V'Shar, Starfleet Intelligence and hidden secrets and deep shame

Posted on Thu Jul 21st, 2022 @ 4:48pm by Captain Maia Sterling & Lieutenant Commander Sheena Toran-Blake & Commander Ryan Blake & Lieutenant Marina Tanger & Lieutenant T'Plana-hath

Mission: Shore Leave
Location: Captains Ready Room

T'Plana-hath was not sure if she should reveal what she knew about the Battlecruiser and who was most likely the captain and those responsible for the increasing raids in the quadrant, no she thought it was time to come clean on this matter and bring both her captain and her immediate superior into the select few who knew the full depth of the issue in this quadrant. Captain Sterling was still under the impression that the pirate Captain Arwella was in charge of the raids in this quadrant. The inclusion of any diplomats the captain may deem to join in the briefing had been an afterthought, but one she thought might be necessary.

Captain Sterling was in her office with her senior staff awaiting Lieutenant Tanger's and Lieutenant T'Plana'Hath's first intelligence report as a team.

Marina sat waiting to hear what T’Plana-hath had to say, she had so far proved herself to be a good Intelligence Officer.

T'Plana-hath took a deep breath to steady herself, she was about to reveal a very deeply buried secret that only a hand full of individuals knew about in four different intelligence agencies; the V'Shar of Vulcan, the Am Tal of Andoria, the Earth Intelligence Bureau, and Starfleet Intelligence. She came to attention and saluted the senior officers present in the captain's ready room. "Captain, thank you for seeing me in regards to the latest incident. I have made a determination to impart information that I feel is pertinent to the whole issue of piracy and raids in this sector. This information is known by a select few in the V'Shar, Am Tal, Earth Intelligence Bureau, and Starfleet Intelligence. It involves the theft of Andorian military starships, Starfleet equipment and starships, and terrorism. As you may be aware my father and sister were killed in a bombing at the Andorian embassy on Vulcan, and the blame was laid at the feet of a radical offshoot of the Vulcan Isolation Movement. What is not known is that it was carried out by the Asfar Qatala with help from both the Orion Syndicate and the Ferengi Shadow Treasurers. They had help from Vulcans who are the followers of T'Vet. The whole group backs a Half Vulcan, Half Orion the pirate Captain Arwella. Their intended goal is to overthrow the Federation. Captain Arwella's husband was one of the six Vulcans that carried out the bombing on Vulcan. I know this as I personally was present at his death. I am asking permission to take Nightstalker and a small contingent of Marines and Security personnel and allow me to recover the 'Spoofing' Device on that Andorian Battlecruiser."

Marina offered T’Plana-hath a respectful smile. “I commend your honesty in this matter Lieutenant, to be honest, I’ve been out of the loop under deep cover for a lot of years, so I appreciate you being here. I would like you to bring me up-to-date on everything when time allows. As for your request...” She looked toward Maia.

"I have met Captain Arwella, both in person and in combat. She is full Orion, she does have a remarkably intelligent, disciplined, and serious mind. She is one of the most dangerous foes out there. If she were responsible for this there is a good reason. She is opportunistic, but not exactly evil. She is utterly ruthless though. She rarely makes mistakes herself it's usually an underling who is either too ambitious or who has a disdain for women who makes the mistakes." Maia said.

T'Plana-hath sighed inwardly she was hoping not to actually show the captain her copies of the V'Shar files she had on Captain Arwella, nor how she personally knew Captain Arwella was what she was. "Captain, I am about to show you V'Shar files on Captain Arwella, which include her DNA profile and the DNA profiles of her mother, father, and her bond-mate/husband. You are also about to see within these files my Vulcan indiscretion in the murder of the six Vulcans involved in the terrorist attack. If the V'Shar finds out I informed, you and allowed you to view these files my life is forfeit." With that, she handed over a Vulcan-style PaDD. "Sutok, head of the V'Shar was personally involved in getting my mind repaired when I did what I did. It shattered my mind. He ensured I was healed physically and had placed me in a Nirak monastery to heal my mind, finally, he swept up the details of what happened and ensured no other individuals besides myself T'Shank, and he knew what happened. Now I am entrusting this to you, and all those present, here in your ready room. As I have said, captain, I am not your typical Vulcan, you see I was the one who managed to get close enough to Captain Arwella and get her DNA for comparison to the V'Shar records, and yes she definitely would love to get a hold of me."

Maia cocked her head, looking at her intelligence officer.

"Would it help to know that I will be completely discrete about this disclosure?" Maia asked.

"I expected you would be captain, otherwise I would not have brought the subject of this to your attention. I am dedicated to ensuring that Starfleet and thus the Federation receive the best intelligence analysis I am capable of, if it means violating certain oaths, I took to the V'Shar then so be it. I am willing to face the consequences of my actions. In this manner it is best you understand just how lethal the situation with these terrorists are." replied T'Plana-hath in a serene and calm voice,

Ryan's expression grew tense over the discussion regarding the Orion Syndicate. He had commanded the away team on the Thorion mission. The team had been captured by a group in Arwella's faction and subjected to beatings, and starvation and one of the team members was sexually assaulted repeatedly by their captors. "I would like to discuss in more detail any information you may have after this briefing."

T'Plana-hath turned to Lieutenant Commander Ryan Blake, a small smile, a quirk of her lips and the raising of her left eye indicated her surprise and intrigue at the request "Of course commander if the captain agrees to such a detailed briefing."

Marina simply sat taking in everything that was being said. She had little to contribute having been undercover most of her career to date.

T'Plana-hath turned to Lieutenant Marina Tanger "Of course Lieutenant Tanger, I will fully brief you on the subject to bring you up to date. After all, I have been undercover before and one can become lost upon coming out of their assignment."

Marina nodded. “I’d appreciate that Lieutenant. Thank you.”

Sheena was a bit disturbed by the mention of Arwella. She had been on a mission years ago where they were attacked by Arwella's ships. It was a bloody battle where many lives were lost including two of her best friends. "What you're implying is that Arwella might be behind this? But what end? What is she after if this holds true," she asked.

We don't know that for sure. Captain Arwella disappeared over three years ago near Thorion space in her damaged ship she managed to slip through the picket ships and blend in with commercial traffic. Not only did she have a cooking device but her ship also had a system of holographic projectors all over her hull which means she could change her ship's configuration at will appearing as anything she wanted. Last I heard she was being hunted by the Orion Syndicate." The captain stated.

"I wouldn't put too much stock into the reports of the Syndicate hunting for Arwella. She has her silent partners in the syndicate helping her. I have no doubt she will be back again," Sheena concluded.

I am almost sure of it. Is there anything else Lieutenant T'Plana'Hath? The Captain asked.

T'Plana-hath gave a small smile as she listened to the senior officers discuss Captain Arwella. Now she was ready to drop the bombshell on them and see their reactions. "One last thing captain, the USS Swordfish and the USS Valhalla are both in this sector for one reason and one reason only, to find Captain Arwella. Deep cover agents have been able to dispatch information regarding her. She is in this sector and has a deep-seated interest in the Omicron Delta sector in particular. The Rutledge had a courier from one of the V'Shar agents embedded in Captain Arwella's fleet, he was supposed to deliver a message to the USS Swordfish regarding her plans."

"Has it been verified? Is captain Arwella back in action? Has she actually been spotted?" Maia asked.

T'Plana-hath looked at Captain Maia, "Captain she is active, and she has been spotted. V'Shar, Am Tal, Earth Intelligence Bureau, and Starfleet Intelligence starships and deep cover agents have all confirmed she is active. She is seeking something within the sector." Turning to Lieutenant Tanger she asked, "While you were undercover in the Riixian Caliphate did you ever hear of a group of 'Free Traders' known as the Eau de Nil?" They would have appeared as normal 'Free Traders' with exceptional access to the highest members of the Caliphate."

Marina paused to think. “There were a group of traders that used to regularly visit the Caliphate. There was no mention of who they were, at least not to those of us who weren’t involved. I do know some of their faces though, I saw them a few times.”

Maia thought about that. She would be a fool not to heed the evidence.

"Very well then, I must accept that Arwella is on the move again and she is re-equipped and definitely dangerous," Maia said.

"What is known is she is head of the Eau de Nil. The Eau de Nil is a 'Free Traders' organization that is backed by the Botchok Planetary Congress and the Orion Commercial States. This gives her tremendous power to move deploy the Eau de Nil in her activities. It also makes any actions we take a 'Diplomatic Dance'." replied T'Plana-hath.

"Her pockets always did seem to run deep. She also has access to advanced technology and what she can't get by purchasing or bribery, she acquires by other means, in other words, she has no moral compunctions about stealing," Maia said.

"That is an understatement. Arwella has no scruples or any compassion unless it is for herself. She was always cruel and killed without a second thought. If you jad it, she would find a way to get it one way or the other," Sheena said, trying to bury her deep hate for the woman.

T'Plana-hath watched the exchange in studious silence. She was analyzing the command team. She could see that they were not going to underestimate Captain Arwella, but she saw they were underestimating the Eau de Nil. The organization was about to achieve diplomatic relationships with the Ferengi, Nausicaan, and Breen. Captain Arwella had more than power, she was virtually a head of state with the resources of a head of state. She spoke up to relay this information "I must point out that while Captain Arwella is ruthless, she is about to be recognized as a 'Head of State' by the Ferengi, Nausicaan, and Breen. The Eau de Nil already have been recognized by the Orions, as I pointed out. This makes her extremely dangerous with the power and backing of several powers."

"Ok so how do we stop this from happening if we can?" Sheena said wondering how this got so far ahead of Starfleet Intelligence. Someone had to foul up somewhere along the line.

"We don't it's not our mission, nor have I received orders to investigate or pursue Arwella or her minions," Maia said.

[OFF]

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A Post By:

Captain Maia A. Sterling
Commanding Officer
USS Leto NCC-80916

&

Lt Commander Ryan Blake
Executive Officer
USS Leto NCC-80916

&

Lt Commander Sheena Toran
Executive Officer
USS Leto NCC-80916

&

Lieutenant Marina Tanger
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Leto NCC-80916

&

Lt Jg T'Plana'hath
Asst. Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Leto NCC-80916