Away Team's Search for the Seller, Part 1

Posted on Thu Dec 26th, 2024 @ 6:21pm by Lieutenant JG T'lenn & Sub-Lieutenant Osirin Acainus & Lieutenant JG Fulvia & Ensign Tyler Williams

2,398 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Gone, Without Ever Knowing the Way
Location: Rag City, Freecloud
Timeline: MD 1, 1700 Hours

Lieutenant Fulvia and Ensign Williams materialized first on the surface just inside of city limits bypassing the usual security protocols. There was a moderate amount of foot traffic where they stood behind most major buildings, though no one gave them a second glance. Osirin and T'lenn were expected to take another route to a bar that was attached to an Inn that seemed promising.

" Let's move," Fulvia said to the ensign as they headed towards the bar. Dress as one of the faceless members of the crowd no one would notice them. In the computer case she was carrying was a TR-116 rifle. The perfect weapon for these situations.

Tyler had been briefed on the mission and what his role was to be in it, so he was acting accordingly. Even though he was dressed down in plain clothes, he too had concealed his weapon in the waistband of his pants and had worn an oversized jacket to cover it. "I'll follow your lead, Lieutenant." He nodded his understanding.

Fulvia gave a glance back before heading out. She'd memorised the route they'd be taking so she kept her eyes forward making sure they wouldn't stand out of the crowd. It didn't take them long before they arrived at their destination a large warehouse just across from the primary team meeting point. Sliding into one of the alleys she turned to her companion. " Right, we'll scale the building here. " She said activating the anti-grav belt she had on and drifted up to the roof.

Now this was some spy stuff! Tyler followed Fulvia's suit and activated his own anti-grav belt and drifted up behind her. Once they were in position, he waited for further instructions.

Dropping the case on the roof Fulvia began assembling the Tr-116 handing Tyler one of the eye pieces as she clipped her own over her right eye. " You ever used one of these before?" She asked.

Tyler shook his head, "I've seen it, I've read about it, but I've never had to handle or use one before, so unfortunately, that's a no. I'm honestly a pretty terrible tactical officer when you think about it."

" Well, good job i'm a natural with it. " Fulvia replied as she assembled the rifle and placed several cylinders of ammunition on the ground. " Red are bullets and the blue are stun rounds. " She explained as she loaded one of the blue clips. Red was always the last resort. " We need to keep an eye on the primary team and make sure nothing sneaks up on them."

* * *

"Is there anything we should discuss before we transport to our location?" T'lenn asked Osirin as she handed him a small case with four miniature transponders inside. "Do not overuse these, or their purpose will be diminished," she reminded him. "The man who calls himself Axel may recognize me should we cross his path."

The Akadian took the offered package. "I'll be careful I always am. What should we do if he does, and what exactly do these transponders do?"

"The transponders will allow us to track anything or anyone who is carrying them, with minimal risk of detection," T'lenn explained.

"I approached the seller as I look now, so he should not suspect Starfleet. I implied that I had access to large amounts of currency and may be able to buy out his current customer base," T'lenn stated. "I've been using the Romulan name of Ael, though he and I did not exchange names. If you feel it is appropriate, we can continue the charade."

This brought a smile to Osirin's face, "A sonnet to my ears. Akadians are quite crafty when it comes to charades. You might say we're born to it."

"That is an intriguing comment to make about your own people. Do you mean to suggest that your people regularly engage in deceptive practices?" T'lenn asked as she began to type in the transport coordinates.

"I admit to nothing, I'll just say it wouldn't be a major stretch of imagination."

T'lenn raised an inquisitive eyebrow at Osirin before she stepped away from the console to walk over and stand beside him as the transporter beam engaged.

The two rematerialized at a transport station near a district known to be popular among independent traders and freelancers. What was most notable about the city's landscape in this area was the eclectic nature of the buildings, services, and people. High end bars and hotels with strict dress codes were situated across the street from watering holes that didn't turn away beggars.

A tall, eccentric male with lanky limbs and a shiny purply suit and a white fur stole brushed by the two of them quickly as if they weren't walking quickly enough.

"Perhaps we should find a better place to stand," T'lenn suggested. "Unless you see a place you'd like to try first."

Osirin checked his pockets as the man passed by then stepped up on a wide sidewalk before replying. "How about that place over there," he said pointing to a building that must have been a bar. There were lots of gyrating bodies dancing out on the sidewalk. It had to be an overflow from what was going on inside but it was difficult to tell exactly what was going on inside there from the distance where the two were standing.

"Very well." T'lenn nodded and indicated that she would follow.

There was a variety of genders dancing shirtless and Osirin couldn't help but glance at a few of them, before leading the Vulcan inside where the decibel level was significantly higher.

"The place is busy, that much is sure. Any idea on what we should do next?"

"We are looking for individuals who might know something about the deal, or where to find the people involved. This seems more like a giant party," T'lenn stated trying to not sound judgmental. She was a science officer and only here because she had interacted with the seller and the Pakleds. Her chance encounter with them only happenstance because she had been on a separate mission where a scientist was needed.

Osirin rolled his eyes and didn't try to conceal it. "Of course, it's a party. Have you never read any spy novels? Had any intelligence training? A party is the perfect cover. I doubt the people involved in this are going to be hiding in the back room some place. Especially if they don't know or trust each other."

"We should at least check things out before we leave."

T'lenn looked around somewhat stiffly. "How do you propose we do that?"

"Well, by joining in the fun," came the quick reply as the Akadian stripped off his shirt and placed it on the stool. "Care to join me on the dance floor?" he added as he held out his hand.

"I do not know how to dance," T'lenn admitted. She stood frozen as she scanned the floor with her eyes

Osirin smiled at her and gave a small laugh, but he wasn't laughing at her. He reached out and took her hand. "Don't worry about what you think you look like, or what people might say. Just flow with the music. You can do that, right?"

She took a deep breath as she cast him a doubtful look before removing two pins from her hair causing her long dark locks to fall from their updo to midway down her back. She stuck the pins in her pocket, and ruffled her hair with her fingers.

"I will try to follow your lead," she stated.

"Much better," Osirin offered with a smile that could have been considered flirtatious. He led her through the mass of bodies to the center of the room. The music was different than he was used to, but music was music. He began to move, mirroring the actions of his fellow dancers."

The Vulcan posing as a Romulan civilian watched and mirrored Osiris at first, and once she felt she understood the rhythm, she let her eyes wander the room. She noticed the females seemed to make larger movements with their hips and arms. She made a mental note that if they were here for very long she would need to broaden her repertoire. She continued scanning for signs of Axel or anything suspicious.

She stepped closer to Osiris, still attempting to dance as well as she could muster. "We should move around the room. I can only see so much from here," she said into his ear.

Osirin gave a brief nod, but it was almost indiscernible If the Vulcan hadn't been watching closely she would have missed it. But then, he moved to his right, making it clear he had heard her and was carrying out her wishes.

T'lenn observed that some were dancing with their backs to their partners. Because this would permit her to look around the room without being as obvious, she turned around, her back to Osirin as she peered around the room.

He spun her around, giving both of then an opportunity to observe more of the crowd.

She saw a familiar face from the market. It wasn't Axel, but it was someone that was at his booth before the Pakleds swarmed the area. T'lenn turned around so she could talk to Osirin more easily. "I see someone who may know how to find him."

"You should probably be the one to approach him then. I'm sure you know what to do."

"I am a science officer. Perhaps you should do the talking," T'lenn suggested.

Osirin was about to demur and insist she try. He realized however this wasn't a game and he was the best suited of the two. "With our without the shirt?" he asked dryly.

"I would assume that clothed would be the best approach, unless you wish him to believe you are soliciting for other services," T'lenn responded sincerely, not capturing the sarcasm.

Osirin repressed the smile that came to his lips. He didn't bother to correct her, just slipped on his shirt

Walking up to the target the Vulcan had pointed out he said, "Good evening. Kind of loud in here isn't?"

"I'm sorry what?" When the petite female turned to face him, he could see that her eyes were dark, almost black. Possibly Betazed. After a short pause she laughed and added, "Just kidding. What brings you out? You a tourist or do you come here often?"

"That kind of sounds like a pickup line I've used before," he replied with an easy smile. "This is actually my first time here. I am guilty of being a tourist. So, what's your story?"

"I come through here every so often. Not a whole lot to tell. I like the scene. What about you? Do you like what you see?" She asked with a flirtatious smile. She studied him, still keeping a bit of space between the two of them. Her chestnut hair was cropped short and kept in a deliberately messy style.

He didn't enter her personal space, he wasn't interested her in the way she thought he was, though he would have been had the circumstances been different. She was alluring and intriguing. He did however take a step closer and laid his arm on the bar so that it was less than a foot from her.

"Oh, I very much like what I see. You drew my attention from across the room. I didn't just wander over here randomly."

"You like to dance?" She asked as she stepped toward him but slightly to her right, urging him to face the dance floor as he spoke with her.

"I very much like to dance. Have you heard of a Terran dance called the tango?"

The girl smirked, "This really isn't that kind of music is it? What's your name?" She asked.

"Unfortunately no it's not. I am Osirin," he replied stepping closer, "what's your name?"

"They call me Mimi," she replied. She reached her hand out and tugged on his shirt pulling him toward her as she stepped backwards out onto the dance floor. "You aren't Terran," she stated. "Dance with me."

Mimi's hands explored as much of Osirin's body as he would allow her to as they bumped and grinded to the music. T'lenn tried to not lose sight of the pair, but did not want to seem obvious either. She bought a drink and found a seat near the door in case she needed to call for backup.

A server walked through the dance floor with a tray of drinks and Mimi grabbed two off the tray. "Come on, Osirin. Let's party."

Osirin was more into relationships than casual sex, but he was playing a role and he couldn't deny that her exploring hands felt good, so of course he returned the favor. He grabbed the one she handed him and drank it down. He didn't plan to get drunk, he wanted to keep his faculties under control.

He looked over in T'lenn's direction as unobtrusively as he could.

Mimi handed their empty cups off to a server and dragged him deeper into the dance floor, working their way into a small group of dancers. Inside the group, it was more of a free-for-all, and a shirtless Romulan wearing body glitter stared at Osirin hungrily before approaching the two, coming up to Osirin from behind, and putting a hand on Osirin's hips as his body brushed up next to Osirin's keeping time with the music.

With so many people in the room, a good portion so close to him, the Akadian had a tough enough job keeping his mental barrier up, so he didn't notice the man coming up behind him until he felt his hand on his hip, and if he wasn't mistaken, the hand wasn't the only thing he felt. He did his best not to react, or show that surprise.

"That's Jaren," Mimi said with a smile. She danced facing Osirin, and reached one hand around him, grabbing Jaren's pec, as she stood on her toes and kissed Osirin on the neck. "You having fun yet?"

Osirin was having fun, he enjoyed the attention, but he was finding it difficult to focus on the task at hand. His mission.

"I am indeed, you obviously are too. Is there someplace more private we can go? The three of us that is."

~TBC~

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