"The Changelings are everywhere, including within the Empire. One came to me with an offer of great wealth. I acquired the polaric ion devices from an Orion trader. I was told that we would be attacked near the Argolis Cluster and that the devices would be taken. I have no idea what they intend to do with them."
Pegira follow Eliza into the interrogation, more to make sure that no prisoners are permanently harmed, than to assist.
Gareb talks about his findings as he discovers them. "It's not too surprising but they had a polaric generator to keep it in an energised state. There'd only be a few hours window but with these scans and those on the ship I believe we could track them."
Eliza smiled. So few Klingons would fall for that trick, but she supposed a house named after a Frenengui would share their courage.
Good. Good. That’s the smart decision. Today is NOT a good day to die. Did the founder approach you disguised as another Klingon or in their natural form? Do you know if any other convoy captains who have been compromised? Did you know they’d disable your ship ahead of time? Lastly...what did they reward you with...
Hill crosses his arms and keeps his expression blank, not trying to affect the outcome of the interrogation, but watching it very closely.
While he awaits his away team's findings, Dell goes to his ready room, and begins to work on a report.
"I'm sure there are Changelings within the Empire, but I am not privy to their plans. I am a simple disgraced Klingon, reduced to trading with whomever I can. And even now that you think you have captured me, so what? My sons will be well provided for, rich in gold pressed latinum. And you will do what? Send me to a Federation penal colony? A targ in mud has a more difficult life. I have violated no Klingon laws, so you have no reason to remand me into Klingon hands. Ha!"
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Eliza places a hand to her chest. A penal colony? Goodness no! We send allies to penal colonies! If you’d, gosh...smuggled drugs, disobeyed a legal order during war, heck even committed murder, you’d spend the rest of your snaggletoothed life in sunny New Zeland.
Her genial tone shifts quickly. But the moment that you provided aid and succor to the enemy you became a member of the Dominion. D’gor, we don’t arrest the Jem’ Hadar. We shoot them with phasers set to kill and feed their corpses feet first into our replicators.
She stands, her charm returning. Of course...if you were to become our ally again, you’d be spared this tragic fate. I don’t believe for a second you built that Polaric energy generator yourself, because Polaric energy is as dangerous as you are stupid. So why don’t you tell me where you got it and I’ll let you back into our good graces.
Or don’t, and find out why I brought a doctor to an interrogation. This offer expires as soon as I walk out the door.
"Oh, you make quite the good cop." says Pegira, who pulls out her tricorder and begins scanning the Klingon.
"You should really take her offer, you know. After all, what good will your sons having Gold-Pressed Latinum do them when we provide proof that they are Dominion collaborators? Where will they be able to go and spend such wealth? Even the Ferengi would turn them away."
Hill keeps his expression stony, but internally, he is smiling and nodding in appreciation of Eliza's tactics. I would've bungled this, the Chief thinks to himself, wishing that people were as easy to hack as computers.
"The generator came from an Orion trader name Rivesk. He acquired it from a decommissioned Klingon storage facility."
D'Gor still seems fairly satisfied with himself, not particularly troubled by your threats.
And how do we find Rivsek?
"So now you want my help! Excellent. You cannot find Rivsek, but I can find him for you...Given the right incentive."
"Continuing to enjoy the mercies of Federation justice is your reward."
"I am certain that you are properly aware of the punishments you would face if you were remanded to your Empire's custody to answer for your role in violating the Treaty of Alliance."
"Now we have a negotiator at the table! Yes. Offer me an official agreement that guarantees I will not be handed over to the Klingons, and once it is signed I will help you find Rivsek."
"Start putting together what information you can. If it's useful, you'll get what you want."
Jalla steps outside the room and taps her communicator, "zh'Qjaqir to bridge, we have some information, but there's a cost..."
Eliza gives him a wry smile. I think we can guarantee that you’ll never see another Klingon for the rest of your life, one way or the other. But we’ll have to see if the captain even cares where the generator came from.
Tobin returns to the bridge just in time to hear the call from his tactical officer. "Go ahead, Lieutenant. What's the cost?"
"That we'll have to make certain the Klingons don't mind being denied any vengeance they wish to take against Captain D'Gor."
You know, D'Gor. For someone who didn't think he broke any Klingon laws, you're awful adamant that we take you with...oh. A sick realization sweeps across Eliza's face.
She tries her best to keep her cool, turning to Hill. Lieutenant Commander, permission to ready the shuttle for launch? It's a request, but it's said in about the same tone as "permission to let my blood move oxygen through my body."
The look on her face is clearly both "Our lives are in danger" and "please don't ask me about this in front of the Klingon"
Hill's appreciation will be interrupted as his comm goes off. "Chief Engineer Hill, how goes surverying the infrastructure or have you set about making repairs?"
Tobin gives a sigh, but nods to himself. "I believe that can be arranged. What's your take, Lieutenant, does he actually know anything of value or is he just playing us to save himself?"
Hill sets about his task, his tricorder beeping in slow sequence. "Survey is still ongoing, th'Chiaqis. I'll report in when I've finished. Over and out."
Hill encounters no issues when conducting these routine maneuvers, and may even discover something of use (GM fiat). 1 Momentum banked (I think).
Hill also nods assent to Eliza's "request," playing his role.
Eliza rises swiftly but casually and makes her way to the docking ring, not making eye contact with the Klingons. th’Chiaquis and zh’Qjaquir would both notice that something is up. She’s acting panicked even by her standards.
Provided she encounters no resistance, she starts reading the shuttle for immediate launch.
"I believe he has something, sir. We wouldn't guarantee his freedom in any case, so he gains only a small amount of time by any deception he might-" Eliza suddenly hastens past.
"Pardon me, sir. Do you know why Lieutenant Cunningham appears to be fleeing the ship?"
Hill sets about his task, his tricorder beeping in slow sequence. "Survey is still ongoing, th'Chiaqis. I'll report in when I've finished. Over and out."
[dice=Reason+engineering is 17]2d20
Hill encounters no issues when conducting these routine maneuvers, and may even discover something of use (GM fiat). 1 Momentum banked (I think).
Hill analyzes the structure of the ship with his tricorder, finding a few interesting items. While the ship itself does not have a cloaking device, there is a cloaking device built into the cargo hold that th'Chiaquis is investigating.
Hill also notices a growing imbalance in the matter-antimatter reaction in the warp core. A breach may be imminent.
Eliza clicks on comms. All Bastion crew, report to Shuttlecraft Tesla ASAP. If captain approved our visitor, bring him too. But fast. We need to be uncoupled in five minutes.
Pegira reacts to Eliza's message with surprise, which quickly turns to anger. "What did you do?" she asks, drawing her phaser and levelling it at the captive.
Gareb closes his tricorder beginning to start jogging towards the shuttle and taps his comm badge "Cunningham report what's changed?"
D’gor was right. He didn’t commit any Klingon crimes. He doesn’t care if we leave him with the Klingons in general. He just doesn’t want to be left on this ship. We’ve wandered into a trap, Commander. I aim to get us out of it.
Eliza queued the launch procedures with rapid efficiency. All she needed to do was blow the docking clamp and engage thrusters and she’d be able to rocket back to the Bastion. She’d radio to the freighter crew to abandon ship AFTER her team was safely back on board.
In response to Hill’s declaration, Eliza hops on the comm And there’s the other shoe. I’d say I hate to say I told you so, but the truth is that I get a deep sense of personal satisfaction from being right. Shake a leg, people. I’m going to be real embarrassed if I die in a warp core explosion while sitting in an escape pod!
Once the report from Hill comes in, Tobin is back on his feet, "Get out of there!" I'll have Gareb talk to Cunningham about reporting to the chain of command later, once people are safe. If he doesn't take the initiative.
Then, turning to the standby tactical officer, he says, "Open a channel to Captain Akor, now."
A second later, he's saying, "We've detected a warp core breach in progress on D'Gor's transport. Get your people out of there. I don't know if the same thing might be happening on the other transports, but I'd be willing to make a bet."
As the radio chatter picks up, Pegira turns to leave, but then stops for a moment, turns back, and says "You made a poor choice today." She then closes and locks the door to his makeshift cell on her way back to the shuttle.
Eliza turns to Hagen. Where’s the Klingon? Did the captain tell you to leave him behind?
Gareb taps his comm badge "th'Chiaqis to Captain Dell. Captain I'm not sure with the current engineering problems if our Klingon allies will be able to evacuate the ship in time. I'd like to volunteer to stay behind and try to stop the warp core breach while the rest of the away team heads back." He continues heading towards the shuttle in case the Captain refuses his scheme.
He turns to the others "Get as many of the Klingons on the shuttle as possible. I'm not sure what Klingon you're talking about but we will be talking about away team protocol and I'll be scrutinising your reports... assuming I'll be around."
Eliza stands up as Gareb pops his head in. This was a terrible idea, but it was also a direct order and there wasn't time to argue...nor was it safe to discuss in front of someone who could very well be a Dominion spy.
Aye aye sir. Give the order when you want me to lift off. We're ready to go on your command.
Jalla settled warily into the shuttle, eyes and antennae pricked for any attempted boarders, "Captain Dell, I would recommend the transporter room establish a lock on Commander th'Chiaqis as a precaution."
Cunningham quickly get the shuttle flying, sealing the boarding ramp just as she clears the force field. The crew is jostled, crammed in with some extra Klingon warriors. It is standing room only.
Surgh remains behind with th'Chiaquis.
"Well, Andorian, if we are going to save the ship, we'd better get to it."