Shore leave "
By: Teilani Dane, Chief Medical Officer, [PC]
Ian Hunter, Commanding Officer, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.16 1000

=Transporter Room #2=

Hunter finished inspecting his gear bag and slung it over his shoulder as Teliani entered.

He smiled at her as he zipped up a the thick coat he wore, "You ready to go?"

Teilani nodded as she zipped up the same thick coat. From her research on RP it showed that temperatures could drop well below freezing at night. And she was not about to get frost bit. She pulled up her collar and stepped on the transporter padd.

Hunter picked up a duffel bag and stepped on to the transporter right behind her, he nodded at the transporter crewman. "Energize."

The transporter beam seized them up and they materialized on the deck the transport ship.

"Follow me." Said the Klingon who met them.

Hunter and Dane followed them to the mess hall. "Wait here."

"What do you think we'll find?" asked Hunter.

"Honestly Sir," Teilani replied "I don't know. There is so little information to go on. I can only hope."

Suddenly the transport began to shudder from the turbulence of atmospheric entry. Minutes later it touched down. The Klingon returned, he too now wore clothing for cold weather. "Come."

Stepping from the transport, the ice cold air sucked the breath from Hunter. Despite the high tech fabrics he wore, he was instantly cold. The wind some how still managed to pierce through to the bone.

Hunter and Dane walked cautiously across the frozen ice and snow. They followed behind the Klingon guards, pushing and shoving about 12 prisoners a head of them. Barlok always insisted in indoctrinating small groups at a time.

The group stopped marching forward. Hunter and Dane followed several guards who took up positions along side the prisoners. Suddenly a structure pushed up from the ground. A door hissed open and a dwarfish klingon stepped out. He carried a box which set on the ground. Several Klingon guards emerged with beasts bearing large gnarly teeth.

Finally Barlok himself stepped out and took his place on the box. "Welcome to my little gulag," he said looking around. His haggard face bore the scars of many battles. "There are no stockades here... no guard towers, no electronic frontiers." His hand waved over his dominion, coming to rest on his hips, his stance practiced and authoritative. He paused as if to let the wind howl through the souls of the prisoners. Hunter almost felt pity on them.

Barlok continued, "No, none... you are on a frozen asteroid a billion kellicams from anywhere." Again a dramtic pause, "Punishment!" he exclaimed, "means exile to the surface where you will die within minutes." He snapped his fingers. A guard emerged from behind him with a half naked prisoner who was thrown on to the ice. He tried vainly to get back to the door but was pushed back by the guards. Within moments he curled into a fetal position as the warmth of his life drifted away in the frigid howling winds. "The rules are simple. Work well and you will be fed and treated well. Disobey... and you will die."

Barlok pulled his cloak as he turned ad stepped off the box.

The prisoners where herded into the door which descended down a long and winding stairwell. When the last of them disappeared down the dark shaft Barlok's disposition changed, "Hunter! welcome, and you must be Dr. Dane. Come!"

He turned and descended into the stairs. Hunter and Dane followed, behind them several more guards who sealed up the door behind them.

It was a 20 minute walk through the winding cavernous tunnels before they arrived at Barlok's office. He sat at his desk. "So..." he scowled, "we don't get many visitors here, what do you want?"

"A favor." said Hunter, "..but first, the customary bribe." said Hunter with a wink. He unzipped the sack and pulled out several bottles. The old Klingon stood and picked up one of the bottles, uncorking it. He took a whif, "Saurian Brandy!" he with a delighted chuckle. Hunter pulled out two more bottles, "And romulan ale." he said. Hunter then pulled out a box which he handed to Barlok. "Whats this?" said Barlok opening it. Hunter gestured at the box, "Cuban cigars...very rare, from Terran."

"Ha Ha Ha!" laughed the Klingon who resembled a child who had been spoiled on Christmas morning as he stuffed his booty back into the bag. Hunter sat down and watched with a grin.

The Klingon shook his finger at Hunter and said, "I hope this favor isn't too big."

"Not really." said Hunter, "We just want information on someone who may have been here."

"Information eh?" The Klingon picked up one of the cigars and smelled it before putting it in his mouth.

Hunter looked over at Dane and nodded.

Teilani unzipped a part of her coat and took out a small padd. She gently placed it on the table. "Yes Sir," she spoke softly. "I was wondering if you have records of an Eric Dane ever being here. From the little information I was able to gather Sir, he should have been here for about 6 years."

The cigar dropped out of Barlok's mouth, "Eric...Dane...." His face glazed over for several moments. "Of course, I see now." He shook his fist at Dr. Dane menacingly, "You are related to that scum?"

Teilani shrugged. " He is my brother Sir."

"Unfortunate for you." he snarled, fumbling to find the cigar he dropped. Recovering it from the floor he put it back in his mouth and sat back in his chair. "Your brother..." he said contemptuously "He cost me a promotion!" he said raising his voice. He slammed his hand down on the desk as he recalled more. "Eric...Dane..." he shook his head.

"I am sorry about that Sir," Teilani replied calmly. "But perhaps you can tell me what he did?"

Barlok pointed his finger at Dane. "What did he do? He was the third person to ever escape from Rura Penthe." He swung his chair sideways so he wouldn't have to look at Dr. Dane. "We tracked him to a location 4 Kellicams from here.

We found a base camp but he was gone. Someone helped him off the planet. There were rumors among the prisoners that someone was after him. His escape was to avoid capture. Either way...." Barlok turning his head toward Teilani, "he is not here."

Teilani glanced over to Hunter. "Would it be possible to go to this camp and check it out?"

"You are foolish if you want to go there," rebuked Barlok.

Hunter cleared his throat and produced a small incendiary device from the cigar box and offered a light to Barlok. He smiled and accepted it. Hunter handed him the device and sat back down.

I will give you the coordinates and an ice speeder. But I warn you... it is not safe out there."

"We will be alright, Teilani said calmly yet her heart was racing. She had idle hope of finding anything worthy. But knowing her brother he would certainly have left something of a clue.

Hunter stood up as Barlok continued, "...and remember, the last transport leaves at 2359 tomorrow." He glared at the pair. "Be sure you are on it!"