The Quarkening

Posted on Thu Dec 31, 2020 @ 10:32am by Commander Ajani Carter & Lieutenant Commander Dr. Elisabet Intarrah Ph.D MD & Lieutenant Commander Ethan Brash

Mission: Episode 1: On Stranger Tides
Location: Astrometrics
Timeline: MD 04, Evening
1557 words - 3.1 OF Standard Post Measure

The three senior officers of the Eagle were gathered in the ships astrometics lab. The big room was an unexpected yet welcome surprise for a ship of this size. It offered an opportunity to see the universe on a more manageable level. Right now they were seeing local space, the Eagle was in the center of the map.

"We are heading for the coordinates that you discovered Ethan" she glanced at him, "What can you tell us about it Lise?"

Lise spoke. "Cardassians are excellent record keepers, except when they decide to keep secrets. One thing bothers me... These harvesters. A Bioweapon so efficient, it's creators decided to assassinate the scientists trying to destroy it so no one could bring it back. So how did the Cardassians obtain it? There's only two people I know who had anything to do with this weapon, and both want nothing to do with this weapon. The thing about Cardassians and secrets... They are all true... Especially the lies." Lise checked her sensors. "The Central Command would never use bioweapons. Messy, crude, dangerous. They may have been jingoist, militarists. But for all intents and purposes they were a military nonetheless and a great many of known militaries prefer not to be killed by their own weapons." Lise mentioned. "But the Obsidian Order.... They view their agents as expendable assets... Like any Intelligence agency would. Tread carefully. But the primary question; who gave the Cardassians knowledge of the Harvesters?"

Lise spoke again. "My opinion? We tow the Cardassian Ship into the nearest sun. That will guarantee the destruction of any virus on that ship. If its creators decided it was ethical to kill the very scientists working to destroy it. Speaks volumes about the horrors of bioweapons. Even Klingons do not make such weapons, nothing honorable, nothing gained, everything lost when it comes to such things. Only fools meddle with that which can destroy indiscriminately."

"I will pass the suggestion on to the Skipper of the Brew. Was our target system ever associated with the harvesters virus?" Carter allowed her XO to run away with her explanation coz it normally lead to insights. "It is also possible that this wasn't an attack, but rather an accident. It might just be coincident that this ships crew were infected." she tilted her head "However, that said it is damn strange. So, Lise, the target system, what do we know about it?"

"L Class. Primordial. Like Earth during the late Precambrian era. Interesting.... The number of storms... It is possible simple proteins will be created in this environment." Lise mentioned. "Storms creating large amounts of EM, Would disrupt sensors at close range. Scans inconclusive at long range. As for the virus and it's relation to this system, I simply do not know. I can speculate, but one of my favorite authors once stated that if you eliminate the impossible, what ever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." Lise mentioned. "Ajani. How and Who are just as important as why, when, and where. We must go to deep space nine and ask questions."

"Our Intel liaison has given me some information" Ajani said pulling a holo console to her and inputted a file search. In due time more information appeared next to the planet. "The planet did have a colony, but it was short lived. A virus, much like the one we are dealing with now, spread. Everyone either died or was removed." She looked around at them, "We are on our way there now, at current speeds we will reach them in a few days. But you are right Lise, once again we find our sensors wanting for the task at hand. We have a probe speeding a head of us, it should reach the system a few hours before us and DS9."

"Times like this I wish Constable Odo was still around. He'd have a few ideas on this, but if I was Odo. I would investigate Quark first." Lise noted. "He may not be directly involved, but those ears pick up everything that happens in his bar."

Carter got the point, "Okay Lise" she smiled and nodded to Ethan, "Open a channel to Deep Space Nine, Lieutenant Commander Jefferson Blackmer is the current security Chief. He will be able to help us."

The chirp of an outgoing hail sounded from Ops. "Channel open, Captain."

"Jefferson" she said smiling "Am i glad i managed to connect directly to you. I need you to grab Quark and get him on the channel for us, we have questions" before her friend could say anything she preempted her questions, "I'm sorry my old friend, i can't tell you whats going on. But i do need you to do this, and quickly"

He nodded, they exchanged a few pleasantries, one of which was his promotion to XO of DS9 while one of his officers went to fetch Quark. His arrival was announced before they even saw him, the doors to the security office opened and Quarks voice filled the room. He was demanding to know what was happening and why he had been dragged away from the bar. Then he spotted Lise and his entire demeanor changed.

"Oh," A hand took hold of the orange and purple stain-glass-designed, large, stiff suit collar as Quark tilted his head, popping with pleasantness in his smile. "if it isn't one of the very few humans I don't necessarily hate. What," the Ferengi's hand gestured forward in a quick half-circular motion, "can this humble businessman do for you?"

"Remember when I earned a favor from you? Today is the day you repay it, Quark. I will always make sure you have some debt with me, Quark." Lise crossed her legs and put them on a table. "Harvesters.... Remember that virus that the station's Medical Chief found a long while ago? Information is a commodity I've learned you have much of, that's why Odo always investigated you." Lise grinned.

"Harvesters?" The Ferengi's index finger tapped his cheek a few times, "wait," He pointed at the screen, "you mean that stuff that almost killed one of my favorite customers and nearly started a war?" He grinned, daringly, "If I wanted to sell weapons of mass destruction, I'd have my own moon, by now." Crossing his arms, he eyed her suspiciously, "But you already know that, so what," he said pointedly, "do you want?"

"Rule of Acquisition 194; 'It's always good to know about new customers before they walk through the door.' Did anyone talk, in your bar, about the Harvesters." Lise asked. "Selling weapons is one thing Quark, but never sell a weapon that can kill you, and the people who buy these weapons are capable of anything. Rule forty-eight, Quark."

Quark shook his head, "Never trust a human who quotes the Rules of Acquisition more than you do." He sighed, looking down for a moment, then returned his gaze to the viewscreen, "As eager as I may be to repay the favor and get you off my back... I'm afraid you're gonna have to be disappointed. That Harvester thing was a long time ago, and I've heard nothing of it, since."

"Hmm... strange.." Lise mentioned. "Keep your ears open."

"I always do." Quark sighed once more, an uncharacteristically dour expression creeping along his features as he spoke, "Biological weapons destroy more of my customers than I will ever care to quantify." Those deep-sunken hazelly eyes were unblinking as he fixed his gaze on the Eagle's Commanding Officer, "Take some advice from an actual Ferengi, Captain. Rule of Acquisition number two hundred and eight. I'm sure your super-intelligent friend there," he showed his prickle teeth in a grimace, "can quote it for you, seeing as how she's so... familiar with them."

The transmission closed.

Ajani had listened but kept out of the communications, it had not really been helpful. "Well, from what I understand of him this means that there hasn't been any kind of sale of this weapon." she mused "We will have to continue on our current course." Not ever lead panned out, "unless I missed something from that exchange?"

Ethan looked back and forth between the two women, shrugging, "I can honestly say I haven't the slightest clue what that was all abo-"

At that moment, a shrill set of beeps came from Ethan's chest. He looked down at his comm badge, not sure if he'd ever heard it make that particular pattern of noises, before. "Uh..." he murmured as he reached for it, looking to his Captain almost as if asking for permission to open Pandora's box.

She sighed but nodded.

Ethan pressed his comm badge and a distorted voice came through it. "Jelob. Starfleet Intelligence. Everything I have about the outbreaks that isn't classified is currently being downloaded to your computer. Mr. Quark says 'good luck.'"

The transmission cut off.

Ajani downloaded the packet to her padd, "I'll review these files." she looked at each of them "Thank you both. I fear we will need every edge we can get if we're to finish this." Their course was plotted "Bridge, engage" the Eagle jumped to warp and sped towards a world wrapped in mystery.

"Dismissed" she gave them both a weak smile before leaving Astrometrics.