A wolf in sheep’s clothing Part 21

Posted on Thu Jul 25th, 2024 @ 10:28pm by Lieutenant Commander Wyatt Steele & Captain Kevin, Lord Kilbane of Sanquhar

Mission: The missions never over.
Location: Base One
Timeline: Current.

"My gut tells me that they'll be honest" Kilbane replied, "Brown may have others who are helping him, but I doubt even he could get the legal department officers to turn traitor. Let's see how our initial meeting with him goes, we can suss him out by trying some less obvious questions and depending on how he reacts, we'll know."

"Certainly sir, I have learned to trust my instincts as well. So, if your gut is telling you the investigator will be honest that is good enough for me. As you say sir, we can attempt to draw him up with less obvious questions and we can then proceed accordingly." Wyatt replied.

"I would imagine it'll be a few hours before they arrive, are you hungry? How about we get a bite to eat, I'm pretty hungry, haven't eaten at all today" Kilbane said, "whilst we're about it, I have a friend...well, they're more of an acquaintance...who can give me skinny on what's been happening since our ship was last here, you never know, we could pick up some useful information."

"Yes sir, now that you mentioned it, I am hungry." Wyatt replied. "Lead the way and we can also check with your acquaintance and see what info they can tell you. You never know what information may prove to be useful."

Kilbane nodded and they headed out of the Security department, telling Captain Dixon they'd return later to meet the special investigator. Entering the turbolift, they were soon up at the food ring where several eateries were open and doing a good trade. Kilbane led them to the far side of the ring to a little dingy looking cafe and entered. Inside, a few tables were scattered around but Kilbane made his way up to the counter, "Service!" he called.

A figure exited the back room and looked at who had shouted. On seeing Kilbane he simply said "You're still alive then...more's the pity."

"It's good to see you to Karok, how's the food poisoning count going in this shithole?" Kilbane replied.

"Only two this month you cheeky bastard" Karok answered.

"Well, let's see if we can double your score" Kilbane said, "Two of your finest chef's slop please."

"You know, I don't have to serve you you know" Karok replied.

"And I don't have to tell custom's where you get your illegal meat from, but I will if two plates of your vilest cheap shit don't appear at our table pronto" Kilbane said, taking a seat at the table nearest the counter, inviting Wyatt to be seated also.

"Alright, alright...keep your balls in your trousers"Karok said, disappearing back where he'd come from. A minute later he re-appeared with two plates of food and on reaching the table Kilbane and Wyatt were seated at, he banged them down on the table, spilling some of the contents.

"Mmmmmmm, Commander Steele, we're in for a real treat" Kilbane said, "This is a Karok special, Targ meat in muddy rain water masquerading as beef stew."

Wyatt walked beside Kikbane as they left the security department, then took the turbolift up to the food ring where he followed Kilbane to a dingy little cafe. Entering Kilbane headed to the counter bypassing the few tables that were empty. When Kilbane shouted "Service!" A figure as seedy as the cafe came from the back. his name was Karok and it was clear he and Kilbane knew each other. After trading insults with Karok. Kilbane ordered and a minute maybe two later Karok brought them two plates of beef stew. It was only after Karok left them that Wyatt spoke. How do you know this person, Commander?" he asked.

"Oh, I traced he was running contraband from the back of his cafe" Kilbane answered, "I found he had contacts with the Orion Syndicate which became a bargaining point to not handing him over to be tried. In effect, he's my informant, anything that's going on, Karok knows about it or knows someone who is so I keep ahead of the game."

Wyatt nodded as Kilbane explained his connection to Karok, He pushed the meat around on his plate and through the 'gravy' before speaking to Kilbane. "Impressive Commander. I'm guessing his information is usually correct otherwise you wouldn't continue to use him as a a source of information and contact."

"The majority of the time it's correct, there have been a couple of false calls, but nobody's perfect" Kilbane replied, "In fact, let's try to find out if his fingers still on the pulse."

"Hey Karok, get out here" Kilbane called.

Karok once again came back out from through the back of the cafe, "What?" he asked grumpily.

"Admiral Brown, what's his Security like?" Kilbane asked.

"That toad has Security? You're having a laugh aren't you" Karok answered.

"What do you mean?" Kilbane asked, now sitting up.

"You're going after him aren't you" Karok asked rhetorically, "you just sat up, that means your interested. What's in it for me if I tell you anything?"

"Well, let's see" Kilbane began his answer, "I won't tell Security you have bugging devices in here, I won't tell them you just killed someone through the back of your 'cafe'..."

"Wha...how...I..." Karok flounced around for words.

"When we came in, your apron was wet, as were your hands and you were breathing quickly" Kilbane said, "now your aprons dry, as are your hands, but there's blood on your lower trousers and shoes. You were water boarding someone, now you have the information and they're no longer useful to you so you stabbed them to death. So, Admiral Browns Security?"

Karok raised his hands, "OK, ok, I was...dealing with a problem, hard as it may be for me to say this, thank you for not saying anything to Dixon. As for Brown, as far as I know, he has a personal bodyguard of four and that's it, but, they're all former ranking Intelligence Officers, he doesn't go anywhere without them."

"You know where he is?" Kilbane asked.

"What am I, his PA?" Karok said sarcastically.

"Oh come on Karok, do you or don't you?" Kilbane asked.

"Look, the last I heard, he was trying to get information about some Cardassian Senior Officer...Gul Mair I think, so he was heading into Cardassian space. That was a week ago Kilbane, now if we're done with the cross examination I have a body to get rid of?"

"You can go" Kilbane answered with a wave of his hand. Turning back to Wyatt he said "You see, a mine of information."

Wyatt sat silently as Kilbane discreetly questioned Karok, gently probing for information through the questions he asked. He was also impressed with Kilbane's observational skills. The good commander missed very little. After a few minutes of give and take, Kilbane waved Karok away. Once alone Wyatt spoke, "Nicely done Commander. So, we know that Brown has Intel as his security detail, that he never goes anywhere without them and that he was headed into Cardassian space a week ago." Wyatt summed up.

"The question is, why he's headed into Cardassian space" Kilbane said, "I mean, what does he have to gain by going there, given the rumours of a rebuild of Dominion forces? I can't believe for a moment he's going there for reconnaissance purposes to see if the rumours are true, if that were the case, we'd be sent. So what does he gain to profit? The Captain needs to know about this, he can perhaps shed some light on this, or at least talk to someone who can."

"I agree the captain should be told about this sir and as for why Admiral Brown is going into Cardassian space, perhaps he's going to consolidate his contacts and power base. Have people in the Cardassian government who view the Federation favorably or just him in case he tries something here." Wyatt proposed.

"Surely he wouldn't be mad enough to betray the Federation" Kilbane said, "I mean, he's been building a private army sure, but I thought that was because of the rumours of the Dominion rebuilding their forces and he wanted to protect his own interests."

He suddenly sat up, "No, it can't be, surely, not even Brown's that mad!"

Looking at Wyatt he said, "I think I know what he's doing, he's going to try and contact the Cardassian Intelligence Bureau. They took over as the secret service when the Obsidian Order was destroyed."

"If what you suspect is true, then the captain needs to be told immediately sir. This is a true case of time being of the essence. Why would he contact them? To have all his Intel eggs in one basket?" Wyatt questioned.

"Well, thinking the situation through, playing both sides is a pretty smart move" Kilbane said, "On the one hand he already has all the resources of Starfleet Intelligence at his fingertips, but on the other hand, setting a secret alliance up with the CIB means he can utilize that if a second Dominion War starts and the Dominion forces gain the upper hand. As much as I don't want to give him credit, Admiral Brown is cleverer than I gave him credit for."

"I think the word you are looking for that describes the Admiral's behavior is devious sir. This is sneaky and underhanded." Wyatt replied, "Yes. I know his reasons or supposed reasons just not right."

"Unfortunately, going after Admiral Brown will have to wait, providing the Captain wants to go after him" Kilbane said, "meeting with the special investigator comes first. I'm sure the CO will want to be in on the questioning of him, so we should get back to the ship and tell him what we've found out."

Wyatt nodded in agreement. "I agree sir. Keeping the captain informed is paramount and the sooner he receives the news the better it will be.. I'm also" sure that the captain will want to be in any meeting that has the special investigator in it. I'm ready to leave any time you are sir."

"Yes, I'm ready" Kilbane said standing up. He looked towards the backroom and called out "Karok, we're leaving, don't forget to come and pick up these two plates of slop so you can put them back in your pot and serve it to some other poor unsuspecting soul."

"I'm a bit busy cutting this guy up right now!" Karok shouted back.

Kilbane shrugged his shoulders, and looking at Wyatt said, "I wouldn't be surprised if Karok serves them up as goulash here tomorrow."

Wyatt glanced at the backroom where the disembodied voice floated out from. "You know, he said looking at Kilbane. "That wouldn't surprise me in the least. Not one bit would it." As he stood up, ready to leave and report back to the Thall and let the captain know what they had found out.