[Gorkan Memorial - Khitomer]
Chisulo looked up at the stately visage enshrined on the marble podium before him. A gargantuan statue of Chancellor Gorkan was stand triumphantly before him, surveying the scene of the deadly Romulan attack that threatened this world so long ago. It was winter in the region, and Tedros held his hands inside the warm confines of his coat's lined pockets. He breath issued forth clouds of condensation as he exhaled through the scarf wrapped tightly about his neck and face. He turned and sat on a stone bench, where he pulled a newspadd out of his breast pocket and began reading. That was the signal his contact would be looking for.
A Klingon figure had been watching Chisulo closely from the path leading towards the forest from the memorial. Recognising their contact signal, the large man walked forwards, digging his hands into the pockets of his large coat. He stopped slightly behind the bench, looking up at the statue of the great Klingon diplomat.
Tedros put down the padd, face down on the bench beside him, not looking his new neighbor in the eyes. "Terrible accident on New Geneva. Twenty million people."
"It was not an honourable way to die," the man simply said, then walked into the trees.
Tedros waited a moment before turning in pursuit. he strolled non chalantly into the treeline where his contact had disappeared, making sure there were no passersby that would see him.
Kortagh didn't look back but new Tedros was following him. He moved quickly and silently through the thick trees, the shaking of their leaves causing clouds of spores to fall down that made it almost look like snow. After several minutes moments he entered a small clearing. In the centre of the clearing a large icy pond was covered with thick layers of fog that stretched out through the whole clearing. Kortagh walked straight ahead and disappeared.
Tedros descended into the thick fog where he saw his contact go, but he lsot sight of him. He looked to the left, but to no avail. He dug his hands deeper into his pockets as he gazed to the right and kept walking forward. Where had he gone? "Quickly, inside," Kortagh's voice suddenly said as he grabbed Tedros' arm and pulled him through a doorway. "Cloaked shuttle. I've made sure it's secure."
Tedros let out a sigh of releif as the klingon Commander closed the door behind him. "Commander, thank you for meeting me at such short notice." Chisulo extended a hand in greeting. "I hope it wasn't too much trouble to get here."
Kortagh gripped Chisulo's hand strongly. "It's no matter. The shuttle makes good speed," he replied, then rubbed his bearded chin. "What can I do for you?"
"It's about the General at Narendra. His cooperation with the Romulans in allowing them access to the duranium mines in the system is most troubling to my superiors. Is the empire joining sides with the Praetor?" Chisulo asked.
"Ptagh!" Kortagh spat, clearly disgusted at the mention of General Torag'k. "The General was once an honourable warrior, but his actions are disgracing the Empire. Unfortunately only a few seem to think so. My people seem to have lost their taste for battle; instead they make friends with enemies that have no honour."
"So this cooperation with the Romulans extends beyond Narendra?" Chisulo asked rhetorically. "How far does it go? Doe the Chancellor support the General?"
"The High Council is divided; some say there is risk of civil war. The High Chancellor does not have much influence anymore," Kortagh said as he paced up and down. "The Houses are constantly at each other's throats about the Romulans. Some say that our only path back to glory is to join the Romulans in war against the Federation."
Chisulo crossed his arms. "That would be most troubling. Why do they not ally with the Federation? Would that not also be a suitable way to regain the empire's honor? It does not make since."
"You see, Captain, the difference is the Federation have redeemed themselves, shown themselves to be honourable," Kortagh explained carefully. "The Romulan Empire has always been deceptive back-stabbers. How goes the saying... a Trill doesn't change her spots? And now Torag'k has allowed the Romulans to mine on Narendra, of all places. The man has no honour!"
"Something doesn't add up." Chisulo muttered as he tried to piece the puzzle together. "Has the Federation made any attempts to speak withthe council?"
"Your Ambassador Torres has tried many times to speak to the High Chancellor, but she is being restricted at every avenue. She has succeeded in convincing him to send a delegation to Unity, but I believe it has been done only to appease the Federation. Anti-Federation sentiment is steadily growing among some of the Houses and she might find her life is not as secure on Q'onos as it once was," he warned.
Chisulo grimaced. "Something is not adding up, Kortagh. I feel there is some underlying motive to the Generals actions. Perhaps he is being bribed, or coerced in some way and is pulling the High Council along with him."
"It is possible," Kortagh replied. "He was an honourable warrior with high standing, respected by many. His alliance with the Romulans is unexpected and not something he would have done lightly... or willingly."
"I'm going to travel to the Narendra system and continue my investigation." Chisulo replied. "According to old Federation records, the duranium quality at Narendra was not suitable for ship building. Either the Romulans are doing something else with it, or using it as a cover for another operation. But that is secondary. I'm ordered to get to the heart of this cooperation between General Torag'k and Romulus, and I can not do that unless I go there myself."
"You must be careful; Narendra is no place for Federation citizens to be seen right," Kortagh warned. "You'll need assistance."
"There is space on my shuttle, Commander, if you would care to join me." Chisulo offered.
After a moment of consideration, Kortagh said, "Very well. We don't have much time to waste. I have some contacts which my be able to help us."
