XO’s Quarters

DaVinci and Hannah had both been sleeping for a few hours when the XO was awakened by a soft chime from the computer indicating an incoming call.

He carefully slid out of bed so as not to disturb Hannah. After sliding on a pair of pajama pants he moved to the living area of their quarters, closing the door to the bedroom behind him. Answering the call, the visage of Col. Budrass Lirix, the current Deputy Director of Starfleet Intelligence aboard Meridian Station, appeared on the screen.

“Sorry to bother you at this hour, Cmdr. Colter, but Intel needs your help,” the Trill director began. “Intel needs a covert op implemented and no one’s better run to it than you.”

Colter rubbed the sleep from his eyes and ran a hand through his hair. “Nice to see you too, Budrass. I’m good. Thanks for asking.” DaVinci used the colonel’s name as they were friends and had served together in Intel.

“I’m sorry, DaVinci, but there’s no time for pleasantries. We have a situation that requires your expertise.”

“C’mon, Bud, you know I’m out of that part of the game. Sorry, I can’t help you.”

The colonel pursed his lips and his look grew desperate. “Colter, I know, but this one is important. It’s John Jepson. He’s gone missing.”

He immediately became more awake at the mention of Jepson’s name. His mind drifted back to when he first began working for Intel after his awakening. Jepson had been his partner and mentor. The two had become close friends, but had lost touch over the years of undercover Intel missions. “What’s happened?”

“Ill give you the brief rundown with more details on the way. Jepson was deep undercover as an arms dealer. His mission was to find out who was supplying the Syndcate with serious upgrades to their ships. He’s been working at it for three and a half years. He was in deep, very deep, but he hadn’t checked in for over six months–no updates, no coded messages, no contact of any type. We feared he may have been comprised and eliminated. He was, but not eliminated yet. Sources say he’s being held and will be auctioned off to the highest bidder in a matter days. He’s strong, but not invincible. We need someone to get him out. Intel or Security can’t mount a rescue because of the circumstances, but someone not affiliated with the Fleet needs to get him out. We can get you cleared and a cover in place within hours. With your contacts, you should be able to do the rest.”

The Trill hit a button on his desk and said, “Encrypted Data packet is on it’s way to you now. Your eyes only, Colter. I knew I could count on you. Lirix ouy.”

“Wait, wait, wait, I didn’t----,” the communique was cut off. “–agree.” He said to no one.

The Saracen’s XO sat quietly for a long time, thinking. I promised Hannah I’d never leave her again. I can’t do this to her. . . but this is Jepson, the first real friend I had after waking up in this time. I can’t abandon him. But I can’t abandon Hannah either.

“Sh*t,”he finally said aloud.

Colter (XO/CIO)