A Mystery Indeed -- Part I

Posted on Sunday, 20 December 2020 - 2:16pm by Commander Soral & Lieutenant Alex Kingsley

Mission: Operation: Ouroboros
Location: Jupiter Station
Timeline: 2393 - After Alex's shift

ON:

Solek, the Petty Officer that had saved Soral's life when he'd been taken, strolled the station. A meeting was to take place here, a very important one. His employer was none too pleased that Soral had been wounded yet again. Alex, the wife of his charge, had been coming around to thank him for saving Soral and it had been a difficult thing to avoid her.

He figured here on the station he was safe.

Opting for the one sure fire cure she knew for a headache, Lieutenant Kingsley had headed to the station for chocolate. It was perhaps not the most pressing priority in the grand scheme of things, yet it was essential nonetheless. It was as she emerged from the shop, bag in hand, that she almost walked straight into Solek.

And like a bad penny...."Hello Lieutenant." He gave a respectful Vulcan nod.

"Petty Officer Solek. Taking some R&R?"

"In a manner of speaking." He paused and clasped his hands behind his back. "The commander is alright?"

"The medical staff think tomorrow they may be able to release him so that he can rest at home," she replied. "Not that he will rest of course."

"Indeed. He has always been....." He searched for a world. "A most hyperactive Vulcan."

"Are you angling for a move to the diplomatic field, Solek?" she questioned, trying to hide her amusement. Hyperactive.

"That would not be a very diplomatic phrase." He bowed slightly. "I do have an appointment that I must keep." He looked around in an almost nervous fashion. "If you will excuse me." How many times had he said that to her when she'd tried to thank him?

Without a word she stepped aside, gesturing for him to go ahead. idly wondering if perhaps she smelled bad or had done something to offend. He always seemed quick to excuse himself from her company, if she ever got within two feet of him at all. In silence she watched him go. She had known Soral long enough to know when something seemed off, and Solek fit the bill.

Reaching into the bag, she snapped off a piece of orange flavoured chocolate and savoured it before deciding to follow him.

Solek, perhaps his nervousness being the cause, didn't notice her following him. His only goal was to get to a little used part of the station. He stopped as a chirp from his pocket drew his attention. He pulled it out and spoke into it quickly. "Solek."

"Change of plans. Get to cargo bay two...I will meet you there in fifteen minutes."

"I am on my way."

From a short distance away, hidden thankfully by one of the support pillars, Alex say him stop, pull something from his pocket before setting off in the opposite direction. How odd. Now her curiosity was piqued. Giving him a little of a head start she followed after him. Where was he going?



=/\= Cargo Bay 2 =/\=

Wires hung everywhere, panel and walls were torn apart and debris was everywhere. Closed for reconstruction the bay was a perfect place to meet. He hurried inside. It was odd. He'd had, several times, a feeling that he was being followed.

It took him a few moments to wade through the debris to the end of the room where several bulkhead bits were scattered. Small light lit the area he was standing in. Now he'd wait.


Why was he going into a cargo bay under reconstruction? Pausing, watching the Vulcan disappear inside, Alex was beyond just curious now. This made no sense. Taking a deep breath she moved forward, ducking under the signs warning that the bay was undergoing maintenance and that access was restricted. Clearly nobody felt it worthy of actual guards. The dim lighting inside made it difficult, but she could hear things moving as Solek - she assumed - moved deeper into the bay. Mindful of her footing she followed until she caught site of where he stood waiting.

Glancing around she ducked behind a cargo container so she could stay out of sight and still keep an eye on him. Hopefully why he was here would become clear before her chocolate melted...

A rustle from his right caught his attention. Soon the shadows parted and a rather fat Romulan came into view. "Is Soral dead?"

Solek turned "No."

Alex watched the new arrival, frowning. His question had sounded... impatient. As if he wanted a very different answer than the one he got. Who was this?

The fat Romulan continued. "It is good for you that he is. Why were you not there?"

"I did not think that..."

"You did not think! The humans are protesting our very existence. You were not there when he was in the fight nor were you there when that phaser hit him. The only saving grace to your name is when you saved his life when the aliens took him."

"I beg forgiveness. I will be closer at hand in the future."

"You better." He reached into his bag and pulled out a hypo. "The have not found out your true heritage?"

"Not yet. Vulcans and Romulans are all the same to them."

"Just the same." He tossed Solek the hypo. "To hide your DNA and make you Vulcan a little longer. Remember how vital Soral is to us and who his grandfather is."

"I shall be his shadow."

"Good. Make yourself useful and ensure you guard his room. Now what of the wife?"

"Alexandra Kingsley. She is a fine choice for a mate. A strong woman."

"She is human."

"In part. El Aurian in half. He loves her."

The fat Romulan sighed. "Fine. Ensure her safety too. With your life."

Make him appear Vulcan? Soral’s grandfather? Her temper flared at the same time her foot slipped, sending a little piece of debris skidding along the floor. She held her breath, pulling further back.

Both men's head shot up.

"What was that?"

To be Continued...