A Viper's Nest

Posted on 17 Aug 2018 @ 10:24pm by Commander Juan Zamora (Dec [CDO]-Jan 2389 - TRSNFR to Gorn Dip.) & Lieutenant Junior Grade Radun Dran (Dec - Jan 2389 TRNSFR After Second Battle of XFY)
Edited on on 27 Aug 2018 @ 2:27pm

Mission: Ka Hakaka Maikaʻi - The Good Fight
Location: XO's office
Timeline: 1700, 16 Jan 2389

Juan sat behind his desk, fingers steepled, deep in thought. It was uncanny the way every new fact he learned about the Gorn frontier, and this conflict served only to make things worse. It was more than bad enough that the Gorn were in possession of a deadly new weapon, that they had already destroyed at least one Starfleet vessel and rendered a major facility almost completely inoperative. It was more than bad enough that signs pointed very strongly to the work of a traitor, or traitors unknown within Starfleet itself.

But, to add one more insulting wrinkle to this wicked riddle, there came the recent revelation that Klingon weapons had been used in the attack on XFY. Far from providing any resolution, this fact served only to implicate practically every faction currently operating in the entire beta quadrant.

He took a swig of coffee before slamming his mug back down. He was getting nowhere trying to untangle this matter on his own, and so he reached for the help of his replacement, Lieutenant Radun. The Bajoran acted like he was more familiar with intrigue and double crosses than a mere negotiator of trade agreements as Juan had been in his previous career. It seemed like a lifetime ago.

He tapped his foot anxiously, filled with caffeine and nervous energy, the time of his appointment with Radun was fast approaching.

Dran had received the summons while he had been trying to work over such a problem himself, and decided he would accept, and as such currently rang the chime to announce himself to the senior officer.

"Come in" Juan said, stilling himself as the doors slid open. He moved from where he'd been pacing in the middle of the room back to his desk and sat down behind it. "Please take a seat Mr. Radun, we have much to dicuss." He said, finding his familiar neutral tone again.

Dran entered the room and took a seat, leaning back part way. "Gorn, Klingons, Xavier, and this new weapon. Geez, what's next, Q getting involved?!"

"Don't Jinx it" Juan replied, deadpan. "You used to be an ambassador, I hope that means you might be more familiar than I am with underhanded politics." He continued, crossing his arms. "The addition of possible Klingon involvement in this conflict has turned a murky situation into a veritable Gordian Knot of questions."

Dran narrowed his eyes, nodding, "I am familiar with underhanded politics, there's some sort of alliance forming between the Klingons and the Gorn, more than likely. It worries me just a bit."

"Yes, but which Klingons, that is the vital question. Are we dealing with mercenaries, terrorists, a rogue house, or something much bigger. I wanted to ask you what connections you might see in all this. Who stands to gain the most from this subterfuge?"

"We're talking Klingons, who doesn't? I'd say we could be looking at a rogue house, but what tells me we're not is not even a rogue house would go so far as to violate several treaties by attacking a Starbase in Federation territory. No, I think it's something deeper." Dran rubbed his nose ridges thoughtfully. "Maybe the Prophets will have more information for me."

Juan leaned back in his seat and let out a breath. "I hope they do, we could use the help right now. I wouldn't put this sort of attack past the likes of the house of Duras. But you are right that the consequences of failure are severe enough to make this a losing gambit. Suggesting that the perpetrators really are independent operators, or, that they are moving pieces on a larger chessboard. The Sovereignty of Kahless would seem a reasonable suspect, they are openly hostile to the Federation and lose nothing by breaking treaties. They can bring themselves closer to a potential friend, the Gorn, while tying up the assets of the Empire's most powerful ally."

"Very, very possible. I'd say it's a possibility to look for. If we had any way to contact Qo"noS I'd say that might be out best bet." Dran said, "speaking of, doesn't the Ops chief have connections to there? What's his name, Jones?"

"Arthur, the Son of Ruk, he has family in the Empire, that's a suggestion worth following up. If this vessel's connections can turn up anybody willing to talk, it could crack the matter wide open, or at least shed some light on it. And then at last, there is the possibility that it wasn't Klingon operators at all. We only know Klingon weapons were used, they flood the black market, and you don't need to be Klingon to use them. Paranoid as it may be, we don't yet know enough to rule out some kind of Romulan subterfuge."

Dran scowled, "at this rate, Cardassians might want to get a piece of the pie. I hope it doesn't come to that, we're lightyears from their space, so hopefully they stay there. As for the Romulans, I'd rule them out. They're still too fractured to do much do anything."

"Reasonable enough" Juan mused. "Are you a betting man Mr. Radun?"

"That I am. What's the wager?"

"Not this time I'm afraid." Juan explained. "If you had money riding on it who would you choose as the prime suspect?"

"Prime suspect is Sovereignty. Followed by an upset Duras because they're always upset at something. I'd say money should ride on Sovereignty.

"It seems we are in agreement then, Mr. Radun. Thank you for taking the time to come and speak with me on this matter. I'll let you get back to your duties." Juan replied, Dismissing the diplomat. "Goodness knows we both have more than enough to do."