The Wretched Masses - Season 1, Episode 3

[Rayek tr'Lhoell]

NPC Cathy Daniels
[Katra Station - Promenade]

Cathy was not happy.  With no work lined up for the freighter, and Finn doing who knows what maintenance on the ship, and Juraan recently spending all his free time in the company of some local bimbo, Cathy was relegated to wandering the station, bored. 

Things had been busy in the wake of the station explosion - there was no shortage of work - the need for shipping materials from the planet up to Katra station.   So busy, that Cathy hadn't even noticed when the journalists and auditors finished up their investigations and left the station.   Cathy hadn't even managed to get Bront's contact info before the journalist left.   And Cathy might have been fine with that, if not for Juraan's subsequent success in the relationship department.    It was like the 'old man' was purposely rubbing salt on her wounded heart every time he spoke about Tamani.

Katra Station - Promenade

A large space had been cleared on the promenade, with many folding chairs laid out for people to sit.  In front of those seats stood a podium where an auctioneer surveyed the crowd.  The crowd were all carrying colored digital smart-placards with glowing numbers displayed on them in large font.  Bajorans, Meridians, Tellarites, Klingons, Romulans, and Humans filled the chairs...  And one solitary Pakled.



A holographic image was projected near the podium, and the auctioneer gestured to it.

"The first of the three ships we'll be auctioning today is also the star of the auction.  The 'Latinum Lobe,' a twenty-year-old D'Kora Class, Type B armed Freighter.  Recently impounded from convicted criminals, the Latinum Lobe was once gilded by a 2-millimeter-thick layer of gold-stabilized-latinum duroalloy, which has since been removed. 

The remaining duranium hull of the ship has suffered several breaches, and its internal systems have experienced extensive damage.  However, the ship can be made spaceworthy again with a little bit of time, effort, and credits.   

When in proper service, the Latinum Lobe enjoys a top speed exceeding Warp 9, has extensive cargo capacity, and can defend itself with plasma disruptors and a plasma missile suite.  A pristine embedded warp-yacht on the ventral hull stands ready for independent missions within a 20 light-year radius of the main craft.  The Latinum Lobe is currently configured with automation systems allowing it to operate with a skeleton crew.  However, this class of ship normally enjoys a crew complement of 450 personnel, and its environmental systems remain capable of supporting twice that capacity.

The bidding starts at 50,000 credits, or twelve-and-one-half bricks of Gold-Pressed Latinum..."

And with that, individuals in the crowd began to lift their cards, beginning an intense bidding war.  The only figure in the crowd not bidding on the ship was the lone Pakled, who sat quietly, waiting for the frenzy to be over.

Cathy skirted the auction sullenly, not interested in the sale of some Ferengi ship.  She wasn't feeling particularly hungry but could do with a non-alcoholic drink.   Her route took her towards IDIC.

[Katra Station - Promenade]

Juraan enjoyed Tamani's company greatly. The Bajoran doctor had helped out on Kir'Shara outpost to further look after the wounded. Even after the horrible event was over, the Wonderland's crew had remained on the station. If nothing else, they needed a new job. But Juraan didn't mind to spend some time on the station with his mates, Finn and Cathy. And most recently, with Tamani. She had recovered completely from her injuries and now, after they had taken a walk in the arboretum, they were heading towards the restaurant they actually had met - under strange circumstances.[/size]


"Feels a little weird to come here again", Tamani said with a cautious gaze around them as they approached the IDIC.

"I won't let anything happen to you, don't worry", Juraan said with a small grin. Instead of entering the restaurant, Juraan stopped at one of the vacant tables in front of the restaurant.

"They really have done a great job fixing this place", Tamani said after they had sat down. "Looks like nothing ever happened."

Juraan just sat opposite her and watched her pretty face. Especially her eyes seemed to draw him in every time he looked at them.

"What?", Tamani grinned and leaned forward, grinning at him challeging.

The Bajoran doctor blinked and smiled. "Usually people say 'Nothing' in response to such a question. But I really don't want to say that because ..."

"Because?"

"Because I have seen the most beautiful pair of eyes looking at me. That's not nothing."

Tamani laughed and made a dismissive gesture before she picked up a menu card. "I bet you say that to every woman you meet."

Of course that wasn't true. But Juraan liked to tease her and just grinned in response.

Tamani laughed again. "You should say now 'No, of course not, I only say that to you!"

His grin widened. "I already told you I'm not one for the standard replies."

The sight of Juraan and his Bajoran 'girlfriend' were an unwelcome sight.  She was too far away to hear what they were saying but the smiles and glances that were exchanged were almost enough to make her want to vomit.   What the hell did Juraan see in someone like that?  Was it just that Tamani was an admittedly attractive Bajoran?  Or did he actually find her personality attractive too?  If so - Cathy couldn't see it.  Everything about the woman seemed fake.   No one was that attractive naturally.  She'd probably had 'work done' to look that good.  The few times that Cathy had 'bumped into' Juraan and Tamani before - the woman's personality had seemed a real bore. 

Cathy honestly wondered if Juraan's interest in the woman was just lingering compassion for a patient he'd once help?   It that was the case, then he was making a big mistake dating her.   Besides which, Cathy knew the Bajoran doctor could do way better.

Well, as a real friend Cathy couldn't let Juraan confuse compassion for love.  It was time for an intervention, even if it was hard for her to stomach being around the woman.

With a determined nod, Cathy headed over towards their table and plastered on a cheerful smile.  "Hey Juraan!  Suppose I shouldn't be surprised at seeing you here. You are bored too huh?  Nothing to do on this station while the ship is 'grounded'."

She pulled up a chair and sat down smiling at her friend.  "Have you ordered already? It'd be nice to get something not brown."

Usually when she came here with Odelot, Cathy would always order meatloaf and Coke to support his love of brown.  She turned to Tamani.  "Can you suggest anything good?"


   

[James Bryson]

[Interrogation Room]

"Well you'll have to forgive me if I don't just take your word for it, Mister Moreno." Jeb replied. "And since the main evidence we have is that the program began in your guest quarters, I'm afraid that we will have to detain you while we investigate."

[Finn Moreno]

[Interrogation room]
What? I wasn't even in my room in the evening. I was out until almost midnight.
That's how easily Starfleet could lock someone up?
So you'll simply throw out an accusation without proof that it was me and lock me up? What about a lawyer or something?
Finn was getting really worried and anxious now that he realized what was at stake.
So he got up from his chair and gave Jeb an angry glare.
You can't do this. I haven't done anything.
(At least not what he was accused of)

[James Bryson]

[Interrogation]

"Sit down Mister Moreno. No one said anything about locking you up. That old Earth adage of innocent until proven guilty still rings true in Starfleet." Jeb replied as calmly as possible. "As you've said, there's no hard evidence right now. Just one program saying another program began in your quarters. This should all be easy enough to figure out and only take a few days. Until then, I'm confining you to your quarters here on the station with escort."

[Juraan Ren]

[Katra Station - Promenade - outisde the IDIC]

NPC Cathy Daniels
[Katra Station - Promenade]

Cathy was not happy.  With no work lined up for the freighter, and Finn doing who knows what maintenance on the ship, and Juraan recently spending all his free time in the company of some local bimbo, Cathy was relegated to wandering the station, bored. 

Things had been busy in the wake of the station explosion - there was no shortage of work - the need for shipping materials from the planet up to Katra station.   So busy, that Cathy hadn't even noticed when the journalists and auditors finished up their investigations and left the station.   Cathy hadn't even managed to get Bront's contact info before the journalist left.   And Cathy might have been fine with that, if not for Juraan's subsequent success in the relationship department.    It was like the 'old man' was purposely rubbing salt on her wounded heart every time he spoke about Tamani.

Cathy skirted the auction sullenly, not interested in the sale of some Ferengi ship.  She wasn't feeling particularly hungry but could do with a non-alcoholic drink.   Her route took her towards IDIC.

The sight of Juraan and his Bajoran 'girlfriend' were an unwelcome sight.  She was too far away to hear what they were saying but the smiles and glances that were exchanged were almost enough to make her want to vomit.   What the hell did Juraan see in someone like that?  Was it just that Tamani was an admittedly attractive Bajoran?  Or did he actually find her personality attractive too?  If so - Cathy couldn't see it.  Everything about the woman seemed fake.   No one was that attractive naturally.  She'd probably had 'work done' to look that good.  The few times that Cathy had 'bumped into' Juraan and Tamani before - the woman's personality had seemed a real bore. 

Cathy honestly wondered if Juraan's interest in the woman was just lingering compassion for a patient he'd once help?   It that was the case, then he was making a big mistake dating her.   Besides which, Cathy knew the Bajoran doctor could do way better.

Well, as a real friend Cathy couldn't let Juraan confuse compassion for love.  It was time for an intervention, even if it was hard for her to stomach being around the woman.

With a determined nod, Cathy headed over towards their table and plastered on a cheerful smile.  "Hey Juraan!  Suppose I shouldn't be surprised at seeing you here. You are bored too huh?  Nothing to do on this station while the ship is 'grounded'."

She pulled up a chair and sat down smiling at her friend.  "Have you ordered already? It'd be nice to get something not brown."

Usually when she came here with Odelot, Cathy would always order meatloaf and Coke to support his love of brown.  She turned to Tamani.  "Can you suggest anything good?"

Another moment of silent but happy eye-contact was interrupted by a familiar voice calling his name. Juraan looked to the side and a moment later Cathy already sat down on the seat next to him. She was quite her bubbly self and bombarded them with questions. Juraan wasn't sure about the real motive that had drawn her to them. He had the feeling Cathy didn't particularly like Tamani much.

So the Bajoran doctor eyed Cathy assessingly but with a slight smile on his face. "Hey Cathy. We have not ordered yet." He chuckled at her comment about it being nice to get something not brown. When Cathy directed a question at Tamani, Juraan turned his gaze towards her with a curious grin.


Tamani smiled a polite smile at Cathy. "A curious thing to pick food by color", she remarked chuckling. "Well, if you ask me, Veklava is really delicious. They even have it on the menu here. It's best with some home made mapa bread."

"Other than the bread, none of that is brown", Juraan assured Cathy and looked at her amused.

[Finn Moreno]

A few days?
Finn protested loudly because he hadca nice, lucrative pleasure cruise lined up for a bunch of rich gamblers who didn't want to look over their shoulder all the time.
Are you going to compensate me for my losses? Just because you decided to falsely accuse me without evidence as you said?
He huffed and gave Jeb a pointed look. The guy was only an Ensign. What could he do? How far would he dare to go?
Finn decided to see whether he could put some pressure on the guy.
Does the name Tess Moreno ring a bell with you? I'm sure she wouldn't approve of what you're doing.

[John Saxon]

<Operational Control Centre - Katra Station>

Solluk turned his attention to the display as telemetry began to come in.



At this range, FTL particles and subspace disruptions required the computer to render approximations of the ships being detected at the far end of sensor range.  Colors could only be guessed at.  Lighting was artificially placed.  Shapes were projected from sensor returns.  Still, the computer usually did a fair job at this, and Solluk could be assured that whatever was approaching, it would look something like the displayed image.

And what did it look like?

Several dozens of ships, of every conceivable shape and apparent purpose.  It looked like some civilization had just placed every spaceworthy craft into a flotilla and sent it aloft in the direction of Katra station.  The speed of the flotilla was low: only Warp 5.  Most of the ships did not seem to be warships.  The warp trails behind the ships went on past sensor range, suggesting a long voyage for this ragtag fleet.

And why? 

It did not seem like an attack.  But it did seem to be aimed directly at the Trialus system.

"Ops, send Linguacode and full translation matrix, and code a request that they respond when they have deciphered it."

The operations officer responded quickly, "Aye, Captain.  They should have it in about 5 minutes.  At their current speed, it will take them three days to reach the system."

Solluk nodded, "Five minutes for them to get the Linguacode.  An unknown time for their computers to crunch it.  Then we'll get a response.  Hopefully, the Linguacode is sensible to them, or our U.T. is able to figure out their language with very little context.  I do not wish to have knife-fights in the Meridian jungles."

He smiled at Saxon.

John smiled back, but it was a loose smile - more to hide his pensive mood as he looked upon the telemetry coming in from the probe. The assembly of this motley caravan for Trialus was, on the surface, a clear sign of the need for assistance, for shelter, for aid. The cynical side to him had already discounted the possibility this was a rush of new clientele for the Promenade. He turned back to Solluk, and tried to push his cynicism to one side with some dry levity. "I don't suppose they're carrying fresh water? I'd rather not have to ask the replicators again...". He coughed politely.  At his age, there was very little that could shock him; but what he did not expect instead of a cafetiere of Rigellian max-bean coffee-... Well... He had originally thought it was a prank by the irascible Goodspeed - that was until her own call to the OCC made clear water for her pot of tea was similarly...exchanged. Swiftly followed like dominoes with outraged calls from across the station. Engineering was still repairing the overloaded intra-communications hub at the same time Operations and Security Departments were investigating the replicator software.

Looking back to the holoviewer, 'Century' got back to business. "I'd be more comfortable if we could send something out to meet them before they reach the system" he said honestly, using 'meet' as a euphemism for taking their measure, but knew that the Aquila was still the only ship of worth the Katra had available, and given recent events leaving the station without their support vessel only asked for trouble; the Great Bird had a wicked sense of humour. "But I'll settle for Yellow Alert in three days."

At that, he gave a rascally smirk, almost as if ready to be caught out with the desire to give the defence grid another run in the park; it was no secret the old officer felt more alive when klaxons blared and systems energised.

[Rayek tr'Lhoell]

NPC Cathy Daniels
[Katra Station - Promenade - IDIC]

[Katra Station - Promenade - outisde the IDIC]

Another moment of silent but happy eye-contact was interrupted by a familiar voice calling his name. Juraan looked to the side and a moment later Cathy already sat down on the seat next to him. She was quite her bubbly self and bombarded them with questions. Juraan wasn't sure about the real motive that had drawn her to them. He had the feeling Cathy didn't particularly like Tamani much.

So the Bajoran doctor eyed Cathy assessingly but with a slight smile on his face. "Hey Cathy. We have not ordered yet." He chuckled at her comment about it being nice to get something not brown. When Cathy directed a question at Tamani, Juraan turned his gaze towards her with a curious grin.


Tamani smiled a polite smile at Cathy. "A curious thing to pick food by color", she remarked chuckling. "Well, if you ask me, Veklava is really delicious. They even have it on the menu here. It's best with some home made mapa bread."

"Other than the bread, none of that is brown", Juraan assured Cathy and looked at her amused.

After her initial arrival, there had been a small worry that Juraan would be upset,  She was interrupting his date afterall.  But Juraan didn't seem upset at all, in fact he smiled at her.  Ha!  She knew he hadn't really been wanting to date that totally fake woman; fake because no one smiled that much or made such lingering eye-contact without some ulterior motive.

Cathy had hoped that her presence at the table might unsettle Tamani enough to get the woman to show her true self in front of Juraan, but the Bajoran woman was more self-assured than Cathy had estimated.  It would take more to fluster this one.

At the woman's offered meal suggestion, Cathy made a bit of a face to show her dislike of the idea before turning to Juraan.  "What would you suggest? You know my tastes."

[James Bryson]

[Interrogation]

Jeb watched and waited as the freighter captain raised his voice in protest.

"No." he simply said when Moreno was done. "No. I'm not going to compensate you. No. You aren't being accused of anything. We are simply asking for your cooperation while we investigate this issue. And No. I have no clue who Tess Moreno is. I take it that she is a relative." he stated matter of factly. "Now. If you're not willing to cooperate, I'm sure I can find a reason aboard that ship of yours to throw your ass in our brig instead of those comfortable quarters you've been assigned and then I will run my investigation without you."

[Solluk]

<Operational Control Centre - Katra Station>

Solluk recalled the recent malfunctions with a mixture of humor and horror.  But of course Goodspeed had made short work of the worst of it.  No doubt a complication caused by the recent station-wide damage.

"At least you didn't have to explain it to the Dord," he replied, well remembering how the usually polite slavers had gotten quite up in arms about the problem.  Apparently, the sanctity of their food and beverages was up on the scale of importance with the cleanliness of their bodies.  If only they'd valued freedom and equal rights as highly.

The Ops officer turned in her seat, "Sir, message coming through- Text Only.  'We are the Xhelos.  We came through the Trantilus one month ago.  Inquiries revealed that the Trialus system was a safe haven for refugees.  We will need places for ten million."

Solluk frowned.  What was a Trantilus?  Some kind of disaster event?

In any case, he had no place he could promise a safe haven for ten million people.

"Operations.  Send back: 'This is Captain Solluk of the United Federation of Planets Starfleet, commanding Katra Station in the Trialus system.  We greet you peacefully, and express contentment at contact with a new peoples.  We will be happy to provide any assistance possible to anyone in need.  However, we do not have the capacity to accommodate ten million people at this time.  If you will enter the system according to the direction given to you by my operations officer, we will ask you to hold your ships in a position 100 million kilometers from Katra Station while we meet to discuss what may be possible upon your arrival in three days.'"

The Operations officer nodded and began typing the response.

Solluk looked to Saxon, "I hope they are patient.  Things could become quite ugly if they attempt to force a landing here."

[Finn Moreno]

[Interrogation room]
I want to talk to your superior!
Finn exclaimed with a big huff.

When the man mentioned that he wanted to search his ship for clues the captain knew that he'd put Cathy in jeopardy so he grimaced and complied against his will.
Do what you have to do. But I'm filing a complaint!

[James Bryson]

[Interrogation room]

"Commander Saxon is too busy to be bothered by this situation so you get me." Jeb replied when the suspect asked for Jeb's superior officer.

A few more moments of back and forth and Moreno had finally given in and agreed to the confinement.

Jeb sighed and looked arrogantly at Moreno. "Thank you. Now was that so hard?" he said sarcastically before sitting back down. "Now. Before we can allow you back into the quarters, we will have to do a search of them. Since you've just agreed to the confinement, we'll just skip the formalities for the consent to search and just say that's a yes as well since the two go hand in hand. You can add that to your complaint list as well."

Jeb stood back up and tapped his comm badge as he walked toward the corner.

  Bryson to Lieutenant Winslow. I need you to do a search on those guest quarters we discussed earlier today. Room five seven seven. Bryson out.

Several moments past in which Jeb and Moreno just sat there and stared at each other. Jeb was sure that if looks could kill, he would have been laying on the floor several moments earlier. The silence was broken by the door to the interrogation room parting. Winslow walked in and tossed a data disc on the table.

"This was found in the room and it contains the program that was used." he said as he stared at Moreno. "Care to explain?"

[Finn Moreno]

[Interrogation room]
Finn was more than sure that things would be cleared up very quickly and that his cousin would be helping him to knock this arrogant prick down a notch. Who did he think he was? Obviously he thought he was above the freighter captain because he was Fleet.

Things turned out very differently when his right hand came back with evidence?
For a second Finn looked at it turning his head to see what that even was and then jumped up with an flustered.
This is not mine. I'm being set up!
Right now he had a feeling like the only one with a motive was the security officer in front of him. He obviously disliked him a great deal.
You guys are setting me up...planting stuff in my quarters! I'm not letting you do this!
He was ready to walk away, take his ship and leave.

[James Bryson]

[Interrogation Room]

Jeb had hoped the search of the civilian captain's quarters would prove fruitless and then they could move on with the investigation. Such was not the case when Winslow entered with the disk. Moreno immediately accused Bryson of setting him up. Jeb kept his calm and addressed the accusation.

"I don't know you from what ever deity you believe made this universe. What reason would I possibly have to set you up, Mister Moreno?" Jeb asked. Inside, he was seething. He was saying one thing but in his head, he was saying and doing something totally different.



"Was there anything else found in the quarters, Lieutenant?" Jeb asked Winslow.

"No. That was it. And it wasn't hard to find. It was laying on a shelf right next to the replicator." replied the other officer.

Jeb nodded. "What about entry codes for the night in question? Mister Moreno here says he wasn't even in the quarters that night?"

"Erased." answered Winslow.

[John Saxon]

<Operational Control Centre - Katra Station>

Solluk recalled the recent malfunctions with a mixture of humor and horror.  But of course Goodspeed had made short work of the worst of it.  No doubt a complication caused by the recent station-wide damage.

"At least you didn't have to explain it to the Dord," he replied, well remembering how the usually polite slavers had gotten quite up in arms about the problem.  Apparently, the sanctity of their food and beverages was up on the scale of importance with the cleanliness of their bodies.  If only they'd valued freedom and equal rights as highly.

The Ops officer turned in her seat, "Sir, message coming through- Text Only.  'We are the Xhelos.  We came through the Trantilus one month ago.  Inquiries revealed that the Trialus system was a safe haven for refugees.  We will need places for ten million."

Solluk frowned.  What was a Trantilus?  Some kind of disaster event?

In any case, he had no place he could promise a safe haven for ten million people.

"Operations.  Send back: 'This is Captain Solluk of the United Federation of Planets Starfleet, commanding Katra Station in the Trialus system.  We greet you peacefully, and express contentment at contact with a new peoples.  We will be happy to provide any assistance possible to anyone in need.  However, we do not have the capacity to accommodate ten million people at this time.  If you will enter the system according to the direction given to you by my operations officer, we will ask you to hold your ships in a position 100 million kilometers from Katra Station while we meet to discuss what may be possible upon your arrival in three days.'"

The Operations officer nodded and began typing the response.

Solluk looked to Saxon, "I hope they are patient.  Things could become quite ugly if they attempt to force a landing here."

John slowly turned to Solluk as the realisation of logistics became clear. Ten million? This was an exodus of a size that was only dwarfed by the planned evacuation of the Romii system (an evacuation that horrifically barely scratched the surface of what was needed)  and they were all coming to this system.

As Solluk finished his dictation to Ops, the Captain then commented on potential issues if these 'Xhelos' (was that an organisation, peoples, or mission) forced the issue. Saxon ran a thoughtful hand down his beard and he looked at the live feed of the line of ships. "If they do, I can't be sure we can stop them. I just hope they don't realise that."

He turned to Ops. "Have the probe continue its path alongside the procession and begin tactical analyses of those that are armed; go deep - calculation of power-flow conduit limits, any technologies that are currently showing unpowered or areas that are completely dark." He shot a glance to Solluk. "Call me suspicious in my old age", an eyebrow twitched, "but if I wanted to sneak in an attack, that's how I'd do it".

That wasn't completely true of course...sometimes it was preferable to not remind his peers, let alone his Commanding Officer, of the scale of destruction he was capable of inflicting if circumstances arose; he had enough of that from elsewhere. But knowing all the options available helped him prepare to counter them all. Sneaking a wolf in among the flock was just one obvious method - good for amateur hour, but sometimes even the most obvious tactics were the most overlooked...