Twisiting And Turning Part 1

Posted on Wed Jun 3rd, 2020 @ 9:08am by Ledeya Ehestri (Mirror) & Executive Officer Jake Ford (Mirror)

Mission: Mirror Mirror
Location: Imperial Outpost 42
Timeline: 2396
1326 words - 2.7 OF Standard Post Measure

It was a welcome relief to be away from the Fenris, at least for a little while. Setting one's house in order took time and energy; punishment details had to be arranged, and Jake of course wanted to be present for a few of the agony booth sessions. Away from the ship, however, he could relax - few people on this backwater outpost would be interested in his position or title. An ideal respite.

The main hub of leisure activity seemed to be happening in a raucous nightclub. The place was typically as rough and grimy as they came: a pair of Gorn bouncers on the door, a hand-scrawled warning about concealed weapons appearing just as prominently as the opening hours. It was his kind of place to have fun.

He found a quiet enough spot in a booth and watched the main stage for a while. A blonde bombshell of a Terran woman was performing an exotic dance flanked by a pair of alien women. He took it in over a drink, until a shadow crossed his table, blocking his view of the entertainment.

Ledeya had spotted the man instantly. It was hard to miss imperial officers but this one was looking for silence, looking for something he was never going to find ever again. It was sad but it was the state of the universe. “May I join you?” She wondered. She was dressed in a long flowing pale pink dress that stood out against the darkness and dinginess of the nightclub.

"Damn," Jake smirked, taking her all in. "Aren't you just a cool glass of water. By all means." He patted the waxed leather of the seat beside him.

Ledeya smirked herself and sat next to him, crossing her legs as she turned to look at him rather than the show. “You are either Gaman or Fenris crew. I know everyone worth knowing on this base.” The woman mused sipping on the clear liquid taking him in properly.

"Fenris," he answered, tracing a finger over her bare shoulder. "Does it bother you?" He leaned a little closer, his attention now firmly away from the performers on stage. "You don't need to fear me, unless that's what you want."

"The butcher's ship." Ledeya cocked her head at him before she shook her head. Everyone feared everyone, it was the state of the universe and if you got something more it was taken away just as quickly. "Not in the slightest. I used to be one of you until my kind became... currency." The woman chose her words carefully.

A little smirk crept onto his face as he leered at her. "Their loss is my gain this evening," he remarked. "What, did you piss off the wrong Admiral or something? Or was it a case of too much ambition?"

“No space for Betazoids anymore. I used to be a doctor.” Ledeya revealed wondering who’s luck this really was. She was here to work the club and observe people for her boss. “But now you just use us for interrogations.” She felt pity for those women. It was no role, a and scared on a ship without support sometimes.

Jake's hand recoiled quickly. "Betazoid?" he echoed, an eyebrow raised defensively. He suddenly glanced around, checking the room a little more intensely. "What is it you want? Who sent you?" In his mind he reflexively considered whether Agrax had decided to monitor him. Or even send him a little message. But he couldn't be certain, so he just fixed this new one with an expectant glare.

The woman reached under her hair to where it covered her next and pressed something that made her eyes flicker from the blue that she had been sporting to the familiar black eyes of her people before settling back to the blue. "Nothing. I work here. I am ... whatever people want from me and the crew medic." She mused wanting as he coiled away from her. "Someone has had a bad experience with an inquisitor. I feel sorry for those women. I was lucky to land here and be able to hide for the best part." Ledeya revealed.

"Don't. Don't pity them, or feel sorry for them, or care about them at all," Jake challenged bitterly. "They serve the Empire, and their own ends." He shook his head, motioning to the bar around them. "Serving different masters, but also yourselves. What makes you so different from them?"

Ledeya just put a pleasant smile on her face and touched his shoulder. “I do feel pity for them. They could be me, mum, my sister, my aunts, my cousins, my grandmother. It is hard enough being a woman in the empire without that life.” She challenged back. She wasn’t sure she was all that different but she was trying to be a better person still using her doctors skills to help people in trouble. “Maybe I am not. Maybe we are all the same homeless and desperate but one has certainly got under your skin.”

"You Betazoids. Either you pretend to be friends or you take great joy in being our enemies," Jake growled. "I understand you well enough. You use your looks and your mind tricks to get us to reveal all our secrets." He lecherously looked over her body again. "A pity, in your case."

“If you say so Lieutenant.” The woman said seeing his rank on his uniform. Ledeya rolled her eyes and took her hand back using it to bring her glass to her lips. “It is a shame that you feel like that. The way you look at me I just cannot tell what that look is… fear, desire or disgust.” She said simply as a young Bolian man came to the table and whispered in her ear. Ledeya glanced back at Jake and frowned as she listened to the man.

"I'm thinking about all three. Or didn't you 'sense' that from me already?" Jake snorted. He eyed the Bolian suspiciously.

“You want to see why I pity Interrogators. Come with me.” Ledeya said as the Bolian walked away. Ledeya stood and turned holding her hand out to him. “No tricks or games. I just want you to see why.”

Jake didn't take the hand. But he did finish off his drink and rise from the seat. He didn't trust this woman - he didn't trust any Betazoid - but he was curious enough to follow. And if need be he could always cut her throat.

Ledeya shook her head and tutted at him as she moved her way through the crowds hoping that he could keep up with her. She listened carefully, trying to feel what was happening around her with her senses, all too aware that she was traversing unfamiliar territory taking this officer with her. She guided him towards a black curtain covered opening with two bare chested male guards on each side. Each one, in unison, made a quick nod towards Ledeya as she led the man into the total darkness. "Do not panic." She whispered reaching for his hand as she tugged him on.

Jake had one hand on the dagger displayed prominently on his belt as he finally relented and took her hand. He was unlikely to panic, he decided silently; He would react ruthlessly and decisively if this was some sort of trick. Taking a sharp intake of breath he followed her into the darkness.

"These are the rooms we take clients or people we need off the club floor.” Ledeya moved as if she could see far in the total darkness, all around the sound of movement as unseen figures moved through the darkness before they came into another room that Ledeya did not even stop to knock or chime through.

OFF::

Jake Ford
Chief Security Officer
ISS Fenrir
(PNPC Jake)

Ledeya Ehestri
Night Club Worker
Imperial Outpost 42
(PNPC Gregnol)