Information

Posted on Thu Jul 17th, 2025 @ 2:27pm by Lieutenant Commander Aer Feshau-Patton & Colonel Jack Patton & Lieutenant Hotaru Wymund & Master Sergeant Robert Schiano & Veiric Thol

2,518 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Mission 5 - The Cold War Ends
Location: Level 13 Marine HQ
Timeline: MD 03 1200

With having left Warlock in his temporary quarters, Hotaru knew time was of the essence. From the manifest she pulled up, she knew that there were two or even three she could talk to, hopefully. Though the saying of two birds one stone came to mind, and that would be Colonel Jack Patton and Commander Aer Feshau. Going to her secure area, Hotaru put in a security clearance code, then sent a message.

Upon the screen is an image of an Asian woman, dressed in civilian clothing. "This is Lieutenant Hotaru Wymund of Starfleet Intelligence. I would like to set up a meeting. I've got a contact with information where the planet Faltan is concerned. I am on Faltan Station at this time. My contact is on a timetable, before he is missed."

Aer had decided to visit Jack. He'd been working some late nights and early mornings, the former meaning he'd slept in his office, again. She didn't like waking up in the night and reaching out for him to not be there. Walking into his office she found him laid out on his sofa lightly snoring. In the background an alert began to notify Jack of an incoming message.

"Frak! I told Meatball no disturbances..." Jack sat up with a start and would have continued but he noticed his bride and joy. "...Hey darlin. I am sorry just haven't gotten much sleep lately. Between getting The Kingsmen set up and all the duties that come with XO of a major station." He hugged her tight as he ignored the message chime for the time being. "Thanks for coming I have missed you."

"You'd think you'd be more worried about someone just walking in here. Trusted face or not." Aer teased him as she embraced each other. He was warm, the hug not too tight but just right, it made her feel safe and she relaxed a little in his arms. "I feel we need to schedule time to see each other these days." she said with a hint of sadness as they parted, subconsciously she rubbed her abdomen.

Jack was about to answer his wife and tell her that he felt the same about scheduling time. However, their moment was interrupted by a priority one message from Starfleet Intelligence. Before Jack answered the message he looked at Aer. "You have any idea who this is or what they would want?"

Aer gave Jack a look, her brow knitting just slightly as she stepped toward the terminal. “Hotaru Wymund,” she said thoughtfully. “Name’s not unfamiliar.”

She didn’t sit, just let her fingers drift to the back of Jack’s chair as she watched the message notification pulse. “If it’s really her, she’s not someone who stirs the water without a reason. Her reputation’s... layered. Deep-cover work, mostly. Some of it likely still redacted above my clearance.”

She didn’t offer more than that. Didn’t need to. People like Hotaru lived in the grey—exactly the kind of person Aer paid attention to without ever claiming to fully understand.

“She says she’s got a source and a time limit.” Aer finally looked at Jack. “If she’s reaching out directly, it’s worth hearing her out. But I’d want to know where she’s been before I take anything at face value.”

Her voice stayed even, her expression unreadable—but there was the faintest trace of curiosity in her tone.

“Your call, love. But I’d prefer to be in the room when you make it.”

"No time like the present." Jack replied with a broad smile. He replied to the message along the same secure channel. "Lieutenant meet me in an area known as the Throneroom. Fifteen minutes." Jack closed the message and stood up. He straightened his uniform. "Well my bride and joy it seems we have a meeting."

Fifteen Minutes Later - The Throneroom - Level 13

Jack stepped into the Marine HQ. A lot of the work had been completed, but there were some residual Marines moving about and putting the finishing touches on the place. He turned to Schiano who had the watch. "Meatball, in a few moments a Lieutenant Wymund will be arriving. When she does show her into the Throneroom without any challenge."

"Yes sir Colonel Sir." Schiano's New York accented voice rang true. He wondered what went on. However, he knew better than to ask questions when orders were given.

Hotaru was right on time, when she was met at the door by Schiano, she said "Lieutenant Hotaru Wymund, I am expected." Then followed him into the Throneroom. She had taken in her escort's measure, capable man, one not to be trifled with. Handsome to boot.

Hotaru was even looking for routes to leave in case she needed to. This though she felt was a rather secure area which would be expected for Marines.

When brought in to where Jack and Aer were at, the Asian woman gave a bow towards both of them. "I am Lieutenant Hotaru Wymund, thank you for seeing me." Hotaru remembered Aer, from that meeting with Mattix and the others.

She though didn't show any sign of recognition. She did take a look at Patton, taking in his stance, his looks. Aer landed a good looking husband. However that wasn't the point of this meeting. It was more about the planet Faltan and the man waiting for help.

Aer didn’t speak.

She remained by Jack’s side, her posture relaxed but attentive, eyes fixed on Hotaru with quiet intensity. There was no challenge in her gaze—just the kind of quiet study that came from a lifetime of watching people reveal more in silence than in words. When Wymund bowed, Aer inclined her head slightly in return. Not deferential. Not dismissive. Simply aware.

One brow lifted ever so slightly—just enough to suggest she remembered.

And she was listening.

This Throneroom was built to the same specifications as every throneroom that came before it. A design that was taken from the legend of King Arthur and Camelot. The room was a large stone edifice. Large columns with torches illuminated the room. Central to the room was a large round table with large, wooden, high backed chairs around the table. Jack sat at one of the chairs, the one that faced the only door to the room. The Throneroom was decorated in such a way that one would think it was a holodeck program. However, it was all real. This was the dedication Jack Patton had to the Corps, to the Kingsmen.

Aer stood to Jack's right as this new comer was shown in. The silence lingered in the air as the newcomer looked about. "Lieutenant. It is not often that someone contacts you with the prospect of information regarding the safety of this station. So, please have a seat and lets get to it."

Hotaru might be dressed in rough clothing, but her demeanor was professional. She knew that Aer recognized her just from that slight lifting of the perfectly shaped eyebrow. She promptly sat down, feeling that she was in the presence of royalty, not the type of normal royalty, but one of warriors forged in the flames of time, and experience.

Hotaru rested her forearms upon the top of the table, fully aware that her back was to the door, something she didn't like, but this was secure.

"I arrived on the station, after finishing an assignment, charged to report into command here." Hotaru looked towards Aer, then back to Patton. "I had left the shuttle bay, and came across a man who seemed a bit lost . Just something about him piqued my interest, and I hoped to gain information from him as to where he was from etc."

Hotaru linked her fingers together as she leaned forward "I found that he is from Faltan, he is part of a resistance group that is going against Troga the governing body down there. There is great unrest, she has instilled a religion that requires blood sacrifices. He knew the previous ruler before Troga had taken over. "

Hotaru maintained eye contact as she continued. "He wishes to meet with someone from the Federation, to find out if he can gain assistance. Currently he is holed up in a room which I put him in and where I was able to gain some information from him. He has less than 48 hours before he is discovered to be missing. He didn't say, but I am getting the feeling that he travels in a circle that Troga travels. He took a great risk to get this far. He goes by the name Warlock. I am hoping he has stayed in the room waiting for indication that I was successful in making contact with someone. What is happening down on that planet I feel that it will end up spilling to this station. "

Aer leaned in just a little, her voice a soft murmur near his ear. “She’s not lying, but she’s not steering this either. Someone handed her a thread and she’s just trying to follow it without getting burned.”

Her hand brushed his forearm, light, steady. “You should speak to this Warlock. If he’s real, if any of this is, that’s where the truth’ll come out. But if we’re keeping her close, even a little, I need her under my command. Proper channels. No more of this ‘just happened to be there’ business. She follows our rules, or she doesn’t play.”

She let her fingers linger for half a beat longer, then gave Jack a quiet look, one that said she trusted him to do what needed doing. But it also said: I’m with you. Just don’t blink first.

Jack smiled and looked across the table. He had a knack for taking the measure of someone. This was something he prided himself on. At the moment he had a feeling that this needed to be followed up on. "You heard the lady Lieutenant. You want the transfer to this station. I can make it happen, but I can't force you to do it. I will say this though. This Warlock will be spoken to whether or not you are in the room is up to you."

Hotaru watched closely, felt the energies between the two, it looked like an unstoppable team. She knew that Aer had her number, and it seemed that Jack had it as well. A slow smile crawled across her lips. Her shoulders loosened and visibly relaxed,

"I accept." Hotaru wasn't going to argue, there was no need. She saw the caliber of the dynamic duo. "Your rules, you call the shots. And transfer me to this station, if you would, please."

Aer’s lips curved, just slightly—not quite a smile, but something close. “Well... that’s the right answer.”

She shifted her weight comfortably, one hand resting on her abdomen without thought as she continued. “We’ll get your transfer sorted. Jack signs off as XO, but once you’re through the door, you’re mine. You know how I run things. Clean. Quiet. No theatre.”

She gave Hotaru a look, one that held both familiarity and expectation. “I want everything you’ve got on Warlock. All of it. Your gut counts too, not just the tidy report version. You always had decent instincts, even when they got you into trouble.”

Aer’s voice softened a touch as she added, “Glad to have you on this side of the glass again. Just… no dramatic entrances this time, hmm?” A flicker of amusement passed behind her eyes. “I don't need surprises in this condition.”

She glanced toward Jack, then back to Hotaru. “We’ll brief together once you’ve handed over the details. Let’s see what this man really has to offer.”

As the women had conversed Jack tapped a few commands into a PADD. "Well, it is done. Welcome back from your leave Lieutenant. Report to the station Quartermaster for your quarters assignment and have your belongings brought here at your leisure. Once you are fully settled, we will get at the Warlock." There was something about the Lieutenant, something that Jack did not like. Then again, he did not like or trust most Intelligence Officers, save for his wife.

Aer gave Hotaru a small nod, her voice even but easy. “Go get settled. Once your gear’s in and I’ve got your notes, we’ll go over it all properly.”

She glanced toward Jack, then back to Hotaru with a faint smile. “You’ve landed in the deep end, but you already knew that. Just keep me in the loop, and we’ll be fine.”

A subtle incline of her head followed—El Aurian, respectful without being formal. “Welcome to the station, Lieutenant. Let’s see what you’ve brought us.”

A slight smile, a nod towards Patton then to Aer. "Thank you for the welcome back to the sunny side of the glass." She drew in a breath and let it out slowly. "If you may, my things can be sorted out later. With Warlock being on a time table, I don't know how long he will be staying where I had him at.You both are the ones in charge though." Hotaru slid over the key to the room she had gotten.

"With how wary Warlock had been acting, I am theorizing that he is worried that he might be found out being here, just in case someone has been following him.There isa whole lot more but I feel he wasn't wanting to tell me the whole story unless he got hold of someone in the more upper ranks who had more pull. He is part of a rebellion, but being an inside source. That is my theory. Still would be better for you to ask questions of your own."

"Also Commander Feshau, and Colonel Patton, as soon as I crossed over that threshold " pointing behind her with her thumb as to the entrance of the Throne room. "That is when I became 'yours' "

Hotaru listed the points that she had found out.
1. Warlock was from Faltan Planet
2. He was operating on a 48 hour timeline
3. Planet environment is getting toxic
4 If you do not do Taga's bidding, the person, the family are hunted and killed.
5. Warlock is asking for weapons. he is part of a resistance.
6. Taga has started a religion which requires Blood Sacrifices.

Aer gave a single nod, slipping the data key into her pocket without a word. She didn’t press further. Didn’t need to.

“Then take the lead,” she said simply. “You made the contact—best he sees a familiar face first.”

Her gaze lingered on Hotaru, calm but measured. “I’ll be just behind. Keep him steady, keep him talking. Let’s see what he’s really made of.”

And with that, she stepped back, eyes cutting briefly to Jack. The path was clear now. Time to move.

 

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