[Naked Crook]

Meanwhile: Barrabus had caught up with his Honor Guards. He, along with his Honor Guards, were right outside the command center, an entrance located on the opposing side of the command center entrance that Dangerus was at. In effect, the command center was surrounded, with barrabus at one end, and Danerus at the other. Cerberus: Chieftain...we are ready to strike on your order! Just give us the sign, and we will crush your enemies... The Honor Guards waited. Barrabus: We will move in the moment Dangerus does. We will create a cross fire in this room, the likes of which these humans have never seen...and we will make quick work of them. Barrabus paused. He then contacted Dangerus. Barrabus: Dangerus...are you ready to begin your attack? Barrabus waited for a response. Meanwhile: Vernette had returned to The Cloak and Dagger, from his briefing on The King Raven. He was still with Cameron, on his way to the medical bay. The two were in an elevator, heading to deck 5. The two were standing in silence, until Cameron broke the silence. Cameron: Sir... Vernette turned and looked up at Cameron. Vernette: Yes Cameron? Cameron: Permission to speak freely? Vernette: As always...yes. Cameron: Sir...if and when the time comes...it should be me who deals with Kolya. I am the only person here who is fully qualified to do so. My history and experience with him is what makes me the only person who can take him down. Vernette: Cam...I agree. In fact...I was hoping you were going to appraoch me abpout this. To be honest, I know better than anyone how much baggage you have with Kolya. You were his CO for Heaven's sake. He betrayed you. He betrayed the UNSC. He betrayed ONI. He is a rouge element. The reason I waited for you to approach me about this, is because I didn't want to put you into a potentially compromising position. Cameron: I appreciate that sir. However, your concern is not needed. I will have no problem in eliminating Kolya. It will just be another assignment, sir. Vernette: Good to know... Vernette paused. Vernette: Cameron...I have a personal question...if I may ask? Cameron: As always...yes. Vernette: How are you so casual about this? ANyone...ANYONE would call "you going after Kolya" a conflict of interest. Anyone would tell me that "because of your past experiences and associatation with Kolya, you would be incapable of actually killing him". However...you seem to be totally disconnected, emotionally and psychologically. You want to kill him. I have had my moments where I WANTED to kill someone, and I did kill them...but there have been, and are times, I find myself...in a position where I cannot, either metaphorically, or literally, pull the trigger. Positions where I will do everything and anything to avoid it...because I am unable to disconnect... Cameron: You are talking about Jacob...aren't you? Vernette: I believe I can help him. I believe we have what it takes to get him back...and I am ignoring the real issue and my real responsibility just so I can believe this. I am ignoring facts, and going on faith. As a scientists...I am not supposed to do that... Cameron: However...you are also a person...with friends. People are not experiments. When it comes to people...faith is better. When it comes to the intangible concepts...faith is the only thing you have. Vernette sighed. Cameron: You are concerned that you are ignoring your responsibility to ONI, because technically, Jacob is a traitor. Technically, he is supposed to die for treason. He is working with the enemy, he is now the enemy, and those are the facts. That is how the military looks at it. That is how bereucrats will look at it. This is how soldiers will look at it. However, where the military sees a traitor, you see a friend in trouble. You want to help your friend. It is a noble thing to do. Cameron paused. Cameron: With that said. take it from me sir; it is easy to kill, but difficult to help. You strike me as the kind of man who likes to do things the difficult way...because you believe that the easy way is never the right way, and that the difficult way builds character. In the end of the day...what you say, goes. Give ONI what they want...eliminate Jacob as a threat...but don't do it the easy way. Do it the difficult way...do it your way...help him. Do what you think is right. Vernette thought for a moment. Vernette: You know...that makes sense Cameron. Basically...you are telling me to do what I want? Cameron: Yes... Vernette: Hmmm. That is what Barrabus used to say when I threw these philosophical questions at him. He wasn't big on talk very often. He just knew that my way meant he would get to toss something around. He was content. As long as I had someone's support...I was fine. It seems I have your support...you just did it in many, many, many more words. The elevator stopped, and Vernette stepped out. As he stepped out, he was contacted by one of his bridge officers. Chuck: Bridge to Vernette... Vernette tapped his ear piece. Vernette: Vernette here. Go ahead Chuck! Tell me it is good news. Chuck: Well, sir, does a message from Admiral Burke qualify as good news. Vernette: It sure does. Patch him through Chuck. Chuck: Aye sir. Vernette waited a moment. Burke: Director Vernette... Vernette: Oh, so now we are going by formalities? Alright. What do you need Admiral? Burke: I recently recieved a reort on Captain Cochraine. She has recently filed a report on the disciplinary measures taken against Commander Tylan. FOr the most part, I agree. SHe has placed reprimands on Tylan's service record, as well as the records of his senior staff for various counts of incompetence. However, she wishes to decommision the crew, break it up, and return the Draco to dock. It is this point that I am a little skeptical on. I do not believe we should remove a ship from the task force because of Tylan's gross and utter incompetence. I wanted to check with you first. I was going to suggest a new CO for the Draco. Vernette: Agreed. Signal FLEETCOM and HIGHCOM. Inform them of the situation, and have them reach a rapid consensus on a new CO for the Draco. Inform them that I expect a quick decision on this, with absolutly no half measures. I want extensive background checks, and a decision in less than 30 minutes, something that is very do-able if they utilize all of their resources at hand. Tell them that I have no time for 2 months of bureaucratic bickering, and that if I do not have a response from them in 30 minutes...that I will personally come back to J-2-Alpha and thoroughly re-evaluate some annual paychecks. That should get their asses in gear. Burke: Yes sir. Right away. Burke out.