The Founder, The Plan and an Eagle - The 'Tour'

Posted on Wed Sep 13th, 2023 @ 10:01am by Commodore Finchley Kerr & Commander Shr'Nesh Karadis

0 words; about a 1 minute read

Mission: Investigate the Chintoka Shipyard Buildup
Location: Cardassia Three - Substation 23
Timeline: Current.

[PAD 2]

Now outside the G'Lan, on the landing PAD, Finchley turned to look at Shon and Karadis.

"Remember, Cardassians are arrogant...but not rude, well, mostly not rude" he said "When Legate Navar and his entourage arrive, Shon, you'll introduce me as Gul Dukat from the Obsidian First Order. You are my special advisor, and Karadis here is my bodyguard. He'll most likely say that the Obsidian First Order are no longer a recognised military order and were disbanded at the end of the Dominion war, you will then remind him of how the First Order operated in 'the shadows'...and that's where we've re-emerged from, and is he questioning our loyalty to the Founder. He'll have one of two reactions...either shoot us where we stand or he'll back off at the mention of us knowing about the Founder being here."

Shon looked around as she cultivated her inner Cardassian. She nodded to Finchley as a large band of Cardassians began to arrive from the shadows. The hard architecture also added to the seeming danger of the scene. Legate Navar, surrounded by his soldiers approached Finchley. Shon stepped forward. “Legate Navar….I am Glin Dex the Special Advisor to Gul Ducat of the Obsidian First Order.” She stepped back behind Finchley and indicated Karadis. “This is Gul Ducats personal bodyguard. As you can imagine someone of Gul Ducat’s stature had many threats against his person.”

Legate Navar approached and smiled a hard smile that did not reach his eyes. He ignored Shon. “Gul Ducat it is an honour to meet you but I must remind you that the Obsidian First Order was disbanded at the end of the Dominion war and…”

Shon stepped forward again her voice full of polite arrogance. “May I interrupt you Legate Navar, with all respect the First Order have always remained in the shadows from where we have re-emerged in service to the Cardassian people and loyalty to the Founders. Are you questioning that loyalty?”

For a moment the implied threat from Shon hung in the air thick with danger and malice. Then Legate Navar appeared to crumble slightly as he nodded and looked at Finchley. “All hail the Founders and welcome to Cardassia Three. We are pleased to have someone of your stature on our base.” He ignored Shon as though her rhetoric had appeared from nowhere and Karadis moved forward as though to protect Finchley.

Finchley gently laid his hand on Karadis arm and shook his head slightly, as if to say 'No, it's ok'.

Raising his hands in front of him he said "All hail the Founders."

Taking a step forward so that he was right in front of Legate Navar, he then added in his best Dukat impersonation, "Leeeeegate Navar, that's twice now you've ignooooored Glinn Dex when she's spoken to you, and that's not very good. Let me tell you what will happen if you do that again...I'll rip your arm off and beat you to death with the wet end. The Obsidian First Order may not be to your liking, but I care little of what anyone thinks of us, so long as they still fear us, and the power we hold. So, you're going to apologise to the Glinn here, ask her forgiveness then we'll move on with the tour."

Navar bristled with rage, he'd never been spoken to like this as a Legate by anyone, but this was Dukat of the Obsidian First Order.

Trembling with anger, he turned to Shon and said "I apologise Glinn Dex, please forgive my rudeness, I meant not disrespect by not answering you when you spoke."

Shon nodded sharply. ”Legate” was all she said. “Now Legate Navar Gul Dukat would like to begin the tour…and he wants to see …everything.”

“Of course, my adjutant will conduct the tour.”

Shon stepped forward her hand on the Legates arm. “That will not be satisfactory Legate Navar. Gul Dukat requests that you yourself conduct the tour. I am sure you are not too busy to do so?” She smiled at Navar with an ‘if looks could kill’ grimace. Already she had the measure of the Legate, just a little too much good living had thickened his waistline and he was obviously a consummate boot licker of anyone who could advance his career without doing anything himself.

Navar looked at Dukat and his men shuffled nervously as if they were in awe of him. He looked at Shon, naked hatred in his eyes and she knew that if he found her alone her life would be worth nothing. She had made an implacable enemy and underneath her Cardassian persona she shivered. Navar broke the stalemate.

“Please come this way we will begin with the garrison, I am sure you will want to inspect the guard?”

Finchley nodded and looked at Shon who took his silence as her push to continue. She nodded. “Legate that would be satisfactory.” She smiled as Navar nodded turned and led the way his guard falling in behind them.
They walked for a while Navar pointing out this and that until they arrived at a pair of double doors. His chest puffed out as he prepared to speak. Shon smiled inwardly and pushed the sensor on the door. Before he could react she had entered a vast room covered from top to bottom with weapons of every kind and some she had never seen. Navar was babbling about protocol when Shon’s eyes lit on a small active forcefield that surrounded some sort of energy. “What is this Legate?” She asked pointing to the structure.

“This!” He announced proudly “is our latest weapon to glorify the Cardassian Empire, our scientists have worked tirelessly to produce this. This is a metagenic weapon that takes human DNA and converts it to Cardassian. Think of it Glinn Dex, even the Federation and all it’s worlds will not know what hit them until our weapon is launched.” Navar began to gesture effulgently. “Imagine the Cardassian race increased exponentially. No more humanity only Cardassian troopers, all loyal to the Empire. We will conquer world upon world, quadrant after quadrant….”

Shon interrupted him “ Surely Legate the complexities between the species would be impossible to…”

He held up his hand and gestured to his two Troopers. “Not at all, meet troopers Halli and Degla, they both are Cardassian once human. Do you think Gul Dukat would be happy with this?”

Shons throat closed up and she lacked the air to answer.

"Actually, metagenics have been around a long time Legate" Finchley replied, re-joining them. He moved further into the room "In fact, it's an off shoot of the Eugenics that were outlawed after Earths Eugenics Wars...some four hundred years ago. Nobody wanted to know much about these things after the Wars, but it looks like someone has been busy tearing up those ideals."

He turned to Navar, "You'll turn over all your research to Glinn Dex here."

"That is outrageous!" Navar shouted, "The Founder will NEVER agree to that!"

Finchley moved over to stand directly in front of Navar.

"Who do you think gave the order in the first place Legate?" Finchley said calmly.

Looking at Shon, Finchley said "Glinn Dex, accompany the Legate whilst he gives you all the files and research material on the metagenic work carried out here so far. If he refuses to cooperate...shoot him."

Shon stepped forward smiling broadly her hand on the disruptor on her hip. “Nothing would give me greater pleasure……” she waited and was rewarded with Navar smiling through his teeth…..”to accompany the Legate for the information. “Gul” she nodded at Dukat.

“It is in the other room Glinn please follow me. Shon odder and made to follow him when the two human/Cardassian hybrids made to follow.

"Troopers, you stay put, the Legate and Glinn will be just fine on their own" Finchley said.

Both Troopers looked at the departing Navar, then back at Finchley. Neither of them wanted Navar to be on his own, but Gul Dukat had given them a direct order. Deciding the Legate could look after his own affairs, they turned and saluted Finchley.

He in turn watched as Shon and Navar moved into the next room. This wasn't part of the original plan, but he couldn't pass up a chance like this, besides, the ramifications of what could happen if the Cardassians were allowed to use such a weapon didn't bear thinking about. He just hoped Shon had her wits about her.

Navar turned and closed the door behind himself. Shon knew she wanted to see where the Legate was at all times as she did not trust him, she saw the look in his eye, once of rage and embarrassment. She smiled, “How long have you been here Legate, it is not the best of postings? You must have angered someone.”

He clenched his fists then began to tap something into the console. Shon moved towards him eager to see if he gave away anything they could use later on. “This is one of the best postings, things on Cardassia Prime are not safe for members of the Council lately, and to be on hand during the development of this weapon that will make Cardassia strong again and will bring us victory, not just over the Federation but any world, or indeed galaxy if we choose, is a reward in itself.”

Shon could see him stand taller and puff his chest out. The information began to download and Shon’s eyes widened as she began to see the danger they were all in. She moved nearer until she could feel the Legate’s sour breath on her cheek. “Ensure ALL the information is there!” she ordered.

Navar snapped and withdrew a small blade from his belt. Shon saw what he was doing too late as he slid it into her side. Her body armour deflected most of it but she felt the white heat of the penetration. She grabbed his wrist finding the pressure point on his median nerve and pushed. Navar began to sweat. “That was not a very nice thing to do to Gul Ducat’s Glinn Legate. Now, drop the weapon and finish the download whilst I decide whether to tell my Gul about this or paralyse your arm!” She pressed as he grunted in pain and dropped the knife. Shon felt blood trickling down her side as Navar finished the download. “Now, now, she tutted, that is not even half the information Gul Ducat would want Legate, keep downloading.” For once she was glad she read Cardassian. She began to feel a little dizzy but knew he would take advantage of any show of weakness. She applied more pressure to his nerve.

“Please……stop!” Navar breathed as his knees bent.

“Not until the download is complete and in my hands. Gul Ducat can be very….accommodating if you please him.

Navar nodded as his arm began to loose all sensation.

“And if you please my Gul you will, in turn please me and I will not tell him about our little……game.” She saw the download end and was satisfied they had all the information. He pulled the slip out and handed it too her as she dropped his arm. Navar moved away cradling his arm breathing heavily, his bulk and his uniform making it difficult.

“Glinn Dex you will never be safe on Cardassia, you had better look behind you for the rest of your life. Ducat will not protect you forever….one day you will beg me to end your life after I give you to my men and shred every bit of skin from your body.”Navar spat.

Shon had never seen such hate in anyone’s eyes. “I would rather accommodate your all your men than have to smell your rank breath any longer.” She slipped the information into her uniform and moved to exit the room. She turned “I am sure Gul Ducat would not like to hear of the threats you have made here today?” Shon clutched her side and exited the room nodding at Finchley that the information they wanted she had.

Finchley watched as Shon exited the other room, nodding to him in such a way to say she had the information he wanted her to retrieve. Then he noticed she was holding her side, so he quickly moved over to her.

"What happened in there?" he asked her, looking at the door she'd come out of.

Shon grimaced, truth be told she was feeling pretty ropey as blood continued to seep from her wound. She indicated Navar who was standing with his hands on his hips, chest puffed out with not barely concealed loathing for Ducat and his Glinn. Shon turned so Navar could not see her face. “All the information was downloaded and some more that was not. Something about a ship, a prototype hidden here.” Shon handed the data file to Finchley. “The Legate did not appreciate giving up the information so he decided to let his knife have a little walkabout in my side. It’s nothing but a flesh wound however I would appreciate a walk in a dark alley with our Legate Navar.” She spoke a little louder. “Gul Dukat I would appreciate visiting whatever medical facilities they have here?” She looked straight at Navar and he had the good grace to look discomforted.

Finchley turned to the nearest Trooper and said "Hand me your phaser rifle Trooper."

The Trooper, unsure as to why he was being asked to do so, but not wanting to disobey a direct order from a Senior Officer, handed the weapon over.

Turning to Navar, Finchley said, "Legate Navar, I have no wish to kill you, but attacking one of my officers is...well, quite frankly, a stupid idea."

He shot Navar in the leg, and watched as the Legate screamed and dropped to the ground, writhing in agony. Before either of the Troopers could react, Finchley turned the rifle on them both and shot them where they stood.

Seeing that Navar was still writhing in agony, Finchley turned to Shon and said "Finish him off...slowly."

Shon took the other rifle from the dead trooper. As a Starfleet Officer it made her sick to kill arbitrarily but she knew the universe would be better off without Navar. She had killed before but to see the Legate screaming in agony disturbed her. She knelt down beside him. “Legate Navar do you have a family?”

Navar nodded, “I have a wife and four children back on Cardassia Prime. I have not seen them for several years now!” He breathed in agony.

She stood, “I am sorry Navar but this is necessary and you made it so.” She took aim and shot him through the heart. His eyes clouded as he lay still. She turned to Finchley hoping he would forgive her. “I am sorry Sir, he needed to die and I just wanted to end it”, suddenly she was sick of everything, dressing and sounding like a Cardassian, their mission…..she shook herself back. “Sir we need to investigate this ‘ship’ and now they will know we are here!” She tore some of the material from Navar’s uniform and wadded it to her side. “Now we have all the information we need perhaps we should join up with the rest of the crew?”

Finchley looked at her. “Commander we will need to have a conversation but, we need to get out of here. Let’s find the rest of the team.”

Shon looked at him, “yes Sir” she exclaimed. “We should expect a lot of troopers converging on our location.” A sound made her turn as Karadis ran into her. “We are glad to see you, I was wondering if something had happened to you?” She was, in truth very glad to see the Klingon officer was alive.

Karadis smiled. “Unfortunately I think our cover is blown….” She stopped talking eying the bleeding through the rag Shon held to her side and she felt something she had never felt before, a flash of worry to see Shon wounded and something else that she pushed back down inside her. “What happened to you?” She asked.

Shon grimaced. “Navar stabbed me.”

Karadis exclaimed “where is the bastard, I’ll gut him and feed his entrails to him before he dies?”

“Don’t worry the Legate is dead and we have the information on the metagenic weapon and more. Something else is going on but I haven’t had time to review the information but It seem there is another facility here containing something we need to gain access to.”

Finchley interrupted. “Nice to see you too Karadis” he exclaimed rather sarcastically. “We can continue this reunion later, follow me we need to find the others.”

 

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