A Secret Meeting (Closed to Luke/Kirok)

[Kirok]

[Diplomatic Assemblies and Facilities Area]

"Harmon, eh?" Stafford had found the ham steak and was busy carving it up into egg sized portions to pile atop of the rest of his breakfast.

"Well, he performed well in the last mission...if anything or anyone can be said to have performed well during that fiasco." He said with a grimace.

"I had no idea he was a specialist," Stafford said carefully, sipping his coffee to give himself a moment to think. "What else about Harmon should I know?"

[Diplomatic Assemblies and Facilities Area]

Kirok forked his last piece of egg, chicken, and cheese souffle.  He gazed at it thoughtfully.  Honoring the nourishment it was bringing to his body.  And then he devoured it.

Placing his used utensils on his now bare plate, Kirok nodded as Luke spoke.  "Zombies, correct?   I'm sorry that I missed that" the half Vulcan replied dryly.

[Quarters]

Hust was in his quarters, enjoying the peace and quiet. He'd put on some type of ambient noise, and it was a relaxing and peaceful environment- until the Captain's hail came through the comms system. He tapped his commbadge.

Aye Sir. On my way.

He gathered his uniform, put it on, and exited his room. He walked over to a turbolift and took it up, making sure he was presentable. When the doors opened he walked out, and walked down to the room that the Captain had indicated. He pressed the door chime, and waited outside.

But his right eyebrow did rise when Luke asked his last question.  Surely the man knew about Harmon and was simply playing dumb.  "I believe the saying is, saved by the bell?" he asked. 

[Malcolm Adeyemi]

Aye Sir. On my way.

He gathered his uniform, put it on, and exited his room. He walked over to a turbolift and took it up, making sure he was presentable. When the doors opened he walked out, and walked down to the room that the Captain had indicated. He pressed the door chime, and waited outside.

[Diplomatic Assemblies and Facilities Area]

"Enter. Position of attention! Flag officer on deck!" Stafford had stopped eating and was fairly barking orders. The sight of a friendly older man enjoying a meal with his oldest friend was gone. In its place was a grim faced, holllow eyed veteran Starfleet commanding officer.

[Diplomatic Assemblies and Facilities Area]

Kirok forked his last piece of egg, chicken, and cheese souffle.  He gazed at it thoughtfully.  Honoring the nourishment it was bringing to his body.  And then he devoured it.

Placing his used utensils on his now bare plate, Kirok nodded as Luke spoke.  "Zombies, correct?   I'm sorry that I missed that" the half Vulcan replied dryly.

But his right eyebrow did rise when Luke asked his last question.  Surely the man knew about Harmon and was simply playing dumb.  "I believe the saying is, saved by the bell?" he asked.

[Diplomatic Assemblies and Facilities Area]

"Indeed." Stafford stood. He wasn't a tall man, and he was no longer solid. The years had sapped his vitality and muscle from the bones. But the eyes, the limp, the cruel hands, and the rigidly shaved head and ruthlessly upright posture gave him a hardened and wizened look.

"Name and rank!" The captain barked at Hust.

[Hust Kinun]

[Diplomatic Assemblies and Facilities Area]

"Enter. Position of attention! Flag officer on deck!" Stafford had stopped eating and was fairly barking orders. The sight of a friendly older man enjoying a meal with his oldest friend was gone. In its place was a grim faced, holllow eyed veteran Starfleet commanding officer.

[Diplomatic Assemblies and Facilities Area]

"Indeed." Stafford stood. He wasn't a tall man, and he was no longer solid. The years had sapped his vitality and muscle from the bones. But the eyes, the limp, the cruel hands, and the rigidly shaved head and ruthlessly upright posture gave him a hardened and wizened look.

"Name and rank!" The captain barked at Hust.

[DAFA]

Hust entered, and was about to look around when he heard Stafford snap out a series of commands. He followed instinctively, nothing but a slight intake in breath to indicate he had been taken by surprise. His hands were clenched slightly at his side to keep them from shaking, but that wasn't a problem now. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw the Admiral, but said nothing.

He stood as the Admiral and Commander had their little discourse- it seemed he'd walked into a personal-ish matter. He would keep his mouth shut, but he was curious as to what it was. He was barked another set of orders, and responded in kind- short, succinct, and robotic.

"Kinun, Hust. Ensign, Starfleet JAG Corps"

He hadn't expected an inspection... Maybe the Commander was putting on a test? Making a show of the crew? He didn't know, and had a slightly uneasy feeling. As he was on the drugs he had become addicted to, he couldn't use his betazoid abilities- they were blocked and anyone else sensing him would feel a void- more than just nothing.

[Malcolm Adeyemi]

[DAFA]

"I see." Stafford walked around the rigid officer and took him in. Too young, was his first thought. His second one was that the new officer was wound up so tight that if you fed him a lump a coal a diamond would come out of the other end. But maybe he was all they had.

"This is Rear Admiral Lower Half Kirok." Stafford said, emphasizing each word. Stafford's voice was husky, hypnotic, still flavored with the brown hills and bleak Rust Belt sounds of western Pennsylvania. Kind of a Mid-Atlantic working class drawl, having picked up zero polish after twenty years in Starfleet.

He began to circle the young man, like a shark.

"Then Lieutenant Commander Kirok was my Second Officer on the USS Gettysburg when I was a buck crewman. Even younger than you. He was on the Churchill, the Gibson, the Discovery, the Magellan, the Chin'toka, the Fleetwood, the Gettysburg again, the Phoenix, the Kennedy Asteroid. All with distinction. And he needs you for a job."

Little speech finished, and happening to be right in front of Kirok at the moment and his back to Hust, Stafford winked.

He sat at the seat next to Kirok, further isolating the ensign, creating the illusion that they were both against him.

"He's all yours, admiral."

[Kirok]

[DAFA]

"I see." Stafford walked around the rigid officer and took him in. Too young, was his first thought. His second one was that the new officer was wound up so tight that if you fed him a lump a coal a diamond would come out of the other end. But maybe he was all they had.

"This is Rear Admiral Lower Half Kirok." Stafford said, emphasizing each word. Stafford's voice was husky, hypnotic, still flavored with the brown hills and bleak Rust Belt sounds of western Pennsylvania. Kind of a Mid-Atlantic working class drawl, having picked up zero polish after twenty years in Starfleet.

He began to circle the young man, like a shark.

"Then Lieutenant Commander Kirok was my Second Officer on the USS Gettysburg when I was a buck crewman. Even younger than you. He was on the Churchill, the Gibson, the Discovery, the Magellan, the Chin'toka, the Fleetwood, the Gettysburg again, the Phoenix, the Kennedy Asteroid. All with distinction. And he needs you for a job."

Little speech finished, and happening to be right in front of Kirok at the moment and his back to Hust, Stafford winked.

He sat at the seat next to Kirok, further isolating the ensign, creating the illusion that they were both against him.

"He's all yours, admiral."

[DAFA]

Ordinarily Kiork would have stood and offered the young man a slight, but respectful bow.  Luke's tone, however, indicated that he should remain seated.  And so he did.

And while Luke was giving Hust the rules and regulation drill, Kirok took a moment to study the man.  He immediately recognized Kinum as a fellow Betazoid.  But that natural link that typically occurred with fellow Bezazoid's simply didn't take with Hurst - which was very odd.

So, naturally the half Vulcan's interest was piqued.  He sat forward in his seat and looked at bit closer at the man.  But still nothing, as if telepathically the man was not even there.

"Actually, the Kennedy Asteroid assignment is classified.  As is, of course, this meeting" Kirok said without standing.  "Would you care for some breakfast before we begin?" he asked. 

[Hust Kinun]

[DAFA]

"I see." Stafford walked around the rigid officer and took him in. Too young, was his first thought. His second one was that the new officer was wound up so tight that if you fed him a lump a coal a diamond would come out of the other end. But maybe he was all they had.

"This is Rear Admiral Lower Half Kirok." Stafford said, emphasizing each word. Stafford's voice was husky, hypnotic, still flavored with the brown hills and bleak Rust Belt sounds of western Pennsylvania. Kind of a Mid-Atlantic working class drawl, having picked up zero polish after twenty years in Starfleet.

He began to circle the young man, like a shark.

"Then Lieutenant Commander Kirok was my Second Officer on the USS Gettysburg when I was a buck crewman. Even younger than you. He was on the Churchill, the Gibson, the Discovery, the Magellan, the Chin'toka, the Fleetwood, the Gettysburg again, the Phoenix, the Kennedy Asteroid. All with distinction. And he needs you for a job."

Little speech finished, and happening to be right in front of Kirok at the moment and his back to Hust, Stafford winked.

He sat at the seat next to Kirok, further isolating the ensign, creating the illusion that they were both against him.

"He's all yours, admiral."

[DAFA]

Hust wasn't ready for this by any means, but he stood his ground. When the man was done with his long list of accomplishments and assignments, Kinun spoke.

"Sir, the Ensign is familiar with the Admiral's Starfleet service record." he said, still looking straight ahead, back ramrod straight. He hadn't known the Kennedy Asteroid bit, nor did he know what that was, but he didn't let that on. He had used the qualifier Starfleet.... so anything that was not there or classified wouldn't be counted. His word choice was careful, like a Cadet under the revew board. This was two of three high enough ranked officers- it was essentially a review board.

The man had mentioned a job though...

[DAFA]

Ordinarily Kiork would have stood and offered the young man a slight, but respectful bow.  Luke's tone, however, indicated that he should remain seated.  And so he did.

And while Luke was giving Hust the rules and regulation drill, Kirok took a moment to study the man.  He immediately recognized Kinum as a fellow Betazoid.  But that natural link that typically occurred with fellow Bezazoid's simply didn't take with Hurst - which was very odd.

So, naturally the half Vulcan's interest was piqued.  He sat forward in his seat and looked at bit closer at the man.  But still nothing, as if telepathically the man was not even there.

"Actually, the Kennedy Asteroid assignment is classified.  As is, of course, this meeting" Kirok said without standing.  "Would you care for some breakfast before we begin?" he asked.

[DAFA]

Hust was unaware of the man's probing- but then again Hust had forgotten he was a Betazoid. That was a mistake that could bite Kinun in the rear if he wasn't careful.

At the mention of this being classified, Hust's stock still expression broke, his eyes glancing around momentarily, confused beyond belief. What did an Admiral and a Captain have to discuss with him that was classified? Whatever it was, this was sure to be interesting.

"No, Sir, but thank you. I've already eaten." he said, replying to the Admiral. He hadn't been released from his attention, so stand here he would until either the Admiral or Captain released him.

[Malcolm Adeyemi]

[DAFA]

Hust wasn't ready for this by any means, but he stood his ground. When the man was done with his long list of accomplishments and assignments, Kinun spoke.

"Sir, the Ensign is familiar with the Admiral's Starfleet service record." he said, still looking straight ahead, back ramrod straight. He hadn't known the Kennedy Asteroid bit, nor did he know what that was, but he didn't let that on. He had used the qualifier Starfleet.... so anything that was not there or classified wouldn't be counted. His word choice was careful, like a Cadet under the revew board. This was two of three high enough ranked officers- it was essentially a review board.

The man had mentioned a job though...

[DAFA]

Hust was unaware of the man's probing- but then again Hust had forgotten he was a Betazoid. That was a mistake that could bite Kinun in the rear if he wasn't careful.

At the mention of this being classified, Hust's stock still expression broke, his eyes glancing around momentarily, confused beyond belief. What did an Admiral and a Captain have to discuss with him that was classified? Whatever it was, this was sure to be interesting.

"No, Sir, but thank you. I've already eaten." he said, replying to the Admiral. He hadn't been released from his attention, so stand here he would until either the Admiral or Captain released him.

[DAFA]

"Sit your ass down, then, ensign." Stafford said. He sipped some coffee.

"Ensign Hust Kinun, what we are about to tell you does not leave these four walls." The captain told the young Betazoid. "There is a reason we chose the Diplomatic Assemblies and Facilities Area for this meeting. No comm equipment exists or can exist in this room. The walls, the ceiling, the floor, all of it are made of old fashioned stone, mortar, wood. You get the idea. It is for clandestine diplomatic meetings. But ours is a clandestine political meeting with ramifications that could change the Federation forever."

The words hung in the air.

"Now," He said. "Tell me what you know about Section 31."

[Kirok]

[DAFA]

Hust wasn't ready for this by any means, but he stood his ground. When the man was done with his long list of accomplishments and assignments, Kinun spoke.

"Sir, the Ensign is familiar with the Admiral's Starfleet service record." he said, still looking straight ahead, back ramrod straight. He hadn't known the Kennedy Asteroid bit, nor did he know what that was, but he didn't let that on. He had used the qualifier Starfleet.... so anything that was not there or classified wouldn't be counted. His word choice was careful, like a Cadet under the revew board. This was two of three high enough ranked officers- it was essentially a review board.

The man had mentioned a job though...

[DAFA]

Hust was unaware of the man's probing- but then again Hust had forgotten he was a Betazoid. That was a mistake that could bite Kinun in the rear if he wasn't careful.

At the mention of this being classified, Hust's stock still expression broke, his eyes glancing around momentarily, confused beyond belief. What did an Admiral and a Captain have to discuss with him that was classified? Whatever it was, this was sure to be interesting.

"No, Sir, but thank you. I've already eaten." he said, replying to the Admiral. He hadn't been released from his attention, so stand here he would until either the Admiral or Captain released him.

[DAFA]

"Very well" Kirok replied.  He stared a the man for a long moment - still feeling that something was off.  Then he turned to Luke.

[Hust Kinun]

[DAFA]

"Sit your ass down, then, ensign." Stafford said. He sipped some coffee.

"Ensign Hust Kinun, what we are about to tell you does not leave these four walls." The captain told the young Betazoid. "There is a reason we chose the Diplomatic Assemblies and Facilities Area for this meeting. No comm equipment exists or can exist in this room. The walls, the ceiling, the floor, all of it are made of old fashioned stone, mortar, wood. You get the idea. It is for clandestine diplomatic meetings. But ours is a clandestine political meeting with ramifications that could change the Federation forever."

The words hung in the air.

"Now," He said. "Tell me what you know about Section 31."

[DAFA]

"Aye sir." he said, and sat down across from the Captain and Admiral.

He was still straight-backed as he sat, Nodding once to show his acknowledgement of the orders. "A...logical choice." he said, with a slight look at the Vulcan admiral. The tone wasn't joking, it was serious. He did think to himself, what was so important that it would destabilize the whole of the Federation?

After the Captain gave his next words, it was all Hust could do not to laugh. He recomposed himself before continuing.

"Section 31?" he asked, not believing that he was hearing right. "That is the name of a boogyman's organization. Allegedly, they are a clandestine organization that operates without limits, much like Starfleet Intelligence, but with no oversight and no official boundaries."

He raised an eyebrow before continuing. "The other major point of note is, they don't exist."

[Malcolm Adeyemi]

[DAFA]

"Aye sir." he said, and sat down across from the Captain and Admiral.

He was still straight-backed as he sat, Nodding once to show his acknowledgement of the orders. "A...logical choice." he said, with a slight look at the Vulcan admiral. The tone wasn't joking, it was serious. He did think to himself, what was so important that it would destabilize the whole of the Federation?

After the Captain gave his next words, it was all Hust could do not to laugh. He recomposed himself before continuing.

"Section 31?" he asked, not believing that he was hearing right. "That is the name of a boogyman's organization. Allegedly, they are a clandestine organization that operates without limits, much like Starfleet Intelligence, but with no oversight and no official boundaries."

He raised an eyebrow before continuing. "The other major point of note is, they don't exist."

[DAFA]

"Well, I am glad that is settled." Stafford said blandly. He half turned in his seat to Kirok.

"Guess our collective...century? Century and a half? of Starfleet experience isn't enough for Ensign Hust Kinun, Admiral. He's calling you out. Section 31 doesn't exist. Guess no one has been chasing you, and I guess I haven't been receiving death threats from my ex-wife, a known S31 agent." Stafford locked eyes with Kinun.

"That what you're saying, ensign?"

[Kirok]

[DAFA]

As Hust made his proclamation, both of Kirok's eyebrow arched up.  An event that had never in his life happened before.  Kiork turned from Hust to Luke and then back again.

[Hust Kinun]

[DAFA]

"Well, I am glad that is settled." Stafford said blandly. He half turned in his seat to Kirok.

"Guess our collective...century? Century and a half? of Starfleet experience isn't enough for Ensign Hust Kinun, Admiral. He's calling you out. Section 31 doesn't exist. Guess no one has been chasing you, and I guess I haven't been receiving death threats from my ex-wife, a known S31 agent." Stafford locked eyes with Kinun.

"That what you're saying, ensign?"

[DAFA]

As Hust made his proclamation, both of Kirok's eyebrow arched up.  An event that had never in his life happened before.  Kiork turned from Hust to Luke and then back again.

[DAFA]

Hust got that gut feeling that one experiences when one has... stepped in it. He furiously backpeddled, but tried to avoid it seeming like he was. "Sirs, what I am saying is that the organization itself is a rumor, which nothing since the Federation charter was signed in 2161 has uncovered to establish any certainty as to the existence of a shadow organization. I'm not saying rogue elements may pretend to be part of said organization, however there is no proof of this... section... existing other than a few outliers."

He had heard the conspiracy thories before, and none of them had enough substance to go off of. There were a few cases of rogue SFI agents captured by the Romulans alleging to be part of the organization, or a few operatives who were captured and then later determined to be insane... nothing conclusive. At least, not that he had heard.

His eyes were locked with the Captain's, he wasn't blinking and his face was rather impassive. If the Captain was trying to intimdate him, it wasn't working. As far as he knew, he was holding most of the cards. "Sir, there is no mention of any marriage in your service record. You don't, as far as I'm aware, have an ex wife."

[Malcolm Adeyemi]

[DAFA]

Hust got that gut feeling that one experiences when one has... stepped in it. He furiously backpeddled, but tried to avoid it seeming like he was. "Sirs, what I am saying is that the organization itself is a rumor, which nothing since the Federation charter was signed in 2161 has uncovered to establish any certainty as to the existence of a shadow organization. I'm not saying rogue elements may pretend to be part of said organization, however there is no proof of this... section... existing other than a few outliers."

He had heard the conspiracy thories before, and none of them had enough substance to go off of. There were a few cases of rogue SFI agents captured by the Romulans alleging to be part of the organization, or a few operatives who were captured and then later determined to be insane... nothing conclusive. At least, not that he had heard.

His eyes were locked with the Captain's, he wasn't blinking and his face was rather impassive. If the Captain was trying to intimdate him, it wasn't working. As far as he knew, he was holding most of the cards. "Sir, there is no mention of any marriage in your service record. You don't, as far as I'm aware, have an ex wife."

[DAFA]

Stafford took in the young, foolhardy, brazen officer before him, all puffed out chest and fresh out of the Academy piss and vigor. He'd said all the right things still after being told that he was saying the wrong things. He'd do.

The admission communicated itself to Kinun by the more relaxed pose that Stafford took after their last back and forth. The captain leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs at the ankles, and almost absentmindedly resumed eating. Stafford began chasing his cold eggs around with a biscuit and a fork.

"I recommend that we brief him. What do you think, Admiral?" Stafford asked Kirok.

[Kirok]

[DAFA]

Stafford took in the young, foolhardy, brazen officer before him, all puffed out chest and fresh out of the Academy piss and vigor. He'd said all the right things still after being told that he was saying the wrong things. He'd do.

The admission communicated itself to Kinun by the more relaxed pose that Stafford took after their last back and forth. The captain leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs at the ankles, and almost absentmindedly resumed eating. Stafford began chasing his cold eggs around with a biscuit and a fork.

"I recommend that we brief him. What do you think, Admiral?" Stafford asked Kirok.

[DAFA]

Kirok was not convinced.  But he was too much of a diplomat to say so in front of the Ensign.  He would need more convincing before he would trust the young man with his life or others.

"Perhaps a test would better help me to make that decision and help me to better understand how his mind works" the half Vulcan said politely.  "I assume you are aware that Bajor has recently assigned blame for the massacre of Tarna on members of Section 31.  I would like you to review the available information, critically analyze the data, and present your conclusions.  Here at breakfast" the half Vulcan added after turning back to Hust.

[Malcolm Adeyemi]

[DAFA]

Kirok was not convinced.  But he was too much of a diplomat to say so in front of the Ensign.  He would need more convincing before he would trust the young man with his life or others.

"Perhaps a test would better help me to make that decision and help me to better understand how his mind works" the half Vulcan said politely.  "I assume you are aware that Bajor has recently assigned blame for the massacre of Tarna on members of Section 31.  I would like you to review the available information, critically analyze the data, and present your conclusions.  Here at breakfast" the half Vulcan added after turning back to Hust.

[DAFA]

Stafford had listened to Kirok's assignment to the mouthy young ensign with growing approval. When the admiral was finished, the wily old Starfleet captain grinned rapaciously at Kinun, his teeth flecked with breakfast foods.

"Now there's an idea. Ensign, get to it."