<USS Avalon> "Dark Guidance"

“Dark Guidance”
by Commander Javan Sierra



The doors to the security offices parted and he nearly sprinted through them. His eyes caught the gazes of a couple of officers who turned back to their work almost instantly. Javan was quite happy that they’d learned to react so quickly, but was increasingly upset that the people were working during shore leave. “Come on, people, out of here. You’ve got time to spend on the surface or in the holodeck. Quit working.”

It was the first time he’d heard that from himself and apparently, by the stares and dropped jaws of his subordinates, it was the first time that they’d heard him say anything of the sort either. After a few more seconds of just staring at the officers they picked up the hint and exited the security offices. Javan smiled in partial satisfaction and in partial guilt because he had stopped them from doing their duty.

“Sir?”

Turning on his heel he looked at Lieutenant, First Class Zachary Winters. The blonde man had folded his arms in respect of his superior officer and his gaze was respectful as well. The young officer had come far since Javan had been assigned to the Avalon long ago. “Can I help you, Lieutenant?”

“I was just wondering, sir,” Winters’ blinked hesitantly, “if there was possibly something I could do for you; or, for that matter, for the ship. I have no place to go for shore leave and no one to see so I was hoping to be working.”

For the first time Javan admired somebody else’s predicament and situation in life. Unfortunately, it was the only time in which Javan couldn’t accept it and put it to good use. Sometimes he hated his line of work more than the people that interfered with it. “I’m sorry, Lieutenant, I’m afraid that I don’t. Get some sleep. Visit the holodeck. There are a plethora of things out there to do.”

Winters couldn’t hide the hurt in his eyes and Javan saw it. “Understood, sir, I’ll make sure to report back to duty when the shore leave is discontinued. Until then, sir, you should consider getting some rest and enjoying yourself as well. If I see you working, I’m going to come back and work too.”

Javan smirked and nodded, “I’ll do my best, dismissed.”

Winters nodded, albeit somewhat reluctantly, and exited the offices. Javan breathed a sigh of relief as the last occupant left the room. He walked quickly into his office and waited for the doors to seal. “Computer, seal this office and bypass traditional security records of such an order. Authorization Sierra Epsilon Echo Three Seven.”

“Acknowledged,” the computer’s dry voice responded, “office sealed.”

“Activate tertiary communications array and direct it at the following coordinates,” Javan tapped the console quickly and entered the special location for his transmission. Within a few moments the computer beeped its approval and a dark figure loomed on the screen in front of him. “We have a problem.”

“I’m well aware.”

“They why didn’t you contact me?”

“If I contacted you for every little bump in your mission, Javan, I would be calling you every couple of days. For the Section this isn’t the smoothest mission to date,” the shrouded figure folded his hands and rested them on the table – both of which were barely visible on Javan’s end of the line, “what do you suppose we do?”

Javan fought from gritting his teeth, “that’s your job, sir.”

The figure remained silent for a couple of moments – it seemed like an eternity to Javan – and then leaned forward. “Your mission doesn’t directly deal with him. However, this Captain Flubb is bad news. It is one of Starfleet’s biggest mistakes. Until further notice your previous orders are rescinded.”

His breath caught in his throat, “What am I supposed to do the meantime? There isn’t much going on with this ship at the current moment. There’s not much for a Section 31 operative to do.”

“You’ve been a normal officer before. I suggest you bring back those traits in your personality.” The voice remained monotone and Javan couldn’t quite tell whether he was being cynical, sarcastic, sincere, or just if he was concerned.

“Are you going to try and get Ketchum back?”

“Me, no.”

“You know what I meant.”

“It’s not him that we’re primarily interested in, Commander, you know that.” The figure would have narrowed his eyes had Javan been able to see them, but the presence was there nonetheless. “You reported in your last report that there were several others that could possibly be prime?”

Javan nodded and pulled out a PADD, “Senior Lieutenant Felicity Roan is a good candidate, but I think we could use her elsewhere. Senior Lieutenant Anthony Manson seems to have a good head on his shoulders – he may prove to be of some use if need be. I’ve not paid much attention to engineering, but I’ve been hearing some good things about Ensign Aaron Karr.”

“Timetable?”

“Undetermined.”

“This isn’t a recruiting drive, Javan, get it together. You’re running out of time and if you run out of time…”

Javan cut him off, “I know, I know. Things could go smoother if I didn’t have a new captain breathing down my back. If you can get Ketchum back I may be able to complete this mission in the time you’ve allotted to me. With this Flubb character trying to adapt to a new command it may prove difficult to get around like usual. What do you think?”

The darkness sighed, “The Section will dabble in it for a bit and see what Starfleet Command has up their sleeve. You can’t forget the fact that you were almost discovered some time back. It seems they’ve forgotten about it for the time being, but we can’t forget that.” The figure was referring to the mission with the USS Allegiance and the presence of Fleet Captain Marc Offenburger.

Javan shook his head, “That has been taken care of for the moment. However, I am monitoring if they decide to pick the matter back up. You don’t have to worry about me being discovered. I practically run this ship.”

“There is an mission upcoming for the Avalon that I think you will find quite interesting. And, when the time is right, you’ll know what your mission is. Until then, lie low and don’t do anything to spark unwanted interest in you. Understood?”

Javan could just see the man with his teeth clenched and his fists packed together with frustration. Javan didn’t give him that, but it was just insinuated when he talked to people. However, Javan just nodded with a half smile and ended the communiqué.

Other related posts: