Reporting Irregularities

Posted on Thu Feb 27th, 2025 @ 9:25pm by Lieutenant JG Adam Burns & Lieutenant Commander Aer Feshau-Patton

1,366 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Mission 5 - The Cold War Ends
Location: Intelligence
Timeline: MD01 - 1600

Adam was steamed. Immediately after the self-proclaimed eight-year ensign left his presence, he went in search of the Chief. Unfortunately, the Chief was in a briefing with the Captain, according to the computer. Worse, she did not come immediately back from the briefing and was doing something else.

The man was not going to simply allow the ensign's behavior to go unreprimanded. So, he sat in the Chief's office, tapping his fingers on his thigh as he waited for her to appear. Unfortunately, she had not returned immediately after the briefing, so Adam left and then came back, just to wait.

Aer never liked people sitting in her office alone, waiting. She liked intelligence officers being in there even less when they were unsupervised. It wasn't that she didn't trust them, well... she didn't yet. Intelligence agents/officers were an interesting breed and it could take a while for them to warm up to each other.

Her briefing with the captain went well, but straight after she had to make a pitstop to a restroom. Pregnancy tended to put a lot of pressure on the bladder and she felt like the twins were using her inside as a punching bag.

Entering her officer she could see an officer she recognised as Lieutenant Junior Grade Adam Burns. Aer had tried to memorise most of the manifest, or the more important parts, but baby brain was a real thing and her retention of information had been lacking a bit lately. Still, she had remembered him.

"Lieutenant Burns," she began. "Sorry for keeping you. This station, this region seems to be in need of some major tender loving care." she began as she closed the gap between them.

The moment that Aer came in, Adam stood up at full attention and gave her an exaggerated salute which did not end when he spoke. "Yes ma'am, but I have had it under my watchful eye for the last eight years, ma'am."

Moving to sit she gestured to Lieutenant Burns to relax and sit by waving her hand at him. Her energy levels always flagged at this time of the day, nearing the end of the 'working' day so to speak. "And what would your analysis of the region be after your 8 years here?" she asked.

Because Adam did not hear the words that he should be at ease, he continued to report from his saluting stance, not taking a seat. "My analysis is that Governor Taga is a threat to the safety of the region, ma'am. It is my belief that the other systems bow to her whim, ma'am."

Aer sighed. "At ease Lieutenant and sit down." She would have thought at the very least an intel officer would understand a simple hand gesture but clearly this man liked to hear the words. "Does Governor Taga have any weaknesses, insecurities we can exploit? Any angles we can come in from or leverage over them?" she asked.

Burns sat as directed. He hoped that he had made a favorable impression. Obviously, it had been a test to see if he would wait for the proper instructions to be at ease. He was pleased to see how well Aer was testing him. He knew he would pass every test that she gave. There were rules to follow to stay safe and he would follow them to the letter.

"Governor Taga is not a governor. She is a dictator," Burns started. "It is strongly suspected that she murdered her predecessor and she keeps an iron fist on the people. When I was on the planet, I even witnessed the creation of cults that were sacrificing people for safety and blessing of gods. The people are oppressed, which means an uprising will occur. It may only strengthen her power and resolve."

"Could we somehow influence some of these cults? Manipulate their view of the gods so that they believe following Taga will lead to their downfall?" Aer thought out loud. "If it is possible to seed dissent into some of the cults and then potentially heighted discontent with the population then we could have an uprising on two fronts instead of one. People may lose faith in her if they believe their gods aren't on her side."

"I believe that they may be founded by Taga herself, though I cannot be sure," Burns answered. In fairness, he was not certain of much except that he had to constantly practice diligence.

"Maybe something to look into then Lieutenant if you aren't sure." Aer replied with a small smile. "We need to gather more information on Taga than what we have, more up to date, pertinent data we can go on." she added. "It's all well and good knowing her reputation and how she has built herself up, how she maintains power but to destabilise a dictator then you know yourself the best way is to turn her people against her. Get that revolt going...."

It sounded harsh, maybe even cruel, but intelligence always leaned on sources, confidential informants, those of easy influence to do their bidding for them. An intel officer/field agent never had their ledger completely free of loss, inevitably one of the people they used would lose their life but to eventually get freedom from tyranny... what could be more just?

"Except that Captain M'Mira probably won't authorize it," Adam answered. "However, sir, I came here to report the infractions of someone in our department."

"The captain doesn't always need to know every single thing we do, Lieutenant. She can have plausible deniability if something goes wrong." Aer replied a tad frustrated at his response. Most intel agents would love to go and get their hands dirty.

"But please, tell me these infractions." Aer would at least hear what the man had to say, hear the real reason he'd donned her doorstep.

"Certainly. At approximately 1200 hours, Ensign Josiah McEntyre allegedly returned from a deep space mission. Rather than reporting immediately to security or intelligence, he went to mess hall. While there, he had numerous bladed weapons and a phaser on his person, rather than storing them. When confronted regarding these infractions, he was insubordinate to myself claiming that he did not recognize me as a superior officer, despite the pips obviously on me. Furthermore, as I was concerned that he was a potential infiltrator, he refused to submit to evaluation for proof of his identity, though I was able to confirm it later via his DNA."

Aer nodded as he listed the many infractions to her. She shifted a bit in her seat due to some kicks from her children that made her uncomfortable. "I had Ensign McEntyre in here a couple of hours ago." she began. "I have already spoken to them about storing their weapons whilst on board. We don't need someone walking through the promenade with a sword on their back." she agreed. "As to their insubordination, I will speak to them on proper etiquette and respect for superior officers. Unless you want to take it further?" she asked.

Burns was really beginning to despise the ensign who somehow managed to see the Chief before he did. Part of him wanted to push the issue, but he had faith in the Chief since the Chief already addressed the weapons. "I am in agreement with the way you have handled this and trust you will do what is best."

"Thank you, Lieutenant. I'll keep an eye on all of you, don't worry about that." Aer smiled sweetly, but behind that smile she did mean what she said. Her people weren't above suspicion, especially given she'd just inherited the department and didn't know any of them at all. "Did you have any other business you'd like to bring up whilst you are here?" she asked.

"No, sir." He waited politely to be dismissed.

"Thank you for coming to see me. You are dismissed Lieutenant, and my door is always open." Aer said kindly as she watched the man with interest.

Burns got up, gave a most proper salute, and said, "It was a pleasure to meet you, sir. I look forward to working with you." He then walked out the door.

 

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