Posted by Commander David Morris (Commanding Officer) in Future Bargaining

Posted by Civilian Sisnil Zoi (Intelligence Consultant) in Future Bargaining

Posted by Commander David Morris (Commanding Officer) in Future Bargaining
Posted by… suppressed (65) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Sisnil disembarked from the shuttle on which he’d arrived in the shuttle bay of a Starfleet vessel - a place he’d never, ever assumed he’d find himself. At least, not as a free man. You see, Sisnil was what one might call a pirate - a freighter of the less-than-legal variety. He exited the shuttle bay, escorted by two security officers. Was that really necessary? He supposed it was. Starfleet was known to be overly cautious and his affiliations made him less than trustworthy.

Sisnil was a runner and computer specialist for the Orion Syndicate. One of the best, as luck would have it. And that was what had landed him here. To add to the irony, he’d come here from the Academy campus. That was a track he never expected. It was, he supposed, his consequence for getting caught. Better than the one the Syndicate would dish out, at any rate, when they discovered where he was. He looked at a map on a PaDD, the Captain’s ready room was on another deck on the other side of the ship. How tiresome. Why must these vessels be so large?

Six months ago, Sisnil was just another Orion runner - not just that, but Captain of his own vessel, alongside his twin brother, Noril Zoi. Noril didn’t know what had happened to him yet… probably assumed he’d been imprisoned. Maybe he could get word out… but it would have to wait. For now, he had to focus on solidifying this deal. Proving the Fleet could trust him so he could earn some level of freedom.

See, he was free in the sense that he was not in a Federation prison in some remote corner of space, but he was not actually free. There were strict contingencies to his contract. He was to cease relations with criminal organizations. He was to pledge allegiance to the Federation and Starfleet. To lend his skills to those whom he hated the most. He wasn’t exactly intended to remain clean, though… no, Starfleet had other plans in mind for him. To utilise him as non-Fleet intelligence. To use his contacts and skills for what the Fleet considered “Good”.

Six months ago was when all went wrong in one fell swoop. Sisnil separated from his brother, his crew, and his ship. His criminal career over under threat of a death sentence. Like any good Captain would be, he was glad the rest of his crew had gotten away scot free. He’d never turn on them. Never.

The Syndicate had hired him to steal a file off Starfleet’s’ mainframe. A firewall weakness was identified in the Academy’s system, and that was his in. So, off to the Academy Sisnil, Noril, and his crew went. The Academy could be a wonderful place to pick up jobs - after all, not every Cadet had clean hands. It all came down to which ones got caught. And Sisnil’s ship had a clean registration. No reason for Fleet law enforcement to stop a simple freighter from picking up supplies to take out to various colonies, after all.

Upon arrival Sisnil got right to work. The Syndicate had supplied him false identification to gain access to the campus. ‘Cadet Asephai’, said the badge. A Betazoid student from the homeworld, Betazed. He had no trouble gaining entry, he had the natural confidence that no one second guessed him. He barely had to show the ID at all. He chose a spot, turned his PaDD on, and got to work. The tip was good, the breach really existed, and gaining entry from there was easy. He just needed time to let the files copy over before anyone suspected anything…

~ Zoi

Six Months Ago

Lieutenant Commander David Morris stepped off the transporter PADD. Huh. I left here in medical blue, changed to a command red, and then came back here in red to take medical classes. Life certainly has gotten a lot more complicated recently.

He shook his head. That thought process could play out tonight in his bunk - right now, the day was beautiful, he was on Earth for the first and likely the last time in months, and he had a half-hour to spare before he needed to be in his Advanced Medical class. He noted a bench nearby with a Betazoid Cadet sitting, looking at a PADD. He walked over. “Mind if I join you, Cadet?”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

Sisnil looked up. A command officer. Just what he needed. The emotion didn’t show on his face. Instead he smiled and scooted over, turning his PaDD screen towards himself. “Of course, Commander, sir.” He said going for the demeanor of a Cadet slightly nervous to talk to a higher ranking officer. “I hope you don’t mind. I’m working on something private here.” And a little blush.

~ Zoi
“Oh?” David asked, smiling and letting his forward-facing persona fall into the one he was still most comfortable with - the counselor. “I’m David, don’t worry about the rank.” He laughed. “After all, right now I am a student. “What is it that you’re working on, if you don’t mind me asking? Anything you could use advice on?” He smiled gently, disarmingly, the way he’d been taught and spent hours refining, but always sort of been able to do.

Lt. Commander David Morris
XO, USS Wolverine

“A letter to a lover.” Sisnil responded. “It’s not really something I want to show anybody besides the one it’s intended for if you get my drift.” He perked at the screen and then shut it off. “It’s okay, I can work on it later.” The disarming smile seemed ineffective on the man. It helped that Sisnil was Betazoid - he could sense David’s thoughts and feelings with ease. He really did mean no harm. Sisnil just had to be casual and relaxed. “If you are a student at your rank, what are you studying?”

~ Zoi

“I’m keeping my medical license up to date and active, so continuing education in the field. Once I finish my classes, back to the final frontier!” His eyes sparkled in merriment. “How long have you been at the Academy?” he asked, glancing for the rank pips that indicated year, “and what sub-field are you studying?”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

Second year. It was the uniform they’d paid off a cadet about his size and build to give him. “Two years.” There would be no slip ups in his information. Sisnil was way too experienced in the game for that. “I’m on the Engineering track, computers and technology subtrack.”

~ Zoi

“Oh, who’d you have for Fundamentals of Computer Architecture? It’s been quite a few years, especially since I took my engineering classes, but you know how faculty can be.” He laughed, a picture of a human man with slightly graying strawberry blonde hair, dressed in a slightly wrinkled Engineering uniform flashing across his thoughts.

Lt. Commander David Morris
XO, USS Wolverine

“Professor Arkand,” Sisnil answered. He’d studied the faculty, that was the only human, blonde professor in the Computer Engineering department. “He really is a bit of an oddball, don’t you think?”

~ Zoi
“He is indeed,” David agreed. “Does he still include that one exam about halfway through the semester?” He was referring to one of the particularly unusual habits the man had of instead of a traditional midterm, dumping a damaged computer module in the center of the room at the start of that class period and verbally counting down to a containment failure, instructions left on the projector to repair the system sufficiently to input a command and re-establish the faux containment - non-traditional by any means and not even graded traditionally, but shockingly effective. This he kept at the back of his mind not entirely intentionally, laughing at the flashes that did cross his conscious thoughts.

Lt. Commander David Morris
XO, USS Wolverine

He caught a few thoughts. “He does. The one with damaged computer module?” He shook his head. Judging by David’s feelings about it, that should be the right response. “It… wasn’t my favourite exam.”

~ Zoi

“Oh?” he asked. “Why not? Most of us loved it, at least back while I was here as a cadet. It was certainly more interesting than a paper test.”

At the very back of his conscious thoughts, David paused for a moment. This was not quite right. He’d never met a cadet or ensign, having talked to a few as a counselor that had had Arkand, that didn’t love the exam, or at least think of it fondly. He’d have to watch a little closer - not letting it show, of course, through the techniques he’d learned between his Advanced Counseling Techniques for Telepaths and Empaths class (that certainly was a mouthful) and the seminar Intel had hosted for senior officers of Black Fleet.

Lt. Commander David Morris
XO, USS Wolverine

Sisnil sensed a moment of suspicion that was quickly hidden. Had he guessed? Sisnil’s paranoia wouldn’t let go of the idea. “It wasn’t what I expected is all. I’m sorry, I’ve got to go. I have an appointment to make.” He said and stood. “Uh, nice to meet you, Command. Maybe we’ll be assigned together sometime?”

~ Zoi

Well, that certainly wasn’t normal. “Where are you headed?” David asked, all hints of suspicion hidden and just the friendly, unassuming persona presenting, obscuring the black ops Commander behind it. “I learned all the shortcuts long ago, but unless you’re constantly up to things, I doubt you’ve found the half of them by second year. I can get you there twice as fast.”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

Was the commander trying to stay with him? Hadn’t he said he was a medical officer? Why did he seem so… Irritably perceptive? “Off campus, it’s not for school.” He smiled, “Thanks for the offer, though.”

~ Zoi

“Not all the shortcuts are strictly on campus,” David grinned conspiratorially, “Even if it doesn’t go all the way, the brightest and most adventurous young minds of the Federation have been spending all their time here for centuries. Do you really think they’d limit themselves to the official boundaries?”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

Sisnil grinned. “Don’t keep yourself to official boundaries, huh? Okay, show me the way, then. To the art museum.”

~ Zoi

David nodded. “I can do that. Follow me.” He wound his way to one of the older passages that way, one that had a reputation for being a horrible place to hold a phone call due to the natural signal dispersion of the underground tunnel. “So, what classes do you have this year?”

Lt. Commander David Morris
XO, USS Wolverine

“Fundamentals of Engineering, Starship Engines Basics, Computer Engineering…” Sisnil let out an exhasperated sigh. “I really don’t need fundamental computer classes, but you’re not allowed to test out of them.”

~ Zoi

“They have good reason for that. A lot of the higher level classes tie back to specific idiosyncrasies as I understand it - too difficult to cover all that on a single test. Plus, reinforcing basics is a good thing. I do get it though. Any electives? Is art something you’re interested in doing, or just enjoy looking at, seeing as we’re on our way to the museum.” He kept watching Sisnil subtly out of the corner of his eye, not letting on in thought or posture but ready in case any physical cues or body language showed up to reinforce his suspicions.

Lt. Commander David Morris
XO, USS Wolverine

“I know, but…” Sisnil grinned and shrugged. “I’m rather good with these things. The classes are mind numbingly boring.” He nodded, running a hand through his hair. “Robotics. Always a handy one.” It was odd, having a potential risk walk him to his rendezvous point. But what else could he do?

~ Zoi

“Yeah, that is a handy skill to keep fresh. Helps across all the fields,” David agreed. “Where do you hope to get posted once you graduate?” By now, the two should be, by his calculation, at the deepest part, where most signals and wireless connections tended to break up, and he stalled for a moment, making a ruse of stumbling over some loose rocks.

Lt. Commander David Morris
XO, USS Wolverine

Good thing he’d already transferred the file. All he had to do was pass his PaDD to Noril. Then he could lose the nosy Commander. “Uh, haven’t thought about it that much. Where I go, I go. You know?”

~ Zoi

“Yeah, fair enough,” David conceded. “Almost there. You said you had an appointment? The lines can get pretty long this time of day.” He let just a brief flash of suspicion float up, not enough to really give anything away but just enough to get a reaction out of someone who expected trouble.

Lt. Commander David Morris
XO, USS Wolverine

So he was suspicious. Sisnil was right to keep his guard up. There was a slight look of conviction on his face. “Meeting with my brother, actually. The art museum was just a notable place that would be easy to find. This is his PaDD. I borrowed it. Mine got stolen. You said this was a short cut? Seems like it’s been forever.”

~ Zoi

“Oh, this is nothing compared to the streets, trust me.” He wasn’t lying- this wasn’t the fastest way, in part due to a bit of stalling, but it was a shortcut still.
“Did you talk to Security? They’re pretty good at finding that kind of thing.”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

“Yeah, but,” Sisnil shrugged, “No results yet. And classes don’t wait. My brother doesn’t have class today, so it worked out.” He needed to change the topic. The Commander was probing, looking for signs of deception. “What kind of doctor are you?”

~ Zoi

“A general practitioner,” David said, omitting the counselor bit for now. “Don’t forget to clear that letter or log out before you give back the PaDD.”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

“Oh yeah, thanks.” Without hesitation, Sisnil opened the PaDD and pressed ‘log out’ from the lock screen. Then he turned the screen off again. “We’re twins, so we share a lot. Always have.”

~ Zoi

“You said he’s a cadet, too?” David asked, the tunnel sloping upward at this point.

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

“Yeah, we don’t do anything without the other.” Sisnil chuckled. “Cliche, isn’t it?”

~ Zoi

“What’s he studying?” David asked, blinking in the sudden sunlight as they exited the tunnel half a block from the museum.

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

Sisnil covered his black eyes. “Bright today. He’s in Science.” He answered the questions with ease. “You sure ask a lot of questions.”

~ Zoi

“Yeah, I’ve been told that a lot.” He squinted towards the front of the museum. “Is that him over there?”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

Sisnil looked. The brothers weren’t identical. Sisnil was shorter, a bit leaner. Noril was a bit broader, taller. Sisnil’ red hair came down to his shoulders just about, Noril’s was short. Thankfully for them, both were telepathic and empathic, typically in strong contact. Twins could be like that. Noril already knew about Sisnil’s situation and ruse.

“Got it? I’m gonna be late at this rate, Nilly.” Noril said.

“Right here, Norry, Relax.” Both brothers sounded… almost English? Sisnil handed Noril the PaDD. Noril patted it, then smiled. “David, was it? Betazoid twins can be very close. Not much goes on for one of us the other doesn’t know about.”

~ Zoi

“I’ve heard you’re a science cadet?” David asked. “How’re classes these days?”

Lt. Commander David Morris
XO, USS Wolverine

Noril shared a looked with Sisnil, then responded, “Hard, but interesting. Commander. I’m sorry, I really don’t have time to chat.” Sisnil patted him on the back. “Get going. Don’t be late.”

~ Zoi

“Oh, where are you headed?” David asked, still smiling. “Can I help you get there faster?”

Lt. Commander David Morris
XO, USS Wolverine

“Uh, no thanks. Honestly it’s kinda weird you’re following Cadets around.” Noril said, and then, after a look from his twin, quickly added, “No offense, sir.”

~ Zoi

“None taken!” He laughed. “I probably should be getting to class before long anyway.”

Lt. Commander David Morris
XO, USS Wolverine

“Bye.” Noril said, and hurried off, PaDD in hand. Sisnil slipped a hand in his pocket. “Sounds like you have exciting things to get to, Commander.”

~ Zoi

“Class is generally interesting, though I wouldn’t say exciting,” David agreed, slipping his own hand into a pocket and thumbing the type 1 phaser held there. He hoped he was wrong, but that was getting increasingly rare. “Do you have any other classes today?”

Lt. Commander David Morris
XO, USS Wolverine

“No, I’m off for the day,” Sisnil replied, watching the Commander’s hand. His body tensed unwillingly, his paranoia not allowing him to dismiss the idea that he knew and that could be a weapon. “Which means this is when we part ways.” He nodded to the Commander, “I hope we meet again, sir. Nice talking to you.”

He turned and began heading away, fighting to keep his pace slow and relaxed.

~ Zoi

David tracked along just close enough to keep him in eyesight, keeping up a ruse of heading back to class but at this point more intrigued by this. He tensed. There’s more he isn’t telling me, and he’s starting to get nervous.

Lt. Commander David Morris
XO, USS Wolverine

He’s following me. Norry, get that PaDD and the ship out of here. I’ll slip away. Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. Shouldn’t be hard to lose one nosy commander. Sisnil thought, communing telepathically with his twin.

Got it. Stay safe, Nilly, Noril replied in the same manner. Sisnil kept David in his peripheral vision, moving down the city streets. All he had to do was find a crowded enough area and lose the cadet uniform.

~ Zoi

David followed behind, phaser in hand but still concealed. He probably knows I’m here. Let’s see what happens if he thinks he’s won. He dropped back slightly, focusing on blocking out his thoughts from being notable and blending into the increasing mass of people, but keeping just enough of an eye on Sisnil to not lose him.

Lt. Commander David Morris
XO, USS Wolverine

After near half an hour of David holding back, hiding himself and his presence, Sisnil finally relaxed and stopped a moment, pulling a communicator out. The signal was encrypted, David would have to overhear to hear the conversation. “Noril. Everything is there? Good. We’re getting paid today. Stay out of sight. I’ll give the all clear when I’m sure it’s safe to pull me out.”

~ Zoi

David only caught bits and pieces of the conversation, but enough to confirm his suspicions. Alright. I’ll talk to my professor later. For now, I wait and follow. He thumbed the phaser again, setting it to heavy stun, and watched and waited.

Lt. Commander David Morris
XO, USS Wolverine

Sisnil disappeared into the bathroom of a coffee shop and came out sans starfleet uniform. It was then that he noticed David still following and rushed out of the building, hurrying to try and disappear around a corner.

~ Zoi

Well, that more or less confirms it even more. David hurried after him, less worried about secrecy at this point. He shifted the phaser to where he could easily raise it and fire, though still with some effort to conceal it.

Lt. Commander David Morris
XO, USS Wolverine

Sisnil couldn’t lead his follower to the new rendezvous point so instead he wandered through town, trying to get the commander to leave him alone. He did nothing of consequence. If there were evidence, David would have done something by now. All he had to do was be calm. He reached for David’s thoughts, listening with his mind.

~ Zoi

I just need him to linger about a little longer so the security team can get into place, David intentionally broadcasted at the top of his thoughts, hiding any others. This was, of course, a lie, but theoretically his opponent didn’t know that. He kept close enough for Sisnil to see him following, keeping line-of-fire open.

Lt. Commander David Morris
XO, USS Wolverine

He could sense some feelings of deception, but couldn’t for sure tell one way or another. He kept up the same act, moving about the city, acting normally. Eventually the commander would have to give up, no?

~ Zoi

David kept up his own act, tiring slightly but not exhausted yet. After all, eventually the not-cadet would have to give up. He probably had enough evidence by now, but why not try and get more or get the man to surrender voluntarily?

Lt. Commander David Morris
XO, USS Wolverine

A Syndicate career criminal? Surrender voluntarily? He’d die first. Sisnil thought it over. All he could possibly have is a cryptic, encrypted comm call. Unless the breach had been discovered, but if it had, wouldn’t the commander have made a definitive move?

~ Zoi

If he keeps this up, I won’t be able to follow him much longer, David lied. In fact, this was refreshing, although a bit annoying to have to spend his afternoon this way on such a lovely, warm day. He started trying to chase Sisnil closer back towards Academy grounds, not being subtle about it - after all, he wanted Sisnil to suspect that was his plan. If he’d only lead me back to his brother and ship…

Beneath the carefully held mask, his mind was racing. He was Intel, yes, but he was a doctor first, not security. How to use his knowledge of psychology, rather than pure physical merit and tactical prowess, to lead Sisnil into a trap?

Lt. Commander David Morris
XO, USS Wolverine

Each time David tried to lead Sisnil towards the Academy, the Betazoid took a path that led them away. Yet, his path seemed random, not leading to any particular place. Sisnil was, for better or worse, a Captain, and he would not lead danger to his crew, even at his own peril.

The Commander had told Sisnil he was a doctor. Not security trained. But clearly, he was some kind of Intel or he wouldn’t have suspected anything nor followed so long. Sisnil would have to keep a careful guard and trust nothing.

~ Zoi

David tapped his combadge as he stayed at the edge of visual contact, quietly muttering into it. =/\= “Morris to Command. I have a hunch - can somebody go over the Academy mainframe and look for any evidence of an intrusion? I’m following someone - he’s definitely not some random cadet like he claimed.” =/\= He cut off his transmission, then, raising his voice enough to carry and getting a bit closer, he added, “The ship is waiting for rendezvous either in-atmosphere or geosynchronous to San Francisco, send a couple fighters to take it into custody,” channeling his command voice. He was capable of pretending, too.

Lt. Commander David Morris
XO, USS Wolverine

Sisnil’s hand slipped into his pocket again. Two taps - take off. His ship wouldn’t be in orbit much longer. They’d know to come back for him soon enough and he’d lay low. Noril knew how to find him. He glanced back at David. “If you’re going to be that obvious, must we continue this game?”

~ Zoi

David raised an eyebrow. “I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about. I never did catch your name?”

Lt. Commander David Morris
XO, USS Wolverine

Sisnil scoffed. “Arindil, didn’t you see my name badge?” He gave David a look that said, Do you really expect me to answer that?

~ Zoi

“Where did ‘Nilly’ come from?” David asked. “I’d expect ‘Dilly’.”

Lt. Commander David Morris
XO, USS Wolverine

“A childhood nickname,” Sisnil said with a shrug. “He’d miss the D when we were young and sat Arinil and that morphed to Nilly.” He lied like it was nothing, easily, without hesitation. It was difficult to tell when he was and wasn’t lying.

~ Zoi

=/\= “Morris, you were right. There was a breach. Permission granted to engage,” =/\= his combadge quietly chirped. That was all he needed.

David raised the phaser to chest height. “Did I mention I was attached to Intel, too? You’re under arrest.” Immediately dropped was most of the cordial exterior - he was still as friendly as one can be while arresting someone at weapon-point, but the smile was gone. “Please come with me.”

Lt. Commander David Morris
XO, USS Wolverine

Sisnil slowly raised both hands. “I’d rather not get shot. On the other hand, it could never be that easy.” From his pocket something flashed and hit the ground. And ordinary firecracker, but it was enough to stir up the crowed around him and obscure David’s shot. During said commotion, Sisnil made a break for it.

~ Zoi

David took off running after him, bracing the phaser a little lower against his body. “Starfleet!” he shouted through the chaos. “Make a path!” He shot once into the sky - nothing powerful enough to damage any craft, but it should get people’s attention, and continued after the escaping Betazoid, suddenly thankful he’d spent all afternoon getting better at following him.

Lt. Commander David Morris
XO, USS Wolverine

Sisnil was in good shape. After all, being a criminal did tend to do that. There was a lot of running and fighting involved. He paced himself - fast enough to remain ahead of David but not so fast he’d wear himself out. He weaved through crowds, trying to keep innocent’s between himself and David at all times. Intel! He though a very rude word to himself as he ran. Got to lose him, and fast!

~ Zoi

David followed at a matched pace, keeping a constant distance between the two. He adjusted his phaser down a setting and widened the beam as he ran - stunning civilians was definitely not an ideal plan, but he may not end up having a choice.

Lt. Commander David Morris
XO, USS Wolverine

Sisnil kept it up. He was infuriatingly good at this. He didn’t glance back, instead he kept his focus instead. David would have a choice of trying to make a shot or widening the beam and weakening it - increasing its chance of failure but also including civilians as collateral damage. He was Intel - Sisnil didn’t doubt he would do that. He had to be careful.

~ Zoi