Bravo Fleet
Starfleet Intelligence Division
Office of the Director of Fourth Fleet Intelligence
Starbase Bravo, Mellstoxx System
TOP SECRET – Eyes Only
From: Cmdr. Elizabeth Lockhart, Senior Intelligence Advisor
To: Adm. Alexander Beckett, Director of Fourth Fleet Intelligence
Stardate: 78947.94 (December 13, 2401)
Subject: Emergent Criminal Networks and Technology Trafficking Threats
Situation Report:
Intelligence reports indicate a sharp escalation in illegal technology trafficking and arms dealing across several key sectors, implicating multiple criminal organisations. The Orion Syndicate, led by factions such as Briasyraa’s network on Xanderia, continues to be a primary player. However, there are new alarming developments. Dominion disruptors have surfaced in attacks on Federation assets, notably in the Argo’s investigation of freighter raids. Additionally, Borg-origin malware caused a catastrophic meltdown on Duraxis, suggesting a pattern of highly advanced tech being weaponised or distributed to rogue factions. Task Force operations have also highlighted Freecloud as a hub for illicit tech trade, with links emerging to the arms broker known only as “the Shadow,” suspected to be involved in the use of advanced weaponry during previous ambushes.
The criminal underworld appears to be more coordinated, leveraging stolen tech for increasingly brazen operations. Starfleet’s tactical responses, such as the ongoing baiting efforts of Operation Mousetrap, are critical to containing these threats. We must also remain vigilant of the Syndicate’s interest in acquiring Federation tech through covert auctions, as well as the recent spike in piracy driven by more organised efforts from previously disparate criminal groups.
Lastly, Changeling infiltration has been confirmed within both Starfleet and criminal organisations. While these incidents remain isolated, they complicate an already volatile landscape of arms deals and espionage. Continued diligence will be needed to root out further threats.
Recommendations:
In light of these developments, I recommend a multipronged approach to counter the growing threat. First, prioritise coordinated operations between Starfleet Intelligence and our Science Division to trace the origin and distribution of advanced technologies, particularly Dominion and Borg-derived assets. Second, deploy covert teams to Freecloud and other black market hubs to disrupt trafficking networks and monitor potential threats like “the Shadow” and the Pirate King’s activities. Lastly, we must bolster counterintelligence efforts to detect further Changeling infiltrators, particularly in strategic operations, while ensuring rapid response teams are available to contain any incidents involving compromised personnel.
With Week 3 over, we’re past the halfway mark, and I’m pleased to say that The Devil to Pay is ticking along nicely. I can confirm that this week, we’ve reached a total of 287,723 words across 193 stories penned by 31 authors. I’m particularly delighted to see that last number tick up every week as more and more members of Bravo Fleet get stuck in.
Support continues to hum along, with 24 members penning a total of 366 comments on stories written in this campaign. It’s this kind of collaboration that makes the world go around.
This is usually where we start to see a big drop off – we’re past the halfway mark, we’ve been doing this a while, but the end isn’t in sight yet! Don’t fret, gentle writers and/or readers. Every little bit helps. If you’re feeling the burn, it’s time to dig in and write even just a little in one week. Try to think about these updates as encouragement – what cool thing do you want to report that your ship achieved in the upcoming Week 4 update? And write it! It really is that simple (and that hard). I look forward to seeing what comes next as we move into the back half, but before that… last time, in Bravo Fleet…
The Devil to Pay: Week 3
Bravo Fleet Command
USS Blackbird
The Rooks special operation team, having acquired the dangerous device known as the Kairos Regulator, return to their Orion Syndicate patron, Torrad-Var – only to make another fatal discovery. One of their own, Lieutenant Tiran, is a Changeling, who murders Torrad-Var and seizes the Regulator in a move that forces the Rooks into the streets of the metropolitan planet of Kalviris without backup, the Blackbird several days away, and the local Orion Syndicate convinced they have murdered their leader. Alone, it is up to the Rooks to discover the Changeling’s next move, and evade the Syndicate.
Deep Space 19
With the need to know more about those involved on Xanderia, Hawkins agrees to move forward with his relationship with his ex-partner. While enjoying a romantic meal, Hawkins is flabbergasted when Radcliffe pop the one question he was not expecting. When Hawkins agrees he is surprised by the sudden arrival of Briasyraa – she insists on organising their big day on her luxury yacht. This makes Hawkins awkward, but he goes with it knowing it’s for the good of the mission. Meanwhile the crew of the Formidable discover the remains of a civilian destroyed convoy. Initial investigation shows that Briasyraa has tested the stolen technology from Starfleet.
Polaris Squadron
After a diplomatic, humanitarian and engineering mission to Duraxis goes wrong, the USS Diligent arrives with Fleet Admiral Reyes to investigate the situation. A cyberintelligence researcher from the Advanced Science, Technology and Research Activity reconstructs deleted surveillance footage to determine who was responsible for the explosion at the fusion reactor, and they move to apprehend the two street kids that planted the Borg malware. In parallel, the Archanis Sector JAG unit determines the shooting of three colonists during a protest was not by a Starfleet officer with a fidgety trigger finger, but rather that it was a false flag operation meant to frame them.
Back on Archanis Station, a lockdown is now in place to slow the spread of a deadly pathogen spreading across the station. As the station’s medical division is inundated by the rapid surge in cases, trying as best they can simply to keep people alive, the security and intelligence chiefs hunt for the source of the virus, and the biomedical research unit aboard the USS Polaris conceptualizes what it will take to create a cure – but none achieve much success in their goals. Little do they know, but they’re under observation by a mysterious former intelligence operator, an old wet work guy biding his time, waiting for the right moment to make his next move.
USS Republic
With the unexpected arrival of the Hysperian noble, Viscount Otto Birmingham Elroy Biscotti Crashanburn III, aboard the Republic, Captain MacIntyre finds himself giving a tour of the ship before a series of revelations. The Hysperian noble is hunting his twin brother, who he claims is the one that claiming to be the Last Pirate King, seeking a way to overthrow the Hysperian royal family. Viscount Crashanburn also warns Captain MacIntyre about Commander Sadovu, claiming she is bloodthirsty for anyone claiming to be the Last Pirate King. Meanwhile Operation Mousetrap is started, with the Republic crew securing the use of an automated freighter in an attempt to bait out unsuspecting pirates in the area and capture some for interrogation.
Saratoga Squadron
The USS Argo sends over engineering and operations teams to assist with repairs while medical begins to treat the wounded crew. Commander Bross begins to investigate what kind of weapon that could have been used during the attack and what she finds causes confusion. She contacts Captain Eryi onboard the Argo informing him that she believes that the weapon is that of Dominion origin. Which later is confirmed by Commander Zudoba as sensors did pick up traces of a Dominion disruptor. But, this causes more of a mystery as to how the Orions got ahold of such a weapon. The captain contacts the Triumph letting them know of what was found, now the search for those raiders are more imperative now.
Task Force 17
USS Rubidoux
Coming off the heels of losing the original California-class Rubidoux to ambushing black market weapons dealers, the crew are given a New Orleans-class bearing the namesake of the previous vessel. Their first new mission has them running a patrol in Task Force 17’s area of operations. The boredom of the long patrol is broken up however by the discovery of a temporal anomaly that wasn’t previously charted near the Theta Arnor system. As the Rubi investigates it becomes clear that the weapon used on the California-class might be connected to the one tested in the Theta Arnor system, and that they may belong to a broker known only as the Shadow.
USS Yamato
Captain McLaren and her team spend time exploring the station before the auction begins. By the time the auction begins they have laid out possible plans for escape. Bidding begins on the various items up for auction, however just as they are about to win, the Yamato is discovered hiding within a nearby debris field. While the ship fights a delaying action the team is accused of being Starfleet spies. Commander T’liss manages to turn out the lights and the team escapes the room with the item they came to retrieve, but now must escape an alerted station.
Task Force 47
Helios Division
Satisfied that their contacts’ credentials are valid, the undercover team make their way to the black market sale, hopeful they will find a clue to their missing xBs. Unfortunately, strings beyond their control and comprehension are tensing, and the shadowy machinations of the Syndicate are coming to fruition. As the isolated team begins their journey into the labyrinthine back alleys of Pamack Base, Helios is en route with urgent revelations.
Task Force 72
USS Albion
Plagued by her inability to protect her former crewmate from the outfall of her ill-advised quest for vengeance and unable to acquiesce to the criminal act that the Orion Syndicate fugitive, D’Taani Varada, has forced upon her in abject blackmail to win Kennedy Zhao’s freedom; Commander Samantha Hyland decides to place her career in the line of fire and draw a moral line in the sand by confessing all to the CO of her new posting aboard the USS Albion. What Sam does certainly not expect is Captain Robert Carrington’s wholehearted endorsement of a high-risk mission by the Albion’s crew to fulfil the Orion’s audacious heist to steal the technology behind the legendarily – destructive Genesis Particle from the confines of the Daystrom Institute Secure Wing.
Task Force 86
USS da Vinci
The USS da Vinci has finally discovered the location of the stolen Federation vessel. So with the USS Jaxartes and USS Sizemore ready to assist; Commander Anacostia-Bolling hopes to bring this mission to a swift conclusion. Unbeknown to any of them though, is that Chameleon’s identity has been discovered! Are the crew of the da Vinci heading into a trap?
Selene Division
The USS Falcon engaged the stolen Klingon ships while defending a Federation colony. Their fate is yet to be revealed. The USS Selene sent an away team via shuttle to Jaressi Centre to track down stolen colonial supplies. They are now attempting to spy on the exchange for stolen goods and hopefully track the pirates to their base so that they can stop playing defence and go on the offence.
Task Force 93
USS Paramount
An unsettling truth has revealed itself and has left the crew of the Paramount weakened. They must now face the Orions while also dealing with the lost of a dear friend.
USS Shepard
Shepard and Illustrious arrive at the Romulan colony world Lanus to deliver supplies. However, a mysteriously unsettling air seems to hang over the colony as the away teams get to work…