Unsettling News

Posted on Wed Oct 21st, 2020 @ 6:58pm by Commodore Mardel Shayron-Connor

987 words; about a 5 minute read

Mardel looked across the narrow table into Killian Sylver’s dark blue, almost black eyes, her own darkening from brilliant green to deep dark green. Between them, a tea cup with the tea almost stone cold and a tall glass of iced pineapple juice with beads of condensation running down the sides. Two padds rested on the table and behind Killian was a view screen, controlled by Killian’s padd.

“Mardel, I know that this isn’t what you want to hear, but it will arm you for what is possibly in store for you and your crew. You have uncovered a plot that joins our enemies together against us and opens up the timeline for them to change it to their advantage. You have already shut down the test rift and have given us the needed information to shut down others as we find them. We have people in place on Romulus who are trying to corrupt the information enough so that the rifts don’t work as designed.” Killian said in an even tone.

Taking a shuddering breath, Mardel listened and nodded for Killian to do on. Killian had been right, she didn’t want to hear this, but she needed it to be forewarned. Maybe the rumors that the Aldrin was cursed weren’t so far fetched.

“You and your ship and crew have been marked by those allied against us and a bounty has been put on your heads. We are trying to get that removed, but until it does, that is why you are being kept on Earth, where we can protect you better. It’s also why you are getting a small squadron of delta flyers, an added level of security. We are also making several grey area technologies available to you, because we are going to ask you to do the insane.”

With her hand trembling, Mardel could only guess what their next orders were going to be. Her hand moved to her belly and she felt fear for her unborn child. Was it even fair to bring this child into such a place?

“Your orders, when you are released from Earth, are to go in search of more of those rifts and shut them down. One of the crew that will be joining your ship is going to be a temporal agent, one whose only job is to make sure the time lines stay as they are meant to, as history decided they should be. Just who that person is, no one will know, but you will get messages if anything goes wrong or if you are near one of those rifts. You will be the only one who knows this, you can tell your executive when you get back to the ship, but not before. Do you understand?”

Taking a deep breath and letting it go slowly, Mardel tried to find the words. She moistened her mouth by running her tongue over her teeth and spreading the saliva. Then she tried again. “We get to play bait and bandaid at the same time, while you send your teams in to stop the injuries. Is that about right? What if you succeed before we are needed to fulfill this mission?”

Killian smiled. “Then you get to enjoy some time on Earth and then go back to your normal patrols. Which is why you are the only one being told. It is only in the event that we are not successful you will be given those orders. Your response is also why you were chosen for this, a calm head who thinks things through rather than always taking the worse case scenario.”

Mardel frowned. “Aren’t all starship captains trained to be so calm? Else we would have every starship running from possible danger rather than heading in and trying to help those that need it.”

Throwing back her head, Killian laughed. “You are so right, my dear Captain Connor. All captains are tested to make sure they can keep a level head no matter what the situation. Fortunately, we don’t ask all captains to throw caution to the wind and undertake what some would call a suicide mission. But that is what we are asking of you. Do you think your crew is up to it?”

It didn’t take very long for Mardel to nod. “Yes, I have one of the best crews ever. We can handle whatever you ask of us. So, you said that all of the known assassins have been found that are on Earth for the moment. The assassins are coming from the Moonbase and the Embassy compound, just not which embassy. The only assassins you haven’t found are the ones after Langley and Nightwing, but you have a lock on those two so that if any trouble comes their way, they can be beamed out. Other than that, we are all free to enjoy our leave, such as it is. Correct?”

“Very concise, Captain Connor, it’s also correct.” Killian said simply.

Standing, Mardel rested her hands on the table. “Then, if that is all, I’m going to take a walk and allow my thoughts to fall into order. I hope you have success in your missions so that we can return to our normal patrol sectors, but if not, then we stand ready. Will you keep me informed?”

Killian nodded and waited to see what else Mardel would say.

Mardel started to say something a couple of times, but didn’t. “Can I go then, Admiral?”

“You are dismissed, Captain Connor. Enjoy your walk.” Killian stood and let Mardel go with a simple wave of the arm toward the door. Killian watched as Mardel left the small office and didn’t stop until she had reached the lift. She sighed softly. “I hope you are right, Mardel, that you won’t be called on to be bait and bandage.”

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