Commander Lataro walked into Captain Maruu's ready room a bit unsettled. Maruu was drinking a cup of coffee and looking out at the stars. He wasn't working at his desk as usual, which was good.
Lataro approached the captain and said, "So, this is how you spend your birthday."
Maruu looked back. "Sorry, Jon. I didn't even know you were there."
"What were you doing?"
"Meditating. Kalmar was just here. He helps me relax so much."
Lataro smiled. "Well, you're lucky. I've never even seen an angel, and you've seen one of your gods."
Maruu laughed. "Well, you're right. Every Bajoran on this ship has been so exited since Kalmar came onboard. That's why he's been trying to keep a low profile."
Lataro sat down. "I see. Listen, Stephen, I know it's your birthday today and all, but can I have a word with you?"
Maruu sat down at his desk. "Jon, you always have my undivided attention."
Lataro began. "Remember that away mission you assigned to Major Chee and a few Marines a week or two ago?"
"Oh yeah. The mission. I never assigned it though."
"What do you mean?"
"Commander, if we are going to have this conversation, then let's remove our com badges please." Maruu took his badge off.
Lataro took his badge and crossed his arms on his chest. "Well?"
"When I found out about this operation, I went to see our resident Intel Officer. She admitted that she had deemed the assignment worthy and went ahead to assign it without my approval. Then, she managed to forge my voice in some way she didn't explain and ordered everything that happened. I've classified all the material at Level 4. Then, when I tried to retrieve it, Sinclair has already classified it at Level 7. I don't think I've told you this, but she is an agent working for Section 31."
Lataro was shocked. "I can't believe you kept this from me!"
"Sinclair has been responsible for quite a few things that have happened on this ship. Solacetta, the switch between alternate realities, battles with the T'rais, she's been behind these and many more things."
"Stephen, do you know what this means?!"
"Jon, I've know what it meant for a long time. The only way we can deal with the problem for the time being is to ignore it. We have to wait for the right moment to strike against her. Right now, she is too powerful. She can make a decision and screw us both. We have to wait. That's an order, Jon."
Lataro put his com badge back on. "Well, I'll trust you. I always will." He began to leave. "Oh yeah, be in the Day's End Lounge at 2000 hours. The crew prepared a little something for you to wish you a happy 29 years of life."
Maruu placed his com badge back where it belonged. "I'll be there." He smiled, stood up, and continued watching the stars.
Sinclair was sitting in her dark quarters, waiting by her computer as if expecting a message. The message came without warning as she was fiddling with her PADD.
A beep sounded, and a display labeled "SECTION 31: ENCRYPTED MESSAGE" appeared on her screen. Sinclair pressed a button and Captain Maruu appeared behind the pilot's seat of a very old vessel. [Long time no see. How are you, Alysa?]
"Fine. Fine." Sinclair smiled. "The recording you gave me worked perfectly. Everyone thought it was the captain giving the orders."
[Does that sorry ass know that it was me who gave you a recording of our voices?]
"Of course not. I told him I made it using Section 31 technology. He swallowed it up."
The captain's twin laughed. [That idiot will trust anyone. Well, Alysa, I have a few things to do, then I'll be taking Maruu's place, just as we planned. Then, as a more active and strong Stephen, I will defeat the T'rais and secure this area of space for the Federation. What do you say?]
"For the Federation." Sinclair smiled. "Besides, Captain Kosst sounds so much better that Captain Maruu. See you in a few months, lover."
[I'll be counting the days. Stephen Kosst out.]
Sinclair shut off her computer after he did and decided a good night's rest would help her relax. After all, for some reason, Kalmar couldn't stand being around her.