TBD Keelan/Tate Part 2

Posted on Mon Apr 17th, 2017 @ 1:04pm by Keelan & Lieutenant Commander Jennifer Tate

1,160 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Shadow Dance
Location: Tate's Chambers, Jenefran Palace

Jennifer had fled the council chambers as the evidence presented by the Commodore had placed a sickening feeling in her stomach. Her mind was a battlefield of logic and rationale versus her perception of Keelan whom up until his moment had been most kind. It was he, who had taken Jennifer from that cell and offered her comfort while her own people dragged their feet in the investigation. Keelan, having only known her for mere days showed more devotion and trust to her then any member of the Calypso crew. York had thrown her into field work without even the slightest consideration for Jennifer's safety and leaving her without any resources. She held no loyalty to the flag officer any longer.

Throwing herself onto the bed, she allowed her emotions to pour out in the form of tears onto the pillow.

"They needed a Monster." Keelan said after knocking on the door frame. "Any rebellion needs a monster to put the people against, or an eveil dictator who does not care for his people." He said calmly. "Dare I say look at the source of the evidence?" "Could I ask one question in my defense?" HE stood in the doorway. "Have I ever lied to you?"

Jennifer lifted her head, still sobbing. "Lied you have not, but you withheld truths which is in some way the same thing." she retorted.

"May I ask how?" Keelan asked. "I did not let you know everything that the Commodore York has brought against me, I tried to concentrate on your situation and how to keep our laws from condeming you. Evn your Federation says in crimes you are to be answerable to local laws I have done only things in yuor behalf. What they have brought up before that is the past and presented in a way to make it easier for a runaway princess to get ground."

Jennifer could not argue the fact. As atrocious as his actions were, Keelan had worked to see to Jennifer's welfare, a courtesy not returned by her own crew. Her federation had left her on a foreign planet, without any viable intel and without resources to even perform. Her federation had not even taken the moment to realize Jennifer was ill-prepared for field work but instead tended only to their needs. While Keelan may have had ulterior motives, he took time to tend to Jennifer and show her a respect others would not have. "What will you do now, when the Federation presents it's evidence?" she asked turning to look at him.

"Likely be exiled for the Bloodline Princess and her Enemy Lover to take the reins and do as they please with the Support of Your Federation. They will mark me as a Monster or Dictator with Ruthless intent." He shrugged his shoulders. "The way they have taken event and paced them to show the 'Evil Killer of his own people' and how I did it for power. Naturally a KIng is the scapegoat for all blame and the Federation representative has put all of this upon my shoulders. She makes a case that will stick with backing of Federation arbitrators and the traditions of a 'Blood Line' type monarchy. Even if the Kingdom follows our enemy tradtions in the future The Federation ; largely due to Your, will bask in their self-righteous keeping of a planet's peace."

"But you have the support of the council? Can she have you removed without their favour?" she asked.

"Counsel members are like the winds; they go where the people will support them and they find comfortable places to keep their position." Keelan chuckled. "They go with whom will keep them in the favor of the people. And with the pressure of application for Acceptance to the Federation do you think a criminal York as presented as 'Barbaric' will be allowed to stay even with support of the counsel?"

"A point well taken." Jennifer commented as she rose to her feet wiping her tears. "Not to mention you will also have to deal with the Qunari, a rebellion is inevitable. I no longer believe it is safe for you here."

"It is not safe for me in your Federation either." He chuckled. "I am touched that you have come to know this but there is nowhere I can go." He said sadly. "If York had not put me as a monster I could quietly fade into the countryside but that is no longer the case. " He stepped closer. "If I go it must be elsewhere, out of teh reach of my or the Federation forces." He took her hand and kissed it. "I shall miss our talks; they were warming and stimulating."

"You are leaving me?" Jennifer asked startled as she placed her hand over Keelan's.

"To do other wise might seem very selfish." He gave her a smile. "Having a Loyal heart is said to be the greatest treasure and I admit to being greedy yet I would not want you to be with regret in leaving that home which you can return to. I will become a nomad of sort and what kind of life is that to offer a lady?"

"One better then the Federation would offer. I will become an outcast if I am not first imprisoned. In my field of work, once trust is broken it is never earned again. Besides, returning to that ship would be a fate much worse then a prison. Those people never appreciated me to begin with. I was an expendable asset to them." Jennifer leaned in closer to Keelan. "Perhaps I could speak with the Commodore to negotiate terms for a peaceful departure? They get their happy ending, and so do we."

"ONce your Federation Officer brands a criminal they do not let them get away." Keelan said calmly. "They chase down and eliminate the problem; either by a trial or other means." He continued. "She will not let me slip away so I am leaving without permission before they can react." He nod. "If you wish there is room for two, but without York knowing I have a head start is the only way I will be free."

"Then perhaps such a meeting would provide a suitable distraction for your escape?" Jennifer offered.

"You are kind indeed." He moved closer and gave her a kiss for a long moment. "You can try, but I fear I fear the Commodore will not like the option." He grinned. "I should be heading towards that escape plan." He nod to her."Three hours, if I can get that much time it would be enough to be clear of any chance of pursuit."

"I will give you all the time you require your highness." She replied with a smile bowing her head courtly to him.

Keelan backed out of the room, taking one last glance at Tate before departing.

OFF

Lt CMDR Jennifer Tate
Intel Officer

Keelan
Deposed Power Hungry King

 

RSS Feed