Stardate: 70109:1226
Subject: Stormin' Norman Strikes Again
Author: Emma Smith
Time: After "Bold Action"
Scene: Planet-side


Forgive me if I'm preaching, once again, to the choir, but I feel it my obligation to point out that Emma Smith isn't now, nor has she ever, been related to anyone, living or dead, of any importance, fame or particular distinction.

That being said...

Emma readied herself for the away mission by channelling yet another imagined relation and placing on her best "Schwartzkopf" face.

Captain Deadilus had considered Ensign Colieon's recommendation, but knew that although Polean would be able to (hopefully) mask their transport signal well enough, taking a shuttle would be the equivalent of ringing the door bell.

The storm would just have to fend for itself.

When the time came, they would either be beamed back aboard, or simply have to fight for time until the storm passed them by. Instinct told him that the clock was indeed ticking for both Lt. Kehn and any sensitive information he held tightly tucked in his mind.

Lt. Falls and Ensign Smith trudged up the path toward the Market Place.

"You understand your role in all of this?" She asked, wanting to make sure the new ensign was both up to speed and to put any questions to rest before they reached their destination.

"Yes, Ma'am," Emma answered promptly. "I'm here to watch your back."

Autumn smiled warmly. "No 'Ma'ams', please, we're supposed to be two locals making their way to market."

Although "Uncle Norman" may not have approved of the Lieutenant's breach of rank protocol, Emma admired and appreciated Autumn's friendly demeanor.

"There it is." Lt. Falls motioned ahead.

Both scanned the crowd looking for the COO's contact, but Estelle was nowhere to be seen.

A man on the far side of the piazza nodded toward them and touched his nose.

"I guess that's him," Autumn said quietly and they both moved cautiously into the fray.

Emma rested her hand on the hidden phaser.

The stranger shifted his eyes from Emma to Autumn. "We don't have much time. Do you have the information?"

"Where's Estelle?"

"Gone," was all he answered. His sad expression told Lt. Falls all she needed to know. "My name is Wylan."

"Very well," the COO reached into her pocket and pulled out a datapadd, but before she could hand it to him, they were interrupted by a commotion of several storm troopers making their way into market.

"S**t!" said Wylan. "Someone must have leaked the information that you were here."

To quote, well, someone who I have no doubt Emma imagines she's related to; "Timing is everything".

Emma spotted the on-coming troopers and promptly jerked the phaser from the folds of her blouse. In doing so, her elbow caught a near-by merchant who stumbled and fell onto his cart of apple-like fruit which went tumbling toward the onslaught tripping the first two and sending them sprawling onto the ground. Next, she spun on her heel, which accidentally got caught in the fullness of her skirt, sending her tumbling ass over tit, tripping up the third before he could latch onto Lt. Falls.

Before the trooper could get up, Wylan grabbed Lt. Falls, who in turn caught Emma by the scruff of the neck and the three ducked quickly into a hidden doorway as the rest of the crowd gathered around to both see what was happening and cover their tracks.

"Well," Emma cleared her throat and brushed a stray strand of hair back from her eyes, "that went well."

The COO just shook her head. How on earth they managed to get out of that mess without a shot being fired was something she'd think about later.

"Here," she said, handing Wylan the padd. "Now how do we get out of here?" Falls checked her chronometer. "We have an appointment to make."

They both knew that if the powers that be were aware of their presence, then the entire mission could be in jeopardy.

"Come on," Autumn said, hiking up her skirt. "We've got to get to that rendezvous point... FAST."


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Ensign Emma Smith
Luckiest (Clumsiest) Security Officer on Earth
USS Horizon
NCC-72400
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