= Cardassian Empire - Aschelan V =
Lady Giellera t'Cianan wandered around the decorative marketplace in the town of Ahjal on Aschelan V, known for its beautifully crafted Jewelry made by Cardassian jewelers, a craft that had exploded after the Dominion War. New Cardassian Art, as it was called, was all the rage in the Ferengi Alliance - anything from paintings to jewelry to food and even literature - and had returned the war-ravaged militarist Union to its ancient, cultural roots. Ferengi traders bought the craftworks by the boatloads because everyone wanted it.
Not really in the mood to be haggled at by Ferengis, Lady Giellera had come to visit Aschelan V with an entourage in order to shop from the Cardassians in peace and quiet. At least that was the story she was sticking with. Spotting a vendor a few paces away in the open-air market, she proceeded towards him, twirling the parasol she held in her right hand that hid her from the sun.
Stopping at the stall, she looked at the Cardassian man and then at the display case that contained the jewelry. "May I see that one?" she asked, pointing to the piece in the middle. It was pehaps a bit too clunky for her taste, but it appealed to her nonetheless.
"Yes ma'am," he responded and opened display, but as he took it out one of the clasps broke. "I'm sorry, that can be easily fixed, I assure you. Please, I can fix it for you if you follow me."
"Of course," Lady Giellera nodded, brushing away a strand of dark blonde curls with a gloved hand. She stepped gracefully aside of the display stall and followed the Cardassian to a thatched stone building a few paces away. He stepped inside and she followed, the door closing behind her.
Suddenly she felt something grab her, a pair of strong, cold hands grasping her waist and pulling her close against the body of a man. The Cardassian pressed his lips strongly against hers in a passionate kiss and threw down her parasol and threw her arms around his neck in a passionate embrace as he clawed at her gown.
"Wait, wait wait," she said as she suddenly stood back. "I can't rip my clothes, they'll know!"
"Giella... we don't have time to take off all your clothes! How many layers are you wearing?!" the Cardassian said exasperatedly.
"Need I remind you it was your idea, Jaelak, to be as authentic as possible. This is the way Taulloran noblewomen dress; trust me, I did it for long enough."
"All right, all right. I'm sorry. It's just been a long time since we've seen each other," Jaelak sighed. "Let's go to the cellar."
Giella followed Jaelak as he opened a trapdoor in the floor of the house leading down to a hitech room below. She followed him down the ladder and he closed the door when was inside. "The life of a spy," she said as she looked around the heavy-tech room. Everything from long range sensors to lab equipment.
"So tell me... what's going on with the Breen and the Cardassians," Giella urged. "I know everything isn't proper there. Every since Starfleet's encounter at Antogonis with them there have been many birds in the grass."
"Birds?" Jaelak asked, confused. "I thought the expession was 'snake in the grass'."
"You've been spending too much time with humans," Giella said, glaring at him. "Don't tell me you've started drinking coffee as well."
"Oh powers, no," Jaelak replied with a shudder. "I can't stand that stuff. Now, to answer your question... it seems as if the Obsidian Order is busy negotiating some agreement between the Confederacy and the Union. I don't think it's a civilian agreement, probably something secret that is meant to be kept away from those with prying eyes."
"Like ourselves?" Giella asked innocently.
"Exactly," Jaelak replied.
"Have you brought this under the attention of Ambassador Guzman?" Giella asked. "I think he should know as soon as possible."
"I haven't had a chance to–"
Jaelak was interrupted by the alarming beeping on one of his many computer systems. "Damn," he said when he looked at what was making the noise. "Military personnel are here. We have to get out of here now."
"Is there another way out?" Giella asked, looking around the very-solid looking cellar.
"Of course," Jaelak spat back. "Didn't you learn anything in Intelligence training?"
"No need to be rude," she muttered as she quickly followed him to the end of the room underneath a table where a hatch was concealed holographically. They climbed inside and crawled ahead a few meters until the corridor split.
"Where to now?" she asked, looking left and right.
"You go right," Jaelak answered. "And I'll go left."
"Jaelak... it might be a while before I see you again," Giella said, reaching up a hand to touch his, softly caressing the scales on his jawline.
"What's the matter? Your eyes are turning blue," Jaelak said looking into her slitted eyes. Tollaurans didn't cry, but their eyes turned a deep blue when they experience a similar emotion.
"I've been assigned to be the assistant to the 1st Task Force's Intelligence Advisor on Starbase Unity. It's all the way on the other side of the Federation, and it could a be long time before we—"
They heard foosteps down the tunnel and Jaelak grabbed her pale face and kissed her deeply. "Don't worry. I'll see you again. Even if I have to travel all the way to Unity to do so."
"Take of yourself, Jaelak," she said and the scurried down the tunnel to her right as Jaelak crawled away to the left.
= End Log =
Major Giellera Kinn
Covert Operations
3rd Task Force, SSF
-
Lt Commander Jaelak Sulat
Intelligence Operative
Starfleet Intelligence
-
[NPC by Bren]
