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 for the reviews, and to everyone that is following this story and added it to their favorites.
The Price of Freedom
Chapter 2
Lieutenant Malcolm Reed walked down the corridor of Starfleet Headquarters and headed to the room the MACOs were being debriefed. He gave a quick rap on the door.
"Enter."
He had the door open and stepped in. Malcolm Reed nodded to Captain Donovan as she looked up from her PADD. She indicated for him to take the seat at the end of left side of the table, while she sat across the table from the MACOs to be debriefed. "Thank you for sending me the schedule of debriefings and allowing me to be present." he said as he sat down.
Captain Kaitlyn Donovan nodded, "It is your right as their Commanding Officer on the Enterprise, and as the Head of Security." She focused her attention on her PADD as she handed him another that she had prepared. "The questions I will be asking each of them are on there - if you'd like a heads up." she indicated. She was checking up on the arrangements for Major Hayes' graveside funeral this evening. She wouldn't have any other time today to finalize any more details. She took a calming breath, then sent out the final message and set the PADD down. She looked up and saw Reed watching her intently.
He had been staring at her, he hadn't intended to. He knew she had been greatly impacted by Hayes' death - after all, he had been her Commanding Officer. "Even though Major Hayes and I didn't get along for a long time, I meant it last night when I told the MACOs I respected him."
She nodded. Last night, after the Banquet, she'd invited the Enterprise MACOs to the Devil Dog. They, in turn had invited Lieutenant Reed to come with them. "I hope we didn't keep you out too late." she said quietly as she cleared her throat. She saw him shake his head. "He respected you, too." she pointed out.
Reed raised an eyebrow, "You got that from reading the mission logs?" Surely, she was just saying that to be courteous.
She shook her head, "Major Hayes wrote letters to me during the mission - in hopes that at some point, you could send messages back to Earth. I just recently got to read them all." She wasn't going to mention that she'd also had the task to read all of the private logs of the crew. That had been a overload of information for her. It was one thing to go through all of the public record mission logs - it was quite another to read the crew's logs they believed to be private. They had vented, they had praised, and they had cursed people in their logs - all the while believing that no one else would know what they'd said. Most of the crew had deleted their private logs from the Expanse as of this morning, but Starfleet Intelligence had already downloaded every bit of information from the ship as soon as the Enterprise had approached Earth. "Anyhow, he admired that you ran a tight unit."
Malcolm Reed nodded slightly, then read through the information on the PADD quickly. "You've got different questions for each of them?" he inquired as he glanced at her. He thought she'd just have a standard list of questions to go through.
"I only need a few gaps filled in, I don't need to waste their time." she said as she looked at the door expectantly.
The knock came moments later.
"Enter." Donovan said as she stood up.
Lieutenant Reed followed her lead and stood up as the young MACO entered. He thought it interesting that she would do so, when according to her rank she needn't.
"Private Davis, reporting as ordered, Ma'am." the young man stated, keeping his eyes firmly on her as he stood at attention.
Donovan nodded, "At ease, Davis. Take a seat." she offered.
Davis waited for her to sit down, then he did. He glanced at Lieutenant Reed and nodded to him out of respect. He quickly returned his attention to his former Commanding Officer as he could feel her eyes upon him.
"How is your shoulder?" she inquired as she sat back in the chair.
Malcolm hadn't expected her to open with that, he'd expected her to get down to business quickly.
"It is getting better, Ma'am. Doctor Phlox put it back in place as soon as we got back to the Enterprise." Davis explained.
"And your knee?" she asked as she tilted her head slightly.
"It's been good for a couple of months - hasn't given me any trouble since Doctor Phlox gave me those treatment with that osmotic eel of his." Davis answered.
Donovan gave him a small smile, "I'm glad to hear it." She leaned forward slightly, "Could you tell me what happened when you went on the rescue mission onto the Seleya?" she questioned him.
Davis nodded and efficiently explained what they had encountered when they had docked with the Seleya.
Reed listened intently to the young MACO as he described, in vivid detail, the state of the Vulcans and their ship. He carefully watched as Donovan further inquired when she needed clarification at points. She was very adept at putting people at ease. She had smoothly transitioned from inquiring about Davis' health, to her own questions. Even now, her body language was mirroring the young man. He remembered the video from years ago when she had questioned a member of Terra Prime - this was very different. She'd obviously been trained well. He knew she had worked for Section 31 before the Enterprise launched, when there had been a threat to Admiral Forrest' life, and to the Enterprise itself. He knew she'd worked in conjunction with Starfleet Intelligence over the past few years - he'd read the combat fighting tactical manuals of other species that she put out through them. He wondered if she still worked for the Section - actually, he didn't want to know. The last mission he'd gone on for Harris to capture the weapon supplier of Terra Prime had been successful, but at a high price. The Officer he'd worked with had died and he'd lost all of his memories of what had gone on during the mission. It was disconcerting to have a month's worth of memories yanked away. He could feel the tightening of the muscles around his heart. The only thing he remembered was that he had loved the officer that had been on the mission with him, and since then he'd thrown himself into his work in order to avoid thinking of that mission.
Captain Donovan glanced to her left when Lieutenant Reed's rhythm of breathing changed. She quickly noted his pale features - he was having a panic attack. She stood up, "Davis, go get the Lieutenant some water." she directed. Davis dashed out of the room as she moved to Reed and placed her hand on his shoulder gently. The man's breathing was shallow, like his lungs were incapable of expanding to take a deeper breath. She projected calmness to him, and slowly his breathing became less labored.
Davis came in and handed the glass of water to her and watched as she sat it on the table. He glanced worried at the Lieutenant - he'd never seen the man show any signs of weakness before.
Donovan nodded to Davis, "Thank you for answering my questions. I think your very vivid details took the Lieutenant back to that encounter. I'm sure you understand when I ask you not to mention this to anyone." she requested. She knew the Tactical officer would be mortified when he realized what had happened, and he certainly would be embarrassed if word got out.
"I understand, Ma'am." He glanced at the Lieutenant once more, "You don't want me to get Doctor Phlox?" he offered.
"I'll contact him in just a bit, thank you." Donovan stated.
"I'll see you at the Memorial this evening, Ma'am." Davis snapped to attention again.
Donovan indicated that he was dismissed with a small nod. She turned her attention back to Reed as she sat down. His breathing was returning to normal and his pupils were coming back into focus.
Malcolm Reed blinked rapidly, then looked around at the room. Why was his heart pounding? Why did his head feel like it was going to explode? Realization hit him like a sack of bricks - he'd had a panic attack. He glanced at Donovan as she watched him carefully. He opened his mouth to speak, but he didn't know what to say.
"It happens to the best of us, Lieutenant." she said softly, trying to alleviate his tension. "I should have realized that Davis' account of what had happened might bother you, since you'd been there." She frowned, nothing in his records indicated that he had a propensity for a panic attack. What had she missed?
"I wasn't thinking about the Seleya." Malcolm Reed admitted softly and took a slow sip of the water as she indicated that it was for him.
"The trigger was hearing his words, and remembering what you'd felt at that time - your mind lead you to think about another point in time in which you had felt that way." she pointed out. She wondered what he'd been thinking of - obviously it was a painful memory. She wouldn't ask him about it.
Malcolm Reed swallowed hard. What if he had another panic attack when he was in his own debriefing? He closed his eyes tightly and took a deep breath.
She saw the look on his face right before he'd closed his eyes - he was worried. "You won't have an incident at your debriefing." she reassured him.
He looked up quickly, "What makes you so sure?"
"Your focus will be on the questions and answering them, your mind will be focused. When you were listening to Private Davis, your mind was allowed to wander. I would suggest that you take notes during the other debriefings - it will give your mind a focal point, that's all it needs." she said softly.
He thought about her suggestion, then nodded. It was when his mind was idle that it began to wander to things he didn't want to think about. He tried to smile, "Does this technique work for you, or is it something you read?" It still smarted that he'd shown any sign of weakness.
Donovan sat back and gave him a genuine smile, "It is from personal experience. I have to keep my mind occupied all of the time." She glanced at her PADD, "We have a few more minutes before Corporal Payton arrives, if you'd like to get some fresh air." she offered him.
Reed nodded as he stood up, "I think I will. Thank you, Captain." He picked up the glass of water and took it with him. He walked across the hall to the large window and looked out at the bay. It looked so calm and peaceful outside, unlike his mind that was a jumbled mess at the moment. He took another sip of water and tried to steady his thoughts.
Kaitlyn Donovan typed in a quick message to Doctor Phlox and informed him, in confidence, of Lieutenant Reed's panic attack. She knew the doctor would be discrete. Reed might not like it if he found out she had said something, but his doctor needed to know. She glanced up as Reed came in a few moments later, followed by Corporal Payton. She stood up out of respect.
XXXXX
Ambassador Soval walked out to the gardens to greet his guest. "It is good that you could come." he said as he approached.
Kaitlyn Donovan turned to the Ambassador and nodded, then bowed slightly. "It is pleasing to see you, Ambassador."
He indicated for her to walk down the path with him. They sat down at the table and were quickly served hot tea. Soval watched as she took a deep breath of the aromatic tea. She visibly relaxed as she took a sip from the cup. "I am pleased you find the tea satisfying." he stated. She looked as if some of the stress she'd been feeling had lifted momentarily. He hadn't had much interaction with her over the past year. She was in a supervisory position, and did not personally guard anyone - instead, she was in charge of overseeing everyone's security. It had to be stressful, she was only human.
Kaitlyn looked up slowly as she set the cup down. She knew he hadn't invited her here to go over the changing of security - she'd already sent in her detailed report. "What would you like to know, Ambassador?"
Soval steepled his fingers, he hadn't realized that she had seen through his invitation. "The reports on the encounter with the Selaya are disturbing." he stated.
"No more so than the images that you showed Captain Archer before he left for the Expanse." she shrugged.
"Let me clarify. It is disturbing that the Enterprise crew did not do more to try and save them." Soval pointed out, his voice tight.
"The crew of the Enterprise did everything in their power to help the Seleya, and had every intention of bringing them back to safety. Unfortunately, the crew of the Seleya were too far gone to help them." she explained carefully what she'd gathered from all logs.
"Perhaps if they'd brought them back, a Vulcan Priestess and Vulcan Healers could have helped them." his nostrils flared.
Kaitlyn looked at him directly, "Perhaps, you should have sent a Vulcan ship with the Enterprise into the Expanse."
Soval sat back, like he'd been scalded, "They would not have survived - they would have been sent to their deaths."
Kaitlyn raised an eyebrow, "Would they have died? Commander T'Pol survived. Do you know why?" she questioned him hotly, then quickly went on before he could say a word. "Because when the crew of the Enterprise realized the Trellium was adversely affecting her, they stopped their efforts to use it to reinforce the hull - putting them all at risk."
"They were foolish. The needs of the many, outweigh the needs of the one." Soval spouted the rhetoric that had been ingrained into him since he was a child.
"And what if that one, is the one that would end up saving them? I don't think that saying always holds true. I think there are times when the needs of the one is more important, depending on who that one is." She took a slow sip of tea and tried to calm down. She shouldn't have come. She should have rescheduled. She frowned slightly, "I'm sorry that you feel the crew did not do enough, but they did everything they could."
Ambassador Soval watched as she calmed herself down before him. He wondered what else she knew, that he did not. "You can not tell me anything further?" he queried.
"Everything is in the reports. Any clarification you need, you can ask the Senior Officers at their debriefings." she sighed softly.
"You do know more." his eyes narrowed slightly.
"What I know, is how they were impacted emotionally by the encounter with the Seleya - something you could never comprehend." she stood up. "Thank you for the tea, Ambassador."
Soval stood up and realized she was furious. He had not realized that she was that emotional, but as he glanced at her clenched fists - he realized she was ready to physically fight him. He thought quickly as to a reason for her to be so emotionally out of control. Then it dawned upon him. She was burying her former Commanding Officer in just a few hours. He swallowed his pride, "I did not mean to upset you. This conversation was not meant to be a personal attack on you, or the Enterprise crew. I should have realized this was not a good time to meet with you." he apologized. He had learned, from Admiral Forrest, that there were times to apologize for things that were not even your fault.
Kaitlyn shook her head slightly, "I should have rescheduled. I can usually control my emotions. I apologize, Ambassador."
"When was the last time you meditated?" he questioned.
She clasped her hands behind her back, "Not since before the Enterprise arrived. I have not had time."
"That is an excuse. You know you function optimally when you take the time to meditate each day." Soval reminded her. "I suggest that you mediate here, before you leave. I will take you, seeing as I was going to attend."
Kaitlyn nodded slightly, "Thank you, Ambassador." She hadn't realized that he was going to attend Major Hayes' burial, but she was grateful. She really didn't know how many people would attend. The Major didn't have any living family - the MACOs were his family.
She walked down the path to the bench she often sat at when she visited. She closed her eyes and focused on her heartbeat.
XXXXX
Malcolm Reed smiled slightly as he signed his autograph to the young woman. She was sweet enough, but he wasn't remotely interested.
"You just had to wear that jacket, didn't you?" Travis Mayweather grinned.
"What, this?" Malcolm inquired. Truthfully, he hadn't thought about it and had just thrown it on when Travis had shown up at his door and invited him out. He had only agreed because today had been downright grueling. First the panic attack, then Hayes' memorial. There had to have been at least two hundred in attendance. MACO and Starfleet alike - top brass and all the way down to Privates and Crewmen. Hayes had meant a lot to many people. And through all of it, Captain Donovan had remained steadfast.
"You should send some of them my way." Doctor Phlox grinned.
Malcolm chuckled softly. He'd realized when they'd reached the shuttle bay that Travis had failed to mention that the doctor was coming along. Now that he thought about it - the doctor had probably instigated the whole outing, Travis had never invited him out before. He had the sniggling feeling the doctor had found out about his panic attack earlier today, because he kept watching him surreptitiously. He couldn't blame the doctor for his unconventional means of ascertaining his mental health - he was probably the worst patient on the ship.
The next thing he knew, they had unwelcome comments directed at Phlox by some imbeciles that wanted to pick a fight - and a fight is what they got. Luckily, Phlox had shocked everyone before things got too out of hand. Unfortunately, the police had already been summoned.
The three of them sat in a cell at the local police department together. The guys that had started the fight had been hauled out a little while ago for questioning.
"I am sorry, gentlemen - this is all my fault." Phlox sighed heavily.
Malcolm shook his head, "None of this is your fault - it's the fault of the stupid idiots that were looking to pick a fight."
"Well, the stupid idiots have seen reason and the bar owner has agreed not to press charges on anyone." Captain Donovan said as she entered the outer room and looked over them carefully.
The three men stood up as a police officer opened the cell door for them to come out.
Malcolm Reed raised an eyebrow, "Who made them see reason? They were wailing at us the whole time that they were going to have our hides." He couldn't believe she was here. What was she doing here - this was a Starfleet matter.
"I made them understand that they would be plastered all over the news as the punks that lambasted the very people that had just saved the planet that they were living on - and that if they wanted to not be known as the scum of the Earth, they'd better rethink their wailings." she shrugged as she turned and led them down the halls of the police station and to the window they could collect their belongings from.
Doctor Phlox was pleased that things had turned out okay, but he still felt responsible for this whole mess since it was his idea to come out. "Thank you for coming to get us out."
Travis nodded, "I'm sorry you had to come down here, Ma'am." He felt like a heel. She'd just buried her CO a few hours ago, and here she was getting them out of jail. He'd been very moved by the professionalism at the service earlier that evening. All of the Enterprise Senior Officers had attended the service, and most of the crew. When they'd left, she'd still been there - waiting for everyone else to leave. She looked tired, yet here she was - taking care of them. He turned his attention to the police officer when he cleared his throat. Travis accepted his personal items from the officer and signed the form.
After everyone had gotten their belongings, they walked outside and got into the waiting shuttle. The pilot headed for the Enterprise.
Kaitlyn Donovan watched as the three men shifted uncomfortably, they probably had hoped they were just getting dropped off at the Transport Station, so they could catch a shuttle to the ship. She had promised Captain Archer that she would bring them back to the ship when she had informed him of the situation. She'd made it clear to him that they hadn't started the fight, and they were just defending themselves.
The shuttle was brought up into the shuttle bay and they pilot waited until the room pressurized, then opened the door.
Captain Archer walked into the bay and headed for the shuttle. He looked over the men, "Are you okay?" he questioned them.
The men nodded, "Yes, Captain."
Archer breathed a sigh of relief, he was glad they were alright. "Get a quick check in Sickbay, then get some sleep." he directed them. He watched as the men nodded to Donovan, then left. Jonathon Archer turned his attention to the MACO, "Any problems?"
"No, Sir. Everything is settled. I think this incident really upset them. We've already stepped up security for the rest of the crew as a precaution." she informed him.
Archer nodded, "Thank you for getting them back here."
"Not a problem." She turned and got back into the shuttle that would take her home.
XXXXX
Kaitlyn noticed the flashing icon on her monitor as she entered her apartment. She touched the icon and a few moments later, Admiral Stevens came on the screen.
"Good evening, Captain." he nodded to her.
"How can I help you, Admiral?" she inquired. He'd never reached her this late in the evening.
"Security located another device." he stated simply.
Kaitlyn frowned. Eight months ago, a device had been found before it had gone off. She had recognized the design as one of hers. She hadn't remembered building it, but it was possible that she had during her mission to capture the weapon supplier of Terra Prime. Then, a few months later when another one had been discovered, he had assigned Admiral Gardner to head the investigation on where they were coming from and how the devices were getting placed in secured locations. She didn't like working closely with Admiral Sam Gardner, but he was doggedly determined to get the people responsible for using her explosive devices against them. "Same as the others?" she questioned him.
Stevens watched her carefully, "Yes - they haven't tried to change the design. I think they're going to realize you had a secondary trigger and they won't go off without it."
She'd known she would never have built an explosive device without a secondary trigger when she had been doing covert operations. "They'll change any devices that are left."
"What kind of expertise will it take to change them?" he asked.
"Very highly qualified. Most people wouldn't even bother - it's extremely dangerous." She looked at the Admiral that she'd been helping to analyze data and tactics the past few years. She trusted him, he didn't give off the same vibes that Harris had. "I'll need to see it."
"Early in the morning before the debriefings begin - it's in our secured lab at Weapons R&D. I'll have Gardner meet you over there at 0700. Captain, this situation is very fluid - we're not sure who's involved." Stevens was worried that they had a mole inside Starfleet, but try as his people might they hadn't discovered who was involved.
"I understand, Sir." Kaitlyn knew there was a mole in Starfleet, she also knew that Stevens would never ask the Section for help because for all they knew, the Section could be involved somehow. "I'll see you at the debriefings, Admiral."
Stevens nodded and ended the transmission. He sat back and strummed his fingers on the desk in his study. She hadn't asked where the bomb had been found, but she probably had a good idea. It had been found in the Conference room that was going to be used for the Senior Officer debriefings. It had been transported in and attached to the underside of the conference table. He shook his head slowly. If the MACOs hadn't done another sweep this evening . . . He sighed. She had a highly trained unit. They had a predictable routine, but they always had an element of unpredictability. They didn't leave anything to chance, even if someone said something was secure. He'd learned a few things from her and her unit this past year and had them implemented in Starfleet. He wished he could convince her to move over to Starfleet, but he didn't see that ever happening.
XXXXX
TBC.
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