[snip]

“People will often disclose things to someone in authority if they feel comfortable… …but yes, not when their instructor is present and listening,” said Glen. “You’re right! Plus there will be a camaraderie between them that will frown upon anyone who is a supposed snitch. It will be difficult, but maybe if we can get rid of the instructors on some pretence?”

Then the CMO thought about the Admiral ‘’He’s either paranoid, has a hunch something is going on, or knows through awareness, observation, inquiry, or information… I wish you had dug in deeper to find out Sir’‘.

“Personally, I think the Commandant is three crystals short of a Warp Drive,” replied Glen. “I agreed to this only because I felt I owed it to him. However, we are not criminal investigators, and we don’t have the time to crack open some big conspiracy case. We conduct a simple inspection as best as we can, and we tell him that if he wants a more through investigation he needs to call Starfleet CID.”

At the description Glen gave about the Commandant Cross giggled ‘’Why Captain that’s a good start for going into counselling, an ingenious way to describe someone whose mind is not quite there’‘.

“Now… I’d really like one more person with us.... but everyone seems to have disappeared and time is short. Do you think we can manage, just the two of us?” asked Glen.

‘’Cannot blame them Sir, they are on shore leave it has been awhile since we returned back to Earth’’ the doctor remarked.

“No not at all,” replied Glen. “I’m trying to get away to Paris, as soon as possible, too.”

Cross thought for a moment then with a click of her fingers she replied ‘’Lt Nkosenye, the Chief of Security’’ the doctor thought apart from the man being strong as an Ox, skillful and razor -sharp, the CoS tended to obey orders with out much hesitation.

“I’ve noticed that you two have become close,” replied Glen, “but he is also a good choice.”

‘’Too early to say Captain as the saying goes once bitten twice shy ‘’ Cross replied back as she took out her communicator ‘’Are you going to call the CoS or shall I?’‘.

“Go ahead! He might be more likely to do it for you?” answered Glen.

Cross rolled her eyes ‘’More then an order from the Captain…sure’‘.

=/\= Lt Nkosenye,the Captain needs you on the second floor now....he I mean we, are just opposite the elevator waiting ..Cross out=/\=.

She closed back her transmitter ‘’How’s that Captain?’’ the doctor asked with a hint of humor in her tone.

“I don’t want to order either of you to do this. I wasn’t ordered; I felt pressured, but I could have said ‘No’!” replied Glen. “I also realise that you all have your Leave to organise. I’m sure Mthunzi has his own plans too. It is just that I really need some help, so it is appreciated by me, thanks!”

Cross put a hand on his arm ‘’I understand Captain’’ she felt it was now or never ‘’I’m more then grateful with the patience you have shown throughout the years even though I did not deserve it’‘.

“I hope I showed the same patience with everyone,” replied Glen. “You have been frustrating to work with, but I am aware that you have your demons to deal with. I can’t forget that you have saved my life on a number of occasions… so many that I forget the actual number of times. So, with that knowledge, I’m happier to have you watching my back than anywhere else.”

Moments later, the tall Zulu ducked out of the elevator and walked up to Glenn and Cross. “Captain. Doctor.” he said with a nod to each and his perpetual scowl. “Is there an issue, Captain?” he asked, obviously unaware of their agenda.

“Could you spare a couple of hours to help me undertake a snap inspection of Red Squad?” asked Glen. “I need a little help and support. Miriam already said she would. I’m not sure there is an ‘issue.’ The Commandant asked me to do it as a favour, but he is acting strangely and didn’t really tell me much. It may be nothing at all.”

<reply?>
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His team now assembled, John wanted to get this show on the road, and over, as soon as possible. He had a lecture to give and a trip to Paris to finalise. He didn’t want to waste any time with formalities so they went directly and unannounced to the Red Squad barracks to begin.

“I expect we will find food, porn, liquor, music players, hot plates for cooking, paintball guns, sex aids; all the usual contraband hidden in their lockers,” Glen told them. “That’s just what you would expect to find in cadet’s lockers really. We will report it and that will show that we did our job, but somehow, I don’t think that is what Bradbury wanted. So, keep your eyes peeled for anything more unusual, and your ears open for anything suspicious.”

‘’Right ‘’Cross said ‘’I’ll check if their instructor is in his office and try to keep him there’‘ the female doctor winked at both men, she had already taken a few steps before instantaneously turning back ‘’Wait what if the Red Squad instructor is not a male but a female?’‘ she asked, now a bit confused and taken back.

“I’m not actually sure about the ethics of that,” said Glen. “But since you are so keen… just don’t make it quite so obvious. I mean… if it was me, and some older woman, who I’ve never met before, was suddenly flirting, pawing me, or telling me that I’m cute.... well I might be suspicious if it didn’t happen to me all the time! And he might not be attracted to you, or he might be married. It might cause an awkward scene.”

• Glen, CO