"And that's how the situation on Slart II was solved," ended Captain Stephen Maruu.
Admiral Zultok smiled. [Seems you've had quite some excitement on that ship, haven't you?]
"Oh yeah."
[And I am quite anxious to meet this Protector of yours.]
"Well," Stephen said, grinning, "He probably won't be making the return trip with us."
[Why not? Has he decided to stay in the Gamma Quadrant?]
"It's not that. Kalmar will only be with us as long as Kosst and Pharox are out there. I imagine when we capture them, Kalmar will go back to Xenon III or to wherever he feels he is needed. He is a 'Protector' after all."
[Of course. But tell me, what of the DTF? Have you met up with them recently?]
"No, sir. The closest DTF vessel is thousands of light years away by our estimates. Chances are we won't see them for a while, but I'm sure we haven't seen the last of them. As long as the Dominion Alliance holds the wormhole, the DTF can't get to it. But the DTF can always threaten us the long way. We have a DTF Vorta too; they may want him back."
[From what the Dominion Alliance representatives have told us, Old Dominion and DTF Vortas who lose their Jem'Hadar are not met with kindness upon their return.]
"It would serve Jorail well, but I don't plan to give him back. I'm going to use him to our advantage. When the time comes, he'll be working for us."
[What are you planning?]
"Trust me; it's good."
[Well, I know not to question your actions. I trust you. That's why I gave you this job.]
"Thank you."
[You're welcome.]
"Well, I've got some things to take care of."
[Same here. All this Admiral's paperwork. You know, you young officers make fun of us administrators, but we've been out there, we know what war is like, and, seriously, war is so much easier than diplomacy.]
"Except for that small thing about people dying and all."
[That's why we like to do it the hard way.] Zultok chuckled. [Same time tomorrow?]
"Of course, sir."
[Very well, Stephen. Until then. Zultok out.]
Stephen walked into the brig. "Sitto. How are you this morning?"
Sitto Lan was dozing when the captain walked in unannounced. "Sir! Good, sir!"
Stephen laughed. "Calm down, Sitto. Where's the fire?"
Sitto sat back down. "Oh sorry. It's just... The last few days have been hectic."
"I can imagine." Stephen looked in the direction of the cells and saw one cell holding two T'rais. The other holding a Vorta. "Sitto, will you leave me with Jorail for a few minutes."
"Sure, sir." Sitto handed Stephen the controls to the brig force fields and stepped out.
"So, Jorail. Long time no see."
"What do you want? Why don't you just kill me?" demanded Jorail.
"This isn't the DTF. You get to live here. You also get to answer my questions."
"I will answer nothing."
"Oh you will." Stephen shut off Jorail's force field. He stepped into Jorail's cell. "We've noticed that the T'rais seem to be hostile towards you. Why?"
Jorail quickly got up and tried to escape. Stephen simply grabbed him by the lapels and tossed him against the wall of his cell.
"Why?"
Jorail spat at Stephen's cheek.
"Okay." Stephen got up. "We'll try this again soon." He stepped up and out of the cell.
Jorail attempted to escape one last time, but Stephen activated the force field just before Jorail reached the opening of the cell. Jorail hit the force field and was sent flying back against the wall. As Stephen stepped out of the bridge, Jorail ambled to the force field and began yelling, "I will never tell you anything! Captain, do you hear me?!"
Sitto heard the yelling from outside as the captain walked out of the brig and handed him the controls. "Thank you," said Stephen. Stephen just kept walking, leaving Sitto there with an angry Vorta.
Lt. Alysa Anna Sinclair stepped into her quarters to see her computer flashing. She had an incoming signal on a secured channel. Sinclair locked the room and sat down. Then, she activated the com signal. "I was waiting to hear from you."
[Really? You seem to be so busy these days,] replied a more-light-hearted-than-usual Stephen Kosst.
"The captain's been moving about the ship a lot lately with all the upgrades and everything." [Well, as long as you're okay. I was worried, you know.]
"I know." Sinclair smiled.
[I wanted to let you know that Pharox has set up a surprise for the Virgo. It'll buy us time enough so we can set up our little plan. Is everything ready on your end?]
"Yes."
[Good.] Kosst smiled. [We'll see each other again in a few days.]
"I love you," Sinclair said.
[Yeah. You too.] Kosst signed off.
Sinclair shifted in her chair holding a PADD in her hand.
Everything is set.