Bajoran patrol

[LtCmdr Deka Rekalan]

"Good to hear, lieutenant and since we both know this, we don't need to waste any further time in reviewing the information. IF there are any breaches in protocol or IF officers start creating their own protocols without informing command, I'm sure we'll be able to deal with that as well. In the meantime, remember that security doesn't need to know every thought and action of every officer here to adhere to it's OWN protocols."
Deka shifted slightly in her seat so that she could return to watching the Operations board, a clear dismissal the officious security chief could hardly miss.

[Zadex Ur'ack]

She had listened to the exchange between the two and was not surprised. Clearly there were things that only the upper officers should know.

She continued to moniter the heading and speed of the ship. Making one adjustment to avoid a small piece of debris.

[Captain Julius Delor]

The intercom crackles to life from his ready room Julius finally makes an announcement " as we approach Bajor for the final pass I have been issued a new assignment from the federation" hissing the word as if clearing venom form his throat" we are to return to starbase 14 for refitting and recrewing, This is not I repeat not a holiday. i'll have to dancing downthe cooridors or celebrating in the aisles. also who ever left the voles under my desk.... very funny" The PA crackles off harshly in midsentence.

[LtCmdr Deka Rekalan]

As the crackle died away, Deka addressed the bridge. "Starbase 114. Set course and engage." She snapped, echoing the Gul's curtness.

There were few who had ready access to Delor's office. She thought again of Tahlandi's rodent-like actions and her recently expressed concerns about security protocols and decided she'd keep a closer eye on the Bajoran.

[Captain Julius Delor]

exiting hisa ready room with a quickness looking around the room" one two three. pointing counting heads of the cardassians present pointing to his XO. a moment of your time while we are underway?

[LtCmdr Deka Rekalan]

He glanced at Deka. "Commander Rekalan, I've recently received a semi-urgent communication from Section 31. I know, I know, not exactly a Federation sanctioned organization however, their message seemed imperative." He turned a blind shoulder to the other Cardassian aboard, wandered toward the turbo lift and called her forward, crooking a finger over his shoulder.

Deka cocked an eyebrow and followed. Why mention all this openly then choose to take it private? The doors closed behind them.

"You do remember how to speak, dress and write in Cardassian I assume? This may be imperative to our mission and do we have someone on board with a knowledge of freighters? Deck Ten." He called out.

"I'd like to think my performance at the station was sufficient evidence that being on a Federation ship has not 'tainted' me. "She replied dryly. "And I expect the engineer is familiar with freighters. Why? What's needed?"

He leaned close to her and spoke softly. "There's been a recent overthrow of the Cardassian government..the announcement of a possible preemptive strike..the Earth itself at dire risk of meeting a sudden and efficient ending with the christening of a new weapon. Section 31 has recently acquired the ka'voltnh, an older C.R.A. style carrier and freighter for limited light speed operations . We are to gather data about this possible coup de Gras and do what we can to slow the progress of the weapon, apparently still being built."

"Are you saying that Section 31 is planning to deploy the weapon themselves and that they are targeting Earth?" It sounded incredible and yet..

He chuckled. "No no, the hope is to divert the weapon thru sabotage or through theft away from Earth before such a weapon can be launched- though I'm sure section 31 would rather rejoice in the destruction of Earth."

"That would make two of us. What would the Federation be with it's heart cut out?" She mused. "And if we succeed, what will keep them from rebuilding?"

"I would have to personally third that motion.Deck twenty, then eight don't release the doors." The computer beeped in compliance. "Anyhow, as I was saying, that makes three of us. Allegedly we have an opportunity to steal the plans for constructing this doomsday weapon. Apparently it is being built in secret and only a select team of scientists have the plans for the device. We are to report the location of the project to Commodore Fernandez and kidnap the science team if possible. If not terminate them. Section 31 fleet will handle clean-up on a separate pass through."

Deka did her best to hide her incredulity but, if what he said was true and they were being given the opportunity to obtain the plans for the weapon or even the weapon itself?
"If all that's true and they aren't simply baiting you with what they think you'd like most, why is Section 31 coming directly to you with this, and how will you reconcile it with command?"

He tilted his head sideways. "Easy answer. We are two of the only Federation officers with working knowledge of the Order.We have a crew readily available, and before we leave, the entire crew... fingerprints dental impressions and facial features will be altered to match more closely to our, well stunning Cardassian good looks. The crew will simply sign shore leave wavers and exit the scene in the freighter. I will of course address any more concerns you may have along the way."

He called emergency stop and opened the doors manually, stepping out onto the deck seven arboretum level. "Such a refreshing day, don't you think?" A balmy 97 degrees Fahrenheit reading on the over head systems.


Deka breathed in the scents of the room, sweet and spicy. "You can alter their looks but how are you going to have everyone trained to act as good as they look?"

He looked up at the sky. "It is a limited warp freighter for a reason. With warp calculations we have three weeks to whip them into line."

"And by 'we', of course, you mean 'me." Her lips twitched in a smile.

He stopped his stroll and turned to her. "Of course I mean you. I have more important things to do, and in the mean time we have to present a unified...Federation." He spat the word with some disgust. "front."

"One last question." Though by now, she thought, the answer was apparent. "Who is now in charge on Cardassia?" She casually plucked one of the fruits that resembled a breadfruit on Earth, and bit into it.

He tilted his head, indicating his own curiosity. "Certain operatives within the old guard of the Obsidian Order. Gul Emec and a few legates that were loyal to the order."

"I see." She withheld the remainder of her thoughts. She was not going to concern herself with the 'might-be' right now. "If you don't mind, I'd like to spend a few minutes here before getting to work."

Julius had already settled under a huge cypress tree, lazing around in the half shade. "Oh of course.Take your time. Too damned cold on that bridge these days, anyhow."

[TahlandiLaren]

Laren was in an odd position. Lang had insisted that her office needed to be redone since the last engineer wasn't very thorough in his duties. Laren only saw it has a place to work. She had moved back and forth between her quarters and the mess hall. She had finished her meal but for one item..desert. She had ordered her favorite apple pie a la mode. She replicated it with a sweet butter sauce then the ice cream. She let it sit allowing the ice cream to attain perfect softness. She had her nose in her reports when she felt a shift in the table as if someone had sat down.

"You gonna eat that?" Said the voice

"Yes," Laren said putting just enough of a lilt in her voice to let the other know she was annoyed. She know the voice was Jafe Qumar. He was one of those annoyingly perfect people. His almond eyes and Carmel skin made him a favorite target for quite a few of the ladies on the ship. He smoothed back his hair which made him look more like an unsavory character.

"You know chief," He said in a way that was more familiar than Laren would have liked. "I've been telling everyone that we would make the perfect couple. You know, the cat and the mouse."

Laren stopped working and looked up. "Who's been calling me a 'cat'? She gave him a look that was more interrogator than query.

"Uh,' He shifted uncomfortably then gave her a smiled that she would have described as 'greasy'. "You are the mouse, at least that is what has been said."

"I see," She noticed that most of the eyes in the room were now pointed at their table. "Is there a problem?" She said with substantial volume.

Everyone in the room turned back to what they were doing, and Jafe turned to leave. "You, sit" she said in a calm but firm voice. He complied realizing he may have made a mistake. "I don't know what name you have given yourself, but if you. "She looked around and then said louder. "or anyone else refers to me as mouse in any way shape or form will have a personal issue with me, which I will settle at my earliest convenience. Any questions?

Everyone within hearing put their heads down and Jafe used the opportunity to dismiss himself. Laren began to slowly eat her pie savoring every bite.

[Captain Julius Delor]

Meanwhile bck at the ranch.... The trevious slows inside the system with starbase 114 attached slowing to impulse. Dlor paced uneasily in hisoffice the com came in loud and clear. " well good evening there Gul Delor". the voce on the other end that of the section 31 contact named dalimor a human in his mid 40,s with a touch of meglomania in his voice. " operitive dalimar so wonderful to see you again.. " said with an obvious dripping sarcasm and ooozing with smart alec charm, " I assume you are prepared for your infiltration?" Dalimar asked with that god like overtone in his vioice. " the crew is uninformed and unprapared but I've faith I can at least make them look and reat like a cardassian crew" Delor said hesitantely remembring his bajoran engineer and his rag tag mismatched crew..

Dalimar spoke softly" good, then a little time aboard the freighte and a crsh course in cardassian protocal what? lets say three days then off? the preparations can,t take long the weapon is over half complete and the payload is on the way. track it as well if you can .. there is hardly enough of the primer element to create more than two in the universe realy so if you can stop the payload discover its source and destroy it all the better beats taking hostages and creating more unneccessary civil bloodshed." dalimar commented. " understood, oh and ummm how exactly are you going to pass off old shipping codes freight orders and lost manifests? I mean how do you ntend on pulling off a decent fruad hat will allow us passage surely if this was commenderred from the old fleet they will be looking for it" Delor said with a sly smile hoping this might ground the mission and recall them to thier delivery route. "hmmm now as for that. we,ve been able o forge some documents for your passage initially into cardassian space... outside of that you will assume the identity of a deep space slow freighter ... outdated codes were not totally uncommon in these type of long duration civilian freighters ... and thanfully the stocked foods well ae all cardassian so t only the ut most of peasure for you and the commander should be a plesent get away ." Dalimars voice chuckles while delors hissed. " very well i'll inform the crew then.... Delor out" closing the communication chnannel he was already fed up wtuth this mission for the sake of the earth spitting behind him he opened the intercom to deka" Glinn Rekalian prepare to set us into port around the outpost docking ring three is leared for our use

[LtCmdr Deka Rekalan]

"Aye, Sir" was Deka's automatic reply. "Helm, bring us in at Docking Ring 3, Standard protocols apply.".

Deka scanned each officer present, trying to envision them with Cardassian features and acting as Cardassian citizens. The result was something that made her want to laugh and cry at the same time. Instead she sighed resignedly and waited for the instructions she knew would follow once they'd arrived.