Nash and Arnaldo: Private Investigators

Posted on Wed Jun 24th, 2020 @ 3:53am by Commander Owen Nash & Mauricio Arnaldo
Edited on on Fri Jul 10th, 2020 @ 6:04pm

Mission: The Evils Within
Location: Delavi System

ON:

Nash and Arnaldo made their way through the moon-based resort in the Delavi System. Through some highly questionable cover stories, they had managed to find out about another humanoid currently staying in the hotel, as they hoped to find some information about the mysterious Pithos facility. Given the Delavi system's proximity to Hesiod, it was likely that the trade stations, suppliers, and resorts would have been frequented by those working on Pithos. It was out of the sights of the Federation, and busy enough for the locals not to pay attention. Delavi had also managed to avoid Alrakis Pact control, for the time being, meaning it was a haven for those wanting to trade and deal in obscurity.

It was also apparently a place for forbidden romantic encounters to occur, as the budding Private Investigators had soon found out. The Moon Resort where they had located the unknown human, was somewhat of a pleasure palace for those wishing to indulge in otherwise taboo interests. A thought that was both confounding and amusing to Mauricio. He had seen his fair share of indulging on Paradise, but this was on another level altogether. As they walked through the resort, Nash and Arnaldo passed by a Klingon bar and Mauricio paused to look inside. There he saw they were practising the Klingon's Second Rite of Ascension but using objects other than pain sticks, and in ways that were unlikely to be sanctioned by the Klingon Empire. Mauricio blushed furiously and kept walking.

"I don't know about this, Commander," Arnaldo whispered as he and Nash walked through the resort. "What if this guy is actually just here to fu - uh... freely express his hidden desires?"

Owen smiled as he took Mauricio's question on board. Having seen what they had seen, he was a little concerned himself, although, he was also thinking about coming back here at some point to see what he could try out himself.

"Well, if he is, we'll play along," Owen started. "You can be the one to watch whilst I play along. However, I get the feeling that this human we're going to see may not be the kind of humanoid who is here to freely express his hidden desires."

Finding out from the Hotel Receptionist that there was one other like them here on the resort already made Owen think that they may have a lead on this, but he would make up his mind once they arrived and found out who this person was. He had questions that needed answers.

Stopping for a moment, he turned to face Mauricio. "Look, I wasn't expecting to have to do this, not long after finishing my leave, but I am grateful for your help so far. Sometimes, in undercover missions, you have to play along a little to find out what you need. I know this isn't comfortable for you...but I am glad that I have you here to have my back," he explained, trying to allay the fears of his friend.

Mauricio wasn't sure if he was starting to feel newfound respect, admiration, or fear of Commander Nash, but he knew he was definitely feeling something unexpected. And it wasn't just because of the noises coming from that Klingon bar. He tried to listen along to Nash's advice and play the dutiful student; though Arnaldo couldn't pretend he wasn't concerned about their predicament. Just how long he'd have to 'play along' for, and what that would exactly entail, were ever-present questions in the former marine's mind. He would have to resolve himself with the thought that he had made a vow to ride with Nash on one more mission, in the name of helping the Pandora and Captain Temple, and so now he would see it through. Whatever the price might be.

Arnaldo nodded to Nash, "I said I'd have your back, Commander, and I do. I just thought it would be while shooting someone. Not while.... yeah... " He let the thought trail into nothing, hoping it was consumed by the sounds around them.

The two soon rounded a corner, following the receptionist's instructions. The "bar" in question seemed more like a hole in the wall compared to the other, move lavish and exciting venues they had passed by. Indeed, if one didn't know where to look, they could have easily walked past it. The bar only had a single door, which was hard metal with a small window slot. No sign, no information. Mauricio at first wondered if they had gotten the directions wrong, but after a moment, a rather inebriated alien fellow exited from the door, the distant sounds of music and drinking emanating from inside. The alien looked like he'd had about six more than 'too many' as he staggered off down the corridor, past Nash and Arnaldo, to hopefully find somewhere soft to land, the metal door slamming shut behind him.

Mauricio raised his eyebrows as he turned to the Commander, "Seems like the place."

"Yeah, this definitely matches the description that we were given and also seems to fall in line with the rest of the resort," Owen agreed.

They entered the cantina and took a good look around. The place was crowded with people from various races. It appeared there weren't more than two individuals of a specific race in the establishment. On the far end, a group of round-headed, hairless beings formed a musical group playing various wind instruments. The music they played was lively and the tune was very catchy.

The best place to start was obviously the bar. A large horned something-or-other was getting people drinks. When he saw the two newcomers, a grand smile filled his face.

"Welcome outsiders!" he said in a deep, jovial voice. The man looked like he could break someone in half with his bare hands, but his smile and demeanour told a different story. "Come have a drink!" he continued. "You've come in time for happy hour!" The bartender did appear to be happy. Clearly he was the best person to start with.

"Sounds like we arrived just in time, what you can you recommend for us?" Owen asked, looking to get involved within the scene inside the bar.

The bartender grinned. "We have a brand new drink. Mendazian Brandy! I've never had anything like it! How does that sound? If it doesn't appeal, I have over a hundred and fifty others."

Owen smiled politely before putting in an order. "I've never been much of a Brandy lover, to be honest, however, if you have any Romulan Ale, then I'll take a glass of that. Get one for my partner here as well, I'm looking to introduce him to new tastes while on our honeymoon." Owen decided it best to keep up the cover story even though they were in a different area of the resort.

"You look like a humman," said the bartender, mispronouncing the word human. "From a planet called Erf?"

"That's right," Owen agreed. "This resort was recommended to us by the CO on Paradise Station and we both decided to take up the chance to come and see what all the fun is about as a good excuse for our honeymoon." He leaned in a little more to the bartender.

"I'll be honest though, I haven't seen many other humans around here though, is it just us here or do you know if there are others around? It's always good to converse with people from the same species for a change," he explained quietly.

The bartender nodded. "Indeed," he said. "But I'm afraid they wish to remain... 'unseen' while here." The bartender leaned in close to Owen, resting his elbow on the bar. He spoke in a muted voice, just loud enough for Owen and Mauricio to hear. "He told me someone would be after him. I assume that is you. I know of your Federation and its Starfleet. My Mendazian friend, the one who gave me the brandy, said you are a people of peace. But the Breen and Talarians practically spit at the mention of you."

He continued. "I'm also aware of your dealings with Balek the Butcher. Balek is... was a friend of mine a very long time ago. I am saddened by his death, but I also know he paid for his many transgressions." He put his hand down on the table, assuming a more conspiratorial stance. "The man I know, the one remaining unseen, has corroborated some of the events of which I have heard rumours. I've found him to be a... 'valuable' source. His whereabouts can be given for a price. Since I am already a wealthy man, it is not money I seek, but rather information. I want to know more of your fleet's intentions. I want to know their stance on the Alrakis Pact, and why the Breen and the Talarians despise you so. And I want to know why you are looking for my newfound friend. Give me good information, and I'll give you the same. If I find it very useful, your drinks are on the house for your remaining time here. You will also find me a valuable friend."

Owen looked around for a moment, whilst listening to the Bartender and understood that things here were not as they seemed. It was also obvious that to find a lead, he would need to put across an argument that was compelling enough for this person to tell them something.

"I'll be happy to talk, however, I'd rather prefer that it was in private," Owen offered. "Then I'll be happy to explain what you want to hear and also provide you with fair payment in information." He was willing to talk to him, just not sat at a bar. Looking at Mauricio, Owen nodded an agreement that he was willing to talk.

The bartender nodded and straightened. He nodded to someone who was busing tables. "Happet, I'm taking five with my new friends. Tend the bar and see we get some privacy!" The one called Happet nodded and made his way up to the bar. The bartender, who had since never mentioned his own name, gestured to an open booth in the corner of the establishment.

"Are we safe in here? I want to talk freely but also securely," Owen made it clear. He held his tongue until he had some sort of confirmation.

"The ambience will drown out your words," said the bartender with a nod. "And I do not keep any listening devices. Anything you say will go straight to here." He tapped his temple. "You may speak."

Mauricio was following along, playing the dutiful bodyguard to Nash's lead. He kept a firm hand by his side, always ready with a weapon should negotiations go south. He much preferred this kind of undercover work than the prospect of getting the information via some crazed sex den.

Owen took a seat opposite the bartender and took a breath. "You asked to know more of our fleet's intentions and you wanted to know their stance on the Alrakis Pact, and why the Breen and the Talarians despise us so much... so I'll tell you," he started. "There has been a treaty signed between the Federation and the Alrakis Pact, after recent hostilities. Your Mendazian friend is correct in that both the Federation and Starfleet are here for peace and that's the truth. I give you my word as a Starfleet Officer...something that I don't give away lightly to just anyone. Starfleet never looks for war or conflict, its always after peaceful contact with any species, within the Federation or outside of it," he explained further.

"We'll honour our side of the treaty, that again goes with my word. However, on several occasions, we've come across actions by both the Breen and Talarians where they have been working in the background to try and sabotage our efforts to work towards peace and in two cases, take open and aggressive action against us to stop this process. We've uncovered this and its put some noses out of joint with the hierarchies of the Breen and Talarians."

The bartender's face had lost its joviality as Owen talked. "Tell me about my friend, the Butcher."

Owen took a breath. "In regards to Balek the Butcher, I'm sorry for your loss, however, he took aggressive action against both our Captain and our crew with the full intention of killing them when all they had done was try to talk to him about what aggressions he was responsible for and why he took offence to our presence in the Expanse when we were simply on an exploration mission. Thats all we've ever wanted to do, explore and discover. Balek's death came during a battle between our own starship and a local race he had the intention of killing by setting us up as the ones looking to create the genocide of another race...something no Starfleet Officer of Federation citizen would ever do." He stopped for a moment.

"Those people being the Mendazians." Mauricio added helpfully, as the man clearly had associations with them and he believed this would curry some favour.

"Now, if that's enough information for you, I'd like to let you do some talking about the man that we're looking for. Be assured, we're not hunting him or looking to kill him." Owen said.

The bartender's smile came back on his face. "I had a wife once. My second. She was a beautiful El-Aurian; a wise, free spirit. Why she married me I do not know to this day. She sure didn't marry me because I'm a heartless bastard. In fact, that was the reason she left me." The bartender laughed at that.

"Anyway, this wife of mine taught me many ways of how to tell when a person is lying. I'm not as adept as her, but I have become very good at it." The bartender pointed to Owen. "You are not lying. And you've told me more than I required. I could stand to profit greatly from the information you've given me. But as I said, I have no need for money. And the only people interested in such information would be allies and individuals of the Breen and Talarians, all of whom I despise. I think you will find me a very useful - and lucrative - ally."

He cleared his throat. "I did not single you out by accident as you walked into the bar. In fact, I made sure you stood in exactly the right spot for him to leave unnoticed. I could tell by his face that something about you was not right with him. The information he has given me about the... less trustworthy people in his fleet was very valuable. I wanted to be sure of you. He goes by the name Thew, but I'm sure that's an alias. He's been here a long time, trying to get a transport to the Hesiod system. I am not aware of his business there, or why he would even be interested in that hell hole. I saw him make his way to one of the holo-suites here. I did not see him come out. He's probably still there. Please be careful. If there is a struggle you will have to pay for any damages done to my bar. Please visit me again. The drinks are free, but my information is not. Understand?" He winked at Owen.

Owen nodded. "Understood," he said. Looking at Arnaldo, Owen now felt better about how this transaction had gone and that it seemed they were at the right place to find out something. Looking back at the Bartender, Owen smiled. "Thank you for your information and the free drinks. We'll keep in touch from now on as this seems to be a mutually beneficial relationship," he said. "However, for now, we need to speak with Thew. If you point us in the direction of the holosuite he entered, we'll pay him a visit.

Taking a pause, he also added "We'll cover any damages but I don't envisage any taking place. If its transport he needs, We can offer that and I'm hoping that will sway him."

The bartender nodded and the three stood up from the table. The bartender extended a hand. "By the way, my name is Qaraq. I do not believe I caught yours...

"I'm Owen Nash, Executive Officer of the USS Pandora, this is my colleague Mauricio Arnaldo, but we'll ask you to keep it quiet," he explained. Owen explained their undercover names they were using on the resort before shaking Qaraq's hand and making his way out.

Heading out of the private area of the bar, Owen and Mauricio made their way to the Holosuite level and to the particular suite that "Thew" was using. As they stood outside the door, Owen looked at Mauricio. "Be prepared for anything in here...and remember, we're here to talk, not to fight."

As Owen finished his sentence, a man wearing a gray cloak emerged from the holosuite. He was clearly human, and beneath the cloak, Owen thought he spotted the red turtleneck of an Admiral's uniform, but no pips. He was about six feet in height and looked to be in his early sixties. He had a healthy build, though a slight paunch had clearly followed him through middle age. His hair was shaggy and his beard grey and unkempt. He looked like he hadn't had a good shower in some time, though he did not have an odour. He looked like a man at the end of his rope. Someone resigned to his own dire fate. Perhaps he'd come out of the holosuite at that moment on purpose.

His grave expression deepened and for a moment his was the most tired of faces. "Well," he said with a sigh. "A man can run only so long until time and fate eventually catch up. Are you going to kill me, or arrest me?"

"Neither, I'm here to offer you a lift to the Hesiod System," Owen answered as he waited for the next question. "The question is, do you want to accept it?" The look of surprise that followed was what Owen expected and he let the mysterious man make the next move.

"I was headed to Hesiod before I was left here," said the man known as Thew. "Who are you?"

"We're friend and we want to talk to you and also help you get to the Hesiod system," Owen continued as Mauricio looked around to make sure they weren't attracting any undue attention.

"We'll need to move very soon, this doesn't look suspicious at all," Mauricio advised.

"Is there somewhere we can go and talk Thew?" Owen asked, knowing that time was precious now that they seemed to have found the right person, a detail that he knew still needed to be determined. "I'd rather not do it here if you don't mind, but know that you are safe."

Thew gave a small smirk as he quickly looked around. "I understand the caution, but it's unnecessary. Rumours and second-hand information means nothing on an outpost where the only real currency is knowledge. But if it's privacy you want, take me to your ship. I need to get out of here anyway and get to Pithos."

Mauricio took the lead and walked with rigid determination. The muscle memory in his body snapped right back to his patrol and protect days, eyes darting two and fro around the bar as they exited. His hand gently tapped his pocket, knowing his weapon was at the ready. They had to get this man to safety and find out what he knew about Hesiod and Pithos, something that could help the Pandora on their mission.

Mauricio took the lead and walked with rigid determination. The muscle memory in his body snapped right back to his patrol and protect days, eyes darting two and fro around the bar as they exited. His hand gently tapped his pocket, knowing his weapon was at the ready. They had to get this man to safety and find out what he knew about Hesiod and Pithos, something that could help the Pandora on their mission.

Owen stopped for a moment, taking the chance to think on the hop before continuing to lead the way through the resort. He tried to make sure that they didn't stand out too much within the various crowds that they were walking through and also trying to avoid. Once they had cleared the resort, the three of them made their way towards the docking ring where Mauricio's ship was waiting.

Once they were on board, Owen held back to allow Thew and Mauricio on board before securing the hatch. Walking over to his kit and picking up a tricorder which he then his in a pocket, Owen stood next to Thew. "So, Thew, before we go anywhere...What's your business in the Hesiod System? Why do you need to go there?" he asked, watching as Mauricio secured the ship and made sure that they weren't being listened to.

The man they knew as Thew sighed and sank into a chair. "First of all, my name isn't actually Thew. It's taken from my middle name, Matthew. I am Admiral Gordon Matthew Francis, and six months ago I was assigned to command the Pithos Outpost in the Hesiod system. On the way, someone marooned me here and I've been trying to get out of this cesspool ever since!"

Mauricio stammered as he looked between Commander Nash and the man. Not knowing what else to say, he couldn't help but loudly exclaim, "Admiral Francis?! But... but... aren't you on Pithos right now?"

Thew's eyebrow raised slightly, a gesture not unlike that of a Vulcan. "I don't believe so."

Arnaldo shook his head as a deep thud dropped in the pit of his stomach. "Well someone else sure the hell is, and he's using your name!"

OFF