Part of Deep Space 2: The 62nd Rule and Bravo Fleet: The Devil to Pay

Chapter I

Deep Space 2, Promenade
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As the blue hue of the transporter washed away from his body, Viran took a step off the transporter pad and looked around the small room, sighing. He tugged his side bag up onto his shoulder tighter and turned out of the room and onto the Promenade. He looked around as the massive open complex encircled the station. His eyes could only see a portion of it and he felt overwhelmed by the bustle of activity that his brain could process as his eyes moved. His mind was racing with thoughts of his new flag posting, his new command, along with taking over the Fourth Fleet’s Task Force 21.

Finally, his wandering was interrupted by the escalating echo in his direction. “… sir? … sir? Admiral?”

Viran took a deep breath as he shifted his focus, “Yes, sorry. I was just admiring this Promenade.”

“Understandable sir. It can be quite a sight. I’m Commander Reuber Feld, your first officer,” the Human man finally extended his arm.

Accepting it, Viran also introduced himself, “Admiral Viran. Thank you for steadying the ship over the last two months after Captain Teg passed. Also, I’m sorry for your loss. I know you were close.” 

“Thank you, I appreciate it. Would you like a tour of the Promenade?”

“Yes, Commander. I’ve been briefed about the situation here on the station by Starfleet Intelligence. It appears there is more than meets the eye and that this Promenade is bustling for several reasons,” the Andorian quipped.

“Yes sir,” Commander Feld started as the two men turned and began walking the Promenade. “The Promenade, as you can see, is huge on Deep Space 2. It encircles the top of the station and includes, give or take, approximately 750 shops and restaurants of various sizes contained on several levels in a ring around the station with the open arboretum in the center. It changes constantly as shops come or go. The Promenade also includes recreational spaces, and, of course, the large viewports where you can see ships coming and going.”

The two men continued walking along the Promenade, Viran occasionally looking at the large arboretum in the center of the large, open space. He was also admiring how many shops the Promenade truly had as they moved along the walkway and how welcoming everyone seemed to be. It was truly a center of commerce and showed that, despite what Starfleet felt, Deep Space 2 was an extremely important station for the area.

“Okay, so that is the official tour. What about the unofficial tour? The one Starfleet Intelligence started to give me before I got here,” Viran asked pointedly.

“That is more complicated,” the Commander responded.

“Uncomplicate it for me,” the Andorian shot back.

“Truthfully? We’re a station that Starfleet has ignored for a long time. Sure, they built this new station a few years ago to replace the old one. But other than that? Our ships patrolling the area are half a century old, our security is woefully unequipped for some of the happenings on this station, and everyone here knows it and takes advantage,” Commander Feld finished with a sigh of relief, almost as if unburdening himself.

“Don’t worry, Commander. That is why Starfleet sent me. Well, and a little arm twisting on my part,” the Admiral shot an affirming glance to his new first officer as if to say the situation would be okay. “What about this Kalva? Starfleet Intelligence believes him to be the ring leader.”

“I’d agree, but we’ve never been able to catch him on so much as jaywalking,” Feld admitted.

“That is why I am here, and I have a specialist from Starfleet Intelligence coming on the James Hutton tomorrow,” Viran stopped and turned to his new XO, “How do you think a direct confrontation would work with Kalva?”

“He’d lie and deny. We have to catch him red-handed. Why? What is going on, sir?” the XO directly asked in a worried tone.

“Starfleet Intelligence believes that Kalva is a higher ranking member of the Orion Syndicate using his business here as a cover to move goods through the Federation and off to Syndicate hideouts and strongholds. Recently, though, he’s landed on their radar because they believe that he has been trying to get his hands on some highly classified technology, including Borg components salvaged from Frontier Day. I don’t think I need to stress how important it is that the Orion Syndicate does not get their hands on Borg technology,” Viran firmly stated.

“That would be bad for everyone. So what do we do about it?” 

“I think I’m going to go meet Mr. Kalva myself…” Viran said as he smirked and wandered off on his own through the Promenade.

Comments

  • The story sets the stage for a great narrative, Admiral Viran’s transition into a new role amid the bustling atmosphere of Deep Space 2. The descriptions of the Promenade create a great backdrop that contrasts with the underlying tension. The dialogue between Viran and Feld is engaging, revealing their stakes with the Orion Syndicate's potential threat. Viran’s confident demeanor to confront Kalva hints at exciting developments ahead, I can't wait to see the next chapter.

    November 3, 2024
  • It's nice to see Admiral Viran come to life in this story. Our stalwart commander of Task Force 21. Interestingly, it seems he's come to a station that is under-resourced by request. It was amusing when he had the 'cut the shiny talk' moment with Commander Feld who seemed more than willing to paint the truer undertone picture of what had been going on there for the Admiral. I think this sets the tone nicely for the story ahead. I look forward to seeing what this Kalva brings to the mix and seeing more of Admiral Viran at play!

    November 4, 2024
  • I agree that this story sets the stage for a larger narrative, with Admiral Viran's arrival and all that is going on with Deep Space 2. I loved how you described the promenade. It makes me want to visit the station and take a look for myself. You can tell there is an underlying tension going on with what Feld discloses. I am curious to see how this plays out if they can catch Kalva in the act, and how this all plays out. I can't wait to see what happens next on the adventures of DS2.

    November 4, 2024
  • A fine welcome to DS-2! This does great double duty introducing us to the station and story both, and it's great the campaign is being used to set up the local situation and stakes. It makes the challenge feel more real and more daunting - this isn't a new problem coming to an established space, or a crisis a ship is flying into and will waltz out of later. This very much feels like the classic frontier town whose troubles need untangling, and Viran is the new sheriff. Excited for an antagonist who sounds like he's going to need some cunning to overcome... And if he can't just be arrested right away, that sounds like, from Viran's parting words, we're going to get him on screen pretty soon? That's a great way to make the villain a presence without the plot immediately breaking into action or resolution. Love it, keen for more!

    November 4, 2024
  • A new beginning, new posting same old problems. A nice introduction to Deep space 2 and a sense of this station immense size and complexity. It gives you a true sense of the task ahead for the new Commanding Officer, Viran has a lot to sort out and he knows exactly who he's got his eyes on sorting out first. A lovely start.

    November 5, 2024