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 17 - Is it Trust, or a Veiled Threat?

The Price of Freedom

Chapter 17 - Is it Trust, or a Veiled Threat?

Three weeks later, United Earth Embassy.

Major Kaitlyn Donovan rapped on the open door of the United Earth Ambassador.

"Come in, Major." Ambassador Fritz Galen called from his desk. He set his PADD down on his desk as she came in and stood at attention. He waved for her to take a seat and studied her for a few moments.

"You wanted to speak to me, Ambassador?" she inquired.

He nodded. "How are the security upgrades going?"

She could feel the hair on the back of her neck standing up, not liking the vibe she was getting from his tactic. "As I stated in my report, all of the new Security Protocols are in place." She raised an eyebrow in question, wondering how long it would take for him to get to what he really wanted to talk about.

"Your meetings with the Vulcan Security Ministry have been going well?" he questioned her carefully.

"Yes, I have met with them twice a week to get updates on my inquiries." Kaitlyn watched as the Ambassador glanced at his PADD, even though the screen was blank. "You have further questions about those meetings?"

Ambassador Fritz Galen gave her a small smile, she was always so direct. "Do you realize that you are the only Human that we know of that has ever been allowed in the Vulcan High Command?"

"You have never been?" Kaitlyn's brows furrowed. Why hadn't any other Human been in there? Was it simply because they hadn't asked, or had they not been allowed.

"I have never been there." The Ambassador steepled his fingers together, "Why do you think they have allowed you so many visits and answered so many of your inquiries, when they have been extremely reluctant to answer ours in the past?"

Kaitlyn weighed her answer carefully, "They want something from me in return - they just haven't made it known." She could tell from her conversations with Administrator V'Las that he wanted something.

Galen nodded, "That is my assumption, as well." He looked at her thoughtfully, "How many times have you spoken with Administrator V'Las?"

"Each time I met with the members of the Vulcan Security Ministry, he arrives near the end and invites me to tea in the atrium."

"And what do you speak about?" The Ambassador questioned as a message arrived to his PADD and he clicked on it, then read the message quickly. He closed the message and put the PADD back down, then looked back at his former student.

"He asks about my trainings and my postings, and he has inquired about items in my training manuals about other species. All of this is in my reports that I submit to you, Starfleet Security, and MACO Headquarters." Kaitlyn pointed out as she forced herself to breath evenly and keep calm. The churning in the pit of her stomach was getting worse.

"Administrator V'Las requested that you review the Security Protocols at the Vulcan High Command." The Ambassador watched for her reaction.

"That is highly irregular, Ambassador. Why would they want me to review their security? They don't like Humans knowing that much about them." she pointed out as she tried to come up with some logical reasoning.

"The Administrator wants to make sure their security could withstand an attack from other species."

Kaitlyn blinked, "An attack from other species?" She leaned forward slightly and looked at her former professor questionably, "Was a specific species mentioned?"

Ambassador Galen frowned, "I believe the Andorians were the concern."

Major Donovan stood up and walked to the window and looked over the grounds of the Embassy to the gates. "I don't believe it would be wise for me to help them. We are trying to become allies with the Andorians - aren't we? The Andorians helped us in the Expanse, they have shielding that we need for our ships." she reiterated for clarification.

Ambassador Galen stood up and walked over to her, "I agree with you. I don't think it's wise for us to help one ally fortify themselves against another one of our potential allies - and that's what I stated to Administrator V'Las."

Kaitlyn nodded her thanks to him. She didn't want to be put in a situation that was politically volatile.

Fritz Galen watched as relief washed over her facial expression. He frowned again, "Unfortunately, Administrator V'Las ignored my objections and sent his request to Starfleet and the MACOs."

Kaitlyn turned to him as she realized why he was frowning again, "The message you received - they approved for me to help the Vulcans." It wasn't a question, she knew the answer already. Starfleet Intelligence would be giddy at chance for her to learn all she could about the Vulcan High Command's Security Protocols - of course they'd approve the request.

The Ambassador sighed heavily, "I'm worried for your safety. Don't give me that look - I know you can take care of yourself." He glanced out the window and avoided her gaze, "Once you've learned their Security Protocols and have helped them, you will become a huge security risk for them. I don't see them just allowing you to leave with that kind of information running around your head."

Kaitlyn Donovan closed her eyes and contemplated a few scenarios, none of them were pleasant in her opinion. She opened her eyes and found the Ambassador with the most concerned look on his face that she'd ever seen on the man. She had to reassured him, that was her job. She took a deep breath and gave him a small smile. "I know what the Vulcans are capable of, Ambassador - and I assure you that I will take precautions. I assume my orders will come in shortly?"

Ambassador Galen nodded solemnly.

"Well, if you'll excuse me - I have a few things to attend to." Donovan took a step back from the Ambassador.

"Kaitlyn, if you need any specialized assistance - I know of someone that can help you." Ambassador Galen offered. There was a man stationed at the Embassy, officially he was a low ranking Lieutenant - but he was really a member of a covert organization. Galen didn't want Kaitlyn to become involved with them - but if she needed their protection, he would make sure she got it.

She smiled, "If I find myself needing that kind of assistance, I'll be sure to ask - but I know what it costs for me to accept it. Don't look so surprised, Admiral - I'm not an innocent civilian. I haven't been for a long time." She headed to the door.

"Kaitlyn . . ."

She turned and looked back at the Ambassador and raised an eyebrow.

"Be careful." Galen advised.

Kaitlyn gave him a quick nod and left his office. She headed immediately to the briefing room the MACO's had been assigned to work in while they were temporarily stationed here.

Sgt. Jackson snapped to as she came in, "Ma'am?"

"Have we gotten a communiqué from Starfleet?" she inquired as she headed to her small office in the back room.

"Yes, Ma'am - one just came in for you." Sgt. Jackson indicated her PADD on her desk.

Kaitlyn picked up the PADD and quickly read over her orders from Starfleet Command that instructed her to offer her assistance to the Vulcans in reviewing the Security Protocols for Vulcan High Command. The orders were also approved by General Casey and the MACO Council. She handed the PADD to her Second-in-Command.

Sgt. Jackson read over the orders carefully, then handed the PADD back to her. "Ma'am, this is highly unusual and dangerous." He glanced at the interactive monitor she had hanging on her wall that indicated all of the locations Vulcans had been disappearing from. "What if they find our you've been looking into this situation? They won't be pleased."

Donovan nodded. In her spare time, she'd been sifting through all of the local Vulcan Security reports and gathering data on all of the missing Vulcans and trying to figure out what was going on. "I'll be cautious." She glanced quickly to her monitor as an incoming call came in. She nodded to Sub Commander Stel as he appeared on her monitor. "How may I help you?"

"Administrator V'Las requests that you come to his office presently." The Sub Commander stated and waited for her response.

Donovan nodded, "Please inform Administrator V'Las that I will be there shortly."

The Sub Commander nodded, then ended the communication.

Sgt. Jackson frowned, "I have a feeling they know you got your orders."

"You and me both. Have Corporal Mullens go back over all of the Embassy's Communication systems while I'm gone." She picked up her cover, "I'll find you when I get back."

XXXXX

Twenty minutes later - Vulcan High Command.

Major Kaitlyn Donovan was escorted to Administrator V'Las' office.

He stood up and his face lit up as he walked over to her, "It is pleasing to see you, Major." He indicated for her to sit at the circular table off to the side of his large office.

Kaitlyn sat down and watched him carefully. He unnerved her. V'Las actually had a personality that he wasn't afraid to show. He occasionally smiled, he laughed even. He was also quick to show his anger. When she'd first met him and he'd touched her for four seconds, she'd felt something different from him. He wasn't like T'Mir or Soval. "How can I be of assistance?"

V'Las gave her a small smile, "I'm sure you know that I requested your help to go over our Security Protocols here, and that request was approved."

"Yes, of course Administrator - I meant, how can I be of assistance with your Security Protocols?" She looked at him questionably.

"How secure is the Vulcan High Command?" V'Las questioned her.

"Your protocols are logically sound." she stated. She already knew that much just from her previous visits.

V'Las gave her that smile that made alarm bells go off in her head. "True, but Humans and other species don't use logic alone to fight. They use innovation, surprise, and adapt quickly to changing situations. That is the advice we need from you, Major Donovan. We want you to come up with scenarios of how you predict other species would try to infiltrate this building."

"This is just a building - wouldn't you be more interested in how to protect your citizens?" she inquired.

V'Las' nostrils flared, "Sustaining the Vulcan High Command is the utmost importance. Without our leadership, Vulcan would fall into chaos."

Kaitlyn raised an eyebrow, "I thought Vulcan would fall into chaos without logic. I don't remember reading anywhere in the Teachings of Surak that the preservation of the government would hold Vulcan together."

V'Las sat back in his chair and took a deep breath, "Of course, logic is paramount - but our government must still be preserved. I did not realize you were so familiar with the Teachings of Surak."

Kaitlyn sat back in her chair and breathed slowly. She realized she was pushing him and she shouldn't be, so she switched gears. "I find merit in his teachings."

"But you don't agree with it entirely." V'Las pointed out to her as he smiled tightly.

"I'm human - of course I don't." Kaitlyn took another calming breath as she watched him. "Administrator, you realize that if you want an accurate report from me, I will need full access to your building schematics and all of your current protocols in place."

V'Las nodded, "I have the utmost confidence in you that you won't reveal our vulnerabilities to anyone."

"How could you be confident in that respect? You barely know me." Kaitlyn stated and frowned as another smile came over his face.

V'Las leaned forward, "Because I know that you are honorable and loyal - and I also know that you already keep a lot of things secret." V'Las' eyes bored into her as he waited for her reaction.

XXXXX

TBC

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