Editing Sub Rosa (section)

==Sub Rosa 1 - Preliminary==

''A selection of posts from the Boudicca crew on the spy mystery, an ongoing subplot yet to come to a conclusion''

===Stardate: 2407.01.27===

(Starbase Geneva, Temporary Quarters, Lt(jg) Susan Rivers and Admiral Ohlsson, 1400)

"Come in!"

Susan continued to pack as the doors to her quarters opened, but when
she saw who had entered, she dropped the top she was folding onto the
open bag and came to attention.

Admiral Ohlsson waved his hand impatiently. "No need for that, Susan.
Not just between ourselves. Sit down." He took a seat himself and
stretched out his long legs. "I could do with a coffee, though. My
assistant limits me to two a day, dragon that she is."

Susan grinned and got his coffee and one for herself then sat down.

"I'm sorry about the court-martial," Ohlsson said. "But it had to be
real to give you the right cover, you know?"

Susan shrugged. "I know," she said. "It has to be not just believable
but verifiable, right?"

"Right. And of course when this is all over your rank will be fully
restored, no stain on your record." He grinned. "Well, apart from what
was already there, that is."

Susan acknowledged that with a wry smile. Anyone who knew her and her
temper would have little difficulty believing in her court-martial and
subsequent demotion for gross insubordination. She also noted that
Ohlsson had not specifically said once this assignment was over, but
had been rather more vague.

"As you know," Ohlsson continued, "For some time now we've suspected
that a ring of infiltrators has been passing information to Doenitz
somehow. Your job will be to find and identify the members of that
ring. If you can infiltrate it, so much the better."

Susan raised an eyebrow. "You think they'd try to recruit me? Even
though my feelings about Doenitz must be well-known?"

"Ah, but that's the beauty of it. A Starfleet Captain, stripped of her
command and demoted over a relatively minor misdemeanor, might be
expected to harbour a lot of resentment, even a grudge, don't you
think? You must admit, Susan, you'd be a tempting target. Especially
if they were to offer you a command in return for your...
co-operation."

She nodded slowly. "I suppose so."

"We know they've turned at least one officer that way before." He
handed her a PADD. "For your eyes only. Your code-name will be Vixen,
and you should use that in all your communications with me, which
should take place on the channel detailed here only. Your access code
is also detailed on this PADD. Your assignment, Susan, will be as
TAC/ASC on the Boudicca. There's one there already but the Boudicca is
a tactical ship just starting a covert mission in Federation space, so
I doubt anyone will question it."

Susan stared at him. "The Boudicca? But I know so many people there!
People I've served with, trusted, come to think of as friends!"

"Name me one ship in this fleet where you *don't* know someone,"
Ohlsson retorted. "Susan, when I recruited you to my section a year
ago, you knew none of the assignments would be easy. This one is
harder than most because of your personal relationships with some of
the people under suspicion, but you can't let your guard down with
anyone except Captain Sevant."

Susan snorted. "I'm glad *one* at least of my former friends and
colleagues is regarded as above suspicion!"

Ohlsson regarded her soberly. "I wouldn't exactly say 'above
suspicion' but he was the one to voice his concerns to me over a
certain piece of information ending up in the wrong hands and to
request a covert investigation. So he alone knows why you'll be there.
But no one else is to know, understand? I don't care how long you've
known them, how good a friend they are, if they've saved your life or
you've slept with them. No one at all."

Susan looked down at the PADD again and sighed. "Very well," she agreed.

Ohlsson handed her a second PADD. "This one just contains your
reporting instructions as per normal."

He swallowed the last of his coffee and stood up to leave. "Good luck,
Susan. I have a feeling you're going to need it, on more than one
level. It won't be easy working under  people you once commanded. And
this job... dangerous as well as difficult."

He turned towards the door, then looked back. "By the way, what
exactly *did* you say to Admiral Weston to provoke him into
court-martialling you?" he asked.

Susan told him, and Ohlsson gave a sudden bark of laughter.

"You hit a raw nerve there all right," he said.

He was still laughing as he walked down the corridor to the turbolift.

===Stardate: 2407.02.02===

(USS Boudicca, Transporter Room 1, Lt(jg) Susan Rivers, 0845)

As she materialised, Susan recognised the operative and saw with a
certain amount of wry amusement, well hidden behind an impassive
expression, that he recognised her too.

"Welcome aboard, Cap- uhh... Lt Rivers."

"Thanks, Hobek. I'm to report to Captain Sevant."

Still staring, he nodded. "He's... Umm, he's in y- his Ready Room, sir."

"Thank you," Susan said. "Could you make sure my bags are taken to my quarters?"

"Yes, Ca- *Lieutenant*."

She thanked him with a nod and left to report in to her former FO and new CO.

(USS Boudicca, Ready Room, Lt(jg) Susan Rivers, 0855)

Apparently oblivious to the stares of those on the Bridge who
recognised her, Susan approached the Ready Room and sounded the
doorchime. She felt as if their eyes were boring into her back, and
flushed slightly. It would be, she realised, even harder than she had
thought.

"Enter!"

She walked in and came to attention before the desk and the man
sitting behind it.

"Lt Susan Rivers reporting for duty, Sir!"

She handed him the PADD containing her reporting instructions and
waited for his reply.