"I'm sorry....you know me...it's only fair to know who you are..."
"Colonel Justinian," replied the officer graciously.
"The woman who seemed to be in charge said they were letting everyone who could walk out on their own rather than be burned alive...They stripped me out of my uniform and put me in a Rebel uniform when I was unconscious. It was not my choice."
>"Van Der Loo promised us no one would bother our little fight here, and even gave us the Marines to help us, but he's a man who loves money, and prolonging this campaign extends his payoff. So how do I know you aren't
working for the rebels even if you are Starfleet?"
"And Starfleet is supposed to be working for us," replied the colonel. "Hence the problem. You see, I have rumors that there was a 'traitor' among the Marines sent to us, and that he was attacked by his comrades before escaping to his rebel friends. Reports are sketchy, but you *would* fit that description, Captain. I am well aware that the Marines are a branch of Starfleet, and that there are often Starfleet officers and other personnel working with Marine detachments. So how can I believe you? YOu say you were attacked by rebels, but I also have a description of a Starfleeter or a Marine that has defected to the rebels after being assaulted by his own people." He raised his hands in a defeated gesture. "You see my dilemma. Who can I believe? Your unsubstantiated story, or a story given to me by my own intelligence?"
"I would really take a mission that involves getting the hell beaten out of me. Please....I'm a lawyer not a fighter. I work for Starfleet...period."
(Rsp)
He sighed. "Well, unfortunately, I have to have answers. My superiors will demand them, and they have made it clear that they must be absolutely accurate. If I let you go and you *are* a traitor, you'll go back to them and tell them all kinds of information, and then I will be shot. I cannot ask Van Der Loo, because if you are working for the rebels at his command, that would alert him that we are on to his little game, which could also get me shot. And frankly, Captain, to me, my hide is much more valuable than yours."
(Rsp)
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