Post Number: 212 *Reporting into the Void*

Posted on Tue Feb 18th, 2025 @ 4:14pm by Sira Talan

571 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Secrets

On:

Sira Talan was a woman not prone to displays of emotion, even under duress. In moments of turmoil or high pressure, she took great pride in her ability to remain composed, trusting in her capacity for rational decision-making when others faltered. However, today, she found herself facing a challenge unlike any she had encountered before—one that tested the limits of her control and resolve. Though she had made the conscious decision to keep the Obsidian Flame open, offering a rare place for respite amidst the surrounding chaos, only a handful of patrons had taken the opportunity to seek solace in her establishment. The rest, it seemed, were too consumed by the situation at hand, their minds occupied with matters beyond the reach of mere distractions.

Sira knew all too well the reasons for the lack of customers. The atmosphere in the city had changed; Starfleet personnel, many of whom were stationed at the local facility, were working tirelessly to secure the area and maintain order. It would be some time before their posts were relieved. The weight of uncertainty and fear hung over the city, and yet, she understood the importance of maintaining normalcy, however fleeting it might be.

Stepping away from her post behind the bar, Sira gave a subtle nod to one of her servers, signaling that she would step away for a moment. With practiced ease, she moved toward the rear of the establishment, passing through a doorway before allowing herself the luxury of a brief moment of vulnerability. As the door slid shut behind her, she felt the familiar knot of concern tighten in her chest.

For days now, she had received no communication from her family on Bajor. The silence was deafening, and the gnawing sense of dread was becoming unbearable. She was aware that Deep Space Nine remained operational, though it had sustained significant damage in the wake of recent events. Both the station and the planet it orbited had suffered casualties, and the full extent of the damage remained unclear.

She checked her messages once again, but her inbox remained devoid of any updates. The uncertainty weighed heavily on her, and despite her best efforts to remain composed, she couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of helplessness. In a decision that came with both reluctance and urgency, she shifted her focus, deciding to reach out to her handler for confirmation.

//Begin Message//

Security Code: 4457114.25
Handler: Blackgate
Operational Unit: Echo-12
Section 31, Starfleet Security

Blackgate,

I am awaiting confirmation that my assignment remains unchanged in light of the attack on Starfleet Headquarters. Given the current situation, I must inquire whether you would prefer to reassign me to a different location. Please confirm receipt of this message at your earliest convenience.

-Nightbird

Sira reviewed the message once more, her fingers hovering over the console as she debated whether to send it. Ultimately, she pressed the send button, her fingers lingering for a moment before she pulled her hand away. There was little to do now but wait, and the waiting was unbearable. She hoped that her handler would respond swiftly, for the uncertainty of her position—and the unknown fate of her family—was becoming too much to bear. In the silence that followed, Sira allowed herself a moment of reprieve, though it was fleeting, for the path ahead remained shrouded in uncertainty.

Off:

Sira Talan
Owner of the Obsidian Flame
Starbase Obsidian

 

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