Nine Lives

Posted on Mon Aug 20th, 2012 @ 3:19pm by Suresh & Major Patrick Smith

Mission: Sections of the Delta Quadrant
Location: Suresh's Quarters

* * * Suresh’s Quarters * * *

He’d blotted the blood repeatedly as he completed the carving of Isha’s name in his arm. Finally, it was done to his satisfaction and served several purposes: as a memorial that he intended would stay there for the rest of his life, a reminder of his mission, and it proved that he hadn’t gone numb permanently. What he felt, however, was the raw and jagged pain of loss, the emptiness of knowing she wouldn’t be walking through those doors again.

And withdrawal.

What she’d done for him....was also lost forever. Already he felt the restlessness beginning to settle in at the lack of her soothing high. He still had no idea what it had been but he knew it was likely a rare ability. He didn’t even know her race so that he could seek out another. He had to honestly admit that he’d known very little about her. And now, he’d never know for sure what had taken place in that room with the man who turned out to be the station CO. Oh, how he hoped Lazan was right, but he had his own plans for the Admiral.

Taking a good look at the trashed room, he decided he should have Lazan get someone to clean it up. The unexpected ring of the door chime pulled him out of his thoughts, though he didn’t rise. The doors were unlocked.

“Come!” he called out.

Nine entered and quickly noticed the state of the room. “I’m not going to ask... Though I do know a good cleaner thanks you your Ferangi friend. Oh and Lazan called me down. Said you had some work,” he quickly added so as not to get used as practise for one of the few intact objects present.

Suresh looked up from where he still sat beneath the portal, bloody towel in hand. “Have you heard the news? Lazan should have told you.” His voice was unusually subdued and his dark eyes seemed to be having trouble staying on Nine.

“Yea he told me,” Nine replied with sympathy in his voice. “She was quite the person.”

Suresh looked down at his arm and shrugged. The sting of the cuts had gone to a full-on burn now but he relished it. “And yes, we’re departing day after tomorrow. Picking up a shipment, carrying it to another and leaving it. Twelve hours at least.” He didn’t ask if Nine had other plans, something that he couldn’t get out of. The expectation that he’d be there went without saying.

“Will it be just us or will I need to pack barf bags this time?” Nine asked trying to brighten the mood slightly. “And is anyone planning to shoot this time... not that I mind but I just don’t want to have to repaint her yeno,” he said with a shrug to show he wasn’t entirely serious.

“No, no barf bags.” And in spite of his mood, a half-smile appeared on his face for an instant. “Just us. Lazan has other things to keep him busy. This goes off without a hitch, there’s a bonus in it for you. You’ve done well.”

“Sounds good. I’ll have the ship in the usual spot ready to go. Anything else I can do for you?” he asked.

“I’ll be at the Nexus tonight if I am needed. Other than that, no. I will see you in two days.” Suresh pulled his gaze back to Nine and nodded, somewhat distracted. ‘Till then, call Lazan if anything comes up.”

“Sure thing boss. I might take a trip up there later anyway. Haven’t been in much and apparently the entertainment is first class. A bit of relaxing would do us all the world of good,” said Nine as he made a note to tell Li to stay clear of that particular stop.

“Maybe so, Nine. n the meantime, keep your ear to the ground. If you hear anything about...” He tried but just could not get her name out, so he pointed to where it was carved into his forearm. “...anything, tell me immediately.”

Nine nodded knowing what kind of things Suresh meant. “I’ll chat to my supplier. He gets some traffic. Maybe he has heard something that’d be of use to you.”

“Thank you.” Suresh was positively courteous, a big change. “I’ve nothing else so I’ll see you later if you don’t make it to the Nexus tonight.”

“Indeed. Cya later boss,” Nine said as he walked out the door feeling slightly sorry for the man. Walking straight towards a turbo lift he planned out a route back different from previous and headed towards intel so that he could pass on the message to Li before heading down to meeting his parts supplier, a man who could truly get you anything you wanted.

************
Suresh
A Brewing Storm

‘Nine’
Sympathetic and intrigued