Episode 10. DEFCON 4: Unusual Activity
Context
- Coordinated Universal Time
- Monday, July 15, 2024 - 11:03 AM
- Location
-
- Earth
- Brussels
- NATO Bunker #1
- Admiral Hamilton's Office
- Timeline
- Unknown Timeline
- Previously
-
Agnes has officially taken command of the Mercator for the day. As her crew settles in, the first signs of tension appear: cyberattacks on the AspiroTube and repeated delays. Angie manages the bridge while Agnes is expected by Admiral Hamilton.
Characters
| Name | Affiliation / Branch | Title / Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Agnes V. Rodriguez | NATO / Special Fleet | Captain |
| Jules Hamilton | NATO / Defense | Admiral |
Manifest
| USS Mercator | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | NATO |
| Location | Docked in Bunker #1 (Brussels) |
| Captain | Agnes V. Rodriguez |
| First Officer | Angie Chen |
| Pilot | Eric Corda |
| Communications | Emilie Flores |
| Operations | Charlene Savea |
TL;DR
During her meeting with Admiral Hamilton, Agnes learns that the alert level has been raised to DEFCON 4: leave canceled, cybersecurity reinforced, and above all the worrying disappearance of The Grand Tsar Putin, leaving the threat of a Kremlin in the hands of mafia factions hanging over them.
Story
I rise from my chair and head back toward the nerve center of the bunker, leaving Angie in command of my vessel.
Every morning, I am expected by Admiral Hamilton. He lays out the current situation on the Ukrainian front and the various threats directly affecting us.
Admiral Hamilton is both a first-class pain in the neck, the kind they don't make anymore, and a real softhearted father figure with his subordinates. With him, I always get a full-powered sermon about the delays we pile up every Monday.
He is a veteran who tends to talk a lot, but always with great wisdom. At his age, that hardly surprises me: he is eighty-nine years old and has seen every shade of history pass before him over the course of his long career.
He could have retired long ago, but he remained faithful to his post. Even if he can no longer go to the front line, his experience remains precious.
I arrive at his door, slightly open, and knock.
No answer.
So I peek inside and spot him, sitting quietly, pouring himself a cup of hot chocolate.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Ahem, Admiral...
Adm. Jules Hamilton
Aaaah, Agnes... it's you, my dear.
Come in, then.
Sit down and make yourself comfortable.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Good morning, Admiral. Thank you, Admiral.
Adm. Jules Hamilton
Take this cup of hot chocolate, it will do you good.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Uh... thank you, Admiral. I came to drop off—
Adm. Jules Hamilton
Would you like sugar? Milk?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
No, thank you, Admiral.
Adm. Jules Hamilton
Stop calling me Admiral and using all those pompous hierarchical protocols.
So, what brings me the pleasure of your visit?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Uh... yes, Admir— I mean...
I came to hand you the Mercator's daily reports and ask for your signature so Commander Chen can perform the quarterly break-in run of the warp nacelles this Wednesday.
Adm. Jules Hamilton
Give me two seconds to check the calendar...
No, that's not it.
Not that either.
Aaaah... here we are. Wednesday.
Alas, no, my dear. I cannot authorize it that day.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Why, Admiral?
Adm. Jules Hamilton
The captain of the USS Charlemagne has already submitted a request for July 17. I cannot allow two vessels to run their engines in an enclosed space.
Do not forget that the air you breathe is funded by our fellow citizens. It is not free.
It is my responsibility to properly manage the funds allocated to us.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
I understand, Admiral. In that case, do I have your approval for the following Wednesday?
Adm. Jules Hamilton
The July 24 slot is blank...
Sold to you, my dear Agnes!
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
You drive a hard bargain, Admiral.
Adm. Jules Hamilton
By the way... how is your new recruit? What is her name again?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Flores, Admiral.
Ensign Emilie Flores.
She is doing well and has already demonstrated her skills. She still needs a little time to acclimate.
Adm. Jules Hamilton
Aaaah yes... Emilie.
I like that little one.
Did you know that the other day, she helped me recover my passwords in the blink of an eye? She is remarkable.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Uh... yes, Admiral.
Adm. Jules Hamilton
Well. Enough chatter. Let us get to the serious matters.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Yes, Admiral. That is why I am here.
Adm. Jules Hamilton
Good.
You are surely already aware. All the media are talking about it.
The leaders of the thirty-six Alliance countries, as well as several invited heads of state, will be above our heads this afternoon.
The protocol provides that... uh... in fact, it provides nothing for you and your crew.
This mainly concerns the bunker departments.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
That's all right, Admiral. I understand.
Adm. Jules Hamilton
One more thing.
In recent days, we have been attacked on several cyber fronts, including the AspiroTube. MS&G will send you security updates for your vessel's computer system.
You know what MS&G is, I assume?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Yes, Admiral.
It is the merger between Microsoft and Google, of which NATO bought more than eighty percent of the shares.
Adm. Jules Hamilton
You know your stuff, my dear.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Thank you, Admiral.
Adm. Jules Hamilton
Following the hacking attempts, the alert level has been raised. All leave has been canceled and reserve officers recalled.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
That is what protocol provides, Admiral. There is nothing surprising about it.
Adm. Jules Hamilton
You probably do not know everything, my dear Agnes.
The intelligence services have lost track of The Grand Tsar Putin, and all diplomatic channels have been broken off.
They fear that Russia is currently in the hands of different mafia factions, and that a purge has begun within the Kremlin.
You know what that may mean for us, don't you?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Yes, Admiral.
The geopolitical and security implications are serious. I know the situation can evolve very quickly and directly influence the decisions and orders we receive from the general staff.
Adm. Jules Hamilton
Perfect.
You know the situation... and the role you will have to play.