SNIP

Admiral Perkins surveyed the room. Kelly’s crew seemed distinctly loyal but there was always one. One officer that could be tempted to see the benefits of a casual relationship and the perks random updates could bring. Information was always more powerful than weapons. As he surveyed the room Perkins debates where to start. He had the dossiers on everyone. Now it was time to play on the cracks in their armor. Power was all about promises and Perkins was all about promises.

There was very little looking needed to find the security chief of the Atlantis. Lt. Commander Gravel Marusk was near impossible to miss and not only because he was an Orion. The man was huge even for an Orion. What was most appealing however was Gravel’s rebellious and anti-authoritarian demeanor. This meant he did not play well with those in positions of authority. While Mardusk excelled in school, his assignments at USS Culloden and Starbase 54 all reported he had an aversion to authority. This would be something Perkins could use to his advantage. No one was more adversive than Kelly once you got to know the woman.

“Mr. Mardusk, how is life on the Atlantis,” Perkins said nodding to the Orion security chief.

Perkins

Mardusk turned slightly to look down at Perkins. “Admiral.” he said with a nod and a slight straightening of his back. “Life is good, Sir. Glad to be here.” he replied in a formal manner, his voice a low rumble of a far off landslide; but a look in the bright metallic emerald eyes held something akin to annoyance. Whether that was directed at the Admiral or just his standard look was anyone’s guess. “I trust your arrival on board was met with the proper reception? I instructed the Security teams to make sure you were assisted as much as possible, Sir.”

Mardusk, CoS

So that was you, Perkins gaze narrowed on Mardusk as his mind flashed back to their arrival. Well, at least his assistants. It started with Titus and Butkuz who of course arrived first to prepare for Perkins’s arrival. “Are you referring to the random security screen which took close to ninety minutes. Titus and Butkuz claimed they were remanded to a holding cell where they were required to answer a questionnaire that had no end and no asked seemingly random questions that had no purpose,” Perkins glared at the security chief. Since he was not there it was only Titus and Butkuz words against the security staff yet Perkins was going to get some answers.

“When were you off-world last and how long were you gone? What bearing does that have with entering the ship,” Perkins growled out the first absurd question that was asked of his staff by the Atlantis security team.

“Many planets have experienced recent viral outbreaks and personnel from those areas are subject to mandatory quarantine, Admiral. Standard screening question for incoming personnel.” Mardusk replied, his look never wavering.

“That was a Starfleet Medical drill,” Perkins exclaimed angrily with his voice carrying slightly across the room. “They are calling it Zomboidus because it is a preparedness drill Commander,” he half raged half squawked. Sensing that the security chief was toying with him, Perkins looked around the room to see who was looking in thier direction. At the present, it was only a few security officers. Growling low in his throat he brought up another question.

“What’s the most important file on your computer? That is classified and they were never going to tell you that,” Perkins’s tone got low, “so why even bother asking?”

“Because your staff has access to sensitive sections of a brand new ship, Admiral. If a simple question like that tripped them up,then could we really allow them access? Honestly, sir. I think you of all people would understand our need for such minor tests of adherence to security protocols.” It was hard to tell, but was that a small glint of satisfaction in the big Orion’s eyes?

“Of course I own this ship,” he leaned in snarling at Mardusk. “It is mine. I know every bolt, panel, and Jeffery tube. Nothing goes on in this ship that is not on my radar. Remember that,” he moved back grabbing a drink off a tray from a passing waiter. Downing it allowed Perkins a few precious moments to gather his thoughts. This Orion was infuriating. The Admiral would give anything to wipe the slight smirk simmering just under the surface of the steely gaze Mardusk was leveling at him. Pulling at his collar, Perkins loosened it some just like the liquor was losening him up. “And what was the last question,” he demanded.

“What part of your body would you replace with an improved mechanical version? Was that one a threat,” Perkins began to slightly lose his cool.

Perkins

Mardusk cocked his head to the side slightly and a look of obviously false confusion appeared on his face. ” Oh. I’m sorry, sir. That wasn’t on my initial screening questionnaire.” and then he snapped his fingers and nodded enthusiastically. “Oh, right right right. That wasn’t an arrival question. There was a discussion between the two Security officers on that post about a video they saw where a guy gets his arm lopped off and it gets replaced with an arm from a Klingon. But it turns out the arm is possed by Kahless, and keeps trying to kill him. So the guy goes to Q’onos to get it fixed, but they tell him its sacred and they can’t so the only thing they can do is put another possessed limb on to counteract the first one and the guy gets to choose which one but this one will be technologically based with a crystal on it containing the soul of a Klingon hero of old… I’m surprised you haven’t seen it, Admiral. Seems like your kind of show. Anyway, the two Security officers have been arguing about which limb to replace and making bets on what the guy in the story will do.” and he looked down slowly and said in a overtly sarcastic sad voice “I just dont have the heart to tell them the show was cancelled.”

Mardusk, CoS

“What the hell are you talking about,” Perkins looked at Mardusk like he wanted to kill him. A bout of laughter erupted from around the room and while Perkins could not tell that all of it was directed towards him, the security division was obviously in on the prank. “Fine, you want to play games how about this one. It is about a file that came across my desk about Gravel Mardusk and his connection with the Orion Syndicate.” Perkins let the words roll off his tongue. Everything coming out of Perkins mouth was either a lie or threat. He had no proof that any of what he said existed but everyone had a dark secret in thier past they guarded closely. All Perkin’s had to do was let Mardusk think he knew what the secret was and then he controlled the man. Once Mardusk knew Perkins held all the power, Perkins would have another little bird in his pocket to sing him details when he needed to know them.

Perkins