Bienvenue à Paris Pt1

Posted on Thu Feb 22nd, 2024 @ 4:54pm by Commodore Finchley Kerr & Lieutenant Commander Kevin Kilbane & Commander Shr'Nesh Karadis

1,164 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Investigate the Chintoka Shipyard Buildup
Location: Earth, France, Paris
Timeline: Current.

Jaal did a quick bit of research about the area of Paris they were headed towards. A quick message to the away team let them know 'casual' meant casual for their home worlds. Posing as tourists, he thought, would be appropriate cover.

The Federation Quarter (or Quartier de la Fédération as the locals call it) as it had become to be known, was to the south east of Paris' center. This is where all the United Federation of Planets government buildings were located along with the UFP President's residence.

While Paris itself still held it's old world charm with many buildings dating back hundreds of years, The Federation Quarter was a testament to modern, futuristic construction. Many residents of Paris still spoke French as their primary language as opposed to those who worked and lived around the UFP buildings who spoke mostly Federation standard.

The 'Quarter' also had its own security people, used only the Starfleet transporter network, had its own power grid, and defenses from orbital attacks.

Jaal's reverse research into who the mole on the Blackeagle was talking to led them here. The team beamed down just outside the Federation Quarter.

"All we have to do is get in line for the tour and we're in," he mentioned, waving a hand pointing to the line of tourists who looked to be from all parts of Federation space. "It shouldn't be too difficult to split off from the official tour and go our own way. If anyone mentions we don't belong it's 'Oops, we got lost, separated from the tour'."

“Understood” Isabelle nodded as she looked around, she’d chosen to wear what she’d normally wear on Shoreleave, a flowing dress that she’d get away with on duty if she chose to wear it, along with comfortable flat shoes, and wearing sunglasses.

Kell nodded as well, adopting a youthful appearance, along with subdued pants and a polo shirt (she wasn't sure why it was called polo but she'd research that later). The sneakers were her one deviance from that, sporting checkered blocks of colors on each side. She snapped a dozen shots with the camera she brought. Maybe they could document their efforts for later, or catch a glimpse of something they could analyze.

Karadis, not one for being much of a ‘tourist’, scanned the line ahead of them. There was everything from the sublime to the ridiculous and this made her feel a little better regarding her choice of clothing. Black bandana covering her forehead ridges, a non descript kaki oversized shirt, beige cargo trousers and trainers.

Wearing simple blue jeans, a hooded, zip-up sweatshirt, and running shoes, Jaal clarified, "I'd like to get access to a computer terminal near the communications hub. If we can match the timestamps of the transmissions to and from the ship to transmissions with the same timestamps here, that will be a big step in identifying who the mole is here."

Isabelle nodded as she listened. “I can possibly hide one person from the guards, I can telepathically shield you from view. They won’t notice you at all.” She offered a wry smile. “It’s a little something I was taught to do.”

“If you need a volunteer…” Karadis replied, her hand slightly raised.

"That makes the most sense," Jaal added surveying the area, "The rest of us won't garner the attention the Chief will." He nodded at Isabelle, "Do it."

"Let's get in line then," Jaal led the group to the line where people were being admitted inside.

As the line moved ever closer to their group being at the front, Karadis looked at Isabelle. “How confident are you that you can shield me Lieutenant?”

Isabelle looked at Karadis. “60/40” She offered a smile. “Don’t worry I can do this, just don’t take too long. I can only distract for so long.”

“Better odds that I thought” Karadis replied smiling back at Isabelle, “I’ll try my best not to…”, but then she was interrupted by the attendant in charge of the queue line.

“Combien dans votre groupe s'il vous plaît?” they asked.

Karadis looked blankly at her, “What?”

The lady smiled, then in English she asked “How many in your group please?”

“Oh, right, eh…five” Karadis said.

The attendant keyed the information into a PADD she held, then walked across to Karadis and handed her five passes.
Karadis nodded, thanked her and gave the passes to Jaal.

“The tour begins now, your guide is Baptiste” she said, gesturing to a young man now standing next to her, he in turn nodded to the group. “If you have any questions please ask him and he’ll try his best to answer them.”

~What’s your number~ Karadis thought to herself, looking at the handsome young man. Then she realised she was staring and got a little flustered, “Yes…well, thank you” she said quickly, turning and going to the back of her group.”

Baptiste smiled at everyone and said, “S'il vous plaît, suivez-moi tout le monde, nous allons commencer.”

“Baptiste, in English please” the attendant said politely.

“Certainement” Baptiste replied to the attendant. Turning back to the group he said, “Please follow me everyone, let’s get started.”

As they began walking, Baptiste began his talk. “The city of Paris is around two thousand years old, but its origins go back about three hundred years before that…”

Isabelle couldn’t help but smile at Karadis, if the situation was different she’d have poked a little fun, but now wasn’t the time,

Kell continued to snap pictures and chew gum, watching out for our route to coincide with a good exit point.

Karadis listened as Baptiste continued his tour talk, it was actually quite interesting, aside from the fact she was hypnotised by him, something she found both disturbing and wanton.

Giving herself a mental talking to, she noted they were now entering the Presidential part of the city. If there was going to be an area anywhere they could try and find a console to use, this would be it, but she also realised that the Security level would be very high.

Prior to the team beaming down, the Captain had insisted on there being no normal communication devices taken, so instead, ear bud COMMS had been distributed among them. It was at this point her own now quietly beeped. Discreetly putting her finger to her ear, she whispered “Karadis.”

“It’s Kilbane, there’s bad news” he said.

“What is it?” Karadis asked.

“The time drive’s been half inched,” Kilbane replied.

“It’s been what?” Karadis asked, not understanding.

“PINCHED, taken, nicked, stolen!” Kilbane said, exasperated.

Karadis stopped walking. She didn’t want to draw attention to herself, so she walked over to Isabelle and pretended to point to a building of interest.

“Kilbane’s just told me the time drive’s been…it’s gone” she said quietly.

TBC...

 

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