2010-07-19 - Cutscene: Transparency

The ebb of light from Leonard Testarossa's impressive computer mainframe dims and dies as he nonchalantly shuts down its power. Leaning back, he looks upward toward the ceiling.

"So? What do you think?"

"I think I am a little confused about why you would show something like that to a man you have just met, Mister Testarossa -- or is it Mister Silver?"

Leonard smiles as he turns his head back. Behind him, a large man sits at the end of a spartan table. His expression is grave; he looks older than he actually is, wearing the age of years upon years of constant strife, turmoil and horror. The face of a veteran.

"Consider it an act of good faith," 'Mister Silver' explains in a conversationally familiar tone to his companion as he transitions calmly from his console to the opposite end of the table. "I wouldn't have shown you this if I wasn't confident you'll believe in and agree with what I have to tell you."

The man grunts once. "And what is keeping me from taking this information to the people who have been trying to find you? You realize I am your enemy, don't you?" The older man's expression is grave, almost chidingly so. In response, Leonard smiles warmly, producing a simple manilla envelope from the depths of his heavy black overcoat.

"Absolutely nothing," Leonard answers with alarming simplicity, sliding the envelope across the table. The man catches it in a calloused hand, turning his hardened eyes downward to it. "All you have to do is listen to what I have to say. If you don't like it, you can feel free to tell your organization everything you've seen and heard here. I won't stop you." Testarossa's steel gray eyes lift, locking squarely with the man who sits across from him. That gaze never wavers, even under the weathered man's hardened, scrutinizing stare.

"But I think 'enemy' is a bit of a misnomer at this point, isn't it? Besides... I've always felt that it's important for partners to have an open and trusting relationship," Leonard explains. He leans his elbows on the table, chin propping itself upon the back of his hands.

"Don't you agree, Lieutenant Commander?"

"... Yes," Lieutenant Commander Andrei Kalinin responds. "I agree."