24 Season 1: Part 2
Space, it was enough to make a person sick. Everywhere you looked was blackness, except for the few points of light that brightened the area around her. She activated her control beacon and waited.
Sure enough, minutes after this, a small Saber Class ship was spotted on the nearby Starbase's sensors, and an odd transport raised the eyebrow of Salikar, but he didn't follow up on it, there were bigger things to worry about.
Mandy laughed directly after materializing, it had gone like clockwork. A woman entered and smiled, holding out her hand. Mandy smiled and nodded at her friend, handing her the card. They parted ways, without saying a word.
Athena felt a burning in the back of her mind. There would be hell to pay if Kynes pressed charges. Stunning your commanding officer wasn't something she wanted to go to jail for.
Ashley sighed and growled under his breath, "Adam, I need that passenger list, when do you think you'll get it."
Adam continued to stare at the computer screen, "The computer is working on it Ashley, now if you were to tell me what the hell went on in the captains room..."
"What do you mean?" The hair stood on end on Ashley's neck.
Adam laughed sourly, "You mean to tell me that I made it through Starfleet officers school, and you still don't think I'm smart enough to to that something happened between you and Kynes? For crying out loud, the guy limped out holding his chest!"
Athena had overheard this, and went to his rescue, "You want an answer Adam?"
Finally, results. "No Athena, I demand an answer, because whatever it was, it was really damned irregular."
Athena nodded her head, thinking fast. "Kynes was going to send in a report about all of us for working too slow. Ashley fought that statement tooth and nail over the last hour, and I'm sure he doesn't appreciate your bringing it up!"
Adam sighed, there weren't any results from it after all, so he just gave up. "I'll get on those reports.
1:09: Secondary Computer Core
Admiral Richard Walsh watched the plain clothed Starfleet officer walking over. It was speedy and alert, as if he had been followed. "Admiral, you don't know what the hell is going on yet, do you?"
The Admiral cocked his head to the side, "What?"
The man sighed and continued to look around, "Admiral, did you notice anyone following you at any time?"
Walsh cocked his head to the side, "Just what is it you found Ensign Baylor?"
Ensign Scott Baylor looked around once more, and pulled out an isoliniar chip. "I sent my wife and kids away on a transport before I even thought of exposing myself Walsh."
Walsh cocked his head to the side, "For an isoliniar chip? What's on it?"
"It makes specific references to Kent Taylor's assassination. It was coded by one of the Operations computers. If you find out who did it, then you'll know who not to trust up there. Do you understand me sir?"
Walsh nodded, "Alright, now for the time remaining, you're coming up to Operations with me."
The ensigns eyes grew wide, "With all due respect sir, no. I'm resigning my commission after this!"
Walsh frowned, "I need you on this station Mr. Baylor, if only so that we can protect you while you await time to testify against the dirty agent."
The ensign sighed, "Dammit, I know you want to help me as much as you want my help Admiral, but you can't even have my testimony. Whoever is behind these shootings will try to protect those inside the Operations room. Anyone who testifies puts there life at extreme risk even with security provisions."
Walsh nodded and grumbled, "Well you've got to ensign. We need your help, or else I'm afraid that Kent may be dead by the end of the day. You're our best lead sir."
The ensign frowned and looked toward the floor, he hated it when people put him on a guilt trip. "Fine, but only because Kent is a..." A side entrance opened, and a man popped his head in. Before anyone could react, the man had killed the ensign and hit Walsh directly in the hand. He shouted out in pain and used his other one to draw a phaser from his belt. For a moment he did nothing, and then he swung around and fired off a series of blasts in the direction of his attacker, but nobody was there. He turned around and tried to go out the main entrance, but the door was locked and shut down. There was no way to override it. A twinge of anger hit him, this was the act of the traitor.
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1:12-Operations
Ashley sat at his station, sipping at a cup of replicated coffee. It was helping him concentrate, as it had already been a long day. His commbadge beeped, and he tapped it. "Ashley here," he tapped at his computer, looking over the list of reported crimes. Nothing horrible had come up yet.
"Ashley, it's Admiral Welsh." He was whispering, which made Ashley pay closer attention.
"Yes Admiral?"
"I'm under attack by unknown assailants. I can't see there faces due to night lighting being in effect. I need your help. I'm...in...." the communication was cut.
Ashley was up and already moving to the engineering station. Jon Von Veen looked up and nodded. Ashley licked his lips, "I need a layout of the station, see if you can locate Admiral Welsh."
"Will do." Jon turned to his console and tapped away at the controls, he frowned, "Ashley, I'm not showing any lifesigns that match his, however there are gaps in our sensors."
"Give me a list of them and I'll check them out."
1:16-Operations
Ashley had signed out his own phaser, and was on his way. Jon Von Veen stood near the turbolift holding a PADD. "Here Ashley, this has all the pertinent data."
Ashley looked it over, "It looks like I'm starting with the main communications sector." He entered the turbolift. Inside he hit his commbadge. "Patch me into Teri Robinson's shuttle." The commbadge chirped, and he waited for a few minutes.
"Ashley?"
"Hey baby, any sign of our girl yet?"
"Well we've arrived planetside, but there's no sign of them in the Replicator shop. The shuttle is here though."
"Alright, well..." The turbolift stopped and the doors opened. The hallways were empty at this time of night, and the dimly lit rooms cast eerie shadows. Ashley pulled out his phaser and switched it to heavy stun. "I've gotta go, I'll talk to you soon."
Meanwhile-Dan's Shuttle
The shuttle was still going to god knows where. The moon was still a ways away, and Kim had become more and more frightened as they went along. She needed comfort, and right now the only one around who could give it sat in the co-pilots seat giggling over nothing. Kim too was drunk, but not to the extent of her friend. They must have given her something, because Janet would have never used the drugs they had around, not with her Starfleet career on the line.
"So when are we meeting the others?" asked Rick innocently impatient.
Dan cursed, "Shut up man!"
"Who all constitutes the others?" Kim felt a tingling up her spine.
Dan grumbled, "Don't worry about it Kim, just enjoy the ride."
Rick was red in the face, but he tried to mask it. Suddenly Kim felt as if they were lying about the party they were headed for. "Yeah Kim, just relax sweetie."
11:22
The moon they landed on was a barren place. It had an atmosphere, but other than that it was nothing more than a brown rock. The only thing about it that she found fascinating was the massive formations that abound, and the man with the big nose that stood at the head of a small one room house. He smiled, "I am Ira Gains, but since I'm not hiding myself from you, you may call me Gul Gains, as my lineage has allowed me to gain that title."
Mandy nodded and walked into the house where Gains followed. "You'll have to show me the latinum you promised. I have a friend to which I gave the ID to, that way I can have time to make sure our transaction is not incomplete on your part."
Gains grumbled for a moment, but nodded, "That is acceptable."
1:23-Secondary Computer Core
Ashley was right outside the Secondary Computer Core now, but the doors didn't open for him. He tapped his commbadge. "Ashley to OPS, can you hear me?"
"Athena here, I can barely hear you Ashley, what do you want?"
"I need the Administrator to open the Secondary Computer Core door. It isn't opening on automatic."
"Alright, I'll tell her."
Adam frowned and tapped into their conversation, converting it to text on his LCARS screen. As they spoke he read every word, his confusion growing stronger.
The door suddenly hummed and opened wide. Ashley pulled out his phaser and slid to the side of the door. Nobody fired, so he went in slowly. "Alright Athena, that worked, thank Administrator for me." This had to be it, everywhere else was too easy to get into.
1:29
Gains smiled when he heard the knock on the door. Mandy sat still, looking up from her seat infront of the latinum case, in mild wonder of who it was. The door opened, and in stepped a shockingly familiar face. It was Belkin of La'rat.
Mandy cocked her head to the side, and then to the other. He was the Klingon from the transport, the same one he had killed just an hour ago. A tingling sensation went up her spine as she saw that Gains was smiling at her. "I believe that you recognize your friend here, correct?"
Mandy's jaw quivered, "How, Gul Gains, what the hell is going on?"
Gains laughed and sat across from her, "In a previous life, the man was a Cardassian, but through the wonders of plastic surgery, he is now Belkin of Lar'at, Ko'Lorths brother. I can assure you that family members of people who hold such high positions will be allowed in, as well as photographers for the Klingon Empire.
Mandy slowly came around, a smile playing at her lips. "My name is Mandy, and I was the one responsible for killing you just a little bit ago."
1:31-Secondary Computer Core
Sweat had formed a thin glaze over his body, as he tried to fight the fear he felt. There was something about how the door was locked, how the lights were nearly all out, that made him know that Admiral Walch was here. There had been no sign of him however, which made for a feeling of dread for his friend. Ashley tapped his commbadge. "Ashley to Ops..." Nothing happened, "Ashley to Operations, do you read?" Still nothing, "Ashley to Security?" He gave up, moving on down the corridor.
He came to another part of the Secondary Computer Core, just stepping out into a strange blue light, when his muscles jerked away from the sound he heard above him. A second later, an orange deadly beam of light burnt the floor below him. No alarms went off, definitely the work of an Operations officer. Adam would have had the best clearance to do this, but there wasn't any proof against him, not yet.
"Starfleet Security, hold your fire or be fired upon!" Ashley hoped that it'd work.
There was a pause, and then a voice rang out in the blackness, "Ashley? Is that you?"
Ashley let out a sigh, "Yes Walsh, I think it's safe to come down."
He heard movement from the upper Engineering platform and a moment later the lift began to descend. The Admiral looked weak, his hand had started to puff out and boil due to the burns on it. Ashley felt his throat clinch, but he promised himself he would keep an acceptable demeanor through the whole situation.
"Walch, keep your phaser out and cover us, I need to get your wound fixed up so it won't swell anymore."
Walch closed his eyes for a moment, steeling himself against the pain that would follow, "I have a handkerchief that I keep in my pocket. Use that." Ashley pulled it out and wrapped it lightly around Walch's wound. Then he steeled himself for the next part he had to do. Quickly, he tied a knot and tightened it. Walsh cried out in unexpected torment, alerting those around them to his presence. A beam tore out and hit above Ashley. Ashley rolled out of the line while Walsh ducked behind the wall for cover. The Chief Security Officer fired off a volley in the direction of the attacker, not yet seeing who it was. He needed to buy time to get under cover.
"Ashley, get into the secondary computer core room, use the doorway for cover."
Ashley's weapon was running out of power, but he arranged for three more blasts before the phaser needed to recharge. Walsh took it up, firing off his own phaser. He could see the dark figure of the man, so his shots were more accurate. Ashley was in the doorway, his phaser half powered. He let off a blast, catching the man in the kidney. He fell, but another blast hit nearby. Walsh looked around, his old heart pounding. "Where the hell is he??"
Ashley stepped out just a little to look around, but didn't anything. Walsh's eyes grew wide, "WATCH OUT!" Walsh fired off a series of blasts, two of which hit the man square in the chest. For a moment, both stayed in their respective spots, but nothing happened. Ashley let out a breath.
"Thank you Admiral."
"It's no problem Lieutenant Commander, now see if any of these people are alive." He walked over to the nearest one, finding him to be very dead. "What setting did your phaser have?"
"Heavy stun, why?"
"Well you did a little more than stun this man, he's dead."
Ashley was standing over the Admirals kill, "Well I didn't see you worrying about capture when you shot this guy."
The Admiral gave a sour laugh, "Touche Ashley."
Ashley sighed, "Well, I'm pretty sure that Mr. Clark doesn't want an entire body taking up his surgery table." He powered up his phaser and burnt off one of the fingers, feeling a small amount of guilt at doing so. The blood began to run.
1:37
Mandy had had her fun with the newly made Klingon. He wasn't half as lively as the true Belkin, so she decided to go back to brooding about the money. It didn't matter to her, because her latinum meant more.
The only other thing that could have taken her away from her day dreams was the sound of an approaching shuttle. Her mouth teased upward into a smile. "Bridget..." The name played on her mind.
A woman dressed in black, with striped blonde hair stepped in. She smiled at Mandy as she was escorted in from the dark grey moon.
Gul Gains saw the woman enter and smiled, walking in from his study room. "Where is it?" He put out his hand, trying to be gracious.
Bridget smiled and reached into her cleavage, pulling out a holoprojector. Activating it, the key card appeared.
Gains growled under his breath. "I'm going to ask nicely, where is it?"
Mandy frowned, "Where is it Bridget?"
Bridget smiled, "More money Mr. Gains. Your whole plan depends on me."
Gains cursed and pulled out a disruptor pistol, holding it to her head. Mandy gasped in horror, already imagining the cooked brains of her friend spreading on the wall. Bridget however, just smiled confidently and looked up into Gains's eyes. "More money, or else your plan is nothing.
There was a tense moment, and then Gains relented, deactivating his Disruptor pistol. "How much?"
Bridget smiled, "I want one million bars of latinum added to the one million you are giving us already. Is that clear Mr. Gains?"
Mandy felt her cheeks burning, she walked over and hit her friend with a closed fist. "Dammit Bridget! One million is gracious!"
Bridget looked over. She was hurt, but not so much as to relent. "I want one million extra."
The Gul sighed, "How about this?" He closed the case of latinum and took it into his study, slamming the door shut and locking it. Belkin walked by and out the door, holding a case in his hand.
Mandy felt faint, wobbly, she had lost everything. Bridget however, smiled, "He'll be back Mandy, they always are." Her hand reached for Mandy's thigh.
1:42-Replicator Shop
Teri Robinson looked around the area, still not believing what her girl was capable of. The place had been trashed, tables overturned, food and drink all over the table, it was a hellish sight. She was so awfully grounded.
Furthermore, every time she tried to get her husband on the channel, the connection was lost. A shiver ran through her spine, and she decided to take decisive measures.
She ordered a new request, and Athena's face popped up on screen. "Hello? Athena Zoden, Operations."
"Athena, hi, Teri Robinson, Ashley's wife."
Athena nodded with a smile, "Hi Teri, Ashley is on assignment in another sector currently."
"Well, maybe you can help me? I need a name of a store owner. It's a replicator shop on Nobus Three. I think it's the only one, there's only a colony or two here."
Athena frowned, "Listen Teri, can this wait, I can't really do something like this."
Teri shook her head, "I would really appreciate it Athena, it's about my daughter, she left the house, and now we can't find her."
Athena nodded, "Well...I really shouldn't do this Teri, but I'll find it just this once."
Teri smiled at the screen, "Thank you Athena."
Athena nodded, "I'll be back, wait around for the call."
Zecks looked around the store. He had been everywhere, and now simply stood by Teri's side. "So, looks like we have some time, tell me about yourself."
Teri smiled at his attempt to break the ice that had formed between them. "Well Mr. Zecks..."
"Call me Verhiz, it's my first name." He smiled and looked around.