Covert Mission 4 - Log 4

[John Randall 0]

OFFICIAL LOG

LIEUTENANT JOHN RANDALL

USS CHALLENGER

 

(Personal Log Stardate 11512.28)

 

The stolen Romulan shuttle carrying the mission team came out of warp and settled into an orbit around a cloud-covered world. The pilot and navigator confirmed their landing coordinates, and the shuttle plunged into the cloud cover. A few moments later, the shuttle emerged from the clouds and flew toward a base with a wide landing port area. The shuttle touched down and came to rest.

 

The team emerged from the craft, and a humanoid figure was spotted hurrying toward them. It came to a stop, and the figure, who had been wearing a hood over its head, threw it back. It was a Romulan, or so the team thought until the figure spoke. "Hurry, we don't have much time," it said urgently in Federation Standard. "We have to get you into the hangar." Admiral Baldwin turned toward the group.

 

"It's all right, folks," he said. "This is Quentin D'Artiguan, one of our best operatives. He's been undercover here for quite a while. Show us the way," he finished, and the disguised operative nodded. He led them quickly to the hangar and deposited them in a nearby room. "I'll be right back with your identities and clearances," he said, and the door slid shut as he exited the room.

 

John stood toward the back of the room, his eyes constantly roving. He was completely on guard and all his senses on full alert. He hated being here, he hated being in Romulan space. The full thrust of his disdain and anger for the Romulans was evident in his demeanor; some of the other team members were picking up on his vibes, and there were many sidelong glances cast at him.

 

Amanda was with her security team, checking with each of them to make sure they knew their assignments. She finished and turned to scan the team, her eyes coming to rest on John, and she frowned as she saw his posture and his facial expression. He was very angry now, and she mused that something had happened to him concerning the Romulans; then her eyes widened as she remembered what John had told her about the last covert mission he had been on, and she closed her eyes for a second. 'No wonder he's acting like he is,' she thought, and watched him with concern.

 

The operative returned about ten minutes later, and he handed each team member badges and papers. "Clip your badges to your uniforms, and adopt a haughty, slightly disdainful attitude," he said. "You are all aides and staff to Admiral Baldwin. He is ostensibly here to start negotiations for the release of commodore Braxton. Don't expect anything quick, the Romulans will be wary and cunning; this will take time. Expect to be here a few days. I will now take you to the check-in center, and you will be given quarters. The first round of the negotiations will begin in about 2 hours.

 

"The Romulans have been told that your ship has stayed on the Fed side of the Neutral Zone, and a shuttle was dispatched to bring you here. They are satisfied with those arrangements for the time being. Follow me now." He went through the doors, and the team followed him to a bustling antechamber. There were beings everywhere, and it was fairly well-packed. The group made their way to a huge desk where a Romulan team attended to them.

 

John received his cabin coordinates and a PADD from one of the Romulans, who was clearly uncomfortable with the icy glare from the Starfleet officer. The Romulan was just about to make a comment to Randall when Amanda appeared at his side. "Don't mind him, he hates to travel," she said in a low voice to the official. "He's like this every time he leaves Fed space." The Romulan nodded, never taking his eyes from John as he handed Amanda her cabin coordinates and PADD. "He should learn to loosen up some," the official said via translator, and John's eyes became even frostier at the remark.

 

Amanda laughed nervously as she took Randall by the arm. "Believe me, we're trying," she smiled at the Romulan as she steered John away from the desk. As they walked toward a nearby corridor, her grip tightened on his arm. "John, I know it's hard, but you've got to calm down," she gritted to him. "You're going to get them suspicious, and they're paranoid enough already." "They should be," growled Randall, and Amanda was shocked by the venom in his voice, her eyes widening. "I'd like to kill every one of those green-skinned----"

 

Amanda quickly cut him off. "All right, all right," she whispered urgently. "Let's get you to your quarters." They walked farther down the corridor until John paused in front of a door. "This is it," he said, and Amanda nodded. Her grip had never loosened as they had been walking, and she maintained it as they went into the cabin. She then released him, and stepped away, letting out a huge sigh. "You are really wound up," she said, regarding him with concern.

 

John looked at her, and the ice was slowly melting from his eyes. "Thanks for the escort," he said mildly, and Amanda was so relieved she smiled widely at him. "Just doing my job, Lieutenant," she said breezily, and Randall actually chuckled, a welcome sound to the security chief's ears. She had been worried about him as they had made the trip to his cabin, and was now relaxing as he seemed to be trying to improve his own mood.

 

John walked into the small kitchen area and paused in front of what looked to be a replicator. "Join me for a drink, Lieutenant?" he said, and Amanda raised her eyebrows. Randall quickly held up his hands. "Water only, chief," he clarified, and she grinned at him. "Sounds good," she said, and John nodded, giving the order. He came up to her with two glasses in his hands, and gave one to her. They clinked the glasses together, and both took a sip.

 

John walked over to the nearby sofa and sat down, blowing out a huge sigh himself. "Man, I wish I wasn't here," he said, then looked at Amanda. "Present company excluded, of course," he said, and she smiled at him. "I would hope so," she replied, and he gave a short laugh. "I would love to be home right now," he continued, and she went to sit on the other end of the small sofa. "Tell me about your home, John," she said, and Randall launched into the tale. She watched him as he talked, and his eyes became completely clear and animated as he told her about his family.

 

"Ok, enough of me," he finished. "Now it's your turn." Amanda quickly dropped her eyes. "I don't think---" she began, and John put his hand under her chin, lifting her face to look at him. "I told you some about me, now you return the favor," he said gently, but his eyes were very intent on hers. She nodded reluctantly, and took a deep breath. She hesitantly told her story, and John's eyes grew steadily wider as she talked. When she finished, she put her face in her hands for a few seconds, then whirled to face him.

 

"I swear on my brother's grave, if you repeat any of this, I'll----" and she couldn't finish, her bottom lip quivering. John looked at her kindly, then touched her face briefly. "What you just told me stays between us," he said in a low voice. Amanda regarded him for a few seconds, then leaned forward and kissed him quickly on the lips. "I'm gonna hold you to that, Lieutenant," she said with steel in her voice, and John nodded.

 

"Thanks for having a drink with me," he said. "If you need to go, go ahead. I'll be fine." Amanda looked at him and nodded. "I'll see you in a bit, then," she replied, and got up from the sofa. She walked to the doors, which swooshed open at her approach. She paused and looked behind her at him for a heartbeat, then exited the cabin rapidly.

 

John downed the rest of his water, and thought about what she had told him. He shook his head at the thought of someone being treated the way she had been. 'No wonder she's so guarded,' he thought to himself. 'I would be, too, going through what she did.' He knew it had cost her a lot to confide in him, and that warmed him inside. He knew now he had a friend on this mission.

 

Then his little voice spoke up, and he closed his eyes as another memory of Sara Edwards appeared in his mind. 'It's not the same,' he insisted to himself. 'She can take care of herself. It's not the same.' But the little voice was persistent, and he finally told it to shut up. He took the PADD that had been given him by the Romulan official, and he scanned the contents.

 

END LOG