A Willing Trade
Posted on Sun Feb 23rd, 2025 @ 4:50pm by Lieutenant Phaedrae Cyn & Captain Remy Johansen
1,894 words; about a 9 minute read
Mission:
Gone, Without Ever Knowing the Way
Location: Briefing Room
Timeline: MD 0, 2200 Hours
The briefing room was quiet, but not unwelcoming. Unlike the stark interrogation chambers used for hostile subjects, this space was designed for diplomacy. The overhead lighting cast a soft glow over the central table, its polished surface reflecting the faint blue shimmer of a holographic display waiting to be activated. A carafe of water and two glasses had been set out—small gestures meant to put a willing guest at ease.
Lieutenant Phaedrae Cyn entered with the effortless confidence of someone who knew how to read a room. She had conducted plenty of interrogations in her time, but this wasn’t one of them. This was an exchange. A conversation between two people who, at least for now, had a mutual interest.
Seated at the table, Jedda Nor gave her a small nod of acknowledgment. His Cardassian-Bajoran features carried an unusual softness—less guarded than most Cardassians she had dealt with, but still edged with a survivor’s wariness. He had made his choice to cooperate with Starfleet, but trust was a fragile thing, and Phaedrae knew better than to take it for granted.
She slid into the chair across from him, setting a data PADD down between them. “Mr. Nor,” she greeted with a slight smile. “I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me.”
Reaching for the carafe, she poured them both a glass of water—an intentional gesture, small but meaningful. “We’re fresh out of kanar, I’m afraid. Hopefully, water will do?” Her tone was light, a subtle attempt to ease any lingering tension. Then, with a more measured sincerity, she added, “It’s been a long day, and I know you’ve been through a lot. I won’t waste your time, so let’s get to it.”
"Well alright then," Nor said. "I think you'll find more information on the data rod than what I can tell you in person, but I'm happy to entertain your questions."
Phaedrae took a sip of her water, studying him carefully before speaking. “I appreciate that,” she said, tapping a finger lightly against the data PADD. “But information isn’t just about what’s written down—it’s about context, about knowing where it came from.”
She tilted her head slightly. “So tell me, Mr. Nor, where did you get this? Who trusted you with it, and why?” Her tone remained measured, but there was no mistaking the intent behind her question.
"Oh, I doubt anyone would have entrusted me with it, Lieutenant," Nor replied, his voice ever mellifluous. "I managed to acquire the information on my own after following a Nausicaan trader back to his vessel."
Phaedrae leaned back slightly, her expression unreadable as she considered his words. "That’s quite the accomplishment," she remarked, swirling the water in her glass before setting it down. "Nausicaans aren’t exactly known for being careless with their assets. Either you’re incredibly resourceful, or this trader was unusually sloppy."
She let the words settle between them for a moment, watching for any flicker of reaction in Nor’s posture. Then, with a knowing smile, she added, "Or maybe it was neither. Maybe someone wanted you to find this information."
Her fingers tapped idly against the PADD, as if weighing its importance. "Tell me, Mr. Nor—was this acquisition... opportunistic? Or were you looking for something specific?"
She didn’t expect him to be fully honest. Not yet. But she wanted to see how he played the game.
Nor leaned forward and turned his head slightly, so that when he looked into Cyn's eyes it was at an angle. "Well, when I observed the Nausicaan and two Breen military officers speaking not far from a docking lot, I determined that it was much safer to follow the Nausicaan. I'm sure the Breen's ship would have had more information if I would have made it that far."
Nor sat back up a little straighter. "I just didn't care for my chances."
"You just happened to stumble upon a Nausicaan and two Breen?" Phaedrae's tone carried measured skepticism. She studied him for a moment before adding, "Were you working alone, or did someone tip you off?"
"It is not that unusual to see either the Nausicaans or the Breen on Freecloud, Lieutenant. As I am sure you are aware, its lack of market regulation attracts those who might otherwise find their business dealings likely to subject them to potential arrest," Nor driveled on. "What did strike my attention is that they do not often do business with one another."
“You didn’t have to take this information. You could have walked away. What’s your interest in all this, Mr. Nor?” Cyn crossed her hands on the table.
"You know if I had been younger when the Occupation ended, I might have thought to become a Starfleet officer. As it were, it becomes hard to change once one becomes set in their ways. Wouldn't you agree?" Nor asked.
"It's rather unfortunate. As a boy, I used to dream that perhaps the bastard hybrids like me would all somehow get our own colony somewhere and form our own world, and have our own society where we were the the rulers, and everyone else looked to us for guidance and leadership," he stated with a longing in his voice. "There were enough of us, but there seemed to be forces against us uniting. Of course the Cardassians, but dare I say the Bajorans, and even the Federation seemed to be against us."
Phaedrae’s eyes narrowed slightly, unimpressed by the diversion. She leaned forward just enough to make her point clear.
"That’s a touching bit of nostalgia, Mr. Nor," she said evenly. "But it doesn’t answer the question."
Her tone was firm, but not unkind—just a gentle nudge back to the matter at hand. "What is your interest in all of this?"
"Why is it so hard for you to believe that I am that different from you, Lieutenant? Could you not tell back at the bar that I simply wanted to live?" He replied, his voice now taking on a darker, more morbid turn.
"I've enjoyed my time under Federation protection and moved into the Beta quadrant not long after the Occupation ended, and I've been providing Starfleet information ever since the Dominion started sending out their grubby little minions to try to take it over. I'm giving it up. The Nausicaans may have been angry and trying to follow me to your ship, but the Breen are the ones that Starfleet need to be worried about next," Nor warned.
"For the last few years there have been rumors that their fleet has been growing and they have been looking for the right time to move in and take advantage of Starfleet before they regained their footing again," Nor told her. "You aren't what you once were, and you are fools if you are arrogant enough to think that you are," he cautioned. "I don't know if this weapon is real, or where the Nausicaans obtained it, but if I were a Nausicaan, I would think twice before crossing a Breen." Nor held up a single finger as if making an important point.
"And while Starfleet may be weakened by the fact that you allowed your factions to be publicized on air, you are still our best hope, for what it's worth," Nor said softly.
"All I ask is a quiet retirement. Earth maybe? No. Bajor then," Nor shrugged, showing Cyn his open palms.
Phaedrae studied Nor in silence for a long moment, weighing his words, his posture, the careful way he had framed his request. He had given them valuable intelligence, that much was clear. And if what he said about the Breen was true, Starfleet had bigger concerns on the horizon than one former informant looking for a way out.
She exhaled softly and nodded, making her decision. "You’ve put a lot on the table, Mr. Nor. More than most would, and I can respect that."
Reaching for her PADD, she tapped in a brief note before looking back at him. "I can’t make promises, but I can put in the request for relocation and protection. Bajor, if that’s what you want. You’ll need to cooperate fully, provide every scrap of useful intelligence you have. That’s the deal."
She leaned forward slightly, her voice quiet but firm. "But understand this—if you’re playing me, if there’s even the hint that you’ve left something out, I will personally see to it that Starfleet’s generosity dries up."
She let the weight of that statement settle before offering him a small, knowing smile. "Now, finish your water. Something tells me you’re going to need a clear head for what comes next."
"And what, pray tell, might that be?" Nor inquired as he took a small and cautious sip of his water.
“That,” she said, “depends entirely on what’s in the files.”
She leaned back, studying Nor with an air of quiet calculation. “If the information you turned over is as significant as you claim, then you may have just secured your quiet retirement. If not…” She let the words hang in the air, unfinished, but heavy with implication.
Her fingers drummed once against the table. “I suppose we’ll find out soon enough.”
"Do we just sit here, while we wait?" Nor asked.
Phaedrae met his gaze with a bemused look. “You’re excused for now. I’ll let you know if we have any further questions.” Pushing her chair back, she rose and strode to the door, pausing only briefly before opening it—a silent signal that their conversation was over.
Nor gave the intelligence officer a silent nod as he stood up and stepped through the door. He thought briefly that he might be unescorted, but the petty officer from security was still waiting for him. Nor sighed, and walked toward his temporary quarters, security escort in tow.
Phaedrae watched the door slide shut behind Nor, her expression unreadable as she exhaled through her nose. She had dealt with enough informants to know that trust was a luxury rarely afforded in this line of work. Nor had given them something—whether it was the whole truth or just enough to buy his freedom remained to be seen.
She turned back to the table, staring at the untouched glass of water across from her. Bajor. He wanted peace, but men like him didn’t just walk away clean. The ghosts of the past had long shadows, and she suspected Nor’s would follow him no matter where he went.
With a flick of her wrist, she activated the PADD to find the lab where the data rod was located. If he was right about the Breen, then Starfleet had more to worry about than one informant’s retirement plan.
Phaedrae allowed herself a small, wry smile. “No rest for the weary,” she murmured to the empty room.
Captain Remira Johansen as Jeda Nor
Commanding Officer
USS Astrea
Lieutenant Phaedrae Cyn
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Astrea
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