Disclaimer: Star Trek is not mine. The original characters are. Any likeness to persons portrayed here is purely Intentional.
Story Revamp: 07/01/2009
EXCURSION GAMMA
volume one
Prelude
Personal Log: Supplemental
*encrypted*
Four days…no word. I'm getting restless.
Shaleus Drift proved to be as fruitless as I'd expected, but we're close. Not as close as my superiors would like, but closer than we've ever been.
I like a little distance. Gives me a better view.
And it'll make him arrogant, which will make him careless. That's my only hope for making the catch while playing by these absurd rules. For now, I'll bide my time.
All this cloak and dagger fodder is as foolish as it is obnoxious and not worth the effort! If we continue to dawdle in the shadows, an all out man hunt will be unavoidable anyway and the blood shed will be worse! I've seen it all before…
It's not something I want to relive ever again; I don't even like remembering it.
I can't understand why they don't see the severity of these threats. I'd like to believe my superiors are right and if it all goes bad like I'm all too sure it's going to, I'll wish they were. And they'll wish they'd listened. The gross ignorance and underestimation of the circumstances are disgusting, but…I have my orders.
If I only had the go ahead, I could take care of this. I could have many times.
Nipped it in the bud, as they say.
If they'd only listened in the first place we wouldn't be having this problem…It…It is what it is. I keep reminding myself to not get distracted by how poorly things have been handled thus far.
I've just got some intelligence that would blow this wide open, but…my hands are tied.
While we play checkers, he's cheating at chess.
The home was a lovely as she remembered, though it had lost a little of the warmth and cheeriness that was so characteristic. It was to be expected. Loss does something that is hard to mask, leaves something even harder to ignore. Spacious and hospitable with everything perfectly in its place, the colors bright and textures soft, everything seemed to whisper family. It had been as foreign to her as a first contact with a new species. More familiar to her now, it was still a touch uncomfortable.
Mr. Kim stood staring out the window that overlooked the bay. It was a chilly, overcast autumn morning in San Francisco. Pale overcast sunlight flooded over the ageing man, speaking of his gloom. She could not help but feel a tinge of sadness as she watched him silently from the big armchair.
The silence was shattered as Mrs. Kim bustled into the sitting room wearing her ever present grin and balancing a tea tray. At the distraction, Mr. Kim was interrupted from his reverie and a smile spread across his lips. The despair was momentarily chased away as the familiar cheer took its place.
"A'læ," Mrs. Kim gushed as she delivered a cup of tea and then nestled into the loveseat next to her husband, "we're so glad you've come. It's been too long. You need to visit more often."
"It is nice to see you both again as well," A'læ replied politely. She let the warmth of the cup spread into her hands before drinking it.
"I'm sure that she's much too busy to come see old people like us," Mr. Kim suggested merrily. "She's a Lieutenant now, sweetheart, you see. Now, what brings you by, dear?"
"She doesn't need a reason to come see us! You're welcome anytime. You should stay for dinner. Or maybe for the weekend. Get some rest."
"Thank you," A'læ said, "But I can only stay for a few minutes-"
"See, I told you." Mr. Kim whispered to his wife.
"I wanted to stop by before I started my next assignment. I'll be boarding the Nagayatzu this afternoon and ferried to Deep Space Nine. I'll be gone – deep space – for a few months. I know it's been difficult for you since Harry went missing –"
"We never gave up hope," Mrs. Kim stated simply. "And now, he'll be home one day."
"I appreciate all the kindness you have shown me in the past few years…I'm…I'm not supposed to be telling you this," A'læ paused as she saw their eyes twinkle with hope and concern, "You mustn't tell anyone...They're mounting a rescue mission."
Looks of joy and relief washed over the couple. Hope swelled: their once-thought-dead-son, and now their marooned-so-far-away-he-may-as-well-be-dead-son, might truly be coming home. Exchanging grins, the elderly couple embraced one another tightly.
"That is all I can tell you and you must keep it secret, but I thought you should know." They both stood and pulled A'læ from her chair to wrap her in an unyielding hug; Mrs. Kim placed her hands on A'læ's cheeks and sweetly smiled gratitude to her as tears rolled.
"Harry would be lucky to have a girl as beautiful and as kind as you," she said finally.
After some minutes, A'læ bid them farewell and excused herself saying she would be late. She then hastened to make her way back to headquarters. She had taken far more time than originally intended and feared the Nagayatzu would not wait. Rushing to her office, where her things were waiting, she need only finish up a task or two before the scheduled rendezvous.
Once inside, A'læ found her computer screen flashing. She desperately wanted to ignore any new messages, but, sure of the sender's identity, thought better. Confirming her presumptions, she saw it was from exactly who she had dreaded. With seven minutes to spare, she finished her tasks and called for someone to take her belongings to the transporter room.
Taking a deep breath, A'læ sat at the desk. The screen offered a dim reflection and she casually coiffed her raven locks, which were piled high on her head, before playing the message.
"Lieutenant, your assistance of late has been most valuable. Your services will not be forgotten, nor go unpaid. We have received word to proceed; phase three is underway. When you arrive at Deep Space Nine you will receive further instructions. We only have a few days. Be wary, be cautious."
The screen went dark again and A'læ let out a large sigh as she deleted the message. She gathered her composure and then moved swiftly to the transporter room.
