Out of Shadow

Posted on Fri Mar 6th, 2020 @ 5:21pm by Division Admiral April Dragon & Captain Daniel "Karass" McKnight & Lieutenant T'Lee Duval & Grand Admiral April Yamaguchi

Mission: Mission 64: Mortal's Chiefest Enemy
Location: High Orbit over B Kayor
Timeline: 1200Hrs - February 23rd, 2392

The Dreamcrusher had just pulled into orbit a short time earlier and now the people were being offloaded as Lieutenant T'Lee Duval was checking the manifest list of all of the spartans, she had seen a few of them train and while they were not the best on most social situations, they easily could overwhelm her and her security troopers.

T'Lee smiled. "Take care of yourselves." as she said to the next batch being sent to the large orbital base that was where they were to be processed and their legal situation was to be settled once and for all.

One of the Spartans came over to her. "Hello, T'Lee.."

"Hey, Fred. You look rested." the sdmaller female commented with a gentle smile on her lips.

"Your ship is light years ahead of the older ships I knew all those years ago. "

"We're all proud of her. the Guardian class sets the new benchmark for standards in the fleet these days." T'Lee explained before Fred gently picked her up in his arms and he kissed her rather passionately on the lips. T'Lee enjoyed the kiss as she kissed him back. Everyone around them all clapped and cheered the two on.

"Don't tell me that I'll never see you again.," T'Lee responded. "I should have my daddy come out here and have you horsewhipped for trifling with my affections, big man." the small Vulcan looking woman responded quietly, her eyes sought out his.

"I will see you again soon enough T'Lee... You are not rid of me.." the massive human male responded. "I will return.. one way... or another."

"Good," T'Lee answered simply. "Until then... Take care of yourself..."

"You too.," Fred responded simply.

Meanwhile over on the orbital base. Commander Daniel McKnight and Division Admiral April Dragon were both seated before Fleet Admiral April Yamaguchi as she read over both officer's after-action reports. "So... No way you could have sorted out things with the base?"

"Nosir. Commander Munroe... If that is his real name opened fire on me, thus causing me problems... I saw the evacuation as my higher priority."

"Considering these mercs were acting like jailers rather than protectors ma'am... I have had time to consider it and I agree with the Commander." Dragon added a moment later.

"Alright... Well, you and your crew did a heck of a job under trying circumstances. We'll get the legal bullshit sorted out as Starfleet JAG has sent a team to look into whether or not the Spartans should be granted Federation citizenship."

"They should never have had it taken away in the first place Admiral. they are not augments in the traditional sense... They were created and then grown in a lab, they are test-tube babies and they deserve a lot better then what they have been getting from the Federation up to this point." McKnight explained.

"I can't argue the point... Since I was involved with their creation... and I have to answer for that too." Yamaguchi responded. "All of us were involved, the three of us plus many others... JAG will want detailed information on everything that happened..."

McKnight paused. "We could always fight it out for citizenship.."

"Not yet," Yamaguchi responded. "If it comes to it then we will... But until then, no need to go looking for trouble." the older woman responded. "In any event. Commander, give your personal ten days off in addition to whatever you gave them and I'll process your paperwork for medals, awards, promotions, and commendations."

"Thank you, Admiral."

"Right.. of with you then... April. a moment please?"

McKnight rose to his feet and departed without a word or backward glance as Dragon regarded Yamaguchi. "How was he out there?"

"He handled things very well. He was cool under pressure, focused, calm and directed. His people were lucky to have him commanding them."

Yamaguchi slowly smiled. "So... you think he can handle command?"

"Why is he still an Exec?" she indicated the empty space where McKnight had been sitting. "He handled that mission better then most Captains, hell some Admirals I could name..."

"I want to make sure he is of sound mind and judgment before I offer him a command."

"April... Really... You don't trust him to fuck the dog and you asked me to keep an eye on him because of the fact that Nechayev broke him of his rank and his previous command... This is about what happened after he left the San Francisco isn't it?"

"I've had my concerns."

"Allow me to allay your concerns and calm your fears... Yes, he is ready to handle command and willing to do it. He cares April.. about his people, his ship and the mission in that order... He is more than ready... make him an offer before he remains second fiddle to Fleet Captain Omakan for the rest of his career..."

"Okay... I will offer the USS Song of Peace. She's also Guardian class but she's brand new..."

Dragon slowly smiled. "Good.."