JP - Carry on my wayward son - Part 3 of 8 - LtCmdr. Avander Promontory, LtCmdr. V'Len Kel, Lt. Ithri Sh'shelor, Lt. Jack Kessler
Avander Promontory
((Port Coray, Gamma Quadrant))
V’Len could only stare at the PADD the Cardassian had provided. There on the screen was Jack Kessler. His friend wasn’t dead at all. The anxiety of months drifted away as he saw his friend, apparently having a pleasant jog. A great weight was lifted, but the fire to find Jack burned even brighter. Getting him back to Krystal and Nesre was tantamount. For a moment he wondered if this man was simply a very convincing facsimile, but that seemed unlikely and there were ways of making that determination.
Fraya: Gavet has obtained proof your officer is not in any immediate danger. In fact he is being treated very well.
Luriaa reached up to finger one of the tresses that had dared to come out of place and put it back where it belong. Patting her hair, she then nodded again, motioning toward Fraya in a silent agreement to her statement.
Kel: If you want to point me in a direction it would be very helpful but as I said, I’m not going to stand aside while your machinations with the Zet crawl along. This man needs to be back with his family.
Gavet: (turning to Fraya) My dear, his brain is wired to Alpha quadrant rules. He needs to understand why you’re approaching him and not simply walking into Zet territory and taking Kessler from them.
Fraya looked to Luriaa and then accepting the nod of approval from her Captain she turned back to the Doctor and locked eyes with him.
Fraya: Simply put, Doctor. The Zet are members of the UDP. Like your Federation the UDP allows its member worlds to govern themselves. The Zet have participated in no crime against the UDP laws as it pertains to them or any other member world. They have not committed a crime against any member or allies of the UDP and therefore we cannot simply step in and take your crew back. We must act with a little more subterfuge to help you while dealing with this situation.
Fraya was right. The path they walked was very narrow. Thus far, they knew who was behind it all, but it was one faction of the Zet, not all of them. Yet, if they were to get involved more than they already had, it could unravel everything they had built with that member of the UDP. However, if a third party did something about it, the only one to suffer would be the person who had taken Kessler in the first place. Luriaa could not let the first scenario happen. The second wouldn’t affect the relationship between them and the UDP.
V’Len begrudgingly considered the situation. It was true. Laws and traditions on Federation worlds were under the jurisdiction of that world. Terrans could not show up and make the Trill do anything. There were of course exceptions, but these were only in extreme cases. For the most part members of the Federation agreed to certain basic rules, people like the Zet would never have been allowed entry, but this new Dominion was far less picky about their friends. If he was going to get Jack, he was going to have to “play ball.”
Kel: Then how can I help you?
Gavet: (grinning at the thought of the profits this would bring him) Now, that’s the right question my boy.
V’Len offered the Cardassian a half smile.
Fraya refrained from answering this time but turned to Luriaa. This was a command level decision that Fraya honestly did not want to make but at the same time knew was in the overall best interest for the UDP and future relations with the Federation. The Zet would not be happy if they found out that the UDP had any hand in this rescue attempt.
Fraya: I can assure you Doctor, any further help will come through Gavet as you might now understand why our hands are tied here.
‘
Luriaa: We can not get involved. Not in a manner that would compromise the tenuous balance we currently maintain.
Though technically they had already gotten involved by giving that much information. Still, that was not quite the same as instigating a direct confrontation and wrenching Kessler out of the Zet’s hands.
Gavet looked at the two women and then inclined his head as if to bow out of the conversation as it pertained to the politics of the UDP and not his area of specialty.
Fraya: We might not agree with certain practices but we do have our own to protect as well. The balance as you might now understand is a delicate one.
Luriaa nodded again. Freya was right, and likely Kel didn’t understand or appreciate their position.
Luriaa: But we have brought you an independent resource who can assist you. If you wish to get closer to your goal, then I suggest you have a conversation with Gavet here. We leave it to you to decide what step you take next.
Fraya: (lowering her head and offering a slight smile) Good luck Doctor. I hope this offers some more insight into (beat) shall we say the growth we want here?
Gavet again remained silent observing Fraya and Luriaa. The two women were formidable and skilled officers and to some degree Gavet felt they were honestly trying to help Starfleet although why was a larger question with no doubt a more complicated answer.
Kel: ::looking at Gavet:: Ok. My Cardassian friend. Where is Lt. Kessler having his little jog? And how can I get there?
Fraya looked to Luriaa as the Doctor turned his attention to the Cardassian. Was this something Luriaa wanted to know? The location of the facility would be of strategic importance to the UDP leadership in determining how to deal with the Zet. But of course knowing where it was and what was about to happen placed a liability on both of their heads that Fraya herself was sure she did not want. She enjoyed her role as First on the Rij’dal’vak and enjoyed serving with Luriaa.
Fraya: (questioning their presence in this conversation with a simple look to her Captain)
Luriaa had her own doubts about opening herself to this knowledge. On the one hand, having plausible deniability would certainly come in useful should there ever be any question. On the other, knowledge of the facility would undoubtable prove valuable to her organisation. Meeting Fraya’s gaze, she nodded in such a way that only someone paying close attention would notice.
Gavet: (turning his full attention to Kel) Itech’eman facility. The planet is about fifteen lightyears from here.
Kel: I’m afraid my freighter is back in the Alpha quadrant. I’m going to need some kind of alternative transport.
V’Len had purposefully left the Foxy Lady back in the Alpha Quadrant. His reasoning was two-fold. First, without a ship he was far less likely to charge off recklessly with no backup. He was well aware of his habit of getting in too deep on his own. Second, he’d recently crossed paths with his estranged brother. While there was no love lost between the pair, Kos had lost everything when the Tholians had terriformed Grus Beta 3 into a flaming wasteland. V’Len had asked his friend Kristy Carpenter to give Kos the Foxy Lady should he turn up again. He’d sent off a missive to his brother letting him know to find her. It seemed like the sort of thing a brother would do to help get family back on their feet.
Gavet eyed the Doctor and smiled an ear to ear smile. Humans were predictable but Gavet knew how the Doctor had arrived and was inclined to offer a little help. After all Luriaa and Fraya, by whatever means they had were paying Gavet to handle this transaction so he was very happy to oblige the Starfleet officer.
Gavet: (holding both hands up as if coming to an epiphany) Oh Doctor, I just so happen to have an old Jem’Hadar fighter that was converted to a freight hauler for me a few years back. Limited weapons but shielding is still decent. You are welcome to use it since, (leaning in and whispering to Kel) well, since it’s used for smuggling, it’s harder to track. If you get my meaning?
Luriaa: However, you must man the ship yourself.
Luriaa stated carefully. She had already assisted in this matter, and now had come to the end of her involvement. Currently, she had Fraya walked a very thin line, and she dare not crossover.
Luriaa: This is the most we can do for you.
Kel: If you have a long range comms relay I may be able to get in touch with the USS Butler. I have friends there who I’m cautiously optimistic will help me out.
Gavet: The ship is equipped with long range communications but I would not transmit anything until you are well clear of the station. (beat) After all, you don’t want anyone listening to your conversation. (throwing a wink to the Doctor)
V’Len nodded. He knew he would need the help of at least some members of the OEB, but flying up to the vessel in a Jem’Hadar fighter was likely to be a bad idea. He needed to get a message to them.
Luriaa nodded to the man and then turned to her first.
Luriaa: It is time we take our leave.
Fraya: Agreed Captain. I’ll contact the Rij’dal’vak for immediate transport.
As the two women moved away Gavet bowed graciously to them and then turned back to Kel. The blue man was obviously very eager to get moving. Gavet produced an isolinear rod, golden tan in color with no marking on it.
Gavet: Docking bay 92, Gold Sector. Do bring her back in one piece. I am really fond of that ship.
Kel: I’ll make sure we bring it back with the gas tank full. When do we depart?
Gavet tilted his head slightly and dropped his smile to more of a grin. The thought of willingly getting into a confrontation might have appealed to him when he was younger but these days Gavet preferred to always have the upper hand. This was not something he wanted to get his hands into.
Gavet: No my good Doctor, I leave you at this point. This is your fight and a good business arrangement for me. I think I will stay here and enjoy the money I will be receiving for helping you.
V’Len found himself slightly relieved. Sharing an unknown trip with a person he had no reason to trust made him queasy. It would be much better to catch up with people he could trust. Gavet still seemed insistent on profiting from Kessler’s rescue despite V’Len’s repeated statement about lacking currency. He suspected payment would be made nonetheless. Likely on Gavet’s terms.
Kel: Any recommendations on a place to stay?
Gavet simply continued to smile and turned from the Doctor and headed back off into another corridor. He hoped the Doctor was successful and did make it back, afterall he did have an investment in the ship he’d just leant the man.
V’Len decided the meeting was over. He turned and headed in the opposite direction hoping to find lodging. Phase 1 was complete. He now knew where Jack Kessler was. The location provided by Gavet were the same ones he and Greaves had discovered at the Tranquil Nebula Clinic. He was on the way but how to contact the OEB?
((A short time later, another section of Port Coray))
This place. Again. Avander considered activating a holo-mask to disguise his features, just in case his last misadventure at the waystation had landed him on a ‘wanted’ list, but the place didn’t seem that well organised, and besides, his team had only briefly assaulted a constable. No one remembered him. Probably not, anyway. Still, he looked at the Andorian Intelligence Marine accompanying him. He liked their odds in a fight.
Promontory: Any ideas how to find V’Len Kel in this mess?
Ithri’s face didn’t change. It wasn’t that she didn’t wear expressions, she certainly did, but usually they were in light of a particularly strong emotion. Joy, anger, sadness. Within a day to day interaction, the only indication of her emotional response would be the antennae that offer far more emotive interactions than her face. Those constantly gave away her inner feelings unless she specifically held back. Even now, they arched forward, twisting slightly from time to time as if listening to something. At the question, one twitched a little, just a bit of a flick as she pondered the question.
Sh'shelor: A half Trill, half Andorian man is not a normal sight. Such a combination would be rare.
If nigh impossible. Ithri truly knew of no other hybrid of that type, and it was very likely none other existed.
Promontory: Oh, he’s sui generis for sure. And perhaps because of his unique combination of lives, he has a tendency to get quite mixed up in others. If there’s trouble around here, I reckon V’Len’s in the middle of it.
Avander had fond memories of the CMO from their time together on the ‘Oumuamua, but time (and some recent reports) had made him reconsider the Trilldorian as a role-model.
Sh'shelor: Then we should look for trouble. It is odd that a Starfleet officer would cause such a problem. Why would he act like an enemy?
Promontory: (sighing) No, he’s a good guy, just…a lot. And prone to getting himself in over his head.
Or over his antennae. Ithri nodded again, still scanning the area for anyone who matched the description of half Trill, half Andorian. Thus far, while they counted a number of species from who knew where, none of them were Doctor V’Len Kel.
Sh'shelor: Unfortunately, there is no sign yet.
Promontory: That’s fair. As long as we find him before he goes half-cocked out into restricted space.
As far as Ithri knew, there was no restricted area of the Gamma Quadrant, but she also conceded that among the officers, she was one of the newest and hadn’t learned all the nuances of the area just yet. As she pondered this, something caught her eye and she straightened up. Her antennae focused on the sight, a bit of blue in between other hues of people.
Promontory: See something?
Avander saw the antennae twitch, but he didn’t want to presume.
Sh’shelor: Perhaps. Just wait. It is coming toward us.
Straightening, Ithri ready herself to go chase after this Trilldorian person for whom they searched. She didn’t have to worry, however, for the blue that wove in and out of the crowd suddenly came closer, evidently his path intersecting with their own. Motioning, Ithri pointed him out.
Sh’shelor: Andorian with Trill spots.
Who else could it be? Ithri made a beeline for the man in question.
The marine’s eyesight was accurate and as they closed in, Avander was convinced they had found the errant officer.
Promontory: Son-of-a-gun. It’s him!
V’Len had spent the last few days in a sort of hostel that he’d found on his own. He had concluded quickly that no amount of sanitant would ever clean it. That it was “the best place on the station” only reinforced for V’Len was a craphole Port Coray was. He’d seen Gavet’s Jem’Hadar fighter and it was mostly space worthy. It did however have numerous modifications and V’Len was concerned somewhere amongst them was a tracking device. He still had yet to find a way to contact the OEB, but he had tried to contact Nelv, the pirate, with no success. Now on his third day at the station he was hoping to find a decent breakfast that was not served live. As it was getting near late morning and the crowds on that station were getting denser and less civil. Suddenly he was struck harshly from behind.
The press of the crowd threw Avander violently into the CMO and his shoulder ploughed into the man’s back before he could stop the momentum.
Kel: ::whirling angrily:: What’s the big idea Herbert?
Promontory: (righting himself) Now that’s no way to talk to an old friend.
Kel: ::eyes widening:: Avander? ::smiling:: You have more grey hair than I remember.
Avander cast a sidelong glance at the older man.
Promontory: I could say the same thing about you.
Kel: No, I've always been a silver fox. ::turning to Ithri:: Lt. Sh’shelor. It’s good to see you too. It was good of you to come.
Lieutenant Commander V'Len Kel
Chief Medical Officer
USS Ronin NCC-34523
T239811VK2
He/Him (character and player)
Luriaa
NPC Commanding Officer
UDP Rij'dal'vak
M239008AD0
Fraya
NPC 1st Officer
Rij'dal'vak, UDP
T239901JK1
Gavet
NPC Merchant
Port Coray
T239901JK1
2Lt Ithri Sh'shelor
Marine Intelligence Officer
USS Octavia E Butler
M239008AD0
Lt Cmdr Avander Promontory
Director of Intelligence, Gamma Quadrant Flotilla
USS Octavia E Butler
O239910AP4