Flt. Capt. Karrod Niac - Distant Thunder
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Karrod Niac
Nov 17, 2025, 12:09:51 AM11/17/25
to USS Ronin – StarBase 118 Star Trek PBEM RPG
((Ready Room, Deck 3, USS Ronin))
Niac: You're this ship's Chief of Security and Tactical. You've got extensive experience across two quadrants. You've been a prisoner of the very same species you're intending to go back and kick in the shin, assuming they have those. Why now? The Ronin is a fresh start for you...one your friend V'Len fought very hard to make happen, both metaphorically and literally. How would he feel if he knew you were considering this...action? Something tells me you haven't discussed this idea with him.
The question had caught the man by surprise and whatever counter he'd prepared died on his lips as Karrod watched him wrestle with the uncomfortable answer. To his credit, the man looked him in the eye after a serious moment of consideration.
Kessler: ::looking back up to the Captain:: I'll be honest, this whole thing with the Zet. I wish I could put it behind me, close the book on them and walk away. In a way, V'Len asking me here to the Ronin was an escape from that nightmare and you are correct, I have not mentioned this to him. He would disapprove and talk me out of it. ::beat, sitting more upright:: You are correct Captain. I am Ronin's Chief of Security and Tactical. My mind should be focused here and I should let Starfleet and the Federation diplomatic corp handle this. ::beat:: Forget I brought this up and I apologize for taking up your time with it.
Karrod leaned back and listened closely, trying to understand the man. It was clear that what he'd gone through...what he was still going through...weighed heavily on his thinking.
Niac: No apology necessary, Mr. Kessler, I'm glad we had this conversation. And I don't want you to think I'm dismissing this out of hand...you've made me aware of a potentially valuable intelligence source. We don't have to let this drop entirely. Consider it...taken under advisement.
Kessler: No sir. I should not have brought this up, the Consortium should be my focus and I should have faith that Starfleet and the Federation Diplomatic Corps will achieve the end result we all want.
He nodded but heard the note of...disbelief in his voice. Part of Karrod agreed with it, knowing only too well how slowly the well meaning but inefficient bureaucracy of an organization that spanned quadrants functioned. He worded his response carefully, the faintest hint of a smile lurking behind his beard.
Niac: I'll be the first to encourage putting your faith in the institution...but it never hurts to have a contingency plan. Just in case. Consider working with some of your new colleagues...I think you'll find their perspective and insights invaluable. You're part of this crew now, Lieutenant.
Kessler: I appreciate that Captain.
Behind the walls a muted thump announced that the ten minute timer he'd placed on his security program had elapsed and the viewports cleared, Endicronimas V glowing bright below. Logan padded over to the small couch and stretched out under the stars, even holographic centimeter radiating contentment. K9 glanced back to him dispassionately, clearly unimpressed by the spectacle. Karrod cleared his throat and chuckled.
Niac: Now Mr. Kessler, were you planning on keeping your...companions here active? I'd imagine they'd be quite popular with the crew.
Kessler: Response
He nodded and chuckled again.
Niac: Whatever you feel is best, Chief. Oh and one last thing...V'Len brought me a pretty good bottle of Saurian brandy a while back. When you're ready, I'm sure he'd enjoy sharing a glass of it with you...and it would be an excellent opportunity for the three of us to have a follow-up conversation.
Kessler: Response
Karrod retrieved one of the padds from his desk at random before offering the man a curt nod.
Niac: In that case, carry on Mr. Kessler. ::He gestured towards the padd with a scowl:: Unfortunately some battles can't be waged with phaser in hand.
Kessler: Response
As the man took his leave Karrod put his padd back on the desk and tapped at the controls of his desk console, opening a heavily encrypted subspace channel. He thought of the haunted look on the Lieutenants face, the dread in V'Len's voice, and entered his authorization code.
Niac: =/\= Computer, request classified security briefing packet from Starfleet Intelligence, including all current and historical ship reports and relevant log entries. Full tactical and strategic analysis, including comm logs and probe data. Authenticate Niac, Karrod, Fleet Captain. =/\=
The ships computer interlinked for a few moments, verifying and crosschecking and authenticating. When it was finished a simple query flashed on his terminal.
Computer: =/\= Authenticated. Query authorized. Subject? =/\=
Niac: =/\= The Zet. =/\=
It didn't take long for the data to begin streaming in. In no time at all Karrod's paddwork was entirely forgotten.
[Tags/End for Niac!]
===============================
Fleet Captain Karrod Niac
Commanding Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
V239509GT0
Niac: You're this ship's Chief of Security and Tactical. You've got extensive experience across two quadrants. You've been a prisoner of the very same species you're intending to go back and kick in the shin, assuming they have those. Why now? The Ronin is a fresh start for you...one your friend V'Len fought very hard to make happen, both metaphorically and literally. How would he feel if he knew you were considering this...action? Something tells me you haven't discussed this idea with him.
The question had caught the man by surprise and whatever counter he'd prepared died on his lips as Karrod watched him wrestle with the uncomfortable answer. To his credit, the man looked him in the eye after a serious moment of consideration.
Kessler: ::looking back up to the Captain:: I'll be honest, this whole thing with the Zet. I wish I could put it behind me, close the book on them and walk away. In a way, V'Len asking me here to the Ronin was an escape from that nightmare and you are correct, I have not mentioned this to him. He would disapprove and talk me out of it. ::beat, sitting more upright:: You are correct Captain. I am Ronin's Chief of Security and Tactical. My mind should be focused here and I should let Starfleet and the Federation diplomatic corp handle this. ::beat:: Forget I brought this up and I apologize for taking up your time with it.
Karrod leaned back and listened closely, trying to understand the man. It was clear that what he'd gone through...what he was still going through...weighed heavily on his thinking.
Niac: No apology necessary, Mr. Kessler, I'm glad we had this conversation. And I don't want you to think I'm dismissing this out of hand...you've made me aware of a potentially valuable intelligence source. We don't have to let this drop entirely. Consider it...taken under advisement.
Kessler: No sir. I should not have brought this up, the Consortium should be my focus and I should have faith that Starfleet and the Federation Diplomatic Corps will achieve the end result we all want.
He nodded but heard the note of...disbelief in his voice. Part of Karrod agreed with it, knowing only too well how slowly the well meaning but inefficient bureaucracy of an organization that spanned quadrants functioned. He worded his response carefully, the faintest hint of a smile lurking behind his beard.
Niac: I'll be the first to encourage putting your faith in the institution...but it never hurts to have a contingency plan. Just in case. Consider working with some of your new colleagues...I think you'll find their perspective and insights invaluable. You're part of this crew now, Lieutenant.
Kessler: I appreciate that Captain.
Behind the walls a muted thump announced that the ten minute timer he'd placed on his security program had elapsed and the viewports cleared, Endicronimas V glowing bright below. Logan padded over to the small couch and stretched out under the stars, even holographic centimeter radiating contentment. K9 glanced back to him dispassionately, clearly unimpressed by the spectacle. Karrod cleared his throat and chuckled.
Niac: Now Mr. Kessler, were you planning on keeping your...companions here active? I'd imagine they'd be quite popular with the crew.
Kessler: Response
He nodded and chuckled again.
Niac: Whatever you feel is best, Chief. Oh and one last thing...V'Len brought me a pretty good bottle of Saurian brandy a while back. When you're ready, I'm sure he'd enjoy sharing a glass of it with you...and it would be an excellent opportunity for the three of us to have a follow-up conversation.
Kessler: Response
Karrod retrieved one of the padds from his desk at random before offering the man a curt nod.
Niac: In that case, carry on Mr. Kessler. ::He gestured towards the padd with a scowl:: Unfortunately some battles can't be waged with phaser in hand.
Kessler: Response
As the man took his leave Karrod put his padd back on the desk and tapped at the controls of his desk console, opening a heavily encrypted subspace channel. He thought of the haunted look on the Lieutenants face, the dread in V'Len's voice, and entered his authorization code.
Niac: =/\= Computer, request classified security briefing packet from Starfleet Intelligence, including all current and historical ship reports and relevant log entries. Full tactical and strategic analysis, including comm logs and probe data. Authenticate Niac, Karrod, Fleet Captain. =/\=
The ships computer interlinked for a few moments, verifying and crosschecking and authenticating. When it was finished a simple query flashed on his terminal.
Computer: =/\= Authenticated. Query authorized. Subject? =/\=
Niac: =/\= The Zet. =/\=
It didn't take long for the data to begin streaming in. In no time at all Karrod's paddwork was entirely forgotten.
[Tags/End for Niac!]
===============================
Fleet Captain Karrod Niac
Commanding Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
V239509GT0
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