Lt. JG Varik - A Lead in the Capital
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Varik
May 8, 2026, 11:37:52 PM (2 days ago) May 8
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((The Bilge, Hadvin Row, Argrathi V ))
Progress was being made and despite the very real danger they were in, Varik felt more at ease than he did when they had first entered. JN's reaction confirmed one of Varik's suspicions and he hoped to capitalize on the revelation.
Greaves: Sorry to break the news to you. We assumed you knew already.
Varik: Or had something to do with it.
He added, taking a moment to absorb the demeanor and 'tells' of JN. Meanwhile, Commander Peters leaned forward to take the lead on the conversation.
Peters: What can you tell us about the smuggling ring?
JN: What’s it to you anyway? Starfleet don’t give a rat’s ass about some low level smugglers or some port official who accepts a bribe or two. I wasn’t born yesterday.
Greaves: Look, way I see it, we’ve got a mutual interest in this now. These guys killed your man, Sonn. Don’t know who he was to you, don’t much care right now. I’ve also got a bone to pick with them. You helping me, might just result in some revenge for Sonn’s death.
The Rekarian chose his words carefully, eyeing JN as he spoke. Varik was betting on the man either being genuinely upset about Sonn or greedy -- possibly both.
Varik: We were not able to save your man but we can avenge him. (pause) And take care of this smuggling operation.
Left unsaid was the 'take care of this smuggling operation for you'. The Argrathi might not care about drugs or smuggling, but competition was one thing every criminal would prefer to do without.
JN: All the smaller ships and crews work with some freighter captain named Mad Dog. More pirate and smuggler than freighter captain really. None of them really owe much allegiance to anyone, and it’s all loose control.
He nodded. They finally had a name.
Varik: What is the reputation of this Mad Dog? Violent? Cruel?
JN: If you’re thinking about trying to go after Mad Dog I really wouldn’t.
Peters: Nah. We were just curious.
oO Curious about going after her. Oo
JN: Woman is slippery. You’ll likely end up with a knife in your back. Or more likely, a torpedo. Rumor is her boat has got a mean cloaking device.
The Rekarian turned to his comrades.
Varik: That would explain quite a bit. Particularly how the ship is able to bypass port logs and sensor detection.
Greaves: Sorry to break the news to you. We assumed you knew already.
Varik: Or had something to do with it.
He added, taking a moment to absorb the demeanor and 'tells' of JN. Meanwhile, Commander Peters leaned forward to take the lead on the conversation.
Peters: What can you tell us about the smuggling ring?
JN: What’s it to you anyway? Starfleet don’t give a rat’s ass about some low level smugglers or some port official who accepts a bribe or two. I wasn’t born yesterday.
Greaves: Look, way I see it, we’ve got a mutual interest in this now. These guys killed your man, Sonn. Don’t know who he was to you, don’t much care right now. I’ve also got a bone to pick with them. You helping me, might just result in some revenge for Sonn’s death.
The Rekarian chose his words carefully, eyeing JN as he spoke. Varik was betting on the man either being genuinely upset about Sonn or greedy -- possibly both.
Varik: We were not able to save your man but we can avenge him. (pause) And take care of this smuggling operation.
Left unsaid was the 'take care of this smuggling operation for you'. The Argrathi might not care about drugs or smuggling, but competition was one thing every criminal would prefer to do without.
JN: All the smaller ships and crews work with some freighter captain named Mad Dog. More pirate and smuggler than freighter captain really. None of them really owe much allegiance to anyone, and it’s all loose control.
He nodded. They finally had a name.
Varik: What is the reputation of this Mad Dog? Violent? Cruel?
JN: If you’re thinking about trying to go after Mad Dog I really wouldn’t.
Peters: Nah. We were just curious.
oO Curious about going after her. Oo
JN: Woman is slippery. You’ll likely end up with a knife in your back. Or more likely, a torpedo. Rumor is her boat has got a mean cloaking device.
The Rekarian turned to his comrades.
Varik: That would explain quite a bit. Particularly how the ship is able to bypass port logs and sensor detection.
It was an obvious statement, but saying it aloud helped Varik organize his thoughts.
Greaves: Know where she’s based out of?
Varik could sense that JN was feeling more comfortable with them, or at least was considering them an asset that could take care of his competition. The Rekarian could appreciate how through their entire conversation, JN had not actually admitted to anything. Clever.
The Argrathi considered the question a moment before leaning back on the sofa and sighing.
JN: Last I heard Mad Dog's crew was operating out of an abandoned lab in the capital. I can send you the location.
Varik had been expecting a more difficult time getting information from JN but the old adage continued to ring true: there's no honor amongst thieves.
Varik: More central than I expected, but with cloaking technology anywhere would be viable.
Peters: Response
Greaves: What about when she’s not local. Theres gotta be some organization to move all the contraband they bring it.
The Argrathi shook his head.
JN: No idea where their supply originates. Rumor is her ship is Wadi-class. Do with that what you will.
Peters: Response
Varik: I am not familiar although...
He stopped talking as his combadge began to buzz. Varik tapped it to confirm the communication but all he could hear was static. The bartender apparently was not lying when he said the room was shielded from electronic devices.
Varik spared a glance towards the others and flashed his eyes towards the door.
Varik: We appreciate the information, JN. (turning to the bartender) And the drinks.
The bartender just grunted but JN flashed a grin.
JN: Good luck, Starfleet. If you are going after Mad Dog, you will need it.
Peters/Greaves: Response
It took a great measure of willpower to resist trying to score a bottle of Romulan Ale for the road as Varik followed the bartender out of the room. In the hallway, they were reunited with their belongings and escorted back towards the main room. Instinctively, Varik checked his PADD.
Varik: Seems JN made good on his word. The coordinates to the abandoned lab are here.
It took a separate amount of willpower to resist the HCO urge to answer the comms message that had come in, but Varik deferred to the privilege of the senior officers to do so.
Peters/Greaves: Response
A reply came quickly.
T’Korva: =/\= This is Lieutenant Commander T’Korva, we may have found the smuggler’s hide out. We require reinforc… =/\=
The sound of something sharp caused the transmission to spike in sound before abruptly cutting out.
Varik: I did not like the sound of that...
Peters/Greaves: Response
Greaves: Know where she’s based out of?
Varik could sense that JN was feeling more comfortable with them, or at least was considering them an asset that could take care of his competition. The Rekarian could appreciate how through their entire conversation, JN had not actually admitted to anything. Clever.
The Argrathi considered the question a moment before leaning back on the sofa and sighing.
JN: Last I heard Mad Dog's crew was operating out of an abandoned lab in the capital. I can send you the location.
Varik had been expecting a more difficult time getting information from JN but the old adage continued to ring true: there's no honor amongst thieves.
Varik: More central than I expected, but with cloaking technology anywhere would be viable.
Peters: Response
Greaves: What about when she’s not local. Theres gotta be some organization to move all the contraband they bring it.
The Argrathi shook his head.
JN: No idea where their supply originates. Rumor is her ship is Wadi-class. Do with that what you will.
Peters: Response
Varik: I am not familiar although...
He stopped talking as his combadge began to buzz. Varik tapped it to confirm the communication but all he could hear was static. The bartender apparently was not lying when he said the room was shielded from electronic devices.
Varik spared a glance towards the others and flashed his eyes towards the door.
Varik: We appreciate the information, JN. (turning to the bartender) And the drinks.
The bartender just grunted but JN flashed a grin.
JN: Good luck, Starfleet. If you are going after Mad Dog, you will need it.
Peters/Greaves: Response
It took a great measure of willpower to resist trying to score a bottle of Romulan Ale for the road as Varik followed the bartender out of the room. In the hallway, they were reunited with their belongings and escorted back towards the main room. Instinctively, Varik checked his PADD.
Varik: Seems JN made good on his word. The coordinates to the abandoned lab are here.
It took a separate amount of willpower to resist the HCO urge to answer the comms message that had come in, but Varik deferred to the privilege of the senior officers to do so.
Peters/Greaves: Response
A reply came quickly.
T’Korva: =/\= This is Lieutenant Commander T’Korva, we may have found the smuggler’s hide out. We require reinforc… =/\=
The sound of something sharp caused the transmission to spike in sound before abruptly cutting out.
Varik: I did not like the sound of that...
Peters/Greaves: Response
[End Act 2 for Varik]
--
Lieutenant Junior Grade Varik
Acting Assistant Chief of Operations
USS Octavia E. Butler
A239709VR0
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