Grey pinched the bridge of his nose once he finished reading the summary of the data they'd retrieved and subsequently analysed from the Cosmos' Champions base on Yerta. "What, exactly, are you suggesting?" He finally asked, as diplomatically as he could when he knew just asking the question was breaking a dozen different protocols and regulations. They were in danger of not only toying with the borders of Security Core's jurisdiction, but outright ignoring it.

"That we have the experience and expertise to run the op ourselves," Ali said evenly and far too calmly for what she was suggesting.

"Ali, remind me why you were court martialed?"

Ali glared at Grey as Wood and Rila chuckled. "You really want me to answer that?"

"No," Grey admitted. He and Ali both knew that the mutiny charge that they'd levelled at her was a gross misrepresentation as to what had happened. It had been exaggerated and blown out of all proportion because USEP HQ wanted an excuse to court martial her. Grey knew that Wood suspected as much, but he didn't know how much Rila knew. USEP had classified Ali's earlier record so officially neither were supposed to know. "This is S-Core's business."

"Yes, sir, but Cosmos' Champions are holding a rally in two days. Our investigation on Yerta suggests they're linked to the bombings. We don't know how much, but S-Core won't assign anyone without more evidence," Ali argued, clearly and logically but resolutely. "We have a chance to find out more, we can't risk missing it because S-Core will drag their feet."

"I agree," Rila said.

Grey turned to his own second in command, who shrugged. Uncharacteristically nonchalant about the suggestion of rule breaking. Ali was definitely having an influence on the man. "Better to seek forgiveness rather than permission," Wood suggested before adding, "especially given how long we'll be waiting for permission."

Grey turned back to Ali. "You didn't have to bring this to my attention at all."

"Actually, I kinda did," Ali confessed with a guilty expression. "I want to borrow him," she explained, pointing to Wood with her thumb. "He might be with me against S-Core, but there was no way in hell I was going to get him on board without your approval."

Grey looked between the three of them with something akin to suspicion as his mind ticked over what they were suggesting. Wood had experience working with Security Core undercover. Ali and Rila both had extensive knowledge of how the underground world worked. All three of them were excellent fighters and would be able to get out of most conceivable situations. However, the particular groups they were dealing with put Ali in particular danger if they found out she was a hybrid. Add in the knowledge that both their crews had amongst them, and Ali was right, they had more than enough intel and know-how to run this op.

"I'm sorry, but we need to run this past S-Core," Grey finally decided. Wood and Ali shared a look, as if to say that they had expected that answer. He didn't know how to read Rila, and she was very good at hiding her feelings, but if he had to guess she wasn't best pleased with him.

But he couldn't let them do this, they were three good people and he refused to let them dig their own graves with USEP and Security Core. Even for the best of reasons.

~-x-~

Ali thought that it was a good indicator of her real restraint that she hadn't just face-planted her desk in frustration. She hated remote meetings. Well, she hated regular meetings too, but remote ones just had no limit of people talking over other people and refusing to listen to… well, anything. Right now she'd take anyone listening to reason.

She was in her ready room with a channel open to HQ that included Grey, Witworth, a bunch of other admirals and Security Core officials. Grey had been delivering their intel and the importance of assigning someone to this case so that they could take full advantage of the meeting they had discovered. Unfortunately they didn't see it the same way they did.

"Cosmos' Champions are a mercenary group, the most likely scenario is that they are just hired guns, we need to focus on finding the real perpetrators."

"Agreed, this is merely an unimportant distraction."

"Then can we go and investigate this ourselves? That way S-Core are able to focus on the embassy bombs and we can eliminate this as a lead," Ali asked hopefully. She had already tried to suggest that it was possible they could trace the backers through Cosmos' Champions, but Security Core had told her that they were better off following electronic footprints for that.

"Absolutely not," came the terse reply, "you are not trained for undercover operations. Nor do you have a handler."

"But -"

"All you will do is endanger ongoing S-Core operations."

"With respect, sir, we have officers who have the required experience," Grey argued, "no one will be any the wiser."

"We looked the other way when you broke your officer out of prison on Peshtar, do not expect us to keep looking the other way when your antics broach on S-Core's activities."

Ali was about to launch into a tirade about them belittling their work as mere 'antics' but Grey was faster. "The rally is in two days, do you really intend to ignore it?"

"We will corroborate and deliberate on the intel you have provided. We will inform you of our decision, though frankly I don't see how it is any of your business."

"Because you know if you don't, we'll go anyway?" Ali retorted. Someone needed to go, and whilst she'd rather it was their team, she wasn't going to get in Security Core's way if they were going to do it themselves. Therefore she was letting them know of the consequences if they jerked her around some more.

"Quite," an admiral agreed, "do not think we've forgotten about your little excursion either. You will present yourself at the Forum at the next available opportunity." He gave Ali a pointed gaze but she returned it with a practised neutral one. He turned away. "We have discussed all we need to at this time. S-Core will review the data you have sent."

With that the connection was cut.

~-x-~

"This seat taken?"

Ali laughed as Grey joined her at the Faraday's lounge, where she was drowning her frustrations. "I feel like I should send you away before you make any hasty drunken decisions," she teased.

"Luckily for the both of us I know better than not to add a 'wait till I've slept on it' clause to anything I discuss with you. Especially when drink is involved."

Ali smiled as she raised her glass in toast to that. "I take it you enjoyed that conference call as much as I did, then?"

"Oh yeah," Grey agreed after he'd finished taking a long swig of his drink. "So you went to the ankkae?" Ali nodded. "Should I ask how you're still in command?"

"My usual charm and wit," Ali tried to look innocent, but Grey could see right through that. She relented with a wry smile. "The news about Yerta came in when I was being escorted to the brig. I managed to convince them that I was better chasing down terrorists than sitting in a cell."

"How'd you swing that?"

"The two guys sent to arrest me are good people. Hell, most S-Core grunts are just like us. They want to catch the bad guys and don't really care for the pissing contests both their and our hierarchies engage in," Ali shrugged as if it were obvious.

Normally Grey would frown at her, or sometimes even out right scold her, for bad mouthing superior officers. This time he just offered his own glass and she clinked it in toast. Ali chose not to question it, but chose to just be grateful he was still on her side. "It was Spud who taught you never to be afraid to speak your mind, wasn't it?"

"Oh, yeah," Ali agreed with a nostalgic smile. Ali and Spud had started their service on the Endeavour around the same time, though Spud had many years experience on other ships prior and Ali was fresh faced out of training. They had become fast friends. Spud had brought Ali out of her shell and instilled her innate confidence, and Ali had attempted to teach Spud diplomacy and a good poker-face.

They stayed in the bar chatting away and just relaxing away from the trappings of their roles for a while longer. Until they were interrupted by Pixie approaching them with an unusually serious face that made Ali instantly worried. Grey deduced the situation was abnormal from the look on Ali's face. "What's wrong?" Ali was the first in with the question as she sat up straight.

"I don't know if you are still planning to run this op, but if you are, I want in," Pixie admitted with uncharacteristic nervousness. Ali was about to ask if Pixie wanted some privacy before the security officer continued. "My brother has just sent me an invite to the rally." Ali glanced at Grey and to her surprise, he nodded once.