From: Shawn _ (alamo_nate_at_yahoo.com)
Date: Sat Jul 05 2008 - 12:10:36 PDT
=Familiarity=
(cont'd from "Operation Mirror Chasing")
LOCATION: USS CHANTICO
SCENE: Bridge
STARDATE: [2.8]0705.1130
The sudden appearance of Dominion ships on the sensors changed everything. Immediately, the plan to investigate the rogue ship was put on hold, and steps were taken to make sure that the CHANTICO and the COMMENDATION were battle ready. The MATACO was still heavily damaged from its last battle with Dominion ships, and so would be tasked with hanging back and securing a means of escape. Of course, nobody on any of the Starfleet ships wanted to engage the Dominion, not when they were so far away from Federation reinforcements... but if it came to it, all three crews were prepared to give the Dominion a fight to remember.
"Status on the Dominion ships?" Kate MacNeil asked.
"They are approaching our position," Kor reported from the tactical console. "They do not appear to have detected us."
"They know three ships were in this sector," MacNeil said. "Those two stragglers from the nebula must have reported that to Dominion command."
"We will have to drop the cloak in order to go to warp," Kor said. "For a few seconds, we will be vulnerable to attack. And, of course, the COMMENDATION and the MATACO are in plain sight. And due to the damage the MATACO took during its last encounter with the Dominion, they will be unable to go to warp."
"We can't leave them behind," MacNeil said. She cursed quietly- what was supposed to be a simple pursuit-and-capture mission was rapidly getting out of hand. It would take more than bravery to save them from a fleet of Dominion vessels. "What's the status of the COMMENDATION and MATACO's away teams?"
"I'm recieving a report now," Stephens reported. "Both teams have safely returned to their ships."
"ETA of Dominion vessels?" MacNeil asked.
"8 minutes," Kor reported. "They will be able to track us should we go to warp, but it is doubtful they will pursue us into Federation territory."
"Lock a tractor beam onto the rogue ship," MacNeil ordered. "Signal the MATACO."
The image of Commodore Kenji Necarra appeared on the viewscreen.
"Commodore, I assume you're reading the incoming Dominion fleet?" MacNeil asked.
{{We've picked them up on our sensors,}} Necarra nodded.
"If we engage, we'll wind up fighting a losing battle," MacNeil said. "I will advise the COMMENDATION to lock a tractor beam on to you, and tow you back to GATEWAY."
{{Understood.}} Necarra said. {{Lowering shields now. Necarra out.}}
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LOCATION: KING MIDAS, currently docked at GATEWAY Station
SCENE: Budo Pumbular's Private Office
The office was plushly decorated, with only the finest silks and most lavishly decorated furniture. Lorton Vega looked as out of place here as a Vulcan in the middle of an ancient Klingon blood rite. His clothes tried very hard to give the illusion of finery, but when placed near *actual* top of the line merchandise, they became an eyesore, seeming to suck the richness out of everything around them. Also, close inspection revealed that he had not washed under his fingernails- a black layer of grime was clear underneath all of them.
Budo waved his scented handkerchief under his nose, trying his best to remain polite. This man had information, and just enough brain to know how important it was to Budo. The rotund businessman hated being put in a situation where price was dictated to him (he much preferred it the other way around), but occasionally, allowances must be made.
Still, he made a mental note to instruct Mr. Vega to wash *thoroughly* before ever seeking an audience with him again. After all, there was only so much a man of Budo's taste could be reasonably expected to put up with.
"I understand you know the whereabouts of Martin Anders," Budo said, coming to business quickly.
"I may have heard something, yeah," Vega said, glancing around the office, occasionally reaching out to feel a strand of fine silk draped across a table or chair. Budo noted with displeasure that he seemed to leave dirty smudges on everything he touched... or perhaps that was just Budo's imagination.
"And what would you ask in return for this information?"
"A million credits," Vega said, his greed giving him a wide smile and an unpleasant look in his eye.
"Out of the question," Budo said quickly, and it was. He wanted the information, yes, but Mr. Vega was not the only place for him to get it. Dealing with him was a matter of convenience- he could get it quicker, and at a lower cost, by dealing with an independent source like Lorton Vega. To discover the information on his own would mean hiring agents to locate it for him. Not only that, but there would likely be bribe money required, as well as travel expenses. And, of course, all this movement, even in the underworld, would cause some ripples that could alert the man he sought. And Budo didn't want Martin Anders slipping away again.
But a million credits was a ridiculous fee to ask for. Budo could acquire this information on his own a hundred times for a million credits. Mr. Vega obviously had been intoxicated by Budo's displays of wealth, and thought that the fat man would simply toss away a million as though it were pocket changes. But rich men don't stay rich by being foolish with their money, and while a million credits was a relatively meager sum to Budo, he had no intention on giving Vega anything *near* that amount.
"Then maybe I take this information somewhere else," Vega shrugged.
"There is no one else," Budo said, sounding bored. "You have a market of one. I'm the only person looking for this information."
"I bet Martin Anders wouldn't mind getting his hands on it," Vega said..
Budo frowned. Vega was making this unnecessarily difficult, but he was smarter than Budo would have given him credit for. The weaely-faced gambler seemed to have a natural instinct for survival, as though he had spent so long looking out for himself that he'd honed it to a fine art. Of course, this did nothing for personality or taste, and overall Budo decided that Lorton Vega was a very unpleasant man, not worth his respect.
"Martin Anderss will not be able to match the amount I am willing to pay," Budo said reasonably. "And he may kill you for your trouble. I, on the other hand, am willing to reward you. Reasonably, of course."
Vega considered this. "100,000 credits."
"20,000," Budo said, stone-faced. "And I'm being *very* generous."
"50,000," Lorton countered. But Budo's expression did not change.
"You misunderstand me," Budo said, having had enough of Vega's infantile attempts at bargaining. He didn't want it to have to go this far, but Vega was starting to irritate him. "We are not negotiating. Let me tell you what is going to happen here. You are going to accept my *new* offer of 10,000 credits, you will tell me what I want to know, and then you will get out of my sight."
"I think we're done talking," Vega said, starting to rise. The man actually thought to *bluff* Budo Pumbular? The fat man wanted to grin, but kept his expression neutral.
As Vega turned to leave, a huge form blocked the door. Vega looked up, and found himself staring into the murderous eyes of an extremely big, extremely ugly Nausicaan. The alien glared down at Vega, and it was obvious what was on its mind... if Vega took one more step, the Nausicaan would break him in half.
"Thank you, K'ressh," Budo nodded politely at the Nausicaan."Mr. Vega, I suggest you return to your seat."
Lorton Vega obeyed quickly, keeping an eye on the Nausicaan as he did so..
"I admire your spirit, if nothing else," Budo said. "So I will pay you 12,000 credits. Are we agreed?"
Vega, who had realized he had no bargaining power whatsoever here, wisely took what he could get. "Agreed."
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LOCATION: USS COMMENDATION
SCENE: Bridge
"Incoming message from the CHANTICO," Daiuon reported.
"On screen," Ana said.
{{Captain, we've locked a tractor beam on the rogue vessel,}} the image of Kate MacNeil explained as it appeared on the main view-screen. {{Lock a tractor beam onto the MATACO, and we can attempt a jump to warp.}}
"I assume you've run this plan by the Commodore?" Ana asked.
{{We have,}} MacNeil nodded. {{It's risky, but it's our best hope.}}
"Understood," Ana said. "Engaging tractor beam now."
From where she sat beside the Captain's chair, Daisy frowned. A jump to warp speed with a ship in tow wasn't the safest course of action; potentially; potentially, the strain of pulling two ships along at warp speed could fry a ship's engines, or gravimetric distortions could tear the two ships apart. Still, it wasn't unprecedented, and she agreed that it had a better chance of working than staying and fighting it out with ten- make that twelve, including the two that had appeared from the nebula- Dominion ships.
"Tractor beam engaged," Daiuon said.
"Set a course back to GATEWAY Station," Ana ordered. "Warp six."
"Course laid in."
"We're recieving a hail from the lead Dominion vessel, Captain," the officer at tactical reported.
Ana raised an eyebrow. It was most likely a stall tactic, but she was interested in what the Dominion might have to say. "On screen."
The image on the main viewer changed again, turning into a rather attractive looking female Vorta with a bemused smile on her lips. Of course, Daisy recognized her almost immediately, and for a moment felt like she'd been punched in the stomach.
"Vertec," she growled.
{{Commander Davidson,}} the Vorta smiled graciously. {{What a coincidence that I should find you in my backyard.}}
"I thought you died," Daisy scowled.
{{And yet I live again,}} Vertec said. {{Such is the wisdom and mercy of the Founders.}}
"Or their cloning technicians," Daisy said. "What do you want, Vertec?"
{{Oh no, Commander,}} Vertec pointed out. {{This time, it's not about what *I* want. It's about what you and your friends are doing in Dominion territory.}}
"We were just leaving, actually," Daisy said with a polite smile. "Nice to see you, though. I'll be sure to send you a nice fruit basket the next time you find yourself in GATEWAY space."
{{I'm looking forward to it,}} Vertec said, oozing with fake kindness. {{You're sure I can't persuade to stay awhile? We've developed some new weapons that I would just *love* to demonstrate for you.}}
"I'm afraid that will have to wait," Ana cut in suddenly, not wanting Daisy or Vertec to goad each other any further. "Cut transmission."
The viewscreen cut off suddenly, and Ana turned to Daisy. "You seem to have no shortage of old enemies."
"Must be my charming personality," Daisy shrugged.
Ana nodded, then turned back to the FCO. "Engage."
-------------------------------------------------
LOCATION: KING MIDAS
SCENE: Budo's Office
Later, Budo reviewed the information that Vega had given him. He had arranged to have it verified, of course, but if it checked out, then it was worth the time and irritation of dealing with Lorton Vega. The man had been paid and shown to the door by K'ressh. Budo had no doubt that Vega would quickly lose the majority of his reward at the gambling tables- such was the gambler's way. It was a meager existence, but at least Vega was suited to it.
He reflected on what to do next. Of course, he couldn't move against Anders directly. Their past association was far too public, and someone snooping into Budo's public records might make the connection if Ander were to suddenly end up dead. Budo needed a way to deal with Anders without getting directly involved.
He used his console to hack into a Federation database and called up Anders' criminal record. He was wanted in several systems for a variety of crimes- robbery, larceny, assault, and the like. This could be helpful- he quickly scanned the news database for each of those systems. In a matter of moments, he'd found what he was looking for.
A bounty contract on Martin Anders.
He touched a keypad on his desk. "Please make an appointment for Raxl Dreyton to come and see me."
===========================================================================
NRPG: Our ships have narrowly escaped a confrontation with the Dominion, and are on their way home with the SHIV and the MATACO in tow. Of course, the SHIV's crew probably won't want to come quietly, so who knows what sort of mischief they'll get into between here and there.
And, of course, Vertec's back. Will she be content to let her quarry escape, or will she attempt to pursue them?
Also, a little burgeoning subplot with Raxl Dreyton.
Shawn Putnam
a.k.a.
Jacob Crichton, Lieutenant
Chief of Engineering
GATEWAY Station, GS-2
From HyperNews_at_youth.net
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Wed Nov 19 2008 - 03:10:53 PST