"Green Man's Plan"

[Cptn Elias Moore 0]

Captain Moore had never stood in the intimidating presence of an Orion male.

 

He'd never been an Orion female, either.

 

He was still trying to get used to the fact that he'd experienced the latter prior to the former.

 

With one look at Captain Moore, the green giant revealed that he was, indeed, jolly, letting out a booming laugh that actually shook the deck plating. "You most ugliest cremba me see all time!" The Orion said between spasms of laughter.

 

Elias wasn't quite as amused. "Fortunately, I didn't do this to enter any beauty contests." Prior to departing Challenger, he'd removed his fleet uniform in favor of a simple robe. It didn't do much to conceal his masculine frame, but it was preferable to walking around Orion ports in traditional slave-girl garments. The robe's hood was drawn back, revealing his entire head; despite the dark green wig, a close shave, and a few prosthetic alterations made by the medical staff, the impression that he was a man masquerading as a woman was obvious to a discerning eye. If he or any of the other men came under unwanted scrutiny, the long wigs and the hoods of their robes could be shifted to provide some concealment for their faces.

 

The robes served another, equally important utility--several interior pockets contained the most essential tools and supplies from the standard field kits.

 

"Yes! You come for spying. As cremba. Stupid. But clever also. Sit?" The two men were alone in the Orion Captain's cramped quarters, which apparently doubled as his ready room. They were quite well furnished, speaking of the wealth of one holding a position of prestige in his society. Not this one, of course. While this Orion lead the crew, someone else owned the ship--one of the Coalition's most trusted Syndicate contacts, apparently. Elias wasn't given any specifics about the Coalition's Orion operations; he was simply told that he could trust the crew of this transport explicitly.

 

"Where are you going to be taking my crew, Captain... umm... I'm afraid I was never given your name." Elias said after seating himself in a soft armchair.

 

"Me am name Rago!" The Orion answered, puffing out his chest proudly. "Not 'Captain' as you. Overlord Rago. You--Captain Moore--want... what word... information? And ship?"

 

"Information is what we're after first, yes. I was told that you are aware of the nature of our mission, the basics of it at least? Our primary need concerns information on the Klingons, one of them in particular."

 

"Rago know mission, do." The Orion nodded. "Klingons... Dosheka. No know reason you want for them, but Rago no ask. Rago is... word... discreet? 'Discreet' all Taarallan know. Keep Taarallan alive."

 

Elias' brow furrowed as he tried to decipher the Overlord's broken English. "Taarallan?"

 

"Yes. Ah! What Human call Taarallan... Orion it is?"

 

Elias nodded in understanding. "Oh, I see, yes. The star in your home system is part of our planet's Orion constellation... that is, arrangements of stars in our night sky that form familiar shapes. The constellations were used by sailors and other travellers before technology came along to guide us. Now they mostly guide our astronomers in naming planets and peoples."

 

"That is moopsha. But Humans are moopsha." Elias could not decipher the Orion's meaning, but considering that he currently looked like an Orion woman, he decided he wouldn't ask. "You want Klingon information, me take you to good place. Most good place for information... or for anything other you want." The giant smiled mysteriously. "Take you to Borderland."

 

Elias was familiar enough with the name to know that it was as 'most nasty' as it was 'most good.' He knew coming in, however, that this mission would be fraught with danger. "I've heard about it. Next to Klingon space, right? Sounds appropriate."

 

"Yes, much. There is many danger in Borderland. But many 'discreet' also! No bother from Klingons; they are good deifika... customers. They let us business."

 

Elias nodded. "You provide them with services, so they're not about to estrange you by lining your border with warships? The best place to cross the border without being molested by them. And also the best place to ask questions about them."

 

"Yes! Smart Taarallan say: anything you want, anything you dream, you find in Borderland. One place more than others. You call... station, yes? It is very hidden, in empty place inside stars. Only honored customers allowed. It is still dangerous place, but Rago know Taarallans in much high places. Me can get you there, get you in station... you on own from there."

 

"What is this station, exactly? And why all the secrecy about it? Wouldn't accessibility be better for business?"

 

"Business is more good because honored deifika have much... Human word is... money? And station Overlords are much good at giving sekinda... services. Station is Mingavon--one word from two, 'Mingasa' and 'Evon,' Human names 'dark' and 'big place.' Overlords are Ro Pefa... Human name 'The Six.' The Six is big powers in Syndicate. Big targets also. The Six hide Mingavon to be safe, allow only customers they trust. The Six trust Rago and friends of Rago. Rumor is The Six trust Klingons. Many Syndicate hate aliens. 'Aliens only good as slaves,' they say. Friends of Rago are not same. The Six are not same. We say 'aliens give good business.' There is many fighting over this, but there is always many fighting in Syndicate."

 

"Times are changing in the galaxy." Elias said. "If you and these Six are more favorable to working with other species, you have the right mentality. Do you think someone at this station could point us in the direction of the Klingon we're looking for? And could we possibly acquire transport to the Klingon homeworld?"

 

The Orion's face contorted oddly, as if an aspect of the mission of which he was not aware had just been revealed to him. "You want... transport... to Dosheka world? Bajiba's coneshvis, you Humans *be* crazy! Rago see why you dress like cremba! You ask for much, but... if one place in Taarallan's space you can find a thing, place is Mingavon."

 

"Then we're on the right path." Elias brushed aside a few strands of dark green that had fallen in front of his face. "Rago... you yourself pointed out that this isn't the greatest 'cremba' disguise. Perhaps you could give us some ideas as to how we could make this work..."