Literary Challenge 43 - In Enemies, Find Allies
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The two officers walked the length of the corridor on Deck 8. Being on the saucer section of Solaris, the main corridor was a circle that surrounded the main computer core. Several other hallways branched into and away from the main path and each time the couple came to an intersection, only one would look to see if anyone was coming or going. Deck 8 tended to be free from foot traffic regardless of shift, and this was why the two officers chose this place to have their walks.
The Andorian First Officer looked to her Captain. "Sugihara wouldn't say more?"
Kathryn Beringer did not look up from the floor and shook her head. "I'm sure he doesn't know about my past and, if I were in his shoes, neither would I care. We are Starfleet, it is my duty, right?"
Anthi smirked, "Yes, sir."
The Captain looked up and sighed. "I guess it is safe to say, that if Sugihara gave the green-light to this diplomatic situation, then who am I to question that?"
"Forgive me for stating the obvious, but you are Captain of a Starfleet vessel. That gives you the right."
Kathryn nodded and smiled. "Thank you, Anthi. You are a great friend, but a better XO? There is no one else." She stopped and looked to Anthi. "Tomorrow the Alcubierre will meet us and our 'guest' will officially join our crew. Besides, she might be as resourceful as Sugihara promised."
+++
Standing in the transporter room, Kathryn gave herself the once-over. Her ambassador jacket was bright white with blue trim. The rank and Starfleet badges crisply reflected the lighting of the room. Beside her stood the three highest-ranking officers of Solaris: First Officer Anthi Ythysi. Beside her stood her barrel-chested brother, Chief Engineer Thel Ythysi. To his side was the diminutive Trill, Science Chief Omazei. Each of them wore their dress uniform appropriate to receive the special guest. All of them seemed relaxed, and each of them knew what was about to happen, but none could tell what would happen after that.
The Ensign at the transporter pad broke the silence. "They are ready for transport, sir."
Kathryn nodded and within seconds the transporter pad activated, then the shimmering curtain faded. Anthi briefly looked to Kathryn to see a response, but could not tell in the second she looked away from their guest.
Standing on the pad, the female looked into the darkened room. Her dark brown armor clanked and leather creaked as she shifted her weight onto one leg. Raising a hand to her hip she looked directly to Kathryn. Deep blue eyes sparkled as she smiled. Her dark green hair framed her smooth green skin.
"Captain Beringer, I presume?"
Kathryn breathed in quickly then stepped forward and extended her hand. "Staza Murai, welcome aboard the Solaris.
The Orion stepped off the pad and accepted the gesture. "Allow me to be blunt Captain, we need to talk."
"Of course, I expected that actually. Do you wish privacy?" Kathryn waved to the doors.
Staza stepped away then looked over her shoulder and smiled, "bring who you wish. The more the merrier."
+++
"I'm surprised Sugihara didn't say more." Staza Murai sat back into her chair as if relieved.
"None more than me," Kathryn said. "I'm curious why you specifically requested to be aboard Solaris?"
"Because, Captain, you are very well-known in the Orion Syndicate"
The four Starfleet officers looked to one another. Anthi spoke first. "That doesn't make sense"
Staza smiled at the Andorian. "It shouldn't, but it's the simple truth."
Kathryn could feel her frustration rising. She looked at Anthi before responding, "You have me at a disadvantage."
Crossing her legs, Staza spoke slowly. "Captain, you've been interfering with Syndicate affairs for several months. In their circles you are called 'Ous noum hid'. Roughly translated as-"
"'Scarlet Scorpion'", Kathryn interrupted.
"Nodding, Staza smiled. Are you aware of the attention you are gathering?"
Kathryn shook her head. "Frankly, I don't give a damn."
Staza smile widened. "That's why I am here. My brother was a third in the Ceasc Suel Cartel and was falsely accused of selling secrets to a rival group within the Syndicate: that's a death sentence." Her stare hardened. "Orions are nothing if not loyal to family."
After a few seconds, Kathryn sat back in her chair. "That interesting. Orions are loyal at the cost of their own lives. Revenge can transend time. So, your brother was accused of a crime he did not commit and you're out to punish his accusers. Yet, your here on a Starfleet vessel wanting to join my crew at the behest of the highest ranking Diplomat in the Federation." She leaned forward and clasped her hands together. "Why are you really here?"
The Orion smiled slowly. "I have offered my intimate knowledge of the inner workings of the Syndicate to Starfleet, on the condition I serve aboard your ship."
---
The two officers walked the length of the corridor on Deck 8. Being on the saucer section of Solaris, the main corridor was a circle that surrounded the main computer core. Several other hallways branched into and away from the main path and each time the couple came to an intersection, only one would look to see if anyone was coming or going. Deck 8 tended to be free from foot traffic regardless of shift, and this was why the two officers chose this place to have their walks.
The Andorian First Officer looked to her Captain. "Sugihara wouldn't say more?"
Kathryn Beringer did not look up from the floor and shook her head. "I'm sure he doesn't know about my past and, if I were in his shoes, neither would I care. We are Starfleet, it is my duty, right?"
Anthi smirked, "Yes, sir."
The Captain looked up and sighed. "I guess it is safe to say, that if Sugihara gave the green-light to this diplomatic situation, then who am I to question that?"
"Forgive me for stating the obvious, but you are Captain of a Starfleet vessel. That gives you the right."
Kathryn nodded and smiled. "Thank you, Anthi. You are a great friend, but a better XO? There is no one else." She stopped and looked to Anthi. "Tomorrow the Alcubierre will meet us and our 'guest' will officially join our crew. Besides, she might be as resourceful as Sugihara promised."
+++
Standing in the transporter room, Kathryn gave herself the once-over. Her ambassador jacket was bright white with blue trim. The rank and Starfleet badges crisply reflected the lighting of the room. Beside her stood the three highest-ranking officers of Solaris: First Officer Anthi Ythysi. Beside her stood her barrel-chested brother, Chief Engineer Thel Ythysi. To his side was the diminutive Trill, Science Chief Omazei. Each of them wore their dress uniform appropriate to receive the special guest. All of them seemed relaxed, and each of them knew what was about to happen, but none could tell what would happen after that.
The Ensign at the transporter pad broke the silence. "They are ready for transport, sir."
Kathryn nodded and within seconds the transporter pad activated, then the shimmering curtain faded. Anthi briefly looked to Kathryn to see a response, but could not tell in the second she looked away from their guest.
Standing on the pad, the female looked into the darkened room. Her dark brown armor clanked and leather creaked as she shifted her weight onto one leg. Raising a hand to her hip she looked directly to Kathryn. Deep blue eyes sparkled as she smiled. Her dark green hair framed her smooth green skin.
"Captain Beringer, I presume?"
Kathryn breathed in quickly then stepped forward and extended her hand. "Staza Murai, welcome aboard the Solaris.
The Orion stepped off the pad and accepted the gesture. "Allow me to be blunt Captain, we need to talk."
"Of course, I expected that actually. Do you wish privacy?" Kathryn waved to the doors.
Staza stepped away then looked over her shoulder and smiled, "bring who you wish. The more the merrier."
+++
"I'm surprised Sugihara didn't say more." Staza Murai sat back into her chair as if relieved.
"None more than me," Kathryn said. "I'm curious why you specifically requested to be aboard Solaris?"
"Because, Captain, you are very well-known in the Orion Syndicate"
The four Starfleet officers looked to one another. Anthi spoke first. "That doesn't make sense"
Staza smiled at the Andorian. "It shouldn't, but it's the simple truth."
Kathryn could feel her frustration rising. She looked at Anthi before responding, "You have me at a disadvantage."
Crossing her legs, Staza spoke slowly. "Captain, you've been interfering with Syndicate affairs for several months. In their circles you are called 'Ous noum hid'. Roughly translated as-"
"'Scarlet Scorpion'", Kathryn interrupted.
"Nodding, Staza smiled. Are you aware of the attention you are gathering?"
Kathryn shook her head. "Frankly, I don't give a damn."
Staza smile widened. "That's why I am here. My brother was a third in the Ceasc Suel Cartel and was falsely accused of selling secrets to a rival group within the Syndicate: that's a death sentence." Her stare hardened. "Orions are nothing if not loyal to family."
After a few seconds, Kathryn sat back in her chair. "That interesting. Orions are loyal at the cost of their own lives. Revenge can transend time. So, your brother was accused of a crime he did not commit and you're out to punish his accusers. Yet, your here on a Starfleet vessel wanting to join my crew at the behest of the highest ranking Diplomat in the Federation." She leaned forward and clasped her hands together. "Why are you really here?"
The Orion smiled slowly. "I have offered my intimate knowledge of the inner workings of the Syndicate to Starfleet, on the condition I serve aboard your ship."
---
Cast:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Anthi Ythysi - Katheryn Winnick
Thel Ythysi - Kevin Sorbo
Omazei - Gemma Arterton
Staza Murai - Sarah Lind
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