Conversation with Jaffe: A joint log

[Colonel Eason 0]

Claire led Consul General Elaine Jaffe through the corridors of SB 9 toward the section of the station where the quarters meant for the Station XO were located. Neither woman spoke on the way down. Claire wondered if Jaffe suspected what the conversation was going to be about. If she didn't know better, she would swear the CG had been avoiding her. She wondered how much Sovak suspected and what he'd say. She hadn't talked to him about it either. Claire signaled the door to open, and motioned the CG in.

 

”Would you like a cup of tea, or something else”

 

"No, thank you, Claire"

 

Claire got herself a cup of Searose tea, native from her home planet. She faced the CG and got right to the point. “Consul General Jaffe, I want to be reassigned back to the Covert Ops division of SI.”

 

The Consul General's eyes widened just enough to see the white all around her pupils. Claire hadn't realized how Jaffe seemed to always have her eyes narrowed until this slight reaction from her seemed like a look of shock. "You know how difficult it would be to remove you from this ship? The processes and systems we have in place, the trust you've built with Atragon, the personal relationship you have developed with Sovak and still you want to go?"

 

Claire sighed and examined the floor for a moment. “No, I don’t suppose it would be easy after all this time. Atragon’s not known to be a big fan of SI’s, in fact, that’s probably an understatement, but he does trust me." She took a long sip of her tea and glanced around the quarters. The furnishings were a little sparse since their transfer from the Manticore had been somewhat hasty, yet already the quarters showed a nice intermingling of Vulcan and human culture. Her gaze returned to the CG. “I haven’t discussed any of this with Sovak. I can imagine he will be….well… displeased.”

 

"And do you really think we can just pick you up and slip you back into the Program so easily? Tell me this - why do you want to come back and, well, why do we need you back?"

 

"I imagine it would be almost, maybe more so depending where, to put me in somewhere as it would be to pull me out of here.” Claire took another sip of tea. “As for why? Well, granted it’s been awhile since I’ve been out there now, but, to be frank, I was one of the best, and you could use some of the best out there right now, Elaine."

 

Jaffe stiffens noticeably and the squint returns to her eyes. "Colonel, you do think highly of yourself, don't you?!" She turns and paces the small room, really only taking one or two steps. She turns again to face Claire, her face looking suddenly exhausted, as she leans against the wall. "Claire, I need you now and I need you here. As you know from our run-in with the Liberator and the "Earth-First" group, there are troubles brewing and they are brewing at home. It's a good thing that you are out here, because I can trust that you have NOT been affected. I'm not denying your request for reassignment, but I'm asking you to withdraw it for now. I have spoken with Atragon and Sovak about something that is about to happen... here at the Starbase. I can't say more as I don't trust these walls, but go to them, tell them that we spoke and that I want you involved. Help them, heaven knows they need the help, especially Atragon. With his well-intentioned, but stupid attack on Lenscher, I'm worried that he's getting too deep, taking things too personally. Have you looked at him lately, I mean REALLY LOOKED? It's not just that torture device of a chair he's constructed, look into his eyes - he's used up all his reserves, he's almost spent. Get into this one and help us all get through this... this Cleanup. I'm sorry, that's all I can say for now."

 

Claire studied the floor. “Yes, he looks like someone who has given all he has to give, yet is intent on giving more. He is taking things too personally.” She paused briefly, again. “Not long after my true identity was revealed to A9 and Sovak, I was forced to temporarily relieve A9 from command. At that time, the trust you talked about had not fully developed. You know, as angry as he was, I think that incident helped to cement it. I’d rather not have to relieve him from command again. I’d rather no one have to. But I would if I needed to.”

 

She looked up. “I’ll withdraw my request for now, Elaine. However, I wish to ask a favor. I’ll understand, though, if you cannot grant it.” She smiled. “I won’t like it, but I’ll definitely understand. Is there anyway you can get a message to my parents, or if you cannot get a message to them, at least let me know how they are"

 

Jaffe nodded and smiled, "Get me a message and I'll get you an answer right away. Thank you, Claire."

 

 

 

Claire nodded. "Thank you. I'll have a message to you by the end of the day. And I will speak with A9 and Sovak as soon as possible."

 

 

 

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Colonel Eason

 

Admiral Atragon