JP - Carry on my wayward son - Part 4 of 8 - LtCmdr. Avander Promontory, LtCmdr. V'Len Kel, Lt. Ithri Sh'shelor, Lt. Jack Kessler

[Avander Promontory]

((Port Coray, Gamma Quadrant))

Ithri had stuck close to Promontory, watching his back, her stark blue eyes examining their surroundings.  The place they had come to did not foster an environment where one could remain at ease, and she kept vigilant in case there were any who wished to start trouble.  Fortunately, they had come to find the person Promontory searched for and, for the most part, avoided it.  Upon looking at the man they had come to find, she had to wonder how he had managed to not attract attention.  Then again, they were in the Gamma Quadrant, and there were many species that those in the Alpha and Beta Quadrant hadn’t seen, and vice versa, so perhaps they simply thought he was another species from a different quadrant.  Although not as numerous as Gamma Quadrant species, more had come from Alpha and Beta since the end of the war.  

Sh’shelor: I am here to serve, but…we must be cautious. 

Seeing Ithri Sh’shelor brought back immediate memories of Millie, his 2nd host's wife. It was not Ithri’s fault although she and Millie shared several features both physically and in their demeanor.  V’Len pushed the thoughts from his mind.  

Promontory: Because we’re not really here. But Greaves seemed to think that you shouldn’t be left on your own.

Kel: Well it was good of him to think of me and my continued existence.  Let’s move somewhere less crowded.

Sh’shelor: That would be wise. 

Although crowds could offer a certain kind of protection on their own, but for their purposes, they needed a more intimate setting where their conversation could not be easily overheard, even snippets of it.  

The group made its way through the crowd and ducked into a small diner.  The trio took seats and V’Len ordered some fried tubers.  

Ithri’s eyes wandered over those who inhabited the establishments.  Several bore weapons, perhaps mercenaries, or even just those who had seen far too much and refused to go without protection.  LIkely there were more, they simply kept their weapons hidden. No one sported anything flashy, their clothing functional rather than ornate, designed to keep a low profile.  Her own did the same, mild, civilian clothing that was brown and grey.  Her skin as well as Kel’s were flashier, though they were not the only ones that had different hues of flesh.  A couple of aliens of a type she did not recognise were almost neon green, and one in the corner was a rich purple.  Turning her gaze away, she allowed it to settle on the doctor, who immediately got to the point.  

Kel:  I know where he is.  

Promontory: Kessler?

Avander had heard the rumours and the unconfirmed intelligence reports, but didn’t have much faith in them. Jack was dead and everything else was just wishful thinking.

V’Len gave a serious nod.  

Sh’shelor: How did you find him?  

Kel:  An information dealer provided me with the location, but representatives from the UDP verified it. 

The UDP again.  They had become far more prevalent in their dealings in the Gamma Quadrant than Ithri was comfortable with.  Although she did not have the experience with them others had, she had seen the reports, and their activities did not put her at ease.  

Promontory: I supposed they’d be in a position to know, but still, I think it’s even odds that it’s some sort of trap.

Kel: It lines up with intel Greaves and I obtained a few months ago.  

Sh’shelor: But that is not a reason to give up. 

Kessler might be a stranger, but even so, Ithri was loyal to those who served in their common organisation.  At one time, she had given that loyalty to the Andorian military, but they had turned their back upon her, whereas Starfleet had welcomed her.  

Kel:  We need to go. He’s in good health, but who knows how long that will last.  

Sh’shelor: Prisoners are not always treated well. 

Ithri knew Starfleet had a much different policy about the treatment of prisoners, but that didn’t extend to everyone, especially outside of the Federation.  He might be in good health then, but who knew what his condition would be if he remained in the Zet’s clutches.  

Promontory: I hope you’re not proposing we go into Zet space in a run-down old freighter…

oO Again. Oo the word hung in the air, unspoken.

Kel:  No I don’t have the Lady. How did you two get here?

Ithri blinked and glanced between the two men.  That little bit told her they had already done that at least once.  

Promontory: The Plausible Deniability.

V’Len cocked his head to one side. He remembered no such ship when he was on the ‘Oumuamua, so this would seem to be something new. 

Kel: What is Plausible Deniability? I mean I know what it is conceptually, but what kind of vessel is it?

Sh’shelor: A small one. 

The corners of Ithri’s lips only slightly tickled upward the barest amount, but for someone who was familiar with the motions of an antennae, it was obvious she found some humour in her answer.  

Promontory: It’s a modified Argonaut shuttle. (beat) Maybe enhanced would be a better word. (beat) But you didn’t hear it from me.

Kel: Nice. We should use it. However, I’ve been given access to a Jem’Hadar ship. I’m certain my “friend” the information dealer and the UDP can monitor it.  If it stays and I go it will certainly rouse suspicion.  

Promontory: Surely bringing a Jem’Hadar ship into Zet space would also arouse suspicion. Perhaps someone is using you as a patsy to start a conflict.

Sh’shelor: That depends.  The Jem’Hadar do not have the power they once had, and from what I have seen, it is not uncommon to make use of vessels that had been used during the Dominion war.  Many were taken into private hands.  I imagine that is also the case for Jem’Hadar ships. 

Once the Founders lost their power, those under them scattered to the wind.  Even the Jem’Hadar had become more independent and now roamed in various places.  Likely, many ships could no longer be manned after the severe losses during the war, or were simply taken, sold, or repurposed for something other than armed conflict.  

V’Len sat back and furrowed his brow.

Kel:  Am I to assume the Butler is not backing us up?  We’re on our own?

Avander looked a little uncomfortable at the question.

Promontory: Um… the Commander supports are efforts… she just doesn’t really know about them. (beat) At least not much.

Hence the name of their shuttlecraft.

Sh’shelor: We can not depend on the OEB, no.  It is not due to lack of desire, but for a need to keep things…quiet.

oO Yeah that checks out. Oo

Kel:  We need more resources.  Somebody needs to take that Jem’Hadar ship to the system and hang out while we get Jack using the Plausible Deniability.  I don’t trust the vessel at all.

Sh’shelor: It is wise to be cautious.  

Kel: I can’t handle a Jem’Hadar fighter on my own. 

Promontory: Didn’t you used to be a pilot?

In the recesses of V’Len’s mind Xam was stamping his feet and shouting about how he was in fact the best pilot ever. V’Len gave him a slap to silence him. 

The answer was very succinct. 

Sh’shelor: No.

She paused, then continued. 

Sh’shelor: I have basic knowledge, but I know nothing of Jem’Hadar ships.

Avander made a face. He had meant that Kel used to be a pilot, but the moment had passed.

Kel:  What about Toxin and Lhandon?  We could tell them it’s part of a race. Let them take the fighter off while we pull off the rescue.

Promontory: Like the last time they raced!? I don’t know…

Ithri considered the conundrum.  She understood Kel’s reticence, and shared it, especially since she knew where he received such a ‘gift’.  

Sh’shelor: Do you think the UDP wishes us to fail? 

Promontory: Not necessarily, but I wouldn’t say their intentions always align with our own.

Their recent experiences with the Cheydalanga had proved that.

Kel: From what I was given to understand they do not approve of the Zet’s actions. ::beat::  However, politics prevents them from directly intervening.  Effectively we’re doing their dirty work. 

Sh’shelor: I am not inclined to trust them, but perhaps we can make use of that ship.  It could be used as a distraction.  

She wasn’t going to readily trust the UDP, but at the same time, they had a resource, perhaps it was best they use everything available. 

Trust of the UDP was out of the question.  V’Len was not even fully convinced they were free of the influence of the Founders, much less that the tyrannical tendencies of the Dominion were fully expunged from its current iteration.   The problem was this was the best lead they had.  

Promontory: Maybe we could set up a remote piloting procedure?

Kel: ::raising an eyebrow::  Would that work?

Could that work?  The Jem’Hadar fighter was not a complex vessel and since it was Gavet’s personal craft it likely could be operated by one pilot.  All it really needed to do was enter the system.  Gavet, Freya and Luriaa would perhaps think V’Len had gone on his own and simply got cold feet.  The fighter would return empty, but by then they’d be back on the OEB.   

Promontory: I don’t see why not.

Sh’Shelor: Agreed.  It is a viable solution. 

If they could use a remote, then they could have the ship do what it needed to and it would offer the distraction they needed to get Jack out of there.  

Kel: Let’s get started.  Tell me how to program the fighter and I’ll depart the station in it. I’ll transport to the Deniability, once we’re underway.   

Avander nodded curtly and pulled a small data stick from some pocket.

Promontory: I’ll go get the PD prepped. Use this to contact us once you’re on your way. (beat) It’ll ensure your communication’s aren’t overheard.

Ithri glanced between the two men.  Although she had no problem taking a lead when necessary, this was not a situation where that was required.  Nodding to both, she rose to her feet, her eyes flashing with anticipation. 

Sh’Shelor: Then let us go.

V’Len stood up. It was finally happening.  They were gonna recover Jack Kessler.  

Lieutenant Commander V'Len Kel

Chief Medical Officer

USS Ronin NCC-34523

T239811VK2

He/Him (character and player)

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