The minute Rebecca materialized on the pad of the transporter room she stepped off and rushed to the control console.  Those jets could be back at any moment. Whoever was behind this attack wanted Vareal dead, and the Cardassians dead. 

Her fingers danced over the controls. As she did Jeter moved next to her and she gave him an appreciative nod. “I am reading only three Cardassian life signs.”

“Well, best to get them out of there,” Jeter’s hands deftly moved across the controls as he isolated and locked onto the three signs. “Energizing,” he said but paused for a moment as no one appeared before them, “To the brig that is.”

He tapped his combadge quickly, “Jeter to the bridge. Are you still tracking the fighters that attacked the prison compound? Any further contacts closing in on it?” Without a pause, he glanced at Varael, “Your people are exposed there; I would like to know if there is another potential attack heading their way.”

He sniffed the air tentatively. Sterile. Clearly, this beaming was no magic trick but the real thing. As he regained his senses over the action, Varael responded to Jeter, “I, too, would like to know that, Mister Jeter. If you can show me a map of what just happened, I should be able to help you find them.  Military aircraft like that take a long runway.”

“We’ll escort you to the bridge,” Rebecca said. “Ensign May, have security escort the rest of our guests to quarters.”

“Aye, ma’am.” 

Rebecca led the trio out of the transporter room, down the corridor and to a turbolift.  It was a short ride to the bridge as they stepped out. The image of the planet was being displayed on the viewscreen.

“Ms. Jones bring up a map of the planet,” she ordered. 

“Aye, Captain.” Arin pulled up the data from the ship’s sensors. Overlaying the jet’s flight from first detection to the direction of the egress led the attacking craft not only on the front viewscreen but also to terminals near Varael. Touching the map, Varael indicated any large airports nearby, larger city private runways, and even a few long straight roads that had bunkers in the past. 

The wonders that met his eyes and other senses were nothing short of incredible. Taking it all in, Varael waited for the ship’s crew to follow the Captain’s orders. 

”Do we have the location of those attacking jets?” Rebecca asked.

Jeter stepped over to the operations console and quickly pulled focused in on the jets. “There are 150km from the base currently heading North West. If they continue their current trajectory they will reach this military base,” he said highlighting one of the bases Varael indicated, “in the next 4 minutes.”

“There is no radiation in that region, we will be able to get a transport lock on those pilots if needed,” Jeter said with a smile. “They may be able to tell us who ordered the attack.”

Rebecca sighed and drummed her fingers on the nearby console. “No, let them go. The Prime Directive is still in play.  This is clearly an internal dispute and I can’t justify satisfying our curiosity.  We are already operating in the grey.”

“Captain?” Jeter said with a question left unsaid, though his frustration was clear to see. “What if their aircraft reported technical difficulties and we happened to save their lives?”

Having played arbiter and tribal harmonizer for so long, Varael understood the Captain’s position, though he didn’t like it. “Then can you beam me to the base control tower?” Varael asked. “I’d rather have the beast by the throat than hide while my people and yours suffer.”

Rebecca nodded, “This is an internal Luphirian matter I can’t stop you.  It’s safe to say whoever is connected to those jets also has our people.  Mr. Jeter do you want to be our representative? Being with their leader makes this more of an official diplomatic action rather than kidnapping pilots to question them.”

“I would be happy to Captain,” Jeter said, a face of cool determination settling over his features. “If we do find whoever is responsible for the attack and kidnapping of our people, shall I negotiate aggressively to get them back?”

“Mister Jeter, we have an expression. Don’t be afraid to bare your teeth when you’re right.” Varael said, pausing for effect. He then added, “We will need to be stubborn today. Hopefully with all our furs intact.”

Jeter nodded to Varael, “I appreciate the sentiment.” He turned to the Captain, “With your permission, I think it’s time we introduce ourselves.”By now, the crew should be more familiar with Luphirian’s looks as a wicked smile crossed Varael’s face. It was a mix of tension and anticipation. 

“You are dismissed.  In the meantime counsellor,  I want you to have a chat with our Cardassian friends,” Rebecca ordered.

The joined Trill tugged at her uniform and nodded, “Yes ma’am.”

Being placed in a position to deal with Cardassians was a bit outside of her normal duties as the ship’s counsellor, but she figured that she was adaptable. Cardassian psychology was a bit different than Trill, human, or any other Federation race (as they all were from each other) but the counsellor knew that adapting and being flexible was all part of the remit.

“Does every room in this ship smell so…sterile?” Varael asked Jeter as he followed him out. 

Jeter let out a little laugh at that as the turbo lift door closed, “Not every room but in general most are. Don’t worry though, we’ll be back planet-side in a few minutes and hopefully get hit whole mess shorted out.”