Lt. JG Varik - JN and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad News
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Varik
May 5, 2026, 11:18:56 PM (5 days ago) May 5
to sb118-...@googlegroups.com
((The Bilge, Hadvin Row, Argrathi V ))
They had not been shot at or killed. Yet. In Varik's mind that was already a success.
Greaves: Someone at the port said he likes to come here… so here we are.
The Rekarian nodded emphatically. He took care not to spill his drink while simultaneously appearing a bit clumsy.
Varik: Yeah, this manic looking fellow. Had a PADD and vest. Stick up his ass too.
That one dock worker who had disappeared behind a passing cargo loader had remained in Varik's mind. A convenient scapegoat if the Argrathi probed for more details.
Unknown Agrathi: And he didn’t show, which brings you to me. So you’ve come to sell or buy?
Peters: Maybe both, but is “connect” an option?
The shorter man behind the table laughed at the question, clearly amused. Varik took that as a cue for boldness and to regain control of the conversation.
Varik: To connect with a supplier. We are here to buy. Are you selling?
Unknown Agrathi: Maybe. Maybe not. Why don’t you three have a seat and tell me a bit more about what you’re looking for?
With the others, Varik took a seat at the table. He was cocky but also displayed some outward nervousness. All part of the act hopefully made more convincing by its partial basis in fact. Despite the persona, he was nervous. Should things go sideways, they were in a less than ideal situation.
Greaves: Well, honestly we’re in the business of information.
The Rekarian raised his glass in agreement to that point.
Varik: The one thing the Federation can't scan or detect within us.
Unknown Agrathi: And Sonn was who you were going to for that? Why in the hell would you want to meet with Sonn. Guy was an idiot.
Was.
Now that was an interesting admission, Varik thought. Perhaps merely a slip of the tongue? Had this guy known Sonn was going to make a run for it?
Varik shrugged, feigning ignorance and slight annoyance at the mention of Sonn. Something about the way the Argrathi spoke about Sonn did not sit well with Varik. He could read people fairly well and if Varik was a betting man, he might have bet that this Argrathi was faking the distain for the port official.
Varik: I would not know. We did not get the chance to meet him but I am inclined to take your word for it.
Peters: Response
Unknown Agrathi: (sighing and shaking his head) Starfleet... Did you find Sonn on a billboard somewhere?
The Argrathi was seemingly amused by the whole exchange. He had the Starfleet officers pegged as amateurs which suited their needs just fine.
The colonel introduced himself.
Greaves: I’m Wes by the way. You got a name?
Unknown Agrathi: I do, but I don’t know you. Call me JN for now.
The Rekarian took another pull from his glass, the amber liquid causing a pleasant burning sensation as it went down his throat. Liquid courage of a kind that helped calm his growing nerves and maintain the flippant persona.
Varik: Oh are we doing initials then? Call me VT. The name in my native tongue is a mouthful so believe me when I am saving you time and money by not having to learn the whole thing.
Peters: Response
The Marine nodded, but didn’t add anything. JN simply considered the group again with an appraisers gaze before settling back in his seat
JN: Well, my intrepid Starfleet guests. Let's say I was hypothetically in the business of knowing things. What things would you be looking to know?
Feigning some measure of disinterest as if the junior officer would have preferred any other assignment, Varik replied first.
Varik: The kind of things that do not appear in port logs. (beat) Hypothetically, of course.
Peters: Response
The Argrathi tapped his chin thoughtfully, considering a moment before responding.
JN: Hmm... Do I look like the type to know about port logs?
The Rekarian just vaguely gestured to their surroundings. They were in the port district, after all.
Varik: If not you, then who? Sonn?
Peters/Greaves: Response
JN: (shaking his head) Sonn will be of little use to anybody now. Forget about him. He is probably five systems away by now.
The dismissiveness of the comment was enough to spur Varik to again take a risk.
Varik: Sonn is dead.
Peters/Greaves: Response
JN: (alarmed) What?!
The sudden shock in the Argrathi's voice was enough to prompt the bartender to take a step into the room, expecting trouble. He didn't reach for weapons yet but looked prepared to if needed. JN leaned forward, an intensity to his words that was absent a moment prior.
JN: Choose your next word very carefully.
He should have tensed up but the alcohol had relaxed his muscles enough to not flinch when the temperature in the room suddenly changed. Despite the threat, Varik's next words were easy. The truth usually was.
Varik: We watched it happen. He made it to the gangway of a small freighter. They shot him where he stood.
The Argrathi slammed his fist on the table, eyes turning from alarm to fury.
JN: Those treacherous sons of... (standing abruptly) Brelak was mine to protect. He trusted me. (through his teeth) Those double-crossing smugglers are going to answer for this.
Peters/Greaves: Response
Greaves: Someone at the port said he likes to come here… so here we are.
The Rekarian nodded emphatically. He took care not to spill his drink while simultaneously appearing a bit clumsy.
Varik: Yeah, this manic looking fellow. Had a PADD and vest. Stick up his ass too.
That one dock worker who had disappeared behind a passing cargo loader had remained in Varik's mind. A convenient scapegoat if the Argrathi probed for more details.
Unknown Agrathi: And he didn’t show, which brings you to me. So you’ve come to sell or buy?
Peters: Maybe both, but is “connect” an option?
The shorter man behind the table laughed at the question, clearly amused. Varik took that as a cue for boldness and to regain control of the conversation.
Varik: To connect with a supplier. We are here to buy. Are you selling?
Unknown Agrathi: Maybe. Maybe not. Why don’t you three have a seat and tell me a bit more about what you’re looking for?
With the others, Varik took a seat at the table. He was cocky but also displayed some outward nervousness. All part of the act hopefully made more convincing by its partial basis in fact. Despite the persona, he was nervous. Should things go sideways, they were in a less than ideal situation.
Greaves: Well, honestly we’re in the business of information.
The Rekarian raised his glass in agreement to that point.
Varik: The one thing the Federation can't scan or detect within us.
Unknown Agrathi: And Sonn was who you were going to for that? Why in the hell would you want to meet with Sonn. Guy was an idiot.
Was.
Now that was an interesting admission, Varik thought. Perhaps merely a slip of the tongue? Had this guy known Sonn was going to make a run for it?
Varik shrugged, feigning ignorance and slight annoyance at the mention of Sonn. Something about the way the Argrathi spoke about Sonn did not sit well with Varik. He could read people fairly well and if Varik was a betting man, he might have bet that this Argrathi was faking the distain for the port official.
Varik: I would not know. We did not get the chance to meet him but I am inclined to take your word for it.
Peters: Response
Unknown Agrathi: (sighing and shaking his head) Starfleet... Did you find Sonn on a billboard somewhere?
The Argrathi was seemingly amused by the whole exchange. He had the Starfleet officers pegged as amateurs which suited their needs just fine.
The colonel introduced himself.
Greaves: I’m Wes by the way. You got a name?
Unknown Agrathi: I do, but I don’t know you. Call me JN for now.
The Rekarian took another pull from his glass, the amber liquid causing a pleasant burning sensation as it went down his throat. Liquid courage of a kind that helped calm his growing nerves and maintain the flippant persona.
Varik: Oh are we doing initials then? Call me VT. The name in my native tongue is a mouthful so believe me when I am saving you time and money by not having to learn the whole thing.
Peters: Response
The Marine nodded, but didn’t add anything. JN simply considered the group again with an appraisers gaze before settling back in his seat
JN: Well, my intrepid Starfleet guests. Let's say I was hypothetically in the business of knowing things. What things would you be looking to know?
Feigning some measure of disinterest as if the junior officer would have preferred any other assignment, Varik replied first.
Varik: The kind of things that do not appear in port logs. (beat) Hypothetically, of course.
Peters: Response
The Argrathi tapped his chin thoughtfully, considering a moment before responding.
JN: Hmm... Do I look like the type to know about port logs?
The Rekarian just vaguely gestured to their surroundings. They were in the port district, after all.
Varik: If not you, then who? Sonn?
Peters/Greaves: Response
JN: (shaking his head) Sonn will be of little use to anybody now. Forget about him. He is probably five systems away by now.
The dismissiveness of the comment was enough to spur Varik to again take a risk.
Varik: Sonn is dead.
Peters/Greaves: Response
JN: (alarmed) What?!
The sudden shock in the Argrathi's voice was enough to prompt the bartender to take a step into the room, expecting trouble. He didn't reach for weapons yet but looked prepared to if needed. JN leaned forward, an intensity to his words that was absent a moment prior.
JN: Choose your next word very carefully.
He should have tensed up but the alcohol had relaxed his muscles enough to not flinch when the temperature in the room suddenly changed. Despite the threat, Varik's next words were easy. The truth usually was.
Varik: We watched it happen. He made it to the gangway of a small freighter. They shot him where he stood.
The Argrathi slammed his fist on the table, eyes turning from alarm to fury.
JN: Those treacherous sons of... (standing abruptly) Brelak was mine to protect. He trusted me. (through his teeth) Those double-crossing smugglers are going to answer for this.
Peters/Greaves: Response
[TAGS/TBC]
--
Lieutenant Junior Grade Varik
Acting Assistant Chief of Operations
USS Octavia E. Butler
A239709VR0
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