What Needs to be Said

Posted on 09 Jan 2017 @ 10:12am by Commander Aren Ban & Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim
Edited on on 12 Jan 2017 @ 3:11am

2,614 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Episode 13 - Rogue
Location: Kreanus Colony - Deck 18, Living Quarters
Timeline: MD03 - 1345

[ON]

Aren and Allyndra walked in relative silence and there made their way back to where the rest of the Galileo’s crew was being held.

Aren sighed. “Well, that went as well as could be expected.” He said to no one it particular. He turned his attention back to Allyndra. “I am sorry that it took so long for me to make contact with you and the Galileo crew. They don’t allow my much information, so most of what I have heard I have had to steal or over hear at the mess hall.” He said with an apologetic look. “As I said earlier, I am Commander Aren Ban. Former executive Officer of the USS Tian an Men. I have been here a little over a month, but I am not the only Federation Prisoner. There have been some that have been here for a year or more. Many treated in much of the same way. And they tend to keep us separated from one another. I often question there Talshiar level of secrecy and brutality.” He said as much to himself as to her.

Allyndra nodded. "Pleased," she looked back over her shoulder but the only ones in sight were far enough down the hall. "I suspect they are worried about us and as well they should be. We might be needed for our expertise but I imagine and I would be wondering as well what mischief and sabotage could be done. I suspect they will be keeping an eye on me, probably on all of us for a bit. I have asked the crew to be as cooperative as possible mostly because I think it is the best interests for everyone to be healthy."

Allyndra did not see anyone close by but who knew what things might be lurking about. "So sir, what is going on around here? I was informed the General seems to be out of favour with the High Command. They asked for help along those lines as well and I volunteered." She made a slight shrug, "The General might not like me much, but they would like Romulans less and trust Federation hardly anymore. Akkadia is not a Federation world, only currently allied so I suggested earlier I am about as close to a neutral party that they might have."

"While I wish I could say there is a more nefarious situation, what you see is really what you get. This is a colony full of rif-raf, the dregs, and the outcast of there various societies." Aren said as they turned a corner. "I think the only reason the General is has any...uhh...authority, is that when he was, and I am using this term loosely as at the moment I can not think of a better term, an outcast from the Empire, he left with several combat capable starships and loyal Klingon followers, which the Colony needed and still needs." He said matter of factly.

"At least that is what I have pieced together from what I have over heard and what little interaction that I have had with the rest of the people here. But as you can see from that meeting, there seems to be some...differences in ideals as to accomplish certain goals. The Romulans seem to more agreeable than the General." He said doing his best not to sound conspiratorial. "While I am sure by now you have figured this out, we must be very careful what we discuss out-loud." He sighed as they turned another corner.

"Yes, I am sorry. I did not know much about why or anything else about this place of refugees. I only knew at the time that we were savagely attacked, no warning, no notice. Well I laid the cards out and they did not go as well but I really truly wanted to be honest."

"Commander, how is your Crew holding up? I know that they have been through a lot. But what is the overall status? Is there anything you need from me? These are our people, but your, pardon the expression, family. Is there anything that I can do to help?" Aren asked with genuine concern.

"A lot of injured, which is my very first priority. Then trying to get moral up and urge at least some cooperation though most are reluctant...." Allyndra wanted to say more thought it best not to say anything else. She did not trust fully the captors but she would have to trust this Trill. She only half faked a sway. "Sorry, just getting light headed...I have not had much lately. I do not suppose there is any of that blood wine around?"

Aren smiled knowingly at he last comment. "The only place where one can get Blood wine around her is in the Galley, the Klingon District, or the General Quarters. All three sound like poor places to me." He said trying to think of a place where the two of them could talk without prying ears. "Actually, scratch that, I know some place, but it is surely watered down." He said as he motioned for her to follow.

After a short walk through a series of corridors they arrived at a small whole in the wall. It was small place, with barely any room for the bar, and the two booths that occupied the space. There was a large overhead exposed power conduit that hummed loudly as power coursed through it. The exposed conduit almost seemed to charge the air around it. An Old Tellarite Bartender was sitting in a chair, dozing. As the two walked in, he looked up for a moment. Aren held up two fingers and pointed towards the booth. The old Tellarite grunted once and ponderously moved to grab a 2 drinks of a weird blue liquid and 2 pieces of bread. He set them on the counter as Aren grabbed the plates and the drinks. Aren smiled and nodded a thank you, the entire conversation remaining completely silent.

Aren motioned for her to take a seat. "This is about as private as you are going to get without going on the surface. The Conduit interferes with most of the listening equipment, though I would still caution that you be careful what you say. And we really shouldn't stay long either. The liquid is really watered down Andorian Ale, mostly is for calories at this point and something cold to drink, at least the bread isn't that bad." He said as he turned his head to watch the entrance. "I know you said you want to get you people the medical treatment they need. I am certain the Romulans will give us access to more advanced medical equipment in the next few hours if not first thing in the morning. One thing I have noticed is once the Commander, she does care in a weird Romulan sort of way. We are free to talk, though we should be discrete and avoid anything that might be considered...uh...hazardous to our health, if you catch my meaning. But is there something specific you would like to discuss?" He said, turning back toward the entrance before turning his attention back to Allyndra.

"Please if you do not mind, Allyndra. Just a personal preference when it is not needed." She eyed the drink and then pushed the bread away. "Sorry, my physiology does not handle anything of this nature." She sighed and took a sip of the ale. It was watered down but at least they had used something like sugar to sweeten it. She shook her head, "I will explain more about that later. Right now, I have asked what crew I have had contact with to get healthy and then volunteer. I want to know the workings of this place, and.....do you know the term putting a mole in place?"

Aren tapped his chin. "I think I get what you mean." He said nodding in understanding.

"Exactly. The more I figure we can wend our way into this place and its workings then perhaps when the time is right we can do something that will give us leverage. You have been here longer so am I just wishing or should we pursue something else?"

Aren turned to look at the entrance for a moment wondering how much more time they had before their tenders came. He rubbed his face for a second, trying to collect his thoughts. “I think we should be prepared, you have agreement in that regard, though I would prefer to keep that as an absolute last resort. I would like to think that we could use diplomacy and be able to barter our way out of this predicament. There are some good people here, ones that are not affiliated with the Klingons, who are just trying to meek out an existence. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep our options open, if you catch my meaning.” He said, taking a bite of his bread, as well as a drink from the watered down ale.

"Well I will follow your lead since you have more of an idea. Just the thought of being able to do something seems to have given some of the crew some moral boost." She drank the rest of the ale making a face. "So when I got here the Romulan commander said something about going to Kronos to argue something about the General getting reinstated or something. Do you have more of a clue about that?"

"I agree. Though we need to be very cautious on how we approach such tasks." He said, making sure not to say anything out loud that would reveal anything conspiratorial. While he was certain the area was mostly clear of listening devices, there was still a possibility that they had other means to listen. "As for your question about Qo'noS," Aren shook his head, "I don't not have any further information at this time. Though I am sure that that request will be reveled to us in time. I think at this moment they need to see how...uh...'trustworthy' we can be, before a formal request is set forth. I think that getting the General back onto the council would be very beneficial to the colony, and while I hate to admit it, maybe even the Federation. Oh, on a slightly related note, I hope that you can pass to the rest of your crew to be as 'cooperative' as possible, within reason, but to keep an eye out and potentially be ready to exploit any weakness' we can find, though I really think that we should emphasis not actively interfering with colony operations, yet." He said, also cringing as he almost felt that he was giving orders. He took another bit of his bread and a drink form the Ale, wincing slightly. "This stuff is terrible." He said shaking his head, before turning towards the entrance once again. There was a faint sound of several foot falls that could be heard. "I think that means that our time is running short. When you feel you have a moment, I would like to meet to me some of your crew. I know that they have been through a lot, but I want them to know that I am on there side."

"Of course, I have one of the crew working on who we have." Allyndra caught the look. "Well at least I get more access to the medical equipment here, that is good. I need to access a couple pints of blood." She could see movement from the corner of her eyes but her gaze did not have to move. A nice little advantage of the compound eyes. Two Romulans slipped into place at a table that gave them a good view and ordered up the same crappy ale but it was obvious they were there to watch the two of them.

Aren nodded. "I don't think that should be a problem, though I am sure that you should be able to get some from the Galileo Crew. I am not familiar with your physiology, is there a specific type or blood that is compatible to your own?" He asked.

Alllyndra replied to the Trill in a bit louder then she normally used voice just to put their observers off a bit but it was no lie. "No for me. I drink the stuff."

He raised an eye brow at the her voice, wondering for a moment why she spoke so loudly, then it dawned on. There keepers were here. "Oh, I didn't know..." He paused for a moment, closing his eyes to focus. Part of him was really interested in learning more about her and her species, but he had to tamp down on on that line of questioning for now. "Sorry about that. When we have more time, I really would like to know more about your physiology as the history of your people. I don't recall ever having meet someone of your heritage. Though I think it would be best if ended our meeting." He said inclining his head towards the entrance. "We have a lot work to do. At your earliest convenience please get me a general duty roster, with crew proficiency please. I have a feeling that will be my next meeting with the Commanders." He said a bit dryly as he finished his bread and the abysmal ale, hopping that she knew that he had caught on to her play and didn't want to reveal anything that the Romulans didn't already know.

Allyndra could not help but smile at the reaction of the Trill but also the their 'handlers'. The later more so basically gave up whatever pretense of cover they had looking at her before obviously trying to pretend they were doing something else. Still she was pretty sure the only thing they had gotten was a simple request to provide duty roster and and crew proficiency. That should sound good to whoever they were reporting back to. "Of course, as soon as I can. I still have a few more to attend to."

Aren nodded. "Thank you." He said. "If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know. We both have a lot of work to do and this food is abysmal," He said before turning his attention to the Tellerite who had opened his eyes at the mention of the crummy food. HE just shrugged and faintly smiled, tapping his nose, before closing his eyes again, "Now that I think on it a bit more, I would very much like to meet the Department Heads in the next couple of days, even before the rest of the crew, and see if we can arrange something with with the rest of the Federation Personnel on this Colony, and get them integrated with the Galileo Crew, there expertise with the locals should be beneficial." He said slowing standing.

"I will make arrangements. I would like to get to know the rest here as well though I have had some that I have had a small chance to meet a few." She was all smiles, cooperation, and helpfullness. Well there was no reason not to be.

Aren nodded. "Thank you." He said, as he moved to walk with her back to where the crew of the Galileo was staying.

"Your welcome," Allyndra remarked and added, "we all need to cooperate here." That was more for the watchers then anyone else.

[OFF]

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Commander Aren Ban
Executive Officer
USS Galileo

Cmdr Allyndra illm Warraqim
Chief Medical and Second Officer
USSGalileo

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