A Scheme is Born

[Col. C.E. Harper 0]

Lieutenant JoNs moved out of Main Engineering along with the executive officer and the re-captured Klingon woman. She maintained a rear point guard, officially to keep an eye on the shackled Klingon, unofficially to keep an eye on both Nelar and Harper. The foremost thought on her mind was "how in the name of the Great Predator Bird of the Galaxy do I get myself into these situations?" She had chosen to keep her phaser rifle slung over her shoulder; wouldn't want to make anyone nervous now would we? Heavens no.

 

After the escaped Klingon had been tracked to engineering, it had been decided that DeChevel wanted her brought to the ready room by Harper. JoNs herself had asked "Colonel, do you require a security escort for the prisoner?"

 

Phrasing. Its all in the phrasing of the quesion. Of course, since she hadn't specifically mentioned Rrowl or Spitfire, Harper had zeroed in on JoNs to be said escort. For all Kansas knew, it could also be a way for Harper to get un-interrupted access to the Caitian for a few minutes. As the ranking security officer present when Nelar had made her successful jail break...well, that sort of thing just does not look very good and invites a hurting.

 

The small party entered a turbolift, which obediently whisked them toward the bridge. "Computer, halt lift," Harper said abruptly.

 

She turned to Nelar. "Our conversation was interrupted. Quite rude of the captain, really; I'm sure he won't mind if we delay a moment to finish it. Aren't you?" A coy smile invited confidence.

 

The Caitian ears flicked forward, intent on what was going on and being said.

 

"You wanted an opportunity to join our merry band," Harper continued intently, watching Nelar. "I might be able to offer you one. But first you'll need to prove that your loyalties are as dependable as your skills."

 

Nelar nodded slowly, knowing what was coming. She turned her head towards the Caitain and then back to Harper with a raised brow.

 

JoNs's interest skyrocketed, and one ear flicked back as she observed the conversation between Harper and Nelar with unabashed curiousity.

 

Before the conversation continued, Harper turned her gaze on the Caitian. "Let me be clear, Kitty," she said silkily, narrowing her eyes slightly. "This is a private discussion. I trust that Robair has taught you the meaning of discretion?" She waited for confirmation before continuing, "Good. Then I'm sure I don't need to explain that no one will hear about this from you. I assure you, if I discovered that your chief's lessons had been... disregarded... or less than thorough, the consequences would be severe, for you and for him." She smiled cruelly. "On the other hand, if you prove your education, the rewards would not be inconsiderable."

 

The Caitian cleared her throat and muttered. "Oh yes, wrong place and wrong time." She looked directly at Harper. "Give me another good reason why I should trust you Colonel? This is, after all, much to spring on a being."

 

"Trust me? I'm hurt, Lieutenant, honestly hurt. I thought, after our conversations regarding Lieutenant Zimm, that we had come to a certain... understanding. But if that isn't enough for you, shall we discuss what brought you to sickbay earlier today? Or perhaps we should proceed directly to the matter of our prisoner, here," -- she indicated Nelar with a jerk of her head -- "being very much not in the brig where she belongs."

 

JoNs wisely reconsidered her rather precarious position that could also affect the security chief, if Harper had any say in the matter. "Right! I'm a non-Terran, currently in the middle of a sensitive conversation between the marine XO and a captured Klingon prisoner in which the XO is asking the prisoner where her loyalties lie. I'm thinking that I am fond of my career and my life, and would like to keep Robair around as long as possible because he looks so cute in that little ranking officer walking target outfit that he wears. Officially I know nothing, and this conversation does not exist, but if you both don't mind my saying, this is all fascinating. Please continue."

 

Harper smiled and turned back to Nelar. "To put it bluntly, the captain has become a problem for a number of us." She leaned in closer to the Klingon woman, dropping her voice still further. "Problems like that need to be removed. Now, we could go about doing so in a number of ways... and if you refuse, it won't trouble me overmuch. But you wanted a chance. Here it is."

 

Arms crossed, Kansas observed Nelar for her reaction and response.

 

From the moment she detected the gleam in Harper's eye, she knew Colonel had a plan. Call it a warrior's instinct. Sure enough, when they paused before the turbo lift, the plan was laid out to Nelar. Kill DeChevel and earn a place on Agincourt. It was certainly an interesting prospect and as Nelar had nothing else planned at the moment... "Very well, I'll do it. The price of my services will be steep however. I require a command position on this ship plus a weekly payment." She grinned. "I must be able to maintain the right appearance after all. If a better opportunity comes up, I leave. You understand of course."

 

Harper folded her arms, regarding Nelar with a cold speculation. "A command position? For something any idiot with a phaser could do? You must think very little of us, Klingon." The fingers of one hand drummed against the opposite arm. "Your fee we can arrange easily enough. I can even offer you a cut of the spoils from any conquests we make."

 

At the mention of a fee, JoNs cleared her throat in a purring trill, and a lopsided grin appeared on the Caitians face, exposing one fang. "Credits and compensation? Oh, now that really is the universal language, at least in my own, ah, little world as well." She glanced at Nelar appreciatively before turning her full gaze back to Harper, sly grin still in place. "Colonel, since you seem to know so much regarding my under the radar activities, let me speak plainly. In addition to my word on keeping silent, a payment would further ensure that silence." One ear quirked back expectantly. "Business, you understand."

 

Her eyes slid away from the Klingon to fix on JoNs. "Perhaps I wasn't clear earlier, Kitty," the colonel said tartly. "Your payment in this matter is my silence regarding your unauthorized activities. Unless you've always had ambitions of facing a formal inquiry, in which case I wouldn't dream of holding you back."

 

JoNs paused for a beat, considering silence, but her curiosity got the better of her. "Colonel, I mean no disrespect, but I'd like to know. Why have you stayed quiet regarding my activities?"

 

"Because so far, you haven't endangered or disgraced the ship, and besides which..." A brief, wolfish smile lit her features. "...it's always wise to be owed a favor or three."

 

The Caitian briefly closed her eyes and sighed, before refocusing on the conversation at hand. No further comments were forthcoming.

 

"Oh sure, I understand. Any fool with a phaser could do it," Nelar said, slowly leaning closer to Harper. "So tell me, Colonel, why hasn't it been done yet?" She chuckled quietly and leaned back. "I'll tell you why. You can't find anyone else to do it. So... my original offer still stands. You have just a few minutes to decide though. His Captainess is waiting....."