This is VNM-One for the Vulcan News Media

[Will The Serious]

My entry for the Sep/Oct writers challenge. This is an episode excerpt from my series The Vulcan. It is a couple of episodes early, but it fit the haunting requirement.
When I get to publishing this as the actual episode in The Vulcan [Main Table of Contents, episode 1] series, it will be episode 10 or 11, I think. It will also be heavily edited and added to.

In the mean time, enjoy.
-Will
-

"This is VNM-One for the Vulcan News Media."

Spynark cues his camera person to cut.

"That was a bit of useless fluff, T'Pose. We need to find a real smuggler to start digging into this project."

T'Pose shoulders her VNM issued high-res enviro-recorder. She steps next to her boss.

Spynark calls up to his ship, "Spynark to VNM-One, two to beam up." He turns to face T'Pose, "What was the name of that smuggler's den in the NZ, Hella Station?"

"Halla Station," corrects T'Pose. "It sounded dangerous, but promising."

The two Vulcans dissipate in a beam of photon static.

On the VNM-1, Spynark and T'Pose step off the small transporter platform.

T'Pose picks up the conversation, "I know an Earthling who may be able to help. He takes occasional transport jobs with his small carrier ship. He mentioned running a few out of Halla Station."

Spynark raises an eyebrow, "Where did you meet an Earthling?"

"We were on that Orion slave trade assignment, twenty-one months ago. He was in the hotel bar. He was pleasing to look at, so I thought he would be… entertaining." T'Pose says without reservations.

"I see," responds Spynark flatly. "I would not have expected an Earthling to be hanging out in a Syndicate run hotel bar."

T'Pose offers an explanation, "Mister Gruff said he had to make an emergency run with a shipment aboard his vessel, the Mean Kid, to Halla Station. I tried to pump him for more details because he was a little coy about his business, but he said there wasn't much to say except he cautioned me about that area of space being haunted. I got the impression he was smuggling because he kept scanning the room like he was worried about being overheard, and my direct questions were deflected with… I believe Earthlings call it, flirting."

"Haunted?" asks Spynark, skipping the pertinent part about the human being a smuggler. "Humans! Did he explain that?"

"No. At that point, I thought it best just to stick to the subject of…entertainment."

"So let me get this clear. Mister…Gruff said the region of space where Halla Station is located, is haunted?" Spynark asks.

"According to Billy Gruff, yes."

Spynark pushes, "But smugglers frequently pass through to the station?

"It is illogical to believe an area of space can be haunted and even more illogical when criminals, who are known for being superstitious, regularly travel through it." Spynark lifts a sharp and cosmetically enhanced eyebrow. "This Billy Gruff does not sound like an intelligent person."

T'Pose shrugs her shoulders in resignation, "He was very…entertaining though. I still have his contact information."

Spynark goes on, "It would be logical to hire a knowledgeable guide to a…haunted…region of space where outlaws frequent." The well known Vulcan News reporter actually chuckles to himself. "I am concerned that this Gruff person is not smart enough to be an asset. We will find someone else."

"Bridge to Spynark," interrupts his ship's com.

"Spynark here."

"Chief Editor Skiptoo has been hailing us for the last thirty-five minutes."

T'Pose looks around to check on Spynark's reaction, but he is already gone from the transporter cabin. She did not see him leave.
-
T'Pose stows her recording equipment and is settling into her desk to begin editing what little footage is usable for their exposé on smuggling across the Neutral Zone. The editor's 'occupied' light flickers over the door when Spynark bursts into the cabin.

"Get in touch with that Earthling. Skiptoo wants a story right away."

T'Pose swivels in her chair. "When does he want it by?"

Spynark replies, "In his words? 'Yesterday'. I tried to explain the poor logic, but he was insistent. We don't have time to look for anyone else. Call your…entertaining friend."

He leaves as quickly as he had entered.
-
The specially modified Vahklas class starship Vulcan is nearing the Neutral Zone, on her way to Halla Station and Romulan space beyond. The bridge crew are closely monitoring their long range sensors. They also have a connection to the NZ satellite grid to receive reports of activity from the nearby sentry satellites. Captain S'Talla and crew want to avoid encountering any Star Navy ships.

"Sam," calls Art, when the portside turbo lift doors slide open to let Arthur Santayana onto the bridge of the Vulcan.

Sam looks around from her seat at the helm. she and Randool Harrix are giving their two Bynar shipmates some relief at the helm, navigation, shields, and weapons.

"We have a job." announces Art, with pride. "It's all arranged."

Skyvik, the giant Vulcan VDM commander, looks up from studying the tactical hood at his station. Captain S'Talla also gives Art her attention.

"An…ah…acquaintance, from a couple of years back, is looking for a guide." Art laughs, "I was helping some escaped slaves and didn't want her following me, so I told her the area of space around Halla Station is haunted by a dead Osaarian pirate I remembered reading about somewhere.

"I know Vulcans don't believe in ghosts. I just thought I could use the story to tell her how dangerous it was without saying criminals lived there. Now she wants Billy Gruff to accompany her ship to Halla Station and introduce her to a few…um… smugglers."

S'Talla comments, "We are scheduled to pickup and deliver a small shipment of Romulan Ale to the Klingon Empire. We were scheduled to stop at Halla Station to deliver our cargo from Epsilon-Hydra on the way to the Star Empire space, so I do not see a conflict. In fact, we are only a couple of days away."

Sam asks, "Who is this woman, and do we need to be jealous?"

Her smile lets Art know she is only joking about being jealous, but he is quick to play along. "Weeelll… we did have a lot of fun together, and…" Art glances around at S'Talla. "... she is Vulcan."

Art is disappointed that revealing an old paramore to be Vulcan didn't seem to cause any kind of reaction in his beautiful captain. Art is not used to women of any persuasion acting like he is nothing more than a piece of furniture. Thinking about it, Art realizes T'Pose had been like that, as well; not that he minds being used by women, as long as it is for… certain kinds of fun.

Sam laughs, "Probably a one night stand. Nothing worth hearing about. What's her name and when do we meet her?"

Art stares indignantly at Sam. "I thought you would be jealous."

"Nope. Just teasing. I don't really care to hear about your conquests. Let's move on to business."

Art smiles broadly and points a finger at Sam. "You care, I can tell." He rounds on S'Talla, "and you care even more. You two can't hide your feelings from me." Art winks at S'Talla, who looks more like she's watching a show than interacting with a person. Still no real response from the beautiful Vulcan.

"I know you're jealous, but you needn't be. T'Pose meant nothing to me."

S'Talla lifts an eyebrow at that. "Are you talking about T'Pose of the Vulcan News Media? Recorder and assistant-reporter for Spynark aboard the VNM-One?"

Art stops his private glee. "I guess so. She did say she worked for the media. I don't know her boss's name."

S'Talla says, "We will not be taking this job."

"I knew it!" declares Art triumphantly, "You are jealous. T'Pose is very good looking."

Skyvik explains, "We can not attract media attention, especially the Vulcan News Media."

"Captain," T'Pree breaks in, "We are being hailed. It is the VNM-One. Had I realized the small star cruiser I was watching on our sensors was the VNM-One, I would have alerted you sooner."

Art endures three sets of eyes all staring at him with disapproval. Everyone else on the bridge just looks like they are watching a video of two starships colliding, except T'Pree. T'Pree returns to business as usual with no more concern for allowing the small ship to approach so close. She had been doing her job, and is just as certain that she will continue to do her job as well, moving forward.

Art says, "I'm Billy Gruff. Just remember that, and everything will be fine. She thinks I'm a common smuggler. That IS our cover, right?"

Stares.

Arthur swallows. "Oh, one other thing. Ah… she thinks, well she assumed…, since I was captain of my own ship, you know…at the time…"

Sam asks, "You told her you were the captain of Vulcan?"

Art breathes in through his teeth, his head inclines and lifts. "I… wanted her to feel… comfortable hiring us."

Sam points out "You wanted to impress her."

Vulcan interrupts, "You are not the captain, Mr. Santayana. My captain is Captain S'Talla."

S'Talla steps into the discussion, "My image has been shown all across Vulcan space, primarily on the Vulcan News Media, Skyvik's as well. My Ca'Tau heritage makes me very memorable in Vulcan minds. Records now show that most of the crew of Vulcan were never on the Astroways Space Station, but Skyvik and I can not hide from the public like that. Perhaps this will give us an opportunity to disassociate ourselves further from the ship. The Vulcan will be better known as a private vessel instead of a possible spy ship, in the minds of the Federation, the Star Empire, and Vulcan.

"If we must entertain T'Pose and Spynark aboard the Vulcan, Skyvik and I will confine ourselves to Engineering. Your posing as the captain is the only way I can logically see this working." S'Talla levels a hard stare at Art. "Do not let Spynark, T'Pose, or their technicians go anywhere but the bridge and passenger deck 'B'."

Skyvik punctuates S'Talla's directive, "Do you understand? The faster we get rid of them, the better for everyone."

Art grins and turns to T'Pree, "Open a channel to the VNM-One as soon as Captain S'Talla and the Commander have left the bridge."

He turns to Samantha Kelly, "Sam, I told her you were the owner, so it's okay if you stay."

S'Talla says to Vulcan, "Vulcan, do not let… Billy Gruff do anything… Human."

"I will not," states the ship in a typically flat computer voice.

S'Talla says, "Perfect," and leaves the bridge, along with Commander Skyvik.
-
Spynark and T'Pose beam aboard and are met in the transporter room by Sam and Art. T'Perl works the transporter console.

Art holds up the Vulcan hand greeting. "Welcome T'Pose, Spynark. Live long and prosper."

Spynark returns the gesture without the refrain. He says to T'Pose, "I see what you meant. For a human, he is exceptionally good looking, and he is the captain…?"

"Yes," replies T'Pose, as if they were discussing a mildly interesting work of art in a museum. "He tells me he has lost his ship and now works for Vulcan Shipping and Transportation Enterprises." T'Pose finally acknowledges Samantha's presence. "You must be Ms. Kelly. My research did tell me that Vulcan Enterprises was owned by a Human. Curious."

Sam, quite familiar with Vulcan dispassion, ignores the traditional Vulcan pleasantries and holds her right hand out to shake, first T'Pose's hand, then Spynark's. She does not give them a chance to ignore her Earth greeting. "I'm very pleased to meet you. I have watched your broadcasts on Vulcan for years. What brings you out to this part of space?"

Once he extracts his hand from the vigorous and overly familiar double handed handshake, Spynark takes up the task of explaining themselves, "We are doing an exposé on smuggling in the Neutral Zone. Our assignment has been slow in coming together. We are looking to move things along, with the help of Mr. Gruff. He and T'Pose have been intimate in the past, so she had his contact information. It is our understanding that he is a smuggler, or at least, was a smuggler?"

Sam gives nothing back, but a smile.

Spynark says, "It sounds like we came to the right ship."

Sam says, "As long as the price is paid, you came to the right ship."

Sam is hoping to annoy the Vulcans by playing to their Vulcan stereotype for humans and mercenaries. The typical Vulcan has little patience for what they believe to be people ruled by illogical emotions, vanity, and greed.
-
S'Talla has confined herself to the crew deck on deck A, and the captain's quarters, as well as Engineering on deck C. Since she is not an engineer, she has decided to learn what she can about the technical operation of the ship, and has been studying under T'Pia. At the moment, S'Talla is in her quarters dictating her log.

"Captain's Log, stardate: three eight one three point one.

"Making our way back from a semi-successful mission to the Epsilon-Hydra system, we were to hand-off the Vaikar-Kau-Bureki to an agent for Operations at Halla Station in the Neutral Zone. Instead, we have to deal with a field reporter for the Vulcan News Media. We will play our role as independent commercial shippers and part-time smuggler's in order to avoid reawakening suspicions that the V5-Beta and the Vulcan Coalition for Peace Reform, may have survived the Romulan attack back on Vulcan.

"If I succeed in staying out of sight of Spynark, the reporter, and his crew, the Vulcan will solidify its position in the civilian world as an unrelated rebuilt Vahklas class light freighter, and make it easier for us to operate in Federation and Vulcan space without fear of discovery. I just have to hope that Arthur Santayana is up to the task of playing the role of Vulcan's captain."

"Captain S'Talla." Speaks Vulcan, once S'Talla has closed her log screen. "I have been researching the story Mr. Santayana was telling the reporter T'Pose. It seems there is a history of such a pirate who terrorized the Delphic Expanse one hundred years ago. It is not inconceivable that some form of energy, that might be termed a spiritual essence, has migrated to another region of space since the destruction of the Delphic Expanse."

S'Talla lifts a skeptical eyebrow, "Are you suggestion there is such a thing as ghosts in space?"

"No," answers Vulcan, "Only that the Delphic Expanse was destroyed before our understanding of its nature was even beginning. By all reports, physics worked differently inside the Expanse. If there is any possibility that an essence of life persists after death, there is no logic that can deny such a phenomenon without positive proof of non-existence. We have no such proof."

S'Talla sits silent in thought.

Vulcan adds, "There are enough civilizations across the known galaxy who believe in a persistent spirit after death, that such a concept should not be dismissed outright."

S'Talla muses on Vulcan's words for another moment before speaking, "Perhapse the possibility of a haunting is enough. As absurd as the logic sounds, you are right, in that there are phenomena that are difficult to explain. And, the absence of proof is not, in itself, proof. It is a prudent logician who is wary of the unknown and unfamiliar."

Vulcan asks, "Do you think it would be safer to avoid entering Halla Station space again, with the VNM-One trailing along? Perhaps it is not too late to turn back."

S'Talla responds, "It will be very difficult to convince our current sponsors of that."
-
Art and Sam are showing Spynark and T'Pose around the bridge. They are at a ship's operations station just to starboard of tactical, with a schematic projection of the ship's layout up on the screen above the control panel.

Sam has donned a more rustic pantsuit, than her usual business dress. She is wearing high boots with a phaser attached to a wide belt around her waist. Her long sleeved blouse is billowey and hangs loose over her hips, below where it is gathered tight by her belt. She has let her hair fall straight and unstyled. The red hair gives her a fierce look where she might otherwise look common and unsophisticated.

Sam is saying to the reporters, "When Vulcan was put up on salvage auction after suffering damage in an asteroid field, I decided it would be a great opportunity to start a shipping business, so I bought her, had her modified for freight and passenger carrying, and named her Vulcan." Sam points to the lower deck, deck D, and explains, "Vulcan has a cargo capacity of 60 kilo-tons. The eight separate cargo holds can be adjoined to allow for larger loads, building materials and equipment, and smaller vessels, like the VNM-One, for instance. Deck B is the passenger deck, with 40 staterooms for up to 120 passengers. It includes a performance theater and full recreation facilities, even a full length, two lane lap pool."

Sam turns to Arthur Santayana, "Captain Gruff, do you think we can open up the passenger deck for use by the crew of the VN…" Sam falters for a moment.

Vulcan speaks in her ear using an acoustical trick that makes it so only Sam can hear her, "Sam, could you have Arthur Santayana report to Captain S'Talla in her quarters?"

"Yes, of course," answers Sam out loud. "...Sorry. I just had a thought." Sam snaps her fingers, gives Spynark an apologetic look, then turns to Art. "Captain Gruff. I believe you have a chart, in the captain's quarters, that shows a historic smuggler's route across the Neutral Zone. I'm sure our guests would be interested in seeing that. Why don't you go to the captain's quarters right now. I remember you telling me you put it in your locker, there."

Art starts to asks, "What are you talk…ing… ahh…"

Sam levels a dark and significant glare at Art.

"It's okay, Billy. They are here to learn about these things. No need to pretend we don't have the chart. Go…now. I'll take the reporter's down to the passenger deck and show them around while you are gone. We'll meet back in the mess cabin."

Art nods to Spynark and T'Pose. "I will be back soon," and he exits to the starboard turbo lift.

Sam walks, leading the two reporter's over to the port side turbo lift.

I think you will find the passenger deck well laid out. I am particularly proud of the little touches of comfort I have added.

"You may not know this…" They enter the turbo lift when the doors sweep apart for them. Sam stands chatting,"I was a computer engineer, before I started Vulcan Enterprises."

The three of them stand in the lift until Sam stops and looks around.

"Oh, forgive me. Ha ha, I get to talking and my mind…" She grabs the lift control handle and says, "Vulcan, please take us to the passenger deck, corridor one."

Spynark and T'Pose exchange a glance with each other as the turbo-lift doors close.
-
T'Pose and Art are having a drink together in the mess cabin. They are facing each other across a table. T'Pose has a hot tea, Art is drinking an orange juice.

Art says, "I hope your boss is happy with the chart I printed out. I know it doesn't show much. I guess it's pretty crude, and most of the security has been replaced and upgraded since that star chart was made."

T'Pose takes a quiet sip of tea. She allows the silence to grow for a moment.

"No beer, Billy?" T'Pose finally asks, just before taking another sip of her tea.

"Art says, "Not while on duty in this region of space. I want to know I am really seeing what I think I'm seeing." He looks at T'Pose meaningfully, "I hope you have turned your shields on. Dangers can come upon a ship with little warning out here.

T'Pose lifts an eyebrow. "You are still talking about ghosts?" she asks, setting her tea down to give Art her attention.

Art looks around the mess cabin before leaning in a little closer. "Not too loud. These guys can be a superstitious lot."

T'Pose asks, "So you do not believe in ghosts?"

Art looks contrite, "Well, of course… I don't really believe in ghosts. It's just, the stories I've heard about this pirate, Orgoth. Some very experienced captain's have reported seeing him and there have been more than one ship lost without explanation. I understand we still don't know very much about the science of the Delphic Expanse. What if a spirit survived the Expanse after it was destroyed? It might be very angry."

T'Pose flatly states, "There is no such thing as ghosts or spirits."

Arthur asks, "You know this too be true because there is some proof that spirits can't exist?"

T'Pose responds confidently, "I know this to be true because the existence of ghosts is illogical."

Art sits back, taking a more relaxed posture and lifts his glass. "I suppose you have given the subject considerable thought to be so sure, so I will take your word that it is illogical." Art takes a satisfied sip of his juice.

T'Pose takes another contemplative sip of her own drink.

"Still," Art cautions, "Shields can save your ship in the NZ. Tell your captain to keep them on and watch your sensors."
-
T'Pose is in the editing room aboard the VNM-One. Spynark enters.

"The information on the chart is old and virtually useless, but I think we can use it to illustrate how smugglers operate in the NZ. How was your talk with Mr. Gruff?"

"He still thinks the region is haunted by the Osaarian pirate, Orgoth. I have checked, and there have been a small number of ships lost in this region of space, without explanation."

"An area as contestable as the Neutral Zone, where outlaws are known to frequent?" Spynark counters reasonably.

"True," says T'Pose. "Billy did point out that there is no actual logical proof that spirits can not exist. I could not help but try and work out the logic behind what we have come to believe."

T'Pose turns back to her editing screen. She speaks while returning to her task. "I will not let this distract me any longer. Ghosts do not exist.

"I am putting together a little footage from the Vulcan. Billy has the look of a smuggler, so I am editing a couple of shots with him and Ms. Kelly."

Spynark says, "Excellent. We will get this piece together soon. We have two more days to Halla Station. There will not be a lot of new material until we can talk to other smugglers. I'll be in my office working on a script outline."

Spynark leaves.

The lights in T'Pose's editing room flicker. She looks up but the lighting remains steady while she watches. T'Pose turns back to her editing.

 

[Will The Serious]

Spynark is alone in his office.

He is signing off from a conversation with Skiptoo. "Yes, I will not mention ghosts except to show how superstitious smugglers can be. Just be patient, the program is coming together. Once we reach Halla Station, we will be able to learn more."

Skiptoo is a sturdy male Vulcan with dark greenish-brown skin. His black hair is cropped in a flattop with salt and pepper sideburns. He has a serious demeanor.

"Do not let this project run long. We are on a schedule, Spynark. Skiptoo out."

The last second of Skiptoo's transmission distorts, turning Skiptoo's image into a twisted face. The background seems unaffected. The lights in Spynark's office flicker at the same moment. The screen blanks and Spynark gives a shiver.

He calls out, "Computer, what is the temperature currently set at?"

The typical electronic voice answers, "Ambient room temperature is set at twenty- five degrees; the average temperature of the Vulcan temperate zone, which ranges from twenty-two to…"

"Computer, stop!"

The ship's computer ceases providing extraneous information.

"Computer, what is the current temperature reading?"

"The cabin temperature is at Twenty-five degrees, the average temperature of the Vulcan Temperate zone, which ranges from…"

"Computer, stop!" calls Spynark with annoyance.

The computer stops talking. The lights flicker again.

A signal chirps and Spynark looks back down from searching the ceiling, and says, "Spynark here."

T'Pose answers across the comm, "I have put together a short clip about the Vulcan, would you like to see it now?"

"Yes," Spynark answers, "Skiptoo was just on the comm, pushing for something he can air."

T'Pose states, "I'll be right there."

The computer screen on Spynark's desk beeps and a file icon appears. The name of the file is, Vulcan Enterprises - edited.

Spynark clicks it open. A still frame of the clip introduction appears filling the screen.

Spynark's office door chirps.

"Enter," calls Spynark.

T'Pose is revealed when the door slides opened. She talks as she walks over to Spynark's desk, "I was thinking we start with a portrait of a common small independent shipping company, the Vulcan Enterprises for example, and use them as a springboard to illustrate how some captains might get into the smuggling business when economic down trends affect their income." T'Pose leans over Spynark's shoulder and taps the screen to run the clip. "This is just a short clip to tour the Vulcan. I will splice it in with some footage from our economic recession article ten years ago."

The clip shows a tour of Vulcan's bridge. The camera pans along the aft control panels where crew are working the sensor data and communications stations; it continues across the command chair, where Billy Gruff is sitting, looking rather rogue-ish in his coat and skull cap, his strong chin bristling with day-old growth. Sam is standing behind his left shoulder, her arms crossed, her booted feet braced in a determined stance. A blurry image of another crew exciting the portside turbo-lift, directly behind Sam. The camera continues to pan to the helm station, and defense and weapons, manned by Randool Harrix and T'Perl.

"Wait," calls Spynark. "Go back, why is that man behind the owner, in the turbo-lift, so blurry?"

T'Pose says, "I do not recall anyone behind Ms. Kelly." She pans the camera back.

When she brings the Vulcan's command chair back into frame, the turbo-lift door is not opened. There is, indeed, a figure behind Samantha Kelly, but he is much closer than the closed turbo-lift doors. The image is of a large man, but his features are too blurry to identify him. He appears to be dressed in crude, pirate-style clothes, a mishmash of red sash belt, diagonal brown shoulder strap supporting a long bladed weapon and an old style captain's hat over a blue bandana tied in a fashion similar to the look of Billy Gruff's skullcap. The blurring makes the large man's features look distorted, the dark eyes not on the same horizontal, the nose twisted.

"Who is that, and why is he not in focus?" asks Spynark.

T'Pose looks confused. "I do not remember seeing him when I was editing."

T'Pose works the screen, zooming in on the figure, filling the screen with the blurry image. She brings up a small menu of editing tools and almost before she can apply her filters, the image comes into clear focus.

The man is rough, scars cover his face. His features are distorted, almost melted. His eyes pierce through the screen with a redness that nearly glows with an unnatural light. His expression looks violent, angry, he's looking straight at the camera, straight at the two Vulcans viewing the screen.

"Who is that?" Spynark nearly demands.

T'Pose swallows, "I do not know how I missed him. I apologize."

T'Pose bends to adjust the screen again.

Spynark says, "Now that man looks like a real smuggler. No, he looks like a pirate. We need to interview him."

The screen streaks for a moment as T'Pose zooms back out.

"What?" Spynark exclaims. "What are you doing, T'Pose?"

"Nothing. I have done nothing."

The full screen image shows the man right behind Samantha Kelly. What the two Vulcans realize is that he does not have arms like a humanoid, he has tentacles for arms. This is particularly noticeable because he is not just walking or standing, as they remembered, but he has drawn that long blade from his hip. He holds the handle with two wraps of the ends of a tentacle arm around the grip. The adjusted perspective shows his free tentacle arm snaking around Samantha's forehead. There is no possible way Spynark and T'Pose could have overlooked this man, this creature, in the image.

The two reporters stare at the frozen frame for a moment.

Spynark says, "Play the clip. This must be a joke. Somehow this frame is different. I want to see the whole…"

T'Pose has started the clip again. It shows the Vulcan's bridge, as before. The crew at stations on sensors and communications, Billy Gruff is sitting in the command chair, Sam behind him to his left.

"May Logic…" T'Pose exclaims.

The video continues on, as before, but in the few seconds in which Sam and Captain Gruff are in frame, the unknown man is seen gripping the top of Sam's head with one snaking tentacle, and lifting his weapon on the way to draw it across Sam Kelly's neck. Sam never acts any differently then when T'Pose first edited her clip. The owner of Vulcan Enterprises does not give the slightest indication she is aware of the gesture to slice open her throat. The camera pan moves on before the blade begins to open the neck it is moving swiftly towards.

"This is not the clip I edited," declares T'Pose.

Spynark taps a com button on his desk. Spynark to technical."

"T'Voll here," replies the comm.

Spynark looks at T'Pose while he directs the Vulcan woman on the other end of the comm link. "Check our systems for anything wrong. Is there some sort of computer breach?"

"Spardin and I were just doing a system backup. That includes a complete cleaning of waste data and a though scan for malicious or itinerant code. No breaches were detected. Would you explain your problem? We will see what we can do to help."

Spynark reconnects with T'Pose's stare. "That is enough. I will let you know if We can not figure it out from our end." Spynark switches the comm off.

The clip plays through again on auto-repeat.

"Spynark," T'Pose draws his attention back to the screen.

The camera pan across the command seat shows Captain Gruff and Samantha Kelly, just as they have been from the time T'Pose began her edits. The mysterious being was not in the video.

Spynark clicks the screen off and swivels his chair to face T'Pose. "You have not done anything but edit this as usual? This is not some twisted Human joke you are trying to play?"

T'Pose looks her boss straight in his eyes and compresses her lips in a very serious stare.

"Of course not. I am sorry for suggesting such a thing," replies the mystified lead reporter. "Go back and check your equipment. There has to be a logical explanation."

T'Pose moves towards the office door. "I will be very thorough," states the angry Vulcan woman.

Just as she moves to pass through the opened sliding doors, they slam shut, nearly causing her to hit her face against their panels. A mist exits her nose when she leans back and huffs. Spynark is shivering in a sudden drop of temperature when a similar frosty mist wafts from his own breath.

"There is something wrong with the environmental equipment," remarks Spynark, standing from his desk chair to work the manual override on his office door.

The lights go out.

"There is more going wrong than environmental equipment failure," comments T'Pose, in the darkened office.

The computer screen activates and the only image it shows is the twisted face of the mysterious pirate.

Spynark declares, "This is some elaborate joke." He punches at the door panel. The screen flickers off as the image of the pirate is bringing his blade up. He is saying something with his obscenely twisted mouth when the screen goes blank.

It is pitch dark again.

Spynark punches at the door panel in the dark again.

A soft glow appears before the desk where Spynark and T'Pose had been watching the puzzling news clip. Then the lights suddenly return the office space to normal.

T'Pose lets out a breath in relief, before she and Spynark both turn back from where their efforts at opening the door have been frustrated.

The twisted countenance of the pirate stares back at them. He isn't on the screen, he isn't a shadow or a trick of the light he is there, standing, menacing with his cutlass in a wrapped tentacle. He measures two meters tall, he is huge.

"Get out of my space!" demands the creature. His voice is as deep as space itself and twice as dark. He lifts his sturdy but ancient sword and points it in threat at the two Vulcans.

T'Pose searches for something to defend herself with. Her eyes fall on a briefcase standing against the wall, near the door. She reaches desperately for the metal case and swings it up as a shield.

Spynark is punching with numb fingers, in a frantic tattoo, at the manual override panel.

The sword comes up to the cabin ceiling in a striking position.

"Get OOOUUTTTT!" Screeches the pirate ghost. The low bass note of the haunting words tighten the napes of both Vulcans' necks.

The door opens, Spynark is out in the hall and away, before T'Pose has a chance to register his exit. The creature lunges and T'Pose's braced arms feel the impact against the briefcase. She is propelled back into the hall and onto her back. She panics and roles, dropping her defensive shield. She is on her feet, ready to race after her vanished boss, but she stops.

There is nothing there. Spynark's office is empty.

T'Pose cautiously leans back in through the open doors to scan the room. Nothing. Her edited video is playing. It is just as she had created it.

Running footsteps approach. The other Vulcans race towards her. Spynark is behind them. "Be careful, he has a sword."

There is nothing unusual to greet them except a disheveled T'Pose.

"What did you do to it, T'Pose?" Spynark gasps
-
Spynark looked like he'd rather be anywhere than in the galley of the Vulcan talking to Captain Gruff and Samantha Kelly.

"Tell me about this Osaarian ghost. What does he look like? How do you know it is Orgoth?"

Art says, "I don't know. I've never seen him, but he was described to me as looking all twisted up from living in the Expanse, with tentacles for arms and legs. One captain said he had an eyepatch, but another said no, his face was scarred from all his battles with his victims. But, everyone says he carries a sword. Supposedly he used it to take the head of a Romulan captain from the Royal Star Navy."

Sam takes on an amused look. "They're just stories to entertain a bunch of criminals stuck onboard a spaceship for weeks at a time. Most of the smugglers running in and out of the Neutral Zone command old worn-out ship's that can travel only at low warp speeds. It can take some of them months to cross the NZ. Vulcan can travel at warp eight."

T'Pia is walking by with a tray of food. She stops to add, "I have pushed her to warp eight point eight. We can outrun a Star Navy battle cruiser."

Sam proudly introduces T'Pia to the two reporters, "T'Pia, I'm sure you know who our guests are, T'Pose and Spynark of the VDM." Sam turns to the two seated reporters with an introductory sweep of her hand. "This is T'Pia, Vulcan's chief engineer. I was lucky enough to coax her out of retirement to join my company. There is no better engineer in the galaxy."

Spynark says, "You are Vulcan, what do you think about these ghost stories? Surely you do not take them seriously."

"There is no logic to such tales, but I have heard them. It is said that Captain Orgoth only appears to people who do not belong here. Pirates and smugglers are left alone. Personally, I think it is a quaint story to keep casual scrutiny away from illegal business around Halla Station. There is obviously no such thing as ghosts." T'Pia continues on to another table where she settles in to eat her meal.

Randool Harrix comes up to the table. He is dressed in greasy gray mechanic's coveralls, his hands and face stained with black grease. He has a headband on that supports a magnifying glass and a multi-spectrum lamp.

"Ah," says Sam, "Mister Harrix, I want you to meet T'Pose and Spynark. They have hired us to guide them to Halla Station. This is Mister Harrix, our head mechanical engineer. We breathe fresh air and drink freshwater, in part because of his work."

Randool holds out a hand to Spynark sitting directly before him. Spynark takes the grimy offering with great reluctance. "I have seen your show. Entertaining, if a little dry," asserts Randool.

Spynark grins a lopsided smirk and releases the dirty hand etiquette has forced him to take. "It is not a show. the Vulcan News Media is an essential joint government and civilian service to the citizens of Vulcan; keeping the populace informed of important events across the Alpha and Beta quadrants. We cannot act logically on issues we are not well informed about. My job, and T'Pose's, is to provide that essential information.

"The smuggling practices across the Neutral Zone affects the lives of Vulcan and Federation citizens at all levels. It is important that they are made aware of what it is, how it is practiced, by whom, and where. Our society cannot advance without the services of news reporters like ourselves."

Randool listens with an agreeable nod and a smile. He boldly pats a greasy hand on Spynark's shoulder. "Of course, thank you for your service. Now, did I hear you talking about the Delphic Ghost? A terror of the NZ, to be sure."

Spynark snaps his gaze around from inspecting the dirty hand print on his shoulder to look at Randool, as the mechanic drags a chair up to the table and takes a seat.

"What can you tell us about… the Delphic Ghost, did you call him?" Spynark leans in with interest, and asks, "I understand Orgoth died in the Delphic Expanse, how did he get here?"

Randool licks his lips to begin his story. " 'It,' is more appropriate, I think. The descriptions I heard, say Orgoth is not all together humanoid and I don't think we can be sure what 'it' is, after being all twisted up by the Delphic Expanse, then turned into a ghost. It sounds like, well, we'll go with 'he', is described as being more like a sea creature with tentacles and rows of shark's teeth. You know what a shark is, right?

"There's something about this region of space. Orgoth isn't the only ghost to find its way here. I've even heard an apparition of that blue Vulcan, who was killed fighting the Romulans, has been spotted trying to steal ships." Randool looks around the table like he's telling children a good ghost story around a campfire. "She just appears on the bridge and walks right over to take a seat in the captain's chair. I talked to a fellow who saw it once. The captain was sitting in the chair and she simply tore him from it with incredible strength, nearly ripped his arm off. Then she ignored everyone while she took over the controls."

T'Pose asks, "How did the captain get control back?"

Randool takes everyone in with a hard look, "They didn't. Nothing they could do could get the blue woman out of the command chair and their ship was speeding up, faster and faster until their warp core started to overload. That's when they all raced to their escape pods and abandoned ship."

Spynark asks, "What happened to the ship?"

Randool replied after looking down at the table for a moment, "It blew up. Only half the crew made it off. More ghosts for the NZ."

Randool grabs Captain Gruff's cup and takes a pull. He shakes himself and looks at the captain. "Where's your beer?"

This breaks the spell that seemed to be holding everyone to hang on Randool's words. Then Randool sets the cup back down and stands with a quiet screech of his chair. "But these are just stories. No one believes in ghosts anymore."

Cialoa leans in from an adjacent table. She says, "They do if they have any sense. There are reasons these stories are told. Ghost or not, they are tails of caution."

Sam interjects, "This is Cialoa. We took her on when she was running from slave hunters. You may be familiar with Chavvo Gah. He was tried for mistreatment of slaves, threatening Federation citizens, and piracy in high space. Cia was instrumental in his arrest."

Spynark brings his hand sharply down flat on the tabletop, "Of course. And, you are being modest, Ms. Kelly. I understand Vulcan Enterprises was also involved. It is not like me to fail in making such connections, but I am familiar with the case. I was following the trial. I read the transcripts. If not for this project, I would have reported on his trial. Ms. Cialoa's name came up in the trial, so did yours and Captain Gruff's." Spynark says to both Sam and Art.

He turns back to say to Cia, "It is too bad he was released." Spynark addresses Cia, "You must be a little concerned, now that he is free again."

Cia answers, A..ah, Billy, Captain Gruff is a great Captain, he got the best of Gah once, he can do it again."

T'Pose asks, "You call these stories, tales of caution, so you do not believe in ghosts?"

Cia smirks, "Of course not. Children's stories. Orion has ghost stories, too."

Art asks, "Why are two Vulcan News reporters interested in such superstitious stories? You would be the last people I would expect to be worried about ghosts."

T'Pose and Spynark share a glance. Spynark takes a bite of his stew. T'Pose decides to answer, if her boss is not going to. "We had an… incident last night, after returning to the ship. We can not explain what happened. We are just looking for the logic that will help us."

Art looks concerned. He reaches across the table and takes T'Pose's hand. "You are alright?" Art doesn't let go when he turns to Spynark, "Everyone is okay? What happened?" Art spares a glance out of the corner of his eye, for Sam. She did not seem to notice that Art was holding hands with T'Pose. T'Pose made no move to separate from Art.

Spynark waves his hand, "Nothing, really. I thought I saw something that was not there. I was probably just tired. It was late."

T'Pose pulls her hand back to grip her tea, when Art lets go after a second glance at his employer. Sam gave him nothing.

"We both saw it," explains T'Pose. "It was not that late. Unless we were both suffering from the same delusion, there is no logical way to explain our encounter."

Cia interjects, "You saw him. You saw Orgoth, the Delphic Ghost. That is a bad omen."

Sam laughs, "They may have seen something, but they did not see a ghost."

Art looks even more concerned. He takes T'Pose's hand again.

Spynark says, with conviction, "We did not see a ghost. That is completely illogical. We were going over T'Pole's edits, there was a blurry person on the bridge. I do not know how that might have happened. But since we both were watching the same clip play out, it is not surprising that we both, in our tiredness, thought we saw the same inexplicable thing."

T'Pose, her hand resting in Art's two handed grip, says, "We saw more than a video clip. He appeared out of the computer screen. The lights flickered, it got cold, then the lights went out and the door jammed. When we turned back around, there he was. He was huge. I picked up a document case the protect me from his sword and he slammed into me just after Skyvik got the door opened again. He was gone by the time I picked myself up, out in the hall. He was real."

T'Pia is walking by with her finished meal. She stops to listen to the end of T'Pose's story. "Maybe someone was playing a joke on you. He could have transported in, and back out again?"

"Impossible," replies T'Pose. "Captain Gruff warned us to keep our shields up when traveling in this region. I checked, our shields were up. No one could have done that."

Spynark adds, "I had our team go over our sensor logs. No reading of a transporter or any other energy beams being used. The computer did not even record the lights or environmental equipment failure."

"Captain Gruff to the bridge," T'Pree's voice comes over the comm.

 

[Will The Serious]

On the bridge of the Vulcan.

Mister Naxx is sitting at command. Sam, Art, T'Pose, Spynark, and T'Pia exit the portside turbo-lift. Naxx stands from his seat at the Com.

Art, as Captain Gruff, asks, "What were you talking about? What is floating outside the ship?"

The rest of the people exiting the turbo-lift are staring at the screen.

Naxx points at the large forward view screen. "That."

The view screen shows the stars of normal space. In the center of the screen however, floats a body dressed as a pirate, no extravehicular activity suit or space suit.

At first, Art thought the body floating out in space was dead, but it is not bloated from expanded gasses, nor does it look like it had been dead long enough in vacuum to have lost those gasses. Then it moves, and everyone can see the tentacle arms, the right one waving a sword. The twisted face becomes clear when it moves closer and closer to the ship.

Art moves, dumbfounded, eyes fixed to the view screen, to sit in the command chair.

"That is he!" states Spynark emphatically. "The Delphic Pirate."

T'Pia walks over to the sensor station where Spadek is sitting. T'Pia states, "That is impossible. No humanoid creature that we know of can live in the vacuum of space."

The apparition floats closer to fill the screen. It points its sword at the viewers and mouths silently, the words, "Get out!"

Spadek informs T'Pia and the rest of the bridge, "Our instruments show nothing to be out there."

T'Pia leans in around Spadek to look into the sensor hood herself. "Spadek is correct, I have run through every…"

The bridge lights flicker.

T'Pia clicks the comm open, on the panel to her right, "Mister Harrix, there is an issue with lighting on the bridge."

The lights flicker again, and Randool's reply is cut in and out. "Harri… lights out or…" A long pause before more of Harrix's garbled message comes through. "... you hear m… right awa…"

The lights cut. The forward view screen is the only light and it only shows dark space and a few stars. The ghost of Orgoth is gone.

Art calls to the bridge crew, "No one panic, stay at your stations. Spadek, is the VNM-One still with us? Switch view to show the VNM-One."

The lights flicker again and the pirate ghost is standing in front of the forward screen. He's on the bridge. His sword lifts. The lights go off again. "Get OUT of my spaAAAace!" echoes on the darkened bridge. The flash of phaser fire lights up the giant being and Sam's hand holding her phaser. The beam strikes its target dead center. Only an instant and it is dark again.

The lights flicker on for a moment and the tentacled specter is directly in front of Spynark. T'Pose, standing next to the lead reporter, lets out a short and startled squeak.

Spynark screams.

It is dark again. Then the lights flash on to show Orgoth in mid swing, his sword descending towards the reporter's neck.

Spynark clutches T'Pose, eyes closed tight.
-
All is quiet.

T'Pose opens her eyes. She is hugging Spynark who is hunched defensively against her, his own arms clutching her tightly.

"Spynark, we are on the VNM-One." says T'Pose.

Spynark lifts his head and looks around. Two Vulcan crew are staring at the reporters from their stations on the bridge of the VNM-1.

Spynark let's T'Pose go and straightens out his tunic. T'Pose is looking around at the faces of her companions on the bridge.

The forward screen flashes an image of the pirate. The comm overhead, in the deep haunting voice of Orgoth, the Delphic Ghost, rasps out, "Get oOUut of my spaAace!"

"Who is that?" asks the Vulcan sitting in the bridge's command chair.

The screen blanks, the lights flash off, then on again, and the background hum from the ship's engines increases.

Spynark answers the captain's question, "Orgoth!"

"Captain," calls the systems operator. "We are changing course and speeding up. We are breaking away from Vulcan."

The captain orders, "Well, return to our speed and course, rejoin the Vulcan."

"I have tried. switching to manual override, captain. You will have to take the controls," answers the systems operator.

The hum of engines decreases. Spynark and T'Pose stand near the bridge's exit and watch, letting the VNM-1's crew do their jobs. The captain swings the controls, hidden under panels in the arms of his command chair, into operating position.

The systems operator announces, "Coming about, captain."

The forward screen shows the distant Vahklas class starship swinging into view. They are approaching the Vulcan again.

Once more, the bridge lights flicker and S'Talla is standing on the bridge. She looks like a rebel monk in a dirty monk's travel habit, her legs in brown leather breaches, high scuffed boots with a wide shoulder belt holding a phaser and satchel to her hip. Her hair is hanging down over the front of one shoulder in a long messy braid to her belt. She has a black skull cap on with a silver band encircling her head, almost like a halo.

The tall blue Vulcan woman steps forward. The lights on the bridge are flickering on and off, giving the action an old cellulite film feel. Blackness, action, blackness, like a slow strobe light. S'Talla grabs the captain in a wrist lock, hurling him out of his chair. The Vulcan captain rolls across the deck, and S'Talla takes his place at the Com.

The captain shouts, coming to his feet, "Who are you?"

S'Talla ignores him, her eyes are on the forward screen while she takes control of the ship. The ship turns away from the Vulcan and returns to its former course.

Spynark calls an answer to his captain, "It's that dead monk from the Romulan attack. This is impossible."

The captain, in a stop and go movement from the flickering lights moves to a cabinet where he unlocks a weapons box and pulls out a Vulcan phaser. He aims it at S'Talla and demands, "release the controls and give me back my ship."

S'Talla ignores him. She ignores everyone, as though she was the only one on the bridge. The engines begin to climb in pitch as the VNM-1 speeds up.

The systems operator shouts, "Warp seven, captain. We can not go faster."

Still the engines whine louder and higher in pitch.

The captain fires his phaser and the lights go black. Only the glow of a dissipating phaser beam illuminated the bridge and the blue Vulcan woman sitting calmly and unaffected in the command chair.

"Abandon ship! The warp core is going to blow," shouts Spynark desperately.

He and T'Pose are turning for the opened bridge doors. The captain tosses his useless phaser down and races after the reporters. He pauses long enough to help his technician from his seat and through the door to.

The whine slows, the lights come back on and the blue woman is gone. The VNM-1 is settling into a steady course away from Halla Station and it of the Neutral Zone.

The captain and mate return to the bridge to find everything operating as normal.

Spynark and T'Pose cautiously follow.

"Warp six and holding steady, captain," announces the systems operator.

The captain sits and checks his course. "We are on a course for Vulcan."

T'Pose says, "Stay on it."

Spynark does not countermand her order.
-
The bridge of the Vulcan. Art is cracking up. Naxx is also laughing. S'Talla, in her dirty monk's habit and pirate-like adornments stands watching with no expression. Skyvik, enters the bridge holding two prosthetic tentacles, one is curled around a toy sword. He is peeling off the rubbery make-up that made it look like his face was melting. Cia is chuckling with a big smile, and Randool Harrix is having as good a time as anyone. He gives Art a high-five. Sam is smiling, looking from face to face of her crew. T'Pree is expressionless and Skyvik asks, "Why are they laughing? What is so funny?"

Naxx breaks away for a moment, and pats the giant Vulcan on his back. "It's one of those things Vulcans can't understand."

Sam turns to S'Talla, "We can't help it. Pulling tricks on each other like that, is one of those joys Vulcans have lost. It is especially fun when your victims have no idea what happened."

Art settles down a little bit and walks up to S'Talla. "Congratulations on a job well done. This was priceless." Then he holds his hand out and says, "I'll take my hat back now."

Ya and Ne enter the bridge, making their way to navigation, helm, and defence. Sam stops them briefly to say, "Your programming was perfect, very convincing. There are no records of anything that has happened? No transporter logs or environmental equipment changes?

Ya answers, "correct."

Ne adds, "We left no computer evidence…"

Ya finishes, "of anything except normal operations. Vulcan helped improve our speed. Her computing power is…"

Ne adds,"the best we have ever seen."

The two Bynars sit at their stations.

S'Talla says to Art, with a perfectly straight face. "They fired a phaser at me. This little device worked so well, I think I will keep it."

Art's face falls. "What? I gave you that cap willingly. You are suppose to give it back after you scare the news reporters off."

S'Talla replies, "But that was not specified when I asked you for it. I never told you I would give it back." S'Talla sits at command, the cap firmly in place, her long braid drapes from beneath, in the back, over her shoulder in front.

Art huffs and looks at Naxx. Naxx holds his hands out to say, don't look at me.

Art turns back to S'Talla and her hand is holding his cap out only a few inches from his face.

"You are right. This is fun," she says with no inflection to indicate that she was actually having fun.

Sam pats Art on the back as he dons his cap again. She says quietly to Art, "Let's hope we didn't create a monster."

They both look over at Skyvik. He has put his tentacle arms back on and is poking T'Pia in the nose with the tip of his sword.

"Stop!" commands T'Pia.

"Ya, Ne, let us go onward," commands S'Talla with a subtle movement of her fingers placed together tips to tips.

-Will

 

[Robert Bruce Scott]

Totally Scooby-Doo - but the whole crew in the mask... I guess that counts as a reverse Scooby-Doo...

FUN!!! Thanks!! rbs

 

[Will The Serious]

Totally Scooby-Doo - but the whole crew in the mask... I guess that counts as a reverse Scooby-Doo...

FUN!!! Thanks!! rbs

-Will

 

[Bynar0110]

I enjoy this one a lot Will. You finally got to use a tentacle.