True Intentions.

Posted on Tue Sep 1st, 2026 @ 10:50pm by Sublieutenant Juno Langley

1,182 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Chapter IX: Shady Business
Location: Drozana Station.
Timeline: 2387-10-18

She had left the meeting, and her place of employment. Now in her quarters, Juno found herself preparing for her imminent voyage. She did not possess many garments, so opted to take all of them with her. Material possessions were also few in number. Juno’s small book collection found their way on top of her clothing. An onlooker would be forgiven for thinking Juno did not plan to return to her small, basic quarters. They were cheap, and relatively safe. A return was planned, but a long stay was not.

Her drawers now empty, Juno retrieved her hyperspanner. This was used to remove a panel in the wall, revealing the deadliest weapon in her arsenal. Aiming the compression particle rifle at the wall, Juno raised the scope. Satisfied it was still functioning, she lowered the scope, deactivated the weapon and placed it at the bottom of her travel bag. It was soon underneath Juno’s clothes, books, other trinkets and spare power cells for the rifle and her pistol.

Double checking she had everything, Juno approached the console and typed out an encrypted message to its intended recipient. “I have a proposition for you. Big bounty.”

To pass the time, Juno lay on her bed, listening to music. It did not take long for a reply. “Usual place. 30 minutes.”

The time soon passed. Juno knew her life would likely be over pretty quickly if her plan was discovered, but at least she wouldn’t have to be on the run any more. She started to consider maybe she should have stuck with her friends, who had found a safe haven. A safe haven Juno did not know they had found.

“Right on time.”

Juno was, and wasn’t expecting her meeting to be with Jeff. But, at least he was one trustworthy person she’d spoken to today. “You know me.” she responded.

“Shall we?” asked Jeff, gesturing to a more private spot. Juno nodded, followed. When Jeff was satisfied they were alone, he continued. “What have you got for us?”

“A couple of things, actually.” began Juno. “My employer wants a bunch of pirates to go and collect a bunch of weapons for him. Pretty valuable ones, too. He’s paying them pretty well. Well, pretty well by Ferengi standards. I’ve been told to go with them, and ensure the weapons are safely delivered here.”

Jeff’s intrigue started growing. “Go on.”

“I don’t want these pirates to retrieve the weapons.” she continued, retrieving a copy of the data chip from her pocket and offering it to Jeff. “All the information you’ll need is on here. Deliver them back here, with me, and I’ll make sure the payment is yours. If Bulok won’t pay, I’ll help you clear out his stock. And his latinum.”

Jeff was intrigued. While the proposition was good, it was risky. He was unsure it was worth risking Penka for some latinum. Even if it was a lot of it. There’d have to be something else in it for the risk to become more palatable. “It’s an interesting proposition, Juno.” he began. “But I’ll need something else to make it a risk worth taking.” Penka was formidable, and that made retaining it a literal matter of life or death. Lose Penka, and the colony’s defence would not last very long should they be discovered. Nor would they be able to escape.

In the limited time Juno had known Jeff, it was clear he was wise. Cautious. Yet open minded. It was true. It would be a high risk, low reward operation. “I’m pretty sure the Romulan warbird these pirates are using will have something of value.”

“Romulan warbird?” responded Jeff.

Juno nodded. “Nothing Penka can’t handle, I’m sure.” a pause. “Oh, by the way. Taryn served as this ship’s tactical officer. So that’ll give you an advantage.”

An eyebrow raised, Jeff’s stance had changed. Yes, he would still have to sell this plan to Taryn. But it was now an easier sell. She knew more about Ourainavassa than they did about Penka. A lot more. Jeff hoped a prolonged confrontation could be avoided. But, if it couldn’t, Penka stood a better chance of coming out on top. Or at least in one piece. “I see.” he mused. “Knowing more about them than they us could make things easier for a boarding operation.” a pause. “Do you know what sort of weapons we’re talking about here?”

“Nothing dangerous, if that’s what you mean.” responded Juno. She had a quick glance around to ensure they were still alone. “Klingon disruptors. As for what they have, that I can’t tell you. But I doubt they’re flying around empty handed.” a pause. “If you set off in the next couple of hours, you should beat them to the prize.”

A nod from Jeff. “It’s an interesting proposition.” He and his associates were fighting for their survival, and considered their actions justifiable. He was sure Taryn would consider their need for the payment greater than that of her former employer. “I will speak with Taryn, and see what she says. What sort of cut are we looking at?” he concluded, also taking a glance around. He was keen to end the conversation before they were no longer alone.

“A job.” began Juno. “If that’s not possible, I’ll settle for help tracking down some of my former associates.” she concluded, handing Jeff a second chip. This one contained the names and photos of her brothers, sisters from the Section 31. They may not have been blood related, but Juno felt they may as well be. Their bond was unbreakable, yet they had to part ways for their own safety. “Let me know what Taryn says, and I’ll do what I can from my end.”

Jeff accepted the second chip, placing it with the first in a zipped pocket. “Alright. If you don’t hear from me in an hour…”

“Okay.” responded Juno.

“It was good to see you again.” he said, offering an embrace. One Juno accepted, and one they held for a few seconds. Company was parted, Jeff heading one way, Juno another. She would return to her quarters, Jeff to his meeting point with Taryn. Juno knew she was likely risking her life, but she considered it a risk worth taking as a desperate bid for freedom. Freedom from Bulok. Freedom from Section 31. With nothing to lose, she arrived back in her quarters.

As Juno lay on her bed, almost falling asleep, she was brought back to a more alert state by the sound of a chirp on her console. She hoped it would be Taryn, but it could be Bulok. Or even the pirates. Well, they probably weren’t pirates. But their attire did a poor job of convincing Juno, and likely others, otherwise. She approached the console, and opened the message.

“Your information checks out. We’re on.”

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