The Art of the Interview...or A Little Birdie Told"
By: Dr. Paul Sparrow, Chief Science Officer, [NPC]
Dr. Alyssa Caitlin Northrop, Intel Officer, [PST]
Stardate: 58204.26 1445
Sparrow leaned forward, "Yes I got your message, you are investigating something about Birkoff?" said Sparrow suspiciously.
"You might say that, Sir. Considering he tried to hijack and cart off the Zion......you might say it's important that we find him. I was wondering if you could tell me about your experiences with him? That is assuming you actually did have any experience with him." Alyssa picked up her stylus and got ready to take notes on anything Sparrow might say.
Sparrow leaned back, "I presume we're talking about Gordon....Hmm." Sparrow leaned forward. "I've known Gordon for a long time, since he and his brother Garrett were youngsters." He sat back again. "You see, their father worked in the same department as with me."
She nodded, "Ok...so you knew him for years. I don't suppose you'd know what his motive might have been for attemtping to hijack the Zion? Perhaps he had debts to pay off or something of that nature?"
Sparrow sighed, "It seems that Gordon was always drawn to trouble. Several years after the war started...Gordon seemed to become more and more angry and tormented." Sparrow bit his lip ruefully and took a deep breath. "I guess I mistook his behavior for the same feelings I was having about the Federation....I began to share with him my plans to escape. Just weeks before we were to leave for Maquis space, he was assigned as CSO of the Lynx. He told me he'd see me someday in free space."
Alyssa made a few notes, "That's basically what I have here in my files. He seemed to be working for someone else though....do you have any idea who he might have been working for? Please think carefully....anything, no matter how small, might be important. Also....has Gordon ever exhibited violent tendencies in the past?"
Sparrow crossed his arms and settled back in his chair. "Well, come to think of it, Internal Affairs came and discussed some unusual number of transmissions to Pentara V. Gordon told me he knew a girl there...and... I, covered for him." Sparrow paused, "Do you think that he..he's working for someone there?"
"Right now, Sir....I don't have enough information to make any sort of conclusion." She quickly wrote down the name Pentara V. "SIr....do you know if Gordon has any friends anywhere else out here? Anywhere else he might go if he were in trouble?"
Sparrow rubbed his forehead as if it would stimulate his memory. "Of course, I think he'd probably go back to Earth or return to Federation space." Sparrow shrugged, "I don't know, he liked Risa a lot too. He didn't really talk much about his pseronal life."
Northrop made a few more notes, "Why do you think he'd go back to Federation Space...or more specifically Earth?" That part felt a bit odd. He hadn't struck her as a Starfleet Operative.
Sparrow pondered, "Perhaps, I don't know what happened on that ship, but he did talk about being free from the Federation too." Sparrow shook his head, "I'm sorry young lady, I don't really know."
Alyssa gave the older man a smile, "Thank you, Doctor. You've been a big help. Again, thank you for taking the time to talk with me."
Sparrow nodded, "I wish I could tell you more... If anything comes to mind, I will contact intel. You might also try and find his Brother, Garrett, I understand he's been in the Maquis for some time now." Sparrow stirred suddenly "Yes, there's also a Ferengi trader named Garmoth. He used to talk to him frequently before the war started. I think they continued to carry out clandestine conversations after the war started too."
Her attention snapped back to the screen from her note PADD, "You have any idea where I might find this Garmoth, Doctor Sparrow? Or his brother Garrett for that matter?" If he didn't know where Garrett was....that wouldn't be too hard to find out. Assuming he was still with the Maquis. This Ferengi on the other hand....given the nature of the times, he could be harder to find. Perhaps her own contacts would be useful in this area. She'd be willing to bet good latinum that Zrek would know this Garmoth character....and be willing to sell her the information.
Sparrow smiled, "No, I'm kind of a stranger to these parts. I wish I could help."
"I don't suppose you'd know what kind of person Garmoth is.....what type of people he might associate with? What his business deals usually are? Be they arms, other types of contraband or the like?" That sort of information would help narrow down the search. And make it easier to talk to the right informant. Would definitly keep the price down.
Again, Sparrow chuckled, "He's a Ferengi my dear, I'm sure he does whatever will turn a profit."
"Of course, Sir. That would probably be the case." She smiled back, "Is there anything else you feel might be important?" Now that she had a few leads, she was getting anxious to start running them down. But....she didn't want her eagerness to make her cut the interview short and miss something important.
Sparrow settled deeper into his chair, "I don't have any other ideas, but... if you find Gordon, please don't kill him if you don't have to."
"Sir....I'm afraid that's entirely up to Mr. Birkhoff. But I'll see what I can do." She nodded at the older man and reached for the disconnect, "Thank you for your time, Sir. You've been a great help."
Sparrow said his goodbye and terminated the link. Alyssa shut her terminal down and looked back over her notes. So the pain in the ass had been calling Pentara V a lot before Sparrow defected. Hmm....that would probably be worth checking out. She'd have to get Hunter to give her a shuttle. She'd also need to hunt down the brother...and this Ferengi. She thought through her contacts again...and Zrek was definitly the one to call. He knew just about everything that was worth knowing out here.