A Classified Visit (part 2)

Posted on Wed Jul 31st, 2013 @ 11:31am by Admiral Kathryn Burke & Admiral Maximilian 'Max' Hunter
Edited on on Wed Jul 31st, 2013 @ 11:38am

1,121 words; about a 6 minute read

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

[CONTINUED]

[OLD]

"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."
[NEW]

Max took a sip of the brandy and swallowed. He was feeling a bit jealous at the mention of another man. A Caitian, but still a man. He cleared his throat and leaned against the glass looking out towards the quarters, not making eye contact with her. "Well, I don't always have time to stop and smell the roses, but I had to take care of this issue here. Should have figured the brandy was his. Taste's like his kind of year." He looked over to her finally, putting on his smirk again. "I had to choose between dealing with this personally, or help you. I figured you and the big black kitten had it all in the bag with the intel I provided. Next time, I'll make sure to clear the schedule."

She took a sip of the brandy, choosing her words. "I like this. I'll have to order more." She again looked out at the stars. "Thank you for the Intel. It helped. Although with Gul DuLait as the prosecuting attorney I didn't need much. He barely bothered to put on any witnesses. And even then their stories were so full of holes you could drive a shuttle through them." She took another sip of her brandy. She knew Max had more important places to be than helping her with a trial. His job kept him busy. At least she was mostly in one location. Max spent most of his time flying across the galaxy.

She changed the subject, switching to Wolfe and Lancaster. "I saw the vid. Have you heard from them?"

"Cardassian Judicial System I'm afraid. Everyone is guilty and judged before you walk into the door. All that's left is the formalities. We have a joke in Intel." He turned to face the stars and took another sip of the brandy. "What's the difference between a Cardassian Lawyer and a Magician?" Max paused for effect and then smirked, looking to Kathryn. "The Magician puts on a better performance." He looked back out and took another sip and let out a sigh shortly after. "Not yet. They are still out there. I know she is in good hands with Wolfe, but the question is if he will be able to do his job having to worry about her at the same time. It's a gamble, Kathryn. Just got to have faith things will work out as you want and expect no casualties. Damion is trained, its all in his hands now."

"I know Wolfe is trained, but Lancaster wasn't part of the plan," she said, finishing her brandy and setting the glass down on the table. "And I don't like sitting and doing nothing." She glanced over at Max. "York updated me on what happened in the shuttle bay. I understand why it happened, but it still concerns me."

"Hey, this is the first I heard of it too." Max replied and then laughed slightly. "I am sure they will both be fine, as long as they are together. Wolfe will keep her safe and is probably making sure she knows what to do in case something happens." He finished his drink and put the glass down on the table. He put his hand on her shoulders and rubbed them slightly. "There is a time, Burke, when you have to pull away from the safety of being in control and rely on someone else to do the job in their own way. I'm concerned too, but I also know that they are Starfleet Officers. Good ones. We just have to keep our eyes and ears open for signs, believe me. Wolfe knows all the tricks and, I am certain, Lancaster has a few of her own. It's out of our hands now. Just relax and be patient." He continued to rub her shoulders slowly.

"I know," she said, letting his hands massage away some of the tension in her shoulders. "I trust my people, but that doesn't mean I'm not concerned when I know they're going into danger."

"You can't be everywhere, Kathryn." Max said as he continued to massage her and move in closer. He continued working on her shoulders, slowly moving his hands to the middle of her back. "Let's face it. We aren't as young as we used to be. I would have gladly done something like this myself, but I wouldn't have been able to get close to Stryfe. Believe me I would have loved to have been the one to bring him in, but Wolfe knows those people and that ship better. He has been there. He can do it, both of them can." He moved his hands lower to the mid-part of her spine.

Her muscles tightened up as he spoke about wanting to be where Wolfe was. As good as Max was, she didn't like the idea of him going after Stryfe. The rogue officer was just as likely to go after Max just to show he was better. But then she relaxed again. Yes, she was concerned about the safety of Wolfe and Lancaster, but like Max said, they were better prepared for this mission.

Max took a step closer to her and moved his hands to her sides. He started to rub gently, loosening up her muscles to ease off more tension. "You need to relax, Kathryn. It's doesn't take a Betazoid to figure out your worried. Let's change the subject, alright?"

"All right. What do you want to talk about?" She should go back to the couch and sit down, but she liked the feel of his hands as he worked out the knots in her muscles.

"Anything that doesn't have to do with work. Because work stresses you out and almost all of mine is confidential." Max gave a slight laugh and then moved his hands upward to her neck and started to rubbed the sides of her neck.

"Work generally doesn't stress me out," she countered. "Incompetence in the Command Staff does. This whole trial business." She sighed and watched the stars flash by for a moment. "It's going to take time to find out how deep the corruption went."

(To be continued...)

Admiral Max Hunter
Admiral Kathryn Burke

 

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