Enroute

Posted on Fri Feb 6th, 2009 @ 5:09pm by Commander Acle Walex

Mission: Dark Discoveries
Location: *CLASSIFIED*
Timeline: Current

"Commander," a female voice said "The Admiral is ready to see you now."

Acle Walex looked up from the magazine that he had been reading and looked across the small reception area to the desk and the woman who sat behind it. She smiled politely at him in return. She had a pretty smile, Acle noted for the second time since arriving in this room. If the situation might have been different, Acle would have toyed with the idea of asking her to dinner. Such was not the case though, for although she clearly was part of Starfleet, her uniform bore no markings indicating either her rank nor her division. It didn't need any. The uniform was completely black, the only point of color being the muted Starfleet com badge on her chest. Such was not really all that uncommon here in this place, Acle's own uniform had been identical to hers until yesterday. That uniform, although she did fill it nicely, clearly marked to Acle that this woman would be best left alone. How glad would he be to finally get to somewhere where he did not have to worry about the others around him constantly analyzing his every syllable.

Acle stood, carefully putting the magazine back on the small table beside him. He nodded his thanks to the pretty secretary and walked across the small room to an unadorned door, looking much like any other door in the station. Few knew what exactly happened behind this door and those that did avoided it. Acle did not pause before the door. As he expected, the door opened before him and he strode through.

The room beyond was dimly lit, a lone lamp on a massive oak desk the sole illumination. Quiet music from some great composer drifted softly from hidden speakers above and shelves upon shelves of books lined the walls. Acle's eyes were not drawn to any of these features though. Instead, they met the gaze of the only other being in the room.

The human male was tall for his species, taller even then Acle. Although his hair had long since grayed, his shoulders remained unbowed. His face was unremarkable, seemingly frozen into an expression of mild interest. His eyes were the most striking feature about him, seemingly taking in everything about him. It was said that he could see into a person's very soul. With the way that he was gazing at him now, Acle believed it.

Acle stopped before the desk, bringing himself to the position of attention and focusing his gaze directly ahead. "Lieutenant Commander Walex reporting as ordered Sir." he said.

"Be at ease Commander." the man said, "This will not take long. Much as I might wish it otherwise, other matters have to be dealt with yet today."

Acle relaxed slightly, allowing his shoulders to return to normal, although he still stood stiffly. He brought his gaze down to meet the others.

The man smiled. The smile was small, but, amusement was apparent in it. "You are being ordered to join up with a new ship commander. The USS Iapetus."

The name tugged at the corner of Acle's memory. If he remembered correctly, it was one of the new Luna class vessels. He waited for the man to continue.

"Although we lost contact with the USS Iapetus shortly, you will be provided with a transport to rendezvous with her shortly. You might be interested to know who Captains her though commander."

Acle continued to meet the man's gaze silently, not willing to give in to this man at all.

The man's smile grew wider "Well, I will tell you anyway. Captain Krace."

Acle's expression twitched, just for a moment, to register surprise before quickly resuming his impassive features. The tell was more then enough for the old Admiral though. His smile turned into a wide grin.

"My secretary will give you your orders on the way out. Inside, you will find documents pertaining to the ship, her mission, and everyone onboard." The man's grin faded to be replaced with a expression to mirror Acle's own. "In addition, you will find a note in the folder written by me. The USS Iapetus is special... Watch your back." The Admiral said.

The men stared at each other, the Admiral seeming to measure Acle, to see if he was up to a task almost, while Acle calmly returned the look. The Admiral snorted once, then looked heavenward for a moment before returning to rest on Acle. "You remind me of myself oddly enough... You will depart immediately. The shuttle craft is awaiting you. You are dismissed. God Speed Commander."

Acle brought himself to attention before rendering a salute, which the other simply waved aside. Acle ignored the informal act and dropped the salute before spinning on his heel and exiting the room. As he was stepping through the still open doorway though, he could have sworn he heard a chuckle.

Once again in the small reception room, he began to turn to the desk with the attractive secretary standing behind it only to find her standing with a folder in her hands. She said nothing, merely offered the folder to him.

Acle paused for a moment, then reached out to grasp the folder. The secretary offered him a short smile before returning to her seat. Acle stood still for a moment, then turned for the other door. He would be glad to get out of this place, to resume a position in which there existed normalcy, some stability. Or so he hoped he would find some. Regardless, his future now seemed to be tied to the USS Iapetus.