Star Trek: Theurgy

[2376] Entanglement of Chaos

December 06, 2022, 06:33:21 PM

[Ensign XamotZark zh’Ptrell (Ens. Zark) | Observation Lounge | USS Voroth]   Attn: @Ellen Fitz

Ensign Zark stared out window and the planetary sphere that was known as Cardassia with a blank face that masked mixed feelings.  This was not how she'd seen her career starting off.  Granted she'd graduated from the Academy with the Security division, but she'd specifically applied to be a medic so she should have been at Starfleet Medical undergoing advanced field training.  This was not at all where she'd found herself.  The Andorian linked her hands behind her as her mind wandered back to that bittersweet moment when the universe suddenly made less sense.  Ens. Zark had tried to hide her disappointment when she'd received the change in orders during her pre-deployment leave.  The main issue was her bondmates knew her too well and they'd tried to make the best of it.  The blank expression smirked for a bit as she remembered a lot of what her husbands and wife had done to cheer her up, and it had been warm and fun, but still.  The war was over, she'd done her bit and was hoping to take some time to do something that involved healing.  She had the basics for healing with several other skills that were the diametric opposite from her Academy undergrad.  The security officer sighed as she thought about this familiar rabbit hole before burying it back in it's box and hoping it wouldn't turn up any time soon.  Beam down was in another half an hour.  No use brooding.

Instead, she turned her mind to the present deployment.  It was a two year stint and she was part of a fifteen person security detachment that was replacing some who were on a short deployment before going home.  There were also several other people, such as administrative, intelligence, and diplomatic staff that were bring brought in to help bring the embassy up to full staffing.  This was particularly important on a war ravaged world that needed the Federation's help to rebuild, and hopefully reduce any future resentment that could lead to a re-opening of the conflict.  The Andorian turned and sat at a table and stared at her PADD for the umpteenth time. Despite the importance of the posting, Ensign Zark hadn't seem much to fill her with a lot of confidence.  She guessed that Starfleet and the Federation's diplomatic corp had scrambled to refill the embassy after the war's end, and that most of the work done seemed to be in the nature of re-establishing old contacts and networks.  The only one that had stood out was a human, one Enyd Isolde Madsen.  A diplomat by training, though not through the Academy.  Not a bad thing, just a different, which also meant different perspectives.  She'd been noticeable because of her project with various civilian groups that seemed to take her into the less well travelled and glamorous areas of the planet to help establish the democratic system.  Most noticeable was she would disappear for days on end with little contact, and she didn't seem to feel the need to take too many people with her.  Especially security personnel.  Zark smirked.  As the human's put it.  A real cowboy, or was it cowgirl?  The moniker especially applied to one from Montana.

Sipping the last of the ketheka 15 minutes later, Ensign Zark went to her quarters and grabbed several bags for her stay on the planet before heading to the transporter room.  Arriving as a transport cycle completed and seeing several people step off, it finally sank in that she was going to be away from home for a while, and now she was really glad she'd taken the tartan patterned bag that held her musical instruments.  She was quite sure a lot of the locals and staff were not going to appreciate the blaring hum it produced, but she'd need it if nothing else to remind her of where home was.  An eyebrow quirked for a moment at the trio of crates that occupied the centre of the transporter pad since it held weapons markings, and the other information said it was the new model phaser rifles. Hm. I guess it's time those got swapped out.  She'd probably have to store those away after she met with the Chief of Security.  As the senior person on the pad when she stepped on, Ensign Zark nodded to the operator after confirming everyone was in place. "Energize."  With a nod and a slide, the world dissolved into a bright shimmering blue and as it disappeared, she found herself into a stylistically identical room, with a Caitan standing behind another console.  Ensign Zark suddenly blinked. That Caitan and the console were normal.  What she had not expected so quickly was to see a human female with green eyes, red lip stick, and well arranged brunette hair waiting to greet the new arrivals.

Re: [2376] Entanglement of Chaos

Reply #1 – December 30, 2022, 02:59:28 PM

[Ensign Enyd Isolde Madsen | Transporter Room | Cardassia Prime ] Attn: @RyeTanker

The tips of her ears still stung—proverbially speaking—from the dressing down she’d received from the lieutenant. While her efforts on the city's outskirts and on into the ravaged “wilds” of the territory were proving effective, as unorthodox as they were, they weren’t meeting the expected standards for certain brass. Enyd wasn’t trying to make trouble and certainly wasn’t trying to make her superiors look ineffective for “following the book,” it just seemed to come naturally. It was both her greatest strength and her greatest weakness, this outside-the-box thinking, and tendency towards pragmatic creativity in diplomacy. For all her time in officer training, this trait had been part of what set her above many of her peers and directly in the line of fire for her teachers, who found her untraditional methods threatening. And it seemed that this posting would be a continuation of her solving a problem effectively but, in the process, creating more problems for herself with her supposed colleagues.

Glancing at C’Tarr on her way into the transporter room, Enyd offered the Caitan a smile before taking her place just shy of the platform. They’d bonded over a shared love of hoplogy only a few night’s into their posting the year prior, and since then, they’d made it a habit of meeting once a week to train with various bladed weapons. Sometimes they were cultural artifacts bought from the planet’s markets, official ones and not on the black market, and sometimes they were standard issue. C’Tarr had been slightly surprised at Enyd’s enthusiasm for blades, obviously not expecting a diplomat to enjoy anything remotely violent. Enyd had also been surprised to find the Caitan preferred blades, considering most of his people were stalwart pacifists.

The new transfers materialized on the platform a few seconds have her arrival. Enyd first noted the Andorian beauty standing at the forefront, arms filled with her gear. Enyd couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow in a Vulcanoid fashion when she noted the tartan-patterned bag. Instead of commenting on it in front of everyone, Enyd shifted her gaze quickly to meet the eyes of all the newcomers and smiled.

“Welcome to Cardassia Prime. I’m Ensign Madsen, diplomatic corps assisting with the rebuilding efforts. Not to hoist my own petard, but I can guarantee this will be the warmest welcome you receive.” Enyd shifted away from the platform and gestured to C’Tarr. “This is Ensign C’Tarr, our chief transporter. Magic fingers.”

C’Tarr purred out a chuckle, “Only until my chief gets back.”

“Then she has the magic fingers?” Enyd winked at her friend, gleaning added energy from the Caitan’s tail flick of feigned annoyance. Gesturing for the newcomers to follow, Enyd led them to the door, “Don’t worry about the gear,” she’d noted a few glances had been spared for the crates still on the platform, “a few members of security are on the way to store them. C’Tarr will remain with them until the transfer is made. This way.”

Enyd led them from the transporter room and out into the embassy. If it could even be called that. Before the war, this had been a marketplace, ancient by some standards. The materials used were part of the reason why these low-lying buildings had withstood the aerial bombardment better than the more modern buildings, which included the official government buildings. Now this marketplace served as Federation embassy, government headquarters, and, when necessary, brig and hospital all in one. Each kiosk served as a type of office, with the branching hallways and courtyards assisting to connect everything together. Maintaining a secure perimeter was a nightmare, to say the least, and Enyd thanked the security detail every day for their valiant efforts.

“Castellan Ghemor’s offices are down that corridor.” Enyd pointed down the hallway. “Our offices are that way,” she pointed down another hallway, “and our quarters are down this way.” She gestured to yet another hallway situated across a small courtyard. Glancing at the Andorian first and then over to her colleagues, Enyd smiled. “Do you have any questions about the posting? What to expect from the locals? What to expect from the brass?”

Re: [2376] Entanglement of Chaos

Reply #2 – January 02, 2023, 07:08:31 AM

[Ensign XamotZark zh’Ptrell (Ens. Zark) | Federation Embassy 'Compound' | Cardassia Prime]   Attn: @Ellen Fitz

Ensign Zark knew that theoretically, diplomats had a sense of humour.  They had to, otherwise how would they be able to adjust their negotiation approach and shmooze with all the various government officials and the self important muckity types that made government and diplomacy possible.  Still, to actually encounter one who actually used it, and on people as lowly as a one of the guards or her own staff was thoroughly unexpected.  Then again, looking at the sole pip on her collar, the fact that she hadn't attended the Academy, and she generally did what she wanted, when she wanted meant that Ensign Madsen was possibly an extreme outlier where diplomats were concerned.  That one pixel at the end of an even distribution chart on the number of diplomatic staff and their personality types.  The main result of all that theory and guessing was to ellicit a snort and a smirk from the Andorian as she hefted her musical instrument bag a bit higher on her shoulder as she followed the local guide out of the transporter room.  A half dozen mustard shirts went into the room after the newly arrived party left while one pushed a hover cart.  They were all armed and stone faced as they went to secure the weapon pallets on the pad.

Ensign Zark shook her head as she followed Ensign Madsen and took in the Embassy compound.  It was highly unusual since most embassies were in a walled building of some sort, but as soon they exited, Zark had to pause as she had a sudden flashback of a different place, not too long ago where death seemed to stalk everyone, just like it had done here.  She couldn't really smell it in the air, but it felt like it since there seemed to have been some sort of psychic gash torn open in the fabric of the universe from the death of several hundred million Cardassians in such a short time.  The air seemed permanently greyed from the smoke of the bombardment and the Andorian's step faltered for only a moment before she mentally shook the feeling and kept going, but the small smile was now long gone. 

The blank faced Security Officer followed the human around and took in the locations as they were pointed out and a snow white eyebrow arched when she heard that the Castellan's office was just down the corridor.  That would make the assignment interesting since it guaranteed that Starfleet Security and the Castellan's body guards would run into each other.  Her mind pulled up a security briefing recalling that the security situation hadn't fully stabilized, and the Andorian cast a measuring glance at the human woman leading them around.  Part of it was the feeling she didn't fully appreciate the gravity of the situation she was in, but that was the initial instinct.  She'd been on planet for a while now and wasn't dead or missing despite the locales she chose to visit, so she probably had other talents the open portion of her dossier hadn't listed. The one bears watching.  Ah!  Our rooms are that way. When she felt the green eyes looking over her, then past her, Zark paid more attention to what was going on.  She quickly discarded the first and third question since what the diplomats had in mind about the posting wouldn't necessarily be what the Security Chief needed, but it never hurt to get the lay of the land, especially from their inhabitants.  Unusually enough, nobody had been waiting for her or had been sent to get her for that particular meeting, so she'd just followed Ensign Madsen out.  On the other hand, they were in a pretty central location, and Ensign Zark knew what her next objective anyway, so she decided it was better to just ask when no one else would. "How are the locals taking our presence here?  Generally friendly? Hostile?  I'm asking because I don't know about the rest of you, but there seems to be, understandably, somewhat of a pall in the air.  Also, sorry, before you begin, which way to Lieutenant Commander Herasin's office?  I didn't see a sign for Security, so is it with the brig?"

Re: [2376] Entanglement of Chaos

Reply #3 – January 03, 2023, 04:52:29 AM

[Ensign Enyd Isolde Madsen | Embassy | Cardassia Prime ] Attn: @RyeTanker

“The locals are interested in getting to a point where they can be left alone again.” A honeyed voice interrupted, purring from further down the corridor.

Enyd knew without breaking eye contact with Ensign Zark precisely who was heading their way. Not only did she recognize his voice—warm, accented, carrying a rumbling timbre that left her insides wobbly—she could feel his gaze on her. The amber-colored gaze was ever always intense, searching out the secrets of her soul and yet carrying with it a promise. A dangerous, mysterious, illicitly seductive promise. Still without turning to face the taller, lithely muscled Cardassian, Enyd gestured toward his approaching mass with a polite smile.

“This is Javec Praar, one of the castellan’s aides.”

“One of?” Enyd imagined the heat of his body filling hers when he stopped just an arm’s distance from her. She still refused to look at him, afraid, as always, that if she looked at him too much, he’d see her desire to accept his unspoken promise. “I am THE aide for all your department is concerned about. I am the castellan’s liaison with the Federation. I work closely with Ensign Madsen,” as if to punctuate his point, Praar shifted his weight closer for a fraction of a second before settling back onto his heels. “The pall you’re sensing,” his eyes glanced down Zark’s uniform before continuing, “ensign, is the pall of surviving tragedy. Not everyone agrees with the method for rebuilding, nor with the ‘who’ is heading up the rebuilding. Hence, while the official response is one of humble gratitude,” Enyd withheld her snort and somehow managed to keep a neutral expression, “for the Federation’s support, we will not deny there are splinter groups among our people who would rather a different method and a different ‘who’ at the head of our recovery.”

Enyd finally glanced up at Praar, barely hiding the shiver of awareness that slid through her body when they made eye contact. She gave a curt nod and to his credit, Praar returned the gesture before shifting back in a nonverbal move to signal she could resume control of the conversation. How magnanimous of him. Moving her gaze back to rest on Ensign Zark and the others, Enyd nodded more firmly.

“That is where my department comes in. We are working closely with Ghemor’s aides to bridge gaps and break down barriers, doing what we can to unify these splinter groups under the castellan’s banner. And that’s where security comes in as well,” Enyd gave Zark a smile, “Commander Herasin’s office is attached to the brig across the courtyard and down the hall that way,” Enyd pointed out the direction Zark would need to take, “the commander expects to see you and the rest of the new department transfers in about an hour.”

“Speaking of an hour’s time,” Praar again interrupted, “are we not due to attend the castellan’s speech in the south quarter in a little over an hour?” Enyd nodded, unsure where Praar was going with the line of questions. “Will these new transfers be joining us?” His eyes settled warmly on Zark for a moment before he looked back to Enyd, offering a quick, “Merely curious. If so, I will brief the castellan on the new faces.”

Re: [2376] Entanglement of Chaos

Reply #4 – January 06, 2023, 08:22:03 PM

[Ensign XamotZark zh’Ptrell (Ens. Zark) | Federation Embassy 'Compound' | Cardassia Prime]   Attn: @Ellen Fitz

Ensign Zark's head swivelled to the new voice, and she quirked a cool eyebrow at the interloper that was answering on behalf of the diplomat. While she did not hold a grudge against the Cardasaians, she was still wary of them, after all, they hadn't stopped being the enemy that long ago. Nope, her reservations were for the Jem'Hadar since she'd spent so much time fighting them. It was with this sense of caution that the security Ensign listened to him, and at the same time watched the diplomat to see her reaction his explanations.

Her antennae literally quivered before they began focusing on the Human and Cardassian.  Her eyes also narrowed slightly in speculation. When someone came out from security, and they were also married to a police officer, this tended to create an environment of jovial suspicion of the household. At home it was balanced off by being open and honest about most things, and choosing to turn a blind eye to everything else. They didn't always get the mixture right, which did produce it's share of spectacular misunderstandings. Still, Ensign Zark wasn't at home, she was on a post war ravaged world, and her war time instincts weren't that dulled yet. It was more of Ensign Madsen's deliberate refusal to look at him that set her antennae off. There was something there, but the words and body language didn't convey disgust, so was it......? Zark filed that tidbit away in the mental Madsen file and continued listening. Praar's subtle shift wasn't entirely missed either and that went into the mental filing cabinet which now held a tenuous, but real thread between the two. It bore watching.

When Praar out forth the question on whether Zark would be attending the speech, the white hair shook a negative. "The Commander is expecting me in his office at that time, so I don't believe so. On the other hand, I would definitely like to see the high lights of the speech. I only have a general idea of what the Federation is doing to support the rebuilding effort, so getting some more details would be fascinating to get a better overall understanding of how things are going." Ensign Zark paused for a moment as she though ahead.  "Well, there is one thing that I would like to know about.  I'll be getting my own briefing on this later for sure, but I'd like a Cardassian perspective on this. We're both very tempting targets with the Castellan just down the door. The security Ensign soon began rattling off her own list of questions since she figured a high placed government aide had a great memory and could organize on the fly.  So, what can you tell me about the various rogue factions and splinter groups?  Are there any in particular that we should worry about in the immediate area, or any in particular that we should keep an eye out for?  Who's got a more violent bent, and who's in it for power?  How much of what's left of the Obsidian Order is mixed into these groups? Aside from weapons and funding, what else do they seek to get?"

Re: [2376] Entanglement of Chaos

Reply #5 – February 11, 2023, 08:52:55 AM

[Ensign Enyd Isolde Madsen | Transporter Room | Cardassia Prime ] Attn: @RyeTanker

“You must know nothing about Cardassians to presume you never have to worry about some, while you only have to worry about others.” Enyd rolled her eyes at Javec’s poor attempt at humor in response to Zark’s question. “The names change, the faces too, but the hills to die on remain the same, sometimes painted differently or spoken about under different banners.”

Javec’s nonchalant voice may lead some to believe he felt nothing about these splinter groups or didn’t take it seriously, but Enyd knew he very much did take it seriously. It was just one of the ways they spoke of serious things in their culture. If you spoke of it casually, it meant you were in greater control than if the notion of talking about something led to you panic or fear. It was a part of their culture Enyd respected and found she enjoyed. It was, in fact, one of the areas she’d begun building a foundation with Javec over.

Enyd turned to face Zark, interrupting Javec before he could further annoy the Andorian—which Enyd presumed he was doing on purpose just to test the woman’s mettle. “The Directorate is a leading splinter group with a high percentage of former Order members among its ranks. It has been cannibalizing many of the other groups that helped it form in its efforts to create a united front against the rebuilding efforts of the leadership of the present Castellan.”

“What does any top predator wish for?” Javec spoke up immediately after Enyd’s voice died out, his eyes alight with passion though his features remained neutral, if not mildly bemused. “Prey and undisputed territory to hunt it in. Be it the Directorate or this new government, your precious Federation is helping to establish, we Cardassians wish only to steward, protect, and deal out justice as any sentient predator would wish to do within its rightly won territory.” Javec leaned back on his heels, feigning a look of boredom. “Funding and weapons are but tools to the true desire of undisputed power wielded from one’s wished-for ideology.”

“In summary,” Enyd interjected again, drawing attention back to herself and away from Javec’s arrogant smile, “not everyone hates us but not everyone loves us. We are tolerated for as long as we prove useful to the equation of rebuilding.”

Re: [2376] Entanglement of Chaos

Reply #6 – February 17, 2023, 04:45:18 PM

[Ensign XamotZark zh’Ptrell (Ens. Zark) | Federation Embassy 'Compound' | Cardassia Prime]   Attn: @Ellen Fitz

Zark frowned hard, which made it look like she was pouting, as she was about to question Javec's choice of literature to describe their current situation.  However, one particular maxim came through in her mind.  The first report is never correct, so Zark held her tongue.  This proved fortuitous as Enyd came through with an actual explanation as to how the Federation was viewed by the populace.  While this was less dire than the poetry the aide had tried to use, it still didn't bode well since tolerated could quickly become intolerant.  It seemed though that the general population was reluctantly backing rebuilding effort despite the aid coming from a former enemy.  That must be humiliating, but on the other hand, few societies, more like only the Federation would be willing to provide that aid without a second thought.  The next best option was the Ferengi, and that would be hideously expensive.

The Andorian munched on the more immediate thought that worried her more in the immediate term than the hostility of the general population, and that was the how The Directorate was targeting it's recruiting from the lethal Obsidian Order.  The order had been virtually annihilated in it's unsanctioned operation against the Founder's home world in 2371, and the dreaded security organization that had emerged during the Dominion War was a pale shadow in terms of skill, but still highly fanatical to the former 'glory' of the Cardassian Union, and just as ruthless.  If these people were made up the core of the Directorate.

Zark shook her head at the implications and she suddenly felt naked as she gripped the strap of her tartan patterned bag, and wishing it was the strap of the new phaser rifle that was being shipped to the armoury. The Ensign was sure Lieutenant Commander Herasin would let her know about any threats that he thought were important, but it never hurt to keep an eye on other factors.  "That sounds ominous." the Andorian started as she turned to Javec first. "What sort of activities seem to have Ditrectorate backing? Intimidation? Kidnapping? Murder, bombings?" The next was more specific to Ensign Madsen as the blue head turned towards the human. "Are they getting any sort of traction with the general public?"

Re: [2376] Entanglement of Chaos

Reply #7 – February 19, 2023, 01:31:03 PM

[Ensign Enyd Isolde Madsen | Cardassia Prime ] Attn: @RyeTanker

“Ominous is one way of putting it,” Enyd laced her fingers together behind her back and shifted her weight from one foot to another as she listed out the known activities, “coercion and bribes are the lighter sides, kidnapping and ransom demands, theft, intimidation tactics that are often connected to resources disappearing or people being threatened, sometimes body parts being strategically delivered to places of work,” Enyd let go of her hands and shrugged, eyes moving to study Javec a moment before looking back to Zark, “As far as we know, so far, no murders have been linked to them and no bombings. They seem to be keen on toeing the line of what the general public is willing to tolerate and what they aren’t.”

Javec shifted forward, verbally and physically, to add, “The groups that have been bombing and attacking in the streets are smaller, more ‘grassroots’ factions, and these are the groups the Directorate has slowly been overtaking. The average Cardassian is willing to accept the existence of an order that kidnaps or bribes to make a point, but they are less interested in living with a group that attacks directly and without discretion. The last bombing was near the Cardassian War Widows Wing of the hospital compound, and by our last count, at least two dozen widows were killed, with another dozen grievously injured.” Glancing over his shoulder a moment and noticing a colleague motioning him away, Javec was quick to add, “It is worth remembering, however, that it would not be entirely beyond the Directorate, as it is gaining members from the former Obsidian Order, to be creating and then destroying these smaller factions in a grand ploy to win over favor to themselves once more.” Without warning, Javec reached out and snagged Enyd’s hand in his own, bending over it in a formal bow, not quite kissing it but making quite the show nonetheless. “Hope to see you soon,” his eyes darted up to Zark, and his smile grew, “and you as well.”

Only once he left, did Enyd break the silence she’d held with a sigh, “Well, then, right.” Clapping her hands together, she faced Zark and the others once more, cheeks still tinged pink with a blush. “I’ll leave you now to get settled with your department heads while I check in with my own. I’ll be accompanying the Castellon to his speech later and,” she smiled at Zark, “while I know you’ve just arrived, I do hope you’ll join if possible.”

She pointed the newcomers in the directions they needed to go before giving one last polite smile and hurrying off to change into her more formal uniform. She hated wearing the skirt when going out into the streets, always aware that things could turn nasty quickly, but she also knew it was expected of her position to wear that version of the uniform since her department head would be wearing the trousers uniform and together they presented the expected hard and soft measures of the diplomatic corps.

Re: [2376] Entanglement of Chaos

Reply #8 – February 23, 2023, 07:08:45 AM

[Ensign XamotZark zh’Ptrell (Ens. Zark) | Federation Embassy 'Compound' | Cardassia Prime]   Attn: @Ellen Fitz

Zark blinked in surprise as she was sure several in the group had as well at the assessment on how successful The Directorate was being and also just how ruthless they were in securing their support. Actively slaughtering ones members in order to gain public supper was an anethema to the Federation culture. Faking ones death was the extreme case, but actually recruiting just so they could be killed? Zark mentally shook her head at the notion. It did present an interesting opportunity, but a very dangerous one if word was getting around about the ultimate fate of some of The Directorate's newest recruits.  This little bit of analysis was filed away as Ensign Madsen brought the introductory meeting to a conclusion and the group began separating into their departments. Zark smiled and nodded in agreement. "I hope so as well and a pleasure to meet you Ensign Madsen." Zark finished as a Security Lieutenant grabbed his duffell and signalled the rest of the group to follow a Petty Officer that had shown up to guide the group to their quarters. 

Ensign Zark hefted her instrument and watched the brunette diplomat walk away with several other uniformed and civilian colleagues and privately thought to herself that her initial assessment was correct that Ensign Enyd Madsen was of the most interesting person in the posting, and she hoped to see more of her at some point.  The Andorian's ruminations were brought to a halt when the Petty Officer touched her arm to get her attention.  Zark raised an eyebrow inquisitively as man indicated to bring her head closer, which she did not that her curiosity was engaged. "Commander Herasin wants you in his office after you drop your stuff in your quarters.  And he says to expedite." Zark's head couldn't quite help but pull back in surprise at the order she'd just received.  She'd only just arrived on planet, what could the head of security possibly want with a new Ensign?  She wasn't in trouble already was she?  Figuring there was only one way to find out, Ensign Zark nodded and followed everyone to their billets.  As the group made its way over, Zark could feel the eyes on her.  No doubt some were staring at her well shaped ass, but there was also the feeling of inquisitiveness as each person tried to suss out the other.  The Petty Officer hadn't  been the most circumspect when he'd brought the news, so other soon began to wonder what was going on with her.  What made her special.  In fact, the one who seemed to be the most curious was the Lieutenant leading the group.  It was hard to define, but he was almost trying to hard to ignore her, but maybe it was the way one of his ears kept aiming in her direction, as if he was trying to eavesdrop on anything being said about her that figuratively twinged her antennae.

Zark shook her head.  Maybe she was being too paranoid.  The PO, pointed out rooms on a PADD with most of the enlisted going two or four to a room, while officers got their own space.  Space was still somewhat limited, so the Zark got the same size room as the Lieutenant.  Punching in the provided door code, it whooshed open to something quite standard issue, a bed, and desk, some shelving, and a sitting area.  The only thing that was missing was a replicator.  She'd have to figure that out later as she changed the door code and quickly looked in a mirror to smooth out any excess wrinkles before tying her hair in a pony tail and quickly exiting to go see Lieutenant Commander Herasin.

Tracing her steps, and following the instructions Madsen had given her in the beginning, Zark made it to the Chief of Security's Office in short order.  There was a name plate beside the door with his name and position.  The Andorian stopped before she entered the door and wondered again why she'd been ordered to hurry to see the boss.  Zark closed her eyes and took a steadying breath.  Opening her eyes, they betrayed nothing as she was determined to find out what was going on first before deciding whether she would have to defend herself.  Pressing a button, she heard the chime along with an unexpectedly higher pitched "Come!"  Ensign Zark stepped though the door and came to attention. "Ensign zh’Ptrell reporting to Lieutenant Commander Herasin as ordered!"  She was looking a regulation 5cm above the Bolian's head, but a general look revealed a tall, somewhat lanky Bolian male with a stern demeanour and more interestingly a scar on his head and another on his bottom lip.  Considering reconstructive technology, the Commander must have chosen to keep the scarring as a reminder of something.  Ensign Zark looked back in her memory, and pulled the open portion of Herasin's file that she'd perused.  A no non-sense Security Chief who'd served with distinction during the war.

The Chief of Security stared back and evaluated his find.  He would freely admit that the Ensign standing in front of him was beyond striking, but there was toughness to her.  He could see it in the way she held herself.  She may have tried to be standing still, but from a professional perspective, she was like a coil that was too tense, ready to pounce at any sort of threat.  He briefly considered making her just stand there to see how long she could hold that pose till she squirmed, but having read her entire file, she could probably choose to stand in that same spot till the local star ran out of fuel.  Seeing that would be a waste of time, he decided to launch into his special briefing for Ensign XamotZark zh’Ptrell.

"Sit Ensign, sit"  he gestured at the chairs on the other side of his desk in a jerky waving motion as if he had too much energy that hadn't quit his body.  He waited for the Andorian to comply before launching into what he needed done.  "Ensign XamotZark zh’Ptrell, or Ensign Zark for short.  Magna Cum Laude from the Academy, Marksman with phaser pistols and rifles, Expert in Hand to Hand, graduate of the Hostile Environment and Advanced Leader course, and supposed to have been headed for Starfleet Medical for field training.  Saw combat time during the war.  Is this all correct?"

Ensign Zark stared at her boss and fought the urge to narrow her eyes into slits to glare at the Bolian, but her antennae gave her away as they peeled back against her head as if she was getting ready to fight.  "I'm not playing power games Ensign.  These are some of the skills I need, so is this information correct?"  Commander Herasin continued.  "Yes sir."  Zark answered. What else was there to say? The Bolian nodded. "Good. Good!"  The man took a breath and settled back into his chair before he continued to give a brief of the situation. "Ensign.  I have fifteen people who are going home.  They deserve it and I'm sad to lose them.  I got 16 replacements."  Zark's eyebrows rose at this.  It was fairly unusual to be told a post was getting more than had been requested.  Commader Herasin could see the gears turning in her head and nodded in confirmation. "That's right Ensign, you're the extra, and you're here for a good reason.  Have you met a human diplomat here? One Ensign Enyd Isolde Madsen?"  Ensign Zark nodded her confirmation. "Yes Sir, she greeted us at the transporter room."  The Bolian nodded again as he cut to the heart of the matter.  "And I can presume you read the dossiers of the embassy staff and hers in particular?"  The Andorian nodded again and began to wonder what Ensign Madsen had to with her assignment to Cardassia. 

Lieutenant Commander Herasin could practically hear the question her mind asked as she nodded her affirmative again.  "Good, I thought her file would make interesting reading at the very least.  Here's the thing, I'm in charge of trying to keep the embassy staff alive, but Ensign Madsen has a penchant for going off to do what she thinks is right and seems to have completely forgotten that this planet was once a war zone."  The Bolian leaned on his desk. "As much as Security has tried, we need someone special to keep an eye on her when she goes off the campus so to speak."  Zark felt her stomach begin to drop as she guessed what her assignment was going to be and all she could was point at herself.  The Bolian Lieutenant Commander nodded.  "That's right Ensign. You're official assignment is to be Ensign's Madsen's partner and keeper as long as she's assigned to this Embassy. Where she goes, you go."

Re: [2376] Entanglement of Chaos

Reply #9 – March 11, 2023, 02:23:16 PM

[Ensign Enyd Isolde Madsen | Cardassia Prime ] Attn: @RyeTanker

“You realize those are not exactly standard issued?”

Huffed breath thrusting tufts of hair away from her forehead, Enyd looked up from her fight to secure the second leg holster to see the Bolian quartermaster staring at her with bemused curiosity. Keeping her gaze on the quartermaster’s face, Enyd’s deft fingers moved over and around the numerous buckles and straps.

“I believe leg holsters ARE standard enough in Starfleet.” Enyd knew that was not what the woman was speaking about, but Enyd had learned in her short span of time in the field that volunteering information beyond what someone referenced directly was rarely a good thing.

As expected, the Bolian snorted, rolling her eyes, and walked away, obviously washing her hands of whatever Enyd was up to. With her formal skirt hiked up, barely covering her bum, Enyd had been working to secure two sets of holsters on her things. One pair was for the various vials of antidotes to the known poisons the factions preferred using against enemies. The second pair was for the hyposprays of truth serum and other such concoctions she could use and had used to get information and get out of difficult situations, as well as the throwing knife her uncle had given her for her last birthday before getting stationed here. Her left leg of holsters and their contents were for defense, her right for offense. She’d worn this set-up before, more than once. One would think that by now, not only would she be more skilled with getting the holsters into place, easily hidden under the thicker material of her uniform skirt, but that the quartermaster would stop giving her grief over her requests for the holsters every time she went into the field.

Hair already falling in wisps and tendrils from its intricate pinning, Enyd resumed her work with an amused huff. She still had a few minutes to finish here before meeting with the Castellan and his posse to head toward the district where he’d be giving his speech today. She was so engrossed in getting the holster secured, Enyd didn’t hear him enter, nor did she note his presence until suddenly a pair of scaled hands hovered over hers, inches away from the sensitive skin of her thing. Swallowing her gasp, Enyd tensed, looking up, and finally noticed Javec crouched at her side, poised to assist her efforts, an amused smile gracing his handsome features.

“I always knew you were a diplomat of surprises,” his honeyed voice washed over her nerves like an accelerant teasing the edges of a fire, “I didn’t realize how many. I must say I’m impressed.”

His eyes moved pointedly back to her bare skin, traveling over the holster before looking back to her in question. Enyd swallowed again, not quite finding her voice yet. How many times had she dreamed of him touching her? Too many to count. How often had she rationally thought there’d come a day when he would? Never. She honestly hadn’t thought he would want to. Verbal repartee was one thing, and Cardassians adored it, but physical intimacy was something else entirely. Volunteering to touch her, to help her, like this…Enyd’s mind was racing, and all she could do physically was give him a curt nod and let him push away her hands so he could work the buckles himself.

“You really like to be in control, don’t you?” His touch was light whenever his fingers brushed over her skin, yet it was still enough to send a rash of goosebumps up and down her leg, something he likely noticed. However, Enyd wasn’t sure if Javec understood human physiology sufficiently to realize what it meant.

“Diplomats are problem solvers. It isn’t so much we like to be in control as we like to have an element of control, no matter the scenario.” Not knowing where else to put her hands, Enyd crossed her arms over her chest and stared down at the Cardassian as he worked diligently to secure the holster.

“Are you certain you’re in the right field?” Javec didn’t take his gaze from his work as he filled the various compartments on the holster with the vials she’d laid out for it. “It sounds as if you would have made a good operative for Intelligence.”

The other two holsters and their contents lay nearby, obviously beckoning for attention once he finished with this one. Nibbling her lower lip, Enyd was curious if he’d see through her, that her desire for him would be out in the vulnerable open if she asked him to put those on too. Instead, she pushed hair from her face and hid her vulnerability behind information sharing.

“My grandmother would have tanned my hide if I’d joined.” Javec paused, glancing at her with amused questions written clearly across his face. Enyd smiled, “That means she would’ve been very unhappy with my decision. She’s been my guardian ever since my parents died, and she raised me alongside the ranch hands back on Earth. Very traditional methods for discipline and family rearing.”

Enyd knew that culturally speaking Cardassians rarely felt the reciprocal need to share personal information when they had personal information gifted to them by another. Often they came across as rude and inconsiderate to outsiders for the absolute lack of reciprocity they seemed to feel about nearly everything. But having grown up with highly independent ranchers, many who preferred to keep to themselves and doubted overly friendly outsiders, Enyd had never found their seemingly cold nature offensive. If anything, it reminded her of home.

“What is a ranch?” Javec asked his question while also picking up the third holster, letting it dangle between them in a silent question. Enyd breathlessly nodded, surprised that he’d want to continue to help her and continue the conversation.

“It is a large swathe of land where you raise cattle or animals for food or farming. You can also farm on ranches and do any sort of things of that nature. Typically isolated from cities, and far from the hustle and bustle of politics and the like.” Enyd knew this description would likely sound terrible to the average Cardassian and had chosen her words specifically for that reason, curious how Javec would respond, as the response was often telling.

His calm demeanor and simple hum to ensure he was attentive didn’t give her much to go off of, but Enyd was at least satisfied to know Javec didn’t find the description appalling or anything. Even for being coy to a fault, Cardassians were typically open with their disdain. Enyd relaxed her stance further but almost tipped over. Reaching out instinctively, she grabbed his shoulder to steady herself, just as he reached up and wrapped a warm hand around her wrist. Their gazes locked and not for the first time Enyd was curious what his kiss would taste like…

Re: [2376] Entanglement of Chaos

Reply #10 – March 13, 2023, 06:24:15 AM

[Ensign XamotZark zh’Ptrell (Ens. Zark) | Federation Embassy 'Compound' | Cardassia Prime]   Attn: @Ellen Fitz

Commander Herasin and Ensign Zark were discussing the current political security situation when his terminal beeped with a priority message and the Bolian held a hand up for a pause while he brought the message up. His eyes moved quickly over its contents, and the corner of his mouth tugged in what could have been considered a grimace. Zark realized at that point that the despite the blunt energy the Chief of Security wielded, he was quite good at having his face shown what he wanted it to show. He turned back to the Andorian and gave her a wry grin. "You're aware the Castellan is going to be giving a speech soon?" The Ensign gave her assent to this question and he nodded back. "Looks like you're going to get an immediate start on your special job for me." Zark clocked her head to one side. "I take it, it involves Ensign Madsen being an attendee?" . The bald blue head nodded. "She's in the armoury at the moment loading up on equipment that frankly has no place at a political speech." The security chief seemed to huff, but that was hard to say, and became irrelevant when he handed her a small PADD. "Here's a requisition form. Fill it out on the way and keep an eye on her."

Ensign Zark took the PADD and nodded before deciding to ask something anyway. "Just so I'm clear sir, you're not ordering me to disarm or restrain her. So you're not against the way she equips herself. " Lieutenant Commander Herasin grinned at the question. "No, I'm not. Despite my rather bleak description of her, she does know how to fend for herself. At the moment. I want to make sure we never go beyond that, especially in light of her interactions with the aide, Javec."

The Andorian quirked an eyebrow at this. "Those two get on remarkably well, and they make a great bridge for building better relations between us and the Cardassians. But that sort of relationship is also a potential vulnerability and liability." Ensign Zark nodded her understanding. Her 'women's' intuition said there was possibly more going on between those two, and if enemies of both the Federation and the current Castellan figured it out, there would be hell to pay all over.

Taking her leave, Zark walked and quickly typed as she though about the equipment that she'd use for asset protection. She made a check of the security code and found that weapons for Starfleet Security had already been authorised. Blue fingers flew. Type 1 and 2 phaser, standard issue combat dagger with concealable belt scabbard. Push blade in boot. No need to mention the spring blade she kept under her boot. Tricorder, battlefield trauma kit. A pair of disc grenades. One explosive, one flash, and a couple of micro smoke grenades to go in her pockets. A length of climbing wire was also useful.  Oof, very heavily loaded. The Andorian thought to herself. 

A couple of plastic fast ties, and a light tac vest went into the order just as Zark arrived at the armoury door and pressed the button to enter.  Looking up, the Andorian stopped and blinked, then smirked as she caught sight of Ensign Madsen with her skirt hiked really high up, one arm around his neck, and the other hand in his hand.  If it wasn't for the fact that the security officer's trained eye had picked out several scabbards and holster, the two could easily have been mistaken for dancing.  The Zhen was married as far as her society went and she knew exactly what she was looking at. Oh Spirits, they have it bad for each other. Mindful of her boss' warning, the Andorian simply cleared her throat as she gave the Human and the Cardassian a measuring glance, then walked passed to the desk and handed the requisition over.  Javec nodded his greeting to the Andorian and continued working to fit the diplomat as if nothing had happened at all.  Miss Madsen on the other hand.  Zark suppressed a snigger as she went to the desk to greet the Bolian armourer and handed over her PADD.

The Bolian looked over the form and looked up at the Andorian. Who was this woman? flashed through her mind at the veritable arsenal.  Her eyes flicked to the human being dressed by the Cardassian, only to be blocked as a smiling Andorian stepped into her field of view.  Ensign Zark cocked her head to one side as her antennae pointed at the Bolian.  "Is there an problem with the requisition?" the security officer asked with cool reassurance and the armourer stopped her speculation as she was brought back to the task at hand. "Uhh. No Sir.  It's just an extensive list.  I have a few questions about the sizing.  The Ensign nodded and the two worked their way through the particulars of the items to make sure they fit.  Ensign Zark could understand the curiosity the two were bringing on themselves, and she was sure this was going to be reported to the Chief of Security anyway, but it would also be reported that the Andorian was pretty much on station.  Hopefully he was going to draw the right conclusion that the Ensign was already at work and keeping and eye on her charge.

The quarter master handed over the phasers, but had to head to the replicator to produce the other items and turned away to get to work.  The Andorian grabbed the energy weapons and walked her way over to where Enyd was still getting herself dressed very slowly and the Zhen put the Type II phaser on the table with a clatter as she stood near the diplomat and began conducting checks on the cricket. Ensign Zark had considered being surreptitious about why she was here, but she didn't see the point in trying subterfuge when she needed Ensign Madsen to trust her.  "And we meet again Ensign Madsen." The Andorian opened with a bright smile. Javec's attention shifted at the Andorian who was inserting herself into their moment, but being a smooth operator, he merely gave the toothy blue woman a calculating glance as he officially waited for the other shoe to drop.  "Since Lieutenant Commander Hersain insists, read orders, me to be your partners, we're going to be seeing each other quite a bit."  Zark offered brightly.  Javec had guessed as much and he grinned.  "I don't see a need for it Ensign.  The speech Ensign Madsen will be attending is hardly the most threatening environment to her health so as to need a body guard. It will also be one of the most heavily guarded locations." Javec offered reasonably in a whisky smooth voice that had generally gotten him the desired result in the past.  Zark merely continued smiling as her gaze shifted to the Type 2 phaser and continued her inspection as the telltale hum of a hover cart could be heard approaching.  "Well, Ensign Madsen seems to think other wise with the knife and other items hiding on her legs underneath that skirt, and I've been ordered to be her partner, I'm gonna have to trust her judgment that something could be a bit amiss about this event."

The cart arrived and Zark thumb printed the PADD confirming receipt of the requested items.  Through long practice, she stripped off her tunic and grabbed the body armour first.  It had a good chance of protecting a person from a kill setting, but it would hurt like the dickens if she got shot.  Next, the Andorian began attaching the the blades, tools, and explosives.  Javec frowned slightly at the display of hardware. "Will Miss Madsen be receiving the armour as well?" The Andorian shrugged as she zipped her tunic jacket back up and began fitting her utility belt with various items. "If she wants." was the only answer Zark could provide since she couldn't order Enyd to wear it as much as she wanted to.  Instead, the Andorian continued talking while he equipped herself.  "Well, Madsen what's this speech about that we're going to attend."  Zark asked with a bit of an emphasis on the joint nature of the trip.

Re: [2376] Entanglement of Chaos

Reply #11 – March 24, 2023, 08:26:59 AM

[Ensign Enyd Isolde Madsen | Cardassia Prime ] Attn: @RyeTanker

While Javec took in Zark’s abrupt appearance with poise, Enyd jerked with greenhorn surprise. She should’ve expected something or someone like Zark to show up to interrupt the moment with Javec. That was the story of her life, after all. One successive failure after another, always getting to the point of sealing the deal, then something or someone—often her own idiocy—impeding seeing things through to completion. She wasn’t just inexperienced with Cardassians in the ways of making love; she was inexperienced in every way and with all species. Swallowing the sigh of frustration she was oh so tempted to let out, Enyd instead smiled at Zark and gave the Andorian a polite nod of greeting. The woman’s comment had Enyd raising a single eyebrow, glancing down at Javec a moment before narrowing her gaze back on the security personnel working at strapping various articles to her vest.

“Did the lieutenant commander really insist, or did he just read you the orders, and you accepted without question?” she waited until after Javec commented on the speech, and then Zark sarcastically indicated Enyd’s penchant for over-preparation, with a pointed look at Enyd’s thigh holsters and the location of Javec’s hand still pressing warmly over Enyd’s knee. Knowing how much Zark protested, this new posting would go a long way toward knowing how much she could trust or rely on the Andorian.

Enyd gave Javec a half smile at his question about body armor. He was in jest; she recognized that, but based on Zark’s response, the Andorian hadn’t quite caught on to Cardassian humor just yet. Javec thought Enyd’s efforts were overkill and so lumped Zark’s preparations into the same category of “too much.” Still, he was the one who had lived among the underlying tension the entirety of his life, so it was easier for him to note when it was best to bow out and when it was best to stand one’s ground. Enyd was still learning the difference, and her upskirt tricks had already saved lives—her own included—and secured negotiations. She wasn’t about to stop with the overkill preparations if they’d already proven successful, even if the hot Cardassian thought she was an idiot for her efforts.

Javec resumed his assistance without further comment, his movements more professional and less lingering now that they had a could-be audience in Zark and the lurking requisitions officer behind the desk, staring at the pack of them as if they were all mad. Enyd gave Javec the floor to answer, not disappointed when his melodic voice filled the space in explanation.

“The Castellan is giving a speech on overcoming the ghosts of the past to secure the health of our children and the future in the same place where the Changelings detonated a chemical device that killed most of the students in a junior high school, along with the teachers and administrators.” After finishing his work, Javec pushed to the stand, eyes carefully tracking Enyd’s movements as she dropped her skirt back. “Of course, not themselves, but through their misguided Cardassian cohorts in the last days of the war. He secured the financial backing of a few off-world stakeholders who will finance the rebuilding of another school in the same location. While there are some rumors that one of the splinter groups of the Gremor Syndicate may make an appearance during the ceremony, they were not known for doing much more than throwing rotten fruit and setting off tear gas in crowds.”

Enyd rolled her eyes at his flippancy, be it feigned or true, and looked to Zark, “The Federation ambassador will also give a short speech after the Castellan and I am there to hold the plaque that the ambassador will later hand off to the Castellan, you know, to satisfy everyone’s need for pomp and circumstance on the doorsteps of past death and destruction.” Enyd tried not to sound sarcastic, but knew she wasn’t entirely successful in her efforts. Studying the Andorian a moment longer, Enyd smiled and gestured toward the door, “Ready? We will be walking there from here, as it is only a few blocks away and the public transport system still hasn’t returned to normal operating status.”

Re: [2376] Entanglement of Chaos

Reply #12 – March 27, 2023, 10:58:25 PM

[Ensign XamotZark zh’Ptrell (Ens. Zark) | Cardassia Prime]   Attn: @Ellen Fitz

"Yep, lead the way local guide." Zark smiled as she waved at the door.  Stuffing a last grenade into one of the pockets, Ensign Zark followed next to Madsen as they left.  It was a short walk to the gate where all three of the party had to sign out.  As Enyd signed out, Zark caught the fulminating look the guard gave Enyd and the sympathetic one he gave her.  Huh. The boss was right.  Been giving everyone the run around. The Andorian thought to herself and it translated into her twisting her lips a bit as she tried not to smile at the gate watchers unhappiness with the diplomat.  After completing her own thumb print, the gate was opened and Zark entered a different world. 

If it hadn't been for her own war service, the Andorian would have been shocked at the destruction she saw.  Usually civilizations that had been around for a while tended to build a sense of history with their architecture, but in this case,  many of the buildings looked very new or were a patch work of various states of repair.  A low three story building just outside the compound was  a case in point as there was a slight discoloration cut diagonally across the building.  It was only by trained eye that the material on the upper half seemed to be a bit lighter and shinier than the rest.  Many people also moved about with a depression borne of the need to not feel as they worked on repairs.  In some cases, stacking debris into trucks for transport to the industrial replicators for reclamation and processing into new materials. 

"Javec, Enyd.  I have a question.  Granted the Federations is also rebuilding, but surely there was more that could be sent?"  Zark knew it was a naive questions, which was quite fair for her under the current conditions.  Javec looked at her for a moment to guage the Andorian, but Zark's face pretty much remained open and honest, and not knowing the woman, he decided to take this one at face value; simple curiosity, and maybe a chance to educate. "True, the Federation could send much more, and there are those who argue they should have.  Between us, when the initial negotiations began on this topic, the Ambassador actually offered much more, but the Castellan whittled down the amount."  Javec grinned and chuckled at that memory.  The look on the Ambassador's face had been priceless.  When he looked at the Andorian one more time, he let out a rich laugh that felt out of place in the street.  Zark's face was almost a mirror with one eye brow arched high, the other low and her mouth looking like she was getting ready to save up spit.  The aide sighed as his amused demeanour softened. "We are a proud people Ensign.  Yes, we make mistakes like any other culture, but nobody likes to be considered a poor beggar."  The light began to dawn on Zark's face as it returned to it's more neutral expression. "Rebuilding one world, while still a massive undertaking, is not all that difficult for space faring civilizations such as ours.  Cardassia would be just one more world.  Look how quickly Bajor was brought back to its natural splendor with Federation assistance."  Zark jerked slightly at that remark since in her mind the Bajorans really really disliked their former overlords and Javec picked up on it. "Just because they were in our thrall at one point doesn't mean they can't be appreciated after we've left Ensign zh’Ptrell."  Zark blushed at being caught out like this, but Javec ignored that as he looked around as a crane held a metal panel in place and several people on scaffolding began welding it in place. "We know we're indebted to the help you've provided, but we have to get our hands dirty to take ownership of process and remind us that this is our home and heart. Even if it means doing things the hard way."  Javec finished rather dramatically with a smile as he lifted both arms up like he was lifting weights and Zark could see the traces of the muscle bulging underneath his tunic.

Zark nodded at this. It made a lot of sense as she digested what Javec told her.  Also nodding along with Madsen's insights, the trio continued walking towards the speech.  The security Ensign suddenly stepped ahead and her arm went up to push the other two back for a moment while her hand went to the phaser on her hip.  There was suddenly a splat a couple of meters ahead of the group and Zark's sense of smell was assailed by rot and fermentation as her antennae began to whirl around like an ancient radar.  "Off world whores!  You especially!" and despite the distance, it definitely felt like the finger was being pointed at Javec.  "Begone from this place foul aliens and Glory for Cardassia!"  The cape flowed as the figure stared his disgust one more time then disappeared into the alleyway.

Zark had stood, leaning and  poised for action, but hadn't drawn her weapon nor moved her head as she interposed her body between the fruit thrower and her now two charges. With her antennae pointed in the direction he disappeared, she subconsciously felt his presence receding as people stared on. Standing up and releasing the phaser's handle, the blue woman turned to the Human and Cardassians. "Well, that was interesting. At least it wasn't a bomb. " The security officer took one more look around and while not happy, was satisfied they were safe for the moment. "Let's keep going." Zark told the other two, making sure to step around the splattered fruit.