Made It! (Part 2)

Posted on Tue Jun 24th, 2025 @ 11:21pm by Veiric Thol

1,785 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Mission 5 - The Cold War Ends
Location: The Hole in the Wall
Timeline: MD03 -1030

[Last Time on Made It!]

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 perogative."

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."

[And Now for the Conclusion]

"Words are easily shared and spoken, but actions speak louder than words."

"Yes, that is true, and I believe in proving my words by action. Tell me what is it you need? I am listening, as I feel you have a story to tell. Perhaps, though, this is way too open for you to discuss your matters of concern?"

For an answer, Warlock nodded.

Hotaru wasn't going to take him to her ship, not until she found out what was going on with Warlock. "Come with me," he said, rising up from the table. She left some creds at the register to pay for the meals and leave a tip.

" I am going to get us a room, and we can talk there." She pulled out her PADD and looked for a room for them to talk. She found one. "Okay, let's go."

Where she led Warlock was to temporary residency - an inn. She also kept a wary watch on things as they went, making certain there wasn't anyone that seemed too curious about the two of them.

Warlock remained wary. He did not like going to somewhere foreign, but he had to trust someone at some point if he was going to help his home. He said nothing, hoping that Firefly would reveal something more, something that he could determine whether Firefly was trustworthy.

They came to the room, which Firefly acquired, the door opening after she punched in the code to allow them entrance. She entered first, the lights turning on showing a room with a large bed, a small kitchenette plus the restroom. A sofa and two chair were pulled up to the table for two.

Hotaru went to the table and pulled out one chair, paused then went to get a glass of water. "Okay here we are - privacy where you can tell me what you are seeking." She turned from the sink where she got the water from and took a drink before she walked back to the table and took a seat.

"How do I know that this place is secure?" Warlock asked. "You just rented it. There could be listening devices." He started searching the room frantically.

Hotaru calmly drank some more water then pulled out from her pocket, with her other hand, a small device which she placed upon the table. It having had been activated already. "Warlock, please have a seat. I've got a white noise generator which will make certain we won't be overheard. However, while it is active I'll scan for listening devices." She pulled out from another pocket of her cargo pants her scanner. walking around and checking out the area for any bugs. Finding none she went back to the table, got her glass and refilled it with more water. "It looks like there is a mini bar for something alcoholic for you to drink if you would like something strong."

Warlock took something dark from the mini bar and poured it into a glass. He drank it quickly and sitting within what he perceived to be the zone, he asked the six billion dollar question, "OK, Firefly, who are you really? I cannot believe that you would do all of this for a simple stranger. Do you know who I am or where I'm from?"

"From what I have observed so far. You are here alone, on an unfamiliar station, and from what I have deduced, you are seeking help. You are not hunting me, and I am not hunting you. If you had shown any ill will towards me, we would not be having this conversation in a private place such as this. I don't know of your circumstance yet, though I am also figuring that you are from somewhere that trust is hard earned, and the aspect of betrayal could be right around the corner. I did tell you who I am, and that wasn't a made-up story just to lull you into a false sense of trust. You basically know my story. As you don't know me because we've just met, I do help out total strangers, a meal a drink, and most times they go on their way. Unless there is something I pick up on." giving a smile.

Hotaru rose from the table to fetch herself a stronger drink than water, bringing over what looked like to be whiskey and set it on the table. "You though, exhibited the markers of someone genuinely needing connections and help from some source." She poured herself a drink. "Tell me a little bit about yourself and what sort of trouble you are in." She lifted her glass in a salute towards Warlock, before she took a drink.

It took several moments of staring at Firefly before he finally spoke. "It is not just me in trouble. It is my planet. I'm from Faltan." He let that sink in before he would continue further.

Hotaru was set to pour herself another drink paused and set the bottle down upon the table, making a thunking sound when she did. "Faltan, the world below this station? What is going on? I've not heard much news where that is concerned. Tell me what is happening."

"Taga has turned it into a nightmare. She controls everything. She created religions where blood sacrifices, people are killed. The planet's environment is getting toxic. If you do not do her bidding, you and your family are hunted and killed. Telling you this, could be the end of me. Do you understand?" His eyes were pleading and yet determined. "I must get weapons. I'm part of a resistance."

Hotaru felt the wave of emotions coming from Warlock, and her own emotions were welling up hearing about what was going on Faltan. She felt the honesty coming from the man across the table from her. "B-blood sacrifices? The planet is in trouble as well." Hotaru frowning as she heard each horrific sentence of this Taga's actions were being spoken of. "I won't betray you, and what she is doing, is horrific." This time she poured herself another glass, then leaned back contemplating how she could help him.

There might be someone whom she could talk to, and she had connections with the Marines. And that was Aer Feshau. Hotaru knew that she had come to this station, the intelligence officer had been locating where those she's come into contact with went. "I may have someone I can get in touch with to speak to them of your plight and get the wheels turning to deal with this awful leader."

"Who?" Velric asked half-curiously and half-demanding.

"I need to contact them first, before I can reveal who it is. And set up a meeting with said person." Hotaru wasn't going to be revealing any thing about Aer, not until she got the go ahead from Aer.

The refugee frowned. Perhaps there was no help to be found here. "I see. Well, when you sort it, find me if I am still here."

"Warlock, something like this is going to take some patience on your part. I understand your worries and your concerns. And I hope that you will wait here for me to make contact. I will not be dragging my feet on this one. And I will make certain my contact will know of the urgency you are facing and a meeting can take place. Please?"

Hotaru did understand Warlock's impatience, he just needed to let her talk to her superior to set things in motion. "You've trusted me this far, let me continue on helping you."

"You do not understand. If I am not back on Faltan soon, my lack of presence will be noted, and the movement will be threatened. Solutions must come quickly and I must find passage back."

" I can get you back but how much time do you have before you are noticed missing. Are you someone important that this ruler will find out you are missing? That is something you do need to tell me. And I will be getting in touch with my contact very soon." Hotaru, looking at Warlock calmly.

"Let's just say that I will be noticed and leave it at that."

"I need a timeline, which will be rather important. 24 hours or 48 hours. In order for things to get done, there needs to be a timetable. " Hotaru all business now.

"I may be here 48 hours. My timetable is unfortunately not as exact as I would like."

Hotaru nodded. "I will make haste to make the connection and get you back to where you need to go. Please don't disappear, just let me do what I can, okay?"

"I can make no promises. I'm certain that you can understand that position."

"I do understand, and with that in mind, I'll head out and get things started." She paused before getting up from the table. She pulled out an item, a small pin shaped like a firefly. "Here, hang on to this, it's small enough to hide, this insect is a firefly. Keep it with you so we can make contact."

Veiric took the firefly, turned it over several times, considering it. "What does it do?"

"This is for me to find you and pressing it will send out a signal." Hotaru responded. "I'm going to go now, and set up the meeting, okay?"

Velric nodded. Right now, it was an option. He considered his others: Candy Templeton was a possibility but she did not seem to truly care about their plight. He could reach out to intelligence here, but that was risky. Involving the Federation directly could start a war and that would only make Taga furious and problems harder on the Falteans. He just needed an arms dealer. Perhaps Firefly would help. Perhaps not. There was no harm in keeping options open, though.

 

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