C-side Rondezvous

Posted on Thu May 20, 2021 @ 9:27pm by Lieutenant Nicole Anderson & Lieutenant JG Camille Lévesque PhD

1,227 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Archangel
Location: DQ8
Timeline: Concurrent/After "Across the Bridge"

"Doctor Anderson," the computer said, "the IKS Su'J'Oh has arrived at the station at Docking Station C-5."

Nicole looked up from her terminal and stood up quickly. "Computer, log my ADO in the duty roster and transfer medical codes to Doctor P'k'ala," she said. "Also, request guest access for Chief Engineer K’Vegh and send a message to the Su'J'Oh to have him report to airlock five."

"Acknowledged," the computer said.

Nicole packed her black bag and left Sickbay quickly, heading towards Camille's lab. She walked in without slowing, leaned over and nibbled Camille's ear. "We have company," she said.

Camille grinned at her girlfriend’s gentle bite. “Qui nous visite?”

"K'Vegh. He'll be meeting us at airlock five," Nicole said, taking her hand. "C'mon."

The trip to the airlock wasn't long from the labs, but Nicole enjoyed the chance to stretch her legs. "We need to have company over more often," she said. "Minus the clandestine discussions."

“Clandestine discussion company can be fun, too,” Camille asserted. “But I agree.”

"Well, next time we have Penny over for dinner, I'll make her go on a treasure hunt first," Nicole said.

As they approached, the airlock opened, and the doorway was filled with a large, imposing, ridged figure. He looked down at them and his face broke out into a huge grin. "Bard!" he shouted, putting his case down.

"Builder!" Nicole shouted back, grinning. She shouted as he lunged forward, scooping her up and swinging her bodily off the ground, planting a kiss on her cheek. Nicole returned the gesture and her nose wrinkled, her brow furrowing.

"And at last we meet in person!" K’Vegh said, grinning at Camille. He grabbed her and gave her a hug as well, but placed her gently on her feet and took her hand, kissing it gallantly. "I am honored."

Camille squealed at the tight hug, and smiled at he gentle kiss. She was surprised that both forms of affection came from the same man. She could not formulate a reply, so instead just smiled warmly and pushed her glasses back up her nose after they had slid down during the hug.

Nicole stepped up and patted his arm, sniffing him. "Is that....lilac?" she said.

K'Vegh roared with laughter. "So as not to offend any delicate sensibilities."

"He bathed for you," Nicole said to Camille. "He must really want to impress us."

“And here I was hoping for the authentic Klingon experience, scent and all,” she replied with a smirk. “But I’ll accept the compliment as intended.”

"Well, we should take this touching moment to our quarters," Nicole said, her smile slightly fading. "And have a proper conversation."

Camille nodded in agreement and led the way, permitting the two old friends to catch up as they walked behind her.

"You look well," K'Vegh said, picking up his case and following. "Life is agreeing with you?"

"It wasn't, but I managed to wrestle it into submission," Nicole said. "And you?"

"My ship flies, my captain is wise. I cannot ask for much more. Ah, you recall Lieutenant Klar?"

Nicole searched her memory. "Oh, the whiner who wouldn't eat Federation food? What about him?"

"I saw him a month ago. He still smarts from the sting of your barbed tongue," K'Vegh said, laughing. "I took pleasure in reminding him."

They reached their quarters as she laughed. "Well, good to know I left an impression." They walked inside and Nicole sealed the doors, then entered a code into the computer, securing the room. She let out a sigh and sat down on the couch, gesturing for K'Vegh to take a seat as well.

"We need your help looking into something," Nicole said, all business.

"Name it," K'Vegh said.

"Our Captain was tasked with finding information on a potentially dangerous project that's being whispered about Federation channels and elsewhere. We're looking to do our own clandestine investigation."

"Does this have anything to do with something called "'Archangel?'" K'Vegh said.

Nicole shared a surprised look with Camille. "Yes," they said.

He nodded. "It's been whispered on my ship as well. My captain was asked to investigate it as well. Evidently among our enemies it is a word that breeds much fear, and much speculation."

"One usually causes the other," Nicole said. "What have you learned?"

"Me? I am but a humble engineer. I do not sit in on the Captain's private communiques," he said, then grinned again. "But I can access them." He pulled a Klingon data padd out of his case and handed it to them. "Everything we have gathered," he said. "However, there is not much."

"Still, every little bit helps, right?" Nicole said. "Do you have any theories as to what it is?"

"Who," he said.

"Who?" Nicole said.

"Every inquiry I have seen, has used a pronoun to indicate persons unknown," he said. "Whatever this code word refers to, it is a someone."

“Someone,” Camille repeated. “Or someones, as you say. Person or persons unknown. Hmmm.”

"Correct," K'vegh said. "In Federation Standard, it is being translated differently, but the Klingon pronoun 'chaH' is used several times."

“This might be a long shot,” Camille considered, “but if it’s a name or names, should we maybe look into the biblical characters? Starfleet has encountered beings of incredible power before. Why not the archangels?”

"Oh now there's a thought," Nicole said, sitting back. "It'll be the Olympians all over again." She'd read the Excalibur's logs about encountering the Olympians before, and had no desire to go up against something like that.

"Well...we have a new avenue to explore at least," Nicole said. "Of course, that begs the question: are we looking for the hunters or the prey?"

"Either way, it shall be a good hunt," K'vegh said, grinning. His eyes lit up and he reached into his bag again. "I almost forgot," he said, pulling out a bottle. "A gift."

Nicole took the bottle and grinned. "Firewine?" she said. "And it's older than I am! Oh, this is a treat."

"A payment for the wager you won on our last encounter," he said.

"Considering how absolutely schnockered I was, I barely remember it. All I remember from that was..." she glanced at Camille and blushed. "I wound up in Cassandra's quarters, drunkenly singing afterwards."

“Oh you are definitely telling me that story later,” Camille said, snickering. “Or, no. It’s probably a better story coming from Cassandra.”

"How long are you here before you have to return?" Nicole said, looking back at K'vegh.

"My ship is here for resupply and some minor repairs. The Captain plans to ship out later tomorrow."

Nicole got a sly look on her face, then a calculating one, then a sly one again. "K'vegh, how would your Captain like a barrel of bloodwine, 2309, delivered to him?"

"For that he would leave his wife," K'vegh said, laughing heartily.

"Nothing so drastic," Nicole said, wheels turning. "But if he's willing to do me a small favor, I would be happy to supply him."

"I do not think that will be a problem," K'vegh said.

"Excellent." She looked at the bottle, then Camille, grinning. "In the mood for a dinner guest, and a little more scheming?"

“I think I could get used to this scheming,” Camille answered.

 

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