Part of USS Daradax: Mission 2 – Wings of Salvation (Sundered Wings Fleet Action) and Bravo Fleet: Sundered Wings

SW – Chapter 7: A Return to the Old

USS Daradax - In orbit around Kunhri III
May 2400
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Kirin stood in her quarters and looked out at Kunhri III below them. It was a beautiful planet with its greens and blues but the visible scars of the Romulan refineries were clearly visible from orbit. It was a real pity she thought as turned back to her bed and the clothes that were laid out on it; black pants, a top if you could call it that and the coat. Seems like there are always some Orions wherever you go working in the seedy underbelly of a world and the fashion was always similar she thought; not that there was anything wrong with the fashion after all, who doesn’t appreciate leather and long-tailors trench coat look. ‘Space Pirate or Space Cowgirl!’ always popped into her head when she dresses this way.

Sighing she stepped up to them she picked up the long crimson coat; it was a very nice coat and normally she would happily wear something like it on leave but right now it symbolized the work she had to do, the work she thought she had left behind all those months ago on Kolar before it went so sideways and she was assigned the Daradax. And now she was back to it and the ship, her ship was being handed to her XO before even doing one mission together. Putting down the coat she reminded herself, “Should be in and out in a couple of hours at most. Stop being so negative…”

She stripped out of her Starfleet uniform and quickly got dressed in her new outfit. After spending some additional time adding the needed trims and fixing her hair and makeup she looked at herself and had to admit the outfit did its job.

Grabbing the final items she needed, a long blade, several daggers and a Romulan disrupter pistol, she slide the blade and disrupter into the sheath on her belt and quickly hide the daggers within her coat and took one final look in the mirror. The outfit definitely wasn’t subtle with its tight-fitting legs and top to draw attention and then the weapons to say don’t mess with me.

Thanen stood outside the transporter room quickly tapping away at his PADD, reviewing the information provided by Kecenem the First Consul of Reman Affairs on Kunhri III. Muttering to himself as he read; “What a mess. Land coordinates right at refinery 27C, meet with WHOEVER is in charge. How the hell are we to know who is the right person?!”

“We can always aggressive ask who is in charge Lieutenant. I will happily do that.” Ril remarks as she steps up beside him. 

“I do not think it will come to that Ensign but if it does I may just let you. Everything in order on your end?” causing Ril to nod in response. “Yes, I just spoke to Kerry and she has the distribution plan well underway. She will have it to you within the hour she said.”

“That is good to hear, we may be able to get ahead of schedule a bit and land within the next two hours then,” Thanen says with a nod.

“So, has the commander told you what she is really doing on the surface? I have seen her record, well what I can access and there is a large redacted section…” she starts to say before being interrupted as Kirin turned the corner into the corridor.

“Depending on how it goes Ril maybe I will tell you once I am back,” Kirin says with a smirk, “Though I would then have to kill you.” Turning to face her XO she remarks, “Thanen, you all set for this?”

Thanen’s eyes go wide as he looks at Kirin standing in from of him, “Umm, yes Capt…Commander…ah, Kirin.”

“Ah, cat got your tongue Lieutenant.” Ril jokes as she elbows him in the side before looking Kirin up and down. She couldn’t help but smirk at the tight black pants which she was wearing that laced up their sides matched with the rather revealing cropped top under her coat – Starfleet was not anywhere near your mind when you look at that outfit she cannot help but think. “Hope you don’t mind me saying but that outfit should get you any information you are after Commander – dress to impress and well if looks could kill well the weapons won’t be needed.”

Kirin glanced at Ril and cracked a knowing smile. “We do whatever the mission requires ensign.” before turning back to Thanen. “I have the coordinates for the beam in site just outside the capital, it should only take me an hour or two to get to the met. Good luck with the supply drop. I may even meet you there.”

“Any questions before I go Thanen? Ril?” to which both shake their heads.

She turns and wakes onto the transporter pad. “Thanen, energize when ready.”

Standing on the pad Kirin couldn’t help but wonder if she would see the ship again. She was, after all, going in virtually blind to this and that made her very uncomfortable but it wasn’t the first time she had done this. She pushed the thought aside and looked up to see Thanen start the transporter sequence as the word around her shimmered.

Watching the form of Kirin glow and then fade away Thanen exhaled; “Good Luck Captain. I guess it is my turn now” he mutters before turning and walking towards the bridge. Ril quickly sets up beside him “She will be fine I am sure. I wouldn’t want to cross her when it comes down to it; not that I think anyone will try given the way she looks and the way she is carrying those weapons she clearly means business.”

Thanen grunts in response, “I have no doubt. Now let’s get this delivery of supplies sorted. There are people down there who need this food and the equipment we are carrying.”

“Belania will get us down there in no time flat and Kerry has the planned distribution plan in hand. We won’t let either of you down.”

 

Comments

  • For a post about embarking on the journey, this story sure had a lot of zingers! Space pirate or space cowgirl made me laugh. (Surely, it can be both? And you would think Orions might try out some new fashion options across the centuries?) Deeper than that, I really appreciated the symbolism of Kirin shrugging on the coat that carried all the weight of her old life -- that old life she had so happily shrugged off. I'm certainly worried about what she's going to be asked to do, and if she'll be able to look herself the mirror afterwards. With mysterious orders and crew suspicions, there are bound to be complications for sure. Kirin leaving the crew with "we do whatever the mission requires" was right at that intersection of deeply funny and deeply tragic too.

    June 6, 2022
  • Firstly, I’d like to say that the title had me thinking about just how dark Kirin is. Then I actually read the story and was surprised at just how Kirin detests having to slip back into her old ways. I applaud you in your detail in her “Space pirate/Space cowgirl” outfit. That part had me cracking a grin. Then there was the part from Ril about Kirin’s past. I love how she was caught like a kid with their hand in the cookie jar by Kirin. That part had me smiling as I could see one of my characters doing the same thing. As always, keep up the great work, and look forward to the next story.

    June 10, 2022