EXETERRPG: (1, 1130) 2O/CEO, Lt. Cmdr. Keira Merek / Anna Hegilsdottir

[Todd Holladay]

Mission: Lights, Camera….Action?
Day: 1
Stardate: 2446.01.01/2025.06.30

(Toronto, Canada – Commercial District - 2O/CEO, Lt. Cmdr. Keira Merek / Anna Hegilsdottir-  1130)

~Why won’t you answer?~ Keira thought looking at Anna’s phone.

The pair exited the vehicle having arrived at their destination. Sarah looked up to Keira, concern again crossing her brow. “Something wrong, babe?”

~She’s picking up on my real feelings, the isolation. Everything is so alien. This is not the Earth I remember. Use it, don’t let this be what catches you.~

“It’s hard. Here I am with my girlfriend I still don’t remember, in places I’ve been before.  I don’t feel like I belong here,” Keira told a half-truth. “You’ve been great, Sarah, but I still don’t feel any better.”

“Aw, babe.” Sarah said frowning and embraced the blonde in a hug. “We’ll get through this, I promise.”

“Where is this place?” Keira said, more out of not being able to judge speeds of the ground vehicles yet. 

“We’re still in Toronto.” Sarah assured her. “This place has a better selection of booze at better prices than those fancy stores by where we live.”

Looking around Keira saw bits of refuse here and there. Bars were on the windows. This city would not pass muster on Earth in the 25th Century.

“I know it gives a wrong side of the tracks vibe, but the people here are good people.” Sarah said reassuringly.

“If you say so.” Keira said still unsure but following her anyway. They proceeded towards the main entrance and as they approached the double doors opened on their own accord.

~At least they got something right.~

They entered and all Keira could see were rows upon rows of shelves full of different types of bottles. Wine bottles she recognized. Others of varying colors and shapes were organized in some as of yet unknown system. Multiple customers were perusing the wares in the store.

“What do you feel like?” Sarah asked. 

“I don’t know.” Keira said, as they walked a bit into the store. ~Because I don’t know how this body handles alcohol.~ “You choose something, but nothing too heavy I’m due into the studio tomorrow.”

“Something fruity?” Sarah offered, she held out a shape of bottle familiar to Keira filled with a deep purple colored liquid. “Plum brandy?”

~That looks amazingly like that drink Ravok and I got from Trill Prime.~

“A world of no.” Keira said.

“Fine,” she said putting the bottle back carefully. “Why don’t you offer something up?”

Keira walked a bit towards the back and picked up a bottle of clear liquid, and held it up as an offering. “This?”

“Whoah, bottom shelf much?” Sarah said. “Babe that’s straight rot-gut, neither one of us will feel OK in the morning, especially at three-something AM when you have to get up.”

“What about…” Sarah grabbed two bottles from another section. Keira caught something peculiar out of the corner of her eye and looked up to see through the barred window a tall man with a light complexion moving with ill intent. He pulled a black baklava over his face before entering the store. In one swift motion he pulled a modified firearm out of a green gym bag over his shoulder and pulled the trigger taking out the surveillance camera. “EVERYONE GET DOWN AND SHUT UP!” The man yelled.  Keira grabbed Sarah’s shirt and yanked her down behind the end cap of one of the aisles facing away from the assailant.

“What the…” Sarah managed to get out before Keira put her hand over the brunette’s mouth silencing her. Keira pointed to the front indicating the man with a firearm. Sarah’s eyes got as wide as Excelsior Class Saucer Sections. Somehow she was still clutching both bottles under her arms.

The tall man threw the green bag at the clerk. “FILL THAT UP WITH MONEY, B*%#@!” He screamed and cycled the pump on his sawed off shotgun, an empty shell hit the floor with a clatter. Keira made sure that Sarah was well behind the shelving keeping her out of sight. Keira put a single finger up to her own lips and began to make her way towards the attacker. Sarah, eyes wide and tears streaming down her face pulled Keira back shook her head wildly and whispered. “No. Babe, you’re not some Starfleet Officer…”

“I’ve been confused ever since I woke up this morning,” Keira whispered back. “but I know this.” She continued whispering a warning her father’s words coming out of her mouth, “ If he knows where you are don’t be there. Stay low, stay out of site, and be careful.”

Keira deftly slipped out of Sarah’s grip and resumed her path back to the lone robber.

“There, that’s all the money.” The clerk lied. To Keira she looked like she was going to soil herself.

“BULL$%*#!,” the man called her bluff. “I don’t hear no sirens. Safe, open it!” He said menacingly through gritted teeth.

“I d-d-don’t have the combo!” She evaded.

“Use the key around your neck, the mechanical back up to the combo. Seen you use it last week during closing.” He countered.

“I’ll lose my job.” She said using the last ounce of her defiance.

BOOM! The man pulled the trigger aimed at the vape pen refills glass and plastic flew everywhere. A sickeningly sweet smell filled the air. “B*%#@, you’re gonna lose your life if you don’t do what I told you to!” The woman fumbled with the key around her neck and ducked down to open the indicated safe.

~Now is the time.~  Keira thought as she leapt into action.

She charged the man from behind putting her shoulder into his lower back, hard. He let out an “Ooof!” as the air was forced out of his lungs when he hit the front counter. Keira popped back up and grabbed the wrist holding the gun, using his shoulder as a pivot point she yanked back at an un-natural angle. Causing him to scream this time in pain. “MY ARM!” The weapon clattered to the floor. Still holding his arm using his height against him she executed a throw they taught at Starfleet Academy. Instantly he was on the ground grasping his back in agony. Keira took one step away and picked up the weapon. She cycled the pump action sending the empty shell flying, landing on the counter. She leveled the weapon at the robber.

“Freeze, Pet’aQ,” she ordered. Grinning she said, “who’s the B*%#@ now?”

Dead silence for two seconds. In those two seconds Keira realized the attacker had no plans to move, and two people had their phones pointed right at her. The silence was broken, Keira could hear sirens in the distance.

~Does everybody have surveillance capability?~ She now had the sudden desire to not be there.

Sarah appeared from behind the shelving, those patrons who didn’t have phones were applauding at Keira’s efforts. “Babe, that was amazing!”

“We need to go.” Keira said. “Do you have any hard currency we can leave to pay?”

“I have $50 cash.” Sarah said still unsure.

“Is that a lot?” Keira asked.

“Y—your money is no good here.” The clerk said.

“You’re sure?” Keira asked.

“I’ll charge it to him,” the clerk said, now smiling.

“Good, let’s go. Here,” she said passing the weapon to the clerk. “If he attacks, well….” Keira said looking down at him still on the floor, “defend yourself.”

Keira grabbed Sarah and headed outside. “Car, lets go.” ~I can’t be detained for any reason.~

Keira took the two bottles from Sarah freeing her hands to drive. They sped off.

(Reply any who catch the news)
(Posted by Todd)

“The only way to defeat fear is to tell it 'No'." No - we will not take shortcuts on the path to righteousness. No - we will not break the rules that protect us from our basest instincts. No - we will not allow desperation to destroy moral authority.” - Michael Burnham, Star Trek: Discovery

“No, I’m from Iowa, I only work in outer space.” – Adm. James T. Kirk, “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home”

Todd Holladay
SGT, IA ARNG (Retired)



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