The Devil You Know (part 5)

Posted on Wed Oct 31st, 2012 @ 1:25pm by Admiral Kathryn Burke & Admiral Maximilian 'Max' Hunter

1,121 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: The Enemy Within: Lying in Wait
Location: Athena Shipyards, Typhon

[CONTINUED]

[OLD]

"If Wolfe gets tossed into the quarters or brig, we can always devise a way to have him escape. Getting off the ship and escaping custody will give him more of a reason to turn to Strife. Where better to hide then a cloaked ship?" Max added, smiling and nodding his head.

[NEW]

"A cloaked ship?"

Max raised a brow as he smirked. "Your serious?" He ran his hand through his hair and then ran it down his face, through his mustache. "You did read the information on the Nightstar Project when it was first given to you, didn't you?" He questioned as he let out a slight laugh. "There is a Romulan Specialist on the ship to ensure the cloak doesn't fall into enemy hands. It was the only way to to ensure the use of one and still keep to the Treaty Of Algeron."

"I wasn't sure if you were referring to a cloaked shuttle that would be used to help Wolfe get to the Nightstar," Kathryn said.

Max nodded and then smile at her. "Well. As soon as this problem happens with Damion, his superior officer." He cleared is throat slightly as he moved closer to her, easing his way slowly. "Meaning me, could make an appearance stating that." Max cleared his throat and spoke in a much more official sounding voice. "As members of Starfleet Intelligence, every one of our office's names are flagged. Once one of their names appear in conjunction with a few choice words, Starfleet Intelligence is immediately informed and an agent is sent to evaluate the situation." He looked over to her and laughed a little. "Or something along those lines. At which point the shuttle I arrive in can be taken and used for his escape. Wolfe is highly trainned. He has escaped from several location before, I am sure he will find a way to do it without any major and permanent injury to any of his fellow crew members."

"I hope not. Because if anyone is injured, I will hold you personally responsible," Kathryn said, her voice soft and unyielding.

Max nodded. "I will hold myself responsible. Wolfe would know better then to put other in harms way, but I trust his judgement." He smiled and looked into her eyes for a while.

Kathryn watched him for several moments. "Now that you've said your piece, I have a stack of paperwork I have to finish before morning." She wanted to be the one to speak first. She knew if she didn't, Max's next words would be ones of farewell.

"They're already done." Max smile as he gave a slight laugh. "All they need is your signature. I had your assistant Millie take care of it when I first showed up. She was more then happy to do it." He paused slightly and then cleared his throat. "By the way, I think she is gonna put in for some vacation time. An all expenses paid trip to the Bahamas might have something to do with it."

Kathryn stood and walked quickly over to her desk. She looked at first one PADD, then another. He was right. All her reports were completed. And, as Millie had full access to Kathryn's files, they were good enough to pass Starfleet's requirements.

He had some nerve, ordering her assistant to stay and do all this work. "The Bahamas? You sent Millie to the Bahamas?" She wasn't quite sure how to react to that. She was angry at his impudence, but she was also touched by his thoughtfulness. Did she thank him or smack him? It depended on his motives.

"Being as how she hasn't taken one since she got here, I thought it was good for her. Also, keeping up with you is hard work." Max smiled as he stood up and let out a soft laugh. "I also assumed by now we would be out on the town. Remember, I did offer to take you out at first, but you decided to stay in." He picked up his coat and put it on as he walked over towards her. "And I know better then to argue with you, so I just went along with it. Not to mention, you were so convinced the only reason I came here was business related, I just figured you would eventually remember about the reports. Which you did, all on your own." Max reached into his inner coat pocket and pulled out a second ticket. "I brought another one for you. Even though I know you may not take it, I did it anyway. Because, just like your assistant, you need a vacation too." Max smiled, placing it on her desk and sliding it over. "It has no date, so you can use it anytime."

Kathryn looked at the ticket in exasperation. "Millie can take a leave of absence whenever she wants. If she took up your offer of a trip to the Bahamas, fine. I, on the other hand, do not have that luxury." She walked over to the window overlooking what used to be Starbase Typhon. "Typhon is missing. The Columbia crashed on Tiberius IV. The Calypso had to go to the rescue even though the crew needed a few more weeks of decompression before they were truly fit for duty. The natives on Tiberius V are threatening civil war and you wnat me to take a trip to the Bahamas?" She covered her face with her hands for a moment, then sighed. "Aric is on the other side of the galaxy. There's no one to run the fleet but me. Thank you, but no. Besides, I've never been one to enjoy a trip by myself. You take the ticket. I'm sure you would enjoy it far more than I would."

Max walked over to her slowly. He was quiet, and when he is quiet he was always in deep thought. When he stopped behind Kathryn, he put his hands on her shoulders and gave them a gentle rub before speaking up. "I know about Typhon. I know about the Columbia, and I know about the Calypso. That much is obvious." He let out a soft sigh and leaned in, whispering softly into her ear. "I also know you are very strong and wouldn't leave anyone behind to do something for yourself. Its why your in that seat. If you need my help in any of this, you know I will be here without hesitation. At your side, just right where I have always wanted to be. That you already know."

(To be continued...)

Admiral Kathryn Burke
Commander, Theta Fleet

Admiral Maximilian Hunter
SFI Special Ops

 

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