Post # 78 - Actionable Intel

Posted on Wed Apr 19th, 2023 @ 12:42pm by
Edited on on Wed Apr 19th, 2023 @ 12:48pm

Mission: Vanished
Location: Amandora
Timeline: Current

::ON::

{Intelligence}

The old Intelligence Chief had contacted Lieutenant Dunjen some time ago sharing he did not know when, or if ever, he would be released from his service in Star Fleet Intelligence and be back on the Amandora. Since Nix had been on board the longest, between herself and Heather, the Chief had suggested strongly that she assume the role of Acting Chief for the time being.

What he did do however, was to share with Nix his "back alley" contacts and how to establish her own network of Intel contacts stressing that she needed a code name and was to never, ever give her location or her real name for any reason; this was paramount. Struggling to come up with a proper code name Dunjen had suggested an appropriate name....Viper....a fast and deadly snake that he had the unfortunate run in with centuries ago that almost killed him....this fit Nix's skills and abilities....so Viper it would be.

Nix walked into the Intelligence Department and walked up to the Identification Pad then place her hand on the scanner glass for identity verification. This was a fairly new Security Protocol that Commander O'Connell had installed for both Nix and Heather's protection.

Sitting down at her desk Nix accessed, what was known to the Intelligence Community, simply as the 'wire'; an old Earth Intelligence reference to the network of contacts. Since no one on board had any notion where the three Ship's Crews might be Nix decided to go this route to see what she could come up with.

Once on the wire, Nix contacted a guy known as 'Stoner' one of the contacts that she felt comfortable with and seemed to know his way around Intelligence network "Stoner this is Viper, I need some information" she stated hoping for some answers while using a 'voice synthesizer' to disguise her voice.

"Hey Doll, what's shake'in" he asked "What can I do for you" knowing only that Nix was female by the sounds of her voice even though Nix had used the synthesizer and letting his imagination run wild.

"I'm looking for any Intel on any kidnappings of Ship's Crews over the last....let's say thirty days or so" Nix explained.

There were a few minutes of silence "Wow that's a tall order for sure" Stoner commented.

"So can you find out for me or what" Nix replied being a little concerned.

"Hell yes; let me see what I can find out....but it will take me a day or so to go through all my contacts" he explained.

"That'll work.....you know how to contact me....thanks in advance" Nix commented.

"Anytime Doll.....I'll be in contact soon.....Stoner out."

Nix sat back in her chair feeling somewhat hopeful in their conversation. Any Intel, a name or a place, would be better than what she now had when she sensed Dunjen saying "Gee I guess you should have made your code name Doll" as Nix heard him chuckle. "Don't be a smart ass old friend" she replied with a grin.

{End of day}

As Nix was finishing up in her Office for the day, a message came through on the wire "Hey Doll, I have the Intel you requested....it's in an encrypted message I just sent to you....hope this helps" Stoner stated.

"Thanks Stoner, I owe you one" Nix replied "Viper out." Now to decode the message she pulled up the encryption algorithm that the old Chief had so kindly left behind.

Once Nix had applied the algorithm the message read as follows:

"Viper there is talk around the Slave Traders have procured a rather large acquisition of subjects to sell off as slaves to whoever can pay their price. Rumor has it they are being held on Siameris in the Orion Sector. While there is no guarantee the Intel is one hundred percent accurate, this was corroborated by two different sources so take it as you will.....Stoner."

After reading the message Nix sat back in her chair mulling over the Intel hoping it was accurate....but there was only one way to find out as she sensed Dunjen say "So what do you think about the Intel?" "I hope it's actionable.....but either way the Commodore has to know what I found and she can make that decision on how to proceed" Nix replied.

::OFF::