Lt Alex Storm - Outbound but Hidden

[Karen Morris]

((Shuttle Griffin – Orbit of Betazed ))

Alex felt an ache at the base of her head.  Tickles meant proximity - the need to be aware and alert.  Aches, however, usually meant, not lies -- but deception of some kind.  She narrowed her eyes and leaned over the console.

Storm: =/\=  This is Alex Storm-Antares.  We’re here for Kyre Antares’s funeral.  I’m Alex, his daughter-in-law, and 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. =/\=

She turned her head toward Nat - her eyebrows inching higher.

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 land.  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.

Alex watched Nat’s thoughts pass behind her eyes.  

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.

Storm:  I don’t think anything’s going to happen to me here, Nat, but if I get a tickle or an ache in the wrong place, I’ll comm you the very second something feels … off.

Jaran: Response 

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. 

Storm:  He always got along better with his father than with his mother.  It’s possible the two of them quarreled.  It’s also possible that he found out I was on my way.

Jaran: Response 

Cole: You go be family. We’ll go be inconvenient. ::wink::

Storm:  How long until we have boots on the ground, Nat?

Jaran: Response 

Alex stood. Her fingers clenching and reopening several times in quick succession, when realization hit her.

Storm:  Well, crap!  I know why we were held up!

Cole/Jaran: Response

Her fingers stilled.  Her knees threatened to give, and she dropped back into her seat, her voice barely audible.  Her hand came up to cover her mouth.

Storm:  Kona was on one of those outbound ships.  

Cole/Jaran: Response

Storm:  I felt … 

She sighed out loud.

Storm:  I felt him.

Turning to the other two, she continued.

Storm:  I didn’t know it was him.  It was just … a familiar presence trying not to be noticed.  It had to be Kona.  

Cole/Jaran: Response

~*~

Tags / TBC!

~*~

Lt Alex Storm

Tactical Officer

USS Artemis

O240103SK2