Made It! (Part 1)

Posted on Tue Jun 24th, 2025 @ 11:15pm by Veiric Thol & Lieutenant Hotaru Wymund

1,738 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Mission 5 - The Cold War Ends
Location: The Hole in the Wall
Timeline: MD03 - 1000

Veiric Thol was a wiry, sharp-eyed Faltean in his late fourties. He remembered Falta under the governor prior to Taga and he wanted to return to those days. Being older and without any family, he was the natural choice to escape Falta. Beneath his calm exterior was a simmering resolve—a man who has lost much and is willing to risk everything to make a difference.

His skin was a warm bronze, often weathered by Falta's dry winds, and his close-cropped hair was streaked with silver. There’s a quiet intensity to him, the kind born from witnessing too many revolutions rise and fall.

He moved with the caution of someone who has lived under surveillance for too long—always scanning, always planning. His clothes were simple and inconspicuous, his voice low and deliberate. They made it easy to slip away from his stowaway voyage to Faltan Station. But now, where would he go?

The Katsura, a Danube Class runabout dark in coloration, made its way into the shuttle bay. It landed as deftly and delicately like a firefly landing upon the leaf of a magnolia tree. The runabout powered down, and the door opened. A woman of asian descent stepped out of the runabout, and closed it up, keying in a security code. She paused for a moment to take a look around then proceeded to leave the bay.

The name of the woman not many knew, only that if she was asked, she would say 'call me Firefly.' Her walk was one of confidence with a dash of sensuality. Her specialty was working undercover. Her real name was Hotaru Wymund, her rank would be that of Lieutenant. For now, though, no rank was visible, she was but a drifter a vagabond working from the runabout she called her own. Her clothing was simple, showing signs of wear in her well worn boots. Her cargo pants were of a faded black, long sleeved burgundy T-shirt with a dark grey flight vest unzipped. Her black hair was tied back with a burgundy ribbon. She was thirsty and wanted a drink.

When she left the shuttle bay, Firefly noted someone looking about, the man looked like he was a drifter as well. Maybe he had some news from around here, maybe see if he wanted a drink. After travelling alone for sometime, chit chat would be good.

Stepping up to the man, Hotaru asked quietly. "You look to be as lost as I am feeling. Care to go have a drink? " The worst that he could say would be no. She also was picking up something from him, his essence saying that he's seen quite a bit. which made her even more curious.

Who was Velric to say no? He needed contacts. He needed people that could trade and bring weapons to Faltan. He also needed a form of exchange. "Um, uh, sure," he said warily. "Though, I am a little short on latinum."

"Oh, don't worry I'll buy the drinks, and-" Hotaru looked at him, he might be needing a meal as well. "A meal, let's see what we can find." She looked around to see if there was a kiosk which showed places to get a drink and some food. "Oh, here we go, a Hole in the Wall. Shall we?"

"I really could not impose," Velric insisted.

"It would be a favor for me as I would like to have some company while I eat. What do you say? It won't be an imposition." Hotaru giving a winning smile.

Velric looked to both sides of himself and decided that he had no other options. "If you insist, then I must not refuse."

"My name is Firefly, what is your name?" Hotaru deciding that she'd be polite and introduced herself as they walked to the bar.

The Hole in the Wall was a place where the food was good, the drinks as well, but at a price that even the poorest person can get something to eat and drink. The fare was simple bar food; sandwiches, wings, and pizza. A table was found in the corner where the two can keep watch for any other arrivals.

Firefly? That can't be a real name, Velric thought to himself. Is this one of my potential contacts? Be careful Velric. "My name?" he asked. "You can call me Warlock." He took a seat with his back to the wall, making certain, he could see everything in the room, noting that Firefly chose this particular table for likely similar reasons.

Warlock, an assumed name, it fits though "Warlock it is." Hotaru gave Warlock a small smile.

A server came to their table, Hotaru requested a sandwich, some wings with moderately hot sauce. Her drink, a pitcher of beer with two glasses. Her dark eyes looked at Warlock seeing what he would order.

Velric had not seen most of these things on Faltan, so he simply answered, "I'll have the same."

The server gave a nod and left with the order.

"What brought you here to Faltan Station? My reasoning is to make connections. And to rekindle some connections that are worthy to be had. And could be profitable." giving a smile which reached Hotaru's eyes.

"I was hoping to do the same," Velric answered simply.

"Perhaps I can help you out, and you can help me out sometime later." Hotaru was getting the feeling that he did need help with something.

This woman is too eager. Be very cautious, Velric. This could be a trap. "How do you figure?"

She felt his hesitation. Back it down, he's very cautious. Offering an apologetic look, "I am sorry, I am a little bit weary so not everything is clicking together and being hungry doesn't help either. When I get my appetite sated then we can talk more coherently."

Velric simply nodded, his eyes looking all around the room for potential hazards.

The server brought over their food a few minutes later, so far there hadn't been anyone approaching their table besides, who was supposed to be there.

Hotaru quietly started to eat, letting Warlock somewhat relax. Besides food certainly did help to ease things together. She poured herself a drink having a taste of it to make certain it hadn't been doctored. So far, she didn't taste that anything had been added.

Warlock ate hesitantly and slowly at first, but as time went on, he ate more quickly, as if the food was going to disappear if he did not eat it quickly enough. He took a large gulp of his drink once half of his food was gone. All the while, he said nothing.

Hotaru took another pull at her drink, placed the tankard upon the table. She placed her forearms upon the table clasping her hands together, bowing her head for a moment. "I do want to make connections here on the station, as I am looking for some people who did wrong against someone I cared for greatly. Someone who stood up against wrongdoing and thought that they had stopped a government wrongdoing. We were wrong. "

"Where was this? What was done to the person you cared about?" Warlock asked cautiously. He did not look like a Faltean but looks could be deceiving.

"She was shot, and this was on a planet called Elenmere. Two countries supposedly wanted peace, a third country didn't want that. My people wanted peace, we worked for that peace. My leader was killed. The third country wanted us to be under their control." Hortaru taking another drink, draining her tankard dry.

"I am sorry for your loss, though I do not know of this planet."

Hotaru poured herself another tankard of beer. She made a motion for another pitcher to arrive.

She continued to talk in a low voice. "It's not near here. My friend was a captain of a federation ship, having been requested to be at that diplomatic treaty signing. She and the crew went to pick up the diplomats to take them to said planet, to ensure that the peace treaties were signed, and the people would finally get peace." Hotaru was acting like she was getting a little bit tipsy. "They shouldn't be subjected to being under the rule of a tyrant."

She went quiet when the server came over to bring over another pitcher of beer. When the server left, Firefly gave out a scoff. "I was part of that crew. "

"I don't understand. Your friend was a Captain and killed? Why did the Federation do nothing?"

"They did come help, to regain those who had been captured. And things were set right. Now though I am not a part of StarFleet. I do help those who need it." Hotaru wasn't certain if he was going to even accept the offer. If not she would go her own way, and he would go his. She needed to start making contacts here, besides Federation. She laid it out on the table for him.

"What sort of help do you give and why do you do it?" Warlock asked, his voice becoming quieter and his eyes narrowing as he asked his question.

"If there is a need for an item, I can get it. And why do I help? If the cause is just, I will help out. Too long have I seen others be at the mercy of tyrants." Hotaru answered truthfully. "So, I help them."

"You expect me to believe that you're just some good Samaritan?" Warlock retorted. "Nobody is that good."

Hotaru scoffed, "I do help people but I did say I help you, you help me. There normally is a price. Like information as to things around here. If you don't want help, that is your prerogative."

She took a drink, then resumed. " I can find out information and I did say I could get things as well. I don't blame your suspicions as I could be lulling you into a false sense of security. I do follow a code, and I do help. I do not claim myself to be perfect, I am far from that. And from the look of you and how hungry you were, you're needing some help. I know. I am too good to be true. We have eaten together and shared drink. I will not do you wrong."

[TO BE CONTINUED]

 

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