Posted by Civilian Aedan Teller (Owner/CEO of OMAP Industries) in Shuttle - An Old Acquaintance

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Jessica Teller (XO) in Shuttle - An Old Acquaintance

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Jessica Teller (XO) in Shuttle - An Old Acquaintance
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻
https://www.star-fleet.com/core/stf3/outpost42/notes/57971/

Jessica walked into the Starfleet hangar bay as if she owned it. On some level she did. She was the executive officer and only Mathias had more power than her. Today though she had enough pips to get down what was needed to get done. “I need a runabout, off the records, here is the clearance,” Jessica handed the deck officer a forged set of orders. She did not worry about the scrutiny of them. They would hold up to anyone but the office that issued them. She was no longer in the field but she was not out of the game. Too many people needed someone like her: someone that appeared squeaky clean but able to get the job done. While the universe could think what they wanted, Aedan kept Jessica out of all his affairs that were supposedly illegal. The supposed illegal connotation was because no one had ever been able to bring any charges against him; however, there was no way Aedan Teller could have made his climb to power given his humble beginnings or choice of friends. Whether or not he gave it all up to marry Jessica and settle down was pure conjecture. What wasn’t conjecture was what his past could do for Mrs. Aedan Teller. All she had to do was drop her name and the good people of society fought to give her what she wanted to gain favor. The less reputable people of society gave her what she wanted out of fear of her husband.

“Ma’am this is all highly irregular,” the young lieutenant followed her on her heels protesting but not stopping. “You can take any vessel you want. All you have to do is sign the line but you,”

“Don’t want to sign the line,” Jessica did not stop her steady progression towards the shuttle.

“So what am I supposed to do if someone comes up and says ‘where is the XO or Goliath runabout,” he whined still keeping up with her stride.

Losing all her patience, Jessica spun on her heel to face the Lieutenant at the door of the shuttle. “I don’t care what you tell them. A band of roving gypsies stole it, two ensigns in love went AWOL,” she offered in a commanding tone, “but do not mention me or you will be transferred to the deepest, darkest sesspool pit in the Federation and run your career out there. Understood,” she snapped. Not waiting for an answer, Jessica entered the shuttle and shut the door.

Looking around anxiously the young lieutenant nodded to the metal door before tucking the PaDD under his arm heading back to the console he was manning moments before.

Sitting down in the cockpit, Jessica launched the ship. There was no going back now. There never was with the agency or Lauren Shan. It was a pity they never recruited her or maybe they did. That was the beauty of intelligence. One never knew what or who was doing what if the game was played well enough. Circling around to the small moon that was set to be the rendezvous point Jessica waited. She had told Zachary that time was of the essence. Whether it was fear of Aedan showing up again or Zachary really needing to complete a mission, Jessica didn’t care. Once she gave Shaw his required fifteen minutes, Jessica would head home and spend the day at the beach with her husband and daughter. Propping her feet on the console, she leaned back, closed her eyes and waited.

The tinkling chimes of a transporter igniting behind her notified Shaw had arrived. There was no need to stand on ceremony nor worry about rank and file. This was off the books. “Took you long enough,” Jessica grumbled looking at the time. It was well past noon which meant she would have some explaining to do

“Miss me,” Shaw said sliding into his seat next to her at the controls.

“Not if I am aiming at you so don’t give me a reason,” Jessica said dryly setting a case on her console to run the data packet Shaw had promised to bring. There was no way she was taking the chance someone could run the subhistory on the shuttles’ computer and learn what she was connected to. “Gimmie the data packet and your codes,” Jessica motioned with her hand to Shaw as she simultaneously opened the case and began to input her end of the codes with the other.

“Such impatience,” he teased in a slow drawl. “You did always like to play it hard and fast. I see some things never change.” Shaw watched her as Jessica took the data packet sliding it into the side panel looking for a reaction. Toying with Jessica had always been a fun pastime.

“I changed and for the better. Don’t presume to know me. Might send you to the hospital again,” Jessica tapped in the codes required to complete the transmission.

“You are such a liar,” Shaw said rolling his eyes. “You may be fooling everyone in the universe including that hot, rich man you married but I know you,” he leaned over the arm rest slightly focusing a hard piercing gaze on her. “You never do anything without a reason. I am still trying to figure out what your reasoning was to hook up woth Teller. It will show eventually. It always does,” Shaw kept his laid back, relaxed stance in his seat as if they were talking about the latest movie or other mundane topics.

“Maybe because I loved him,” Jessica didn’t give Shaw the courtesy of looking at him when she replied.

“Nah,” he taunted blowing off her answer, “but we have a long trip so maybe you can come up with a few million more reasons other than the patented love at first sight you feed the tabloids,” he prodded her. Zachary Shaw knee it couldn’t be all about the money. He knew Jessica too well for that. She had the looks to score a decent life with any guy. There had to be more to it than that.

Jessica turned sharply in her seat to face Zachary. Seeing his face, she wanted to punch him in the mouth to wipe off the smirk he was giving her. The world might see her as a socialite but there was far more to Jessica Teller than the diamonds she now wore and the designer shoes that carried her in and out of rooms. As the console ran the codes, Jessica had some free time and needed the space from Shaw.

“Tell me when this uploads,” she stood and left the cockpit. Jessica could banter back and forth icy words with Shaw but that was what he wanted. He was baiting her. If she didn’t walk out now, she would say something she regretted and he could use as ammunition later for whatever underlying reason he was involved in this scheme right now.

Walking to the back of the shuttle, Jessica picked up the small bag she had brought with her carrying it to the small cabin. Unzipping it she laid out all the times it contained on the bed: Change of clothes, stacks of credits, several forms of identification, and an unregistered weapon. Nothing with Lauren was simple or easy. Regardless of the job, she couldn’t just stroll in wearing her Starfleet uniform or use her name.

Later, hearing the soft snick of the pneumatic doors rush open, Shaw spared a glance at Jessica. What he saw made him reconsider toeing that life and death line again of making a play for Aedan Teller’s wife.

Jessica was still as beautiful as he remembered but even more so now that she was off the market and had a child. The ring and pacifer were in stark contrast to the black leather singlet she was wearing with a weapon slung low at her hip. The neutral tones of her previous makeup had been replaced with dark colors creating smokey eyes and dark colored lips to match. It was a classic makeup technique to draw your eyes to hers and pray that she would allow you to kiss her and continue. Her long blonde locks were gone. In place of it, Jessica was donning a chin length dark brown bob. The chunky layers of the obvious wig gave her a soft feminine quality that blended with a hint of recklessness. It was short enough to let an admirers eyes trace the gentle curve of her neck but long enough to entwine your fingers in to give it a sharp tug in the right circumstance. Her walk was not that of a devoted mother and wife. It swayed just enough with each step to beckon they eyes to trail down her body taking in the whole view. The click of her heeled boots on the hard metal floor, signaled her approach like a mentrone. The sight caused Shaw take a deep involuntary breath which he let out slowly. This was the point however to dressing and acted as she did. Men were simple creatures or at least the men they would be interacting with. Keeping their minds focused below the belt kept them off the shell game she would be playing at eye level. If her husband hadn’t broken his knee cap twenty fours hours ago, Shaw might have made a play for her; he still might because life was too short and then you died. It was t like they hadn’t had chemistry years ago. “So my place or yours,” Shaw asked watching her slide into the seat next to him.

“Mine,” she replied instantly. “I am sure Aedan would love to see you again and it would take the pressure off me in having to explain to him where I went and why I was dressed like this. Gonna take one for the team hero,” she said without a hint of humor. Internally she winced using the pet name so casually. Of all the things she was doing, using the nickname for her husband her seemed to sting the worst. Its just a job. Get it done and get home, she reminded herself.

Before Shaw could snap out an equally biting retort the download completed and the image of Lt Lauren Shan appeared. The slight blue tinged image did little to detract from her undeniable beauty. Only her eyes held a hint of what she was capable of if you looked for it. “Jessica, I found a lead on Harper,” Lauren’s recorded message began. Shan’s tone was not pleading or demanding. It was firm and direct like most conversations you had with the woman. It left no room for interpretation of emotion. Lauren was stating facts as she spoke with the expectation you would follow the request that would come later as if it were an order. “You are the closest to help. I need you to go and get her. Before you say no I know you have a daughter. What would stop you or Aedan from getting to your little girl in the same situation. This is not a normal job and not one for medical staff that is why I need you. You have the skills and he the resources to pull this off. Don’t give me the bull your husband is in the straight and narrow. We both know you never get out of the game. You know how to find me. You can call and say no but know that when you look in Cera’s eyes as she is curled up safe in bed, it is just a matter of fate that she is not Harper. “.

The message dissolved as quickly as it had appeared. The only thing left floating in the air was a set of coordinates. For the first time since Jessica embarked on this journey a bubble of emotion erupted as she kicked the console muttering a string of profanity.

Having a child changed your outlook on life. Things that might have garnered a tug at your heart strings once now became an insatiable need to fix or alter to protect them or make their life better. Lauren was wrong on only one thing in her plea for help. Cera would never be in Harper’s dilemma because there was no rock or crevice anyone could hide in if they attacked Aedan’s family.

Shaw’s smug grin spread an inch wider watching his companion vent and rage. “This was why you did not marry or become close to anything. If it was of value to you someone somewhere could try to take it from you. So you wanna call the hubby or me,” he pulled a communicator out of his pocket and shook it slightly.

Hearing the company motto thrown back in Jessica’s face almost caused her to come unhinged. Flexing her fingers several times to work the tension out she turned to face Shaw. “You are an arse. You know that right,” she shot him a sour look tapping out a series of commands on the console. Jessica left her response at that. He was right in what he said. She had more pressing things on her plate at the moment though to debate his statement. . Engaging the long range sensors it took her only a moment to find what she was looking for. Thank god you’re on our side, Jessica muttered to herself finding the distress beacon several light years away. It was faint and on a sub frequency that no one would notice unless you were looking for it. It would be enough to give her plausible deniability. Captain McGarret was a good man. If he didn’t buy her cover story his moral compass would save her from twenty years in the brig. Mathias was a good man. That is why Jessica would never leave his side as XO.

Tapping out a series of command codes, Jessica cleared her throat and sent her messages to the outpost. The first was a message to Aedan. There were things worse than twenty years of gruel on a prison barge. =/\=. Flight deck this is Lt Commander Jessica Teller. I need the deck officer to contact my husband and tell him I have gotten pulled away at work and will contact him later=/\=. Holding her breath for a second Jessica decided to be as honest as possible but only by hugging the truth. She would contact him later with more. Right now she just needed Aedan not to worry.

Next came her alibi to Outpost 42. =/\=. Outpost 42 this is shuttle Mordecai. We have encountered a distress signal=/\=

“Cue sub space interference,” Shaw said running program to scramble Jessica’s transmission enough to make it appear an ion storm or spatial radiation was hindering the message. Luckily for them Space was not a silent place. This fact made off the book missions easier to create doubt when questions were asked.

=/\=Moving … position to …. … out. Will repo… back … per …. intervals. … …ander Jess….ler. =/\=. Clicking off the comm line Jessica watched Shaw completing the sub space navigation requirements for their jump.

“Engaging warp,” Shaw announced setting the shuttle on its way

==============
Teller Residence
==============

Crewman Gabriel Queen tugged at his collar standing in front of the door to the Lt Commanders penthouse. This was why he hated officers. They never had the hard jobs. They attended thier fancy academy learning nothing of value except how to bark out orders. Oh sure they swooped in as the engineering chief to flip the switch to stop a warp core breach but it was the enlisted that had gotten all the subsystems into place for the switch to work. They grimaced as the CMO applying a hypo to cure a patient that the crewman had spent hours titrating from a culture in a Petri dish. They cleaned up goo stuck to every crevice in a science lab as the CSO scooped up a sample to run more tests on planning some scheme to weaponize it against the Borg. They also sent the enlisted out as lambs to a slaughter to do their dirty work which is why Crewman Queen was here. This job got passed down faster than an asteroid cascading through a planetary orbit. Queen was low man on the totem pole so Queen was assigned the job.

Aedan Teller’s reputation ran the gambit from congenial drinking partner to the man that made things disappear. Crewman Queen doubted Mr Teller would not have questions when his message was delivered. The problem was Queen had no answers to supply the man. As he activated the door pad a comedy skit began to run through his head. It was about a man who told his wife he had gotten a message that Timmy was in a accident and they should pray for him. The wife kept peppering the husband with questions and the husband’s only reply to hers was the text message that said Timmy was in an accident and that they pray for him which was not enough for the wife. Crewman Queen prayed that since in no way shape or form could Aedan Teller be mistaken as a housewife, Aedan would take the message and give Queen the patented guy response of “thanks,” and shut the door.

Lt. Commander Jessica Teller XO

Aedan opened the door, Cera, in his arms as a medium-sized brown dog ran circles around his legs as he looked at the man. Aedan himself was still intimidating in many ways, despite the more family looking appearance around him. As Cera babbled slightly she looked at the man at the door then back to her daddy. “Pizza!” she said loudly, one of the few words the small girl knew as Aedan eyed the man carefully.

Pizza, Ollie barked loudly staring at the man with her tail wagging so ferociously it was bending her body almost in half with each swipe. I love you pizza man. Oh Pizza man please please give me the cheesy goodness. Give it to me, Ollie barked nosing her way closer and closer to the man at the door.

“Ah wee no,” Cera leaned over not caring how off balance she was in Aedan’s arms. Swinging her hand she tried to make the puppy listen to her like her daddy was doing. “My Peeza.”

“No baby, that is not the pizza man, you would be?” Aedan said as he looked him up and down, the dog begins to bark as she began to rub up on the leg of the crewmen wishing to get pets.

Aedan Teller

“She is friendly,” the man said almost as a statement instead of a question.

“I’m Crewman Queen and I have a message from the XO,” he was stiff with the dog sniffing at his leg and scared to death looking Aedan in the eye. He might be holding a baby but the way he looked Queen dead in the eye said the man was anything but domestic.

“Your wife has gotten pulled away at work and will contact you later,” Queen recited back the message he had memorized from the PaDD in his hand. While Teller was not his commanding officer, Queen wasn’t sure if he could just walk away.

Queen

“Hold her…” Aedan said as he put Cera in the crewman’s arms as he narrowed his gaze for a second as he thought on those words. He wasn’t expecting this, and after this Shaw fellow the other night he felt there was more going on than he liked. He already had his team dig up enough stuff to make him almost admire the man, but this was far more than he expected.

“Wait what,” Queen’s mouth dropped open. This was not what Lt. Hawkings told him was going to happen after he delivered the message. Hawkings said Teller would stun him and to walk it off. Peterson said Teller would take him on a space walk but not to worry. Aedan only sucked out enough air to freak you out but not to kill you. Batlin told him she never had anything but positive interactions and Aedan might seem annoyed but would shake his hand and send him on his way. No one mentioned he would shove a baby at him.

Oh Peeze man I “wuv” you she opened her mouth and kissed his cheek leaving a large spot of wet drool where her lips where as Ollie jumped up on his leg making the man appear to be stumbling back out the door.

Grabbing the crewman by his shoulder as he held onto a squirming Cera he drug him into the penthouse as the pair walked in.

“I was not running,” Queen immediately began to babble sounding like Aedan’s kid instead of a grown man. Hold on to that kid. He won’t space you if you have his daughter, his inner voice tried to calm him down. his voice seemed to echo as Queen looked up. Instead of seeing a roof, it was a cathedral ceiling to the second floor. Space was a premium on the Outpost unless you have the funds to apparently purchase like ten room and knock all the wall and roofs out.

The opulence of the place could be startled to some, the place was far bigger than many people would expect even for Aedan Teller. “Counsela!” Aedan said loudly as the housekeeper could be heard shuffling from another part of the penthouse as she came in looking around at the sight of this Starfleet crewman holding Cera as Aedan looked cold in his eyes as he caught sight of her.

“Calm down Señorrr, Aedan,” Consela’s thick accent fired back. She might be his hired help but she was far more than that. While Aedan had no family save Jessica, Evie, Mathais, and Cera, Adele and and Consela were treated more like cousins than servants. “What is de bee in yourrr bonnet dis time,” she remarked coming down the steps from the second floor.

“There you are… Mr. Queen here is going to be watching Cera as I check on something, aren’t you Mr. Queen,” said Aedan, the tone clearly indicating there was no question to his statement as he tightened the grip on the shoulder of the young man as he smiled tersely.

“Oh…oh no I..I.I.I,” he looked at Aedan imploringly. “I am an only child. I have a hot date with Vanessa Synder. I can’t babysit.”

“Mr. Queen… I love my family, and I am gonna put you in control of them… Counsela will help you… if anything happens to anything living in this penthouse, including my plants… well you wouldn’t be the first Starfleet crewmen to find themselves suddenly transferred under mysterious circumstances now would you?” he said as he looked over at the man as his eyes seemed to become piercing as he looked directly into his.

Queen’s heart was racing and his mouth was going dry. No one was going to believe this was happening to him and how would they help. He was only a crewman. Maybe this is what happened before. There was a notification that popped up saying message the XO at home at your own risk. He never thought much about it until now. He ha assume it was because everyone liked their off duty time. That message now gave Queen a whole new perspective on the interpretation of that suggestion. Looking at Aedan, Queen’s mouth opened and closed like a guppie in a fish tank. He wanted to talk but it was like all the words possible were sucked out of his brain.

“I need you to nod like you understand Mr. Queen,” Aedan said as he squeezed tighter before he finally got the sign he wanted.

“No,” he said but shook his head yes indicating that he understood loud and clear what was expected of him.

“I… will be back, I’ll make sure someone is there to cover you… sure I can find some allergy to say you came down with,” Aedan added with a hard pat on the man’s back as he began walking away. As he did he raised his hand as he knew they would all be staring his one. “Oh, one more thing…” he said as he turned around to look at them all.

“Counsela will also kill you if you do anything to upset Cera… she’s very protective of my little girl, aren’t you Counsela?” he said.

Not saying a word, she moved to the closet getting Aedan’s coat and carried to him stopping in the kitchen area. Laying the coat on the counter she pulled out a large filet knife and threw it across the room so that it whizzed past Queen lodging itself in the oak trim of the door.

With a large smile and wink at the housekeeper as he grabbed his leather coat that was at the entrance as he left behind the doors.

Aedan Teller

“Si Señorrr, Aedan,” she said watching her boss leave she yelled out one last thing. “Jhabe a goot trrrip,” she purred almost sultrily. It was enough to pull Queen’s attention off of her as she saw Queen watch Aedan leave. “So you gonna orrrderrr Cerrra pizza. We orrrderrr frrrom jherrre ant dey know only to sent Bobby.” With that she turned and left the room.

“Help,” Queen finally managed hearing only Cera’s happy laugh as she swatted at Ollie’s tail and his own voice.

Queen.

=================
Mordecai. Runabout
=================

As the starlines began to appear as streaks in the night sky, Shaw activated the ships comm systems. It was time for some cabin entertainment. The cabin was instantly filled with the strong club beat. It was heavy on the drum beats acting almost like a heartbeat pounding out the base notes of the song. An accompaniment of horns brought up the tempo to give it more of a club dance rhythm but to Jessica it was the drum rhythm that echoed the loudest. This lead her to a mental image was Aedan sitting at his desk, half reclined sitting with one leg over the other as he tapped a stylus on his desktop deep in thought. Aedan had many positions when he was in deep thought but this one in her mental image was one where he was planning.

As she slid into her seat Shaw began to sing the lyrics loudly. He knew it would get a rise out of Jessica sooner or later. He was hoping for sooner. It was a long way to Farius Prime.

She wears a long fur coat of mink
Even in the summer time
Everybody knows from the coy little wink
The girl’s got a lot on her mind Shaw looked dead at her during this lyric. He was intrigued as to why Jessica seemed to have a lot on her mind. This was the perfect song to unhinge her. Zach didn’t realize how much so until he listened to all the lyrics.
She’s got big thoughts, big dreams
And a big brown Mercedes sedan

Spinning in his seat he looked at Jessica with a smirk. Clicking the stylus in his hand in and out he wore a smug expression. “You have one of those, don’t you? Mercedes-Benz Elite-Klasse S3X I think if I am not wrong,” Zachary cocked his head looking at her full on waiting for her answer.

“Lunar Blue Metallic and Emerald Green Metallic,” she responded promptly “Mine has Espresso Brown with Magma Grey leather and Aedan’s is Tartufo Red with Black leather. Helps to hide the blood,” she didn’t miss a beat. If Zach wanted to bat the old banter about she would serve every snarky comment back at him.

“His and hers,” Zach rubbed his forehead. “So cute. Do you have matching monogram towels too? Wait don’t answer that.” If his comment was sincere, Jessica might have dropped the thought of abandoning him the first chance she got when they were dirt side if he didn’t finish his thought by breaking into the next lyric of the song.

What I think this girl
She really wants, to be in love with a man
She wants to lead the glamorous life

Jessica spun looking at Shaw with her teeth gritted. If she could have jettisoned his body into space, she would at this moment. The universe would not miss someone like Shaw. Any comment of hers would widen the smirk on his face. She had to be careful with her word choice. “I am warning you,” she settled as a retort before going back to the console. She could feel his eyes boring holes into the side of her head for long moments until her peripheral vision showed Zach was now singing while he monitored something on his console.

She saw him standing in the section marked
If you have to ask you can’t afford it lingerie

“Bet you don’t run into this often now do you,” Shaw’s barb made Jessica’s hand slide down to her side nearing her weapon. “Tell me was it his money or something else,” Zach asked before continuing to sing. He would take the stun from the phaser. He was nearing her breaking point. Apparently, Jessica really did feel something for this man she married.

She threw him bread and said make me scream
In the dark what could he say
Boys with small talk and small minds
Really don’t impress me in bed

“Oh look they included you in the song,” Jessica glared at Shaw. “I am pretty sure nothing has changed on you since Platarion VI and I was not impressed then even drunk on Romulan ale and high as a kite on Red Ice.” Her verbal dig was weak but she could no longer just sit and listen to his drivel. Her mind was on Aedan. They did not lie to each other but so far nothing had come up to make her need to worry about talking to him. If things went sour on the mission, it could come back as trouble for Teller. He had worked to hard to leave his past behind him. There was no way she was going to drag him back into it.

“Funny enough I have some in my bag,” Shaw propped his feet up on the dash. Interlocking his hands behind his head, Shaw gave her a soft charming smile. The smirk was gone which meant he was trying to work her as an asset. “Wanna relive an old memory? This ship does have a cabin. We are on a Federation ship. After he broke my knee for even looking at you sideways I ain’t going to tell him anything we do like,” Shaw made a lewd gesture with his fist.

Jessica had hit her breaking point. Pulling out her phaser she stared at Shaw’s face realizing he did not hold a flirtatious expression. He was serious with his invitation. He was also baiting her. Testing her limits but for what? She was not giving him any indication of what he was suggesting appealed to her.

Gotcha, Zachary Shaw melted into his seat. Jessica’s panic point was fidelity with Aedan. It made sense. With all the scandalous rumors surrounding that man’s past the last thing he probably would tolerate was infidelity by her. “No one would know,” he pressed. It didn’t matter now if she did or didn’t sleep with him. Well if he could push her there it would pass the time a lot more pleasantly but there was no need to rush the inevitable.

“I would know,” Jessica snapped. “You are a bas,”

“Language,” Shaw waggled a finger at her. The idea Jessica was worried about money was a simple concept yet Jessica wasn’t that shallow. What was he missing? The kid. How he missed that shocked Shaw. Maybe he was losing his game. “Do you kiss your baby with that mouth,” he tested the waters. Her reaction was all he needed.

Jessica had to leave before she said or did something nasty to Shaw. Getting up she moved to leave the cockpit as Shaw’s hand closed tightly around her wrist. Her head snapped to face him. Pure loathing shone from her eyes as he sang the final part of the song which was now causing a headache to form behind her eyes.

She thought real love is real scary
Money only pays the rent

“That is your problem, Jess. You got in over your head with Teller. It was fun. It was exciting and then you are knocked up. What is my girl to do,” he tightened his grip as she attempted to pull her arm back. “You didn’t have to marry him but you got his kid. That is the one thing that Teller couldn’t buy with his money but he has more money and lawyers than God. So in order to keep your kid you pledged undying love to Aedan Teller,” he released her wrist snapping his finger like everything had come together in a dime store novel.

“What would you know about love. You don’t care about anyone. You never have. That was the one facet I found charming about you. Don’t take that away,” Jessica’s tone indicated she was finished with the conversation.

“No, I know his type perfectly. He trapped you as much as you got trapped,”

“If you say another word I will kill you right here right now,” she pointed the weapon at his face. Her hand was far steadier than Shaw remembered. .

“Real love is real scary,” Zachary repeated the line from the song. This was the last straw. Pulling the trigger a bolt sliced through the cabin impacting Shaw’s chest. The bolt turned him boneless. Zach’s body slid slightly in the seat as all muscle control left his body. Holstering her weapon, Jessica left him there. It was going to be a few hours until they reached the coordinates set in the runabout’s computer. She had some research to do and if Shaw wasn’t up by the time they reached their destination she would do the job herself.

Reclining back in her seat Jessica took several deep breaths using the numbers counting down the end of their warp jump as pacer. Exiting warp was going to start all her headaches. Jessica purposely had left her burner phone in the bag with the money and weapons she had brought. Activating it would indicate the messages sent to it to be displayed on the front screen. If Aedan has tried to contact her, it would show she had not seen them until now. Ignoring them from this point forward would prove to be more difficult. Still Jessica was already a quarter through the mission. If her luck held out all she needed was an hour on the surface to complete her business. When it was over she had a six hour warp ride back home. Glancing at her watch, Jessica did the mental calculations. She would be home by the eleven o’clock news if all went according to plan. The issue was this planet was Farius Prime.

Activating her PaDD she brought up the intelligence reports of Farius Prime. Hundreds of years ago it was a sanctuary for liberal hippies and ivory tower philosophers. As time moved forward an oligarchy was established that devoted the planet to economics and business: so much for the socialist society where everyone was equal. The focus for Farius Prime rapidly turned to commerce which created new avenues of money and thus it began. The quest for power and wealth among its citizens. As with most civilizations this created a several tiered system of haves and have nots..

The Farius Prime government, not wanting to lose the lucrative economy it was creating, realized the power in the untapped black market commodities. They created a legal system that for most of the universe would seem rogue but allowed for the black market commodities to flourish. It allowed the planet to prosecute anyone who broke the law in anyway they saw fit throwing out extradition treaties with all major powers. Extradition was possible on a case-by-case basis which meant if you had enough money or power your sanctuary could result in deportation. This stroke of legal jurispridence caused Farius to become a hot spot for those looking to live in the shadows.

Bringing up the logistics of the planet Jessica reviewed the city where they were set to dock On the surface Maltabra City was a nice little coastal town on the Galldean Sea. It was divided into two sections: The Central Bazaar and the Kohol District. The Central Bazaar was a two kilometer long business district that attracted vendors and sellers from across Farius Prime and off-world.

The Kohol District was little more than impoverished slums making it ideal for smugglers, thugs, and criminals. Down the center of the district was a main thoroughfare called Tajora Street. The last Jessica knew the Orion Syndicate controlled one side and the Asfar Qatala Crime Syndicate the other.

Maltabra City was serviced by two spaceports – one to the south of the city, and a smaller one to the east, near the sea. The smaller spaceport was often used for illicit shipments and trade, including red ice.

Her intelligence was six months old which made it archaic in the world of the intelligence. Clicking out a comm message she hesitated a second before sending it. Lauren knew people which got you in a lot of doors. Jessica however, needed to know what was going on behind those doors. As much as Jessica admire Shan, the woman was reckless and narrow minded to a fault at times about her mission. Lauren had nothing to loose. Jessica had everything to lose which is why she was seeking out information from the one person in the universe that could give it to her.

=/\=Based on your message I assume this is not a social call=/\=Celina Roriguez’s voice greeted her from the other end of the galaxy. She and Jessica had went through the academy together. Their careers in intelligence diverged slightly but it was not like they didn’t share information when they require it. =/\=Is this about Ariel,=/\= she asked using Lauren’s alias.

=/\=Yes. I am on Farius Prime. I need to know the state of the cartels here. Who is the big dog? Lergo or Finnall=/\= Jessica asked to the point. There was not a lot of time and this wasn’t a social call as Celina just said.

=/\=I don’t know. They are still high up in their organizations. On a scale of one to ten how imperative is it that you know in the next five minutes. Your answer means I am going to have to go to Jack=/\= Celina did not pull any punches. She had no idea how to bring up such a question but if Jessica needed it she would find a way. The long pause by Teller on the other line told her everything she had to know. None of them relished the idea secrets between their partners but at times it was a necessity. =/\= I need five minutes,=/\= Celina replied pausing the comm signal.

https://www.star-fleet.com/core/stf1/manhattan/notes/66652/

It took about fifteen minutes but the paused Federation signal blipped away replaced by Celina’s face. =/\=Lergos is your way in. Good luck=/\= she replied clicking off.

Leaning back in her seat, Jessica drummed her fingers on the arm of the chair thinking about Aedan. She was not scared of her husband but she was scared of his reaction. There was far worse things he could do than backhand her which wasn’t out of the realm of possibilities. She would deck Aedan hard enough to fracture her hand if the roles were reversed. Sexual liberation meant what was good for one sex was good for the other. No Jessica was more worried about her freedom. Aedan valued truth, honesty and loyalty above all else. She took an oath to give this to him the day she became Mrs. Aedan Teller. A demand that she turn in a resignation from Starfleet was a real probability. There was no reason for her to work. He knew she liked her job but she doubted he would let her career come between them or her family. Harper better be here, she thought to herself.

“God you are one royal witch,” Shaw rubbed his face coming out of his stupor. “Maybe I was wrong about you.”

“I said you were,” Jessica stood up from her seat. “Lergo is our way in. We leave in five,” she snapped moving to the back of the shuttle. Shaw watched her move through the cabin. She was already in intelligence mode. He could barely keep his eyes off her as she collected the necessary items in the cabin. Her actions seemed more like a sultry dance than packing up for a mission. It was what she was trained to do though. Shaw needed to remember that and not just watch her work.

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Club Vertigo
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Maneuvering through the Central Bazar was the easy part. Finding Lergo was going to be much harder. Opening the door to the club, all of Jessica’s sense were accosted simultaneously. Exotic drugs, incense, and smoke-filled her nose. It was not an unpleasant smell but it made you instantly aware that this was not a typical watering hole for the masses. The attire ranged from glittering formal wear to the worn and tattered cloth of thugs and bounty hunters waiting for their next score. The walls of the place were covered with expensive art and tapestries giving it a luxurious feel even though the outside of the establishment appeared ready to be condemned. Some lights were dimmed to produce shadowy corners where bodyguards would be obscured from view. Other lights shone brightly to illuminate card tables and couches where the Syndicate could do their business. White noise filtered out most conversations probably from sound dampeners placed in a concealed location. Only bouts of laughter punctuated the noise fog allowing one’s eyes to drift there when a distraction was needed. This place was a textbook haven for criminals and their organizations. Letting her eyes drift around the room, Jessica spied her target. Now it was time to get his attention.

Eyes began darting as Jessica entered. For most in the club, this would mean nothing, but these men were not normal men. Leaning into one another the closest guy at the door whispered into the ear of one of the men at the table as he stood up and began walking past Jessica as he climbed up the steps to the building.

Coming to the front door, a small page could be heard as he slipped in. The office was dark, but the chair at the desk area was filled it appeared yet had their arm hiding from view. The man knew he shouldn’t wait as he stood there as he pulled at the PaDD. “Sir… he tracking showed up her as you suspected. I don’t think she is aware of your presence, your ship’s cloaking device and slipstream engines got you here in plenty of time… but I have to ask… is it wise to let her play these games at your club… you always told us to keep her away from these dealings.” said the small mousy man as he took a deep breath, as the chair slowly turned around.

As the chair came fully around, it was clear it just wasn’t anyone there as Aedan came into full view as he stared at the man carefully. “Oh… she was bound to go poking into one of my holdings she shouldn’t be in eventually, and I am very interested in seeing how this plays out… I take it she is disguised correct?” Aedan asked as he stood up as he adjusted his suit as he walked toward the man.

“Yes… she doesn’t have the normal golden locks but… the tracker says it’s here. We didn’t have a chance to run a facial recognition yet,” he said as he handed the PaDD to Aedan.

“Good…” Aedan replied as he walked over to the window area, it’s view let him see the entire club as he looked around as he took a deep breath. “Let’s see what she wants from here, and inform Mr. Creed I owe him for the tip.”

“Yes sir, I will have the men watch her but keep the distance… anything else I can do for you?”

“No… I am just going to enjoy the show for a bit, tell Commander Zavala to bring in the men though for the council meeting… and let them know I will be here in person for once, so make sure no deaths happen while I am here… or they won’t find themself back to their own holdings.” Aedan said coldly as he smirked widely as he followed Jessica as he felt a slight sense of pride in his wife. “What are you up to Mrs. Teller,” he said softly to himself as the lackey departed.

Aedan Teller

Drifting down the staircase, Jessica’s steps appeared to make her seem to be gliding over the water. The click of her heels was buried in the thick plush carpeting as her fluid gait carried her to the bar. Shaw had the schematics on the club. The club was designed so that from certain vantage points the proprietors could watch everyone entering and exiting it. Jessica just needed to find her spot that she could control.

Slipping into a seat she sat crossing her legs so that anyone watching would let their eyes flow over her body. The position allowed every feminine curve from her calves to her thighs to her hips and points northward to be examined. It only took a heartbeat to feel every man scoping her out. A long time ago, Jessica learned that the fewer men actually saw the more enticed they became imagining removing every sleeve and pant leg exposing the smooth skin underneath. She was their present to open and play within a shadowy corner or a dim room with just enough light to admire all she could give them. It wasn’t long before her mark ventured over to her.

“What can I get you,” a soft voice in an accent she couldn’t place whispered in her ear from behind. He hadn’t touched her yet but the way his breath cascaded down her neck, Jessica knew it would only be a matter of time until the stray hand found her thigh, waist, or other curved feature on her body. He was so close meaning to throw her off guard by his presence. Coming up from behind was a mark of control unless the target was expecting it.

“Depends,” she turned slowly facing the voice. The gentleman was exotically handsome with dark eyes and hair to match. His skin was the color of someone who was born in a tropical place. This man was used to women melting when he began to dote attention on them. Licking her lips to moisten them, she let the tip of her tongue linger long enough to hint as opportunities later. “I might just want to get you something.” Jessica let her voice carry a sultry purr. It was meant to numb his mind with thoughts of how he could change its pitch and cadence with some intimate attention to call out his name begging for continued.

“Maybe later,” he signaled the bartender for his standard brand of exotic ale meant to make Jessica more loose and pliable. “Right now I think I should get your name first. Jafan Lergo,” he extended his hand.

His skin was cool to the touch indicating he as completely at ease. “Pleased to meet you,” Jessica shook Jafan’s hand letting her index finger trace his in a sensual motion from the tip brushing down to the sensitive skin of his wrist.

“And I don’t get the pleasure of an introduction,” he turned to get the drinks that silently had appeared behind him. Extending one to Jessica she took the delicate fluted cup bringing it to her lips for a sip.

“Only if you are a good boy,” she replied after swallowing the sweet, yellowish colored liquor. Its silky texture with white fruit and citrus notes could not be anything but Cristal. The drink had survived among the affluent since 1867 when it was created for Tsar Nicholas the second. “So what are we celebrating,” she set the drink down on the marble bar tracing the lip of the glass in lazy circles with the tip of her finger.

“That I have found my companion for this evening,” he wrapped one hand around her waist pushing slightly to indicate she was to follow him.

“And if I say I am waiting for someone Mr. Lergo,” she held her position in the seat.

“Then I say someone is going to get killed because I don’t come in second place to anyone,” he leaned forward whispering in her ear. Years of training prevented her from withdrawing backward as his lips kissed her neck below her ear and then lower in the soft curve where her neck met her shoulder. Inclining her head slightly to give him more skin she drew in a deep breath feeling a hot sensation ripple across her body where his lips had touched. “So save a life,” he extended a hand, “come with me?”

Lergo had the suave and charm down to a science. An unwary woman would be completely captivated by Jafan Legro until she was discarded to the streets if she was lucky. To one of his crew if she was unlucky. “I am not worth anyone’s life,” Jessica replied taking his hand. “Maybe a weekend of your time perhaps but nothing more.”

Lt. Commander Jessica Teller