Elena de Luca
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Dec 14, 2009 0:38:17 GMT
Posts: 266
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Post by Elena de Luca on Sept 8, 2015 20:20:12 GMT
Elena was thoroughly enjoying her meal with Commander Tan. The two knew each other, but had not worked together until he was seconded to Starfleet Intelligence ... They talked for awhile before Sean's evening entertainment began. The woman, a vocalist from Earth sang several melodic Irish ballads entertaining the clientele with her lilting voice. Sean, O'Tooles owner, came over and took their empty glasses, returning moments later with refills. He sat himself beside Elena uninvited and asked what the pair thought of his new entertainment. "She's great." David said, genuinely enjoying the girls' singing, "where did you find her ?" "Oh she is en-route to Rellion Grans, but due to some unforeseen legal issues, she's stuck here for the next couple of months. She came in asking if I had any vacancies and she snatched up a cleaners apron. Gemma heard her singing in the bar yesterday, an the rest, as they say ... Ya know me, never one to miss up an opportunity." Sean said with a wry grin before leaving them. They continued to listen as the young girl sang several traditional Irish songs, then Elena noticed someone approaching their table: "Ms de Luca, I have been sent to get you. Admiral Tetsutaro wishes to speak to you rather urgently." "Ms de Luca ...." David said, glancing at the Ensign then back at Elena, who dug him in the ribs before standing and finishing her drink in one. Waving to Sean on her way out, she followed the man to the nearest turbo-lift ..... ooo000ooo After rising over fifteen hundred decks, the turbo-lift slowed to a halt and they stepped into Main Command ... ... Admiral Tetsutaro was stood on the upper level speaking to the Section Admiral and two other's she didn't know. As they approached, the Ensign peeled away leaving her facing the two Admirals. She stood a respectful distance away and waited for one of them to address her: "You are confident we can't do this any other way Sato ?" Drew was saying, glancing for a fraction of a second in her direction before returning his gaze to her Stepfather. "I am confident we shall prevail Paul." Tetsutaro said quietly, head slightly bowed. Elena was somewhat surprised at the familiarity between the two life-long friends, but only because they were in a relatively 'public' place, rather than sat together in private, "If you would like to sit in ...." the elderly Japanese Flag Officer said, making it a question. "No." Drew replied, "Besides, I have the feeling I will have some serious questions to answer from Command on Earth 'if' this gets out before we can find a solution." he managed a perfunctory nod in her direction as he passed, then Sato motioned for her to follow him into his ornately decorated office ... "It is good to see you again so soon my child, even if under some, trying circumstances." Tetsutaro said, hugging his Stepdaughter warmly, "Please, take a seat while I organize what scant information I have." "I have an assignment ?" Elena asked as she sat in one of the leather chairs opposite him. "What I am about to tell you is on the highest confidential level. subsequently, your Security Access and Clearance levels along with you're 'official' rank, have been amended accordingly." Sato said, motioning towards the large screen on the far wall, "At nineteen twenty three hours today, a shuttle, en-route to the Inter-System Aid Conference on Kappa Singeal in the triple-sun Kappa Persei System, vanished without trace. They were making hourly contact as a routine due to the proximity of the Talarian Republic. The shuttle is now two hours sixteen minutes late for their scheduled contact and we are presuming the shuttle has met with an unfortunate accident, not allowing the occupants time to call for assistance, or, it has been taken." he finished ominously. Obviously, Elena had questions ! "Why were they travelling in a shuttle and not via Star ship ?" "They were actually hitching a ride if you will, on the USS Trenchant, but the ship was required elsewhere. Rather than return to Section Forty Seven, they took one of the shuttles and continued alone." Sato answered, wondering when his Stepdaughter was going to ask the relevant question. "You said, possibly 'taken' ... Is there any reason to believe someone would want to 'take' a shuttle traveling at what I assume was high warp ?" she asked, but Sato shrugged noncommittally, "Admiral ... Who was on the shuttle ?" ..........
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Elena de Luca
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Dec 14, 2009 0:38:17 GMT
Posts: 266
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Post by Elena de Luca on Sept 13, 2015 20:13:54 GMT
Sato took his time moving back around his ornate desk before seating himself. He made numerous input's onto the PADD in front of him then pointed to the large screen on the far wall:
"First, let me give you a brief rundown on the issue at hand ... It has come to our attention through traders loyal to the Federation, that a race known as the Dolar have been conducting secret talks with at least one of the Klingon Houses ... Not unusual in itself I know, but the Purezi Traders ply their business throughout the Trilox Star Cluster, on the border of the Delta Quadrant ..... As you can imagine, finding Klingon's so far out from their Home-world is highly unusual. Over the last few months, our Diplomatic Personnel on Qo'noS have been making 'discrete' inquiries into what Houses may have been taking an interest in the Dolar, but we have come up with almost nothing tangible thus far ....." he got up and poured them both a drink before retaking his seat to continue, "The Dolar are a race who design, build, and then sell on, all forms of technology ... Two years ago, we heard a rumor that they were attempting to build a device which could be 'detrimental' to anyone on the proverbial receiving end so to speak."
"How come Intelligence haven't been involved from the beginning ?" she asked.
"It was rumor, conjecture, there was not a single scrap of viable information regarding the hearsay, in fact, it was dismissed at the time."
"And now ?"
"..... And now, we feel there may be something to the rumor ..... Two Intelligence Personnel, both moderately low level, disappeared a month ago, we have since found one of them dead, stabbed from behind and her body hidden. It is possible that the other was helping the Klingon Faction by passing on information regarding our progress, or lack thereof in the investigation and the young lady killed to ensure the later's escape ... It was decided, despite the refusal of the Purezi to help, that we would send someone to the Trilox Star Cluster who could ingratiate themselves with the local traders, they would attempt to gather more concise information relating to whatever this device or technology could be and if it is something that could be used against the Federation."
"What was this new information ?" It was her turn to get up and refill her glass. She was the Deputy Head of Intelligence in the Sector and felt, rightly or wrongly, that she should have been informed of this from the beginning. It was obvious that it had now escalated into a viable operation or she wouldn't be here she decided, before sitting once more so the Admiral could continue, but she wasn't expecting what came next.
"The Purezi said that they had overheard rumors and acquired information pertaining to two tests. The Dolar have designed and produced a device that, once brought onto a vessel of any size, including a Star Ship, would immediately and irreversibly link with the ships main computer core, allowing external control of 'ALL' systems on that vessel. They took it onto a small freighter first, with complete success. Their second choice, was a Federation Medical vessel, the USS Edward Jenner, which we thought lost in a catastrophic warp core malfunction. But the Purezi witnessed the incident and were able to salvage a fraction of the computer records from the wreckage ... The Edward Jenner was en-route to the Koreccy System when all her airlocks, shuttle bays, and cargo bays were opened to space ... The crew could do nothing to close the breaches and those who survived the initial decompression, died when the ship was flown into a nearby asteroid field and left to ......" he fell silent, unable to continue for a long moment, "We acquired an old Ferengi ship, nothing remarkable, in fact we had doubts it would get out of the Sol System without help, but it did .... We enlisted the help of two people, no, not Intelligence Personnel before you ask. Our reasoning being that the missing operative may have passed on details of our personnel to whoever was employing them, so it had to be outsiders. We spent three days fabricat ......"
"Hold on. You assigned two 'non intelligence' people to this and still didn't inform me !" she said, her annoyance with her Stepfather growing by the second, but Sato held up a hand to silence her before continuing:
"We we fortunate to acquire the assistance of two Senior Officers, both highly trained and capable of carrying out the task unsupervised. Yes." Tetsutaro said, watching the woman sat before him carefully, knowing the next few minutes could be uncomfortable, "We gave them their new identities along with some physical augmentations just in case ... They are John Anders and Evan Sorne, both have minor criminal records, both are known to align themselves with and become loyal to the proverbial 'highest bidder' when searching out employment, and unlike the Purezi, they are completely untrustworthy. Which accounts for the aforementioned lack of willingness to assist the Federation." he said with a sad shrug.
"So who did you 'recruit' for this investigation ?" she asked, seeing the pained look on her Stepfather's face once more.
"We feel that, should the Dolar make their device open to anyone, the ramifications for the Federation, indeed, anyone, are unacceptable, but we couldn't simply send in a task force on rumor alone ....." he said, seeing her impatience growing by the second, "Evan Sorne is in reality, Admiral Gheskori of the USS Enzio, and ..... John Anders is the pseudonym of, Carl." .....
"Carl ! ....... When was the last contact ?" Elena asked, trying not to allow herself to show the worry and concern building rapidly within her for her half Brother and Admiral Gheskori.
"Ten days." Sato said.
"I need to get out there ... TEN DAYS !" she said, standing.
"Their ship was sighted by the Huston Long Range Telescope Array in the Laketti System. The USS Amundsen is waiting for you. They will take you to the Telescope and provide you with anything you need." he said as she made her way to the doors.
Thirty minutes later she was stood on the Bridge of the Nebula Class Star Ship at high warp, en-route to the Laketti System ..........
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,163
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Post by Carl Torek on Sept 17, 2015 19:27:14 GMT
Fourteen Days Earlier ::
After completing their intensive briefings they left Star Base Two Nine Four, following the departure of a Purezi Trader vessel ... They hoped to be able to make planet-fall and again request the Purezi allow them to join them for the duration of the investigation. Star Fleet Corps of Engineers had assured them that the decrepit Ferengi vessel they were travelling in was sound, but the intermittent vibrations that shook the craft were anything but reassuring. They had rapidly dropped far behind the trader vessel as they realized they could not travel faster than warp four or risk shaking themselves into oblivion, so they were on their own in the vastness of space .....
Twice they had been approached, once by a fellow merchant who wished to begin negotiations on whatever they were carrying, the second, a Federation Cargo Transporter came toward them so quickly that they thought they had not been seen, only to find that the Captain thought the unstable Ferengi craft was indeed breaking up. Finally managing to convince the man they were in no danger, he had followed them for almost five light years 'just in case' bfore breaking off and returning to his former heading ...
On the fourth day they were once again going over the scant information on the incident involving the USS Edward Jenner when a vessel entered sensor range:
"Any thoughts ?" Carl asked, looking at the inconclusive readings. Gheskori shrugged, "They have changed course. Heading right for us."
They watched as the ship, now identified as a Klingon Battle-cruiser turned in an almost lazy arc to come up behind them.
=^= Ferengi vessel .. You will drop from warp and prepare to be boarded =^=
=^= Klingon ship .. We are Human not Ferengi and are members of the Federation .. We are traders en-route to Guilex Nine for cargo collection .. Any attempt to board or delay us will be reported to the Federation Council =^=
"They are, unsurprisingly, arming weapons." Ghes said needlessly.
As if on cue, the shaking began once again, making it almost impossible to read anything on the consoles, but they didn't need sensors to tell them they were in trouble. Suddenly, the Klingon ship began to fall back, likely expecting the shambles of a space vessel to do their job for them. Carl entered numerous instructions into his panel and closed his eyes for a second before telling his companion to hold onto something. The ship turned hard to Starboard and began to increase speed dangerously. Passing warp four the shaking increased so much that panels were dropping onto the floor, but Torek continued to push the craft way beyond any safe limits.
"It's possible the Klingon's won't kill us right away you know." Gheskori said through chattering teeth, convinced that there were no more alarms to activate as the cacophony of noises threatened to deafen them both. The first phaser pulse slammed into the Aft Port stabilizer and threw the ship off course. Tumbling end over end Carl thought he would actually vomit for the first time in his space-faring career, but the second hit took his mind off his gyrating internal dilemma's as the ship dropped from warp and lost all power ..... Trying, and failing, to stop themselves from slamming into every console as the ship tumbled around them, they were in a very grave danger of sustaining life-threatening injuries, when they felt the tell-tale grasp of a tractor beam.
In a semi-conscious state, Carl was convinced others were on the ship as ghostly figures moved around Gheskori and himself. He tried to speak but for some reason was unable to do so, the same applied to trying to attract the newcomers attention. It was clear that whoever had boarded the ship was completely disinterested in the occupants as they rifled through case after case of merchandise they had for trade. Still in darkness and making no headway, the intruders turned to the two men ... Grasping Torek by the ankle the intruder pulled him towards what he guessed was the deck, and he could see someone doing likewise with Gheskori. Unfortunately, the intruders restored the artificial gravity while they were still in midair. Given their battered and bruised state, the impact from roughly a meter hardly registered. Carl could see his captor reaching forward and a hypo being placed against his neck, seconds later his vision began to clear, alas the pain was still as bad as ever.
"Name ?" his captor asked. Carl looked at the hooded interrogator unable to reply at that moment, but the back of the persons hand slamming into his face spurred his incentive:
"Anders ..... Joh .. John Anders." he spat blood onto the deck as his mouth filled up.
"Name ?" his captor asked again, raising their arm in anticipation. Torek painfully held up his hand.
"I ... I told you ...... My name is John Anders, we are traders nothing more .... How is my friend ?"
"He is about to die if we find anything not to our liking." his attacker said, stepping back and removing the hood. Carl was somewhat shocked to see a Woman staring back at him.
"You don't look very Klingon." was all Carl could say before finally blacking out ..........
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Gheskori
Command Staff ..
Commanding Officer Personnel Officer Trivia Officer
Section Admiral
USS Enzio
Registered: May 2, 2008 23:32:36 GMT
Posts: 1,538
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Post by Gheskori on Sept 17, 2015 21:18:53 GMT
Gheskori was summoned to the briefing room. He stood before his superiors, resisting the urge to salute and taking a PADD from a passing adjutant. The row of faces on the panel before him looked at him closely, perhaps wondering if he was really prepared for this assignment... It was well known to a few of them that Gheskori had only been on an undercover op once in his life inside Starfleet, and that in his early career.
"Admiral Gheskori, you understand your orders?"
"Perfectly, sir."
"You're to assume the identity of Evan Sorne, merchant, opportunist and former convict, wanted again by the Bureau of Justice for several indiscretions..." the Admiral checked his PADD, "Bear with me, I will tell you..."
Ghes stiffened, "Yes, I'm aware of my pseudonym's history, sir."
"Very well." The Admiral shared looks with his colleagues, "Docking pad 4, Admiral. Good luck. And I'm sorry for your loss." Gheskori paused in the exit, nodded without turning round and entered the corridor.
"You know," he leant across the rattling console, "This is how I imagine the 20th century automobiles felt like when they're on the verge of shaking themselves apart? My chief engineer has a collection of antiques from your earlier history. A whole... garage, full of these inefficient polluting machines. A Chevrolet, a B.M.W., a British Leyland... in fact this reminds me quite a lot of one of those..." he said as a dial fell onto his lap - the one that referred to level of breathable air.
"They're still in pursuit," Carl said, grimacing as he gripped the controls. Shortly after artificial gravity cut out - at least that way adding to the effect that the antiquated inertial dampeners should've been inducing on the vessel - they were dumped out of warp at the same. The last Ghes saw of the dial read out pertaining to warp speed it was hovering at something like warp 4.8. Now they'd been shunted down to fast sublight.
Ghes was propelled from the chair that he'd been trying to grasp onto with the lack of artificial gravity, into the forward viewport; fortunately it was more sturdily built than the overall design suggested and he rebounded off it and hit the ceiling, felt a sharp pain and a trickle of blood run down the back of his neck. Bubbles of scarlet blood soon took to the air, the craft continuing to shake about them, before they dropped to the floor along with the two passengers.
"What do you want?" Ghes murmured. "A Klingon attack on a Federation trader vessel doesn't bode well for relations - " he received a solid kick to the jaw.
"Are you really en route to Guilex IX?"
Ghes shrugged; the obvious answer? "Yes," he said. "We're traders in grain and componentry for application in isolytics."
The hooded figure growled above him, "Isolytic weaponry was outlawed by the Khitomer Accords!"
Ghes feigned searching his memory, "I don't think I said anything about weaponry." He looked across at Admiral Torek, also receiving some questioning, "Did I, John?"
"Enough!" the hooded figure dragged him up, out of the shuttle, Ghes eyeing the mysterious woman they passed as he was led onto a larger vessel - the Klingon's, presumably. Who had that been, some collaborator? Something occurred to him; was this even a Klingon ship. He grunted. Were any of these people actually Klingons?
"Why are you pulling me? I can walk."
"Silence. You're not permitted to ask questions. Now, in there!" he was thrown into a cell, the forcefield immediately activating with a static buzz. "Until you're feeling more cooperative... Mr. Sorne." The hooded figure looked anxiously down one end of the corridor, "We've got little time..." he murmured, and left Ghes to his thoughts.
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,163
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Post by Carl Torek on Sept 19, 2015 0:14:23 GMT
"He's coming round." .....
Opening his eyes very slowly, he realized he was no on some sort of cot, on his back, and with his hands tied in front of him. He looked around as best he could, seeing two men standing over him as if itching to exercise themselves on their guest. He smiled up at the closest, wondering vaguely if it would illicit a reaction from the man, but he just looked down on Torek as if patiently waiting. The woman from earlier stepped into view and crouched down to get to eye level with him:
"We have done some checking on you, Mister Anders, and to be honest, your 'record' seems just a little 'too' perfect."
"I have no idea what you are talking about, but undo these ...." he said, raising his bound hands up, ".... and I'm sure we can talk about it, in private." he said, glancing at the two men conspiratorially.
"We still have some questions for you and your partner, so we'll have to keep you safe and out of trouble while we're doing that. I'm sure you can understand our caution." she motioned for one of the men to lift Anders into a seated position, and as he did so Carl landed a perfect head-butt to his nose, smashing the septum and knocking the man off his feet blood gushing from his face. The other one was quick, he slammed a fist into Carl's jaw and pushed him back onto the cot, blow after blow landing. he was reaching the point where loosing consciousness was preferable to remaining awake for the beating when the woman intervened. Carl spat blood onto the mans boots as he shuffled himself to a sitting position and painfully grinned.
"Glutton for punishment, aren't you." she said as the first man was led away to seek medical attention.
"I've had my cargo stolen from under me before. I know a 'pirate' when I meet one."
"What gives you the impression we are pirates ?" she asked, genuinely curious.
"Well, lets see ...... Klingon Battle-cruiser ..... You and your hired help are hardly native Klingon's I assume they didn't gift you a ship like this, so you either acquired it by trade, or, as unbelievable as it sounds, you took it from under the feet of the previous owners. Either way, hardly what I expected from the Purezi Traders."
"What makes you think we're Purezi Tra ....."
"Frankly lady, I couldn't care less who the hell you are. You have practically bankrupted me by ransacking my cargo, and unless you plan on killing me and my partner, then I expect to be out of these bonds, substantially reimbursed for my losses, and sent on my way."
"Why were you following the Purezi Trade vessel, and don't deny it, we've been watching."
"WHO ARE YOU !" he retorted, jumping to his feet as the second man returned, obviously eager to avenge his friend the second the woman was out of earshot. She in turn, obviously patient, was walking around the room as if seeing it for the first time, leaning in to look at one blank feature after another while the guard inched his way closer and closer, "You 'claim' not to be Purezi, and to be honest I'd be inclined to believe you, you're hardly a poster crew for them that's for sure, and if your colleague here takes one more step towards me I might just begin to feel threatened and begin to contemplate reacting ... Now, you're not Klingon, you just don't have the temperament, you're definitely not Dolar, they have zero need to resort to these tactics, so that leaves two options in my humble opinion, and I am 'STILL' waiting for these to be cut." he finished, holding up his hands to the second guard, now only two meters away.
"And they are ?" the woman said, eyeing the guard who stopped his approach instantly.
"You are either ... Federation ......" he said, watching their reactions closely, or you are Privateers making a living off attacking fellow traders. Either way, you couldn't get much lower. Someone who would turn on their own is the worst kind of Traitor, in my opinion of course."
"Bring his friend in here." she said without directly addressing the guard, who hesitated a fraction of a second too long, "NOW !" she spat, before regaining her composure.
"Not going to reply to my accusations then ?" Carl taunted, she grinned and motioned for him to sit. Once he had she began to talk again:
"You're friend says you deal in grain and Isolytics .... Odd combination ?"
"I'll deliver a three-toed sloth, or a Galaxy Class Star Ship, as long as I get payed for my time and effort, and I have ..." he shrugged.
"Have what ?"
"Delivered a three-toed sloth." he said as Gheskori was led into the room, ".... and before you sit him down and start beating the living daylights out of him hoping I'll say something, then you are unfortunately, mistaken. We're partners and joint owners of our less than pristine vessel. We split whatever profits we make fifty fifty, after repairs and resupply obviously, nothing more, and we are certainly not married, so feel free to kick his teeth out for all I care." Carl said, hoping his conviction was seemingly genuine, their lives may well depend on his, their, seeming indifference to each other.
"Perhaps your friend 'Mister Sorne' here might feel different." the guard said, landing a blow to Torek's midriff, doubling him over.
"What time do we eat around here ?" Ghes asked, making the guard and the woman turn to look at him.
"Get them something to eat, untie him ...." she said to the guard before turning to Gheskori and Torek, "I'll have to give this some thought. In the mean time, please try 'NOT' to injure any more of my people. I can't be stood here all the time." she said leaving them. The guard scowled, then after untying Torek he went off to get their meals.
"Are we winning yet ?" Ghes asked with a wry grin ..........
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Gheskori
Command Staff ..
Commanding Officer Personnel Officer Trivia Officer
Section Admiral
USS Enzio
Registered: May 2, 2008 23:32:36 GMT
Posts: 1,538
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Post by Gheskori on Sept 20, 2015 4:04:52 GMT
Ghes was dragged through the corridors of the creaking vessel by two hooded men. He'd been beaten across the face a couple of times and now his vision was foggy... It was thus harder to distinguish whether he was really on a Klingon vessel - perhaps, he thought with significant interior redesign - or on another vessel altogether, crewed by non-Klingons.
Whatever the case, he was now propped up on a chair beside Carl, hands untied, and all the guards and the mysterious woman who was clearly human had left. "The meal trick worked," he grunted, chuckling... "Did you know Denobulans can go weeks, even months without food? Yes, our inclination to the gastronomic derives entirely from the pleasure principle. Except during extended sleep periods after which we require a sustained boost to our rate of cellular metabolism in order to have our physiology operating within normal levels."
Moments passed in silence, Carl evidently nonplussed by Ghes's remarks and seeming pensive.
"So this doesn't seem much like a Klingon Defence Force vessel to me. Did you notice they had two guards present and one didn't offer a salute to the other who was clearly his superior? Also there's not been a Bat'leth in sight and I didn't see any disruptors." Wishing to keep up the pretence of being frightened by what may return to them they were staying confined to their chairs. "The fact of the matter is we don't know who these people are; are they Dolan, are they Purezi - that in itself would pose significant problems as we followed one of their vessels out of dock - or are they another faction trying to buy the Dolan technology?"
They certainly knew both of our pseudonyms, Ghes thought, So convinced were they that these two trader/criminals' backgrounds were legitimate and that they'd been trading in this area for a substantial length of time?
Wasting no more time, he found his way down the corridor from the interrogation room, hoping to find a computer access console (only now he became aware of the possibility of surveillance cameras and bugs having been installed in the interrogation room - they and she could be watching his and Carl's every move)...
He entered a room that seemed closer to the core of the ship, Carl following stealthily in his wake, and was immediately set upon by three hooded figures who'd been hiding in the dark - one immediately gripped his shoulders, crushing him to his knees while another aimed a kick at his abdomen. Fortunately this attack missed as Ghes was already collapsing to the floor from feeling as if his kneecaps had been shattered. The third hooded figure in the background was aiming a non-disruptor weapon towards the light emanating from the doorway behind. Ghes, realising it was aiming for Carl, reached behind him and pulled the figure that'd knocked him to the ground down with him.
The maybe-Klingon sprawled on the deck, growling in fury. Ghes saw the glint of steel at the man's waist and grabbed for it, tossing whatever it was at the third figure and knocking the weapon from their hand. Then despite the pain in his knees, he leapt up and wrestled the figure to the ground, pulling back its hood just as Carl incapacitated all three of them with a fallen non-disruptor.
"Human, or humanoid," Ghes said, rising painfully to his feet looking down at the unconscious robed man. He twisted towards the computer access screen in the corner of the room, "The crew complement is 85," he said after a few moments, "All humanoid, of varying races..."
"One thing I found most strange, when I was in the cell after first being brought aboard, the guard muttered something about the crew having little time..." He held a hand up, conceding, "It could be nothing... But is it possible these people are themselves being chased? By the Klingon Empire for instance?"
Thinking again of the cloaked woman, he thought she seemed so... out of place. He couldn't quite pin it down; in different circumstances, he'd say she was setting a fine example of what a Starfleet Intelligence officer on undercover assignment should be, but seeing as she couldn't be anything of the sort... And seeing as she seemed incredibly familiar...
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Elena de Luca
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Dec 14, 2009 0:38:17 GMT
Posts: 266
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Post by Elena de Luca on Sept 20, 2015 21:23:44 GMT
En-route to the Laketti System aboard the USS Amundsen, she watched as the ships Engineers 'distressed' the Argo Class Shuttle she had acquired. While several crew seemed to take great pleasure in damaging the exterior, two had been sent inside to make the craft look less 'Starfleet' as they put it ... The usual pristine white bulkheads and leather seats were faded and dulled, the consoles were covered in a layer of dust with only the operational controls clear, as if the owner had better things to do than play 'domestic' to the actual owners ...
During that time, she too had been readying herself for the mission. She had taken on one of her many alternate characters, this one suited the purpose exactly. A feisty smuggler, known for her ruthlessness both in her bargaining and her attitude toward the incompetence of others. She had dispatched a team to investigate the crash of the USS Edward Jenner, she in turn had made contact with one of her more reliable informants in the Laketti System. They would make it known that she was coming to the System and was someone who tended to get what she was after, by any means at her disposal, knowing these comments would reach some of the less reputable elements. If one thing was constant, it was the rule that if you held something, you didn't want any coming along to take it from you, so you acted first to remove the problem. besides, given 'who' was missing, she had the notion that people were more likely to answer idle queries from a fellow criminal rather than a Starfleet Intelligence Officer. Worried others may be observing the comings and goings at the platform, wile still one day out from the Laketti System she climbed aboard her craft and fall behind the Amundsen. Two parting phaser shots slammed into the shuttle as she jumped to warp .....
At extreme range she brought the shuttle to a full stop and accessed the Huston Telescope Array ..... Closing on the platform she docked and began working. She needed to review all the logs pertaining to the missing shuttle and the likely heading they could have been on, if indeed they were still able. At the specified time-index she could see the small craft at the outer edge of the delta segment monitoring system. She made a note of the heading and estimated speed before reaching to close the console down, but only a centimeter from the panel she stopped dead in her tracks and peered at the blurred image. Due to the distance, and the fact that the long-range telescopes for that sector were in automated maintenance mode, their sensors on reduced power, the ship was a tiny speck among the countless stars ... Moving the time-index ahead in five-second increments she could see the passage of their ship as it encroached on the very outer limits of the stations sensors. For three minutes she played the data back and forth, still unsure as to what had caused her to double-check, then she saw it ... For the last fourteen seconds of the images that tracked the Ferengi craft a second image was recorded ! Quickly copying the data to a storage chip, she asked the computer to enhance the last section as much as possible. The results, given the platform scanned Star Systems thousands of light years distant, was spectacularly disappointing. Two tracks, which may or may not be the Ferengi craft with Gheskori and Torek aboard, and a second, much larger yet still unidentifiable craft closing on the first at speed. She was well aware that there was only fourteen seconds of information, she couldn't even call it evidence, and the second vessel could simply have been something crossing the path of the Ferengi ship. Frustration was building within her and she needed to step back, she was assigned to find information on, and prevent, whatever caused the Jenner incident from reoccurring, the fact that her half-brother was involved had to take less priority. After inputting her access code, she requested the platform computer link with the main computer on Star Base Forty Seven to analyse the fourteen seconds of data and once completed she instructed both computers to remove all records of her access. While the computers couldn't give a definitive answer to her questions, they did give her something ... The first vessels was designated Ferengi, with a ninety three percent accuracy, while the second, which was on an intercept with the first vessel, was designated a Klingon 'D5' Class Battle Cruiser with a ninety six point three percent probability. "Holy Hell !" she said out loud, "If the Klingon's have got them ......." she said, thinking that if they had indeed got hold of two of the highest ranked Flag Officers in the Section, they would be gloating about it to all and sundry, so she held out a spark of hope that it may not actually be the Klingon's ... Instructing the platform to erase any record of her visit she closed all the consoles down and returned to her shuttle, five minutes later she was hopefully on a heading that would put her close to one or other of the ships. She was two day's behind them ... Jumping to warp she sat back and inserted the data-chip into the console: "Computer. Access data storage." "Accessing complete.""Establish encrypted sub-space link with the office of Admiral Sato Tetsutaro." "Link established." the computer said obligingly. "Send information contained on data chip. Encode to Admiral Tetsutaro only ...... Confirm when complete." "Data transmission complete ..... Encode confirmed." She took the data chip out of the panel and opened a draw below the pilots console. Withdrawing a phaser she threw the chip into the deck and adjusted the settings on the phaser. Satisfied, she fired at the deck, the chip vanished in a mellee of disrupted atoms. Returning the phaser she got out of the seat and undressed. She badly needed a shower and a change of clothes ..........
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Gheskori
Command Staff ..
Commanding Officer Personnel Officer Trivia Officer
Section Admiral
USS Enzio
Registered: May 2, 2008 23:32:36 GMT
Posts: 1,538
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Post by Gheskori on Sept 21, 2015 20:54:17 GMT
Gheskori hurriedly took his seat as their food arrived, not wishing to make it appear he'd been doing anything untoward - such as clambering down the corridor with Carl incapacitating three guards, then making their way back along the passage so as not to cause too much suspicion on the part of their captors.
The hooded figures and the woman that stepped into the room of their original interrogation seemed amused that the two - with their hands unbound - hadn't at least attempted escape in the time the food was being prepared. This illusion of amusement lasted a matter of seconds, just as Ghes was beginning to eat the most unpalatable food.
"I should've known," the human woman spoke, "Not to trust two mercenaries to stay in place for a matter of three minutes." She looked into the room's ceiling corners, obviously pointing out where the surveillance devices lay, "We saw everything," she said, a wry smile on her lips.
They saw everything... Ghes thought, Was that to say they didn't hear everything, or didn't hear anything at all? If that was the case they'd had a lucky escape, referring to each other by their real names as they did during their captors' absence. Ghes said between gulps of stale water, "You've commandeered this vessel, a Klingon vessel by the looks of it... You're mercenaries like any other."
"Mr Sorne. You've been caught smuggling isolytic componentry to Guilex IX. Both the Klingons and the Federation signed a treaty that forbade the usage of such technology in isolytic subspace weaponry, and this region, the passage to Guilex IX, cuts near the border of both the Empire and the UFP. Now, wouldn't it be useful for you if we took that technology off your hands? Send you on your merry way not at substantial risk of length prison terms?"
Her tone annoyed Ghes but Carl - under his pseudonym Anders - objected first, "Let's not dress this up. You're stealing our cargo from us, bought at a high price. It will come back on you if you were to 'send us on our merry way'."
Ghes/Sorne added, "This is our business... Just because you can overpower us with some derelict from the 22nd century doesn't put you in the position of making demands. What makes you think you're so high and mighty... Coming by a D5 battlecruiser, drifting round some graveyard system left over from two hundred years ago?" He wondered if she knew what that high price might be, what falsity they'd come up with for how they'd acquired the isolytics and grain.
The woman steeled her expression, the guards moving in on Ghes and forcing his head back. Another guard approached from behind, a bucket of something that did not smell good in his hands and being tipped up towards Ghes's mouth - he nearly tumbled backwards off his chair, which would've given him an advantage.
"We found our stunned shipmates after your little venture, Mr Sorne. You've taken us for fools..." She nodded at the hooded figure. The bucket was overturned over Ghes's face; scorching liquid that tasted like oil and chemical was poured down his throat, his mouth forced open by another guard. Resisting the urge to scream - which would've been impossible anyway, he was choking - he quickly arrived at the decision and inflated his face.
The hooded figures jumped back out of surprise, Ghes immediately almost as a reflex jamming his cutlery into their faces, aiming for the eyes. With them stumbling away howling in agony he flopped to the table at which they'd been eating, soothing his throat as the searing liquid passed down through him and turned his deflating face a bright red; his eyes became bloodshot, a ringing was in his ears.
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,163
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Post by Carl Torek on Sept 23, 2015 20:13:59 GMT
"Let's not dress this up. You're stealing our cargo from us, bought at a high price. It will come back on you if you were to 'send us on our merry way' ...." Anders said, with Sorne adding a comment of his own:
"This is our business... Just because you can overpower us with some derelict from the 22nd century doesn't put you in the position of making demands. What makes you think you're so high and mighty ... Coming by a D5 battle-cruiser, drifting round some graveyard system left over from two hundred years ago ?"
"We found our stunned shipmates after your little venture, Mr Sorne. You've taken us for fools ......" as the guars attacked Gheskori Carl was helpless to react at first, but as the Denobulan reacted the guards stepped back in shock, Gheskori wasn't giving them time to regroup as he thrust the utensils forward. The cloaked woman began to step back towards the door but the man watching Carl had turned his back and it gave Torek the chance he needed. Jumping forward he slammed into the man, their combined weight knocked the guard out cold as he hit the bulkhead only meters from the woman. glancing at the recovering Denobulan, he spun to face the woman.
Clamping a hand over her mouth he dragged her back into the room. Gheskori had begun securing the injured guards, refusing their cries for medical attention, he bound them together back to back and placed ripped sleeves over their mouths to quiet the cacophony. Within a minute the room was quiet and their antics had apparently not been in vain. Carl pulled the cowl off the woman's head and stepped back:
"I am going to release my grip on you in a second or two, speak one word and my friend here will see to it that you don't utter a second. Understand ?" the woman nodded. Eyes glaring her obvious disdain Carl slowly removed his hand from her mouth, "Sit down." he ordered as Gheskori secured the door so their would be no unexpected guests.
"You are qiu ....." the woman began but fell instantly silent as Ghes turned toward her, "If I may ?" she said, turning to Torek.
"Do not raise your voice." the Denobulan warned.
"You seem quite 'adept' at self defense for a pair of opportunist traders." Anders shrugged, their physical abilities were of no interest to the woman and they both knew it, she was simply establishing the grounds for their conversation, obviously believing him to be the leader of the two, thus her contemptuous glare at Sorne as she had spoken, "I have never met one of your kind before, Denobulan ... Neat trick you have there, but as for you Anders, you showed some skills we, I may be willing to purchase. How would you feel about a, collaboration, between us ?"
"You have already taken what you wish, why propose a merger, or is it because of the rather precarious position you suddenly find yourself in I wonder ?" Sorne asked, but surprisingly, the woman quietly laughed.
"You think you have me prisoner, here, bound, threatened ? ..... You are I assume an intelligent being, don't be naive."
"Tell you what ...... We'll ask a couple of questions." Carl said casually, "Call it a job interview if you like ...... Then, if you satisfy us that you are willing to return our cargo, whole and intact, release us from your ship, and guarantee that you will allow us to leave if we so wish, then my partner and I will discuss your proposal, should it be worth our while of course." Anders said, seemingly mulling over options in his head. the woman smiled, reminding Carl of a King Cobra eyeing a small bird with a broken wing, and he had the distinct impression that their position was not as secure as he thought, but he pressed on, Poker was his favorite pastime, and he was bloody good at it.
"Oh, feel free." she said, eyes locked on his, "But while we are talking employment suitability, be mindful that my offer is not open-ended. I 'will' tire of this at some point, so lets hope you get what you need before that moment arrives."
"Hell, does she do 'anything' else but threaten ?" Ghes asked, landing a kick to the jaw of one of the guards who were recovering.
"A Purezi ship departed before us, you are obviously opportunists rather that legitimate traders. They must have been carrying more than us, so ... Why us and not them ?" Carl asked.
"You followed them, we followed you." she said simply.
"So curiosity then, not hoping to find something worth plundering ?"
"But you 'DID' have something worth our efforts, did you not."
"You, you're crew .... I'm curious ...." Carl said, changing tack, "A Klingon 'D5' cruiser, highly retro-modified from what I could see. You acquired this ship then sold off or bartered most of the hardware. But you are no Klingon, and while I haven't been privy to the rest of your crew, I'm willing to bet you don't have a single one aboard."
" ..... and what makes you say that, prey tell ?" she replied, and for a split-second he wondered if he saw the tiniest chink in her demeanor.
"Simple ... Any Klingon loyal to the Empire would have killed you or died trying before allowing you to possess one of their vessels, a Klingon rogue would kill you slowly, then display your head on a spike before his crew and yours, before allowing his crew to massacre each and every one of you. He or she would then make it their goal to punish each and every member of your family for your actions .... So, you either managed to kill the previous owners, which I seriously doubt, or you are in some way in alliance with one or more of them. Maybe an individual disillusioned Klingon, if there is such a thing, or, more likely, a Family." Carl said, knowing his logic was sound.
"You have a vivid imagination." she said. He simply shrugged ..........
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Gheskori
Command Staff ..
Commanding Officer Personnel Officer Trivia Officer
Section Admiral
USS Enzio
Registered: May 2, 2008 23:32:36 GMT
Posts: 1,538
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Post by Gheskori on Sept 30, 2015 11:58:56 GMT
Carl sat back and shrugged, Ghes pacing back and forth behind his seat, something clearly preoccupying his mind. He suddenly reached past his friend and slammed a fist on the table, "You have Klingons aboard, don't you? Don't you!"
"Calm yourself, Evan..." Carl said after a moment, realising what he was doing.
"Evan," she said, tilting her head, "An odd name for a Denobulan."
"My family background is of no importance to you. But if you must know, my father was Denobulan, my mother human and I was born on Earth... Now, if you'd like to answer the question." He took the seat beside Torek, his fellow Admiral pretending to shift uncomfortably in his chair at Ghes's new aggressive line of questioning.
It was her turn to shrug, sitting back with a smile of superiority... It was either a ploy to reverse the roles in the interview, her trying to give herself the psychological advantage of being the questioner rather than the person under interrogation, or there was indeed something Ghes and Carl were missing... of course, the surveillance cameras. Ghes stood, took up a weapon from the floor discarded by the robed D5 crew he'd bound back to back and shot at the obvious surveillance devices - spheres protruding from the ceiling in the corners. The room was still secure, the door release panels blown, but he didn't know how long that would hold off the crew racing to their presumed leader's rescue.
Not perturbed by the shorting out of the surveillance, she answered, "I believe I've already answered this question. There are no Klingons aboard this ship, Mr Sorne." Still smiling at that, the corner of her mouth suddenly quivered. It was now obvious she was lying, or concealing something that was very similar to what Ghes and Carl were questioning her on.
"So... You want to say that again?" Carl said, hands behind his head.
"Where is your Klingon friend. Your alliance partner who for some reason won't destroy this ship... What do you have on them that prevents your obliteration?!" Ghes shouted. Silence ensued, the woman now nervously biting her lip while trying to maintain an outward aura of calm. "Tell me," Ghes turned, pointing the weapon at her, "Or this ends now and we find out the truth for ourselves."
Carl feigned alarm, at least Ghes assumed it was feigned.
"You're being incredibly foolish," she murmured, "Come in!" she barked into some transmitter she had that'd remained hidden until now. One of the doors, thought secured but presumably hot-wired moments ago, shot open, several robed figures making their way in. "Follow them," she said to Ghes and Carl. "Cast down your weapons; you too," she ordered of her crew. Understanding, they all relieved themselves of their disruptors, phasers, knives, electric prods and so forth, throwing them to the floor; Ghes and Carl bemusedly followed suit. "If either party attacks the other, it could spell doom for both of us... It's in our mutual best interest." She indicated they move out of the room.
Following the group of guards, Ghes and Carl were led to what seemed to be a cargo storage area, but then soon revealed itself to be a group of holding cells. In one lay a curled up figure, small, perhaps of mid-teenage years. "Why have you imprisoned a child?" Torek asked one of the robed crewmen.
"Silence. J'voc! J'voc, son of K'tala! Wake up, you have visitors." The sleeping figure in the cell stirred, uncurling himself and revealing himself to be Klingon.
The woman appeared mysteriously behind them, "The Klingon House of D'orn threatens us with destruction if we don't surrender this child back to them."
"Child!" J'voc mimicked, snarling.
"In return, we threaten his execution if they attempt anything of the sort. So we have a teetering alliance... They protect us when we raid vessels such as yours, we give them a share in our profits from selling the stolen cargo on, and we promise not to harm this child J'voc, son of K'tala of the House of D'orn, who killed my father," she glared at the confident young Klingon in his cell. Ghes and Carl looked at one another; what had they stumbled upon here?
"We're both at risk," she said, turning to the two Admirals, "While we hold J'voc the Klingons have no choice but to offer protection, but if they learn we've just picked up traders who are transporting isolytic componentry, they'll want to come after us. Isolytics are one such weapon they wouldn't mind deploying against the ruling House of the Klingon Empire. They'd like nothing better than to use weapons outlawed by the Khitomer Accords against one of the principle signatories of the treaty."
To say the two Admirals were shocked by what they'd discovered here would be a vast understatement. "Go to the Purezi," Ghes risked, "They can offer you protection."
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Elena de Luca
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Dec 14, 2009 0:38:17 GMT
Posts: 266
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Post by Elena de Luca on Oct 1, 2015 15:44:53 GMT
Holding her position on what she hoped was the edge of the Klingon vessels sensors, she realized they were changing course to approach one of the lesser-known Space Stations. This one, owned and run by some of the less scrupulous, was a trading post and meeting area for the less 'legal' among the Universe. Realizing she could risk dropping away from the Klingon ship, she too changed course moving away at high warp. Two hours later she once again changed course, this time directly for the Space Station, formally known as Gallox Beta, it was better known as 'Soldado' .....
As she approached the ominous warning that she wasn't wanted began to sound. Ignoring the recorded message she continued on ... Finally her Comm chirped to life:
=^= Approaching shuttle .. State your business .. Now ! =^=
=^= My name is Rai .. I wish to dock to acquire supplies and refurbish my Anti-matter =^=
=^= Denied .. Turn around and depart immediately =^= the Comm snapped off. Shrugging she sat back and allowed the shuttle to continue it's approach to Soldado, warnings suddenly began to sound indicating that a weapons lock had been established, and sure enough the Comm chirped once again:
=^= Argo Class Shuttle .. You have fifteen seconds to adjust your course or you will be fired on =^=
=^= I am a registered trader and have every right under the 'Trade Accord' to come aboard to trade .. You have my name and vessel registry .. Check them .. NOW ! =^=
The Comm fell silent for long moments and she idly watched the display telling her that the weapons lock was still active. She had a momentary second of doubt about her cover and it's ability to pass scrutiny. Most places ran cursory checks, it was a given, while others went a little deeper into the information they were authenticating. If it didn't hold up she would not have time to rue the issue, but given they still hadn't fired on her left room for confidence in those supplying the Legend. It hadn't passed he by that almost seven thousand kilometers off her Port was a Klingon 'D5' Cruiser, apparently undergoing the same scrutiny. She just hoped that her clearance came through before theirs, she wanted to be on the station and in place before they docked.
=^= Argo Class Shuttle .. We have no name registered for your craft .. Why is this ? =^=
=^= It's a shuttle .. Not my lover .. Call it 'The Argo' if it makes this process go any faster =^= she said, feigning annoyance.
=^= Docking Pylon Seven .. You have forty eight hours to conclude your business =^= the Comm snapped off once again, but at least this time round they had allowed her to dock. Engaging impulse, she allowed the shuttle to automatically run the docking procedure. As she opened the air-lock she was confronted by a rough man who began to step past her, grasping the bulkhead she halted his progress and glared at him defiantly.
"I tend to like to 'invite' people aboard my ship. I do not take kindly to anyone extending an invite of their own."
"Customs." the man said, his foul breath almost making her gag.
"I received docking privileges, that didn't include a search of my ship, either then or now. Take my advice and step back." the man was about to comment when he felt something and glanced down. The gleaming sheen of the blade resting against his ample stomach caused him to take an involuntary step backwards. Elena stepped forward to maintain the contact and tapped a small pad in her other hand with her thumb, the shuttle door slid silently shut with a resounding thud. Smiling she turned her body away from him and walked away, keeping the man in her peripheral vision. As she stepped out of the dock and onto what could be called a Promenade, she saw him turning his attention to the shuttle.
"Good luck with that." she said, a wry grin forming as she looked for some kind of information screen .... Checking the information, it showed what classes of vessel were docked and their 'time remaining' ... She vaguely wondered what happened if someone was to outstay their welcome as she scanned down the list. At first there was no information on any 'D5' Class, but the board seemed to update and there it was. Making her way casually toward the designated dock, she found somewhere to observe just 'who' got off the ship ..........
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,163
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Post by Carl Torek on Oct 4, 2015 1:07:48 GMT
"While we hold J'voc the Klingon's have no choice but to offer protection, but if they learn we've just picked up traders who are transporting isolytic componentry, they'll want to come after us. Isolytics are one such weapon they wouldn't mind deploying against the ruling House of the Klingon Empire. They'd like nothing better than to use weapons outlawed by the Khitomer Accords against one of the principle signatories of the treaty."
To say the two Admirals were shocked by what they'd discovered here would be a vast understatement. "Go to the Purezi," Ghes risked, "They can offer you protection."
"Never going to happen." the woman said, almost disappointed at their reply to her obvious revelation, "Besides, what makes you think they wouldn't simply take J'voc from us and turn us over to the Klingon's ?"
"Look ..." Carl said, making sure he didn't glance at Gheskori, "We're Traders ... Nothing more, nothing less. Yes, we dabbled for the more 'exotic' entrepreneur on occasion, and this time we got pulled in. Thankfully by fellow Trader's and not the authorities. The very last thing we need is to be dragged into the middle of some issue you and the Klingon's are having. My suggestion: Cut the boy loose, run, and then run some more. This is not going to end well for you, and you know that. Give him up and you're dead. Kill him, you're dead, Run with him, you're dead. Eventually, you're dead. Trusting the Klingon's is like opening a vein to a starving Vampire." he finished.
"A starving what ?" she asked.
"Never mind, my friend here has a penchant for nineteenth century literature, though he is correct in his evaluation." Ghes said.
"We are stopping for supplies shortly. I am concerned that if the 'authorities' come across you're cargo they may take a dim view and take steps. As we have little option but to go to Soldado we'll have to hope that they don't look too closely. You should be aware that my, companions will take a very dim view of our talking together. Stay hidden, once we dock there will be time for you to disembark. I suggest you do so."
"Hold on !" Carl said, wondering if he had missed something, "You want us to hang around and wait to dock, then simply step onto the Space Station and what, mingle ? ... You must be out of whatever you are using for a mind, where the 'HELL' are we supposed to go on a floating death trap, and what about the kid ?"
"Refer to me as 'kid' once more 'HUMAN' and I will tear out your throat." J'voc spat. But before either protagonist could continue the ships' Comm barked to life:
=^= Zala .. .. You are needed on the Bridge .. The Space Station is holding us while they make checks =^=
=^= I have the Traders .. They were attempting to reach their craft =^=
=^= How did they escape ? =^=
=^= That matters not .. They are secure now .. Contact Soldado and tell them to clear a birth or the Klingon's will be .. Annoyed =^= She closed the Comm before stepping forward, and without warning slammed her fist into Carl's face. While not a heavy blow, it rocked him back as he was unprepared. He felt the blood running into his mouth and used his sleeve to stem the flow, he glared at the woman, now known to be Zala, and began to step towards her, but the two guards she had used to bring them here stepped in his path. One glanced at the woman and she nodded almost imperceptibly, but before Carl could protect himself two further blows landed knocking him semi-conscious to the deck plates. dazed, he tried to ignore the next thirty seconds before the beating subsided and he was dragged into another room.
"You are making a habit of being on the wrong end of these confrontation Carl." Gheskori said, dabbing the still flowing blood with his own sleeve.
"Maybe I'll let you go first next time." Carl said with difficulty as his lips and jaw began to swell further.
"Privilege of rank." the Denobulan said, trying not to grin .......
~~~~~~~~~~
The 'D5' Cruiser moved into her birth easily, then umbilicus were attached putting the ship on external power ..... There were only ten of them, the seemingly motley crew of a Klingon Battle-cruiser, but the modifications they had made, along with cutting almost everything non-essential, allowed them to operate the vessel very efficiently. So much so that if approaching a opportunist target, they tended to surrender first and worry about things afterwards. Leaving four aboard, Zala and the others stepped onto the Station and immediately headed towards the Trading Floors, a massive area where deals were made and fortunes sometimes lost. They had cargo to barter, and space for whatever commodities they could acquire. Just like every other vessel visiting Soldado, they had forty eight hours to complete their business, and Klingon owned or not, they would suffer the wrath of the Station if still docked a moment past their time.
On the boardwalk, Rai sat sipping some exotic drink while feigning interest in absolutely nothing going on around her. She watched newcomers come and go, checked out the various vessels with the curiosity of an Engineer looking for that next big development. But her main interest was the Klingon 'D5' Cruiser, and more importantly, who got off her to go Trading !
Of course, she had no way of knowing how many were still aboard the Klingon ship, but she had little option but to go aboard and search out Torek and Gheskori ..........
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Gheskori
Command Staff ..
Commanding Officer Personnel Officer Trivia Officer
Section Admiral
USS Enzio
Registered: May 2, 2008 23:32:36 GMT
Posts: 1,538
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Post by Gheskori on Oct 9, 2015 21:17:57 GMT
With seemingly all or most of the crew on the station, Ghes and Carl were en route to the cargo bay/brig area to speak with J'voc again (or arguably for the first time). "Perhaps the young Klingon will be willing to listen to reason, and take his chances with the Purezi rather than stay with these people."
If J'voc was allowed by the crew to return to his House the two Admirals could use him to track down the House of D'orn and discover what they intended. It was in the interests of the century old alliance that Starfleet officers should make Command aware of even the slightest possibility of a takeover of the Klingon High Council by a rival House. Then again, if they retained J'voc, Ghes and Carl might still learn something from him and it wouldn't put Zala's traders at instant risk from the D'orn House.
After stepping past the junction where if they'd taken a left it would've led them to the umbilical onto the station, a claxon in the ceiling sounded directly ahead of them, flashing scarlet. They could hear footsteps behind, crashing against the metal grille flooring - the two guards that'd waited outside the room they'd been thrown in. Now it made sense why the guards hadn't concerned themselves with following them.
Running further down the corridor, Ghes found a wall panel; he tapped into the internal sensors, which showed a graphic of the interior of the ship and the position of the lifesigns aboard, "According to this, there's only four of them aboard, plus J'voc," he called over to Torek, "The other two appear to be on the bridge..."
It would give them a chance to contact the Purezi... There was no way they could remain at this station for any longer, despite the contacts it might open for them. The prevention of the selling of the experimental weaponry by the Dolar was the issue of priority. Torek gestured forward as if it was obvious, "Well let's keep running."
Unbeknown to them, the alarm that'd indicated they'd stepped beyond the bounds of where they were meant to be had also been broadcast to Zala's comm device on Soldado...
Almost upon the bridge's entrance, they prepared to activate the forcefields behind them - having drawn the two robed guards along, just about outpacing them all the way to the bridge, now they had the trap laid. As the guards came into sight - seeing their quarry and bearing down on them, hateful looks in their eyes - forcefields sprung up in front and behind them.
Ghes grinned, "Farewell," and turning stepped through the opening door on to the bridge. It was dark and silent, except for the beeping of consoles and the hum of the drive system; on the viewscreen ahead, a view of the docking ring curving away with other docked vessels at irregular intervals to the left, with infinite space out to the right.
The redesign of the D5 had been significant, they saw: the command seat and helm console were now situated on the lower deck at the very front of the bridge, looking out onto the stars. Ghes crept up on the man occupying the command seat - his face and the lights on his headset reflected in the strengthened glass directly in front of him - and pushed one of the disruptors they'd taken from an arms locker at the nape of the man's neck, "I wouldn't move so fast if I were you, my friend. Now, into the corner... Unwise to leave your ship so poorly guarded I must say."
Retreating to the upper deck, hands raised, the man spat, "You have no idea what you're meddling in, Mr Sorne. Yes, I've been in constant contact with my junior business partner, Zala as you may know her, during your interrogation... Some interesting cargo you have. Now, if you'd put down that weapon, before you get yourself into more trouble than you can handle, perhaps we can negotiate some terms regarding said cargo..." He made to move a hand to his belt.
Ghes aimed the disruptor, "It would be unwise to move now, Mr...?"
"Kritan." He reached for his belt anyway, withdrawing an old style communicator and twisting a dial, "Zala, dear, if you'd hurry. I'm sure you got the intruder alert signal -" Ghes shot the man unconscious.
"Was that a good idea?"
"I don't know, we'll find out in a few moments. Now, the communications array..." Ghes recalled - from the pre-mission Intel training, where he'd had to drill into his memory several different codes, frequencies, passwords, security clearances - the subspace frequency that the nearest Purezi trader bound for roughly Dolar territory - at the time the training was conducted - used... "If we send a signal on an encrypted subspace carrier wave to the Purezi vessel Oracilo, then wipe it from the comm records... A rendezvous point can be arranged; they can provide us with further information on the Dolar's latest tests...?"
<Tag Torek, de Luca>
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Elena de Luca
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Dec 14, 2009 0:38:17 GMT
Posts: 266
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Post by Elena de Luca on Oct 11, 2015 15:43:45 GMT
Sat at the cafe, she watched as several people disembarked the Klingon 'D5' Cruiser, notably, none of those entering the station were Klingon, and that could only mean one of two things: Either the Klingon contingent had remained aboard, or there wasn't any on board at all. Given they were at a trading station she was inclined to go with the latter of the two ... So, she needed to form a plan of action and get on board to confirm her assumptions .... Looking around the Dock she could see a maintenance bay. Service Engineers were walking on and off numerous vessels, but she had the feeling that this was with prior approval, alas, it was likely the only option available to her, so, rising, she took a PADD out of her pack and began studying it intensely as she approached the 'D5' ... There was one person stood close to the gantry and she rightly guessed he was one of the crew. He stepped in front of her as she approached: "Where are you going ?" he asked, eyeing her up and down. "This is the 'D%' with the plasma leak in the starboard nacelle housing, right ?" she asked, eyebrows raised as if she had much better things to be getting on with. "I have no idea what you are talking about. Leave ..... Now !" the man said, trying, and failing to adopt a menacing attitude. "Suit yourself." she said, making several inputs on her PADD before turning it and thrusting it in the mans face, "Thumbprint." she said simply. "Why do you want my thumbprint ?" "I need someone to authorize that I was not allowed on the ship to begin repairs. I assume you have your own people working on it, otherwise you'll be here for some considerable time." the man hesitated and she stepped a little closer, speaking lower to make him lean in to hear her, "Though, to be honest, if you simply don't have the authority to make decisions on your own, I think I would check with your Commanding Officer before you put your print on here, they may not be too happy to find that once they have concluded their business they are stuck here with nowhere to go, especially as the designated Engineer was ready to start the repair." she shrugged, inching the PADD even closer. "You will go direct to the area designated in the repair schedule. I will monitor your progress from here." he said almost defiantly before stepping aside to allow her to enter the walkway. ~~~~~ She had forgotten how sparse, dank, and functional a Klingon vessel could be, the dirty grey black bulkheads, the grill-type deck plates, blue-tinted lighting casting a weird hue throughout the ship. Even though the man outside had no visible means of following her on the ship, she made her way to the Main Engine Room first, thankfully managing not to meet anyone en-route. She moved to one of the panels and activated it, glancing left and right to make sure no-one was walking in on her. Isolating the internal sensors from the Bridge, she checked to see how many people were aboard ... "Four Humans, two ahead of the others and moving towards the Bridge, there was one Klingon aboard, situated in what she guessed was the ship's Brig for some reason." she frowned, frustrated that she couldn't identify the two Flag Officers without scanning for their sub-dermal transponder implants, which would raise alarms on the Bridge immediately, so she had little option but to go for the ones on the move. Hitching the utility belt up on to one hip so it hung at an angle, she took out one of the tools and brazenly walked out of the Engineering Section. Entering the equivalent of a Federation vessel Jeffries Tube, she climbed up one deck and checked the passageway. Taking her phaser, she tentatively stepped into the corridor between the two pairs of Humans. She could hear force-fields snapping into place to her right. Ducking back into the 'tube two people ran past her followed by two others. A force field cut off their retreat and possibly their way forward. Thankfully, she had a split-second glance to identify Torek and Gheskori as they ran onto the Bridge, closing the blast doors behind them. The two remaining guards swore in frustration before realizing they were trapped between the two fields and effectively helpless ! Ducking back into the crawl-way, she checked the schematics of the 'D5' on her PADD then moved ..... Ten minutes of crawling through the access conduits brought her to a closed hatch. On the other side 'should' be the Bridge ... Scanning the hatch she could see it had both automated and manual release, so inching forward she tentatively gripped the release handle, given this was a Klingon vessel, she seriously doubted they were keeping up with any maintenance schedule, if they had one at all, and the last thing she needed was for the hatch to creak as it opened. Applying pressure, she very slowly moved the release handle downwards until she heard a 'click' as the lock released. Holding her breath, phaser aimed at the door, she waited, ready to fire if the hatch was suddenly snatched open, but nothing happened, so she cracked the hatch a fraction of an inch and again waited as she heard voices: " ..... you'd hurry. I'm sure you got the intruder alert signal." There was the distinct sound of a phaser discharge and whoever had been speaking ceased instantly. "Was that a good idea ?" she heard Admiral Torek say. "I don't know, we'll find out in a few moments ... Now, the communications array ... If we send a signal on an encrypted subspace carrier wave to the Purezi vessel Oracilo, then wipe it from the comm records ... A rendezvous point can be arranged: they can provide us with further information on the Dolar's latest tests ?" Admiral Gheskori was saying. She realized that the two Federation Officer's had full control of the Bridge and she pushed the hatch open so she could climb out. Ghes was the first to react, being closest. He spun, phaser aimed directly at her head as she clambered to her feet. "Hardly Federation." she said, brushing dust and grime from her trousers. "Drop the phaser .... Over there !" Ghes said, waving his own weapon toward the remaining man, who was in the corner watching proceedings. "Oh I think you might want to revise that, I'm on your side here." Elena said, phaser still pointing at the deck. She glanced at Torek, knowing he would recognize her instantly, "You're Traders, right, anything we can go into partnership with ?" she finished as Gheskori glanced at Torek. "You're Rai ....... We traded last year, the Fremmen vaccine, you did me out of a substantial profit there." Carl said, feigning annoyance, "What are you doing here, we're trading with these people in good faith." As they were talking the remaining man was edging his way to the rear of the Bridge, almost without looking Elena turned her phaser and fired, dropping the man in his tracks. "Elena de Luca. Star Fleet Intelligence ... Admirals." she said by way of introductions, "I have been sent by Command to expedite your escape or return after concluding your current assignment, whichever is more prudent." "Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, we need to stay around, at least, for a while." Torek explained before turning to Gheskori, "Given no-one replied, we have to assume that the guards signal may not have got through, but if it did, any thoughts on how soon Zala and the others will return ?" he asked ..........
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Gheskori
Command Staff ..
Commanding Officer Personnel Officer Trivia Officer
Section Admiral
USS Enzio
Registered: May 2, 2008 23:32:36 GMT
Posts: 1,538
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Post by Gheskori on Oct 13, 2015 18:43:10 GMT
"I'm afraid on this occasion you're asking the impossible of me," Ghes replied, "They may still be in negotiations, they may have decided to explore the rest of the station in the limited time they have left to them, they might be expecting us to be out there too and may be trying to join up with us... Although, considering the limited time, we know they'll have to get back before that deadline otherwise their ship - and potentially us - are toast, to borrow a human expression. If they're going to return immediately after their trade we will have little time to do...
"Begging your pardon, Admiral, Officer de Luca," he nodded her way, "But what's our intended course of action? Do we use this ship to leave immediately, bearing in mind that we have J'voc, heir of the House of D'orn - some rogue Klingon House it seems - aboard as potential insurance or bargaining power should we run into the Klingons on our way out of here."
<Tag Torek, de Luca>
It was agreed that Ghes would head to the station, while Carl and Ms de Luca would remain on the ship to supervise potential departure proceedings, unless one of them came up with an alternative plan.
He pushed through the unsightly mass of traders, mercenaries and occasional Klingon enforcers, armoured not in the same way as KDF officers and crew but perhaps even more impressively - they waded through the crowd brandishing disruptor rifles. Finding a vantage point to look up at the Traders' Levels, he kept an eye on the exit from where Zala and what presumably were the remaining five crew of her trade vessel would emerge, if they hadn't already.
He waited several minutes, soon realising with a sigh that if they were present they were likely not to emerge anytime soon and if they had done, what he was doing was pointless. He turned away and asked a retailer for a sample of a beverage from Aldebaran VI. He sipped at it, grinned and thanked the retailer before placing the glass back. About to - somewhat unorthodoxly considering his ostensible assignment - make a purchase, he was hit suddenly by the aftertaste. "Aargh!" He spluttered, "No, thank you. Thank you for the taster, but..." he spluttered and coughed his way away from the small shop/stand coming to face the exit of the Trading Levels, and just stepping off the staircase now were Zala and her five colleagues.
"Ah ha," she approached, expression neutral, "I hope you haven't been spying on our trading efforts, Mr Sorne. It wouldn't be particularly courteous, though I see you've taken the opportunity to explore the station. Good."
Ghes tried not to show his relief; that'd been extremely fortunate... she hadn't picked up the intruder alert signal, or the message from her associate Kritan - who now lay unconscious on the vessel's bridge - thus Ghes could rest easy for a while. They turned to walk together back into the chaos of the main ring-shaped deck of the station, the Trading Levels lying at its heart. "It wouldn't be courteous, no," he said, "But then I doubt you were within sight of the main concourse. You felt it fitting to say those things, with your air of smug superiority, so none of them could actually have been possible."
"Careful, Evan. You may have overpowered our crew once but it's not wise to speak like that when you have five of my trusted crew right behind you. I trust them more than Kritan, hence why he was left on the ship." At least he was conscientious enough to think of your well-being, Ghes thought wryly. "Where is your business partner? Mr Anders," she asked.
He shrugged, "He stayed on the ship. The guard wouldn't allow both of us out of our 'cell'. Perhaps you'll see fit to reprimand him." They continued their circling of the main deck, passing various stalls occupied by Ferengi, Nausicaans, Bolians and Yridians arguing over details on PADDs regarding payments and the like. "Where are we going?" he asked quietly.
"The ship, of course," Zala replied, "Business is concluded. We can't stay a moment longer."
They walked a while longer before Ghes peeled off to the side - not having done so immediately so as not to rouse suspicion, "Excuse me a moment." He found what passed for 'facilities' in the station and pressed his commbadge, hidden up his sleeve, "Admiral, Zala and five others are on their way back to the ship, approximate arrival time three minutes. Kritan and an incapacitated humanoid on the bridge and two others in that forcefield. I suggest you hurry in whatever clean up you decide on and try to stop her from getting back aboard? Leave the station if necessary."
"How are you going to get back aboard, Ghes? If she gets back aboard and we have to come to an arrangement with her? Or if she overpowers us?"
"I'm working on it," he said after a moment then held his breath again, looking about at the foul-smelling disgusting room he was in checking that no one was present.
<Tag Torek, de Luca>
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,163
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Post by Carl Torek on Oct 17, 2015 0:35:55 GMT
".... What's our intended course of action? Do we use this ship to leave immediately, bearing in mind that we have J'voc, heir of the House of D'orn - some rogue Klingon House it seems - aboard as potential insurance or bargaining power should we run into the Klingon's on our way out of here."
"Ideally, I'd like to leave while we can, but we have no idea yet as to what Zela has planned. They're not roaming around the galaxy on a whim, there has to be some outcome. Their decision to stop off here for example ..." Carl said, making sure that the two unconscious men were securely bound and hidden, while thinking about viable options before continuing, "We know they are taking ships, cargo, personnel, but to what end ... I think we need to try to find out what was so desperate that they chose to stop here of all places. Let's face it, it wasn't for the scenery that's for sure. I have the feeling she has arranged a meeting here ... Ghes, how do you fancy a roam around this fleapit ?"
"On my way." the Admiral said, seemingly relishing a little 'cloak and dagger' work. As he left, Carl turned to Elena:
"Use an auxiliary console, establish a sub-space carrier to the Purezi vessel Oracilo. Tell them we need to meet in the ...." he thought quickly, "Dezemmi system in, thirty six hours."
"Just how are you going to make sure we turn up, let alone the Purezi ?" Elena asked, already setting up the carrier, "Last I heard you were going somewhere completely different." Torek smiled, and she knew instantly that he had something in mind. He was about to elaborate when their concealed Comm badges chirped to life:
=^= Admiral .. Zala and five others are on their way back to the ship .. Approximate arrival time three minutes .. Kritan and an incapacitated humanoid on the bridge and two others in that force-field .. I suggest you hurry in whatever clean up you decide on and try to stop her from getting back aboard .. Leave the station if necessary =^=
=^= How are you going to get back aboard Ghes? .. .. If she gets back aboard and we have to come to an arrangement with her .. Or if she overpowers us ? =^=
=^= I'm .. Working on it =^= Ghes said cryptically. The comm closed and the two Star Fleet Officers looked at each other.
"Left or right ?" Carl asked.
"Left or right wha ....." she didn't have time to finish the question as Carl landed a perfectly placed blow to her right carotid artery, the sudden change in blood pressure to the brain shutting her autonomic systems down instantly. He caught her before she fell and lowered her to the deck. Using the transporter, he beamed the Zela's two guards onto a remote part of the station and then picked up the unconscious Elena .....
~~~~~~~~~~
From his cell he heard movement ... Zela and her crew were back from whatever they were doing on the station ... Relaxing, he waited ... Zela was the first to arrive, closely followed by Gheskori and the others:
"You arranged company and didn't invite me ?" the Denobulan said, seemingly hurt.
"Who the 'HELL' is she Anders ?" Zela demanded, glaring at the unconscious woman at Torek's feet.
"Her name, apparently, is Rai. She had this on her ...." he threw a small device to Zela, who caught it deftly before turning it over in her hand, "She planned to disable your vessel remotely once in open space, and then arrange for it to be taken by some of her friends. It seems from what she was saying, you reneged on an agreement with her some time ago and she decided to even the score."
"I've never seen this woman before, besides, that doesn't account for her current state. Mind explaining why she is unconscious ?"
"She discovered your 'passenger' and I'm guessing she pondered the idea of a good payout for services rendered if she could find out who the Klingon being held on here was. But she needed to set the charges before you arrived, that's when she came across whoever was on the Bridge, then me."
"I am not going to ask again Mister Andres." Zela said, nodding to one of her guards, who raised his phaser and aimed it at Torek's head, a glint of anticipation in his eye, "..... 'WHY' ..... Is she unconscious ? .... And please don't tell me you suddenly felt the need to save our ship and crew, or I'll kill your friend here before you get the second word out !" she said, and Carl realized there was a phaser resting against the nape of Gheskori's neck !
"She said that the Purezi were becoming disillusioned with your association with them and wanted to 'cancel' their contract with you. Rai was to get aboard and at a prearranged time she would disable the ship. The Purezi would happen along and formally sever all ties with your little band of merry men, and women." Carl added, the sarcasm unmistakable, "They think that if you suddenly came across someone and got into a fight, one you loose by the way, the Klingon's couldn't hold the loss of their kin against the Purezi or the Dolar. Yes, you would loose your lives, but in the scheme of things, the Purezi would continue to gain ground, and would possibly be able to acquire the Omnis Device for themselves."
At the mention of the device, Zela glared at Torek, then turned her attention to the still unconscious Rai ... She kicked the woman, hard, then again. Elena opened her eyes .....
"I want the location of the meeting you arranged. I want it now." Zela said, impatience getting the best of her, "NOW !" she screamed, kicking Elena in the ribs and likely breaking at least two of them in the process.
" ...... De ... Dezemmi Sys ..... Thirt ......" was all Elena managed before passing out. Zela threw the small device on the deck and took a phaser off one of her men. Grinning she fired, obliterating the object instantly. Handing the phaser back she told two of her men to see to the unconscious woman, and to allow Anders and Sorne to move around the ship freely. Heading to the Bridge she ordered their immediate departure.
"Set course for the Dezemmi System. Maximum warp. Let's get there before our so called 'friends' expect us to." ..........
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Gheskori
Command Staff ..
Commanding Officer Personnel Officer Trivia Officer
Section Admiral
USS Enzio
Registered: May 2, 2008 23:32:36 GMT
Posts: 1,538
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Post by Gheskori on Oct 22, 2015 21:43:12 GMT
Having had the weapon removed from the back of his neck and being told he had free rein of the ship - much to his surprise, for he'd foreseen that the arrival back on Zala's trader vessel would end in disaster, though Carl and Ms de Luca's resourcefulness had proven to be extraordinary - Ghes walked the corridors, exploring the various sections, including the brig/cargo bay where J'voc was imprisoned (whose life was not actually the tipping point that would drive the Purezi away from their ties with Zala and Kritan's operation, as the story they'd invented for Rai went).
It was best they didn't talk to de Luca/Rai during this phase, the Intel operative under guard in the interrogation rooms. Ghes wondered what Carl's plan was when they reached the Dezemmi system... Would they would have to find a way to get the Purezi to sever ties with Zala's trader vessel, even if the Purezi actually had no intention of doing so? Would de Luca be expected to act as if she'd already made contact with the Purezi as Rai, and planned the severance of relations with them beforehand?
J'voc, of the House of D'orn... "So, young man," Ghes said, the two guards of the Klingon youth's cell stepping back, eyeing Ghes with distaste as he stepped towards the cell, "What do you think are your chances of being successfully retrieved by your family?"
J'voc's guttural croak became a laugh and he swung from his cell's bench, "What business is it of yours, Sorne? These rats give you your freedom, and you think that gives you license to question me!"
"Son of K'tala!" one of the guards shouted, "Any more of that and you're back in the Eques Carcerem. PetaQ!" he sneered, enraging the Klingon.
"I'm merely wondering," Ghe said calmly, not wanting to know what the Eques Carcerem was, "If you think you'll ever escape and get back to them, or if you think your future may lie elsewhere, perhaps with... our," he nodded at the two guards behind him in acknowledgement, "Mutual acquaintances the Purezi."
J'voc flung himself at the forcefield. From his minimal reaction upon rebounding off it, Ghes guessed he'd done that a fair few times. "The cowards on this ship already fear I'll be turned over to them!" he growled, "From there I would be sent back to my House, and I would have my revenge!" He spat at the forcefield, the spittle sizzling and eventually evaporating.
Ghes turned away, "I see. Yet it's an impossibility," he sighed sympathetically, then started rounding the two guards; the first wondered what he was doing, then the second saw the hypospray he'd taken from the station that he was letting drop from his sleeve. As the second guard started voicing a warning, Ghes pressed the hypospray to the first guard's neck sending him crashing to the deck. He darted out of range of the second guard's reprisal, then dived inside and punched the robed man in the abdomen doubling him over, before repeating the hypospray manoeuvre on the man.
"And what if I told you," he approached J'voc, "That upon arrival in the Dezemmi system we could get you off this ship without Zala's knowledge, and into the hands of the Purezi?"
However this plays out Zala and Kritan lose and the Purezi win, he thought. He felt no compunction at the thought, though perhaps he should. With J'voc delivered back to the Klingons, the House of D'orn would promptly annihilate their erstwhile allies and would reward the Purezi for taking J'voc off Zala; on the other hand, if as part of the subterfuge the Purezi did sever ties with Zala and her crew, J'voc included, and they were later lost in a subsequent raid, their deaths would not come back on the Purezi.
J'voc stared at the unconscious guards, his expression unreadable, "You play with your life, trader. Soon these rats will be along to find out what happened."
"Do not fear," Ghes held the hypospray up to the light, looking at its contents, "It's a sedative that also induces amnesia. They'll be confused but will eventually reach the uneasy conclusion that they lost consciousness before I arrived. Then hopefully they'll be castigated for falling asleep. So, my proposition?"
"Everything comes at a price," J'voc sat back down, gesturing dismissively, "If you're willing to let me escape these people and give me to the Purezi, naturally you'll want to know something about my House in return. What our plans are, how many ships we have at our disposal, our interest in the Omnis device and what relations we have with the Purezi."
"You have interests...?" Ghes paused, "What could you possibly know about the Omnis device, being stuck on this vessel for so long?"
"I could ask the same of a lowly trader, who allowed himself to be captured by these people." J'voc snarled, then turned away. It was clear he wasn't going to answer any more questions. Ghes dragged the guards into believable positions next to the cell to suggest they'd fallen asleep, then checking the corridor outside was free, left the brig with a spring in his step. The Klingon had told him far more than he'd intended to.
A shipwide comm came through speakers in the dark recesses of the passageways, cutting over the sound of Ghes's feet crashing on the metal grille floor. "This is Zala, time 'til arrival at Dezemmi system five hours. Appropriate sections, begin warming power relays for defensive weaponry."
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,163
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Post by Carl Torek on Oct 25, 2015 15:13:37 GMT
" ...... De ... Dezemmi Sys ..... Thirt ......" was all Elena managed before passing out. Zela threw the small device on the deck and took a phaser off one of her men. Grinning she fired, obliterating the object instantly. Handing the phaser back she told two of her men to see to the unconscious woman, and to allow Anders and Sorne to move around the ship freely. Heading to the Bridge she ordered their immediate departure.
"Set course for the Dezemmi System. Maximum warp. Let's get there before our so called 'friends' expect us to." ........
Thrity one hours later ::
Carl had watched helplessly as Zala kicked Elena again and again. He heard the distinctive sound of ribs cracking under the impact but knew he had no chance of saving her with the two armed guards looking on. He had been pushed aside as the two guards followed orders and unceremoniously dragged Rai by the arms obviously heading for one of the holding cells, but he had persuaded them to take her to Sick-bay to be treated, his argument being Zala may want to question her further, and an unconscious, or dead, captive would be of little use, and it wasn't beyond reason that she would take that out on the two people ordered to deal with her ... They had discussed this among themselves as Elena bled onto the deck before them, finally deciding on Sick-bay as the best option. They were about to drag Torek out of the room when he had pointed out that Zala had given him free reign throughout the ship. Shrugging they pushed him back inside and locked the door ... he got Elena onto a Bio-bed and began treating her injuries. Steadying her vital signs first then using the crude Klingon devices to repair what damage he could.
After almost a day and half she began opening her eyes for a few seconds before drifting back into a fitful slumber.
"Elena ....." he whispered, glancing at the door before continuing, "Elena, can you hear me ?"
"My ribs were broken, not my ears." she replied, keeping her eyes shut.
"Good, they are not listening in on us, in fact I think they got tired of checking every hour. As long as we speak quietly I doubt they will know you are awake." he said, she nodded, opening her eyes and glancing around the room before reaching up to her chest with one hand, "I repaired your broken ribs, or at least I think so, you never can tell with this Klingon excuse for medical equipment." Elena was about to sit up but he put a hand out to keep her lay down.
"Mind explaining the left hook ?" she asked. Carl updated her on what had happened since she was, out, or as much as he knew from being stuck in here with her. They were about to continue when the Comm System churned to life:
=^= This is Zala .. Time until arrival at Dezemmi system is five hours .. Appropriate sections begin warming power relays for defensive weaponry =^=
"My concern is, when we meet wi ......" Carl began, but Elena held up a hand.
"Ahead of you Admiral. The Dezemmi group we are going to rendezvous with are loyal to the Federation and have agreed to mediate on our behalf if required. My only concern is the fact that you have implied their discontent and intention to separate from this vessel and crew. We will somehow need to inform them of the situation as quickly as possible on arrival. If Zala decides to take aggressive action against the Purezi ship we could find ourselves in a fire-fight we are 'not' going to win !"
"Wait a minute." Torek said, almost unable to believe what he was hearing, "Let me get this straight ... A Purezi Group are working with, and on behalf, of the Federation ! ..... Just how did this come about, given they have built their reputation on being totally neutral in all dealings and affiliations."
"They are, and are." Elena said, finally deciding to get into a sitting position, "But they were stopped by a Federation Patrol who requested a check of their inventory, as we are fully allowed to do according to the Trade Charter the Purezi signed. The fact that this was only the second time we chose to take 'advantage' of the treaty is pure coincidence ...... It seemed their cargo contained several item's that are on the 'restricted' list unless given prior authorization to ship."
"You 'planted' something on them !" Carl said, astonished, "I'm surprised they haven't filed a formal protest."
"They were going to, but we allowed the anomalous item's to be removed and told them their vessel would be impounded for the duration of the inquiry, should they wish to proceed. Let's face it, it isn't beyond possible that most if not 'all' of the Purezi are transporting a little more than their manifest shows ..... Hell, maybe we just got lucky." she said with a wry grin as she climbed off the Bio-bed, "Once we 'agreed' to remove the contraband and not file an official report, and incidentally, seize their ship in the process, they had no option but to agree to our request for help should we ask."
"Bloody Hell." was all he could say as he watched her walk off the stiffness in her legs, "I assume they are fully aware of 'why' we would suddenly be meeting up with them, and they will react appropriately ?"
"Hmm, well, therein lies the problem ..... We only tol ....." she stopped speaking as the door opened suddenly. Zala and the same two guards from before entered.
"Good to see you are on your feet again." Zala said, walking around Elena looking her up and down as if eyeing a prospective purchase, "Mister Anders here must have more talents than we gave him credit for. We will be meeting up with your disillusioned Purezi Group in a few hours. I hope they have some information for us. Take her to Mister Anders and Mister Sorne's quarters, I'm sure our two guests will keep a close eye on her for us until she is needed elsewhere." Elena merely shrugged in response as she was led from the room, Torek close behind them ... The Klingon 'D5' arrived in the Dezemmi System forty minutes before the Purezi Group vessel was due to arrive ..........
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Gheskori
Command Staff ..
Commanding Officer Personnel Officer Trivia Officer
Section Admiral
USS Enzio
Registered: May 2, 2008 23:32:36 GMT
Posts: 1,538
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Post by Gheskori on Oct 29, 2015 2:07:34 GMT
Ghes had discovered that the surveillance cameras he'd shot out two days ago had been restored. He'd been discussing the critical few hours ahead with Carl and Elena before discovering this - fortunately however, he'd discovered that they were visual only and thus could not detect what the three undercover officers were talking about - and every so often Ghes would wave up at the cameras, the image being fed to the bridge for Zala or one of her robed controllers to curse at. Now he was walking the corridor to the bridge, for they had arrived in the Dezemmi system.
They'd dropped out of warp twenty minutes ago and were expecting the Purezi in another twenty. Ghes reasoned, considering that the Purezi were working on behalf of the Federation, that they would perhaps be in the know as to Rai's true identity - there would possibly be no need for the complexities of the subterfuge involved in retaining de Luca's false identity in communication with the Purezi. The latter would hopefully be in prime position to 'capture' the assumed identities of Anders, Sorne and Rai.
The eventual fate of this trader vessel was an unknown; Ghes was also hoping to take J'voc with them, where he might be used as a potential bargaining chip with the Klingon House of D'orn. By giving J'voc over to the Klingons they may be able to discover what the D'orn House's plans were with regards to the Omnis Device; additionally, being on the Purezi's vessel would give them intimate contact with that faction's own plans. If the Purezi were interested in Omnis, then they would - as Torek had related - be in violation of their trade agreement with the Federation.
He rounded a bend in the corridor, nearly at the bridge now. Unfortunately, he came upon Kritan, Zala's business partner. "Mr Sorne, enjoying your generously bequeathed privileges I see," Kritan greeted, preventing Ghes from entering the bridge and making to lead him down a corridor away from it.
"Yes, the freedom, it's wonderful," Ghes said, "Preferable to having burning oil poured down my throat at least."
Kritan led Ghes down the corridor, "Ah you see, Mr Sorne, Zala does have a penchant for some of the more barbaric methods of torture." He stopped abruptly and sighed, "Yes, nothing much gets in her way I'm afraid." Then before Ghes could formulate a response Kritan had him pinned up against the wall. "I haven't forgotten!" Kritan emphasised each word, using his arm to cut off Ghes's circulation and lifting the Denobulan off the floor.
"No, haven't you? Uh, what do you mean?" Ghes managed to say, his windpipe being compressed.
"I've wanted to get off this ship for a long time, Mr Sorne; you and your business partner's antics aren't going to stop me now. You hear me?!" Ghes nodded. Kritan growled, "Yes, unfortunately I haven't been able to break myself free of Zala's leash! Now that my chance has come I hope for your sake you don't stand in my way. Yes, I know it all... Obviously I haven't told Zala or all three of you would be dead. If you do block my escape, she'll be told the truth of all this; how you shot me unconscious on the bridge while she was on the station, how 'Rai' is clearly the third person in your little operation... Ha, you shot me and it's clear Anders took out everyone on the ship before Zala got back, then what do we find upon waking but a mysterious woman lying unconscious on the bridge."
"Ok!" Ghes squeaked, trying to prise Kritan's fingers away from his throat.
"Now, I think we understand each other," Kritan released him, allowing him to sag to the floor. "You help me escape, I'll help you."
Slowly Ghes picked himself up and looked at Kritan levelly. He knew that to attack him now would be madness, "Ok. On one condition. You allow J'voc to escape with you, to the Purezi."
Kritan shrugged, "Makes no difference to me. I'll be out of this sector and far away from the Klingons before they can exact their revenge. That Klingon, when he was a small boy, killed Zala's father. Once his mother and uncle have him back, as retribution for his imprisonment here, they'll find and destroy the ship; Zala will meet her end."
"An uncle? Does he have a prominent role in this?"
"He is the leader of the D'orn House," Kritan shrugged, disinterested, "They have plans to usurp the Chancellery of the Klingon Empire, I don't know any of the details."
"Right." Ghes sighed, "Can we go to the bridge now?"
Kritan looked around Ghes, nodding to two guards that were some way down the passage and having them watch the Denobulan. "Mind how you act. No giving anything away to Zala, or these guards, loyal to me, will kill you in an instant you understand me?"
"Perfectly." Ghes smiled; Kritan glowered at him and led the way back down the corridor to the bridge.
The nerve centre was dark, red glowing panels of the ancient D5 lighting it up and casting an unfavourable light on the face of the person who sat in the command chair, Zala. "Ah, Evan, I'm gratified that you could join us. Our mutual 'friends' the Purezi will be joining us in five minutes, if that wretch Rai is to be believed." She twisted in the chair and saw Kritan, standing behind Ghes with hands linked behind him, obviously holding in his anger. "And dear," Zala smiled at him, simulating delight, "Where have you been all this time?"
"Medical bay," Kritan said shortly.
Zala pretended to notice Ghes's guards only now. "Why have you brought these friends along with you? You know Mr Sorne can look after himself." The mockery, the condescending attitude was sickeningly obvious.
Kritan tried not to react. "It's not his own well-being I'm concerned about, dear."
"Registering the Purezi vessel's signature on long range sensors," a controller reported, "They're dropping out of warp, some million kilometres away." Minutes went by with nothing happening, the two ships drifting closer to each other at impulse speed, on a rough rendezvous near the Dezemmi system's single planet.
"I was expecting you twenty minutes ago, Evan." Zala said, "What kept you?"
"I was... delayed." He saw out of the corner of his eye Kritan flashing a warning glance. "Terrible pain in the back you see. Your methods of extracting information may have had something to do with it."
"They're hailing," tactical reported. Zala ordered on screen.
"Zala," the Purezi captain said, standing from his command chair, "We're pleased to once more make your acquaintance. Now tell me, how's business?"
"Let's put the niceties aside," Zala leant forward, the red of the consoles illuminating her face, "You sent a spy to disable my ship while we were at trading at Soldado. You planned to cancel our agreement, leave us at the mercy of the Klingons! What do you take us for? We preserve the life of the Klingon who killed my father; the House of D'orn can't touch us while we're allies."
The captain shook his head, "I don't know what you're talking about. Though it is true that you're holding three criminals who recently reneged on an agreement with us for the purchase of seven kilotonnes of ketracel white... What they wanted it for I cannot fathom, but they proceeded to steal the white, and four days later a transaction was made on Xeno VI for that same quantity of white for 'double' the price we offered them. Give over the criminals John Anders, Evan Sorne and Rai and this will go no further. Leave it in our hands, Zala, it's for the best." It sounded like a threat.
Ghes could sense Kritan glaring at him once more. He stepped round the command chair and came into sight of the Purezi captain, who did an admirable job of concealing his surprise (important whether he was working for the Federation or not). "Then you admit," Zala said, "That you were planning to disable my ship in any case, if we didn't give up the prisoners."
The Purezi captain arched his fingers, "It's still a possibility, if you don't acquiesce."
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,163
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Post by Carl Torek on Nov 5, 2015 19:24:57 GMT
Entering the Bridge, Torek and De Luca were moved to one side by one of the people seemingly watching Gheskori, they could see the Purezi Captain on screen ...
=^= Then you admit ..... That you were planning to disable my ship in any case if we didn't give up the prisoners ? =^=
=^= It is still a possibility .. If you don't acquiesce =^= the Purezi Captain said menacingly.
=^= I think you underestimate our abilities Captain =^= Zela retorted, but her counterpart was unimpressed.
=^= You have five minutes to transport Anders .. Sorne .. and Rai over to our ship .. Or our 'contract' will be terminated .. .. .. Oh and please .. Extend me the utmost courtesy of not attempting to power up your drive or weapons systems .. It would prove to be a disappointing maneuver =^= .... The Purezi Captain closed the Comm before Zala could reply, it didn't stop her screaming in frustration at the darkened screen. She spun to face Gheskori, then looked hard at the other two supposed traders.
"Why would they suddenly decide to turn on us ?" she asked rhetorically as she walked around the Bridge to stand before Rai, "You seem to have appeared at a fortunate moment, what was it again that the Purezi had hired you to do ?"
"You've already asked ..... I've answered." Elena replied, calmly shrugging off the conversation by turning to the view-screen.
"Is there 'ANY' way we can power up and fire before they can react ?" Zela asked, changing tack unexpectedly. But no-one in her crew could guarantee their success if they attempted to attack the Purezi vessel, "So basically, we're going to have to hand over these three before we can do anything at all !" she shouted.
"Why not hand one over ?" Carl asked, forcing Zela to turn to face him.
"You, maybe ?" the woman asked dangerously, "No, I don't think so Mister Anders, I have need of you at this point in time, so letting you slip away isn't an option ..... No, I'm afraid that we shall have to deal with our Purezi friends in a much more definitive way, much more indeed ..... "Kriten, we still have several of those tri-cobalt devices we were trading to the Gezzul Moguls, right ? .... I think it is time 'we' severed our alliance before they do."
"Just curious here." Elena said casually, knowing she was risking another one-sided beating for uttering a work before being allowed to, but she pressed on either way, stealing herself for the blow, "You plan to simply waltz over there with a nuclear device and blow them the hell out of the sky, so to speak. I think you may find that task a little above your capabilities Zala. The Purezi got where they are for a reason, and allowing the odd atom bomb on board wasn't in their list of ways to the top. It's never going to work, you are more likely to open a rift into sub-spa ....." she stopped talking as realization of what the woman intended dawned on her !
"We're too close, we'll be sucked right in there with them !" one of her men said, his voice trembling.
"GET OFF MY BRIDGE !" she screamed at the man, who exited faster than most sprinters could manage, Zala remained quiet for long seconds, as if working through the issue in her head before continuing. Finally she spoke, "I want them dead, not damaged, but well and truly dead, I'm not particularly bothered if they are 'really' dead you understand, but if we banish them to sub-space, then they may as well be .... Kriten, take two men and prepare two of the tri-cobalt warheads." she was turning to the view-screen when something told her her instruction hadn't been acted upon, she turned to see Kriten still stood looking at her almost defiantly.
"We do not do these things Zala." the man said, the minutest hint of pleading in his voice. Zala walked up to him, stopping millimeters from his face:
"Are you defying me, Kriten, because if so, then I am sure there are others who would cherish the position you hold."
"I'm NOT one of your lackeys Zala." the man retorted, "I am an equal partner in this venture, and I don't have to remind you, that 'THIS' ship is owned by 'ME' not you."
The impasse was obvious, neither of the protagonists were going to back down, that was certain, and if in-fighting began, Carl was certain that Zala would end it quickly and decisively. He stepped forward to get their attention.
"Not wanting to interrupt this love-fest you two seem to be playing out, but your time is almost up." he said with a grin.
He could see the determination in her eyes as she spun on him before dropping into the Command seat. She glared at the Purezi vessel on screen almost as if trying to send the device into their cargo hold by pure will alone.
"They are hailing us." one of her operatives informed her ... She nodded without speaking then looked at the Purezi Captain as if bored with proceedings.
=^= Captain .. .. .. I trust you have given the situation and your position in it some thought .. I am waiting to receive the three persons previously requested =^=
=^= You are willing to end what has been a very lucrative partnership for three people who got the better of you on a deal Captain .. I think you are better than that .. I also think you would not fire on us knowing 'who' we have on board .. May I remind you that it is that one person that is allowing us to trade in relative safety ? =^=
=^= While you are correct .. We do have a mutually profitable partnership .. But there are other less troublesome independent entrepreneurs that we can align ourselves with .. The termination of our fruitful partnership will of course be mourned .. But in truth Captain .. You and your type need us much more than we need you .. .. .. You have thirty seconds or we will reluctantly destroy your vessel and be on our way =^=
=^= WAIT ! .. .. =^= Kriten suddenly said, earning a glare of utter contempt from Zala, but he continued to speak, =^= There must be some way to resolve our issues .. We have traded with the Purezi for many years and have never failed to supply .. Allow us to discuss this situation together .. If we could beam aboard your vessel ? .. .. =^=
=^= You're underling is sensible Captain .. But alas .. Time for discussion is over .. .. .. Fifteen seconds =^= Kriten spun on Zala:
"Beam them over 'NOW' .... I am not going to die for these three. We have no option and you 'KNOW IT' !"
Zala spoke to one of her operatives, her eyes never leaving Kriten's.
"Bring the transporters on-line, lock onto the items and prepare to beam to the Purezi vessel."
"Captain ?" the man said, obviously not understanding the veiled instruction to lock onto the tri-cobalt devices. Zala turned to face him and Kriten moved ..... The blade of the knife pierced her back, entered her heart, and almost protruded through her chest. He placed a hand on her shoulder and turned her to face the view-screen before twisting the ornate blade left and right. Blood ran from her mouth as her lungs filled, then he withdrew the blade and allowed Zala to drop to the floor ... The Purezi captain watched this impassively, raising his hand to postpone firing as he waited to see what the man had to say .... Kriten watched the body fall and looked around the Bridge, he knew he had acted irrationally, killing Zala now was tantamount to signing his own death warrant. While some on the 'D5' were disillusioned with their Commander, many more were fiercely loyal to her, and they would extract their revenge at the first opportunity !
He looked at the Purezi Captain who seemed more than willing to watch the scenario play out to a conclusion, then he glanced at the three prisoners:
"Secure them !" he ordered, knowing how those present reacted would very likely determine the length of time he had to live. A long, full second passed then two of the men drew their phasers and escorted the three off the Bridge. Moments later they were back in confinement !
"Well, that was an 'unexpected' turn of events." Carl said, squatting down against the cell bulkhead, while on the Bridge, Kriten addressed the Purezi Captain:
=^= Captain .. .. .. As you can see .. There has been a change of the Command Structure within our group .. Please allow us to renegotiate terms regarding the prisoners =^=
=^= There are no 'terms' .. .. Captain .. .. .. .. You will transport the prisoners to my ship .. Or face the consequences =^=
"Send them Kriten." someone behind him said ..........
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Gheskori
Command Staff ..
Commanding Officer Personnel Officer Trivia Officer
Section Admiral
USS Enzio
Registered: May 2, 2008 23:32:36 GMT
Posts: 1,538
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Post by Gheskori on Nov 7, 2015 8:30:42 GMT
"Well, that was an 'unexpected' turn of events."
Gheskori stared at the prison cell wall impassively. Finally he said, referring to Kriten, "That man took me aside before I entered the bridge and told me he wants off this ship. That's why he suggested beaming over to the Purezi to 'negotiate terms', and likely why he didn't want the tri-cobalt warheads delivered. He also knows that we're something other than what we claim to be, something he's worked out from a sequence of events, likely including how I shot him unconscious before heading over to Soldado station. How much he knows, I don't know... I very much doubt he thinks that we're Starfleet Intelligence."
Ghes went on to tell them how he'd extracted the promise from Kriten that if he were to escape he would take J'voc with him, the Klingon youth. "I think we can learn something about this House of D'orn if we find a way to let J'voc go free as well... I talked with him during our journey here, and he knows about the Omnis Device! I know, how is that possible? He could have someone on the ship passing him information, a Purezi agent perhaps, or he's somehow receiving messages from his own household, who maybe planning to purchase the Omnis Device themselves.
He stood, pacing up and down the confining space scratching his chin, "Yes I must get to the cargo bay! See J'voc again and remain there until the situation on the bridge plays out to whatever its conclusion -"
"We're in a cell," de Luca reminded him.
Ghes paused, smiling grimly, "Yes, good point..."
* * *
Meanwhile on the bridge, Kriten was being driven to the point of insanity by incessant requests from all quarters: the Purezi captain on the viewscreen, appearing at regular two minute intervals; his own loyal guards pressing him somewhat surreptitiously into releasing the prisoners and thus preserving their lives, and the ground jaws and occasional shouts of "Treason!" from Zala's loyal adherents who felt no need to stay their tongue, Kriten's own command position on his own ship not yet fully secure.
He had intended to find a way off the ship himself, though with his new found command position in what, he had to admit, was an insane move in executing Zala before the bridge crew, perhaps other options would open up for him. He could cut and run, or complete this 'deal' with the Purezi... send the prisoners, Sorne's conditional Klingon included, and be done with the matter.
"On screen," he ordered. The crew were slow to pick up on the order. Something... mutinous lingered in the air. "On screen!" he repeated.
"Ah, Captain... Kriten, isn't it? I've met you before, trading negotiations on Gamma Cygni II, yes, I remember..."
Kriten gazed at the man briefly, confusing him with his lack of response though pondering something in his head. If he gave up the prisoners (J'voc included) and remained here he would be at the mercy of the Klingons, what he - and Zala - had always hoped to avoid. He swallowed, "We're willing to surrender the three in question," he said shortly.
The Purezi captain clasped his hands, smiling, "Excellent! I'm pleased we could come to a favourable arrangement for the both of us, Captain. I'll expect them in... oh, ten seconds." The screen went blank.
Kriten steeled himself and nodded curtly at the transporter operator to prepare the beam-out, before waving forward his most loyal follower from the rear of the bridge, whispering in his ear, "Have the tri-cobalt devices prepared for detonation."
"Destination, sir?" the aide leant in to hear the response.
"No destination; our own cargo hold." The Kriten-adherent's face was a picture of confusion. "We're blowing this ship to hell. As long as we're here and we don't have the Purezi as our allies we're sitting ducks for whatever K'lasq and K'tala decide to throw at us. You and I, we'll make for the two escape pods, set heading for the Dezemmi planet's surface... and hope for the best."
The aide's hands were trembling, "I don't think this is wise, sir -"
"Is this really any time for a debate on the matter?" After a moment the aide shook his head and Kriten stood, turning round facing the whole bridge, "I'm going below to say goodbye to the prisoners," he announced loudly. "Mekhli. You're in charge, until I get back." Zala's trusted follower Mekhli crawled into the command chair, nervously regarding the viewscreen and conscious of the wary looks given him by the remaining bridge crew.
Kriten's aide - having returned where he'd set the tri-cobalt devices on a short countdown to detonation - joined with his master and they entered the adjacent escape pods. Kriten settled in his seat, adjusting the straps and peering out the small portal offering him a view of the Dezemmi world and the small pinprick of light that was the Purezi trader ship. With five seconds until the tri-cobalt detonation, he raised his comm device to his mouth, "Bridge, transport the prisoners to the Purezi vessel, including J'voc." He didn't wait to hear the protests; instead he jammed his hand on the release catch to shoot his pod away from the ship. The two escape pods went spiralling away into the night. "Goodbye," he muttered, feeling the shunt of the blast wave from his trader vessel's destruction behind him.
* * *
Ghes, Carl, Elena de Luca and a young Klingon had materialised on the bridge of the Purezi vessel. Before either party had a chance to voice their surprise, they all became transfixed on the viewscreen, it showing an image of a disintegrating trader vessel, blasted apart by tri-cobalt detonations.
"They destroyed themselves, rather than face the House of D'orn," the Purezi captain said, a look of astonishment on his face.
"Klingons have that uncanny ability to instill fear in their opponents, you know that," Ghes said, "Especially in those who've held as a prisoner one of their House for five years."
"Ten years!" J'voc growled, soon having to be restrained by Purezi security.
"Sir. I'm reading a massive build up of tetryons at the centre of Zala's destroyed vessel, approximately where their cargo bay used to be... A subspace rift is forming, sir... They used their tri-cobalt devices."
"That crazy man," Ghes reflected, thinking about Kriten.
"Get us out of here!" the captain ordered, taking the command seat, holding a hand up to his three guests and known Starfleet agents. "I'm delighted to see you obviously, lady and gentlemen. My contact in Starfleet Intelligence has been calling every day for news of your whereabouts, but first I've got to get my vessel away from this rift and any gravitational pull it may effect. Warp 3 once we're out of range of the gravitational shearing effects!" he commanded.
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Elena de Luca
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Dec 14, 2009 0:38:17 GMT
Posts: 266
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Post by Elena de Luca on Nov 11, 2015 20:59:55 GMT
Gheskori stood, pacing up and down the confining space scratching his chin.
"Yes I must get to the cargo bay, see J'voc again and remain there until the situation on the bridge plays out to whatever its conclusion." Elena raised her eyebrows, knowing she was stating the startlingly obvious, but did so anyway:
"We're in a cell !" she said wryly. Ghes paused, smiling grimly before replying:
"Yes, good point ..... " ......
They had sat around with know-where to go for several minutes when one of those loyal to Zala entered the room. He approached the cell phaser in hand, glaring at the occupants as if willing to dispose of them without a thought, Carl spoke to the man trying to gauge his determination:
"You need to re-think your loyalties here. Killing us will do nothing to endear you to Kriten, or his followers."
"Oh, I don't think I will have any problems from our 'temporary' Commander." the man said, eyeing Elena up and down as if speculating his chances should he agree to free her and kill the others, but he continued to speak to Torek and Gheskori, obviously able to multi-task, "You see, Kriten made the last mistake he will 'ever' make by killing Zala."
"Oh ..... And why's that ?" Elena asked, eyebrows raised, staring the man down and obviously winning the battle. The man shrugged as if loosing interest in her and turned to face the two Star Fleet Officers:
"The Klingon child is more than he seems to be. You are no doubt aware of his lineage ? ... Yes he is soon to be the leader of the Klingon High Council, where he will bring the Klingon Empi ......"
"Hmm, you might want to re-think that." Carl interrupted, "Yes, he's the Son of one of the High Families, but I seriously doubt he'll rise to the position of Chancellor, let alone take the Klingon Empire into a war there is zero chance of winning .... You 'are' thinking that K'lasq is going to use the Omnis Device to eradicate the High Council than casually walk in there and sit the boy on the proverbial throne, yes I thought so." he finished as the man made an involuntary nod of confirmation.
"What would you know ?" the man said, obviously irate now, waving the phaser left and right as if trying to decide on which to kill first, but his thoughts were interrupted by the sudden and worrisome sound of a piercing alarm !
"Opps, maybe you should go find out what is happening, you know, before you go on you're murder spree ?" Elena suggested casually. The man had little option but to run from the room.
"Any idea's ?" Gheskori asked.
"It's the Klingon equivalent of our 'live-fire' warning ...." Elena informed them, "Though given Zala's earlier suggestion regarding the Purezi, I have the feeling we're not going to be around to ge ....." she stopped speaking as the tell-tale whine and sudden grip of a transport in progress took hold.
~~~~~
Gheskori, Carl, Elena de Luca, and a young Klingon had materialized on the bridge of the Purezi vessel ...... Before either party had a chance to voice their surprise, they all became transfixed on the view-screen. It was showing an image of a disintegrating trader vessel, blasted apart by tri-cobalt detonations.
"They destroyed themselves, rather than face the House of D'orn," the Purezi captain said, a look of astonishment on his face.
"Sir. I'm reading a massive build up of tetryons at the center of Zala's destroyed vessel, approximately where their cargo bay used to be ... A subspace rift is forming ... Sir ... They used their tri-cobalt devices."
"That crazy man" Ghes reflected, thinking about Kriten.
"Get us out of here !" the Purezi Captain ordered ... "Warp three !"
Within a second the massive vessel jumped to warp, leaving the area as fast as the matter antimatter conversion would allow, but it still wasn't quick enough !
"Shock-wave !" the Helmsman informed them, pushing the core past all safety limits in an effort to out-run the event horizon.
"I introduce myself, Captain Nor'am .... I am delighted to see you obviously, lady and gentlemen. My contact in Starfleet Intelligence has been calling every day for news of your whereabouts, but first I must get my vessel away from this rift and any gravitational pull it may effect. A feat I fear we may not accomplish, unfortunately." he finished speaking as the Bridge watched the Aft view and the on-coming shock wave. They all knew that the sub-space event horizon was fractions of a second behind the wave, so to be caught by one meant certain capture by the other. The Captain ordered an increase in speed to warp seven, but it was too late .......
The impact was unimaginable !
The ship screeched and screamed as stresses surpassed all know design limits, deck after deck ruptured, but still the vessel held herself together, thinking quickly, Captain Nor'am had ordered the artificial gravity on the Bridge doubled, it was doubtless the thing that saved their lives. While still thrown like rag dolls, they quickly slammed into the deck-plates rather than being flung into consoles and suffering possible fatal injuries. Their time in the clutches of the initial shock-wave seemed to stretch into hours, but in reality was less than thirty seconds ... Finally the ship settled, slowly righting itself in relation to Galactic Zee and slowed to drift ... The only illumination was the emergency lighting, the air tasted as if burnt, and that was a worry, as it meant there was currently, or had been, a fire. Elena could see smoke rising from several of the consoles but due to the increased gravity could do little about it. She shouted to Carl and Gheskori, who both managed to confirm they were still somehow among the living. She heard Carl shout to the Purezi Captain, Nor'am, and a few seconds later the gravity returned to Earth normal ...
With all power off-line, it was almost impossible to do anything quickly ....... After establishing that everyone on the Bridge was relatively unhurt, Nor'an sent several of his crew through the service crawl-ways to check out other parts of the ship and find out how many they had lost. Thankfully, emergency bulkheads had snapped into place minimizing the loss of people and life-sustaining oxygen, but it wasn't looking very good, and with no means of checking their position, there was no way at all of checking if they had escaped the sub-space rift the explosion had initiated, or indeed if they were still in their own universe !
"Let's try to reestablish power as soon as possible." Nor'am ordered, "Life support first, then sensors, and drive systems. we are blind out here."
Elena could see the Klingon boy, J'vok, sat quietly at the back of the Bridge, she knew he was unhurt so joined Torek and Gheskori in assisting the Purezi in the attempt to give their vessel life once more ..... They had been working hard for over an hour when there was the sudden tell-tale thud of a hard dock ... Something was attaching itself to the ship ! ......
With communications out and no turbo-lifts operational, they had little option but to take to the service crawl-ways. Torek, Ghes, Elena and Captain Nor'am left the Bridge and after crawling through countless maintenance conduits, emerged on Deck Four, hopefully the location of the unknown vessel that had docked. Approaching the Docking Port they could see two of the Purezi were already there:
"What is happening ?" Nor'am asked.
"We cannot scan for information Captain, but we have line-of-sight through the ports. It is a small craft, maybe an escape pod of some description. We have manually locked the inner hatch to prevent ingress of the occupant."
"Who could this be ?" Nor'am asked the Federation Officers. Gheskori shrugged ..........
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Gheskori
Command Staff ..
Commanding Officer Personnel Officer Trivia Officer
Section Admiral
USS Enzio
Registered: May 2, 2008 23:32:36 GMT
Posts: 1,538
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Post by Gheskori on Nov 14, 2015 18:46:11 GMT
They were tossed about the bridge, sent flying over chairs and consoles to thud back onto the deck with twice their normal body weight. When will this torment be over? Ghes thought, as he was flung into another bulkhead with the hit of another of the wavefronts from the subspace distortion.
Eventually the ship levelled out, the gravitational shearing subsiding as they finally made it out of range of the massive subspace tear. Now they were crawling through the maintenance conduits, on the way to the airlock where the unidentified ship had docked. They stood before the door, looking through the small segments of glass at the outer door and the tiny vessel beyond. As he looked, the outer door started retracting, a foot appearing from the small space behind.
Kriten levered himself out of the seat onto the floor of the inner airlock. He was surprised the docking mechanisms worked at all, the pod having been caught in the immediate blast-wave and being jarred from its deorbital trajectory around the Dezemmi globe onto a slingshot heading for the departing Purezi ship. Using the minimal ion thrusters to adjust his heading and the 'one shot only' warp drive he had managed to propel himself to the Purezi ship's coordinates. Unfortunately, it'd taken a toll on his body. The initial blast had cracked his ribs as he had been shunted forwards onto his controls, then the orbital flight and jumping to warp had led to lesions in the same area of the chest; he was now bleeding profusely through the thorax, a crimson patch on his mercenary fatigues.
He hammered a fist on the airlock's inner door, his face coming up to the viewing window. "Oh no," he saw Sorne mouth the words. Sorne then spoke to someone on his left, who Kriten saw from craning his neck in the small window was the Purezi captain. Great, he thought.
"We should jettison him into space. We have no need of him," Nor'am said. "Trust me, friends, he'll only cause trouble. I have dealt with him and his late business partner Zala on many occasions, and they will always look to gain an unfair advantage outside the unwritten rules of fair trading practice. Typically when they have you at the negotiating table they'll have plotted to steal what they're negotiating for, having others carry it out while you sit there oblivious."
"Perhaps it is the wise choice, perhaps it is murder," Gheskori said.
Nor'am shook his head, turning to the crewmember at the other side of the door, "Flush him," he instructed.
"No!!" they saw Kriten shouting inside the airlock, his breath condensing on the glass ports. He bashed his fists on the door.
Nor'am turned to the three intel officers, shrugging and laughing as if what he proposed was nothing, "There really is no need -"
"Perhaps he has valuable information, concerning what the Klingons know, concerning how the Dolar might be wanting to sell their Omnis Device. J'voc and several of Zala's crew knew about the D'orn House's plans, it stands to reason their crew would have investigated how the D'orn House might go about that in their negotiations with the Dolar." Gheskori tilted his head, "On the other hand, I don't really want to see him again considering his beating me up before, but..."
"Oh, let him in," Nor'am stood back, sniffing.
Kriten came stumbling through the inner airlock door. He nearly collapsed on the deck as he felt light-headed from the sudden in-rush of warmth which fleshed out his white features; he steadied himself and looked at the people before him, blood dripping down his clothes. "Captain Nor'am," he nodded, supporting himself against a bulkhead.
"Captain Kriten," Nor'am said, the annoyance in his voice evident.
"This ship's in imminent danger."
"Yes it is, you've come aboard."
"No. The Klingons. My pod picked up two Vor'cha class attack ships on mid-range sensors. Haven't you detected them?"
Gheskori answered, "Main systems are still coming back online. We have life support, shields and minimal engines. Only short-range sensors are operative... we're almost blind."
They returned to the bridge through the maintenance tunnels, a Purezi security guard assigned to Kriten as they headed through the ship. Once on the bridge a medic attended to his injuries, though Kriten thought he had little chance. Ha, it was ironic. He had abandoned his ship so that he wouldn't be found by the Klingons, now that he was actually aboard his intended sanctuary it was about to come under attack, presumably from the House of D'orn but they couldn't be sure it wasn't another group.
"They won't want us," Nor'am declared, looking at the viewscreen and the two Vor'chas dropping into formation before them. "They have no quarrel with us, they'll want you," he pointed at Kriten. "So get out of my sight, off the bridge."
Gheskori, Carl and Elena made way for Kriten as he was led to the turbolift, "Mr Anders... Mr Sorne... Rai..." the trader acknowledged each of them in turn, stopping by their shoulders before being pushed into the lift by security. Ghes moved back into place, then saw that the Klingon ships were hailing. Nor'am had a channel opened and two Klingons, one male and one female appeared on the viewscreen. They introduced themselves as brother and sister, K'lasq and K'tala of the House of D'orn. J'voc was still on the bridge! Ghes realised with a start, starting towards the boy's position but the youth stepped forward to greet his parent and uncle before anyone could silence him.
"We know who you are," Nor'am said to the Klingons, "This boy has been rescued from Zala and Kriten, whose ship has been destroyed. I'm sorry you couldn't have your vengeance. We can arrange to send the boy over to you..."
"In return for information on your plans for acquisition of the Omnis Device," Ghes said, stepping from the aft of the bridge towards Nor'am, who looked at him in horror. Neither he nor Carl nor Elena he suspected would be willing to let the youth go that easily... He could be a valuable source of information. "Fellow bidders will be interested, you understand."
"Who is this petaQ, Nor'am?" K'lasq growled, gesturing at Gheskori.
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,163
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Post by Carl Torek on Nov 15, 2015 15:11:32 GMT
=^= In return for information on your plans for acquisition of the Omnis Device .. .. Fellow bidders 'will' be interested you understand =^= Ghes suddenly interrupted, stepping from the aft of the bridge towards Nor'am, who looked at him in horror
=^= Who is this petaQ Nor'am ? =^= K'lasq growled, gesturing at Gheskori.
=^= We are the people that hold your Son =^= Gheskori said, matter-of-factly.
=^= You will beam the boy over to my ship immediately .. Or suffer the consequences .. .. Lock phasers onto the Purezi vessel .. Prepare to transport my Son off their ship !"
Carl had been inching his way toward one of the Purezi, who rather than watching the Federation Officers as instructed, was engrossed with the scene playing out on the Beidge. He deftly took the man's phaser and jabbed the business end in the mans side, putting a finger to his lips to silence any complaint. He stepped back and moved forward.
=^= Oh .. I would reconsider what you are about to do K'lasq =^= Torek said holding the phaser to the Klingon youth's head, =^= Now .. I'm not one hundred percent sure .. But I would guess that should I fire this as you begin to bean the boy here away .. You will be extremely disappointed with what turns up .. .. .. Now .. If we could all possibly calm down and discuss the situation like adults I am sure we can come to an amicable solution that will greatly benefit both parties ? =^=
=^= You will all die .. Human and Purezi alike .. .. .. J'vok you will die with honor .. Open fire on the Pur .. .. =^= Ktala hissed.
=^= NOOOO ! =^= K'lasq screamed, before making a visible effort to calm herself and her Brother down, the Comm suddenly closed .....
Nor'am spun to face Torek, the hatred in his eyes clear for all to see. He began to reach for the phaser, but Carl inched it forward until almost touching the Klingon boys temple. Nor'am stepped back, amazed and shocked at the sudden and violent change of events. He was a trader, first and foremost a trader, violence was not something the Purezi used, they had no need of it as their reputation for fairness and honesty was known throughout every civilized world. Without having to look, Carl was certain that numerous weapons were now trained on himself and his two associates. In turn, the last thing the Federation wanted to do was make an enemy of the Purezi Trader Nor'am, he was at times a reliable source of information, and had helped the Federation on numerous occasions, but the situation would have surely escalated beyond even his control had Torek not stepped in !
"We need to come to a consensus before K'lasq and Ktala make contact again." Carl said, handing the phaser to Elena, who sat herself down and motioned for J'vok to sit on the deck before her. She rested the business end of the weapon against his neck and grinned, "We need information on the Omnis Device, more so we need to know 'why' the D'orn House would attempt to overthrow the Ruling Council in such a way. There has to be something else going on here ..."
"History is rife with attempted Klingon Coups .... And as far as I'm aware, only one ever succeeded with such totality to allow the House to remain in power ... With all due respect to the D'orn House, they simply don't have the backing to even attempt such a thing." Elena began, but J'vok spat a torrid of abuse at her until she pushed the phaser into his neck and waited for him to fall silent, "You would need the loyalty of a minimum of five of the other Houses, not to mention access to their ships and warriors. Sorry, but nothing say's the D'orn House could even come close. The coup would be over before it began .... Even 'WITH' this Omnis Device." she finished with a shrug.
"Is it possible the House of D'orn is working on behalf of one of the larger Houses ?" Carl asked her, ceding to her superior Intelligence knowledge.
"It's possible yes, even likely, but I doubt they would be forthcoming if you asked them outright."
"Could they be being manipulated ?" Gheskori asked, but all Elena could do was shrug again, she simply didn't have the information at hand to help her, "Then we can't return J'vok." he said simply.
"Captain, the Klingon vessels are backing away and moving into attack position." one of the Bridge crew informed Nor'am, but before he could react the man continued, "Sir, they are demanding we hand over the boy."
"Tell me we have shields and weapons !"
"Shields, minimal weapons, nothing that would do them any damage."
"Then raise shields." Nor'am ordered, then turned to look a the Klingon boy, "Rest assured, if we die, you will too, and it will be anything but honorable ..... Ms Rai, if you would move aside ..... Lock transporter onto the Klingon."
"Destination Captain ?"
"Nowhere !" Nor'am said, laughing as J'vok realized what was about to happen to him, "Yes, so much for your beloved Sto-vo-kor ! ..... Ener ....."
"WAIT !" J'vok screamed, hands raised as if attempting to fend off the beam, "I can save you .... Allow me to speak to my Mother, she will allow you to live."
"We have gone too far already." one of the Bridge crew said nervously, "We are traders, not fighters. The Klingon's will never allow our actions to go unpunished, they will hunt us down until they have their retribution."
"No ... You spare my life, my Mother and our House will be honor-bound to respect any agreement. If she states you are to be freed of all blame, it will be so."
"You would say that Klingon, if only to save your li ...." the woman continued, but Nor'am silenced her with a look. He turned to the Federation Officers ..........
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Gheskori
Command Staff ..
Commanding Officer Personnel Officer Trivia Officer
Section Admiral
USS Enzio
Registered: May 2, 2008 23:32:36 GMT
Posts: 1,538
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Post by Gheskori on Nov 17, 2015 22:43:04 GMT
Gheskori agreed with J'voc's viewpoint, if only for the reason that the Klingons should have nothing against the Purezi and would rather exact their vengeance upon Zala and Kriten's freighter. Now that wasn't possible - and now that J'voc had been saved from death on the trader vessel by the Purezi - they may well direct their need for retribution upon the next best target, those currently holding J'voc. Still, Ghes trusted J'voc's judgement that - as long as J'voc was kept from harm - his mother would be ready to listen to whatever demands the Purezi and their resident SF Intel officers put forth.
"J'voc might provide us with useful information, though no way near the same level as what K'lasq and K'tala could offer us..." Ghes mused, sitting against the rail behind Nor'am's chair, "The question remains, do we want to give up the youth in exchange for the information?"
Nor'am nodded, "Hail them... On screen." The two Klingons appeared before them, one decidedly calmed down, the other - the male - leaning forward, a toothy grin indicative of the fate that awaited them should they not acquiesce. "Mother of J'voc," Nor'am said, "We're of no mind to harm your son." He paused, rolling his eyes, "Nor were we before incidentally..."
"Nor'am," Carl whispered warningly.
"Yes, yes," he whispered back, before addressing the Klingons, "Let it be known that we rescued your son from the destruction of the trader vessel you had your alliance with, and which you'd more recently been hunting down. Also rescued were my three... associates, John Anders, Evan Sorne and Rai. Zala and Kriten destroyed their own ship. Now, we are fully ready to comply if you wish to have your son beamed aboard your vessel, or, if you wish he can remain here and under our protection." K'lasq shifted uncomfortably on the viewscreen. "We ask only for... advice, on how to reach the Dolar, where we may be able to submit a counter bid. We Purezi are motley traders; we don't often get involved in negotiations for purchase of weaponry like the Omnis, especially when such formidable competition is arrayed before us -"
"You prattle like a Denobulan, Nor'am!" K'lasq erupted. "Return my nephew and heir to me and we may be able to discuss your terms."
Ghes stiffened at the back of the bridge, aware - despite his surgical alterations to make himself appear half-human - of the Denobulan features he still possessed. We do not prattle! he thought. He glanced across at Carl, "Give him what he wants?" he said out of earshot of the House of D'orn leaders. Obviously it was risky... With J'voc on one of the Vor'chas there'd be - from one perspective - no reason for the Klingons to let the Purezi live (they may not even bother with the Purezi and leave the region of space altogether but without the information Carl and Ghes needed). On the other hand, J'voc had sworn that with the guarantee of his safety, the mother at least would be willing to listen to reason.
"We shall beam him over immediately, honourable K'tala," Ghes called out.
"Sorne!" the Purezi captain called out as Ghes eclipsed his view of the viewscreen.
"And unharmed, may I add."
K'lasq, satisfied at least in the meantime, worked a console and instructed the Purezi ship to lower shields. There were a few tense moments as the trader ship now lay completely defenceless before the two Klingon cruisers, then J'voc dematerialised and appeared on the Klingon bridge. Shields were raised a fraction of a second later.
K'lasq checked over his nephew while K'tala spoke, "We... thank you Captain Nor'am for rescuing my child from the clutches of Zala..." she spat on the floor, "And for keeping him from harm." She readjusted herself in her seat, uncomfortable with compromises, "Now we owe you a favour. You wish to know methods for procurement of the Omnis Device?"
Ghes and Nor'am nodded as one. "Then you'll need to contact Dolar transwarp relay XC-Zeta-24. It's manned by two Dolar, observing test results of the Omnis in the sector adjacent to their homeworld. Don't get too close: the two of them are scientists, not the Dolar responsible for transactions regarding Omnis, and you wouldn't want your ship to find itself at the mercy of their remote control games..." her cackling was harsh on the ears. She recovered, "They'll be able to put you through to the right channels. We were interested ourselves, until Dolar Intendant Mallus deceived us and destroyed one of our Birds of Prey. He is fortunate our efforts are now directed elsewhere..."
The channel closed. Ghes spun on the rest of the bridge crew, "They're not after it? Not bidding for it whatsoever?"
"Unless they're bluffing, making us think we have little or no competition..." Torek said, "Then they'd expect us to put in a modest bid while they bid high. Surely if they even want to begin their conquest against the Empire they're going to want this technology."
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