Plot Log | The Cardassian Conundrum | Pt 1

Posted on 241605.13 @ 7:06am by Commodore Silvija Savage

Mission: Ascension
Location: Cardassia, USS Fulcrum
Timeline: Multiple

4 Months Ago

[Cardassia Prime]

Hues of Crimson and Amber filtered through the glass dome above conference table as thin streaks of light grey clouds slowly lofted ahead. At the table the Detapa council was holding its first meeting since the death of Legate Merket.

“Merket is dead or if he isn’t dead he will soon be. Romulan justice is usually swift and…fatal.”

Gul Marik grimaced but the ruse was well spotted by Eucan- the young Gul might as well have smirked for the wasted effort of his dramatics. With a tepid sigh the scholarly chairman of the Detapa council shifted his weight slightly and focused his gaze at the former legate’s adjunct “a tragedy for the Union indeed but we must look ahead. Speaking of looking ahead…Gul Marik where are Legate Ovek and Legate Relim?”

The Gul glanced around the conference table his eyes pausing on the two empty seats. “I…do not know. They should be here…”

“Should?” Latim Emor frowned causing her soft features to sharpen “I doubt we will see either- they have a loathing of this body. They would rather the Central Command return and sque…” Her voice cut off as a bright flash filtered in through the overhead window followed by a thunderous roar. The window shattered sending dust and glass dancing across the conference table into everyone below. Council members fell to the floor while others who still had their footing ran out of the room.

“It’s an attack!” Marik shouted the obviously just as a loud beam fell and emptied the air between his eyes.

[Nearby]

“Thunder?” Ovek yanked on the dusty blanket pulling it off the clips that held it to the thin clothes line pouring amber sunlight over the shade that had covered their table. Halfway across the Capital he could see an orange to black plume of smoke and fire radiate out of the Imperial Plaza. People glanced up at the commotion and muttered but otherwise continued what they were doing. Ovek snorted at the sight “the Detapa Council. What a waste.” He eyed Gul Ecet “you were right. Relim has made his move. Who would have thought that fool would be so bold? Wiping out the entire Detapa council…tsh.” He shook his head.

“We will need to leave soon. It is only a matter of time before he discovers you were not there.” Ecet glanced at the small device in his hands “it appears he has the support of the fourth and seventh orders. They have created a perimeter around Cardassia Prime and are demanding the other orders and militias submit to Relim’s authority.”

Ovek stood up “yes, yes, let’s go.”

[In Orbit]

Cardassia swirled below like some taupe marble. Relim marveled at it. It would soon be his domain. How many years had he waited for this moment? He would have killed Merket eventually but the timing had never been right. But now? Thank the Romulans for their need of vengeance. He had heard how Merket died- wasting away in a tiny box in their Senate gardens and then…more speculation then not- the old Legate’s rotting corpse was grounded up and used as fertilizer in the flower beds. It was quite morbid but very much Romulan so he didn’t have much reason to doubt the story. Relim had to admire their tenacity- unfortunately for them the Klingons could be equally tenacious…but that was fine too. He wouldn’t have to worry about the Romulans with the Klingons brow beating them. No, there was nothing to get in his way now. The Detapa council was a limp body and with Marik and Ovek gone he would have little competition to take Merket’s place. The Union would be his and with it the power he had long craved. “Have the militias storm Cardassia City. It won’t take them long to subjugate the populace.”

“By your command sir-” Gul Javna started but was immediately interrupted by a young staff officer halfway across the bridge.

“Sir! Sensors have detected four dozen ships pulling out of orbit on the far side of Cardassia- it appears to be vessels under the command of the first order. I have sent them orders to return to their ports but they have ignored them.”

Relim sneered and lifted his hand pointing at the screen “get their commander on screen now!” Anger welled up in him as he approached the viewer. When the visage of his old foe appeared smirking in front of him the Legate stopped and returned the mocking liveliness of Ovek with subdued ice “Ovek.”

“Indeed.” The Legate on screen chuckled “you seem near speechless. Did you think I would have seated myself with the rest of the Detapa council? Offer myself up for slaughter?” Ovek shook his head “you’re too young Relim. You should have sharpened yourself a bit more in service before allowing them to wrap that rank around your neck like a millstone. It’s obvious that its weight may have been too much for you handle.” He rubbed the scales of his chin like some old man deep in thought “you may hold the loyalties of the militias at the beckon of your fingertips but I hold the stars and skies. The commanders of the first, second, third, fifth, eighth, and ninth orders have already pledged their loyalty to me. So, why don’t you end this charade? This old man would regret very much if he has to discipline you.”

“Discipline me?” Relim took in a deep breath and gently rubbed his bottom lip “Ovek you should not mistake that hubris honed with age as actual wisdom. While I had hoped you would have allowed yourself to be graciously slaughtered I did anticipate resistance from your supporters even if you were dead. Which is why militias station at the bases of the second and third orders should currently be wiping out their ground and orbital facilities. You may still rule the skies- but I will make sure those wings of yours are well clipped.”

Ovek’s eyes suddenly widened and he turned away shouting off-screen. A loud conversation erupted on the bridge of his opponent’s ship and when he returned his gaze to Relim that vivid smirk seemed quite deflated. “Well you certainly are quite cunning boy.” The Legate said sharply using the tone of a grandfather scolding a grandchild “but do not think that this simple victory will win you the war. We will speak again.” He waved a finger dismissively which caused the screen to fizzle away.

“The ships have entered warp.”

“Old fool.” Relim muttered.

[Present, USS Fulcrum]

“Oh geez…how many?”

“Forty sir...I’m detecting twenty thousand life signs dispersed among them. Half the ships are barely even space worthy. I don’t think most of them will make it to Bajor.”

Captain Fassbender rubbed the glaring patch of baldness at the back of his head that stress had already worn to nothing. “We have standing orders not to allow anymore Cardassian refugees into the Bajoran system. Hail them and offer supplies and any materials needed to shore up their vessels but tell them that we cannot allow them to enter Federation space.”

“Sir…” Lieutenant Ba’rimma at operations looked at her Captain. The young Caitian appeared distressed “these are people in need. We can’t just send them a few Band-Aids and toss them back into the jaws of despair. They are desperate.”

“I understand your reservations Lieutenant but these orders come directly from Command. It’s a political quagmire I’m not going to step in.” Fassbender frowned feeling the first beads of sweat begin to clutter around his remaining hairline “we’ll do what we can but what we can’t do is allow them to reach Bajor.”

“Are we going to shoot them down Captain?” Lieutenant Commander Harper looked up from the tactical station “because barring that…I don’t think talking is going to do us much good.”

“Oy vey.” Captain Fassbender simply stared at the viewscreen in frustration.

[To be continued]