Aschaffenburg, Germany. 12 July 2157. 0336 Hours Earth Standard Time.

Asking for better directions might have been a good idea.

Dressed in unremarkable-looking civilian clothes, Nate Hayes ducked into a darkened alley, eyes and ears straining to detect any pursuers. Long moments passed in silence before he discreetly checked the hand-scanner that he kept concealed in his jacket pocket. Capable of tapping into the CCDTV network scattered throughout the small city, the modified scanner allowed him to quickly identify any potential threats to his anonymity.

Satisfied that he wasn't being followed, Nate jogged down the narrow alley and paused at a nondescript side entrance. A covered keypad was hidden to one side of the door, and he quickly entered his access code before glancing around once more. The door opened silently and he entered without hesitation. Soundlessly, the door slid shut behind him.

Complete darkness surrounded Hayes, and he breathed in calmly. There was no way for him to tell exactly what sort of surprises might be waiting for him should he appear anxious or tense. A soft beep sounded, and he recognized his cue.

"One scanner," he stated to the darkness, "and a phase pistol in a shoulder harness." Attempting to hide what he was carrying was a quick way to get identified as a threat; and threats never walked out of a Section safehouse. "I'm also carrying three blades in concealed holsters and one in my left boot."

A second beep sounded, this one louder than the first, and Nate winced at the sudden light that briefly blinded him. Blinking his eyes in an attempt to clear them of the spots that danced in his vision, he took a step forward.

"I told you not to contact me," came a soft voice to his left. Hayes glanced in that direction; he could just make out the shape of his Control.

"I'm sorry, sir," he replied, making sure to keep his hands away from his body. "I needed to report that my primary objective was completed."

"So soon? That's unexpected."

"Yes, sir," Hayes nodded. "I was forced to accelerate the time table based on circumstances."

"But T'Pol agreed?"

"With conditions, sir." Nate frowned slightly at the memory of that uncomfortable discussion. "She's willing to look the other way as long as I put the Section's intelligence assets at her disposal." He offered a tiny smirk. "Frankly, sir, I think she was more worried about Captain Tucker's welfare than anything else."

"Not surprising." The older man stepped forward, his expression unrelenting and cold. "Continue with phase two, Lieutenant." Hayes drew in a sharp breath at that: phase two was recruitment. He hadn't expected to be put in charge of that. "Keep a low profile for a few weeks."

"Yes, sir." Nate turned to go. "Will there be anything else, sir?" he asked, and the older man smiled tightly. It was an odd expression that he wore – an almost-smile that somehow appeared devoid of any human warmth – and it stretched the hideous scar that covered the man's face.

"Not at this time," Lieutenant Commander Malcolm Reed replied calmly.

END