"Operational Planning"
Previous Post: "Cat and Mouse"
/\/\/\
Stardate: 60320.2230
Setting: TANGIERS ORBITAL, 5th Floor, Sevaal's Quarters
Sitting at the computer terminal located in her room,
the Romulan/Terran hybrid was once again trying to
bypass the security protocols of the casino's registry
system with the intent of finding out where T'Preel
was and maybe who were his Cardassian associates.
Having anticipated that the TANGIERS ORBITAL would
have a sophisticated security system, the SFI
operative playing the role of the Tal'Shiar agent
named Sevaal was being careful so as to not trigger
any alarms as she tried to retrieve the information
she sought.
Looking at the clock and realizing that she had been
at this for several hours now with very limited
success, the Romulan/Terran hybrid finally admitted to
herself that the computer system of the TANGIERS
ORBITAL had been far more protected than she could
have ever imagined. Leaning back into her seat, the
undercover COO noted her surprise by saying, "I have
seen starship computers with less security."
Accepting that access to the information she desired
would be impossible from this station, the
Romulan/Terran hybrid decided that this task required
the touch of someone more acquainted with the subtle
ways of Intel, namely the ANUBIS' ILO.
/\/\/\
Recalling that the ILO had reserved quarters on this
floor, the Romulan/Terran hybrid was not at all
surprised to discover that this section was set aside
for the high-rollers or people of higher stature.
Having come here as herself, it made sense that the
ANUBIS' ILO and her daughter be allowed to enjoy the
full spectrum of their identities, something that the
COO suspected she knew only a small fraction of.
Standing next to the door leading to the ILO's suit,
the Romulan/Terran hybrid kept a vigilant watch on the
corridor, not feeling all too comfortable in being in
such an open space. When no reply came indicating
that the ILO and her daughter had either been ignoring
the door or not yet returned to their quarters, the
COO decided to seek out the advice of the ship's CO.
As a Tal'Shiar operative the course of action to be
taken were as straight forward as could be, but
unfortunately such clarity did not come as easily to
those serving the Federation and its interests.
/\/\/\
Having reached the level on which the quarters of the
Andorian were, the Romulan/Terran hybrid currently
portraying T'Pring, a Vulcan merchant, was surprised
to see a couple of Cardassians walking about without
any apparent destination. Not wanting to attract any
attention to herself or the quarters of the ANUBIS'
CO, the undercover COO simply walked down the corridor
and directly in between the two Cardassian, placing on
them each a tracking device.
Walking down the corridor, the Romulan/Terran hybrid
considered what she had done as both a precautionary
measure as well as a well needed live practice on one
of many more physical aspects of being an Intel
operative. With the trackers in place, the COO would
be able to follow the movements of these two
suspicious individuals without her being seen by them,
an advantage that the Tal'Shiar agent had been most
happy to have.
Staying out of sight of the two wondering Cardassian
men the Romulan/Terran hybrid realized in time that
they were not going anywhere. Analyzing their
presence in that particular corridor, the COO soon
concluded that this was not a coincidence and that
they were likely guarding something or someone of
importance. Left with little choice, the operative
returned to her quarters waiting for a more convenient
time to approach the CO without attracting any
unwanted attention to her.
/\/\/\
Having noticed that the two Cardassians had stepped
into one of the rooms across from where the CO was
through the tracking devices she had placed on them,
the Romulan/Terran hybrid returned to the 8th floor of
the TANGIERS ORBITAL still wanting to speak with
Simmons.
Arriving on the floor, the COO was surprise to find a
large familiar form standing in the middle of the
corridor, looking at his reflection in one of the
mirrors that lined the walls. Overhearing the snapped
comment made by David which stunned a couple returning
to their room, the Romulan/Terran hybrid thought it
best to postpone her seeing the CO for the time being
and see if David needed any assistance.
"Excuse me... is there something wrong?" T'Pring asked
the looming figure.
"What business is it of yours?" he replied as he
turned and saw the Vulcan woman's face.
"Its none of your concern" as he ran his finger along
the ridge of his ear.
In their briefing, the COO remembered David mentioning
the way to activate their dermal comm badges. Not to
give any attention to them, she held up her hand in
the Vulcan greeting.
"Then I wish you peace and long life" and as she
passed him she did the same.
"Serenna?" the COO heard him say and it was barely
above a whisper.
"Yes David. Forgotten my face so quickly."
"Thank God? I need to talk to you? I need... your
advice."
Serenna turned and looked down to the other end of the
corridor and could see the anguish on her friend's
face.
"Meet me on the 2nd floor parlor room. There's not too
much traffic over there this time of night and we can
speak a little more freely."
"Agreed? but trust me, freely *isn't* what we need
here" the former CEO of the ANUBIS said as she
stepped onto the lift.
==================================
Kreedar Brell entered the parlor and found a dark
corner where he sat. A barmaid who was scantily
dressed approached.
"I remember you from when you checked in. What can I
get for you handsome?"
"Got any Alturian bourbon?" he said in his deep voice,
which he saw her shudder.
"The best this side of the quadrant."
"Then bring me a bottle" as he folded his arms across
his massive chest and she left. Moments later,
T'Pring, or as Brell knew her as Lieutenant Commander
Serenna, Operations chief of the USS ANUBIS approached
and sat.
"So" she said in a hushed tone, "what did you need to
see me about?"
David slid a tricorder under the table and touched her
knee with it.
"Have a look at that" he said and she glanced down and
saw two images, one of a Cardassian and the other of
T'Preel. How could David know or have anything on
T'Preel when she just saw him yesterday?
"Where did you get this from?" she asked.
David cleared his voice as the barmaid brought back
the alcohol he ordered and frowned when she saw
Serenna. She placed the bottle and two glasses on the
table.
"Looks like you'll be needing this more than me
honey."
David shrugged slightly and Serenna nodded.
"Do not worry about me young lady. This gentleman knew
my husband. We are just... as you humans say, catching
up on old times."
She looked at David who took already downed a shot of
the strong bourbon.
"Good quality..." and he slipped her 300 credits as a
tip, "the night's still young" he said to her as she
smiled and walked off. Serenna rolled her eyes.
"The name of the game is not to draw attention to
ourselves" David said as his eyes trailed off to the
barmaid's backside as she walked away.
"And this is a fact finding mission. We're not on RISA
David."
"Damn near" he said as he downed his second shot and
poured Serenna a glass.
"Now... the answer to my question is?" Serenna said.
"I was cashing in my winnings from our first night
here and I overheard T'Preel and Zulot talking..."
"Who is Zulot?" the COO asked.
"The Cardassian. Gul Zulot... a disposed watchdog of
the Obsidian Order... or something to that effect."
"Go on" the Romulan/Terran hybrid said, thinking back
to the conversation she had with the Tal'Shiar
operative back in her quarters.
"Are you gonna drink that?" David asked.
"No" she replied.
"Drink it Serenna... make it *look* like we're friends
catching up."
Serenna picked up the glass and downed her shot and
instantly her eyes narrowed.
"*That* was horrible... the taste is... bland."
"Alturians don't have taste buds persay... so
everything they eat and drink is bland... but you..."
"David" Serenna said tapping her manicured nail against the glass.
"Right... I asked around and found out they're
mercs.....and they're after the captain."
"Captain?" Serenna replied, "as in..."
"*Our* captain" David replied.
"Do they know he's here?" she asked.
"That's the funny thing... they're also expecting the
AVALON."
Serenna's brow shot up her forehead as the details of
the false Intel provided by the Tal'Shiar to T'Preel
became evident. "The AVALON?"
"Yes. I clearly heard them say their next target was
Captain James Simmons and the AVALON."
Serenna slid her glass towards David, who in turned
refilled it.
"Have you notified the captain yet?" Serenna asked,
having decided to keep the details of the orders she
had been given by the Tal'Shiar secret for the time
being. Informing David that she had been assigned
with the task of terminating T'Preel was, for the time
being, not the smartest of moves.
"I did... he said I'm to notify the crew of a impromptu
meeting tomorrow morning at 0800 to discuss our next
move..."
Serenna watched David's attitude darken as he did 3
shots back to back.
"Is there more?" she asked after taking a sip of her
drink.
"They killed Jordan Serenna." David replied icily.
"How can you be sure..."
"I heard them... that's why" David replied, "they said
they tortured a young marine after destroying his
ship..."
"David" Serenna said as she leaned forward, "are you
sure..."
"Listen to the recording. I'm pretty sure those
'Vulcan' ears of yours can hear over all this music"
the former CEO replied after taking another shot.
Serenna thumbed the device as sat quietly listening to
the playback. She wondered how did David manage to
sneak a tricorder on the platform, but knowing her
former Academy classmate and friend, he was known for
having a few tricks up his sleeve. After the recording
ended, she looked up and David was gone. She looked
around and cursed herself for delving too deep into
the recorded conversation between Zulot and T'Preel
and not keeping a watchful ear out for David. She
looked around and saw him standing next to a window
looking down on the 1st floor.
"David... I'm pretty sure the captain warned you..."
"He did... he also told me I should make contact with
them..."
"For?" she asked.
He looked at the Romulan/Terran hybrid and smiled. "To
implore my services."
"A bad idea" Serenna replied.
"How so?" David said with a smirk.
Looking at the bounty hunter the Romulan/Terran hybrid
knew that she had done the right thing in not
informing David of her orders as they would have only
fuelled his desire to seek what he believed to be
rightfully his. "I can see it in your eyes
David... you 'stink' of revenge..."
"Far from it... and after thinking about it... I think
its one of the captain's best ideas to date."
Serenna smirked. "OK... my turn. How do you figure?"
"Why not employ the best known bounty hunter in the
universe to help you find *1* Starfleet captain... who
happens to be *my* captain" David said and Serenna
could hear the leather jacket he was wearing creak
from the strain of his muscles tightening.
Carefully considering the words of her Academy
classmate, the Romulan/Terran hybrid debated the
possible outcomes of their new mission and the
possible problems that they might come up against. "I
suppose you're right, but you have to have the utmost
control you've *ever* had David...."
David's eyes narrowed as he looked back at the COO.
"I've made it this far" he said gruffly.
"Be that as it may, I'm saying this as a precaution."
Serrena said.
"Trust me Commander" David said, "they won't know what
hit them... until its time" he said rubbing his hands
together.
Serenna shook her head. "Its late. I suggest we retire
until the morning."
"Until then" David said looking out the window into
space and down on the 1st floor. Millions of thoughts
raced through the mind of the CEO now turned bounty
hunter. What he could do to them... how he could make
them suffer just as his brother did.
**I swear this on my life Jordan... they *will* pay
for what they did to you** David said to himself as he
turned and headed for his quarters.
/\/\/\
Lieutenant Commander Serenna
&
Kreedar Brell
aka
Lieutenant David Dawson
"A Starfleet officer... that's all I am and that's all I'll ever be." 2005 post #179
Stardate: 60320.2250
Setting: TANGIERS ORBITAL, 10th Floor, Penthouse level
Stardate: 60320.2310
Setting: TANGIERS ORBITAL, 8th Floor
Stardate: 60321.0020
Setting: TANGIERS ORBITAL, 8th Floor
Stardate: 60321.0215
Setting: TANGIERS ORBITAL, 2nd Floor Parlor
Serena Switt {serena1141@yahoo.com.au}
Chief of Operations / Second Officer
USS ANUBIS
Reknown Bounty Hunter
Chief Engineer
USS ANUBIS NCC 18501
- Avery Brooks as Captain Benjamin Sisko,
Commanding Officer of the Federation Spacestation Deep Space 9
