--== Begin Log ==-- [Starbase Bragg] Finishing what remained of his coffee, Max placed the mug on his desk and scratched his neck. He wasn't sure where he was going really, but felt a walk was necessary and for some reason - a tug if you will - he felt like he needed to wander like a necessity. Grabbing a casual green-collared uniform jacket from a chair, Max slid his arms through the top and exited his quarters heading right; again he didn't know why. Passing a few officers and crewman he'd never seen before, he continued on to the far end of the corridor and then angled left, approaching a turbolift. Stopping on front of the vertical carriage, he waited for its arrival with crossed arms. Ripley was on her way to one of the astrometrics labs. She and Gerrin had figured that the names Harper had given them were star systems in varying locations around the galaxy, and that each contained a planet or planets were Marduk were released after being 're-educated' at Einhoften. She was going to do some research on each of the systems and see if she could determine which planets the Marduk might have been released on. From there she could more properly compile a report on the possible political implications that may result due to the situation on Einhoften. She would also be able to provide the information to Colonel Cole for potential use in the future. She stood in the turbolift, waiting for it to arrive at the destination she had given it, when it stopped at another deck to pick. When the doors opened Ripley spotted Lieutenant Colonel Max Bourne, the Deputy Director of the SSFI -- Jack's deputy. "Colonel," Ripley said, nodding a hello as he boarded the lift. Pushing from the bulkhead with his arms still folded, Max narrowed his eyes for a moment before recognizing the woman in the turbolift. Taking his place in the carriage, he didn't offer a destination - as he had non in particular - but only nodded to Ripley, "Captain." Ripley had never spoke with Bourne. He was a relatively new addition to the staff. "How's the search for information on the Marduk going?" she asked. She hadn't had the opportunity to speak to anyone about it since the staff meeting, and wondered if anyone else was having better luck than she. Leaning against the turbolift wall, Max scratched as his chin absently whilst talking, "Better than nothing. I've managed to track down the location and take imagery. Also found out that a--" then he paused a second, "someone has experience on the planet. I don't like the feel of it, like Command knows what we're facing but just want it cleared up no matter the cost," sure he'd only met the woman, but Bourne didn't see the point in holding back - never had - and so just told it like it was. "It definitely feels that way," Ripley said. She was surprised to hear that Bourne had found someone who had been on the planet, though. "What did this individual find on the planet?" she asked, curious. Not wanting to ruin his relationship with the 'contact' - as these people tended to become assets - Max didn't go into to many details, "The informer lost their unit. I was warned about the dangers of the facility, but i don't think anyone will believe it. I can see the Chimera coming back with a few dead crewmen at this rate." So something bad had happened on Einhoften, confirming everyone's suspicion. "You should inform Colonel Cole," Ripley said. "She'll be able to get word to the Chimera, if it isn't too late already." She paused. "I'll be speaking to her shortly myself," she went on. "I've managed to obtain the names of several star systems where some of the Marduk were released. I'm going to astrometrics to see if I can get a more approximate fix on the possible planets they were placed on." 'Obtaining names of star systems', she sounded like Intelligence. "I'll inform Cole, but i have my own links to the Chimera and don't trust someone else to pass the warning on. I'll deliver the message myself," he didn't mean for it sound harsh or give him the air of an attitude, but it was the truth. You couldn't always leave it to someone else to do the job, especially when the whole situation was ripe with ifs and buts. Feeling the turbolift continue towards its destination, Max glanced up at the woman - the first time he'd looked at her since entering the carriage - and narrowed his eyes, "What are the systems?" Ripley looked down at the PADD she was carrying. "Tendari, Archon, Tarod, Cestus, Deiso, and Okisi," she said. "All are border systems, which makes things more complicated. If something happened with the re-educated Jem'Hadar, it's possible they could have left Federation space and entered other territory." Max mused about the impact of that possibility. Yes they could move into new territory, and yes the Federation would no longer feel so closely threatened, but the idea of manipulated Jem'Hadar running around the galaxy would look very bad for the Federation. They'd be certainly blamed for any actions the Marduk took against their enemies. "That's true," he ended, feeling the carriage stop. "This is me," Ripley said. "Have a good day, Colonel." She nodded and stepped out of the turbolift. Tipping his head to the woman, Max watched as Ripley left the turbolift and the doors closed behind her. --== End Log ==-- Captain Dana Ripley Political Advisor Starfleet Special Forces Lt. Colonel Max Bourne Dept. Director, SSFI Starfleet Special Forces