To Protect and Defend

[Chirakis 1]

To Protect and Defend

 

“You realize the position you put me in.”

 

Captain d’Ka’s rhetorical question hung in subspace for a moment.

 

“I do,” Kirel responded, “which is the reason I request and do not require, as is my bonded right.”

 

“And though Nei’rrh’s route is within Missouri’s area of operations, cartel space is not. We will not interfere or mount a rescue mission unless we find a threat to Federation security.”

 

“I ask you neither to interfere nor rescue. In fact, the pilot is aware that there will be no rescue mission should he ‘inadvertently stray’ into cartel space and/or take matters into his own hands.”

 

“Are you absolutely certain of the situation? That this Rihan child is being held against her will and is being treated as no more than a slave?”

 

Kirel peeled back her left glove and bared her left forearm, revealing a heavily scratched tattoo with a red mark the size of an insect bite dead center.

 

Astonished, the captain of USS Missouri leaned toward the screen. “Your chip is reacting... to her? You chipped her?”

 

“As an orphan of exceptional ability and intelligence, she was well worth watching for the future. There was every reason to believe Annisha had found a stable, worthy Rihan family who would nurture her to her true potential, after which Starfleet would make contact to further her education. And yet, despite the supposed quality of her adoptive parents, her distress signal has been engaged for days.”

 

“Meaning?”

 

“Meaning that her body is under such stress that it may endanger her life. There is only so much any body can endure.”

 

“I am aware.”

 

“Moreover,” Kirel held a padd within d’Ka’s line of sight, “she has found a way to communicate and the frequency of the chip is the same as the frequency of the device she is using. This is the transmission that the closest SI-5 array is receiving.”

 

The Sindar captain’s eyes flashed orange as he read the line, then processed the information. When he leaned back his eyes returned to the dark blue of concentration.

 

“Missouri has not been in that area of space for some time,” he reasoned, “and since there is evidence of cartel activity, perhaps it is time for a routine patrol.”

 

“That is all I ask.”

 

“Routine traffic reports will come to Aegis as the hub of sector Allied defense communications.”

 

“Of course.”

 

“Very well, Captain. I will keep you apprised.”