Section 31_ Rogue - Andy Mangels [37]
“Computer, lower music,” Keru said, as he crouched down in front of Hawk. He looked to him, his eyes showing concern. “What’s wrong, Sean?”
“Nothing I can talk about.”
“What? Did I do something?” Keru looked crestfallen for a moment, and Hawk knew that he was steeling his nerves for whatever was to come next.
Hawk quickly amended his statement. “It’s not about us,” he said, reassuringly. “It’s… it’s something classified.”
The Trill looked up, relief showing on his face. He moved up and sat next to Hawk, putting a hand on his shoulder. “I understand. Is it something about this Chiarosan situation?”
Hawk hated being evasive, especially with the man he loved. “Yes and no. I can’t talk about it.”
“Is the ship in danger? The Romulans?”
“I said I can’t talk about it,” Hawk said edgily. He stood, and paced over to the wall.
“They found the wreckage of the Slayton a few hours ago,” Keru said, getting up and moving to the replicator. “No survivors. Still no sign of the Archimedes, though.” He ordered a dark ale, and it shimmered into solidity on the replicator pad.
“I hadn’t heard.” Hawk’s hand reflexively clenched. Tabor was right. Something did happen to the ship. To that other agent’s mission. Commander Zweller.
Keru took a sip of his ale. “Oh. I thought that might be what this mood is about.”
Hawk sighed heavily. “No, it’s not, Ranul. And I’m not in a ‘mood,’ I just have some important things to think about.”
Keru sat down on the couch, spreading one hand wide as if sweeping the air. “And here I thought that after two years together I could recognize your moods. Dark room, Celtic music, avoiding the topic-“
“I told you it was classified,” Hawk said sharply.
“Fine, whatever.” Keru took another sip of his ale and sat in silence for a moment. “Do you want to get something to eat?”
“I already ate.”
Keru put his glass down on a table next to the couch and stood up, wiping a bit of foam from his mustache. “Well, I guess I’ll go eat alone, then. Let you continue your nonmood.” He moved toward the door and hesitated, looking over at Hawk.
“I’m sorry,” Hawk said quietly.
The door whisked open in front of Keru, and the sound of raised voices and running came from down the outside hallway.
“Something’s wrong,” Keru said, peering down the corridor. Hawk moved over swiftly to join him, in time to see the turbolift doors close in front of a very distraught-looking Vice-Admiral Batanides and two security officers.
Hawk looked down the corridor, and spotted another pair of security officers. He recognized one of them as Lieutenant Sallee Huber, and called out to her. “Lieutenant Huber. What’s happening?”
The older of the two stopped and turned toward the two men. “It’s all hit the fan, Hawk. There was a massacre down on Chiaros IV. Commander Riker and Counselor Troi are missing, and Ambassador Tabor’s been badly wounded. They’ve just beamed him to sickbay!”
The color drained from Hawk’s face as he turned toward Keru. Standing next to him, his partner appeared equally surprised by the news, his mouth hanging open.
First had come Commander Zweller’s disappearance, then the discovery of wreckage from the Slayton. Now Tabor had been attacked. If Hawk needed another sign that he needed to act, then perhaps this was it. Something was seriously wrong, and Hawk knew that he would do whatever it took to help find a solution. And if that meant working with Section 31, then so be it.
“I’m going up to the bridge. They might need me.” Hawk gave his partner a quick kiss on the cheek, and stalked into the hallway, tugging at the bottom of his tunic.
“Marta, please!” Picard grabbed the admiral by the shoulders, more forcefully than he had intended. Ambassador Tabor had died fifteen minutes ago on the operating table, despite Dr. Crusher’s best efforts. Since then, once the scimitar gash to his own chest had been sealed, Picard had tried to comfort Marta Batanides. At first, she had resisted being taken from sickbay, until Crusher had made it a medical order. Picard had brought her to his quarters; her