Closing the Gap

[Cassie Granger 0]

Closing the Gap

Part 2 - Joint Log - Rinax, Morrison, Granger

 

After the briefing, Cass drew Cdr Rinax aside with a low, "Commander, have time for a word?"

 

"Of course, my room?" Rinax nodded to Cass, towards her private bedroom where they could speak as Rinax pulled out items for the day. Once they were both in the room, Erika tapped the door with her heel and it closely softly. "What's on your mind?"

 

Erika began putting her outfit together for after her shower while Cass began to speak. They didn't have much training to actually do today, and Erika had put a lot of time into the background for this mission, so she already felt ready - this is what she had been doing for many years in StarFleet.

 

After a glance around, Cass began in a formal vein. "Have a few questions concerning the mission, ma'am. Since you're familiar with the crew and their MO I was hoping you would clue me in so the mission will go smoothly. We have three commanders here and as Delta leader I need to know the CoC: who's in command on the ground. It wasn't exactly spelled out in Delta's briefing."

 

Erika held up both hands for a moment, "Whooah, Nellie! Hold your horses there." She stepped over to the bed and plopped down in a comfy fashion, so she could give Cass all of her attention. It was clear Cass had her panties in a bunch, but Rinax had to get to the bottom of it so this didn't happen during the mission. "You're asking about the COC while we are in this era and I'm glad you brought this up now". Erika took a breath while looking into Cass's eyes and checking her expression, making sure she understood her question from the start. "Ok, so it's still the ships COC, The Captain isn't here, but I am and so forth. I am technically reporting to Commander Murphy for this mission; does that answer your question?"

 

"So Commander Murphy is Zeus Actual* for this mission?"

 

"Aye, that's the grunt of it." Erika stayed still on the edge of the bed, knowing there were more questions so gave she gave Cass time to expound.

 

"Roger that, ma'am. And a question about your Intel equipment?" Cass tapped a finger to her own temple, indicating the glasses that held back the commander's hair. "I'm guessing those glasses are not ordinary, but similar to our equipment and have a failsafe in case they're knocked off?"

 

Erika pulled the glasses off of her face, and held them out by the arm, "They are much more sophisticated than I let on."

 

After pulling the glasses back, she slipped them over her ears and up onto her forehead where they were most of the time earlier. "I will be wearing the ocular device, plus these. The ear bud, however, has been a problem since they only make them one size - and I have a disfigured ear canal." Rinax considered showing it to her, but thought better of it and continued, "So the glasses are pretty much required for me. If I cannot keep in communication through the glasses because they get removed for some reason, I am outfitted with another option, which I cannot show you. You WILL have to trust that I will always be in contact."

 

Cass gave a nod of affirmation.

 

Erika had been undercover for so long, and used her specialty items so frequently, they were second nature to her. The implant under the skin, inserted deep into tissues, was so small and had been in for so long, there was no visible scar or tear in any tissues left. No one could scan for it because it was made of her own bio-materials, including Erika's own finger nails, bone material, cartilage, and marrow, all attached by some mini-micro connectors that emitted a very high frequency channel. All of this communicated any audible sound she could make in her throat. If that failed, she had a few other tricks up her sleeve. She was quite the Company Woman, as some would say - the hardware integrations alone would pay for a small starship. "Any other concerns?"

 

"Yes, ma'am, just one more. Since I'm ultimately responsible for your safety, it's best I know where you will be working on the base, your assigned position and how you plan to play it. That way if I hear the distress phrase I'll know exactly what to do."

 

Rinax had not been joined with others for many operations - even the joint mission that brought her aboard Challenger, she basically worked alone. This was going to be a new experience for her.

 

"Well, I am Executive Secretary to Director Sam Phillips at NASA. My post was given to me because of a bet between General Holloway, CINCSAC (Commander in Chief Strategic Air Command), and the Director. Believe it or not, the best way to get a," she paused to flip her long hair around her finger a few times, and make a fake gum chewing motion, "dingy secretary in place for this mission. Everyone cannot be a total geek as far as NASA is concerned; that would draw even more attention having so many geek-like persons assigned suddenly to the base." She unwound her finger from her hair.

 

Cass flicked a smile. "Sounds like you'll be the distraction, then, ma'am. And I'd bet that distraction would get you places others couldn't - no disrespect meant. The little I've heard of you, you&'re pretty damn good at what you do. At least tha's the chatter. Am I right?"

 

"I certainly will have access to just about any area necessary - the Director and I are having dinner later this evening - I'm sure we'll discuss many things." Rinax winked at Granger, knowing this info was important. "His family is in Houston, Texas waiting to meet up with him when he returns and the astronauts are put into quarantine there." She did another hair flip, behind her shoulder. "Between the General and the Director, it should be fun.

 

"However, you should know that I do NOT have a distress word. If things fail wherever I am, I am disposable." Her words were completely serious, and said without hesitation. Rinax also knew that Phillips was only directing the Apollo Program and would return to the USAF as a General after he completed this mission - a post that would help Rinax get around the base afterwards IF that was necessary later. She was going to stay close to him.

 

Cassie's eyes met hers for a long moment. "Due respect, ma'am, dispensable or not, if you're left in this era you're a danger to the timeline. We leave no one behind. You use that distress phrase and someone will be there, guarantee."

 

Erika nodded, "I suppose that's more true of everyone on this timeline sensitive mission, than any other mission any of us have ever been involved in. Keep in mind, however, I have no children and my parents are secluded and did not have any injection of historical values on our era, if certain decisions must be made."

 

Cass stood her ground. "And you have technology that cannot be left here, ma'am."

 

That question met Erika like a brick wall. "Yes." She hesitated to extrapolate the complications that question really created. "My body will be disintegrated, if it comes to that, without question, NTK,* Granger."

 

Cass nodded. "Understood, Commander."

 

"We good?" Rinax got off the bed, grabbed the pile of clothing for her dinner date, threw the towel over her shoulder and got ready to head out.

 

"Yes, ma'am."

 

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*NTK - Need To Know

*Zeus Actual - commanding officer for this mission. Challenger Actual would be Captain Ja'Lale; Challenger comm or ops would be known as Main.