Posted by General Calvin Harris (Command General- Colonial Customs and Defence Authority) in Molly’s Game

Posted by Civilian Molly Holloway (CEO - Holloway Industries) in Molly’s Game
It had been two weeks since Newton’s ‘capture’ and since the Thresher had left orbit, taking with her Ryan York and his team. Two weeks since Molly had walked into the Mannings’ Estate and collapsed in tears in the living room, as the stress, the adrenaline, and the implications of what had happened finally caught up with her.

Molly had never appreciated Manning as much as she did when the woman had come to her aid, guiding her to the bedroom she had been occupying, helping her out of her bloodstained clothes and into one of the house’s large bathtubs, with no questions asked. The only inquiry being whether she was hurt. Molly had always known that she had judged Amelia very harshly when she had first came on board of the Dresden. Since then, with every passing year, it was more and more apparent that the woman was one of the closest friends the couple had. Calvin had not been wrong about her.

With Cal’s discharge from Sacred Heart and with Newton gone, the couple had finally moved back from the Mannings’ Estate to their own home, and routine was almost back to normal. The only difference being Lucas’s prolonged stay at the hospital, and the temporary changes in the administrative chains that that represented for Holloway Heavy Industries. Not that Lucas wanted it that way, but more so that Molly was keeping him in a strict ‘no work’ regime.

For Molly, life had suddenly become more peaceful. Too peaceful in her opinion.

It had been on one of those days, when Molly had returned home from a late visit to her uncle, that she had found the a smartly dressed young man waiting for her a few steps away from her and Cal’s house, partially hidden next to some bushes.

Over the years, Molly had gotten used to the same young man that Intel would send her way whenever they had a change of plans for her. Yet, this was a different person — different young man, yet almost the same smart attire. It meant that likely he was Intel too, but as far as Molly was concerned there was no apparent reason for the change in handler.

“Captain Holloway. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He said with a smile as she approached him. “I’m sure you’re wondering what happened to your usual contact.”

Molly raised an eyebrow. “As a matter of fact, I was. What do I owe the pleasure of your visit?” There was no intention at even pretending that she found the meeting pleasurable at all.

“Starfleet Intelligence wanted to make sure this reached you.” He handed her a PaDD. “You’ll find that this is a bit of a different channel than your regular one… hence the different messenger.” He seemed too proud of it.

“Thank you.” Molly said nonchalantly taking the PaDD and slipping it into her coat pocket without looking at it twice. “I’ll read it at my own convenience.”

“Not a problem, Captain. We’ll be in touch as needed.”

Molly nodded as she walked past him and through the garden’s gate. “Have a good day.”

“You too Captain.”

Walking up the steps, Molly waited for the young man to leave, before she grabbed the PaDD again and read it. As it lit up, the words formed on the screen

CLASSIFIED COMMUNICATION – SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: BLACK
TO: Captain Molly Grace Holloway, Senior Field Agent, Starfleet Intelligence
FROM: Admiral Lady Denise Alexandria Marie Harrington, GBE, Director, Starfleet Intelligence Special Operations Command

Captain Holloway,

I first wanted to thank you for your assistance in the apprehension and termination of Ashley Newton, head of the rogue faction known as the Syndicate. Your help in finally taking down one of the most dangerous foes the Federation has bore witness to in many years has not gone unnoticed. Your bravery and strength in the actions following the attack on Mr. Lucas Holloway and General Calvin Harris are in the finest examples of an officer of Starfleet and of the Intelligence community.

I am pleased to inform you that you are being awarded the Medal of Valor with crossed palms however, as with your previously awarded Medal of Honor, it will be awarded under seal as the nature of your mission is classified at the highest levels. That said, both the Director of Starfleet Intelligence and the President of the Federation send their congratulations on this momentous award.

Furthermore, the events regarding Ms. Newton’s apprehension have been Black Classified and sealed by the Federation Council. No charges of any kind can or will be brought against you or the team responsible for the apprehension. While not ideal, under the circumstances detailed in the Senior Officer’s After-Action Report, you are not, under any circumstances, considered responsible for Ms. Newton’s demise. While I will stress that this was not the manner in which we had planned to dispatch Ms. Newton, the Federation is substantially safer today than it was on her last day alive.

Finally, I wanted to extend you an invitation. At the recommendation of Command Field Agent Colonel Ryan Patrick York, I would like to invite you to join our organization, as we could not pass on the opportunity of bringing talent such as yourself into the fold with the Federation’s most elite counter terrorism and espionage community. This will not require any perceptible change in your day-to-day life. If interested, please contact me directly via this secure message, Monday-Friday 1500-0000 FST. You will be connected to me immediately.

Respectfully,
Admiral Lady Denise Alexandria Marie Harrington, GBE
Director, Starfleet Intelligence Special Operations Command

Molly sighed. In other words, Section 31 was scared of her and would rather have her working with them than against them. Even though she could read between the lines, and even though they cited Ryan as her recommendation (surely to try and entice her further), she found herself actually considering the offer. The truth was, she needed a change of pace, and she was tired of being nothing more than a glorified data collector, as she had been for the past few years. With another sigh, she stowed the PaDD and unlocked the main door to the house.

As Molly walked in, Boomer’s steps made themselves known, and the large dog came in to greet her at the door. Smiling as she patted the black Labrador on his head, she took her coat off and hung it up, fishing the PaDD out in the process. The smell of freshly cooked food wafting to her nostrils, meaning that Calvin had been cooking dinner.

Putting the PaDD on the back pocket of her slacks, Molly crossed the house, heading to the kitchen, with Boomer in tow. And sure enough, Calvin was in full chef mode when she got there.

“Hey old man, I’m home.” Molly said with a smile, as she greeted the former Marine with a kiss on his cheek. “Shouldn’t you be resting? It’s fine if we get food off of the replicator every once in a while.”

Molly

The kitchen was full of scents, fresh bread in the oven… the bubbling marinara on the stove along side a sizable pot of fusilli big enough to guarantee leftovers to take to work tomorrow. There was a fresh tossed salad in the crisper visible through the massive refrigerator’s right glass door. The table had been set and a warm fire was crackling in the hearth.

Cal laughed heartily as he gave Molly a gentle swat on the backside. “I’m fine Molls. After the workout those monsters from my ward put me through the night of Tenkiller’s concert, I’ve found I actually enjoy being back on my feet… calmly enjoying life.” Taking the sauce spoon, Harris took a small amount of red sauce from the pan on the stove and after blowing on it, offered it to Molly. “Here Babe… I know you’re more picky on spicy than I am, so I didn’t go crazy and add any… damn sissy New Yorkers…” He smirked, raising the spoon for inspection. “I picked up this recipe from Amelia’s cook the other day after you raved about it at dinner the Tuesday before we came back here. I thought it would go well with the bread.” He then motioned to the oven while awaiting Molly to taste the robust marinara “What’dya think?”

Cal

Molly smiled. “I’m so sorry you have been so harshly forced to move… it makes it look like you were in an accident or something…” The sarcasm was very clear in her tone, and the smirk now obvious on her lips, before settling back to a smile. “I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

Trying the offered sauce, Molly gave Calvin a thumbs up. “It’s perfect! Sissy New Yorkers, huh?… you know that we know Italian food better than you rednecks down South, right?” She gave Cal a playful wink. “I’m sure Amelia would agree with me, that spice only ruins the flavor.” Molly chuckled. “Thank you.” She looked lovingly at Cal. “You didn’t have to ask for the recipe. I appreciate it.”

Sitting down at the table, Molly removed the PaDD from her pants’ back pocket, making sure she wouldn’t sit on it. Placing it on the table beside her, she glanced at it for a moment, her expression turning somber. “I need to talk to you… but you have to promise me not to blow it out of proportion…”

Molly