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, Silver-ShadowSpark, Cap'nFrances, g-love99, guest, and badkarma00 for the reviews, and to everyone that is following this story and adding it to their favorites!
Chapter 16 - Too Good To Be True
The Price of Freedom
Chapter 16 - Too Good To Be True
Vulcan, United Earth Embassy
Commander Joshua Leeds, Starfleet Security Commanding Officer, glanced down at the PADD in his hands once again. "I don't understand why a MACO was chosen to strengthen our Security Protocols - our security is just fine." he directed his comment to the man sitting behind the rather ornate desk.
United Earth Ambassador Galen smiled at the much younger man, "They are not coming to take over your job. They will evaluate the current protocols and strengthen what we have in place. It's a win-win for us, Commander." The Ambassador stood up and buttoned his suit out of habit. He walked over to the window and looked out at the sprawling lawn of the Embassy, then out the gates at the Vulcan home world beyond. "When I taught at Stanford, Captain Donovan was one of my most promising students - she could always see both sides of an argument and come up with possible solutions." He smiled as he thought back to some of the more heated arguments of her classmates. Fritz Galen ran his tanned hand through his almost completely balding hair, "She would have made a fine mediator right out of college."
Commander Leeds stood next to the Ambassador, "What changed her mind?"
The Ambassador raised an eyebrow in question.
Leeds pointed at the PADD, "She chose the MACOs, instead of the Diplomatic Corps - why?"
Fritz Galen shrugged, "I must admit that I was disappointed. She wants to ensure safe conditions for Humans, no matter where they decide to live. She will always advocate diplomacy first, but she also knows there must be soldiers willing to fight and protect others." He looked at the Commander, "Watch and learn everything you can." He smiled as he picked up the small black box on the table and opened it up, "My first order of business is to award her new rank to her. Donovan's promotion to Major was just approved." The Ambassador closed the box and unbuttoned his jacket as he sat back down at the desk. "What time did you say they'll arrive?"
"In three hours, Ambassador." the Commander stated.
"Very well - I can finish a few more communiqués before they arrive." Galen said and dismissed the Security Officer.
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Captain Tok noted as he walked into the Dining Hall that more and more of the Vulcans were eating the spicier plomeek broth prepared by the MACOs. He continued to his private room and nodded at the steward as he poured the waters. He sat down and waited for his guests.
A few minutes later, Captain Donovan and Commander Stovok came in the door.
"Good morning, Captain Tok." she quickly greeted him.
"Good morning." he nodded and indicated for them to sit down.
The steward quickly brought in bowls of the spicier plomeek broth for each of them, then quietly left.
Captain Tok glanced at the bowl. He had given in and tried the spicier dish two mornings ago and decided that it was indeed very good. He looked at Captain Donovan, "My crew seems to prefer the spicier dish in the mornings now, they will have to adjust after your unit departs."
Kaitlyn Donovan gave him a small smile, "Actually, we presented Chef a case this morning - it should be enough to make a pot in the mornings for a few months. If your crew continues to eat it, I told Chef how to request more."
Tok tilted his head slightly, "That is considerate of you." He was about to start eating, then stopped. "Has it been confirmed that the Orions attacked the Andorian vessel?" he inquired.
Donovan nodded, "Yes, Commander Shran's team confirmed it."
"They could be agreeing with your hypothesis to keep the truth from you." Tok pointed out.
"The Andorians have no reason to keep the truth from us, Captain. Besides, the strafing patterns of Orions are unique - I would not have suggested it unless I was relatively certain." Donovan explained.
Commander Stovok watched the MACO carefully and realized her last statement was very true for her. In every instance these past few days, her statements were very calculated and if questioned - she always had a litany of facts to support her reasoning. She had shared her manuals on other species' fighting techniques with them and the MACOs had answered questions posed by the Vulcan Security Officers on board yesterday. "The information that you and your unit have shared with us on other species has been helpful." Stovok stated in order to keep the conversation cordial.
Captain Tok glanced at his Second-in-Command and realized what he was doing. "Yes, it has been helpful. We have added the information to our database and sent it on the Vulcan High Command."
Donovan had noted the glances between the two Vulcans and decided to leave it alone. She nodded as they began to eat the meal in silence.
XXXXX
Kaitlyn Donovan sighed as she waited for the communication to go through. She was sitting in her small office in the United Earth Embassy. She had spoken to Ambassador Galen earlier and explained the information she was going to request from the Vulcan Security Ministry. The Ambassador had stated that the inquiries would likely be refused, or else it would be very limited and more than likely, it would take them a week to get back to her.
A male Vulcan appeared on the monitor, "This is Sub Commander S'Tol of the Vulcan Security Ministry - what is your inquiry?"
"Good morning, Sub Commander S'Tol. I am Major Donovan of the MACOs and I am in charge of the Security Protocols of the upcoming Summit at the United Earth Embassy. I have a few inquiries and am transmitting them to you now." she tapped the icon on her PADD. She watched as the Vulcan opened the inquiry package and his eyebrows rose after reading the first few items.
Sub Commander S'Tol looked at the Human carefully, "I will direct your inquiries to the appropriate office. You should receive a response in a week." then the transmission was cut.
Kaitlyn sat back in her chair. She'd just have to wait and see what their response would be, or if they wouldn't be any assistance.
She sent out another communication - this one to the Enterprise. She waited a few minutes while the link was made to the Enterprise, then routed to Commander Tucker's quarters.
Trip's face appeared on the monitor and he grinned, "Hey, how are you doing, Kaitlyn?" he asked as he typed a message on his PADD for Malcolm to come to his quarters. He looked over her uniform, "You got your promotion - congratulations!"
Kaitlyn nodded, "Thank you, just got it a few hours ago. Everything is fine so far, we're getting settled in. Heard you picked up a special passenger."
Trip nodded, "Yeah, not too sure if I trust him any further than I could throw him."
She heard the door to his quarters open and close as she spoke, "Don't trust him. He's very charismatic, but he's also an escape artist."
Malcolm stood behind Trip, "Speaking from past experience?"
Kaitlyn nodded, "The last time he escaped, they had me help amp up the security at the prison."
Trip nodded as he stood up, "Well, I'm going to go see if that piece of pecan pie is still in the Mess Hall. Good to hear from you, Kaitlyn." he smiled, then left them alone.
Malcolm sat down in the chair, "He'll try and escape?"
"Undoubtedly - it's just a matter of when he'll see an opportunity. Did I read the Secured Report correctly - Augments?" she inquired.
Malcolm nodded, "Evidently Soong had stolen them and raised them."
Kaitlyn frowned, "He's been in prison for ten years - they've been on their own since then?" She thought back to everything she'd read about the Augments during the Eugenics Wars. "They're strong, fast, and extremely intelligent. Be vigilant."
Malcolm understood the advice, then decided to change the subject. "Congratulations, Major." he smiled as he leaned slightly closer to the screen.
Kaitlyn smiled back, "Thanks - it hasn't quite sunk in yet, don't think it will until we've finished this assignment."
"Everything going okay? Starfleet Security giving you any problems over there?" he inquired. He felt a pull in his heart as she touched her communication implant just once and acknowledged whatever information she'd just been told.
She refocused her attention on him, "I met with Commander Leeds, he seems knowledgeable - though a bit young." She shrugged as she quickly typed in some information on her PADD, then set it down.
Malcolm frowned slightly, "How young?"
"A few years younger than us. I didn't think Starfleet promoted Officers that fast."
Malcolm shook his head, "Usually not, except in rare circumstances. I should hope it's not because his father is a Senator." he despised nepotism and seriously hoped that wasn't the case.
"I'm sure that can't be all it's based on. I'm going to read up on him tonight, find out where he's been stationed." She smiled slowly, "You've been well?"
"Just fine. Wish you were here with us - would make me feel better since you've dealt with Soong before." Malcolm smiled again as she sat back in her chair.
"Wish I was - it would be interesting. If you need to break the ice with him, I would suggest a few rounds of chess." she suggested, then noted an icon flashing at the bottom corner of her monitor. "Sorry to cut this short, I've got another message coming in. I miss you too. Be safe and tell Trip thanks for being our middleman."
Malcolm nodded, "I'll tell him - you be safe too." he touched the icon and ended their call. He sat there for a few moments, then headed to the Mess Hall.
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Major Kaitlyn Donovan headed down the halls to the Starfleet Security offices. She knocked on Commander Leeds open door. "Commander, how can I procure a vehicle?"
She looked out the window of the shuttle just under twenty minutes later as they stopped in front of the massive buildings that held the Vulcan High Command and all of their offices and departments.
Sgt. Jackson got out with Starfleet Security Officer Shoope and analyzed the building carefully. "I'm sure they'll have us move the shuttle, we'll find out where to put it." Jackson looked over her carefully, "You sure you don't want me to come with you, Ma'am?"
Kaitlyn gave him a small smile, "I don't think it would help the situation. I'll call you when I'm ready to leave."
Jackson frowned, "I need a call from you within an hour, giving me an update." He was worried - once she stepped through those doors, he wouldn't be able to protect her. He didn't think the Vulcans would do anything wrong, he just knew that his options would be severely limited.
She nodded in understanding, "Very well." She handed him all of her weapons and only kept her PADD. She straightened and smoothed out her uniform, "Talk to you in an hour." She turned and headed inside.
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Malcolm set up the chess set, then retrieved two cups of hot tea from the drink dispenser and sat down at the table in the Mess Hall. He had only to wait a few more minutes for their guest to arrive with his escorts.
Doctor Arik Soong raised an eyebrow slightly as he stepped into the Mess Hall. He hadn't been given any indication of where he was being escorted to when the MACOs had pulled him out of his quarters. He certainly hadn't expected the Head of Security to be waiting in the Mess Hall with a chess set. Soong quickly recovered and grinned, "If you wanted to play chess, we could have done so in my quarters." He walked over and sat down in the chair the Lieutenant indicated.
Lieutenant Malcolm Reed gave Soong a tight smile, "I'd prefer this environment. I heard you play chess and I thought we'd give it a go."
Soong tilted his head slightly and chuckled, "We can try." He looked at the cup of tea waiting for him, "A Vulcan blend?" he questioned.
Reed nodded, "I noted that this was the blend you prefer."
"Thank you for being so considerate, Lieutenant." Arik Soong studied the younger man closely. "Are you going to try and ply information from me for your Captain?" He made the first move on the board.
"Actually, no." Malcolm moved his first piece, then glanced up at Soong. "I just haven't been able to play against anyone on this ship who could beat me - maybe you can, we'll see." he took a slow sip of his tea.
Arik Soong laughed loudly, "Yes, we'll see." He moved his next piece, "You know, for someone so reserved, you have quite an ego."
Malcolm gave the doctor a small smile, "It's not ego when it's true." he pointed out and made his next move on the board.
Soong grinned, "Let me guess - you don't get to let this side of you out that often?" He moved his next piece, "Who told you I play chess?" He picked up his cup and took a sip of the hot drink and savored it as it went down his throat. He set the cup back down and watched the Lieutenant eyeing the board.
Malcolm moved one of his knights, "Someone who said you could play well."
Arik Soong frowned slightly, he hadn't played against too many people lately. They were all too worried that he'd get information out of the person he played, or that he'd try and escape again. He thought back to all five people in the past few years as he moved his queen. The only person that had played him more than once was that MACO that amped up security at the prison. Soong grinned, "You've been talking to Captain Donovan - she's a very good opponent."
Reed moved a bishop, "She's a Major now, and yes - she is a good opponent." he agreed as he watched Soong calculate his next move. He took another sip of tea, "How did you two end up playing chess?"
Soong chuckled softly, "Actually, she wanted me to analyze some photos of those cybernetic beings the Enterprise encountered." He noted the Lieutenant frown, "Don't worry, she had permission from Starfleet Command. They have me analyze stuff for them all of the time. Anyhow, I told her I'd help her if she'd play a round of chess with me." He moved a knight, then sat back.
"And you analyzed the photos for her?" Malcolm questioned as he moved his queen again.
"Yes. Very interesting, those cybernetic beings. Very interesting capabilities indeed. When I analyzed some of the notes taken by her father and his team, I found it intriguing that the components were from the future - about two hundred years is the agreed upon estimate." He made his next move on the board and took another drink of his tea. Soong noticed that even though the Lieutenant was uncomfortable with the topic, he was still curious.
Malcolm Reed nodded, "I read that estimate, as well. Anything interesting in your analysis?" He moved his next piece and watched the doctor.
"They are an interesting species, though I'm not certain what their original make up was. They simply assimilate whatever species they come into contact with. I don't think they will be easily defeated - I'm glad I won't be around in two hundred years to encounter more of them." Soong grinned and made his next move.
"How do you think they ended up back here?" Malcolm questioned as he moved another piece.
"Oh, probably some spatial rift or something like that." Soong shrugged and moved another piece. "Obviously whatever it was that happened was closed, or sealed because we don't have more of those things running around."
Malcolm Reed nodded, "You sound like you don't much care for those cybernetic beings. What makes them any different than your Augments?" He moved another piece and took another sip from his cup.
Soong quickly made his move, "Those things are crude - just technology added to organic beings. My Augments were carefully altered genetically to make them better than any Human - much faster, five times stronger, and twice as intelligent." Soong grinned.
Reed smiled slowly, then nodded and made his final move, "Check mate."
Soong frowned as he realized he'd given the Lieutenant information about his Augments without planning to. Soong glanced at the board, "It is not check mate - it is a stale mate. Neither of us can win this round." He nodded to the Lieutenant, "You play the game well, much like Major Donovan." He sat back and smiled, "Thank you for the game and the tea. Though I've enjoyed this little session, I should be getting back to my quarters."
Lieutenant Malcolm Reed nodded as they both stood up, "You know Doctor Soong, we will find them."
Arik Soong gave him a small smile, "Perhaps. I guess we'll just have to see how much you're willing to sacrifice to get close to them." He turned and left with his escorts.
Malcolm watched as Soong left and contemplated the man's words. They would more than likely meet up with the Augments. He'd need to run some tactical analysis based on the Augments' strength. He quickly picked up the chess set and put it back up in the cabinet, the cups in the bin, then headed to the Armory.
XXXXX
Major Donovan looked around the table of Security Minister Officers as they continued to read over her inquiries.
"Why do you need to know the crime rates on Vulcan?" Commander Stel questioned.
"It is important to understand what is happening on the other side of our Embassy gates, Commander. It is a factor that will influence what further security I will put into place." she explained to those present. This had been the first time she'd spoken since she sat down thirty minutes ago. The Vulcan Officers had all been silently reading her requests and annotating information on their own PADDs.
The Vulcan Officers quickly stood up as another door opened, and Kaitlyn followed suit. Her eyes widened slightly at the Vulcan that entered the conference room.
The Vulcan's piercing blue eyes landed on hers quickly. He smiled, "Major Donovan - it is pleasing to meet you." Administrator V'Las looked over the table of Officers, "I have read her requests - you shall answer them. Major, while they are gathering all of the information you need, let me show you to our atrium and we will have tea." he offered and waved for her to come with him.
Major Donovan nodded and walked over to the Head of the Vulcan High Command, "It is an honor to meet you, Administrator." she spoke in Vulcan and bowed slightly.
Administrator V'Las smiled again and indicated for her to walk with him. He touched her back briefly to guide her down the hall, "I'm looking forward to working with you, Major."
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TBC.
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