Consider the Consequences

[Chirakis 1]

Whatever you do, do wisely, and think of the consequences.

~Gesta Romanorum

 

Captain Chirakis' desktop monitor screen split three ways, each section coming from separate areas of the quadrant, each with a unique untraceable encoded signature, each bearing the image of Captain Chirakis’ three former SI-5 team members: Staff Sergeant Resssk, Lieutenant t’Pak, and First Lieutenant Sonny Lucas. All three bore the signs of sleep deprivation, and all expressions were grave.

 

The captain had slipped their messages into her holding bin so many times within the last few hours that it had become not only aggravating, but disturbing - quite a few mixed emotions she could do without, given the Pakleds and Horta they had to deal with. And Commander Marx. Yes. Commander Marx…. Her attention to the screen before her was distracted, though she was a little concerned at their apparent condition.

 

“Ragor Tal,” the captain repeated, fingers steepled, her expression somewhere between annoyed and bemused. “Hardly a cause for concern.”

 

“Ordinarily, no, captain. But given the present situation it might be, and we suspect that there is more to his taunting than the price that is on your head.” T’Pak’s normally even Vulcan tone was strained.

 

“And the price that is on yours, t’Pak,” she quipped, “as well as on the rest of SI-5.” Kirel waved a hand while giving a condescending smile. “But please… enlighten me.”

 

“Argesil.”

 

After a sudden, pensive pause, the captain leaned forward. “Continue.”

 

“Director Torak is in custody for his apparent implication in the matter. Several other higher Starfleet Intelligence officials are as well. And SI-5 has been targeted.”

 

“Targeted?”

 

“They are disbanding certain teams, Captain, with incarceration on charges of treason. Several have already been taken, and, given the modus operandi, our turn should come soon. Whoever is behind this is selective and thorough.”

 

“And 'being selective’ is where Tal fits into the equation?”

 

“The more we investigate, the more sure we are of his complicity.”

 

Stroking her chin, Kirel fell silent and studied their faces, deep in thought. Ragor Tal was possibly one of the most brilliant independent racketeers she had ever encountered. He kept his marauding group small, kept them compartmentalized, and was highly skilled in manipulative, clandestine operations. His primary modus operandi was to stealthily convince his opposition that the enemy was within, pit one leader against the other, create chaos and infighting, then either move in and take over the organization or infiltrate what was left with one of his own lackeys. In short, whoever he attacked destroyed themselves. If the captain didn’t know better, she would say that Ragor Tal had been trained by SI-5.

 

“Hey, Cap?” Sonny’s face was flushed with… anger? Indignation? Youthful rage? All of the above?

 

“Yes, Lieutenant?”

 

“We’re goin’ after him, Cap. Gonna take him out.” Sonny tapped the screen with his SI-5 insignia, then tossed it dramatically over his shoulder where it clinked as it hit the floor.

 

“Really.”

 

“He doesss not jessst, Captain,” added Resssk, clacking his mandibles. “Tal’s infiltration of the sssystem isss obviousss. The teamsss that have been targeted were key operativesss in the lassst few attemptsss to disssmantle his operation. We are the lassst onesss.”

 

“And you are telling me this to warn me?”

 

“To asssk for your asssissstance. You were the lassst to have intimate contact with him. Of all in Ssstarfleet, you are mossst familiar with hisss operation.”

 

“Which is not saying much, Resssk. If you recall, my last encounter was less than intimate, and it was not with him, it was with his lieutenant, who put up a formidable fight.”

 

“But you won, Cap,” Sunny shot back. “That’s the difference. And he’s out to get you for it.”

 

“So you want me as bait.”

 

“If that isss what you believe, then thisss conversssation isss over, Captain.”

 

Resssk ripped his SI-5 insignia from his uniform and threw it down.

 

“If you wish to join us, Captain,” said t’Pak quietly, “you will meet us at rendezvous October within the standard time frame. If not, we will proceed without you.” The Vulcan gently unpinned her insignia and placed it on the desktop. “Peace, and long life.”