Posted by Civilian Sinayda Nyx (Governor’s Aid) in Seeking Allies in Unlikely Places (Tag Hyrushi)

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Nicholas James (Chief Star Fleet Intelligence Officer) in Seeking Allies in Unlikely Places (Tag Hyrushi)

Posted by Civilian Sinayda Nyx (Governor’s Aid) in Seeking Allies in Unlikely Places (Tag Hyrushi)
Posted by… suppressed (5) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Nicholas unclipped his rank pips and set them on his desk. He changed out of his uniform and donned civilian clothes. It had been a day. He had decisions to make. Decisions that had pressed on the back of his mind for months, itching his conscience and soul. He stood at the replicator and requested a box. Just… a box. He stuffed it in his jacket pocket and considered what he was about to do.

Nicholas walked out of his home and down several streets. Such as he was, he drew little attention, but he hoped no one was watching. Coming to the Government building, it was after hours, everyone would be gone, he needed to get in under his own power. he went around the back, found a service hatch and crawled in. It was quite the maze, but he got into the Governor’s office, sat behind the desk, and waited.

Morning came, and when the door opened Nicholas said “Good morning Hyrushi. You’re a tad late.”

-Nicholas James

For his part, Kenzo seemed non-plussed by the man’s occupation of his chair. The advantage of being who and what he was, emotions were detectable even through doors.

“Mr. James. I would say this is a surprise… but we both know that would be a lie. Perhaps you could let me sit in my chair, you can sit like a welcome guest, and you can regal me with whatever diatribe you have teed up for me? And please… wipe off the desk. I don’t know what ventilation shaft you crawled through to get here, but don’t leave the detritus on my things, thank you very much.” and he shooed the man away from his chair as if he was nothing more than an irritating toddler.

Hyrushi, Governor

“Your desk is fine.” Nicholas rose and switched seats with Hyrushi. “I would never use anything as pedestrian as an air vent. A Jeffries tube, certainly.” He sat silently for a moment. “I need your assistance Hyrushi. I need a doctor. One from… alternative channels.”

-Nicholas James

Now that was unexpected. Hyrushi stopped in mid-sit, and his black eyes locked on James. After a moment, he slowly maneuvered himself into his chair… his eyes never leaving James’s face. His emotions were genuine, and conflicted. Even looking deeper, he sensed no outright hostility… just a desire to find direction.

Hyrushi took a breath and then said “So. You accost me in my office, accuse me of being some kind of terrorist, then a few days later you break in to the same office and ask for my help? You will of course excuse me for being hesitant to believe that this isn’t some elaborate and yet wholly inept attempt to bait me into doing something… let’s call it ‘uncharacteristic’.”

Hyrushi, Governor

“Understandable. I’ve had some experiences in the last few days. The culmination of a career that…” Nicholas stopped himself from oversharing. “I’ve been trained to operate certain ways, think certain ways. But I don’t think the organizations I serve share these views they instill. I need to remove certain medical apparatuses attached to my body. Starfleet doctors would make charts and records, which would be read. Maquis doctors might be persuaded not to.”

-Nicholas James

The only reaction from Kenzo was an slight rise in one eyebrow. “Mr. James… as I said to you before, in this very office… I am not Maquis. While I can appreciate your desire and drive to find whatever remnants of the organization still exists and eradicate it from existence, I can assure you that I am in no position to lead you to them… and to be honest? Even if I believed your desire was not some Intelligence plan at play and I knew the information you are asking for I doubt that I would divulge such to you. Partly because I don’t believe you, partly because I don’t have what you are asking for, and primarily because I simply don’t trust or like you enough to help you even if I could. So now that we have established the baseline… is there anything else I can not be of help to you with today?”

Hyrushi, Governor

“I don’t care if you’re maquis or not, I don’t really care if anyone is. I just need to stay record free. And I will pay generously to do so.” Nicholas sat back and considered what he had left to say. He closed his eyes briefly and turned off the iris color filters, leaving only the cybernetic truth. “Let me tell you a, entirely hypothetical, story. A branch of the federation sweeps the wreckage of Wolf 359, picking up what remains of the destroyed borg technology. They study this, thinking that they can utilize the advanced technology within federation species. So they round up some people in early adulthood. Inject their blood with nanoprobes, ram cybernetics in different body parts. But most importantly, re-educate them. They teach these young people that they’re an instrument through which the safety and security of the federation is maintained. It is their responsibility to go as far as necessary to pursue that end. Now later one of those agents discovers it’s all been a damned lie. Starfleet seems determined to keep him in a box. This box. But I- he can’t unsee some things. The only way out short of dying is to remove the stuff in his body. He knows one person who has both power and anti-establishment contacts. So he goes there. Make sense?”

-Nicholas James

“Oh absolutely. Save for the part where he had previously gone there uninvited, made unfounded and derogatory accusations, and now expects the person who May have the power but certainly not any ‘anti-establishment contacts’ to now use those things he was previously demeaned and derided for to help him.” Kenzo replied. He leaned back and focused on the Intel agent. For a long time he just looked at him, no words coming forth. Finally, he spoke.

“But… be that as it may… that one person would certainly find the thought of such a ‘nobel and altruistic’ organization such as the United Federation of Planets, even just a branch, conducting such horrific and wholly illegal experiments such as that on anyone… willing or not.” He leaned forward and said “I tell you what. That operson most certainly does not have what he is asking for. And for that I am sorry. But… and this is non-negotiable… if you were to bring that person documentation… absolute proof of what happened to… that hypothetical man… and who was responsible for it? Then… then perhaps that person could help him at least find someone who could help him. Maquis, no. But someone. And the price will most likely be high… and not in money or credits. So he should be prepared for that. Does that make sense?”

Hyrushi, Governor

Nicholas asked “May I borrow your computer for a moment?”

He spent some time with it and the details of Project Integrity filled the screen. Nicholas spun the monitor around and indicated that Hyrushi could take that with him. If it was fake, it was a lot of work to make, with decades of backdated reports and details, including the recruitment of security Cadet Nicholas James. The details of the experiments were well kept in the Section 31 records. “I found those not particularly well hidden a few months ago.” Nicholas said.

-Nicholas James

Hyrushi reviewed the records and his jaw set. When he finished, he encrypted the files and sent them… somewhere else… and then clasped his hands together and looked at James.

“What was done was not only illegal… it was barbaric. But even with that… I cannot help you. At least… not yet. Trust, Mr. James. We must build mutual trust. We are both risking quite a bit simply having this conversation… hypothetical as it may be. That being said, perhaps there is a way to show you my sincere desire to work with you on a more… mutually beneficial… footing. So in that vein, I will give you some information in return. There was a name that is familiar to me. Commander T’Vasht. He is listed a recruiter, but not a Commander at the time of course. He is a Vulcan Star Fleet Officer. Operated in the disputed territories before the war as an ‘advisor’. On an unrelated note, if you are a historically-minded person, I might direct you to the town of Drecul on Noverra. The story of how it was brought to its end is tragic. I believe chemical weapons were utilized… on a wholly civilian populace. No one knows who gave that particular order. Of course, if someone were to have both ends of that puzzle… perhaps finding the threads that link them would not be too difficult for someone with knowledge of such things.”

Hyrushi, Governor

Nicholas weighed the options before him for a moment. If he followed this path, there would be no turning back. “Thank you, Hyrushi.” Nicholas rose and began to exit. “Keep in touch.” And then he left.

Researching Drecul was simpler than Nicholas had expected. Little of it was redacted, but it had all been coated in a healthy layer of patriotism. The cause listed was suspected hostile activity, but no confirmation of locating any such hostiles. Interesting. Nicholas looked for the officer in command of the operation. The one who would’ve had to give the go ahead to even begin such an attack. Even more interesting.

=/\=Computer, call Rhea Tulos.=/\= It was a brief wait before a familiar face filled the small computer screen before Nicholas.
“Rhea. Long time no see.”
“Long time indeed. I assume you need something.”
“You assume correctly. Though that’s not-“
“Let’s not get into whether or not you ever call and just skip to the favor.”
“Information. On a Starfleet officer. Commander T’Vasht.”
“Alright… let’s see… personnel records are a little too clean, looks like he’s one of those people who goes to crisis areas and tells them who to bomb.”
“Where is he now?”
“Seeing as there’s no war, he’s just kind of bouncing around right now… What’s all this about?”
“I’m doing what you always told me to.”
“So what do you need?”
“It seems like this T’Vasht guy destroyed a civilian town called Drecul on Noverra. Records claim there were hostiles there, but records also don’t demonstrate the finding of any hostiles.”
“Yeah but I can tell you right now that one of the top Maquis squads was lead by a guy from Drecul. The standoff and extermination at Drecul was supposed to indirectly take out a Maquis unit the Federation just couldn’t catch up to.”
“Is there any proof of that?”
“Sure. Let me send you a file on a larger Maquis suppression operation. Maybe this’ll help.”

Nicholas received the file and it was a strange read. He sent a message to the Governor. =Hyrushi. Meet me.= it then gave a time and the location of a not terrible restaurant.

-Nicholas James

---

Later That Evening…

Kenzo sat in a corner booth across from the end of the bar. A small cup sat on each side of the table with a ceramic bottle between them. Kenzo had arrived early, very, in order to facilitate the booth selection and make sure they weren’t disturbed.

The ‘invitation’ was curt and abrupt, much like it’s sender, but Hyrushi was intrigued what the abrasive Fleet Intel officer had to say.

Hyrushi, Governor

Nicholas approached, once again in civilian dress. “Good evening.” He sat and smiled, somewhat oddly, looking like he was in the middle of the most important mission he had done. He withdrew a PaDD from his pocket and slid it across the table to Hyrushi. The PaDD detailed a Starfleet plan called Operation Inflated Cost, a way to force Maquis leaders into quitting the cause.
“This is why they struck Drecul. Most of the more effective commanders were targeted, or going to be. The only one they couldn’t pin down was Smoke. Though I’d imagine that’s because they put their worst minds on it.” He poured from the ceramic bottle for himself and Hyrushi. “I compliment your choice of beverage.”

-Nicholas James

“Sake. From a cousin in Japan on Earth.” Kenzo said absentmindedly as he read. When he finished he shook his head and took a drink. “I would say so… the worst mind that is. None of those leaders were there… they had been, but not for well over a week.” He pointed at a name and said “B’jan Tre? He is still alive and in a Federation prison on Breliva VII. Not even under an alias. And here…” and he pointed at another name, “… Grella Hampstead is on Earth teaching creative writing not a hundred kilometers from Star Fleet Academy.” and he leaned back and looked at James. “And Smoke? Surely the cogs of Intelligence have ground out the fact that Smoke was a myth… a fable. A tool of propaganda used to deflect attention?” He shook his head and said “All of those lives… for nothing.”

Hyrushi

“Indeed.” Nicholas nodded somberly. “You might be interested that the idea of a Smoke being a “myth” or a figurehead… I think it was floated but it never went anywhere. They were certain that there was one person conducting military actions. Personally, not that it matters, I think Smoke must’ve been 5-8 people. Different skillsets, different areas of operation, no real violence, just keep the press on the Maquis. But that’s inconsequential. The Federation thinks he’s dead and he’s best left that way, for the safety of those who were involved.” Nicholas sipped the sake, wincing slightly as people do when alcohol hits their throat.

-Nicholas James

Kenzo nodded, his face impassive. Years of sitting across the table from beings half-a-heartbeat from killing him had given him an incredible ability to control even his most involuntary microexpressions. “So why meet, then? I really don’t see why knowing what the mass homicide of civilians with chemical weapons was called on a project file is pertinent. And I am more certain that any name attached to such an endeavor is redacted, false, that of a dead person… or all three.”

Hyrushi

“You would certainly think. And most of the time that’s true. however” Nicholas emphasized “Certain portions of these records are kept in secured storage, and while positively dripping with patriotism, they do contain verifiable facts. And names. Commander T’Vasht to start with. While he did not prepare any of the reports, he is prominently featured on two. All the reports agree that T’Vasht was in command on the day of the attack and was documented per protocol authorizing it.” Nicholas took another sip. “That’s very good sake. Of course they’d keep just enough around to have a plausible fall guy in case, well, hypothetically an intel agent turned this information loose. Combining the various people who authorized the project to begin with and T’Vasht, one has a decent start on locating the problem. It’s a big problem though.”

-Nicholas James

Kenzo nodded at the compliment to the drink. “I’ll convey your appreciation to the distiller. I am still waiting to see why we needed to meet. Not that the company and drink is not pleasant… but so far everything you have told me is both not surprising and not a civilian matter. Star Fleet? Oh, I would imagine this would quite damaging to some. But they will be thrown on the funeral pyre of history to burn for the sins of those above them. Im not seeing how a humble civil servant can be of assistance in the matter.”

Hyrushi

Nicholas sighed. “If I just release the documents, yes. Starfleet will minimize the damage while serving the public outrage and that’ll be it. But it is a civilian matter. The Starfleet is not entirely separate from the Federation government. Starfleet can only be held accountable by the civilian government, and as unlikely as that is, you have a better shot at it than I do. I still need to remove myself from certain precarious situations, which means being perceived as a threat to Starfleet’s homeostasis is a bad idea.”

-Nicholas James

“Hmmm… an interesting theory. One that could merit further consideration.” Hyrushi said, and took a sip. He leaned back and considered the man before him for a long time.

“So an unrelated question, if I may Mr. James. As you have alluded, there is a desire to ‘improve the circumstances’ of your current prospects. What does that entail? Surely without your… ‘advantages’… the current employment will be somewhat tenuous. What do you plan on doing after these hypothetical goals have been met? What then? Because I can tell you from personal observation, sometimes when a person suddenly achieves all they strive for.. the shock of such can be quite significant.”

Hyrushi

Nicholas’ eyes glassed over slightly. “A fair question. I don’t just want the implants removed. I want out. Something is rotten. And while I have the markings of their puppet, I can’t sniff it out on my own. These endemic problems, they may be solvable, but only if I drop off their radar. I assume my implants are being tracked, to speak nothing of a potential kill switch. It’s possible I could pay for replacements, at least to the more crucial parts, but these need to go. This isn’t the end goal Hyrushi, it’s the first goal.” Nicholas’ eyes focused again. “To prevent these” he tapped the PaDD in front of Hyrushi “things from happening. That’s where I’m headed.”

-Nicholas James

Kenzo again looked at the man before him, blatantly appraising him. Leaning forward he said “What past operation are you most shamed by, Mr. James? What was the point you decided that now you had had enough?”

Hyrushi

Nicholas’ heart beat in his ears. Lines had already been crossed, but he was going further still. It was important to express trust. Mistrust would breed further mistrust. “There was a prison. Since the Romulan supernova… changed the shape of things, Romulan refugees and others deemed ‘undesirable’ were being kept without charge or trial or evidence beyond heritage. But these people did what oppressed peoples always do. They pushed back. When they did so, the extreme option was called. A damned bomb placed under the compound, to be detonated underneath them. I didn’t follow orders, and I’m still catching heat for that. I’m still catching heat for not executing civilians. So this noble institution has severely damaged my loyalty. I’m done.”

-Nicholas James

Kenzo nodded. “I believe ‘Cellblock’ is the operation you are referring to.” He reached out to see if the name triggered any emotional response, either from Kenzo knowing it or the name itself.

Nicholas’ face showed little, but Kenzo’s half-betazoid intuition would tell him it struck some sort of nerve.

“After our previous discussion, I did some digging of my own you see.” Kenzo leaned forward and put his hands on the table. “Mr. James… we have been dancing around this issue for a few days now. Let us set our past interactions aside and try and deal with your situation from a standpoint of mutual benefit and direct communication, shall we?”

Hyrushi

“I am trying, but… old habits die hard.” Nicholas said with a faint smile. “How would you like to begin?”

-Nicholas James

Kenzo nodded and said “Honest discourse. That’s how all good relationships should start. If you are upfront and direct with me, I will be the same with you. If we can reach a point of mutual trust… perhaps even the beginning of friendship… then I may have an answer to give you to my previous question about ‘what then’. I am willing to do for you, if you will be willing to do the same. To this point neither of us have given any actual actionable information. Nothing that would put either of us at much risk. So let us move into that territory. I am going to solicit you, here, to perform a risky and dangerous task. I will pay you to do so.” If James was there to set him up, Kenzo was through playing and simply wanted to move the game along.

“I want you to delete an Intel file. All records. Every last one. For this I will provide you the name of the doctor you seek and pay for the task to be done. If this is a sting… call it in. I’m sure that solicitation of criminal enterprise carries a rather hefty punishment.”

Hyrushi

Nicholas reclined into his seat and nodded, draining the rest of his sake. “No sting. You have a deal. I’ll need to know the relevant details of the file, so I can track down the file and references to it.” He anticipated that it would be something in Kenzo’s past or that of his ‘bodyguard’ but whatever came next would be confidential, between client and contractor.

-Nicholas James

“Sinayda Nyx. I want her out of Intel’s crosshairs permanently. Do that, and when I confirm it is done then we will set up a meeting. And just in case you need an exchange of goods…” and he produced a bar of gold-pressed Latium and slid it across the table, “… here. A down payment to tamper with and destroy classified documents for my personal gain.”

Hyrushi

It was at that moment that Sinayda walked through the doors of the restaurant, a PaDD in her right hand. She looked around and spotted Hyrushi. “Governor, I’m sorry to disturb you, but you need to see this immediately.” Making it to his table, she handed him the device without another word and looked up to see he had been engaged with. A white haired man, with green eyes, far too young to have come by the hair color with age, sat in a chair opposite him. His appearance was very neat and put together, medium build leaning to the slender side.

Sin gave him an apologetic smile. “I’ll just be a moment—this couldn’t wait, I’m afraid.” Today she wore leather trousers and boots, a laced up corset and a silver, lace top pulled down across her shoulders.

“I suppose this kind of thing comes with the office.” Nicholas remarked, smiling kindly.

Once the Governor read the PaDD, Nyx turned and left the restaurant. She wasn’t currently moving fast so someone would be able to catch up to her if needed.

Nicholas briefly mulled returning the money, but thought it was likely best practice to keep it, he was liable to need it soon enough. “I will erase her existence from all Intel databases.” He poured another drink and raised his glass. “To new allies. And to getting rid of the nanoprobes that keep me from getting drunk.”

-Nicholas James

Kenzo lifted his glass and tapped it to James’s. “New allies.” and he took a drink.

A few moments later, both men left through different doors.

Hyrushi

Nicholas decided to pursue Hyrushi’s friend. It wouldn’t be terribly difficult, he didn’t think. He set about trying to track her down and hoped he would catch up with her quickly.

-Nicholas James

As he caught up to her, he walked up quietly. He gazed in the same store window she did. “Ms Nyx. Good afternoon.”

-Nicholas James

Almost always aware of someone else in her personal space, Sin knew he was there before he spoke. “Mr James, how nice to see you again so soon. I hope my interruption didn’t ruin your lunch with the Governor?”

—Nyx

“Not at all.” Nicholas shook his head with an arched eyebrow. “We were just concluding a very productive conversation. Has he so far informed you of our discussions?”

-Nicholas James

OOC: Good question—I’m going to go with ‘not at this time’.

IC:
Turning toward the man and smiling, she sidestepped a direct answer. “Despite what most people might assume, Governor Hyrushi doesn’t share everything with me. I might know something about what you’re referring to as soon as you tell me what that is.” Her look was friendly and a bit flirtatious.

—Nyx

“It’s something of a personal matter, though it has begun to involve you. Strange winds are blowing on OED.” Nicholas smiled lightly. “And it’s hard to muster a wind in a terraforming dome like this.” He chuckled.

-Nicholas James

“Something involving me but it is a personal matter to you? How intriguing. Would you care to elaborate?” She wasn’t sure how this conversation was supposed to go. Was James hoping for a certain outcome? She’d follow his lead until she knew more.

—Nyx

“Well it started just between myself and Hyrushi. Today he brought you into it, apparently without consulting you. So I must wonder if that was a plan beforehand or if he invented it in the moment… Either way, call it a clean slate for you.”

-Nicholas James