Out of Place

Posted on Fri Mar 12th, 2021 @ 12:33pm by Lieutenant JG Ryan Kade III

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Ferengi-Owned Moon, outside local bar.
Timeline: Shortly after "Wakey Wakey"
704 words - 1.4 OF Standard Post Measure

The sun had made contact with the horizon only a few moments before her approach. Orange haze shed into purple hues as darkness crept up from the alleyways, lapping up the ground at her heels as the daylight retreated. The gravely street was littered with a fine layer of crushed limestone that crunched underfoot as she walked. The young human woman was clad in her usual street-wear. Black boots, dark jeans, a white tanktop, and a leather vest. Her shoulder-length dark brown hair was pulled out of the way into a simple ponytail. A more functional choice as she wasn’t planning on doing any socializing at her chosen venue.

The sign above the doorway flickered in and out constantly, Kandiss noticed as she walked beneath it. She shook her head at it and pushed the door open. It was almost as dark inside as the outside was getting, the atmosphere playing off the idea of being seedy and dangerous- which it was, of course, though the owner liked to pretend otherwise when auditors and peacekeepers showed up.

“Hey-” A cranky voice projected from behind the counter at the back of the medium-sized room. It was small enough to feel cozy, but also just big enough that you could feel a sense of privacy if you fled to the far corners. “You gotta pay the entrance fee if you’re not a memb-” The bartender and owner stopped himself short once he noticed who had come. “Oh, it’s you.”

Kandiss waved, striding her way confidently towards the bar. When she got close enough, she smiled, taking a seat on the stool directly across from him. “Migdahl,” she began, glancing back towards the entrance briefly, “you ever gonna fix that sign, you lazy d’blok?”

He flashed a sharp grin, “As you humans say, ‘do not fix what is not broken’.”

“Aww, you’re learning my lingo?!” She held a hand to her chest in mock appreciation. “I’m honored!”

“Pah!” He huffed out, “you wouldn’t know real honor if it bit you in the sa’hut.”

The two of them shared a quiet moment of levity before he nodded his heavily-bearded head towards the far corner. She looked over and saw exactly what she expected. There, in the second to last booth, was her handler. The human male was already waving her over. His motions were fast and desperate as if every second was precious.

She sighed, looking towards the owner one last time. He slid a glass towards her, motioning for her to take it. “You’ll need it.” Without hesitation, Kandiss snatched the glass and downed it in one fluid motion. Her eyes clamped shut as the mystery drink sent a shiver her spine as it threatened to climb back up. There was, however, a small hint of honey sweetness in the aftertaste, which softened the blow a little. “Thanks,” She said, sliding the glass back to him and nodding as she walked away.

“Kandiss!” Lucas called for her impatiently from the booth, still waving at her like an obvious idiot.

She plopped down on the opposite seat of the booth from him, crossing her legs and draping her arms over the upholstery. “You know,” She began, her eyes already rolling, “if you’re trying to be subtle, you’re failing rather miserably.”

“THAT’S NOT-” He started an angry retort, his voice squeaky and nervous, but quickly toned down the volume to a more manageable level. He streaked his pasty-white hands through his short blonde hair, drumming his fingertips on the back of his skull, “You don’t understand, Kandiss. I need to tell you something.”

She crossed her arms. “Will you just come out with it, already!?”

He nodded, “Yeah, okay… just promise you won’t get mad.”

Her tone was dull and lifeless, a hint of sarcasm beneath, “This is about the relic, isn’t it?”

“Promise, first!”

“Okay, okay, I…” She seemed to consider it seriously for a moment, “pinky swear to try not to punch your face in.”

“The relic wasn’t from the Gamma Quadrant.”

The booted foot of Kandiss’ crossed leg stopped swaying. Her eyes narrowed as she leaned forward. “... what?”