Dangerous Games, Pt 2.

[Charlotte Matsumura 0]

Dangerous Games, Pt. 2

CDR Mal Alexander

CAPT Roane Townsend

 

Note: Takes place just prior to 22 Jan sim.

***

 

“And the Council was worried you’d never be at your desk.”

 

Mal looked up from his report, the familiar features of Roane Townsend gracing the screen of his LCARS terminal. “Hello to you, too, Roane,” he replied, placing the PADD aside. “So nice to see you minding your manners.”

 

“Sorry, but I don’t have time for pleasantries,” Townsend said. “Your girl – Charlotte – she’s still aboard Excalibur?”

 

“She’s the one that submitted the encryption I sent you a few days ago.”

 

“Good. We’re going to need eyes and ears – and some cooperation from the commanding officer.” Townsend leaned back and folded his arms across his chest. “How reliable do you think Swain would be?”

 

Mal frowned. “No way to be sure, really; he’s an unknown quantity in a situation like this.”

 

“Do you think Charlotte will be able to fill in the gaps?”

 

“Hardly. In security, she’ll be acting as escort for any visitors, but she won’t be privy to any of the senior level meetings. To get her into those meetings might create a bit of suspicion.” He hesitated. “If there’s some concern, I could ask a favor of the executive officer…”

 

The Director of Operations raised his brows. “Friends?”

 

“Wydown is the wife – er, ex-wife – of an old schoolmate; we go back a bit. She was responsible for getting us out of that Romulan mess a few months back, under the dog’s watch.” Mal cleared his throat. “She might be willing to pass along some information.”

 

“See what she’s willing to provide. I’d like to avoid compromising cover stories this early in the game, if possible.”

 

Alexander nodded. “Understood.” Making a note on his PADD, he turned his attention back to the screen. “Why the press?”

 

“You’re aware of the weapons technology the Dominion was rumoured to be researching just before the end of the war?”

 

“The one that might have ‘turned the tide’ for the Dominion? I did. Never paid it much mind.”

 

“The research was being conducted on an outlying world in the Hakar Empire,” Roane explained. “Three years ago, the Kalith absorbed the planet into their own territories, and our sources reported that they’ve adapted the technology for their own use.”

 

“Which explains why the diplomatic corps have been handling them with kid gloves.” Mal grimaced. “The data we’ve decoded so far suggests the Hakarians may have stolen the information.”

 

“Which leaves us high and dry if we don’t get a better read on the situation.” The senior officer sighed, rubbing his face. “We need to know if the Kalith have the technology. And, if the Hakarians have stolen it, will they trade?”

 

“Thinking of levelling the playing field?”

 

“If we can. The Scorpiad situation continues to deteriorate, and the Dominion are continuing to tuck tail. We can’t afford an unbalanced threat from the Kalith as well.”

 

“I liked it better when all this was above my paygrade.” Mal shook his head. “All right. Go through your channels to reach Swain; I’ll do what I can through my contacts.”

 

Townsend nodded. “All I can ask. I’ll copy you on the headquarters message traffic.”

 

“Understood. Alexander out.”

 

Mal slapped the comm button on his console and Roane’s image blinked out. He could only hope to maintain a stable subspace channel long enough to gain Rue’s cooperation. If she was willing to cooperate at all...

***