Small World - Stranger to Friend

Posted on Friday, 10 July 2020 - 2:44pm by

Mission: Operation: Jabberwocky
Location: DS9, Various
Timeline: 2393 - MD 03

{ON:}

Eyelaya looked around the large station. It was bigger then anything she could have conjured from her imagination. Grinning she held her bag tighter. This was DS9, a place she’d wanted to visit for a long time, and she was going to speak at an Engineering conference.

She followed the group that had de-boarded and checked in. She then headed to the habitat ring where he guest quarters were located. It wouldn’t be a long stay, only a few days but she was looking forward to it.

She’d found her quarters without a problem and dropped her bag in the corner by the door. The quarters were ridiculously big and she had them all to herself. She had to stop herself from doing a happy dance several times.

Doing a little spin she picked up her bag, unpacked, and headed out to explore the station. She soon found herself on the promenade filled with shops, and restaurants. Smiling she stopped at several shops to window shop and finally she found a small Vulcan restaurant to have, what she thought, was a quiet lunch.

Settling in she ordered a vegetable casserole of sorts and some Vulcan strong brewed tea. She had just been about to start her meal when someone walked up to the table. It was a lovely woman who looked to carry a dual Vulcan and Romulan heritage. She had long flowing red hair and mesmerizing eyes. “Excuse me. May I join you…the restaurant seems full.”

Eyelaya smiled. “Of course,” she motioned for the woman to sit down.

The woman gave a nod. “Thank you.” She sat down placing her tray on the table. “I am Cassia-Ren.”

“Eyelaya, nice to meet you.”

The woman had a hint of a smile on her lips. “It’s lovely to meet you. So what are you doing on the station? Home or Visit?”

Eyelaya smiled. “Kind of both. It’s a visit but I started out life on Bajor so I was hoping that after my official duties were over I could get down there.”

Cassia raised an eyebrow. “Official duties?” Gaylan would hate that his baby sister was thinking of going to Bajor. He was down there now ensuring there was no trace of her there.

“I’m giving a lecture a speech really on Engineering, a new Theory that I came up with, a new system of keeping Starfleet Away teams safe.”

“Fascinating.” Cassia said.

“How about you?”

Cassia took a sip of her juice before she responded. “I am waiting for my husband. He went to Bajor on business.” She paused. “Have you been around the station?”

She smiled. “A little. I was hoping to go and visit a Bajoran shrine and maybe go to one of the dress shops. I have nothing to wear for the after speech reception.”

Cassia smiled. “Well perhaps I can come along. I’d love to help.”

Eyelaya smiled. “That would be great! I could use a woman’s eye. My fashion sense is about is logical as a Klingon at a Vulcan Logic convention.”

Despite herself Cassia snickered. “I see. Well then I will try to help in any way that I can.”

The two ate their meal and chatted about little things. When both were ready they headed out to the dress shop first.

As they walked Cassia noted a few things. One was that her young friend and sister-in-law was not as alone as she thought. Three Cardassians were trying very hard not to be noticed. They were, she guessed, from the Order.

She sighed. Gaylan and she had known that they would be here. They’d followed the Standing Bear at a distance for some time, just out of sensor range. When they scanned the station shuttles they were a little surprised to see Eyelaya on one of them. Since the destination was filed in a flight plan they headed to DS9 beating her by a few hours.

Gaylan had gone to Bajor to ensure all traces of his sister were wiped out and any loose ends were secured and she had stayed here wanting to make contact as soon as possible.

She was glad she had done so before the Cardassians got to her. Now she needed to warn Gaylan and figure out how to keep Eyelaya safe.

Her mind was going a mile a minute while they shopped. She, of course, made sure she gave enough attention to Eyelaya for her not to suspect anything but she had to find a way to stay as close to the woman as possible.

A plan formed itself in her mind. “So Eyelaya, how are you finding your quarters here?”

Eyelaya smiled. “Luxury at its best! I didn’t expect anything like this. How about you?”

“My quarters had an issue I am waiting for them to find a new place for me. Might be tomorrow so I’ll just stay on the promenade until then.”

Eyelaya sighed. “Well listen my quarters are huge and I’m only here a few days. Why don’t you stay with me until it’s sorted out.”

Cassia smiled. “Really?”

“Of course.”

“But we just met?”

Eyelaya laughed. “A stranger is only a friend you haven’t met. We’ve met so we’re friends.”

Cassia bit her tongue to keep from talking. Eyelaya was far too trusting. “Thank you. I accept. “ It was the only way to ensure her safety.

{OFF:}