"Reach Out and... Kill Someone"

[Javin_Prell 0]

“Reach Out and… Kill Someone”

a Mirror Log by Prell(Westler) and Harper

 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

 

The message light on her computer terminal was flashing when she returned to her quarters. Hardly uncommon, since she'd taken command of Agincourt, but today Harper swore she'd finished the magically regenerating pile of paperwork. Sighing, she dropped into the chair, reaching for a bottle of fine Andorian wine with one hand and triggering the message with the other. Immediately she noticed that it was tagged with an unusual comm code, one that only a select group of people knew. Now this was interesting. She poured herself a glass of wine and keyed in the sequence that would decrypt and open the message.

 

"Establishing commlink," flashed the screen.

 

An old colleague appeared on screen. "Surprise, Charlotte." The face looked far from happy however.

 

"Westler." She put the wineglass down, leaned forward. "What's the news?"

 

"Let's do some math, shall we? Maybe a word problem?" He looked her in the eyes.

 

Amused, she reached for the wine again and sipped it. "All right," she said after swallowing. "I'm game."

 

"Good. This should be easy for you. One scientist, moi. Finds a way to annihilate a whole planet. Keeps one survivor. You with me?"

 

"So far," she replied, "but if you called me just to brag about your slave again..."

 

"No, no... there's more. One Marine Colonel in charge of one ship. Has this kitty-cop who begs for a personal leave to help a family member?"

 

At those words, a headache started behind her eyes. Harper stifled a groan. "Aaron, the next bit had better not be 'How many Admirals are now out for blood?' Please."

 

Aaron frowned. "It would’ve made for a nice posing question, but no - I'm letting you write the last part of the equation."

 

"So what exactly did my chief barnacle get up to with your slave?" She eyed the level of liquid in the wine bottle, and guessed it was probably not enough.

 

"You know, I keep telling Command about these stupid ducts in this Starbase, but do they listen? No. It's really quite easy for someone with, agility, to get around those things."

 

Make that 'definitely not enough' and add 'not strong enough' to it. She began mentally calculating favors owed her. "What did she do?"

 

He turned red and nearly yelled at the screen. "She knocked me out, and STOLE my slave! And my two cats!"

 

Harper resisted the urge to bury her face in her hands, and then squelched another impulse to laugh. Neither would help, nor would they improve her standing with Westler. "I can see where you'd be a bit put out by that," she agreed neutrally, and took a calculated casual sip of wine. "You're calling me because...?"

 

He looked furious. "Arrest her! Throw her in the booth! Anything! Find out how she knows the two Caitians who recently delivered a shipment to me. They must have gotten word to her about the Mithraan."

 

One eyebrow shot skyward. "You let two Caitians into your quarters?" She tisked sadly. "Slipping, Aaron, slipping. You know how those clans are."

 

He pushed his face into his screen. "THAT ISN'T THE POINT CHARLOTTE!"

 

"And I assure you, you'll have satisfaction," she replied calmly. "Assuming you don't froth yourself into a heart attack before the good Commander Kitten returns, that is."

 

He composed himself, sitting back down in his chair. "Good. What kind of satisfaction can I look forward to?"

 

She hedged, "The kind that will give you enjoyment, of course." No promises until she'd had a chance to corner her rogue officer and learn a few things. Then she could decide whether he'd be getting a Caitian-skin rug or an infusion of credits.

 

He smirked. "I expect nothing less than from row tickets to her booth session, or execution. Either or, Charlotte."

 

"We'll see," Harper replied. "Now I'd best prepare a welcome for the furball. Excuse me..." She reached for the comm controls.

 

"Send pictures!", was all he could get in before she cut him off.