Competing Agendas

[Chaka 0]

OK, eventually I will need to develop my supervisor's character a little more, but for the time being I'm working on *my* character first. I'm guessing that the Andorian's intelligence community is similar to Section 31 or Tal Shiar or our own CIA in that we work closely with the military but are not technically part of it.

 

The young Andorian operative entered his supervisor's office, not in the best mood.

 

"What is going on? My flight to Earth was recalled before we even left spacedock. What is the reason?"

 

"I'm still investigating, but I received this a few days ago. It's above your security clearance level but I think you need to know." The supervisor hands Chaka a copy of SUPREMACY LEVEL 6 TRANSMISSION.

 

A look of bewilderment crosses Chaka's face. "He has got to be kidding. Morval mobolized half the fleet. If we take strikes against Earth then we leave the Vulcans with no option than to escalate the cold war against us. We're at roughly the same strength which means a full war would be long and bloody."

 

"True, true. I don't know the hidden motives behind this, but I can assure you the Intelligence and Diplomatic Corps were both kept out of the loop."

 

"How are the other powers reacting?"

 

"As you might predict. The Klingons and Romulans are responding in kind."

 

Chaka came very close to loosing his professional discipline as his antaene stiffened. "This is madness! The hallmarks of intelligence work are subterfuge, covertness, and stealth. If we go in with guns blazing we loose much of our intelligence-gathering capability."

 

"I don't disagree" said Chaka's supervisor "but you are concentrating on the wrong issue. Earth is not yet capable of recognising our mobilization against them for what it is. As you know, Intelligence doesn't answer to the military. Your mission remains unchanged."

 

"My mission has already changed! We may not answer to the military but our pilots do. They are under orders from an Admiral to mobolize for war, not support intelligence."

 

The supervisor ponders this. "Unfortunately our hands are tied. We have no more control over military operations than they do ours."

 

"I'm not sure where that leaves us."

 

"We will have to work through what channels we can. For the time being at least you can't leave the planet, and our mission is contrary to the Diplomatic Corps' mission to install an Andorian as XO. I'll arrange for you to meet with the Pink Skin's Ambassador Rex. He has no decision-making capacity in his role but it's a start."

 

Chaka lets out a small sigh, which his commander hears. "There is some good news." the commander said.

 

"What is that?"

 

"The Vulcans are in the same bind we are in. Some of them are pushing for XO, some for Chief of Sciences. The Pink Skins seem to want one as Helm or Engineering but not Science, don't ask me why. It's likely neither will get XO but I think the Vulcans will succeed in Science. Many of the Humans won't like that which gives us the advantage. Who knows? They may even *ask* for our help."

 

Chaka replied "I wish I could agree, but if they are frightened of us by this mobilization... well, the Vulcans are the only ones they can turn to for help. The Klingons are too far away, and the Romulans by and large mostly stick to themselves."

 

"It's a difficult situation, I'll grant you that. We'll just have to wait it out and see what happens."

Edited June 6, 2004 by Chaka