Under the Brave Black Flag

Posted on Sat Jan 6th, 2024 @ 6:16pm by Rear Admiral Gareth Tau & Gregorio Emanuel de Castillo-Bartres
Edited on on Sat Jan 6th, 2024 @ 6:37pm

Mission: S1E6: Where Skies End
Location: New Bajor | Gamma Quadrant
Timeline: MD 0

The USS Megaera had barely taken orbit over the planet of New Bajor before Admiral Tau and Gregorio were beamed down to the statehouse of the capital city, New Rakantha. So far as the population was concerned, the current political summit was nothing more than the occasional renegotiations over trade routes, patrol sectors, and terms for commercial exchange. Only a handful of individuals knew the true stakes which were on the rise, and soon Tau and Gregorio would be among them. They were flanked by two members of Tau's personal security detail who may as well have been robots for all their lack of interpersonal interaction. Marines. Not Starfleet Security. Green uniforms and Type III phaser rifles.

For Tau's part, he stepped down from the pad is he if were alone. His eyes looked ahead like a tiger on the prowl. Whatever lied before them was far from business as usual.

The diplomat spared a slight glare at Tau's back before replacing it with his 'working' mask of Mediterranean machismo joviality. All things considered, he suspected there were bigger problems afoot than the Vulcan hijo de puta.

Beyond the base of the secure transporter pad stood a middle-aged man with a boxed commodore pip who looked none too pleased to see Tau. "Hello, Admiral." He ignored Gregorio and the grunts.

"Commodore," said Tau with a faint dip of his head. Whatever antipathy the commodore held for him was not reciprocated. Such were the politics of being the rabbit who got fast-tracked into the admiralty ahead of the slow and steady tortoise. "I had expected you to be in the meeting already. Is it not underway?"

"No, Admiral. The Dominion ambassador was quite insistent on waiting for all parties to arrive before resuming talks." The commodore kept his face neutral, but his tone belied the irritation he felt.

"My apologies for being late." Tau leveled a side eye at Gregorio. "We had a stop to make."

"The placement of the facility you had to retrieve me from was a decision made by OSI, not me admiral," he said and shrugged.

The commodore gave Gregorio an appraising look for the first time and decided he was unimpressed. "I hope it was worth it. The official report was a necessary understatement."

A very anxious looking man in ambassador's robes was practically bouncing on his heels with his hands clasped at his waist as he stared at the new arrivals from down the corridor and across the grand hall of the statehouse.

"The conference room is still this way, yes, Commodore Sinclair? That will be all then. You stand relieved of your diplomatic duties and may return to your post at Gamma Command." Tau did not blink until Sinclair gave reply.

"Of course, Admiral. If you need anything..."

Tau cut him off. "You will be updated when cause requires it. Goodbye, Commodore."

With nothing more to say, Sinclair stepped up to the transporter pad.

The Spaniard made a note to check the commodore's file. No loose ends allowed. He spared a glance at the two marines. He wished he could tell the two of them to at least try to look sapient as opposed to illegal synthetics, but he doubted Tau would appreciate or that they would listen to him anyway.

The four men walked across the marbled statehouse which had been constructed in an eclectic blend of classical Bajoran and spartan Federation architecture. With the postbellum reconstruction, it seemed every surface reflected a shiny new polish that had yet to fade. Not waiting for them to come to him, the anxious ambassador hurried to meet them.

"Admiral Tau, thank you for coming." He extended sweaty palms to shake his hand.

Tau withheld his hand in lieu of introducing Gregorio. "Ambassador Delahunt, this is Mister Gregorio Emanuel de Castillo-Bartres, diplomatic attaché with the Office of Special Investigations."

Gregorio gave a brief, genuine smile. "We're previously acquainted, Admiral," he said. "It's good to see you again, Forrest," he added, taking the ambassador's hand. "I wish the circumstances were better. I owe you a cigar and a bottle of Jerez Solera for making ambassador before me."

The ambassador looked no less discomfited. "Another time, unfortunately. The Dominion is waiting, and for once, I agree with their ambassador that we shouldn't keep them so. Shall we?"

While the two diplomats were talking, Tau made his way into the conference room. No fewer than six Jem'Hadar soldiers stood at rapt attention, their weapons in hand but held at ease as if they had been chiseled into position. The First of their number barked at the sight of Tau's two Marines. "They wait outside," he said.

"I think not," Tau said to the Jem'Hadar commander, "unless you care to join them."

The First snorted through his scaly nostrils but then shook his head. Tau walked past him to sit at the table.

"I am Admiral Gareth Tau and my office is ready to serve the interests of this summit as to the best of my ability," Tau said as he helped himself to an empty chair between both ends of the table.

The nearest end was reserved for Ambassador Delahunt while the opposite end featured a Vorta in stark white clothing that stood in contrast to the dark battle armor of the Jem'Hadar guards who flanked him like a dark peacock tail.

"I am Ambassador Yuelan and I represent the eternal Dominion of the Founders," the Vorta said in a crisp diction that almost contradicted the near drawl with which he spoke. The cadence of his speech was rhythmic like many Vorta. "Can I trust that you are up to date on the pertinent details or shall I reiterate the situation from the beginning?"

"I am here to listen, Ambassador Yuelan, and assess," Tau said. "Speak your mind."

The Vorta sat back in his seat as if surprised at the answer. "Indeed? Very well, then. The Dominion has not fared well after the Treaty of Bajor. The great strength of our mighty Jem'Hadar legions was sapped by heresy, leading scores upon scores of apostates to abandon their oaths and their gods. Only the most devout Jem'Hadar maintain their holy service to the Founders."

Boots clicked together behind him as the Jem'Hadar gave a wordless shout in unison. Yuelan smiled in approval as he continued.

"The decimation of our armed forces has spurred charitable dispensation from the Founders. In their bountiful largesse, they have afforded the many subjects of the Dominion with technological wonders that eased their lives. And, while it is true that quarantines are more brutal than soldiers, this renewed colony itself is testament to the fact that a ground invasion suffers less lasting harm than does a strategic ecological--"

"Begging the ambassador's pardon," said Tau with his hand raised, "I am well aware of the discreet efforts Starfleet has made in supporting the stabilization of the Dominion. Our patrols keep the peace in your own sectors as well as ours. What I am not aware of is why the Office of Special Investigations was requested to attend these proceedings by name."

Yuelan leaned forward onto his elbows and steepled his fingers together under a knowing grin. "Because Starfleet has had a number of operations in the Gamma Quadrant in recent times--operations which had your signature upon them, I am told."

Shooting Ambassador Delahunt an accusatory stare, Tau elected to be silent and allow someone else to do the talking.

Gregorio had settled himself between Delahunt and Tau and was content to watch the fireworks for the time being. However, his curiosity was now piqued. He spared a glance at Forrest, much like Tau clearly expecting him to explain what was going on.

The ambassador wiped his palms again. "In a nutshell, Commander Sayuri Onaga led a mutiny aboard the USS Chimaera, a Prometheus class assault vessel, and took it into the Stygian Traverse. On its own, that would be alarming but it gets worse. The Chimaera has since been confirmed to be berthed at a location known as Fiddler's Green, a noted haven for... well just about all types of undesirable in the galaxy.... To keep it short, she was next seen leading a raid against the facility desginated Mnemosyne that we and our Dominion cohorts believe was developing something."

Gregorio put a hand up. "Gregorio Emanuel de Castillo-Bartres," he said by way of introducing himself to the Vorta. "I'm sure our Dominion compatriots already know this. And forgive me, but I am under the impression that Commander Sayuri Onaga has been tried in absentia by the Lagashi Pentad and sentenced to death for her acts of mutiny and piracy. While the Department of State objects to this penalty, could we skip ahead to how this mutineer is the problem of Admiral Tau's organization?"

But Tau already knew how this connected to him. He elected to keep his silence save for a terse grunt.

Forrest took a breath and a quick drink from the glass in front of him. "I don't have the details, but one Kazyah Linn was involved with Admiral Tau's pet project investigating the recent incident involving Species 8472 and the Lagashi. Apparently, Commander Linn fled to the Fiddler's Green as well. What happened next, well, perhaps Admiral Tau would care to explain that?"

"I will neither confirm nor deny that the USS Odyssey ventured into the Gamma Quadrant on an exploratory mission as a cover for the manhunt of the aforementioned deserter." Tau steepled his fingers and drilled a glare into everyone at the table, daring them to press him for confirmation. "Intelligence reports suggest that the Odyssey's mission led them to the Stygian Traverse, particularly to the pirate haven of Fiddler's Green. Kazyah Linn no longer maintains his rank and commission as he has been discharged from Starfleet for reasons of desertion and suspected treason. He remains at large and the Odyssey is currently continuing their mission in the Beta Quadrant."

Rolling his eyes, Gregorio turned to the Dominion ambassador. "Admiral, cleaning up after your bands of misfit minions is a full-time job without your incessant attempts at obfuscation. Ambassador Yuelan, would you care to add anything?"

The Vorta ambassador set his eyes to drift lazily away from Tau to Gregorio with an expressed indifference that belied the solemnity of the situation. "The population of apostate Jem'Hadar is abuzz with the bounty that Fiddler's Green has placed on the Odyssey, so much so that our Ministry of Fidelity has seen fit to increase ketracel-white distributions in order to reward soldier retention. It would seem the proprietor of Fiddler's Green has offered a permanent berth to whoever brings him that ship and its crew--a priceless bounty, for the deplorables of this quadrant."

"Yes, we have heard as much as well," Tau groused. "Starfleet regrets the instability to which any of our unsanctioned former assets may have contributed to the region... especially in light of the discreet contributions the Federation has made toward continued Dominion stability overall."

"Yes, yes, that much is true," Yuelan freely conceded with a wicked smile. "Spoken within the protected privilege of these proceedings, the Founders cannot express sufficient gratitude toward the Federation for the continued benevolence endowed to their Dominion. Where the other belligerents in the great conflict have kept to the law and the letter of the Treaty of Bajor, the Federation has graciously elected to violate it on multiple occasions in order to ensure the Gamma Quadrant does not fall prey to lawless predators who would pillage remote sectors unchecked without the Dominion to mitigate them." He smile faltered into a grimace. "Of course, if the depths of our governments' postbellum collusion were to be made public, there could be no other outcome than to nullify the Treaty of Bajor, and... suffice it to say, the Founders have learned from the errors of their ways." Though his smile returned, there was no goodwill to be found in it. "Should the Treaty of Bajor be set aside for reasons of incursions, the faithful legions of Jem'Hadar would not cross the threshold of Federation space until we had 'pulled the trigger', as the soldiers say, on the dormant biogenetic seeds which we have sown among critical points of your infrastructure."

Ambassador Delahunt grimaced, "Gentlemen, genocide and renewed conflict are not in anyone's interest here." He shot a glare and Tau. "I'm given to understand, Ambassador Yuelan, that the Dominion has a specific proposition for an operation that would need to be carried out under the aegis of one of Admiral Tau's organizations? Perhaps we should hear it before moving on to how Admiral Tau and Mr. Emanuel de Castillo-Bartres can help and what information Admiral Tau will be required to cooperatively furnish to make that happen."

"But of course!" Ambassador Yuelan smiled with far too many teeth. "We have reports which suggest quite credibly that the technological prototype stolen from the Mnemosyne facility--codenamed Project Mazikeen--has been delivered to the craven terrorist Maximiian Dedeker--to wit, a Federation expatriate who has become a rather intolerable pebble in our shoe with his criminal stronghold and pirate fleet." He looked directly at Tau with a challenging stare. "All the Founders wish is for the Federation to clean up its mess. Go into the Stygian Traverse, retrieve our stolen technology from Maximilian Dedeker's fortified stronghold, and ensure that no data backups exist for it to proliferate among the deplorables of the quadrant. This theft has been kept secret for some months to avoid political fallout, but if Mazikeen technology becomes commonplace, then our fleets would face a significant disadvantage. The Founders would be forced to implement extreme measures to pacify Dominion space and would quite necessarily turn their gaze outward for the acquisition of supplemental resources." He smiled again as if extending congratulations or a flattering compliment. "It is my understanding that Starfleet possesses an eminent acquisition agency. The Founders respectfully request that your specialists be tasked with resolving the theft of our property and the ensuing unpleasantness that it has brought--and may yet bring."

Gregorio drummed his finger absent-mindedly as he considered. "Yes, I think Admiral Tau's specialists would be appropriate to retrieve this Project Mazikeen, especially if keeping it secret is desirable. Although, one wonders, Ambassador, what is the nature of the Project Mazikeen that it is so important to go through this much effort?"

The look on Yuelan's face turned to mock regret. "Oh, I am afraid that is far too classified to be disclosed in present company. Suffice it to say that it could potentially revolutionize every technical system from power production to propulsion. It was research of the latter which the Mnemosyne personnel pursued before the greater implications were realized." His effervescent smile returned. "We will, of course, provide a full disclosure of everything we have on the Stygian Traverse--surveillance records, sensor profiles, infiltrator reports, and the like."

The bureaucrat shrugged. It's not like they wouldn't figure it out eventually anyway. One thing that Mrazak could be counted on to properly analyze anything recovered. So whatever the Dominion was hiding would become clear. "Have it your way. Captain Mrazak and his team will just have to be surprised." He looked at Tau. "Without any pre-warning of what to expect, Captain Mrazak's team will have to evaluate and make a judgment call on how to proceed once they're faced with the item. I'd say we cannot really guarantee any specific outcome that way. Your take, Admiral Tau?"

"My people are the best," Admiral Tau said in his gravelly voice. "If the demand is that we reacquire that which was stolen, then my people can see it done. Of course, their authority only extends to Federation space. The Stygian Traverse lies within Dominion space. How can we avert open warfare by repeating alleged past incursions?"

"Oh, my good admiral, let us dispense with the overtures," said Ambassador Yuelan with a rueful chuckle. "The very nature of the Stygian Traverse is one of containment rather than dominance. It is where the rebellious vermin go to flee the wrath of the Founders. While the Founders claim Dominion of the sector, everyone in this room is privy to the fact there is not a governing presence there. Starfleet cavorting in an essentially lawless region is not of concern. It is the fact that Starfleet was an accomplice to the theft of something which is currently beyond our reach and is poised to destabilize our vast domain through proliferation. Should that happen, then I am afraid our next meeting will be under gravely unfavorable terms indeed."

Gregorio shrugged, "Commander Onaga Sayuri is a mutineer. Her recovery and trial would be a benefit to us, although I am sure Lagash will seek her extradition since her crime is subject to the death penalty, but neither here nor there. I don't see any reason not to go in if our Dominion partners are sanctioning the operation. Given the timeline, Admiral, I would say allow the team to complete their vacation on Risa as planned. It will take us roughly that long to make it back from here anyway."

"Except our Dominion partners aren't sanctioning it," Tau cut in with a grave expression. "Are they?"

"But... but that would mean any action we take would be considered an act of war!" Ambassador Delahunt protested nearly to the point of stammering. "If it goes south, then it... it would spell the end of the Treaty of Bajor, the end of peace in our time."

The smirk on the Vorta's face curved into a closed grin. "I believe we have come to an understanding." He rose to his feet. "Since it appears that your Starfleet officers have their mandate, I propose another recess. May we resume negotiations at the same time tomorrow?"

"Let's go," Tau murmured to Gregorio while the ambassadors made their closing remarks to one another. They had clearly been given their exit cue from the one holding the leverage in the room, so Tau saw no reason to wait for anyone else to agree. Diplomats could be left to their niceties. He was a man of letters with a call to action. This situation was going to require the decisive variety.

Gregorio followed behind Tau. Once they were out of earshot, "Admiral, despite our mutual dislike, but given the circumstances, perhaps you could join me in impressing upon Captain Mrazak the stakes here. I also cannot say that I like the Vorta's implications about 'biogenetic seeds' in the Federation."

"Every toolkit needs a hammer," Tau replied without slowing down or even looking at the other man. "For Mrazak, no stakes could be greater than his personal success. His intransigent self-interest is both hammer and anvil. If you want somebody to squeeze, I recommend the administrator. Between the two of them, he is the one likely to lose sleep at night." The admiral's mouth coiled just a touch. "I have a few ideas of what the ambassador meant, and each is worse than the last. OSI will be focused on mitigating the consequences of failure. Once the field team is briefed, you will remain here as my liaison rather than at your assigned post." Impulsively, the admiral threw a glance toward station admin where the commodore's office was located. "Sinclair will butt in at any and all opportunity, and I would rather he didn't."

"Sinclair I can handle. If I read him right, he won't press too hard. He'll want the deniability for when the faecal matter hits the air redistribution system."

Tau just smirked. "No, Emanuel, that is what you are for and why he will not object to your presence. Watch yourself. The political front of this looming conflict may become its most dangerous theater."