> >"As to what else I saw..." David put his head
> in his hands and pushed away the >dark images
> that threatened to overtake him-he took a deep
> breath and looked >up at Stark-David was a bit
> pale but regained his composure quickly, "I
> >suppose it's time I ask you an important
> question-what you tell me is between >us but
> will help me a great deal. What do YOU think of
> your police action you >are involved in? Aside
> from the rebels themselves-what do you think of
> the >orders you have been given?"
>
> >"To be honest, sir, the orders from Starfleet
> Command have been very vague. I >understand
> that it was done in part to allow the regional
> and district >commanders flexibility in
> responding to the differing natures of what
> they >were asked to do by the planetary
> government. However, we were also not to >take
> any one side. The premise of the police action
> was to act as an >equalizing force. By
> estabilishing safe zones where anyone,
> regardless of >which faction they belonged to,
> could go for medical attention, food, shelter,
> >whatever. A natural slant to the planetary
> government was acceptable. Afterall >they are
> the recognized government. However, half the
> time I am mopping up >from some hack and slash
> job of the Planetary goverment or conducting
> raids at >their request. That is not why we are
> here. We are not supposed to be fighting >their
> war, but to provide a stabilizing force so that
> the involved parties can >resolve their
> difference without killing each other......"
>
> Stark had shown his loyalty to his job-not to
> those above him. Lorin casually looked around,
> not seeing anyone directly nearby observing
> them, he spoke quietly, "Colonel-what I am
> telling you stays between us but it matches up
> with what you just said. After I was released
> by the rebels, I underwent interrogation by
> Colonel Justinian. They refused to believe I
> was Starfleet and interrogated me in a way that
> wasn't far off from the rebel forces. I have
> also been denied return to Spacedock until my
> `debrief' has been approved. Something else is
> at play here."
>
Stark looked hard at the officer in front of him, starring at him straight in
the eyes. Pondering, for a good minute. Then, "Captain, if you really want
to find out what is happening out there, come back with me. I can show you
things that would make your skin crawl. But that is, of course, up to you.
Up to you to decide to come back, and to find a reason to get back there that
will convince Van Der Loo.
I will be leaving tomorrow morning at 0630. Just be there before we take
off." Stark too had decided to trust the other officer at the table.
{response}
