Preliminary Report

[Chirakis 1]

Preliminary Report

 

All activity came to a stand-still in SpecOpsFOB as attention turned towards the main sector feed and breaking news from the Federation News Network.

 

“This just in from Ferenginar.” The prim image of FNN anchor Gwen Beckworth faded to the market floor behind her, its usual chaos more chaotic than ever.

 

“Preliminary reports from our source within the Ferengi government tell us of a secret meeting of three top figures, whose identities were not revealed except that they are ‘strategic influential players in the economic structure of the Ferengi Alliance.’”

 

Beckworth was in her element. Every hair in place and an ovbious re-touch to her makeup had senior market analyst written all over it as the chaos of the market floor was replaced with her dramatic presence. Studio lights sparked her eyes as she continued in impeccable Federation Standard, tinged with just enough professional accent to make her appear authoritative, every pause pregnant with innuendo.

 

“Close on the heels of this information came the news that Chief Economies Officer A’rioum has announced his resignation from the Board of Liquidators, citing ‘increasing personal financial burdens given the expanding markets of the Alliance.’

 

“Needless to say, this comes as a shock not only to the Ferengi Alliance, but to markets throughout the Quadrant. CEO A’rioum was head of the Board of Liquidators, the ruling body of the Ferengi Commerce Authority, and was reputed to be next in line to lead the government. However, he was also the chief opponent of Grand Nagus Rom’s cultural reforms, which indicates a power struggle of vast proportions taking place before our very eyes, and... as you can see on the floor of the exchange behind me... the markets are volatile, projected to tumble considerably over the next few hours.”

 

Cdr Chirakis buried her face in her hands to mask an exasperated sigh - one of many heard in Intel’s Command Central. More damage to the financial systems of the Alpha Quadrant could be done by one melodramatic FNN anchor than by any real disaster.

 

“But perhaps the greatest shock of all was word of the arrest of CEO A’rioum’s father whom many called ‘the brains of the dynasty’...”

 

Kahless, help us. Her hands worked their way down her face, her eyes closed.

 

“... and rumors of mass resignations from the Board of Liquidators as well as several congressmen have just come in. We’ll keep you up to date on this developing news. Back to you, David....”

 

“Glad you kept your credits out of the market, Kir?” Sonny Lukas dropped into a chair. Kirel reached to engage the audio dampening field that would mute all ambient noise, especially that known as FNN.

 

“She’s one piece ‘o work, in’t she?” Sonny continued, ticking his head towards the now-mute screen where David Abernathy’s lips continued to move, no doubt giving his take on the breaking news. “What?” Chirakis' expression tensed as the dampening field engaged.

 

“Not a laughing matter, unfortunately. Resssk’s last two hourly reports.” She handed him a padd and reached for a half-empty bottle of NRG, the strongest drink allowed in CC. “Cleverly masked traffic in and out of Tjurakh space,” she said, pointing with the bottle. “D’Kora. Several freighters, one escorted by a B’rel. Strange mix for Tjurakh space.”

 

“Could be passing through. Maybe has something to do with the shakeup?” he said, studying the full report.

 

“Possibly. But I am now more interested than ever in the origin of those Tjurakh asteroid defenses.”

 

His eyes still on her padd, Lukas passed her one of his own and continued, “In from Aegis. Something about a prisoner.”

 

“Ocis,” she said, beginning to read. “They’re trying to connect him to the Tjurakh.”

 

“Isn’t everyone?” He gave a snort and tossed her padd on the table to reach for a bottle of NRG.

 

“However... it doesn’t appear so....” Her sudden pause pulled Sonny up short, but it was a long stare into space before she continued. “Did you read the full report?”

 

“Bits and pieces to get the gist.”

 

“May I suggest,” she said evenly, raising her gaze and pinning him to the spot with her eyes, “That you be more thorough next time. This prisoner, Ocis... was from Deosi.” Kirel tapped the padd before handing it back.

 

The thud of chair legs hitting the floor would have echoed had the audio dampening field not been engaged. “The Breen slave colony? Wasn’t that...”

 

“Vanished. Several years ago. Along with the Breen.”

 

“Then how...?”

 

“Good question. And I believe we had better find out.”