Information Is Where You Buy It
Posted on Tue Oct 14th, 2025 @ 9:48am by Camille Petrovich
Edited on on Wed Oct 22nd, 2025 @ 5:57pm
1,233 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Back To Basics - Empok Nor Episode 3
Location: E-Wok's, Empk Nor
Timeline: MD004 2000 hrs
Camille took in the restaurant’s vibe, not sure that ancient earth science fiction meets and even more Ancient Earth singer’s lounge act was a good premise for. But it was amusing and the station could use as much humor as it could get. She was dressed in a pale green gossamer dress that seemed to float when she moved, offering just the hint here and there of tanned skin. Her favorite walking heels in white and simple jewelry played against her own notice me vibe as she sipped at the mineral water the server had brought. E-WOK’s was a hanging restaurant over the stations botanical garden and heavily decorated in natural hardwoods and shrubbery.
One slim knee crossed over the other, the singer watched the patrons she could see while she browsed the menu. The server knew she was expecting a lunch companion so they had left her in peace until signaled by the hostess. Even though she was looking at the menu, Camille’s mind was elsewhere. Things had been happening rapidly lately and Corey was on her mind. She hadn’t seen her daughter in six months and she needed to change that.
Getting away was going to be a worse problem than she’d thought.
Movement caught her eye and a blonde woman in a burgundy wrap dress with black kitten heels made her way toward Camille, leaving a slightly distressed host (the Bajoran named Dorran) in her wake. Nearing the table, Tesh slipped into the open chair and said, “Hello Ms. Petrovich, thank you for taking this meeting.”
Cammi smiled and nodded as Dorran came bustling up and placed a pot of tea on the table edge and a brace of small cups, before making himself scarce again.
Once they were mostly alone, Cammi returned the smile and said, “My pleasure Ms. Walz, but you can call me Cammi or Camille, if you like.”
“And I’m Tesh,” Tesha said with an easy smile, moving to pour tea for both of them.
They passed a few minutes in general conversation and had ordered the house special for lunch before Cammi decided it was time to get to the crux.
“My manager said you’d been a referral,” Cammi said. “What exactly can I do for you, if you don’t mind me being so bold.
Smiling, Tesh touched one of her rings and a low hum sounded, then the noise of the restaurant faded and she rested her hands in her lap. “Very well. We’ve probably satisfied anyone watching and the hush field will deal with any listening devices. I have operatives among the staff making sure no one takes too much interest. I’m here to purchase some information that I hope you can get for us, Camille. Rupert Tyree said you might be open to taking on a new gig if I ever needed a freestyler.”
Camille thought about that. Rhu had told her the cover story he’d use for their contacts with anyone in FI or SFI. She was set as a CI (a very well payed confidential informant) who could information if the price was right and she was given the time she needed). Pursing her lips, she sipped at her water and said, “Then he also told you it depended on what you wanted. I travel in limited circles.”
“Yes,” Tesh said as she finished her first cup of tea and poured another. “And in this case, I’m interested in the Savant Royal. Specifically, the people that disappeared most recently. You weren’t aboard, but I know you performed there and your orbits mingle with those who also perform and also those who enjoy those performances.”
Frowning slightly, Camille let her lips pout and said, “Rhu has a big mouth. Talented, but a big mouth.” Sighing then, she said, “What exactly are you looking for Tesh?”
“I would like to find those missing people,” Tesh said simply. “And while I think some of those missing will be pointed out to us, I’m more concerned about those who will not be.”
Camille squinted just slightly at that. She knew Tesh was Rhu’s boss, and somehow she was positive that while Rhu hadn’t told anyone that Cammi herself worked for Betezoid Intel, she was equally positive that Tesh knew that she did.
That she wasn’t going through channels spoke volumes.
This was part of the mess Rhu was now working for. The Department of Operational Analysis…of which Tesh was officially CEO of.
Looking around, Cammi took her tea cup and took the first sip. A gesture which indicated she was willing to listen to more.
Tesh had watched for signs as the singer thought everything over but Camille was good. Which was expected for a member of Betezoid Intel.
The two women regarded each other, the lack of words telling each other more than words might at this point.
Finally, Camille said, “Beyond pay to play. You think perhaps those who have wandered are more than lost. They might be..”
“Commodities,” Tesh said quietly. “I have no idea if you have any ears for that kind of thing, but I’m not going to NOT ask.”
Camille’s jaw tightened slightly. Not by what Tesh might be referring to as the operatives circle, but for the implications of those hostages that she hadn’t thought about. She had assumed the missing would be ransomed, but this was a darker turn of thought.
And that Tesh was talking to her, the Director probably wasn’t getting any agreement on her side of the tables. Or if they did, that side of the table didn’t care if people were being sold into slavery.
Cause that’s what Tesh had orchestrated all of this to get across.
“That sort of thing will be expensive,” she said without preamble. “I’m going to need thirty bars of latinum. Fifteen up front, in cash. The rest upon giving you actionable intelligence.”
“Done,” Tesh said. “Contact Rhu with anything you turn up. If you can’t reach him, send an invite to your next performance to me and I’ll know to contact you. Your agent has that information.”
Cammi nodded, her mind starting to pluck at next steps. Randomly (or not so randomly) she said, “On another matter, since we’re getting to know one another Tesh. Any idea of where the USS Pioneer is? I’d heard she left without so much as an order packet. Just that Captain Malbrooke recalled his crew and then they were gone.”
Surprised now showed on Tesh’s face as she checked her ring to make sure the hush field hadn’t been probed. “The Pioneer? No. But then I don’t keep track of all of the Fleet. Why?”
“Just curious,” Cammie mostly lied. “The question had come up and it’s my business to know or find out things.”
“Well,” Tesh said smiling, “Now so am I. If I find out, I’ll get word to you. Unless I can’t. Tell you I mean.”
Smiling in acceptance, Cammie said, “I would appreciate that. And on to other things, how was your fish?”
A Post By
Camille Petrovich
Civilian, Empok Nor
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