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Lieutenant Stev Lieutenant T'Ayia Llire
Ensign Melissa Wells stood outside the door. It was her job onboard the Phoenix to keep the crew happy and she tried very hard to find the various items that her crewmates needed to most effectively enjoy their downtime. It gave her a measure of satisfaction when she could track down the most esoteric of items. She looked down at the item she was currently carrying. It had taken her some months to track down this item. She hoped the resident of this room would be appreciative of the effort it had taken to acquire it. She was not from his home planet and was not related to the crew member at all. Both of these factors had made it impossible for her to find one without using less than scrupulous methods and less than scrupulous acquaintances for obtaining it and she usually avoided mixing those parts of her life. The thrill of the hunt had kept her from being to curious regarding the nature of the item she now held in her hands. It had taken her nearly six months to acquire. Every query to his home planet had met with incredulity over the fact that she was trying to find one of the items for a non-family member. Finally the door opened and the young ensign stepped into the room. She saw the room’s inhabitant seated at the desk. "I finally found what you had been looking for…" Melissa began. "Fine just put it down and go," he interrupted her. Taken aback at the rudeness, Melissa was momentarily unable to think. She turned to go but then stopped. "Could you answer me one question?" "What?" "Why did your people find it so hard to believe that a non-family member would be interested in purchasing one of these?" He stood and walked over to her. Upon reaching her he grabbed her arm and picked up the object with his other hand. "My, aren’t you curious," he stated. Leaning close to her ear he whispered, "Curiosity killed the cat." With that he took the object and drew it across her throat. Melissa didn’t even have time to scream. She collapsed into her assailant’s arms and stared up at her killer. Soundlessly she mouthed the word "Why?" "Computer, access transporter control," her assassin said ignoring the dying ensign in his arms. "Working," the computer replied in a flat Vulcan-like voice. "Site-to-site transport, Ensign Wells needs to get to the arboretum quickly." Still bleeding, the dying woman vanished in a shimmering pool of light. Stev sat at the HUMINT station in SMIDGEN, his fingers steepled and a look of concentration on his face. The concern evident in his features told his comrades that he did not like what he was reading. He was aware of the approaching figure but gave his intellect more time to process the conflicting information on the screen in front of him. "Ok Stev, you’ve had fifteen minutes of quiet time since you accessed this database. What’s running through your head?" Commander Seabrook asked. "I cannot help but see a connection with past events, a communiqué this morning from October, and Ensign Wells’ murder," the Vulcan replied indicating different portions of the screen. After a pause he continued, "I now believe that this is what my war’na’asha* was foretelling." "I’m not connecting the dots, Lieutenant. You believe that your dream foretold Ensign Wells’ murder?" "No sir I believe that my subconscious was telling me that something onboard was amiss." Stev handed a data solid to the Chief of Intelligence, "This communiqué came through this morning." Seeing Seabrook’s expression indicating that he was not going to wait until he could read the information contained on the solid, Stev continued, "October has given me the assignment of tracking a known threat that fell off the grid about eighteen months ago." "And you’re telling me now?" Seabrook replied with a mischievous grin. "I suppose you’ll want some time off and the Ghost Rider." "No, I think I’ll be able to complete this assignment without leaving the Phoenix." Seabrook’s sudden change of expression made it clear that he was now seeing the same pattern that Stev had seen, "You think that Ensign Wells was murdered by the leaker? How did you come to this conclusion?" Stev thought back to breakfast that morning….. The doors to the mess hall opened and the Vulcan lieutenant entered. He scanned the room and saw his dining companion already seated and waiting. He made his way over to T’Aiya and sat. She studied his features for a moment, "Stev, what is wrong this morning," even after ten years she could still read his face. "I received an activation notice." "From them?" the obvious disgust on her face was evident. "Yes, and I might need to leave the Phoenix for some time," he paused at the hurt look in her eyes. "I promise if I do go I will come back." A small playful smile darted across T'Aiya's mouth, "You better, because if you die again. I won't be so forgiving the third time around." Stev smiled back but it faded quickly. T'Aiya put her fork down, "Ten years haven't changed you at all. You have a problem you are trying to solve. Can you talk about it?" "Thank you; yes; and not really," Stev replied. Stev thought about it for a moment, then after a pause he leaned in closer and spoke in muted tones, "I find it troubling that with the recent leaks in fleet intelligence and last night's murder, that I might be called away." T'Aiya sat thoughtful for a moment, "You don't suppose that whoever killed Ensign Wells could be connected to the recent leaks, do you?" The flicker behind his eyes made it clear to T'Aiya that she had toppled a domino in his thought process. Without thinking, Stev leaned over to her and kissed her cheek. "Aishamano, that is brilliant," Stev abruptly stood. "Meet me in the Nest for supper after your shift is over?" he asked as he prepared to leave the mess hall. Momentarily forgetting that she had not yet given him permission to use that endearment or that they were no longer a couple, she nodded her head in assent. With a smile on his face the lanky Vulcan quickly left the room. "Actually, sir, it was T’Aiya who made the connection," Stev replied. "How are things between you and your ex?" "Better," Stev conceded, "we’ve been meeting for at least one meal a day since she helped me with the synchronizing of Nellie and the Ghost Rider. We’re getting to know each other once again," the Vulcan paused, "Thank you for asking." Gesturing at the screen, Commander Seabrook brought the conversation back on track, "So what are we looking at?" "I’ve cross-referenced possible inconsistencies in the Phoenix’s personnel records over the past 18 months." "You’re thinking that the leaker is masquerading as a member of the crew?" "Yes either having replaced one of the crew or coming aboard as one of the new transfers." "So what have you come up with?" "Including T’Aiya and myself there are twelve new personnel that have transferred aboard in the past eighteen months. Additionally there are fifty-one possible crew members where the possibility exists that they could have been replaced." "Replaced? Stev is that threat you need to track Antosian by any chance?" "Yes and no sir. Norbin Dralon is not Antosian but he did receive the same training that Garth of Izar did. I believe that he is currently onboard and masquerading as one of these five people," the Vulcan replied indicating the screen. "What evidence do you have that these five are our suspects out of the sixty-three possibilities?" "Because of all the crew who had access to the security protocols that the Jirzzaque breached, these are the only five who have also had recent contact with Ensign Wells." Commander Seabrook studied the screen for a moment and stroked his beard. He clapped Stev on the shoulder, "Let’s pull the team in on this one." "I agree, but they can’t know this is an assignment from October." Seabrook affected a hurt look, "Moi, not keep a secret?" Looking over his shoulder he called out to Ensign Nimsha, "Dee, get Stewart in here. Stev’s got a line on Ensign Wells’ murderer." "Aye sir," Nimsha replied. Seabrook looked back at Stev, "We really need to break her of that habit." Stev grinned in reply. Later after Lieutenant Stewart arrived in SMIDGEN, Commander Seabrook filled the entire team on Stev’s theory. He tactfully neglected to mention why Stev picked these five suspects. Pointing at each suspect on the screen in turn he continued, "OK team here’s how we’re breaking this down, each one of us will take one of the five and dissect their lives for the past eighteen months. Nimsha, you’ll take Ensign Dylan Knob. Spenser, you’ve got Lieutenant j.g. T’Sus. Stewart, I want to look into Lieutenant Cyr’s Phurr. That leaves Lieutenant R’shel N’boo for you Stev and Lt. Commander Tory Grant for me." "Lieutenant Phurr? Isn’t he the new Esulcer in security?" Stewart asked out loud. "Yes," Seabrook answered. "Is that going to be a problem?" "Only in the fact that the Esulcers are very solitary by nature, it’s going to hamper any investigation into him." "That’s why you got him Lieutenant, since you interned at the Federation Embassy on Esul Prime final year at the Academy." "Gee, thanks boss. I thought I’d had enough of those hermits to last a lifetime," Stewart answered with a grin. "Look at the bright side," Spenser chimed in. "At least an Esulcer won’t try to point it out when you’re being illogical." "And that’s why I’ve given you Lieutenant T’Sus," Seabrook interrupted with a grin, "because you sure don’t listen to me when I think you’re being illogical." Laughter echoed within SMIDGEN’s enclosed space Stev had specifically requested the assignment of investigating Lieutenant N’boo. As part of the Phoenix’s communications team, she had access to all kinds of classified data and communications. Stev had also noticed subtle inconsistencies in her behavior over the past 13 months. Given the information he now had, he was 73% positive that Dralon had replaced N’boo. Stev transferred the files on Lieutenant N’boo to an encrypted PADD. He then left SMIDGEN to begin his investigation. The first place Stev went was to his quarters. "Hey little buddy," Stev greeted his tribble once he entered his quarters. "You’re home early," Phread’s reply appeared on a screen that sat next to the tribble’s preferred spot on the desk. "What’s wrong?" Stev tossed the PADD down on the desk next to Phread, "I need you to run a level three cross reference on these files." "No problem, though it’s been 36 hours since I’ve been able to download October’s updates to our database." "That shouldn’t affect this search," Stev said with a tight smile. Sitting down in the chair by the desk, he continued, "How are things going with your projects?" "Nellie and I are getting along very well," Phread replied. "If you ever need my help while you’re in SMIDGEN, Nellie has set up an encrypted COMM line to our quarters. "Good idea. Whose was it?" the Vulcan asked with a smile. "Nellie’s actually," the tribble replied. "Though she did like the idea I had about site-to-site beaming me to Commander Seabrook’s office in the event of a lockdown." Stev templed his fingers, "I’ll have to clear that with Commander Seabrook. How about that new protocol we discussed?" "I need to finish some calibrations but it should be ready in an hour." "That takes precedence over the data cross reference, Little Buddy." "You expecting trouble, Stev?" "Dralon has received Antosian training. T’Aiya could be in danger," Stev said as he stood to leave. "We still haven’t asked her or Neila’s permission," the tribble reminded his humanoid companion. "Better to ask forgiveness." "Than to ask permission," the tribble completed October’s unwritten motto. Flashing a grin at his fuzzy friend, Stev left their quarters. The first place Stev stopped was at Ensign Milo Rattan’s quarters. Ensign Wells’ personal logs did not coincide with internal ship security scans when it came to her dealings with him. The Vulcan did not need to check the PADD he was carrying as he had memorized its contents. Ensign Wells met with Rattan at least once a week. However there was always at least a 15 minute difference between the actual length of the meeting and what Melissa actually reported in her log. Additionally, ship security logs showed that Ensign Wells nearly always went to Lieutenant N’boo’s quarters following her meetings with Rattan. Those meetings were not reported in Melissa’s public logs, and were cryptically mentioned, if at all, in her personal logs. Stev signaled at the door. "Come," the voice within the room replied. Stev entered the room as the door slid open. He saw no recognition on the face. He did not expect there to be any. "Can I help you, Lieutenant?" Ensign Rattan said. "Yes, I am helping with the investigation into the death of Ensign Melissa Wells." "I don’t know how much help I can be, Lieutenant. I hadn’t seen Melissa in nearly a week." "Really?" Stev tossed the PADD towards the Ensign, "then perhaps you can explain this." Rattan caught the PADD and scanned the information on the screen. He looked back up at the Vulcan with guilt evident on his face, "I… can explain… I mean this is… I didn’t kill her." Coldly staring at the shaken Ensign, Stev replied, "No I didn’t think that you had. I do think that whatever the two of you were involved in will lead me to her killer." "If I help, will you make sure the Captain knows that I didn’t do it?" Stev raised an eyebrow, inclined his head and listened to Ensign Rattan’s sordid tale. Spenser entered his code into the keypad at SMIDGEN’s door. When he walked into the intelligence teams command center, he saw Ensign Nimsha seated at the HUMINT station. "How’s your investigation going, Dee?" Turning to face her shipmate, she answered brightly, "It’s going alright. I don’t think Ensign Knob is guilty of murdering Melissa." "Yeah, after a very long, boring conversation with Lieutenant T’Sus, I’m convinced the only thing she’s guilty of killing is humor." Nimsha giggled, "I really need to get my report done before Commander Seabrook gets back." "That makes two of us," Spenser replied taking a seat as well. Stev walked the corridors with a grim determination. His conversation with Rattan had brought new details to light. His concern was now over the possibility that he had miscalculated. Rattan had confirmed that he; Melissa Wells and Lieutenant N’boo were involved, not in a conspiracy, but rather in some less than legal activities. The Vulcan was now less convinced that Lieutenant N’boo was his suspect. He needed to be reasonably sure before he returned to SMIDGEN. Rather than be confrontational, he decided to change his tactics. Lt. N’boo was currently done with her shift and "holding court" in the Nest. Stev entered the Phoenix’s gathering spot for off-duty personnel. He spotted his suspect sitting at a table near the window. He walked over. "Lieutenant," he stated in greeting. The young woman had been watching him as he got closer to her table, "Lieutenant," she replied back, indicating he should take a seat. "This is awkward," Stev said as he sat. "How so?" she replied. "Ensign Wells was going to introduce us later this week," the Vulcan replied affecting a Vulcan non-grin. "Really?" Stev affected a look around the room and leaned in close, "Yes, during my time with the Orion Syndicate, I became enamored with games of statistical probability." "Gambling?" R’shel asked with a surprised look. "But that’s against regulations." Stev knew he had her. He had dealt with suspicious people before. It was all a matter of knowing which buttons needed to be pushed. Stev did a furtive side-to-side glance. "Yes, but Melissa told me that in exchange for, ah, certain information, it might be possible to include me in some games." N’boo had a skeptical look on her face, "And Melissa mentioned me by name?" "No, just that a friend of hers might be able to help me out." "And…" "And then she was killed before the meeting could be set-up." "What makes you think that I am the friend she mentioned?" "I am an intelligence officer. It wasn’t that hard to figure out," Stev said with an arched eyebrow. Lieutenant N’boo inclined her head acknowledging the point, "Is that what makes this awkward?" "No, it is awkward because I believe that she was murdered over the mistaken belief that I intended to shut down whatever it was that she was involved in." Stev watched a flicker of genuine sadness flicker across the young woman’s face. "No," she said with a small shake of the head, "Melissa hadn’t mentioned you at all. She’ll be hard to replace." Stev pushed an optical chip across the table, "I’m hoping that this information will allow me entrance into your next game." "Thank you, Lieutenant," N’boo said as she pocketed the chip, "I’ll let you know. Stev inclined his head, stood and left the lounge. Knowing that if Lieutenant N’boo actually tried to use the chip, she’d be downloading her database for Nellie and Phread, Stev smiled briefly. His assessment had been wrong. Melissa, although not an innocent, was not killed for anything she had been involved in. Stev knew now for certain that if Dralon was still onboard he had killed Ensign Wells because she had found him out. He just needed to look at the investigations of the remainder of the team before he speculated any further. Stewart was on his way to Lieutenant Phurr’s quarters when the nearest comm panel beeped. "Seabrook to Stewart." Stewart went over to the wall and activated the comm, "Stewart here." "Nimsha and Spenser are done and back in SMIDGEN. We’re waiting on you and Stev. How’s your investigation going?" Fully aware that Nellie would be scrambling the signal, Stewart knew the conversation was secure and replied, "Lieutenant Phurr is somewhat of a loner. He has not interacted much with the other members of his department. His fellow security officers assumed it was because he is an Esulcer. I will be returning to SMIDGEN after I interview him myself." "Very good, see you after the interview. Seabrook out." Stewart continued on. Soon he came to Lieutenant Cyr’s Phurr’s quarters. The intelligence officer signaled at the door. "Come," a voice from inside answered. Stewart entered the room. Lieutenant Phurr was standing near his desk with a PADD laying face down on the desktop. Phurr looked Stewart squarely in the eye as he entered the room. "What can I do for you?" "I’m conducting a portion of the investigation into the death of Ensign Wells." "Anything to help out a fellow security officer," Phurr replied sitting down and motioning for Stewart to do the same. Stewart noticed the slip but did not let it show in his features, anyone who had gone through the briefing for new department members, would have known the difference between intelligence and security. Instead the intelligence officer casually took a seat between Cyrus and the door and decided to play off of the slip. "This is just a routine follow-up. Ensign Wells’ log shows that she was going to visit your quarters after her shift was over. Three hours later her body was discovered floating in the Sacred Lotus Pool." "Yes I know. I’ve been through this already with Commander Mon’Teith; Ensign Wells was bringing me a replacement celfert." At the mention of the celfert something clicked in Stewart’s mind. He knew he had his suspect, "A celfert? Aren’t those used for meditation?" "Yes, mine had been lost during my transfer to the Phoenix." "And you didn’t think to have your maternal grandmother acquire a replacement for you? Isn’t that how it is traditionally handled?" "What are getting at Lieutenant?" "Cyr’s," Stewart emphasized the name, "the celfert has a very sharp edge and could cut someone’s throat quite nicely." Before Stewart could react, his suspect had leaped from his chair, covered the distance between the two of them and landed squarely on his chest. Stewart was caught momentarily by surprise and was unable to prevent the two of them from tumbling out of the chair. The pair grappled and fought on the floor. Stewart attempted to counter punch and break free of the vicious choke-hold. Stewart felt a sudden pain in his abdomen, realization of what had just happened flashed across his eyes. Stewart went limp and ceased his struggling as the choke-hold produced the desired effect. "Computer, please identify the crew member currently sleeping on my floor," Phurr asked as got up off the body and pulled his blade out of Stewart’s stomach. "That’s a funny place for Lieutenant Stewart to go to sleep," the computer answered in a child-like voice. "When does Lieutenant Stewart need to report back to Security?" The computer giggled, "Lieutenant Stewart isn’t a security officer." "What department is Lieutenant Stewart with?" "I can’t give you that information," the computer giggled again. "Can you tell me where Lieutenant Stewart’s quarters are so I can bring him home?" "Sure, Deck 5 corridor 4 cabin A3." "Thank you computer." Cyrus Phurr’s features shimmered. Shortly another Lieutenant Stewart was standing over the fallen one. "Well Stewart, I hope that whatever you do on this ship will be worth my time," the false lieutenant said. "Lieutenant Stewart" stepped over the bleeding body and out into the corridor. The ersatz lieutenant walked down the passageway to "his" quarters. He paused momentarily at the door. When the door did not immediately open, the facial features shimmered briefly. The doors slid open and he walked in. "Computer, give me a readout of my service and personnel record." "Working," replied the synthetic voice in a sultry tone. "Stewart" shook his head. The computer had been behaving in a strange manner ever since shore leave. It was almost as if the computer was developing a personality. Before the pretender could speculate any further on the computer’s emerging and changing persona, the monitor lit up with the requested files. The faux lieutenant studied the screen for a moment, "Intelligence? Damn! They’re on to me," he paused in thought. "This could work to my advantage. If I can infiltrate the intelligence department as Stewart… computer, list all personnel attached to the Phoenix’s intelligence department." "You got it honey, just as soon as I verify your retinal pattern," the synthetic voice replied. Dralon leaned in close to the computer’s optical input and concentrated. After a brief moment the data on the screen shifted from Stewart’s information to a listing of the Phoenix’s intelligence department. After studying it for awhile he shook his head. "The intelligence department’s second-in-command’s ex-wife is part Antosian? That could be a problem. OK, I need to deal with that threat and then I need to get Lieutenant Phurr’s body out from where I’ve hidden it and dispose of Stewart’s so that I can "kill" the traitor in his attempt to escape." Stewart’s features blurred. After a moment Lieutenant Stev stood there in his place. "Computer, current location of Lieutenant Llire?" Stewart’s voice asked. "Lieutenant Llire is in Engineering," the computer replied in husky tones. "Stev" walked up to the door, as it opened he quickly checked the corridor for any witnesses. Seeing none, the counterfeit Vulcan quickly exited the room and made his way to Engineering. T’Aiya sat at the warp plasma station in Engineering, monitoring the anti-matter influx. She was double checking the recalibration job that Ensign Paradalink had preformed earlier in the day. She was somewhat startled by a sudden shadow that fell across the monitor. Turning, she saw a face that was once again a familiar part of her day. Commander QaS glanced over in her direction. He grunted and wished that his officers would keep their private lives out his department. There was no honor in mixing work and pleasure. He turned back his calibrations of the plasma stream. "Stev, what are you doing here?" T’Aiya asked. "Aren’t you on duty?" "Yes, but we have determined that Ensign Wells’ murderer has had Antosian training and I believe you are in danger." "Me? Why?" she asked. "Because of your heritage, I believe that the murderer will try to eliminate the possibility that you could unmask him." "But Stev, I am only part Antosian. I have no special abilities in unmasking an Antosian in disguise or a human trained in Antosian techniques." "Nevertheless, I believe it is in your best interest to be put into protective custody," he reached out to take her arm. As he touched her arm, Neila quivered on T’Aiya’s wrist, {"That’s not Stev,"} the shifter thought. T’Aiya recoiled, "YOU’RE NOT STEV!" she shouted. The face shifted from Stev, to Lieutenant Phurr, to Stewart, and back to Stev, before it settled on the features of Norbin Dralon. "Damn you woman. This is why I need to get rid of you. I can’t concentrate under the barrage of your psychic assault." "But I didn’t…." was all T’Aiya said before Dralon silenced her with a gag. Pulling a length of cable out from under his tunic, Dralon bound her arms and forced her out of engineering. Alerted by the sudden commotion, Commander QaS looked up. "Security, we’ve got a situation!" the engineer shouted into a comm panel as the door slid shut. "Stewart, come in," Commander Seabrook spoke into SMIDGEN’s comm panel. "Where is he?" the Chief Intelligence Officer wondered aloud. "Nellie can you find Stewart’s life signs anywhere?" "Uncertain, Commander. I will keep looking," the artificial intelligence replied. Turning back to the remainder of his staff, he continued, "Remind me to have some words with Stewart about answering the comm. What have we got?" "Sir, I am convinced that Ensign Dylan Knob is actually Dylan Knob," Ensign Nimsha stated first. "Lieutenant T’Sus checks out as well," Spenser replied next. Stev glanced over at the computer screen, after confirming that Phread had copied N’boo’s database, he answered Seabrook, "There is a 98.6% probability that Lieutenant N’boo is who she claims to be as well. Though, I did ascertain that Lieutenant N’boo and Ensign Rattan should be placed under arrest for something else entirely." "Only 98.6 Stev?" Seabrook asked with mischievous glint in his eye. "Yes sir, to be 100% certain I would need to perform a mind-meld. It would be impossible to perform without alerting…," Stev paused as if listening to another conversation. "T’Aiya?" he said softly. Nellie’s voice broke the sudden silence, "Security has been called to Engineering. Lieutenant Llire has been kidnapped." Stev was out of his chair before his crewmates saw him move, "Nellie, patch me through to Phread right now." "Yes Stev?" the tribble’s reply appeared on the screen. "Phread, protocol Frodo now." "Accessing internal sensors now." "Protocol Frodo?" Seabrook asked. "Yes, using internal sensors, Phread should be able to track T’Aiya’s bracelet," Stev replied without taking his eyes off the screen. "Good thinking Stev." "I am tracking a signal heading towards the shuttlebay." "Thank you Phread," Stev replied. "Nellie, can you access the transporter systems for a site-to-site transport?" "I believe I can Stev," Nellie replied. "But you can’t transport out of SMIDGEN," Nimsha interrupted. "Yes, I know," Stev answered, looking at the young ensign with determination. "Stev," Commander Seabrook began, putting his hand on the Vulcan’s shoulder, "remember what happened the last time you ran off on your own?" The Vulcan’s gaze softened a notch, "Sir, I have not forgotten." Turning his attention to the computer’s auditory inputs, he continued, "Nellie; Commander Seabrook, Lieutenant Spenser and I will be exiting SMIDGEN. Lock onto us in the Commander’s office and beam us into corridor NI-63 between that signal and the shuttlebay." Seabrook nodded his head. Spenser went to the weapons locker and grabbed three phasers. He tossed one to Stev and one to his senior officer. Nimsha stood as the senior officers were leaving. "What about me sir?" she asked directing her query to Commander Seabrook. Seabrook looked over his shoulder, "Coordinate with Nellie and Phread and let us know if there’s any change. Call security and let them know where we’re going and what’s going on and see if you can get a hold of Stewart." "Aye Sir," the young ensign replied as the three men left the room. Stewart opened his eyes and wondered why he was staring at the ceiling. He had a terrible pain in his abdomen and tried to remember what had happened. Gently probing the area with his right hand he was surprised to see that it came back covered in blood. It was then he recalled what had occurred. The intelligence officer tried to stand and immediately fell back to the floor. Understanding he had to let his team know what he had discovered, Stewart dragged himself over to the comm panel. Ignoring the sticky wet feeling of his uniform Stewart managed to pull himself upright and activate the comm, "Stewart to SMIDGEN." "Lieutenant? We’ve been looking all over for you," Ensign Nimsha’s voice replied. "Dee, let Commander Seabrook know that Lieutenant Phurr is our suspect. We’ll need to…," Stewart did not finish his sentence as fell back to floor with a thud. "Officer down! Medical team Lieutenant Phurr’s quarters," Nimsha’s voice shouted over the comm. The three men materialized in the middle of the corridor. Seabrook and Spenser immediately took up support positions behind the Vulcan Lieutenant. Acknowledging the Intelligence Chief’s compliment and understanding that he still cared for the woman in danger, Stev inclined his head. Turning and facing down the corridor once more, Stev closed his eyes. "T’Aiya and her assailant are approximately two meters from the junction." "How can you tell, Stev?" Spenser asked. "That’s classified, Lieutenant," Seabrook replied as Dralon and his bound hostage appeared around the corner. "Dralon, give it up," Stev commanded, leveling his phaser. The relief on T’Aiya’s face was evident only to Stev. Dralon looked at the three intelligence officers in front of him. He looked back the way he came. Stev could hear the security team forming up to Dralon’s rear. "I’m leaving and taking her with me," the felon stated as he positioned his arm into a choke-hold. "If you stun me, I’ll break her neck as I fall." Stev lowered his phaser. "I have no wish to see Lieutenant Llire injured," he stated as he took a small step towards the pair. "Back off Vulcan," Dralon hissed through clenched teeth. Tightening his hold, he continued, "I’m taking your wife and leaving." Looking T’Aiya directly in the eye, Stev calmly replied back, "No I don’t think so." Understanding Stev’s look, T’Aiya twisted and dropped. Stev lunged at the same moment. Dralon, thrown off balance by his hostage’s sudden movement was caught off guard. The Third Fleet officer collided with the wanted felon and the two collapsed to the deck. Dralon’s features shimmered and Stev was suddenly fighting himself. "Who do I shoot, Commander?" Spenser asked. "I’m thinking of stunning both of them and sorting it out later," Seabrook replied taking aim at the tussling pair of Vulcans. Before Commander Seabrook could fire off a shot, one of the Stev’s went limp. The conscious one stood from the floor and watched as his opponent’s features softened and reverted back to those of Norbin Dralon. Stev walked over to T’Aiya removed her gag, untied her arms and helped her up. "Thank you, Stev," she said with the barest glimmering of a smile on her face. "With your permission sir, I will escort Lieutenant Llire to sickbay." Noticing that the pair had neglected to stop holding hands, Seabrook replied, "Permission granted." One Week Later: T’Aiya did not normally fuss much with her outward appearance. She was presentable and clean and left it at that. However, after her rescue she had been making extra sure that her braid was just so and that there was no lint on her uniform any time she was going to see Stev. Her companion took note of the extra attention and figured now was a good time to try again. {"Today? Today?"} Neila was practically jumping up and down with excitement. "Yes, all right, today," T’Aiya replied to her companion. Neila and Phread had been making plans to pull a practical joke on Stev since Dralon’s capture. She knew she had stalled the two of them long enough, "I will be at breakfast with Stev, and you can do it then." With one last look at her mischievous Neila, she left for the commissary.
Before T’Aiya was even out of the room, Neila quickly grabbed a stuffed ball of fluff from off the shelf. Shaping itself under the stuffed doll, it moved in a manner to make it appear the toy was moving on its own. Leaving the quarters, the little shifter hoped to have a bit of fun on the way to Stev's quarters. Neila had hoped to at least startle some of the crew. However, it was still early and everyone was in such a hurry to get to posts and duties, no one noticed what appeared to be a tribble gliding down the hallway.
Disgruntled, but not discouraged, Neila stopped at the door to Stev’s quarters, {"I am here"}, it thought across a telepathic bond it had formed more than ten years ago. The door slid open and the shapeshifter entered Stev's quarters with the stuffed tribble on its back. Spotting Phread next to the computer terminal, Neila sidled right up to the tribble and placed the ball of fluff next to him.
{"This is it?"} Phread replied back across the link. {"Yes, T'Aiya picked it up from one of the shops at Flying Cloud. If you touch it, it purrs,"} Neila said while stroking the doll to demonstrate to Phread. {"I look much better than that, and I purr better too,"} Phread thought indignantly. {"Of course you do, but it might surprise Stev, even if for a moment, to see two of you! I'll be right here with you to see his face!"} with that, Neila flattened it's self under the stuffed tribble looking ball of fluff to make it move a bit and the two pranksters told each other jokes, waiting for the unsuspecting Stev to arrive. T’Aiya entered the commissary and scanned the room for her breakfast companion. Not seeing him immediately her heart sank just a bit. She was more comfortable around him now. She thought of her jumbled emotions regarding her former(?) love. Where they once again a couple? Did she love him like she used to do? It was evident to her that Stev had not stopped caring for her. They were friends and T’Aiya was content with that for now. Her reverie was interrupted when she saw him enter from the other side of the room. Heading to the line of ship’s personnel, T’Aiya smiled as Stev caught her eye and grinned. They did not talk while they waited their turn at the buffet. Silently they took their preferred breakfasts and went to a table in the middle of the room. "I heard from Frankenstein this morning," Stev began once they had sat down. T’Aiya bristled at the mention of that name. "And..," she replied icily. Knowing that October was still a sore subject, Stev quickly replied, "Dralon is in their most secure facility. He won’t be bothering us again." Her features softening, she smiled, "Good. Though the next time you tell me that they are sending you off somewhere, I’m going to sabotage the Ghost Rider to keep you here. Unless, of course, I’m included in the mission." Realizing what she just said, she quickly changed the subject, "How is Lieutenant Stewart?" "He’s recovering. Dee got the medical team there in enough time to save him," Stev said with a smile. He intended to ask her later if she meant what she said and decided that now was a good time to bring up something he had been holding on to for years. "If you would accompany me back to my quarters after breakfast, I have something to show you." "Oh?" she said with a smile that almost gave away the fact that she wanted to be there to see his reaction to whatever Neila and Phread had planned. Somewhat surprised at her reaction Stev studied her closely and then continued, "I have a data solid for you that I picked up in Romulan Space." "Romulan Space?" "Yes, someone you know has sent you a letter." Silently T’Aiya mouthed "T’Azar?" Stev nodded his head in affirmation. T’Aiya put down her fork, "Suddenly I am no longer hungry. May we go now?" Stev nodded his head and stood. The two Vulcans walked through the door to Stev’s personal quarters. "… was a classified mission that I cannot tell you about unless of course T’Azar mentions it in her letter," Stev’s voice entered the room before he did. "And you’ve held onto the letter for all those years?" "It, Phread, and the holo of the two of us are the only things I managed to keep," he replied gesturing at the desktop where he kept the image. Stev stopped talking. "What’s wrong?" T’Aiya asked with a straighter than normal expression. Looking down at Phread and a nearly duplicate tribble sitting next to him, Stev asked, "Phread, is there something I need to know about?" "What do you mean, Stev?" the tribble’s reply flashed across its’ screen. "Has your neutering surgery worn off?" "Not that I’m aware of Stev." "Then how do explain this," he said reaching down to pick up the second tribble Stev’s eyes went wide as the phony tribble suddenly flew through the air as Neila jumped at him. Stev recovered in just enough time to catch T’Aiya’s companion. Cooing that sounded remarkably similar to laughter erupted from the real tribble. "We got you," {"We got you,"} Phread’s comments appeared on the terminal next it at the same moment Neila’s thoughts entered his head. "Yes, you did," Stev replied with sincerity and a grin on his face. "But I was expecting something from the two of you when I returned." {"What?"} "What?" the twin chorus once again entered Stev’s thoughts and computer screen at the same time. Pointing at T’Aiya’s bare wrist the Vulcan said, "Neither of you thought that I wouldn’t notice a missing bracelet?" "No but, you proved that tribbles can be trouble," T’Aiya replied. Looking at Neila and Phread, she added, "and you two proved that a Tribble and a Shifter are double trouble." Lexicon: aishamano – beloved (used as a term of endearment) war’na’asha – lit. bad dream for a Vulcan it is usually a harbinger of
unpleasant Historian’s notes: Stev’s war’na’asha was detailed in "Shore Leave" Garth of Izar was encountered by Captain Kirk and the USS Enterprise in 2268 Commander Seabrook’s reference to the last time Stev ran off alone occurred in "Blindsided" |