"The Last Place You Look" is the second episode for Star Trek: 001, written from July to August 2003, an RP by a group of Trek fans (credits in the OP). My character was Rune Sith and Zeta.
The Last Place You Look, Part II
The stolen Cardassian scout ship rocked under the blast of another phaser hit. "Computer, report."
The computer delayed a few seconds and finally replied, "Shields down to 80%."
Ambassador Michael Larkin thought a moment, then brought up a star chart of the area. He dwelled on the fact that it would take him almost a week to get back to the starbase but only two days to get to Bajoran Space. So he made his decision: "Computer set a course bearing 307 mark 350 and engage at maximum warp."
"Acknowledged."
The ship shot off towards Bajoran space with a Cardassian ship in close pursuit.
---
Lieutenant JG T'Kila was running on the treadmill of the gym onboard Starbase 001. Her shift had just recently ended, but she planned on going back to work after she got some exercise and ate dinner. She was currently investigating the Romulan weapon that had been used on the Domtar, but she wasn't making much progress. The sensors had picked up several elements that were not in the database, so right now she was looking into that. Thankfully, the science team on this starbase was full of some very talented people.
She stepped off the treadmill after she ran 3 miles and headed back to her quarters.
---
The door to the Science Lab opened and Tanik walked through, briskly, and turned to the Ensign in charge. "Where is Lieutenant T'Kila?" he asked.
"She went to her quarters, sir. If I may, why do you ask?"
"I understand she is in charge of the investigation of the Romulan weapon," he replied.
"Yes, she is sir. But you didn't answer my question." Tanik looked at him. "Sir," he tacked on.
"I am attempting to assist in the investigation, Ensign."
"Really?"
Tanik looked surprised, but quickly caught it and threw a stern, stony face at the Ensign. "If you wish to escort me, then by all means."
Everyone in the room looked up from what they were doing. "No, sir," the Ensign said.
"Very well." Tanik then stormed out of the room, leaving a profound silence behind, and several people staring at the now uncomfortable Ensign.
"Well, shall we continue?" he suggested weakly.
---
Halliwell threw a baseball against the bulkhead of her quarters, completely bored. She caught the ball in one hand and put it at her side on the bed. She let out a sigh as she sat up and looked round. She shook her head.
She was so bored, but she hadn't been able to go back to duty yet; not after the incident that occurred on the Domtar. The Captain had wanted her to see Ensign Rasin to talk things through. She had been to see him and he advised that she have a couple of days off. Anything to get back to work. She was going mad just sitting in her quarters, throwing the baseball back and fourth.
"Great," she muttered quietly.
---
K'Rak had been informed by Lieutenant Sith that an unauthorized access had been made at Station Panel 34-F8, a secure panel designed only to be used with authorization by a senior officer. With the security lockdown in place on all access panels, it would have been virtually impossible to access the secure information without authorization. This led K'Rak to believe that the panel had been used by a senior member of the crew. However, he was unable to identify the user because he had done an excellent job of covering his tracks.
K'Rak tapped his communicator, and hailed Lieutenant Sith.
"Lieutenant Sith, report to Deck 8 immediately."
"On my way," came the reply.
When Sith arrived, K'Rak showed him the list of files that had been accessed.
"I want you to determine who used this terminal. If necessary, I want you to place observation cameras on this and all terminals that the suspect might use. We may be forced to put a complete lockdown on all public access terminals if he continues to access secure files."
"Yes, sir," said Sith, and started to work on identifying the suspect.
---
Larkin's ship rocked once more.
"Shields down to 40%. Hull Integrity down by 25%."
Michael was becoming annoyed at the Cardassian computer voice. "Computer estimated time of arrival at the Bajoran border."
"Twelve minutes, 15 seconds."
The shuttle zoomed off towards the border as the Cardassian ship pursued. The ship shuddered once more under the Cardassian fire.
"Computer, align targeting scanners to target the Cardassian vessel's shields. Power up the aft phasers and torpedo banks. Open fire."
"Acknowledged." The Cardassian ship rocked.
"Damage to the vessel?"
"Minimal. Warning, vessel approaching 100,000 KM from the bow."
"Configuration?"
"Bajoran assault vessel."
"Open a channel."
"Channel open."
"This is Ambassador Michael Larkin of Federation Starbase 001. I'm under attack. I need immediate assistance."
"This is Colonel Bele of the Bajoran Militia. Cut your engines in ten seconds, prepare to take your shuttle behind our vessel and move within our shield grid."
"Thank you," Larkin said gratefully.
He counted down from ten, cut the engines and maneuvered behind the Bajoran vessel. He received the shield frequencies from Colonel Bele, dropped his own shields and re-polarized the hull to match the shield frequency. He then moved inside the protective bubble.
"Incoming transmission from Colonel Bele."
"On screen."
"We are opening our shuttle bay doors please dock and you will be escorted to our medical bay."
"Thank you, Colonel."
---
Dr. Gao Gent-al paused outside the door to Counselor Rasin's office, thinking about the upcoming counseling session. He really dreaded these sessions. It's not that he actually disliked Ensign Rasin... he seemed like a very nice, intelligent man actually. And as far as Counselors went, Gao considered him pretty easy to get along with. It's just that these sessions were... a waste of time. He knew what the problem was, what was causing what had been reported as "erratic behavior." And there certainly is nothing that Rasin can do about it... he thought to himself.
Taking a deep breath, he pushed the button signaling his presence. He heard "come" from inside, and entered the office. Othoniel was sitting behind his desk, and stood up as Gao entered.
"Gao, good to see you again. How have things been?"
The two men walked over to the plush chairs in one corner of the office, and sat down facing each other.
"Oh, pretty good."
"Have you tried any of those relaxation techniques I showed you last time?"
Gao thought for a moment, and briefly recalled Othoniel showing him something during the last session a couple of days ago. He remembered how much of a waste of time they seemed. He didn't need to relax. He just needed to concentrate harder, and focus on his duties. If he did that, there would probably be no more "erratic behavior." But he doubted Rasin would understand, so he nodded.
"Yes, actually, I've been doing them everyday. They've been quite helpful," he lied.
Rasin nodded, and the look on his face told Gao that he probably at least suspected that he might be lying. Gao settled back in his chair, with an inaudible sigh. Let's just get this session over with, he thought to himself.
---
Later, Ensign Othoniel Rasin thought of what to enter into his daily log. He activated his neural chip that had been implanted in his brain stem just before coming to the starbase, and started thinking. The neural chip would dictate what he thought specifically pertaining to his log, and then enter it. Othoniel was one of the few who were testing it right now.
Well, the counseling sessions with the Doctor are progressing fairly nicely. He is still acting unpredictably, though. I hope he improves soon, otherwise I will have to increase the frequency of the meetings or get another doctor's consent to prescribe a mild sedative. Aside from the Doctor, things are still fairly calm. I am planning on having a dinner in my quarters soon. Perhaps some calming music on afterward. Ensign Rasin, out.
---
Sith went through the computer logs on Deck 8. It was late at night.
*Click, chirp?*
"It's okay, Zeta. I can handle this one on my own." Sith moved a few buttons around. The computer returned no answers. It was obvious the access data wasn't going to turn any stones, so Sith decided to call it a night.
He went over to a few holo-imaging/bio-cell cameras set up on the wall corners and made sure they were online.
---
After that, he found his way walking down The Deck, which was occupied by a few late-nighters. He got an idea. "Of course! A recessed bio-scan of that console might show something."
He made his way to the Medical Bay to get a bio-scanner.
---
In the Medical Bay, he accessed the panels and unlocked the doors. When he entered he found Doctor Gao Gent-al there going through his computer.
"Oh, Doctor. I thought your shift was over. It's the night watch, isn't it?"
"Just have some work to catch up on. Can I help you?"
"All I need is a molecular bio-scanner."
"Sure, what for?" The Doctor got up and went over to get it.
"Well I'm going to sc--" He stopped for second, not wanting to reveal his plans.
Gao Gent-al nodded. "It's okay. Some of us can tell that security is busy on some investigation."
Sith looked to the side thinking about this while Gao reconfigured the bio-scanner tool. Sith then walked over and took it.
"It'll pick up almost any residue now."
"Thanks," Sith nodded and then left. The Doctor was right. Maybe the guy accessing the computers knew about the investigation too. If so, he could be watching security's movements closely.
---
"You're going to be all right, sir. We'll get those implants out and you'll be good as new," the bright young medical officer said in the Bajoran ship's Infirmary.
"Thank you," Larkin suddenly felt very tired.
He laid down on the bio-bed and looked into the bright light, he felt a hypospray and he drifted off.
---
It had been several hours since the Doctor released him from the Infirmary aboard the Bajoran vessel. He was told that he would have scars from the implants, but they managed to remove the devices without any problems. He stared out at the stars. "Larkin to Bridge."
"Bridge here," came the Captain's voice.
"I'd like permission to contact a few people."
"Affirmative. Bridge out."
Larkin thought a moment then decided he should contact Tom first. "Computer begin recording: Admiral, I'm okay. I managed to get away and was rescued by a Bajoran vessel. We're now en route to Bajor, where I will attempt to secure some kind of alliance with the Bajorans. I found some disturbing things while I was incarcerated. We'll talk more when I get back. Larkin out."
Michael sat back in the chair and thought about who he could contact without raising any further suspicions about his absence from the starbase. Then it hit him.
"Computer begin recording: Captain Hardgrove, this is Ambassador Michael Larkin of Starbase 001. I'm contacting you to arrange discrete transport back to the starbase in a few days. I will be on Bajor, but I'm having trouble with some Cardassians. If you would be so kind as to rendezvous with me in orbit of Bajor, I would be quite grateful. Larkin out."
Michael got up, strolled over to the replicator and got a glass of cold water. He then sat back in his chair and, as he did, he saw Bajor coming into view. A beautiful planet.
"Ambassador Larkin, would you please meet us in the transporter room?" came the Captain's voice.
"Of course." Michael strode out the door and down the hallway.
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