Enter Rashad T'Kul

The holding cell at Starfleet was not like any other of its type. It was not as gloomy and desolate like its predecessors, but rather a place where rehabilitation was the main emphasis. The underlying goal was no longer to put them away and forget about prisoners, but rehabilitate and make them a useful addition to society once again, and for the time and age, it was working. Violent crime was at a low, but high tech crime was skyrocketing.

Rashad T'Kul sat in one of these relatively nice cells twiddling her thumbs as two Admirals walked in to cell block. They appeared on the free side of the forcefield which kept her in. Both of the men, had impeccable uniforms and shining collar insignia, one sporting a five-pip brass and the other three. Their presence there began to frighten Rashad, but she somehow stifled it quickly. Rashad also noticed that these men were relatively young for Admirals, to have gotten where they are and there appearance showed men who knew who they were and wanted the world to know as well. From inside the cell, T'Kul saw Admiral and didn't react any different if she saw the janitor, but noticed immediately the head of StarFleet Command, Fleet Admiral William Ross. However, She paid either of them no sign of respect nor undue attention.

They both stood on the free side of the forcefield and said nothing. Finally one spoke.

"Lieutenant. Lower the forcefield and leave us," Admiral Beard said to the security officer at the desk.

"Sir. I am not to leave this post."

"Lieutenant. Leave us!" Ross said forcefully.

"Yes sir. I... I will be just outside the door."

"Go!"

"Yes sir. The Lieutenant lowered the forcefield and the Admirals entered. The nervous and intimidated Lieutenant rose the forcefield and swiftly left the brig.

"What can I do for you, sirs?" Rashad asked indignantly.

Admiral Ross sat down on the other bunk and looked at her. "Rashad. You are a woman with a great many talents, like computer-hacking. I believe that we can use someone like you."

"Oh really. How can YOU use ME?" She said frowning.

"Well, first of all I can get you out of this cell and out in to the land of the free again."

"What makes you think that I want out. Three square meals a day, a nice comfortable bed, and a servant that waits on me hand and foot." She said sarcastically.

"Sarcasm will get you no where young lady," The other Admiral said sternly.

Rashad turned to Beard and meant his stare with an icy one. "Admiral, I don't know you personally, but at my hearing, I recall someone like you residing. Admiral Thomas Beard, right?"

"And what does that have to do with anything?" Admiral Beard said.

"You sent me here," She said getting up and approaching Admiral Beard with a contempt.

"Good! What we have to offer you is not one that takes a personal relationship. However I have sent thousands of people like you to jail. Why should I remember who you are?"

"Whatever YOU have to offer, I am not interested. If I recall I tried a plea bargain with you, but look where I am. No thank you!" She said almost yelling.

"Rashad T'Kul. Sit down." Admiral Ross said trying to end this petty discussion. "You haven't heard what we have to offer."

"I am not interested, sirs!"

"Well. Admiral, " Beard said looking at the door trying to get the Lieutenant's attention. "She obviously isn't interested in the field commission into Starfleet."

"Commission?" Rashad said turning around.

"Don't worry about it." Beard said trying to manipulate the situation. "You will just sit in the cell till you are transferred to a penal colony and Thexis Alpha II and never see the light of day again." Thexis Alpha II, the most hated and notorious prison colony in the federation. The sun never shines and average temperatures were -25 degrees Fahrenheit. On top of that, prisoners rarely survive a year for the gruelling conditions of the settlements. "However, the advanced prototype starship needed an intelligence officer. Oh well. We will just have to find another."

All her life, Rashad had dreamt of being on a starship again. It had been years since she had and missed the freedom of deep space, where exploration was key. The idea of travelling again in space and a return to the officer ranks appealed to her and all sense of animosity was waved. Her attention was peaked to what Admiral Beard had to offer. "Okay, Admiral I am listening."

Admiral Ross stood up and smiled. "It is the USS Leviathan. Its mission is to explore the Beta Quadrant. However she has a new Captain and a relatively new crew, and Starfleet isn't sure of his or their responsibility of that ship. Captain Devore is competent officer, but their first week out they were back in space dock for repairs after a skirmish against the Loreans..."

".... and you want me to watch over them?" She remembered reading something Top Secret about the Leviathan. A prototype starship with new weapons and the new SlipStream engines.

"Well not exactly."

"Then what 'exactly'?"

"First Rashad do you except our offer of freedom?"

"Hmmm. Let me think.... Yeah!"

"Good. Lieutenant!" Beard yelled.

The frightened Lieutenant ran into the room. "Yes sir?"

"Release us!"

"Us sir?"

"Yes Lieutenant."

"On whose authority?"

"Mine Lieutenant," Ross said sternly not to allow the Lieutenant to go unknown who he is.

"Yes sir."

*I like this guy* Rashad thought as she followed the Admiral out. *Beard is interesting. Forceful. I like that as well!*