To Family

Posted on Wed Mar 1st, 2023 @ 9:01am by Captain Malcom Llwyedd & Lieutenant Commander Jörgen Leed & Lieutenant Jackson Smith
Edited on on Sat Mar 4th, 2023 @ 4:57pm

1,594 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Prelude to Rebirth
Location: Empok Nor
Timeline: 15 January 2396

[ON]

Jackson quietly entered the bar. It was filled with familiar sights and sounds. From the laughter and cries of dismay at the gambling tables to the low murmur of friends chatting or discussing interesting business transactions, it all brought a smile to his face. It had been several months since he was last here. Jackson recognized some of the people there, but they're a good number of new faces as well. Jackson spied Zulg at the bar as he normally was. Despite, Zulg's "business" growing, Zulg always enjoyed chatting and interacting with his customers. Jackson brushed his hands across his cargo pants and straightened his loose-fitting jacket. Jackson rarely wore his uniform while off the ship. He took one last scan to make sure Jörgen Leed had not arrived, yet, and made his way over toward Zulg. He had asked Jörgen to meet him here, but luckily Jörgen had not arrived, yet. Jackson had some business to attend to first. He saddled up to the bar and waited for Zulg to notice him.

Zulg finished glad handing a customer, glanced at his son to make sure the idiot was mishandling the Orion ale again, and let his eyes fall upon an old employee.

"Jackson!" Zulg cried and hustled over to the section of the bar where Jackson was leaning. "It is so good to see you again! Have you finally set aside that ugly uniform of yours and gone private? I have a number of business opportunities that would fit you. In fact, I have need of a courier to deliver some Denebian fly eggs right away," Zulg said, while at the same time grabbing a glass and pouring a drink for Jackson.

Jackson chuckled, "I set it aside as often as I can. It has it uses though." He picked up the drink. "I see that you are doing well, " He waved his glass to encompass the whole bar. He took a long drink.

"You know what they say, 'War is good for business' and 'Peace is good for business'. Rules of Acquisition thirty-four and thirty-five," Zulg said, he ran his eyes down the bar, making sure nobody was without a drink or trying to steal. That included his son and the new dabo girl.

"I heard some bad things about the Firebird. Getting scrapped? The Captain sent to prison?" He sucked in on his teeth. "Bad business there."

"Ah, nothing we can't handle. Just a bit of a misunderstanding." He gave Zulg a mischevious grin. "Besides with the Firebird getting fixed up, it has given me some extra time to gather... some valuable information." Jackson discreetly slid a memory crystal over to Zulg.

Leed strolled through the crowd, his supple sandals making no sounds above the cloud of noise that hung in the air. A dabo girl slid past, offering a smile beneath heavy-lidded eyes. He shook his head and slid onto a stool next to Jackson. "A Samarian sunset, please," he said.

Zulg smoothly pocketed the crystal that Jackson had deposited on the bartop and pivoted to smile at Commander Leed. "Of course, Commander. I'll just grab that for you," he said and turned to pick up a bulbous glass.

Jackson turned his attention to the Commander, He eyes flashed over Jörgen. Jörgen was, as usual, still very fit. Jackson took in his casual attire all the way to the sandals he came in on. Almost as if he had walked right off a sailboat on his way here. "Welcome back Commander, thanks for meeting me here. I have always enjoyed the atmosphere of Zulg's." He quickly downed the rest of his drink and set the glass back on the bar. "It is good to be assigned back to the Firebird, but I must say, my orders seemed a bit unusual..."

"More than a bit. I had not ruled it out as a prank by a senior officer until your invitation to meet here." Jörgen watched Zulg prepare his drink and felt suddenly very tired of surprises. He turned towards Jackson. "You could not have been too happy with this portion of the assignment."

Jackson chuckled slightly, "Well I mean its not all bad, we do get to work on the Firebird." He smiled for a brief moment and then became more serious, "From my understanding, you are there to deal with a certain package that will be on board. I am there to protect you, and that includes what is important to you." Jackson shook his head, "I suspect this was Starfleet's way of assigning more protection, without stepping on Rhiana's toes. Could you imagine her reaction if I was assigned directly to protect her friend?" Jackson laughed at the thought of Rhiana's fury if he had been made bodyguard of Xavi.

"I would not assume either of us is in the clear with Rhiana just yet." Leed paused when his drink was set before him. After a sharp tap on the glass, he watched the clear drink luminesce with bright colors that faded to gold. He sipped carefully. "Your abilities and courage are beyond anyone's critique, Jackson, but will you be content with diplomatic duty? It is not all cloak and dagger. Well, it is; usually not in the literal sense."

"Content? Probably not, but I think that is the point of our punishment. I haven't had a quiet moment since I joined starfleet, and definitely not since I was forced into Intel." Jackson mused, "Maybe it will be a good change of pace? That is until we find trouble to get into it." He flashed a mischievous grin.

At that moment a chorus of shouts went up from the Dabo table. Jörgen watched the enigmatic smile on Zulg's face. Sometimes a loss is the house's way of encouraging a careless player into a slow series of losses. The diplomat turned back to Jackson. "Of course it is punishment but what if it is not? Say we turn this to our advantage. My meetings are only part of a much longer game played in shadows and disguises. Aside from combat skills, how good are you really at surveilling a situation?"

"Well, maybe we can have some fun..." Jackson replied. His face momentarily darkened as images of his youth flashed before him. Hiding in plain sight, blending in with all the normal citizens as he watched and memorized the guards. His gang had often used him as a scout and lookout for their illegal activities. Skills that Intel had seen in him and fostered even more. When Jackson had joined Starfleet what seemed like ages ago, he had thought to leave all that behind him in the past. Sadly, Intel had gotten its grip on him and they found all those skills to be very useful. He shook his head ever so slightly dispelling all those thoughts and continued, "I can hold my own. Although, I should let you know if we are going to work together closely. I find that laws, regulations, and procedures are more like guidelines that should be followed whenever possible." His smile returned and the twinkle in his eye could not be contained.

"Those regulations and laws are critical forces behind my work. One thing I have learned is their power makes certain things predictable and other things conductible. In other words, people will react in calculable ways or I can nudge them to take expected actions." Jörgen's eyes focused on a point beyond Jackson, a point where possibilities played out in his mind like holographic flashes. He pulled back to look at his new and future companion and smiled slightly. "I agree that we could have some fun. On the record, Starfleet knows they can trust me to uphold their commands or they would not allow me near the package. We will have to learn to read and trust each other. How do we do that?"

Jackson chuckled, "I have no problems with other people obeying the laws and being predictable. " He got a little more serious, "Loyalty and family is one thing I don't break. You are part of the Firebird crew and part of my family." He looked Jörgen in the eyes, his steel grey eyes showed his determination and loyalty. "It will take some time for us to read each other, but I trust you with my life." Jackson broke off the gaze, "If I didn't know better, I think Intel attached me to you in hopes you might rub off some." His grin and slight chuckle returned.

There was truth in Jackson's eyes that anyone could read, but there was also pain that glowed behind the fire like molten iron. Whatever he had gone through, Jörgen doubted Starfleet's file on Jackson told the story well. Even at the diplomat's security level. "Obedience is good, loyalty is better. I have family aboard the ship, some of friendship and some of my blood. I care for them all through any means at my disposal. Not everyone approves my methods but they cannot question where I stand. Does that make sense?"

Jackson studied Jörgen for a brief moment, "It makes complete sense." Jackson raised his glass, "To Family..."

[OFF]

Lieutenant Commander Jörgen Leed
Chief Diplomatic Officer
USS Firebird NCC-88298

Lieutenant Jackson Smith
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Firebird NCC-88298

Zulg - Bar owner and mastermind

 

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