Secret Rendezvous

Lieutenant Stefen Moss was in the Intel office, reviewing the sensor logs and reports made by Commander Rashad and Stefen during and after the assault on the Omega mining base in the Gamma quadrant. He was more than aware that Starfleet Intelligence and probably Section 31 would want to see these reports.

Suddenly the secure console in the office beeped twice, stopped and beeped twice again. Stefen immediately recognised the code as that of a Section 31 security response.

Moving over to the console, he secured the office and activated the console, entering his Section 31 codes. The console changed from the image of the Starfleet Intel insignia to that of Section 31, before changing once more to display a brief message. Stefen memorised the message, which sixty seconds later, vanished once more. The Section 31 insignia appeared briefly on the screen, confirming that the message had been erased, before returning to the Starfleet Intel logo.

Stefen rose from his seat, released the security lockdown on the office and headed towards the quarters of Commander Rashad.

Ten minutes later, Stefen and Rashad were heading towards the transporter room and down to Earth. As they waited in the transporter room for some new crew to be beamed up, Captain Taybar entered to room.

"Heading my way ?" The Captain asked casually.

Stefen looked briefly at Rashad, before turning towards the Captain with a small smile.

"We've been ordered to Starfleet Intelligence to report on the attack on the mining base Omega was using." He lied. "And you ?"

"Starfleet Headquarters, I've got a meeting with Admiral Devore." Aki replied. "Maybe we'll see what our next mission will be. Then I have a meeting with personnel to arrange for the transfer of the new crew onboard."

With the new crew and their belongings onboard, the three officers stepped onto the transporter pads and within moments, they were in Starfleet Headquarters.

"We will see you later Captain." Stefen remarked as he and Commander Rashad stepped away at a brisk pace. As soon as they were out of sight of the Captain, Rashad tapped her comm badge and they disappeared once more.

They re-appeared in a dimly lit room and found themselves standing on a two person transporter pad. Apart from the pad, the control console and the door set into the opposite wall, the room was blank, giving no clue as to their location. Although Rashad was aware of where they were, if not it's exact location, from the puzzled looks Stefen was making, he had never been in Section 31 Headquarters before, which wasn't odd.

Most Section 31 officers and agent, were recruited and in the field, receiving their orders through the sub-space network or diplomatic couriers. This was only Rashad's third visit, the previous two she had not enjoyed. Moments passed before the door to the room opened and a tall male, dressed all in black appeared and beckoned them to follow him.

"Commander Rashad, Lieutenant Moss….." The young man stated. "….it is good to see you both again."

At first Stefen didn't recognise their guide, but then he realised that he was the Section 31 agent who had contacted and met him on the mining base. His hair was different and his skin a little paler, but it was the same person.

They left the transporter room and headed down a blank corridor. Suddenly their guide stopped and punched a code into the control panel by the door. The doors opened and he ushered the two Starfleet officers inside, whilst remaining outside. In the room there was a rectangular table, with two seats at either end. On the far side of the table sat two dimly lit figures, the light not allowing their faces to be seen.

"Come in and take a seat." One voice announced from the darkness. "There is much to discuss."

The voice sounded distorted, not mechanical, but altered just enough so even their own grandmother's could not recognise their voice. Both Starfleet officers stepped forward and took a seat opposite their interrogators.

"Do you have the reports we requested ?" The second voice enquired. It too sounded distorted.

"Right here." Stefen replied, placing the small pile of Padds he had been carrying onto the table.

"And all records of the operation have been erased from the computer systems of both the Leviathan and the Hellcat ?" The first voice checked.

"They have indeed." Rashad assured them both. "So what happens next ?"

"All in good time." The first voice announced. "We will need to review these records and debrief you both before you leave, but first some good news for you both."

"Good news !" Stefen remarked.

"Lieutenant Moss, how long have you worked for Section 31 ?" The first voice enquired.

"A little over eight years." Stefen replied.

"And you Commander Rashad ?" The voice asked again.

"Coming up on ten years." Rashad stated. "Although nearly a year of those were spent rotting in prison, until Admiral Beard got me out."

The two voices were silent, the name of Section 31's greatest traitor shocking them both. It was true that Section 31 had been aware of Rashad's incarceration, but there was little they could have done to get her out, without compromising their own security.

"Then I think it is time you both were promoted." The first voice announced.

"Commander Rashad T'Kul, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in Section 31." The second voice announced. "Your security clearance and codes have been updated to allow you access to level three Section 31 data."

"Also Commander, you have been re-assigned to the USS Leviathan-B as Chief of Intelligence full-time. Your next mission will require all of your attention and your duties as first officer might get in the way of your mission." The first voice added. "Now Lieutenant Moss…"

"Lieutenant Stefen Moss, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in Section 31." The second voice continued. "Your security clearance and codes have been updated to allow you access to level three Section 31 data."

"Congratulations on both your promotions." A voice from behind them announced. Stefen recognised the voice as that of Commodore West, his father-in-law. "Now if you will leave us and follow these gentlemen, you will be debriefed and informed of your next mission."

Rashad and Moss rose from their seats and passing the Commodore, emerging back in the corridor they had arrived in. Four officers stood waiting for them, again dressed all in black. Breaking into pairs, they each escorted their charges away from each other and down the corridor to the debriefing rooms.

Commodore West moved further into the room and took the vacant seat of Commander Rashad.

"Do you really think they are up to the task ahead of them ?" Admiral McCaffee enquired., her voice no longer distorted by the device around her neck. "Freelancer is our best agent and has served this organisation for over two hundred years. If what she has told us of these aliens arriving at Starbase 901 to negotiate with the Federation is true, will sending Rashad and Moss be enough to prevent the Federation engaging in a war they are not prepared for."

"I have every confidence in both officers." Commodore West stated. "They have proved resourceful and brave, they know the score. As for Freelancer, they have known of the plans to invade before she ever came to Earth. She maybe one of their race, but she has proved time and time again that she is loyal to Section 31. After all, Section 31 was created in the first place because of the information she has provided."

"What of this Klang ?" The second Admiral enquired. "Will Omega be as big a threat to the Federation as some of our agents have foretold."

"Klang and Omega is a small, but well organised group." The Commodore stated. "But our assaults on their bases in the Gamma quadrant have severely weakened their standing with the Dominion and their allies. For now Omega is not our greatest threat, these Axtilities and the negotiations are."

"Bases !" Admiral McCaffee remarked. "I was only aware of one base in the Gamma quadrant."

"There were infact three bases, the main one being the mining base." Commodore West announced. "The other two bases were more of bolt-holes than bases, where Omega agents could run and hide. All three were completely eradicated after the assaults."

"Then it is agreed as soon as the debriefings are over, we inform them both of their new mission and what is at stake." Admiral McCaffee announced, rising from her seat and heading out of the back of the room, with her colleague.