May we Borrow that Starship?

Posted on Mon Jan 31st, 2022 @ 8:14am by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Commodore Evelyn Mountbatten [ADMIN NPC] & Captain Garrett Lovejoy [ Taylor] & Lieutenant Commander Malakai Starr [Taylor]

Mission: Darkness Rising - A Phoenix Lalor Sub Plot
Timeline: MD45
1574 words - 3.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Lily and Malakai had come alone, without the others to Starbase 351. The small sleek shuttle they had 'appropriated' for the trip had been completely refitted by their crew.

They left it docked and secure, passed through security, and Lily sent a message to the person they were to meet. It took a couple of hours, and the two disguised as they were, Lily as her blond Bajorian with the purple eyes and Malakai as a Vulcan with jet black hair, and pointed ears moved about as civilians easily.

Three hours later, they watched as a large starship docked in one of the upper docking ports. Then as the crew disembarked, Lily tilted her head and they moved towards the Starfleet command offices.

==Commodore Mountbatten's office==

Evelyn studied the two sitting before her desk. She knew why they were here. She pressed the comm button. "Captain Lovejoy please report to Commodore Mountbatten's office immediately"

In his Ready Room, reading reports, Lovejoy answered the com instantly. "On my way Commodore." He replied and rose from his desk. He wondered what was so important that the Commodore wanted to see him without delay. He sighed, Only way to find out was to get there.

Moments later he stood outside her office and pressed the chime to allow him entrance.

Evelyn dimmed the lights to 25% and opened the door. It threw her guests into shadow, but she was clearly seen behind her desk. "Captain, please come in."

Garrett had to squint due to the reduced lighting but could see two figures seated in the shadows. However Commodore Mountbatten he could see clearly. "You wanted to see me Commodore?" He asked coming to a stop in front of her desk.

Lily studied him in the dim light and her lips quirked.

Evelyn nodded "Yes,We have a new mission for you and your crew Captain."

Garrett nodded, "Of course Commodore, Just what kind of mission are you giving us? Please not a survey mission."

"This is Lily Kass and S'kar. They require the use of the Elysium."

Lovejoy just stood there for several seconds staring at the Commodore before glancing at the figures in the shadows. "Excuse me? Use of the Elysium? Commodore the Elysium is a ship of the line not some pleasure cruiser."

"Well they did suggest they 'steal' it." Evelyn stated.

The female spoke then "Wouldn't look good on your record, having the Elysium stolen while in spacedock" the woman's accent was definitely Bajoran. she played idly with a strand of her long blond hair. "The Commodore suggested we work with you."

Garrett sputtered and choked at the words. He turned to face the woman. "Steal the Elysium? Are you out of your mind? You think you're just going to waltz up. come onto the bridge and make off with it and no one is going to lift a hand to stop you. I admire your gall lady but not your intelligence."

Lily looked at Evelyn who smirked.

"Captain, Ms Kass and S'Kar are ... how do I put this..."

"Not people you wish to anger." Lily stated cooly. "We are chasing someone very important to the Federation and he wants a new command ship. He has put a bounty on your ship."

"Is that suppose to scare me? Have you seen the Elysium? It's state of the art in both defensive and offensive weapons and counter measures. Let him come, we can take care of him." Garrett replied with equal coldness.

Lily raised an eyebrow. "I hear your predecessor thought the same thing to her demise"

Garrett whirled to face Lily and Malakai. "Captain Carrington was a good officer except for a major character flaw. She was arrogant and thought she could threaten or bully her way through problems. Rest assured I am not her." His voice cold like ice.

"Careful Captain. You show promise. It is why you are a captain. Do not let your command end prematurely." Malakai spoke calmly, unruffled.

"Are you threatening me?" Garrett demanded.

"I am warning you." Malakai replied serenely keeping within his Vulcan alias.

Evelyn sighed. "You cannot tell me you are not arrogant at times Garrett." She said calmly. "And we have chosen to go with ms Kass and her crew's suggestion."

She pressed a button. "You are in 3 days to leave the starbase, and at warp 7, arrive at these co-ordinates.It will take you about a week. Once there, you will take on Ms Kass and her team. How many were there again?"

Lily counted silently. "12 of us." She let her lips curve. "I will make sure you have the correct numbers so cabins can be allocated properly."

"Once you have them on board, you will warp to coordinates given to you by Ms Kass and then your crew will need to pretend to be prisoners'."

"I hear the captains chair is very comfortable." Lily mused.

Properly chastised Garrett was silent but it was clear he was anything but happy with his orders.

"We have chosen? You mean you have chosen Evelyn. I know nothing of who these people are only that they want to 'borrow' the Elysium and you want me just to nod my head like a good dog." He shook his head, "This makes no sense. We've been demoted to a space faring taxi and I'm it's driver."

He glanced again at Lily. "The center seat is for those who have earned the right to sit there. Not for mercenaries." He answered scorn clear in his tone.

Evelyn sighed and looked at Lily. "Do you want to tell him?"

"That we are not mercenaries? Why where would the fun be in that." Lily examined her nails idly. "One believes what one sees. And it would not be the first time the Elysium has been 'stolen'." here she paused "The Irony abounds though, one of those who complained about it being stolen before, having it stolen? I can see why he is upset Commodore."

Garrett's eyes narrowed. "Tell me what is it I don't know and how is it you know about me complaining about the Elysium being stolen previously? Just who are you and your companion?" Garrett pressed Lily. "You have way too many intimate details and the Commodore doesn't seem fazed one bit by your 'request' and hasn't raised a security alert. So what is going on?"

Lily stood and tossed her hair back over her shoulder "The only reason you sit in that command chair is because I am not available to do so." She said firmly. "The only reason, you got promoted is because someone went behind Commodore Mountbatten's back and pushed Carrington into a position she was ill-suited to hold." She looked at S'Kar. "S'Kar, we should go."

S'Kar rose fluidly. "It has been a pleasure." He announced.

"We shall see you in 9 days Captain Lovejoy." Lily turned and headed for the door.

"Your not available? What the devil is that suppose to mea......" He stopped looked at Evelyn then the trim Bajoran women in front of him. "Captain Phoenix Lalor?" He asked in a subdued, shocked voice as he stared closer at Lily, still not quite able to make out her features in the dim light.

"He is smart. Keep it to yourself Lovejoy. If it gets out while I am on the Elysium, you will not like the consequences." Lily said calmly.

A smile slowly spread across his face. "Mums the word. You truly are a Phoenix." He assured her as he continued to stare at her. "One question do you not think Gary Taylor will recognize you or Lia too for that matter."

"That's the thing, I have been walking this station for hours and have walked passed them, not a trigger. That and even the Computer won't see me as Lalor. I am for all extents and purposes Lily Kass." she paused "Deck 19, should suffice to grant us quarters. See you Lovejoy" She calmly stepped to the door and it slid open. "More details to come by the way."

Garrett watched her leave before turning back to Evelyn, "I don't believe it. I knew she wasn't in New Zealand but had no idea about this. Of course I'll do whatever she wants Commodore. I just hope she's right and Gary or someone else doesn't recognize her.""

"Good. You will have to act disdainful towards her at times. She knows that."Evelyn said. "And knowing her as I do, she will keep a low profile until its time to spring the trap."

Garrett nodded, "I won't enjoy it but I'll do it. I spent so much time belittling her and her crew that I'll do whatever it takes to help her in whatever her mission is."

Evelyn nodded. "Once you have Lily Kass and S'Kar onboard they will brief your senior staff. Warn them. Their roles are set that too much disrespect, could end up with knives being drawn and we do not want that"

"Understood Commodore. I won't and I'll warn the senior staff as well about how to treat our guests. I don't want to make their mission any harder than I'm sure it is.""

"Good, and Good Luck" Evelyn said with a smile.

"Thank you Commodore. We'll make this work no matter what sacrifices it takes." Garrett assured her as he turned and left the office, heading back to the Elysium to make preparations for the guests they would be receiving in nine days.