Lt. Commander V'Lar - The Tangled Web
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Chris M
Sep 9, 2025, 2:32:12 PM (3 days ago) Sep 9
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(('The Glob Fly' - Upper vIq'mItlh City, veHrom’nagh))
The Admiral began to synthesize the available data into a comprehensive hypothesis. V'Lar listened with focused attention, comparing the Admiral's reconstruction with her own timeline derived from the RNA degradation data. So far the two were broadly in alignment.
The focus of the scene shifted instantly. The Trill's discovery of a specific piece of technology superseded the general search.
V'Lar observed the complex web of red light projected by the emitter. The distinction between "personal" and "professional" seemed somewhat arbitrary given the resulting homicides.
V'Lar: The distinction is noted, Lieutenant, but the methodology of the assailants remains unchanged regardless of their motive.
Taelon: Response
V'Lar: Such data could assist us in locating them, either directly or through other leads.
V'Lar: It is Boridium.
V'Lar recalled that the element, atomic number 121 on the human periodic table, had an atomic mass of 317 in its most stable form. The metal was part of the trans-uranic series of heavy elements and, if memory served, Federation scientists believed that the element could not exist in nature, something which later proved to be incorrect. She was uncertain as to its usage by the Klingons although it could be used in power generation or for weaponry. Quite how it factored into this scenario was unclear but it could prove helpful in tracking the unknown assailant.
She turned her head towards the science officer, silently gesturing for them to add their own thoughts.
She turned her head towards the science officer, silently gesturing for them to add their own thoughts.
Sevo: Oh… ::She let her thoughts trail.::
V'Lar noted the Trill officer emitting a soft exhalation indicating surprise or concern. A typical emotional response to the introduction of an unexpected variable.
V'Lar noted the Trill officer emitting a soft exhalation indicating surprise or concern. A typical emotional response to the introduction of an unexpected variable.
Taelon: Boridium? That’s not - it’s not very common for Klingons to use it.
The rarity of the element was precisely what made it a significant clue, hence why V'Lar reported its presence. She did not however, possess detailed information about the yields available to the Klingon Empire or how it was utilised and she knew that such information would not be stored within the data banks of her medical tricorder.
The rarity of the element was precisely what made it a significant clue, hence why V'Lar reported its presence. She did not however, possess detailed information about the yields available to the Klingon Empire or how it was utilised and she knew that such information would not be stored within the data banks of her medical tricorder.
Reynolds: Klingons don’t use it much, but Romulans have been known to implant boridium pellets under the skin of their prisoners to keep track of them. Our assailants might not have a history of crime here, but it’s possible they have elsewhere.
V'Lar's right eyebrow raised a single millimeter.
oO Rihannsu. Those who march beneath the Raptor's wings. Oo
Despite the Romulans extensive history of deceit and violence on the galactic stage, there were none that understood the true treachery of the Romulans better than a Vulcan. Theirs was a history defined by a single, catastrophic choice: the rejection of Surak's logic in favour of emotion and barbarism. They were exiles, defined by the ultimate treachery committed against their own kin during the Time of Awakening. Treachery was the core truth of the Romulans, a truth no Vulcan could ever dismiss and a lesson the Klingons themselves had eventually been forced to learn in their own fashion albeit without the same foundational clarity as a Vulcan.
V'Lar's right eyebrow raised a single millimeter.
oO Rihannsu. Those who march beneath the Raptor's wings. Oo
Despite the Romulans extensive history of deceit and violence on the galactic stage, there were none that understood the true treachery of the Romulans better than a Vulcan. Theirs was a history defined by a single, catastrophic choice: the rejection of Surak's logic in favour of emotion and barbarism. They were exiles, defined by the ultimate treachery committed against their own kin during the Time of Awakening. Treachery was the core truth of the Romulans, a truth no Vulcan could ever dismiss and a lesson the Klingons themselves had eventually been forced to learn in their own fashion albeit without the same foundational clarity as a Vulcan.
V’Lar: The particulate concentration in the subject's bloodstream is minimal. If the source is a tracking implant, it is likely to be old and degrading.
Reynolds: Right. If we put the pieces together, we have this— ::she gestured to the larger room with both hands, unwittingly looking like a steward giving flight safety advice,:: —the assailants first came into conflict with Pak’argh in the bullpen, who then made a break for the editor’s office, and then out into the corridors, into the back alley, through the side street, and into the plaza where he died. My guess is he went for the data he or Krelah had downloaded onto portable storage, and was trying to get it out of the office. We know at least one person followed him out at this point, because we found evidence of a continuing fight in the alley.
The Admiral began to synthesize the available data into a comprehensive hypothesis. V'Lar listened with focused attention, comparing the Admiral's reconstruction with her own timeline derived from the RNA degradation data. So far the two were broadly in alignment.
Reynolds: While he was trying to get the data out, Krelah fought another assailant with boridium in their system. Possibly trying to stop them from following Pak’argh, possibly because she was a target herself, maybe both. She fell, they thought she was dead, they left, and told their accomplice Pak’argh had the data — which explains the security footage showing one of them taking something from his body. But at all times, they were careful to stay off cameras, choosing locations where there were none, or keeping their faces hidden when there was.
Sevo: That suggests a level of municipal intelligence, along with prior spycraft experience. The average citizen wouldn’t know where every single camera was.
The Lieutenant Commander's interpretation extrapolated a high level of expertise from the facts available, suggesting an individual with a very particular set of skills.
The Lieutenant Commander's interpretation extrapolated a high level of expertise from the facts available, suggesting an individual with a very particular set of skills.
Taelon: I’m not sure we can say they carefully dodged cameras just yet, sirs. :: He spoke up from where he’d been looking out over the ‘bullpen’, as they were calling it.:: Pak’argh ran into a square overlooked by them, but, um, the alleys and this building aren’t monitored. They might have just been unlucky that he happened to flee towards a monitored area…
The Lieutenant's counter-hypothesis was more conservative. Her own analysis favoured Lieutenant Taelon's reasoning purely because it relied on fewer assumptions. She opted to remain silent, the degree of their professional experience was purely speculative, the physical evidence, was not. V'Lar would instead focus on the data.
The Lieutenant's counter-hypothesis was more conservative. Her own analysis favoured Lieutenant Taelon's reasoning purely because it relied on fewer assumptions. She opted to remain silent, the degree of their professional experience was purely speculative, the physical evidence, was not. V'Lar would instead focus on the data.
Reynolds: Following V’Lar’s logic; if they’re aiming to suppress a story, and they’re targeting the people who knew about it, that leaves the investigating journalist. Possibly a fact-checker, too, if the Glob Fly employed one. That’s who we need to find.
Sevo: The editor must have a record of the investigator here somewhere. It could be an employee or a third party.
V’Lar: Given the assailants' thoroughness in destroying the primary computer, it is logical to assume they would have also targeted any obvious physical records. A hidden or encrypted source is more probable.
Sevo: It could be on the memory chips we found. We’d have to wait for the ship to analyse them which could take a while. But it looks like the editor-in-chief was big on physical media. Maybe they kept physical records. :: She gestured around the office to the myriad cabinets and articles on the wall. ::
Taelon: Don’t forget those, either.
V'Lar subtly redirected her tricorder's passive sensors toward the cabinets and desks they mentioned, cataloging them as areas of interest.
V'Lar subtly redirected her tricorder's passive sensors toward the cabinets and desks they mentioned, cataloging them as areas of interest.
Reynolds: Response
Sevo: I think I found something. ::She looked closer, scanning the device with her tricorder.:: There’s something attached to the back of this board. I think it's a holoemitter.
The focus of the scene shifted instantly. The Trill's discovery of a specific piece of technology superseded the general search.
Taelon: A holoemitter-?
Holoemitters were primarily for data display, often used for complex schematics or, in this case, investigative mapping.
Holoemitters were primarily for data display, often used for complex schematics or, in this case, investigative mapping.
Sevo: Whoa. Jackpot.
V'Lar stepped closer to better observe. The projected data appeared to be a relationship map.
V'Lar: A 'jackpot' is a subjective assessment. We should first analyse the data before reaching conclusions.
V'Lar stepped closer to better observe. The projected data appeared to be a relationship map.
V'Lar: A 'jackpot' is a subjective assessment. We should first analyse the data before reaching conclusions.
Reynolds: Response
Taelon: Sirs…this might be, um, incorrect, but the attack here feels more personal than professional. If our suspects are among this web, then they might have simply asked to meet Pak’argh and the editor…
V'Lar observed the complex web of red light projected by the emitter. The distinction between "personal" and "professional" seemed somewhat arbitrary given the resulting homicides.
V'Lar: The distinction is noted, Lieutenant, but the methodology of the assailants remains unchanged regardless of their motive.
Reynolds / Sevo: Response
Taelon: ‘Ep'ehko, informant.’ ::His finger traced the red line to one of the faces they’d yet to identify, an older Klingon man with visible scarring across his head and neck.:: ‘K'uklud. Dealer. Boss?
The data suggested a shift in the nature of the investigation. 'Informant' and 'dealer' were roles associated with criminal enterprises but not with the publication of political satire.
Reynolds / Sevo: Response
Taelon: No, I meant - the symbol means she was unsure…Dealer seems more certain.
V'Lar: The editor's uncertainty is a critical piece of data. It suggests K'uklud's role is not a matter of public record which would support the theory that the Glob Fly was not merely engaged in satire, but in criminal investigations. That being the case 'the Circle' could be the name of a criminal organisation that was the subject of their investigation.
V'Lar: The editor's uncertainty is a critical piece of data. It suggests K'uklud's role is not a matter of public record which would support the theory that the Glob Fly was not merely engaged in satire, but in criminal investigations. That being the case 'the Circle' could be the name of a criminal organisation that was the subject of their investigation.
Reynolds / Sevo: Response
The names they had obtained did provide actionable data.
V'Lar: The Gorkon could begin searching the colony's public registries for the names provided.
Reynolds / Sevo / Taelon: Response
If the goal of these events was to suppress information, then silencing the source of that information would be a primary objective for the assailants. She therefore agreed that their life could be in imminent danger.
V'Lar: Indeed, an informant, by definition, is a liability in any criminal enterprise. Prioritising the determination of the status and location of this 'Ep'ehko' would be logical.
Reynolds / Sevo / Taelon: Responses
Whilst the relevant arrangements were made, V'Lar turned her focus back towards the holographic data.
The names they had obtained did provide actionable data.
V'Lar: The Gorkon could begin searching the colony's public registries for the names provided.
Reynolds / Sevo / Taelon: Response
If the goal of these events was to suppress information, then silencing the source of that information would be a primary objective for the assailants. She therefore agreed that their life could be in imminent danger.
V'Lar: Indeed, an informant, by definition, is a liability in any criminal enterprise. Prioritising the determination of the status and location of this 'Ep'ehko' would be logical.
Reynolds / Sevo / Taelon: Responses
Whilst the relevant arrangements were made, V'Lar turned her focus back towards the holographic data.
V'Lar: Is there any information about the specifics in which the dealer is believed to deal in?
V'Lar: Such data could assist us in locating them, either directly or through other leads.
Reynolds / Sevo / Taelon: Responses
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