| Date & Time: | 04, 0953 |
| Location: | Wardroom |
| Written By: | Captain James Cohen Gul Sorvatt Prail Lt. Commander Freya Preston Lieutenant Shral ch’Vyrhor |
| Post Date: | 02/24/2026 |
| Episode: | Ep. 1 – Fool’s Errand |
By the time James had arrived in the wardroom, there were two security officers there along with his Executive Officer, his Chief of Security, and Gul Sorvatt Prail sitting there waiting for him. The Captain could tell there were concerns etched across the faces of both his Exec and the Chief of Station Security, however, the Gul seemed to be rather calm. James had always found them to be rather unsettling.
James hadn’t seen much in the way of combat operations during the Dominion War because the ship he was assigned was little more than a scout ship trying to monitor enemy movements along the Bolian front. And, by the time James had entered Starfleet the skirmishes with the Cardassians had been over and a treaty signed with them. “Welcome aboard Gul Prail,” The Captain said as he sat down.
Shral didn’t entirely trust the Cardassian sitting in the wardroom, but the Andorian hardly trusted Cardassians in general. He’d been a bit of a history buff growing up, he knew about the border wars and the Dominion War after that. Shral also found the Cardassian people to be very arrogant, worse than humans and that said a lot.
Freya could have cut the tension in the room with a knife, she’d been at the Academy during the Dominion War. Freya was even lucky enough to not be activated as a cadet and was able to finish schooling. She remembered every time the war threatened to activate her into service rather than her education. And, Freya recalled the attack by the Breen. She didn’t know if she could trust the Gul sitting there or not, but she wasn’t a fan of Cardassians.
Gul Sorvatt Prail, had a long and decorated career within the Cardassian Union military. He was a combat veteran, and had switched from being a staunch supporter of the Dominion to openly opposing them. His ship was even one of the vessels that switched sides during the final weeks of the war. Prail wasn’t surprised at all by the varying reactions to his presence.
Sorvatt saw this crew on board a station that had belonged to his people, and he wondered if they half expected him to take it out from underneath him. Sorvatt wasn’t there to do that, in fact he was there to communicate certain details with them that they’d not expected. “Thank you Captain,” He said without mentioning the presence of security.
Sorvatt saw this as a typical Federation, and Starfleet, maneuver possibly to make him feel as uncomfortable as they all seemed. Instead he grinned, “I get the sense that you all half expect me to take this station out from underneath your feet. Would that be an accurate statement?”
A part of Shral wanted to saber rattle, but one look at his Captain and the Andorian knew better. He wasn’t intimidated by the Captain, but in the short amount of time that he’d spent with James Cohen, the Andorian had gained a fondness of the man. He seemed honorable, “We don’t know what to expect.”
Sorvatt looked at the Andorian Security Chief and was a bit surprised by the response. The Gul didn’t think about that for very long, “I’m the commander of the Cardassian Fourth Order,” He told the three present officers, though more specifically he was speaking to the Captain at this point. “The presence of this system was kind of a shock to us. We didn’t know it existed, but to be fair it’s rather close to your border.”
James had a response lined up, but he allowed a more diplomatic approach to take a firmer grip over him. The Captain wanted to tell the Gul that this hadn’t stopped them from attacking outposts and civilians all along the border in the past. Instead he nodded, “I’m sure you understand the terms of salvaging and claim.”
The Cardassian nodded, “Iamek Nor as it used to be called was abandoned a year after the Dominion War. It was badly damaged when the Cardassian Union flipped sides against the Dominion when Jem’Hadar and Cardassian troops got into a firefight. The station was attacked by the two Dominion warships nearby, and there were few survivors from the attack.
“We left the station effectively abandoning it because we felt that it was… How do you humans say?” He paused for a moment before he continued to speak, “We felt it was a fool’s errand to try and repair it. Besides there were other locations in greater need than this station. You know what the Dominion did to our planet.”
It was true, Freya had learned what the Dominion had done to Cardassia Prime, and throughout the entire Cardassian Union when they became desperate. Freya frowned at the thought of what had happened in the final days of the war. This was ultimately how the Dominion lost the war they’d started along with the Cardassians. “I think we do yes,” The Exec said to him.
Prail nodded, “Then you know we had to rebuild throughout the Cardassian Union which meant that Iamek Nor had to be abandoned. It was beyond repair anyway, though I will say my government was happy to learn that Iamek Nor was in use again.” The Gul told them, “So, no I’m not here to take this station nor am I going to take this system. The Cardassian government doesn’t wish to stake a claim at all.”
James breathed what may have seemed a sigh of relief when he heard the Cardassian say that, and he could tell his crew were probably going to do the same. He looked around the room for a moment before his attention fell back onto the Gul, “We thank you for letting us know.” James then relaxed a little bit.
“So how long ago did the Cardassian government become aware of the station being salvaged and repurposed?” James asked the Gul.
Prail leaned back in the chair where he’d been sitting, the Cardassian was glad to know he was no longer going to be attacked. “A month ago,” He admitted, “But, the military has been very busy with internal matters. I won’t discuss those matters in full, but now that the station is almost back to full operation we decided to stop by.”
Shral seemed to relax a little bit, though he still didn’t entirely trust the Cardassian officer sitting there. He wondered what those internal matters were, but he knew better than to ask what they were. The Cardassians were never very forthcoming, and in the fourteen years since the end of the Dominion War they’d been almost silent.
There had been joint efforts between the Cardassians and the Federation to help each other rebuild, but after five years of that the Cardassians requested an end to the joint operations and the Federation went along with it. Shral instead focused on a different approach, “Are those internal matters a threat to this side of the border?”
Prail shook his head, “Nope,” He answered the Lieutenant after his gaze had moved over toward the officer. He then turned his attention back to the Captain, “Once the shops on the promenade are functional and operational will Cardassians be welcome on the station?”
James shrugged, “I don’t see a problem with that,” James answered him. “I doubt Starfleet would have a problem with it either. Of course, I’d have to talk to the admiralty, but I’m certain their answer will be the same as mine.” He answered.
Freya found herself to be rather impressed with the way this conversation had gone, she looked at the Captain and could tell he was somewhat impressed as well. The Lieutenant Commander saw the conversation was at an end, “Shall I escort you back to your ship Gul Prail?”
“Yes,” Sorvatt answered, “It’s difficult for me to be on this station given its history, but I assure you the Cardassian Union will look forward to visiting in the future.” He answered and stood up, “It was nice meeting you Captain.”
James watched as both officers left along with the two security officers, he held up his hand to Shral before the Chief of Security left. “Get me Starfleet command on communications in my office as soon as we get back to Ops.”
Shral looked at the Captain, “Sir?”
James shook his head, “Don’t worry Lieutenant, I simply have some questions. And this is a priority one issue. I would also like the line to be secured.”
Shral nodded wondering what was on his Captain’s mind, “Aye sir.” He answered then Shral headed toward operations to follow through with the request.
James watched as the Security Chief left him alone in the wardroom. James paused for a moment before smoothing the front of his uniform. He’d speak with the Admiralty about a number of things not just the request made by the Cardassian Gul who would soon be leaving the system. He only found himself wondering what to make of the entire ordeal.