Chapter 2
The first shift as the helmsman of the USS Nadeshda was uneventful for the Efrosian-Trill Heex Tel. The system software of the Prometheus class ship was more advanced than that of the Intrepid class ship he had served on before. Captain th'Zasheelt let him play around with the functions and test maneuvers on their way to the wormhole so that he could get familiar with the ticks and tricks of the vessel.
Captain th'Zasheelt was a very calm persona who made everyone feel comfortable in their positions. He was confident, and this confidence rubbed off on the rest of the crew. Commander Davis made the same impression on Tel as the first two times he had met her: She was a nice person, seemed to get well along with everyone, and Tel was sure that she could perfectly work as a bridge between Captain and crew.
Regarding the Romulan tactical officer Aderaan Jo-Al, Tel was not sure what to think. He sometimes appeared to be as stiff as a Vulcan, but during a combative simulation he showed the aggressivity of a Klingon. The security officer Taja Gohs, however, seemed to be at ease around him. Tel learnt that she was only 28 years old, but already running security for several months. She was small, and he was sure that everyone who underestimated her would pay the price. She and Jo-Al met three times a week for martial arts training, and the Efrosian-Trill would love to see a combat between them.
The only other addition to the alpha crew he had not met the previous night was Tung Ch'rash, a half Ktarian, half Hekaran female, young, tall, and blonde. She was only 22 and had just come from the Academy at Psi Epsilon III. The Nadeshda was her first assignment and she was accordingly nervous. Captain th'Zasheelt was patient and understanding with her, and Tel wished his first Captain would have been so nice when he had been a freshman.
After shift, he went straight for dinner with Lt Cmdrs Gohs and Jo-Al. Despite the tensions between the Romulan and the Vulcan, K'Deel joined them at their table. Tel looked out for his partner but could not spot him anywhere. Maybe he was already doing overtime on his first day. Despite the replicator restaurant on Deck 14, the spacious messhole had its own cook, a distinctiveness to most other ships he knew about. He enjoyed the variety of meals the cook would offer over the weeks but wondered what kind of food would be served once they had left Federation space. Tonight's special was an Andorian soup that had the viscosity of Earth-honey.
Afterwards, Tel decided to go for a meeting the theatre group held tonight. He had never played theatre before, but what Cmdr Davis had told him yesterday intrigued him. He sure wanted to join activities on the ship to get to know people, and what would be better than an interactive theatre group?
The only person he knew was Cmdr Davis, but he also recognised the Denobulan Doctor Kirx'k and an Andorian who he was told was the Shen-bonding partner of the Captain. Tonight all the group did, however, was to welcome the new arrivals, talk about previous shows they had done and showed an interpretation of the middle age piece of "An evening in F'Zor", a Tellarite love story by one of the planet's most acclaimed authors of their 3rd century – equalling the 15th century on Earth. It seemed strange to Tel, even as open-minded as he had grown up – as a hybrid on a completely foreign planet at the border of Federation space. Within the next weeks, the group would look at possible material for a new show, and the topic they had though of was to be oppression and the end of discrimination, something all Federation species had surpassed.
Tel arrived late at his quarters and went straight to bed where he found Renel reading a PADD-book.
"Exhausting day?" Tel asked.
Renel nodded and put the PADD away. "Doctor Kirx'k is nice and all, but very, very tiring. But my colleagues are really nice. They invited me out for a holodeck adventure to get to know the new faces. We played a human game called 'paint-ball' in the forests of Tellar. It was quite funny. What about you?"
"I joined the theatre group, and we are now supposed to look for new plays to interpret."
With that, Tel doze off. He had not realised how tired he had actually been.
=/\=
"Oh, and Tarla ordered some orchids. She thought that we needed more violet flowers in the garden," Gohs said when she and Davis left the turbolift.
"Aren't orchids white?" Captain th'Zasheelt interfered. As expected, he was already on the bridge long before the rest of the alpha shift arrived.
"Maybe on your planet," Davis replied and sat down on the chair next to him. Gohs replaced the security officer of the night shift.
"We definitely need more colours," Gohs continued. "I hope we find new species in the gamma quadrant we can add to our garden. Did you hear that K'Deel wanted to offer meditation lessons in there? I think it's a good idea."
"Definitely sounds like something I am going to try," the Andorian replied and watched the rest of the alpha shift arrive.
"You are the last person who needs to become calmer on this ship," Davis laughed. She admired the Captain for his inner tranquillity, especially with two teenage sons aboard. "When will the orchids arrive?"
"The barkeeper on DS9 says we can pick them up when we're docking at the station. We're also supposed to get another weapon supply," Gohs informed her.
"I thought our mission is one of peace?" Tel said intrigued.
"We might think that. But there might be some member planets of the Dominion that don't like to see an "exploratory" mission by the people they lost the war against," Jo-Al replied.
The next two weeks until they arrived at Deep Space Nine were uneventful regarding the space around them. Therefore, Captain th'Zasheelt had ordered combat training for the crew to get to know each other and be prepared for any situation they might encounter out there. Tel was also glad that the theatre group was a very diverse and social space where he met people from all parts of the ship. He also joined Lt Cmdr Gohs for lessons in Mok'bara she taught for non-Security crewmen interested in the Klingon type of martial arts. By the time they had arrived at the station, Zenta Zh'Zasheelt had also opened up a minor betting pool on the evening sessions of the table game Kal-toh that K'deel and Jo-Al occasionally played in the messhole – and regularly attracted many spectators.
Deep Space Nine II was as impressive as the first one had been. Renel remembered how awkward it had felt to hear of the news that DS9 had been destroyed. It had been erected by Bajoran labour workers and been a constant reminder of the occupation. But it had also stood for hope and reconstruction of Bajor, not at last because it had been home to the Emissary for a long time. Therefore, Renel was quite happy to return to his home system and its new star base, even if he had no time to visit Bajor this time.
The USS Nadeshda only spent two days docked at DS9 II, so the time for shore leave was limited. While living on Bajor, he and Tel had often visited DS9 as it was only a few hours away from the planet's capital.
=/\=
"I have never seen a wormhole with my own eyes," Ensign Ch'rash murmured when the Bajoran wormhole opened in front of them.
"It's astonishing, isn't it?" Lt Cmdr Gohs said, her eyes glowing by the sight of the beautiful astronomical phenomenon.
They entered the yellow light surrounded by blue waves. Suddenly, the view screen flared up with blue and white flashes. It lasted only for a few minutes in which Renel had no idea what the sensor readings told him. He did not like flying blind. But then they had already returned to normal space.
"Welcome in the Gamma Quadrant," Cmdr Davis said.
"We've got our sensors back," Lt Tel informed them.
"Good. Set a course for 64284.3 and engage with Warp 6. We should arrive at the Chamra Vortex in twenty-five hours. The nebula has been mapped before, but apparently there is a trading station on a planet within the nebula. We will try to get star charts for the regions that lie ahead of us," Captain Th'Zasheelt explained.
"The only ships that had been in this region were the Defiant during the war and the USS Surak that laid the foundation for the scientific exploration of the Gamma Quadrant," Cmdr Davis added.
At that moment, the doors of the turbo lift opened, and the first replacements for the alpha shift entered. Gohs and Jo-Al left the bridge together. "I know we're due to meet in the dojo this evening, but how would you like to train in the botanic gardens instead? There is this wide grass area where K'deel held his meditation practice yesterday. I missed you there, by the way," she said and ordered the turbolift to deck 11.
"Lieutenant Wei introduced me to the human sport of boxing. It is quite fascinating and less disciplined than Vulcan sports or human martial arts. But I am not prejudiced against Vulcan meditation, even though no such discipline was part of my education," Jo-Al responded.
"Did you grow up rather with Andorian rituals?"
"Neither of my parents were traditionalists. They did not want me to follow certain Vulcan or Andorian traditions, just because they adopted me. They allowed me to find out for myself what I wanted. I learnt about Vulcan philosophy and played Ushaan with other children in school. But my parents made sure I would learn Romulan and become familiar with their – my culture."
"Wow, that is a very open-minded approach."
"And I am thankful for that. Regarding your other question: Sure, I'd like to train with you in the botanical gardens. Have you planted the orchids yet?"
"No, I wanted to do that before we met."
"I have finished another two flower pots in the last three weeks and wanted to see whether they could be of use for you."
"Bring them along then. One day you'll need to instruct me in pottery."
"It is quite simple."
"Not for someone with the motoric skills of a Risian walrus." The turbolift halted and Gohs got out. "I'll see you at 19.30 in the botanical garden then?"
"Yes," Jo-Al said and gave a short smile – something a Romulan was probably only capable of if he had not grown up within the Star Empire.
=/\=
Commander Davis had hesitated to go to sleep because she knew that she wanted to be up when they arrived at the planet in the Chamra Vortex. She decided to try to repeat the meditation lesson of K'Deel from the previous day, but without success. When she at last gave in and had a nap on the sofa, it felt like she had only just dozen off when Lieutenant Commander Chagorg from the night shift hailed her.
"I'm on my way," she replied to the Tellarite-in-charge of the gamma shift. Less than ten minutes later she entered the bridge and supressed a yawning. Chagorg stood up and let her take a seat in the Captain's chair while he sat down at her usual place.
"We're now entering orbit of Chamra Alpha," Ensign Sima reported. The young Caitian helmsman had only just graduated and like Ensign Tung Ch'rash, this was the first deep space mission for her. Secretly, she was glad to be part of the night shift as she felt far too nervous to serve during ship's daytime.
"Open greeting frequencies and tell them we would like to beam down."
"They said we are welcome at any time," Chagorg read off the console beside him a little while later.
"Good. I'll inform the Captain and prepare an away team who will beam down in the morning," Cmdr Davis said and left the bridge again. As soon as she arrived in her quarters, she sent the Captain a message and suggested an away team consisting of Lt Cmdr Gohs, Lt Cmdr K'Deel, as well as two of Gohs' security officers, Lieutenants Telak and ch'Hachehl. She did not expect a response so quickly, but the second she had stepped into bed, her plan was approved by the Captain.
=/\=
"I thought your quarters were on deck 13," Lt Cmdr Gohs greeted her colleague Lieutenant Hark Telak, the first Cardassian who had joined Starfleet.
He gave a shy smile.
"Who is it?" Gohs asked with a smirk.
Telak hesitated. "If I tell you the whole ship will know it."
"Sure, it will," Gohs confirmed.
Telak sighed. "I spent the night in Commander Zoud's quarters." Gohs shook her head, indicating she did not know who Telak was talking about. "The xenobiologist we picked up on Trill a few weeks ago?"
"Ah, the Betazoid. Isn't it weird she can read your emotions?"
"It is… it brings a new level to our relationship," Telak admitted. Actually, it was refreshing to share intimacy with a Betazoid. Telak had not had an easy time as a Cardassian at Starfleet Academy only 20 years after the end of the war. People tended not to forget, and even though xenophobia was officially no issue in the Federation, it did not apply to every course mate he had met at the Academy. He had been bullied and lost much of his self-confidence, so he was glad he could now share his pain with someone. And he felt easier around Hera Zoud than the ship's counsellor Tir, who was also a Betazoid and used her skills as an advantage during their sessions.
They arrived in the transporter room where Lieutenant ch'Hachehl and Lt Cmdr K'Deel were already waiting for them.
"Remember, phasers on stun and we are just friendly people from the neighbour quadrant," Gohs said and stepped on the transporter platform, knowingly ignoring the Vulcan's eyebrow raise.
They beamed down to one of the arrival platforms of the station. The planet was class M, but its atmosphere was thin, and the surface reached temperature around 20 degrees centigrade below zero. They walked along a green-walled corridor and entered an area that resembled a 21st century Russian market place. It was a huge space with a high ceiling, and stands were squeezed in lines. Species that they had never seen before were trading, shouting, bargaining, and discussing.
"We need star charts and any sort of information of the region. K'Deel would also like some cortenide for wall decorations in Engineering," Gohs instructed the away team.
"Transduction plating," Lt Cmdr K'Deel corrected her.
"I suggest we split up and meet here in an hour. Only gather information and offers. Tell them we will come back to strike a deal. Telak, you're with me."
Gohs and Telak headed left, while K'Deel and ch'Hachehl headed right. They passed and apologised to people and looked around what each of the vendors had to offer. After more than an hour, they came to a corner of the place.
"I had not imagined this place to be so big," Telak noted.
"It's the central structure of the capital. I assume the rest of the city is dead in comparison to this lively place. Look, there," Gohs said and pointed to a vendor with only a table instead of a stand. He displayed several kinds of stones. The two security officers came closer and regarded the silvery shining material.
"Cortenide-magnesium complex," the vendor said. His own translator was not as good as the Federation one, but it did its job. "We sell a lot. Mined here. You interested?"
Gohs nodded. "Where can I buy it?"
"Walk this way," he said and pointed towards a darkly lit corridor on the left to him. "Follow signs that show this." He now pointed at a sign next to the stone samples. There were three signs that Gohs identified as unidentifiable letters. "You will get to mine. There you can buy."
Gohs thanked, but first met with the rest of the group. The other two crewmen had been successful in finding a Rigellian who sold star charts. The group of four went to see him again and traded two bio gel-packs for the maps. Lt ch'Hachehl stayed behind to complete the trade.
The other three officers proceeded in the direction that the Cortenide vendor had indicated. They soon found themselves descending a spiral staircase that led them below the planet surface. None of them said a word until they had reached solid ground under their feet again. They ended up in a small cave with a desk near to a metal door. A corpulent and beardy man of a to them unknown species stood up behind the desk. His head nearly touched the ceiling.
"I am Lieutenant Commander Gohs from the Federation star ship Nadeshda. We are here because we would like to buy cortenide," the Risian introduced them.
The man nodded. "I am Mining Leader Gep. We mine a cortenide-magnesium complex down here. Follow me." He proceeded to the metal door and opened it by pulling the heavy-looking entrance aside. The cave corridor was as badly lit as everything else and they had to take care of where they were stepping in order not to bump into each other.
They soon reached larger caves where they could see sweaty and dirty aliens picking the walls, transporting stones into waggons, and installing more lights on the ceiling. None of them looked particularly happy with their work, but no one complained, either.
"Irda," Gep shouted. A shadow from the far end of the cave stood up and approached them. When she came closer, Gohs recognised Irda as a Vorta clone. She had always wondered what had happened to the trustworthy servants of the Founders, but this mine was the last place she expected to meet one.
"How much cortenide do you need?" Gep barked.
"Fifty kilograms will do," K'Deel said.
"What do you use to pay? Platinum? Biomimetic gel?" Gep asked.
"We could offer you twenty grams of platinum or several kilos of nesorium. We also have paricium and osmium on board," K'Deel started listing, but Gep interrupted, "five kilos of nesorium sound reasonable."
Gohs turned to K'Deel. "Will you climb upstairs, beam back to our ship and prepare everything for the trade, please?"
The Vulcan nodded and left.
Gep also returned back to his desk, he looked as if he had been standing for far too long for his taste.
Gohs and Telak followed Irda deeper into the mine to a storage of cortenide blocks.
"You are a Vorta, aren't you?" Telak asked.
She nodded. "And you a Cardassian. Your people betrayed the Dominion."
"I was one year old when the war ended. And it was your people who had started the war."
"I was also one year old when the war ended," Irda replied, not answering on Telak's obviously hurting remark.
"How come you are working here now?" Gohs intervened before the two of them could exchange any more hostilities.
"Gep captured me while I was doing negotiation talks."
"You mean, you are enslaved here?" Gohs asked.
Irda nodded.
"What about everyone else?" Telak wanted to know.
"Most of them are paid. Badly paid, but enough to survive. I am not paid."
Telak looked at Gohs with a demanding glance. "We should do something about it?"
"Prime directive."
"They are not an underdeveloped species."
"But they are foreign. We are foreigners here. We have no right to interfere."
"What if she asks for asylum? She was kidnapped and forced to work on mines!"
Irda looked at Telak with a strange look. "Your people are my enemies. Why would you want to help me?"
"Neither of us is responsible for what our people did in the past. You are just an enslaved person in the need for shelter. What was your job in the Dominion? Did you lead the war, like other clones?"
She shook her head. The long, white hair fell onto the shoulders. "I am a negotiator-clone. All I do is trade negotiations with other planets within Dominion space."
Gohs sighed. "This will be trouble," she muttered but knew they had to help her. "The transporters cannot locate us this far below the surface, right?" she said to Telak.
He nodded.
"Where do you sleep at night?" Gohs asked.
"Here in the mines."
"Here?" she asked surprised and looked around. The ground was dirty, and the air was dusty. She then turned to Telak. "You know what I am thinking?"
"That this is the perfect opportunity to test the cloaking suits that we received on Utopia Planitia?"
Gohs smiled. "Listen to me, Irda. We will help you, okay? I will talk to our Captain. We will get you out of here, I promise."