ST: Shaping a Cardassian - "Strength Without Sacrifice is Useless"

Discussion in 'Fan Fiction' started by Gul Re'jal, Jan 2, 2011.

  1. Gul Re'jal

    Gul Re'jal Commodore Commodore

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    Some of accents on my Cardassia have very strong, vibrating R. Jarol's native Nokarrrrrrian, for example. I think she doesn't have it when she speaks the Unionese, but all Nokarian dialects have clear R, some stronger, some weaker, but veRy cleaR.

    Lakarian accent, for some reason, has almost non-existing R. I wonder why?** ;)



    **For those who missed that conversation in the previous story comments: my Lakarians speak like Brits in English.
     
  2. Nerys Ghemor

    Nerys Ghemor Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Maybe our Cardassian languages sound the way they do because of what sounds "foreign" to each of our ears. After all, in my case as an English-speakers, the rolled/trilled "r" is one of the biggest obstacles we have to overcome to speak many languages.
     
  3. Gul Re'jal

    Gul Re'jal Commodore Commodore

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    Possibly. Jarol is close to my heart (and she was the first one from my "regular cast" that I have created), so her native language is closer in the set of sounds to mine, but the official Cardassian language is as foreign to me as to her ;)
     
  4. Nerys Ghemor

    Nerys Ghemor Vice Admiral Admiral

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    For me, while my Cardassian is supposed to sound "foreign," knowing Spanish did "predispose" me to use certain sounds that are foreign-but-familiar (with a slightly "serpentine" twist). :)
     
  5. Thor Damar

    Thor Damar Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Just to go slightly off topic here perhaps, but I've always wanted to find this out...

    What does the various English speaking accents sound like to someone for whom it is either a second language or speaks several other languages?

    And since I lack any linguistic talent I have no way of gauging the different sounds of the Cardassian accents, except that aside from Larakria of course, most Cardassians sound remarkably like the mid-west USA. (;))

    Speaking of our noble Lakarians, I noticed recently that in the episode wherein Gul Dukat first meets Odo, the good Gul adopts a very over the top ridiculas(sic) Lakarian accent.:lol:

    (sorry about the awful spelling there, SpellChecker is not as useful on these occasions as it should be, may the Cold take it!:klingon:)
     
  6. TerokNor

    TerokNor Captain Captain

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    For me the English language sounds mostly the same. Milder accents I do not detect at all, some English is a bit clearer and easier to understand, others is more mumbled... guess that has to do with accents, but could not say what accents is what...just notice, that I cannot understand it.
    I hear a slight difference between American and British English at least...and I notice a thick scottish accent... and I notice, if someone is a non native speaker, especially if its someone from eastern europe who uses English. But others than that... well its all English. In my own language I certainly notice dialects easier.

    TerokNor
     
  7. Gul Re'jal

    Gul Re'jal Commodore Commodore

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    There are some accents I have no problem with placing. That goes for most British (including Scottish) and Irish (their "fonny" instead of "funny" is unmistakeable ;)). I can tell if someone is from US South (this is also an accent I have most problems with understanding), but I can't recognise if someone is from US North or Canada. New Yorkers are easy to recognise, though.

    Sometimes I can take an Aussie or a Kiwi for a Brit.

    I can tell non-natives speaking English, often including their place of origin (if they speak with their own language accent; not all people do, I don't :p)
     
  8. Nerys Ghemor

    Nerys Ghemor Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Don't worry, I'm from the US and I sometimes get that wrong too.

    As for Southern accents, I can help with that one. That is one of the accents I can do, depending on my mood, and it can get REALLY thick if I'm around others with strong accents. ;) Though occasionally there are SOME people with accents so thick I can't understand them either!!! (Though I usually just nod and fake understanding.)
     
  9. Gul Re'jal

    Gul Re'jal Commodore Commodore

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    So it's not just me, some people really speak unclearly. Like the man that replicated a guitar in TNG The Neutral Zone episode. I think that I still don't understand everything, even after watching this ep for n times ;)
     
  10. Nerys Ghemor

    Nerys Ghemor Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Problem solved. :D http://www.twiztv.com/scripts/nextgeneration/season1/tng-126.txt

    I'd have to watch that again, but most accents you see from actors are mild compared to some of the REALLY heavy accents you can get in real life. There are some so thick in the city I'm from that I've occasionally seen TV stations in other parts of the country put on subtitles.
     
  11. Gul Re'jal

    Gul Re'jal Commodore Commodore

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    Oh, my. Almost another language ;)
     
  12. Nerys Ghemor

    Nerys Ghemor Vice Admiral Admiral

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    I actually got insulted when I saw the subtitles, but my mom explained that people in other parts of the country wouldn't have understood. Most of the time I have no problem--but I think there are a few people I've met here who deliberately do not want to be understood by all.

    The strongest Southern dialects do have influences of other languages, though. The Cajun accent of Louisiana is French and African-influenced, and other accents are African-influenced as well. Further complicating matters is the suggestion some people have made that a little bit of Elizabethian English is still in the Southern accent (i.e. from Shakespeare's day). How true THAT one is, I'm not sure.
     
  13. Thor Damar

    Thor Damar Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Bill Byson has opinionated that fact on many occasions when he takes the British to task for our linguistic arrogance by arrogantly asserting the superiority of American English.:lol:
    (I'm not saying either one is inherently better, I'm just amused by the notion of fighting alleged arrogance with arrogance. Kinda like a Romulan debating a Cardassian...;))
     
  14. Deranged Nasat

    Deranged Nasat Vice Admiral Admiral

    As has been pointed out on numerous occasions, the only country where they can't speak proper English is England. ;)
     
  15. Nerys Ghemor

    Nerys Ghemor Vice Admiral Admiral

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    No arrogance meant by bringing up the fact--I find any and all language facts (assuming this one is a fact, and I am not 100% sure) to be extremely interesting.
     
  16. TerokNor

    TerokNor Captain Captain

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    Have read Chapter 1 and 2 by now and have to say Laran really is a charming lad and Toral *L* that one seems indeed very decent and cute. Hope it works out between him and Jarol. Starting with Chapter 3 soon.

    TerokNor
     
  17. Gul Re'jal

    Gul Re'jal Commodore Commodore

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    He must have taken it after his father :D
     
  18. Gul Re'jal

    Gul Re'jal Commodore Commodore

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    Chapter 2

    Rayak Nor
    Day 1



    “Legate Jarol,” Borad’s voice sounded through the comm. “Please come to the command centre.”

    We need to think of a shorter name, she thought raising from her chair and heading for the door. “What is it?” she asked her aide when she arrived to the command.

    “We are being hailed by a...Ferengi.”

    “How interesting.” She didn’t hide her surprise. “On screen.”

    Legate Jarol!” A male Ferengi on the screen had huge ears and she could see all his sharp and crooked teeth in a smile of which sincerity she wasn’t sure. “I am DaiMon Delva and I have a business proposal for you.

    “I wouldn’t expect any other kind,” she said thinking that, in fact, he could also ask her for oo-mox if he dared.

    Would it be all right if I visited you aboard your mighty and impressive station and we talked in private?

    “By all means. Glinn Borad will take care of the arrangements. When can I expect you?”

    Say, twenty minutes?

    “Fine.” She tried to hide her irritation that the Ferengi was so close to the station and no one informed her of that fact. She waited until he signed off and then turned to Borad. “Why didn’t you tell me that there was a Ferengi ship in the sector?”

    “Because we didn’t detect him earlier.” Borad frowned. “We still can’t.”

    “What?”

    “Whatever he’s selling, if it’s his cloaking technology, we might be interested.”

    “Get him to my office when he’s here.”

    “Yes, Legate.”

    She went back to her chamber and waited. She doubted the Ferengi came to share his tricks with her and she was sure that the ability to roam around the quadrant undetected was very convenient for him; too convenient to give it up. But what could he want? What kind of business? Was he a weapons merchant? Even if he had anything interesting, it would be illegal to buy things directly from him. Her station was equipped by the Central Command and going behind the Central Command’s back would not be a good idea. She knew, she had been a member of it.

    When the Ferengi entered her office, she was standing by one of the windows.

    “Legate Jarol,” he greeted her. “Your profile photo doesn’t do you justice.”

    “If I see your hand anywhere near your ear—”

    “Say no more,” he smiled again.

    “I’m sure you’re a busy man, as am I, so let’s get to the point.” She gestured to a chair inviting him to sit. “What is your business proposal?”

    “This is a big station with a lot of personnel, correct?”

    “Correct,” she confirmed not sure where he was going with it.

    “People are cut off their homes and comforts of their lives.”

    “This is a military outpost.”

    “Yes, it is. Don’t soldiers eat?” She didn’t say anything, only raised her eye ridge slightly. “Don’t they like to drink? Don’t they deserve the best merchandise after a long day of fruitful duty?”

    “What are you selling?”

    “I would like to offer my humble services as your regular provider. Whatever you need, I’ll get it for you and your hard-working crew.”

    “For not-so-humble price.”

    “I’m sure we can agree on something.”

    She had to admit, she liked the idea. The station would receive regular shipments with resources, but she knew it wouldn’t be anything fancy. Living on replicated food or, worse, field rations was a thought that scared even her. And saved replicator energy could be used for other purposes—ones that cannot be bought from a Ferengi. Not forgetting about all visiting ships they might have. “All right, DaiMon Delva, you got my interest. How much and why so expensive?”

    He chuckled. “It depends on what and when you need it. I have details of my proposal for our contract right here.” He handed her a Ferengi padd. “I can deliver food, supplies, medicine and luxury items from Cardassian and non-Cardassian sources. I’m sure we can agree to my commission.”

    “I have a question.”

    “Yes?”

    “Why can’t we detect your ship?” He only smiled. “When do you need my answer?” she asked dropping the matter. As she suspected, Delva didn’t seem eager to share some of his secrets and she didn’t want to press...for now.

    “I can wait until tomorrow if you’d let me stay in the neighbourhood.”

    Did he count on her protection? “Is someone chasing you?” He smiled again. “I don’t want to know.” She shook her head raising her hand with the palm facing him. “I’ll read that carefully and give you my answer tomorrow morning. Would that be satisfactory?”

    “Absolutely! I’m sure we face a fruitful co-operation.”

    “Yes,” she said slowly. He rose and headed for the door but she said, “If I catch you on scanning the station, I’ll assume you want to sell that intelligence to Cardassia’s enemies.”

    “And I won’t leave this sector alive. My beautiful Legate Jarol, I’m an honest businessman. I see an opportunity here and I would hate to lose it by some petty scheming.”

    “Fine. You can dock at the station, if you want, but don’t leave your ship. There are many restricted areas here and you wouldn’t like to get in trouble, would you?”

    “Restricted even to your Federation personnel?”

    She liked it that he called the Feds her Federation personnel. “You know a lot, don’t you?”

    “I am a Ferengi.”
    “Of course you are. The ears give you away.”

    He chuckled and approached the door which automatically opened, then stopped and turned to her. “Actually, yes, I’d like to dock. Let my enemies see that I have powerful friends.”

    “We’re not friends yet.”

    “I’ll remember the word ‘yet’,” he said, raising his index finger. Then, he left her office.

    “This is going to be interesting,” she muttered to herself. She thought that she could use Jotrel and his experience with the Ferengi and their ‘business proposals.’ If there were any hidden tricks, she might not notice them. She needed someone who would understand the document down to the tiniest punctuation mark. She would have to talk to Colissa; the archon had to have a legal finances specialist. However, talking to that woman was not a prospect Jarol was looking forward to.

    No, wait...why couldn’t she ask Jotrel for help?

    She leaned toward her monitor and entered a command to establish connection with Cardassia.



    CUW Damar
    Day 1


    Brenok was glad that Demok was the only one ready and waiting by the shuttle, as he wanted to talk to him alone first. “Laran,” he said approaching the sub-archon. “Don’t take this assignment lightly, this is a serious matter and a dangerous situation.”

    “What exactly is the situation?”

    “I have only limited information, Gul Toral will fill you in. All I know is that there is some kind of virus killing people on one of our colonies. I don’t want you to leave the Radalar.” The thought of losing Demok was a terrifying one; Brenok knew he would not be able to cope with the loss of another child and Jarol’s son was to him like his own. He raised him together with her and was glad to have a chance to have him for all these years; the fate wasn’t as gracious for him being a father to his daughter. “I know you have no experience, so listen to Toral’s advices. Remember, you’re in charge but it doesn’t mean you are alone. There’s plenty of people to help you and do what you tell them to do.”

    “You mean...even Toral has to listen to my orders?”

    “That’s right. The prefect of that colony wants it to be a civilian operation. While we can’t offer them anything like that—and not only because there’s no time to bring some civilians from Cardassia—you are the best I can give him.”

    “Uncle...” Demok’s face was full of doubt.

    “If you are not sure what to do, seek advice. Ask Toral. Ask me. Ask your mother. Ask Colissa.” Demok smiled slightly and Brenok responded the same way. “Ask whomever you want. You are not alone,” he emphasised again.

    “All right. Why me? Why not Colissa? Or the Federation people?”

    “This is an internal Cardassian matter, the Federation officers have nothing to do with it. You, because it could be no one else. You’re open to people, young and smart. You can do it.”

    “Uncle...”

    “You can do it.”

    “Sir.” A voice behind the gul.

    Brenok turned to Aladar. “Garesh.”

    Soon all members of the delegation were ready and Brenok once again explained the situation. Karama, who arrived in a meantime, handed each member of the team a padd with all info he had on the subject.

    Then the team boarded the shuttle.

    “Your orders are not to have any physical contact with the colonists,” Brenok said before the shuttle’s door closed. “Aladar, tell Toral that Ordinance Fifty-Three should be applied if necessary.” He couldn’t not notice that Demok’s eyes opened wider. It didn’t surprise him; while the Ordinance was a military protocol Demok, as a lawyer, would know it.

    “Yes, sir,” the garesh confirmed dutifully.

    “The whole colony?” Karama asked Brenok when the Elar’s door closed.

    “If this thing kills everyone and everything, yes, the whole colony. How does that Vulcan saying go? The good of many outweighs the good of a few?”

    “We’re not Vulcans.” Karama wasn’t looking at his gul but at the shuttle.

    “No, we’re not. But it’s still a logical thing to do.”

    “Legate Jarol must be furious.”

    “She doesn’t know yet.”

    Karama looked at Brenok with eyes as huge as cup saucers. “She’ll kill you!”

    “She will. Aren’t you happy to get a promotion to gul?”

    “Gul Brenok, your shoes are to heavy for me,” the glinn quoted a Cardassian saying.

    “Yeah, for me too,” Brenok muttered and headed out of the shuttle bay. Karama observed him for a moment and then followed.

    The gul walked in the corridor and thought that the Cardassian Union shrank. How was that possible that recently his job involved the closest people in his life? He had to give orders to a resisting officer and that officer was his ‘sister.’ He had to send his ‘son’ to a dangerous mission. Couldn’t it be some other people? Couldn’t that station be commanded by another stubborn woman with Nokarian accent? Couldn’t someone else’s son be put in danger?

    That wasn’t fair and you know it. You always put someone else’s son in danger. Every man under your command is someone’s son. Every man you sent to certain death was someone’s son. What makes yours so special?

    What? I’ll tell you what, you skinny moron. He’s mine, that’s why he’s special. He cannot be any more special than that. That the ‘specialest’ special way of special and nothing could be ‘specialer’ than that.

    He had to tell Laran’s mother. He had to tell Atira that he had just sent her only living child to some kind of medical hell. She would tear him to pieces, he knew, and he was ready to help her do that.

    At the same time he knew it was the right decision, it was the only decision he could have made. Laran was the best candidate for this mission, he was the only candidate. The station was full of soldiers and a handful of civilians, one being an arrogant and unyielding woman who most likely didn’t know the word ‘be gentle,’ a few clerks that spent their lives solely behind desks and this energetic, clever son of two legates. Whom else could he choose? What other option did he have?

    Yes, he could have sent a warship to the colony and deal with the problem ignoring the prefect’s wishes, but he didn’t want to do it that way. He couldn’t make a political and social situation difficult just to protect one man from danger.

    He closed his eyes and stopped. He was barely aware that Karama followed him and the glinn almost bumped into him when he abruptly became motionless. To his relief, his loyal aide didn’t ask if he was all right. The man was probably fully aware of the gul’s thoughts and quandary. What would he do in his place? Would he send his own son?

    “I’ll be on the station,” Brenok said, his voice hoarse.

    “Yes, sir,” Karama acknowledged quietly and continued toward the lift, leaving Brenok alone in the corridor.

    The gul sighed heavily, surprised that the sounds didn’t spread along the corridor in the form of an echo; his sigh was loud enough. A sad, complaining sound.
     
  19. Gul Re'jal

    Gul Re'jal Commodore Commodore

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    Rayak Nor
    Day 1



    Gul Brenok entered Legate Jarol’s office hoping his face didn’t betray his feelings. He feared that moment. He knew her reaction would be violent and aggressive. He wished he could do that without witnesses, so if she’d hit him he would just forget about it, no execution for assaulting a superior necessary. With the command centre beyond the half-glass door this might prove difficult.

    She looked up at him from behind her desk and he hesitated. How should he tell her that? Officially or as a friend?

    “Atira...” He started and silenced.

    “What’s wrong?” The curiosity on her face changed to worry.

    There wasn’t any easy way to do it. Whatever he would choose, it would hit her hard. “I have sent Laran to deal with the plague matter.”

    “You did...what?!” In a split second she was in front of him, the front of her armour pushing on his, making squeaking sound; she literally shouted the last word in his face.

    “This mission had to be led by a civilian,” he explained.

    Her eyes were full of fear. He expected pure fury but saw mostly fear. She grabbed the collar of his armour and pushed him to the wall, pressing him there. He never realised how strong she was.

    “What did you do?!” she hissed.

    He knew she heard him, he knew she understood. He didn’t say anything and only listened to her heavy breathing.

    “I brought him here because I wanted him near me,” she said quietly. “I brought him because I didn’t want to leave him behind on Cardassia. I brought him because I am an egoist and I didn’t learn anything.” Her eyes glistened with moisture. Suddenly, he understood what she was getting to and started to shake his head. “I brought him here because I thought he would be safe with me. And I brought him here to...die.” The last word was whispered.

    “No, no, Atira, no...” He could only shake his head. “He’s not going to die. He will just make decisions. I told him clearly to keep away from the planet.” He grabbed her hands on his collar, removed them off his armour and hid inside his. He wished she said she’d kill him if Demok died. He wished she hit him in the face and broke his nose. He wished she took a phaser and pointed it at him. He wished for anything else than this.

    He was glad she had pressed him to the wall—they were not visible from the command in this place. He would hate them to see her crying. It wouldn’t be the first time her crew would see her weak moments but this crew was new and their relationship wasn’t fully formed yet. Zamarran would still respect her but who knew what Borad would think.

    She let him go and returned to her desk trying to compose herself.

    “Anything else, sir?” she asked, not really looking at him.

    “No,” he replied softly. It didn’t escape his attention that she addressed him ‘sir.’

    “I’m busy, so if you don’t mind...”

    He left her office without a word. He felt horrible but still believed that his decision was right. He only hoped he wouldn’t have to change his mind later.



    CUW Raladar
    Day 1



    Glinn Korel observed the team of eight Cardassians leaving the Hideki shuttle Elar. Seven of them wore military armours and one, the youngest, a civilian attire.

    The civilian approached the glinn. “I am Sub-Archon Demok,” he said.

    “Gul Toral is awaiting you. Please follow me to the bridge.”

    Isn’t he too young for this? Korel thought, stealing a glance at the sub-archon. But then, it wasn’t his place to criticise anyone who has made the decision of sending Demok here.

    Without any more word he led them to the bridge, where Gul Toral, in even worse mood than he had been in the morning, argued with some grey-haired human on the main viewer.

    “Ah, there you have your civilian presence,” Toral barked toward the screen, pointing to Demok.

    The sub-archon stood next to the gul and looked at the human man. “I am Laran Demok, Sub-Archon of the Cardassian Union,” he said in a calm but firm voice. “From now on you may address me in all matters regarding your problem.”

    “How old are you?” the human asked defiantly.

    Toral and Korel glanced at Demok who sent a cold stare and did not bother to reply.

    After a moment the human spoke. “I am Governor Krause. What kind of help can you offer us?”

    “I have two more medics with me who are ready to join those that already work on the solution. Hopefully, their fresh ideas would prove fruitful.”

    “And if not?”

    “Then we will have to come up with other solutions.”

    “When will you be here?”

    Demok glanced at Toral.

    “Two hours,” the gul said.

    Korel went to his post to prepare full information for Demok.

    “We will talk then,” Krause barked and without any more word disconnected.

    “Charming,” Demok rolled his eyes. “I thought politicians should be sickly sweet.”

    Korel tried not to smirk—the last thing one could say about Demok’s mother was ‘sickly sweet.’

    “Gul Toral,” the sub-archon looked at the warship’s commander. “I will need some office, a small room with a screen with suffice. I would also appreciate if your medic would find a place where Boreep and Albek could work. I guess they’d require some kind of laboratory.”

    “My medic already volunteered to help too.” Toral nodded.

    “Good.” Demok looked around the bridge, then moved closer to Toral. “Gul Toral,” he said quieter, “I don’t want to undermine your authority. I will be our ‘face’ for Krause, since he refuses any military involvement, but I can’t do it without you and your crew.”

    Toral smiled slightly. “You can count on me, Sub-Archon.”

    Demok let the air out of his lungs. He seemed relieved but maybe it was only Korel’s impression.

    “Now, about that office?” the sub-archon asked.

    “Korel?”

    The glinn interrupted his work. “We could adapt secondary tactical centre on deck two for this purpose,” he said. He looked at Demok. “It is small, but close to the bridge, only a deck away, and the equipment should meet your needs.”

    “Won’t you need it?” Demok looked at Toral.

    “It is needed only in specific tactical situations.” The gul shook his head. “I don’t foresee a battle in near future, so it’s all yours.”

    “Lead the way.” Demok looked at Korel. The glinn felt irrational irritation that he was being ordered by not-his-gul, but since Toral gave him an expectant look, it was clear that the order was as good as issued by the commander.

    “Follow me, Sub-Archon,” he said and noticed that Demok waved to his team to follow him, which they did. It didn’t escape him that Toral observed the whole scene with great amusement.

    “Medic Boreep and Medic Albek, please go directly to the infirmary,” Demok said to both men when they all entered a lift. They acknowledged by nodding and, along with the nurses, stayed in the lift while everyone else left the car and headed for the tactical centre that was just about to become Demok’s office.

    “I will send you full information about the situation,” Korel informed the sub-archon after they arrived to the room. “I have it almost ready.”

    “Thank you,” Demok smiled.

    Korel nodded and left. The door closed behind him and he stopped, shaking his head. Through the door he heard a moan “Aladar” undoubtedly in Demok’s voice. Definitely too young, he grinned to himself and returned to the bridge. The young sub-archon was just about to face the real life.


    tbc
     
  20. Nerys Ghemor

    Nerys Ghemor Vice Admiral Admiral

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    No doubt, this Ferengi and his wares are enticing--but they could be very dangerous, too. Or even if they're not, it sounds like this guy has some serious enemies. In fact, I find myself wondering if he's playing both sides here. If he's got access to the kind of technology that could hide his ship, there are some other very dangerous things I think he could also have access to. I would pull a record of all transactions going through the colony that's been hit with this virus. There are a number of ways this DaiMon could be involved.

    As to Ordinance Fifty-Three...I hate to say it, but I hope that as cruel as this sounds, if they failed, they would quarantine the colony and let the colonists die naturally, as they kept trying to find a cure right up until the very last minute. If they just torched the planet before that point--well, the phrase "Cardassian atrocity" would fit very accurately. I definitely understand cleansing the planet in the case of a failure, but the timing of that will be an absolutely critical difference between needed preventive measure and cruel butchery.

    As for Krause...you'd think it would occur to these guys that he was elected because his people wanted him to present a strong, non-conciliatory face in their dealings with the Cardassians so that they don't get railroaded (as much as they would otherwise). After all, they've been screwed by their own people, screwed by the Cardassians, and then screwed again after the Dominion War, when the Federation didn't ensure their return when they had the chance. They've been treated as pawns for decades, so I think some bitterness is to be expected.

    As for Brenok...sounds like at least temporarily, he has broken his relationship with Jarol. If Laran gets hurt, goes missing, or doesn't come back, I think that's going to be the end.