The senior staff walked out onto the bridge and to their stations, relieving the crewmembers that were there taking their place in their absence.
"On screen." Allensworth said as he stepped in front of his chair.
Hoshi pressed a few buttons on her console to cause the screen to switch to the image of Admiral Burrell, who was obviously not pleased that the Alexandria had come back to Earth instead of proceeding to Bajor as previously ordered.
"Explain yourself, Allensworth."
"As I've told you before, Admiral, we are investigating the disappearance of Kyou and Ryou Zofchak."
"I don't care if you're investigating the disappearance of..."
"Section Thirty One took my little girls, Admiral." Zofchak said walking up next to his captain.
Allensworth saw the admiral's face falter ever so slightly. He knew that Burrell knew something.
"Where has Section Thirty One taken them, Admiral?" Allensworth asked.
"What is Section Thirty One?" Burrell asked.
"You know exactly what we're talking about, Admiral." Allensworth said. "And you don't want to know what we'll do if those girls are harmed in any way."
The admiral sighed. "Prepare for my arrival. I'm coming aboard."
A short time later, Admiral Burrell stood in front of Captain Allensworth in the captain's ready room.
"Have you read the original Starfleet charter, Captain?" Burrell asked. "In article fourteen section thirty one, it allows for extraordinary measures to be taken in times of extreme threat."
"Admiral, how is Commander Zofchak and his family considered to be a threat? They have gladly served Starfleet and the Federation for years. Why would Section Thirty One even consider kidnapping two infants that pose no threat to any of us? Thirty One's very being is an abomination to the Federation. Them, being accountable to no one to which they can violate the founding principles of the Federation is completely absurd."
"You would be surprised how helpful Section Thirty One has been to the Federation." Burrell asked.
"What, an assassination attempt on the Federation president to a start a war with the Klingons? Covering up the Lantaru Incident? Relocating the Ba'ku from their planet without their knowledge? How is that helpful to the Federation. I understand that some of the things they did has helped us but kidapping children is not one of them."
"How do you know about Thirty One's involvement in those events?" Burrell asked.
"Let's just say that I have a well informed crew."
"Well, they are correct. Section Thirty One was involved in those events. But, I can assure you..."
Allensworth studied the face of his superior as he was talking and then leaned up with a slight grin. "You know where they are, don't you?" He said cutting him off. "We found traces of Pyroxene. Pyroxene is found on Luna. That was when our shields were down and the twins were taken just before we warped out of the system."
"They aren't here." Burrell said.
Allensworth stood up. "You know where they are because you were aware of their plans all along. That's why you wre so adament about sending us to Bajor instead of investigating their disappearance. You're a supporter of Section Thirty One!"
"They ahve done things to protect the Federation. That's what I believe in, protecting the Federation. Your chief engineer had an intimate affair with the mirror counterpart of his wife."
"You've read his report. You know he was doing that to keep his cover and gathered information on our enemies. Are you saying that Commander Zofchak is compromised?"
Admiral Burrell put his hands behind his back and began to slowly pace in front of the captain. "When the first crossover happened, Kirk did everything he could to prevent the Halkans from being destroyed. Lieutenant Commander Zofchak could've declined the woman's offer."
"And Kirk was found out." Allensworth countered. "Kirk was believed to be his counterpart during his stay until Spock figured him out due to Kirk's odd behavior. Kirk also had the help of the rest of his landing party that had beamed to the other universe with him. Zofchak was by himself and had to do what he thought was necessary to confuse the enemy to get the information he needed."
Admiral Burrell could see the anger beginning to seep through Captain Allensworth's face. "He's a liability to the Federation." Burrell said.
"Then why act now? What are you planning to do to his children?"
"We have our reasons."
"NOT GOOD ENOUGH! DAMN IT, NOT GOOD ENOUGH!" Allensworth said slamming his fist down on his desk. The sudden outburst caught Burrell off guard. Allensworth walked around the desk with a purpose and grabbed Burrell by the collar.
"What the hell are you doing?" The admiral demanded.
Allensworth tightened his grip on the admiral to show he had no intention of letting go of him until he told him what he wanted to know. "Tell me where the Twins are."
"I can get you with assaulting a superior." Burrell said ignoring Allensworth's question. "Not only will you lose your command but you will lose your rank and everything else you've obtained during your career. You will be a nobody. You might as well go back to the Delta Quadrant." Burrell said.
Allensworth was not at all immpressed or intimidated by the admiral's threat. "Section Thirty One doesn't exist and neither does this conversation which means that my current actions don't exist." Allensworth said. "Which means that whoever you take this complaint to will have to look into it and you'll have to reveal Section Thirty One's existence and I'm sure you don't want to do that, do you?"
"What proof do you have?" Burrell asked.
Allensworth smiled. "Everyone under my command."
