Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek or any of its characters, only my OC - Kaitlyn Donovan.
This story is the sequel to All's Fair in Love and War.
Query: What sacrifices must be endured by those that secure our freedom?
Thank you to Just a Crazy-Man, bina W, and IrishBug74, LoyaulteMeLie, Lupinesence, jeangreyten, Belen09, and Silver-ShadowSpark for the reviews, and to everyone that is following this story and adding it to their favorites!
Chapter 12 - Protocols
The Price of Freedom
Chapter 12 - Protocols
Malcolm Reed steadied himself as he and Kaitlyn waited on stoop of Admiral Stevens' home. He still wasn't sure they were doing the right thing.
Kaitlyn glanced at Malcolm as he took a deep, calming breath. "I trust him." she said softly.
Malcolm gave her a curt nod. He still didn't feel comfortable - not in any way, shape or form. They had found out very early this morning that Harris was suspicious of the two of them - evidently she still had people in the Section that watched out for her.
"We need his help." she pointed out. Kaitlyn knew Malcolm would rather be anywhere but here, in this situation. "I've been working with him the past two years - Starfleet Intelligence is not like the Section."
"I know - we went over all of this a little while ago. I'm just not sure that telling the Admiral everything about that mission - which we took an oath to the Section never to reveal - is the best course of action." Malcolm frowned as he ran his hand through his hair. "This could very well end our careers, and our lives, if Harris finds out we said anything."
Kaitlyn looked back down the drive, belatedly realizing that she was forcing him into this and that it wasn't his choice, "Go back to the Enterprise. I'll tell the Admiral the pertinent information and leave your name out of it."
Malcolm's eyes widened as he held on to her upper arms, "Bloody hell, woman! I'm not trying to get out of this and I'm certainly not going to leave you here to do this by yourself." He rubbed her arms gently, "I just can't . . ." he shook his head slightly.
Kaitlyn gave him a small smile when she heard his thought. She stepped back from him as she heard someone coming to answer the door.
Admiral Stevens raised an eyebrow at the two officers on his doorstep so early on a Sunday morning. "Donovan, Reed - what do I owe the pleasure?" he questioned as he waved them in.
"We are sorry for arriving on your doorstep without an invitation, Admiral." Malcolm apologized as Stevens led them to his study, then shut the door.
Stevens indicated for them to sit at the table with him, "I'm sure the reason is sufficient."
It took several hours to explain everything about their mission together in the Section to the Admiral. He listened intently and asked a few questions when he needed clarification.
Admiral Jack Stevens watched the two officers as they glanced at each other when they had finished. "So, Harris is suspicious that you remember that mission because he noted the two of you in Kaitlyn's apartment early in the morning? That's hardly grounds for such a leap, but I guess this is Harris we're talking about." He picked up his PADD off the table, then looked at Kaitlyn, "Do you have an 'out' already planned?" Knowing her, she did.
Kaitlyn nodded as she and Malcolm pulled out their PADDs. "We finished up the Protocols. I have a program that can change the time stamp on each one of the packets I send you - but I'll need to use your PADD. That way, when Harris goes through your messages today - he'll see that we sent these packets to you all through the night, giving him a reason for Lieutenant Reed to be at my apartment."
Jack Stevens frowned, "Harris is going to go through my messages today?"
Kaitlyn's lips thinned. Surely he knew that his messages were read each day - along with everyone else in any sort of a command position.
Admiral Stevens sat back and shook his head tiredly. "Why is Harris in charge over there?" he questioned them.
"Truthfully?" Malcolm questioned the Admiral. Stevens nodded. "Because he gets results, the ends justify the means, and whatnot. His methods and operations may be hard to swallow for most people, but they have kept Humans and Earth on an even keel with our allies and opponents for now. The second reason is that no one has any hard evidence on him in order for him to be removed. He's very good at covering his tracks and keeping his operations compartmentalized."
Stevens nodded slowly. That was true - the Section got results, and often how they got the needed results were never questioned. "I imagine it would take quite awhile to gather all of the evidence and be able to link him to anything substantial." He glanced at his PADD, then back to them. "You realize there is no regulation saying that you two can't be in a relationship - right? If Harris wasn't so hell-bent on keeping the two of you apart, it would be perfectly fine." he pointed out to them.
"Not perfectly fine, Admiral." Kaitlyn shook her head.
Stevens frowned. He knew what she was referring to. He'd seen women lose their positions of authority because of the relationships they'd been in. He cleared his throat, "You said you have a program that can change the timestamps of messages?" he inquired.
Kaitlyn nodded, "Yes, Sir."
"What other types of programs have you come up with?" Stevens questioned.
"I can't discuss them with you, Admiral. I'm sure you understand that we will be dealt with by the Section if they find out we told you anything about that mission we went on. But, now that we know that the bombs are from that mission - it gives us a link to a few of Harris' operations." Kaitlyn stated.
Stevens handed his PADD to her and she quickly uploaded a program, then she and Malcolm started sending the Protocol packets to his PADD. A few minutes later when she handed his PADD back to him, he noted the messages had timestamps throughout the last night. "And they won't know that you've changed the timestamps?"
"No, because I changed it on your PADD. If I'd changed it remotely, there would have been some indicators - if they knew what they were looking for. Thank you for allowing us to do this - I know it puts you in a difficult position." Kaitlyn watched the Admiral.
Jack Stevens shrugged, "I don't want Harris to have any reason to doubt the two of you. Do you think he's going to try to pull the both of you back into the Section?"
Malcolm nodded, "It's actually a wonder that he hasn't tried already. I'm sure he'll back us into a corner when we don't have another option." He glanced at Kaitlyn. "Most likely he'll set up a situation on Vulcan for Kaitlyn to get reeled in first."
Admiral Stevens frowned, "Have you ever thought that you could work from within the Section to gather evidence and change things?"
Malcolm looked at the Admiral, "That's what happened the last time - and look where it got us. We had enough information about Harris' other 'off the book' operations to get him questioned, but he had our memories wiped and took every piece of evidence we'd gathered. If Harris suspects that we are gathering evidence again - he'll just have us killed."
Kaitlyn could feel the tension emanating from Malcolm. He was worried that they would be pulled back in and that one, or both of them would be set up as a scapegoat. "Admiral, if we get pulled back in, we'll do our best to gather information. Unfortunately, it would be too risky to send any information over the communication systems. We would have to meet with you personally in order to relay anything we've learned. It may be a very long time."
Stevens nodded, "Don't put yourself at risk. In fact, the two of you should make yourselves scarce."
Kaitlyn shrugged, "My unit and I will be busy with the Vulcans the next two weeks, then we'll be leaving."
Malcolm nodded, "I have some upgrades to finish on the Enterprise before we head back out in a month."
Stevens smiled softly, "Good." He stood up and they quickly followed suit. He led them back to the front door. "General Casey and I are going to host a Sending Off for your Unit, Kaitlyn - I expect both of you to be there."
"Yes, Sir." they agreed.
They walked slowly down the drive, then down the street.
"Lunch?" she suggested quietly as they continued to walk.
"I don't know if that's a good idea." Malcolm's brow furrowed. He knew that Harris was watching them and the last thing they needed was to raise even more suspicion.
Kaitlyn stopped. "This is the last time I'm going to see you until the Sending Off, Malcolm. Invite Trip and Phlox, even Captain Archer if you want - have them meet us at the Officer's Club. We'll celebrate the fact that we're finished with the Protocols." she found that she was raising her voice because she was so angry at the situation they were in. She looked away and sighed softly.
Malcolm could hear her thoughts and he understood completely why she was so angry. He opened up his communicator. "Lieutenant Reed to Doctor Phlox."
"Good morning, Lieutenant - how can I help you?" Phlox answered quickly.
"Captain Donovan and I finished the Protocols we've been working on for Starfleet Command last night. We'd like for you to join us for lunch at the Officer's Club to celebrate." Malcolm explained.
"That would be wonderful - I know how hard the two of you have been working on finishing them." Phlox smiled.
"Wonderful. I'm going to invite Commander Tucker and Captain Archer to come as well. We'll see you soon." Malcolm quickly commed Trip, then Captain Archer. He looked over at Kaitlyn when he'd finished - he could tell she had calmed down.
Kaitlyn had sent a message to General Casey, Colonel Kemp, Admiral Stevens, and Admiral Forrest and invited them to come, if they were available. She took a deep breath and gave him a small smile. "I'm sorry that I raised my voice - I'm not angry at you." she apologized.
"I know - don't worry about it. Let's get over there and get a table set up." Malcolm suggested as they started walking again.
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Admiral Forrest raised his glass, "To the completed Protocols." he smiled as everyone agreed and clanked their glasses.
Kaitlyn smiled at the very full table. Captain Hernandez, Lieutenant Jackson, and even Commander Morrison had come to celebrate the occasion. "Thank you for all coming on such short notice. Lieutenant Reed and I finished the Protocols and decided we needed to celebrate before we both got busy with our other duties."
General Casey nodded, "I hope that with these Protocols, we can integrate more MACO units onto Starfleet ships."
Admiral Forrest nodded, "I'm sure we will. The Enterprise's missions have proven to us that we need all of the help we can get when it comes to protecting our ships and crews."
Captain Archer agreed, "The MACOs are a great team to have on your side when you're in a bind."
The conversation turned to where the Enterprise and the Columbia were going to explore once they were ready for missions. It was a nice, relaxing luncheon.
Admiral Stevens waved for the waiter, "Please bring me the check Thomas."
The young man smiled, "I'm sorry, Admiral - everything has already been taken care of by Captain Donovan and Lieutenant Reed."
Stevens raised an eyebrow at Donovan and Reed, "Thank you two for taking care of the luncheon today - I certainly didn't expect you to pay for my meal." he thanked them.
Donovan smiled softly, "We invited you - it was the least we could do for all of you coming out and joining us impromptu on a Sunday."
General Casey grinned, "Thank you both - not just for lunch, but everything you've done for Starfleet and the MACOs."
A little while later, everyone said their goodbyes and started heading out.
Archer glanced at Donovan, "Are you going to come up to the Enterprise for awhile?"
She shook her head slightly, "No, Sir. I've got to get things ready for tomorrow. We've got to be at the Vulcan Compound at 0400 to learn how to prepare the Morning Meal."
Trip took a deep breath, "It's not too hard - just remember not to touch any of the food with your hands. They'll give you gloves to use." he advised her. He hadn't minded preparing the Morning Meals on Vulcan, though he didn't appreciate how early he had to get up. He felt a tightness in his chest and was sorry that he'd brought it up - he didn't want to think about T'Pol.
Archer and Trip started to head to the door, while Phlox lingered behind.
The Denobulan Doctor glanced at Kaitlyn, "You look like you're doing much better today - am I right?" he questioned.
She nodded, "I'm feeling much better. Thank you for coming, Phlox. I don't think I'll be seeing you for a while, I'm going to be quite busy training."
Phlox nodded, then smiled brightly. "If you ever need my assistance - you know where to find me."
Kaitlyn patted his arm gently, "I'll remember that." She watched as the doctor headed out the door. She took a deep breath, then turned to Malcolm. She stretched out her hand and smiled softly.
Malcolm was curious as he shook her hand. He was quickly washed over with all of her emotions. He gave her a small smirk as she left him with an image of what she wanted to do the next time they could be together. He let go of her hand and they walked outside to the waiting shuttle.
I'm going to miss you, he admitted in his thoughts to her.
Kaitlyn stopped and smiled as they reached the shuttle. I'll miss you more, she conveyed to him.
She looked over the Enterprise Officers and smiled, "I hope to see you all at the Sending Off. If you need me, just call." She waved, then turned and walked away. She didn't want to dwell on the fact she wouldn't see Malcolm for awhile. She sighed deeply. She might as well get use to it. Once she left for Vulcan - who knew the next time she'd actually see him again. She looked up as the Enterprise shuttle took off, then turned her attention to everything she needed to do to get ready for tomorrow.
XXXXX
A week later - Starfleet Headquarters
Captain Donovan looked up quickly from her PADD as she finished reviewing her notes for the debriefing she was giving in just a few minutes. She stood up and nodded at Admiral Gardner as he came in the Conference room.
Sam Gardner smiled and waved for her to sit back down. He set a cup of coffee in front of her and sat down in the chair across from her. "How have you been doing?"
Kaitlyn took a sip of the coffee and smiled - of course he knew the kind she liked. "This is very good - thank you. I've been very busy, but you know that. How are you doing?" she inquired.
"Fine. We've got three more NX ships in the works at various stages." Gardner watched as she took another sip of coffee. "Have you learned a lot from the Vulcans?"
She nodded, "A lot of information about their culture and their society."
"Their government structure and processes?"
Kaitlyn smiled, "Yes. I'm looking forward to visiting the sites that we've learned about - that is, if we have time."
"How long do you think it will take to bring the Embassy's security up to par?" Gardner questioned as he leaned back in his chair.
"About a month. Everything will be well in place before the Summit." She clicked on her PADD and the monitors along the wall changed to the blueprints of the Embassy. She stood up and finished off her coffee, then threw the cup away. She walked over to the monitors and checked the details on them.
Sam Gardner swiveled his chair around and watched as she walked back and forth between the monitors. "Kaitlyn, you always amaze me with the amount of detail you put into your plans. You are a true asset to the MACOs." He smiled as she turned to look at him.
Kaitlyn kept her expression in check. She didn't know what to think about his compliment. He'd been extremely angry with her just a week ago for brushing him off. "Thank you, I try to be thorough with my plans."
He stood up and walked over to her, then smiled again as he leaned against the wall next to her.
Kaitlyn watched as Gardner approached her. She felt the urge to back away from him, but kept still.
Captain Williams came in, "Well, good afternoon. I thought I'd be the first one here." He smiled brightly and came over to Kaitlyn. "Good to see you again, Kaitlyn. Heard that you and your unit have been giving the Vulcans a run for their money with the fighting skills." He gave her a quick hug, then stepped back and looked over the monitors. "I really don't see how you have enough time to do everything you do."
Kaitlyn was grateful that Derek Williams was taking her attention off of Admiral Gardner. She didn't know what Sam Gardner was going to say to her, but she was sure she didn't want to hear it. Especially since his eyes narrowed at Williams for interrupting. She smiled and stepped closer to Derek Williams as more officers arrived for the debriefing and took Gardner's attention away from them. "Thank you for stepping in." she said softly.
Derek smiled, "I saw him heading this way - had a bad feeling he was going to corner you."
She didn't have time to say anything else, because the rest of the Council arrived and she began her debriefing of the Embassy's Security assessment. This was the last of her updates she would be making to the Council before she left for Vulcan.
XXXXX
Kaitlyn finished answering Admiral Davis' questions and looked around the room to find Captain Williams, only to realize he'd already left. She glanced down at her PADD as a message came in.
She frowned as an address and a time popped up on her screen. She glanced at her watch. She'd have to leave now in order to get to the address in time. It was a risk. Who was sending her a meeting location and what did they want?
Her PADD vibrated again.
Her eyes widened slightly at the Vulcan words came across her screen.
~ I can help you find the answers you need about that mission.
Kaitlyn put her PADD up and quickly said her goodbyes to the few remaining officers and made her way to the address. As she walked down the streets, she calculated all of the possible scenarios she could think of, and mentally prepared herself to deal with each one. She reached into her pocket and wrapped the black strap around her left upper arm as she continued to walk. Most probable - this message was from Stoon. He was the only Vulcan that knew the details of that mission. Most likely, Harris had put Stoon up to this - undoubtedly it was likely a trap to see if she remembered anything from that mission. She looked up at the unassuming building, then headed in.
She walked into the front room and looked around slowly. It was a sparsely decorated living room with a couch, two chairs, and a coffee table. She stopped as she felt someone else step into the room. She turned around slowly and gave him a slight nod. "I assumed the message was from you."
Stoon nodded as he walked over to her and touched her arm gently. "Please, take a seat."
She stepped away from him, "I'd prefer to stand." She quickly activated the dampening field around her by touching the strap around her arm. She wasn't about to be transported away and put in that chair again.
Stoon nodded and walked a few feet away. "You are a bit paranoid." he stated as he clasped his hands loosely behind his back.
Kaitlyn narrowed her eyes, "Yes, frankly - I am paranoid. I can't remember a month out of my life - except the bits I gathered from the report I typed. A time of my life which I built bombs and now those bombs have shown up here, with the intention to destroy places and people of importance. Forgive me for thinking the noose is starting to get a bit tight around my neck!" she yelled.
Stoon watched her, unblinking. "Why did you admit to Admiral Stevens and Commander Morrison that those bombs were built by you? The probability that they would have linked them back to you on their own was less than fifteen percent."
She crossed her arms over her chest, "You're wrong. I had to deactivate it - I knew too much about its inner workings. Morrison knew by the time I finished." She looked at Stoon, "Why are you even here - you're supposed to be dead. What have you been doing all of these years?" she questioned him.
"It matters not what I have been doing." Stoon walked around her slowly. He could feel the hairs on his arm standing because of the dampening field around her. "Don't you want to know what happened on that mission? I can help you remember." he offered.
Kaitlyn shook her head tiredly, "I've already tried to get help - it was no use."
Stoon saw her clench her fists tightly and bow her head.
"No matter how hard I try . . . I can't remember him." Kaitlyn took a deep, shaky breath as she looked up at him. "I don't ever want to see or hear from you again."
"I can help you remember him." Stoon watched as a single tear ran down her cheek. He had caused this. He had caused this pain deep within her when he had taken her memories. He had never really understood what guilt felt like, but he assumed this gut wrenching emotion that was coursing though his system right now was indeed guilt. He stepped closer and she immediately stepped back.
"I think . . ." she took another deep breath. "I think some things are better left forgotten." She walked to the door and glanced back once more, "Goodbye, old friend."
Stoon stood standing in the room for what seemed like hours, but in reality in was just a few minutes. Her words had moved him, he had been able to feel her emotions so clearly. He had hurt her so much, yet she still called him friend. And in that moment of clarity - he realized that she knew much more about that mission than she would ever admit to. The only time she had ever called him old friend was right before he had placed his hands on her katra points to take her memories. He had questioned why she called him that and she replied that old friends never forget each other. The corner of his lips lifted slightly. That dampening field she had around her wasn't just keeping her from being transported away - it was also amplifying her emotions to him. Clever, clever girl.
Stoon looked up slowly as Harris entered the room.
"Well?" Harris questioned.
Stoon watched the man he'd been working for the past three years, "The devastation that she feels is overwhelming." Stoon took a cleansing breath. Perhaps he'd been helping the wrong person this whole time.
Harris stepped closer to the Vulcan, "Does she remember that mission, or not?"
Stoon looked Harris in the eyes, "No, she does not."
XXXXX
Kaitlyn walked in a daze down the streets. She hadn't allowed herself to remember all of the pain and frustration she'd felt since the day she'd woken up in the hospital from that mission. Her heart was aching and her breathing was shallow. She needed to mediate and heal.
She looked up and found herself at the gates of the Vulcan Compound.
Doctor Strom looked up as Captain Donovan came into the Medical Center. He could immediately sense her distress, he gathered the guards could feel it as well since they'd brought her back here quickly. "What has happened, Captain Donovan?" he questioned as he scanned her. He frowned slightly at the readings.
"Doctor, I've had a bit of an emotional overload and I need to be able to meditate. Could I please rest here?" Kaitlyn requested as she climbed onto one of the medical beds, not waiting for permission simply because she didn't know how much longer she could remain conscious.
Doctor Strom watched, stunned, as the human female fell into a healing trance right in front of him. He looked at one of the guards. "Please inform Ambassador Soval that we have a visitor and I would like to see him at his earliest convenience."
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TBC.
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