Welcome to Paradise, Lashika

Posted on Thu Dec 19th, 2024 @ 3:51pm by Lieutenant Adrianna Baciami

1,681 words; about a 8 minute read

Adrianna Baciami stepped off the shuttle and into the heart of Freecloud’s chaos. Neon lights flickered against the perpetual twilight, holographic advertisements competing for attention amid the throng of smugglers, traders, and information brokers. It was a world far removed from Starfleet’s order and ideals– exactly the kind of place she needed to be.

She adjusted her jacket, a plain but expensive-looking piece that suited her cover as Adrianna Reggimi, a skilled translator and negotiator for hire. Rumours had already been started in anticipation for her arrival to help her. This mission was her first real test since graduating from Starfleet Intelligence’s rigorous undercover programme. Her objective was clear: integrate into the smuggling underworld, gain access to the infamous ship Pendragon, relieve and add backup if required to the op already onboard and investigate its captain, Vance Adams.

Adrianna knew the captain only from his file. Adams was a former Starfleet academy protege turned smuggler, a brilliant tactician and charismatic leader who had built a reputation as both ruthless and eccentric. Starfleet Intelligence suspected he had ties to major criminal syndicates operating across multiple sectors, but no operative had been able to confirm it with physical proof, only hearsay. Whoever was currently undercover aboard the Pendragon was due for extraction, not only because they were actively failing but also because of concerns that he was getting too close to the target's sister, and it was Adrianna’s job to replace that op as soon as she could.

She felt the weight of the mission as she scanned the promenade. Failure wasn’t an option– not for Starfleet and certainly not for her.

A familiar voice pulled her from her thoughts. “Welcome to paradise, Lashika,” Constantine said, his tone dry as he appeared from the crowd. He was dressed to blend in, his casual confidence masking the sharp mind of an operative. Her childhood best friend had been embedded on Freecloud for months, having graduated a year before her, and she knew he’d been instrumental in smoothing her arrival. It was also nice to have a familiar face. He, himself, had been working in a few gambling rings. Apparently money wasn't the only thing on the table.

“Paradise might be a stretch,” she replied, shouldering her bag, “but I’ve seen worse.”

He smirked, falling into step beside her, “you’ll see worse before this is over. Freecloud isn’t for the faint-hearted, Adrianna, but if anyone can pull this off, it’s you.”

They walked in silence for a few moments, weaving through the crowd. Constantine broke it first, his voice low, switching to Italian, knowing that it wasn't a popular language on Freecloud, “The Pendragon docked three days ago. Its crew’s been busy striking deals, but Adams hasn’t shown his face publicly yet. He keeps a low profile. Smart, given the heat that Starfleet is putting on him lately. Gawd, if he knew.”

“And the operative that is already on board?” she asked.

“Still active, but they’re deep under,” Constantine replied, “I don’t have their name– Starfleet’s keeping that close to the chest– but you’ll get briefed when the time comes to make contact. I do know that they've missed two check ins though. Until then, your focus is getting noticed– I'll help where I can, as will any other op on Freecloud. The crew that you're looking into recruit from places like this, and with your cover and way with people– I'm sure that won't take long.” He grinned over to her and put an arm around her shoulders, giving her an almost brotherly squeeze.

Adrianna nodded, chuckling for a moment before getting back to business, "and Adams? Anything not in the file I should know about?"

Constantine hesitated, glancing at her, “only that he’s unpredictable. The man’s a ghost when he wants to be and a showman when it suits him. Don’t let your guard down. He is a smart guy– he can spot a ruse a mile off and will turn in an instant. He's allegedly killed for less. If he suspects you, this mission’s over before it begins and no-one will be able to help you. Out here, you're practically alone, ok?”

They reached a modest flat tucked away in a quieter corner of the city. Constantine unlocked the door and gestured for her to enter, “this is your safehouse. Hardly fit for an heiress like you– it's basic but secure. I’ve set up encrypted comms and a burner terminal for you to use. You’ll find credits and contacts you can call on if needed. I don't ship out of here for another few months, so don't be a stranger. Hell, I can even show you how to really play poker.”

“I will avoid anything poker related when it comes to you, thank you. I've already almost died because of it once, I don't plan on doing it again,” Adrianna set her bag down, taking in the space. It was small, sparsely furnished, but it would do. She turned back to Constantine, “Thanks, Connie. I mean it.”

He gave her a small smile and nodded, “just don’t get yourself killed, Baci-baby. We may not be together anymore, but I still love you– just not like ‘that’. Work wise– you’re good, but Freecloud chews up people like us. And the Pendragon? That ship’s got a reputation for a reason. Be warned and be careful.”

She nodded, her expression hardening, “I’ll be fine. I’ve got a job to do, and I don’t plan on failing. I have you to help with the transition into local life too.”

Constantine gave her one last hug, “I can't say that I'm glad you're here, but I'm glad to be here for you.”

As Constantine left, Adrianna sat down and opened her terminal. The first step to infiltrating the Pendragon was understanding its crew, most of whom had been together for years. It was a ship that rarely took on fresh meat, so to speak. While the ship’s captain, Vance Adams, drew most of Starfleet’s focus, she assumed that gaining his trust wouldn’t happen overnight, so she needed another way in.

Instead, she focused on the crew members with the longest tenure– people who operated behind the scenes, keeping the ship functional and its operations smooth. One name quickly stood out: Lutz, the ship’s chief mechanic.

The records on Lutz were sparse, but what little she found painted a clear picture. He was fiercely loyal to the Pendragon and had served aboard for nearly as long as Adams had been its captain. Descriptions of him from intercepted communications suggested a gruff but fair individual, someone who valued competence and efficiency above all else. Typical engineer stance, she supposed. She did read that he had a good sense of humour though– often speaking his mind without a filter.

Adrianna leaned back in her chair, tapping her fingers on the desk as she considered her options. Vance Adams himself had started as an engineer before becoming captain– a detail that intrigued her. His sparse Starfleet file noted a sharp mind and a talent for innovation, particularly in propulsion systems and power distribution. If engineering was the backbone of the Pendragon, Lutz was its nerve centre. The pair had a good chance of being best friends.

That made him her best way in.

With her decision made, Adrianna began crafting her plan. She needed to build a reputation as someone indispensable to engineers and mechanics like Lutz, someone whose skills were worth seeking out. To do that, she’d take on jobs that showcased her expertise in technical negotiations, particularly those involving starship repairs, modifications, and parts acquisition. She was not good at engineering in the slightest, but she had a good memory in terms of language.

Freecloud offered plenty of opportunities. The city was a haven for rogue engineers and mechanics looking to barter or steal their way into better equipment. Adrianna would position herself as a reliable intermediary– fluent in technical jargon, quick to diffuse disputes, and always discreet.

Her first step was to establish a presence at the bars and workshops frequented by Freecloud’s engineering communities. Constantine had already given her a list of hotspots, and she made note of a few key places to start.

Before shutting down the terminal, she lingered for a moment on Vance’s file. It was strange how Vance's file seemed so incomplete. Before the academy, there was almost no trace of him or his sister. She wondered about his pre-fleet life and what had driven him to leave the Starfleet Academy, to abandon everything and forge a new life among criminals. That said, the question ‘did he jump or was he pushed’ was also there. Could it be that he had been a drop out?

His photo– a Starfleet-issued headshot from years ago– stared back at her. It was hard to reconcile the clean-cut cadet in the image with the outlaw captain she’d heard about. She couldn't help but think he looked handsome, so if she had to use underhand tactics, at least he was a looker. Either way, that aspect of the job was frowned upon, so it would be an absolute last resort. She'd seen from case studies how messy stuff like that could get, and knew the current undercover operative on the Pendragon was struggling because of his decision to get too close as a ploy.

Shaking her head, she closed the file. Those questions and thoughts would have to wait. For now, her focus was on Lutz and getting her foot in the door of the Pendragon.

Adrianna stood, grabbing her jacket and slipping it on. If she wanted to catch Lutz’s attention, she couldn’t waste time. The sooner word of her skills reached him, the sooner she’d be on the Pendragon. And once she was aboard, she’d unravel the mystery of Vance Adams– no matter what it took.

 

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