Gul Verrok (Part 2 of 3)

Posted on 30 Apr 2014 @ 3:10pm by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Captain Jonathan Holliday & Commander Scarlet Blake & Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Lieutenant Theron Rhodes & Lieutenant JG Delainey Carlisle & Lieutenant Teth Miir & Lieutenant JG Wakeham Paul Alasia Ph.D. & Command Master Chief Markum Quinn & Commander Luke Wyatt & Chief Warrant Officer 3 Amon Mormont & Petty Officer 1st Class Gabriel Stark & Petty Officer 1st Class Camibree Christoph & Chief Warrant Officer 3 Alexion Wylde & Petty Officer 3rd Class Robert Jameson & Gul Verrok

2,750 words; about a 14 minute read

Mission: Episode 06 - Legend of Souls
Location: USS Galileo - Lyshan III Orbit
Timeline: MD 02 - 1335 hrs

Previously, on Gul Verrok (Part 1)...

Scarlet made her way into the turbolift with a quick pace, tapping her badge on her way. "Blake to Security, I need a team to meet me at Transporter Room 1 to help greet our guests."

"Aye, Skipper." Said Quinn as he moved to stand by the tactical console, just to keep an eye on the warship next to them. He really never forgave those spoonheaded bastards for what they and their shape-shifting partners did to so many planets during the Dominon War....especially Betszed. He clinched his fists tightly as the memories of the horrors he witnessed on his one on the Defiant-Class ships, USS Thor.

And Now, the Continuation...

[ON]

Deck 3 - Sickbay

Allyndra as she had learned from Kohl had set the big surgery monitor to mirror the main bridge monitor so the rest of the staff could watch the arrival.

There was going to be a lot of work to do. The facilities on board were small and planet side not much more. That would mean having to set up more room to handle all the miners that were going to be screened.

She would help with that but she was leaving Doctor Mott and the EMH to handle the bulk of the medical scans. As for her, she hoped that she could pursue some ideas on the relationship of the star system, if any, to the sudden changes. While she not exactly claustrophobic, like all her kind, they were children of open places and mines and confinement did not sit well.

Teth leaned on a bulkhead and stared at the display of the planet. The place looked innocuous enough. What could be causing so many strange reports.

"I wonder what kind of mining byproducts they're running into down there. There must be something causing such large scale, shared delusional beliefs." the counselor said in Allyndra's general direction.

Allyndra looked over at Teth. She made that odd shrug which caused the gossamer wings to sort of flutter. "All mining creates by products and this stuff is known for its properties. Well, we will see what Mott and our EMH can come up......." She stopped and turned back as the screen shimmered a moment.

Nodding her chin, "Looks like our counterpart there. That I would imagine might be an a part of this."

Alexion's throat tightened with disdain and he had to clear it, trying to relax the tense muscles in his body. Unconsciously, he was wound up ready to fight. "That's if there are mass delusions."

Allyndra only looked over at Alexion. She knew that many had a history with the Cardassians but her own people had not. The tentative alliance had not come between Akkadia and the rest until after the war.

Delainey looked over at the three and silently hoped the crew could put aside their emotions and histories with the Cardassians for the sake of the mission. Ultimately, she knew it would come down to their own ability to exercise their free will, and not any words she offered in the time leading up to their assignment, but she still felt a certain degree of responsibility for the behavior that was to come. Productive reactions would be theirs to take credit for, but the bad? If, God forbid there was to be anything bad, it was in Delainey's nature to take some smidge of responsibility for it as a counselor aboard the Galileo.

"Take a deep breath all," Delainey offered. "Emotions, no matter how rightfully earned, have no place in scientific inquiry. We are scientists with a mystery to tackle, and that takes an open mind."


Deck 3 - Security

A chime sounded on the console of the Security Chief. Lt. Rhodes looked down to confirm that the Galileo had just arrived in orbit. He too reviewed sensor scans of the planet and anything in orbit.

Standing, Rhodes made his way out into the main area where security team Alpha was on stand-by. "Alright people," the security chief began, "we have arrived at Lyshan III. I want to encourage all of you to be on your best behavior when we are called."

Mormont let out a breath as he watched him, taking a breath. He was tense. He felt more like he was preparing for battle than for best behaviour. He looked at Gabriel, reaching to give the young man a squeeze on the shoulder.

Gabriel looked across to Amon, knowing this had to be hard on him, and the others who had served long enough to have fought in the Dominion War. He gave Amon an easy, confident smile, wanting to reassure him. It was just another mission, and they'd deal with whatever was down there.

Luke was leant up against the wall he was confident that the extra training, all be it short and just brushed the surface of riot control. Turning to face Taryn he smiled "How are you feeling? Have you had your Chocolate chip banana pancakes with peanut butter and maple syrup yet?" He asked remembering their conversation from earlier on.

Bree leaning on the wall next to Luke heard the description of the food and shook her head slightly disgusted, "Do you seriously eat that stuff?"

Luke shrugged "Well its not something I would usually put into my diet but ever since Taryn introduced me to it I can't get enough of the goodness, you should try it!"

"Ahhggrr." Bree replied horrified by the thought of the possible taste.

=^= Blake to Security, I need a team to meet me at Transporter Room 1 to help greet our guests. =^=

Rhodes tapped the console, =^=Understood. On our way.=^= Tapping to end the comm, he got up from the main security console. "It looks like our guests are coming aboard." Theron looked across the team present then instructed, "Stark and Christoph you will position yourselves just outside the transporter room doors. Mr. Wyatt, you will be with me." Walking toward the doors, he said confidently, "Let's move people."

Camibree Christoph was rather surprised with that instruction, but quickly stepped up to follow the chief out the door.

"Yes, Lieutenant," Gabriel hopped up, slapping Amon's knee in a comradely manner on his way up to his feet. He fell into step behind Theron, his expression calm as they approached.

Luke followed out last behind the group, he was eager to get the initial meet and greet out of the way. With any luck he hoped that once the Cardassians started integrating with the Galileo's crew the unjust tension from the majority of the crew would be finally sorted out, he just hoped it didn't make it any worst.


Deck 2 - Transporter Room 1

Gabriel took up position standing outside of the transporter room door, looking steadily ahead of the wall opposite him. He wondered, briefly, if Rhodes had put them on guard outside of the transporter room in case of genuine trouble, or just to let their guests know that security was tight here.

Camibree took up her station on the other side of the door as Stark. She knew her role well; quiet, unobtrusive, un threatening, standing by. She hoped that that was all it was going to be.

Rhodes and Wyatt entered the transporter room. Rhodes nodded to the transporter chief and then took up a position to the far left, while Wyatt took up position across the room.

Luke knew his position and walked briskly across the room taking position, watching the Chief and the then back to Rhodes. He wondered if his worries about the to crews meeting and working along side each other were as unjust as the comments made in the earlier brief by the young security chief.

Scarlet walked in just a few moments after, moving to stand not far from Theron, her hands clasped neatly behind her back, shoulders pulled back in her usual military posture. "We're not expecting trouble," she said quietly to Theron. "But as always, expect the unexpected..."

Remaining at attention, Rhodes replied softly, "Yes, Ma'am. I ah . . . have your back."

Scarlet gave Theron a firm nod of approval before glancing back to the controls, nodding to the man standing by. "Energize."

PO3 Jameson nodded as he began the sequence. "Energizing." Modern transporters were so computerized the system could be run by pushing a single button but the familiar three fingered slide had become such a tradition with transporter operators that the they remained in some fashion even on the newest boards.

Gul Verrok and his small entourage materialized on the transporter pad and quickly took in their surroundings once the transport cycle had completed. The three of them exchanged quick glances then stepped down off of the pad with a heavy thump to their thick boots before coming to a stop in front of the red-collared woman in front of them, presumably the senior-most Starfleet officer in the room based on her rank.

Rhodes remained against the wall, unmoving, sizing up the guests. The three Cardassians seemed calm. There was the typical scanning of the room with their eyes, which was to be expected.

Scarlet took a slight step forward. No real distance really, but enough to indicate acknowledgement. She watched the group, and was suddenly grateful for the fact she had a good poker face. Her features remained as cool as ever despite the coiling ice inside of her getting tighter at being so close to a group of Cardassians again. She refused to let it bring back memories. Not now. "Welcome aboard the Galileo. I am Commander Blake."

"I am Gul Verrok," Aldara's captain simply replied with the slightest of polite nods to Blake and the Starfleet security crewmen. He held his hands out to introduce the other two members of his delegation. "This is my head of security, Dal Glevon, and my senior engineer, Dalin Nentar." The other two men were similarly dressed in accordance with Cardassian duty uniforms, and all three of them carried a traditional Cardassian disruptor pistol which was holstered on their hips.

Blake nodded lightly as she looked them over, her gaze drifting down to the disruptors they carried. She didn't say a word, just looked before to Verrok with an arched eyebrow and slightly tilted head...a clear recognition and question. "I can assure you, you are quite safe here," she said lightly, her tone unclear.

"Yes, of course. Is there a reason we would not be?" the Gul asked, his brow furrowed and head tilted with slight confusion at Blake's comment. In his opinion, a Federation science vessel was almost too safe, to the point where it was barely competent at defending itself. The Galor Class was, of course, a much more suitable starship.

"I thought perhaps you felt...unsafe," she replied softly, with a small smile, motioning to his disruptor, as if to say 'why else would you bring it?'.

Verrok looked squarely at Blake, then followed her eyes down to his pistol, then looked back up at her when he realized the meaning behind her inquiry. "Ah, yes. It's simply standard protocol for all senior Cardassian officers. I hope we have not...offended you?" His voice was serious in tone but his dark eyes glinted with amusement, and the light touch of sarcasm was only evident to the most keenest of observers.

Scarlet held his eyes for a moment in silence. It wasn't long, but it felt it. Memories threatened despite herself. Of all the things Cardassians had done to the people she had grown up with that could have 'offended' her. "Offended?" she finally spoke, her voice soft, "....oh, no." She kept his gaze for a moment longer before motioning to the door. "I will take you to the Captain. I know he is eager to speak with you," she turned to start walking, leading them out of the room, expecting them to follow.

"Yes, we must discuss the happenings on the colony and restore production as soon as possible," he tersely explained. Accompanied by his two senior officers, Verrok began to follow Blake out of the door and towards the conference room.

Rhodes and Wyatt followed the procession out of the Transporter Room and down the passageway. Stark and Christoph followed at 2 lengths distance behind as proper procedure.

Luke walked side by side happy that at least things were going smoothly though he objected the idea of the Cardassians carrying weapons. He felt that if he was in their position he would want to carry his phaser with him despite his attempts to get the security personnel to at least accept the offer of help they had so generously given. 'Its just a ruse, they'll stab us in the back the first chance they get, why are we working with them any ways' just a few things people had said in defence to their prejudice.


Deck 1 - Conference Room

The small door to the Nova Class' conference room swished open to signal the arrival of the Cardassian delegation and the officers accompanying them. Already present were several other members of Galileo's crew, including Saalm, Holliday, Quinn, the two yeomen, Mialin, Alasia, and Markos.

Rhodes and Wyatt stopped just inside the door and stood to either side.

Scarlet came to a stop, allowing the visitors to move in past her. "Gul Verrok," she motioned to him and then each of his companions, her features calm and showing little emotion either way. "Head of security, Dal Glevon, and senior engineer, Dalin Nentar. Gul Verrok, this is Captain Holliday, who of course you are already familiar with. Commodore Saalm is our mission advisor and Task Group Commander. Our Second Officer, Lieutenant Commander Mialin. Our Chief of Boat, Command Master Chief Quinn. Diplomat, Lieutenant' Alasia. Chief of Intelligence, Lieutenant Markos. And Yeomans Morris and Jaqen here will be keeping notes for us." She motioned to each crewmember with each name, knowing it was a lot to throw in one go.

Quinn kept his poker face on, but under the table his fists were clenched tightly together.

John secretly felt quite comfortable having brought a large majority of his senior staff into the conference room along with him. Usually the Cardassians liked being able to control a room, to feel they were the ones in the senior position. Holliday hoped that their superior numbers would at least keep everything on a level playing field, for now.

"Gul Verrok. Welcome aboard the Galileo, please, take a seat and let's get things started shall we?"

As indicated, the Gul took a seat at the table and gave his signature curt nod to all of the assembled personnel. Pleasantries were not high on his list of priorities, and the situation at hand demanded results as opposed to courtesy. "Thank you, captain. Yes, let us begin," he addressed Holliday, then clasped his hands together in his lap and leaned back in his chair.

To Be Continued...

[OFF]

--

CDRE Lirha Saalm
Mission Advisor
USS Galileo

Gul Verrok
Commanding Officer
CDS Aldara
[PNPC - Saalm]

CAPT Jonathan Holliday
Commanding Officer
USS Galileo

LT CMDR Dea Mialin
Second Officer/Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Galileo

Lt. Theron Rhodes
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

CPO Luke Wyatt
Security Officer
USS Galileo

Lieutenant Andreus Kohl
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

CMDR Scarlet Blake
First Officer
USS Galileo

Lt Cmdr Allyndra illm Warrquim
Chief Medical Officer
USS Galileo

CMCPO Markum Quinn
Chief of the Boat
USS Galileo

Cadet FG Nesh Saalm
Scientist's Mate
USS Galileo
[PNPC - Kita]

PO 3rd Alika Mahone
Operations Officer
USS Galileo
[PNPC - Kita]

LT Norvi Stace
Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

LT Amynta Markos
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Galileo

CMCPO Markum Quinn
Chief of the Boat
USS Galileo

LTJG Wakeham Paul Alasia
Diplomatic Officer
USS Galileo

LT Teth Miir
Counselor
USS Galileo

LT Delainey Carlisle
Counselor
USS Galileo

SWO Alexion Wylde
Medical Officer
USS Galileo
[PNPC Blake]

MWO Amon Mormont
Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo
[PNPC Markos]

PO1 Camibree Christoph
Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo
[PNPC Rhodes]

PO1 Gabriel Stark
Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo
[PNPC Blake]

PO3 Robert Jameson
Transporter Chief
USS Galileo
[PNPC Zhao]

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