Matches Made

Posted on Mar 06, 2015 @ 3:00pm by Captain Michael Turlogh Kane
Edited on on Mar 06, 2015 @ 3:01pm

Mission: Limbo

"MATCHES MADE"

(Continued from "Lies And Lost Causes")

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"...though she be little, she is fierce."
- Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream", Act 3, Scene 2.335
- Also, people when they talk about Kassandra Thytos

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Captain's Log, Supplemental - As the Phoenix's away teams continue to search for Selyara aboard Limbo,I am following up on some leads of my own...

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Location: USS PHOENIX
Stardate: [2.15]0306.1900
Scene: Captain's Ready Room


Cade Foster didn't bother to wait for permission to enter the ready room. As the doors parted with their customary hiss, he swept in like a dervish and tossed a PADD on Kane's desk. Slumping down in the seat opposite Kane, he watched as the captain picked up the PADD and activated it.

"Well?" asked Cade after a moment. It was beginning to bother him that Kane seemed so unflappable around him. Normally he would have provoked someone into a murderous rage by now.

The captain didn't look at him. "These are the results of your analysis of Commander Drake's transporter records."

"Yes," said Cade, fidgeting. Having to wait for slower people to understand what he was telling them irritated him no end. "Skip to the part about the replication origin of Drake's cells."

"The what?"

Cade rolled his eyes and sighed. "Captain Kane, you are made up of around one hundred trillion individual cells. A cell is the smallest unit of life that can replicate independently, and they are partly made up of DNA, a molecule that encodes genetic instructions used in cellular development. DNA strands are like biological storage units."

"I know all this," said Kane icily. "I learned it in school."

"Then permit me to advance your education, Captain. When a Human cell replicates, its DNA creates a copy of itself to begin the process. The act of DNA replication is called the replication origin. The DNA strands of a Human contain hundreds of thousands of points along the strand where this replication can initiate. Having multiple points where replication can initiate helps more complicated lifeforms speed up the duplication of their much larger genetic storage material. Even though Drake is an El'Aurian, there are enough similarities between the two species that all the above applies. Are you following me?"

Kane was frowning. "Yes, Doctor. Go on."

"Now, not every cell in your body has the same lifespan. A red blood cell replicates itself every ten days or so, but the neurons in your brains last a lifetime."

"Alright."

Cade leaned forward. "I can trace each cell's origin of replication using deep scans of body tissue. More often than not, I can trace a cell's lineage back through previous generations, assuming that those cells are still alive. In the case of blood cells, it's pointless because they die so quickly, but neuron cells tend to pack themselves together in generational bunches, all spreading out from a progenitor cell that was there when your brain developed in the womb."

"I see," said Kane, looking back at the PADD. "You've found something strange about Drake's cellular makeup?"

Cade rubbed his hands together gleefully. "Even though he's an El'Aurian, a species that can live centuries, Lieutenant Commander Drake's longest-lived brain cells are less than two decades old."

Kane looked shocked. "Are you - "

"Of course I'm certain, Captain. It's not something a physician would ever have a cause to look for, but I found it." Cade sat back in the seat. "I'm a genius. There's no other word for it. Give me the Carrington right now."

Kane put the PADD down. He stood up slowly and leaned on the desk. "How is it possible that Drake is less than two decades old? He told us that he came from the future, and he looks a lot older than that."

"There are a couple of possibilities, but my guess is cloning."

Kane was visibly shaken. "Drake's a clone?"

"Probably."

"Of whom?"

"Himself, obviously."

"That's not what I meant. Who or where is the original?"

"Who knows?" Cade spread his arms wide. "It's an enormous galaxy."

Kane moved to the ready room's window. The view outside was of Limbo's umbilical tunnel linking the Phoenix to the space station - not very inspiring.

Cade watched him quizzically."What are you thinking, Captain?"

"Nothing beyond what you have told me," Kane murmured. He turned around. "Thank you for the information, Doctor. We'll keep this between the two of us for now. I'll be leaving the ship shortly for a meeting with Administrator Yavin - under no circumstances are you to inform anyone of this meeting, understood?"

Cade knew when he was being dismissed. He stood up, wondering just what was going on. "As you wish, Captain. I"ll be in sickbay if you need me."

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Location: Limbo
Scene: The Little White Intergalactic Wedding Chapel


Solomon Arn and Dido Loftus held onto each other as the Ferengi registrar finished up his marriage speech. The Little White Intergalactic Wedding Chapel was small, but it was a superb piece of technology. Essentially a medium-sized holodeck, patrons could peruse a glossy brochure and select a themed wedding that would in turn be loaded into the holodeck's matrix.

Solomon had deferred to his bride's birthplace, and right now the two of them were sitting inside a colourful vintage Terran automobile under a bright red neon sign that read WELCOME TO FABULOUS LAS VEGAS. Solomon had no idea why this city or this particular vehicle was important, but Dido assured him that this 'pink Cadillac' thing was a symbol of high status on old Earth. It was supposedly even more impressive when the horns of a dangerous male bovine herd animal were mounted on the front grille, but that option was not available in the Little White Wedding Intergalactic Wedding Chapel's brochure.

They had arrived almost an hour ago, determined to marry in secret, but there was a bit of a kerfluffle on the street outside the chapel. Some local activists were protesting the chapel's habit of marrying people of different species, carrying electronic placards that read slogans like "We Must Protect Traditional Marriage" and "Why Do You Have To Throw It In Our Faces".

The lead protestor was a somewhat overweight Human who looked like his parents were from the same branch on their family tree. He was yelling into a voxcaster at passers-by, trying to drum up support for his cause, but most people simply rolled their eyes and smiled happily at the alien lovers waiting their turn to see the registrar.

"Inter-species marriage is immoral, you damn liberal elites!" he shrieked. "I love my best friend! I love my brother! Hell, I love my pet tribble! Should I be allowed to marry my pet tribble? I tell you, friends, unless we stop our slide down this slippery slope now, bestiality is just around the corner! The day will come when a man can marry a Horta! Stop this evil feminist liberal far left assault on our traditional freedoms now before society collapses in an orgy of bloodletting and the space-time continuum itself is destroyed!!!"

"I think he's frothing," Dido had quipped, as the angry man paused to wipe a drool of spittle from the side of his mouth. "Still want to marry me?" Solomon's answer had brought them here, exchanging vows while sitting in a pink Cadillac under a replica of a neon sign five hundred years old.

"By the power vested in me by myself, I pronounce you husband and wife," smiled the Ferengi registrar, revealing a row of bodkin teeth. "Congratulations!"

Solomon leaned over and kissed Dido deeply. "I've finally got you where I want you, wife," he smiled. He felt wonderful - the marriage was only legal on Limbo, but it mattered a lot to him that he and Dido had finally joined themselves together. Seventeen years as a couple had finally become officially permanent.

"I was just thinking the same thing, husband," she winked. "Shall we find somewhere to consummate this thing?"

"Joined Trills wait for a month to pass before consummating their marriages," said Solomon dolefully. "It's to allow time for the symbiont to get used to the new spouse."

"I can't wait that long. It's divorce for us, then."

"I guess we could go back to the ship," Solomon sighed with faux resignation. "I have an appointment to keep with Thomas Varn later."

The Ferengi stuck his head in between them. "Have you two considered honeymooning on in one of our holosuites? Absolute bargains! We have over a thousand packages to choose from, to suit every budget! You want romance? We have the most beautiful sunsets from worlds all across the quadrant! You want kink? We also supply alien dominatrixes to cater for all your sexual perversions! Shall I show you our splendid brochure?"

He looked so hopeful at making a sale, but Solomon and Dido just threw their heads back and laughed.

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Location: USS Phoenix -> Limbo
Scene: Docking hatch -> Sanctum


[[Understood, Captain. Jos out.]]

Kane tapped his communicator, cutting the connection with his Executive Officer. Aerdan and Kassandra were approaching the Pit, hopefully to make contact with Alket Daheel, and Kane had contacted them to inform them that he was leaving the ship. Aerdan had suggested an escort, but Kane had discounted that, mainly because there was no escort to be had. They were so desperately short-staffed that half the decks were offline. Now, he was waiting at the docking hatch for the Nausicaan named Kajek to come for him.

He didn't have to wait long. A minute later, the docking hatch slide smoothly to one side, revealing the leader of the Black Stars. Kajek was bedecked in his blood-red battle armour, and carried both a bladed and energy weapons on his hips. Although getting on in years, he was lithe and moved with a menacing purpose.

"You are Kane Captain?" the Nausicaan growled.

Kane looked up. Kajek was over a foot taller than him. It was a lot to be looking up to. "I'm the captain of the Phoenix. Take me to your leader."

Kajek inclined his shaggy mane and gestured ahead. Kane moved forward, and as soon as he cleared the docking bay several Black Stars surrounded them, making a cordon that moved slowly through the throng of aliens.

"I thought it was just going to be you," Kane said laconically.

"You only see me during conversation with Administrator," rumbled Kajek. "You forget three thousand soldiers I command."

They moved through decaying tunnels and crossed streets of homes and businesses. Kane was in awe of the place, although he tried not to show it. Limbo was an ancient space station that had lain here in the Hammaker system for millenia. Nobody knew who built it or for what purpose. Had Starfleet's reach extended this far it would have been a wondrous jewel to rival all the magnificent cultural artifacts in the Federation. Unfortunately, fate had decreed that Limbo was to end up in the Triangle - a lawless mess of scum-ravaged systems propped up by the three-way enmity between the Klingons, Romulans and Federation. It was the worst stereotype of a freeport, where over a million people lived and died in the gamut of glittering riches all the way down to desperate poverty.

And it was the place where Drake had told him that his life was to come to an end. Somewhere under Limbo's great dome, Rawyvin Seth and Selyara were converging on each other with all the slow inexorability of continents colliding. If the Phoenix's crew could get her onside, this whole Neo-Essentialist mess would be as good as dusted.

Kajek led him into the Forum, and Kane marvelled at the hundreds of shops and bazaars that littered the place. There were representatives of every species, including some he had never seen before, of every colour and shape. All of them showed due deference to the Black Stars, moving aside as the mercenaries threw dangerous looks at them.

Crossing the bridge from the Forum to the Atria, Kane aproached the side railing that led down into nothingness. Each deck had constructed its own network of bridges across to the Atria, which was once a grand staircase but now had been modified into a series of turbolifts. That still left a great empty space where these crossings had been built.

Kane looked down into Limbo's chasm. Stars glittered in its depths.

Kajek led him into a private turbolift that was guarded by a pair of the Black Stars. The other guards waited outside, and he and Kajek entered the turbolift alone. The interior was marked by the black-and-yellow squares of a holodeck, and Kajek gestured to the control panel. "It takes six minutes to go up to Sanctum," he said. "You use holodeck, put in surroundings that make you more comfortable."

The Nausicaan had a strange way of talking. He seemed to only use present tense and to cut out some words that might make his sentences flow better. Kane wondered if it was a racial trait, or if Kajek was doing it deliberately. "Six minutes? Why so long?"

"Turbolift system old," said the Nausicaan, hitting the control panel a thump with his meaty fist. The turbolift hummed smoothly into life, going up. "Put in two centuries ago."

"That makes me feel much better."

"Are you afraid of fall?" chuckled Kajek. "Do not worry, captain of Phoenix. Death comes once in a lifetime. Then we are food for worms."

"You said it, chum," Kane said darkly.

Kajek regarded him curiously. "You are known to us, Kane Captain. Your crew famous. Great explorers."

"Thanks."

"Weak fighters," said Kajek. The Nausicaan burst into raucous laughter at his own joke, then shrugged matter-of-factly. "Humans weak. Everyone knows this. Now Romulans conquer you."

"Maybe then they'll conquer you," said Kane pointedly.

"Maybe, yes! Maybe Tella Yavin tells me to cut your throat out, throw your head into the Atria! How you like that?"

Kane folded his arms. "She hardly called me to a meeting to kill me. Nobody keeps command of three thousand mercenaries, lives through both Dominion wars and is as stupid as you're pretending to be, Kajek. Drop the act."

The huge Nausicaan chuckled. It was a uniquely horrible sound. "I like you, Kane Captain. You have spirit." The tone of his voice changed - now it was full of menace. "But spirit not help you if you cross us. This our domain. No Federation here. No allies for your people anywhere here. You remember this."

Kane turned away, and silence fell on them both.

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Location: Limbo
Scene: The Pit


Aerdan Jos and Kassandra Thytos hadn't quite been sure of what to expect when they finally arrived at the Pit. They had swapped garish opinions of a twenty-four hour slaughterhouse with a baying crowd eager for blood, but it wasn't like that.

Well, not entirely. A giant archway guarded by several armed flunkies led into the Pit's complex, which on the outside looked for all the world like a large circular stadium surrounded by tiered lines of seats. Corporate boxed ringed the upper tiers, and an energy field crackled between the lowest tiers and the sand of the stadium floor. There were numerous entrances and exits to help the flow of people move around, and the place looked capable of holding a few tens of thousands of people.

It was mostly empty. A few groups of curious tourists were mooching around the various bleachers, but there were no pit fights at this time of the station's day. A billboard hung over the entrance archway and was displayed on the stadium's three-dimensional holographic screen, advertising the details of the next show.

"This is an anti-climax," remarked Aerdan, looking down into the half-deserted stadium."What do you make of it?"

"It looks like a giant bullfightin' ring," said Kassandra thoughtfully. Seeing the quizzical look on the Andorian's face, she quickly elaborated. "Humans used to enjoy bloodsports, and not just in ancient times. As recently as a few centuries ago, some cultures would send volunteers into pits like this to fight dangerous animals."

Aerdan nodded. "Impressive."

"Not really," said Kass. "The odds heavily favoured the volunteers. The animals were weakened by a series of lesser fighters before finally being killed. Injuries were surpisingly rare."

"My people are not strangers to duels in the arena," said Aerdan. "We call it the Ushaan. Basically, two Andorians try to cut each other to death using a mining blade. Such ways are dying out, but sometimes you hear of a duel in the old custom."

Kassandra looked around the stadium, imagining it at full capacity. That was what she had been expecting. But if this was like a bullfighting ring, or an ancient amphitheatre, then what they were looking at was only the surface. "We need to go underground," she said. "There'll be a whole network of tunnels and rooms under there - bloodworks, if you like. That's where we'll find Alket Daheel. I'll bet my ass on it."

It didn't take long. The guards were surprisingly forthcoming with information as to the location of their boss, and Kassandra and Aerdan soon found out why. Alket Daheel's underground bunker was defended by automated turrets and droids as well as several of his Cardassian guards.

"Why would Alket Daheel want to see you?" asked one of the guards.

"We want information," said Aerdan.

"Nothing is free on Limbo," said the guard.

Kassandra made a fist and held it up to him."I'll make it worth his while. Just ask your friend that I kicked the crap out of on the Atria."

"We heard about that," nodded the guard. "Wait here."

Minutes later, they were in the presence of the the second most powerful sentient on Limbo. Alket Daheel was a middle-aged Cardassisn going to seed. His skin was clammy fish-grey, and he was wearing a red suit that didn't hang well on him. His black hair was slicked back with some sort of fragrant oil. The spoon shape in the middle of his forehead was surprisingly large.

His office was immaculate, but small and heavily shielded with multiple generators and a blast door. It looked like Alket Daheel was a man anxious to defend himself.

"So you're the little Human girl who put Jonas Hark on his back," he said, standing up from behind his desk. "He says you hit him when he wasn't looking."

"He's a pussy," said Kass fiercely. "Tell him I said he's a pussy."

"I don't know what that means," said Daheel blankly.

Aerdan stepped forward. "We were told that you are an influential man aboard this station," he said smoothly. "We are seeking information, and are prepared to pay for it."

"Oh? And how will you pay?"

"I'll fight any motherfucker you put in front of me," said Kass. "I'll beat fifty shades of shit out them. And I'll do it in exchange for the information we want."

Alket Daheel looked impressed. "Will you kill them too, Butcher of Barbosa?"

Kass' jaw dropped.

The Cardassian chuckled at her reaction. "I know who you are, Major Thytos. I know who you are also, Commander Jos. Officers aboard the mighty warship Phoenix, come to Limbo fleeing from their old lives in Starfleet. Oh yes, I know all about you."

Kass was suddenly unsure of herself. "Who told you all that?"

Alket Daheel sat down at his desk and poured himself a glass of kanar. Swirling the viscous liquid around, he spoke nonchalantly. "I have a friend, you see. He knows everything about everyone. He is everywhere, sees everything. You might call him a master of the shadows. It was he who funished me with all the information I need on you."

"We have heard of this Shadow Master," said Aerdan.

"I'll bet you have," said Daheel. "Everyone has, but no-one knows who he is. So let me make a counter-offer to you, Major Thytos. There is a nightly series of gladiatorial contests here in the Pit, and I would simply love to put the Butcher of Barbosa in my main event." He leaned forward. "You fight for me, one night only, against an opponent I will choose. If you live, I will help you in your search for this information you seek. If you die, well..." He trailed off.

"No deal," said Aerdan. "How can we agree to that without knowing who the opponent is?"

"There are many people in the galaxy who want to mete out justice to the Butcher of Balbosa," said Dahell, sipping his kanar. "I'm sure one or two of them are aboard Limbo, and I'm equally sure they would be most interested in facing the woman responsible for so many deaths." The Cardassian smiled. "Those are my terms. Accept them or be on your way."

Kass and Aerdan shared a worried glance. Events had taken a whole new turn.

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Scene: The Sanctum


Kajek ushered Kane into a room with the two Romulan women. The corridors they had passed through had muffled most of the noise, but the pounding music still pervaded the place where they were, a background heartbeat that seemed to exacerbate the underlying tension.

It was a triangular-shaped table, obviously replicated for this very meeting. Tella Yavin and Admiral Radaik were already sitting there, and had been talking to each other about something, but they stopped their conversation when Kane entered. Whatever they had been conversing about, it was not good, because there was a coldness between them that was obvious to an onlooker.

He had already seen Tella Yavin on the Phoenix's main viewer, but he had never seen Admiral Delora Radaik before, and got a good look at her now. Her skin was as pale as his own, with a odd tinge of green through it, and her cheekbones and forehead ridges were as high as her ears were pointed. Her black hair was close-cropped to her angular head, and her eyes were pools of dark water. She was still young, no older than Kane by Romulan standards, and her silver-black uniform was curiously unadorned by medals or rank insignia.

Kajek moved to stand at Tella Yavin's shoulder and folded his huge arms while Kane sat down. A carafe of mineral water was in the centre of the table, and three upturned glasses lay around it.

"Thank you for coming, Captain Kane," said Tella Yavin, inclining her head and smiling politely. She indicated the other Romulan. "May I present Admiral Delora Radaik, commander of the War Hawk."

Kane nodded. "The victor of the Battle of Prygus," he said. "Your reputation, and that of your Valdore-class battleship, precedes you."

Admiral Radaik's features betrayed no emotion. "My compliments to the Federation's intelligence network," she said. Her voice was rich and full of command. "The Tal'Shiar has also been at work furnishing me with the Phoenix's tactical specifications. An impressive warship."

Kane decided to take the initiative. "I hope not to have to show you how impressive," he said. "The War Hawk and her crew would be a sore loss to the Empire."

Admiral Radaik allowed herself a small smile. "If only you had the personnel to back up that veiled threat," she said. "Perhaps then I might have cause to take you seriously. Instead, know that your continued existence depends on my benevolence."

"Let us not spoil this conference with petty insults," interjected Tella Yavin smoothly. "I remind you both that I am the law on Limbo."

"You are an outcast from your own people," said Admiral Radaik harshly. "Do not presume that you can flee from justice indefinitely. This space station is marked. It is only a matter of time before the fleet comes and reduces it to ashes."

"As the Terrans say, you have larger aquatic animals to sautee," retorted Tella Yavin. "My immediate concern is that the current enmity between the Federation and the Empire does not spill over into Limbo. My Black Stars will not tolerate violence, and anyone found extending the conflict to Limbo will be summarily executed." She raised a finger and pointed it at Kane and Radaik in turn. "I am no fool. I know your so-called away teams are spreading through the station searching for something. When I find out what it is, you will have a much more powerful adversary to deal with in your hunt."

"The Phoenix is not here as a representative of the Federation," said Kane. "Anything we do in this system has not been authorised by our government."

"How very convenient," spat Admiral Radaik. "The Federation has always been made up of coward peoples. I have no qualms about telling you that my mission is expressly authorised by the Praetor himself, and I will carry it out without regard for borders or so-called local laws. If the Phoenix makes any attempt to extend the war to the Triangle, I will destroy it."

"The Federation and the Romulan Empire are not at war," said Tella Yavin. "They are at conflict. There has been a recent change of government on Earth. The political situation there seems... confused."

"She's right," said Kane. "I didn't bring the Phoenix to Limbo to make war, Admiral Radaik."

"Oh? You might remind that to the Federation starship squadron that destroyed our listening posts in the Beta Hutzel system, triggering our invasion response. Then why did you come here?"

"We are fugitives from our own government," said Kane evenly. "A subversive organisation known as the Neo-Essentialists has taken control of the Federation Council. They favour the heavy militarism of Federation society, and are probably behind the attack on your listening posts. They do not represent the people of - "

"The political wranglings of your worthless society do not concern me," said Admiral Radaik. "You might be interested to know that the government of Bolarus has entered negotiations with us to surrender and secede from the Federation. Starfleet's Neutral Zone fleet - the remnants of it, at any rate - has retreated in disarray to Cait. Once Cait is conquered, our forces will be within striking distance of the Federation's founding worlds."

"That is bad news," said Kane, trying to keep his voice steady. "But it does not negate what I have just told you."

There was silence for a moment. Kane thought that Admiral Radaik might be considering what he had said about the Neo-Essentialists, but then Tella Yavin spoke again. "I think you two have an understanding. Would either of you like to tell me the real reason your away teams are spreading out through the station?"

Kane locked eyes with Delora Radaik. Neither of them spoke. How could he explain to them that he was on a half-crazy quest to change history? He couldn't imagine why Romulan away teams were operating on the station, unless they were here to keep tabs on the Phoenix crew. Either way, it was of the utmost importance that nothing detract the Phoenix's away teams from locating Selyara. There would be enough trials to go through in the future, what with Rawyvin Seth loose on the station somewhere.

Tella Yavin gave a few more seconds, then gave up. "Very well," she said. "You have my message, and my warning. Conduct yourselves with due decorum while aboard my station."

There was nothing more to be said. Kane gave a curt nod and stood up, eyeballing Admiral Radaik, before Kajek escorted him back to the turbolift that led back to the Atria.

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NRPG: Moving things along... I'll send out an updated Limbo Plot Threads file with this post. The cellular origin thing is actual science, but I had to extrapolate a bit for the cloning.


Jerome McKee
the Soul of Captain Michael Turlogh Kane
Commanding Officer
USS PHOENIX


"He speaks an infinite deal of nothing!"
- Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice", Act 1,Scene 1.117

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