Posted by Civilian Jason Reilly (Assistant Director - Colonial Intelligence) in Plain Sight

Posted by Civilian Eryn Romanov (Colonial Intelligence Agent) in Plain Sight

Posted by Civilian Jason Reilly (Assistant Director - Colonial Intelligence) in Plain Sight
Posted by… suppressed (23) by the Post Ghost! 👻
It had been a couple if days since the protests. The meeting the Governor had demanded with Colinial Intelligence and the CCDA had long been canceled. Harris had woken and Eryn had spoken with him. An informative but disappointing conversation. The techs were analyzing the security feeds, and Eryn was currently wandering the square and blocks around it. It was amazing what small details and valuable insight one could garner simply by listening and being present.

Eryn stopped at a cart, offering something that smelled strongly of targ and peppers on a kabob. She glanced up at the enormous government tower. Stepping aside with her food she opened her communicator to contact the governor’s office - Dorma Fen, Hyrushi’s assistant, to make an appointment. N I t her usual style, but must keep people guessing.

Romanov

When Fen answered, she smiled a wholly professional smile and said “Governor Hyrushi’s office. How may I be of service?” Her tone was calm and easy, the consumate pater of the administrative professional. But there was just a hint of sometjing… like she was perhaps familiar with the person calling.

Dorma Fen, Executive Assistant

“Hello Ms. Fen. I am Eryn Romanov,” an introduction was more good manners at this point. She had never met Ms. Fen, but Eryn very much doubted Hyrushi employed anyone not worth their salt. Which meant very little went on in that office his assistant wasn’t aware of. “I vould like to schedule a meeting vith zhe governor. It is not an emergency, but sooner rather zhan later vould be much appreciated.”

Romanov

Fen smiled a wholly disconcerting smile, as if she knew something that Eryn did not… something that was pertinent directly to the caller. “I must say, Ms. Romanov, your call us perfect timing. Could you be here in ten minutes? I’m sure the Governor… and his current appointment… would be quite 8nterested in speaking with you.” She smiled, but her shoulder moved very slightly as if she was typing something without looking down. Romanov’s comm chirped at an incoming text. Get here asap if you want to know before anyone else. it read.

Dorma Fen, Executive Assistant

“Ah zhank you Ms. Fen. I do appreciate you assisting me. I vill be there at Zhe appointed time.” Eryn bowed her head politely and the comm went dark. A trap, a rouse, a joke at her expense? Who knew. A surprise either way. Life was never dull on Oed.

Eryn walked off the lift exactly 5 minutes later. Those little official credentials did seem to make getting through security much quicker. She walked over to the desk and smiled, or maybe smirked, wirh amusement, “Ms. Fen.”

Romanov

There was one other person seated in the reception area. A human male of slightly less than average height, but very fit and very handsome. Brilliant green eyes under dark brown hair looked up as Romanov entered the room and smiled, and then went back to reading the PaDD he was holding. Dorma looked up and smiled back with the same level of amusement. “Ms. Romanov, how good to see you. Won’t you be seated, please? The Governor will be with you both momentarily.” and she tapped the desk interface and then leaned back to watch.

Dorma Fen, Executive Assistant

The sassy agent/artist returned the smile with a grin and an half appraising look on her way to Fen’s desk. She gave a slightly raised brow and grinned at the assistant. Games! “Zhank you Ms. Fen. I do hope you are vell today.” She made her way over to a chair, sat, and watched the colony out the window, seemingly taken with the view.

Romanov

A few moments later, the doors to the Gocernor’s office swung out and open. “He will see you both now.” Fen said.

The man stood up and said “My thanks, Ms. Fen. I do hope I will be seeing you again soon.” He walked to door and waited for Romanov to enter first.

As she walked in, the man said softly “You wouldn’t happen to be the Romanov… the sculptor? I have to say, I love your work.”

The New Guy

Without missing a beat, Eryn smiled, meeting his green gaze with her own emerald one, and answered just as softly, “If you are aware of zhe last name of zhe Artist Eryn, zhen you know I am. I am pleased you enjoy my pieces.” A genuine statement. After all what was the point of art if not to let others experience it.

She stepped fully into the office, her gaze taking in the whole room and landing on Hyrushi all at once. “Governor Hyrushi, I hope you are vell today. Zhank you for seeing me, but I zhink my timing just happens to be impeccable.” She glanced back at the stranger once. If she found it weird she didn’t show it.

Romanov

Hyrushi, seated behind his desk, didn’t stand. He simply inclined his head and said “Indeed. The Universe has a knack for time-keeping and scheduling, it seems. Please, have a seat. Both of you.” and he gestured to the chairs in front of the desk.

The unnmaned man pulled the chair slightly back for Romanov, a gesture of civility and not necessity, and took his seat after her.

Ah he was in a serious mood today. Eryn knew that somewhere beneath the serious and determined public figure of the governor there was a man of deep feeling and in need of a good laugh. She might even get a glimpse of him one day. She moved toward the chair, and Eryn bowed her head slightly to the unknown man, “Zhank you,” as she sat. She leaned back into the chair relaxed, polite, and unconcerned.

After they sat, Hyrushi said “Introductions, then.” and he looked at the new arrival expectantly.

Hyrushi, Governor

The man smiled slightly and said “Yes, of course Governor.” His words and speech had a practiced and well-developed diplomatic tone, and his eyes met those of each person he was speaking to as he spoke to them. “First off. I am Assistant CIA Director Jason Reilly, newly appointed by the Governor and arrived here just yesterday. You are Eryn Romanov. Artist of some reputation with ties to Risa and several prominent art galleries. You are also a lead Clandestine Operations Agent for the newly established Colonial Intelligence Agency here on Oed V. Typically partners with Kodek Vonn, former Star Fleet Intelligence asset, although not by choice. Both currently active and operationally successful. There are other things as well, but those are facts more suited to a private conversation.” and he turned back to the Governor.

Reilly, AD-CIA

Not a trace of surprise on her face, “Zhat vould be me.” She gave a little shrug and maybe sigh, “Unfortunately zhe art does not pay zhe bills. So I must do something.” She stared at Reilly, seemingly seeing far more than he would like. “You are Jason Reilly, formally XO of zhe USS Wolverine, and recently disenchanted vith your vork for SFI and known for your Machiavellian methods of getting vhatever you vant. You excell at investigations, intelligence gathering and interpretation, and interrogation, as vell as uniquely competent in counterintelligence operations. You are also highly decorated.” It would be hard to tell if she thought that last statement was a positive or negative mark on his record.

Romanov, CIA

Reilly smiled and did a bow with his head. “At your service.” He then looked at Hyrushi. “Governor, I know the Agency is still in its fledgling state, but would I be out of line if I said that meeting you, and not Director James first, is a bit… unorthodox?”

Reilly, AD-CIA

“It is, and you would not be.” Hyrushi replied. He looked at Eryn and said “Before I ask you to rake Mr. Reilly and show him around, what brings you to my office Ms. Romanov? And through the front door, no less.”

Hyrushi, Gov.

Eryn leaned forward slightly, meeting his depthless black gaze. As she began to speak she was evaluating how much to say in front of Reilly, the fact she knew Hyrushi to be a careful judge of character factored heavily into her decision. “Zhe last time ve met, we were to have a meeting vith several members of zhe cabinet, but protests and sneaky machinations happened.” Eryn shrugged, “I informed you zhen that SFI and S31 were on zhe colony. Since zhen I have become aware that a cabinet member, General Harris, vas not only aware of their presence, he informed me and colonial intelligence to ‘stay out of their way, or ve could get hurt.’ Zhis was directly related into our investigation on zhe attack on himself, Lucas Holloway, and syndicate activity on Oed.” Eryn sat back slightly. “I know General Harris to be a competent and level headed man. But vhen it comes to zhe heart, even zhe best can become skewed in their thinking.”

“As to zhe other,” she grinned and lifted a shoulder, “I must keep people guessing. Habit builds complacency. I vill avoid zhe door next time.”

Romanov, CIA

Hyrushi’s expression remained expressionless, but there was an edge to his voice. “That is… a most unfortunate response.” was all he said. He looked at Reilly and said “Perhaps there is a discussion to be had?”

Hyrushi, Gov.

Reilly inclined his head and said “Of course. There has to be boundaries. And those boundaries need to be enforced by all of the colony’s directors.”

Reilly, AD-CIA

There was more, but she didn’t know Reilly, and really it was probably better to keep Hyrushi out of it anyway. She and Vonn would handle their own, or they wouldn’t. She didn’t think Harris was disloyal, but it could be hard for some people to break previous ties for new loyalties. Her goal today was not to sow descent and distrust. She knew how compartmentalized Intel people could be about sharing information. She and Vonn were trying to quietly change that. And she felt the governor should know something like this.

Romanov

Hyrushi nodded to Reilly and then said “Then we are in agreement. Now I am sure that the two of you have some talking to do before Mr. Reilly meets Director James. I will let you both get to it.” and he stood and held a hand out to Reilly.

Hyrushi, Gov.

Eryn stood giving Hyrushi a formal bow. “Governor, alvays a pleasure.”

Reilly stood and shook the offered hand and then turned to Eryn. “Shall we? Having been crammed in a shuttle for the past couple of weeks, a walk sounds good.” and he held an open hand toward the door.

After a quick goodbye to Ms. Fen, the lift opened and Reilly stepped inside, holding the door for Romanov. “Lobby.” he said, and the lift began to move.

Eryn liked Fen. She was sharp and intelligent and if not for Hyrushi would be wasted in administration. “Zhank you for your assistance Ms. Fen.” She paused and pointed at her necklace, “Zhe link is weak. Come by my studio and I vill fix it for you.” Then she stepped onto the lift, standing lazily relaxed as it moved.

As they traveled down, he looked at Eryn and said just softly enough for her to hear “You look good for a dead woman.”

Reilly, AD-CIA

Eryn turned her blue gaze on him with a resigned but forced polite smile. “Is zhis vhere I ask ‘vhat’ in a confused manner and bat my lashes at you. Zhen you proceed to tell me I have haunted your dreams for years and to please have dinner vith you? No, zhank you.”

Romanov

Reilly grinned while looking at the floor indicator. As the doors opened, he looked at her and held a finger to his lips and then walked with her out of the lift, through the lobby, and out of the building. He tilted his head to the left and started walking in that general direction. As they melding into the crowd of people walking herr and there, Jason said “Now don’t get me wrong, it was a wholly impressive piece of work, the ‘death’ of Casella Synthi-er. In fact, had I not put the two together before that poor woman’s death, I doubt I would have been able to now. You and your partner are really quite good. And I mean that sincerely.” and he inclined his head slightly in her direction in a gesture of respect.

Eryn made a small gesture, acknowledgement of his respect, but neither confirming nor denying anything he said. Her expression and body language didn’t give her away, and should there be a telepath around, neither would her thoughts or feelings. But apparently she and Vonn had not been skilled enough. More and more complications. She meandered among the crowd speaking occasionally to someone they came upon, just a part of the crowd, exchanging pleasantries in a natural manner.

“I was troubled when word of Casela’s death reached Intel. And more than a little passed. Seemed, to me at least, that the powers that be hung her out to dry. And that didn’t set well with me. So color me most surprised when I heard that Eryn Romanov was having a show of new pieces on Oed V.” and he smiled. “I figured Ms. Synthi-er must have felt similarly to how I did, so I just kept my musings to myself and went on about my way. I hope that is the case, anyway. Because I’d hate to think SFI was already working at planting a spy in the CIA here. One, because that would make my first job here a very ugly one. And two, it would mean that SFI was capable of far greater forward thinking than I could possibly give them credit for. They aren’t dumb… but they aren’t as clever as rhey think they are.”

Reilly, AD-CIA

“I am constantly making new pieces, but I am finally free of zhe Korda. I have repaid my debt. Zhey no longer get to keep zhe pieces and decide vhen zhey are released and sold.” Eryn shrugged. “I do not know Casela Synthi-er except by reputation. A bit of a ghost if I remember correctly. Rumor says she vas too cocky in zhe end and it cost her everyzhing. Zhere vere indications she entered Korda space once or twice,” Eryn shrugged, “I never encountered her. If your ‘speculations’ vere correct, someone like her vould not continue zo give loyalty to zhose zhat betrayed her.” She wandered away from the main through faire, but it was no less busy for the detour. “Director James is quite meticulous about vetting his organization. If SFI vas attempting to inflitrate colonial intelligence, ve vould know. As you said, ve are very good.” She waved a hand in the direction of the hospital, “As evidenced by General Harris’ testimony. Even to zhe other departments ve are far too young and inexperienced to play ‘vith zhe big boys’ as it were. Zhey are not concerned vith us. Zhat is very very dumb on zheir part.” There was just the hint of an edge to her voice, a indication of loyalty to Oed and derision for SFI - purposely allowed to show, but no less true for that. Did she think Reilly bought it? No, he wasn’t ready to give up what he thought he knew and his own skill. Forget the fact he was right, but Eryn was not going to give up her new life either.

Romanov

Reilly smiled slightly and stopped them by a store front. As they pretended to look at the display, he said “I’m not here to out you, nor am I here to make thing difficult. Quite the opposite, in fact. But, as I know that what I have said is correct, its only fair that I even the playing field. You have contacts on Risa. Ask them about a jeweler. Her name is Marguerite. Call her. Tell her I told you to contact her. Use the phrase ‘Isle of White’. She’ll tell you something about me that should make you feel more comfortable.” He turned and looked at her and smiled. “Madame Romanov, I cannot wait to see what you have in store for the art world next. I do hope we can run into one another again very soon. Now if I may take my leave, I need to find a place to live.” and he chuckled.

Reilly, AD-CIA

Eryn raised a brow and shrugged as if their conversation was of no consequence. There was an unmistakable twinkle in her eye though. Eryn loved this stuff. Oh she’d look because he was expecting her to. “Ah zhen may I suggest a woman at by zhe name of Ms Davivca Hayden-Smythe at Colonial Reality. She is a full partner and quite discrete. I have used her services vith no complaint. Tell her I sent you. She vill find you vhat you vant.” She half turned away and then looked back at him. “Turner’s gallery is currently showing my new pieces Mr Reilly. You are always velcome to come by my studio to see zhe process first hand.”

Romanov

Reilly inclined his head and said “My thanks for the name, and the invitation. I will definitely take you up on that. Take care, Ms. Romanov. I look forward to seeing you again.” He looked at the window one last time and then turned and walked away.

Reilly, AD-CIA

Eryn wandered outside the small shops for awhile longer, watching the crowds, sketching in a book occasionally, followed closely by an Orion man of average build. After awhile she turned and scanned the crowd as if looking for something. She, of course, knew exactly where Mastik was all the time, but Eryn the Artist was too distracted to be aware of such things. She held out a hand to him as she approached. He did not take it. That was a hard and fast rule of Vonn’s that no one on her security team would break - no one touched Eryn. Mastik made a slight bow and waved down a side street, steering her silently toward the waiting car. He opened the door and she slid into the back seat. Mastik pulled out into traffic before he spoke. “Where to, Ms Romanov?”

“My studio please, Mastik.” Eryn said as she stared absently out the window.

“Did your meeting go well? Did they comission the pieces?” Eryn nodded making an affirmative sound. Mastik glanced at her in the mirror. “Ms Romanov, it is not my place to curb your....activities, but Vonn will be very unhappy about that man you were with. He was awfully personal. Who was he?” Vonn was going to have his hide even though the man hadn’t hurt her.

Eryn waved a dismissive hand. “A fan, Mastik. It vas fine. He vished to discuss art. I have offered him a tour of my studio. Do not kill him if he shows.” She could feel the weight in Mastik’s stomach. He was no looking forward to telling Vonn about this. “Ms Romanov, you know we have strict orders to not let anyone inside the studio unless Vonn has personally vetted them.”

Eryn sighed and rolled her eyes, “Yes yes have him do it zhen. Oh and Ms Fen might stop by as well.” Mastik sighed. They had been warned that Ms Romanov was difficult, and he’d taken the job anyway.

Eryn stayed at the studio for several hours, just like always. Nothing in her routine changed. She compiled and analyzed data and made inquiries into different rumors she’d heard around the colony, worked on pieces for Turner and other privately commissioned pieces. She did not contact Vonn, she did not look into the information Reilly gave her. She continued on as if it didn’t mean anything.

Before leaving she stepped into a back washroom. Into a chest kept in the room went every piece of clothing and equipment she had with her earlier. It was a faraday cage. A sonic followed by a hydro shower, with special soap that disrupted and removed any dermal tags that might have been placed. Then she donned fresh clothes. She placed her palm to a section of tile and reached in removing an old messenger bag. It contained different jewelry, a padd and comm unit. It also had a sketch book and pencils, a scarf and jacket.

Mastik took her to Presidio. The Garden was secret. She entered, checking the security system from her office and then, only when she was sure that the systems were working properly and the protocols were in place, Eryn entered the small holosuite in the house. That was where she would be when Vonn returned or come looking for her, working out her aggression and tension, stretching and challenging still subpar reflexes and stamina that she hadn’t fully regained yet. D@mn

Romanov