A Classified Visitor (part 1)

Posted on Wed Jul 31st, 2013 @ 11:30am by Admiral Kathryn Burke & Admiral Maximilian 'Max' Hunter
Edited on on Wed Jul 31st, 2013 @ 11:36am

1,066 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: What Dreams May Come?
Location: VIP Quarters
Timeline: En route back to Athena Shipyards

ON

The Calypso was en route back to Athena Shipyards to pick up Colonel Raine and some supplies. As Kathryn was also on her way back to Athena, she altered course to take the opportunity to meet up with the ship and catch up with some fleet Intel by spending a few days talking with Max.

She sat in Max's VIP quarters, a mostly-full bottle of brandy chilling on the coffee table. He'd surprised her often enough, this time, she was going to turn the tables on Max and be waiting for him when he returned to his temporary quarters.

After a long day of working through contacts, Max decided to call it a day. He walked into his quarters in the hopes to relax and settle down. He walked into the bathroom, washed his face, and dried it off with a towel. "Computer. Music: Jazz. Random Selection from Hunter Musical Library."

The music started to play as he walked out of the bathroom and into the bedroom. He took off his Admiral coat and tossed it onto the bed, in the hopes of not wanting to put it on again. He hated that thing. Probably why he started wearing the old fashion suits in the first place. As he walked out of the bedroom, he paused for a second and then smirked.

"Hello Kathryn." Max said as he looked over to the table where he caught a glimpse of her silhouette. He would recognize her form anywhere. "Sneaking into other people's quarters isn't like you. Then again, arriving on a Starship in secret is very unlike you." He paused again and then smiled. "Careful. You're moving into my territory now." He walked slowly towards her and slowly sat down on a chair alongside the table, but closest to her. "You should seriously consider switching departments."

Kathryn chuckled appreciatively. "I didn't sneak. I walked," she said primly. "And there's absolutely no rule that says I have to sound the trumpets before I come aboard one of my ships."

She took a moment to look him over. It had been a very long time since she'd seen him in uniform. Secretly, she preferred him in casual clothes. "Glad you dressed up to see me," she teased.

"Walking into one's quarters when one isn't home is traditionally called breaking and entering, but being a high ranking Admiral comes with the privilege of occasionally getting away with things. Least when I do it, I do it with a certain amount of style." Max replied as he picked up the bottle and looked at the label. "And you come bearing gifts. Started without me, I see." He took a sniff and put it back down on the table. "I'll get the glasses while you start telling me what brings you and a half-full bottle of decent brandy." He got up slowly and walked to the replicator.

"I got on this ship and into your room without you noticing," Kathryn said. "That speaks for itself," she said. "I don't need panache. I prefer flying under the radar." She watched him for a few moments, wondering why he was moving slower than usual. "The re-trial of Emily Woodhouse is over."

Max smirked as he tapped the console and looked back. "What makes you think I haven't noticed. I might just be trying to help boost your confidence." He looked back as the replicator made two glasses. He took the glasses and walked back. "Ahh... I see. Did she do it?"

Kathryn closed her eyes and rubbed them. "Partly. She murdered the Gul, but there's no proof. At the same time, he killed members of her family and was going to kill her and her crew. She's been ordered to take mandatory counseling and a remedial training course on how to react to hostile situations." She ignored his first comment. She knew he didn't know she was there. She might not be Intel, but she had a few tricks up her sleeve.

"Just because there is no proof, doesn't mean she didn't do it." Max looked at her as he sat down and grabbed the bottle. "A conversation for another time." He started to pour the brandy into the glasses. With a bit of a smirk he continued. "Although, she does have self defense on her side. It might not have been entirely her fault. There is no telling what was going through her mind during the whole thing. You're too nice for your own good, Burke. Counseling and Training doesn't mean it won't happen again."

Kathryn got up from the table and walked to the viewport. "True. But there aren't many people trying to kill her family, either." She knew he was right, but she wasn't going to admit it.

She was having second thoughts about coming here, too. She wasn't even sure why. Getting onto the Calypso unannounced was easy enough. Overriding his security codes wasn't much more difficult. It was nothing compared to what Max could do, but she wasn't in competition with him.

So why hadn't she just rang the chime? WAS it just to surprise him? To be the one waiting for HIM for a change? She didn't know. She'd hoped ... well, never mind what she'd hoped. She was too old, anyway.

Max picked up her glass, and his own, and walked over to the viewport with her and looked out it with her. "Your have your way when it comes to dealing with people, as do I." He smirked and held out the glass to her. "The trial was on Earth wasn't it." He took a sip, pretending like he didn't know anything, and then he gave her a little more. "How is that old Pussycat anyway? Haven't seen him since his first retirement party?"

"The trial was in the same place as the first one, as you know if you got any of my communications -- or watched any news." Kathryn took the glass from him, wondering what he was up to this time. "Admiral Panthera is fine. He's looking forward to retirement." She glanced over at Max, "He's very nice. We had a talk after the trial -- the brandy is from him. I may have to go visit him on Inti some time."

(To be continued...)

Admiral Max Hunter
Admiral Kathryn Burke

 

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