By the Stars, Pt.2

Posted on Mon May 19th, 2025 @ 2:17pm by Lieutenant Commander Caradan Eunidas & Ensign Ian Milkovich

Mission: Outside the Box
Location: M.S.S Qaraq - Helm
Timeline: Current

"Report," was Caradan's only command as she stepped back onto the bridge. Mindo strolled along with her.

On the viewscreen, they could see the Ferd, zoomed in upon and still several light seconds away. There was a ship docked with it. The ship was of Romulan design, old and with many repairs and additions. Caradan, having been trained in Security and Tactical, went straight to that station and started reviewing the scans. Minimal defensive capabilities with standard shielding. No torpedo bays. Forward and aft phaser banks. Definitely not something its captain would want to get into a fight with. Seeing that the MSS Qaraq was at about the same level, if there was to be a shooting battle, the victor would have to be resourceful.

"They're docked at the FERD," Ian stated the obvious, "And they know we're coming. We've been scanned three times now as we've approached. Kinda like they don't trust what they're reading. They might be as surprised as we are to crossing paths."

"Our uniforms. That is what is confusing their scans," Caradan said. She looked at the viewscreen, tossing ideas about. "Yes. They must be surprised. Since they scanned us," she started tapping at the controls, "I am sure they are expecting to be scanned in return. We are just two sets of scavengers who equally distrust each other at the moment."

Just then the old system chimed with an alert. With a furrowed brow, Ian's hands pressed the comms notification and frowned. "We're being hailed."

"Of course," Caradan sighed. "They have nothing to threaten us with so they will, of course, try that with words." Caradan leaned in on her workstation for a closer look. "Mindo, you cannot be here. It seems we are dealing with someone who deals in information...had dealt in information in the past at least. This guy made it a point to study Starfleet COs and XOs. He may recognize you."

Without question, Mindo turned and left back for the conference room.

Caradan strolled to the center of the bridge. "On screen Mr. Milkovich."

"Yes, ma'am," The Ensign replied, dutifully tapping at his console.

A Romulan's face appeared upon the screen. He made no comment. He just stood there, looking as sternly as he could. His appearance gave away a few things however. He was clearly a few days unbathed. His black hair a bit dishevelled. A bit of scruff spread about his face and chin. Regardless, Caradan recognized the man.

"Nokron," was all she said.

The Romulan furrowed his brow. "You know who I am."

"Your reputation precedes you," she said. "Though you seem to have downsized in recent..."

"You have me at a disadvantage."

Good, Caradan wanted it that way.

"You are a Changeling of course."

"Among the few," Caradan added, "spread about the quadrant."

"I didn't know the Federation allowed your kind in their space."

Caradan leaned in toward the viewscreen a few degrees. "To my knowledge, they don't." And, to Caradan's knowledge, Nokron could not have known about her presence or position aboard the USS Tornado. He made himself a trafficker of information, but the Tornado's records were difficult to get a hold of, even by Starfleet personnel.

"How did you find this place," Nokron asked.

"A contact told me to look in this direction. Nothing specific. Just this direction. Looks like my first choice of systems was..."

"And what do you plan to do here?"

"The same as you Nokron. Raid that depot there for supplies, provisions."

"We were here first. Go find yourself another." Nokron appeared as though about ready to sever the connection.

"Nokron, your reputation paints you as a reasonable man. Look at your ship. There is no way you can carry even a quarter of what is aboard that depot. With 4 docking ports, we can dock on the other side. My crew and I can get what we need and we can mutually ignore each other. You, as you say, got here first. You will be loaded and gone well before we finish."

Nokron gave a long, hard stare through the viewscreen. "And if we see any of your crew grabbing something we want..."

"I will tell them to surrender it to your crew. You got here first. You get first claim."

Nokron, again, gave a stare. Clearly he was thinking; plotting. "Far side of the depot. That is where you dock. I do not expect to see any weapons."

"As long as our scans show your crew as unarmed," said Caradan, "my crew will be unarmed."