Uncharted Territory

[Chirakis 1]

Uncharted Territory

 

“It isss good to sssee you, Captain,” greeted the Gorn as he stepped aboard the station. Despite the Starfleet uniform (that literally stretched the bounds of tailoring) and the SI-5 insignia prominently displayed on his sash, Resssk’s formidable appearance created a stir as he passed through security in the docking ring. Heads turned. Conversations came to an abrupt halt. Mothers drew their children close.

 

“Walk with me, Staff Sergeant,” said Kirel, emphasizing his Starfleet affiliation as she ushered him toward the command lift. “ We have much to discuss.”

 

The Gorn’s mandibles clacked in approval. Passers-by jumped at the sound, then stepped aside to avoid the Gorn’s massive tail that swayed gently to and fro as he walked.

 

Though political relations between the Federation and the Gorn Hegemony had improved since first contact in the late 23rd century, the visual impact of a two meter bipedal reptile that strongly resembled one of the most ferocious predators of earth’s Jurassic period tended to strike terror into the hearts of many, and distrust into the hearts of most.

 

That aside, Staff Sergeant Resssk was one of the best operatives in Starfleet Intelligence Section Five. His secret was that he had none. He could not hide, and therefore he did not try. When he was there, he was obvious. Few suspected that he, a Gorn, would be an operative on a mission, and therefore they did not guard their tongues when he passed. Moreover, when a distraction was needed he was more than willing.

 

“The Director… isss hesssitant to ssspeak openly of thingsss lately,” Resssk began as he stood staring out the observation window in the captain’s office. He paused for a long while regarding the tactical docking area and the corridors beyond, where the flagship of the Caledonian Defense Force had taken orbit, and opened his maw for a gutteral sigh of approval. “I have my sssussspicionsss, but I have no proof,” he continued, turning to face her. “Ssstill, sssomething gnaws at my,” here he spoke a word in Gorn, completely untranslatable but visceral enough that Kirel suggested, “Gut?”

 

“Yesss.” A claw raised in emphasis, then pointed out the window. “You are wise to have other resssourssssesss at your disssposal.”

 

“The Caldeonian Defense Force is Mr. Roberts’ fleet,” she said, handing him a Gorn-proof crystal glass she had made for his use. “It’s not exactly at my disposal, but it is here and I welcome it. Rumblings and sabre rattling, then?” she said, referring to the Gorn’s comment.

 

“That, and more. We alwaysss have sssabre rattling. We now know for sssertain that the Romulan renegadesss had other cellsss. Though they have been on the outer rim of our radar for sssome time, the Allied Powers are dealing with them but losssing ground. They are elusssive, and ssseem to have a following among the disssposssesssed.”

 

As she did every time Resssk spoke, Kirel made a mental note to further modify the universal translator for the Gorn /s/.

 

“The Tjurak are raiding,” Resssk continued, “and they ssseem to be growing more powerful. There is sssussspicion that they are funded by organized crime, perhapsss the Orion Cartel. But again… we have no proof.” Here he paused for a sip and savored it for a moment. A very long moment.

 

“Then what, exactly, has brought you here, Resssk?”

 

The Gorn’s mandibles clacked several times; his eyes turned dark.

 

“I am conssserned about rumblings in Starfleet, about the Director’s sssilenssse, and hisss expresssion when he ssspoke with you. He isss not one to hold his tongue when addresssing you, essspecially when you ssspeak to him in that manner. There isss sssomething amisss.”

 

“Something beyond the ordinary, I take it?”

 

He nodded.

 

“And what do you suspect?”

 

“Many thingsss, but until more information comesss through cccertain contactsss, I will not ssspeculate. However, I am glad you have an independent fleet close by. And it might be advantageousss for me to get to know your new ssstation in the next few daysss.”