Strolling along the path at the Riverside Park, Marcus enjoyed the afternoon breeze. He cleared his mind and let the tension drain away from his shoulders. This walk had become a daily ritual. It was part of his self appointed therapy to quite the screams of the dying he carried in his head. It also afforded a daily opportunity for contact in the best of tradecraft. As he approached the designated bench he saw the small chalky X on the side. Commander T’Ros signal she had her order prepared and was ready to meet.
No further electronic communications would be allowed. No chance for some errant message to be intercepted by some surveillance team and the tie between Marcus and T’Ros exposed to the public.
Not changing his pace, he took the path to the right, out of the park and made a several block trip to a quiet coffee shop. In the back, wearing hood and wrap of light material sat his customer.
He sat across from her and after the waitress took his order he came right down to business.
“You have a list then?”
She handed him a piece of paper and the reviewed the requested inventory.
“All of these are possible. I can have delivery in three days.”
“Good.”
“Commander, I must warn you, your security is pathetic. Rumors are already spreading of what you are about to do. You’re about to lose the element of surprise.”
“By weeks end we should be in Vorta’Rome.” the commander said, sipping her coffee.
Marcus shook his head. “I don’t believe you have a week. If T’Nley publishes her suspicions, The deal your friend Branson, so sacrificed herself for will be null and void.”
Pain crossed the Commanders eyes at the mention of the Vice Admiral.
“You need to persuade her to hold her story then.”
Marcus laughed. “Short of kidnapping her, that may not be possible.”
“I’ll pay you to do what is necessary.”
As much as he relished the thought of having the ONN reporter under his control for a few days, it was not at all practical.
“I have another idea Commander.”
“Yes?”
“You know how you kill a snake commander? You cut off his head.”
“Can you do this?”
“It’s what I was trained for Commander. The Federation found they could not be so noble all the time. There are occasions where it is simplest to kill the leadership rather than take on an entire organization.
I was that knife.”
“I see.:” she set her cup down and stood up. “And what is the going price of a head of state Mr. Dinn?”
“A location in Vorta’Rome, rent free. I think I need to expand.”
“And establish a second base of operations?”
“Are we agreed?”
“Make it happen before the week is out and we are agreed.”
“I’ll have your supplies at the landing zone in three days. With any luck you will have over ordered.”
T’Ros nodded and left the shop.
Marcus watched the customers, seeing of she was being followed and then he paid the bill and left as well.
Off:
Marcus Dinn
Owner of RICKS
Commander T’Ros
Romulan Leader in Exile.
