One-Sided Pleasantries.

Posted on Mon Oct 5th, 2026 @ 11:30pm by Sublieutenant Juno Langley & Captain Freya Mannerheim

1,514 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Chapter IX: Shady Business
Location: Juno Langley's quarters, Ourainavassa
Timeline: 2387-10-19, late afternoon

Finally, Drozana lay behind them, as Ourainavassa was hurtling through space, headed towards the last known location of the smugglers Bulok had hired and their ship, the FCV Mansa Musa. Reaching that location, deep in what once was the Neutral Zone, would take at least another 36 hours, during which time it was essential that the crew managed to somewhat narrow down their search area. After all, the smugglers had a considerable headstart. With Mila and Seira busy further dissecting the data recorder, and Hatham and Ash waiting for replies from their contacts in the underwold, there still was one avenue that had not been explored.

So, Freya found herself outside the quarters she herself had once inhabited, now occupied by Bulok's associate Juno Langley. While their first meeting had not gone quite as well as could have been hoped, Freya had paid Juno handsomely to come aboard, and fully intended to get her money's worth. With a sigh, she pressed the door chime. "Miss Langley, it's the Captain. I'd like to discuss how you might be able to assist us in locating and retrieving your boss' shipment."

Reading a book on the bed, Juno rolled her eyes at the interruption. She'd got to a good part. "Oh well. At least I have something to look forward to." Bookmarking the page, Juno placed the book next to her, then went over to the door. Opening it manually, Juno found herself face to face with Freya for the first time since their first meeting at Bulok's shop. She hoped this encounter would be more positive. "Come in." said Juno, moving to one side. She wasn't someone who engaged in pleasantries, like inviting a guest to sit down, or asking if they'd like a drink. Juno detested small talk, too. Closing the door behind Freya, she decided to stand. At least for now.

The Captain briefly looked around the room. "I see you've started to make yourself comfortable. Good." She smiled. "First of all, I'd like to apologise for how things went down back on Drozana. Both Subcommander Kaiae and myself have made some less than pleasant experiences with Ferengi merchants on that godsforsaken station, so we were a little on edge. I do hope that we will be able to work together."

She held out the PADD she had brought along. "Which is why I am here. We've tracked the Mansa Musa to the former Neutral Zone, but the trail goes cold there. I was wondering if you knew anything about these smugglers that might help us narrow down where they might have ended up. We do know that there are a number of black market sites scattered around the zone, but we don't have any of their actual locations, or even know who's running them."

Juno stood and listened. She wasn't in a rush to put the encounter behind her, although she was more than happy to take Freya's money. Especially when it meant getting away from the wretched, odious Ferengi. "I can't help you with that." responded Juno, truthfully. "Bulok wasn't very forthcoming with his business arrangements."

Freya sighed. "I almost expected as much, but it was worth a shot anyway. Still, that leads me to my next question. I was speaking to Commander Lynn earlier, and she mentioned that you had some history in Starfleet." Before Juno could say anything, she held up her hand. "Now, I don't care about what that history looked like. But it does indicate that you must have a certain skillset, whether learned at the academy, or honed elsewhere." The Terran chuckled. "So, where do I put you to work to get something out of all the Latinum I paid you?"

"I can shoot things..." said Juno, keen to gain a position of authority. "...and I don't miss." Juno's elite physical combat training with Section 31 also included weapons training. Although she had never been at the tactical console of a starship, Juno was confident of transferring these skills. If Freya didn't want her at tactical, well. There was always the other option. Anything to keep boredom at bay. "If that is taken care of, well..." a pause. "I can cook." As much as she hated them, everything they stood for, Juno had to admit one thing. Section 31 taught her a lot of useful things. Including the wretched Exelby. Juno thought for a moment, remembering how much she enjoyed killing him.

"Shooting things is an essential skill to have in this part of the galaxy," Freya admitted with a smirk. "As for the cooking, well, I may be a brave woman, but I am not brave enough to face the consequences of letting a stranger take over Renée's kitchen."

She thought for a moment, before nodding to herself. "Major Rogers is currently handling the tactical station, along with her other duties as executive officer and intelligence officer. I've been trying to find someone to take over that position. I don't expect you to have any familiarity with the custom tactical systems of this ship, of course, but if you are willing to take the job, I'll get her to give you the rundown on how they work."

That was far, far too easy, thought Juno. Before Penka left Drozana, Taryn had relayed her knowledge of Ourainavassa's tactical systems to Juno. Sure, it was possible there had been one, or more, changes. But nothing major enough to render the information useless. "I'm sure it'll come to me." Secretly, she was pleased not to have been given the task of cooking for everyone. Dealing with impatient people was not her strong suit. Placing Juno in charge of the kitchen would likely end with the ship's doctor being a little busier than normal. Whatever normal was. Nevertheless, she still intended to help herself to the selection of alcohol Mila had mentioned.

"Now, there are certain expectations connected to actually being an officer on this ship," the Captain continued, her expression turning serious. "Even if you're only in that role temporarily. First and foremost, an expectation of loyalty. As tactical officer, you would be responsible for the lives of all the people on this ship in case of conflict, after all. Also, treating your fellow officers with respect, at least when other crew are around. Sort your personal business in private. Oh, and be at your station when you're supposed to be, we've had issues with people skipping duty shifts before. They're not on board anymore, of course. If you can follow these basic rules, you're hired."

Respecting authority wasn't one of Juno's strong suits either. But Freya had paid her, so had bought her loyalty. At least for now. "You've paid me." a pause. "So we won't have a problem." said Juno. Protecting lives was her bread and butter. It was amusing how many of her opponents underestimated her. Her size, age were mocked. Yet, she was still alive. And those who mocked her weren't. Juno also considered another bonus of her position of authority. She would see more of Mila, courtesy of senior staff briefings. That would be very enjoyable.

Freya nodded again. "Very good. With that, you're now acting tactical officer, at the rank of Sublieutenant. That's for administrative purposes only, really. Even the most duty-obsessed Romulans on board don't really care about ranks that much anymore. I'll have you on the duty rota from tomorrow, check your PADD later. Oh, and we're having an informal gathering of the senior officers at 2030, in the Command Staff dining room, deck two. Consider this your invitation, if you want to meet the people you'll be working with over a buffet and some booze. No obligation, though."

A free buffet and booze sounded good to Juno. Especially if Mila was going to be there. "I'll be there." replied Juno. She made a note to have something to eat before going. That way, she would be able to enjoy a little more of the alcohol before hitting her limit. Not that Juno had a propensity for drinking. It wasn't a big deal to her if she went days, sometimes over a week, without an alcoholic beverage. Rather, Juno fully intended to take advantage of it being free. And hopefully, it would be better than the rubbish she drank at Drozana. Not by choice, but dictated by the low balance of her bank account.

"Excellent. Well, I better get going, there's still some work to be done." The Captain smiled. "Welcome to the crew, Miss Langley."

Juno responded with a nod. She wasn't really one for thanking people, either. Unless it was a cute woman. At least Freya had left a more positive impression on Juno this time. Although she was still left thinking. Thinking about how easily Freya had given her one of the most important roles on Ourainavassa. Especially when Freya barely knew her. Or had any idea of the betrayal Juno had arranged at the hands of Penka before she'd even come aboard. Time would tell how long the one-sided pleasantries would last.

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