Contraband and Company
Posted on Sun Mar 22nd, 2026 @ 11:17am by Ensign Nyx Calder & Petty Officer 1st Class Luna Barto
3,160 words; about a 16 minute read
Mission:
Avan's Colony
Location: Nyx's Quarters
It was her turn to monitor the security systems while the others were resting up from their meeting. Luna kept an ear out for chatter on different channels. She yawned, it was a little bit of a dull detail but something that was also necessary. Something caught her eye, it was a blip from somewhere on the ship, it seemed to have bypassed the security that had been set up.
She didn't know everyone on the Valiant, not yet anyway. She traced the source of the blip, to the small cramped quarters, of an Ensign Nyx Calder? An eyebrow raised, her curiosity piqued, Luna went to her quarters, ringing the chime.
Nyx’s quarters were dim except for the glow of a console she absolutely was not meant to be using like that.
The LCARS interface had been very creatively re-skinned into something far less Starfleet and far more back-alley subspace feed. Two teams in neon colours tore across a grav-field arena on the screen, the commentary running half a second behind thanks to the very illegal relay she’d piggybacked off a cargo buoy three systems over.
“C’mon, c’mon, don’t choke now—” Nyx muttered, crouched on the edge of her chair, one boot hooked on the seat. “I put thirty credits on you, you dramatic idiot.”
A second window blinked in the corner of the display — odds shifting. She grinned. “Yes. Yes. That’s my retirement fund, baby.”
The chime went off.
Nyx froze mid-celebration, eyes flicking to the door.
She glanced at the screen.
Looked at the door.
Looked back at the screen.
“…rude.”
She didn’t scramble. Didn’t panic. Didn’t even minimise the feed. She just straightened, ran a hand through her hair like that would somehow make this less incriminating, and padded to the door.
When it slid open, Luna filled the doorway — tall, composed, dark brown hair with blonde highlights falling just above her shoulder blades, eyes sharp and observant.
Nyx leaned one shoulder against the doorframe and smiled like this was a completely normal social call.
“Hey,” she said easily. “If this is about the minor fluctuation in subspace traffic coming from my room, I’d like to pre-emptively argue that ‘minor’ is doing a lot of heavy lifting there.”
She tilted her head, studying Luna openly.
“…You don’t look like you’re here to borrow sugar.”
"Oh! Do you have sugar to borrow?" Luna having a slight warm smile, which reached her eyes.
"You know-I did discover something that didn't seem like a regulation connection. Just needed to see what was up."
The roar of cheering, caught her attention. "What's that I hear?" her head tilting slightly to one side. "Sounds interesting"
“Oh, absolutely,” Nyx said solemnly. “I’ve got sugar. Brown, white, emotionally supportive. I run a very full-service operation.”
The roar from inside her quarters swelled again — a commentator practically losing their mind over something that had clearly just happened.
Nyx leaned back just enough for Luna to catch a glimpse of the screen: two grav-harnessed players ricocheting off luminous field barriers in a zero-G arena, a pulsing energy sphere whipping between them.
“Ever heard of Gravball?” Nyx asked casually. “Zero-G arena sport, two teams, one charged pulse core, no friction, lots of broken egos. It’s illegal in three sectors and wildly misunderstood in polite company.”
She studied Luna’s expression, then brightened.
“…and if you haven’t, then what you’re hearing is a very enthusiastic cooking show. Extremely passionate about reductions. Some people scream when sauces split.”
"Gravball yes, and those cooking shows can get rather lively. There are some who take cooking to the next level, knives coming into play." Luna giving a huge smile. "Had been with a lady, I was being bodyguard for, she wanted to have ring side seats."
Nyx’s eyes lit up like Luna had just said the magic word.
“Ring side seats?” she repeated, delighted. “Oh, I like you already. Nothing bonds people like controlled violence and overpriced snacks.”
She leaned one hip against the doorframe, glancing back at the screen where a player just slammed into a grav-wall in spectacular fashion.
“Okay but be honest,” she added, lowering her voice conspiratorially, “are you here because you’re curious… or because you traced my extremely tasteful, only-slightly-illegal subspace handshake and now you’re deciding whether I’m a menace?”
She didn’t look remotely apologetic.
“If it helps, I’m not siphoning weapons schematics or selling ship layouts to pirates. I’m just financially invested in whether the Crimson Halos can stop fumbling a charged core like it’s their first day with opposable thumbs.”
A beat.
“Also if you are here to bust me, at least come inside first. It feels rude getting reprimanded in a hallway.”
Luna's attention had been drawn to what little she could see of the game, Nyx's voice brought her back to why she was here.
A warm smile appeared, Luna responsed in the same manner as Nyx. "I will answer your questions, and yes, it is definitely rude of me to be standing here and causing you to miss part of the game. Let's take it inside."
There was an impish gleam to her eyes, Luna liking the demeanor of Nyx.
"and perhaps I can tug some strings, to gain some ringside seats for several events." the security officer added. "They are probably getting thick with dust right now."
Nyx stepped back with a small, exaggerated bow, ushering Luna inside like she was hosting a slightly illegal dinner party instead of broadcasting contraband sport across subspace.
“Good,” she said as the doors slid shut behind them. “Because hallway reprimands are how rumours start, and I prefer mine at least partially accurate.”
She wandered back toward the console without making any effort to minimise the feed. The grav-field arena still flared neon across the room, players ricocheting in controlled mayhem as the crowd roared. Nyx dropped into her chair and spun it around, one leg hooked over the arm so she could watch both Luna and the match without committing fully to either.
“Strings, though,” she added, tilting her head. “That’s interesting. I’ve only known you about thirty seconds and you’re already talking influence. I’m either very charming or you’re very well-connected.”
On-screen, the Crimson Halos finally managed a clean shot through the scoring ring. The room filled with commentary static and triumphant yelling. Nyx pointed at the display like she’d personally coached them.
“That,” she declared, “is art. Controlled chaos. Violence with rules. Nobody actually dies, they just limp dramatically and sell merchandise.”
Her gaze drifted back to Luna, playful but sharp beneath it.
“So let’s recalibrate a little,” she said, voice light but deliberate. “Are you here because you’re bored? Because you’re curious? Or because someone in Security clocked my extremely tasteful subspace detour and decided to see if I’m a liability?”
She leaned back, completely unbothered.
“And if it’s the last one,” she added with a faint grin, “you’re gonna have to bring more than charm and nostalgia for ring side seats.”
Even though the game caught her attention, Luna was also taking note of the ensign's room was like.
"I was well am on duty when the blip caught my attention, so yes I came to investigate. its my job but what I do, it remains to be seen."
Choosing to take a seat upon the floor sitting crosslegged her back leaning against the wall, in order to watch the game and talk with Nyx.
"I can't really say you are a liability. I don't make snap judgements. Therefore that particular piece of judgement is out the window."
Luna paused, pulling out her padd and logging herself as being on break. One had to be certain to follow protocol on some matters. Besides, there would be an alert if something should happen, and she did have a program running to keep her updated as well on her PADD.
"Yes it can be boring to be monitoring the security console, and yes, I was curious." ticking off those answers. Her smile having a hint of amusement.
Nyx watched Luna settle cross-legged against the wall, the whole thing oddly calm for what technically started as a security investigation. That drew a faint, crooked smile from her.
“So,” she said slowly, turning the volume of the game down just enough that they didn’t have to compete with the commentator’s hysteria, “you were on duty, you traced the blip, you came to investigate, and you’ve decided not to throw me in the brig. That’s either very reassuring… or very ominous. I haven’t decided which yet.”
She leaned back in her chair and regarded Luna more openly now, not defensive, just studying her the way she studied flight paths — looking for the currents beneath the surface.
“I hear you on the no snap judgements thing,” she continued, voice lighter but edged with something thoughtful. “Most people see ‘non-regulation subspace connection’ and jump straight to conclusions. Reckless. Undisciplined. Probation waiting to happen. So the fact you’re just… sitting there? That’s interesting.”
Her eyes flicked briefly to the PADD Luna had updated before returning to her.
“And now you’ve logged yourself on break,” Nyx added, tilting her head. “Which means this isn’t officially official anymore. That tells me you didn’t just come here to tick a box.”
She let that hang a second before her grin returned, smaller but sharper.
“So here’s a real question,” she said, tone casual but not careless. “If I was trouble, would you warn me first… or would you just wait and see what kind of mess I made?”
The game flared behind her as someone slammed into a grav barrier, the crowd roaring. Nyx gestured lazily toward the screen.
“And for what it’s worth, if I were actually doing something dangerous, it wouldn’t look like this. I’m not subtle enough for espionage. I prefer my chaos televised.”
Her gaze returned to Luna, steady now.
“You don’t strike me as bored,” she added more quietly. “Curious, yeah. But not bored. So I’m guessing there’s something about me that made you stay.”
"Well you did say you were charming early on." Luna began with a laugh.
"As for my staying, just wanted to get to know you, plus that game caught my interest." Luna giving a brief wave towards the game, barely glancing at it.
Her interest was more as to how Nyx was assessing her, her keen observation. Luna was feeling it.
She was scrutinizing Nyx as well, "Okay so, you've not tossed me out on my ear, the vibes coming from you, are not really causing me any concern.I do assess as that has been my job for quite sometime before I was assigned to this team. A bodyguard, security."
Nyx’s grin widened the moment Luna admitted she’d called her charming. She leaned back in the chair like someone who had just received official confirmation of something she’d been claiming for years.
“Oh good,” she said with exaggerated relief. “Security-certified charming. I’m putting that on my record. Maybe a plaque.”
Her eyes flicked to the game for a second as another player ricocheted off a grav barrier, then she turned back to Luna, clearly enjoying herself.
“And you came to get to know me, huh?” Nyx added, tilting her head. “That’s sweet. Also slightly suspicious. I like it.”
When Luna mentioned assessing people, Nyx caught on that word immediately. Her eyebrows lifted as she leaned forward on the arm of the chair.
“Assessing,” she repeated slowly. “See, that’s interesting language. Not ‘checking up on,’ not ‘making sure the pilot isn’t secretly smuggling contraband through the comm grid.’ Assessing.” She tapped her temple lightly. “That’s a very professional word for staring at someone and figuring out what makes them tick.”
Her gaze drifted over Luna thoughtfully for a second before the grin returned, brighter now.
“And you used to be a bodyguard?” Nyx said. “Okay now that is way more interesting.”
She rested her chin on her hand, looking Luna over with open curiosity that was just this side of inappropriate.
“So what kind of body were you guarding?” she asked. “Political type? Wealthy industrialist? Some dramatic celebrity who thinks everyone’s out to get them?” She paused, then added with a crooked smile, “And the real question… did you ever have to deal with the awkward stuff?”
Nyx wiggled her fingers vaguely.
“Like, you know… guarding outside someone’s bedroom door, hearing things you absolutely did not want to hear. Or worse.” She squinted thoughtfully. “Did you ever accidentally walk in on them naked? Because I feel like that has to happen at least once in that job.”
She lifted a finger as if making an academic point.
“Actually, statistically speaking it probably happens a lot.”
Nyx leaned back again, clearly entertained by the mental image she’d just created.
“Don’t worry,” she added lightly. “I won’t ask for names. I read enough cheap spy novels to know that’s how people mysteriously disappear.”
Her gaze flicked to Luna again, playful and sharp.
“But for the record,” she continued, “you walked in here, didn’t shut the game down, sat on the floor like we were about to watch a match together, and logged yourself on break. That tells me you weren’t planning on dragging me to Security.”
A beat.
“Which is good,” Nyx added casually. “Because if you were here to arrest me, I’d at least expect a little warning.”
She tilted her head, grin turning wicked.
“Also I feel like there should be handcuffs involved,” she said. “And if that’s the case, you’re gonna have to clarify whether they’re the official Starfleet kind… or the fun kind.”
For just a fraction of a moment Luna stared at Nyx, her face unreadable, then she laughed whole-heartedly.
""Well yes, there will not be taking you to the brig. Not yet anyway." Luna giving a teasing wink.
Luna stretched out her legs, raising her arms upwards for a good stretch.
"Old habits die hard though, when I was with the diplomat's daughter. In order for me to not look like a bodyguard, I had the guise of being a friend that is how I was, when out in public. Guard duty at the door, I did indeed do that, while she was 'busy'. A friendship did develop as well."
Nyx put a hand to her chest like Luna had genuinely wounded her.
“Not yet?” she repeated. “Wow. Teasing me with a maybe-brig and then no handcuffs. Cruel. Honestly, I expected better from Security.”
She let the grin hang there a second, then glanced back to the match, using the cheers from the screen as an easy little escape hatch. “Still, the fake-friend bodyguard thing? That’s kinda sweet in a messed-up way. Better than looming in corners, anyway.” Her shoulders eased as she settled back into the chair, tone lighter now. “And hey, if this isn’t turning into an arrest, you’re welcome to stay for the rest of the game. But fair warning, once I start yelling at the Crimson Halos, conversation quality drops off a cliff.”
"What, you like the brig?" Luna's eyes widening in a melodramatic way, touching her chest with her fingertips giving out a slight gasp.
Then she grinned, having a sly look in her eyes. "Come to think of it, I do know there are some brigs that are more comfortable than others." Luna responded in a light manner.
The invite to watch the rest of the game, it was too tempting to resist.
"I accept as I am really intrigued. Who are the opponents?"
Luna paused when she saw the name of the other team.
"The Echo Squad? I hate those guys!" Glowering at the screen, now Luna wanted to watch the game.
"I hope the Crimson Halos stomp them." A look at the time, she may have logged off for a break but, it was close enough to log out from work.
She quickly did so, but if there was an emergency, she will go take care of it. Right now, Luna could safely say there wasn't much of a chance of security issue at the moment.
Luna unzipped her uniform tunic, beneath it was her black tank top. "I'm off duty, lets watch some grav ball."
Nyx’s grin went all slow and wicked at that, like Luna had just wandered into exactly the kind of conversation she liked having far too much.
“Oh, sweetheart, not the brig,” she said, waving that off with two fingers. “The detained bit. The handcuffs. The whole ‘you’ve been very bad, Ensign’ vibe. Big difference. One’s administrative. One’s got flavour.”
She let that hang there just long enough to be a problem, then snapped her attention back to the screen with a delighted little gasp when Luna declared for the Halos.
“Oh, thank god,” she said, throwing one hand up like she’d just found religion. “Yes. Good. Correct answer. Echo Squad are a plague. Absolute posers. They spend more time preening for the cameras than actually playing, and then they act all offended when someone checks them into a grav-wall hard enough to knock the ego loose.”
Her blue-green eyes gleamed as she pointed at the screen like she was building a legal case.
“And their captain? Don’t even get me started. Worst pulse-core discipline in the league. Fancy footwork, nice jawline, zero nerve under pressure. He folds like cheap laundry every time the score gets tight. I hate him on principle.”
Then Luna unzipped the uniform tunic and Nyx’s train of thought derailed in real time. Her gaze dipped, caught the black tank top, and she gave a low, appreciative hum like she hadn’t even meant to make the sound out loud.
“Well,” she said, turning back with a grin that was all bite and glitter, “off-duty is a very good look on you. Dangerous, though. Feels unfair to spring that on a girl in the middle of game time.”
She patted the edge of the chair beside her, then thought better of it and hooked a foot over the arm instead, making room with her whole body.
“Get over here,” she said. “You’ve picked the right team, insulted the right losers, and taken off just enough uniform to make this feel like a proper evening. If the Halos do what they’re supposed to, we’re about to witness a civic service.”
A Joint Post By:
PO1 Luna Barto
Security
USS Valiant
Ensign Nyx Calder
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Valiant
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