Observe & Report
Posted on Fri Dec 5th, 2025 @ 3:03pm by Captain Norberto Palacios & Lieutenant Commander Savok
Edited on on Thu Dec 11th, 2025 @ 12:47am
1,114 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Peril at the Unification Accords
Location: Audit Division, Starfleet Command, San Francisco, Earth
Timeline: Tuesday, 0642 Hours / MD10
The office of Captain Norberto Anselmo Heraclio Izan Palacios sat high above the fogline of San Francisco, wrapped in tranquility like a soft, warm blanket. The room was large, but very disciplined: a dark stone desk polished to a near-mirror sheen, two chairs upholstered in deep burgundy leather, and a wall-length window framing the bay like an oil painting. Everything else was purposeful emptiness--no clutter, no disorder, not even a stray data PADD lying around.
Palacios stood at the window with his hands folded behind him, back straight, chin lifted toward the horizon. The ticking of an antique grandfather clock in far corner of the office the only thing present aside from the silence.
The comm sounded.
"Captain Palacios," came a voice, formal and resolute. "Lieutenant Commander Savok has arrived."
"Send him in," Palacios said, tone calm and precise, the syllables arranged almost mathematically. His words were laced with a faint Iberian lilt--an accent he never noticed, though everyone else always did.
The doors parted. Savok entered with the archetypal Vulcan economy of motion. His hands were clasped behind his back, and his expression--if one were to search for it--was somewhere between neutral and mildly curious. Only the tiny lift of an eyebrow marked any acknowledgment of Palacios's summons.
"Lieutenant Commander," Palacios said, turning from the window. "Thank you for coming on short notice."
Savok inclined his head slightly. "I assumed the matter would be sufficient importance."
A phantom smile touched Spaniard's mouth. "Starfleet Command is becoming... concerned. The situation on Barisa Prime appears to be unraveling. And the Astrea... well, the ship's actions are starting to draw attention."
Savok folded his arms behind him a little more purposefully. "The Astrea is scheduled for a standard audit in four months' time, Captain. When she returns to Earth for her refit."
"Yes," Palacios said, lifting his chin. "Command is aware. Some, however, are not inclined to wait. They prefer eyes and ears on the ground. Quietly."
A long moment passed between them where only the grandfather clock's constant rhythm counted the seconds. Savok's gaze shifted a fraction, indicating some hint at understanding.
"You wish me to select an auditor to deploy to Barisa Prime."
Palacios stepped toward his desk, his Starfleet-issue boots making soft noises against the floor. "That is one interpretation."
Savok considered the request. "Lieutenant Commander Prinsloo would be suitably qualified. Her analytical--"
"No." Palacios's voice cut through the air cleanly, but his volume was low and soft. "Not Prinsloo. I need someone more inscrutable."
Savok stood perfectly still. Only after another long moment did he speak. "More... inscrutable."
Palacios met his eyes. "I would like you to go."
Only the faintest raise of Savok's eyebrow betrayed any surprise--a couple of millimeters in height, but enough for anyone who knew the Vulcan to register it for what it really was: a loud thunderclap.
"I see," he said, recovering seamlessly. "If that is your preference, Captain, I will comply."
"It is," Palacios replied. "And it will not be easy. You will be regarded as an intruder. The Astrea's crew will close ranks. They will consider your a spy. A parasite. An inconvenience. Likely all three."
Savok blinked. "I am not dissuaded by attitudes of this nature."
"No," the Spaniard said lightly. "I did not think you would be." He rested his hand along the edge of his desk, brushing away some imaginary dust. "Your presence has to appear routine. We cannot attach you to the Audit Division. It would defeat the purpose of observing them in an unguarded state."
The clock let out a gentle chime in the Westminster melody to announce the quarter-hour had arrived. Savok turned his eyes to it momentarily, taking in the intricate woodwork and detailing. He had noted its presence in the Captain's office for quite a long time and found it a welcome presence.
"I am authorizing your temporary transfer out of the unit. Your official assignment will be as Command Liaison Officer."
The Vulcan's expression fell into impassivity. "As Command Liaison, I will not possess the authority that typically accompanies the Audit Division's oversight mandate."
"Correct," Palacios said. "You are not going there to exercise authority, Commander. You are going there to watch. To listen. To learn." He leaned back slightly. "Your only responsibility is to observe and report. Nothing more."
Savok found himself considering his orders. He had no qualms about any of it. "Understood," he said. "When am I to depart?"
"Immediately.' Palacios folded his hands again as though he were closing a book. "Before Captain Johansen trips over her feet yet again and drags the rest of Starfleet down with her."
A near-silent breath pushed out of him--not quite annoyance nor humour, but perhaps something in between. "You are authorized the use of a runabout at maximum warp."
Savok straightened, through he has never once slouched. "Yes, Captain." He nodded crisply. "I will depart within the hour."
Palacios returned the nod. "Lieutenant Commander."
The Vulcan officer turned, the folds of his uniform shifting slightly, and walked toward the door. The ticking of the Kleninger Grandfather clock remained audible as though counting his steps.
"Savok," Palacios said just as he reached the threshold.
The Lieutenant Commander paused and half-turned.
"Do not let them see you too clearly," the Captain said. "People reveal more to ghosts."
Inclinding his head, Savok replied, "An interesting observation."
"Not an observation," Palacios replied. "A truth."
The door parted and Savok stepped through, his footsteps fading into the marble hallway beyond.
Palacios stood alone again in the center of his immaculate officer, the city's morning fog crawling slowly over the bay below him, dissolving into pale gold. He turned back to the window, folding his hands behind his back, his reflection a dark, life-size cutout framed against the brightening sky.
There were patterns in the universe--shadows and alignments, failures that repeated themselves in predictable arcs. He could feel such a one forming now, like weakening seam stretching across fabric soon to tear.
Barisa Prime. The Astrea. Captain Johansen. A dead ambassador. And now Savok, moving toward it all.
Palacios lifted his chin, studying the horizon while the Kleninger tick-tacked away behind him.
There was enough time for the storm to break. Or for the truth to surface.
Either would do.
Captain Norberto Anselmo Heraclio Izan Palacios
Auditor-in-Chief
Audit & Professional Standards Division
Starfleet Command
Lieutenant Commander Savok
Executive Oversight Officer-in-Charge
Audit & Professional Standards Division
Starfleet Command
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