Homefire #76"
By: Ian Hunter, Commanding Officer, [PC]
Jonathan Wright, Executive Officer, [PC]
Jax , Information Broker , [NPC]
Melissa Jarvis, Chief Security Officer, [RNPC]

Stardate: 58209.23 1644

"She's Got a Ticket to Ride" ======Captain's Ready Room============= Hunter was uncharacteristically sitting back in his chair, his feet up on the desk as Wright entered the ready room he had been summoned to.

"Hello Captain"

Hunter set the napkin with Jax's note down and with a slight flick of the wrist the napkin floated across his desk until it came to rest in front of Wright.

"What's this?" Wright's bow curled in confusion.

"You recall my niece, Jax?"

"Yes sir."

Hunter slid his feet off the desk desk and leaned forward, steepling his fingers.

"Based on previous experiences, she probably has some very important intel...but,"

"...but always with a hitch."

"It is an interesting message. It would seem we are on a mission without an objective at the moment," said Wright. "We have time to see what she has to say."

"I intend to find out what she is up to."

Wright stood up, "I'll start making arrangements."

Hunter stood up, "Nothing elaborate, 30 minutes."

He nodded as Wright dismissed himself.

A moment later he entered the bridge himself,

"Helm, set a course for the Saturn moon, Titan."

"Aye-aye."

The Captain crossed the bridge to the ops station.

"Forrester, what is the status of the Pegasus?"

She turned slightly, "the Pegasus has resumed surveillance detail."

"Very good, keep a close tab on them, I'm leading an away team to Titan. you have the bridge

He walked up to the tubolift and turned, "let me know when we arrive, I will be in transporter room 3"

"Yes Sir."

After stopping at his quarters to change into civilian clothing, he stepped back onto the turbolift and tapped his combadge. "Commander Wright, who's coming with me?"

"lieutenant Jarvis and myself," said Wright.

"Good. Meet me in Transporter Room 3. I'm there now," he said as the doors whizzed close.

"Yes sir."

With the tap of his pad, Hunter sent the coordinates given him by Jax to the transporter officer's console. "What can you tell me?"

The transporter officer had already initiated a scan, It's in an area one kilometer beneath the surface, no security fields in place. It appears to be adjacent to a mining complex... One strong lifesign for sure, hard to tell for certain with the atmosphere."

"Three to beam down," said Hunter as the rest of the landing party arrived.

He acknowledged them with nod as he stepped on to the transporter pad.

"Phasers on stun."

Wright and Jarvis adjusted their weapon settings and stood waiting for transport.

"Energize."

Wright felt the pull of the transporter effect. He watched as the transporter room faded away. When it was done Wright found himself standing in a small control room.

Jarvis looked around the room, drew her phaser and left the room.

Sitting at the main console was Hunter's niece Jax. Wright's eyes darted around the room and found three bodies on the floor. They were dressed in civilian clothes. Wright looked at Jax, his eyes narrowed.

Jax sighed and rolled her eyes. Directing her attention to Wright she said, "They are still alive."

Wright nodded his head, but said nothing.

"Welcome to the main operations of the Titan Mining Center," said Jax. "I was starting to think you did not understand my message."

"Well, you know me kiddo. Everything by the book."

There was a brief pause, "What's going on?" asked Hunter.

"This is an automated mining facility," she said. "There are six staff members on site." she gestured at the three sleeping miners. "These three and three more off duty miners. They are all sleeping."

Jarvis entered the room. "The compound is secure sir. There are three more like these guys in the barracks."

Hunter nodded at Jarvis as he rubbed his chin, "Okay, so why are we here?" he asked slowly.

"I was on Earth gathering intel for my father. My cover was blown so I was making my way out of federation territory. I saw you on Mars and thought I'd ask you for a ride home."

Hunter regarded her, squinting slightly. Obviously there was more to her request, otherwise she would have asked to come with when she was on the shuttle.

"Is that all?"

Jax laughed softly. "What a silly question uncle. I wouldn't expect you to give me a ride for free."

"Of course not, you learned that from Rex."

"Like I said, I was on Earth. My father has been concerned about odd communications between Remus and the Federation. He sent me to earth to keep an eye on things."

Hunter cleared his throat. Remus was rumoured to be a mining planet operated by a population the Romulans considered second class citizens. He searched his thoughts but drew a blank at how it could have any significance.

"Remus? What?"

Jax nodded. "something is happening in Romulan Star empire. I'm not sure what it is, but it's big. The Romulans have sent a delegation to Earth."

Hunter glanced at Wright who was listening intently. Fischer had mentioned a Romulan delegation coming to Earth also. Jax's intel seemed to be corroborate.

Rex Tull had taught Jax well, fish some more, he thought to himself, he kept his poker face and shrugged, "Is that all you got?"

Jax laughed again. "That's not enough? I saved the best for last Uncle Ian. The Federation is planning to impress their Romulan guests by executing a few high profile prisoners. A couple names that you might know."

Hunter smirked slightly, "I'm listening."

"A former university professor turned underground rebellion leader with a last name of Silvio." Jax paused. "Don't you have a crew member with that name?"

"Perhaps."

"The second execution is the one that will pay for my ticket. A certain Federation traitor named "William Riker. Know him?"

"I think you bought yourself a ticket, You got the details?" asked Hunter holding out his hand.

Jax stood and placed on slender leg on her chair, reached into her boot and pulled out a nasty looking dagger. She noted with much amusement that both Wright and Jarvis visibly tensed up. "Relax," she told them as she popped the handle of the knife open, retrieved a isochip and handed it to Hunter."

Hunter took the isochip from her and handed it to Wright. "Is that your stuff?" asked Hunter gesturing to a dufflebag on the floor.

"Yes. I'm ready to get off this ice cube."

Hunter nodded as he tapped his combadge, "Hunter to Enterprise, 4 to beam up."