Redemption, Part 2

[Wes Roberts 0]

Redemption, Part 2

Sky Harbor Aegis

2386 October 23

Wes was seated at his usual table at Chez Que, cappuccino and a jesuite sitting on the table in front of him. “Spam spam spam spam...Lovely spam! Wonderful spam!" "Shut up! Bloody Vikings!"

 

“Ah, new mail. Hmm...encrypted? I haven't received anything encrypted in ages. At least not since...SFSOCOM heading tag? Damn, that'll be a heavy encryption. I doubt even the Romulans have cracked the latest ones yet.” Finishing his cappuccino and jesuite, he cleared his tab and headed for the docking ring.

 

-=-=-

 

Shedding his cloak once aboard the Wild Stallion, Wes moved to the auxiliary control station in the main cabin and let the decryption program run. The screen flared to life first with the Starfleet Special Operations Command command patch, dissolving into General Maden's face. “Good afternoon Mr. Roberts. Or should I say Commander Marx. Yes, I know who you really are. As does the CINC and Federation President.

 

“We are aware of the circumstances of your tenure as the Dread Pirate Roberts, Commander, and Starfleet and the Federation is willing to offer you a full pardon for the charges brought up against you by Admiral Ikari. We also have an offer for you. Now, I know you're there as a freetrader and mercenary, providing assistance to the station during the recent Breen incursion and the Deosi resettlement.

“All the CINC and I ask is that you return to Earth, for a meeting at Starfleet Headquarters, in 3 weeks. We'll advise all commands to allow the Wild Stallion free passage from Aegis to Earth. Appended to this message are transponder codes that will reclassify your ship as a SOCOM-registered light freighter.

“I look forward to our meeting in three weeks. General Maden, out.”

 

Wes sat in the terminal's seat and leaned back in shock. Legitimacy and a full pardon? There was clearly some joke behind General Maden's offer. But it was there. He hadn't known General Maden during his tenure in SOCOM, but he'd heard of his reputation. A fair, if hard, commander and one willing to take chances but would back up his troops when the organic matter hit the rotary air oscillator.

 

Keying in the new transponder codes, Wes opened his fliptop communicator. “Captain al'Thor to Control.”

 

“Go ahead, Captain.”

 

“Wild Stallion is requesting a departure clearance.”

 

“Understood, Captain. You're clearance is approved. Clear skies.”