Stirring the Pot

Posted on Sun Dec 22nd, 2024 @ 5:03pm by Candy Templeton

785 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Mission 5 - The Cold War Ends
Location: FNS Headquarters on Faltan Station
Timeline: MD01 - 1300

How long was it now since they had officially broken up? 6 years? 7? She could not remember. She knew that Connor would know. He remembered things like that. She did not. While Candy had a huge dramatic streak, she was not the romantic that Connor was. So if they had broken up so many years ago, why did she still think of him?

Candy did not disagree with Connor. He had to break up with her. She had never been honest with him. When they first met, she used him for a story. She chased down the shy engineer, knowing he was attracted to her but he could not act upon it. He was essential to a story; what she did not count on was actually developing feelings for him. During all of this time, he knew her as Holly. When the story's investigation was complete, Holly disappeared.

What surprised Candy was that Connor stayed true to Holly. He did not actively search for her but simply trusted that they would be back together at some point in time. Candy only discovered this when she came to Faltan Station and was more than a little surprised to see Connor there.

On Faltan, they had rekindled their relationship but it never blossomed completely. Connor never fully got over Candy lying about who she was, nor could Connor forgive her for her numerous liaisons to get stories. Candy could not blame Connor. However, as far as she remembered, he might have been the only person that ever broke up with her.

Was that why she still thought about him? Was that why she watched Connor? Was that why she protected him even though he did not know it? She was out here protecting her brother from all the harm in the universe, but now she found herself actively doing it for Connor.

How many times had she found dirt on Connor's suitors? How many times had she dissuaded women from pursing him? She had nothing to gain, so why did she do it? Maybe she did not want anyone else to hurt Connor? She was uncertain.

What she did know is that there was a story coming to Faltan. She had an instinct for these things, like a bear to honey. Candy sniffed the air. The story had just started and now, as a new news anchor, she was going to announce it to the universe.

The music started. For this newscast, she chose opening music that announced her presence to Faltan Station so many years ago. In the background blared, "I Want Candy" by Bow Wow Wow. Candy's head bobbed to the music happily until all the lights fully hit her. Dramatically, she shook her head to the side and all of her long blonde hair obediently swished behind her, as if it was all on a string.

She paused for a solid moment as she looked straight into the camera, her dark brown eyes drawing her viewers in. "Good afternoon, my name is Candy Templeton and I am bringing you the Sweet Truth." Candy smiled, chuckling inside her head. She had been trying to come up a name for her segments for quite some time and suddenly it hit her to make a pun on her name and the concept of having a "sweet tooth." She was certain that Connor might be pleased with that.

Concerned that she might have been concentrating on her inner monologue a bit too long, she pursed her lips into a small kiss shape before continuing. I may have to keep that as a trademark before I speak. "The Raeyan Sector Block has been in a state of tension for the last 8 years while the Falteans have blocked nearly all access to their planet. However, is that going to continue to be the case? This morning a new detachment of elite marines called the Kingsmen have arrived at Faltan Station. Just an hour ago, Captain M'Mira had a full briefing with her Chiefs of staff. Is this a sign of coming military action by the Federation? Or are they preparing for an attack by the Falteans, Union, or Raeya? Whatever the case may be, it does appear that something has changed and those on Faltan Station should brace for it. Of course, I will continue my coverage of these developments and give you the Sweet Truth. This has been Candy Templeton reporting."

Candy had to wonder what M'Mira and Connor would think of this report. Would they speak to her after this? She suspected that one of them likely would. Why did she hope it would be Connor? The lights dimmed in studio, leaving Candy with her own thoughts.

 

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