Post# Double Takers

Posted on Fri Dec 29th, 2023 @ 4:41pm by Korel & Lieutenant Xalanth & Lieutenant JG Deezell Vox

1,159 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 118 - "It's About Family"
Location: Starbase 400

STARBASE 400

Old Korel had done a lot over the years aboard the station. He had run a murkentile, commanded a cruise liner and even fathered a child.

But he had never been a single man. As his wife had taken the child home to Qonos and Korel couldn't go home, the old Klingon was becoming lonely.

A lonely Klingon either became drunk or disorderly and sometimes both. Having not always been a warrior Korel remembered his youth and the days of the Dominion war. During war there was prophets to be made.

But yesterday's big ideas later became todays old dreams.

Scrolling through the Promenade and outer ring Korel took in the smells and voices of conversation he wasn't a part of. Looking in the window at smiling faces he didn't know and then he saw her.

The tall but very attractive Klingon female sitting all alone outside of a Cafe.
"yi'el" greeted Korel.
" Very good but I prefer the Federation standard tongue. I'm Kurenh, from Qonos."
" You are far from home Kurenh. What brings you to Starbase 400?" Korel asked.
" Family and business opportunities."
" What kind of business?"
" A business worth twice the value of this starbase. Have you ever heard of antiquities? Romulan antiquities?" Kurenh replied.

Korel was intrigued but he didn't want to show it. Sitting down Korel began to listen.

When Kurenh finished she stood up and Korel watched her exit into the lift. Placing his hand in his pocket inside his vest he could feel a golden pressed latinum chip she had given him.

Today he would go to his ship the SS Roane in lock down and pay the fine. Then radio Kurenh and see where the adventure took him.

Dee, who had just finished her shift, was on the promenade. She noticed a familiar face stood at one of the large windows. Korel was an old business associate of Raekwon's. In fact, once Rae lent Korel money which he managed to buy a ship, the SS Roane and then pay Rae back with a little interest. Dee climbed the stairs up to the view gallery and approached Korel.

"Hi Korel, long time no see. " The last time they had spoken, Vox was a he with a cleanly shaven head.

" Do I know you?"

"Well, not with this body and all this hair, no. I'm Lieutenant JG Deezell Vox. The last time we spoke, I was a man with a nearly shaven head." Dee explained.

" Vox? The proprietor? I paid my debt to Raekwon Vox with interest. What do you want?" Korel said nervously .

"I'm the new host to the symbiont known as Vox. I have all of Raekwon's memories along with the previous four hosts. I was being cordial. " Dee replied. This wasn't going as well as she had hoped.

" Do you still have Raekwon's fortune? I have been offered a deal that Raekwon might be interested in." Korel proposed.

"Sadly that's not how it works. I'm just the new host. Any fortune Raekwon had went to his family in his will. That doesn't mean I don't have my own resources. Tell me more. " Dee replied.

" I trusted Raekwon but you are wearing that Starfleet uniform. Sorry Vox I think I will pass." Korel hesitated.

"Really? And I thought I knew you, Korel. Remember the pledge Raekwon made, to have your back should you need it? Well I'm not Raekwon but I am Vox and I keep my promises. If you change your mind, you know where to find me. "

Dee turned and headed back along the viewing gallery, towards the stairs down to the promenade. She caught her reflection in polished surface and paused. She saw her young, delicate appearance and sighed. 'Clearly not a face that give the impression of an adventurer ' she thought.

A tall female paused in front of Dee, a Klingon female.
" You must be Vox. My sources told me I would find you here. I am Kurenh, the bounty hunter and privateer. Would you have time to meet with me?"

"That's right, I am. I have about 40 minutes before I go back on duty, would that be enough or do you want to arrange more time tomorrow?" Dee asked.

" My colleague will meet you here tomorrow to discuss the business arrangements. Raekwon Vox was a good negotiator of business. Perhaps you are as well." Kurenh replied as turned and exited.

"I will of course do my best." Dee replied.

==ELSEWHERE==

Calico Drell was a half breed something that loitered the station for years as a C.I. for Lt Xalanth. This morning he saw several weird things happen and he could collect some credits.

Usually Xalanth came by his bench so Calico waited for the security chief to do so.

The red lizard took a seat next to Calico doing his best to look like he was staring at something else. " What you got for me this time Calico." He asked quietly.

Grunting and stuffing Calico smiled.
" Small a changling thingy...male to female. Male to Klingon female. I think it has pals onboard this station. She was talking to a Klingon shop keep and a fleet officer." Calico Drell told Xalanth.

" Which fleet officer? " the red lizard asked.

" The female Vox. I owed Raekwon money too." Calico replied.

What have you gotten involved in Vox. The lizard thought as he slipped calico a credit chip. " Anything else?"

" For two more chips I can find out the name of the changeling ship?" Calico begged.

Xlanth sighed and tossed over another two.

Tag

==OUT DOCKING BAY==

The Klingon changeling shifted from her slinder persona to a rugged male Klingon rendition of Korel as it headed to his ship the SS Roane

The vr recognized his facial features and allowed him to enter and thus access to leave the station with out detection of the authorities.

The sound of the alarm blaring across the docking bay as a flight of security drones flew overhead and surrounded the SS Roane. With a flash several pillars of transport beams in as a shield dropped sealing the changling off.

" Your under arrest." Xaalanth barked from behind his helmet his gun raised and pointed at the changling along with at least fifty of his men in full combat gear.

" I am merely a Klingon merchant." it said staying in character.

" No your not." Xalanth said clicking his fingers as his men sent an electrical pulse down the shield. The changeling's body immediately warped as it's cells tried to dodge the electricity.

" Your mirror universe masters can't help you now creep. You're going away for a long time. " The lizard said as he tapped his comabdge. " Admiral we have one of the changelings in the docking bay."


The being accepted its arrest and followed the security Officer to nthe brig. The real Korel was very pleased to have his ship back and internally kicked himself for allowing that changeling to best him.

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