Chapter Two: En Route to Alderok Nor
Mission
The Alvex and Veklar are ordered to escort a Ferengi supply convoy to space station Alderok Nor. The course travels through neutral space and the mission should be a quiet one. The convoy must reach its destination at all costs.
Mission Date:
196th day in the 2368th year of Molar
The mission turned out to be a success and all hands came back alive despite Romulan resistance. There was much celebrating throughout the Alliance that night following the raid.
Gul Duren placed the P.A.D.D. onto the armrest of his chair as calmly as possible as to not let his true emotions be known. The Klingons keep getting all the glory missions while most of the Cardassian fleet was ordered to convoy duty and ore processing. Above that they treat every victory as an excuse to get drunk and party until they pass out. They do not fully realize the scope of the war fronts and how close victory could be won by either side. There had to be a change in the Klingon tactics or else the flag of the Romulan Star Empire would wave on every planet in the quadrant.
A lieutenant quickly came onto the bridge and made his way to the captain's chair before handing him a communique from the Detapa Council. They were orders for their next mission. Duren briefly looked over them before placing it aside with the first. This was no time to worry about his next mission; he still had to finish this one.
And what a boring one it was. The Alvex and her sister ship, the Veklar, were stuck escorting five small cargo vessels all carrying one of the most annoying species he had ever met, the Ferengi. Their high nasal voices and insatiable greed was enough to make anyone put a phaser to the head of a Ferengi. But, they were allies and at this point if there was one thing the Cardassian people needed was allies.
"Sir, one of the Ferengi vessels have stopped dead in the water."
"Any indication why ensign?"
"No sir. None at all."
"Put me through to their captain." Duren shifted slightly in his chair, becoming annoyed at such a delay.
"This is Daimon Tierzak. What can I do for you?"
"Why have you stopped? We are scheduled to arrive at Alderok Nor in less then three hours, and if we don't arrive on time we'll have you to blame."
"Now Duren, we are allies in this war," Tierzak said with a coy smile. "There is no need to become hostile at anyone. We simply are having a minor malfunction in our flow converter. My engineer says it'll be fixed in mere minutes."
"Would you like me to send over an engineering team to assist you Daimon?"
"No need Duren. The error will be fixed momentarily. Daimon Tierzak out."
As the image disappeared off the screen Duren once again shifted in his chair. If there was one thing he hated more then the Romulans it was being late. A normal Cardassian would wonder if having incompetent allies would be worth the trouble, but not Duren. For all the faults that the Ferengi had there was a plus side to them joining the Alliance; more ships to aid on the Romulan front.
"Ensign, put me through to Gul Lemec." Perhaps he could fill this time delay with some conversation with the Veklar's captain.
"Aye sir. Patching you through."
"Gul Lemec speaking. Something on your mind Duren?"
"It's these irritating Ferengi. No matter how hard you try to teach them something they always find a way to screw things up."
"I know exactly what you mean," Lemec said with a slight laugh. "On to other matters shall we? Have you gotten a message from the Detapa Council since we began this mission?"
"Actually I got a communique right before the Ferengi ship stalled."
"And what are their orders?"
"They believe it's to soon to move against her. Plus they believe that her adopted father has some influence on her."
"That fossil of a man? What makes Natima or the others have any faith in her? Plus she is a Terran, and we all know they can't be trusted."
"We both know what is at stake here Lemec. For now we have no choice but to forget about it and focus on the Romulan threat."
"Very well old friend. Lemec out."
Duren could tell just how upset Lemec was, and he had reason to. The constant delays from the Detapa Council were only condemning the Cardassian people. For the moment though he had no choice but to follow their orders.
"Sir, we're receiving a message from Daimon Tierzak's ship. Their flow converter has been repaired and they're ready to proceed to Alderok Nor."
"About time," Duren said in frustration. "Tell them to engage at maximum impulse."
"Aye sir. Message sent." Tierzak's ship lurched forward for a moment and then started a smoother flight. The cargo vessels started up and followed right behind.
Duren checked a small clock on the arm of his chair. The whole stop had only lasted about twelve minutes so they should still arrive on time. In the mean time this would be a good opportunity to catch up on the latest war news.
The hardest hit sectors were near a station called Kendra Alpha, a Bajoran shipyard not far from the border. Kendra Alpha was one of the Alliance's most critical shipyards and acted as a first-strike base of operations. A great deal of the Klingon and Breen fleets had been ordered near there to ward of any Romulan battle groups. Everyone in the Alliance knew that if they were to lose a station like that then victory to the Romulans was almost certain.
As for offensive missions the Alliance seemed to have run into a struck of luck. Since a Klingon attack force had destroyed a cloaked supply base on Dysis the Alliance had lost very little. Two more Romulan colonies had been destroyed thanks to a fleet of Ferengi D'Koras and Klingon Vor'Chas. The real target, Heyati II, had still not been destroyed yet. The shipyards there were as critical to the Romulans as Kendra Alpha was to the Alliance. It would take quite a force to bring that station down.
As far as Cardassian matters went their borders had seen little action. After the "Great Andorian Massacre" and the claim of many of their now abandoned worlds the Cardassian people had lived an almost luxurious life. The military however had felt almost worthless, as they hadn't been given a real assignment for several months. Did the Regent not know the strength of the Cardassian fleet? Did he not remember that it was the Cardassians that spilled blood along side Klingons against the Terran Empire and not the Ferengi or Breen who stayed neutral throughout the entire war? These were things Duren could only wonder about.
"Ensign, I'll be in my quarters if anyone needs me."
"Aye sir."
Duren got up from his chair and walked into a turbo lift adjacent to the command chair. He told the computer to head to the officer's quarters on deck eight and the turbo lift was soon on its way. As it headed to its destination he planned out what he would say when he got a hold of Natima, the head of the Detapa Council. She had been its leader ever since Gul Dukat was censured two years ago. It was Duren's belief that they needed Dukat back and to get rid of Natima, but no one had heard anything about Dukat almost since his censure.
The turbo lift stopped and the doors opened. Duren stepped out and headed to his quarters as quickly as possible as to avoid any of his crew. He wasn't sure how they would react to seeing their captain roam the corridors during a mission. No matter though. Duren had things to attend to that the rest of the crew need not know of.
After heading down near endless corridors Duren finally reached the comfort of his quarters. They were decorated with various works of art from some of the quadrants most renowned artists. He looked over them before sitting at his curved desk in the corner.
"Computer, open a communication channel to the Brachta." Duren commanded as he began to rub his hands while he waited.
"This is Daimon Tierzak. What can I do for you Duren?"
"Is the line secure on your side Tierzak? I don't want anyone else to know of this discussion."
"Of course, of course Duren. Is there a reason for your paranoia?" Tierzak said with a look of suspicion upon his face.
"I think we both can understand the need for a little paranoia here. If anyone finds out what we have been discussing we could be executed."
"Oh come now Duren. Do you really think they'd result to such a barbaric thing?" replied Tierzak with a hint of doubt at Duren's claim.
"These ARE Klingons we're dealing with Tierzak. They don't get much more barbaric. Plus we're talking about getting rid of the Overseer, the second most powerful person in the whole Alliance."
"And you're positive that Seven needs to be 'gotten rid of'. I mean its not like she's been feeding information to the Romulans."
"We don't know that for sure Tierzak. If she can be so bold as to try and free the Terrans from slavery then what's stopping her from siding with the Romulans as well?"
"You do make a good point Duren," Tierzak said placing his left hand under his chin. "But of course she is Terran after all so I can understand why she'd wish to liberate them."
"I don't care what species she is, she was raised as a Cardassian in our finest schools. Plus on several occasions it was noted how she almost hated her true identity. It seems unlikely that she'd start something without good cause."
"If she was as big of a threat to the Alliance as you say then the Regent would have made her step down by now."
"You forget my friend that she is good friends with the Intendant of Sol, and we all know that she is the Regent's most trusted advisor."
"Still though Duren. A move against her is just to risky, even if you had some pretty convincing evidence, which you don't."
"We don't need evidence. All we need is the support of our governments. If we can convince the Detapa Council and the Grand Nagus to approach the Regent then he'll be forced to look into matters. Plus he hates Terrans just as much of the rest of us. If we can find a way to give Seven even the slightest push then she won't be able to help from falling."
"Very well Duren, I'll see what I can do on the Ferengi part. But if there's anyway for this to be traced back to me I will make sure that your punishment is twice as worse as mine."
"Is that a threat Tierzak? I didn't think it was profitable to seek revenge."
"Not usually. But in your case there might just be. Tierzak out."
As he sat back Duren wondered if seeking Tierzak's help was such a good idea. No matter though, for things were already set into motion. With any luck Seven would be forced to step down in a matter of months. Then maybe the power in the Alliance would shift towards the Cardassian people once more.
"Captain, we are approaching Alderok Nor," the helmsman replied over the communicator.
"Very well. Inform the Ferengi to start docking procedures. I'm on my way to the bridge." Duren rose from his chair and went to walk out of the room. This trip may have been a boring one but it had given him the time needed to set his plan into motion.
Mission
The Alvex and Veklar are ordered to escort a Ferengi supply convoy to space station Alderok Nor. The course travels through neutral space and the mission should be a quiet one. The convoy must reach its destination at all costs.
Mission Date:
196th day in the 2368th year of Molar
The mission turned out to be a success and all hands came back alive despite Romulan resistance. There was much celebrating throughout the Alliance that night following the raid.
Gul Duren placed the P.A.D.D. onto the armrest of his chair as calmly as possible as to not let his true emotions be known. The Klingons keep getting all the glory missions while most of the Cardassian fleet was ordered to convoy duty and ore processing. Above that they treat every victory as an excuse to get drunk and party until they pass out. They do not fully realize the scope of the war fronts and how close victory could be won by either side. There had to be a change in the Klingon tactics or else the flag of the Romulan Star Empire would wave on every planet in the quadrant.
A lieutenant quickly came onto the bridge and made his way to the captain's chair before handing him a communique from the Detapa Council. They were orders for their next mission. Duren briefly looked over them before placing it aside with the first. This was no time to worry about his next mission; he still had to finish this one.
And what a boring one it was. The Alvex and her sister ship, the Veklar, were stuck escorting five small cargo vessels all carrying one of the most annoying species he had ever met, the Ferengi. Their high nasal voices and insatiable greed was enough to make anyone put a phaser to the head of a Ferengi. But, they were allies and at this point if there was one thing the Cardassian people needed was allies.
"Sir, one of the Ferengi vessels have stopped dead in the water."
"Any indication why ensign?"
"No sir. None at all."
"Put me through to their captain." Duren shifted slightly in his chair, becoming annoyed at such a delay.
"This is Daimon Tierzak. What can I do for you?"
"Why have you stopped? We are scheduled to arrive at Alderok Nor in less then three hours, and if we don't arrive on time we'll have you to blame."
"Now Duren, we are allies in this war," Tierzak said with a coy smile. "There is no need to become hostile at anyone. We simply are having a minor malfunction in our flow converter. My engineer says it'll be fixed in mere minutes."
"Would you like me to send over an engineering team to assist you Daimon?"
"No need Duren. The error will be fixed momentarily. Daimon Tierzak out."
As the image disappeared off the screen Duren once again shifted in his chair. If there was one thing he hated more then the Romulans it was being late. A normal Cardassian would wonder if having incompetent allies would be worth the trouble, but not Duren. For all the faults that the Ferengi had there was a plus side to them joining the Alliance; more ships to aid on the Romulan front.
"Ensign, put me through to Gul Lemec." Perhaps he could fill this time delay with some conversation with the Veklar's captain.
"Aye sir. Patching you through."
"Gul Lemec speaking. Something on your mind Duren?"
"It's these irritating Ferengi. No matter how hard you try to teach them something they always find a way to screw things up."
"I know exactly what you mean," Lemec said with a slight laugh. "On to other matters shall we? Have you gotten a message from the Detapa Council since we began this mission?"
"Actually I got a communique right before the Ferengi ship stalled."
"And what are their orders?"
"They believe it's to soon to move against her. Plus they believe that her adopted father has some influence on her."
"That fossil of a man? What makes Natima or the others have any faith in her? Plus she is a Terran, and we all know they can't be trusted."
"We both know what is at stake here Lemec. For now we have no choice but to forget about it and focus on the Romulan threat."
"Very well old friend. Lemec out."
Duren could tell just how upset Lemec was, and he had reason to. The constant delays from the Detapa Council were only condemning the Cardassian people. For the moment though he had no choice but to follow their orders.
"Sir, we're receiving a message from Daimon Tierzak's ship. Their flow converter has been repaired and they're ready to proceed to Alderok Nor."
"About time," Duren said in frustration. "Tell them to engage at maximum impulse."
"Aye sir. Message sent." Tierzak's ship lurched forward for a moment and then started a smoother flight. The cargo vessels started up and followed right behind.
Duren checked a small clock on the arm of his chair. The whole stop had only lasted about twelve minutes so they should still arrive on time. In the mean time this would be a good opportunity to catch up on the latest war news.
The hardest hit sectors were near a station called Kendra Alpha, a Bajoran shipyard not far from the border. Kendra Alpha was one of the Alliance's most critical shipyards and acted as a first-strike base of operations. A great deal of the Klingon and Breen fleets had been ordered near there to ward of any Romulan battle groups. Everyone in the Alliance knew that if they were to lose a station like that then victory to the Romulans was almost certain.
As for offensive missions the Alliance seemed to have run into a struck of luck. Since a Klingon attack force had destroyed a cloaked supply base on Dysis the Alliance had lost very little. Two more Romulan colonies had been destroyed thanks to a fleet of Ferengi D'Koras and Klingon Vor'Chas. The real target, Heyati II, had still not been destroyed yet. The shipyards there were as critical to the Romulans as Kendra Alpha was to the Alliance. It would take quite a force to bring that station down.
As far as Cardassian matters went their borders had seen little action. After the "Great Andorian Massacre" and the claim of many of their now abandoned worlds the Cardassian people had lived an almost luxurious life. The military however had felt almost worthless, as they hadn't been given a real assignment for several months. Did the Regent not know the strength of the Cardassian fleet? Did he not remember that it was the Cardassians that spilled blood along side Klingons against the Terran Empire and not the Ferengi or Breen who stayed neutral throughout the entire war? These were things Duren could only wonder about.
"Ensign, I'll be in my quarters if anyone needs me."
"Aye sir."
Duren got up from his chair and walked into a turbo lift adjacent to the command chair. He told the computer to head to the officer's quarters on deck eight and the turbo lift was soon on its way. As it headed to its destination he planned out what he would say when he got a hold of Natima, the head of the Detapa Council. She had been its leader ever since Gul Dukat was censured two years ago. It was Duren's belief that they needed Dukat back and to get rid of Natima, but no one had heard anything about Dukat almost since his censure.
The turbo lift stopped and the doors opened. Duren stepped out and headed to his quarters as quickly as possible as to avoid any of his crew. He wasn't sure how they would react to seeing their captain roam the corridors during a mission. No matter though. Duren had things to attend to that the rest of the crew need not know of.
After heading down near endless corridors Duren finally reached the comfort of his quarters. They were decorated with various works of art from some of the quadrants most renowned artists. He looked over them before sitting at his curved desk in the corner.
"Computer, open a communication channel to the Brachta." Duren commanded as he began to rub his hands while he waited.
"This is Daimon Tierzak. What can I do for you Duren?"
"Is the line secure on your side Tierzak? I don't want anyone else to know of this discussion."
"Of course, of course Duren. Is there a reason for your paranoia?" Tierzak said with a look of suspicion upon his face.
"I think we both can understand the need for a little paranoia here. If anyone finds out what we have been discussing we could be executed."
"Oh come now Duren. Do you really think they'd result to such a barbaric thing?" replied Tierzak with a hint of doubt at Duren's claim.
"These ARE Klingons we're dealing with Tierzak. They don't get much more barbaric. Plus we're talking about getting rid of the Overseer, the second most powerful person in the whole Alliance."
"And you're positive that Seven needs to be 'gotten rid of'. I mean its not like she's been feeding information to the Romulans."
"We don't know that for sure Tierzak. If she can be so bold as to try and free the Terrans from slavery then what's stopping her from siding with the Romulans as well?"
"You do make a good point Duren," Tierzak said placing his left hand under his chin. "But of course she is Terran after all so I can understand why she'd wish to liberate them."
"I don't care what species she is, she was raised as a Cardassian in our finest schools. Plus on several occasions it was noted how she almost hated her true identity. It seems unlikely that she'd start something without good cause."
"If she was as big of a threat to the Alliance as you say then the Regent would have made her step down by now."
"You forget my friend that she is good friends with the Intendant of Sol, and we all know that she is the Regent's most trusted advisor."
"Still though Duren. A move against her is just to risky, even if you had some pretty convincing evidence, which you don't."
"We don't need evidence. All we need is the support of our governments. If we can convince the Detapa Council and the Grand Nagus to approach the Regent then he'll be forced to look into matters. Plus he hates Terrans just as much of the rest of us. If we can find a way to give Seven even the slightest push then she won't be able to help from falling."
"Very well Duren, I'll see what I can do on the Ferengi part. But if there's anyway for this to be traced back to me I will make sure that your punishment is twice as worse as mine."
"Is that a threat Tierzak? I didn't think it was profitable to seek revenge."
"Not usually. But in your case there might just be. Tierzak out."
As he sat back Duren wondered if seeking Tierzak's help was such a good idea. No matter though, for things were already set into motion. With any luck Seven would be forced to step down in a matter of months. Then maybe the power in the Alliance would shift towards the Cardassian people once more.
"Captain, we are approaching Alderok Nor," the helmsman replied over the communicator.
"Very well. Inform the Ferengi to start docking procedures. I'm on my way to the bridge." Duren rose from his chair and went to walk out of the room. This trip may have been a boring one but it had given him the time needed to set his plan into motion.