Bridge

“What do you suppose they’re talking about?” said Hok, motioning towards the captain’s ready room.

“The mission, of course.  What else?” said Haia.

Iziraa chuckled.  “You know better than to ask her questions like that.”

Hok scowled.  Iziraa was right.  Haia had no patience for people asking questions when they already knew the answers.

The tactical console chirped, refocusing everyone’s attention.  “Haia, you have a personal message coming from Earth.”

The science officer swiveled in her chair to face Iziraa.  “I’ll take it in the observation lounge.”

“Transferring now,” said Iziraa.

When Haia was gone, Hok looked at Iziraa who shrugged.  Hok had an idea what the message was, but he didn’t want to get his hopes up.

Ready Room

“Perry, you’re getting ahead of yourself.  Commander Allen and Doctor Weaver are still on their way, so you haven’t heard their reports yet.”  Kirby wasn’t hiding how strongly he felt.

“Captain, we had operatives and a handler watching them, so we have a good idea how they did.  Once they’re fully debriefed, which will take place on my ship, Doctor Weaver will be transferred to Intelligence.  Orders have already been issued.”

“I’m fighting this as far as I need to go,” said Kirby.

“I’m thinking the captain that kidnapped a Ferengi citizen and lied to him about being threatened by the Orion Syndicate, may not have credibility.  I suggest, for the sake of your career, you let this happen.”

Kirby wanted to wipe the smug expression off Perry’s face.

Perry got up.  “I’ll be on my ship waiting for Allen and Weaver.”

The door chime rang.

“Come!”  Kirby said that more harshly than he should have.

Perry smirked.

“Mister Hok, we’re busy here,” said Kirby.

“Pardon my intrusion, sir, but this is important.”

“If you’ll excuse me, Captain, I’ll be on my way,” said Perry.

“Please stay, sir,” said Hok.  “This concerns you.”

Perry crossed his arms over his chest.  “Oh?”

“Hok?” said Kirby.

“Forgive me if I’m overstepping, Captain, but I have something important that needs to be said.”

“All right.  What is it?” said Kirby.

Hok looked at Perry.  “Captain Kirby did what he had to do to secure the Breen deployment charts, so he’ll be awarded, not punished, and Doctor Weaver won’t be transferred to Intelligence.  Sir.”

“Captain Kirby, your man is out of line,” said Perry.

“Hok?  This could be taken as insubordination,” said Kirby.  “I hope you have an explanation.”

“The Lorica Operation,” said Hok.

Perry went pale, his arms dropping to his sides.  “How dare you!”

Though his attention was on Perry, Hok could see Captain Kirby was intrigued.

The air in the room was more tense than anything Hok had felt.  Not knowing what else to say or what he should say, he silently stood his ground.

“All right, Captain, you win, but you made an enemy today.”  Perry tapped his comm badge which sent a silent signal to his ship.  In a moment, he had beamed out.

Kirby stared at Hok.  “The only thing I know what to say is, what the hell was that?”

Hok took time to consider his answer.  “Sir, I know this was not normal protocol, but I had to act.”

“You didn’t answer the question.”

“Captain, with respect, it really is better if you don’t pursue this any further.”

The room grew tense again.

“All right, Hok.  I’ll let it go, for now, but if anything else comes of it, you’re telling me everything.”

“Yes, sir.  Thank you, sir.”

“Dismissed.”

Bridge

Iziraa and Haia watched Hok go from the ready room to his seat at the secondary tactical position.  Logging back in, Hok noticed the others.  “What?”

“Do I need to throw something at you?” said Iziraa in exasperation.  Her antennae were leaning slightly forward.

“I’m also curious,” said Haia.

“Everything went well.”  Hok smiled.

“Do you remember when you said you never wanted to be on my bad side?” said Iziraa, her arms crossed.

“Ah,” said Hok.  “Since you put it that way.”

Tactical chirped.  “This is the Tigress Paw to the Eagle.  Anyone home?”

“We’re here, Commander,” said Iziraa.

“We’re making our final approach now,” said Allen.

“We’re ready for you.  Welcome home, sir,” said Iziraa.  She sent a message to the captain that their people were back.  Finished, she glared at Hok.  “We’ll talk later.”

“Yes, ma’am.”  Hok turned back to his station.  You did good, Hok, he thought.  You did good.