[ussbansheec] Inside Man
- From: Debra Mosqueda <mightymidgie@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: ussbansheec@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2008 10:51:29 -0800 (PST)
INSIDE MAN
(GT timeline)
Gabriel Coyne and Patrick "Mac" McEntire
Gabriel Coyne double timed it down the corridor, his eyes on the PADD in his
hand. He dodged oncoming traffic effortlessly without looking up until he
finally reached the DSVP gallery. He glanced up to see if his Uncle had arrived
yet. Not seeing him, he waited there by the painting of Sydney Harbor, as
previously arranged, tapping information into the PADD silently, trying to keep
his own own facade of calm intact. This was not going to be a pleasant visit.
Within moments a tall, broad shouldered older man in traders garb limped
toward the painting. His hair was an unkempt mixture of blonde and silver. His
left arm and leg were both poorly maintained cybernetics, the servo gears
protesting audibly with each movement.
"You really should let me upgrade those, Uncle," Gabriel said quietly without
looking up."I can replace them with new ones so good you'll think you had your
own again."
"Sure," The other man responded sarcastically. "Let's just advertise to
everyone that I'm in bed with the Feds. That'll help my cover, won't it?"
"It may have already been blown," Gabriel admitted, lowering the PADD. "Word
from X is that you've been made." He saw the man's stunned expression and
sighed sympathetically. "I'm sorry, Uncle Mac."
Patrick McEntire shook his head. "Dammit." he muttered before asking. "How
sure is she?"
"Pretty sure. She said that she overheard one of the Lokiian high officials
outting you to both the Gorn and Sovults. She tried to hold your cover, but
she's not sure they bought it." He took a deep breathe before delivering the
worst of the news."They're cancelling the next drop."
"Wait," Mac protested. "You can't mean that. Not when we're so close." He
turned and faced Gabriel at last, his eyes flashing. "I've got to do this,
Gabriel. They can't not let me finish this, not now. This drop is the one that
counts. If we can get those supplies in, we've got a fighting chance of getting
our people out of there alive, and maybe finding out where they're keeping the
rest of the prisoners. Please."
"It's not up to me, Uncle Mac," Gabriel protested.
"The hell it's not! You're the voice they're listening to right now, Gabe.
You've got their ear. If you tell them you believe I can still do this, they'll
believe you." The big man was almost in tears as his voice dropped to nearly a
whisper. "Please. They killed my son. I couldn't even go to his funeral,
Gabriel, I had to watch the relays and listen to those assholes berate him for
his loyalties for the sake of this goddamn cover. I had to let the rest of my
children and my family all believe I'd betrayed everything we stood for. I've
lost everything that ever mattered to me for this."
"I know,and believe me I'm sorry," Gabriel began.
"You're SORRY?" Mac demanded. "They have my daughter. They have your father.
Both could still be alive and this drop could mean a chance at getting them
home. And you're sorry? Really? That's the best you've got for me?" Tears
streamed down his cheeks as he fought for control. "They've taken twelve ships
in the last seven months, military ...civilian ... didn't matter to those
bastards. Those they didn't kill they enslaved and you're sorry? I sacrificed
everything to get far enough inside that I may finally have a chance of getting
some of our people out,and you're telling me YOU'RE SORRY?"
"Maybe we should continue this conversation elsewhere," Gabriel suggested,
knowing that they were beginning to attract attention.
"Maybe you should kiss my ass," Mac hissed. "I'll report back when the drop
is made."
"We can't protect you if you go in against orders," Gabriel reminded him,
hating himself for the words even as he said them.
Mac snorted dirisively. "According to all official channels, I don't take
orders from the Fleet anymore, remember? I'm just another lowlife profiteer."
"Mac, please..." Gabriel tried one last time, though he knew it would do no
good. "Don't do this. Your covers blown. Let's just clear your name so you can
take your life back."
"Not without my daughter." Mac answered furiously. "I can't just leave her
out there. You tell them I'm going in. I'm making the drop. I'm finding
Patricia and I'm bringing her home. Then they can clear my name or hang me for
treason or whatever the hell they want to do, I don't give a shit."
Gabriel watched the man limp away and shook his head. Only when he knew he
was well and truly gone did he tap his combadge. He might not be able to
convince the fleet to back Mac up, but he'd be damned if he was letting him do
this alone. "Coyne to Xavier. Go to Plan B."
---------------------------------
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