A Pardon for a Convict

In her temporary quarters aboard the SSS Sniper, Rashad was laying on top of the bed, still in full uniform, exhausted by the battle and the rigors of her last shift. The events of the past month did indeed make it a hectic time. She knew by know that, like the other members of the Hellcat crew, she had been "duped" into this rescue mission by Lieutenant Commander Toran. Somehow, she did not care about that, though. "The ends justify the means" her father used to say, in a Romulan tradition. She agreed with him, especially now...

All the ship's systems, like those of the Hellcat, were still being repaired. The Captain and the Counsellor, though not uninjured, were now safely aboard this Section 31 vessel. It took "ages" for the for the EMH to heal the wounds inflicted to them by "Captain" Lighter and Officer 001. Rashad felt relieved that her CO and his wife had finally been rescued from the hands of the "madmen".

However, she was also a little fearful for her own liberty, as she realised that Commander Harris would now have to tell the Captain that her commission was in reality with Section 31 -- not merely with Starfleet Intelligence - and that she was a convicted hacker/code cracker... Knowing the Captain's feelings about the Section, it was difficult to predict how he would react upon finding out that his Intelligence Officer was an undercover Section 31 operative whose orders were to "spy" on him, from the start of her duties aboard the USS Leviathan.

The Romulan-Bajoran was deeply in her thoughts and almost falling asleep when suddenly a figure in a black leather tunic materialised right next to her bed. As her eyes came fully into focus, she saw a rather tall middle-aged Human in the Section 31 uniform, and immediately recognised Charlie.

*Have I become a liability ?* Thoughts raced through Rashad's mind as she sat up.

*Is this operative going to sanction me ?* She thought.

"Easy Lieutenant." Said Charlie as if reading her thoughts. A slight French accent was detectable in his voice. "You are in no danger from me. In fact, despite your involuntary involvement with Beard, you have been an invaluable asset to the Section, Officer 25007... Now it is time for us to reward your loyal service to the Federation..."

"Charlie ?" The hacker could hardly conceal astonishment and relief behind her raised Vulcanoid eyebrows.

"Yes, you may address me as that." The Frenchman smiled and extended his hand in a polite Human gesture. T`Kul, still a little shocked, immediately took his hand. "My section 31 identity...." Continued the man, "....is Officer 003, and it is indeed an honour to meet the hacker who saved the life of her CO and dared to defy the insane orders of Officer 001."

Now she suddenly was a bit embarrassed. "Well, sir, I was merely doing my duty to the Federation..."

The grin on Charlie's face appeared to have gotten even bigger. " All right, Rashad. Enough of this chatter: You are to change into your Section uniform and to report immediately to my ready room. And hurry up - Rear Admiral McCaffee does not like to be kept waiting."

"But sir, if I wear my Section 31 uniform..." *I will be uncovered...* Rashad finished her words with a thought, like she was in the habit of doing sometimes.

"No "buts" 25007 ! That's an order." And, as unexpectedly as he had appeared only a few minutes before, Officer 007 activated his personal site-to-site transporter and dematerialised from the Intelligence Officer's temporary quarters.

*Hmm.. All right...* Thought Rashad as she quickly undressed, took a sonic shower and replicated a black leather tunic. *However, to minimise the risks to my cover, I will also use my personal transporter...*

With that, the Romulan-Bajoran activated the transporter and almost immediately materialised in front of Charlie's desk, in the Captain's ready room.

And... as soon as she was solid again, she came to attention in front of a middle-aged Human female wearing a Starfleet Command uniform with the Rear Admiral's rank insignia.

"Here she comes, Admiral." Nodded the Frenchman with a grin.

"Jolan Tru (("Good evening")), Admiral. Officer 25007 reporting as ordered, ma'am."

"At ease, Lieutenant." The Rear Admiral smiled.

The Romulan-Bajoran relaxed her stance, but, at the same moment, suddenly felt a stare coming from someone else in the room. She turned her head, and her greenish-white skin almost turned pale yellow as she realised that the person staring at her was Captain Marcus Devore.

"Captain Devore." The Admiral smiled again. "I believe you have already met this operative."

"Yes indeed..." The Captain appeared almost as shocked to see Rashad wearing a Section 31 tunic, as Rashad was by the loss of her cover.

"Rashad, I am Rear Admiral Kyrie McCaffee and I have replaced the former Admiral Thomas Beard."

"An honour to meet you, ma'am." Nodded the Intelligence Officer politely. She looked at McCaffee and then back at the Leviathan's Captain. "Captain..." Her eyebrows were now only slightly risen.".......I was only following my orders. I hope some day you may be able to understand that.."

"I know." Sighed Devore with an apparent regret, and smiled. "Admiral McCaffee has just told me your story..."

Rashad's eyebrows rose higher. "What do you mean, sir ?"

"Lieutenant Rashad." Came the reply, but from the Admiral. "We have been able to restore the log entries made by Beard from the moment the Section discovered your illegal activities until he had gone AWOL a week ago. I have discussed the matter with Fleet Admiral Ross and with the President of the Federation, and they have agreed to extend to you a full pardon for your past criminal activities." McCaffee handed her a PADD. "You are now free to return to the JAG Department, remain with Section 31 or get a reassignment to Starfleet Intelligence. You may even resign your commission all together if you wish, but I personally would like you to stay in one of the Federation intelligence services."

"Thank you, Admiral." She took her PADD and saw the record of the official pardon.

*Hmm... I do not want to leave Starfleet... and returning to JAG is not an attractive prospect... Then, can I stay with the Section ? My cover, at least where Captain Devore is concerned, is now blown... Should I transfer to Starfleet Intelligence ?.*

Suddenly, the answer came to her... and she knew that for her it was the right one... "May I speak freely, Admiral ?"

"Of course." The woman nodded.

"Actually, ma'am, if the Section regulations permit this and Captain Devore has no objections, I would like to remain with Section 31 and at the same time, continue serving as an Intelligence Officer on USS Leviathan."