An Open Air Discussion
Posted on Sat Sep 12th, 2026 @ 1:45pm by Lieutenant Commander Savok & Lieutenant Commander Dante Ambrogio
1,539 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission:
The Audit
Location: Amberwash Beach, Southern Continent, Barisa Prime
Timeline: November 4, 2389
Lieutenant Commander Savok materialized beneath the mid-afternoon sun in full uniform. The transporter had released him onto the pale sand at the edge of Amberwash Beach nearest the dunes. He stood for a moment, letting the warm salt wind tousle his dark hair.
The sounds of a busy beach greeted his Vulcan ears: shouts and cheers coming from the volleyball courts, a child laughing, and a food vendor calling-out his tasty concoctions from the far northwestern end. Beyond the beach, the ocean went on toward the horizon beneath a sky so blue that the colour almost seemed overly extravagant.
Savok trudged forward at a slow pace through the loose sand. He could see three volleyball matches were in progress. Their courts had been laid out across a broad stretch of packed sand that was more or less level, surrounded by bleachers with a few spectators. The players were crewmembers from Astrea as he had overheard conversations on the ship about the event.
His gaze swept past the courts and the people and to the low-water mark where gulls and other seabirds picked their way through the exposed wet sand, probing for whatever the retreating tide had decided to leave behind. He felt these avians possessed an excellent understanding of leisure.
Stepping closer and closer to the volleyball courts, Savok adjusted the collar of his uniform and looked toward the second court.
While his true nature for joining Astrea's crew had yet to be revealed, he had been asked to make contact with another member of Starfleet's Audit and Professional Standards Divison, one Dante Ambrogio. In true Starfleet bureaucratic tradition, the Audit Division consisted of two units that worked hand-in-hand: the Division's administrative offices which were found at Starfleet Headquarters' campus on Earth, and the mobile USS Phoenix, which was capable of responding and conducting thorough audits on its own.
Savok had heard of Dante Ambrogio--the First Officer of the Phoenix--though he had never worked aside him, let alone been introduced.
He had once heard Captain Palacios refer to Ambrogio as his "attack dog" in passing.
The very idea that someone appointed to a position to investigate other Starfleet officers for rule violations or misconduct and become overzealous in that pursuit was perplexing to Savok. It was a duty that required performance but with no emotional investment. Nothing more.
His eyes scanned the bleachers and fell upon a human male in this thirties with shoulder-length brown hair and in full uniform minus the jacket, which was slung over one knee. He was seated alone near the upper edge at the very corner.
Savok recognized him from personnel records.
Ambrogio was watching the match, or appeared to be. His body faced the court and his eyes were directed toward the players, but there was a vacancy in his expression that didn't belong to anyone following the game.
He walked toward the bleachers and climbed the steps, stopping next to the human officer.
"Lieutenant Commander Ambrogio?"
Without turning to look at Savok Dante's voice rang out; just loud enough for Savok himself to hear but soft enough that it was lost in the noise of the game before them. "How can I help you, Mr. Savok? I am almost surprised to see you here on Barisa Prime."
Savok gestured to the several empty spaces next to Dante. "May I?"
"Of course; wouldn't want to be conspicuous here." Dante's face remained impassive; very near the capability of Vulcan control.
The Vulcan passed behind Dante and lowered himself onto the bleachers, perhaps a little too stiffly. He noted the younger man's demeanour and turned his eyes toward the human game being played on the sand.
"Curious," Savok said, raising an eyebrow. "Is it not logical to believe the attention of others would be not be drawn to two Starfleet officers and would rather be focused on the sporting event?"
"We may be Starfleet Officers but Astrea's crew is not familiar with us. From what I have observed many of her crew are very... astute to their surroundings." He watched briefly while someone made an excellent spike into the opposing court.
"Am I to understand that Palacios has sent you to be backup? Has he provided you any further information on what exactly we are looking for?"
Savok had anticipated a potential semi-competitive response from Ambrogio upon arrival.
"If I were to surmise," he began, "I believe the humans have historically referred to this as 'good cop, bad cop'. Though this does not explain our orders to observe ahead of the planned investigation."
One of the players attempted an overhand serve and the ball hit the netting, bouncing back into their own zone.
Savok continued. "Our official orders are quite clear: we are here to determine whether the decisions made aboard Astrea surrounding Ambassador T'Varel's assassination were consistent with Starfleet regulations and established command authority."
He paused again.
"Beyond that, Captain Palacios has been... economical with his explanations."
"That sounds about right for the Captain. I do not know who but Astrea's audit is being moved up... by several months. There are members of command; though I know not who, that want us to verify Captain Johansen's fitness to command. I do not have much information beyond that; when I pressed Palacios he only begrudgingly gave me that much. No names; No elaboration." Dante paused for a moment before glancing at Savok.
On the field the ball changed hands with a fresh serve that soared over the net and he feigned an interested look as he watched it; calculating the trajectory idly. Much like he was doing with the information he had on the audit.
"I will be honest with you Savok; this audit does not sit completely right with me; particularly with the Phoenix being ordered to delay its arrival. But orders are orders and both of us are professionals that will see them through. As to the... good cop, bad cop analogy... well that seems about the truth of it here."
Savok considered Dante's admission for several moments. His focus was no longer on the match in front of them, but had meandered to the sights and sounds of the beach. A breeze carried the smell of salt and warm sand across the volleyball court and he couldn't help but feel so close but so far from his Northern California home.
"Then perhaps we should begin with something worth discussing," he said. "I have been reviewing available records on Captain Johansen and the decisions made after the assassination of the ambassador. Several of these reports are not yet complete but those which I have reviewed do not appear to show malice or dereliction in her decision-making."
"I am pleased to see that we both have come to the same conclusion there. Command apparently wants to make sure that Captain Johansen is fit to command and so far; though I have been primarily observing I have seen no evidence that she is not." He gave a soft sigh. "I think that our superiors won't be pleased by that however."
Savok considered Dante's words. During previous audits he had participated in, there had been obvious signs of malfeasance or protocols broken. The degree to which had always been in question. And it had been the Audit Division's task to determine this through interviews, logs, and analysis.
"Perhaps it is not outside the realm of possibility that our assignment is... politically motivated. In any event, I shall continue to perform my duty." He rose from the bleacher beside Dante and moved to the stairs, turning back.
"For now, we must continue to observe. I estimate that the investigation will commence in the coming days. Once we receive the order, it would be best to inform Captain Johansen directly of our true nature."
Oh; I'll make sure she is aware rang out the thought in his head but he put on a placating mask and didn't let that reach his face. "Of course, Savok. We will reconvene once we receive the official orders; for now... just keep an eye out."
Savok simply nodded and made his way down the stairs to the sand. He felt spending time with Astrea's crew in a social setting was unnecessary and was determined to return to the ship and continue his observations there.
Dante watched Savok depart; waiting until he was fully merged with the crowd. Slowly he let out a hissing sigh; though he wasn't sure if it was frustration or relief. After a few more moments of watching the game he stood; heading back for the drop-site for those attending the event. Once there he beamed up and headed for his quarters; starting a new report.
Lt. Commander Savok
Liaison Officer
USS Astrea
(NPC of JB Dorsainvil)
Lt. Commander Dante Ambrogio
Executive Officers for Starfleet Internal Investigations
USS Phoenix
(NPC of Alexandra Blacksonte)
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