Literary Challenge 58 - [REDACTED]
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The light was intense. Agent Corin Plys was not only sweating from the heat of the lamp, but also from the gaze of his superior officer standing to his right. The metal table where Corin sat was slowly radiating heat from the lamp as well, making his palms wet. His mind was racing with many thoughts as the temperature was distracting him from the mental exercise. He thought about taking off his shirt and splashing into a cool waters of some perfect lagoon somewhere else. The idea of standing under a frigid waterfall in an arctic area while naked quickly replaced the lagoon. Then the image of an Excelsior-Retrofit class starship burst through the waterfall as Corin forced himself back into the present. It didn't make the discomfort any better and he licked the perspiration from his top lip.
"USS Solaris, Excelsior Retrofit, commission date 2399, Deneb V shipyards ... current command by ... Kathleen Beringer." Corin looked at the PADD on the table. He could see data was available on the subject of his 'interrogation', but the angle of the screen made the PADD useless. he rubbed the bruise on his right hand from his last attempt to use it.
"False! Try again." The superior officer wore the black of Section 31. A patch covered his left eye and a scar ran across his chin from ear to ear. He was leaning close to Corin's ear and smiled as he chided the agent.
Corin licked his lip again. Which part?! His lips trembled slightly as he tried to recall what he studied, then it came to him like a phaser pulse. "Kathryn! Kathryn Beringer."
"Good." The officer stood and took a few steps around the other side of Corin's chair. "Tactical threat assessment."
The agent's confidence surged through the discomfort. He enjoyed learning about starships more than people: there was more order in service records and history in his mind. Corin smiled a little as he recalled what he planned to say. "The hull of Solaris is relatively new and the Retrofit required Duranium reinforcement due to the extra stresses placed on the ship. The four Scarbak IX mass driver impulse engines are made specifically for the Excelsior-type ... " Corin realized he was off track after looking up to his superior and noticed a frown forming.
"Er, the Solaris has been fitted with rare Federation-syle Spiral Wave Beam Arrays. Captain Beringer was authorized to replaced the standard Akira-type photon torpedo launchers with a missile launcher system. Although forward firing only, the wide arc of fire adds to the destructive potential of the ship. She is also favoring the use of mines. Both auxiliary weapons provides a non-traditional offense profile."
"Well done Agent Plys. What of her Captain?"
"Him, sir. Beringer refers to her ships in the masculine tense."
The superior raised an eyebrow. "Impressive note, Plys." He picked up the PADD and scrolled through information. After a few seconds he said, "proceed."
Corin cleared his throat and looked at the PADD. His confidence wavered but he sensed he was on a roll. Somehow the heat was not as intense as before, yet it didn't stop the bead of sweat rolling down his chest. "Kathryn Selena Beringer, 32 years old. Six feet tall, burgundy hair, grey eyes. Born in Las Vegas, Western Corridor. Her family was on the SS Triantar en route to the Hesperus II colony when it was attacked by Orion Syndicate ships. She was the only survivor from her family and sent to the Dilithium mines on Nurga Prime."
The superior did not look away from the PADD. With his frown in-place he only nodded as Corin spoke. "Her record of her time at the mines is incomplete. Why."
The agent shrugged and then quickly looked to the superior hoping he did not see the action. Seeing the superior's back was to him, Corin mentally relaxed. "Even during the entrance assessment at the Academy, Beringer was not forthcoming. In my report is an attachment from a mind-meld session with one Counselor A'Mand. It is her recommendation that Beringer's record be reviewed periodically due to deep-rooted anger against the Syndicate specifically and the slave-trade generally. There are a few records of Beringer taking unusual personal risks or even not follow protocol to satisfy her vendetta. She has been absolved of all action so far because of her otherwise exemplary service record."
The superior turned on his heel and placed the PADD on the table, then leaned in toward the agent. "Threat Assessment?"
Corin forced himself not too look away. Licking his lips, he hoped this process was ending soon. "Beringer has a personal agenda but it can be considered to be aligned within acceptable parameters. She is a risk-taker but also within acceptable parameters and is demonstrably well-versed with Starfleet regulations and protocols as befits her rank. My contact on board Solaris says she is well-liked and popular with the crew. I am still researching a potential romantic involvement with another Captain ..."
The superior's eyebrow raised as Corin paused.
"Daniker. Daiker. Daikar! Of the ..." Corin started snapping his fingers trying to recall the name of a starship; an old habit until the words came to him. "U.S.S. Cordorba!
Standing straight, the superior asked, 'so that is not confirmed." It was not a question.
Corin shook his head, a drop of sweat landed on one hand. "So far there is nothing to substantiate the rumor." Logically, it is not fact."
The superior nodded his head. Corin cleared his throat and continued.
"Based on official and anecdotal records, it is my estimation that if backed into a corner, Beringer would not only stay on Starfleet's side, she would do it out of a personal sense of honor, conviction and duty. If any action or orders provide her an opportunity to take action against the Syndicate she would complete the mission with verve."
"Verve?"
Corin blushed under the harsh light and gaze from his superior. 'Yes, sir."
---
The light was intense. Agent Corin Plys was not only sweating from the heat of the lamp, but also from the gaze of his superior officer standing to his right. The metal table where Corin sat was slowly radiating heat from the lamp as well, making his palms wet. His mind was racing with many thoughts as the temperature was distracting him from the mental exercise. He thought about taking off his shirt and splashing into a cool waters of some perfect lagoon somewhere else. The idea of standing under a frigid waterfall in an arctic area while naked quickly replaced the lagoon. Then the image of an Excelsior-Retrofit class starship burst through the waterfall as Corin forced himself back into the present. It didn't make the discomfort any better and he licked the perspiration from his top lip.
"USS Solaris, Excelsior Retrofit, commission date 2399, Deneb V shipyards ... current command by ... Kathleen Beringer." Corin looked at the PADD on the table. He could see data was available on the subject of his 'interrogation', but the angle of the screen made the PADD useless. he rubbed the bruise on his right hand from his last attempt to use it.
"False! Try again." The superior officer wore the black of Section 31. A patch covered his left eye and a scar ran across his chin from ear to ear. He was leaning close to Corin's ear and smiled as he chided the agent.
Corin licked his lip again. Which part?! His lips trembled slightly as he tried to recall what he studied, then it came to him like a phaser pulse. "Kathryn! Kathryn Beringer."
"Good." The officer stood and took a few steps around the other side of Corin's chair. "Tactical threat assessment."
The agent's confidence surged through the discomfort. He enjoyed learning about starships more than people: there was more order in service records and history in his mind. Corin smiled a little as he recalled what he planned to say. "The hull of Solaris is relatively new and the Retrofit required Duranium reinforcement due to the extra stresses placed on the ship. The four Scarbak IX mass driver impulse engines are made specifically for the Excelsior-type ... " Corin realized he was off track after looking up to his superior and noticed a frown forming.
"Er, the Solaris has been fitted with rare Federation-syle Spiral Wave Beam Arrays. Captain Beringer was authorized to replaced the standard Akira-type photon torpedo launchers with a missile launcher system. Although forward firing only, the wide arc of fire adds to the destructive potential of the ship. She is also favoring the use of mines. Both auxiliary weapons provides a non-traditional offense profile."
"Well done Agent Plys. What of her Captain?"
"Him, sir. Beringer refers to her ships in the masculine tense."
The superior raised an eyebrow. "Impressive note, Plys." He picked up the PADD and scrolled through information. After a few seconds he said, "proceed."
Corin cleared his throat and looked at the PADD. His confidence wavered but he sensed he was on a roll. Somehow the heat was not as intense as before, yet it didn't stop the bead of sweat rolling down his chest. "Kathryn Selena Beringer, 32 years old. Six feet tall, burgundy hair, grey eyes. Born in Las Vegas, Western Corridor. Her family was on the SS Triantar en route to the Hesperus II colony when it was attacked by Orion Syndicate ships. She was the only survivor from her family and sent to the Dilithium mines on Nurga Prime."
The superior did not look away from the PADD. With his frown in-place he only nodded as Corin spoke. "Her record of her time at the mines is incomplete. Why."
The agent shrugged and then quickly looked to the superior hoping he did not see the action. Seeing the superior's back was to him, Corin mentally relaxed. "Even during the entrance assessment at the Academy, Beringer was not forthcoming. In my report is an attachment from a mind-meld session with one Counselor A'Mand. It is her recommendation that Beringer's record be reviewed periodically due to deep-rooted anger against the Syndicate specifically and the slave-trade generally. There are a few records of Beringer taking unusual personal risks or even not follow protocol to satisfy her vendetta. She has been absolved of all action so far because of her otherwise exemplary service record."
The superior turned on his heel and placed the PADD on the table, then leaned in toward the agent. "Threat Assessment?"
Corin forced himself not too look away. Licking his lips, he hoped this process was ending soon. "Beringer has a personal agenda but it can be considered to be aligned within acceptable parameters. She is a risk-taker but also within acceptable parameters and is demonstrably well-versed with Starfleet regulations and protocols as befits her rank. My contact on board Solaris says she is well-liked and popular with the crew. I am still researching a potential romantic involvement with another Captain ..."
The superior's eyebrow raised as Corin paused.
"Daniker. Daiker. Daikar! Of the ..." Corin started snapping his fingers trying to recall the name of a starship; an old habit until the words came to him. "U.S.S. Cordorba!
Standing straight, the superior asked, 'so that is not confirmed." It was not a question.
Corin shook his head, a drop of sweat landed on one hand. "So far there is nothing to substantiate the rumor." Logically, it is not fact."
The superior nodded his head. Corin cleared his throat and continued.
"Based on official and anecdotal records, it is my estimation that if backed into a corner, Beringer would not only stay on Starfleet's side, she would do it out of a personal sense of honor, conviction and duty. If any action or orders provide her an opportunity to take action against the Syndicate she would complete the mission with verve."
"Verve?"
Corin blushed under the harsh light and gaze from his superior. 'Yes, sir."
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