OSN Corsair

Corsair class carrier

In transit through Orion Space

Tetro watched the loading crew closely as they organized the haul. Several of the younger Pirates – and they were pirates, no mistake about it – complained that the latest raid would yield a less than satisfactory profit.

Tetro had always hated people who couldn't see past the first ten feet in front of their faces.

"Those five," she said, pointing at a set of Federation-marked cases, "Over here in the secure hold. No one goes in without my approval."

The loader carefully angled the cases into her personal hold. Once they were placed on the deck plate, she motioned her second to join her inside the secure area, and then slapped a heavy force field in place to keep prying eyes and fingers out.

Laycek, a man who had earned a rare place in the matriarchal Orion society, looked over the cases and scoffed. "This hardly seems worth it for the attention, Miss. Five cases of who knows what Federation marked cargo? And risking the attention of the Milky Way Alliance?"

"To say nothing of those vile creatures we liberated this haul from," Tetro replied as she knelt to inspect one of the cases.

"I know you're not fond of Romulans, Miss. No one really is. But I have to ask. Do you really think we should be fighting the Republic?"

"They couldn't organize a proper war without the Federation holding their hand on their best day, Laycek. I couldn't give less of a damn about the Republic. They are simply the means of conveyance for this little prize."

Tetro forced open the lock and the case opened, revealing various PADDs and a half-sized torpedo casing. She picked it up and showed it to her second with a wide smile.

Laycek was less impressed. "Rather small for a torpedo. We can build better ones."

"You don't think so well, do you Laycek? This is much more than a torpedo. This represents an edge beyond our wildest dreams," Tetro explained.

"This device in my hand is a Borg Cooperative transwarp coil. These PADDS contain technical details of engines, shields, weapons, and so much more. Those cases over there contain schematics for the armour those Federation Marines wear. And naturally, all the intelligence and embarrassing secrets of all this wonderful equipment."

Tetro waved the coil in triumph. "With one raid, we've not only gained the means to make our fleet a match for any of the so-called great powers, but we can dismantle the Milky Way Alliance in one day. That, my little Laycek, is profit beyond even your wildest dreams."

The Second smiled back. He had to admit, he was impressed by his Commander's determination.

"It seems I was wrong about this operation, Miss. This could be very profitable indeed. What are your orders?"

Tetro put the coil away and checked her comm-pad. "Continue on course. We'll have to put this cargo away until the buyer arrives. Let me know if anyone tries to stop us again."

"Right away, Miss. But I have to ask, what about that Starfleet vessel? They could still be following us."

"Let them," Tetro shrugged, "If the little bird wishes to have her wings clipped, I'll be more than happy to take my sheers out. I find that an unlikely thought. They'll be too busy dealing with Nerkit 1. On your way."

She watched until Laycek had left the cargo bay, taking the rest of the loading crew with him. What she hadn't told him – what she had no intention of telling anyone – was that the "buyer" was a complete fabrication.

This shipment belonged to the Free Colonies. And Tetro would use it to build something to rival the entire galaxy.

─•~:~•─

USS Alexia

Alexia class Strike Carrier

NCC-61667

Officer's Wardroom

Eyos blinked at the much brighter lights of the Starfleet ship. Unlike the dimly lit Worf, Alexia was a bright, happy, and cheery place. And she stepped off the transporter pad, she was greeted by something equally bright, happy, and cheery.

Her Romulan "sister."

"Eyos!" Rela shouted as she lept into Eyos' arms, "I miss you! How's it going?!"

Touching was still something that caused the Klingon a good deal of anxiety. But for whatever reason, Rela had always insisted on hugging Eyos. So, she learned to live with it.

"Hello, Rela. It's good to see you too. It's been an… interesting few days."

"For both of us," Rela said as she pointed at her black beret, "Do you see that?! It means I'm the most famous Rihann ever! Aren't you impressed?!"

Eyos patted her purple hair. "Yes, very impressive, my dear little sister. And where is Kayla?"

As if on cue, Kayla entered the transporter room and gave her own – gentler – hug to her Klingon sister.

"Hey Eyos. Good job getting your own ship."

"Wasn't as easy as I'd thought. Where's Captain Shyvax? Isn't he in charge?"

Both Kayla and Rela sighed, with Kayla filling in the details. "He's dead. So is Major Ingles. I'm OC-MCT now."

"Dead? What happened?"

"Orions, probably the same reason you're here. Come on, lets meet my new Captain."

The three sort-of sisters made their way into the turbolift that took them to the Officer's Wardroom. The stewards had finally cleared off the remains of the previous night's meal, and now the table was empty for the arrival of new guests.

Rei rose from her chair, walked over, and shook Eyos' hand. "Captain Eyos, welcome aboard the Alexia. I'm Captain Rachel Nechayev, but since your part of Clan Kaimeao here, you can call me Rei if you like."

Eyos firmly took her hand. "The honour is mine, Captain Rei. I hope my sisters haven't caused you too much trouble."

Rei stared at Kayla but kept up her smile. "I can handle a few wayward sisters, even yours. Please, have a seat."

Eyos took a seat at the end of the oak table, flanked on either side by her Marine sisters. At the other end, Rei sat with Logan and folded her hands.

"So, Captain. What brings you to the Nerkit expanse?"

Eyos slid a PADD across the table. "My now ex-Captain, Korvax. It took a while to crack through this, but I've discovered his purpose here. He was ordered to pursue an Orion Space Navy carrier to recover cargo stolen from the Romulan Republic."

Rei, Kayla and Rela all looked at each other before Rei asked the next question. "What was that carrier called?"

"Corsair," Eyos answered.

"Damn. That's the same one we're after," Rela said absently.

Kayla gave her kick under the table. Rela shrugged. "What?"

"You know about the Corsair too?" Eyos asked.

Rei sighed but realized that the Romulan had backed her into an unescapable corner. "Yes, we do. That cargo you mentioned. We were tasked to escort duty since the Republican Navy was, apparently, unwilling, or unable to send their own escort. Corsair got their first however, took down two of the three freighters, stole their cargo, and left only one survivor."

"I see. And the survivor?" Eyos asked.

"He's been sent home by shuttle. All we got out of him was the cargo was computer and technical equipment bound for Kinshya," Rei replied.

"I'm not convinced of that," Kayla interrupted, earning another stare from Rei, "I think he was lying about it."

Eyos offered a small smile. "I've learned to trust her instincts, Captain Rei. If my sister says that Romulan was lying, you can be assured as Khaless' vengeance that he was lying. All Romulans have a mastery of lying, so said my father."

"Hey!" Rela protested.

"Even you, beloved sister. Or did you forget trying to sell my hairpins to Salimov?"

The three sisters shared a polite laugh, which Rei couldn't help but find charming, her frustration with Kayla aside. She'd grown up the only child of a single mother. She'd had plenty of friends and relatives – and her childhood was hardly what she would call lonely – but there was something about having a sister she found almost envious.

"Well, it would seem that we have a mutual goal here, Captain Eyos. What would you say to a joint operation? We'll team up, track down Corsair, figure out what the hell is going on, and then blow her up," said Rei.

"I agree. Besides, I'll likely be killed by J'mpok's faction if I return to the Empire anytime soon. I have nowhere else to go," Eyos replied, almost sounding sad.

Rela suddenly leaped up and hugged her around the neck. "No way! You always have a home with me! Let's go get a drink!"

Along with the Klingon and the Romulan, the rest of the crew filtered out of the wardroom. Only Kayla and Rei were left behind.

"What?" Kayla asked, noticing that Rei was still staring at her.

"You know what," Rei replied.

Kayla sighed. "What's your problem?"

"You kissed her!"

"I didn't actually kiss her! You interrupted that before it happened!"

"That's not the point Kayla!"

"What the hell is the point, Rei?"

Rei stood up and looked out the window. "For someone with all your powers, you should be able to figure that out."

Kayla put her head in her hands. "Oh, come on. Don't start being like that."

"Why shouldn't I be like that? It's true, isn't it? You're an Augment."

Kaya threw up her hands. "Yep, you figured it out too! Who told you?"

"No one had to tell me anything. Explain to me how someone can hear a detailed conversation across a sealed bulkhead? Or how someone can shoot three guys at once in ten seconds?!"

Kayla sighed and walked over to the window. "I guess that I'll have to tell you the story one day. So now that you know, what are you going to do about it?"

Rei yet again stared at her. "What can I do? If I tried to report you or turn you in, I'm fairly sure your two sisters would skin me alive. And you are still technically in command of my MCT. I guess I just have to put up with you for now."

Kayla walked just a step closer. "Rei, seriously, what's wrong?"

"You really don't understand, do you?"

And without another word, Rei slammed out of the wardroom, leaving Kayla alone in the sudden vastness of empty space.

What the hell is wrong with her?

But before she could answer the question, an incoming message from the bridge bleeped out on her wrist comm.

"Bridge to Major Kaimeao. There's an incoming message from Nerkit 1 for you, coded personal."

"Put it through here please," Kayla said as she sat back down.

A few seconds later, Solanna appeared on the screen, causing Kayla to have a small smile. "Hey. You called me."

"Of course I did," Solanna explained, "I keep my promises to my dates."

Kayla felt herself blushing as the Romulan Club Owner continued. "First, my thanks for your assistance with the attack on Nerkit 1. Blunting the invasion force in space greatly assisted my men in securing the ground."

Kayla nodded. "You're welcome, would have done it for anyone."

Solanna returned her smile. "The second is a favour. And I don't often do free favours, so I hope you appreciate the gesture. We captured a prisoner who let slip that his particular OCG group was attached to a certain OSN Corsair, a ship I believe you know. He revealed that their course would take them past Trevelia. About six hours away at warp five."

Kayla immediately opened her wrist comm. "Alexia 1-9 to Actual. I've got a confirmed vector on Corsair. Set a course for Trevelia and take the Klingons with us!"

Both ships rapidly jumped into warp speed. Solanna's transmission held as the ships left Nerkit 1 and raced to their next destination.

"Thanks. I owe you one," Kayla said with a smile.

"Favour for a favour, Kayla. Don't be a stranger. Solanna out."

The view screen departed, and Kayla was left alone with the stars. She looked out and sighed. She still had a mission to see through. But she was worried that her fascination with another Augment had ruined her friendship with Rei.

─•~:~•─