9 - Rivals Revealed!

 Governor's Mansion, Elarion Prime

Governor's Mansion Security Footage. 4000.04.04 09:09 UniTi

Zev, Dax, and Silas all approach the Governor's Mansion, while Lira is out exploring as usual, and the others recover at New Hope.

"Welcome," a new young man greets them, "Isa is expecting you, she'll see you upstairs in the Stapphire (a shortening of "Star Sapphire") Conference Room."

"Not the Elari Crystal room?" Zev quips.

"No, that one is currently in use by the Governor," the man replies matter-of-factly, completely missing the attempt at humor.

Silas, for once, is not chanting, but instead nodding vigorously whenever someone says something.

"This way, please," the aide leads them upstairs to the conference room where Isa awaits. She nods to him then closes, and locks, the opaque sliding crystalline door.

"Thank you for coming Captain, I think this news will be of interest to you. I've worked with my contacts, including your own man Dax here, to uncover details of the attack on Quintara IV," she motions to Dax as she speaks, Zev looks surprised.

"Including the fact that your father, Draxillian, was the head researcher and director of the facility. You may want to take a seat, as this will be a lot to take in."

Zev nods grimly, if she'd found that connection to his father then she'd probably found a lot more about his own past that he'd rather not come to light just yet... blessedly she continues on with a knowing gaze.

Isa continues "The group behind the attack were the Warpjack Marauders, an infamous gang-"

"I know who they are," Zev grits his teeth and spits the words out in a low growl. His face wrinkles up in anger and it's as if a switch has been flipped in his mind, all of the pent up rage comes to the surface, "Dad refused to pay them tribute, would always say, 'This is a Unity outpost we don't pay tribute to no one but Unity,' and look where that got us. Got him."

He slams his fist down on the table so hard that something cracks - his glove.

"I am going to MAKE THOSE MARAUDERS PAY! I KNEW THEY WERE TROUBLE!! I'LL TAKE THEIR EMPIRE AND BURN IT TO THE GROUND!"

A fire and fury unlike any the crew had seen before now glows in their Captain's eyes.

"Uh, easy there Cap'n are you uh, are you alright?" Dax asks in the uneasy quiet

"NO! I AM NOT 'ALRIGHT' DAX! THEY TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME! AND NOT JUST ME, FROM THOUSANDS OF OTHERS IN THE SECTOR!" he turns and yells in Dax's face then, realizing, apologizes and turns things down a notch.

"I'm sorry Dax, you didn't deserve that. I'm in the wrong on that count. No, I'm not alright, I'm... just so damn angry about it all. We were so close, so close..." he trails off as he composes himself a bit.

"Do you know what it's like to be on the cusp of attaining your goal, which, also happens to be your father's life's work, and to have that all RIPPED AWAY? And over what? Credits?! Making an example out of a research facility?

No. NO! 

I'm going to make sure those damned Warpjacks can't do this to anyone else ever again and THEN I'll be alright... well I probably won't be but I'll make sure that another person, or two, or a few thousand out there don't gotta deal with this - with THEM!"

Dax and Silas nod in agreement but Isa cuts in before they can respond verbally.

"Of note..." Isa continues unsteadily, "No one has taken credit for this attack, which is highly unusual if a message is trying to be sent."

"So, who was behind it? Where do I begin?" Zev asks with an uncharacteristic intensity.

"Patience, Captain. You're in luck, I happen to have a... contact that claims to know someone linked to the attack. They want to meet you here in Port Elarion but indicated you will likely need to head into the Crystal Wastes to continue your search."

"Why would we be goin' out to the Wastes when we needa go to the stars?" Dax asks

"Look, gentlemen, I'm doing my best here. This is where the trail leads."

"The stars guide us toward our destiny and the end of all things," Silas chimes in... helpfully?

"Alright, thank you Isa. You don't know how much this means to me, what is this informant's name?"

"I cannot give their name out in good faith, that is for them to decide. We call them, 'The Magus' and you can meet h- them at the Starlight Pub & Club tonight at 22:00," Isa informs.

"Thank you Isa, much obliged," Zev inclines his head in the Elari fashion, doing a much better job this time - he'd been practicing.

"You'll find that we Elari always stay true to our word Captain, as the Good Gems guide. Thank you for taking care of ... our little problem earlier. As I'm sure you're aware it's in our best interest if that is kept quiet from... everyone outside of this room."

Dax cringes, recalling the bad memories from the mission in question.

Zev simply nods, "Don't have to tell me twice, that's a business best left behind us."

"If that will be all then, gentlemen," Isa projects her voice as the male assistant returns once more, "Yes, of course Captain Zev we'll have the documents over to you tonight, by 22:00," she ad libs, "And I am encouraged by the swift recovery of your crew, aren't you?"

"Of course I am," Zev says with some gruff in his voice, "Of course I am," he repeats more softly. "Thank you Isa, I uh, appreciate it despite my emotions. I've bottled it up for these past few cycles but now my pain has a name, and they shall feel my wrath."

"The documents," Dax coughs, and everyone has a laugh as the crew leaves an amused, and slightly confused aide behind with Isa.