Deeper Down the Rabbit Hole

Posted on Tue Nov 12th, 2024 @ 2:44am by Captain Rylan Gray & Lieutenant Daegan Baas
Edited on on Tue Nov 12th, 2024 @ 4:00pm

1,283 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: A Silence of Friends
Location: Office of the Chief Security Officer, Deck 15, USS Thunderbird
Timeline: MD001 - 1630

Surprised to see that the Chief was still on board, Rylan headed down to the man's office to start the second part of his investigation into Quasinon III. He stopped at the closed door and pressed the chime.

Even though most had taken the option to avail themselves of the stations diversions Daegan had not, at least not yet. Instead he had let his folks take first crack at the station, plus he had made sure Jaclyn was on the first batch to get head to the station. He hated the duck and cover thing, but better safe than sorry. He sat there, feet up, reviewing the plan his team had put together nodding approvingly. They had incorporated the additional suggestions and had options for several contingencies.

Without looking up he picked up his ice tea as he called out. "Enter."

"I was rather hoping to have a word with you," Rylan said as he entered the office and walked up to the desk, "before you head out on shore leave." He stopped to see that his Chief of Security was hard at work and cocked his head to one side. "You are planning on taking a bit of leave, aren't you?"

Realizing it was the Captain he dropped his feet to the floor standing. "By a means sir. I do, I was just allowing others in the department go in the first rotation. If you wanted to have a word you didn't need to come down here though I would have gladly come to see you."

Rylan grimaced as he waived Baas back to his seat and found one across from him. "Trusk threw me out of the Ready Room of all things," he said. "If you have a moment, I've got a favor I'd like to ask of you."

Motioning for the Captain to sit as he returned to his. A puzzled expression crossed his features at the Captain's request for a favor. "Whatever you need sir, name it."

"I'd like you to put together a list of Bajoran resistance fighters, specifically ones who have gone missing," Rylan said, "and anything you might find one one named Dar. Dar Razul, I believe the name is."

"That could be a big list Captain given the length of the occupation, as you know there were a lot of Bajorans that went missing. Any particular circumstances that night narrow the search? ...MIA, believed to be POW, known POW that were not repatriated."

"These would be the ones that were particularly troublesome to the Cardassians during the occupation," Rylan said as he leaned back in his seat, hands folded in his lap. "I believe you can limit the list to either MIA or believed to have been captured. Look for the ones where nothing concrete was discovered."

He hadn't missed that the initial request was a general search then shifted to a particular name. "You mentioned a Dar Razul. Did you really want a general search or a search focused on Razul or those associated with him or those in the same resistance cell at the same time?"

"Not 'a' Dar Razul. The Dar Razul. The Bajoran from Quasinon III who escaped in the ore freighter. Aside from him, it's as I said. I want a general search on high-value Bajoran Resistance fighters who went missing or were presumed to be prisoners. Along with them, any information you can get on where they were last seen, etc. I'm aware it could be a significant number but I'd still like to know."

Thinking to himself, ~Quasinon III...damn we just can't seem to get past that mess.~ "Is there a particular reason for this...inquiry? It's highly unlikely a 'general search' will give us any accurate information and even a general search into this is going to be noticed. The Federation isn't trusted by many on Bajor and Starfleet looking into people looked upon by many as heroes won't go over well either. Any information from the Cardassians won't be anything but the party line and what's already been released.

"We can run a general search, but it's highly unlikely to get any useful information. My previous host did know a few Cardassian diplomats that might be able to get me some information but I wouldn't rely on those relationships. Masterson is the ship's investigator and we have those archeologists aboard. Perhaps we could have her go undercover as a student researching Bajor's resistance now that the Cardassian's have withdrawn."

Rylan drifted into silence for a moment as he thought through the possibilities. Involving the Cardassians would have little to no benefit, as his Chief so correctly pointed out, but much could be gained from the Bajorans. The downside to that, of course, would be the problems if this Masterson were to be caught and the damage it could do to relations with the Federation which were, shaky at best. "How capable do you think Petty Officer Masterson is?"

Careful not to over emphasize things, Daegan said, "Oh she's quite capable. She's the right age as many in Dr. Rush's team, even looks somewhat similar to one of them. We could...borrow...her bio for as a cover for Masterson. With the real historian on Guran III her presence in the area is already substantiated."

"I have a better idea," Rylan said. "We want to make sure her bio holds up to scrutiny. The Bajorans being a rather suspicious lot these days ... and with good reason. I'll arrange a bio for her that will withstand any and all background checks. I do like the idea of a student in archeology who is interested in researching the Bajorans and their life under occupation. A good reason to ask questions. Have her begin preparing now. We do have an Intelligence Chief reporting on board today or maybe its tomorrow."

Daegan nodded, "Roger that sir. I will speak to her as soon as she returns from shore leave, but will hold off on any formal planning until her cover is worked up and...did you want to wait on briefing her until the new intel officer has a chance to get up to speed?"

"She'll need to study some on Bajoran culture," Rylan said, "to make the identity work. Probably best to let her know as soon as she's back from shore leave. Give her time to prepare."

"Understood. If you like I can reach out to our incoming intel officer and bring'm up to speed?"

"That would be good," Rylan said as he rose to his feet. "Keep this on a need-to-know basis for now. This inquiry isn't one I'd like spread around, at lest for the present. Understood?"

Moving to his feet himself, he acknowledged the Captain's instruction before changing the subject. "Absolutely." Extending the PADD he had been holding, "As discussed in the briefing sir I met with Dr. Rush about the dig's security. He seemed very appreciative and once we dove into the topic had a request. The over plan, perimeter sensors, subdermal trackers, long ranges comms, even a safe room in the event the site is raided...it's all within the plan."

Rylan accepted the PADD. "I'll go over it tonight." He turned toward the door, stopped, and turned back. "Don't forget to spend some time off -duty." He smile turned a bit sly as he added. "Or I'll sick Trusk on you. The man's relentless."

Daegan smiled at that. "Time off...yes sir. The Chief's pretty short though, if need be I can just grab the top of his head and hold him off."


A Post By:

Captain Rylan Gray
Commanding Officer
USS Thunderbird

and

Lieutenant Daegan Baas
Chief Security Officer
USS Thunderbird

 

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