Deep Space Nine
Bajoran System
February 2376
Commander Kyhryk Laruun, the only Nausicaan in Starfleet, lounged in apparent silence outside Admiral Itozo's temporary office on Deep Space Nine. He was dressed in civilian clothing but in reality he was growing impatient and no one wants an impatient Nausicaan.
A Hi'ought Nausicaan, he was taller and more muscular than most of his species. That coupled with knuckle spikes and numerous death knots in his hair (mementos signifying missions and kills made him quite intimidating. He resembled a mercenary or a smuggler not a career Starfleet officer and leader of a Starfleet Special Missions team. But, a Nausicaan in a Starfleet uniform, especially one of his stature, would be remembered while another 'murderous' Nausicaan in civilian clothing would be nothing new.
The door hissed open. "Laruun." Admiral Itozo appeared in the doorway. "Get in here," he snapped. An unimposing Andorian, the admiral had spent his life in the shadows countering threats to the Federation that most citizens didn't know existed. He had been Kyhryk's mentor ever since he joined Starfleet Intelligence.
"What do you have for me admiral?" Kyhryk questioned as he poured himself a drink from the admiral's private stock.
"Pour me a scotch," Itozo ordered as he sat down behind his desk. "How has vacation treated you?"
"I'm bored but I did recruit a new member."
"Ah yes. Lieutenant Chase Daniels. I've read his file and it's most impressive for someone his age. Graduated from the academy just before the war, served with distinction and received several commendations, trained by Commander Sevine, the head hand-hand combat instructor at the academy, and Sevine said and I quote 'He was the third best student he ever taught.' "
"He is very good." Kyhryk sipped from his drink. "Now, since you ordered me and my team out here I take it you have a mission for us?"
"To the point like usual." He tossed a datapad down on his desk in front of Kyhryk and then took a seat. "Legate Tevil. When the Cardassian Union surrendered, he and his fleet chose to keep fighting and disappeared into the badlands. Since then they have conducted hit and run attacks against unaligned, Klingon, Romulan and Federation forces providing aid to the various worlds affected by the war."
"So you want me and my people to find them?" Kyhryk tossed back the last of his drink. "This sounds like a job for the regular fleet, not us."
"Correct. I want you to find them and you're doing it because the regular fleet is stretched thin and intelligence suggests Tevil has been forming alliances with the Orion Syndicate, Nausicaan clans, and the other major players in drugs, smuggling, and arms dealing. You and your team know that crowd; most of you grew up in it. You won't be alone, I'm assigning the Far Rider to you and the Swahili will provide backup. The rest is there," said as he pointed to the datapad."
"I see." Kyhryk levered himself out of the chair and poured another drink. "When will the Far Rider and Swahili be here?"
"Tomorrow, around 1700. I expect results and prisoners, so leave some people alive this time," Itozo demanded. "Don't go in shooting, keep shooting, and once you've killed everyone decide to ask questions."
"Taking all the fun out of my job there, boss." Kyhryk jested as he finished his drink. "I suppose I can have fun interrogating prisoners." A look appeared on the Nausicaan's face. "Is Garak still here? He loves an interrogation."
"Yes he is." Itozo stared across his desk at Kyhryk. "Does he still hate you because of…"
Kyhryk saddened at that memory."Yes."
Promenade
Deep Space Nine
February 2376
"How long do you think we will be here?" Nikara wondered out loud. A stunning green Orion woman, Nikara forced more than a few of the station's guests to lose their concentration when they noticed her; one man even ran into a door frame. A former slave, Nikara was recruited by Itozo and rescued by Kyhryk from one of the Nausicaan clans after he brought about its downfall by assassinating its leader.
"Until the boss gives us a mission," her companion, Lieutenant Ari Lin, chimed in. Born and raised on Centauri IV which had 1.8 G of gravity, Ari Lin is below average in height but don't let that fool you. Highly skilled in Muy Tai, Krav Maga and Suus Mahna-amongst other disciplines-she is a force to be reckoned with if angered. "So I suggest we enjoy ourselves."
"How about Quarks?" Lieutenant Chase Daniels the newest team member and final member of their trio suggested. "I heard it's rather good."
"Ooh." Nikara agreed with a smile on her face. "I can play some Dabo and wipe Quark out…again."
The Lower Deck
Deep Space Nine
February 2376
Seated at a table in a new bar and restaurant called The Lower Deck that catered solely to enlisted personnel and freighter crews the NCO's from Team Twelve enjoyed a drink or two or twenty.
"Three…two…one…go." Racing, the NCO's attempted to see who could chug a stein of mead the fastest and Master Chief Khern, a very large green Orion with his years of experience, won hands down.
"Better luck next time, fellas," he chuckled as he picked up a pitcher of ale. "Refill?" Steins appeared in front of him.
"We've never beaten you." Senior Chief Lohs, their resident Kzinti, growled as he tore into a pile of targ ribs. "I don't know why we even try anymore." He flicked a bone at Khern in irritation.
"It's the challenge." Ursak's deep bass rumbled through the bar. Even seated at a table of larger than normal beings, Ursak-a Rigellian Kaylar-is a head above even them.
"That it is. One day one of us will beat him," Zarku, the rocklike Brikar ,commented. "Age will catch up to him sooner or later."
"I'm not that old," Khern scowled before choking on his drink. The sight of Khern sputtering and spilling ale all over the place triggered a round of laughter. "Ok, maybe I am."
Quark's Bar
Deep Space Nine
February 2376
"Hello Quark," Nikara purred as she slid onto a bar stool.
At the sight of the lovely Orion woman Quark scowled. "Not you again."
"Yep, it's me and I brought friends." She smiled coyly. Ari took a seat while Chase chose to stand.
Between the smile and pheromones Quark softened for a second but then realized what she was doing. "Stop that." He snapped. "No using your pheromones on me again."
"Aww." A pout formed on her lips. "I seem to remember you enjoyed my attention last time."
"Right until you cleaned me out at Dabo and then caused a fight that cost me a fortune to fix in damages," he complained. Now do you want a drink or not? I have other paying customers who require attention." Quark was becoming irritated with Nikara and her antics.
" A bottle of Andorian ale and three glasses," Ari stepped in before Nikara did something she would regret, like punching Quark in the face repeatedly.
"Fine," Quark snapped. He slammed down a bottle of ale and three glasses from a shelf . "You'll pay me now."
"Here." From a satchel Chase retrieved several slips of latinum. "This enough." It was more than enough and the extra would keep Quark off their backs for the night at least .
"Now then." Nikara turned her attention to the bar. "Where should we…" Her eyes fall upon a familiar figure. "Follow me."
Off in the corner where he had spent the last hour nursing a bottle of Andorian ale, disgraced Starfleet intelligence operative and former Maquis member Landon Hale sat slumped in a chair. At the sound of a chair being pulled out from under the table, he managed a glance upward.
"Hello." Nikara dropped into the seat. "You don't look so good." She glanced at the bottle and noticed it's almost empty. "I can see why. You never could hold your liquor."
"When did you get here?" Hale stammered as he reached for the bottle, but Nikara swiped it before he could touch it.
"You have had enough and several hours ago."
Chase and Ari sat down in the two remaining seats. "Who is this guy?" they both questioned.
"Ari and Chase, meet Landon Hale, Kyhryk's former protégé and Maquis member until he lost his nerve and turned himself in."
"Hello Garak." At Kyhyrk's voice Garak halted upon entering his quarters.
"You." He turned his head slowly and took notice of the Nausicaan sitting in one of his chairs. "What do you want?"
"To talk," Kyhryk answered while holding up a bottle of kanar. "And to make amends."
"You think a bottle of Kanar will make up for what you did. I don't think so," he stated as he walked toward a dresser.
"I know it won't, but it's a start."
"No, it's not." Garak ripped open a drawer and reached for a disruptor that was not there.
Still seated, the Nausicaan calmly stared at the Cardassian tailor as he pulled a disruptor out from under his coat. "I found the disruptor within five minutes. " He tossed it to him. "You've gotten sloppy and no it doesn't make up for what happened but I need your help and it's not about my clothes."
"I'm not a spy anymore remember. I'm merely a tailor," he remarked. "And you do appear to need my services as a tailor. That jacket does not fit you at all." Garak smiled at his insult but the smile didn't reach his eyes.
"A tailor who is still very well informed about what goes on in the quadrant." Kyhryk stepped closer. "I need help finding Legate Tevil."
"Tevil." Garak's scowled and his eyes turned cold. "So it's true he went rogue."
"Yes. I know you and he never liked each other."
"He had a hand in my exile. I'd like to carve the flesh from his bones." A side of Garak that very few people had ever seen surfaced for just a second.
"If you help me I'll make sure you get a chance to show him just how much you dislike him."
"I see." Garak placed the disruptor back in the drawer. "Stop by my shop tomorrow at this time. I will have what you ask."
"Ok."
"And leave the Kanar."
Kyhryk exited and decided to stop by Quark's to check up on Nikara. Last thing he needed was her cleaning out Quark again at Dabo or causing another bar brawl.
Quark's Bar
Deep Space Nine
February 2376
Kyhryk strolled right into Quark's and after a moment or two spotted Nikara. Being the only Orion woman she stood out. After a stop at the bar where he bought a bottle of bloodwine and said hello to Morn he strolled right up to the table.
"Landon." He took in the sight of the former intelligence operative and Maquis member. "When did you get out of prison?"
"He was released at the end of the war or so he says," Nikara answered for him. Chase and Ari being perceptive slipped away to the bar once Kyhryk started talking.
"I see." He dropped into a seat which creaked under his weight-not surprising given how cheap Quark is. "What is he doing here?"
"I'm here because…blagh." He fell out of his chair and puked his guts out. "I have nowhere else to go." His eyes rolled into the back of his head and he passed out.
"I don't feel like staying here anymore. Especially now that he puked," Nikara suggested. "Your place though," she said as she slid her chair closer to Kyhryk's and stroked his arm. "Sounds like a good idea though."
He took one look at her and the decision was made for him. "Agreed." Kyhryk tossed Landon over his shoulder as Nikara gathered up the bottles and the two departed for Kyhryk's quarters.
