Secrets

[Cptn Corizon 0]

Timing Note: This log occurs just before last week's sim

 

A coffee cup clinked in the background, Semil waited patiently for his ‘meeting’ to begin. He’d learned over four lifetimes that minor delays on the part of another party were usually not worthy of annoyance, especially dealing with someone as…cheery…as Captain Corizon.

 

Finally, the smiling face of the Dameon captain appeared on the screen, looking slightly more ragged than usual. “Captain,” Semil’s voice was placid as his facial expressions, “It’s good to see you are recovering from your injuries.”

 

“Thanks,” Corizon’s voice had a raw quality to it. “It’s only moderately annoying to see you’ve been resurrected again.”

 

Semil smiled in that all too creepy Vorta way, “I’ll take that as a compliment Captain.”

 

“I am sure you do,” Corizon replied. “Now what exactly do you need from me?”

 

Semil tipped his head slightly, a brow cocked. “Do you always jump right into whatever it is your meeting is about Captain? You don’t seem to be much of person for…what’s the human phrase…‘small talk.’”

 

A low growl escaped Corizon before he could stifle his annoyance. “With due respect, I didn’t call you to exchange pleasantries. I called you because I was under the impression you had information for me that would prove useful in solving our current dilemma.”

 

Semil sighed. Corizon was unlike the other Starfleet commander’s he’d encountered over his dealings with them. Rough around the edges, he was prone to wearing his emotions on his sleeve, and was rarely what Semil would consider…diplomatic. Not that Sorehl was the most placating person in the galaxy, but at least the Vulcan cared if he offended the other party or not. For his part, the Dameon could barely stand Semil, and his current situation meant he had little tolerance for the haughtiness of the Vorta.

 

“As you wish, Captain.”

 

Corizon nodded for Semil to continue. “I understand that you’ve been attempting to contact the Federation using the MIDAS array, is that an accurate statement Captain?”

 

How did he know about that? Damned shape shifters. Corizon discarded his immediate reaction and chose a more neutral response. “That would be accurate.”

 

“And how is that progressing?”

 

Like he didn’t already know. “We’ve been unable to link-up with MIDAS.”

 

“A pity,” Semil said bordering on ruefulness. “I’d thought you’re people had made advances in subspace communication.”

 

Corizon didn’t hide his annoyance. “We have, but…”

 

“But?” Semil said with the typical faux concern of the Vorta.

 

“MIDAS was intended for communication with the Delta Quadrant, it’s not pointed in the general direction of the Gamma Quadrant.”

 

“Ah,” Semil said with a slight smile. “I believe I may have a solution to your problems.”

 

Corizon lifted an ear. “Oh?”

 

“Are you familiar with the Utura system?”

 

Corizon mentally went over the system names he knew which started with a ‘U’ coming up empty on Utura. “Not that I recall, should I be?”

 

“As matter of fact…no you shouldn’t be.”

 

Corizon batted his eyes a few times biting back on a snide remark. “Continue.”

 

“Utura is a system on the outermost frontiers of Cardassian space…completely uninhabited and devoid of anything of value…”

 

“Except?” Corizon was now more than a little interested in where the spineless little Vorta was going with this.

 

“Except a covert Dominion communication facility left behind after we pulled back from the Quadrant.”

 

“Wasn’t it dismantled a long with everything else…per treaty stipulations?”

 

“No.”

 

“I am not even going to touch the response ‘why not,’ other than to ask if the Cardassians knew anything about it?”

 

“No they didn’t.”

 

“And why hasn’t anyone told us about this before?” Corizon’s voice had raised a decibel or two, and his ears were standing at attention. The Dominion continues to lose points.

 

“Well I am sure the Dominion didn’t want to tell you about it because of the obvious diplomatic implications,” Semil said dubiously, “I on the other hand have just now had the opportunity to tell you.”

 

Sigh. “So, which one of you spineless bastards do I have to talk to get access to the array?”

 

“It’s…ironic that you should phrase that question that way.”

 

“I am not really in the mood for games Semil.”

 

“Right,” Semil said with a slight smile. “At current, the only facility capable of contacting the Utura array is under the control of the Scopriads.”

 

Corizon put his fingers to the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes. “I should’ve known.”

 

“It’s in a relatively unimportant system…they have a minor contingent of Eritan forces in the system.”

 

“Then why don’t you simply take it back?”

 

“The Hundred can not waste our resources on an venture that would not be tactically valuable to our cause.”

 

“I see,” Corizon didn’t hide his annoyance. “So you want us to do your dirty work for you?”

 

“Well you see, the Eritans and the Scorpiads do have a moderately sized force in the surrounding systems, so a direct assault would be ill-advised.”

 

“What are you suggesting?”

 

“A small team of your men, along with a small of Hundred troops could be inserted into the system and capture the facility. Once they have dispatched the occupation forces, we could send in the cavalry as you people say.”

 

Corizon stroked at his chin thoughtfully. “It has potential. Give me as much information about the area as possible and I’ll start drawing up a plan of action.”

 

Semil nodded in agreement. “I’m sending you some preliminary data now Captain, I’ll have the rest of it for you by the time you arrive at Camelot.”

 

“Well if you’ll excuse me,” Corizon said, “I have a lot of work to be doing.”

 

“Of course Captain…”

 

“And Semil,” Corizon said begrudgingly, “Thanks.”

 

“Of course Captain,” Semil said pleasantly. “I hope this only goes to reinforce that the Hundred has little interest in being your enemy.”

 

Corizon started to speak but merely waved off the comment. “Good day, Semil.”