Lt. JG Natasha Cole - The Shape of the Move
Natasha Schell
((Shuttle Griffin – Orbit of Betazed ))
She finally turned from the controls to look at Alex directly. Her eyes flicked briefly to the stars ahead, but she wasn’t really looking at space anymore. She was looking at a man with a packed bag, a hurried exit, and just enough foresight to be dangerous.
Cole: When we land, we talk to Nila first. Then I want departure records, berth footage if there is any, ticketing, baggage, and whether he booked the whole route in advance or stitched it together as he ran. Men who think they’re being clever usually leave one detail behind. I just want to know which one he picked.
Jaran: Do you know anything that would draw him to those planets? They can't be random. People he knows? Important places to him?
Storm: No. None of those mean anything to me. Or from what I know, should mean anything to him. It’s been two years, but we lived together for five years before. He never mentioned any of those planets in regard to anything important.
They were approaching Betazed orbital space by now. One of the moons was passing them to starboard, and a hail from orbital control came through.
Betazoid Orbital Control: =/\= Avandar base to Shuttle Griffin. You are cleared to proceed to planetary orbit. =/\=
Jaran: =/\= Copy that, Avandar base. Proceeding on route. =/\=
Jira turned to Alex.
Jaran: No changes needed, right? Last chance.
Storm: We… shouldn’t need any changes.
Cole: Then we keep this as simple as possible until someone gives us a reason not to.
Jira had sent the provided route from planetary control to Natasha's station. Now they just had to wait for clearance.
Jaran: Natasha, you have the route. Stick to it closely. Planetary control warns that deviation is not permitted.
Storm: It's been awhile since I've been home, but I don't remember being told that before.
Cole: Could be routine. Could be they’re watching traffic more closely than usual. I’m filing it under “annoying” for now, not “ominous.”
Natasha nudged the thrusters placing them into the right position for the orbit required. After a few very brief moments the comm channel.
Betazed Planetary Control: =/\= Planetary Control to Shuttle Griffin. Maintain orbit. Please state the purpose of your visit. =/\=
Natasha glanced at the comm’s with an annoyed look, she had done what she was supposed to do. Gotta love impatient bureaucrats.
Jaran ::to Alex:: I filed the plan as a funeral visit. They should already know that. Why are they asking?
Storm: =/\= This is Alex Storm-Antares. We’re here for Kyre Antares’s funeral. I’m Alex, his daughter-in-law. I’m sending over my credentials to verify my identity.=/\=
Alex swiped her creds over onto the comm channel.
Storm: =/\= You should have them now. =/\=
Natasha’s fingers stayed light on the controls, but her attention sharpened. Bureaucracy she could tolerate. Bureaucracy with timing like this felt more like friction with intent.
Cole: They’re taking too long for this to be routine. I don’t know what that means yet, but I don’t like it.
Storm: What’s taking them so long? My creds are valid.
Jaran: Response
Betazed Planetary Control: =/\= Ms. Antares, you are cleared to dock. Please proceed to Station Alpha, Berth Delta-7.=/\=
Storm: =/\= Acknowledged, Planetary Control. =/\= Nat, take us in.
Cole: Gladly. I’m ready to stop negotiating with orbit.
Jaran: Response
Turning to the two of them, Alex crossed her arms over her chest.
Storm: I’ve had a thought. If I introduced you to Nila, what would you think about splitting up. I’m going to be hard pressed to get to the funeral on time as it is. Maybe the two of you could talk to Nila and see what you can find out, and I can attend the funeral - or what’s left of it.
Natasha glanced at Alex, then at Jaran, weighing the shape of the risk against the shape of the time they no longer had. She didn’t like dividing resources, but she liked wasted opportunities less.
Cole: It’s not ideal, but it makes sense. You’re the one who needs to be seen there. We’re the ones who can afford to go digging. ::beat:: with one condition: the second something feels off, you tell us.
Jaran/Storm: Response
The protective part of her still wanted the simple version of this: find Kona, get Cassie back, end the problem. But the investigator in her had already started circling the details that didn’t fit. Too many stops. Too quick a departure. Too much effort spent leaving before the funeral even began.
Cole: I’m less interested in where he said he was going than in why he chose to leave now. Timing usually tells on people before destinations do.
Jaran/Storm: Response
Cole: You go be family. We’ll go be inconvenient. ::wink::
Jaran/Storm: Response
Tags/TBC
----- ◌● -----Lt. JG Natasha Cole
Security Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240205NC4