A Welcome Opportunity

Posted on Sat Feb 15th, 2020 @ 4:08am by Lieutenant Commander Yang Li

Mission: Before The Story Begins
Location: Starfleet Headquarters
Timeline: March 4, 2271 - 0800 HRS

The Firebrand had docked a few days ago. Yang had been taking her rest and relaxation, as ordered by the Captain by researching her most likely targets to move ahead in rank. Who could her potential allies be? Who were her enemies? Relentlessly, she sorted through as many names that were on base and on the Firebrand, as possible, her logical mind at work.

What she had not expected, however, was a call from a Commodore. Well, this could be really good or really bad. When one gets mixed up with the top brass, you were either used to be thrown out as a useless pawn or used as a future valuable piece. Yang had no intention of being someone's puppet but getting noticed had its perks, too. Perhaps she could find enough allies to make her own way up the chains further.

A commanding black man with greying hair that was tight and curly against his head looked at Yang and said, "Please use the utmost security on this channel, Lieutenant."

Yang responded obediently, curious as to why she was being called and asked for a secure channel. While security, privacy, and game playing were common, she had to wonder why this Commodore picked her out. "Initiating Yang program alpha, omega, three, two, gamma, seven. We can talk freely now, Commodore. How may I be of assistance to the Empire?"

"I have been watching your progress for some time, Lieutenant. I must say that I am impressed with the 'body' of your work." There was a particular emphasis on the word body, implying that he knew something about some of the history that could never be proven but hinted at her involvement.

"I appreciate your interest, Commodore. However, that does not explain how I can be of assistance to the Empire."

Stone smiled and gave a jolly laugh. "Oh, you are good, aren't you, Lieutenant?" His laughter quickly faded and he gave her a serious smile. "Yes, I do believe that your skills will prove most useful, Commander Li. I am having you immediately transferred to the Bismark. You are to report to the ISS Bismark immediately."

"Excuse me, Commodore, I do not like to presume to correct a superior but I do believe that you called me 'Commander Li.'"

"That was no error, Commander. Should you accept this assignment, you are to be immediately promoted to Lieutenant Commander. The Captain of the Bismark is Captain Rose Jones."

Yang was delighted with the promotion and the chance to further her career. "Thank you for your faith in me, Commodore. I will start arranging for the transfer of my men to the Bismark immediately."

"No, Commander, you will not."

"I will not?!" Yang asked, shocked.

Stone reasserted himself, "No, you will not. Not at this time. I do not wish for Captain Jones to become uncomfortable. I would prefer that she take you into her confidence, that she endears herself to you."

"But why?" Yang asked, trying to understand the logic.

"I am certain that a beautiful, young Commander such as yourself can figure it out. I will be looking forward to your reports from the Bismark. Stone out."

The screen went blank. Li reached for the communication panel and plucked out the disc that would contain the recording of this conversation. Security was always helpful, when you knew that you might be a pawn. The nice thing about being a pawn was, if you could make it to the other side of the board, you became a queen.

She plugged the disc into a separate console and started to play it. The moment that Yang used her security code that would record and encrypt the conversation was the exact moment that the screen and sound went completely blank and silent. "Damn!" Yang exclaimed with approval, amazement, and awe. "I will have to learn how to do that - after I report to the Bismark."