Negotiations

Posted on Sun Aug 17th, 2014 @ 10:12pm by Captain Enalia Telvan & Staff Warrant Officer Nexi
Edited on on Thu Aug 21st, 2014 @ 5:16am

Mission: Something Amiss
Location: Captain's quarters
Timeline: MD2 - 0930

The room was dark and vacant as Nexi slipped into the room, using her own means of gaining access to the Captain's quarters. She knew the Captain was in her office and could have quite easily have met her there, but where was the fun in that? It was much more fun to strip off her clothing and hop into the Captain's shower, aside from being a sonic shower also use water which was amazing considering that Nexi's shower on her ship barely worked anymore.

Nexi smiled as she indulged in the hot water cascading over her. It was rare she had access to these kinds of amenities. Sure, she could have just as easily taken a nice sonic shower in the guest quarters provided for her, but this was by far much more fun. And there was hot water! Hot water! The water reclamation system on her ship didn't even have this kind of capacity! Maybe she should request an upgrade while she was docked with the Hera...

Having received an alert from her quarters that someone was there other than her, Enalia punched the message clear and stood up from her ready room chair, heading down a deck to her quarters. She was thinking of all the things she could do to her guest, but instead she just walked into her room, grabbed a chair, and entered the restroom, sitting in that chair.

Sitting as elegantly as she could, she watched and waited, an appreciative smile on her face. She wasn't about to interrupt Nexi's shower, but neither was she going to pass up the opportunity to mess with her a bit.

Nexi knew right away that she was no longer alone. Even though she couldn't see through the cloud of steam she was creating with the shower, she just knew, she could feel someone watching her, or at the very least waiting for her. And she didn't need to be a telepath to feel it either, it was just that 'healthy' paranoia and attention to her surrounding that she had developed after years of doing her job. And she was damned good at her job!

"You know, Captain, you could join me if you're bored," Nexi offered in a sultry tone.

"When we get to know and trust each other a bit more, I'll gladly take you up on that offer but for now I'll enjoy myself from here, thanks." Enalia said with a bit of a smirk. What she could make out of the fiery haired woman was very pleasing. She assumed they were here for business, though.

"Mmmm, this feels so nice," Nexi sighed in genuine enjoyment. "Do you have any idea how long it's been since I've had a real shower?" she asked her 'employer' with a soft moan. It had been ages since she'd had access to this kind of luxury! Nexi closed her eyes and let the steamy water flow over her, her hair streaming over her face. Enalia had drawn the line, so Nexi wasn't try to tempt her any further, but this did feel so good...

And Enalia was sorely tempted. She knew better though. Crossing her legs tightly, she grinned almost lecherously. "I assume it's been so long you forgot what it's like. Press the far left clamshell if you haven't already. It lowers the grav plating here in the restroom to half." Chuckling a bit, she switched subjects. "So what do you think of our mission so far, anyway?"

Maybe she would play with the gravity in here later, but for now she was done. Now, it was time to talk business. Nexi shut off the water and wrung the water out of her hair, stepping out of the shower without even a hint of shame or pretense of modesty. She grabbed a towel and began to tousle her hair dry. "To be perfectly honest, I'd prefer to do this job alone, it's how I operate. But I can be a team player when I need to be. As for the mission itself... with what details of the facility that I have been provided with, I don't see where extraction of the operative would be any problem. The details I need to know are if this is a no kill mission or do you want me to ensure there are no survivors. Also, do we need to wipe any evidence? It may seem out of line, but trust me when I say those are standard questions in my line of work, so I have to ask."

Enjoying the view, Enalia kept her guard up as Nexi all but pranced around in front of her in her birthday suit. "All good questions and ones I would want to know as well. Officially, we need to leave as little evidence as possible and only rescue the one operative at any costs. I've been authorized the use of 4 tricobalt torpedoes if things go south. That should be enough to turn the whole colony into a crater of dust. Unofficially, try to get out as many of the Federation prisoners as possible without compromising the safety of the operative. You can get nearly 30 people on that runabout so feel free to bring anyone else back but keep in mind, the more lifesigns aboard, the easier it will be to track."

Well, that rules out her next question, if she could use her own ship for this operation. Wandering Star definitely didn't have that kind of capacity! "30? I was under the impression we were going in to retrieve one operative and one only. The more we retrieve the greater risk. Are you sure that's wise?" Nexi asked as she wrapped the towel around her body then hopped up onto the bathroom counter, sitting neatly on the ledge as she found a comb and began to untangle her unruly tresses.

"That's the primary objective. My Starfleet morals say to try to rescue others, though not at the risk of the operative. And yeah, the Arrow class runabout is pretty nice in how easy it is to modify. The Selune is built for tactical insertion and extraction and that means the possibility of delivering 25 marines and command crew, none of which are yet aboard." Pausing a moment, Enalia considered how to bring up the next topic. "What's your stake in this? Why did you agree to come aboard and help us?"

"I'm not sure you would like the answer if I told you, but all I'm prepared to tell you at this time is that there is a personal connection," Nexi replied. "Are you prepared to talk compensation now or should we hold off for another meeting? Maybe you'd like to have your Security or Intel people look into me first?"

Satisfied for the moment with that answer, Enalia pressed forward. "I'd like to think I'm a fairly good judge of character. For now, I'm trusting you. In fact, as a sign of goodwill, I'll have a repair team go over your ship and install a proper shower if you like. I'm sure there are some systems upgrades you're missing too. As for compensation afterwards, I'd like to keep that open for how well you do on the mission, but if you'd like to discuss it now, we can."

"I usually don't accept a job without some form of formal contract to ensure proper compensation, but given the personal element to this, and because I'm such a good judge of character-" Nexi teased with a smirk, "I'll withhold negotiations for payment until later. I'm doing something I've never done before, I'm trusting you not to screw me over on this deal." Added bonus, she wouldn't have to ask for repairs on her ship to facilitate her little side job with Rhett.

"Understandable. I can promise you I won't throw you in the brig for no good reason, but if you do anything to compromise my ship, my crew, or this mission, I'll seriously consider it as a matter of Starfleet policy. Other than that, I'm sure you'll be happy with the rewards. Like I said before, the things we have to barter with are junk to me but the Ferengi Alliance says they're worth a lot." Standing and stretching, Enalia yawned as she carried the chair back to the main room. "Will you join me for some lunch since you're here?" she called back to Nexi.

"How could I refuse," Nexi said as she hopped off the counter and gathered her clothes to run them through the recycler, they were overdue a good cleaning. "My replicators broke down, I've been living off of emergency rations for months." Starfleet certainly takes care of their officers from what she could see... "And I've never once done anything to compromise a mission. My prices are high, but for good reason; I'm good at what I do, I preserve the anonymity of my clients and deals, and I don't double cross them or botch the jobs. And there is my personal interest in this, I have every reason to see the mission succeed."

Punching up an assortment of pasta dishes, Enalia moved them to the table as they were replicated. "I hope you enjoy Earth Italian, then. It's most of what I've got programmed on speed dial. I think we'll get along well, given the circumstances, but if you have any issues or qualms, please let me know."

"Yeah, keep that Orion in Engineering away from me," Nexi said as she settled herself at the table, still wearing nothing but a towel and a smile. "The prick had the nerve to call me down to help his staff with repairs because he's short-handed, then he cornered me in the Jefferies junction to buy my, well, services. I've done my fair share of whoring, but even I have standards. I can take care of myself, but I'd be happy to never see him again." Rhett may have attempted to acquire her services, just not those services, but half-truths would help hide the lies and provide a buffer between them and any dealings they may have.

"If he's not careful he won't make it to the brig..." Enalia muttered, not offering any further explanation on that matter. "He came 'highly recommended' as an engineer, and his former CO was almost too happy to see him leave."

"Oh, I've seen those kinds of transactions!" Nexi responded with a laugh. "Sounds like you got the short end of the stick. I can take care of him for you if you want. Free of charge, I'd do him in just for the fun of it."

Sitting and scooping some pastas onto her plate, Enalia shook her head. "No, I'd rather deal with him myself. Thanks for the offer, though."

"Too bad. If you do kill him, can I have his nuts as a trophy? Or maybe he doesn't need to be dead for that..." Nexi could speak from experience on that. How many men had she de-nutted over the years? Not that she collected them or anything, but she wouldn't mind having Rhett's family jewels bronzed and gold plated. It would make quite the conversation piece! "This is really good, what is it?" Nexi said as she devoured some linguine with shrimp and alfredo sauce. She'd never really sampled Earth fare before. Helluva lot better than rations. Or grubs. Ferengi and their grubs, ew... Although wasn't shrimp technically a bug? Mmm, good sea bug...

"That is Shrimp linguine with white sauce. One of my favorites next to the garden lasagna and the pesto chicken florentine." Enalia said as she pointed out the dishes. "I don't plan on killing him, though he'll wish he was dead. What happens to his nuts is no concern of mine as long as it doesn't inconvenience the medical staff."

"Fair enough," Nexi said as she resumed eating. "If the repair team fixes my replicator, have them put some these patterns in there. I don't get stuff like this. You know you 'Fleeters are spoiled on all this, right?"

"I couldn't agree more. That's why a lot of my command staff are 'misfits' of a sort. That way they know how good they have it." Enalia commented. "Though I don't expect all of them to appreciate it any more or less than the average person back on Earth."

Nexi nodded, eating in silence. She could see where that kind of thinking would make sense. Most people didn't know what they had until they lost it, or maybe it would be more accurate to say they never thought they would lose it in the first place. But that was most 'Fleeters. This crew? If they were truly misfits as Enalia claimed, they would understand the value of the life they lived and what they were protecting for others who had never gone without.

"You know, misfits or not..." Nexi said as she took a sip of the wine Enalia had served with the pasta, "I never expect Starfleet to send in a crew so green to do this sort of work. It's almost insulting."

Sipping at her own wine, Enalia nodded in agreement. "I'm forced to agree. There aren't enough experienced crew on this ship to run a shuttle, let alone a starship this size trying to rescue some operative that got caught. We at least have a few people that have a little experience. I'm probably not one of them, but I'm used to fleet politics and some underhandedness."

"Pft, politics... Yeah, I'll leave all that to you," Nexi said frankly. She hated politics, which is why she stayed as far away as she could from political jobs, they always got messy. For as dark and underhanded as people in her line of work could be, there were certain measures of trust there, but she wouldn't trust a politician at all. There was a dark irony there, but that was a story to tell at a later time... "Training was mentioned during the staff meeting. Once your officers have done what preparations they deem necessary, I'd like to run them through a few drills of my own."

"Agreed. Have them consider it an order from me. When we arrive, there'll be about half an hour wait here while the runabout gets there. We'll feed you our sensor data as long as we can, but don't expect much help once you leave." Grinning mischievously, a thought entered Enalia's head. "I might get to pilot the Hera myself if you run into trouble."

"Why do you seem so pleased with that thought?" Nexi teased with a crooked grin. But she could relate. She loved piloting her ship, she didn't know if she could let some strange pilot fly the Wandering Star for her.

"Because I'm a level 5 pilot and I never get to fly anything anymore." Enalia said with a glint in her eye. "If I get the chance, I'm taking it. In fact, if I thought I could get away with it, I'd be piloting the Selune for you."

"Then what the hell are you doing here running this gig? Why ain't you doing what you love? If I had the freedom to do what I love... Well, it would help if I had something that inspires that much passion..." For a moment, Nexi almost sounded jealous of Enalia.

"Simply put, I was promoted out of it in the Trill defense force and Starfleet offered me a sweeter deal. They have all the best toys and I guess I'm hoping to play with them some." Setting her fork down, Enalia considered Nexi's words further. "You have nothing that you're passionate about? Why not stay aboard then? Become a regular part of the crew. You might find something... or someone... worth fighting for."

"You're inviting me to stay on this boat after the job is done?" Nexi asked, more than a little surprised. Oh, if only it were that simple, Grek would never let her... "I would get bored so fast," Nexi dismissed with a crooked smile. "And how could you or the crew trust me? I could betray you at any time," she teased.

Noticing the slight pause and shift in Nexi's eye activity, Enalia smiled crookedly back. "For one, I'm pretty sure that's the first time you've actually lied to me. Your employer wouldn't be too happy, would they?"

"This is the first lie you've caught," Nexi replied honestly. She savored another sip of her wine before continuing. "At this moment, you are my employer. But there is someone else I answer to, and you're right, he wouldn't be too happy."

Leaning back in her chair and thinking over her conversations with Nexi, Enalia sipped at her wine. "You've avoided the truth, told less than the truth, skipped over the truth... Twice now I've seen an unexpected response from you. The first time was when you looked over the mission data in your ship and based on further information, the operative we're going after is close to you in some way. Judging by age and appearance, I'd say a relative of some sort, a cousin or maybe even sister. This time, it's in relation to your employer. I assume they're Ferengi based on your claimed affiliations, and knowing how much they love to collar and enslave women, I'm guessing he has a pretty tight hold on you as well."Pausing, she sipped at her wine again. "Only guessing, though. I don't have the background information I requested from Commander Stanson yet."

"Grek," Nexi said, sitting back in her chair as she mulled over exactly how much to tell her new employer. "He's a high level Liquidator of the Ferengi Commerce Association. I am on record as being his property, I have been since as long as I can remember. When he wasn't using me for sexual gratification, I helped him keep his books until a client of his learned I would better serve him Collecting, which he allows me to do to try to buy my freedom." this was nothing that wouldn't be revealed when her background check came through. How much more to tell Enalia? "Off the record, I do take other work on the side; smuggling, heists, information theft, planting false information, kidnap and ransom, murder, torture... I could go on, but I think you get the idea."

After another sip of wine, Nexi leaned forward, clasping her hands on the table as she fixed Enalia with a cold, lifeless gaze. Speaking of Grek always did that to her, but more than that she wanted Enalia to see that Nexi was only revealing of herself exactly what she wanted Enalia to see. "The first slip was genuine, I hadn't expected to see my sister's name in that file. And my response to Grek, well... I think even you could guess why taking about him makes me uncomfortable. As to the rest, I've let you see the edges of truth and lies because you 'Fleeters need to feel in control, and if spotting the holes in my stories makes you more comfortable with where we stand then I'll let you. But don't think for a second that you've got me figured out, Boss-lady."

Leaning forward, Enalia's eyes narrowed a bit as she stared unblinkingly into Nexi's. "Then I think I have a new goal after this mission is over. I'll have to meet this Grek and see what he's like. As for figuring you out, I only care enough to know how far I can trust you for now. I don't care what semblance of control you think you have or what you think you're giving me. Right now, I only care about what I can get out of you and how much space junk it'll cost. I'm not some deep philosophical diplomat like other captains. I'm not a warrior, either. I'm also not a viper like some. I'm a slug. I keep moving forward until I get what I want then let it go once I pass by. My offer of letting you stay is genuine and your decision will have no bearing on anything to do with the mission. That I guarantee."

"If you value your freedom, do not get yourself entangled with Grek," Nexi warned seriously. "And I would prefer he don't find out about this arrangement. He don't like working with Starfleet and if he finds out then he'll revoke my arrangement to earn my freedom. If you can trust nothing else about me, trust that I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize my chance at freedom. For that matter, I wouldn't do anything to put my sister's life at risk, either. Use me and move on, I'm good with that. Once Aewia is safe and I'm paid, I'll move on and you'll never hear from me again." And that was how she liked her business, professional and detached. Adding in personal matters made things complicated.

"We'll see about that." Leaning back a bit, Enalia refocused on her lunch. "How's your wine, by the way? The replicator does a fair imitation, though I think it lacks real substance."

"But that's all it is, an imitation." Just like Nexi. She wasn't a person, just a poor imitation of one. "It tasted alright with the meal, I guess." She relaxed back in her seat, pondering the things she had told Enalia. She had never told anyone this much about herself. Not even Merrit, her mentor, had seen Nexi be so open about herself. If anything, he had been the one to teach her to close herself off, to protect herself by hiding away deep in the recesses of her mind. Nexi gave herself over to the madness she lived, reveled in the chaos she created, but it was slowly killing her, choking off the will to live buried deep inside. For the first time in years, she wanted something other than personal gain for herself and it was waking the conscience she had long since discarded. Had Enalia's offer really meant that much? Or was it this drive to preserve her familial ties? Or maybe it was all a calculated vulnerability, Nexi went in so many directions that she couldn't tell what she was doing anymore.

"Aewia, she don't know who I am," Nexi said uneasily as she took a leap of faith that Enalia wouldn't betray her. "Our father don't even know I exist. I was an accident and it would be best for everyone involved if they don't find out who I am. Grek don't even know and if he finds out, he'll try to profit off of the secret... My connection to this case stays between us, Boss-lady."

"So your sister is an agent of SI division 6 and you think she doesn't know. Interesting. I've heard of an android that escaped her Ferengi owner and made it to the Federation. She serves as a Diplomat or counselor or something, I think. Food for thought, either way." Enalia spoke as she set her plate back in the replicator.

"Want to hear one of my secrets? My files say I'm joined. That's no secret. What they don't mention is that this is my... I'm it's first host. I don't have the hundreds of years of experience like most people think." Enalia said, slipping up yet again on which one she was supposed to be, symbiote or host.

"I can assure you, they don't know I exist and I want to keep it that way," Nexi said, slipping back into her cool, professional demeanor. Enalia was just a client, she didn't matter, just what she could do for Nexi, just like all the rest, a means for profit. Enalia was nothing special, even by her own admission. "And sometimes one lifetime of experience is more than enough..." She rose from her seat so she could go get dressed. "Thank you for dinner, it was lovely."

"Any time. We'll have to have our chef prepare some real food for you next time." Enalia said with a polite smile. She wouldn't expect Nexi to take her up on that offer willingly, but her 'spoiled fleeter' side demanded she at least make the offer.

"I look forward to it," Nexi said as she dropped the towel to give Enalia one last glance of her naked form before disappearing back into the bathroom.

Chuckling a bit, Enalia's smile widened as she looked Nexi over some more. "Keep that up and I might not be able to ever let you go." she muttered. Shaking her head, she started clearing the table, setting everything back into the replicator to be recycled.