Cardassian Connection

Posted on Tue Aug 8th, 2023 @ 12:22am by Glin Slorir Varin

1,687 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 6 - Point Of Enlightenment
Location: White Owl Tavern
Timeline: MD 2 Just before lock down

Najel Galro, a female Cardassian, had arrived on DS21, just before the Romulan attack. She had to seek shelter in the White Owl Tavern, during the attack. It was a medieval style establishment with roughly hewn tables and the bar itself made of wood. She was quite happy for that sort of construction. When she rose from the small area she curled up under, Najel took a look around, the place was going to be needing some clean up, and the owners didn't seem to be around as of yet. She walked over to where the bar was at, and started cleaning the dust and debris off of the bar, to set it back up for business. Besides, maybe the owners would hire her and she can pick up some information as to what was going on around the place.

Having just had a brief meeting with the leadership of the Station, Glin Slorir Varin was eager to return to his ship. Despite the Central Command's desire to improve relationships with the Federation, a proposal that he himself was not a fan of, their government had recently implemented a series of rules related to protecting the Cardassian Union from 'cultural contamination,' a proposal that he did agree with. Cardassians serving aboard his ship had to petition him prior to visiting the station, stating their reasons for such a request, and safeguards they would have in place to limit their exposure to risk. It seemed a bit heavy handed to him, but it would serve to maintain Cardassian sensibilities.

As he walked along toward the crossover bridge, he surveyed the surroundings. The optical lenses that improved his vision were gathering data, presenting information from a limited database that they had access to. Interestingly they picked up something that he didn't anticipate: a Cardassian. Entering the room, he quickly noticed her standing by the derelict bar. He approached.

The sound of footsteps approaching, the light crunching sound of debris underfoot, made Najel look in that direction. A quick intake of breath when she noticed a male Cardassian in fact a Glin. She paused in her cleaning up and moved behind the bar, "Care for a drink?" she asked, having a few bottles close by.

"Just doing some clean up in order to open the business. I can serve you though if you would like." Najal added.

Varin looked at the woman and at the bottles, "I'm sorry I'm on duty. I was just surprised to see you. I didn't know that there were any other Cardassians onboard the station aside from my ship's crew."

A pause in her cleaning and Najal propped her elbow upon the top of the bar. " I had just arrived before the Romulans had attacked the station. It was quite the momentous arrival, definitely quite the dramatic entrance." a slight smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"I hadn't expected to see a Glin here. My name is Najel Galro, not that you would know who I am as I do not have, connection to the government. I am only a humble citizen." giving a slight bow of her head, towards him.

"My name is Slorir Varin and I'm in command of the Thrarim," the other Cardassian announced as he considered the words of Najel. "You'll have to forgive me as I did not expect to see another Cardassian with the new travel limitations our government has put into place. With our government closing the border I'm certain you could understand my surprise."

"I can very well understand that, I've not been back to the homeworld for sometime and honestly I don't want to be imprisoned and not be allowed to garner... new knowlege. I do hope you won't be planning on hauling me back to the homeworld, when I can be more valuable out here." Najel raising her eyebrows with a slight smile.

Glinn Varin shook his head, "That's not within my mission brief so you're safe to remain here on the station. I'd just advise not trying to return home too soon. That could be, problematic..."

"What is the latest on news of home? If that is within your ability to let me know?" Najel responded. She moved the bottles back under the counter and stepped out from behind the bar, dusting off one of the seat to sit down.

"Not much to tell," he was lying and she could probably see through it. "The Central Command may be democratizing, but there's still a lot of work ahead." He looked around the bar, "What possessed you to open a bar out here?"

Najel looked around the bar, she could lie about it but what fun would that be? "It isn't my bar, I just happened to find refuge here while the Romulans attacked the station. I ducked inside a safe spot behind the bar, and waited there until it was done." she looked around, "I kinda figured that I'd see if they would hire me."

"So you're helping them clean up and you don't even know if they've hired you?" He asked with a smirk, coming across as playfully as he could.

Najel smiled coyly, "I do clean up work in this establishment and show what I can do then they won't have any choice but to hire me. After all, you stepped into the bar and we are talking, therefore I am an asset. If you are willing to come into this establishment, then" she held out a hand to one side, "who knows how many others will come along, just to see a novelty? And to also enjoy this unique establishment."

"I wouldn't quite identify you as a novelty," the Glinn interjected. "Although, as I said, it was surprising to see a Cardassian outside of our home territory. Especially these days." He sounded, momentarily, upset about the realization that his people were so isolated at this point of their lives. The Cardassian Union was once one of the greatest empires within the galaxy, now they were essentially housebound. Maybe one day they would be restored to their previous prominence within the galaxy.

Varin paused a moment, "Do you have kanar?"

Najal went around the bar again and disappeared from view momentarliy as there were various sound of bottles being moved around. She rose up bearing a bottle of Kanar. "Here we go, yes we have a success." giving a laugh."How clean do you want your glass?" placing the bottle upon the top of the bar.

The Cardassian Commander picked up the bottle of the Cardassian drink and looked at it. It was a 2327 bottle, which was considered by many to be among the best vintages of the drink ever produced. Pulling the stopper, he looked inside and could tell that the liquid had thinned over the years, which meant that it was a stronger flavor (and kick). "How much for the entire bottle?"

"I would say three bars of gold pressed latinum." Najal wasn't saying a Big bar of gold pressed latinum, the drink wasn't that valuable. Though would he try to haggle it down. This will be a telling point, for her. It would be a game.

"Three bars?" The Cardassian Commander said looking at the bottle, pondering the price carefully. He set it aside and rose to his feet, "Alright. Thumb print ok?"

"Yes a thumb print will be sufficient. Will you be drinking that all by yourself or would you like some company?" Najal giving a flirtatious wink.

Varin smirked before looking back at the drink from his homeworld, "You know it is a lovely bottle, sadly I won't be drinking it. It's a gift for a friend," he handed it back to Najal. "Call it a taste of home."

Her eyes widened, this was very unexpected. "Will I be seeing you coming this way again, or is this a one time only situation. I would like to hear about what is happening at home." accepting the kanar from him.

"I hope so. Unfortunately, the Union has limited our ability to visit the station out of fear that our culture will be contaminated by the Federation naer-do-wells. Never can tell when I'll be able to get away." He looked around, "Maybe some sort of disaster will bring me back at some point."

"What would you consider a disaster to get you to come back. What if we need to talk of different matters? You are right now my only connection to home. To have a sensible conversation. And you are the only one I really want to have a connection with. Until I find out what is going on this station. I can be your eyes and ears. To keep you informed. Just set something up for that to happen." Najel remarked.

Glin Varin stood silently for a moment, considering the ramifications of what was happening before him. The truth was that the Union was limiting his ability to know what was going on on the station, and this would be an opportunity to learn more about what was happening that could help him with his assignment. The thought did cross his mind, albeit briefly, that this was a setup by the Obsidian Order to gain a foothold. He nodded, silent at first, "I'll stop back and see you again."

Najel gave a nod, "I am in agreement then. When you do come back we will drink some of this. Only a small amount, or even have the placements of the small glasses to indicate whether you can talk or not." raising an eyebrow when she asked.

Glin Varin nodded, politely, in response, "That sounds perfect." He heard a chiming on his datapad and pulled it from one of the hidden pockets on his armor, "If you'll excuse me. I have a meeting to get to aboard my vessel. Until later my friend?"

"Until later my friend." Najel replied. "Be safe." Najel watched as Varin left then went back to cleaning the place. She wondered if the owners will come back. In the meantime she will make certain she will be a valuable asset.


END.

 

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