"Sleep Now in the Fire"

[Captain Rhiana t'Valdran]

Rhi sat down at the head of the table, what was usually Jason's chair. She mused to herself that it was no small wonder he liked it. "Gentlemen," She nodded to the Lieutenants and ensign present. "Thank you for coming. This briefing is considered classified 'secret' by the Oakfield Acts of 2379, so you may not discuss this with any civilians or officers without proper clearance."

[Lieutenant Patrick Reeves]

Patrick nodded and leaned forward in his chair. "Understood." He said. "So what's the big secret?" He asked.

[Lieutenant Telerev]

"Secret? This one sounds interesting..."

[Captain Rhiana t'Valdran]

"Not so much a secret, but rather a covert operation. The Cerva Rebels have supplied us with information critical to Allied Security; the Cerva are now in league with the Orion Syndicate. With the Rebellion taking up more and more of the population, the Cerva Imperialist factions need to look for alternative labor methods. Now, they turn to Orion slavers to give them workers; many of them being Starfleet captives."

[Lieutenant Patrick Reeves]

"And I'm guessing we're going to have to go in and rescue the Starfleet captives?" Patrick asked.

[Captain Rhiana t'Valdran]

"Naturally," Rhi said. "They are being held aboard a Cerva cruiser, waiting to be distributed throughout the Cerva race. Our mission is to find the cruiser through Orion contacts, and yes, rescue the prisoners."

[Lieutenant Telerev]

"Orion Syndicate?" Tel rubbed his eyes with his green hand. "It doesn't surprise me that they would use the slave market like this. In fact, that's the reason it was invented in the first place. But, what I don't get is this: why sell Orion slave girls to a bunch of generally heterosexual jolas?"

[Captain Rhiana t'Valdran]

"They aren't Orion women. They are true slaves, people taken by war. Humans, Vulcans, a few Betazoids and Trill, even one or two Rihanha."

[Lieutenant Telerev]

"Yikes..." he muttered to himself. "The Syndicate hasn't resorted to genuine slavery for...oh, goddess, for about 200 years now."

[Captain Rhiana t'Valdran]

"The block consists of about fifty slaves, all of them officers." Rhi continued. "Starfleet has chosen myself to lead this team, for the fact that I am the senior operative aboard station. Lieutenant Telerev is here to provide expertise on his people, Lieutenant Williams his on the Cerva. Ensign Coho is here to fly the shuttles, and Mister Reeves for tactical backup." She smiled. "Any questions?"

[Lieutenant Telerev]

"One thing...we're planning on infiltrating an Orion Slave Market, right? How do we plan on not sticking out like a sore thumb?" he coined a human expression.

[Captain Rhiana t'Valdran]

Rhiana let out a wide grin. "Rhe am a Rihannsu noble, are I not?" She folded her hands together. "There is the 'urban legend' of Romulan princesses, having large harems...so why would it be unusual for a Romulan woman, dressed finely, with a Orion man to show her the trade commodities, with several slaves as bodyguards?" She shrugged.

[Lieutenant Telerev]

"So, in other words, you get to play princess, I get to play tour guide, and Mr. Coho, Reeves, and Williams get to play slaves...sounds like fun," he grinned.

[Captain Rhiana t'Valdran]

"I'm only a duchess," She replied whimsically.

[Lieutenant Telerev]

"My mistake," he lightly shook his head.

[Captain Rhiana t'Valdran]

"Anyways, we'll use a Romulan shuttle, one from Bloodwing." She informed them. "We shall depart in two hours. I suggest you pack civilian clothes, and report to sickbay for boosters that will provide resistance to Orion pheromones."

[Lieutenant Telerev]

Tel simply nodded in return, knowing that this little trip was going to be awkward.

[Lieutenant James Williams]

"Sounds like fun. Fun all the way," Jim replied. "I'll be ready Major."

[Captain Rhiana t'Valdran]

"Very well," She nodded. "I'll meet you at docking pad G in two hours. Dismissed, gentlemen."

[Lieutenant James Williams]

With a slight nod Jim got up and left the Conference Room, heading towards his quarters to pack up for the upcoming assignment.

"Covert Ops. This is John's field, not mine," He thought to himself as he walked towards his quarters.