outside of applicable jurisdiction. What do you have to say for yourself and what the hell were you doing there in the first place? We have rules and policies Akina – ones you are supposed to follow!”
“Well when I see three men assaulting a female in the middle of the night, I shoot the bastards, that’s my policy”, Akina answered.
“Captain, mowing down civilians in the wee hours of the morning is not acceptable especially when they are outside of SFI jurisdiction.”
“Let me get this straight sir, you’d have me stand by while those criminals had their way with that woman?”
“YES”, came the heated reply. “Akina, you’re a field agent, a damn good one, one of the best, but you don’t just don't see the big picture. You’re undercover remember! Now your ugly mug is splashed across every media source on Mars and beyond. You’ve just exposed yourself. Everything we’ve been working on for the last six months just evaporated, its gone – finished. And so are you . You can’t work here, at least not for the foreseeable future until this mess blows over. You’re a celebrity now, a damned hero to the masses.”
Akina grimaced. “I stand behind my decision sir. I’m not going to stand by while innocent civilians are violently assaulted by punks who had it coming to them. If I had it to do over again, I’d do the same thing.”
“Oh you would? What about the credits that went into this operation, what about all the intelligence work that’s now useless? What about that Akina?”
“A small price to pay in exchange for someone’s life sir.”
“We don’t pay you to make those types of decisions!”
“So if it had been your wife or daughter I should have done nothing?”
“Don’t change the subject!”
“You listen to me Captain”, Akina replied gruffly. “I did my duty to uphold the law and protect Federation citizens. If I rained on your parade or disrupted SFI’s timelines so be it. Right now there’s a women recovering from a terrible event who is still alive to tell about it, you have one dead perp, and two others in custody off the streets and away from the public. So there was some minor damage in the firefight, but I'd call that acceptable collateral damage. In any other outfit, they would call that good work, why the hell am I getting the first degree?”
“You just don’t get it Akina. As intelligence officers were supposed to be invisible, unseen, subtle – you’re a god damned supernova! You’re on the news ten sectors away and beyond. Hardly what I would call invisible.”
“Are we done here”, Akina asked annoyed at the Captain’s incessant barking.
Harris grumbled something unintelligible and threw a padd at Akina. “Read that. Your orders. You’re being shipped out of here. Report to the spaceport at 09:30 hours tomorrow to catch a transport.”
“Where am I being sent?”
“As far away from here as I could manage”, Harris replied with a smile. “Astate, it’s a small planet on the border with our friends the Romulans. I don’t care what you do there. If you start a war with the Romulans at least I won’t get the blame for it.”
“But…”
“You’re rated in Romulan culture and language so shutup. Its done. Be on that transport.”
“Great”, Akina muttered.
“One more thing. Here”, the captain said shoving a small black box into Zane’s hand. “Now get the hell out of my office!”
Zane shot a sour look at the crusty captain and existed the office his butt having been sufficiently chewed for the day. Opening the box he looked inside to reveal a commendation ribbon for his recent actions. Turning he poked he head back into Harris’s office.
“Thank you captain. You really do care", he said sarcastically.
“GET OUT”, Harris erupted. Zane left the office and as the doors slid closed he swore he heard something heavy hit the wall from within Harris’s office.
Akina shoved the ribbon into his pocket. He didn’t care much for accolades or awards. He did his duty whatever the circumstances. He glanced at the padd. Astate. He knew something of it though would need to do his homework on the area if he were to be prepared for his assignment which still wasn’t exactly clear. The padd contained only scant information, transfer orders, and little else. Harris appeared to have been in a hurry to transfer him otherwise the orders would have had more detail and specificity.
Turning down the hall, Akina headed to his desk to collected his few belongings. He had a transport to catch in less than 24 hours and little time to take care of any outstanding issues before that time.
Captain Zane Akina Intelligence Operative Starfleet Intelligence (SFI)
Affair on Astate: A New Assignment - Part II
USS Britain – Medical Frigate
“Bring us out of warp Ensign Hall”, Captain Tom Greer ordered from his seat on the bridge. “Aye sir”, came the reply as the medical frigate Britain slowed to impulse. The planet Astate appeared on the viewscreen as the Britain moved in to drop off supplies and a passenger.
“Put us in standard orbit. Contact Astate command and coordinate transport of our medical supply shipment.” Greer turned and looked at his guest who was seated at the rear of the bridge taking in the view. “End of the line Captain Akina. We should be in transporter range in a few minutes.”
Captain Zane Akina stood and moved toward Greer. “Thanks for the lift captain, a few days trip aboard the Britain was preferable to the back of a crowded transport that would have taken a week or more. I appreciate the ride.”
“Don’t mention it. I’m glad you caught us when you did. By the way, how did you know we were headed to Astate? This wasn’t a scheduled stop.”
Akina smiled softly. “I’m in intelligence captain, I can’t give away all my secrets.”
Greer laughed. “Of course. Well enjoy your new post. I hear Astate is quite beautiful.”
“I’ll do my best. I should be off. Thank you again for your hospitality captain.”
“Don’t mention it Captain.” Greer tapped his communicator. “Greer to transporter room, standby to beam Captain Akina to the planet surface. Out.”
Akina nodded taking one last look at Astate on the viewscreen. It amazed him how large the planet was compared to the Earth. “Watch your back out there Captain”, he said heading toward the turbolift. “You do the same. Good luck.”
Akina nodded as he entered the lift headed for the transporter room.
The rippling tingle of the transporter beam slowly dissipated as Zane Akina shimmered into existence on a transporter pad inside the Starfleet complex near Caenis. Shaking off the effects of the trasporter, Akina stepped from the pad with his few belongings in a case slung over his arm. The only one in the room was the transporter operator who stopped after a few moments when the captain failed to leave.
“Is there something I can help you with sir?”
Akina looked somewhat perplexed. “Well, I’m not sure. Isn’t there supposed to be someone here to meet me?”
“Uh, I didn’t receive anything. Let’s see, Captain Zane Akina – orders are confirmed. No sir, nothing here but your transport authorization.”
“Great”, Akina muttered. “Any chance you know where I can find the SFI offices?”
“SFI? I’m not sure they have any offices here. I think you guys have a facility somewhere on Astate, that’s really all I know. Don’t you have your orders sir?”
“Yes and no. I was transferred here, but I’m not quite sure what I’m supposed to be doing – yet.”
“Oh well, perhaps the computer can help. You might also talk to one of the base commanders.”
Akina nodded. “Thanks.”
The transporter chief nodded and went about his duties as Akina exited the room. No firm orders, no one to greet him, no idea where to report – it was just the sort of excuse he could milk for a few days time which would allow him ample time to relax, enjoy the scenery, and check out some of the local attractions to get familiar with what was his new home for the time being.
Turning the corner, Akina headed leisurely down a corridor looking for a computer terminal to find the nearest mess hall or restaurant. He’d grab some food, a drink or two, and then try and find out where he could crash and get a few hours of sleep. He continued down the hallway passing a few attractive female officers which caught his attention. Smiling to himself he thought this new position might not be too bad after all if the locals were friendly and the food was half decent. It was still a far cry from the sophisticated cities on Mars or Earth, but this place seemed to have character and charm all its own. He was looking forward to a quiet posting for a change. Spying on the Romulans had its appeal after all and they were worthy adversaries despite being loosely allied with the Federation when it came to the ongoing war with the Dominion. Things were beginning to look up.
Captain Zane Akina Starfleet Intelligence