The Dark Side of Paradise (Nira/Jettis)

[Jettis Jyur]

[ Planetside - Risa - Haron Island - Central Hub ]

As the dances continued, though intially Tani held his attention, his interest quickly waned as the time stretched on and he remembered his duty to keep character. Though, they were on Risa, and he didn't think anyone would be watching him rather than the show. His gaze flickered from Tani, to one of the male dancers in the back, and damn he realized why Vera had insinuated he 'wasn't the type'. Though originally it had gotten on his nerves, he noted some of them vastly outshone even Nira and Tani. He unfortunately could no longer take offense to the comment, and after a few moments averted his gaze. Taking a slight glance around to see everyone interested in the show, and most any sound being drowned out by the music or excited whoops and hollers from the crowd. Pulling out his PADD, he busied himself with jotting down what he'd found until he finally noted the show winding down. Slipping the PADD away as discreetly as he'd pulled it out, he stood, moving out of the auditorium to wait for 'Najwa'.

When she finally emerged, he'd flash a smile, assuming some of the other showgirls would be exiting as well. Gently taking her elbow, he nodded and stepped out of the path of one of the male dancers, who gave him a wink in passing. Cheeks flushing, he turned back to Nira and cleared his throat. "Are you ready to go, honey?"

[Nira Said]

[ Planetside - Risa - Haron Island - Central Hub ]

As the dances continued, though intially Tani held his attention, his interest quickly waned as the time stretched on and he remembered his duty to keep character. Though, they were on Risa, and he didn't think anyone would be watching him rather than the show. His gaze flickered from Tani, to one of the male dancers in the back, and damn he realized why Vera had insinuated he 'wasn't the type'. Though originally it had gotten on his nerves, he noted some of them vastly outshone even Nira and Tani. He unfortunately could no longer take offense to the comment, and after a few moments averted his gaze. Taking a slight glance around to see everyone interested in the show, and most any sound being drowned out by the music or excited whoops and hollers from the crowd. Pulling out his PADD, he busied himself with jotting down what he'd found until he finally noted the show winding down. Slipping the PADD away as discreetly as he'd pulled it out, he stood, moving out of the auditorium to wait for 'Najwa'.

When she finally emerged, he'd flash a smile, assuming some of the other showgirls would be exiting as well. Gently taking her elbow, he nodded and stepped out of the path of one of the male dancers, who gave him a wink in passing. Cheeks flushing, he turned back to Nira and cleared his throat. "Are you ready to go, honey?"

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Central Hub | Haron Island | Leyven Sea | Risa]

Nira smiled as she emerged and said, "Of course, love." Turning back to the dancers, she asked, "You're sure, same time tomorrow for rehersal?"

"Of course," said Tani. "You've done excellently. I look forward to working with you again."

Once out of earshot, Nira asked Commander Jyur in barely a whisper, but enough for him to hear him, "What did you find out, Commander?"

[Jettis Jyur]

[ Planetside - Risa - Haron Island - Central Hub ]

As Nira whispered to them as they moved away, he waited until they were a good enough distance away to begin relaying all he found. He told her about the flash drive, hidden cameras, secret gathering, and the names of some of the performers. Finally, pulling out his PADD, he brought up the picture of the tattoo he'd snapped.

"This should be easy enough to replicate, and once we have some more information we might just be able to get into one of these meets." He didn't want to go in blind, however, and end up outing themselves immediately. Especially with the knowledge there were armed guards stationed nearby. "It seemed the guard may also have had a Romulan-make phaser. I couldn't look at it for long, I needed to make sure I wasn't spotted, and the guard wasn't left too much worse for wear."

[Nira Said]

[ Planetside - Risa - Haron Island - Central Hub ]

As Nira whispered to them as they moved away, he waited until they were a good enough distance away to begin relaying all he found. He told her about the flash drive, hidden cameras, secret gathering, and the names of some of the performers. Finally, pulling out his PADD, he brought up the picture of the tattoo he'd snapped.

"This should be easy enough to replicate, and once we have some more information we might just be able to get into one of these meets." He didn't want to go in blind, however, and end up outing themselves immediately. Especially with the knowledge there were armed guards stationed nearby. "It seemed the guard may also have had a Romulan-make phaser. I couldn't look at it for long, I needed to make sure I wasn't spotted, and the guard wasn't left too much worse for wear."

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Central Hub | Haron Island | Leyven Sea | Risa]

Nira raised an eyebrow. "So," she said in her equally quiet voice, "are we potentially dealing with covert gun runners? Illicit arms merchants? It wouldn't be too hard to get Romulan weapons, let alone ships, wholesale."

She did nod at the tattoo. "Indeed," she said. "We definitely have to be careful..."

She perked up when she heard a familiar voice. She turned and saw what seemed to be a bipedal chihuahua - no, he was an Antican, she remembered - in a heated passing discussion with an Orion, with two other Orion bodyguards trailing behind him.

"I'm serious!" he shouted, too short to even notice Nira as he followed the rich Orion. "You'll be very interested in what I have! I have a whole ship loaded with Borg salvage all the way from the quadrant, you've no idea how much it'll fetch...!"

Eventually the voice faded, but Cloten spoke loudly enough to be heard. Nira was also sure Commander Jyur would still be hearing his loud tempered voice even a league away.

"I know him," said Nira, explaining in her ultra-quiet voice; any quieter and she'd have to use her telepathy, but she'd have to ask permission. "Deej Cloten, Antican, a member of the Orion Syndicate. He was arrested on Katra Station for transporting slaves, but he never likes slave trading, enough so that he guided a team - including me - to Verex to infiltrate the slave operation there. He's willing to turn in anybody who trades in slaves, but in everything else, he makes Quark look like a typical Earth neanderthal. Don't underestimate his size. I've worked with him in infiltrating the Verex system."

[Jettis Jyur]

[ Planetside - Risa - Haron Island - Central Hub ]

Jettis shook his head, giving a kind of shrug. "It seems like it, that's what we're here to investigate. We just need to get all the necessary information that it's a surefire thing." The authorities couldn't intervene without proof, and proof was one of the most difficult things to get.
As Nira took note of a nearby voice, Jettis turned to observe him, raising a brow. A... Chihuahua? As he stared at him, he couldn't shake the feeling he'd heard of something similar before, recently. At Nira's mention of his arrest, it immediately became apparent he would have heard it from his brother. Quirking a brow, he pondered how Nira had worked with the man so soon after the incident. Listening as Nira's voice dropped to a hush, he mimicked in kind, stooping slightly to her height so she could hear better.

"So you think he's working with them? Or against them?" His voice deepened as his brows knit together. "And if you worked with him, he knows you're Starfleet. We can't break your cover, he can't see you." Though it was subtle, he stepped forward slightly so his form overshadowed hers, which was a simply enough task.

"It may be worth it for me to interview him alone. But if we suspect him of supplying the Orions, surely he must have a freighter on the planet?"

[Nira Said]

[ Planetside - Risa - Haron Island - Central Hub ]

Jettis shook his head, giving a kind of shrug. "It seems like it, that's what we're here to investigate. We just need to get all the necessary information that it's a surefire thing." The authorities couldn't intervene without proof, and proof was one of the most difficult things to get.
As Nira took note of a nearby voice, Jettis turned to observe him, raising a brow. A... Chihuahua? As he stared at him, he couldn't shake the feeling he'd heard of something similar before, recently. At Nira's mention of his arrest, it immediately became apparent he would have heard it from his brother. Quirking a brow, he pondered how Nira had worked with the man so soon after the incident. Listening as Nira's voice dropped to a hush, he mimicked in kind, stooping slightly to her height so she could hear better.

"So you think he's working with them? Or against them?" His voice deepened as his brows knit together. "And if you worked with him, he knows you're Starfleet. We can't break your cover, he can't see you." Though it was subtle, he stepped forward slightly so his form overshadowed hers, which was a simply enough task.

"It may be worth it for me to interview him alone. But if we suspect him of supplying the Orions, surely he must have a freighter on the planet?"

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Central Hub | Haron Island | Leyven Sea | Risa]

"He's an Antican, or a variant, you can tell by the eyebrows," Nira explained, sure that Commander Jyur was still staring at Cloten's doglike features. "His belt he's wearing? It's leather made from Selay skin; he's one of those Anticans who still holds grudges against Selay.

"Odds are, he's likely working with them," said Nira even more quieter. "It's a good idea to interview him, he'll recognize me easily. And, yes, he does have a freighter; odds are, it's docked somewhere on the island, if not in one of the ports somewhere else on the planet. Shouldn't be too hard to find, it's as much a turd as the little furball."

[Jettis Jyur]

[ Planetside - Risa ]

Jettis nodded as Nira agreed to the idea of interviewing him. It seemed the best course of action would be to split up, however the issue was finding the freighter, and engaging the Antican without piquing his suspicions.  "If you go and attempt to find the freighter, I can try to keep him here and distracted." Casually throwing a glance over his shoulder, h moved yet again to keep Nira out of his line of sight, moving a bit further away.

"We can regroup at the hotel. Take this," Pulling the small flashdrive out, he made a move to hold her hand, placing the drive in her hand as he did. "It will be safer with you."

[Nira Said]

[ Planetside - Risa ]

Jettis nodded as Nira agreed to the idea of interviewing him. It seemed the best course of action would be to split up, however the issue was finding the freighter, and engaging the Antican without piquing his suspicions.  "If you go and attempt to find the freighter, I can try to keep him here and distracted." Casually throwing a glance over his shoulder, h moved yet again to keep Nira out of his line of sight, moving a bit further away.

"We can regroup at the hotel. Take this," Pulling the small flashdrive out, he made a move to hold her hand, placing the drive in her hand as he did. "It will be safer with you."

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Central Hub | Haron Island | Leyven Sea | Risa]

Nira nodded as she took the hard drive from Commander Jyur. She then put the drive into her bosom - the old hiding-on-person trick - and went off.

She was glad for the veil she was given as part of the dancers; wrapped around the right way, they were perfect nondescript robes of sorts, like a body-wrap turban.

It wasn't hard to find the starport; there were dozens of small ships parked at the docks in a sort of artificial island extending around the original docks. So artificial it was, it was pretty much a floating city were it not for the ships coming and going. And by small, well, the largest were at least as big as the antique Oberths.

Dozens upon dozens...Nira knew she had to be careful in her inquiries so as to not attract attention.

"Excuse me," she said in a formal voice, like she was a merchant, to a portmaster. "I'm looking for the ship of Deej Cloten."

"What's your business?" he asked in a bored voice.

"I'm to meet him with some shipping materials."

"Very well," said the portmaster without a care. "Dock 1138. Just follow the smell."

As Nira got closer to the dock, she could see why he said "follow the smell." The closer she got, the more poignant the smell became.

When Nira got to the ship itself, she was shocked by what she saw.

It was an old Strider class. Even older than the Oberths. But what was shocking was the paint job. It had been plastered all over with carnivore art, the occassional skull-and-crossbones, two female silhouettes on the rear shuttle bay, and plastered on the front of the hull were the words "Abandon All Hope."

Nira stood in perplexion at the sight. She remembered Cloten had a different cargo freighter when it was impounded. Maybe a new start? Then she remembered: He had stolen it from one of the crime lords on Verex II, who was a collector of ancient scoutships and had them stuffed in a bunker as big as the Smithsonian. No doubt they were all collecting barnacles after Cloten blew his way out. Was this to signify his new power? Also, how in Allah's name would a ship with that much graffiti even get near Federation based worlds, let alone facilities?

[Jettis Jyur]

[Planetside - Risa ]

As Nira strode off to find the freighter, Jettis moved to make another round of the square with feigned interest. He wanted to see if the argument would reignite, but things seemed to calm down now. Mulling over what his cover story would be, and as his feet carried him over to the man he tousseled his hair and quickly thought up a half-believable story. Just needed to keep thing straight, and make sure to avoid crossing paths as his "alter ego" BÁ¤rchen.

"Cloten!" the call was friendly, as he quickly pasted a grin on his face approaching the man. "It's a long time! What are you doing here?" The man was a smuggler, he likely dealt with thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of people. Jettis well knew the feeling of faking a smile, and pretending to know a client who remembered him, but he did not remember them. At all.

"Got anything for me?" He couldn't feign being too friendly. If he acted too familiar, that would only draw suspicion. Just familiar enough. "I don't mean to snoop, but I heard you might have something of the Borg or," His voice dropped a bit "Romulan Variety?"

[Nira Said]

[Planetside - Risa ]

As Nira strode off to find the freighter, Jettis moved to make another round of the square with feigned interest. He wanted to see if the argument would reignite, but things seemed to calm down now. Mulling over what his cover story would be, and as his feet carried him over to the man he tousseled his hair and quickly thought up a half-believable story. Just needed to keep thing straight, and make sure to avoid crossing paths as his "alter ego" BÁ¤rchen.

"Cloten!" the call was friendly, as he quickly pasted a grin on his face approaching the man. "It's a long time! What are you doing here?" The man was a smuggler, he likely dealt with thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of people. Jettis well knew the feeling of faking a smile, and pretending to know a client who remembered him, but he did not remember them. At all.

"Got anything for me?" He couldn't feign being too friendly. If he acted too familiar, that would only draw suspicion. Just familiar enough. "I don't mean to snoop, but I heard you might have something of the Borg or," His voice dropped a bit "Romulan Variety?"

[Deej Cloten | Black Market | Haron Island | Teyven Sea | Risa]

Cloten was having a bad feeling about this. It's one thing to transport Borg salvage. Getting it through Federation space, especially in a modified antique with a new paint job...perhaps unnecessary attention, but he didn't have his pick, now, did he? He never liked coming to Risa for business, especially when, in going to the black market, the slave market was nearby. He made it clear to his crew that if anybody bought, let alone traded in, a slave behind his back, he'd be severely punished.

The voice behind him made him turn and stared up befuddled at the hunk approaching him. He seemed to think he had a familiarity with him.

"No," he said quietly, befuddled. "Who the hell are you?"

He never recognized him, personally or in a business way. Yet he seemed to be familiar with him, like they met a long time before. But Cloten had an excellent memory, especially with who he dealt with, and he never met this man before in his life.

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Cloten's "Abandon All Hope" | Dock 1138 | Haron Island | Teyven Sea | Risa]

Getting past the guards was easy. A pair of Orions. Nira just approached flirtatiously and they couldn't resist. Nira had a thing somewhat for Orions, and they had a thing for beautiful women back. Maybe it was their pheromones.

Either way, Nira lulled to a shadowy corner before incapacitating them. Then she snuck in.

The smell was worse inside the ship than outside. It smelled like the corridors were being used as toilets, added to the smell of rotting corpses. The latter was especially prominent when, wandering the corridors, Nira could see leather made of reptile skin...then she saw the Selay heads staked occasionally above some doors and Nira realized what kind of reptile skin it was.

It's the old Antican grudge against the Selay, she thought to herself.

Nira was certainly surprised to find the ship was deserted. Was it possible Cloten's crew was taking advantage of being on Risa to abandon ship except for a couple of guards? Surely there had to be somebody at least aboard the ship...

[Jettis Jyur]

[ Planetside - Risa ]

Jettis winced internally as the man almost immediately called his bluff. He should have known he would have a sharp memory, but he couldn't back out of the lie now. He had to double down somehow and be believable. Or, get jumped by this guy's staff, whichever happened first.

"Sorry, I typically don't do business personally. More important things to attend to. But, I purchased some very valuable materials off of you and was able to get my project done on time. So I most certainly owe you one." Perhaps that would throw him off. If he didn't do business in person, surely it was reasonable the man didn't recognize him. But, only time would tell what he thought of this.

[Nira Said]

[ Planetside - Risa ]

Jettis winced internally as the man almost immediately called his bluff. He should have known he would have a sharp memory, but he couldn't back out of the lie now. He had to double down somehow and be believable. Or, get jumped by this guy's staff, whichever happened first.

"Sorry, I typically don't do business personally. More important things to attend to. But, I purchased some very valuable materials off of you and was able to get my project done on time. So I most certainly owe you one." Perhaps that would throw him off. If he didn't do business in person, surely it was reasonable the man didn't recognize him. But, only time would tell what he thought of this.

[Deej Cloten | Black Market | Haron Island | Teyven Sea | Risa]

Cloten blinked. This was some guy who bought stuff long distant...or was he a participant in a project...?

"No way," he said in astonishment. "You actually managed to get your hands on some tanning equipment? That's excellent! At least this means another new shop set up for tanning Selay skins!" he said, rubbing his hands in glee, baring a savage toothy smile.

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Cloten's "Abandon All Hope" | Dock 1138 | Haron Island | Teyven Sea | Risa]

Nira kept passing room upon room where it looked like there were Selay corpses laying around...she shook off a wave of horrified disgust. Cloten may be useful in helping tip off Starfleet about the Orion Syndicate, especially with the slave trade, but she was starting to think he was some sick, psychotic little monster.

"Who the hell are you?"

Nira whirled around to see a group of tall Anticans, with some stains on them Nira didn't want to know where they got them. Clearly they were Anticans who were just like Cloten: hateful toward Selay.

"Oh, yes, I was looking for your leader," she said. "I was informed he had a cargo that I am to unload from here."

"Ah, good, we've been expecting you," said one Antican. "Just follow us to the salvage."

Nira was relieved. They were being led to Cloten's transaction cargo; she couldn't stand the sight of more dead Selay.

[Jettis Jyur]

[ Planetside - Risa ]

Jettis smiled, rolling with what Cloten gave him. "Yes, of course. Just let me know what specifications you have for them," he offered.  It was a blatant lie, straight through his teeth, but with his body language the Antican wouldn't know that. "I've gotten into dyeing them, which is quite controversial I admit, but business is business." Giving a light shrug, he scrambled for more to talk about, to buy Nira some more time. "I'm looking for more additions to my collection, any suggestions?"

[Nira Said]

[ Planetside - Risa ]

Jettis smiled, rolling with what Cloten gave him. "Yes, of course. Just let me know what specifications you have for them," he offered.  It was a blatant lie, straight through his teeth, but with his body language the Antican wouldn't know that. "I've gotten into dyeing them, which is quite controversial I admit, but business is business." Giving a light shrug, he scrambled for more to talk about, to buy Nira some more time. "I'm looking for more additions to my collection, any suggestions?"

[Deej Cloten | Black Market | Haron Island | Teyven Sea | Risa]

"Eh, the usual," said Cloten, handing over a PADD. "Dyeing? Controversial is an understatement. You have no idea how bad the smell can get." That was saying a lot, that was for sure, given he liked his premises smelly and dirty, but there are some smells that are too much for his nose.

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Cloten's "Abandon All Hope" | Dock 1138 | Haron Island | Teyven Sea | Risa]

It still smelled bad around the ship as Nira was led to the cargo, but at least it wasn't the smell of cadavers. Of course, it was still dirty around the ship, and it was so stained around, Nira couldn't tell whether the stains were blood or juice.

Finally, they arrived at a cargo bay filled to the brim with what is definitely clear that it's Borg technology. There were even drones, though they had been reduced to skeletons, Borg armor and arms still attached, though at least they weren't fresh corpses, those were all bones. Nearby are one or two tables looking like biobeds where two other Anticans were working on removing the nanotechnology from the bones.

"Fascinating," she said, her awe and curiosity genuine. "Where did you get all this?"

"Gamma Quadrant," came the reply. "We got more where that came from, there's a cube near Karemma space. The Karemma have set up shop there, distributing salvage."

"Even drones?"

"Even drones."

"But if the cube's still there..."

"Dominion EMP. Don't underestimate 'em. Of course, they've left it well alone. I think the Borg scare the Dominion."

Nira raised an eyebrow. That would certainly be a spectacle, the Borg and the Dominion, two galactic superpowers and known, damn-near-impossible-to-defeat enemies of the Federation.