Pack Out Your Things

Posted on Sat Apr 2nd, 2022 @ 4:50pm by Captain Natalya Markova & Captain Calypso Skyie

Mission: Pirates! (Or Yo Ho Ho And A Bottle Of Yum)
Location: USS Chimera

ON

The walk was not an easy one. Nat was led by a team of Security, two in front, and two behind. A classic formation of escorting someone they did not want to lose. Nat's eyes stayed on the decking beneath her feet, she didn't want to look at anyone. They came to a stop at her - formerly hers - quarters. The guards took a flanking position at the door. "We'll check you for any Starfleet material when you leave, but you can have privacy to change." The Lieutenant informed her.

Nat nodded and entered. She had less than an hour A change of clothes, into something civlian, and very non-Starfleet. The replicator gave her a couple of duffel bags, and Nat started filling them with her regular, non-Starfleet clothes. A couple of choice options from the replicator to compliment her needs. That was when she saw it.

On the center table in the small living area, a PADD sat with a blank screen, begging to be turned on. It hadn't been there before Nat had left for the station, which meant Cally had been in there.

Nat picked it up, and acitivated it.

Text appeared on the screen, 'Nat, this is your briefing document for your mission. Do not take it with you, recycle this item before you leave your quarters. Memorize any information provided. As we discussed, in three weeks, we will convoy with three older freighters towards the Dexic system and stop in the uninhabited Alaria system to ensure we haven't lost any ships in transit. Chimera will be flying under the name of 'SS Aegean Sea'. If you are successful in your mission, I will expect us to be intercepted, with Commander Esperson on the bridge and handling the comms. If confronted, our transponder will chance to USS Aegir, the original name of Chimera's hull, limited weapons will power up. If you are present, suggest to your commander that it's a bluff, that a real Luna wouldn't need to posture like we are. We will stand down if that happens until the ships close in. We will shoot to disable, except their scout ship. Don't be on that scout ship. Emergency abort code: Washout. Good luck. Godspeed, Lieutenant.'

Nat committed the pertinent details to memory, and set the PADD with a pile to be recycled through the replicator. It took time, she was running out of it. Fortunately, she didn't have much in the way of personal items beyond her clothes. Except... Her eyes fell on the sword. Ornately made, sheathed in gold. It was still ceremonial. Given to those who graduate from the Marine Officer Academy. She couldn't take it, didn't just want it recycled. What to do... an idea came to mind. She got a blank PADD. Sent a message to Rei. Asking the Gunnery Sergeant to come to her quarters in an hour. She'd be gone by then. She set the sword on the bed in the middle of the room, and the PADD, with her own message, her commbadge sat atop.

'Gunny.

I fucked up. You're in charge now. You're not an Officer, but you're as damned good as any I know. Better than me. I want you to have this. Be... Be the Marine I failed to be.

Nat'

A command to the computer, and the Gunny would be able to access her quarters without issue.

Nat checked the time. Five minutes. One last look around, Nothing left, except the gift to Rei. A deep breath, and Nat stepped out the doors, she presented the bags to the security team, who rifled through without any discretion. A few passing crew gave her a wierd look, but were waved on by the Security team. They cleared her bags, and led the way bac to the airlock.

It was barely thirty seconds to Cally's deadline when the heavy doors hissed shut behind her, sealing the ship from her. She was led along the umbilical corridor, and the Starfleet Security team didn't even give her a second glance as they peeled away, their job done.

Natalia Markova, formerly a Starfleet Marine, stood in the concourse of Starbase 614 and tried not to panic.

OFF