S01E02 - It's Just Business

# Season 1, Episode 2

## "It's Just Business"

*(Archivist’s Note: Since the events of the last episode, Commander Stryker has been promoted to First Officer on a permanent basis. His replacement as Chief of Security is Lieutenant Runa Torin, formerly the Security Chief of the USS Pompeii)*

#### *Captain’s Log, Stardate 79188.2*

```
Now that Chaltok IV’s admission to the Federation is official and all the ceremonies and celebrations are completed, we must turn our attention to matters of logistics. While we were able to save almost the entire crew of our sister ship, the USS Pompeii, when she fell victim to an insidious Tal Shiar systems infiltration, her cargo was a complete loss. Like the Horizon, the Liberty, and the Ottawa, the Pompeii was carrying much-needed supplies for the people of Chaltok IV. While some of those materials can be replicated in situ, especially with the Ottawa’s fabrication facilities now in-system, others will need to be obtained elsewhere. Some of the local logistics personnel have informed us of a trading outpost a few lightyears from this system – it’s independently and privately owned and operated, but they’ve assured us that any of the items and materials they need can be acquired there. However, as the station lies outside the Federation’s jurisdiction, it’s been recommended that we send a small team to conduct the trades in a rather less conspicuous fashion than simply arriving in a Starfleet ship-of-the-line. Given how hard our medical, engineering, and security teams have been working lately, I can think of a few officers who might enjoy a few days of… light duty.

```

#### *Captain’s Log, Supplemental*

```
I’ve just spoken with Captain Threyn of the Liberty. Apparently Arleth Corlan’s holding cell in their brig was discovered empty this morning. As much as I welcome bringing Romulan worlds into the Federation, I feel that our issues with this newly resurgent Tal Shiar are only going to multiply. While some of the other senior officers are off on this trade mission, I’m going to be spending much of the next week with our new Chief of Security, Lieutenant Runa, making sure Corlan had no accomplices aboard this ship, and that he hasn’t left any surprises behind for us.

```

#### *Incident Summary and Analysis - Commander J.C. Moreno, Starfleet Intelligence*

```
 I’ve reviewed the reports submitted by all six officers from USS Horizon regarding their recent experiences aboard the trading outpost station in the Chovani system. Those reports are attached. To summarize for context, six officers from the Horizon visited a space station located in near the largest gas giant in the Chovani system in order to acquire supplies and resources to replace some of those lost aboard the USS Pompeii which was destroyed during the incident described in Incident Report 369842-Theta.
   Upon arriving at the Chovani station, two officers remained with the runabout while the other four went in search of a number of potential trade contacts whom the people of Chaltok had indicated might be of assistance. In relatively short order, they made contact with three of the four names provided to them:

-- Captain David, son of Dorn (a Klingon/Human trader, merchant, occasional mercenary and smuggler and suspected pirate – extensive files with Federation, Klingon, Romulan, and Nyberrite law enforcement). Officer reports indicate that David was receptive to conducting business with them and he later proved instrumental in their safe extraction from the Chovani station.
 -- Malek, a Romulan identified as a “fixer” by the Chaltok residents who recommended him. Counselor Stadi made contact with him first. Malek seemed to be a known figure aboard the station, either a resident or frequent visitor. His Tal Shiar allegiance would seem to be known to the station population. Discussions overheard by our officers indicate that Malek reports to General Nedar, and that she and her subordinates may have gone rogue with the Chaltok operation. Further information in this area should be a priority.
 -- Talara, owner and proprietor of the Shangdu nightclub. De facto station administrator. Confirmed Orion Syndicate operator, seems to be the head of the local “family”. Reputation as a businesswoman and fair dealer according to Chaltok sources. Initially presented as friendly to our officers, proceeded to drug them. Seems to have been an agreement between her and Malek on behalf of their respective organizations. Orion Syndicate presence in this sector was suspected, though seems to be more extensive than previously believed. Talara and her associates will likely be a factor in future Federation business and operations in the region.

  A fourth possible trade contact, Dalius Krieg, was not encountered by our personnel on this excursion. The name matches a human with curiously spotty records.
  While the drugging and attempted abduction of Starfleet officers is obviously a matter of serious concern, the fact that they were able to escape and did so with the assistance of another local figure ameliorates some of the urgency in deciding how to address the matter. The loss of the runabout is regrettable, but a relatively minor price to pay. Of greater importance is a brief encounter reported by Commander Stryker with a pair of red-skinned humanoids in the Klingon bar where the officers met with David. They recognized him as Kanzari, and made taunting references to wearing Kanzari-fur coats. Comments made by Captain David and Talara both seem to indicate that these individuals are known to them, and they called them Typhons. Starfleet Intelligence has been aware of the Typhons for some time, although very little is known with any certainty. Their presence in the Chovani system and their familiarity to the residents would seem to indicate that we can expect further encounters with them in this sector.

```