Searching for Rebecca Lange Part 1, Lhasa
Posted on Thu Jul 18th, 2024 @ 1:47pm by Captain Remy Johansen & Lieutenant Commander Razka Kas & Lieutenant Eirly Andersen
1,605 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission:
Helping Brunel
Location: Earth
Timeline: MD 14 0700 hours, Central Standard Time
They had arrived to Earth in the middle of the night Starfleet Standard Time, which was also under the cover of darkness on the Johansen family farm in Nebraska which is where Remy had told Kas to put down. The Holana was nestled safely behind a wooded area overlooking a quarry. The small area of rocky terrain on the otherwise grassy pasture didn't give away the fact that there was a cloaked vessel parked there. Remy had taken off toward the house at daybreak to let her great-grandparents know they were there, not risking comms.
Remy tapped on the side of a shuttle with a stick to let Kas and Eirly know that she was back, and within a few seconds, the door opened.
"You can leave that open for a while, Kas. We've got good tree cover right here the way we're parked, and no one will be walking through here," Remy said. "My grandparents are worried, but they won't say anything."
"I trust your kin; I haven't been to earth in some time." Kas smiled. "However it would be prudent to say onboard, I tend to stand out on earth."
The tall broad-shouldered Hybrid looked out the open door, "I spent most of my time in Earth's cities, this is quite peaceful."
Eirly slipped out past Kas and stepped off the shuttle, taking in the view from what she could see, and took a deep breath in. It was the first time she'd ever been to Nebraska and the air smelt good. "There are quite a few places around here that are peaceful, especially in other parts of the world like my home country."
Remy smiled. "We're lucky. This piece of land has been in the family for centuries now. I didn't get back here a lot when I was little, but I think my memories here are some of the best."
“It's safe to assume the person we're here to meet is on the planet,” Kas said dryly. “Might I suggest we wait until 800 hours in their time zone and use the Holanas's transporters when Earth's transport network is busy to avoid detection?”
"We're starting in Tibet, it's 2100 hours local time there. We're looking for a Buddhist monk named Chozen," Remy said looking back at Kas.
"You're going to a holy site?" Kas raised his eyebrows. "Is it considered proper to transport there?"
"Well, I thought we'd start in Lhasa. Try to make a few friends first. Maybe someone will invite us in," Remy quipped. "The night is just beginning. You guys ready to go check it out??
"I've heard a lot about holy sites such as those in Tibet, and a lot about Mount Everest as well." Eirly nodded and smiled confidently, "I mean, I've only ever seen pictures, but to see all this and speak to the locals would be an achievement in itself, so I'm ready to check it out."
"I don't know for sure, but I wouldn't be surprised if she's being protected by one of them. If we're lucky, we'll find out.," Remy commented for the benefit of them both. "I have the coordinates of the city center. There's a park there, street vendors, not far from a market, and a monastery."
Kas pause the moment, he would prefer a more cautious approach, but time was of the essence. He opened a case from a hidden compartment and retrieved three energy weapons.
“These are phasers I put together with Replicated Telarite and Ferengi parts. They are safe, but not as robust as what you're used to. However, if they are used, they will be almost impossible to trace. If one of them gets left behind they're common enough in the criminal world. ”
Kas looked at the two women, “Due to my size and heritage it will take more than civilian clothes to blend into a place like Lhasa. Normally I would simply put on the shaman garb of my people, However, there is a group of our people on the planet and I don't know their itinerary. If they see a shaman who's not part of that group, that could complicate things.”
"Your size and race aren't going to make you stand out here," Remy assured him. "Not only are there likely to be a few Klingons, there will be a mix of all sorts of races - some bigger than you. Just wear something touristy."
"Understood," Kas nodded.
Within a few minutes the group had changed into less conspicuous clothing and had use the Holana's transporter to take them to a discreet location just outside of the crowd of the busy center. A couple turned to look at them briefly as they materialized but didn't seem phased by their appearance and went back to their business as if nothing had happened.
Remy led the way a few steps into the pedestrial walkway, joining the foot traffic. "Perhaps we should get a bite to eat," she said noticing a few stands up ahead selling wraps, kebabs, and beverages. There was some outdoor seating behind the stands that seemed to be a social gathering place.
Remy slipped them each a small card, "Ghost accounts. Use this to pay. Let's split up among this crowd but keep each other in site."
Eirly took the card, looked it over and noted that there was nothing noteworthy about it, so she walked over to a couple of the stands that were selling delicious looking wraps and asked for one with more salad stuff than meat on it. For some reason, she hadn't always been that big a fan of meat, but she wasn't vegetarian either.
A young Bajoran male dressed in clothing that seemed to pull from both Bajoran and Asian traditions took Eirly's order. With two hands he handed her a cup of light colored tea. "On the house while you wait. Are you here to see anything in particular?" he asked as coworker assembled the wrap.
"Thank you," Eirly accepted the tea and took a tentative sip of it, not thinking anything would be wrong with it, even if it did taste a bit different. She just put it down to different culture, different tastes, "My colleague is here to see an old friend and we're here for support."
Kas stepped up to a stand and looked at what was available and ordered a kebab with extra meat. From the smell it was clearly replicated, not and not very well. He believed it was supposed to be mutton, but the scent was a little off. The large Hybrid eyed the beverage options, but decided against it. He was tracking his companions with his peripheral vision while keeping an eye on his surroundings.
Kas wasn't wrong about the replicated meat. It was rare to find actual meat in this part of the world - actually on Earth at all. However, some restaurants prepared replicated and lab grown meat better than others.
Nearby Remy had ordered a beverage in a clear glass with a thick straw - there were clear round balls stacked in the bottom of her cup. Bubble Tea. She was already talking with someone who held a similar drink in her hand.
A teenage boy walked up to Kas. "Would you like a tour guide through the mountains or to one of our holy sites? My friends and I can take you in the morning." Behind him a few meters back stood a female who may have been twenty, and another young man around her age. By appearance they seemed as though they could be capable climbers.
"We have references," the young man said with a smile, offering a small chip.
"Perhaps," Kas nodded politely and took the chip. "I'll have to see what my comrades have planned."
"It will be a good trip. We can take you anywhere," the young man responded. "We know the lands very well."
At the stand where Eirly had ordered her food, the person preparing the wrap passed her food over the counter, "I hope you enjoy it miss. If you and your colleague are looking for something to do this evening, many of the local establishments will have music, dancing. You might even be able to catch a late show."
The corner of Eirly's mouth twitched up in a smile at the mention of dancing and music, "Thank you for that, I'll let them know. I do enjoy music and dancing, after all." She walked away and over to near where the others were and sat to eat her own food.
Kas squatted down resting his haunches he could see both of his commanders as he ate his food. He was watching to see what Remy was up to while keeping an eye out for trouble.
A few more people had gathered around where Remy was standing earlier making small talk. It wasn't quite a crowd, and no one seemed to have arrived with anyone in particular, but the area was definitely getting busier.
A few larger bodies casually walked over and stood between where Eirly and Kas were sitting and both lost sight of their Captain.
Before either could react/push their way through the crowd, smaller figures - barely up to Kas's ribcage had slipped through quietly from behind. Eirly and Kas were both stuck with hypodermic needles (an antiquated, rarely used medical device on Earth during this day and age.) The strong tranquilizer began to work quickly, the larger figures who had stood nearby just seconds before quickly grabbing then by the arms so that they didn't fall, and escorting them from the scene.
> > > TBC to Part 2 > > >
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