Raghnill was relieved. She had come into the bridge to order her crew to seize the Firebird by force and finally she did not need to do it. She had formed a plan that minimized the probabilities of engaging the Federation ship, but still the sole possibility made her sick. However, her uncompromising mother was not one to cross with, and her commands were to be obeyed. She had only one choice, and thankfully Saavik had made the so desired move.
"Commander, someone in the Firebird is trying to break the codes!" the subcenturion who manned the science station informed her in alarm.
She watched as the young officer struggled with the encryption. The subcenturion was a promising soldier and she did not doubt he would fare well, but she had already decided to have her command officers with her in this operation.
"Vegaror, call the senior officers. Prepare the assault team. I'm going to inform the admiral."
"Yes, commander," he replied as she already turned towards the door.
After all, most of their former plan did not need to be altered.
The guard snapped to attention when he saw her approach and let her past. Ajeya was at the couch where she had left her ten minutes ago. She had hoped her mother would sleep now she was alone, but even if weary, she was very much awake.
"You're late," she scolded her.
She was not surprised by the welcome. "I'm on schedule," she dared to contradict her as she came closer. "The crew is already preparing the assault and I have good news."
She stopped in front of her mother, almost smiling. Ajeya straightened and gazed warily at her daughter, "Which news?"
"Saavik has already surrendered the Firebird to us. I have her locked with our tractor beam and we're holding the encryption that blocks her bridge. I'm not late." She could not help smirking this time.
Ajeya did not appreciate the gesture, though. "I guess you're very satisfied with yourself." Her eyes flashed, and paused. "I told you I wanted to be on the bridge."
Raghnill wiped off the smile of her face at the moment, realizing at her harsh tone that her mother had misunderstood her words. She stiffened, "I was not going to start this operation without you," she explained. "I just had gone to the bridge to call my officers and was going to get you when the Numancia called. They just did so."
Ajeya studied her as she was speaking. Raghnill had always been honest; it was one of the problems of following so blindly the old warrior code, she would never lie to her, or disobey her.
"And you're very satisfied with the outcome," this time, she smiled playfully at her.
Raghnill relaxed. "Yes," she admitted, returning the smile.
Ajeya caressed inwardly the scar crossing her face, as she reflected aloud. "If the half-bred had decided to be reasonable I don't see any reason to be on the bridge." To herself she confessed that she was tired. "A veteran commander like you should be able to handle this situation without difficulty." She eyed her daughter, cocking her head; she did not doubt her words, but she knew Raghnill had drunk much during the night.
"Yes, admiral," she replied immediately, content that finally her mother had decided to rest.
Ajeya concluded she was still fit to carry out the mission, and nodded.
"Do you want me to help you to your quarters?" Raghnill asked hopefully.
"No," Ajeya firmly replied. "I will stay here until the Firebird is safely in our hands and we're on route to Romulus." She paused for an instant. "Switch on the screens," she said to Raghnill. "I want to monitor everything from here."
Raghnill dutifully did as she was told and hid her displeasure. She had expected her mother to just go, but she realized that she was not one to miss action. Being her flag captain had its advantages, but it also had many disadvantages.
"Has she left the area?" Ajeya asked her. She did not need to be told who "she" was.
"Not yet," she curtly replied.
"I guess you will say farewell to her," there was bitterness in her words.
"Yes," she answered with resignation.
"I don't want to," her proud mother said in a whisper.
Raghnill understood, of course. "I have orders to carry out," she excused herself. She did not want to think of Saavik more than necessary either, not in relation with her mother, anyway.
"Of course," she agreed, thankfully to leave the disgusting topic behind. "You're dismissed."
Raghnill just nodded sympathetically, and smiled to her. Alone in the ready room, she skipped once more the mandatory salute and just wished her, "Rest well." She turned for the door.
Ajeya was sat upright at the couch and started to watch the screens the moment she was leaving. Raghnill just shook her head; her well intentioned words were not about to be listened.
Her bridge crew did stand at attention when she went in. She walked towards the command chair as she ordered, "As you were." The stilled activity returned to the bridge. She noticed Inara was back at her post but the young subcenturion remained with her. They were both engrossed in some task. She raised her eyebrows silently questioning her first officer.
"The Tal Shiar is trying to break the codes, commander," he reported. "They have some specialist working on it."
Raghnill could not say that was surprising; she gazed one more time to the two science officers and nodded confidently to herself.
"Will not the admiral accompany us?" he asked politely. She took her chair and he followed suit.
"No, she will stay in the ready room," she clarified, as she turned to look at the right main screen.
Vegaror also focused on the screen. "Everything is ready. We are awaiting your command."
Indeed, Lior was waiting; he was unmistakable for Raghnill even if most of his features were hid now by the helmet he wore. He stood at attention at the front while the assault team formed behind him. His second in command was the one at the tactical station in the bridge, as ordered. Inwardly, Raghnill flickered her gaze towards the ranks. Regretfully, she noticed the absence of her former chief of security at the head of her troops, her immediate subordinate was leading instead.
"And there is no reason to wait more," she concluded. To her trusted Lior she said, "Go." But at that same instant she halted him, noticing his hand absently caressing his assault rifle as he moved, "Minimize the damage. Remember: They are our own people."
"Yes, commander," he acknowledged as he adjusted his helmet's visor. When he turned it on, the data displayed by the tactical console was available to him too. "Let's move," he ordered his comrades.
They placed themselves on the transporter platforms and the technicians entered the different coordinates where each of them would be beamed.
Lior materialized with twelve heavily armed soldiers outside the bridge doors. There were eight persons at the other side. He could see each of them's positions as well as his team. They set their weapons at their lower intensity, as Raghnill had said, but still Lior was not about to take unnecessary risks. He would kill anyone who posed a danger to his team; he was sure that the Tal Shiar agents, if engaged, would not doubt to kill them too. He signaled them to go in and they stormed into the room.