Filling In The Gaps

Posted on Saturday, 19 September 2020 - 10:35am by Commander Soral & Lieutenant JG Adrianna Eberhardt

Mission: Operation: Dreamweaver
Location: USS Standing Bear
Timeline: 2393

{ON:}

Having returned to her desk, Adrianna found the person Soral had suggested. She hesitated. If all the gaps became filled in, what would that mean? She didn't want to lie Eyelaya, but safety came first. "This is why detectives in old crime shows turn to drink," she muttered to herself in Italian. With a deep breath, she finally started connecting the call. By connecting the call, she'd stopped herself from opening the bottle of grappa in her desk drawer.

The screen shimmered and shook until it settled on the face of a middle aged Vulcan. He raised an eyebrow at the woman staring at him. He had no knowledge of her. "How may I assist you?" He simple asked.

Adrianna smiled a little in greeting. What was it with Vulcans and eyebrows? "I've sought your details from a colleague as I'm in need of some delicate information."

"Who would that be?"

"Does it matter?" she asked, "I am the one asking for help. I'm trying to gain information on some visitors to Vulcan some years ago." Adrianna sent some names through. "Ideas?"

He studied her. "I am simple archivist you are best contacting the space port." He slowly began to reach of the screen cut off to end the call.

"Wait," she blurted, "look, I know what you associate with, or rather who. You and I both know that the information I am seeking will be omitted from the general public. I need knowledge that may be the difference between life and death and so help me I will track down someone else with the same group ties. I know there are many people who are telling me to keep out of this and are fearful of spilling secrets, but I need to know."

"And I need to know the name of the person who directed you to me. I propose an exchange."

"How do you propose we do that?" she asked suspiciously, "I tell you and you hang up. It's not as if it is an object that we can do a physical mutual exchange of goods. How about, I tell you my name as it would be easy to trace. My history and associations are not difficult to find. That way, if I screw you over, you can hunt me down. After you give me the information I need, I will gladly give you the name of our mutual acquaintance. "

"Madam I am Vulcan. You would have my word that I will not hang up." He sighed. "I do not have time for this. When you are ready to talk contact me again." He reached again for the disconnect.

"Soral," she blurted out, caving in frustration. She was far to used to bribery and corruption over this ease. Seemed far to easy. Damn Vulcan and their pointy ears, expressive eyebrows and personality traits, she thought to herself, suddenly feeling very small.

He raised his eyebrow again, "Indeed." He was surprised Soral hadn't contacted him directly. Still he understood it. "Very well send the names through and I shall prepare the information."

Adrianna sent them through, "we are in an unprecedented position, so your discretion would be appreciated." The woman then cut the comm, leaving her contact details with him.

It was a few short hours later, and once he'd verified with Soral that she was indeed working with him, that the Vulcan contacted her. He waited to be connected. His blue eyes studied the screen.

Adrianna was mid sip of coffee (the nectar of the gods in her opinion). She put the mug down and smiled warmly, "that was quick."

"Vulcan's are an efficient group. It was ... a fascinating search."

Adrianna was intrigued, "you have my attention along with gratitude."

"Eyelaya was and is a citizen of Vulcan...that makes things rather tricky with respect to the Cardassians. As you humans are fond of saying, pull up a chair."

Adrianna lifted up her mug, "I have coffee and a somewhat comfortable seat, go ahead."

"Eyelaya came to Vulcan on a recommendation of a Vulcan professor who was stationed on Betazoid. She outlined the ... life that Eyelaya had and her ability to fix all things engineering. She was, no need to say, tested and her Engineering knowledge impressed some of the best engineers here."

" That doesn't surprise me," Adrianna smiled," please, continue. "

"During her time here at the engineering institute there was an incident of sabotage on one of the machines. On Vulcan it was unheard of. The result was that Eyelaya was injured. In the process she saved several Vulcan lives."

"What did the investigation result?" she asked, "also, what happened to her after?"

"Just that, it deliberate. She was in recovery for a year. Now this is where it becomes fascinating."

"As if it wasn't already," Adrianna commented.

He sent her an image. "This is Eyelaya as she was." It was Eyelaya alright but looking Cardassian with muted ridges and a Bajoran nose. "Doctors said that because of the damage they could not...return her to her former self however that is a false statement. Her appearance was ordered altered by a man called Gaylen, her brother. The doctors...were sworn to secrecy."

"Seems an odd request," Adrianna sipped her coffee, before looking to her PaDD, "please, continue."

"It was to protect her from the Obsidian Order."

"Seems to be a reoccurring theme," she sighed, "what did they want with her? Just skills?"

"No her father was considered...a traitor. He saved many a Bajoran worked with Starfleet."

"Collateral then," Adrianna sighed. She knew what it meant to be collateral all too well. She snapped herself out of having a flash back and nodded, needing to focus, "ok, anything else I should know?"

"Not so much collateral as revenge. I have done some...further digging from an acquaintance in the order. This is personal, the order has not sanctioned any of this. I believe that your friend is in danger. Tell Soral that the V'Shar stand ready to assist."

Adrianna ran a hand through her hair." I was worried about that. If you can send me everything through, I'll get on arranging protection."

He gave a nod. "I shall be in contact." He gave the typical gesture. "Live long and prosper."

Adrianna smiled and simply replied in her native tongue, "Alla prossima." and cut the call.

Just as the call disconnected Adrianna's coms badge jumped to life. Eyelaya's voice coming through. "Eyelaya to Adrianna."

Adrianna was just relaxing back into her seat. She needed to talk to Soral, ASAP. The voice of Eyelaya made her jump though, "Baciami, go ahead."

"Have you heard? Come to my quarters quickly!"

Adrianna picked up her PaDD and went with haste to Eyelaya's, "on my way."

{OFF:}