Away Team Beta: XO and company

Posted on Fri Mar 30, 2018 @ 8:07pm by Lieutenant Nicole Anderson & Fleet Captain Rhea Kennit & Lieutenant Cassandra Kennings & Lieutenant Arashi Tanaka Mr. & Senior Chief Petty Officer Samantha Summers & Lieutenant Samantha Raylen

3,986 words; about a 20 minute read

Mission: Divide et Impera ~ Chapter 2: Heralding the Chase
Location: Station
Timeline: Coincides with Away team Alpha: Meeting the Natives

(Transporter Room 2)

Alec waited in transporter room 2 for the others of his away team to show up. He was dressed in civilian clothes consisting of shirt, pants, boots and a cricket phaser stuck in his waistband. He didn't want to advertise he and the others were armed. For all intents and purposes they were civilians newly arrived on the station.

The doors opened and Cassandra walked in, her bag slung over her shoulder in a simple farmer's dress. "Commander," she said, nodding. She stood off to the side and reached into her bag, pulling out her gold compact, flipping it open and checking it quickly. She replaced it in her bag and pulled out a tube of lipstick and applied it quickly, then also returned it to her bag, and stood with her hands clasped in front of her, waiting.

Alec looked up as the transporter room doors hissed open and Cassandra walked in. attired in a dress and hand bag. "Counselor." He greeted and then amended it, "Cassandra." As he watched her check her appearance with her compact. Apparently satisfied, she then applied some makeup before standing patiently, expectantly for the others to arrive.

Arashi arrived with his gear, such as it was. Nothing fancy but he would make sure it worked. He brought along his civilian attire and a tanto knife, a type one phaser or the cricket phaser as it was known, set on stun. "Reporting for duty as ordered, Commander." He wore an eye patch over one of his eyes to seem like a grizzled traveler that had seen some things. "Not sure what I should have worn but the outfit just called to me." He said this part with a nervous laugh. After a few moments of silence, he said something. "So what is our part of the job? I am sure that we aren't going to be there mingling," he asked.

The doors opened and Nicole walked in, wearing a plain set of Rigellian traveler's clothes, boots and a band to hold her hair back. She nodded to everyone and did a double take at Tanaka's eye patch. "Okay," she said slowly. "Are we ready?" she said, looking at Hunter.

Alec looked at Arashi as he entered and nodded then looked again, The man was wearing an eye patch! "Are we going as a pirate Mr. Tanaka?" he asked with a smile. Before he could say anything else the CMO entered. Ever since their little 'meeting' in Cassandra's office they had gotten along better. They weren't best buddies but they weren't trying to kill each other either. "Doctor." He said by way of greeting. "I believe we are." To the transporter tech, he said "Place us somewhere we can move about and see what there is to see."

"I've sent down coordinates to their arrival center," Cassandra said. "It should put us somewhat close to the station's main offices."

"Excellent Cassandra. That should be just fine." Alec answered, "Good work."

"Well then," Nicole said, stepping onto the transporter pad, "let us follow our spirit, and upon this charge cry, 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George.'"

At Nicole's comment, Alec looked at her and added, "Yeah, them too." As he stepped onto the platform.

Cassandra followed Tanaka onto the platform and took her place on the transporter pad. "Energize," Cassandra said, and the beams took them.

They materialized in a large bay set up like as a transport station. Some people were coming in via airlocks, others beaming in. The was the overwhelming din of dozens of alien voices all speaking at once, and the scent of different body chemistries permeating the air. Flickering screens in alien languages were all over the walls, offering what appeared to be directions, advertisements and warnings, none readily decipherable.

Cassandra glanced around to get her bearings and then nodded towards the far end. "Through there should get us to the main common areas," she said.

Alec looked around at the area they had transported into. It reminded him of an old style train station or airport that he had watched on a vid in the past. In other words it was complete chaos. No one paid the slightest attention to them and that pleased him to no end. it would make it easier to poke around and discover any secrets the station had.

"Then that's the way we'll go. Alright everyone, lets try not to draw undo attention to ourselves." Alec replied and headed that way.

They walked into a large, open area with hallways going off in every direction, and along the walls and throughout the center walkways, various shops, stalls, and kiosks offered their fares. Whether it was street food, clothing, live animals, illicit goods or religious absolution, everything that could be bought or bartered was available for a price.

"Portabello Road," Nicole sang to herself, "Portabello Road. Street where the riches of ages are stowed...."

"You need to sing more," Cassandra said, conversationally, stepping up beside her. "It's been a while since I've heard you."

"I'll leave you to coax that out of me," Nicole quipped, fingering a few baubles as they passed.

Cassandra shrugged and they continued on. After passing by several shops, she moved forward a few steps towards Alec. "Are we going to browse and appear as shoppers? Or do you have a destination in mind?"

Alec stopped and picked up a trinket putting it down as Cassandra moved to him to ask her question. "For now we're shoppers. Don't want to draw unneeded attention to us. Then later we'll see if we can find out what goes on behind the curtains, so to speak."

"Well then," Cass said, returning her voice to normal volume and slipping her arm around Alec's elbow, "this looks like a lovely spot to browse." She turned towards Nicole and Tanaka. "Why don't you two scout on ahead while we look here?"

"All right," Nicole said, looking back at Tanaka who was appearing about as casual as a Palace Guard. "This way, suma-sasu," she said, grabbing Tanaka by the elbow and pulling him along to examine another group of shops.

"I agree dear." Alec replied with a sappy smile and a pat on Cassandra's hand. "just look at all they have here! What a wonderful assortment of......stuff." he finished.

"This 'stuff', as you put it," a voice said next to them, "is part of one of the finest collections of rare antiquities in the sector."

Alec looked up as the voice spoke, "I see. I meant no offense, Mister..." he spoke in a pleasant voice hoping to diffuse any potential explosive situation before it started.

"My name is Maldo, and I am the proprietor of this store, and the compiler of this treasure trove." He held up a deep violet locket. "Perhaps something to complement your lady-friend's jewel-like eyes?" he said, showing it to Alec.

"Ah yes. Mr.Maldo. It is beautiful." Alec admitted as he looked the locket over. " Tell me, is there a history to the locket?"

"There's a history with all of my collection," Maldo said, "but I am fond of this one in particular." He opened it and showed the etched markings inside. "The initials of the young woman who once owned it, and her gentleman. Their love was deep, but tragically short. They married young, he sadly passed, and she wore this locket every day until her death to keep her one true love close to her."

"A beautiful story." Alec agreed, "Don't you agree dear?" He asked Cassandra.

"Oh yes," Cassandra said, her eyes never leaving the salesman. "I'm sure it was equally moving at the estate sale you got it from." She watched as his eyes widened slightly, but he recovered and cleared his throat. "It must have been a beautiful funeral," she continued, watching him glance to his right. "Family, friends, loved ones, all gathered around an open viewing of the body." He blinked twice and swallowed. "And that's when you swiped it off her, isn't it?" She smiled as he paled slightly. "How fortunate you have found people willing to trade.

Maldo cleared his throat again and put the locket back on its stand. "Perhaps then, I can interest you in something else."

"Well, perhaps we can interest you in something," she said, opening her bag and reaching in. She pulled out a handful of polished stones, a mixture of yellows, silvers, reds and blacks.

"Charming color," Maldo said, examining them. "Where did you obtain them?"

"Spican flame gems can only be found in one continent on the planet Spica," she said. "They take three billion years to form and are ejected from magma eruptions, making them very difficult to obtain." Her violet eyes never left him as his greedy ones flew back and forth between her poker face and her shining jewels.

After a moment's thought, he said, "I can offer you three-hundred-and-fifty skarns for them."

Cassandra sighed and closed her hand around the jewels.

"Four-hundred-and-fifty," he said. "For a half dozen jewels, even ones so rare, that is a fair price."

Cassandra looked at Alec then back at Maldo. "Six-hundred."

Maldo did the calculations in his head and decided he could still hustle enough profit and nodded. He handed her two dozen thick coins, which she put in her bag, and then eagerly reached for the jewels, but was confused when she again closed her hand and took them away.

"And the locket," she said. "You're right. It brings out my eyes."

Maldo's frown was clear on his face, but he picked up the locket and handed it to her, then held his hand out, demanding his payment. She tipped the jewels into his hand and smiled at him as she put the locket on. "Thank you," she said. She reached into her bag again and pulled out one more, small, crystal clear jewel. "A token of my appreciation."

They turned and walked away, Cass not making eye contact with Maldo again.

"How did you.......?" He began before Cass cut him off.

"Wait," she said, quietly, "three, two, one..."

"A moment!" Maldo called behind them.

Cass smiled at Alec and they turned. "Yes?"

Maldo beckoned them back and when they were near he lowered his voice. "I wish to know a couple who can afford to spend Kalv’rati diamonds as gratuity," he said.

"We have a friend," Cassandra said.

"I would very much like a friend like that," Maldo said. "Perhaps introductions can be made?"

"Perhaps," Cassandra said. "If it was worth our efforts."

Maldo sighed, then drew himself up. "I demand eighty percent."

"And yet, you'll only get fifty," Cassandra said.

Maldo growled a bit, but nodded. He eyed her again. "Perhaps one day we can discuss business over that lovely jewel on your forehead."

"That is not for sale," she said. "We will be in touch."

They turned away again and walked as quickly as appearing casual would allow until they had turned right a corner and were out of the shopkeeper's line of sight. "Well, that was exciting," Cassandra said, smiling at Alec.

Alec stared at her in amazement. "Remind me never to play poker with you Cassandra. That was amazing! You are quite the wheeler and dealer. How did you know the story about the locket was a phony? I would have bought it just to shut him up and where did you get a diamond from?" Though he suspected he already knew the answer. He held a hand up, "You know what? I don't want to know." he said with a smile. "Your ways are your own." He finished as they continued their casual stroll among the venders.

Cassandra chuckled demurely. "Most people are horrible liars, and even those who are skilled in the art aren't completely solid. A locket etched with initials and from a couple who were that in love? She would have either bequeathed it or been buried with it. And no matter how far I went, he never appeared surprised by what I said, merely that I said it."

She paused to look at a few more trinkets, keeping up appearances. "As for the diamond, I liberated one from what was confiscated. If you want to track how diamonds are moved, the best way is to move one. Now we have a contact in the trade."

"I'm in the company of a pirate." Alec answered with genuine admiration. "I was right about the diamond. Good thinking. Lets see what we can reel in.""

They walked by a few more shops when a buzzing sound came from a pocket in Alec's pants.

Ducking around a corner with Cassandra close behind, Alec fished his combadge out, "Hunter here." He acknowledged and waited.

"Commander," Captain Kennit's voice said from the combadge, "the smuggler has been reported near your position. If you see him, shadow him and see where he goes. Kennit out."

Cassandra raised an eyebrow and looked up and down the wide corridor. She did a quick double take and nudged Alec with her elbow. "Ten o'clock," she said, quietly.

At Cassandra's nudge, Alec looked in the direction she had indicated. He gave her a nod of approval at her spotting their quarry. "We've spotted him Captain, we'll follow at a discreet distance and see where he leads us. Hunter out."

"I'll keep to the right side of the corridor, you take the left," Cass said, pulling away and threading through the people.

Alec nodded, "Right. Stay frosty and alert." As he headed down the left side of the corridor, weaving through the crowd, confident that between Cassandra and himself they wouldn't lose sight of their quarry.

Captain Hunter was moving through the people almost as fast as Cassandra and Alec were. He glanced around and looked behind him, then darted to the left down a side corridor.

Alec saw Captain Hunter darted to the left down a side corridor. "Cassandra!" He called as he quickly followed down the side corridor, pushing through the maze of people, not waiting for her, confident she would catch up. He didn't want to lose sight of Captain Hunter. He'd never hear the end of it from Rhea.

The back of Captain Hunter's head continued to dart around corners, and finally he walked briskly into a cargo bay at the end of an alleyway, the doors closing behind him, cornering him inside.

Alec was managing to keep the suspected smuggler in sight as he weaved through the crowds. Until suddenly he was gone. Vanished into thin air. Alec found himself in front of a cargo bay. "Ah, sneaky but not sneaky enough my smuggling friend. I've got you now." He whispered. As he approached the bay doors....cautiously, looking for a way in and not wanting to lose sight of the smuggler.

The doors opened automatically at his approach and granted him entry. As he walked in, they slowly closed behind him and the cargo bay was silent again. He made it almost a half a dozen steps before a hand silently rose up behind him, and a hypospray pressed against his neck. His knees buckled and his body fell to the floor, before being caught at the shoulders and vanishing in a transporter beam.

*************************************

Arashi got drug along with Nicole. "So what now, m'lady?" he asked Nicole jokingly as he played the part of a shopper looking for a trinket or some luxury item for his ship. He kept close to Nicole to protect her from anyone who would hurt her but not too close as to make Nicole uncomfortable. He wasn't sure what they were looking for but was sure that Nicole knew what their plan was and what to look for.

"Well for starters, enough with the 'm'lady' business," Nicole said, browsing as she walked. She couldn't see Cass nor Hunter through the crowd, so she kept looking until they hit a junction. "To the left?" she suggested, turning to face him.

"We'll go left." Arashi said and followed closely. He didn't want to have anyone else killed on his watch. He was following a bit too closely and bumped in to Nicole.

Nicole sighed and moved in a blur, suddenly appearing right in front of him, toe-to-toe. "Arashi, either walk beside me or walk away, but shadowing me is going to get very annoying, very quickly. Now calm down, stand down, and let's try to figure out if anyone knows how to smuggle a diamond." She turned and went back to walking by the stands and carts.

Arashi was taken aback by her sudden movement, and had to bite back a gasp of surprise. "You are right. I am sorry about that. I just do not want to lose another crew member." He said and stepped off to her side to walk with her. He looked at the items at the stands, as if he were appraising things to buy. He took a breath to calm himself and finally was able to focus on the task at hand.

"Any experience with black market items?" Nicole said.

He looked around the stalls and checked out items that he might have thought were black market. "Not really. Had a bit of training back in the academy but no practical experience." Arashi said with a sigh. "This is the first time that I have ever had to deal with black markets and smugglers. I just hope that with this bad idea of a disguise I look like a smuggler and I get some intel that way."

Nicole sighed inwardly. *Providence save me from baby-faced Terrans,* she thought. "So long as the smuggler is blind, you should have no troubles."

"Oh ha ha. Very funny. I wasn't exactly given any guides on what I should wear as a disguise. I just thought that this might make sense and maybe help out the investigation." Arashi said, sticking his tongue out at Nicole and looking like an adult version of a little child throwing a temper tantrum. He laughed but as he turned a corner, he saw a stall in an out of the way place. "Well, that looks promising. Shall we have look?" Arashi asked.

*************************************

Nicole was about to respond, when her sharp hearing picked up a singular voice shout, "Cassandra!" She turned and took off, vaulting over carts and darting around people, looking for the tall, rainbow-colored head of her friend. She made it down to the other end of the long corridor and turned at a junction before spying her quarry.

"Are you all right? Who attacked?" she said, growling dangerously.

"I'm fine, I'm fine," Cassandra said, trying to see how far Hunter had gotten. "Commander Hunter just took off down that corridor," she said, pointing at the other end of the junction they were near.

"What in the name of the nine circles happened?" Arashi asked. "Do you want me to go after him or stay here and form a plan?" He took a breath to calm himself and focus on what was going on. He wasn't sure what happened but he promised himself to stay focused.

"You stay here and form a plan. We'll go run into the dangerous alley," Nicole said, waiting till she'd turned her back to roll her eyes and taking off at full speed down the corridor, Cass hot on her heels.

"That was mean," Cassandra said as she caught up.

"I don't have time to waste right now," Nicole growled as the rounded the corner to the cargo bay.

They stopped and listened, but the bay was silent. "Check," Nicole said.

Cassandra looked around, then pulled out her compact and flipped it open. She turned in a complete circle, looking at it intently, then nodded. "He's gone." She closed her compact and put it away as Arashi came running up behind them.

Arashi had caught up to them and stopped to catch his breath. He was frustrated and felt way out of his league so he hit the wall next to him. He was a shipboard security officer for god's sake, but he wanted to do his best and felt miserable knowing that he wasn't. He remained silent but waited for orders. His choice of costume, his lack of action and knowledge of what to do just at away at him. "Kuso! Kuso! Kuso!" He whispered to himself. He drew his knife and started to twirl it, to keep his mind off of his frustation.

Nicole grabbed Arashi's wrist, forcing him to hold his knife still and put the back of her hand over her mouth, indicating silence. She held up her fingers to her eyes then pointed around the cargo bay. "Search," she mouthed silently.

Arashi put his knife back in its sheath and then started to look around. He looked on the shelves and in boxes for whatever they needed to find but wasn't sure what to look for. He kept searching around.

Cassandra had to look away to hide her amusement as Nicole threw her hands up in frustration. She reached into her bag and whispered a word, then pulled out a tricorder. She flipped it open and scanned quickly. "No life forms detected," she said, finally. "We can talk freely."

"Well, thank Providence for that," Nicole said, turning. "Tanaka, scan for any trace of transporter activity, fingerprints, and any other physical evidence of what happened to the Commander. I'll check for DNA traces. Cassandra, help Tanaka."

He took out a tricorder and started to scan for transporter activity. He looked over any spots that could have had any transporter activity and also scanned for fingerprints and other things that might help. "I get the feeling that I am in way over my head." He whispered to himself.

"I get that feeling every day," Cassandra said quietly, coming up beside him, her tricorder out as well. She gave him a warm and supportive smile. "You're doing fine, just don't lose your head. As Lao Tzu said, 'to the mind that is still, the universe surrenders.'"

"Thanks. I feel a bit better." Arashi said with a sight, finally relaxing. He still felt like a screw up but he knew that he could eventually get better at what he was doing.

After several minutes of coming up with nothing, Cassandra sighed. "I think it's time to bite the bullet," she said, and tapped her combadge. "Sanders to Kennit. We have a situation. Commander Hunter...has gone missing."

“Kennit here. What do you mean, Commander Hunter is missing. Where are you?”

"Commander Hunter thought he saw Captain Hunter and took off after him. He ran down a corridor and Doctor Anderson, Lieutenant Tanaka and I pursued. We entered the cargo bay at the end of the corridor, but he's not here, and there doesn't seem to be any trace of where he went."

Tanaka was thinking about the fact that Commander Hunter had disappeared without a trace. He felt bad and wanted to do something. He scanned the area one last time hoping to find something, anything that would help them find the commander. He wasn't going to give up just yet.

"I've got nothing," Nicole snarled, coming over to them. "No hair, no spittle, not a drop of sweat. They picked him clean out of the room." She sighed and looked at Cass and Tanaka. "We should get to the Captain before she starts punching holes in the hull."

Arashi nodded and sighed. He hadn't helped much and felt as if he missed something. He had an investigation to finish and decided to focus on that. "Roger that. I am sure that she is willing to do more than punch holes in the hull though." He said as a joke and smiled.

"That's what worries me," Nicole said. "Let's go." She turned and without another word, walked out of the cargo bay.

 

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