Gul Verrok (Part 3 of 3)

Posted on 30 Apr 2014 @ 3:11pm by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Gul Verrok & Captain Jonathan Holliday & Commander Scarlet Blake & Lieutenant Commander Dea Mialin & Lieutenant Theron Rhodes & Commander Luke Wyatt & Command Master Chief Markum Quinn

2,591 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Episode 06 - Legend of Souls
Location: USS Galileo - Lyshan III Orbit
Timeline: MD 02 - 1350 hrs

Previously, on Gul Verrok (Part 2)...

"Gul Verrok. Welcome aboard the Galileo, please, take a seat and let's get things started shall we?"

As indicated, the Gul took a seat at the table and gave his signature curt nod to all of the assembled personnel. Pleasantries were not high on his list of priorities, and the situation at hand demanded results as opposed to courtesy. "Thank you, captain. Yes, let us begin," he addressed Holliday, then clasped his hands together in his lap and leaned back in his chair.

And Now, the Conclusion...

[ON]

"As you are probably aware, there have been reports of disturbances from the colony's miners. They claim," Verrok paused to clear his throat, "that there are forces at play down in the mines...supernatural superstitions that include folk tales, spirit legends, rock creatures...the list goes on in the reports." He shook his head, clearly not believing in the credibility of such statements. "In addition, they claim their equipment has been malfunctioning and that unidentified power signatures have been detected below ground. And...apparently some of the workers are...missing." He looked around the room, taking in the features and expressions of the many Humans present at the table.

"The export of uridium is our highest priority right now and, while I appreciate Starfleet volunteering to assist, the colony's workers are Cardassian and we are better equipped to," he paused to select the correct choice of words, "motivate them. That is why I have recently ordered two full security details to be sent down to the facilities. They are highly trained and will be able to encourage our workers to perform their jobs," Verrok explained. "Your assistance in this matter is not really required despite the appearances, captain. This is not the first labor strike we have had to deal with, and we have experience handling these types of situations."

Lt. Rhodes remained by the door. He was doing fairly well at the moment keeping a straight face and not responding to the negative and violent intentions they had toward their own Cardassian workers. This was no simple labor strike, these people were afraid of something, they did not understand.

While Dea's presence was required in the current meeting believed it best to refrain from saying anything. The best way to gather information from all sides was to simply listen. The Cardassians had already made their intentions for dealing with the situation clear. But her duty as Galileo's Second Officer was to support her superiors and remain calm despite the tension evoked by the situation.

John knew all too well what the Gul meant by motivation. The Cardassians were famed for their efficiency, as well as their brutality. In short, if a job needed doing, they would make sure it was done regardless of the cost to life involved.

"Gul Verrok - surely two detachments are a little..extreme to deal with an issue such as this? I assure you, Starfleet only wishes to see this problem resolved as soon as possible, hence our presence in orbit."

"Your concern is noted," Verrok answered, "but our past experience has taught us that one can never be too cautious. The miners on the colony are not your average Cardassian citizen, captain. Many of them are convicted criminals, exiles, refugees, and privateers who are not fond of rules and regulations. It's very possible that without security intervention, a riot might ensue, and valuable equipment and infrastructure could be permanently damaged or destroyed," he explained, then proceeded to address the latter of Holliday's previous comments. "Tell me, captain, does Starfleet send a science vessel to investigate every supernatural rumor in its colonies? Or do you take a more measured and...practical approach?"

John cleared his throat and looked around to his senior staff. He had been given authority by Starfleet to examine what exactly was going on here to the best of his abilities, but did not take kindly to Cardassian Guls who tried to insinuate that his ship or his crew were not up to standard.

"Starfleet sends it's vessels to investigate any and all events that require it's attention regardless of their origin. This is a joint mining operation and as such I expect that our investigation will be done in an equally cooperative fashion - can I count on the support of your vessel and crew as necessary?"

Verrok realized he wasn't making much progress with this particular stubborn Federation captain, and he cast a brief glance towards his Cardassian associates who silently stood near him with their hands clasped in front of them. No words were exchanged, but a strange tension could almost be felt as it manifested in the room.

As Lt. Rhodes stood by the door the hair on the back of his neck began to prickle up. He watched their guests even more closely.

"If you insist, captain..." he finally answered as he turned back to the Starfleet commanding officer. "But our security forces will remain on the surface until such time as we are confident our workers have resumed all mining operations at the mandated production levels. If you and your crew wish to chase phantoms, we will not stop you. I expect you will keep us apprised of any...findings?"

John silently thanked the gods for giving this particular Cardassian some degree of a sense of humility. He had dreaded having to complete this mission with the ever-hanging sense of dread that the security forces on the planet would get in the way.

"I agree. Thank you for being so flexible Gul Verrok. I recognise that this must be a complex situation having your own people on the surface."

The Captain could tell that the Gul was becoming frustrated. Had the situation been different both captains would have done something differently, and have designed their mission according to their own goals. Nevertheless, they had to find a way to work together, and not simply argue until they eventually parted company.

"Have your teams discovered anything ahead of our arrival? Any leads that you feel would give a good starting point?"

Verrok cast another glance towards his men, this one a little more shady than the previous. "Nothing aside from the usual disgruntled worker," he replied to Holliday with a strange, serene tone to his voice. "That is, naturally, the reason for our presence in this system."

Luke could feel his skin crawl at the tone the Cardassian replied to the question, the answer itself wasn't anything different to what they already knew and felt that he may have been avoiding the question.

Quinn had enough of the cryptic answers being provided by this Spoon. He glared at the Gul. "It was a simple question, not one that you need to glare at your underlings over. Don't think for one second that any of us here believe the only reason you're here is because of a few disgruntled slaves working under your scourge. That's bullshit, and we all know it. The Captain asked you a question, or are you as much of a coward as I already know you are and too scared to give a straight and honest answer?"

"At ease Mr Quinn." John turned to face his CoB. The Captain admired the senior enlisted man for his ability to say what everyone was thinking - he only hoped that in a couple of decades he would have the same disregard for protocol as and when it was dictated for.

Quinn kept his gaze on the Cardassian for a another second, almost not hearing the order from his captain. He looked back to Holliday. He clinched his fists tighter, knowing he let his mouth run before his brain could catch up, but the CoB knew his hunch on the Cardassian was right on...but he knew his role and did what no other person in the room could do. He just called on the Gul's bluff. "Aye, sir."

Tensions just shot up in the room. The hair on the back of Theron's neck began to prickle once again. He held his ground easily enough and glanced over to Wyatt to see that he was the same.

Scarlet took a deep, slow breath, glancing to Quinn. She knew how he felt. But she also had the instinctive feeling that any loss of control of their part would just give the cardassians in front of them a feeling of satisfaction. She leant back in her chair and crossed her legs, her arms draped on the arms of the chair. She watched Verrok with a steady gaze, holding his eyes. "You have found the missing miners then?" she asked lightly. That couldn't just be blamed on disgruntled workers.

Across the room, Lirha glared at Galileo's COB and his unexpected outburst, then turned her attention towards Holliday and Blake. Privately, she wondered if any of them really understood the importance of diplomacy, even when it appeared they were being stonewalled.

Verrok smirked at Quinn's remark and a slow smile of personal gratification spread across his face. "I see your crew is professional and well-disciplined, captain," he said with obvious sarcasm directed towards Holliday. "But of course, we were expecting as much." The two Cardassians standing near the Gul briefly chuckled in enjoyment of the Gul's remark.

Holding his hand up to demand silence from his subordinates, Verrok proceeded to address Blake's question. "We have recovered one body. However, it is a large mine, and it might take some time to completely search the entire facility. And with any mining operation, there are bound to be accidents. Most likely the missing workers are simply casualties of the trade," he explained with a dismissive wave of his hand.

John stifled an outraged grunt at the laughter from the Cardassians. It was taking most of what little self control the Captain possessed to stop him from reaching over the desk and breaking Verrok's nose.

"That is good news indeed Gul Verrok - with your permission I would like my medical staff to perform an analysis of the body?"

Quinn eyed one if the subordinate animals that had chuckled. Quinn studied its face and it's features closely. No one laughed at his crewmates, or this ship. Quinn had wished he had never laid eyes on this filth that stood before him. Quinn could only picture the horrid scene of Betazed after the liberation, and after the fierce encounters they faced against the Dominion and the Cardassians. The children innocently slaughtered, the women raped an the men taken as slaves to have horrid medical experiments done on them in hopes of harnessing a Beatazed's empathic ability by surgically removing that part of their brain associated with their ability. Markum hated them...all of them.

"That's a very generous offer, captain," Verrok replied to Galileo's CO. "Unfortunately, I hope you understand if we decline. Our medical personnel are very capable of performing an autopsy, and we are better equipped to honor Cardassian tradition and return the body to the family. It is considered inappropriate in our society to allow non-Cardassians access to our dead," he explained, then paused before continuing. "But we will keep you informed if our doctors make any discoveries worth noting."

John muffled a grunt of disappointment at the Cardassian's refusal to transfer the body to his custody. Nevertheless, he knew that had the situation been reversed, his answer would have been strikingly similar to that of the Gul's.

"We will respect your customs. However a copy of your report - notable discoveries or not, would be well received."

John looked towards his senior staff before uttering his next sentence, particularly at Lirha as the seniormost member of Galileo's entourage. Clearing his throat and folding his hands on the table, he leaned forward before speaking again.

"Gul Verrok - my senior staff and I would be honoured if you would accept an invitation to dine with us tonight on the Galileo. Your own senior staff are welcome to join us if you would prefer?"

A long moment of silence passed while Verrok contemplated the offer while looking at the various members of assembled officers in the room, Human and otherwise. No doubt the invitation was standard Starfleet protocol and an attempt to maintain the appearance of cooperation, and so reluctantly, the Gul nodded. Surely a simply dinner would have no effect on the larger reasons for why he and his men were really at Lyshan III.

"Thank you," he answered with an affirmative nod. "We will accept your invitation for dinner. I assume your chefs are familiar with Cardassian culinary arts? Or...should we send one of our own to assist?"

Quinn's eyes burned with a raw fire at the invitation, and the acceptance. He looked over his shoulder towards Lirha, not sure if what he heard was real, hoping it was not.

"I'm sure my crew are up to the challenge of impressing your tastebuds. I presume you would like to return to your vessel to freshen up - shall we reconvene at say, 2000 hours?"

John replied with a forced smile. He had hoped that the Gul would turn down his offer out of some strange sense of Cardassian superiority and John would at least be able to say that he had tried. He made a mental note to confirm that Cardassian food options were available on board before standing up to indicate the meeting was concluded.

"Commander Blake - if you would escort our guests back to the transporter room?"

Quinn couldn't believe his ears, yet he kept his his poker face intact.

"2200 hours," Verrok confirmed to Holliday. Rising from his seat, he and his men did not wait for Blake's prompt, and instead moved towards the exit and past the security officers as the door swished open to signal their exit.

"Delighted, I'm sure," Scarlet said lightly, glancing to John and holding his eyes for a moment before following after the Gul. They'd had their first taste of just how difficult this was going to be.

[OFF]

--

CDRE Lirha Saalm
Mission Advisor
USS Galileo

Gul Verrok
Commanding Officer
CDS Aldara
[PNPC - Saalm]

CAPT Jonathan Holliday
Commanding Officer
USS Galileo

LT CMDR Dea Mialin
Second Officer/Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Galileo

Lt. Theron Rhodes
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

CPO Luke Wyatt
Security Officer
USS Galileo

Lieutenant Andreus Kohl
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

CMDR Scarlet Blake
First Officer
USS Galileo

Lt Cmdr Allyndra illm Warrquim
Chief Medical Officer
USS Galileo

CMCPO Markum Quinn
Chief of the Boat
USS Galileo

Cadet FG Nesh Saalm
Scientist's Mate
USS Galileo
[PNPC - Kita]

PO 3rd Alika Mahone
Operations Officer
USS Galileo
[PNPC - Kita]

LT Norvi Stace
Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

LT Amynta Markos
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Galileo

CMCPO Markum Quinn
Chief of the Boat
USS Galileo

LTJG Wakeham Paul Alasia
Diplomatic Officer
USS Galileo

LT Teth Miir
Counselor
USS Galileo

LT Delainey Carlisle
Counselor
USS Galileo

SWO Alexion Wylde
Medical Officer
USS Galileo
[PNPC Blake]

MWO Amon Mormont
Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo
[PNPC Markos]

PO1 Camibree Christoph
Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo
[PNPC Rhodes]

PO1 Gabriel Stark
Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo
[PNPC Blake]

PO3 Robert Jameson
Transporter Chief
USS Galileo
[PNPC Zhao]

RSS Feed