"Spies R us" © 2002 Kara Anne Kalel.
Please see chapter 1 for copyright and disclaimer notices.
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"The time is 0500. The time is 0500. The time is 0500. The time …"
"Shaddap, computer!" I called. I yawned, stretched, and rolled out of my bunk, looking at the status board, then touched the comm, and asked, "Five, what's our status?"
Her disembodied voice said, "We are still docked at the station. Jason and the Doctor returned at 2203, reporting success. There has been no communication regarding K'Chel or Fek'leh."
"Damn. Can you check station security, without letting them know you are?"
"Their systems are already penetrated. K'Chel and Fek'leh are in holding cell five of Station Security." My monitor flicked on, and a security camera showed them both lying in bunks, dead to the world.
"They're not going anywhere for a while." I stretched again, then put one foot on my desk and started doing isometric exercises. I changed feet, and asked, "Five, why didn't you contact me when those two were arrested?"
"There was nothing that could be done. Security Chief Odo is regenerating, and is not due to return to duty until 1700 today. The station commander and the security chief are the only ones authorized to set bail amounts." My monitor flicked to a camera showing a plain metal bucket with some gelatinous gooey substance in it. Five asked, "Have I erred?"
"No, Five, you haven't. You did well. What are Jason and the Doctor doing now?"
"They are regenerating."
I chuckled. "I'm going to get a shower, and then go station side for breakfast and some shopping. Would you care to join me?"
"Is that an order, Captain?"
"No, Five. It's an offer. You may decline it if you want, but I think you may enjoy the experience."
"I … I shall process this request, and inform you of my decision."
"All right, Five. Let me know." I smiled to myself, pulled a fresh set of underwear and a bra out, and strode into the tiny fresher.
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Suitably armed, and wearing a fresh black jumpsuit and maroon undershirt, I stood in the small common room. I tied my hair back into a ponytail, and asked the air, "Five, what's your decision? Are you coming with me?"
"I cannot consume bulk material. Those organic subassemblies were removed by the Collective. I cannot 'eat breakfast' or sit, and would therefore 'stand out in a crowd'. I must decline your request. Regretfully." Five answered.
I sighed. "As you wish. Comm me if you feel the need."
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At a shipboard time of 0530, there was a crowd on the Promenade. I ducked behind the closed 'Glop on a stick' cart to avoid a crowd of unruly Klingons. Normally, I found the Klingon attitude refreshing, but not this early in the morning, without coffee, and when they were looking for a fight.
"Mind if I join you?" a petite Trill with short black hair asked. She grinned at me, and said, "Martok's troops can get a little rowdy sometimes. I'm Ezri. Ezri Dax."
"Anne Bonney." I said, stretching a hand over. "Is there someplace I can get breakfast? I'm kind of tired of my ship's replicator."
"Well, there's Quark's, but if you want to avoid the Klingons, I'd avoid it now. Really, the only other place open is the Replimat. They're Cardassian replicators, so it would probably be different." She peeked over the stand.
"Cardassian replicators it is. Klingon ones seem to flavor everything with gagh." I waved her off as she was about to speak. "I know, I know, it's all in my mind. It would show up in a medical check. Still, the aftertaste seems to be there." I stood up, and motioned 'after you'.
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I stopped, and gazed in the shop's window. Ezri stopped, and said, "Garak does have excellent taste. I think the blue one would look good on you."
"Actually, I was thinking of one of my crew. She's grown up very sheltered, and needs to get out and socialize more. That pale blue would bring out her eyes, and it would be a nice change from her usual black." I grew pensive, and said, "Would she agree to it, though? She's kind of a … shy type, but very good at her job."
"Bring her by. I'm the station counselor, I can help if you'd like."
"I must warn you, she's a little … unusual."
Ezri snorted. "We've seen everything here. Bring her, and I'll meet you. I need to pick up some alterations from Garak anyway." She paused, and added, "She is … humanoid, isn't she?"
I smiled. "Oh, yes. She's a human female, about sixteen."
"Well then, there shouldn't be any problems!"
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I couldn't decide what taste the Cardassian replicators added to my coffee. It was different than Klingon replicators, which at least got coffee right. The eggs were green, and the ham, well, it was edible, if not tasty, or Terran. I mentioned this to Ezri.
"There was a Klingon place here before Ezri was assigned here. He was a good chef, but his prices got high, and not everyone likes Klingon." she replied, pensively sipping her coffee.
"How … Ah, one of your previous hosts was here?" I guessed.
"Yes, Jadzia. Shortly after she was married, too. Being killed was a real shock to her. She and Curzon were both very comfortable with Klingons."
"Well, my first officer is Klingon. She and my engineer are undoubtedly both sleeping off a night at Quark's somewhere." I admitted.
"If I know Odo, in one of his cells. You can bail them out later. 'Drunk and disorderly' is his usual charge."
"Thanks." I noticed the increased traffic, and said, "Looks like the place is waking up."
Ezri glanced at a chronometer, and said, "Shifts change in about an hour. Garak just walked by, if you want to have your officer meet us at his shop."
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"Captain? How may I assist you?" Five asked as she stepped into the shop. "Jason is monitoring, but is not as efficient as I am."
I grinned, and said, "You can assist us by wearing something else, Five. I'm really, really tired of your wearing nothing but black."
"Black is the most efficient color for several reasons. It is … "
"It is boring, is what it is." I interrupted. "I'm not asking you to wear what the Doctor wears. Just try something a little more colorful, please. This isn't an order, Five. It's a request." I was pleased to note that Five had remembered to use her holofield.
"Black is the inclusion of all dye colors. I am, therefore, wearing something 'a little more colorful', Captain."
"'Five' is an unusual name." Ezri mentioned. "Perhaps something to go with your heritage?"
"My designation is Five of Six. My heritage is Borg."
I caught Ezri's hand as she reached for her commbadge. "She's been freed from the Collective, but her socialization is not complete. She's not a danger to you or anyone here." Ezri paused, then nodded, with a wary expression in her eye. "I told you that she was unusual. Mr. Garak, do you think you can fit her with a dress?"
# 14 Dressmaker, tailor, spy …
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