Nicole was actually happy to learn that Zek Ishka had purchased a couple of the old processing buildings left vacant by the COAL system developed by Acrylos Teero. Ishka planned to open a casino as well as a holosuite facility. This would give the miners something to do during the off hours and to help revitalize the city of New Cyndrial.
The old line; be careful what you wish for holds true. Ishka had been back to Ferenginar to help accumulate some of the wealth necessary to rebuild his empire. It was here that he would have learned that a large population of Ferengi people were suffering from a horrible virus. The virus was literally killing his people.
Ishka did not see this as an opportunity for heroism. Instead, like all Ferengi, this was an opportunity to make a buck. Ishka soon learned that the virus came from Earth and had been dormant on the planet for literally centuries and was loosely referred to as H1N1 and commonly referred to in the 21st century on Earth as the Swine Flu.
Ishka would soon discover that its origins made the Tellerite people who share many common DNA structures with the swine of Earth immune to the disorder. Ishka and his medical staff were soon set on testing this theory.
After learning that the Tellerites could provide the serum for only about 10 days before bein totally drained and in some cases even dying, Ishka became involved in an ugly underground trade in Tellerites. Worse yet, it was soon discovered that because of the intense hormone levels, females could last up to 25 days. Ishka was quickly able to rebuild his wealth and because of the strength and resolve of the virus, have a source of income moving forward.
Ishka played the innocent, even overpaying for services provided by Colonel Acrylos Teero and Camelot Engineering to get his casino up and running and through a lavish party for the miners, including the Jem'Hadar for free upon opening.
Nicole was very proud of her finding a person with known underground connections as well as with her sprucing up of New Cyndrial with Latinum Luxury. This was supposed to be a celebration.
Nicole was up at Starbase 756 when the call came from Admiral Marcus-Brutus Pan'Taar and the Tellerite Fleet. Nicole looked at Summer, "Let's see what he has to say."
"This is Admiral Marcus-Brutus Pan'Taar of the Tellerite Fleet requesting your assistance.", Admiral Pan'Taar announced on the comm.
"Assistance how?", Summer responded before Tan and Branson could even answer.
"Olivia Pan'Taar is missing and believed to be a part of the illegal Ferengi Swine Flu Research Project.", Marcus-Brutus announced.
"How does this involve the Colony of Camelot?", Rear Admiral Tan asked.
"The Tellerite Secret Police have tracked the involvement of Zek Ishka in the illegal antidote trade.", Admiral Pan'Taar responded.
Nicole looked at Tan and motioned to turn off the comm, "This does not involve us. The Tellerites can deal with their own problems."
Summer looked at Nicole, "Are you familiar with the case file?"
Nicole looked at Summer, "No."
Summer handed Nicole a PADD with the stories about the swine flu, about its devastating effects on Ferenginar, about the failure to synthesize a viral antidote and the order of the United Federation of Planets forbidding the use of extracted antidote from Tellerite citizens. Nicole was stunned to learn that illegal trade resulted in the death of Tellerite females.
Nicole thought of her slowly blossoming romance with Dr. Marcella Pan'Taar. She also discovered that most of the victims were poor and homeless and easily captured by the Ferengi traders and some had even been purchased on the Orion Syndicate market.
Nicole took a deep breath, "This is still not a Camelot problem."
Rear Admiral Tan looked at Nicole, "Your orders, Ma'am?"
"Do not respond. Inform Admiral Vincent Viceroy of the warning and ask Agent Wu to meet with me in the conference room.", Nicole ordered.
Nicole looked at Caitlin, "Is it true?"
Caitlin looked at Nicole, "We are monitoring the situation. Allowing Ishka to come here allows us to monitor his involvement in the trade and keep the illegal captures to the poor or purchased."
"And Section 31 has made no movement against the trade?", Nicole asked.
"A few dead Tellerites to save thousands and perhaps millions of Ferengi serves the greater good.", Caitlin responded in the cold Section 31 way.
Vincent walked in, "The Section 31 influence is too great in the activities of Starfleet. The United Federation of Planets has forbid the use of Tellerite Antiserum. Starfleet should enforce this order."
"Starfleet does based on information provided from Starfleet intelligence.", Caitlin reminded Vincent.
"But the information is filtered through Section 31.", Vincent frowned.
"If one of the traders, like your own Ishka, steps over the line, Starfleet Intelligence is informed immediately.", Caitlin announced.
"No one should be permitted to kill for the benefit of others.", Vincent snapped.
"Olivia Pan'Taar is neither a purchase nor retched poor.", Vincent reminded Caitlin Wu.
"Olivia Pan'Taar was provided to the Ishka trade by Admiral Marcus-Brutus Pan'Taar.", Caitlin bluntly announced.
"What?", Nicole snapped.
"The Admiral saw the former wife of his son, Propeya as a hindrance to his political aspirations. She was a constant reminder of his son's illegal past. She was provided to the Ferenginar trading group in exchange for a campaign contribution. This solves two problems, Olivia is removed from the public eye with deep sympathy for Admiral Marcus-Brutus Pan'Taar and furthermore Pan'Taar has a substantial contribution to his political campaign.", Caitlin explained.
"Dear god!", Nicole exclaimed.
She looked at Vincent, "We cannot support this."
"But you wanted a policy of non-interference.", Vincent mocked.
Nicole was not impressed.
Caitlin looked at her communicator and then walked over to a computer along the wall of the station, "The problem has just escalated."
Summer looked at the group, "What now?"
Caitlin stepped back from the screen, "Please understand that this information is property of Starfleet Intelligence and must be considered classified."
"Oh my god, Marcie!", Nicole screamed.
"My sources within the agency have confirmed that Admiral Pan'Taar considers Dr. Marcella Pan'Taar a liability because of her decision to side with the King's Fleet.", Caitlin looked at the group.
"What do we do?", Nicole exclaimed.
"As near as we can figure, Ishka will move the woman to the casino and then off the world.", Caitlin announced.
"Why are you helping?", Summer looked at Caitlin.
"We believe this oversteps our agreement with the Ferengi Underground.", Caitlin looked at the Betazoid Officer.
"You people disgust me.", Summer stormed from the room.
"Inform the Dragons and Major Tanus.", Vincent looked at Tan.
"Are you prepared to allow the Special Forces to enter the casino?", Tan asked.
"These ladies are not going to be sucked dry and left for dead.", Vincent heroically demanded.
Nicole looked at Vincent, "You have to find my Marcie!"
"We will do what we can.", Vincent hugged the young lady.
Nicole went back to the house sobbing. Brenna, Colby, Francine and Mac sat with Nicole on the couch. They all prayed for the safe return of the young doctor.
The whole thing was a hard lesson for Nicole. She had courted the underground in order to keep the colony functional and now this messing with the unsavory had left her with her new lover trapped. Nicole thought about the Black Widow curse.
She worried that Marcella was just another victim of her path of dead lovers.
On the fourth day after the discovery, Nicole heard a knocking coming from upstairs. She told her children to hide in the kitchen. She grabbed a phaser and headed upstairs.
She burst into the master bedroom.
She was stunned to see Marcella standing there, topless.
"But how?", Nicole looked at Marcella.
"I am not even sure.", Marcella looked at Nicole.
"One minute, I am in a cage in the basement, the next I am up here.", Marcella looked at Nicole.
"How did they find us?", Marcella looked at Nicole.
"Your father sent a message to the Station.", Nicole looked at Marcella.
A knock came on the front door. Nicole and Marcella came down. Nicole opened the door to see Agent Wu.
"Why would Admiral Pan'Taar allow for the kidnapping and then inform us?", Nicole snapped.
"He thought the King's Fleet would fail and provide him with an alibi.", Caitlin explained.
"I guess they underestimated The Dragons.', Marcella grinned.
"And the King's.", Caitlin corrected.
Nicole looked at Caitlin, "What are you saying?"
"You, Admiral Viceroy and the King's Fleet have made a powerful ally today. Maintaining the status quo is very important to us.", Caitlin looked at Nicole.
"The right thing is important to me, Agent Wu. As long as you are on that side, I will be with you.", Nicole smiled.
"Right is in the eye of the beholder, Governor Branson.", Agent Wu grinned.
Nicole looked at Marcella, "This feels right to me."
"It sure does.", Marcella grinned interlacing her fingers inside Nicole's.
Nicole thought about Ishka and what she had brought to the colony. She was sure hopeful that she had made the right decision. Getting in deep with the Ferengi is never a good decision.
Posted by:
Nicole Branson
Governor
Camelot
King's Fleet
Based on an idea from
Cmmander T'Zohl of Vulcan
Flight Commander - USS Quasar Quest
Camelot
King's Fleet
Special Guest Appearance by
Admiral Vincent Viceroy
Commander in Chief
King's Fleet
