Marcus made his way into the brig with a meal tray for the ship’s newest guest. He had learned her full name was Vera Kiske she had been part of the Maquis. Often considered a terrorist organization and often against the Cardassians. How she ended working with the Cardassians he did not know.

As he approached the cell, he saw her lying on the floor; he could tell she was playing at an illness or injury.

Marcus chuckled, “That won’t work on me.”

Vera cursed and sat up as Marcus waved Dan over and had him open the force field, bringing in her food and scanning her as well with a medical tricorder.

Vera ate and asked, “Anything interesting, Doctor?”

Marcus shook his head. “Missing a couple vaccines and a little deficient in some key vitamins.” Marcus said and prepared a hypo. He watched Vera back away nervously, “I won’t harm you.”

Vera laughed, “A lot to ask for me to trust you, Doctor. You worked for Rike after all.”

Marcus nodded. “Fair enough, I take two oaths, first as a Doctor, second as a Betazoid. As a Doctor, I swear to do no harm; as a Betazoid I promise not to read minds without orders or permission.” He sighed, “I promise neither I nor anyone on this ship will kill you.”

Vera regarded Marcus for a moment. “Fine, give me the shot.”

Marcus nodded and administered the hypo.

Vera looked at him and rubbed her neck. “So ask your questions, Doctor; you are much too important to be bringing me food. So you want information.”

Marcus nodded. “How did you end up working with Cardassians?”

Vera laughed, “Not the question I thought you’d ask me. But whatever, I will likely be in jail awhile. Someone should know. The ones I worked with were outcasts from their race. Like me, not huge fans of some of their people. So when they asked me to help rob a casino, it sounded fun.”

Marcus said, “That’s it?”

Vera nodded. “Yes, pretty much.”

Marcus chuckled and got up to leave. “What did you think I’d ask?”

Vera shrugged, “I was working in the casino for Rike as a cover to figure out the security for the deliveries. I met the Vaadwaur.”

Marcus was surprised he hadn’t known that. “I have read all of the reports sent over from Damon Rike. But those are all about the robbery.”

Vera nodded “Damon Rike did not lie when he said he ran a well secured station. I was there 6 months before a decent opportunity presented itself. The Vaadwaur came to the casino a few days before you did. Lecherous bunch of jerks. They made deals with Rike, got their supplies and headed out.”

Marcus thought about that “Like most Ferengi Rike played both sides. That’d be why he didn’t tell us of the Vaadwaur. I’d heard that Rike is applying for Federation protection as well for the casino.”

Vera laughed “Sounds like Rike.” She looked at Marcus “If you want their prisoners back you will want to wait until they stop for supplies again. They will have a minimum number of crew on the ships. You might be able to beam them away or hijack the transports.” She said eating “I overhead the Vaadwaur say they had replicator issues. They are resupplying monthly. So they will likely go to another neutral base like the Casino to do it.”

Marcus nodded “I will share the information with my Captain and have them list your cooperation for the record.”

Vera sighed and nodded “Most I can expect, I guess.”

Marcus nodded as he left “At least you will live, my understanding is Ferengi usually kill thieves.”

Vera nodded as she watched the Doctor leave muttering to herself “Some life.”