Personal Log 93: 25th - 31st January, 3302 (Part Four)
08 Oct 2016Jemine Caesar
25th - 31st January, 3302 (Part Four) I woke the next morning still pondering the coincidence of the two girls' deaths, when Sam's dataslate beeped an incoming call from Admiral Remi.
"Bonjour, mes amis," said the admiral. "I have a special assignment for you both. You are to gather intel concerning certain activities being conducted at 70 Ophiuchi by the Black Widow Cartel. You are to report to our contact at Feynman Terminal in Bhritzameno for further instructions. Kowalski will send you their details presently. You will be working undercover at Lightspeed's flagship hotel, so, in view of your relationship, I trust that posing as a married couple will not present a problem?"
I looked at Sam, and was amused to see him blushing.
"That will be quite all right, admiral," I replied, adding, "but there is one thing, sir... I will need a wedding ring."
*****
At Feynman Terminal, I was astonished to discover that our contact was none other than my friend, Bronwen Jones.
"Bron!" I cried, giving her a big hug. "But how did you get mixed up in this?" Bron didn't answer, so I let the matter drop.
"Now then, here's your mission brief," she said, passing a data chip to Sam. "And here, Jem, is your ring."
Bron handed me a beautiful white gold wedding ring. "Just act all loved up," she said. "Shouldn't be too difficult for you!"
After exchanging some chit-chat with Bron about her recent engagement to Myfanwy, Sam and I checked in to our room and reviewed the mission instructions...
*****
Mission Background
The Black Widow Cartel has been carrying out attacks on individuals and systems alike since June 3301, led by Alec Russell, disgraced Naval Intelligence member.
We have reason to believe that the cartel has been using Lightspeed's flagship hotel for money laundering and sales of illegal goods, including weapons, narcotics and female slaves for illicit purposes.
OBJECTIVES
Primary: Locate informants aboard Luk Enterprise. One is in the bar and easily recognised from their loud blue hair and American accent. The other works in maintenance deck 4. Obtain any and all information you can.
Secondary: Obtain any documentation relating to the Black Widow Cartel's activities that you can find. Dataslates and memory chips are especially of value.
It is imperative that your cover is not blown. Act like a newlywed couple and all will be well, something you shouldn't have any trouble doing. We will keep you informed of any developments, and we are informing system authorities presently of your intentions.
Good luck and godspeed,
Admiral Georges Rémi DMC (bar)
Director of Federal Intelligence
*****
I looked up at Sam. "Does this mean I'm now a spy?" I asked.
"It certainly looks that way," he replied. "The Admiral's right about one thing; we should have no trouble pretending to love each other."
I moved across to the bed, and began to slowly peel off my flight suit. "Well," I said, "Perhaps we'd better get some practice in..."
Sam didn't need a second invitation.