xxx

The Handler

Joru spoke slowly and distinctly in the voice magnetizer on his desk. The contraption changed his voice every time, never twice the same way, making it impossible for the leaders of the rebel groups to get a sense of familiarity or recognize him. They didn't even know which sex he was, sometimes the contraption had him talk in the tones of an affluent woman. It was necessary to build the impression of a large roster of Romulan agents overseeing all the groups, never let them realize that they had the advantage of numbers.

He sighed into the mike, as he was wont to do when he dealt with the Vulcans. Always asking questions, needing to understand the why and the hows, going all theoretical on him and then reverting to the viciously practical. Their leader, Jivak, was so unlike his predecessor, Yonakai. Yonakai was a purist, running hot with the fires of his beliefs, blind to being manipulated through small artifices. Jivak was a soldier, way too focused on what made sense to him, on getting the better part of the deal for his forces. A better soldier, surely, but a much worse rebel.

Joru spoke again, slowing his voice even more. He liked to think that gave his words added impact. "It is too early to reveal the exact plans for Enterprise but be comforted that even a ship of that caliber can have difficulty with a concerted attack."

Jivak frowned at the communicator. Either the handler was a man of limited experience or there was something he knew that Jivak didn't. He had had enough experience with the Handler. The man was a strategist. Logically, then, he knew something that Jivak didn't. It was Jivak's duty as leader to find out.

"If you would have us attack Enterprise we need fast ships, well-armed. An enemy of that caliber will require a measure of stealth. Is that what you have in mind?"

Joru smiled, showing his top canines. "Enterprise will never know what hit it. The Humans are weak, helping the weaker, not realizing who they think as prey is actually their hunter."

"Enterprise helped the rebels and yet we are not weak." Jivak replied, trying to draw the Handler out.

That drew a chuckle from the Romulan. "Left to your own devices, you most certainly were. Thankfully the Empire always has redundancies."

"What redundancies are you speaking of?"

Joru wasn't going to let the leader ask more questions. ""It is too early for specifics. We can talk at the next cycle. In the meantime, you have the information for the weapons and supplies, first-come, first-served. Coordinate with the other groups." He cut off the communication with satisfaction. The Vulcan always asked too much.

Jivak scowled at his communicator. It was not logical for the Handler to evade his questions, but then Romulans seldom were. More importantly, he needed to understand what the Handler had meant with redundancies.

xxx

Harris

Harris swore under this breath. If his interlocutor hadn't been light-years away, he would have barged into his office to let him know there was no dilly-dallying where Section 31 was concerned. "I understand what you are saying, specialist, and I agree, this is a highly irregular request. I will make sure you get proper authority and certification. But right now I need to make sure that shipment goes nowhere. If you give me thirty minutes, I can call you back with an admiral from Starfleet. Your name will be logged by his office and you will have direct access whenever you need it."

Harris smiled to himself. Overseeing hundreds and thousands of shipments from all over, with more power than anyone should have, the man was probably on the take. Small stuff, not worth the attention of the Section. He'd bet the last thing the specialist wanted was his name to be known by Starfleet or a direct line to any Starfleet desk.

That worked like a charm. His interlocutor became most agreeable. Harris knew that the man had been hoping to get some hard credit recognition in exchange for delaying the shipment but the mention of Starfleet had convinced him that wouldn't be happening.

His glee was short-lived. He frowned as he listened to what the man said. Harris sighed. "Yes, I understand, we'll have to pay storage fees. Cash, The pilots will arrange for the transfer." So the warehouse manager had found a way to extract his pound of flesh. Some things just couldn't be helped. Still small stuff, considering.

Once he was done with the formalities, he straightened up from the screen. Now he would call Sphelt, let him know they were able to stop the shipment. The Vulcans had requested the delay. Harris whistled softly, realizing that must actually be a first. Apparently some internal cleaning within the security personnel ranks. Though to be truthful, the delay was not unwelcome. Now that Enterprise might be a target they needed all the time on the Federation side to figure out a playbook.

Harris sighed again, next on his list was to contact Enterprise. That would mean contacting Archer. And Reed. Another tense confrontation in the making. He'd never been Archer's favorite. He'd been even less so once he shared the news from the Vulcans. Who'd have known the mission to find the handler would turn into such a can of worms...

xxx

T'Pol

Vrekaib saw that the courier had brought her personal slave. He frowned momentarily at the exception to his orders but good mood soon found him again. This could actually be a good thing. He bade the man wait in the corridor while he took her in his office, aware of the dagger-like eyes pointed at his back. He almost chuckled. Yes, this was shaping to be a good night indeed.

The headquarters were mostly deserted, only a few night couriers around, and the skeleton crew that oversaw the affairs of the Matravekh off-hours. He escorted her to a seat, treating her like a normal woman. With the added bonus that doing so brought him in close proximity to her. He leaned in exactly two centimeters too close as he helped her to a chair, letting his breath brush her ear. She pulled away as she could, eliciting another smile from him. He lifted a haunch and sat on his desk, enjoying the presence of the beautiful woman.

She stared straight ahead, like a marble statue, giving him the same attention she would pay a mangy ronpaktu. He passed his tongue over his lips, savoring everything about the scene. If she wouldn't notice his presence, he could take advantage, couldn't he? Leaning forward, he exended a hand, almost touching her but not quite, letting his finger draw her contour in the air, down her jaw, then her arm, finally trailing down to her breast, still not touching.

She turned to look straight at him. "Take your hand away."

Vrekaib chuckled, flashing a wolfish smile. "I could show you a good time. All you have to do is give the word. You know, all the women I've been with praise my performance as a lover. I could make you see worlds you've only imagined."

"Ignorance suits me better."

Vrekaib laughed silently. "I have to say, you're one of my favorite couriers." He turned around, walked around his desk. "That is why you will now deliver to the fifth floor."

"The fifth floor?" T'Pol was non-plussed. There were only four floors in the building. She remembered Trip's drawings, his concern that the calculations were off. So her bondmate had been right all along. She was pleased but not surprised.

Vrekaib turned with a smile. "Ah, yes. You wouldn't know. The fifth floor. That's where our Romulans partners manage their side of things. It cannot be seen from the outside of the building. Only very few have access." When he saw she was not going grace him with a reaction, he went on. "It is a matter of metrics. Metrics and trust."

At that she threw a glance at him. "Trust. You require nothing in exchange?"

Vrekaib smiled again. He had chosen well. He got up from his desk, circling the large office. "Ah, yes. Of course this is not just me acting for your interest, there are no free gifts." He stopped circling, turned to her. "Becoming a first level courier required some... hmmm... compensatory services for my own private interest. I couldn't give you access to the fifth floor for any less. Of course, you will keep up with my deliveries, at night. Other than that, perhaps we could trade for your veloklun?"

That earned him a dark glare. "What exactly do you mean?"

Vrekaib laughed silently again. "Oh don't be so coy." He paused, passing his tongue on his lips. "I have a secret to share. I'm the one who had him thrown in jail."

T'Pol nodded. Yes, everything was becoming clear. "Even the prison guards?"

"On my ledger, obviously. I wanted you to work for me, needed to buy your acceptance." Vrekaib turned back, started circling again. "What you do with your personal slave is your business, though I would beseech you to try the local flavors." He chuckled again. "As I told you, everyone finds them quite pleasing."

She flattened him with the coldest stare, not deigning to answer.

Vrekaib turned serious, went to his desk where laid his scabbard, picking it up and wrapping it around his waist. "You'll have to excuse my little charade, I wanted to make sure you could not be corrupted. You have no idea what lengths couriers will go to for the best assignments. Men and women." He pensively checked the edge of his weapons. "Like the one you are replacing. At least I know where this one went. Well, all the pieces that were left."

Two eyebrows lifted at the statement. But Vrekaib was not paying attention to her, playing with his dagger. "The best assignments must be earned." He looked up at her meaningfully.

"What do you require from me?"

Vrekaib nodded. That was more like it. "As I said, that is the Romulan floor. You will be posted there from morning to night in the offices of any manager who requests it." He went over to her, leaning closely in, looking at her face. "What I need from you is your attention to everything that is said and done." He straightened up again. "There is a possibility the Romulans' overseers are aware of my private business. You will be my ears in their offices, let me know if anything comes up that would threaten my existence."

"And if I refuse?" She asked.

Vrekaib almost snapped in irritation. It quickly subsided. Of course, she would resist, that was to be expected. That's why he chose her, wasn't it? He looked straight at her, amusement visible on his face. "Velokluns are easy to replace."

T'Pol briefly closed her eyes. There was no longer any pretense she would pay him back the money he'd lent her. However Vrekaib had come by it, he knew Trip and her had a relationship other than master and slave.

He opened a box on a shelf, pulled out a wafer thin tag. "Here, this is the pass to the fifth floor. The slot is on top of the floor panel in each elevator." He closed the box. "Time for you to fetch your personal slave. I'm sure he must be wondering what you're doing, alone with me this whole time. Let him know it was enjoyable." He passed his tongue on his lips, showing his three lower canines as he smiled.

xxx

Jivak

"Healer! I will speak with thee." Jivak called to Spivac as he saw the man ahead of him.

Spivac waited, half-turned around towards Jivak, his eyes giving no hint of apprehension. "What would you talk about?"

"The preparations." The tall leader and the short healer were standing across from each other. "We are following the guidance provided by the Handler?"

"We most certainly are. Romulans are masters at the art of war." Spivac straightened up, pleased with the direction of the conversation.

"You have great admiration for the Romulan Empire."

"Our cousins are noble fighters."

"There are many others in space with the same claim."

That earned an open scoff from Spivac. "You would compare a Romulan warrior and an I'Shlin thelas, or a soft-bellied Human?"

"You know the saying, 'Do not underweigh your adversary's blade unless you are ready for its early harvest.' There is much to learn from others."

"Much to learn? I doubt that is the case. I have seen them in close quarters and have not left impressed."

"I do not remember you being unimpressed when you were running from the I'Shlins."

Spivac whirled on Jivak, barely containing himself. It was accepted among the rebels to show one's emotional state, as would have Vulcans' forebears before they were misguided. "A healer must remain standing for everyone's benefit. Rest assured there is always an underlying reason to my actions. Always." He sneered, a look that was as disagreeable as what it conveyed. "The Humans you are so impressed with. A bunch of misguided weaklings, soft and replete with food. Easy to fool. Treating us with pity, never figuring we were the threat they needed be wary of."

Jivak narrowed his eyes at Spivac. That echoed the words of the Handler. He had long held suspicions that the healer was a Romulan agent. "Where you see pity, I saw compassion. I wouldn't underestimate the Humans."

"Clearly. You were impressed enough to let one live here freely. Isn't it enough that T'Pol sullies our race with a Qomi?"

Jivak blinked. It had taken Spivac's words for him to notice what was not so carefully hidden. "Her private life is hers to run as she chooses. And his life is hers to forfeit if she so decides."

"So you will have a female act for you?"

It was Jivak's turn to bare his teeth at the healer. "I have said before, it is not time yet. Not during the preparations."

"Yet you won't you let T'Pol and the Qomi work alongside us. What use is he to us? Is it because Humans are such fine warriors?" Spivac goaded the leader. "Or do you know they cannot be trusted given our objective?"

Jivak blinked again, another piece of the puzzle had fallen into place. "You know Enterprise is our objective." That knowledge was only for the leaders, and Spivac was definitely not part of any inner circle. He was indeed working with the Romulans.

Perhaps sensing he had said too much, the healer bared his teeth slightly in challenge. "What other logical reason would there be keep former Starfleet officers from the preparations? The Qomi is an engineer, his skills would find ready use." He paused, watching Jivak closely. "If one could afford to trust him."

Jivak chose to respond. "The Human did not join us by choice but he has knowledge that is invaluable. Enterprise is heavily guarded. Once he realizes the danger to his crewmembers he may be brought to collaborate. His insights into the ship's systems will serve our cause well."

Spivac looked up at the taller man. "Your strategy is lacking. The risk is too high that even a weakling Human won't betray his comrades. My path is better."

Jivac let mocking amusement soften his mouth. "You have a path?"

"I left a gift for them in our wake."

Jivak understood this was the redundancy the handler was hinting at. "What kind of gift?"

It was Spivac's turn to sound mocking. "A honing device, actionable from light-years away. They'll never find it. I told you the Humans were soft. Giving us the run of the ship, when we have a blood oath to the Romulan Empire."

An eyebrow raised in surprise. "You had such a device with you?"

Spivac came closer to Jivak. "There are many on Vulcan who are on our side. Nobody ever checks a healer's tools."

Jivak nodded absent-mindedly, letting a subset of his mind follow the rest of the conversation with the healer. The rest was chewing on the information. Spivac must have gotten hold of the device through the Nahr. None of this would be news to Vulcan.

Spivac was still speaking. "The Qomi should be gotten rid of quickly. All those who cannot be trusted should be dealt with as well."

Jivak knew he meant T'Pol. "When the preparations are done." He said and stepped away abruptly. There was no need for formalities when the conversation was over.

xxx

T'Pau

"I will speak with thee."

T'Pau eyes widened visibly, a glaring departure from her usual countenance. She turned to the speaker, glad the other Council members were preceding her, nobody had witnessed her abysmal lack of control. "Ambassador Soval." She tried to infuse her tone with the chill of desert nights, let him know his interruption was not welcome.

The ambassador did not look embarrassed in the least. He just stood there, thumbs in the belt that cinched his robes, waiting. T'Pau had the sudden strange sensation of being considered by a le-matya as its next meal. She glared at Soval. Something must be wrong with the room temperature controls. She felt the chill of a shadow. She looked around for Sphelt, for anyone, but the Council members had already departed, the guards were waiting on the other side of the door, she was alone. The two of them could have been standing in the middle of the desert.

Perhaps sensing her inner turmoil the Ambassador spoke first. "I want to speak about the transport." The tone implied there were other topics he wanted to speak about.

The question of transport was neutral ground, T'Pau could indulge the speaker. "The Council has voted to delay the shipment until all potential variables have been assessed. The transport will be arranged when this has been achieved."

"There are other options." Soval started. T'Pau heard the words that were spoken, precisely mechanical, while her soul soared under Soval's burning eyes.

Glossary

ronpaktu - a small furry animal with a tail, lives in packs, cat-sized.

thelas - a kind of feline, dog-sized.

veloklun - sex-toy