Section 31_ Rogue - Andy Mangels [128]
Picard sighed, smiled slightly, and then clapped one hand on Hawk’s shoulder. “That’s an important lesson to learn, Lieutenant. And I appreciate your honesty about this matter… and your forthrightness about the example I set for you and the rest of the crew.”
“What happens now?” Hawk asked, looking apprehensive.
“To Zweller and Section 31? That remains to be seen. You may have blown the lid off of a conspiracy that will rock Starfleet to its core.”
Picard noticed then that Hawk’s chin was trembling slightly. “You’re concerned about how your own conduct in this matter will look in your service record. Is that it, Lieutenant?”
Hawk nodded, his jaw still shaking. “Yes, sir,” he said quietly.
“I imagine it will go something like this,” Picard said, his tone soothing. “A special commendation will be placed in your file, noting your meritorious actions during the Chiarosan crisis. And you’ll fulfill your duties on the bridge at your next work shift, and the one after that.”
Hawk relaxed visibly, but Picard wasn’t finished. “At some point, you’ll likely have to testify about Zweller’s actions before a Starfleet Command tribunal. But I don’t expect this to affect your career negatively in any way.”
He held his hand out toward the young man. “You’ve exhibited honesty and bravery throughout this mission, Sean. You made the right choices. All of them. Continue to make them.”
Relief showed on Hawk’s face. “Thank you, Captain.” They shook hands firmly, then disengaged.
On the table, Picard’s combadge chirped, and Data’s voice filtered out of it. The captain was relieved that his android friend had recovered so completely from the aftereffects of the raid on the subspace singularity, and whatever injuries the Romulan security AI had inflicted upon him.
“Captain,” Data said, “there is a Priority One message for you from Starfleet Command.”
“I’ll take it here, Mr. Data.” He turned to Hawk with a slight smile. “We’ll talk more about this later.”
“Yes, sir,” the lieutenant said, then strode swiftly to the door.
Picard had donned his jacket before sitting behind his desk. He touched a small contact and its small screen lit up. On it was Admiral Connaught Rossa, whom he hadn’t heard from in years.
“Admiral Rossa. It’s good to see you, sir. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
Rossa clearly wasn’t in the mood for the usual pleasantries. “It’s my understanding that you have detained a Commander Cortin Zweller for various actions concerning this sordid liaison between the Chiarosan rebels and the Romulans.”
“Yes, sir. We are transporting him to Starbase 424, where he will be bound over for trial.”
“That won’t be necessary, Captain. Instead, you will rendezvous in four days with the U.S.S. Tian An Men, just as soon as the Enterprise is clear of Geminus Gulf space. The exact coordinates for this meeting will be transmitted to you shortly. You will transport Commander Zweller and all his personal effects-including computer files-to the Tian An Men at that point.”
Picard was jarred. After an almost imperceptible pause, he said, “May I assume that Vice-Admiral Batanides from Starfleet Intelligence will accompany the commander?”
“No. But after the rendezvous, you may continue on your heading for Starbase 424. Admiral Batanides and the remaining Slayton survivors will be ferried from there to their next destinations.”
“Admiral, I must tell you that there are some very… unusual aspects to the charges against Commander Zweller.” Picard shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
“As I said, Captain, you will transfer all files about this to the Tian An Men. This includes all log material. The matter will be classified until such time as we contact you again.”
“I will gladly make myself and my officers available to testify at the court-martial proceedings and-“
Rossa seemed annoyed. “Captain, perhaps I’m not making myself clear enough. We will contact you when we wish to hear from you. It is doubtful that charges will be brought against the commander-“
This time it was Picard’s turn to interrupt