#10--Changes

"Better." Korav nodded. "But still needs a lot of work."

"I am trying sir." stated Vidar, "But it's hard to focus on something

that seems so meaningless as shooting cargo. If this is what fire

fights are going to be like from now on, I've got nothing to worry

about."

"Have you....ever been in combat before, Vidar? Got shot at?" The Captain's tone was guarded. He didn't want to spook the man, and he didn't want to come off as criticizing, which was rare in a Captain who prided himself on being an absolute ass to the universe.

"You know nothing of my past!" retorted Vidar. Right after he said that, he realized that he was about to pick a fight with the captain. So he suppressed his emotions and tried to be as Vulcan as possible.

"However, I also know nothing of your past. So we need not judge each other at this point. If you want, I could practice my shooting daily."

Quite surprised at this reaction from the normally quiet Romulan, Korav raised an eyebrow and fought down the urge to shout at the man before he spoke: "I just wanted to know what prior combat experience you've had so that I'll know how to train you to be ready for it. I didn't need your goddam life story."

"Couldn't my time spent on this ship be put to better use than this cargo shooting crap?". Since he had joined this crew, and life didn't seem so desperate, Vidar had started reflecting over his life up to his current situation. Looking over all the mistakes he had made, caused him a lot of stress. Now at this moment it had become too much for him and he just snapped.

"This cargo shooting crap...." Korav waved towards the shooting range. "Is gonna prepare YOUR ass for the real thing. I'm doing this for YOUR good. I don't know what the hell's your problem, mister, but if you wish to stay aboard, you'd better come clean with me and cooperate right now." As Korav spoke, he stepped up to Vidar's face, boring a hole into Vidar's eyes with his own. "I will not have you freezing up in the middle of a fight. I will not let one of MY crew get KILLED because you're in a corner SHITTING yourself! So I ask you again, have you ever fought before? What kind of training do you have? I don't need to know about your past or your life story, but don't you DARE lie to me."

The idea of being thrown off the ship helped Vidar to contain his anger.

"As a child, I had basic Romulan military training." Vidar recalled, "A few years later, a Vulcan taught me mental and physical techniques that could be used in combat. I haven't had many opportunities to test my marksmanship." Vidar responded

********************

Location: Axel Mess Hall

The mission at the Eagle's Nest had lasted approximately 2 weeks, a lot less than Pleg had anticipated. Here he was back aboard the Axel and en-route (along with the rest of the Blackskulls unit, sans Saliss and Andy) to an as yet undisclosed next mission. Zoss had not even dropped a hint as to what this next assignment might be, which left Pleg uncertain.

Honestly, nothing had gone as Pleg had foreseen. The mission had been a success. (He was supposed to have stopped it, or at least made Kartz look incompetent during the whole thing.) The S.S. Seiklon Axel had not been confronted by the U.S.S. Discovery regarding the illegal trafficking of biogenic weapons. (He had planted evidence to indicate this was the case in some subsidiary computers aboard the Axel. And yet the Discovery had bugged out without even detecting the Axel.) And finally, someone aboard the Axel had found his planted evidence and acted on his own to sabotage the Axel's mission.

Pleg had been unable to make connection with Phemeril, the Ferengi cook, until now. He walked into the mess hall and paid for a snack out of the self serve fridge. Phemeril was just about to leave for the night. Pleg had caught him just in time to maybe get some information. "Hold on there!" Pleg called. "I need to speak with you."

Phemeril seemed not at all surprised to see Pleg, he waved the shorter Ferengi over to a secluded corner where they would not be immediately seen if someone else game into the room. "Where have you been?" Phemeril shot back. "You owe me some latinum."

Taken aback, Pleg queried, "So, you found out who started the fire? Who sabotaged the transporter? Who is conducting investigations? What? Well..." A gleam of menace entered Pleg's eye as he firmly grasped the cooks collars and held him at bay. "don't keep me in suspense."

Phemeril smiled a big toothy grin filled with guile. He shook himself free of Pleg's grip and wiped down his collars nonchalantly. "You are as transparent as a force field! Did you think I couldn't see that? As Pleg attempted to fashion a reply, Phemeril continued, a new air of superiority in his bearing. "I know YOU set the fire. I know you didn't sabotage the transporter. But, I know who did and why!"

The rifleman/assassin/ saboteur considered icing the cook on the spot. Then, he decided to hear the man out and go from there. "Are you omniscient, now?" He asked sarcastically as he slid his hand down his side to the concealed dagger.

The cook knew he'd rattled the other man, and chose to play out his full hand for best effect. "Scuttlebutt has it that Korav approached another crew member about acting on some disinformation by sabotaging the transporter system. Don't ask me how I know this...I'll deny it to my dieing day." Phemeril then produced data storage chip. "This is a copy of the information that you hid in our systems. Now, someone wants to know how it got there. Should I tell him? Or are you going to pay me more money?"

Pleg pulled the knife. Instantly, a Ferengi phaser was thrust into his appendix. "You've brought a knife to a gunfight my friend." Phemeril practically burst with the irony of having beat Pleg at his own game. "I'm not as stupid as you'd make me out to be. Five-hundred strips of latinum keeps this out of the hands of a man who could tear your arms from their sockets." He waved the chip tauntingly. "Think about that...and get out of my kitchen!"

As Pleg, returned the knife to it's inconspicuous sheath, he bowed mockingly at the cook and turned to leave. Two steps away he rotated his upper body to add a parting comment. "Extortion becomes you. You'll have your money on return to Qo'Nos." He would not underestimate the shrewd cook again.

********************

Location: Axel shuttle bay

The personal gear strewn across the deck of the shuttle bay beckoned to Roquel. Saliss had unceremoniously dumped it all before the mission, and now that the Bee had returned she was faced with a dilemma. Since arriving aboard the Seiklon Axel, Roquel had not truly moved into her quarters aboard ship. Oh, there were some of her belongings there, but the bulk of it had remained aboard the Bee. So, she wondered whether to put it back aboard or complete the relocation and get it into her personal quarters. For Roquel, it was a major decision. She had always been one of those people who lived in the spontaneity of the moment - here today, gone tomorrow was her established lifestyle. Now..."Oh, hell with it!" She cried. "If I throw this stuff back in the shuttle, someone else is gonna come along and toss it back out in favor of the next mission!" She realized, of course, that the decision she was making was a rationalization for what she was about to do, but it made her feel better to have the decision taken out of her hands.

As she started hauling the first crate towards the door to the hall, the weight of it made her breathe heavily. Saliss had tossed it with such ease. She had not been aware of the Saurians strength until this moment. "I'm gonna need some help." She sighed. Roquel left her belongings and went to the doorway. She popped her head out and looked both ways, hoping that she would spot an able bodied assistant. Much to her surprise and relief coming around the bend in the corridor to her left was the new Romulan guy...what was his name? Vidar? Yeah, she thought, that's it...Vidar.

"Hey, Vidar!" She called waving both arms frantically. "Are you busy? I could really use a hand, if you've got the time." As she spoke she perceived that the young man was touring the ship some more. It was doubtful that he was in the middle of some serious work.

"Of course," answered Vidar "What do you need?"

"Thanks." She smiled lightly. "Well, I've decided to move my personal stuff up to my quarters and kinda thought that it might be a good idea to get a strapping guy like you to lend me a hand. It's two decks up after all and this stuff weighs a ton!"

"No problem," said Vidar.

Roquel escorted Vidar into the shutttlebay and pointed to the first crate. "That was what I wanted up first. It is actually the heaviest one...but." She shrugged. "...I need it first, REALLY. Then, those 3 need to go. But if you don't have the time, I understand."

"I don't mind," responded Vidar. "It's time well spent."

The two of them lifted the crate by it's brass handles, one on each side, and walked it through the hallways. With the much lighter load, Roquel actually had the breath for conversation. "So, how are you settling in?" She asked amiably.

"Not so well," confessed Vidar. "Korav is not to happy with the amount of work I'm doing around the ship at the moment, but I can't find a place where I could be of much use."

The poor guy. She thought. "Well, what you need to understand about the Axel is that as a private vessel, the assignments and the rules are more laid back and infrequent unless there is something major going on. I can see that for a guy like you, that can be a little discomfiting, but you'll get used to it."

"I hope so," said Vidar. "Because at the moment, I feel like more of a passenger, and less of a crewmember."

"My advice to you is..." She said, picking up the lead. "...find a place to own."

Vidar paused for a moment. He was feeling quite unsure about his life thus far. "Well I've got a place to sleep. Apart from that, there really doesn't seem to be a place for me."

"No seriously!" Let me explain." Roquel said, her breaths now a bit ragged from the exertion. "Korav and Selvine have the bridge to worry about, Phemeril has his kitchen, Alton has the armory, and me...I've kinda owned the shuttlebay, since I arrived. Now it's easy for engineers to find their nitch, but for you and De'Vo...well I don't know. What do you think about the gym? Have you even been there?"

"No. I haven't," said Vidar.

"Well, that place could use some real help! The first day I came aboard I ended up there and thought to myself, if it had more I'd use it."

Now there was an idea. Maybe all he needed was one place he could go to keep busy and clear his head.

As they reached the turbolift and placed the crate in the center floor, Roquel leaned back against the wall to let her body rest. "Deck 3." She told the computer.

"I'm just making this suggestion, because I can start to see us having to clean out the ducts for the life support system or blowing the dust out of the computer core, or some dip-shit stuff like that, if you don't look busy." She ribbed him gently. "You don't want to do that do you?"

"Hell no." stated Vidar

"Well, it's only a matter of time before Korav figures out that his crew keeps growing and all they're doing is playing cards." She smiled. "He's bound to get someone to do his dirty work before long. Unless you want to end up as general maintenance in between missions, I say pick something."

"Thanks for the advice." said Vidar. He smiled, and, for the first time in many years, felt hopeful about the future.

The lift had already stopped and Roquel had been holding the door for several seconds while Vidar considered her words. "Can we move this the rest of the way now?" It didn't take long to get the crate tucked away in her quarters from there.

They then started the long walk back to the shuttlebay for the other crates.

"If you don't mind me asking," said Vidar "how did you get to be part of this crew? I mean what events in your life have led you to this point?

"Oh, Vidar!" Roquel exclaimed emphatically. "Now that's a long story! But, I think I'll give you the condensed version." She reentered the turbolift and hit the button for Deck 5. "My dad, Maximus Atrell, owns a half dozen resorts on Risa. He's got "mega-bucks" and I could've had the easy life. He wanted me to take my place in the family business, you know, train with dad to learn the ins and outs of the tourist industry, rub shoulders with the all the right people, become an accomplished leader of industry." She stuck two fingers in her mouth and mocked a gag. "That wasn't for me." She said with honesty, but also a degree of pain. "It hurt dad when I left home. He just doesn't understand me or my interests...my life. He thinks that I should always have been the dutiful daughter."

A tear formed in the corner of Roquel's eye. This was a part of her life that she often avoided discussing. To avoid embarrassing herself she turned the conversation back over to the Romulan for a moment. "What's your background."

"Well I've had quite a bleak life up to this point. If it weren't for the help of a few strangers along the way, I wouldn't be alive."

"Well I'm glad you've had a few good breaks." She said. "I have too." Her mood seemed to brighten visibly as she continued to talk. The doors to the turbolift swooshed open and they proceeded to the shuttlebay.

"Father didn't like it much, but when Starfleet offered an opportunity for entrance exams on Risa, I took it." She beamed. "Did a damn good job, too!" She said proudly. "Spent the next 4 years at Starfleet Academy, in San Francisco, on Earth. I entered Flight school and excelled there, as well." It was the time of my life." She relished the memory for several seconds.

"Really! I have heard much of the Earth, but I never thought I would meet someone who has trained at the Starfleet Academy. What was it like?"

"The Academy was great - the time of my life." Roquel reminisced. "Now Earth, on the other hand, I didn't enjoy so much. It's antiseptic and sterile, if you ask me."

"Not true." exclaimed Vidar "I have been fascinated by Earth history since I was a child."

"Suit yourself." Roquel responded, neither condemning the interest or supporting it. "I couldn't get off the planet soon enough. I was stationed with Mars Defense Force for 1 year. That's when I started getting in trouble. I was young, had access to Starfleet fighters, and a lot of time on my hands. It was a bad combination. I took a few more joyrides than were kosher with my CO. We got into it big-time, and I went AWOL."

"I called my dad. It was the first time in years, I had relied on him for anything. He helped my start my own courier business, bought me my shuttlecraft, etc; So, I entered the private sector. I've done lots of work in personal shuttle or light courier servicebackgrounds, but we have all come for." Roquel felt that she was rambling crazily, but the guy asked, didn't he? "It can be rough doing that, I've had more than a few scrapes. Ask Daius, she's seen a few of em. Do you know much about Cardassia.

"Only what I have heard from traveling traders. They don't often like to talk about their travels without kind of profit."

"Well, it's always been a rough place. One, I don't recommend traveling to casually." She was off track and they were almost there. "You asked initially, what brings me to this crew, this ship. "I need a little security and still some freedom to be me. I think I can find it here. I really do. I'm not sure about everyone's basically the same thing, I think. We are looking for an adventure in space, some profit, and we don't fit in with the established governments. We are on the fringe, the renegades!" She finished with a flourishing gesture as she offered Vidar to enter the bay first.

They then reached the shuttlebay and started carrying the next crate to Roquel’s quarters. After two more trips, all the crates were moved.

*********************

Location: IKS Valkyre

Diana was in her ready room, when Kira paged her. =/\=Captain Hunter, K’vort class battle cruiser coming towards us at full impulse. As of yet, they have not contacted us. Shall we hail them, Ma’am?=/\=

Diana set down the padd she was working on, and rubbed her temples with her fingertips. [What now, another suitor?] she wondered. Sighing, she said, “Not yet; I’m on my way.”

Diana got up, took one last sip of her drink, and headed for the bridge. It seemed like she’d only just sat down in the captain’s chair when the battle cruiser identified itself. She rose once more, and standing at parade rest, faced the view screen.

=/\= Greetings, Captain Hunter. This is the IKS Vok'tor. =/\= The commander stated. He was dressed in a standard fleet uniform, unassuming with the exception of the strange animal pelt draped across his shoulder. It wasn't a Klingon animal, so it must have been a hunting trophy from another planet. =/\= I am Captain Ik'Tar, son of Trael. I have been instructed to escort you back to the homeworld. Due to the civil war, the government is in need of ships. Your ship will be put to use in the Imperial Navy, and your crew inducted temporarily into the government defense forces. =/\=

Diana was well aware that the title ‘Captain’ was honorary. The Valkyre was a house ship; as such, the Klingon Defense Forces could conscript it’s use, and her crew, whenever the need arose, but she didn’t have to like it. “I’m well aware that there’s been a civil war, ‘Captain,’” she emphasized the title with the same tone he had taken with her. “Were you aware that this is the ship that put a huge, gaping hole in the so-called Honor Blade?”

=/\= I am aware of that, Captain. =/\= The Vok'tor's Captain sighed. He was performing a reluctant duty to say the least. =/\= However, you have no say in the matter. This came directly from the Chancellor. =/\=

“Our warp engines have not yet been fully restored,” Diana explained. “I need at least 72 hours to get to Quo’Nos.”

=/\= Then you leave me with no choice. =/\= Ik'Tar nodded to someone offscreen.

Diana couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Suddenly, the blue and silver lights of transporter beams shimmered in each corner of the room. Three male, and one female Klingon warrior materialized and drew weapons. She heard the disruptors charge, and saw the red beads of light over her heart. She raised her hands to her sides to show that she was unarmed, and not resisting. The woman motioned to the others to move in. Diana thought she recognized her, “K’Lira?”

K’Lira materialized on the bridge of the warship with her two specialists right behind her. She recognized the look of shock on Diana’s face and laughed. “Diana, it has been a while hasn’t it? You look a sight more impressive than before, serving me on a DFA vessel.” She punctuated the remark with a sharp laugh.

“I was on vacation,” Diana said, as she glared at the other woman.”

K’Lira walked around the bridge looking at everything as she walked, she had no wish to anger the human but her dominance must be established. It is a poor warrior who bends to the voice of a subordinate. “Diana, are you going to bluster self-importantly all day or can we get to the reason I am here?” she interjected cutting the other woman off.

“I hope it’s not my recipes you’re after,” Diana quipped. “I plan on taking those to my grave.” She watched K’Lira admire her ship, “What’s really going on here?”

K’Lira shook her head, “I cannot answer that question.” He turned to the communications officer, “Screen On!” she barked. When he did not make a move she looked down at Diana, “If your warriors wish to survive this trip you may want to tell them to follow the orders of a superior officer in the Klingon Empire.”

“If a superior officer comes along,” Diana smirked, “they’ll follow his orders. “Perhaps, you and I should discuss this in private,” Diana gestured with her outstretched arm.

K’Lira nodded, “If you wish.” He thought it best not to goad Diana any more, she likely understood but her warriors did not and would not bear much more dishonor.

Once the door closed, Diana started to laugh, and hugged her old friend. “It’s good to see you again,” she said.

K’Lira smiled and hugged her old friend “It is good to see you again.” He said and meant it, she only wished they met under less uncomfortable conditions

“So,” Diana said, “how many warriors did you have to kill to make Commander so quickly?” She tapped her own uniform where rank was displayed to acknowledge her friend’s achievement.

K’Lira frowned, she took honor in her title but felt she had not earned it, “The war made officers of many prematurely, I survived where my commanders did not and fought with honor and survived because my honor did not overpower my wisdom.”

Diana crossed her arms in front of her, and walked over to her desk. She sat down and looked up at K’Lira, “What’s this all about?”

K’Lira paced around the small office before beginning, “The war Diana, after the council secured its power over the rebels we soon found the empire was ill defended, the war cost us much. They came across your records and your oath to the High Council and they sent me to collect on it.” She bolstered herself up and again spoke with strength, “So, this ship is now to be commissioned again into our forces until the council sees it fit to replace this ship with a new commission.”

Diana understood the situation perfectly--she made a promise, and the High Council was going to hold her to it. The only problem was that no full-blooded Klingon male desired her, for herself. She exhaled slowly, got up, and walked to the door. “I’m ready,” she said.

The two women emerged onto the bridge where Diana made the following announcement: “Attention, this is your captain speaking. Due to the shortage of ships after Quo’Nos recent civil war, the Defense Forces are conscripting this vessel and her crew. It is a privilege to protect our people, homes and way of life. Serve with honor.”

K’Lira looked up at the screen, “Commander K’Lira here, we are prepared.” She could feel the eyes of Diana boring into the back of her head, all would be explained in time.

"Very well." Ik'Tar sighed. He turned to someone off-screen. "Activate tractor beams, set a course for Qo'Nos." He waited while his orders were carried out.

“Wait!” Diana said, “Capt. Ik’Tar, perhaps you didn’t understand. The Valkyre has warp power. Why take the risk of damage to both our ships, when I am willing to go with you?”

K’Lira looked over at Diana, “Remember your vow to the Council Diana…”

“I know what I promised,” Diana insisted. “It’s the right thing to do. Besides, I am still young enough to want and need a warrior husband. Just don’t drag my ship around.”

"Very well." Ik'Tar nodded to someone offscreen. "I'm having my navigation officer send you our flight plan. Match our course. Ik'Tar out."

Diana saluted in Klingon fashion, “Q’pla.”

K’Lira smiled and took the second officer’s seat, she would sit and watch, this would be a long couple of days to be sure.

****************

Location: Roquel's Quarters

Timeline: 1 Day after departure from Cretanus

Roquel was pleased. The room she shared with June Starwalt was finally in order. Unfortunately for Roquel, over half of what she'd brought in from the Bee had gone directly to their closet. Even more of her belongings had to go back to the cargo bay. Anyway, the final result was more than acceptable.

June's personal style could only be described as spartan. She had been in these same quarters for a long time, yet there had been no wall decor up. Only a clock, the messy bunk, a well used desk, and a handful of clothes had shown occupancy of the room when Roquel had first arrived. Now, some traditional Risian artwork adorned the rear wall and the areas around the doors. In a niche about 4 ft off the floor on her side of the entryway, she had placed to stylish shelf to proudly present her Horgahn. June had not understood the placement of the statue.

-----Earlier that morning-----

"So, what's with the statue, Roqi?"

"If displayed, it indicates that it's owner is seeking Jamaharon." Roquel had answered to educate her roommate.

"Jahooziewhat's?" Starr asked totally confused.

"Sex, Starr! I am looking for sex, O.K!" That came out too bluntly, Roquel thought. Oh, well. "I put this by the door so people will no that I am...open to possibilities." She explained further.

"Who's gonna see the thing in here...besides me? Why don't you put it outside or carry it under your arm or something. How 'bout you just say, hey 'somebody' I'm horny. Are you busy tonight?" June Starwalt couldn't resist and she roared out laughing.

"That's not how it work!." Roquel countered. Now she was feeling both offended and embarrassed. "Forget it. You're not Risian!"

"For the record, red, neither is anyone else on this ship! I hope that thing comes with a users manual. No one is gonna know that it's not just a piece of art." Seeing that her words had hit home, Starr came over and patted her on the shoulder. "Sorry to burst your bubble." And with an ''on-second-thought' look donning her face, she added, "Besides, who on THIS ship are you interested in anyway?" When Roquel didn't answer, she left for her duty shift in engineering.

****Now****

Roquel patted the Horgahn on it's head. "Well, my friend, how about I just leave the door open and hope." All of a sudden, the idea seemed lame. She headed for the door to lock it into the open position, but stopped and turned back to look at the statue. "Don't worry," Roquel said to the inanimate object. "if this doesn't work, I'll go with Starr's idea."

Computer, locate Bendano Kirshov and open a channel to his comm station. "=/\= Mr. Kirshov, this is Roquel...Roqi. If you aren't busy at the moment, I need to see you. =/\="

<Kirshov: busy at the moment>

She'd expected that response. "=/\= No, I'm sorry, I'm in the middle of something here. There's no huge hurry. Just, swing by my quarters when you have a spare moment. =/\="

<Kirshov: of course>

After the channel closed, Roquel walked to the mirror. She looked over her freshly washed hair with it's perfect curl, the yellow skin-tight jumpsuit that she'd chosen, and the semi-confident expression on her own face. 'If the Horgahn didn't intrigue him, maybe THIS will.'

*******************

GOOD BYE SELVINE

Selvine took a deep breath, and ran through her reasons one last time. Once she knocked on the door, she could not renege on her decision to leave the Seiklon Axel - Korav wasn't the sort to tolerate wishy-washiness. The latest mission, though, had shown her that the Axel wasn't the environment for her any more. She was a wanderer at heart, and had never in her adult life stayed in one situation as long as she'd now been with the Axel. The time for something new had come.

PADD in his hand, day-old chunk of lizard meat hanging from his mouth, the Captain browsed through an inventory PADD the corporation had sent down to him. Never before in his life had he filled out so much

paperwork.

Korav smelled Selvine's scent before she was even in the hall. Relishing every opportunity to mess with his XO, he got up and opened the door.

She jumped as her hesitation was ripped forcefully from her as Korav opened the door before she had the chance to ring the chime. Electricity nearly flew out of her hands to shock him if its own accord, but she checked her surprise in time to spare the Captain a first-class barbequeing. Catching her breath, she snipped, "Korav!" A moment later she calmed down, inhaled deeply through her nose, and moderated her tone, saying, "I mean, sorry, Ghost-Eyes. I was about to knock and you startled me."

A small smile crept over Korav's face. "Then I did my job. What's up, Sel?"

Sticking her hands in her pockets, she nodded her head behind her. A simple small knapsack laid on the floor, holding everything in her life that could not be replaced - pitifully few artifacts. "I'm leaving," she stated simply.

"What???!" Korav's jaw dropped. "Come on Sel, I was only messing with you!" The Captain paused for a second. "You can't go! After all the crap this ship's been through, after what we've been through.....and

you're just.....GOING?"

A held-up hand silenced his objections, though she was sure that he wouldn't have heeded such a gesture from anyone who could not shoot lightning out of said hand to forcibly shut him up if so desired.

"Korav," she placated, though she felt bad for the spot she was putting him in. "You know me.... I can't have a 'home' here. I've got to move on. We've been through a lot together.... please understand."

Korav backed into his quarters, slowly sinking back into his chair. "So....." He said. "That's it then?"

She nodded, not following him into the room, as she'd not really been invited, and wanting to give him his space. "It's nothing personal, Korav..."

Folding his arms, Korav looked at Selvine. He'd grown dependent on her, that much was for sure now. More than he'd realized, and it made him uncomfortable. "Well, do I at least get an idea of where you're

going?"

"I'll probably catch a transport towards the Alpha quadrant for a bit, see if I can't wrap up some old unfinished business."

"Good.....good luck. I'll call." Korav muttered, glimpsing at his inventory PADD. The words slowly melted into gibberish before his eyes. Without warning, Korav hit the remote door switch, shutting the door in Selvine's face.

For the second time in the short conversation she nearly jumped out of her skin, then stamped her foot. "KORAV!" she yelled in aggravation. God dammit, she didn't want things to end like this! She and Korav

went way back, and he had come to mean a lot to her, as much as she was capable of such feelings. She didn't want to burn bridges with him. "Don't do this, Korav!"

"WHADDYA WANT?? A DAMNED FAREWELL PARTY!!!???" Korav roared at the closed door. "GO AWAY!!"

Ohhh, if he wanted to be petulant, she would give him petulant. "Korav, you have three seconds to open this door!" she shouted, gathering energy in her hands. "One..."

"BEAT IT!!"

"I mean it! Two!"

"I HAVE A GUN!!"

"FINE! THREE!" She zapped the locking mechanism and was rewarded with a satisfying screech, then kicked the door open with one booted foot. Striding over to him, she planted herself right in front of his face, feet apart, hands on her hips. "Do. Not. Do this," she repeated dangerously.

His entire body still tingling from the volts he'd received, Korav stared up at the Ornaran woman. Royally pissed, he swept out her legs from under her and pinned her to the ground, an elbow sitting uncomfortably on her jawbone. "Don't even think about frying me, missy. You know I can take more volts than your average Human."

She squirmed under him, and would have dealt any other man a blow with her knee that he wouldn't soon forget. Korav had every right to be pissed, though, even though she WOULD zap him if he took his little

physical dominance play any further. "So what?" she snarled in anger and pain, "You gonna keep me here forcibly?"

"Sel, if there ever was a time I needed you, it's now." Korav said through gritted teeth. "When everything was falling apart, you were there! You were always there! What the hell am I gonna do??!!"

Relaxing slightly, she sighed and reasoned, "You'll do what you did before I arrived, what you've always done. You'll make up your own goddamn mind about things and beat the shit out of anyone in your way.

Though I may have to hurt you if you don't let me up."

"You're the one who zapped me first." Korav grumbled as he released his hold on her and stood up. "Tell you the truth, the ship was falling apart before you arrived." Korav folded his arms. "We were just about to lose everything. We needed someone to keep us together, and to help us run things. I'm a lot of things, Sel, but I'm no leader. The crew- they look up to you. They only listen to me because they're afraid of me." The Captain's voice was barely above a whisper, weighted by the gravity of his admission.

*******************

Location 1: Lang's Office, Copernicus Station, Hope One Dyson Sphere

Location 2: Bethany Helton's Office, the Trading Post in the Promenade,

Sentinel Station

Lang made the arrangements to meet with Sorr and then called Ms. Helton at Copernicus' facilities in Sentinel Station. What could be done from one direction could be done from another after all, and he

had a plan.

"Good day Bethany." he began as she appeared on his viewer.

"Lang." she said in a rather sardonic tone. "Always a pleasure. To what do I owe it this time?"

"You're too kind." his narrow eyes narrowed even further behind his dark glasses. "As you know, Brice is looking to generate operating capital to fund the Talaxian project between payments to keep the corporation from having to seek funding from the Consortium proper."

"Yes, I got the memo. What do you have in mind for that?" she asked.

"Well I had a bit of a field trip in mind. Nothing is generates liquid capital better than conflict."

"So you need some venture capital and the use of Copernicus' resources?" she asked, expecting a affirmation.

"You can always supply the Station with capital." he grinned. "No I've managed to secure enough for my needs. Mining operations being conducted in a nearby system and billing for services over here at our ever-growing starport." Lang looked over to the side, some unseen panel, "I also see you've been keeping a constant trade with the JDC and the dissidents. The profit margin there is marginal."

"It provides an income. It's how I've been funding the Promenade improvements. Things have been a little slow since Thasin left, but Brice has been building his own network of Starfleet connections. Bio-Gen remains rather aloof, but Miss Tyskisi has been meeting with them."

Lang thought about the owner's daughter and her desire to be kept in the loop. It wouldn't hurt to contact her next. "Well I'm glad we're a healthy little Corporation. " he said. "Strangely I'm looking down the line a bit here, and I'm not satisfied. Eventually our slow growth will build us a reputation for being a completely legitimate business, and I won't stand for that. It really is the kiss of death for frontier operations in the long view. I've seen it hundreds of times. Customers have a tendency to want the more comfortable feel of

dealing with a corporation that can deliver any need on the frontier, even if they don't need it. Otherwise they begin to stray, looking to specialty markets for their "special" needs."

"I see." Beth said, "So you're looking to 'branch out', are you?"

"Yes." Lang said immediately pleased that he had made the right connection here.

"So I suppose the real questions here are,... What is it you have in mind, and what do you need?" she said, waiting for the man to explain.

"Well that's where the field trip comes to mind." Lang smiled briefly and almost imperceptibly, "To Qo'Nos."

"The Klingon Homeworld?" she asked, surprised.

"Well the homeworld of Siridon Arms Inc. anyways." Lang said with a mock wounded look. "Our dissidents have been getting a bit roughed up and they'll need better arms in the near future."

"And why is that?" Beth asked.

"Let's just say I'm going to force the issue a bit. I'm meeting with Sorr tomorrow to discuss technological improvements for the official government in general and his Rova'Sahn in particular, but I am constrained by Thasin's agreements with the Dissidents on one hand, while having to honor our treaty obligations on the other. After all we have a review coming up with the Johvan Democratic Cooperative to discuss our exclusive trading rights on the Sphere. I'd like those to continue. Sorr will not be forever satisfied with the Tricobalt device we provided him with, or the paltry improvements on his fledgling fleet. He's still stung by their crushing defeat at the hands of a single Kharian warship, right under the nose of Sentinel Station and over the skies of Hern'Gal."

"Not our issue." Bethany said.

"No,... not entirely, but it will be unless we wish to lose our lucrative contracts. The ones that are currently funding your operations." and here Lang paused for effect.

"How do you propose to get latinum out of the Dissidents?" She asked, adding "They have none to speak of."

"Oh I don't." Lang said. "Copernicus will be buying the arms." another weak smile, "We will also contract for the brief services of Siridon, here on the Sphere. Siridon has it's policies on whom they supply such arms to, due to past problems in the Delta Quadrant, and it's best if Copernicus' involvement is kept to a minimum. So their stipulations for overseeing all initial shipments suits me fine."

"So the weapons will be traced to them and not us? Interesting. " Bethany considered the concept of involving an outside group in an arms race. "But you still haven't explained why you're telling me all

this. It's very unlike you to be so informative without a motive."

Well, they are not a Federation company, so they're not strictly limited by the Prime Directive, and quite frankly the Johvan are being oppressed by a tyrannical ruler who has forfeited his people in his greed for power. This is exactly the kind of customer Siridon wishes to deal with. So if the weapons are traced back to them, they will probably simply acknowledge it and smile. Additionally, every Arms Company is a business, and in the business of selling arms no less. They know why people buy them and it's not to plant crops. We will contract for a signifigant amount of weapons that can be deemed justifiable for the defense of the oppressed."

"You're a real Angel of Mercy, you know that?" she grinned sarcastically. "However, your points are all in order, Sorr is a tyrant by any definition, Now as to my second question," Bethany asked, "Why tell me all this?"

"Oh,... of course." Lang smiled broadly now. "Pack what you need, you're coming along. Be ready to go tomorrow morning. Lang out."

------------------

Location: Lang's Office, Copernicus Station, Hope One Dyson Sphere

Lang waited having transmitted his message to the young Chief of Operations for Copernicus in the Delta Quadrant. He had sent ahead the transcript of his conversation with Ms. Helton to eliminate the need to re-hash the matters he had already spoken to her about. He knew Subuki would review the transcript before accepting the call so he took a seat and a sip of his rutaberry juice. and prepared himself to answer her questions when her visage appeared on screen.

"Greetings, Mr Lang" It hadn't taken her long to make her mind up.

Well met." he said giving the standard Orion greeting, which paid no heed to the number of times someone had been met. "I assume you've had the opportunity to review the transcript?" It was more of a statement than a question.

"Yes, I have. Recommendations and analysis Mr. Lang" She had come to trust his opinions in matters. Seemed he almost always had the correct response. To be honest though, she had already made up her mind.

"The arrangement will improve our corporate posture in the long run. Knowing you interest in corporate matters I wanted to be sure you were informed. I would recommend you accompany us, even though it is

short notice it would enhance your corporate presence and expand your contacts, never a bad thing." Lang was curious to see where his associate's interest truly lied.

"Then so it shall be. You of course already knew the decision I would come to Mr. Lang and have an excellent means of both transportation and security ." It wasn't a question, this she already knew the answer to as well.

Lang steepled his fingers before him, in brief thought. "Excellent." he said. There is a new Dream runner arriving, the Gallant Wing, it will be our transportation. Anticipating your participation I made certain accommodations. You will be in safe hands. The crew of the Blue Rose of Andor, your father's personal vessel, is commanding it.

"As with all things Mr.Lang, efficient and prepared." At the mention of her Father their had been a slight crack in facial façade, she missed him.

"We leave from Copernicus Station in the morning. I can brief you on the mission, to date, and incorporate your proposals before we depart.

Just before she disconnected she smiled, "There of course will be ice cream Mr.Lang?" Her father had used ice cream as a bribe when she had been little, to get her to do things she hadn't wanted to, like traveling with him on business.

"Of course." Lang nodded.

“Enlighten me.” Responded Selvani.

"That was made by the skull of our previous helmsman." Korav smiled. "He splattered his brains all over that console when he fell out of his chair, and then an explosion knocked him back into the side of the console."

Selvani looked at it for a moment before responding, “Sounds unfortunate.”

"And now you see why I want to put luxury cushions on everything!!" The Captain burst out laughing.

Selvani started laughing, “Korav you are the only Captain I can imagine making his ship child-proof. With luxury cushions no less.”

"Laugh it up, slug boy." Korav chuckled. "We'll see who's laughing when I'm having Calvin scrape your brains off of the console." He leaned back and pretended to snuggle into his chair as if it were a sultan's couch. "Meanwhile, the Captain is comfortably nestled in his plush, 9 million thread count sloth bird feather cushions."

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