Lee stood outside his office on deck 11, Section staring at the electronic name plate on his door with a sense of pride
Lt Commander Keung Lee, Director, Office of Special Operations (OSO)
"Door open" commanded Lee. The doors slide opened in response and as he stepped into the room, the lights automatically came on to reveal his spacious office. The maintenance team had done a wonderful job in a space of twenty-four hours and acceded to his personal requests forchanges!!
Lee checked out the decor in his office. It was carpeted and there was a large viewport. The most impressive piece of furniture was a solid oak desk. The antiquated looking computer with a keyboard was in place with a flat screen and a powerful printer. Although it had the hardwareappearance of a 20th Century computer, the innards components were quite up to date. Behind it a high backed leather swivel chair. The size of the room enabled him to install an oval table which could sit up to ten people comfortably. Embedded into the table by each seat was a flat screen.On one wall was a large screen which to Lee's delight could be split into a number of screens which could display a number of views. Five four-drawer electronic filing cabinets lined another wall. Opposite the wall, a dispensing synthiser. There was another door which led into a toilet.The office looked empty and bland but that won't be for long particularly if Alicia and even Kat had their way. He suddenly saw and heard the familiar sound of a transportation column forming on his desk and on top of his filing cabinets. The column took the solid shapes of plants!! He was right!! There was a note on his desk "You need these wonderful flowers and plants. Love Alicia."
Lee smiled as he tried out the swivel chair! Here was his..baby..that he's been waiting for it took 100 years to achieve it. Leaning back in his chair thinking how much has taken place within the last few days!! Being shown around the station, meeting Kat's family, settling in his new quarters with Alicia, meeting Captain Kitty Mallory and being told he was being re-activated into Starfleet with a promotion.
He thought back to his meeting with Captain Mallory in her office.
Captain Kitty Mallory sat at her desk as Lee came in. He stood at attention, but she immediately had him sit down and make himself comfortable. She stood up and sat on the edge of her desk as she looked at the PADD in her hand, which held a copy of the transmission she had received from Starfleet Command.
"Well, Lt. Lee, it seems that someone at Starfleet Command liked your ideas," she began. "I found your clipboard. Forgive me for reading it. But your idea for a specialized group was intriguing enough for me to forward it to a friend in Starfleet Command. He likes the idea as well."
Lee looked startled and felt slightly embarrased that a stranger had read the contents of his clipboard. He was surprise that in this age, they did not have a specialised operation team but was delighted. "So what did you read specificially from my clipboard, Ma'am.".
"Let's just say I read enough to know to have Katianna in sickbay when you were revived," she replied. "But on to the news I have for you . . . Your group is about to become a reality, Keung Lee. You'll have an office. We're setting aside a portion of one of the decks just for this group. You'll have anything you need at your disposal. If we don't have it . . . we have people that can get it, but you didn't hear that part from me," she smiled. "Oh yes . . and you're being bumped up to Lieutenant Commander." With that she handed him the pips he would wear once he got a uniform. "When you do undertake missions, you will report to me. You'll be brought up to speed on current affairs and then we can really get you to work."
"That's wonderful but I will need resources and staff not mention an office." said Lee.
"Don't worry. You'll have plenty of room to work. You'll have a briefing room, a holosuite at your disposal, private offices, a gym, a mobile operations center and an armoury . . . Believe me, your group will lack for nothing . . . My friend in Command wants to make sure this group works."
Lee was impressed on how fast Starfleet was getting their act together on this but he wondered about the organisation for the resources. "How soon before its all ready." asked Lee.
"It's already being put together. Give us until tomorrow and it should be ready. Until then, let's get you a uniform and get you settled in."
Lee saluted and thanked the Captain before returning to his quarters where he told Alicia the goods news. Alicia would come in at this point sharing her good news.
Katianna watched Keung as he sat in the chair only to get up again and walk around. He was still looking at everything in disbelief. He hadn't noticed her entrance. She smiled as she watched, enjoying catching him in the moment. Suddenly, she cleared her throat and he for a moment, he almost jumped before looking her way.
"Hi!" she smiled brightly. "So does everything meet with your approval?" She asked, already knowing the answer. "I made sure everything was exactly as you wanted . . ." Slowly she walked up to him.
Lee wrapped his arms around Katianna's slim waist "Gobsmacked and very impressed with all the organisation. Thanks!" smiled Lee
She looked into his eyes. "Well, what can I say? I wanted your work environment to be perfect. And I'll be available with Intel for you. When I'm in this section, my office is across the hall. Though I have to say I usually don't spend much time in my other office . . .I haven't for awhile anyway. So I don't know how much time I'll be spending in this one . . ." She looked away for a moment as memories of Kalimar intruded on her mind. She could almost feel the dagger pressing into her neck . . . And she could see his red eyes easily. Gently, she felt fingers gently stroke her cheek. Then slowly, he turned her gaze to his.
As Lee was holding her , he suddenly felt her body feeling slightly tense and noticed something about Katianna eyes had changed. Something wrong and Lee knew immediately that it wasn't anything to do with him. Lee knew Katianna long enough...well, the Katianna of 100 years ago, that she was sometimes prone to sharp emotional changes. Sometimes panic attacks! Somehow it was obvious there was a hell of a lot of baggage still to get rid!
"Hey!" said Lee, softly "Whatever's going on inside..fight it! You have the strength to deal with it. Focus..Focus..breath in..slowly..now breath out...Let it go"
Lee stepped back, placed one hand on her stomach and cover her forehead with his other hand, trying to project his own influence on her speaking words such "peace..more peace..focus on something that is good..." Lee slowly watched as Katianna breathed in and out, her eyes closed and the tightness in her stomach becoming softer.
Slowly the anxiety that had been building was beginning to diminish, but she could still feel memories fighting to get to the forefront of her mind. Though she felt more calm, who knew for how long. Within seconds, the memories that she had been trying to fight overwhelmed her. Usually she kept them under tight wrap, though they always caused her problems, today they broke out in a torrent.
Katianna opened her tear strained eyes at Lee, her body beginning to shake as she fell on her knees, holding Lee's legs tightly. Lee held onto her head..wondering what to do next and closed his eyes for inspiration. He opened his eyes as he suddenly felt sexually aroused and looked down. Katianna was nuzzling his hardening budge in his trousers.
Random images were bombarding her and all she wanted to do was run from them. Pointing the dark matter weapon at Jovan Kalimar as Kalimar took him over. Firing the weapon at him before he could kill her or her daughter . . Then there were the images from the cave where he had the dagger to her neck, where only by luck and ingenuity on her part has she managed to survive. Then, to the fire caves where he had released the Kosst Amojen and she had killed the last of the Order of Light before her eyes. And the he would have allowed the Kosst Amojen to kill her . . .
Whatever was going on in her life now, he had the impression that she was glad he was now around. Wordlessly, her hands rubbed up and down Lee's legs, her breathing becoming heavier. Lee played with her hair! He held her head up and kissed her on the forehead. Her hands gripped his head and using a move that would be proud of any self-defence instructor, did a backward roll and flipped a surprised Lee over her head. Lee somersaulted onto his back landing winded on the deck.
He had no way of knowing that she had had a flashback of Kalimar, when he had been passing himself off as Jovan. Something in her had forgotten the world around her and reacted to the flashback. Suddenly she had shifted into a large sabertooth tiger. She roared. But it was almost as if she were pulled back to reality as she looked down to the figure beneath her. As she saw who it was, she shifted off him and stumbled back until she was up against a bulkhead. Her breaths became shallow again.
"Oh my God . . ." She said, tears again in her eyes. "Oh my god . . . I am so sorry . . ." She hid her face behind her hand and knees. Though hardly any sounds came from her, it was obvious she was crying. "I'm sorry . . ."
Lee swiftly sat up. He went to her, knowing that he had nothing to fear from her and he was rather concerned for her state. He sat down beside her and gently ran a hand through her hair.
"It's all right," he soothed, as he pulled her into his arms. He rocked her softly.
She shook her head as she finally looked at him. "I could have hurt you," she said, her eyes green pools.
"But you didn't, Katianna," he replied as he tenderly wiped the tears from her cheeks. He gazed as her and brushed her auburn hair away from her face. He caressed her cheek and caressed the other gently. She was calming down but there was still a pained and haunted look in here eyes.
"Life never turns out how we imagine, no matter how many different scenarios we come up with," she said. "Life always manages to throw a curve ball somewhere, doesn't it?" She tried to smile, but it came out only halfway.
"That's true," replied Lee, thoughtfully. Being thrown in different time zones is one of those curves that life had thrown at him.
He couldn't seem to help himself as he leaned in and lightly kissed her cheeks where the tears had been. It wasn't long before he had reached her lips. The kiss was long and lingering. So many emotions played through it. But as they broke apart Katianna stopped things from going further. She still could see Kalimar in her mind and this wasn't blotting it out. She was afraid of what she might do it if things progressed after her earlier outburst.
"I'm sorry. I've got to go," she said, as she got to her feet. Torment was still in her eyes.
Lee stood up also noticing that she was in sort of emotional pain. "We really need to talk, you know." He said encouraging..
"Maybe we can get together for drinks tonight," she replied, trying to ease his concern. "I know several good places. But right now, I do have to go . . I'll see you later."
Before he could stop her, she was out the door.
After dinner with Alicia, and her having retired for the evening, Lee couldn't shake the image of Katianna out of his mind. He was worried about her. Even on the Eagle she wasn't like this.
"Computer, locate Commander Katianna Nadira," Lee asked, adjusting to the new computers and their functions.
<Commander Nadira is at Holo Pursuits> the computer replied.
Lee noticed the time and was puzzled. He thought maybe he would join her for that drink after all as he headed out the door and to Holo Pursuits.
Katianna was immersed in her Joan of Arc program again. She had her sword in hand and was back to the same scene she had been wounded at. She had played this one over and over again. She wasn't sure why. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she wondered if it wasn't because she couldn't get hurt now. She couldn't shut the safeties off . . . But she did play out the fighting until she was exhausted. She had been at this since she had left Lee, which had been roughly four hours ago. She hadn't gone home and she hadn't eaten. She needed to burn off the memories, only she wasn't sure she could. She wasn't sure of anything anymore, as she matched blades with English soldiers and dodges arrows from crossbows. Not that they could hit her, of course, but she had to play it like it was real, or it didn't mean anything. She quickly thrust her sword into the gut of one English soldier and then quickly turned and brought her sword down on another's arm, severing it. She was so engrossed she didn't hear the holosuite door open. Two more English Soldiers approached her. This time, they both tried attacking at the same time. She quickly grabbed a sword off one of the dead men and fought both soldiers at the same time. Finally getting the upper hand, she thrust into one's gut and then turned and decapitated the other.
As the doors slide opened, Lee was expecting to see the peaceful countryside which he first encountered. Instead he found himself in a middle of a medieval type battle with soldiers fighting each other with swords and arrows flying through the air! The soldiers totally ignored him as they fought each other. There in the midst of battle wearing armor and welding a sword was Katianna! Lee was an ex-history teacher before he joined the army and he recognised the scene. English soldiers fighting the French and the only woman in the battle scene..Joan of Arc. It was fascinating although he flinched when an arrow went through him without any effects!!
Katianna suddenly turned to face an opponent behind her, when she saw Lee. "Computer, freeze program," she said as she immediately remembered what had happened when Paul had wandered into her program. Of course, the safeties had been off, she reminded herself. She was just catching her breath, but she looked pale through the perspiration on her face.
"Lee!" she smiled softly, "What are you doing here?"
Lee couldn't get over the still scene as the program had stopped
She sensed the true meaning of his visit so she wanted to reassure him, even if it weren't the truth. She didn't want him to worry. "As you can see, I'm fine," she smiled, but her eyes always gave her away. "I'm just here training. Like I always do."
Lee raised his eyebrows "Is this part of Starfleet's training programme" asked Lee. The holosuite would be great for spe ops training, he thought. He must explore how he could make use of the holosuite.
"No, this isn't exactly training for Starfleet," Katianna replied. "I have a different job that's fallen into my lap . . . One that's even more important . ."
"Oh? What is that?"
She forced a laugh. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you," she replied. At that, tears misted her eyes, but this time they didn't fall. She closed her eyes briefly, and started to lose her balance. Lee grabbed her and helped her to the ground. "I'm okay, just a little tired."
"I'm not surprised at this time of night." He said. "I came to find you for that drink and chat. I am worried about you, Kat, and there's something you're keeping from me. You seem fearful about something not to mentioned..stressed. You've always been open to me and Alicia. I think it's time we talked about this..but not now. Tomorrow night, you come to dinner with us. Understand? Now take that armour off and get to bed."
"Well, if you insist," she smirked. "Computer, end program."
At that, the images of a frozen battle melted away. In it's place was an empty room with a grid of holo emitters. Then Katianna shifted the armor from her body. It melted into a jewel toned cat suit that fit her curves perfectly. For the first time she was beginning to truly be calm. She wasn't sure how long it would last, but she was going to take advantage of it.
Lee was slightly taken aback looking at her body. Although muscular in part, she looked thin..a lot of weight loss. Lee put it down to the age process..after all it had been a long time!
She walked to the doors of the holosuite and waited for him to follow. When he was only a breath away, she looked deeply into his eyes. "I really am sorry about earlier . . ." she said. "It's been awhile since I've lost control like that with a flashback . . ."
He caressed her cheek reassuringly. "We'll talk tomorrow night. Okay? I expect you about 7 O'Clock. I'm cooking," smiled Lee as he allowed Kat to leave first. He watched her disappear around the corner satisfied that she was not going to return to the holosuite at the first opportunity.
As Katianna walked to her quarters, though she was calmer she was concerned about her outburst and about telling Alicia and Lee about the demons she was up against. It wasn't like they could honestly help her. The text . . . even if she made her own rules to a degree . . . still said it came down to her. Somehow she was suppose to save the universe from these two demons. She tried to push it to the back of her mind. As she reached her quarters, she went into Laurissa's room. Her daughter was asleep. She tenderly readjusted the covers and kissed the child's forehead. She Then checked in on her son, Daniel. For a moment, she almost thought she saw him look at her with his piercing eyes, but when she looked again, he was sound asleep. The stroked his cheeks and gently planted a kiss on one of them. He didn't even stir. Finally, she reached her own room. She was tired, but was afraid to sleep . . She didn't want nightmares after the day she had. She wondered if she should start asking for medication again to had dreamless sleep for awhile, but thought that was a bad idea as well . . . Finally, exhaustion took over. She shifted herself into a nightgown and almost collapsed onto the bed asleep.