POV Log: Livia Merteuil, OMEGA operative -Dangerous liasons

Posted on 241708.04 @ 12:32am by Fleet Admiral Cerywyn

Mission: https://starfleet.ucip.org/index.php/sim/missions/id/9
Location: Unknown location
Timeline: SD 241708.03

The rendezvous point had been agreed upon. There was no doubt that those that needed to be there would be there. Livia didn’t really care how they got there. Her ‘generals’, although OMEGA didn’t really have that kind of structure – stared back. One learned that one didn’t speak unless given permission. That thought was as close to pleasurable as Livia could hope for. She didn’t coerce – there was no pain- there was no pleasure. The choices were much more basic than that. Choose well, you live. Choose in error, you don’t. The ones that stood before her had those far chosen well and lived. The three men suffered her ‘leadership’ because she represented the OMEGA. Alone nor together, the four would not let their distaste for the moment show because neither was in any position to do anything about it. She’d read their files. Each one had been chosen because for the moment, they were an asset. The moment that ceased to be the case is the moment they would cease to exist. She was not like her predecssor in anyway and by the time anyone realized that, it would be too late.

Deep in the Alpha Quadrant far past Cardassian space were planets and stars that had existed for millennia. Illios had once been populated by scientist and scholars, traders and artisans; but time, as with all things, catches up to everyone and everything. They had once been content to gaze at the stars and longingly imagine what might be until what might be became ‘real’. Sometimes the imagined reality looks better on paper than in practice. Illiosians ventured out and others ventured in bringing ideas – the most dangerous weapon of all. The once open and peaceful people soon learned that to exist in space meant violence and brutality. Not everyone who ventured in had good intentions and even the best of intentions sometimes contained poisoned barbs. Ideas once released can no more be held in check than a rolling space storm can be stayed in place. Centuries passed and the Illiosians divided and fractured until all trace of their once peaceful past was reduced to crumbling stones and the faint echo of children’s laughter from long ago died out completely. By the time Niahm Raistrick was born infighting was fueled by anyone with the money to buy what couldn’t be had. The pale bone thin man had learned at an early age that his survival was directly related to his ability to avoid his brothers. He’d killed his first one when he was seven and by 16 he was his father’s heir apparent. There were no other contenders.

Tazo Durr was the most volatile of the group. The Hirogen (Delta Quadrant) had no real equal among them; had he chose he could easily be in Livia’s position– and yet, he had not. He was fiercely loyal to the OMEGA objective. Livia was no fool. She knew that he had his own reasons for being here. They had an unspoken understanding. He’d do as he was told and she’d stay out of his ‘hunt’ whatever that might be. There aren’t many would dare to tackle a Hirogen warrior and definitely not on his home territory so having them as an ally was better than having them as an enemy. They were a key component in OMEGA’s movements and their reputation in the Delta Quadrant was the reason Tazo was part of this little meeting.

The last of the not so rag-tag bunch was Yanus Makos, the last knight on the chessboard. Some would say he was a myth, a forgotten memory that nagged at the conscience of people. He was the kind of man that you might look at and think “he’s vaguely familiar but I can’t quite remember how.” Vandross was a planet near the borders of the Dominion in the Gamma Quadrant. His people had adapted to the planet’s environment but living that close to Dominion and not being part of it definitely gave them survival skills – who’d have ever thought anyone could be so ordinary that the eyes pass right by rendering them seen, but not seen. His people could move in and out unnoticed. It was an invisibility of thought, not of person. Everything about him quietly whispered “nothing.” What really made him valuable was that he was a psi-null. There was a total lack of any telepathic ability. He was a proverbial brickwall with no ability to send or receive. He was a blank canvass that proved discomforting, even disorienting for telepaths. All tests today showed that any attempt to read or influence the thoughts of this individual was met with failure and often had the added benefit of leaving the telepath sick for several hours.

Livia eyed each of them of carefully and then motioned for each to take their seat. “Results to date of our movements in the Beta Quadrant indicate that the modifications OMEGA has been able to make to their subspace movements are adequate, better than expected. It’s time to test them a bit further before we make an open hostile move.” She pursed her lips. “I don’t have to remind you what happens if you make a mistake” she said. There were nods of understanding. “Good.” She continued “It would be unwise to let your guard down” she paused “just because the tests have proven satisfactory. It’s not foolproof.” She briefly related the event involving Malus. When she said his name, her lips snarled in displeasure and his life was still not safe. “Federation resources might be strained, are strained by all accounts and they have to utilize those resources carefully.” Her eyes, a deep dark brown glittered. We will begin in the other 3 quadrants much like we have done in the Beta Quadrant with places no one will immediately miss in your designated areas. . . harry the non-aligned worlds trade vessels – cause disruption but not chaos – not yet. The objective is to leave no trace of your passing.”

“Questions?”

Just then the doors to her office opened and Malus stepped in. The very sight of him caused her pain. He’d failed – he’d brought more scrutiny than her superiors wanted, than she wanted. That he’d enter the meeting without her permission in light of his recent mistake with the Legion ship was the last straw. She motioned him over. “Come here.”

Unthinking he walked towards her stopping only when she motioned. He was careless. Even now, when his life hung in the distance that existed between her hand and his body, he had failed again. He chose in error. Only when she stood, like serpent coming uncoiled and springing in surprise did his eyes show he understood the danger he was in. It was too late. She was behind him with her arm around his neck. It was quick, efficient and done. She let the lifeless body fall to the floor, smoothed her uniform and looked at the men. “I take it you have no questions? Good. You’re dismissed.”