The devil and the deep blue sea

Posted on Mon May 19th, 2025 @ 3:34pm by

2,137 words; about a 11 minute read

Location:Main Building, New Zeeland Penal Colony
Time: 2373



[ON]

Vusar sat back as he was going over the rapports. The Bajoran station had been taken, but the Dominion shipyards of Torros III had been destroyed. In the long run it was going to be a costly battle and Starfleet had already come to the conclusion 2 years ago they needed the Maquis prisoners. Compared to people joining Starfleet now, these Maquis were battle tested, and the majority were former Starfleet. That majority would easily join Starfleet there were a few who wouldn't. Vusar as resident rehabilitation expert for Starfleet Security had submitted his initial report a few weeks ago and most of his candidates were rejoining Starfleet.



Vusar looked up as Commander Cox walked in. He wasn't particular at ease with the Starfleet officer at all. He was Starfleet, but most of his record was strange. Meaningless administrative assignments, obscure space stations, short term starship rotations. It didn't 'feel' right as his Human colleague said about Michael Cox

"Dr. Vusar, I read your report on the Sasaki Cell, I see you have suggested to not offer them the chance to enroll?" Cox said as he took a seat on the couch in the Vulcan's office.


"Commander, they won't join. Compared to most of the Marquis they stand out, They are original colonists, so basically when the federation pulled out they lost their federation citizenship in their opinion. Besides, some of them are from non-federation species. Orion, Klingon, El-Aurian, Bajoran, Boslic." Vusar said as he pulled up the Sasaki Cell files.


" Yeah, problem is, we have a need for their unique set of skills. Because of their mix of non-federation members. What can you tell me about their Federation members?" Cox said as he pulled out his padd, he had read about Lieutenant Hinata Sasaki, a former Starfleet officer who had retired 20 years ago to become a farmer on Volan III. The others were unknown to him, but Hinata had run the most successful small scale raids on federation and Cardassian targets for 2 years. Till Cox had maneuvered a few pieces so Starfleet could get their hands on them.


"Hinata was their leader, former Starfleet Security. Probably one of the more successful and unknown of the Maquis. It took us the last year to figure out he was behind several small scale raids. He lost everything after the dominion rolled up the DMZ and became a recluse here. His second, Ivek a vulcan probably the strategic brain of the group, has tried to escape 4 times. Richard Mitchell, former smuggler, ran weapons to Bajor during the occupation. He's a Pilot, and we think our resident scrounger." Vusar scrolled through his padd.


"We got Schneider, who was basically a gun for hire, who we think has Orion syndicate connections. Shearer, Starfleet drop out. We know next to nothing about him for the last ten years, we got reports he was an engineer on a few cargo freighters in the DMZ. Sadze Mir, Trill unjoined, was a teacher on Volan III, she became active after her husband died, medic, intelligence, science she's the glue." Vusar shifted in his chair.


"The odd one is O'Sullivan, the youngest of the group, brother of a highly regarded Starfleet Officer, both parents dead. Sister seems to be missing. Soccer prodigy. Logically would have joined Starfleet. Built up a reputation of reliable and dogged. Unofficially, he's probably the current leader of all the Maquis here despite his age, 10 escape attempts, hunger strikes, sit downs. If there is trouble here, he is probably involved. Awaiting transfer to Jaros II stockade because as Doctor Schols figures too disruptive. " Vusar looked at Cox and shook his head.

"As the youngest here and with his brother, logically he would be open to rehabilitation and join Starfleet, but he seems to be ruled by his emotions more than most of the Maquis. He even had an altercation with his brother and most, if not all the guards."


" Yeah, I read that. I think I might have an angle with O'Sullivan, Ivek and Mir. How illogically it might sound. Starfleet projects this war will only get worse. And sooner rather than later, we need these renegades. Especially Sasaki's group, it would take too long to train enough operatives for what my department has a need off. I need the psychological reports and personal histories of all the members. I also want O'Sullivan in isolation for the next few days." Cox stood up, a small smile appeared on his face.

" Well, we already have him in isolation for his latest escape attempt, and he's contesting his transfer to Jaros II. We got his case for next month with Federation judicial court in Auckland, Commander. " Vuras raised his eyebrow, something felt odd with Cox.

" I'll take it from here, Doctor. Just resume your work with the other prisoners. As for the local judiciary, don't worry about it. We already transferred his case to Jaros II Judiciary, so his case would be heard there. I want him thoroughly uncomfortable and thinking he will be transferred next week. I'll take a small corner desk here for the time being, as for cover, just add me to the JAG Corps." Cox nodded.

"Commander, If you don't mind me asking what department of Security do you represent. Your record is an enigma to me." Auras asked.

" I don't mind you asking, Doctor." Cox said as he looked at the Vulcan. " But which department I operate for in Star fleet Security is need to know. Let's just say we clean up the mess. Now, I wish you good luck, Doctor, maybe after the war I can explain more. Doubt it. Haven't for the last 40 years, but hey something might change." Michael Cox nodded and left the doctor's Office.

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Was it three days, four or even five. Brendan felt ill at ease, he was used to solitary confinement. For the last 400 days or so, he spent half in the 'cooler'. Yet now it seemed the federation wasn't kidding. Jaros II was a dump, and not a nice one. Escape not possible, the only person he knew who got out was some Bajoran who got posted as mission specialist on the flagship. She did join the Maquis, but wasn't really trusted and like many late joiners too much Starfleet. He saw Ivek and Mir who both looked away. As he was escorted to a small office. The Vulcan Vuras was there, the Warden, a man in command red and of course Lieutenant Commander Wu the prosecutor.

"Prisoner 438201-325, Brendan O'Sullivan." His escort barked and then stepped back after pushing Brendan into his chair.

" O'Sullivan, Volan III, Maquis, Standard federation education, several counts of destruction, theft, treason, bodily harm, destruction, murder, piracy. Quite a list of achievements for one so young. " Wu said.

" Don't forget arson, Escape attempts could make the list longer if we have the time. Besides, where is my Lawyer?" Brendan growled.

" Oh this is not a hearing, We just need to have this for the record. You, Mr. Ivek, Mrs Mir are leaving us today. You are being sent to Jaros II, Mrs Mir to a penal colony on Trill and Mr. Ivekl to a Vulcan rehabilitation center. Your cases will be handled by the Federation Judicial Court in those districts." Wu smiled. "This is just a small formality, Judge Ahern already has signed off on it. Good riddance, I thought, he said."


" Hold it, this isn't legal. I'm a for..." he was quickly cut off.

" Yes, an unprivileged combatant, not a federation citizen nor a lawful combatant. In this case, Commander Cox will take over. I you wish you a good day and a good trip." Wu, the Warden and Vuras walked out, the Vulcan shrugged as if to say 'I tried my best'.


Cox nodded to the others glanced past the young man, he gestured for the guards to step out and removed the phaser from its holster and placed it on the table. Moving to the replicator behind him, leaving the phaser on the table, he ordered a meal and turned back and started cutting his steak and slowly taking a bite. Just looking at Brendan and waiting.


" What is going on? Is this some ploy, so I'll try to give you some information or rat out my friends! The Maquis are gone, we are dead. The Dominion and their Cardassian stooges took care of that. Rolled through the DMZ in three days." Brendan was feeling uncomfortable as the man just sat there, phaser on the table and eating his dinner. He sat back for some reason it was suddenly better to wait.

After a few minutes, Cox finished his meal, using a napkin to wipe his mouth.

" Not like a home cooked meal, just isn't right. You would know, heard you are a decent cook. Now, I don't need information on the Maquis, nor do I need to know Mr. Mitchell is running the black market. Already know your Cell have sizeable weapons caches spread out throughout the whole DMZ. " Cox said as he took his plate and placed it back in the replicator and turned back.

" As far as Starfleet is concerned, we are done. You'll get your lawyer and your day in court, but you will be judged by a criminal court, not a military one. You won't have the same rights as a federation citizen, because despite Federation protests, your brother and all the brass in Starfleet who carry the O'Sullivan name, you've been deemed a nuisance. A nuisance, who lost his federation citizenship." Cox smirked.

"So on Jarros II you'll get a Life sentence and for the next 20 years you'll be fighting to get your citizenship back and then will be released having lost 20 years of your life." Cox sat back. " Congratulations, as far as I am concerned, good riddance. "

Brendan blinked, it was sinking in. Ivek's gambit backfired. It was the Vulcan's suggestion to claim that due to the federation withdrawal the federation colonists in DMZ were not federation citizens, a claim which had no real legal standing and something the Federation would never call their bluff on................, yet now they did. Despite that, why was this man here? Who was he? And why did this seemed a bit odd, that wanker Wu could have informed him of this.

" So that's your job to inform me of this? Wu could have done that. So I assume you are going to make me an offer. Something which I can't say no to?" O'Sullivan looked at Cox.

" Unless you want me to turn up the heat. We could hand your over to the Cardassians as a citizen of theirs. I believe they already sentenced you and the others to death. Basically your up a certain creek without a paddle, son." Cox looked at Brendan not betraying any emotion.

" So what do you want? You already seem to know more about us and our operations then I know." Shifting in his chair uneasily.


" Well as you know, son. We are in a war. You and a few of your comrades have a certain skill set we need. Mainly making a damn nuisance of yourselves and slipping away. Now if there wasn't a war on we would let you and yours rot in jail and train our own operatives. We don't have the time for that. So here is the offer you and a few of the others are going to accept our offer to join the fight. And you and your small band of ne'er-do-wells will work for me. " Cox said as he produced a padd and slide it in front of him on the table towards Brendan.

" What's that?" Brendan looked up.

" In WW2 on Earth they would call it the official secrets act. Also it's your enlistment papers and your loyalty oath. Just need your thumbprint. You march out of here to the nearest Starfleet annex for advanced course of Enlisted bootcamp, Recruit. Petty Officer 3rd Class Ivek, Recruit Mir already consented and three or four of your comrades will as well." Cox tapped on the table.

Brendan placed his thumb on the padd. " You do know this is under duress. I imagine if we escape or refuse your orders. You take it out on those who remain here."

" Would I? That is for you to find out, my dear boy." Cox smiled as he stood up grabbed his phaser back and placed it in his holster. " Now we got work to do and we have little time to do it. I cut down your training from 18 weeks to 5 weeks so you and yours don't have much time. And welcome to Starfleet." The door swung open and O'Sullivan shook his head as he stepped into the bright hallway behind Cox.

 

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