"Going into Klingon territory to discard L'Rell?" Burnham asked, walking along the side of Landry. "That is risky, Captain."
"Risk is our business, Number One," Landry said. "L'Rell has been a great consultant in the war against the rogue Klingons."
"Except Starfleet Command requests a able consultant from Qo'Nos," Burnham added. "Willing Klingons are not easy to come by."
"And we found one," Landry said.
"We were lucky that we were able to retrieve her alive," Burnham reminded. "Let alone rescuing the survivors of the Yeager and Captain Lorca. Did you not listen to Admiral Terral? Attempting to retrieve a living Klingon informant will only end in their death. If we tried that, it will be crushing to the crew morale."
"At this state, we are being crushed," Landry said. "Some Klingons might want the war over with."
"The war is unpopular with the Klingons that xenoanthropologists are familiar to and rogue Klingons are joining in greater numbers than before," Burnham elaborated. "There is a conflict between these sides. We could someday use that to our advantage to end the war, but this? This is not a bright idea."
"How is that?" Landry humored Burnham.
"We could pick up their version of a Klingon Supremacist instead of a traditional, open minded and reasonable Klingon," Burnham said. Landry flinched. "They could give us bad advice," she took the captain's shoulder with a firm grip. "Attacking the Klingons that we want help from!"
"It is a possibility that I have been opened to," Landry said, as Burnham let go yanking her hand back.
"L'Rell has answered questions about the Klingons that we have never had answered," Burnham said.
"That the admirals have appreciated," Landry said. "This new asset knows what the rogue Klingons are planning and its best to be there for their next move."
"Getting another consultant would be a slap to the face," Burnham said. "Has she sacrificed enough? Her legs? Her honor? Her house?"
"You told me that she will be ready to commit suicide should the war end," Landry said.
"Only when it goes in our favor," Burnham said.
Landry looked over toward the first officer.
"Isn't two better than one?" Landry asked.
"Kidnapping and hostage taking is not what Starfleet stands for," Burnham asked.
"It seems that is what Starfleet has become," Landry said. "I don't like it. These are our orders." Landry sighed. "Starfleet Command requests that L'Rell be taken to a planet that they have conquered and be taken to a remote destination," Burnham stopped in her tracks. "Then leave her behind and return to the ship with a new Klingon consultant up to date with what is going on in Voq's inner circle."
"No," Burnham said.
Landry turned.
"She can't stay," Landry said.
"I speak for the crew, captain," Burnham said. "No. We cannot toss her aside. No. We will not toss aside one of our own. No. We will not treat her like a . . ." Burnham rightened her jaw while shaking her head and glaring back at the captain. "Like she has outlived her usefulness."
"Then what do you suggest?" Landry asked, approaching the woman. "Using her months old information?"
"Yes," Burnham said.
"That location are being used as a military installation with a colony for the rogue Klingons," Landry said. "Trying to take that back would be suicide."
"Captain," Burnham said. "What L'Rell said in the meeting didn't mean take it back. She meant destroy it."
"We are not here to kill innocents," Landry said.
Burnham raised her baffled eyebrows back at the woman.
"It's the base we are destroying, not the Klingons," Burnham said. "Key players are going to be there. Voq is going to be there."
"His plans might have changed and he won't be there," Landry said.
"This is a standard meeting that happens every few months on a designated day," Burnham said. "Every individual is paid four thousand four hundred thirty-three darseks to attend every month. They give their word and they keep it after being payed handsomely."
"How do you suggest that we get one thousand rogue Klingons out of that facility and keep the key players in there," Landry said.
"Not my suggestion," Burnham said. "It is L'Rell's."
Burnham ran into the shuttle craft holding L'Rell in her arms. Klingons were in the distance running after the women. L'Rell had onto her D'k tahg that dripped with the blood of her fallen enemies. One half of Burnham's uniform was torn off leaving a distinct scar that went down her shoulder over her breast. Parts of her sleeves were missing while a half of it still clung onto her by a thread. She had a stoic mask compared to the pleased Klingon.
"Mission is a success," Burnham said. "It is time to leave this planet."
"And the journey continues," Bryce said, as the door closed behind the two. "Shuttlecraft disembarking," he looked over his shoulder. The shuttlecraft lifted above the ground seemingly hovering floating into the sky. "What happened to the hoverchair?"
Burnham seated L'Rell into the chair.
"It is part of the detonation," Burnham said, seating herself across from the Klingon.
"Oh shit," Bryce said.
The shuttlecraft flew away from the facility.
The camera sat there watching the facility for a full minute.
Then the calm, serene facility exploded sending large pieces of land flying and roof collapsed.
Several Klingon Bird Of Prey's flew out from around it chasing after the escaping Starfleet culprits headed toward space. Cheering erupted from inside the shuttle craft as the camera came toward it. It came through the front window. The shuttlecraft trembled violently as red lighting replaced the white aesthetic. Burnham grabbed hold onto the arm rest of the chair. Bryce leaned to the side setting in coordinates. He had a firm hold on the console. He flew in the direction of a Klingon Bird of Prey dangerously close then flew off as a phaser shot flew toward it. Part of the Klingon's bird of prey wing was crippled, sending it flying sideways. The other vessels drew back out of the way watching it flying toward the ground. The shuttlecraft appeared to be heavily damaged from the outside soaring out of the clouds right into space.
"Shuttlecraft Tesla to Discovery," Bryce said. "We are on our way. Mission has been a success. Will be meeting up in the rendezvous point."
L'Rell fiddled with a thin brown item trailing down her fingers.
"Voq is not dead," L'Rell said.
Burnham looked over toward the consultant.
"What makes you say that?" Burnham asked.
"As war general - as humans say - are always paranoid that people are out to get them," L'Rell said. "During war, high-ranking Klingons are not different in that aspect."
"For good reason," Bryce said.
"That could mean he is preparing to launch a offensive attack against us," L'Rell said.
"He isn't prepared for me," Bryce said. "Hold on to your seats!"
"This was not worth the triiiip," L'Rell said, as the shuttlecraft twirled.
"On the contrary, it was," Burnham said. Burnham observed L'Rell covering her mouth with one hand. "Mister Bryce, it would be wise to pick a more convenient defense strategy."
"It would be when we had back up," Bryce said. "Or a large mine field to get the Klingons lost."
"We do not need puke landing on your face," Burnham said.
"Which one of you has to puke?" Bryce asked.
"L'Rell," Burnham said.
The shuttle craft stopped twirling coming to a swaying motion from side to side. L'Rell turned to her side then threw up what she had eaten that morning. She wiped off what was left behind along her mouth using her sleeve. She lacked a rank on both sleeves. The two women relaxed once the familiar sight of passing stars appeared on the screen. Bryce remained tense with eyes darting toward the console. The shields were down at fifty four percent to the shuttlecraft. It was dangerously close to being not up at all. Burnham slipped off her yellow shirt then took off the badge slipping it on to the pant pocket where it stuck.
Landry stared at the screen, skeptical. Landry rubbed her chin with cautious eyes. There was silence from the woman. She looked over her shoulder where her first officer would normally be then toward space that displayed a large blanket of space peering back at her. It felt like company was all around. Comforting company for the least. Burnham's absence was felt on the bridge. Detmer looked up from her station up toward the moon that they were behind. A habitable moon with a atmosphere, sea, and continents. It was a beautiful sight from the bridge. Airiam observed Landry's demeanor. Airiam turned from her station then came over to the woman's side.
"Captain," Airiam said. "I noticed you are bothered. Care to talk about it?"
"It can't be this easy to pull off a successful mission," Landry said.
"Everything is odd when it comes to war," Airiam said.
"We came out of a time loop last month to see Starfleet in bad shape," Landry said. "It is like . . ."
"Seeing a beloved aging pet facing illnesses and suffering," Airiam said. "and there is nothing you can do since the illness is unknown."
"Exactly," Landry said. "Even with what we do. . . " she placed her hands onto her lap. "All it is doing is keeping the Klingons at bay." she shook her head briefly closing her eyes then looked up with a sigh. "I don't know how of lately these missions have been being pulled off so easily."
"We have hope on our side," Airiam said.
"Wishful thinking is all we have," Landry said.
"It is what keeps this crew going," Airiam said.
"I find it strange that it our wishful thinking is coming true," she looked toward the robotic like woman. "Is it wrong to feel that?"
"No," Airiam said. "as your second officer, I say that cause for concern about winning is properly needed."
Landry nodded, as Airiam placed a hand on the captain's shoulder then had a gentle squeeze.
"Thank you," Landry said. "To your station, Commander Airiam." Airiam returned to the DASH station as Landry's eyes returned to space while bracing herself internally for what state of being the returned shuttlecraft would be. She turned in the direction of the young man with dark hair. "Lieutenant Richter, send a message to the Shenzhou that our plan has been successful. Unsure regarding Voq's status."
Richter nodded, placing the small earpiece into his ear.
"Aye, captain," Richter said.