====== Shane's office, SB 234: UNITY
======
Shane was sitting behind a dark metal desk, thinking about
how unfamiliar and unfriendly his office on SB 234 looks.
From all the offices he had used during his career in
Starfleet, he liked the Task Force CO's office on board
Chimera-B best. Large red wood desk, comfortable chairs and
models of various Starfleet ships as well as several
Ricewind pictures made the office to a comfortable place …
where he felt at ease.
His thoughts were interrupted as UNITY's Ops called him:
+Commodore, there is a high priority call over a secure
channel for you from Special Forces Command+
+TAPS+ Patch it through + Shane replied. Good news was
seldom announced over high priority message, so he expected
… bad news.
As the large wall screen in front of Shane went alive, the
familiar face of BGeneral Bretam Keylor – Shane's former
CO – appeared there. It was now about a year that both man
wore the same rank (as Commodore in Navy equals to Brigade
General @ Marines), but Bretam was still Shane's superior
officer. In fact, being Special Forces Chief of operations
… Bretam was number 2 in all SSF.
Bretam nodded towards Shane and said: "Nice to see you
again, Shane"
"The pleasure is mine Keylor" Shane replied. Since Shane
was appointed TF CO, the relation between the two men
changed somewhat and now they were on first name basis …
rather then calling each other by rank or Sir.
Bretam's face was unusually darkened as he spoke:
"Shane, I bring bad news to you. Sources from SSFI found
out that Tal'Shiar put you on their black list".
Nodding, Shane replied: "Well, its no news that the
Romulan would like to present my head on a silver plate to
their Preator" He shrugged: "and I can well understand
why …"
Shaking his head Bretam replied: "It's not that easy.
Tal'shiar's black list consists of around 50
individuals, each of certain power, but undoubtly of great
value to the Tal'shiar. Our sources within Tal'shiar say
that the average time between an individuals subscription to
the list and his or her decease … is just a few weeks."
Bretam waved with his hand and went on: "Please don't
think that there are folks like President Spock or the
Vulcan patriarch on the list … no … there are
individuals there that scored a hit against Tal'shiar …
a hit that was mighty enough to shake the agency. You … my
dear Commodore, were somewhat know to the Tal'shiar
already" Bretam was referring to several missions into
Romulan space – like the destruction of a Tal'shiar
outpost near the neutral zone, "but the recent failed
invasion into Federation space ruffled a LOT of Romulan
feathers. Of course, a lot of other officers did a lot in
this affair, but Tal'shiar blames mostly you … and your
decision to send the Quasar and McCoy into Erassian space.
Wouldn't it be the battle of Charos and your relation to
General Ivanov, there would be no Federation/Erassian
alliance."
Shane nodded: "I understand and though I am not happy
about that, I do not see much more what I could do to be
safer then I am here and now."
"That might be so, Shane, but the vendetta … extends to
your family as well" Bretam said, "making Rangi and
Martin to prime targets. Maybe you can protect yourself at
most time, but can you do the same for them?"
This statement hit Shane at a weak spot. He already doubted
his decision that Martin will stay with him and Rangi on
board the UNITY. After all … UNITY was in a war zone and
danger lurked everywhere.
"What shall I do?" Shane asked in a bit desperate tone.
Bretam shrugged: "It's up to you to decide. I just
wanted to warn you … but if you seek my counsel … send
your son away from the station … somewhere safe … or at
least far away from SB 234"
This time Shane shrugged: "How shall I do that? What place
is safe? And still … what shall I do with Rangi, I just
can't send her away ... unless …" There was a plan
forming in Shane's head. A plan that was dormant for a few
days already.
He closed his eyes and even Bretam could see that a battle
of emotions was fought inside the heart of the younger man.
Shane opened his eyes and the sights was somewhat changed
… and a strange light could be see in his eyes.
"Keylor, then I have a friendly request for you. I think I
have a way how to keep Martin safe, but I need you to take
care of Rangi. She would not leave Martin alone with me and
even less where I intend to send him, but she will follow
orders. I'd like to ask you to transfer her to the Chimera
… as CMO … immediately. The Chim will depart in 5 hours
and I know that they do not have an CMO for the time being.
I could sign that transfer by myself … I know … but
Rangi would not forgive me … so I need you .. or better
General Kira to sign that transfer. I know that Captain
Rojac will be happy about having Rangi as CMO and I will be
happy that she is more safe on the Chimera then here. Could
you do this for me? Please !?"
Bretam remained silent for a moment … but then nodded.
"Consider it done, Shane".
A sigh of relief escaped from Shane's lips. "Thank you
Keylor. Thank you very much"
====== End of log ======
Commodore Shane Guzman
CO, SSF 1st TF, SSF Command
CO, SB 234: UNITY