Chapter 22 – Of Moles and Men
By the time Delbert blearily opened his eyes to see the rays of breaking dawn stream in to Amelia's quarters, the diligent Captain had been awake for more than two hours, doggedly walking her ship, stem to stern, trying to formulate her next course of action. Although she had a vague idea what she ought to do, it wasn't one she was fully amenable to quite yet. She'd much rather find another solution, one that wouldn't ring as foolhardy as the current option, and one, she fervently hoped, that wouldn't cause tension between her and the sleeping Canid she had left in her quarters.
As she made yet another pass across the forecastle, Lightoller fell in step beside her, commenting on his Captain's somewhat early appearance.
"I'd have thought the good Doctor would have kept you in this morning, Captain."
Amelia shot him a warning look. "I know you're well aware of my relationship with Dr. Doppler, Mr. Lightoller, try as I might to have kept it under wraps, and I do appreciate the pains you've taken to keep that information quiet. But I warn you, I am not in the best frame of mind this morning to take any of your wit regarding said relationship." She locked her eyes on him. "Do I make myself clear?"
A bit taken aback at her brusque response, he respectfully nodded and tipped his head by of apology. "I merely meant that I assumed he'd make certain you received an adequate night's rest, Captain. My apologies if it was misconstrued."
"Noted."
"Now," he continued, "if I may be so bold, m'am, what seems to have the good Captain wound in knots?"
"These blasted rebels, Lightoller. That's what." Amelia tossed off a frustrated glance in his direction. "I can't seem to make heads or tails of their movements. They surprise us at every turn. It's almost as if they're being fed our information."
"A mole?" Lightoller asked in disbelief. "Is that really what you're suggesting, Captain?"
"Indeed, I am." She stopped and pulled her First Mate aside to port, making certain no one was around before continuing. "I'm almost certain of it. Dr. Doppler came to me a few days ago with some rather startling information that indicated a security leak."
"On the Legacy?" Lightoller protested. "But that's impossible! This crew was handpicked by you and they've served under your command for countless missions. I can hardly believe anyone would be willing to betray the Empire – much less you."
A hint of a smile tugged at the right corner of Amelia's mouth. "I thank you for your loyalty, Mr. Lightoller, as well as the bolstering of my ego." She clapped him on the back. "I knew there was a reason I kept you under my command."
Lightoller laughed softly.
"All laughter aside," she continued, "the good Doctor did indeed approach me with information from a, ah … confidential … source who happened to chance upon it in a rather incongruous manner."
"Mr. Roderick been listening to doors again, I take it?"
Amelia was impressed. "Your perceptive nature never ceases to amaze me, Lightoller."
"Thank you, Captain. But in all honesty, it was merely an observation based upon the actions of one who the young man reminds me of."
"Poor, bumbling Doppler," Amelia agreed wistfully. "The young lad does bear a resemblance to him, doesn't he?"
"It's uncanny. He's not a long-lost nephew, is he?"
Amelia smiled and shook her head, dispelling that thought. "No, no. The good Doctor is an only child."
"Well that explains much."
"Yes, it does, doesn't it," she chuckled, pondering the astute observation a moment before shaking away the fond memories surrounding her. "Blast you, Lightoller," she muttered, pointing a finger at him.
"Beg your pardon?"
"Here I am, one moment, trying to tell you about a possible saboteur and then next thing I know, you have me reminiscing like some spaceport ninny."
Lightoller offered her a subdued, "My humblest apologies," but couldn't keep the smile off his face. Sensing that he'd accomplished what he'd set out to do – alleviate his commanding officer of her current funk – he offered her a dashing smile and clapped his hands together in anticipation. "So, we have a mole. How does the renowned Captain plan on ferreting him out?"
As Amelia delved into her strategy, Lightoller became increasingly subdued, and by the time she had finished outlining her plan, the dashing smile was completely gone.
To be continued ...
A/N
As always, thank you for the reviews! They are greatly appreciated. The story's coming to an end! Just a few more chapters (six or seven) and we'll have reached a conclusion. I hope you're enjoying it, because I enjoy writing it. Please leave feedback if you have the time. It helps to know folks are out there reading, and it allows me to improve the story.