Jail House Rock

Posted on Wed Apr 30, 2025 @ 1:58pm by Lieutenant JG Anson Lee & Lieutenant Annora Tessaro

963 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Time After Time
Location: Station Holding Cells
Timeline: Day 1 ;1407 hrs

Anson watched the Cardassian pace back and forth across his tiny cell. Each time he reached the wall and was forced to turn to go back the other way, he made a point to give a half-hearted snarl. Anson sighed. "You are officially the grumpiest of the lot. The others at least gave us a name."

Anson waved his PADD at the Cardassian. "Do you know what happens when we don't have a name to put on the forms? You get assigned a random ID number and we give you an embarrassing nickname. And we can't do nice things for you, like notify your family that you're alive."

As far as she could tell, most the Cardassians taken prisoner were lower level foot soldiers. So far Annora had only identified one junior NCO among the group. None of them were forthcoming with extra information, not that she expected otherwise. Anson had notified her of one prisoner refusing to answer any questions so she went to lend a hand. At the very least she was hoping for a name and rank that could be channeled up to Starfleet Command and likely passed onto the Cardassian embassy.
"Any progress?"

She asked Anson as she walked into the are outside the holding cell.

"He's left-handed. Which is slightly more common in Cardassians than in humans, so that doesn't tell us much. But as far as name, rank, identifying scars or birthmarks? Nothing. We have basic information on everyone else, but not him. Maybe he doesn't have a family to notify. Maybe he does and he hates them that much."

Anson thought over what he knew about Cardassians. "Maybe he's flirting with me. Only, no, they flirt by arguing and this guy refuses to talk to me. Maybe he's a wanted criminal and doesn't want his government to know we have him. Your guess is as good as mine."

Annora glanced at the information on the data-padd, it didn't provide any additional intel than what Anson already briefed her on.
"Funny how being right handed seems to be the default setting for sentient life. Maybe one day we'll meet a race that's all left handed. But you didn't call me here to debate xenobiology. It's possible the Cardassians are using criminals, but not likely from what I know about their culture. Even if that were true, they would find out when the prisoners are released back to their government."

Despite the unprovoked nature of the assault on DS5, Annora didn't expect the Federation to keep the prisoners for long.
"Unless.." she said, thinking out loud. "There's another reason he won't talk to us."

She pressed the intercom button on the panel.
"If you wish to remain silent, that's your right. We'll just process you as prisoner 381 and send you with the others when the transport arrives. Just know, that may prolong your return to Cardassian space. Should you wish to request asylum, you may do so now."

The Cardassian stopped his pacing and stared at Annora. Anson doesn't know enough Cardassians to read the look on his face. The Cardassian snorts. "As if you could stand against Cardassia."

Anson frowned. "Hey, who's got who in a holding cell."

It seemed the anonymous prisoner did not desire asylum. In fact, he was being quite arrogant about his government's military might.
"My friend here has a point. Cardassia has yet to win any real victory over the Federation. The border fights ended in a stalemate, and your alliance with the Dominion almost ended in your people's extinction. Your latest assault was also repelled. But no matter."

She turned Anson, the comm still active.
"Guess we’re done here. Process him as prisoner 206 and ensure they're on the 1st prison transport out of here."

If he wasn't going to participate, then she wouldn't waste her time with the prisoner. But perhaps by treating him as just a faceless prisoner, she might garner some cooperation.

The Cardassian's eyes widened, and he sputtered. "That's all you're going to do?"

"We're busy people," Anson said. He entered "Prisoner 206" on the line for name. "Unless you want to actually tell us something, starting with your name?"

The Cardassian crossed his arms over his chest and looked away. "Turroc Gessan. 206 is an unlucky number."

Annora stopped in her tracks, turning back around to face the Cardassian. She still kept her expression as neutral as possible.
"See, that wasn't too hard. We'll update the form with your name, Mr Gessan. Wouldn't want to be accused of giving our prisoners bad luck. Anything else you want to share with us?"

"Because telling you things will serve me so well when we are returned to Cardassia." Gessan frowned. "Unless you're planning to torture us for information, or send us to a Federation prison planet to rot."

It was the expected answer from Gessan, although Annora had to at least make an attempt on gathering more intel. If he did decide to talk, she would pass that onto the experts to analyze. If, as happened here, he refused to talk Starfleet was no worse off.
"That's not my decision to make. Once you leave the station, you're out of my jurisdiction. We'll be back on the transport arrives."

Closing the comm channel, Annora followed Anson out into the outer office.
"I didn't really expect to get more information out of him. At least we have a name. I'll submit the list of names to Command along with my request for a transport."

Anson looked back towards the holding cells. "I can't blame them. I'm betting the Cardassians torture. Maybe being sent to a Federation prison to 'rot' is the best they can hope for."

Off:

Lt Annora Tessaro
Security Chief
DS5

&

Lt. jg. Anson Lee
Assistant Security Chief
DS5

 

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