Section 31_ Rogue - Andy Mangels [129]
The admiral’s voice was sharp. “I’m sure we’ll be able to decide for ourselves the truth about Commander Zweller’s actions. Certainly, he was instrumental in revealing the atrocious war crimes being committed by a potential ally to the Federation, the Chiarosan government.”
“Admiral, there’s a great deal more going on here than you think.”
“Captain, I’ll allow for some small amount of insubordination from you, given the lateness of the hour. But I trust I needn’t remind you of Starfleet’s chain of command.” She straightened in her chair, extending one hand toward the panel on the desk in front of her. “You have your orders. They are not open to discussion.”
The image of Rossa vanished, replaced by the seal of the Federation. Picard gritted his teeth, fuming.
He slammed his hand down onto the comm panel. “Picard to Batanides.”
“Go ahead.”
“Marta… We need to talk.”
Standing beside Picard in the passageway outside the brig, Batanides could scarcely believe what she was hearing. But the way things had gone on this mission, nothing was a complete surprise to her anymore.
“I’ve got a bit more pull with the brass hats than most starship captains do, Johnny,” she said, her voice lowered. “Rossa might outrank me, but I promise you-I won’t let this rest.”
“I didn’t expect that you would, Marta. But at the moment, my hands are officially tied.”
“I wouldn’t have expected this of Rossa. She’s been in Starfleet a long time.” Batanides had worked under the admiral on several earlier occasions.
Picard exhaled, shrugging slightly. “Let’s give her the benefit of the doubt. We don’t know if she’s a part of this organization, or one of the people who help hide its existence. Or if she’s only following orders she’s been given by others.”
“No, we don’t know,” Batanides conceded grumpily. She gestured to the door of the brig. “Shall we get this over with then?”
They entered the brig, and Picard told the guard to wait outside, just beyond the outer door, to give them some privacy. The captain accessed the controls from the guard’s console, bringing the security forcefield down. He and Batanides then stepped to the entrance of Zweller’s cell, staying just outside it.
Their old friend looked up, a half-smile on his face. “Johnny. Marta. Have you finally come to your senses and decided to let me out of here?”
Batanides glared at him, but it was Picard who spoke. “Why the skulduggery, Corey? And why don’t the rules apply to you and your unit?”
“Oh, please, Johnny, let’s not get into more endless debates about following the rules. I’m not that much different from the two of you when it comes to defending the Federation. These philosophical arguments about who’s right or wrong are getting old. You have your methods, and they generally work. But when they don’t…” Zweller spread his hands in the air, as if allowing sand to slip between his fingers.
Batanides spoke up, her shoulders straightening. “Commander Zweller, you appear to have friends in high places. Captain Picard has been ordered to release you to another ship’s custody four days from now, no questions asked. And Starfleet Command isn’t exactly champing at the bit to haul you before a court-martial.”
“Well, that’s certainly good news, Marta,” Zweller said, brightening further. He stood. “Being punished simply for doing the right thing wouldn’t be quite fair, now would it?” He turned toward Picard. “So, am I free to go to my quarters?”
Picard gave Zweller a soulful look, then turned on his heel. “I think given the circumstances… I’d feel much safer if you stayed here until your transfer to the Tian An Men.”
The captain withdrew to the security console, leaving Batanides alone with Zweller. They stood staring at each other. Batanides looked into the eyes of her friend, but couldn’t find the man he used to be anywhere in them. All she saw was darkness.
He moved