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Posted on Fri Oct 2nd, 2026 @ 12:15pm by Captain Remy Johansen & Lieutenant Commander Dante Ambrogio

1,290 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Maintenance and Recovery
Location: Guest Quarters, USS Astrea
Timeline: November 1, 2389 (1 Day After Red Alert: Part V)

Rossini's famously energetic 1814 aria from the opera The Barber of Seville was blasting at full volume throughout Auvray's temporary quarters.

The opera had reached its final movement, and Captain Philippe Auvray was singing along at a volume that would have been considered excessive on any planet. He stood beside his bed in his shirtsleeves, one hand against his chest and the other raised toward an imaginary balcony, his voice carrying the old Italian words with surprising confidence. He wasn't quite matching the recording, but it was close enough that the liberties taken with the tempo could be very easily forgiven.

His small duffel lay open across the end of the bed, already with two uniforms half-folded inside and several undershirts among a collection of personal things he had took with him everywhere. There was some room for more, though Philippe had reached a point where he no longer cared.

The door chimed but he did not hear it.

"... Pronto a far tutto
la notte e il giorno
sempre d'intorno in giro sta..."

He did not hear it. The opera was too loud and Auvray was far too pleased with himself.

The chime sounded again, followed by another, but he continued through the verse with absolute solemnity. He was like a man performing before an audience rather than an empty room.

"... Miglior cuccagna per un barbiere,
vita più nobile, no, non si dà..."

The doors then opened behind him and he turned, still singing, only to find Lieutenant Commander Dante Ambrogio standing just inside the entrance.

"...FIGARO! FIGARO! FIG--"

Auvray stopped in the middle of the line and simply stared at Dante. The expression on his face was one of genuine surprise, followed by the unpleasant realization that Dante had almost certainly caught enough of his singing to form an opinion.

He lowered his hand with what dignity he could gather and muttered, "Merde. Computer, stop music."

The opera ended abruptly and the silence that followed seemed a lot less forgiving than the music itself had been.

He looked once at Dante and then at the open duffel on his bed. He reached down and adjusted the collar of one of the uniforms, although there wasn't anything wrong with it.

"Mister Ambrogio," he said. "I had no idea you were in the habit of entering another man's quarters without an invitation."

"And I was under the impression that you were observant. I hit the chime several times." He made no mention of the singing, schooling his face to keep his opinion unshared. "We have business, Captain. Starting with why you are even on Astrea."

Dante moved to the replicator; obtaining a cup of Vulcan tea before moving to a seat under the windows; seating himself without permission. He looked to Auvray expectantly, leaning toward the man slightly. "Well?"

Auvray's beady eyes widened slightly. How bold of a Lieutenant Commander to talk to a Captain with such assertion, as if he were owed something right now. Though Phillipe Auvray was not upset by it. No, Dante was proving more interesting than Auvray had given him credit for. It made the Captain a bit remorseful that their time together was likely coming to an end soon. At least for now.

"If that failure on the Bridge just now didn't explain the need for someone of competence to be here, my dead Commander, then I don't know what will," Auvray answered. "It's just such a shame that our dear Captain Remy cut me off at the knees and I wasn't able to actually be of any assistance. Perhaps they woudn't have gotten away."

"You seem to assume that you would have fared any better in the exact position that Astrea is in. Careful, Captain... Arrogance has been your folly and your downfall before; I would not like to see it happen again." Dante watched Auvray's face; gauging the reaction to his words as well as the knowledge that he doubted the Captain knew that he possessed.

After a moment of silence he continued without giving Auvray a chance to respond. "You still haven't answered my question. I was not expecting to run into you on this job, Auvray. It seems odd to me that you are here in the days before a pending audit kicks off." As he finished his hands formed a peak and he peered over it at Auvray; this time letting the silence stretch.

"An Audit?" Auvray placed his left hand across his chest in an overdrawn expression of concern. "I daresay I am not surprised, but I assure you that I had nothing to do with it. If you have orders, you'll not they have not come from me."

"Security on Barisa Prime was just as much my charge as it was Captain Remy's," Auvray insisted haughtily. "When the Ambassador died, it was my perogative to see that the investigation was completed appropriately. If you read my report on Commander Spello - and not just my report, Major McEntyre's as well! You shall quickly see why I felt that additional oversight was necessary."

The stout Captain held his right hand up in the air beside him, palm outward before loosely balling it into a fist as he closed his eyes and let out a disappointed sigh. "Ah, but alas, I must be on my merry way soon. As much as I've enjoyed getting to know the crew here, as you can see I am packing to return to my own assignment."

"The audit concerns the proceedings with the Accords. If you are responsible for Security in any part I am afraid you too are under investigation. I must ask you to report to quarters on board the Phoenix when we rendezvous with her. I'll make it a quick and relatively painless process." Dante stared at Auvray with intent; his Emerald Orbs simply piercing the man as though he wasn't actually there.

Auvray huffed and pulled on his uniform jacket. "Well, technically, the Astrea Marine Detachment was in charge of the Accord security as you know, but as ranking officer of the planetary outpost, I of course felt a personal and professional obligation to stay informed."

"I assure you that my reports are complete, above board, and have been sent to all appropriate authorities."

Auvray cleared his throat and sighed audibly. "While I would simply love to stay on board Astrea a few more days and have the opportunity to see the Phoenix in action - I am sure it is a striking ship indeed, I already have orders to report to Starfleet Command."

Auvray gestured to his small bag that he was in the process of packing. "A shame really, I truly was enjoying getting to know Commander Eirly. And I'm sure with more time that Chief Engineer would have softened a bit to me too as well. Unlike you and I, he just doesn't see the grander world that we all are playing our part in."

"Forward your reports to me. I will have to review them." Dante stood back up; leaving his cup where it sat and stepped toward the door. He was careful not to turn his back completely to Auvray; not entirely willing to trust the man.

---

Lt. Commander Dante Ambrogio
Executive Officer
USS Phoenix
(NPC of Alexandra Blackstone)


Captain Philippe Auvray
Senior Starfleet Security Liaison
Starfleet Security
as written by Remy & Shep in this Post

 

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