The Faces of The Operation
Posted on Fri Mar 27th, 2026 @ 6:20am by Makeba Brown & Lieutenant Junior Grade Gage Tohoyia
Edited on on Fri Mar 27th, 2026 @ 5:49pm
1,199 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
The Cure: Operation Kakori
Location: SCIF - Deck 9 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD001 1130 hrs
Just before the Commodore had left, Makeba saw that Lieutenant Tohoyia wanted a chat. To make sure where her loyalties lay no doubt. Just like everyone else in her life. Makeba thought that no one truly understood her or why she did what she did. All that said, she had no interest in letting whatever was going on in the Badlands continue. So, she swallowed some of her pride and decided to get this out of the way now. She approached Gage's desk. "You wanted to talk, Lieutenant?"
Gage nodded. "Yes. We're about to be inserted into a hostile location under cover. It has been my experience that when you do that kind of work, it is best to know who you are working with. I've read your file, but it is very thin. I need to know what your strengths and weaknesses are so I can be most effective."
Makeba both understood and did not understand Gage's point. While she knew the benefit of knowing someone prior to an operation. She did not know exactly what he wanted to know. "I have had extensive intelligence training. Most of which is classified." She paused for the briefest of moments. This was to perhaps convey her hidden meaning, that she worked with Section 31. "However, what I can tell you is that I can read most situations and react accordingly. The New Maquis knows of me, and there may be people that I know personally aboard. The idea that you are defecting from Starfleet is not a bad one. You are just going to have to show general disdain for anything that the Federation is doing at the moment. The New Maquis is no longer what it was when I was active. I am not even sure what it has become with Leyton at the helm, and them actually getting in bed with Cardassians."
Gage nodded as Makeba spoke. He was watching her with a keen eye, looking for the telltale signs of deceit. He knew that she was holding things back, but that was nothing new. All intelligence assets retained information.
"Your personal connections will be an asset, but they also open us up to risks. Are any of the people we will likely encounter holding grudges against you?
"Unknown. We do not know everyone aboard that station. As it stands now, the only person who is confirmed from my past is the Doctor. We parted on good terms, so I highly doubt he will be looking for retribution. But, I think it would be a safe bet that there may be someone aboard. What do you know about former Director of Starfleet Operations James Leyton? He is the brains behind the New Maquis, and I am sure that anyone we encounter is going to be looking toward your loyalty to his cause." Makeba knew that Gage tested her loyalty by asking questions about what she knew; she did not mind. If roles were reversed, she would have done the same. She decided that it would be best to take the opportunity to prepare him for the New Maquis.
"I know only his basic background. I was never involved with the New Maquis. My work was centered more around Cardassia," Gage said, leaning back into his chair. "He must be a very charismatic person and have the kind of tactical experience that makes him dangerous. I'd bet that he's a planner and has contingencies for almost everything. How am I doing?" Gage smiled.
"You are certainly in the right ballpark. He is continuing his goal that got him drummed out of Starfleet. He ultimately wants a stronger Starfleet, and Federation. He thinks diplomacy makes us weak and open to attack from any and all powers. To that end, Leyton uses the New Maquis to further those goals." Makeba stopped speaking for a moment as a thought occurred to her. "It is possible that is the reason he has allied with what is left of the Obsidian Order. Perhaps it is the concept that with the enemy comes the strength. If the Order returned to full power, Starfleet would need to be stronger."
Gage absorbed the information, filing it away mentally. It was always good to have advance, first-person information about people like Leyton. Gage had seen and met people like him before. Their ideals had been twisted and changed to the point that they thought they were doing good, when in reality, they were worse than those they fought against.
"Stronger," Gage said. "Stronger means many different things, but these types always think violence is the answer."
"Agreed, and it seems that Starfleet agrees with you as well. That would be why he was removed from the fleet. My question is, why would the rest of the Maquis side with him? The Maquis that I knew and I was in would want nothing to do with his line of thinking." Makeba said and then paused as she changed mental gears. "I think that the best way to handle this is for the four of us as Intelligence Officers to take a shuttle. Stage to look as if it has been fired upon and make for the station. We are going to have to make the systems appear that they are damaged as well."
Gage nodded. "I agree. The longer we can keep this an intelligence operation instead of a live fire zone operation, the better chance we have to succeed. If the Marines start doing Marine things, the most likely outcome is the target dying," Gage said. He was pleased that Makeba was on the same page as he was. It was hard to work with other intelligence operatives who wanted to do things the fast and hard way.
"Then our first order of business once there is to learn where this Quaid is being held. Then, when we open the door for the Marines to do Marine things, they can head right for the target as it were." Makeba had an ulterior motive to go to the station by this point. She would have to learn what happened to the Maquis.
"Sounds like the best course of action. I'm glad we were able to get together and talk before jumping into action. The more we work together, the better our communication and teamwork will be," Gage said. "Looks like we better get moving."
Makeba stood up and looked at Gage. "Agreed. And Lieutenant, it's good to be back at it with someone who has been in the trenches." Makeba was not one for compliments, and this was the closest she would come to giving one. It had the benefit of being the truth.
Gage nodded. "I feel the same. I'm not worried about you. It's everyone else that gives me concern. I guess all we can do is follow our plan and adapt," Gage said and stood up. "Let's get to it."
A Joint Post By
Makeba Brown
HUMINT Agent, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Junior Grade Gage Tohoyia
Infiltration Specialist, USS Pioneer
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