=Main Holding Area=
=Starbase 234:UNITY=
<<SNIP>>
Weeks earlier ...
"You BELIEVE they were romulans. You were betraying the federation and you have no idea who you were working for."
"They ... they approached me. Before the war. Two men. They threatened to ... to kill my parents and my little sister if I didn't help."
Trent just continued to stare at Chloe.
"My ... my father was in charge of a geological expedition near the neutral zone. My mother and sister were a part of that expedition. A month before the war they, along with the rest of their team, were captured by the romulans and sent back to Romulus. A week or so before the attack on UNITY, I was told that I had to do whatever these men said or that they would kill the entire expedition. They said that I wouldn't have to blow up the station or kill anybody or anything like that. All I had to do was disconnect something here or there. Minor things really. Nothing that would threaten the starbase."
<<SNIP>>
Days earlier ...
"No, I don't need to show off," Cho said, sounding a bit annoyed. "Did you get the package?" Trent asked. "Yes, I did. One of my other ships will bring it here in a day or so. By the way, you owe me big for this. But that's not the reason you're here."
<<SNIP>>
Minutes earlier ...
Just then, a security crewman came up to Trent and handed him a note. He looked it over.
"Has it cleared security," Trent asked and the crewman nodded then walked away.
Trent looked at Rick, "A package that I have been waiting for has finally arrived."
<<SNIP>>
Now ...
As Trent entered the holding area, he made his way to the security officer in charge.
"Do they check out?" Trent asked.
"Aye, sir. They're in the next room."
"Good. Where is she?" Trent asked.
"She's being escorted here before being sent to Earth."
Trent nodded as the doors opened and former UNITY chief engineer Chloe Utley, wearing handcuffs, entered with a security escort. She noticed Trent right away.
"Commander," Trent said.
"Sir?" she seemed a bit puzzled.
"As you know, here in a few minutes, you will step on board a transport to New Zealand where you will be interned. But, before you go, there's some people here to see you."
Chloe wondered who wanted to see her. More JAG people. More security. More starfleet. She believed that, for the moment, she was through with court marshal proceedings. Apparently not, for she didn't know anyone else who gave a damn about her.
After Trent nodded to the security officer, he wondered into the next room and returned with an elderly man and woman followed by a younger woman. Chloe's eyes widened.
"Mom! Dad! Corrie!," she said as tears formed in her eyes.
"Sweetheart," the elderly woman said as she rushed up to Chloe and gave her daughter a hug. Security made a move to stop the elderly woman, but Trent waived them off.
Chloe's father and sister joined their mother in a group embrace which seemed to last an eternity. Chloe finally looked over at Trent.
"But ... how?" she asked.
"I have my ways," Trent said. "I'll give you some time alone to be with your family."
Well, she wouldn't exactly be alone. Two security crewman would remain in the room next to the exit. But, it would have to do. As Trent walked toward the exit, Chloe walked up to him.
"Sir ... I ...," tears were flowing freely down the engineer's face.
"Not necessary," Trent said. "You have 15 minutes before you have to board the transport. Your family will have to wait to board another ship in a day or so. You understand?"
She nodded. Chloe wanted to hug Trent. Heck, she wanted to kiss him for saving her family. But instead, she watched him, followed by the security officer in charge, walk out of the room. Outside in the corridor, the officer walked up to Trent.
"Sir, may I ask a question?"
"Sure."
"I'm not going to ask you how you did it, because I know you won't tell me anyhow. And besides that, I ..."
"Lieutenant?" Trent interrupted.
"Why?" the security officer finally said. "I mean with what Commander Utley did and the war and everything, why did you risk the rescue of only a handful of people?"
Trent took a deep breath, but did not look directly at the other officer.
"Because deep down, I believe that there has to be something decent to come out of this damn war. With so many people losing their loved ones, maybe, just maybe, we can save a few."
Trent finally looked at the security officer.
"Besides, I owed it to an old friend who I was unable to help years ago."
With that, Trent walked away, leaving the lieutenant to ponder the XO's words.
Captain Trent Rodgers (npc by Rick)
XO, 1st TF, SSF Command
XO, SB 234: UNITY
and
Lt. Commander Chloe Utley (npc by Rick)
Former Chief Engineering Officer
Starbase UNITY
and
other npcs by Rick
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