Carol continued. “You did some excellent work back here at the base supporting your colleagues out in the field. No successful team is composed solely of superstars and front-runners. Effective teams have a range of talented people with different skills who know what they have to contribute and work like crazy to make sure that the team succeeds. You have been that person, Mr. Baham, and as a thank you I’d like to give you the opportunity to move over to Charlie team where you can continue to do the excellent work you’ve been doing without the obligations of field work.”
Alisha leaned over to Joshua. “They’re taking him out of the field?” she hissed. Joshua raised a finger from his hand resting on the table, telling her to hang on.
Cleavon’s face seemed to be a mix of emotions. After a moment he looked up at Carol and grinned. “Thank you, Director Bates. That’s fantastic news.” There was a sigh of relief in the meeting room and a small applause in congratulations. Rhodez who happened to be sitting to his left clamped him on the shoulder and congratulated him, and Cleavon managed to lock eyes with Alisha. He beamed at her and mouthed the word “thank you” with a thumbs-up.
Alisha felt her insides relax. It seemed he was genuinely pleased.
“Okay agents,” Carol called to them over the chatter. “You’ve done a good job. Spend the rest of today getting caught up with paperwork and plan your team’s next course of action. I want reports on my desk by the end of lunch, and we’ll debrief this evening with next steps. Dismissed.”
The agents in the room gathered up the various holoscreens they’d left out in case they needed them to justify what they had been doing. They folded away screens and notes on their holos, and with a clatter emptied out from the room.
Joshua caught up with Alisha at the bottom of the steps into the bullpen and pulled her to one side so they couldn’t be seen from the offices. “Hey,” he began, grabbing her gently by the elbow. “I take it from the fact that there were no other significant changes to our team that your report said exactly what she wanted it to say then?”
Alisha smiled, acknowledging the remark without saying anything. She noticed Cleavon walk past them down the aisle. “Hey, you know what? You still owe Cleavon drinks.”
Joshua started to roll his eyes.
“Hey, no,” she protested. “Fair is fair, we promised him. Now it looks like it’s a combined ‘welcome to the team’ deal.”
Her eyes rested on Hans who had already headed straight back to his console over the other side of the room. “I think this is also a perfect opportunity for us to get some answers from Mr. Elusive, too.”
Joshua followed her gaze. “Ok. You invite him. I’ll get Cleavon and Rhodez on board.”
Alisha put out her fist for him to bump her. He did, and the two parted, crossing paths to their relative marks as if choreographed in a music video.
Alisha kept Hans directly in her sights as she approached his console. “Hey,” she greeted him, as casually as she could. He glanced up briefly and then carried on his work. “Hey,” he acknowledged.
“I was wondering…” She paused, waiting for him to look up.
“Uh-huh?” He didn’t shift his gaze from his screen.
She continued. “We’re all going out for drinks later. You should join us.”
There was a long pause. Alisha stood her ground, looking directly at him as if willing him to respond. His eyes stopped scanning whatever it was he was reading. “Erm. Okay. It’ll have to be later though. I have a meeting at six.”
Alisha felt another wave of relief. She hated the thought of not even being able to persuade a teammate to come out with them. “Well, okay then,” she beamed. “We’ll be at the Admiral when you get done.”
Hans looked directly at her. “I’ll see you there then.”
Alisha wasn’t sure, but there was something in the way he looked at her. It was as if he was either onto her, or he was flirting. What really bugged her was that she couldn’t tell which. She gave him a quick smile and then strode away as confidently as she could.
Never let them see you squirm, she reminded herself from basic training in eliciting human intelligence.
She waited back at her console, pretending to get on with some work but replaying the moment over and over.
Meanwhile, across the bullpen, Joshua was weaving his part of the plan. “So Cleavon, we should do drinks tonight to thank you for all your hard work.”
Cleavon didn’t hesitate. “Awesome!” he responded straight away, the holoscreens on his wrist holo flickering and flashing all over the place, forgotten in his excitement. Rhodez turned to see what was going on.
“You should come too,” Joshua called over to him. “Admiral. Straight after we finish here.”
Rhodez thought for a moment before agreeing. He pushed back in his antigrav console chair. “Oh, what the heck. I can get this lot finished tomorrow. I’m in.”
“Excellent,” Joshua said, walking back to his desk, reveling in the sense of accomplishment that went with a good set up. Phase 1 complete.
Alisha gave him a thumbs-up as he approached. He returned it as discreetly as he could. The plan was afoot.
The Admiral, Spire, Estaria
The bar was a hub of activity. It was as if everyone in the nearby buildings had all gotten the idea of coming for an after-work drink at the same time.
Alisha pushed her way through the hordes of workers, trying not to lose sight of Rhodez and Joshua ahead of her. Cleavon was following her, and Hans was still in his meeting when they left the office.
“Alisha! What are you drinking?” Rhodez asked.
“Vino for me,” she told him. “Thanks!”
Rhodez asked the same question of Cleavon and sent them both to try and find a table where they could stake out their claim. Alisha led the way and eventually found a tall table without seating. At least they’d be able to put their drinks down, she reasoned, as she stood by it, ready to defend it against anyone who might challenge them.
Cleavon had been chatting away over the noise for several minutes. She nodded politely, trying to hear, but really only understanding about fifty percent of what he was saying.
Eventually the other two showed up carrying their valiantly acquired drinks.
“I propose a toast,” Joshua started. “A toast to our new team member Cleavon.” He raised his glass, and the others followed suit. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for us already, and welcome to being an official part of our motley crew.”
They all cheered and congratulated Cleavon. At one point Alisha was sure he had a tear in his eye. She already knew what it meant to him to be accepted and valued. She was glad they’d made the right call bringing him on board and then celebrating him.
“So, Alisha,” Rhodez leaned in just a little too cozily. “Are you seeing anyone?”
Alisha froze. She knew exactly where this was going. It was almost as if it was an impossibility to go out for drinks with co-workers and for it to be purely a co-worker or platonic thing. She sighed and gave him the look. “Really? The first time we end up in a bar together, after a serious moment of team bonding, and that’s what you want to ask me?”
Rhodez felt his face flush. “I’m… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”
Alisha rolled her eyes. “It’s fine.”
Chapter 17
Base conference room, Gaitune-67
It was early evening on Gaitune, and Arlene had brought Ben’or up to Gaitune for a debrief and a tour of the facility. The reasoning she had pitched to Molly was that he’d already helped them so much that he was clearly trustworthy, and having been on a mission with them he had already known about a chunk of the secret Federation technology for months and kept it to himself.
Molly had agreed, but had Oz complete a full risk assessment without letting anyone else know.
Now, seated in the base conference room with him across from her, she couldn’t help but think she had been silly.
There was something about his relaxed manner and sage-like wisdom that put everyone at ease. She could see what Arlene saw in him, and why he was such a good diplomat.
The meeting had already been called to order by Gareth Jones who was patched in over an advanced holoconnection. He had no idea where they all were. The connection that Oz and ADAM had engineered in the beginning between Estaria and Gaitune made it look like they could be somewhere on the planet and talking with him.
Paige and Maya sat down one side of the conference table to Molly’s left, and Gareth’s image sat in the middle of the table able to face each of them at the same time.
Gareth announced the good news. “Well, folks. It looks like we’ve done it. The university will live to fight another semester.”
There was applause in the room. He continued. “We had official word today that the results of the investigation were found to be erroneous. Someone made an administrative mistake, and in light of funding cuts they’re going to drop any further investigation.”
Molly looked around the small team and relished the smiling faces. “This was indeed a win. Well done folks,” she added. “Ben’or, we appreciate you coming in and giving us the saving guidance right at our eleventh hour. Your input is very much appreciated.”
“Gareth,” she said, turning to the screen. “You and your legal team have worked tirelessly to keep our survival a possibility. You have our eternal gratitude. Thank you for everything you’ve done.”
Gareth nodded, a little embarrassed by the appreciation. “Just doing the right thing,” he muttered, smiling secretly.
“Arlene, your dedication to the Academy has been second to none. I know this started as a cover for you, but everything you’ve done to help us stay open has been very much appreciated. Thank you.”
Arlene nodded, also blushing a little now.
“Paige and Maya. I don’t know where we would have been without you two. And honestly? I don’t know where you each find the time to do everything that you do, on top of your normal workload. Your leadership on this issue has been inspiring, and I’m so grateful to you.”
“Anytime,” Paige said.
Maya grinned. “You’re welcome. Though, I think we need the morning off tomorrow.”
Molly cocked her head not quite understanding.
“So we can celebrate tonight,” she clarified.
“Oh. Yes, of course,” Molly laughed. “Absolutely! You’ve earned it.”
Molly went back to addressing everyone in the group. “I know you’ve all called in favors and it’s cost you social collateral. I want you to know how much we… I, appreciate everything you’ve done.”
Paige leaned forward in her seat raising her hand from the table. “You know, we should have a celebratory party for everyone who helped us. It would be nice to thank them personally.”
She and Maya exchanged a knowing look.
Gareth interjected. “I’m not sure if some of our contacts want to be drawn into something like that.” He stuttered a little bit as he processed his thoughts. “Others knowing about their involvement. However. I think that is a lovely idea.”
Molly grinned. “Paige, even you couldn’t possibly take on planning something else at this stage. Not on top of everything else you’re doing.”
“Maybe I could get someone to help?” she suggested, turning her head to Maya, whose eyes lit up.
“I would be thrilled to,” Maya enthused. She then mouthed the words ‘thank you’ to Paige.
Molly shrugged. “Sure. If Maya’s up for it, we’ll clear some budget for it.”
There was some spontaneous chatter amongst the group for a few moments before normal business resumed. Gareth had a few things they needed to be aware of, and then Molly let the others in on a few of the moving parts they had to grease in order to make sure the investigation was dropped.
She told them it was important that they had an idea, just in case there were other signs of anything resurfacing or coming back to bite them.
She talked a little about transparency and the balance between that and keeping certain things classified. Oz agreed to act as point on any future threats that they flagged so he could make the assessment as to what was disseminated, and then after a few other comments the meeting was wrapped.
“And again, thank you, everyone!” Molly applauded. “I’ll get in touch with Mom and thank her for her part too. I’ll look forward to seeing you at the party, if not before.”
Gareth signed off on the conference call and the others started to move.
Arlene took Ben’or by the arm. “How about we head out for dinner. Just the two of us?”
Ben’or patted her hand on his arm. “I think that’s the best idea I’ve heard all day.”
Arlene raised her eyebrows. “This coming from the diplomat who has been in strategy calls with his people all day.”
Ben’or leaned down to whisper to her. “Exactly,” he agreed. “So, Pods?”
Arlene flashed him her enigmatic smile. “How about we visit one of the places here on Gaitune.”
“Oh, of course…you used to live here.”
“Yes. A long while,” she agreed. “So I know all the best places on this tiny rock.”
The pair headed down the side of the meeting room toward the door.
“I think I’ll see what everyone else is up to and put a food order in too,” Paige started saying to Maya.
Molly interrupted Maya from responding. “Maya, have you got a second?”
Maya froze.
Paige was already almost out of the door and looked back to see what was happening. Molly caught her eye and Paige took it as a sign to wait for Maya outside. She slipped out of the door behind Ben’or and Arlene and disappeared from view.
“I’ll catch you up,” Maya called out to her. She hovered by the end of the table, around the corner from where Molly was still sitting. “What’s up?” she asked.
Molly gave her a suspicious look. “What are you up to?” she asked bluntly.
Maya smiled sweetly. “Planning a party now it seems.”
“I don’t buy it.”
Maya narrowed her eyes at Molly as if she were trying to suss out her line of questioning. “What’s not to buy?”
Molly leaned back in her seat, closing her remaining open holoscreen. “Once an investigative journalist, always an investigative journalist,” she said cryptically.
Maya’s smile relaxed as if she had just been caught in a lie. “Okay, you got me. Paige and I were talking earlier, and we just figured that more intel is better than less. It would be interesting to get some of these people into a room and talk to them. Not interrogate them, but just put faces to names, press some flesh. You know.”
Molly nodded, her lips turned up in approval. “Smart move,” she said. She stood up.
“So that means I can? You’re okay with it?”
“Of course, I am. You and Paige are the best damn investigators that I’ve ever known. I’m blessed to have you on my team, and I’m thrilled you’re taking the initiative. You go for it. Be discreet. Try not to piss any of these contacts off, and let me know if you need anything.”
Maya looked so excited Molly wasn’t sure if she was about to explode. “Brilliant!” Maya said, in her best archaic accent.
Even Molly had to snigger. She wondered if she had reserved that word just for her, given her obsession with the ancient Earth shows of the little island with the funny accent.
Maya grinned. “Thanks, Molly. I’ll keep you in the loop.”
“I’ll appreciate that,” Molly replied, giving her the nod that she was dismissed.
Maya trotted out of the room and started chattering to a hovering Paige as soon as she got into the corridor.
Molly sighed happily to herself, listening to them go. Ancestors only knew what she had done to deserve to have such great people around her, but if she ever found out, she’d never stop doing it.
&nb
sp; Special Task Force Offices, Undisclosed location, Estaria
Carol, Philip, and Hans sat in the meeting room waiting for the last of the department’s agents to leave the bullpen for the night. Carol closed the door to the meeting room as Hans sat down placing a bug detector on the table.
“Are we good?” she asked.
He nodded. “We’re good.”
“Let’s get to it then.” She pulled up a holoscreen with some of the elements the task force had been working on over the past weeks. “We need to find their plan. Whatever it is that these incidents are a part of, we need to figure it out and bring a stop to it.”
Hans and Philip watched in silence.
Carol leaned on the table. Her eyes burned with an intensity Hans had never seen before. “We need to figure out what the big picture is.”
Philip was leaning back in his chair, with one hand on the table next to him. He turned his hand over, in a shrug like fashion. “How?”
“Well I think we need to start with what each of these positions has in common?” she explained.
Hans jumped straight in. “All positions that could influence the decisions in a department. But we knew that already.”
“Yes,” she agreed. “So what do the departments have in common? Or what use would they serve?”
Hans started plotting it out on the presentation holoscreen, moving the elements and images around from his holo as the Director and his mentor looked on.
“Robert Califray,” he started. “He’s our guy who disappeared on holiday. He worked in the Department of Logistics. This is the department that maintains near space satellites which are used for far communications systems.” He added some notes to the board and pulled the department details to the fore.
“Then we have the Department of Near Space Communications. Malone Houston was at the Department of Off-World Logistics. This department controls outer space satellites. It’s government-owned.”
The Ascension Myth Box Set Page 207
