Yeoman Jamie Piper strode into Commodore Hunter's office carrying yet another armful of PADDs. "More situation reports for you, sir," she said.
"Thanks, Jamie," replied the Commodore, not meaning it. Piper dumped the load on the corner of the large oak desk and departed, undoubtedly to gather the next batch, thought Hunter with a tired sigh. He sat back in his chair and gave his tired eyes a rest.
Everything had been going so well. Arrangements had been made with the Vesputian monastery for the comfortable housing of the G'kra. West had hammered out a deal with the monks to supply the G'kra quartered in the city with delicacies the monks grew. Housing for the delegation from Earth was ready. The city had been secured for the arrival of all these important personages. Patrols overflew the rest of the planet making sure everything was secure. Local police and Starfleet Security were on the alert. Fighter squadron patrolled the surrounding space. But it still hadn't been enough! Somehow, someone had smuggled surface-to-air missiles onto Serenity, hidden them somewhere in the countryside, and fired them at the Federation President's ship as he was de-orbiting, and shot him out of the sky.
Who would do such a thing?!? Hunter could think of half a dozen candidates who wouldn't mind seeing the treaty signing between the Federation and the G'kra fail.
The door chime sounded and the door swung open, admitting a man in civilian attire and an agitated Yeoman Piper.
"I'm sorry, sir. He just barged in! I told him you were busy, but he wouldn't take no for an answer!"
"It's all right, Jamie," said Hunter. "I can handle this. Thank you." With a last, scathing look at the intruder, Piper retreated back out to the reception area, closing the door behind her, leaving Hunter alone with the stranger.
"It's been a long time," said Hunter expressionlessly.
"Yes," replied the interrupter evenly. "So, Hunt, you wanna tell me why Serenity has gone all military police on everyone?" The man didn't hesitate and took the un-offered chair as his to sit upon. He paused for a moment and continued after shaking his head dismissively. "Perhaps I don't want to know... I'm just here to collect the houseboat you offered."
Hunter's mind was awhirl with a million things he wanted to say to this man, and it came out of his mouth in an incredulous jumble. "My houseboat? You don't know what's going on? Don't you watch the news? And how did you get here, anyway? The planet's buttoned down and so is this building! The President's ship has been shot down! And you're just here to borrow my houseboat? Hunter ran out of steam.
The man, Jack, frowned slightly and leaned forward a little in his chair. "Spare me the hissy fit... the President?" Jack was silent as he leaned back into the chair. "And Commodore... you offered me the boat, and you know Federation Security would have a little trouble keeping me secure." His mind then drifted back to the President, "and I'm not a Federation Citizen, not my worries plus I've been waiting for someone to return the favor of sending him to his death.... you know what I mean."
Jack stood and sighed. "You're busy. I'll come back later."
Hunter relaxed. "No, it's okay. It's just been a busy morning as you might guess."
Jack remained standing, his hands grasping the headrest of the seat he previously was seated upon. "So... what's going on?" The man's pale eyes narrowed on the Commodore, then lowered to the paperwork on the officer's desk.
Hunter deliberated a moment on whether he should go into the details with a civilian, but Jack Lashmore was an ex-Starfleet security officer, and an old acquaintance. "We're not really sure what happened at this point," he said. "Starfleet One was shot down with President Carlyle aboard. We don't know who did it, and no one's come forward yet to claim responsibility. The latest report from Search and Rescue says that there are survivors of the crash, but no names yet."
Jack nodded. "There we go, and the news wouldn't have had as much information anyway." Jack sighed. "Well I'm not going to lie, it's about time he received his penance for sending others to their deaths. I'd say the President is the least of your worries, one of the primary mandates the man stood for is supposedly the safety of the people... and from what little you've told me an attack could happen again without a seconds notice." Jack paused. "I apologize, it's not my area to comment anymore."
Hunter chuckled, releasing some of the pent-up stress that had been building over the last few hours. "You haven't changed a bit, have you, Jack? But I can't afford to be quite so cynical. The safety of everyone on this planet is my responsibility, and that includes the President, no matter any supposed faults he might have. But you're right. It's my worry, not yours. You said something about my houseboat..."
Jack arched an eyebrow. "I'm only here because you made the offer."
"Hmm," said Hunter pensively. "Funny, our memories seem to diverge on that point. But on the other hand, there are lots of holes in my memory from that particular chapter in my life..." He thought about it for a few seconds, then shrugged. "Sure, why not? Me and Dee never use it; it's just floating beside the Lake Town quays taking up space."
He stepped around the big oak desk and held out his hand. "I'd say we had a deal."
Jack nodded and shook the Commodore's hand. "So how is Dee? Laetitia and her got on like a house on fire..." He paused. "I ain't seen Dee in a while."
"She's fine," replied Hunter dismissively. "She's coordinating with the medical centers right now. During the emergency I mean. We've got a little place here in the city. I'm not sure how she'll take knowing you're here though. She's tried to forget what happened before, but it's been hard. Seeing you would bring it all back again."
"Try living with it every day," Jack's voice rose a notch, "and then you would've known when to bite your tongue!" After a moment Jack sighed and shook his head. "I'm sorry... Dee doesn't need to know I'm around."
"You've obviously never tried keeping a secret from her!" said Hunter amiably. "But I'll tell her later, after we have this crisis resolved. Speaking of which... I need to get back to work, Jack. I'll call over to Lake Town and tell the local constabulary that there's a new tenant for the houseboat. Wouldn't want you to get arrested your first day here!"
Jack was unmoved, each time the two met after a while of not seeing one another they always began at each other's throats. Which always quickly passed upon realization of that silly fact as an embarrassed yet amused smile arose across Jack's lips. "I bet we already predicted this conversation exactly didn't we? Listen, you know me, I'm not going to be a freeloader living off you. If there's work around I'll pay the worth of the boat back. And as always, anything you need now I'm only on the same planet." Jack turned to leave.
Hunter watched in silence as Jack turned and headed for the door, but just before his hand touched the doorknob, Rick said with sincerity, "It's been great seeing you again, Jack. I'm sure our lives will suddenly become much more--" he searched for the right word, "--interesting, now that you're on this planet."
Jack looked over his shoulder at Hunter and nodded. "Likewise... give my regards to Dee, when it's prudent of course." Jack then opened the door and as he exited, "Good luck with the President."
The door shut with a soft click, but Hunter continued staring at it, lost in thought. Yes, their lives would definitely become more 'interesting', as the Chinese curse put it. And if he knew Jack, he wouldn't be surprised if the ex-Orion Syndicate operative-turned-Starfleet security officer solved the current crisis single-handed!
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