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The Situation Just Got Complicated (Tag Vonn)

Posted Nov. 17, 2022, 9:10 p.m. by Civilian Eryn Romanov (Colonial Intelligence Agent) (Jennifer Ward)

Posted by Civilian Kodek Vonn (Colonial Intelligence Agent) in The Situation Just Got Complicated (Tag Vonn)

Posted by Civilian Eryn Romanov (Colonial Intelligence Agent) in The Situation Just Got Complicated (Tag Vonn)

Posted by Civilian Kodek Vonn (Colonial Intelligence Agent) in The Situation Just Got Complicated (Tag Vonn)
Posted by… suppressed (27) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Eryn was sitting by a bank of consoles staring at endless footage. Her feet were crossed at the ankle and propped on the desk. She was twirling a knife around and around. The techs were just glad she had it in the sheath this time. James’ doctor connection had arrived and she and Vonn had taken care of their guest. Eryn was waiting for the all clear to “question” him. In another life time she carried a reputation for always getting the answers she needed. The reputation had grown to the point most people began to babble all their secrets as soon as she walked in the room. She didn’t relish returning to that. She’d always despised it, but someone had to do it.

When Vonn finally reappeared, she let her boots thunk to floor as the feet of the chair clacked down on the bare floor. Best not to put this off. A snap of her fingers brought another agent over to take her spot with the colony surveillance videos. She walked over to Vonn. “We should talk. There is a car waiting when you’re ready.” Clearly Eryn didn’t think the black site was secure enough, that meant the Garden house. The modifications and security were finished there and Vonn had a small suite that met his environmental needs. Presidio was proving to be a headache in permits and contractor know how.

The Artist Eryn had a private car and never went anywhere without her body guard. And she was known to go to all kinds of strange locations looking for materials and ‘inspiration’. Eryn transferred the data she was examining to a secure PaDD and headed out the door for the waiting car.

Eryn

The Breen didn’t make a sound or utter a word. They just wordlessly followed Eryn out to the waiting car, opened the door for her as the helmet made a show of looking around, and then the armored figure ducked into the car and the door closed.

Vonn, CIA

Eryn didn’t say a word until they were security inside the house. She sat on one of couches. Anyone else would not see anything but a relaxed and composed individual with very few life concerns. Kodek knew her well enough to know she was off. She pulled her personal PaDD out of her pocked and handed it to him. On the screen was the face of a man in a black and grey Star Fleet uniform. Her voice returned to normal, dropping her Russian accent and turn of phrase. “Six hours after the attack on Holloway this man, and his ship,” she reached over and swiped to show the image, “arrived at Oed. The ship is the SFI S31 Thresher and the man is her captain, Ryan York. He beamed down, covertly, with a small team and went to visit Molly Holloway. The man is hung up on her and has been for years. Molly is the same. I confirmed with Calvin Harris that he is here.”

“I do not think he is at cause for the attack, though I let Harris think so. His presence is significant for 2 reasons. 1) I provided some specialized training to Ryan and Molly at the farm many years ago. York did a handful of missions with Synthi-er over the years. He knows her. 2) and most importantly…York is the one who snatched me off Leviathan and dropped me off to that hell hole that you found me in. And as we know it was a well orchestrated trap.”

Eryn

The helmet didn’t move, nor the body attached to it. Not for a long moment. Then the synthesized voice said “Do we know the purpose of the meeting? Is he aware of your presence here? And you do know he is going to die before he leaves, correct?”

Vonn, CIA

“No, I don’t know the purpose. Harris was unconscious when York arrived. Molly Holloway doesn’t know me as well but I didn’t want to risk she might get curious. If I had to guess, York was offering to hunt down who attacked her uncle and Harris. York will do anything for her. But six hours? That means the Thresher was close. Possibly watching Oed, but why? A coincidence? Maybe but believing that could get me killed, again.” Eryn scrubbed both hands across her face. “I don’t know, but I have been very careful to not go out unless necessary since I identified the transporter signal. But I worked with York enough times that even undercover he might pick up on small tells. I have been very careful and deliberate, but no one is perfect. I am supposed to be notified if they pick the signal up again.” Eryn sighed, “I know. But if he is here because he suspects, he could have already reported, and more are on the way if he fails.”

Eryn

“No one suspects you lived. That I made sure of. But you are right to be cautious.” Vonn said and then fell silent for a moment. “We need to get eyes on him. And by him, I mean via Molly Holloway. Where she goes, he will go. Or at least his assets will. We can track them. CIA can handle that. I doubt York would be foolish enough to stay planetside. Unless a spot in the Holloway estate becomes available, of course. But I doubt General Harris would want an old flame so close to his paramor. But then only question that needs to be answered now is what do you want to do about this?”

Vonn, CIA

Eryn shook her head, the strands of blonde hair seeming so strange tonight. “I don’t know. At some point SFI is going to show up at James’ office and Tellus to butt out of this investigation. Harris seems okay with that and told me the CIA is weeks behind wherever York is on the investigation. He told me to stay out of York’s and Molly’s way. That’s political, but I don’t want to be found. Maybe I should go off grid for awhile.” She leaned back, her eyes hardening, “But if that roD was in on what happened to me…he needs to be delt with.”

Eryn

The helmet did something that the helmet rarely did… it laughed. It was short, but noticeable. “Harris has no say in CIA activities. None. And Holloway isn’t a colony representative. Their opinion is exactly that… and opinion.” There was a pause for a moment and then Vonn said “If we are behind, then York has files we need. So we get them. And eliminate him as a threat.”

Vonn, CIA

“Kodek, really, I’m insulted. When have you ever known me to bow to the whims and opinions of others. Even if they do have a say.” Eryn smirked. “I did however find it enlightening, Harris’ opinion of the CIA and his willingness to allow Star Fleet to take over a Colonial matter, after all the hard work the governor has put in.”

Erin shook her head. “I am not sure how much help I can be. I know the ship and the crew, but the risk of being recognized…could make it problematic.” It wasn’t that Eryn feared risk or death, but it was a matter of weighing her presence against success or failure.

Eryn

“So we get the files without going on the ship. Or rather… going in the ship.” Vonn said flatly.

Vonn, CIA

Eryn looked at him and turned pale before she cursed in several languages. She got sick space walking. Really sick. “I gotta find a med kit with dramamine or Zofran in it.” She needed to talk to James too. He didn’t need to know about her or her problem, but there were some things he should know.

Eryn

“What… don’t like space walks?” the voice said with a hint of amusement. The Breen settled back in the seat and said “Of course, we would need a distraction. Something that would get and hold their attention for… I would estimate three and a half minutes. Long enough for me to install the program that will copy the files from their core, but not transmit them. Their comms will do that for us. It will ride on a transmission they send out. Single burst pulse. They’ll see it, of course. And they will be able to track it. But it will beam to a location I don’t think they will want to just beam into. And if they do… I’m fairly certain the Oed Police will take offense to unexpected arrivals in their headquarters. My associate will pull the optical drive as soon as the files are downloaded. They won’t even exist on Police computers. Again, SFI will be able to track it, but they won’t have anyway after that. After the chip makes it way via my ‘friends’, it will come to me. Should take a day.”

Vonn, CIA

“I like them just fine, my stomach has other opinions.” She tapped her hand on her knee thinking. “There are very few things that would get the Thresher’s attention…” Then she grinned. “An encrypted message was sent out right after the attack. Our analysts were having trouble with it, but I am certain that message was what brought York. We now have the encryption and could mimic it. Send a message out using the same encryption. They will be all over themselves to find out what the next message is, breaking it down and analyzing it. Should buy you enough time.”

Eryn

“Then I must make a stop and pick up a few things.” Vonn raised their arm and tapped on the wrist computer and the automated car slowed and changed direction. It headed to the industrial area of the city and pulled in front of a janitorial supply store front. A Tellariate came out carrying a very large, black, hard-sided case and put it in the trunk of the slider. The car then simply moved away and began to go their original destination.

Vonn, CIA

Eryn retrieved her PaDD. “This is the transport signal of the Thresher. Very quiet and subtle. It should be the same unless Harris gave York a heads up. I didn’t tell him we ha e the transport signal though. This is the encrypted message we encountered right after the bombing.” Both appeared on Vonn’s wrist computer. “I will set up the message on a stand alone transmitter. I’ll go to the wood park o. The Southside during lunch and hide it in a tree. It’s always busy then. We’ll set it to self destruct after the message is sent. They can track it but there won’t be anything left to work with.”

Eryn

The helmet nodded and said “Drop me at the shuttle port cargo gate. Call me when you are set and ready. Broadcast on my signal. I will meet you at the Plaza Exchange. My associates’s shop. Remember the place?” Vonn asked, knowing she would.

Vonn, CIA

“I do.” Eryn wasn’t likely to forget him. “It will take me a couple of hours to prep the message and transmitter, then get into place. The encryption is complicated and delicate. It has to be right. The Thresher crew will know instantly if it’s wrong.”

Eryn disappeared into the study where they had a rather impressive computer set up. The message was simple. ‘Proceeding forward.’ Cryptic, vague, but enough to make them scramble about what they missed. Then she proceeded to program the encryption. She was careful and meticulous until she had it programmed exactly into the transmitter. She wiped the transmitter clear of any trace evidence and slipped it into a shoulder bag. She walked through the house looking for Vonn. “Ready. Let’s go.”

Eryn

The case Vonn received was open on the floor of his room. He was sliding a flat black helmet with a black visor into a spot in the foam insert in the case seemingly designed specifically for it. The rest of the case held what seemed to be parts of a rather complex and very robust space suit. Oddly, though, there didn’t seem to be any refrigeration system in the suit. “Likewise.” the helmet said and the Breen closed the case and stood up, lifting the case off the floor. “I will need approximately two hours to get the shuttle and surrounding traffic into position. I will signal you when I am ready to exit and go to the Thresher. Activate the signal then and it should draw their attention away from sensors long enough for me to make my jump. I doubt that they would pick me up anyway, but less chance is better. The suit distorts scanners, so if I did happen to appear, it will look like common debris.”

“That works, it gives me time to slowly make my way to and through the park. I’ll signal when I’m in place.” She slipped on Eryn the Artist signature sunglasses, a light jacket that was splattered with dust and paints and burn marks from the welder.

Vonn led them to the car and put the case inside. “Cargo gate for the shuttle port. I have a way in that will not show on any logs.” and he opened the door for his protected and ushered her inside.

Vonn, CIA

Eryn nodded as she slipped into the car when Vonn opened the door and settled into the seat. “I vish zo visit my studio after,” she said to the driver. She’d slip out the back and make her way toward the park after. They rode in their usual silence, but as they neared the cargo gate, Eryn set her hand on his arm and looked at him over the sunglasses. A silent order that he had better appear at the PE afterwards. Successful or not. Then her hand was back in her lap as the pulled up to the gate.

Eryn

Vonn didn’t respond, but simply slid out of the car and retrieved the case. They then moved to the gate and there was an exchange with the guard. Moments later, a shuttle port cargo carrier pulled up to the gate and stayed just a shade too long and the gate opened and Vonn was gone.

Vonn, CIA

OOC: What Eryn did: https://www.star-fleet.com/core/stf6/oedv/posts/191752/

Eryn

OOC: What Vonn did: https://www.star-fleet.com/core/stf6/oedv/posts/191768/


Some eight hours later, Vonn walked through the Plaza Exchange and into a ‘shop’. The merchant merely opened a door and the Breen walked through.

The door opened to admit Vonn and Matar was more than happy to give his charge back into the massive suits’ care. Eryn was mostly cooperative but the PE and her constant flitting about was a headache. She claimed she was bored and seemed to take perverse pleasure in trying to escape his watch. He nodded to the Breen and was happy to quickly return to the car.

“It arrived an hour ago.” Vonn said to Romanov and handed her the disk. “That is everything they have on the incident. Verified it on the way here.”

Vonn, CIA

Eryn was lounging comfortably on a couch, staring at their host from the other side of his still poorly timed force field. She held a glass of what looked like wine in her hand. She also looked like she was drinking it, but it never crossed her lips. Her expression didn’t change nor did any hint of what she felt or thought leak out, but relief flooded her at the sound of his approach. Her feet touched the floor and the glass was put down as she took the disk. There would be time to read it all later. “And zhe other issue?”

Eryn

“Pending.” was all the helmet said. The helmet swiveled to look at Matar and said “Ensure the packages I requested arrive soon. I will pay extra for expedited shipping, if need be.” Matar nodded and said “No charge. I understand the need.” and Vonn looked at Romanov. “Shall we?” and the armored arm gestured to the door.

Vonn, CIA

Eryn stood. Her movements much more fluid and precise, no waste of energy, than they had been when Vonn first brought her here to Oed and her first visit to the PE. Eryn proceeded Vonn out the door and toward the waiting car.

Eryn

Once safely ensconced in the car, Vonn rolled their shoulders. “Remind me to not do that again for some time.” the Breen said. “Claustrophobia and vertigo are not a good combination.”

Vonn, CIA

Eryn patted his arm, not sure if he was serious or actually teasing her about her own vertigo. “I vill make you ginger tea.” Eryn had no idea if ginger tea even worked for him, but the sentiment was genuine. “And take a break from zhat suit.” With any luck they wouldn’t need to repeat this.

Eryn

The helmet swiveled and looked at Eryn. “I need a break from all suits, I believe. Two days. I am… tired.” they said in a very uncharacteristic moment of self-description. “We have been non-stop for weeks. My focus is starting to suffer. I almost missed the retrieval cable when I was being picked up. I need rest, I think.”

Vonn

Eryn nodded. “Yes, you do. Zhe contractor informed me vhile you were vorking that they have finished. Your rooms at Presidio are finished. They are much bigger than the Garden. Vhere would you be most comfortable?”

“We vill order from the Russian Tea room and have the driver retrieve it. Then, since zhe house is not stocked, you vill give me a list of what you want and from where. I will take care of things, like you do for me.”

Eryn

The helmet didn’t speak for some time, but then said “Ask the kitchen at the Tea Room for my usual. They will give you a sealed, chilled container of my food. I trust them to have it on hand and safe for consumption. There is a crate in the basement of the Garden. Red with black latches. Large. I will need that. And then… just rest. If my rooms are ready to the specifications I gave, then there will be a dressing room between my rooms and the rest of the house. Inside wil be a heat-suit fitted to you. If you need me,you may come in. But make sure you wear the suit. You will get frostbite in moments if you do not.” and Vonn leaned back into the seat.

Vonn

That detail was unexpected. She knew the taboo he had broken allowing her to see him without the suit, but she had never presumed to repeat the experience. She would hold his trust as sacred. She remembered his quarters had had heavy thick fur coats for visitors and a stone hearth. She remembered how cold it was and the risk. But a heat-suit? The temperature must have been more extreme. “I won’t forget.” She told the driver to go to Presidio and then spent the rest of the time quietly making arrangements with the tea room while Vonn rested. They pulled up the long drive and stopped before the door. “Go rest. I shall return.” She shooed him out of the car and once he was inside she ordered the driver to take the most direct route to the Garden.


The car returned around an hour and a half later. Eryn slipped out of the car carrying bags containing heavily insulated and cold containers. “Put zhe trunk inside zhe door, Matar. Zhank you, ve won’t be needing you zhe rest of zhe day. Let me know vhen his packages arrive. Do not disturb him.” The large Orion gave a little bow after setting the trunk inside. Eryn secured the door behind her and set the bags down. This location was huge, far beyond her actual tastes but it served their purposes quite well. She moved into another room and returned with two anti-grav straps. She was never going to lift that trunk herself. She carried the bags of food down the stairs and set them outside Vonn’s door and then returned a few minutes later with the trunk. She opened the door to the dressing room and with the help of the straps set his trunk down quietly. Then she set the food by the inner door. She knocked loud enough to be heard if he was still awake, but soft enough to not disturb his rest. Then she left. She would check in a couple of hours to make sure he had retrieved his things. If not, she would don the suit and, at least, set the food inside.

Eryn made her way to the very top floor where the master suite took up the entire space. It was hers…it was Eryn’s. She sat down on a sofa that faced the windows and the sprawling lawn and watched. The disk Vonn had obtained was safely in her pocket, but it could wait. It needed to wait, until she was more centered and able to be calm about what she may or may not find.

Eryn


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