Effective Upon Receipt: Command Decisions are Hereby Under Investigation
Posted on Wed Oct 14th, 2026 @ 1:20pm by Captain Remy Johansen & Lieutenant Alexandra Blackstone MD/DSAPM & 1st Lieutenant Ángel Martinez & Lieutenant Commander Nash Winters & Lieutenant Commander Eirly Andersen & Lieutenant Commander Dante Ambrogio
Edited on on Wed Oct 14th, 2026 @ 1:20pm
2,288 words; about a 11 minute read
Mission:
Maintenance and Recovery
Location: Briefing Room, USS Astrea (While Docked at Barisa Prime)
Timeline: November 6, 2389, MD 05 (-3 days until the Audit begins)
UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS
STARFLEET COMMAND
JOINT ORDER — AUDIT AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS INVESTIGATION
Classification: Starfleet Command — Official
From: Admiral Jasper Secord, Starfleet Strategic Affairs Council
To: Captain Remira Johansen, Commanding Officer, USS Astrea
Subject: Mandatory Audit and Professional Standards Investigation
Effective: Upon Receipt
Captain Johansen,
By direction of Starfleet Command and the Starfleet Strategic Affairs Council, USS Astrea is hereby ordered to report to Starbase 8, Vulcan sector, for the purpose of a full command, operational, and personnel audit, together with a formal Professional Standards Investigation.
Upon receipt of these orders, USS Astrea will proceed to Starbase 8 under escort by USS Phoenix. Astrea will remain at Starbase 8 until released by the investigating authority or by further order of Starfleet Command.
The audit and investigation will be conducted by Captain Norberto Palacios, who is hereby designated as the investigating officer and will assume responsibility for all Professional Standards proceedings upon Astrea's arrival.
The scope of the investigation will include, but will not be limited to:
• The circumstances surrounding the assassination of Ambassador T'Varel and the actions of USS Astrea in response to that incident.
• The conduct of USS Astrea during the subsequent investigation, including investigative procedures, the handling of evidence and information, and interactions with other Starfleet and Federation authorities.
• The pursuit and engagement of the Vindex, including the operational orders, command decisions, and circumstances leading to the engagement.
• Command decisions made by the commanding officer and other officers exercising authority during the incidents under investigation.
• Adherence to applicable Starfleet regulations, standing orders, operational procedures, and established command protocols.
The investigation will include examination of relevant logs, reports, communications, sensor records, orders, personnel statements, and other materials deemed pertinent by Captain Palacios.
Personnel Status
All personnel assigned to USS Astrea who were present aboard the vessel or otherwise directly involved during the assassination of Ambassador T'Varel and the subsequent investigation are ordered to remain aboard Astrea until further notice.
Such personnel will not be reassigned, transferred, detached, or granted leave without authorization from the investigating officer or Starfleet Command.
All personnel currently on approved leave are hereby recalled to duty. Recalled personnel are ordered to report aboard USS Astrea within seventy-two (72) hours of receipt of this order.
Commanding officers and department heads will ensure that recalled personnel receive these orders without delay and that their return is documented in the ship's personnel records.
No member of the crew will discuss the substance of the investigation with outside parties except as authorized by Captain Palacios or as otherwise required by Starfleet regulations.
Command and Administrative Liaison
For the duration of the investigation, questions concerning the execution of these orders, personnel requirements, or administrative matters should be directed to:
Lieutenant Commander Dante Ambrogio
Executive Officer, USS Phoenix
or
Lieutenant Commander Savok
Executive Oversight Officer-in-Charge, Audit Division
Neither officer is authorized to alter the scope or terms of this order without further direction from Starfleet Command.
Captain Johansen will acknowledge receipt of this order and provide Starfleet Command with confirmation of Astrea's departure for Starbase 8 and the status of all recalled personnel.
These orders remain in effect until formally rescinded or superseded.
By Order of Starfleet Command,
ADMIRAL JASPER SECORD
Starfleet Command
Dante was the first to the briefing room and he laid out four PaDDs on the table, each of them loaded with rhe Audit orders as well as department specific orders in preparation of the Audit. After that was done he took up a position near the large monitor set into the wall and leaned nonchalantly against the wall where he could see the entire room as well as the stars beyond the window. He settled in to await the next arrival.
Captain Johansen stood outside of the Briefing Room and waited for Spello and Andersen to arrive before entering. There was no question in her mind what was about to happen and it was important to her that they go in and make a united showing.
Maxun arrived less than a moment later and, seeing his captain standing outside thr briefing room..Stepping up to her, he said softly, "No need to be concerned about the audit, Captain. We all did our duties to thr best of our abilities. Let the audit team look into us all they want. Ma'am. They won't find anything."
"I know, but still I prefer to listen more than we talk," Remy answered seriously, but then she caught herself smiling realizing she was talking to an El Aurian. "I guess I don't have to tell you."
Eirly arrived not long after Maxun and gave him a courteous nod in greeting before giving Remy a slight squeeze on the shoulder and a warm smile as a reassuring gesture, "You've got nothing to be worried about, we've got your back on this one, Cap."
1st Lieutenant Martinez looked immaculate in their Marine uniform, because sometimes they did live up to the spit and shine. One could almost make a joke about it, but right now there was no joke in this corridor. Instead the Marine Officer looked solemn as they walked over, their voice pitched low to the Captain once they came before her. "Captain. Received orders to secure weapons and sensitive areas of the ship until arrival at Starbase 8," they said, wanting to be open about it. "Done so with Marines standing guard." There was a moment of hesitation before they met Remy's eyes and held them. There was nothing else they really could say.
Alex walked up a few breaths later and stopped a couple paces from the door. "Seems I am filling the shoes for Jezra today..." she glanced between the faces in the hallway "...If I didn't know better I'd say someone died; but from what I have heard it may not be far from the truth. We have a united front behind you, Captain."
Nash Winters walked on to the Bridge and exchanged pleasantries with his fellow officers. He smiled and nodded at his friend, Commander Andersen. “Can someone tell me what’s happening? Captain? Commander?”
"I'm going to need you to act at least a little surprised, but we're about to be audited. I'm not expecting anything of anyone," the Captain stated. "Everyone should be cautious. I don't know that all things are as they seem. But I'm certainly not asking anyone to cover anything up."
"I'm not expecting anything of anyone," the Captain stated. "Everyone should be cautious. I don't know that all things are as they seem. But I'm certainly not asking anyone to cover anything up."
"Shall we?"
It was a statement more than a question as the Captain led the way into the conference room.
Maxun fell into step behind his captain, he knew that he would do everything in his power to protect the Astrea and her from scrutiny.
Alex nodded; offering no further comment for the time being. In her mind she was analyzing the entire situation; well aware that a sudden audit after the accords was far from a good sign. It was a move she had seen before though medical audits were more common usually. She made a move to follow the others, finding herself a seat where she could watch and observe everything without standing apart from her crew.
Martinez followed in, back straight, but observant. This was not the first time they had seen things like this...and at least it wasn't an outright court-martial which felt a little bit better. Even so, looking at the others, they could see the underlying tension.
Captain Johansen eyed Lieutenant Commander Ambrogio as the select group of officers filed into the conference room.
"Commander," Remy stated in acknowledgement. "I'm sure you recognize Commander Spello, Commander Andersen, Lieutenant Blackston, 1st Lieutenant Martinez," she began.
"All, this is Commander Dante Ambrogio. He was on the Bridge with us when we confronted the Vindex."
Dante nodded to each of them in turn; motioning toward the PaDDs that he had placed on the table. "I am sure at least a couple of you know my name as well as that of the ship that Astrea is set to rendezvous with in the next couple of days. However; I asked Captain Johansen to bring those she trusted to receive the initial orders for the process I am here to start. I have been aboard for some time now and I have to complement you all first and foremost. The Astrea at first glance over appears to be a well run and tight ship."
"You can spare us the pleasantries, Commander." Captain Johansen could be quite pleasant usually, but she also had a low tolerance for inefficiency when there was business to get to.
"Very well; I give the floor to you Captain. These are your people and I am the visitor in your house." Dante motioned toward the PaDDs in front of everyone. "The orders for the audit are on the PaDD in front of each of you as well as some information of what to expect from my team during it. I am here to answer questions first and foremost today."
Martinez took the PADD, skimming over it before they looked at Dante. "Why the escort?" they asked, no hesitation in it as they held his eyes. You had to be blind, deaf and dumb not to realise that there was another starship escorting them...just had to look out. "The Astrea is intact, we don't need assistance hobbling to a starbase."
Dante glanced to Martinez, giving them a gaze that seemed to consume them entirely for a moment. "The escort is more because my team is on board the Phoenix. At present I am here alone to get things prepared."
Martinez's face remained still but they did not look away. "So it is not that you do not trust us to obey orders...Sir?" they asked, to clarify. And more to have it said rather than people speculating.
"It is not. From what records I have begun reviewing Astrea has an exemplary crew. I expect the Audit to be one of the most expedient I have headed up." Dante remained relaxed; his voice naturally severe but also lilting with his Italian accent.
"Fascinating," Remy commented dryly. "What else do we need to know?" she asked.
"While my intentions are to run this by the book, I feel it is important that you all know that this audit was moved up because of the Ambassador's death. There are parties above my paygrade watching Astrea closely for this one."
Remy traced her bottom lip with the nail of her left thumb, the knuckle of her forfinger traced her top lip absentmindedly as she looked pensively toward Commander Spello.
She pushed her anti-grav chair back from the table slightly and folded her hands on her lap. "If her death is what is triggering this expedited audit, I'm sure some members of my key crew would love to know why the extent of the threats against the Ambassador's life were never shared with us."
"Was there anything else, Commander, or shall I have my Chief Engineer make sure that we are ready for the trip?" Remy asked.
"I will be looking into the lack of intelligence supplied to Astrea during the audit." He looked around the room to the others, waiting for any further questions before continuing. "If there are no other concerns or questions then please, have Commander Winters prepare the ship for departure."
There was a pause for a moment as Dante thought through something. "Commander Spello; I'd like you to stay behind on Barisa Prime to help wrap up the Internal Affairs and Security Investigations. You will be the man representing the Astrea since she is departing."
Remy looked over 1st Lieutenant Martinez to see if the Marine showed any reaction. Of those in the room, Martinez had heard the most about Spello's role in the investigations - particularly because the former Marine Commander had been very vocal about his objections to Spello before his departure.
Or were they just trying to split the captain and first officer up.
Martinez's only reaction was a slight pull between their eyebrows, but otherwise they managed to look oddly neutral. Inside though, they marked Dante. This was slowly feeling like something bigger. They could not put their finger on it.
Remy looked out to her crew. "Dismissed. Let's get ready for departure, get your departments in order."
Lt. Commander Dante Ambrogio
Executive Officers for Starfleet Internal Investigations
USS Phoenix
(NPC of Alexandra Blackstone)
Captain Remira Johansen
Commanding Officer
USS Astrea
Lt. Commander Eirly Andersen
Second Officer
USS Astrea
Lt. Commander Nash Winters
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Astrea
1st Lieutenant Ángel Martinez
Marine Officer
USS Astrea
Lieutenant Alexandra Blackstone
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS Astrea
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