Beyond The Killing Fields

Rashad was still exhausted after the battle. Still, despite the casualties and the damage to the ship, the battle was a success. The Borg was turned away. The Homeworld of her father was safe, at least for now.

Yet they had lost lives... Many of her people died fighting before the Leviathan was able to intervene. The Romulan-Bajoran felt proud and sad for them at the same time, as she also saw her Captain in denial of his grief over the death of the Chief Medical Officer. She had no doubt, however, that Captain Devore had no choice but to kill the Doctor.... It was extremely difficult to disassimilate the Borg drones, and the Federation could not afford any of the intelligence staff, with their extensive knowledge, to be telepathically united with the Borg Collective. She looked at the Bridge crew. *Starfleet should be proud of these people.... Incompetent or not, they have proven themselves in battle for sure...*

Her duty shift on the Main Bridge was coming to an end when she got an incoming transmission from Starfleet Command. She put it through to the Captain's Ready Room on her way out.

The hail reminded her that it was time for her also to report to Admiral Beard.

She got out of the turbolift on the relevant deck and headed to her quarters. Once there, she put down the PADD, got out of her black uniform and into some comfortable Vulcan clothes, and sat down to make the report.

"Computer, lock down these quarters from any possible monitoring devices."

<Authorization required.>

"T`Kul beta 4-6-2."

<Authorization accepted. Complying... The quarters are now on complete secondary communication lockdown.>

*Hmm... Finally the Chief of Ops fixed my ship computer access...* thought the Romulan-Bajoran with her eyebrows slightly risen.

She logged into the Intelligence PADD and selected the secure database and communication program installed on it specifically for her covert activities.

<Database classified. Authorization required.>

"T`Kul beta 4-6-2."

<Authorization accepted. Proceed.>

"Computer, open the secure channel to Admiral Beard."

<Officer ID number required.>

"25007," she said in a very businesslike manner.

<Officer ID accepted. Complying...>

The Starfleet Intelligence logo changed into the Section 31 logo for a few seconds, before being replaced by the figure of the Admiral in his black uniform.

[Ah, Rashad!] The Admiral smiled. [I heard that Leviathan suffered quite some damage in the last battle. What have you got to report ?]

"Sir, so far this crew appears to be coherent and adequate for the running of this ship." She transferred copies of all the personnel files she managed to take from the Captain's Ready Room eighteen hours earlier. "They prepared well for the battle at the short notice that they were given about the Borg, and they have executed the battle plan with a degree of Romulan perfection..."

[Of course... But what of the damage to the ship and the crew casualties ? How could they have allowed the Borg drones to board the ship in the first place ?]

"With all due respect, Sir," nodded Rashad with her eyebrows slightly risen. "The crew was anticipating that probability also. That is why all of them, and I, were armed with the ancient projectile weapons. What happened aboard the ship was not the fault of Captain Devore or any of his officers."

[All right, 25007.] said the Admiral frowning slightly. [I am expecting further reports every 24 hours. But you already know that, don't you ? This is what we recruited you for.]

"Aye, Sir," responded Rashad as the screen flashed the Section 31 logo before reverting back to the Starfleet Intelligence logo.

*Oh boy... And WHAT shall I do when there is nothing to report ? Will I then be sent to Cardassia as an undercover operative ? Or will I lose my Starfleet Intelligence commission altogether? THAT is the question indeed...*

"Computer unlock these quarters. T`Kul beta 4-6-2."

"Authorization accepted. Complying... The secondary communication lockdown is disabled."

She looked at her chronometer. She had a few hours to get some sleep before the main meal. She set the timer alarm for 5 hours and went to bed.

After about three hours though she was awakened by the door chime.

"Come in !" she said sleepily in Bajoran, wondering who it could have been.

To her surprise it was Captain Devore.

"Oh... Jolan Tru. How can I help you, Sir ?"