Intrigue in B-Cup

Posted on Mon Jan 5th, 2026 @ 12:20pm by Lieutenant JG Kate Kono & Ensign Kevin Mitchell
Edited on on Mon Jan 5th, 2026 @ 12:20pm

822 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Shore Leave on Risa
Location: Risian Shoreline
Timeline: After the previous night.

Kevin watched Kate’s uneven stride as she stepped onto the beach. Knowing exactly what she and Ben had been up to all night, he fought the urge to roll his eyes. He did like Kate—up to a point—so the jealousy was real, but he kept it professional. Section 31 was scrutinizing his every move, and between his ties to Cardassian Intelligence and his side dealings selling Romulan secrets for profit, any slip‐up could cost him everything. He’d told his real boss as much: Kate was practically a Girl Scout in ethics, and operatives hated that innocence. She had talent in spades, but her incorruptible moral code strangled it—and that was why he’d never pursued her before Ben did.

That asshole, he thought. Another intelligence officer just as righteous as she was, now bedding her. If Kate hadn’t gotten that anti-pregnancy implant, the universe might be in trouble—offspring from those two would be a force of nature. A kid raised on their combined ethics? Jesus incarnate. Kevin shuddered. He’d even flirted with the idea of blackmailing Ben, but knew it was pointless—Ben wouldn’t budge, and Kevin would only blow his own cover as “the nice guy,” at best, or a mercenary spy at worst.

Working with them both had become tedious. Serving under Shran was secretly insufferable—he steered them clear of real fleet politics and core missions, instead throwing them into absurd assignments: planets of apes, Judgment-Day machines, civilizations reverting to 20th-century tyranny. He’d practically slept through their last mission on devolved 18th-century societies. None of it paid off, and the only intel officer who actually got sent on actual potentially-lucrative side-jobs was the one person who’d never bend a rule for herself.

And now Kate had just spent two nights on Risa getting “pipe laid” by the only guy more Starfleet than the recruitment posters. It was all he could do to fake a smile when her dark eyes found his and she waved cheerfully.

“Kevvie! Kevvie Kevvie Kevvie!”

Despite her obvious limp, Kate wasted no time and threw her arms around him. Kevin felt a twinge of discomfort hugging her in that one-piece after everything she’d been through. He silently hoped she’d showered after her night with Ben. Still, he plastered on a bright smile, dropped his jaw in mock surprise, and returned the embrace.

“Kate! I didn’t know you were here! How’s your vacation?” he asked cheerily, though he’d been watching her every move. Maintaining his cover came first—he couldn’t let on how closely he’d been observing.

“Oh, it’s been fantastic! We went kite surfing yesterday—have you tried it? So much fun!” Kate squeezed him again, then stepped back. “Ben’s resting tonight. Want to give it a whirl? I’ve got credits left.”

Kevin winked. “No thanks—I’m here for the view and relaxation. Maybe flirt with a hottie who isn’t you.” The truth was, he longed to beam back to the ship with the crew. If they lingered, he planned to hook up with a Risan just to claim he’d done something memorable—and distract himself from thoughts of Kate, the girl he’d once liked. He understood why Section 31 both coveted and resented her.

“Aww, Kev Kev… You just called me hot!” Kate giggled, twirling on the sand.

“Well, you slipped through my fingers—and now Ben’s the lucky man. I’ll settle for friendship and find my freak on elsewhere.” He grinned. “I spotted a hot blonde around here who said she’s available. Better go stake my claim.”

Kate laughed as he strolled away. She tossed her towel onto his empty chair—and that’s when she saw a bikini top half-buried in the sand. She picked it up and read the name inside: Aeriel Tapping, “AT.” Almost laughing it off, she caught sight of the Starfleet replication code stamped on the tag. Sliding into her chair, she glanced around, then tapped her combadge.

“Computer, any record of a bikini top replicated under the name Tapping today?”

Computer (voice only): “Aeriel Tapping, Lieutenant Commander, Starfleet Intelligence. Pattern replication: Bikini B-Cup, 0122 hours.”

Kate narrowed her eyes. “Computer, I know everyone in my department. I’m department head at Lieutenant J.G. level—I’d notice a Tapping. Where is she assigned?”

Computer: “Lieutenant Commander Aeriel Tapping is a Starfleet Intelligence officer not assigned to USS Washington.”

Kate exhaled. “Ah. Okay.” She raised an eyebrow. “Wait—we’re the only Starfleet vessel in orbit. If this top was replicated here this morning, how is she not on the Washington?”

Computer: “Aeriel Tapping is not a member of USS Washington.”

“Right,” Kate muttered, tucking the bikini under her chair. “I’m on vacation. I’ll sort this out later.” She closed her eyes, determined to relax—at least for now.

 

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