Worth every Penny

Posted on Sun Jun 27th, 2021 @ 2:26am by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Lieutenant Clara Lawson & Lieutenant Commander Malakai Starr [Taylor] & 1st Lieutenant Joshua Young [Taylor] & Lieutenant Commander Kara Starr {Kelea-Salik} & Captain Mattias Richardson [Reece]

Mission: Darkness Rising - A Phoenix Lalor Sub Plot
Location: The Black Watch and a borrowed shuttle.
Timeline: MD13
2987 words - 6 OF Standard Post Measure

IC

Sasha had come through with the invitation and the extreme deep background for each person.

Lily had, with Clara's help dyed her hair blond and wore contacts that turned her eyes violet and she had Kara give her a Bajoran nose.

Kara's transformation was going to take a bit. Lily had brought out several galmourous gowns for her to try on and out of her own personal collection jewelry. Once Kara made her choice of gowns.

Mattias, Malakai and Clara had gotten to work on becoming a believable security team, whose sole goal, was to protect Kara during the mission. Much to Mattias's suprise, he was finding working with Malakai becoming easier and less annoying.

Kara stood looking at herself in the mirror in Lily’s bedroom having finally found a dress she liked. She’d already given herself a shot of an anti sickness med for her morning sickness, she couldn’t afford to be messing up Lily’s plan. “So how do I look?” She turned to look at Lily.

Lily grinned at the red dress. "I think I will have to sedate Malakai and Mattias. But before that.." she moved to the small chest and opened it and after a moment of looking, pulled out a ruby and diamond jewelry set. "Try these."

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Kara looked at Lily in surprise, “These are... wow!!” She was practically lost for words at the astounding beauty of the jewellery. “Exactly how much are these worth? Or don’t I want to know?”

"Don't worry about it" Lily said as she moved to help Kara put the jewels on. "The secret it to act like they are worth nothing at all"

“So I’m supposed to act like they mean nothing?” Kara raised her eyebrows curiously. “Could be hard to do but I’ll do my upmost. So what do I need to learn next?”

Lily grinned. "Remember that in this role, you have no equal, everyone else is beneath you, the lowest of the low. You are regal and you rule. everyone else can sit in coach cause you are first class. So chin up, eyes disdainful and keep your emotions in check. Nothing should bother you. Unless of course it hinders you then go icy cold with anger."

Kara grinned. “Okay, So let’s go and try that out on the guys” she strolled towards the door even though she had no shoes on yet, pausing to get her emotions in check. Stepping out she gave Mattias, and Malakai an icy glare. “Slacking off again I see!” She snapped her fingers. “Up on your feet both of you! If you are to be at my side then you will work for that privilege!”

Malakai looked at Kara and then at Lily. He shrugged his shoulders but got to his feet. "Are you okay Kara?" He asked.

Mattias grinned. He clearly had a better idea of what Kara was doing. Besides, they had played games like this as kids. He quickly got to his feet, snapped to perfect attention and bowed at the waist, keeping his eyes to the deck. "Begging your pardon, my lady. This sorry excuse for a guard has yet to learn his place." He smirked, indicating Malakai. "Shall I take him to the dungeon and teach him the proper manners?"

Kara couldn’t help but burst into a fit of laughter at both responses. Mattias was used to playing this game with her but Malakai was obviously confused. “Imzadi I err ... I’m supposed to be getting into character!” She giggled.

Mattias straightened up, chuckling. "You mean, I can't haul him down to the dungeon and beat some manners into him?" He winked playfully at Kara as he spoke.

"Just try it," Malakai growled before turning back to Kara. "Ah, okay. Well that was good, you fooled me."

Mattias turned to face Malakai, a huge grin on his face. "Aww, did I hurt your wittle feewings, cupcake?"

Malakai favored him with a icy glare. "Asshole." He said simply.

Lily had been leaning on the door jam behind Kara. "I think it works" She said brightly. "And gentlemen, if you bash each other up, Kara and I will be forced to pick others to be her body guard." She paused and frowned. "Kara hold still" she reached for something in the room and then came out, and knelt at Kara's side near where the dress slit for movement. She quickly strapped a 'decorative' dagger to Kara's upper thigh. It would only give a glimpse of it when she walked.

"Now we need the appropriate garb," Mattias said. He almost said to make sure Malakai had a bib but, Phoenix had told them to behave, so he would. For nkw. He did however, thinkas loud as his mind could, an image of Malakai dressed as a baby, playing with soft foam weapons. He just hoped that Kara picked up on it as he kept an innocent look on his face.

Kara gave Mattias a glance that said ‘Stop it!’ Before turning back to Lily. “So am I ready for this now? I need to get into character and somehow stay in character without messing everything up.”

"Just pretend we're all playing Empress and her knight," Mattias said with a brotherly wink. "Just like we used to as kids. Between Clara, Malakai and myself, no one'll get anywhere near you, unless you want them too."

Kara nodded. “Of that I’m glad, I’m pretty nervous about doing this.” She gave Malakai a glance, Mattias didn’t know about her pregnancy yet and so much the better for now.

Malakai gave Kara a reassuring smile. "You're going to do fine Kara. No doubt in my mind. You got this."

Kara nodded and reached out to hold Malakai’s hand. “Thank you Malakai.”

"You are most welcome sweetheart." Malakai replied.

Lily vanished into her room again and came back out, this time wearing something totally different from the normal jeans and tee-shirt she normally wore. A sleek black evening gown, held at the one shoulder by a slim diamante clasp and low black heals were definitely not Lily. As she stepped out, she twined her hair up into a knot at the back of her head and pinned it there with her normal hair dirks.

The soft grin that Mattias had been wearing for Kara, suddenly faded, as his jaw dropped when he took in Phoenix's stunning beauty. "Wow..." he managed to whisper, his eyes not leaving the woman that he loved.

"Well, how about that. Something finally shut Mattias up." Malakai did some smirking of his own.

If Mattias heard his brother-in-law, it wasn't apparent. All of his attention was focused solely on Phoenix and how absolutely stunning she looked. "Ph...Lily," he corrected himself quickly. "W-where...when...h-how....WOW!"

She slanted a knowing look at him. "I have my secrets" She replied. The blond, violet eyed Bajoran looked at him. "Now better close your mouth before you catch... fleas?"

He shut his mouth with an audible snap of his teeth. Then he gave her a roguish lop-sided grin. "Flies, sweetheart. Flies, not fleas. The flea analaogy would be, 'You sleep with dogs, you best expect to get fleas.'"

She ppfftth'd at him and waved a hand. "Humans and their sayings."

This made him chuckle. "Well, You do seem to like certain humans, my dear. So exoect a few corrections, here and there." He took a deep breath and then asked again, "So, my good ladies, what is on the menu for your bodyguards to wear?"

"Well as your boss lady is wearing close to 2 million Fed credits in jewels I suggest body armor." Lily said dryly.

Kara’s face went from a rosey pink to a pale white as she looked at Lily. “D... did you just say... 2 million?” She stepped to a nearby seat and sat down. “I wish you hadn’t told me that!”

Mattias chuckled softly. "Sis, you gotta look the part to be the part. There are alien species out there that can tell the difference between real jewelry and costume baubles. There are others that can tell just by looking at the light recfracted off the jewels. Don't worry about the money. A standard medical bay on, say, a frigate, can cost upwards of ten to fifteen million. Hell, with our gear and weapons, we'll all be carrying a few mil on us." He gave her another wink. "Just breath. You'll be great."

"give or take a few thousand" Lily said arily. "Come on Kara, its not that big a deal. I know you will be fine."

Kara took a deep breath. “Okay” she stood up. “So I guess I need suitable shoes to go with this and I’m ready.”

Malakai stood silently as the other three talked. This was serious business. Kara's life was on the line and they were talking about flies, fleas, flying bugs.

Kara gave her husband a smile, she could sense his concern about her welfare. “I’ve no doubt I’ll be the best protected woman around.”

Malakai returned Kara's smile, "I'm certainly going to do my part to make sure you are Kara."

Lily had paused at the words of shoes. Studying Kara's feet she smiled. "Ohh I have the perfect shoes.." and so saying ducked back into the cabin. a few minutes later she came out carrying a pair of red leather boots.
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Mattias was speechless. While he knew that Kara was a full grown woman, sometimes he still saw the little girl that was attached to his hip all those years ago. Now, seeing her as she was, plus the boots that Lily had offered her, he looked over at Malakai, and for the first time, addressed him as an equal. "We're in trouble."
"Perhaps but we can handle it." Malakai replied confidently.

Lily rolled her eyes. "Kara, these boots are going to make you stand out and they have the added advantage of being nasty when pressed into someone's foot."

“Then let’s try them” Kara took the boots and carefully put them on, Funnily enough they were a perfect fit. With the look complete she stood up. “So do I meet expectations?”

Seeing her complete look, minus the acting, Mattias was amazed. "I'm definitely gonna need some serious toys on hand."

"Indeed, you are." Malakai agreed.

Kara smiled a reassured smile, it was time to play the part she used to love playing with Mattias when they were kids. Only this time it was deadly serious.

Turning to Malakai, Mattias spoke. "Okay, stop me if you think this idea is ridiculous. As there are three of us, you, Clara and myself, it mught be a good idea to stage our level of defensive and offensive capabilities among us. You, as both the largest and most likely to get Kara out of danger faster than me, should present yourself as tbe scalpel. A fine tailored suit that both displays your bulk, while hiding the armor and weapons you'll have on you. Me, with my extensive combat training and experience, will be the sledgehammer. Fully armored up, with enough firepower to level a small city. And Clara, who will be attached to Kara's hip, especially when she goes places we can't go, will be a mix of both. What do you think?"

Malakai didn't say anything for a second, maybe two then a smile slowly made it's way to his face. "I have to admit, I think that is a good idea. I'm in favor of it."

Lily cleared her throat. "So are we ready to head to the other ship? Jaxon is
already in the cockpit."

"Once the three of us are kitted up, sure." Mattias said as he moved away, heading for the arms room. "I'll need twenty minutes, tops!"

'Time is wasting. Lets get it done." Malakai replied as he went to collect some of his 'goodies' otherwise known as explosives. They would augment the other weapons he would have on him.

"Am I wrong to be scared?" Kara looked at Lily. "I'm used to being the one in the background not the one up front."

Malakai stopped and turned back to look at Kara, "You aren't wrong Kara. It shows you have good sense and it's working."

"Clara and I will be right beside you all night My Lady" Lily said

"In that case lets get this show on the road" Kara smiled.

A few minutes later, after everyone else was dressed and ready to go, Mattias stepped into the shuttle. On the outside, it looked like he was wearing heavy Andorian battle armor, complete with a pair of nasty looking ice axes, plus an impressive selection of weapons and ordinance attached at various points. Inside, however, he was wearing the top of the line, SFMC Mark VII endurance armor. In a pinch, if need be, he could eject from the Andorian shell, and still be able to hold his own, in a temporary firefight. The outside of his armor was painted a dark matte purple, easier to hide in the dark. "I'm good, how about you guys?"

“Wow! Now that’s what I call armed to the teeth!” Kara smiled at her big brother. “I’m ready to get this done.”

Malakai entered quietly. Unlike Mattias he believed in subtly. He was wearing a three piece suit that concealed his body armor along with the wide selections he had concealed. In addition he also had his custom explosives such as the exploding cuff links. All designed to keep the away team and Kara safe.

Activating an internal control, Mattias's helmet unlocked and opened like a clamshell that was facing up. The suit was designed so, in mind of the Andorian's very sensitive antennae. "Nice suit." He said honestly to Malakai. "Remind me later to ask for your tailor's name."

“You look very dashing my dear husband” Kara smiled as she walked over to Malakai and kissed him on the cheek.

Malakai returned the kiss saying, "Thanks Kara. You look gorgeous. Simply gorgeous." He said honestly.

"mushy stuff!" Clara said as she walked past them both, dressed identically to Lily.

Malakai stuck his tongue out at her as she passed.

Sasha was waiting for them. She looked at them. "Okay Kara, you are now Lady Karlyn Mortimer. From Earth originally. Your familys holdings are extensive and a lot of your contacts are less than legal. Your parents are dead, you own everything yourself. In the underworld you trade in anything that makes a profit. And your reputation is that of a stone cold bitch." Here Sasha smirked. "You travel with 2 male and 2 female bodyguards, and its rumoured that you sleep with one of your bodyguards, makes it reasonable for Malakai to be close to you. No one gets near you without being cleared hy them. Last guy who tried to kiss your hand, lost it at his elbow."

Lily smiled here. " Sounds good Sasha."

Sasha handed over the invitation to Malakai. "Lady Karlyn does not carry anything. And she hates being handed anything. Her female bodyguards carry her purse and hold her drinks and food but she brings her own to such events." She pointed to the tray. "Clara you have that."

Clara nodded.

Kara smiled as she listened. “So I’m still permitted to flaunt myself in front of Malakai” she winked at him playfully. “Cold hearted I can do no problem.” She recalled how she tried to bury her feelings after her rape years earlier, for a short while it made her act cold.

Sasha smiled. "Flirt all you want. But Cragen likes flirting as well. He is apparently running into money issues, needs it to finance things. His arena is key to everything. It brings in money and the slave trade is rife here as well."

Kara nodded. “Great, I have to charm Cragen into doing what I want. What budget do I have to charm him with?”

"A very high one. He will expect you to be snobby and you will have to make him think you are interested but needs more convincing to go into any type of deal. Lily will be playing the part of bodyguard/advisor. And.." Sasha looked at Lily.

Who nodded and brought out a wine bottle. "Huey Wine. Made from ch'amhuey. Alcoholic Drink. Spicy and well balanced - 2250 Vintage. Highly valuable and extremely hard to get. Its Erisian. And exported to only a few vendors in the federation." She held it out. "I will bring it out at your signal of wanting to make a deal with him."

“And what do I do if he wants to make a deal in a... more personal fashion?” Kara gave Lily a concerned look. “He does like his women after all.”

Sasha smiled. "You don't sleep with just anyone. In fact, your reputation is to keep a man on a hook for a while before you have sex, he knows it, it will be fine. He wont push. He wont get that close. Right?" she looked at the four.

"And besides, you are not the only Blonde." Lily tugged on her dyed hair.

Kara nodded. “Okay, let’s do this before I start worrying all over again!”

"Just remember, you are his better and no one is better than you." Lily said and moved to let Jaxon know to get things underway.

Kara nodded, “I’ll remember.” She offered Malakai and Mattias a smile feeling reassured about having them at her side.

Slipping into his own gruff, angry character, Mattias grumbled. "Please let someone try something. I'd love to try out my new ice axes."

"Lets get this show on the road." Malakai huffed.

The Shuttle shot to warp.