Flt. Capt. Karrod Niac - Accounts Past Due
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Karrod Niac
Nov 12, 2025, 11:16:32 PM11/12/25
to USS Ronin – StarBase 118 Star Trek PBEM RPG
((Ready Room, Deck 3, USS Ronin))
Kessler: I need your permission for an off the books authorization to participate in a wildly dangerous rescue mission.
Karrod blinked. Once...twice...at the man who seemed to have suddenly turned to rigid stone in the chair in front of him.
Niac: You're kidding...::One look at the mans expression changed his mind::...you're not kidding. Go on.
He watched with rapt attention as Lt. Kessler demonstrated how much the device in his hand looked like an older model tricorder but, having recently seen Logan spring to life from a much smaller package Karrod suspected what was coming next.
Kessler: K9, activate.
The simulated canine that materialized this time was every bit as convincing but somehow lacked Logan's warmth and charm. Where the one stood amiably to one side, occasionally wagging and scratching and doing a very convincing job of being nothing other than a companion animal, K9 seemed all business. His ears lay flat to his head and his attention, which was currently fixed on Karrod directly, was unflinching and cold. Calculating. For a moment he was reminded of Major Singh on a bad day. Or a good day.
Kessler: After Chief Corelli and I designed Logan, we designed a military version for Lt. Colonel Greaves and his Marines. We called it the K9 series. This is ::gesturing to the form sitting next to him:: K9 Bravo. This series is designed for a multitude of applications. One of which is covert surveillance and data collection. ::beat:: As for the Zet, when I was captured, our team had K9 Alpha with us. In all the confusion of the teams retreat K9 was not retrieved from its observation position. During my time at Itech'eman K9 found me, I placed him into long term surveillance mode and then when Commander Kel and Colonel Greaves rescued me our plan was to circle back and get K9. That did not work out.
Karrod followed the explanation and put the pieces together slowly, glancing between simulation and officer and simulation before speaking again.
Niac: You're telling me there's what amounts to a multi-spectrum probe sitting in the middle of an adversaries encampment and it has been soaking up tactical data all this time? And you want to go and get it back?
Kessler: This solely about retrieving K9. It's been nearly a year and a half since I was captured and he went into data collection. The communication logs, prisoner observations and identifications he could bring back to the Federation, especially on Starfleet prisoners is priceless.
Karrod exhaled slowly and mulled over the situation.
Niac: The tactical and strategic value of the data isn't lost on me, Lieutenant, but you're asking me to sanction a strike against a fortified enemy position that is, and I'm sure I don't need to remind you of this, in the Gamma Quadrant. Where the Federation has few resources and your options for backup, if and when something goes wrong, are slim.
Kessler: I understand the risk and the fact that Starfleet has diplomatic responsibilities with the United Dominion of Planets to think about. ::beat:: That's for the higher ups to deal with. I am dealing with the fact that the Zet have taken two Starfleet vessels that we know of. Two crews have been sold to various other groups and our technology is being sold off to the highest bidder. ::beat:: The data K9 has collected can turn the tide to our favor. That I do not doubt in the least.
Karrod leaned back in his chair and tried to look at all the angles. Ever since V'Len had brought the insane idea of a cross-galactic rescue mission to him a year ago he'd read everything he could about the Zet, from their first encounter with the USS Thor to their more recent expansion and attacks. Reports on them painted a horrifying picture of a species that was every bit as destructive and predatory as the worst among the Federations many enemies, but with the hunger and zeal of a species that was only just taking those first steps out into the wider universe and wanted more. An infinity of more. He turned his attention back towards Mr. Kessler and fixed him with an expression every bit as piercing as that of his K9 simulacra.
Niac: Mr. Kessler...Jack. When V'Len stepped into this office and proposed the rescue mission which ultimately lead you to that chair you're sitting in, do you know what I asked him before I agreed?
Kessler: Response
Niac: I asked him to give me a real plan. To tell me there was a team, with a real chance of success that isn't based on grit and optimism. To convince me that I wasn't handing these Zet another Starfleet prisoner. Or worse. Can you do that, Jack? Can you convince me that you have a real goal with a clear, achievable objective and that this isn't just about getting payback? Speak freely.
Kessler: Response
Karrod rubbed at the bridge of his nose as he considered the variables.
Niac: You're this ships 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.
===============================
Fleet Captain Karrod Niac
Commanding Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
V239509GT0
Kessler: I need your permission for an off the books authorization to participate in a wildly dangerous rescue mission.
Karrod blinked. Once...twice...at the man who seemed to have suddenly turned to rigid stone in the chair in front of him.
Niac: You're kidding...::One look at the mans expression changed his mind::...you're not kidding. Go on.
He watched with rapt attention as Lt. Kessler demonstrated how much the device in his hand looked like an older model tricorder but, having recently seen Logan spring to life from a much smaller package Karrod suspected what was coming next.
Kessler: K9, activate.
The simulated canine that materialized this time was every bit as convincing but somehow lacked Logan's warmth and charm. Where the one stood amiably to one side, occasionally wagging and scratching and doing a very convincing job of being nothing other than a companion animal, K9 seemed all business. His ears lay flat to his head and his attention, which was currently fixed on Karrod directly, was unflinching and cold. Calculating. For a moment he was reminded of Major Singh on a bad day. Or a good day.
Kessler: After Chief Corelli and I designed Logan, we designed a military version for Lt. Colonel Greaves and his Marines. We called it the K9 series. This is ::gesturing to the form sitting next to him:: K9 Bravo. This series is designed for a multitude of applications. One of which is covert surveillance and data collection. ::beat:: As for the Zet, when I was captured, our team had K9 Alpha with us. In all the confusion of the teams retreat K9 was not retrieved from its observation position. During my time at Itech'eman K9 found me, I placed him into long term surveillance mode and then when Commander Kel and Colonel Greaves rescued me our plan was to circle back and get K9. That did not work out.
Karrod followed the explanation and put the pieces together slowly, glancing between simulation and officer and simulation before speaking again.
Niac: You're telling me there's what amounts to a multi-spectrum probe sitting in the middle of an adversaries encampment and it has been soaking up tactical data all this time? And you want to go and get it back?
Kessler: This solely about retrieving K9. It's been nearly a year and a half since I was captured and he went into data collection. The communication logs, prisoner observations and identifications he could bring back to the Federation, especially on Starfleet prisoners is priceless.
Karrod exhaled slowly and mulled over the situation.
Niac: The tactical and strategic value of the data isn't lost on me, Lieutenant, but you're asking me to sanction a strike against a fortified enemy position that is, and I'm sure I don't need to remind you of this, in the Gamma Quadrant. Where the Federation has few resources and your options for backup, if and when something goes wrong, are slim.
Kessler: I understand the risk and the fact that Starfleet has diplomatic responsibilities with the United Dominion of Planets to think about. ::beat:: That's for the higher ups to deal with. I am dealing with the fact that the Zet have taken two Starfleet vessels that we know of. Two crews have been sold to various other groups and our technology is being sold off to the highest bidder. ::beat:: The data K9 has collected can turn the tide to our favor. That I do not doubt in the least.
Karrod leaned back in his chair and tried to look at all the angles. Ever since V'Len had brought the insane idea of a cross-galactic rescue mission to him a year ago he'd read everything he could about the Zet, from their first encounter with the USS Thor to their more recent expansion and attacks. Reports on them painted a horrifying picture of a species that was every bit as destructive and predatory as the worst among the Federations many enemies, but with the hunger and zeal of a species that was only just taking those first steps out into the wider universe and wanted more. An infinity of more. He turned his attention back towards Mr. Kessler and fixed him with an expression every bit as piercing as that of his K9 simulacra.
Niac: Mr. Kessler...Jack. When V'Len stepped into this office and proposed the rescue mission which ultimately lead you to that chair you're sitting in, do you know what I asked him before I agreed?
Kessler: Response
Niac: I asked him to give me a real plan. To tell me there was a team, with a real chance of success that isn't based on grit and optimism. To convince me that I wasn't handing these Zet another Starfleet prisoner. Or worse. Can you do that, Jack? Can you convince me that you have a real goal with a clear, achievable objective and that this isn't just about getting payback? Speak freely.
Kessler: Response
Karrod rubbed at the bridge of his nose as he considered the variables.
Niac: You're this ships 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.
Kessler: Response
[Tags/TBC!]
[Tags/TBC!]
===============================
Fleet Captain Karrod Niac
Commanding Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
V239509GT0
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