The Founder, The Plan and an Eagle. Part II.

Posted on Wed Aug 9th, 2023 @ 2:10pm by Commodore Finchley Kerr & Lieutenant Commander Kevin Kilbane & Commander Shr'Nesh Karadis & Lieutenant Commander Jaal Jaxom & Lieutenant Kell Asaa Dr & Lieutenant T'Lira Sh'Karra & Lieutenant Commander Isabelle Savette

4,547 words; about a 23 minute read

Mission: Investigate the Chintoka Shipyard Buildup
Location: Cardassian ship G'Lan.
Timeline: Current

Shon stood at what passed for the ops position on the Cardassian ship. Everything checked out ready for the last and most dangerous part of their mission. She looked around at the mission crew and wondered with some despondency if they would all get home. So many variables to take into account although she thought that if any crew could do it this crew could, perhaps even at the added problems of maintaining their Cardassian personas. “All bridge crew report ready, please place your seats in the upright position and stow your tray tables securely.” That just sounded weird through her Cardassian voice synthesizer but she felt she had at least to attempt some levity, the sense of tension was palpable all around her.

All crew report ready by name!” She ordered.

"Trooper Karadis ready" Karadis replied.

Kell looked over at Kevin as they examined the unconscious crewmen, visually and electronically. "Glinn Asaa reporting!" Her grumbly Cardassian voice was getting a bit easier with practice.

"Trooper Jaxom ready and waiting orders." Jaal hated his Cardassian voice but knew it was necessary to pull this off. This entire episode seemed like a giant practical joke on the Cardassian Union except if it didn't go as planned the consequences were far worse than a trip to the Academy Dean's office. Up until very recently, he'd never dreamed he'd be part of an operation like this.

“Trooper Savette, ready.” Isabelle could only hope they could pull this off. She didn’t want to end up a prisoner of the Cardassians, or worse.

Dex looked annoyed which was not difficult looking like this. "Trooper Asaa report to the bridge as soon as possible!” She barked.

[Bridge]

Kell looked over at Kevin. "Let me know if you get any complaints from our guests. They should be down for several hours, the bug too." She turned and headed along the corridor to the lift, the doors eventually opening onto the bridge. Her gaze moved across until she found Shon and shifted in that direction.

Shon noted Kell was back on the bridge and nodded. “Trooper Asaa next time you need to leave the bridge you are required to ask permission. Now take your place,” Shon knew she sounded harsh but if they were to successfully complete this mission the crew needed to act with a certain amount of civility as Cardassians. She turned to Jaxom. “Prepare to leave this system warp seven.” She looked around the bridge. “Good luck everyone, stay sharp, and remember you are Cardassians.” She looked at Jaal “Engage when ready.”

"Engaging..." Jaxom replied sharply as his hands worked the console. He missed the comfortable chair Starfleet vessels provided at their bridge stations but there was no point in complaining. "Now," he said as the ship leapt to warp seven.


[Brig]

Finchley had left the bridge and made his way to the brig. Walking over to Kilbane, and in a voice he was slowly coming to terms with he said "Drop the forcefield, waken the Gul."

"What are you going to do Bird?" Kilbane asked.

"Just do it!" Finchley said, not in the mood to be questioned.

Kilbane, knowing better than to press things, did as he was told and dropped the forcefield. Stepping inside, he woke the injured Gul, who in turn began moaning due to his injuries. Slapping the Gul's face to get his attention, Kilbane nodded to Finchley.

"I want you to tell me what the defences are around Cardassia Three, and what ground defences the substation has" Finchley said flatly.

The Gul just stared at him, saying nothing.

"Number twelve" Finchley said to Kilbane, pointing at the furthest away Caradssian."

"Bird, think about this, you can't be serious" Kilbane said.

"If you're unable to follow orders, then get the hell out of here and back to the Blackeagle, place yourself under close arrest!" Finchley replied, not even looking at Kilbane.

"What are you doing?" the Gul asked.

Kilbane looked at the Gul "Your Glinn there is going for a space walk, without a pressure suit, unless you answer the questions."

"You can't do that!" the Gul shouted, trying to get up.

"Then give me the information I asked for!" Finchley said vehemently.

The Gul shut his mouth again, and turned his head away from Finchley.

"Number twelve, now..." Finchley said to Kilbane.

Kilbane got up and slowly walked over to the control console in the room. Scanning it, he found transporter section and said lifelessly "On your orders...Sir."

Finchley raised his hand, and as he was about to bring it down, the Gul shouted "Five Galor Class Type Three, Three Keldon Class and a couple of Ravinok Class ships guard the planet. The substation has five hundred troops in barracks around the facility. They have phaser cannons and assault vehicles...that's all I know!"

Finchley looked at Kilbane "There, you see, you just have to know how far to push them."

Kilbane just looked back at him.

"Look at it this way Kevin" Finchley said "We have the information we needed, but nobody got killed."

Kilbane walked up to Finchley and replied "But they were going to be Bird, had the Gul not given in...they were going to be."

"You lack the courage of your convictions, and of our orders...'the mission comes first, no matter the cost'..." Finchley replied.

"Yes, from the almighty Admiral Kelly" Kilbane replied, "but at what cost to your soul Bird...at what cost to your soul?" Kilbane replied, walking away.

Finchley watched him go, he'd need to keep an eye on him.

Minutes later, Finchley walked onto the bridge "Report..." he said.

Shon looked around. “All crew present and correct Gul and on our way to Cardassia Three, warp seven. Did you obtain the information you needed? She asked.

"Yes Glinn Dex" Finchley replied "They have Five Galor Class Type Three, Three Keldon Class and a couple of Ravinok Class ships guarding the planet. The substation has five hundred troops in barracks around the facility, and they have phaser cannons and assault vehicles. We're a patrol vessel, so probably won't flag up as anything out of the ordinary, so we have that in our favour. Plus, the Legate knows we're coming...well, you and I are coming, to look over the facility. Everyone else here is our escort, again, that works to our advantage."

Jaal busied himself with becoming familiar with the Cardassian ship's systems and their way of doing things. There was plenty that didn't make a lot of sense at first but after further poking around in their engineering manuals, the intent became clear.

The Cardassians didn't care as much about safety and back-up systems as Starfleet did but there were some things in place, by design or not Jaal couldn't tell, that could be re-routed or routed around that could help if their little stolen ship ran into trouble.

Shon walked around each position and, for a moment placed her hand on each shoulder trying to pass her unsaid support to each member of the crew as the ship continued to push deeper into Cardassian space. She was slowly getting used to the way she sounded as a Cardassian but it felt she would never get used to the look or clothing of the race. It was totally opposite to everything she was. “All stations report!” She barked with a silent apology.

The momentary physical contact of Shon's hand put the Trill a bit more at ease than he had been. It was comforting to know they were under the support of their superiors. Sometimes, he thought, the unspoken actions meant a little more than the audible ones.

Jaal managed not to startle at the shouted orders. Cardassians should be used to that, he told himself. "I've been studying the schematics of this vessel looking for ways to modify things if the need becomes necessary. I'm sure I got a few fixes in case things go a little... awry. Sir."

Shon smiled inwardly. This was the crew she was beginning to get to know and love. “Expand your thinking?” She asked Jaal.

"There are no redundant systems like Starfleet vessels." Jaal started, "But I've found a number of workarounds. Whether they're by design or accident, I can't be sure... it's difficult to know what Cardassian shipbuilders were thinking..." Here his excitement level rose a notch, "...but I am sure they will work."

Finchley watched Shon as she moved around the crew. He was glad that she had the compassion he didn't. It wasn't that he was bare of any kind of emotions, or that he was unable to show them, but many many years of operations, such as the one they were undertaking, and the loss of so many friends had taken their toll on him. Keeping people at arm's length had become the norm to him now, that way he was able to make the sometimes harsh decisions he did. He waited to hear the rest of the crew reporting.

Kell nodded when Finchley looked in her direction, advising him of the reptile she'd found in Sickbay that was now relaxing with the previous crew. "They don't keep everything we do as far as medical supplies, but it's not the dark ages either. You get 'em back here, and I can get 'em back to our ship. On the ground, I'll do my thing so you can do your thing..."

Shon smiled at Kell while waiting for Jaal and the others to respond.

"What is your primary requirement," T'Lira asked.

Shon did not touch the Vulcan woman, she would not have appreciated it or taken any kind of solace from it. However, she leaned over and spoke in the softest tone her Cardassian larynx could produce. “I wish you to maintain constant long-range scans for any Cardassian ships. I also want them identified as to class and armament.” She announced and moved back towards Finchley. “This bloody Cardassian clothing is horrible, no wonder they are the way they are. Dress them in sheepskin and they would be as quiet a race as the lambs they wear.”

T'Lira nodded and returned to her long-range sensors.

"That's for sure" Finchley replied to Shon, "I'd sure like to have a chat with the one who designed this uniform" he added, pulling his own this way and that. Taking a slightly more serious tone, he carried on "Once we're at Cardassia Three, and set down, we'll be splitting the crew up into teams, same as before on Runaman. You and I need to convince the Legate there that I 'am' Dukat, and that we need access to their database. The rest will be looking for the Founder, seeing what schedule they keep, and what kind of Security they have around them. Once they have that, we can fine-tune our next move. I want you to have 'the chat' with them, you seem adept at that, I'm probably more...direct. I know we're all going to be scared, but that might give us an edge because it'll keep us more focused on the job at hand. I also need you to have a word with Karadis and convince her that no matter what, she has to do her job, no matter if either you or I are caught. She can't become a one-person rescue team. She'll want to do it, her loyalty to me, for whatever reason, must be put to one side, the mission is more important."

Shon nodded, “I will try Captain, the crew need all the reassurance they can get and I can do that but Karadis!….” She signed. “I will speak to her, take her for a drink, this is best done privately. May I ask what Kilbane will be doing?”

"He'll be feeling my boot up his arse" Finchley replied "I need to deal with him personally. Once that conversation has taken place, I'll decide what, or if, further part he'll take in this mission."

T'Lira calibrated the sensors for Cardassian warships specifically.

Kell rolled her head slowly, working out the kinks and centering her breathing. She monitored vitals in range, in case anyone started to stress out, plus their guests below to make sure no one was coming out of their enforced sleep state.

"Shon, I am picking up two Galor Class cruisers and one Keldon Class cruiser at extreme sensor range. They are at 027 Mk 14 at a distance of 3 lightyears on a heading of 092 Mk 7 their speed is warp 2," T'Lira said. "Seems to be a standard patrol squadron, T'Lira added.

Shon’s stomach roiled. “Very well, everybody stay calm, remember we are Cardassians and are supposed to be here. T’Lira stay sharp can we avoid them. I would prefer not to meet our friends too soon.

"Kell keep an eye on our hosts, the last thing we need are waking Cardassians and get me something for a headache please!”

Kell nodded. "On it."

"Jaal it’s time you told us about the ‘workarounds’ you have for us?”

"In the event we take any battle damage, for example," Jaal started, bringing up a diagram of their stolen vessel on his console, "We have to do most of the re-routing of power to the various parts of the ship by hand. Their systems aren't as automated as a Federation ship..." his fingers moved around the display indicating various parts of the ship, "We'll have to make repairs on the run."

Shon’s Cardassian voice was giving her a headache, it seemed to scream and grate up into her brain every time she opened her mouth. “If we need to talk to them leave it to the Captain or myself. I know this is pushing you all but you can take it. You are my friends and my crew, breathe deep and bring out your,” she smiled, “inner Cardassian.”

Kell grimaced... just a bit...

"Don't deviate from our present course" Finchley said, "That will draw attention to us. Yes, try to avoid getting to close to the other ships, but we need them to believe we're returning from our patrol route. They'll scan us as we come into range, so put up a forcefield around the brig, if any of the ships Captains contact us to ask why there's a forcefield up, we'll say we have an issue with containment field there, so it's just a precaution. To be fair, on this tub, it's probably not far from the truth given how little maintenance upkeep they do."

This was going to be the first real test of the crew in their guise as Cardassians, he hoped that everyone would keep their nerve, even though his own was feeling slightly frayed at that moment.

Kilbane walked onto the bridge, and as he did so, Finchley turned to Shon, "You have the bridge, I need to deal with this...situation."

Shon noted Kilbane through her side vision, there was something she disliked about him, although, she thought she had no reason to do so.

Turning round, he walked over to Kilbane, took him roughly by the top of the arm and marched him out into the corridor.

Pushing Kilbane away from him, once the doors closed behind them, Finchley said "Right, you had your say in the brig, now I'm going to have mine. I don't give a fuck about your morals, have you got that you sanctimonious gob shite. We have duty to do, a mission to carry out, so if you have any misgivings, tell me now, and I'll happily put you in the brig with the real Cardassians till we reach Cardassia Three. If you ever question my orders again, or speak out of turn, I'll shoot you myself...are we perfectly clear?"

Kilbane looked at Finchley "Permission to speak freely...Gul?"

"Just be warned, my patience is thin" Finchley replied.

"I get we have a duty and a mission" Kilbane replied "but you were actually going to 'space walk' that Gul, I couldn't understand it, you were never like that, and it got to me."

"When you have Command of your own team, and you have the stresses and strains that come with it, then you'll understand all too well" Finchley replied "till then, you're under my Command, and you will follow the orders you're given, no 'if's' or 'buts', you will. If you're unable to, say so now and you'll be relieved of duty."

Kilbane thought long and hard before he replied "No Gul, I won't have any problems following your future orders."

"Good, now get back on the bridge" Finchley said.

He watched as Kilbane walked past him and onto the bridge again. Walking the other way, he went back to where he'd left his pack when they'd come onboard. Opening it, he took out a bottle and put it to his lips. He took a long, long draught from it and then sat down on the ground. He looked at his right hand, it shook, so he clenched it a few times then straightened it out again...the shake was still there.

"Damn it, not now..." he said.

Shon noted that Kilbane had returned without the Captain and she began, for some reason to worry. She wanted to leave the bridge to find out what was going on, because something was she felt sure of that. But that would leave no senior officers on the bridge and right now that was not going to happen. “Mr Kilbane stand ready to help medical if needed.

Kell tweaked the sensor again, just a bit, coordinating with Kevin on creating just enough static and pinch of radiation to support the force field containment need... Just in case any of the other ships got suspicious and scanned further than the cursory one, they would only see we're hiding an otherwise minor issue in need of repair, and not a crew of unconscious Cardassians.


[Bridge]

The communication system suddenly came to life as a message came through.

"This Gul Nasar to the G'Lan, you're one time period late for your arrival, is everything alright, do you require assistance?"

The sudden incoming message made the hair on the Trill's neck stand straight up. While keeping his facial expression to a minimum, Jaal's hands began an elaborate dance on his console. The following message crawled across the ship's main screen for only his crewmates to read...

Driver coil for navigation deflector needed minor adjustment... had to drop from warp to repair... common issue with this class...

Shon looked around the bridge to see if everyone was in their positions and nodded to Jaal, “on screen” she barked. For a moment the screen appeared misty as the connection was made then the face a figure of a steely eyed Gul appeared. She stood upright. "Gul Nasar it is good to see another Cardassian face. I am Glinn Dex for Gul Dukat.” She endeavoured to sound proud to serve such a worthy Gul. We are on our way to Cardassia three to meet with the Legate on a matter of utmost importance.” She moved towards the screen her voice synthesiser screaming inside her head. She looked down at Jaal’s scrolling message and breathed sigh of relief. “We have had some trouble with our navigation deflector which has needed some minor adjustment and so we have had to drop out of warp to make repairs. We are nearly done and need no help.”

"Very well, I would suggest you have repairs done promptly on your return" Nasar replied.

With that, he was about to close the link when he asked "Tell me Glinn Dex, how is Gul Dukat after his operation, I have not had an opportunity to speak to him in person?"

The failure of their operation flashed before her eyes as she looked into the emotionless gaze of the Gul. There were just two options offered, the first to go along with the question or prevaricate. In a millisecond she knew that prevarication would bring about swift retribution but so would the wrong answer. So, she took an educated guess that Nasar was attempting to confirm their identity. She looked him straight in the eye. “You must be mistaken Gul Nasar. Gul Ducat has not had any surgery, he is as vigorous as he has always been.” There was a momentary silence.

Kell called up a few notes on Cardassian medical methodology, just in case she had to step in. Medical confidentiality would certainly shore up the lack of any major details about a high-ranking member's health, even in this society, especially to avoid any sign of weakness. Perhaps the Gul was a little too hopeful in his query. . .

“Besides Gul Nasar I am sure Gul Dukat would not want me to discuss his medical status with just ..” she paused and then continued, “with anybody.” She hoped she had used a respectfully sarcastic tone.

"Actually Glinn Dex, Gul Nasar is someone who has a right to know" Finchley replied from the back of the bridge, "He was the one who helped rescue me when I was ambushed...it's good to see you again Gul Nasar. We're a little underpowered, but as you suggested, we'll put in for repairs at Cardassia Three when we arrive."

Nasar stared long and hard from the screen, then seemed satisfied and said, "Just remember you owe me Gul Dukat, I'm due a promotion revue and you're backing would be a great help in securing it... Nasar out."

Jaal wondered if it was possible that an entire culture could be that arrogant and stuck up all the time. Witnessing some of it first hand made him glad he was born where he had been.

With that, the screen went back to showing the other Cardassian vessels now moving away. Finchley looked around the bridge "You heard the Gul, we've to get repairs done, how much longer to Cardassia Three?"

“Captain, I am sorry, I made the wrong call and nearly derailed the mission. If you had not come onto the bridge when you did……” Shon said.

Finchley looked laughingly at Shon and said "Actually, no you didn't, I just took a lucky guess. Cardassians are always looking for something, mostly a return of a favour or act...so I took a wild guess."

He looked at the tactical screen and saw they were only a few minutes out from Cardassia Three.

"It's show time everyone, we're on approach, take us in."

"Should we whack the deflector thingy, so it needs some attention when we arrive?" Kell asks at large. Her technical knowledge is mostly focused on medical apparatus...

Shon laughed at Kells knowledge or lack of it but she couldn’t fault it being a Cardassian vessel. “The question is what do we wack it with and,who is going to do the sacking?” She was still laughing and it made her feel a little better.
Captain what is our time schedule from now on?”

"The second we get clearance, we touch down...yes, I did say touch down" Finchley replied "I want us to have the ship on the ground for easy access when we leave. Once we're down, Dex, myself and Karadis will 'tour' the facility as planned. In reality, we'll be looking for signs of where the Founder is in the substation. Jaal, Kell, T'Lira, Isabelle and Kilbane...your job will be to disable as many of the ground vehicles as you can, disable their ground weaponry and set booby traps in their barracks. Once that's done, contact Shon to let her know. If you feel it's necessary to take out any of their troops, you're hereby ordered to do so, I'll take full responsibility for all your actions, there will be no comeback on any of you. One last thing, the deflector 'thingy'..." he squinted and smiled at Kell, "just find the nearest heavy item to hand, then dunt it a few times, believe me, it won't fight back."

He set his face back to being 'Gul' again, then looked at his crew, "Are we ready?"

“Ready Gul Dukat,” Shon said with respect as she wished she had some honey to gargle with.

Finchley touched the communications control on his console and said "This is Gul Dukat aboard the G'Lan to Cardassia Three control, give us clearance to land, we have a problem with our deflector array that requires immediate repair work."

"This is Cardassia Three control to the G'Lan, permission denied, all repair work is done once you're in orbit" the reply came back.

"Very well Cardassia Three control, I'll just inform Legate Navar, who by the is giving myself and my aids a personal tour of your facility, that you've just refused us" Finchley replied.

"Leg...Legate Navar is giving you a personal tour..." then there was silence for a moment.

Seconds later, the comm's channel opened up again and a nervous voice said "Cardassia Three control to Gul Dukat on the G'Lan, our apologies, there was a miscommunication, you have priority clearance to land on pad two, control out."

Finchley grinned, "There you see, it's amazing how a little name dropping can change things."

Looking at Jaal he said "Trooper, take us in please, pad two."

Jaal answered in Cardassian. "By your command!" He'd managed to pick up a few words while studying the G'Lan's logs on their journey... not to mention also checking the maintenance records. The Trill felt the only way they were going to get through this alive was gain as much information as they could and using that data to plan ahead.

The G'Lan neatly touched down on pad two and Jaal powered down the engines keeping them in 'hot standby' mode so they'd be ready for a hasty take-off.

[PAD 2]

Kell suppressed the smile as she slid the spanner into a side pocket. 'Disable their vehicles indeed,' she thought. She remember taking things apart as a young sprig, and, of course, never being able to put them back together. At least this time, she didn't need to fix it, just tear it up... She eyed Kilbane to make sure she was ready to fall out right behind him.

Shon looked round the bridge and barked out “Troopers make ready, you have your orders, carry them out with glory to the Cardassian Empire. All hail Gul Ducat!” Shon moved over to Kell and whispered “please make sure our guests are soundly out. We don’t want them waking up.”

Kell nods, replying in her own whisper. "I've got a monitor going as well in case anything unusual occurs..." She double-times it down to check the containment field, and a close-up of their life sign monitors to ensure they're deeply unconscious, even beyond any dream state... no need for them to be getting any restful sleep in the process. Groggy Cardassians are easier to deal with than alert ones, if they have to deal with them at all.

Assured, Kell hot-foots it to the airlock, giving Shon a nod on the way to catch up with Kilbane and the others.

TBC...

 

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