Cementing the Deal, part 2

Posted on Tue 8th Nov, 2022 @ 10:37pm by

2,185 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: A Fresh Perspective
Location: WV Nomad, Bridge
Timeline: MD 1, 0630

McCord raised an eyebrow at her boss, content to have her lead. She was a little astonished at the fast capitulation of Nemis, but maybe she realized she wouldn't get anywhere being obstructive. Would she keep her word, that was Riko's big question.

Isabella gave a half smile and then looked over to Riko. She knew Verrana would be curious, but didn't quite know what her reaction would be.

"Starfleet has tasked me to assemble a crew of my choosing to essentially run covert missions on behalf of the Federation. These missions will mainly be intelligence-gathering missions. But we have full authority to act on any intelligence that is deemed a direct threat against the Federation and its allies."

Isabella stood up and walked over to the replicator and ordered lemonade. She took a sip of her drink and tried to gauge Verrana's response.

"I am in command of the vessel, and Riko is my second in command." Isabella gave a head nod over to Riko. "Orders from Riko are like orders coming from me." Isabella looked over to Riko, nodding for her input.

"Even so, we tend to come to agreement by not hastily making decisions," McCord assured Verrana. "For one thing, there are times when we will have to sit on what we know, follow a string to see where it leads. For another, it's like my grandmother said. 'Decide in haste, repent at leisure.' And we may not have any leisure to make up for mistakes we make in haste. So, we tend to go a little slower, and be a little more sure before we jump off a deep end."

"We will be running under the covers as smugglers. This, our ship, is the Nomad. It's one of Starfleet's highly classified Dark Knight Class Starships. My brother, Henry, has modified it specifically for this mission, hence the different technologies mixed together. On paper, we are no longer Starfleet Officers. Unofficially, we are working for the Federation. I asked you here because I trust you. That trust goes deeper than a handler and an operative relationship. You have sacrificed much for me. That bond is why I am asking you to be by our side as our tactical officer, our guide to Romulan politics and information, and whatever else comes along the way."

Isabella looked over at Riko, and although she was not a telepath, she could sense the confusion and curiosity coming from her friend and Second Officer.

"Look, I want full transparency between us, so, although I know Verrana isn't going to like this, I am going to tell this story even though it is highly classified."

Verrana raised her head to stare at Isabella. Hearing Isabella's words made her start to physically shake. "Isabella, no!" Verrana said with a shaky voice.

Isabella raised her hand which silenced her friend. "No, we need to do this to establish the trust that is going to be needed for this to be a success. I know this won't give instant trust, but the foundation of that trust needs to be truth and understanding."

Isabella looked over at Riko and placed her full attention on her friend. She was surprised to find herself nervous, maybe as nervous as Verrana was. Besides her initial report to Starfleet Command, this was the first time she had told another soul this story. Even she and Verrana had never talked about these things in any detail. There was an understanding between them, an understanding that she was grateful for.

Isabella started talking slowly. "A few years back, I was assigned by Starfleet Intelligence to assist an asset in the Romulan Star Empire with their defection process." Isabella looked to Verrana who looked as if she may have started having a panic attack. The intelligence officer walked behind Verrana and placed her hands on her shoulders, easing the tension in her friend, then continued.

"That is where I met Verrana. Verrana and I devised her defection plan, but needed something that would make the plan seem more solid, and more believable. So, we decided that getting married was our best bet to make things authentic as possible. We found a Romulan priestess and had an official ceremony. The wedding went off without a hitch until the night we were supposed to take transport off of Romulus. The Tal-Shiar received some information from an unknown source about our plans. They broke into our room the night of our extraction and attacked us. That is when Verrana was taken."

Underneath Isabella's hands, she felt Verrana trembling. Keeping her sobs silent and on the inside. Isabella squeezed her shoulders in support.
Previously, ...

"Fine!" Verrana said as she grabbed the PADD and started carefully reading the NDA. From moment to moment, Verrana would look up at Isabella, and then to Riko with looks of astonishment. "Uhm, this is very thorough and hard. Prison time for violating this seems to be the highlight here." Verrana signed the NDA and slid the PADD on the table.

"O.K.. What is this mission?" Verrana asked, looking at Riko and Isabella.

And now, the conclusion.

McCord raised an eyebrow at her boss, content to have her lead. She was a little astonished at the fast capitulation of Nemis, but maybe she realized she wouldn't get anywhere being obstructive. Would she keep her word, that was Riko's big question.

Isabella gave a half smile and then looked over to Riko. She knew Verrana would be curious, but didn't quite know what her reaction would be.

"Starfleet has tasked me to assemble a crew of my choosing to essentially run covert missions on behalf of the Federation. These missions will mainly be intelligence-gathering missions. But we have full authority to act on any intelligence that is deemed a direct threat against the Federation and its allies."

Isabella stood up and walked over to the replicator and ordered lemonade. She took a sip of her drink and tried to gauge Verrana's response.

"I am in command of the vessel, and Riko is my second in command." Isabella gave a head nod over to Riko. "Orders from Riko are like orders coming from me." Isabella looked over to Riko, nodding for her input.

"Even so, we tend to come to agreement by not hastily making decisions," McCord assured Verrana. "For one thing, there are times when we will have to sit on what we know, follow a string to see where it leads. For another, it's like my grandmother said. 'Decide in haste, repent at leisure.' And we may not have any leisure to make up for mistakes we make in haste. So, we tend to go a little slower, and be a little more sure before we jump off a deep end."

"We will be running under the covers as smugglers. This, our ship, is the Nomad. It's one of Starfleet's highly classified Dark Knight Class Starships. My brother, Henry, has modified it specifically for this mission, hence the different technologies mixed together. On paper, we are no longer Starfleet Officers. Unofficially, we are working for the Federation. I asked you here because I trust you. That trust goes deeper than a handler and an operative relationship. You have sacrificed much for me. That bond is why I am asking you to be by our side as our tactical officer, our guide to Romulan politics and information, and whatever else comes along the way."

Isabella looked over at Riko, and although she was not a telepath, she could sense the confusion and curiosity coming from her friend and Second Officer.

"Look, I want full transparency between us, so, although I know Verrana isn't going to like this, I am going to tell this story even though it is highly classified."

Verrana raised her head to stare at Isabella. Hearing Isabella's words made her start to physically shake. "Isabella, no!" Verrana said with a shaky voice.

Isabella raised her hand which silenced her friend. "No, we need to do this to establish the trust that is going to be needed for this to be a success. I know this won't give instant trust, but the foundation of that trust needs to be truth and understanding."

Isabella looked over at Riko and placed her full attention on her friend. She was surprised to find herself nervous, maybe as nervous as Verrana was. Besides her initial report to Starfleet Command, this was the first time she had told another soul this story. Even she and Verrana had never talked about these things in any detail. There was an understanding between them, an understanding that she was grateful for.

Isabella started talking slowly. "A few years back, I was assigned by Starfleet Intelligence to assist an asset in the Romulan Star Empire with their defection process." Isabella looked to Verrana who looked as if she may have started having a panic attack. The intelligence officer walked behind Verrana and placed her hands on her shoulders, easing the tension in her friend, then continued.

"That is where I met Verrana. Verrana and I devised her defection plan, but needed something that would make the plan seem more solid, and more believable. So, we decided that getting married was our best bet to make things authentic as possible. We found a Romulan priestess and had an official ceremony. The wedding went off without a hitch until the night we were supposed to take transport off of Romulus. The Tal-Shiar received some information from an unknown source about our plans. They broke into our room the night of our extraction and attacked us. That is when Verrana was taken."

Underneath Isabella's hands, she felt Verrana trembling. Keeping her sobs silent and on the inside. Isabella squeezed her shoulders in support.

"I spent the next few days searching for Verrana and looking behind my back. I knew what they would do to me if they captured a Starfleet spy, but I could only imagine what they would do to Verrana to get that information. I searched everywhere I could to find where they were holding here. Three days later, Verrana wandered back into our room and passed out on the floor. Beaten and bruised.

Isabella walked in front of Verrana and squatted so that they were face to face. "Please show her." Isabella asked Verrana in a quiet whisper.

Verranna slowly and reservedly stood up and made direct eye contact with Riko with an emotionless face. She then turned her back to Riko and lifted the back of her shirt, exposing a back filled with burn marks, keloid scars that ran the length of her back, and patches of skin that had been removed and medically treated.

"For three days, Verrana was tortured. Tortured specifically for information about me, but she never gave me up. She actually kept me safe, and for that I will ever be grateful." Isabella said as she walked towards her friend.

Drawing in a sharp breath, Riko held it and then let it out slowly. "That tells me everything I need to know," she said, holding out her hand as Nemis turned toward her. "Welcome aboard."

Verrana sheepishly pulled her shirt down and looked over to see Riko with her hand extended. Verrana shook it quickly and let go. More so out of embarrassment of the truth that was told at the meeting.

"I haven't accepted anything yet!" Verrana said with a bit scorn in her voice.

"Oh yes!" Isabella said as she chuckled. "You will be paid in Gold Pressed Latinum and a rate we will discuss later." She reached into her pocket and pulled out something similar to an Isolinear chip and handed it over to Verrana. "Consider this to be your honorarium for coming to this meeting. I hope you choose to come along with us. I could really use you here."

Isabella reached out and gave her friend a hug to try and ease some of the emotional baggage she just raised. Verrana stood there in the embrace and savored it. She didn't have too many friends in the galaxy, but Isabella was definitely on that shortlist.

"I'm in." She said as he let go of Isabella. "Then this is for you." Isabella reached under the table and pulled out a wooden box. and placed it on the table. Verrana walked over to the box and opened it. Inside she found the Gold Pressed Latinum bracelet, signature marker of a Nomad crew member.

"Riko can go over everything with you about the bracelet." Isabella stated. "She will also get you squared with your quarters and whatever gear you need. Make a list and give it to Riko. I will take care of the rest." Isabella started walking toward the door but stopped and looked back at Verrana.

"Verrana," she said. "I promise you will make money on this mission. So, there will be no need for any side hustles while we are out there in the abyss."

Verrana smiled. "Well, my lovely wife, a girl has got to prepare for the future, doesn't she?"

 

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