A Game Afoot

Posted on Wed Apr 10th, 2024 @ 4:30pm by Lieutenant Commander Keishara Davaris & Captain Stryvek & Commander Steven Greco & Lieutenant Evelyn Stewart & Lieutenant Dashku Zhevou & Lieutenant Amarok s'Lovok & Colonel Galen s'Khev
Edited on on Fri Apr 19th, 2024 @ 1:47am

3,643 words; about a 18 minute read

Mission: Year One: Whispers in the Wind
Location: USS Moore - Bridge
Timeline: MD 18: 0930 hrs

Galen sat on his Bridge under cloak for days as he watched everything unfurl. His original mission was to simply observe and report on the festival and Federation movements. However, the explosion and fallout from that explosion has drawn him to do drastic measures. "Tactical what is the status of the Moore?"

The Romulan female who stood at Tactical smirked and then responded. "Colonel, their shields are raised and weapons in standby mode. However, they have split their vessel into three. If we concentrate our fire on one section it can be destroyed easily."

Galen leaned his head on his hand as he considered his options. "Do not actively target the Moore. However, plot your targets and when I give the order lock them in. Decloak."

The doors to the bridge opened swiftly as Captain Stryvek led his senior staff onto the bridge from the conference room. As he took his center seat, each of them taking their own stations. "Lieutenant, dock all parts of the ship and prepare to leave orbit." He ordered the helm officer.

Stewart simply nodded as she started to tap the controls to bring the three parts of the ship back together. "Aye, Sir." She called out in confirmation as she began the sequence. She didn't get very far in the process. The navigation console beeped at a sudden change in tachyon particles directly off the starboard bow and it drew Stewart's attention as she glanced up at the screen, seeing the sudden shimmer and decloaking. "Captain, there's a ship decloaking!"

Forward and to the starboard side of the USS Moore a large green vessel waved into view. This was a D'deridex Class Warbird, a ship that would dwarf a Galaxy Class let alone the small Prometheus. The massive ship loomed and menaced over the Moore, nearly taking up the entire view screen. The position of the warbird virtually pinned the dorsal section of the Moore in orbit.

Any surprise that Stryvek felt at the sudden appearance of the massive warbird didn't show. He immediately stood to better give orders to his crew. "Yellow Alert." He called out calmly.

Keishara had only really just sat down in her chair at tactical when the warbird decloaked. Her heart skipped a beat and quickened but to look at her you couldn't tell. "Yellow alert, aye sir." she replied calmly as she swivelled around in her chair to start making potential preparations for a fight.

Years of Jem Hadar ambushes allowed Command Greco to control his reaction and step into action. He left his station as well to join the captain, prepared to assist in giving orders. "Defensive pattern Beta-nine," he ordered down to Stewart before turning to tactical. "Commander, prepare to lock phasers on their weapons systems but do not lock on until actually ordered to by the Captain." He explained explicitly to the El-Aurian. "Lieutenant, scan for other cloaked ships in the area." He called back to the Romulan science officer.

Stewart nodded and took a calming breath to steel herself as she felt the adrenaline begin to run through her system from the surprise. She focused her mind on the task at hand, moving the other two parts of the ship she could maneuver into position.

"Warbird is taking an offensive posture and has blocked the return of our dorsal section. At the moment they have shields up and weapons on stand by but haven't locked on yet. Same as us." Kei commented from tactical as she scanned the ship to see how ready she was for a fight.

"The Warbird is alone, sensors do not detect any other tachyon emissions in the local space, permission to expand to make a maximum range scan Commander? I didn't want to alert them to our actively looking." Amarok reported after a moment. Almost certainly there had to be Tal Shiar onboard, Amarok didn't actually know but always, always, assumed regardless.

The Romulans, of course the Romulans would some how muster up a Warbird to make some kind of bizarre show of strength after the bombing. She suspected this was not the only colony where one of these ships would be appearing and creating the same apprehensive feelings among the crew.

"The Romulans are hailing us, Captain."

"Very well Lieutenant, put it on screen." Stryvek said down to the Ops officer as he stood in front of the center chair.

"Greetings to Commander of USS Moore. I am Colonel Galen of the Romulan Tal Shiar."

Stryvek regarded the man who some would call his cousin and simply raised an eyebrow. Fascinating he thought. "Colonel, I am Captain Stryvek of the Federation Starship USS Moore. You have taken a hostile stance against my vessel and by extension the colony below. Please state the meaning of this."

Galen smiled, it was the kind of smile that humans would subscribe to a cat who swallowed a canary. "You may ask Captain, but I may not answer. Suffice to say that I have come to assist my people, as I know that you and the Federation would have them treated second class. Need I remind you that a Romulan colony was destroyed down there as well. Romulan colonies have been attacked all over, and in particular within Federation space for some time now. Care to explain that?" The tone in the Romulan's voice not only got louder, but it got terse. You can almost feel the anger as it came through the comm channel. Galen would not offer any explanation how he knew the information that he did.

Keishara raised an eyebrow at the Romulan and his posturing on screen. It many ways she preferred Vulcans to their Romulan 'cousins', at least Vulcans didn't lie or hide behind a toothy sneer. She wasn't surprised that he knew of the attacks on Romulan colonies within Federation space, he was the Tal Shiar after all and they've be fools to think they didn't have people embedded everywhere.

Stewart watched the screen cautiously while quietly moving the other two parts of the ship into position, in the event things became hostile to help with their possible escape.

Stryvek took a mental note to update Starfleet records. According to Starfleet Command the Tal Shiar no longer existed, and yet here the Colonel was. "Colonel colonies all over the Federation have been attacked. Some with a Romulan population and some without. At the moment your hostile actions are not only illogical, but are obstructing this vessel from pursuing the people responsible. Now, let us go and I assure you we will share whatever we learn."

From the moment that Stryvek mentioned logic until the moment he stopped talking Galen did nothing but laugh. "Logic... You Vulcans and you infallible logic. Where was your logic when my people needed help. Where was it when we came seeking help from your mighty Federation, and where is it now that someone is systematically killing Romulans. Do not speak to me of what is logical for I will speak of what is right." Galen was impassioned when he spoke. He did not attempt to hide the anger and disdain that he was filled with. However, he took a pause to settle himself both mentally and emotionally. "I will counter your offer with a better one. You want to show me that the Federation is true to its word, you want to show the Empire that you and by extension your leaders want to help. Very well... I will release your ship. You will go on your pursuit, and when you catch those responsible you will turn them over to me. So they may face true justice in the Empire. Failure to agree to my terms means I destroy your ship. From where I sit you are the ones responsible for this disaster. Now Cousin, don't give me the I am Vulcan and incapable of lying speech. I know better. If you are not back in three days, I start seeking retribution."

Dashku set her jaw, she knew it wasn't her place to speak up and that she had to trust the Captain and Commander in their roles of dealing with the Romulans but because of where she'd grown up she had a lot more experience with them. While they were a paranoid people, they could be reasoned with. She wasn't sure about Galen, being an agent of the Tal Shiar and the commander of a warbird but she had her doubts about how much of what he was saying was true. For the moment she kept her mouth shut, but something in her gut made her question if he was bluffing. The Moore was a smaller ship, but that didn't mean easily destroyed and not by a Warbird that was as old as a D'deridex.

Greco listened quietly to the exchange, between the Captain and Romulan Colonel. He didn't doubt for a moment that he would give the order to fire. He wondered how long they were sitting in wait around the planet the last few days. "What exactly do you mean by retribution?" He inquired at the Romulan. He knew it would take more than three days, more like three weeks, to even reach the moon the terrorists were operating from but kept that to himself while he waited for an explanation of the second, more subtle, threat.

"Commander I mean that I personally will come find you and your ship. I will bring all of your crew back to face trial for the atrocities done here. The empty hulk of your vessel will be stripped for all intelligence and then the remnants destroyed. There is not a star that you can hide behind. If you believe me to be embellishing or that I am posturing I suggest you take a look at my public records. Now, if I would acknowledge all of that publicly just imagine what I have done that is kept classified." Galen spoke evenly and without anger this time. He wanted the crew of the Moore to understand that this was no threat. However, a beat later his demeanor changed to one that was more convivial. "Now, if you believe that more time will be needed I am open to listening to you."

Listen! Bah, never trust Tal Shiar! Amarok seethed at the Sciences station. He wondered if there was something he could do or say to help the situation but all that seemed to come to mind were creative and colourful insults he wanted to throw at the Colonel. Clearly the Warbird had been here for some time, perhaps their sensors could have valuable information. He wondered why they hadn't attacked, then that went into how could they get that information. He simply glared at the Colonel, he hated that any Tal Shiar survived the Dominion ambush.

Amarok then found himself wondering why the Romulans were even bothered giving the Moore's crew any mercy at all, they don't care about the truth at the best of times. Before he knew it he muttered a little louder then a whisper, "How do you not know who was responsible..." Amarok blinked as he realised he spoke it.

Keishara heard the mutter of the science chief and looked over to him across the gap between them that was only separated by the turbolift at the back left section of the bridge. In a small movement she got up and walked over calmly. "Try to keep your whispers inside your head Lieutenant." she said quietly as she placed a hand on his shoulder before moving off back to her own section. It didn't require a reply. The tension with facing off with a Romulan warbird was high enough without the pointed eared Colonel hearing a challenging statement from behind the captain.

Greco glanced at Stryvek before looking back at the viewscreen. "We have information and leads on where they maybe, but it will take time to track all of them down, potentially weeks." He explained to the Colonel, keeping as much information they knew close to their chest as possible. He didn't trust the Romulans wouldn't take matters into their own hands, especially when it came to the Tal Shiar.

Stryvek turned and raised an eyebrow in the direction of Amarok. Indeed Keishara had the right of it. He then turned back to the viewscreen. "Colonel there is no reason to make threats that are wholly illogical. You know that Commander Greco is correct, the travel time alone would not be able to meet your requirements."

Galen raised a hand as if to quiet both Stryvek and Greco. "Captain, Commander I will make you an different offer and then issue you a true and correct warning. You say you need weeks, then weeks is what you will have. Three to be precise. You should track down these culprits and then bring them to me to face justice. If you do not find them, or you do not turn them over to me know that there will be riots. Everywhere in the Federation where there are Romulans there will be a riot. My people have been second class for too long. Surely you can see the logic in that."

Stryvek sat for a long moment and considered the argument Galen presented. As much as he disliked the idea the Romulan's logic was correct. "Very well Colonel. If we can find the culprits they will be given to you. If we cannot locate them, all of our data gathered in the search will be given to you. However, as I am sure you are aware the Federation must see justice as well. That said before they are turned over to you we will interrogate them. If you wish anything learned from the interrogation will be shared with you."

Stewart seemingly turned in her chair to listen to the captain, but in actuality to hide her reaction from the Romulan. She couldn't believe Stryvek was considering working with the Tal Shiar of all people and giving into their demands. She looked up at him with a mix of confusion and disbelief.

Kei knew Stryvek would be logical about this. In the grand scheme handing them over made sense in the larger picture of protecting more lives and property. The needs of the many and all that rang in her ears as silent whispers, facial expressions of the crew floated around the bridge. Deep down she'd hand them over for different reasons, but she didn't like bullies and didn't like Galen. If he hadn't sat on the warbird he wouldn't make such threats.

"Captain I would expect nothing less than you and your people interrogating those that have done this. Then I believe we have an agreement." Galen nodded to someone that was not on the viewscreen and his ship moved away from the tertiary hull of the Moore. "Now Captain I believe you have a terrorist to find." Galen smiled and again he looked as the cat who swallowed the canary. Then the viewscreen went dark.

When the screen went dark, Greco turned to the Captain. "I know Vulcans don't lie, but please tell me this is an exception to the rule," He said to his commanding officer. "You can't seriously be considering giving them the Whispers leaders and all the data we have on their activities and movements."

"It was not a lie. The logic in his proposal is sound. Galen is not wrong when he says that all of the Romulans within the Federation are not treated as equal citizens. I have seen this personally. So, if turning over the leaders of the Whispers after they are interrogated will prevent, riots, injury and further bloodshed. Then that is a price I am willing to pay. As to the information..." Stryvek paused as he cocked an eyebrow. "I believe a small amount of legerdemain will be used there. Some but not all will find its way into our Romulan friend's hands."

"We don't have to give the Romulans them all..." Kei had stood and moved towards the command pit as she called it. "If Dorian is there, being who he is I'd expect him to take all the blame and no doubt throw himself on his own sword. Given his rank and stature I'm sure the Colonel would be happy with him and maybe a few others... we will have plenty I'm sure. Cargo bay 2 is already set up for them."

Stewart turned in her chair again up at the captain and security chief. "If we hand over any of the terrorist to the Romulans, they will kill them. We'd be accomplices to murder. Terrorists or not, they are still Federation citizens, they have rights." She pointed out, surprised how willing the two of them were circumvent Federation laws and Starfleet protocol with out much hesitation.

Dashku was monitoring the final piece of the Moore as it began the docking procedure to reform into the Prometheus class ship property. She glanced at Stewart, before looking back at the Captain, "They're not Federation citizens, they are Romulan citizens we took in as refugees. I had to earn my citizenship, Captain. The Whisperers, as much as I disagree with them and their tactics, are Federation citizens and have rights under the Federation charter. We can't just turn them over to a foreign government without extradition proceedings."

"Galen is also a Romulan and a self proclaimed member of the Tal Shiar. There is no way he can predict what the Romulan colonists will do, even if the Tal Shiar has the agents in place necessary to try and cause the riots and chaos he's talking about. We need to check to see if he is who he claims he is, see if Starfleet Intelligence believes he is even capable of what he claims, then evaluate. He's in an older class ship and serving an Empire that is crumbling. Even if the Tal Shiar is still a cohesive group and that's the best supplied ship in the fleet, I would bet latinum that ship is under crewed, under supplied and the man is trying to bluff his way into you giving up terrorists and information. We strike first, hit them hard and I believe the Moore would succeed in battle against them."

Stryvek sat stoic and listened to what his crew had to say. All the arguments presented had some amount of logic to them, and that was the problem. "Lieutenant Zhevou you are correct. It is your reasoning that states they must be handed over. This Whispers while Federation citizens have committed serious offense to the Romulans. They should face Romulan justice for that. However, they have also committed serious offense to the Federation and they should face Federation justice. Logic dictates that the best course of action is always the path where everyone succeeds. That said we will have to turn some of the prisoners in order to appease the Romulans. Our question now, and one we have some time to ponder and answer is, which prisoners do we give over?"

"Those who are of lesser value, plus one high value as a bow on top." Kei said simply. We need to talk to them all, see what they know, how forthcoming they are. The ones who are more cooperative have a better chance of a Federation penal colony over Romulan execution. I think that could be quite motivating." she hinted to Stryvek.

It was somewhat cooling to have the Security Chief came over and help calm him, Amarok was grateful. He was glad the Tal Shiar dog didn't hear him. Though before he turned back to his station the glance from the Captain was a little scary, clearly the Captain heard him. He was a little surprised not to be reprimanded but that might come later and he'd accept it, he should know better.

The conversation after the 'dog' signed off went on to about turning over the Whisperers. Amarok being a victim of the group's attacks he found himself unable to embody the charter of the Federation in regards to that those responsible are citizens of the Federation who have rights that must be considered. Yet wasn't assault and terrorism breaking those rights.

Amarok spoke up as he left his station and came to stand by the railing. He gestured at the others on the bridge. "So you would spare those who assaulted a fellow officer in a premeditated murder attempt just because of species if they apologized and promised to become better? I have read much Earth history over the years that humans who plan to kill rarely change when given the chance. I would be dead if it wasn't for being found. Considering all that's happened do you really believe any of the Whisperers can be redeemed?" He asked the group. "True redemption is rare. You will see when we catch them. Be prepared as some do not deserve to be saved."

Dashku turned and looked at the Romulan, and arched one of her brows, "No one is suggesting they can be redeemed, but the fact that a Romulan and an Orion are sitting on the bridge of a Federation starship as part of a conversation about redemption is worth noting, from a certain point of view. Locking them away in a penal colony for their crimes isn't letting them off the hook but it's also not turning them over to be tortured by Romulans for information only to be tossed in a Romulan prison or executed."

Steve listened to the various opinions and glanced around at the bridge crew. "Right now, we have to find them first," He stated to end the debate before it got out of hand. "Lieutenant, let a course for the Telnov system." He ordered once helm confirmed docking was complete.

 

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