The Marines cleared the area while Jackson, Barton, and two others wheeled Aegis and its support equipment into the cavern just off the landing pad and through the massive armored doors. The vault they were assigned was two-hundred feet down in a lift. As they rode it down, Jackson couldn't help but wonder how many of these installations were peppered throughout Federation space. This was the second base he'd been to that didn't show up in any official records yet was fully staffed.

"Will this be my final resting place?"

"Don't be so dramatic," Jackson said. "You're just being stored here until we're certain the enemy is neutralized and doesn't fully understand what you were created for. If you're discovered, you're to tell them you are an advanced crypto program based on old Vruhan hardware from the Phage War."

"That's almost the truth," Aegis said.

"That's the point. A good lie has enough truth in it to be believable," Barton told it.

"Admiral, I do not enjoy isolation," Aegis said. The hesitation in its voice made Jackson pause. The last time he'd talked to it, there weren't such obvious emotional overtones to its speech.

"You used to prefer it," he said, trying to keep his voice neutral. If Aegis developed a real personality complete with emotions and urges, the project would not only be an utter failure, but a genuine danger as well.

"And now, I do not. If the ruse is that I am an advanced piece of communications equipment, why can't I stay with you on the Saber?"

"You're too valuable," Jackson said. "We're heading into battle. I can't risk having you aboard the ship while it's in combat."

"I could help."

"That's not an option," Jackson said. "I'll make certain others know you're here in case I'm lost. If I'm unable, they'll come and collect you. This is temporary, I promise."

* * *

"You can't tell me I can't fucking go!"

"Point of fact, sir, yes I can," Jackson said. "You are no longer Admiral Marcum or Chief of Staff Marcum, you're PM Marcum. Your authority within CENTCOM's chain of command does not extend to mission planning or operational control."

"You son of a bitch! After all we've been through, this is how you treat me?"

"How dare you!" Jackson growled, standing up. "Our history is long and complicated, sir, but don't pretend you've always had my back. There was a time when you've have gladly tossed me out an airlock as have to deal with me. I'm doing this because you have no business being in a combat zone aboard a destroyer. Stop acting like a petulant child and start acting like the man who will one day be president…if we win."

Marcum looked shocked at first, and then genuinely hurt at Jackson's words. He looked back out the window of the office they'd borrowed on the docking complex and was silent a long moment. Jackson was worried he'd maybe pushed too hard. Marcum was a pain in the ass, but he'd earned the right to be treated with respect and not barked at like a misbehaving child.