The Chief of Staff for the Federation Starfleet (also known as the Starfleet Chief of Staff) was a senior Federation Starfleet flag officer, ranking below the Commanding Officer, Starfleet Command. In some matters, the Starfleet Chief of Staff possessed autonomy from their immediate superior; the office's authority over Free Agents was among those matters. (FASA RPG module: Star Trek IV Sourcebook Update, TOS novel: Triangle)