While being escorted to see the JAG officer, Taya wondered what was happening.  She wanted to ask the lieutenant, but based on what happened at Gren’s kiosk, he either didn’t know or wasn’t saying.  Shrugging inwardly, she decided to wait and see.

The officer escorting Taya Monroe skidded to a stop as the figure of Commodore Geronimo Fontana stepped into view.  “Commodore.”  He opened his mouth and then closed it.

“Good call.  Curious how Commander Davidson had you escort Ms. Monroe directly, given that I had asked to speak with her first.”

Taya was amused at the exchange between the lieutenant and Commodore Fontana.  It seemed the security officer was a bad boy.

Fontana turned to the woman, a warm smile on his lips.  “You’ve done nothing wrong.  This is politicking, nothing more.”  Fontana’s head swiveled back to the embarrassed lieutenant.  “My office.  You can wait outside until I return.”  The young officer gulped, nodded, and skittered away.  Fontana turned to Monroe.

Taya watched the security officer scurry away, as she wondered why Fontana wanted to see her first.  “How did I rate the commanding officer of this huge starbase coming to see me?”

The Commodore shrugged.  “Rank just means I’ve held on longer than most.  That and I was one of the few willing to come out here to the rimward.”  He gestured ahead.  “Allow me to escort you to Commander Davidson.”

Taya nodded.  Since Fontana was going to escort her to see Davidson anyway, what was the point of taking time from his busy day to see her?

Fontana walked slowly, his hands behind his back and his eyes searching the promenade.  He waited a beat before speaking.  “I asked for a review of Montana Station.  One part of that review involved JAG cases.  Yours was one of them.”

Taya froze in place, not believing what she just heard.  Was this for real?  Why reopen her case now after so many years?  Fontana mentioned politics.  Was she a pawn in some game she didn’t understand?  She had to compose herself before speaking.  “Why?”

Fontana turned to her, stopped in the middle of the corridor.  “I’ve learned the value of knowing the people around you well and understanding their history.  I had a friend who was the victim of some politicking and some shady JAG work.”  He motioned ahead and their pace continued.  “Your case struck me as curious for a few reasons.”

Politics.  It had to be that, thought Taya.  Doctor Howard implied that to her nearly six months ago.  For the first time in five years, she felt a small glimmer of hope that she could get her life back.

They stepped into a turbolift, and he called out the deck number.  It hummed as it traveled.   “Your guilt with the death is questionable, at best.  The incident where you assaulted a security officer struck me as odd.  Lots of questions mean something is hiding in that case file.”  The door opened, and they resumed the walk to the JAG office.

Taya wanted to tell Fontana what she knew, but patience was the best road to take.

The commodore slowed as they neared the JAG offices, and he turned to her, his face growing serious.  “Commander Davidson has his explicit orders to investigate your case.  He may present as an irritable officer, but he cares deeply for justice, truth, and the cause of his office.  If you give him reasons to question the case, he’ll give your case a good shake.  I suspect something or somethings will break loose. Redemption is at hand, Ms. Monroe.  Let’s give it a fighting chance.”