002 - Clandestine is the Game

Posted on 30 Jul 2012 @ 11:50pm by Lieutenant Theron Rhodes
Edited on 31 Jul 2012 @ 6:15pm

757 words; about a 4 minute read

Location: Star Fleet Academy - Earth
Timeline: March 22, 2388



ON:

It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining so brightly in the blue sky. Cadet Theron Rhodes sat down on a bench in the park near San Francisco Bay. There were a few white clouds, just floating about here and there. A light breeze was coming off the ocean and the smell of salt air was very definite.

Being near the sea was not a thing Theron grew up with. He had traveled to a lake a couple times and to the great ocean on Tandar Prime, but only once. It had been a great day then as well. His Father had taken him and his twin brother, Stephon, to Lefoosek along the coast. It was expected to be a day to remember, just the 2 of them and Father.
Theron closed his eyes and tried to remember that day some 10 or 12 cycles back.

"Not paying attention to your surroundings will get you killed one of these days my brother."

Theron had been startled when the person sitting on the bench next to him began to speak. But, Theron turned to see his brother sitting next to him.
"I never even hear you sit down.. " Theron began to say.

Stehon spoke over his brother, "And that is why you are still doing security work."

The two young men sitting there on the park bench looked like clones. Their physic, as well as, their facial features were so much alike. Even their hair styles were similar.

Theron spoke up irritated, "Stephon, are you just here to berate me or did you need something?"

Stephon looked both ways slowly then finally said, "You may not see me for a while."

"I have not seen you much of late!" Theron exclaimed and went on, "What do you mean? We graduate from the Academy in just a couple months."

Stephon looked at his twin in the eyes and said with a serious tone, "I've been assigned to a . . . well, shall we call it a task force." He looked both ways again, "I leave tomorrow."

Theron realized his brother was serious and was very concerned. "Can you tell me anything about this?"

"Not really." Stephon replied.

"Well," Theron began, "When will you be back?"

Cocking his head slightly to the side, Stephon replied softly, "I don't know." Then after wiping his hand down his face he added, "That part in the conversation did not come up."

"Stephon," Theron exclaimed, "I knew as soon as you were asked to do those additional training with Star Fleet Intelligence that something like this would happen."

"Look!" Stephon was visibly getting irritated, "This is me. And this is what I am going to be doing for a while."

Now it was Theron's turn to look about to both sides to see if anyone was watching them. Then looking at this brother. "Stephon, What do I supposed to tell Father?"

Stephon took a deep breath and said, "I will send Father a note. I will make it sound good."
Stephon turned quickly to the left away from his brother as if he had heard something. Turning back to Theron, Stephon stood and pulled back the left sleeve and extended his left hand, exposing their family Basque on his under forearm. "I do this for our family and to regain our family honor."

Likewise, Theron rose and pulled up his left sleeve exposing their Basque of a Triton on his forearm and then he clasped hands with his twin. "I do the same. I honor your journey to where ever it leads you."

The boys then reached around with their right arms and gave each other a hug.

After release, Stephon handed Theron a small flat black plate with six sides that into his palm. "Keep this for me. No questions. No explanations."

Theron looked down at the solid black flat hexagon in his palm, then put it in his pocket and looked at his brother. So many things went through his mind. He did not know where to start. He could tell that Stephon wanted to end this meeting, so he simply said, "Be well by brother. May the Guardians of light watch over you."

"And to you my brother." Stephon replied, took a step back and walked quickly away.

Theron watched as his brother walked out of sight. He had this nagging feeling that he too was being watched. Theron thought, 'Will this clandestineness ever end?'


END:


Ens. Theron Rhodes
Security/Tactical
USS Galileo

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