Getting to the bottom of things

Posted on Wed Jan 29th, 2020 @ 12:55pm by Major Naomi Sylan Griffiths & Lieutenant Shri'Rao Sh'veqan
Edited on on Wed Jan 29th, 2020 @ 12:56pm

Mission: Discovery
Location: Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: During the Poisoning Posts

[ON]

While she waited Naomi paced the room only stopping to replicate some herbal tea, [practiciing t command a Starship was one thing, actually doing it was another all by itself, so engrossed with her nerves she was that when the CRR buzzer sounded she jumped, she took a quick moment to steel herself.

"Enter," she said and in walked the Security Chief and the Ferengi Ambassador "at ease Mr Frel you are not in trouble with me this time, I do however have some questions to ask you in light of certain events" she added "How goes the investigation El-tee?" she asked the Andorian.

"I assure you Major, trouble or not, it is a pleasure to see you."

The Andorian security officer paused for a moment. The dynamics of the pleasantries were an interest to the Andorian security chief.

"Major, so far we know there was an attack. I am still waiting on the cause of the captain's illness whether it was a biotoxin or something worse. So far twelve have been affected. It looks like the results of a staff infection similar to food poisoning. However, only the toxin has been found not the virus. We will know more when the medical section delivers its conclusions." Shri Rao reported.

*nods* "Thank you, Lieutenant, *looks at both* please both of you be seated," Griffiths said avoiding the COs CRR chair and sitting on the edge of the desk. "so Ambassador Frel, I understand that the Ferengi Drink that the Captain and some of the crew partook in was originally a gift to you, so I am wondering do you have any enemies that would want to kill you or at least incapacitate you? I cannot imagine they would target the crew?" Griffiths asked the Ferengi.

Frel looked concerned. "Major, I have no idea who would have it against me. I have always been well-liked and respected by everybody who meets me. I can't possibly think about a single person that would ever feel any ill will towards me. Are you sure it was from the festive grub wine? Maybe your Hu-Man bodies just can't handle such exquisite aperitifs.

*Looks at him incredulously* "As I recall Ambassador you did not make a good impression with myself, the CEO or the Captain, but that is another matter, it was not the fact we are non-Ferengi there were other Non-humans also affected, plus the drinks went through a strict quarantine and analysis before being served, *Looks at Sh'veqan* Lieutenant from now on a full spectrum analysis and such are to be done of all edibles and drinks that are not from the replicator, but come in from the outside, understood?" Griffiths said.

"Yes Commander, it will be done". That of course was a wise precaution thought Shri'Rao.

*Looks back at Frel* "okay Ambassador, can you think of anyone who can be two-faced and may want to wish you harm?" Griffith's asked.

Frel thought long and hard. Probably a little too long. Just as the Major was about to get annoyed and break the silence... "Between us. This may come as a shock to you both, but the Ferengi people can be quite caddied sometimes. They are not always the most honest of people. Not me of coarse. I am as honest as the space is vast. Others. I can not think of anyone who would want to harm me. But I am sure they could be two-faced.

Lt. Sh'Veqan made eye contact with the Major. Her antennae shot up incredulously that might be the first honest response Frel had given. She gave a slight nod to her.

Just as the Major was about to speak up again. "Well, there is Grunsh. Oh, and Rin. Thorgat, Zolf, my brother Gad, Sarl..." He continued naming off names of various Ferengi until the major finally got to speak and interrupted him.

"How do I get in contact with these individuals Mr Ambassador"? The Andorian security officer inquired.

"We need to know Ambassador, as if this was directed at you, then it might not be over and the fact that a majority of those in the dinner were affected. Tell me, Ambassador, could there be the possibility that the poison agent in the drink was tailored to kill you? They would not know you would graciously allow it to be used by those at the dinner!" Griffiths said then looked at the Andorian "Lieutenant, perhaps we should have Doctor Trallos also see if the poison was tailored to Ferengi DNA while he is testing it too?" Naomi asked.

"That seems reasonable Major. We should also check to see if any of the crew might have reason to sour relations between the Federation and Ferengi. I had read a report that there had been protests of the Catapult when it was first brought into production. This incident does seem like it is an attempt at making a political statement as well as attempting to sour Federation and Ferengi relations. It is also an effective means to slow down our mission. We should try to find out who might want to do that." Shri'Rao added.

"Agreed, I will leave that to you, Lieutenant," Griffiths said "Also see if the protests about the catapult have any relevance to what happened on the ship also agreed. But we must also remember the Ferengi culture is motivated by profit and greed what we see as an outmoded way of thinking, to the Ferengi, it is who they are, part of their identity *looks at Frel* Mr Frel you have one chance to impress me here, do not blow it, think, what, when and who would want this? That list of names will help but you must know more than you are letting on, I think we can say that you aided and abetted a poisoning attempt of the crew if it came to it!" Griffith's said and looked at the Andorian and gave a conspiratory wink of her left eye to indicate she was bluffing, as her Right side profile was to the Ferengi he would not see the motion.

Shri'Rao's antennae shot up momentarily then relaxed again in acknowledgement.

"One more question Mr Ambassador. Did anyone besides you handle the bottle of spirits that you know of?" The dusky blue Andorian asked.

The ambassador looked back and forth at the two through the exchange. When the Major mentioned the potential aiding and abetting charge for a second he chuckled, then when it looked like she wasn't joking, and the security officer played along, his face dropped. "Major, I swear, I did not have anything to do with this. In fact, I do not even know who it was from. When I got on board, I was informed that there was a package for me to celebrate my potential business ventures. It said it was from a friend in the Beta Quadrant. I found that odd since Ferenginar is in the Alpha Quadrant, but I assumed it was either a typo or maybe someone from the Federation. Either way, I was not going to refuse such a generous gift."

He then got very serious. "You think this could have been tailored to hurt me specifically? Oh my. There were quite a few candidates for this position, both Ferengi and otherwise. It could have been any of them. The 125th rule of Acquisition: You can't make a deal if you're dead. I like making deals. I will give you the names of anyone I think it could possibly be. But Major, none of them should be in the Delta Quadrant.

*tight smile* "If you give us the names anyway Ambassador the Lieutenant can check them out, because if it was an attack against you then this time you are blameless, but we will need the names, regardless of what they mean like one or some could be Orion Syndicate as we know they want to extend operations into the Delta Quadrant," Griffiths said.

Shri'Rao's antennae shot up, she admired the ambassador's political instincts. She had known a few Ferengi, but she found herself liking this one. His demeanour changed to helpful when he realized we were not trying to finger him. It was an interesting telltale sign.

"I assure you Mr Ambassador, I will follow up on any lead." Shri' Rao said.

"I... Yes, I will get that list to you right away Major." Frel then turned and walked out of the room deep in thought trying to organize the list of names, hoping to make sure he doesn't forget anything. Once out of the room he stopped and had a thought. He could add names to this list of some of his competition. Even if they are not involved. He could tarnish their names and make his standing better. "No Frel, just do what they expect you to. This doesn't have to be about profit this one time."

"Major as soon as you get the names from Ambassador Frel I will follow up on the leads," Shri'Rao said.

"Okay, if that is all, we are done here *looks at Frel* thank you Ambassador, you have been very helpful," Griffiths said and as she stood so did the others, with a final nod she left the room and returned to the bridge.

[OFF]