Darkness embraced the figure in the remote chamber just as surely as the hooded ebony cloak that he wore. He sat at a table in this room deep in the heart of the subterranean mining operation on the former homeworld of the Jaxians. At first glance, he seemed to be reviewing reports on a PADD at a simple worktable in the corner.
The Master's modest workspace and garb belied the success of his schemes and the scope of his control over those in his employ. Their efforts five planetary cycles ago had insured that currently there were no Jaxians alive to occupy the now unpopulated world.
The Andorian, Ritan edged closer. He was not sure whether it was his fear of the Master or something of the aura of this being that seemed to leech the cold from his slim blue frame. As the Master turned toward him, he felt an involuntary shiver grip him. It was a relief that the hood was in place, saving the Andorian from that darkly beautiful and ruined face.
"Ritan?" The Master's well-modulated, emotionless greeting only made his lieutenant feel more uneasy. "What of the intelligence from Aviaria?" Ritan shifted anxiously on his feet, hesitant to impart the bad news that they both knew was coming. Best to lead with the-not-as-bad news, he thought.
"Our agents not apprehended on Aviaria are currently working their way back to Jax to report."
Impatiently the Master replied, "Yes, yes, some have already arrived. What of the Vulcans' plans to investigate?"
"As you already know, remaining operatives on the planet managed to assassinate the pilots of our ship they apprehended once custody was turned over to the Aviarian planetary government. We doubt that the Vulcans were able to gather any information. Planetary news reports are blaming Aviarian revenge killers. Since the Vulcans did not dispatch ships immediately to the planet, it is doubtful the captured pilots divulged any information."
The Master's silky tones rumbled with a grim satisfaction. "Ah, yes. Our reputation for progressive, hmmmm rather, terminal discipline among the staff does often work to our advantage in terms of confidentiality."
"Yes, sir. Confidentiality has been the cornerstone of The Cartel's success."
"What of this Earth ship, The Enterprise? Reports say that she was heavily damaged in the attack."
"Heavily damaged, but now repairs have almost been completed. They are the heroes of the Aviarian homeworld, and no expense was spared to make the repairs for their defenders. Enterprise will be underway within 48 hours, and if intelligence is accurate, headed in our direction to check out the site of what they think might be a similar attack – at the request of the Vulcans." Ritan allowed some smugness to creep into his voice. "The ship's top speed is warp 5. Seems that they are the current pet project of the Vulcan High Command. This is the first human ship to achieve intergalactic space travel. The Vulcans have miscalculated in sending this ship to us. They will be no match."
The Master rounded on his subordinate and slowly ground out, "If that is true, tell me why we are not preparing even as we speak to move operations to Aviaria?" His voice ended in a whisper but Ritan could hear him even as he took a cautious step back from the menace that radiated in waves from his leader.
"I only meant that with you here, Master, they would unquestionably meet their demise at you hands." Ritan knew that the next seconds might decide his fate and every word must be well measured. He did not take a breath until the other continued.
"Tell me of the Captain of this ship, this Jonathan Archer."
Relieved that he was now on more firm footing, Ritan divulged what he knew. "Archer is the son of the man instrumental in developing the Warp 5 engine on Earth that they are now utilizing. Word is that he harbors a grudge with the Vulcans for delay of the launch of this engine. He has a reputation for breaking the rules, and has been in the last nine months since the ships launch, surprisingly adept into getting into trouble and finding a way out of it. Some of his people have called him a 'cowboy.' I am not sure whether this is used as a derogatory or complimentary term."
"I am familiar with the term and his planet, " the Master countered dismissively. "What is this I hear that he has a Vulcan first officer?"
"According to intelligence reports, she is T'Pol. One of the Vulcans assigned to their diplomatic mission on Earth. She is currently serving as Enterprise's Science Officer. It seems that the Vulcans thought Archer needed a keeper. But she has proven to be an elusive quantity. I have heard from some of my people that they suspected that the Vulcans had a hidden surveillance post on P'Jem and were in violation of their treaty with Andoria. Archer and T'Pol exposed this and turned data over to the Andorians."
Ritan paused, hoping to see if his superior would enlighten him as to the odd behavior of this Vulcan on the Enterprise.
"Interesting. A Vulcan guided by human scruples? Probably not thought of very highly by the Vulcan High Command. Of course, that is a recommendation in my judgment. This T'Pol - I would be very interested in getting to know her."
Ritan briefly felt pity for the unsuspecting woman.
"What else have you heard?"
"It is said that they have tangled with the Suliban… and were not destroyed."
The Master had been pacing as the conversation progressed. At this revelation, he paused and turned toward Ritan. "It would seem that your earlier assessment might have underestimated them, Ritan. They must be both resourceful and lucky. An unfortunate combination for me, but certainly not insurmountable. Tell me of this engineer that the spies brought news of from the Aviaria."
"He and the Vulcan T'Pol led the team that distributed the antidote to the Aviarians. He was decorated by his people in a ceremony attended by both Aviarians and Vulcans. Allegedly, he came close to getting himself killed while repairing the Enterprise's weaponry so that it could destroy two of our three ships."
"A resourceful engineer, that could be especially annoying," contemplated the cloaked figure.
"And there was one odd note. Probably just hearsay…"
"Continue, Ritan." The annoyance at having to prompt his first in command laced his reply.
"Some Aviarians that attended an award ceremony for the Enterprise crew seemed to note that the Science Officer and Engineer appeared to be…close. The rumor, almost too impossible to believe, said that the two, a Vulcan & a Human… danced." Ritan awaited some response of disbelief from the dark figure opposite him. Instead, the reply took him off guard.
"Fascinating. Unusual crew. Interesting ship. This game should be entertaining. Though I doubt Enterprise will feel the same about me when we finally meet. I will have to ponder at length how they will repay their debt to me for the loss of my Aviarian investment." True to his word the cloaked figure resumed his seat, silently dismissing Ritan. No doubt he was already meditating on some intriguing and, Ritan surmised, unfortunate form of repayment for the Enterprise's crew.
TBC…