“We’ve had more reports.” Tareya Khorlett spoke, sitting across from her boss, Hasara. Four days had passed since the squadron had found the missing commander, T’saath, on a Tougun Network station. The revelation of Tougun’s new operating structure had driven him to the top ten most wanted list in the rimward. His brutality towards the captive Vulcan had sped up his status. Commodore Fontana had dispatched security teams from Montana Station and the squadron to support colonial security.
Hasara sipped at his herbal Cardassian tea. “He will be found. This station has been the one bulwark against the chaos of the rimward. It is a force for order. He underestimated the value it has brought to those who call this expanse home.” The operator of the House of Hasara grimaced. “They are idealistic to believe they will catch the Orion alive.”
Khorlett smiled quietly, knowing between the lines of his words was the implicit desire to be the one who took Tougun off the board. It was one reason for their meeting. They needed a plan. “I’ve put the Harlan brothers on notice.” The two new hires had proven capable of running down some local trouble on the station and with nearby colonies.
Hasara took another long sip of his tea, scanning the tablet in his other hand. “For not being actual brothers, they’ve got an unshakable bond.” Tareya felt a pang of sorrow for the two, and groused inwardly at her softness for the two humans. They had found each other in a refugee camp thirty years ago, in the middle of one of the many border skirmishes. Parents were dead. The extended family was lost in the smoke and debris of the chaos.
She replied, “They’re chasing down some leads. Gul Natas has acclimated to his intelligence role nicely.”
Hasara chuckled darkly. “Nicely is a curious turn of phrase. He’s made good use of our network. You were right to hire him.” A sly smile crossed his lips as she glanced up, a guarded look in her eyes. He cocked his head to the side. “Don’t get used to hearing those words.”
Tareya scoffed, turning back to the tablet data. “I’ll put the date in my log and put a bookmark to revisit when I need to ego boost.” She refused to admit to what they both knew as reality. That being right, especially in the eyes of the cragged and cantankerous Hasara, was next to being surrounded by a room full of latinum. A report beeped on both of their tablets. She opened it, and her eyes widened just a little. “Hagasi found a latinum trail. Looks legitimate.” They had been chasing Tougun out of a competitor’s interest for the last few months, and the dead ends they’d slammed up against had been frustrating. She amended that statement in her head. ‘Frustrating’ was putting it mildly. Tougun and his network were strong in manipulation and obfuscation, challenging Hagasi’s financial forensics nearly to the limit. She noted Hasara sat up in his chair, leaning over his desk, a fresh look of interest in his eyes.
Hasara highlighted the relevant sections of the report on his tablet. “There is a higher than usual inflow to this specific station, and not much outflow.” He tapped at his desk console, and the display on the far wall showed the sector map. “It’s a little farther into the rimward.” She waited for him to issue an order, but his eyes remained locked on the display. Something else was at play. He turned his attention; he had felt her stare. “It’s a station we’ve used for our less than legal trade.” Another tap on his console and the various dates over the last six months scrolled down. “Ten times. And yet, no notes of observed sightings or evidence of Tougun’s operation. Curious.”
Tareya had a suggestion. “We’ve grown our selection of stolen shuttles. We could ask the commodore for a ride. I take the brothers and Sinai, and we find out what’s really there.”
Hasara leaned back. “Take Dain with you. If nothing else, he can smooth over the sight of the rough crew you’ll be presenting.” He deepened his stare at her faux outrage at his ‘rough’ comment. “I’d rather have you alive than have to bring you back in pieces. Get the team together. I’ll make the ask.”
Tareya stood and left his office. They were closer to finding the maniac, Tougun.
Would he come willing or even alive?
