Secret Orders

Posted on Thu Dec 7th, 2023 @ 7:17pm by Commander Kevin Lance

Mission: CSI: Chuck Norris
Location: USS Chuck Norris
Timeline: Current

on:

{Bridge, USS Chuck Norris}

“Lieutenant Lance? You have an encrypted, priority message coming in.”

Kevin turned from his seat at the flight conn and looked at the communications tech, “Pipe it to my console.”

“I can’t,” the communication tech replied, “It is coded ‘Eyes Only’.”

Kevin raised his eyebrows in surprise. Why would he be getting an Eyes Only communique? “Very well. I will take it in my quarters,” he responded. He motioned for the officer at the Tactical substation and once relieved of the conn, he headed for port egress and on to his quarters.

His roommate was out of the quarters, probably on duty, so Kevin was able to avoid questions that he didn’t have the answers to. Settling himself at the room’s computer console, he went through the authentication procedures and was rewarded with the image of Rear Admiral Desai, assistant chief of Star Fleet Investigation Division. As a Captain, Admiral Desai had been one of Kevin’s instructor at the Academy.

“Lieutenant Lance, it’s good to see you again,” the Admiral greeted with no real sense of enjoyment.

“Likewise, Admiral,” Kevin replied with equal indifference, “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“You are no doubt aware of the murder of the Grazerite diplomat aboard your ship”

“Yes, sir,” Kevin acknowledged, “I attended the Captain’s briefing a little more than an hour ago.”

“What is your assessment?”

Kevin was a little taken aback by the question. Analysis and conclusion were the purview of the ship’s Security Officer. Choosing his words carefully, he replied, “It is too early to draw a logical conclusion. Our medical team determined that the victim is not actually Ramej-Kino but a clone or some other stand-in.”

The Admiral nodded, “That tracks. There is more going on here than meets the eye.”

Kevin couldn’t think of a response so he remained mute. After a moment, the Admiral continued, “Things are about to get more complicated. The three-letter kids got ahold of the report from Captain Intermeezo and now representatives from each of the delegate’s home world security apparatuses are descending on the Norris to make their own contributions to the investigation. The victim wasn’t a member of Star Fleet so we will need to cede or at least share jurisdiction with the Grazerites. I suspect that the Vulcans, Andorians, Tellerites, and Bolians will want their own say as well.

Kevin was glad that as Flight Control Officer he would be spared the headaches that were headed towards the Captain and XO.

“The investigation, through no fault of Captain Intermeezo’s, is about to be compromised. I need a straight shooter.”

Kevin did not like where this was headed. “I suppose this is the part where you tell me I was your best student,” he commented dryly.

The Admiral laughed, “Don’t be ridiculous. You were the worst student. You are, however, intelligent and observant. And, as your service record shows, you are much better at practical application than either written or oral examination. Your investigation into the Ferengi attack on Starbase 5 and the terrorist attack on the USS Independence were thorough and quite revealing.”

“What are my orders, sir?”

“I want you to conduct an off books investigation and report your findings to me,” the Admiral instructed, “As a senior officer, you will have access better than anyone aside from the Captain and Executive Office and as Flight Control Officer, no one will consider you part of the investigation. Your efforts along with the Captain’s report, corrupted as it may very well be, will give us a better chance of finding out what is really going on.”

Kevin was uncomfortable at the prospect of going around the ship’s chain of command like this but he couldn’t see anything overtly illegal in the Admiral’s orders so he was duty bound to follow them. “I understand sir,” He acknowledge.

The Admiral smiled broadly and sat back, “Very good, Lieutenant. Embedded in this communique is a security program that will assist you in your investigation and cover your tracks. And it goes without saying that you will need to keep these orders secret from everyone else.”

Kevin’s brain was already working out what needed to be done and how he could accomplish his task with the smallest chance of being discovered. “Yes, sir,” he responded absently.

“Get to it then. Desai, out,” and with that the screen went black.

:off

Lieutenant Kevin Lance
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Chuck Norris