USS Dark Fire (IC)

[milkmaiden38]

Hora

“The federation looks at female orion pheromones as a date rape drug. Culturally, the Orions have fought this on the grounds that the males want to be controlled, and its historical significance. Nevertheless, I have made a plague not to use them as long as I serve in the fleet.” Hora explained.

Dr L’Sa comms link beeped “Dr L’Sa, sorry to bother you. Lt Bumme suffered a head injury from a hug she received from Lt Sol. He is the big Croco-Lamia onboard. She has been treated and she is awake. She is fine. However, we are not certain we should release her for duty. Lt Sol continues to wait for her, and we are worried he plans to give her another hug or worse. What shall we do?”

Hora and Reeves eyes locked when Lt Sol name was said. When Hora heard a “head injury from a hug”. She started to laugh. Then she said to Reeves “You were supposed to mentor him! Did he learn that from you?” she added as a joke.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870518.2130

Dr L’Sa was about to respond to Hora’s comments about her Pheromones when a call came through about Lt. Bummie. “Twelve hour observation, fluids. Cranial MRI. Send Lt. Sol away. They can meet after she’s released from Medical.” She replied before looking at Hora again. “If you’d like I can run some test to see if we have anyone aboard who is naturally immune to the Pheromones.”

“I cannot guarantee any relationship, but it would allow you an opportunity to avoid Pon-Farr.” She said, though her tone and pitch had altered slightly. Barely perceptible but her husband raised an eyebrow and looked at her.

“No,” Reeves said switching subjects. Had she just tried to tell a joke? “Lt. Sol did not learn any head butting from me. I’ll talk to him about what happened. It may have been an accident, but I’m not sure. She may have insulted him accidentally and his aggression took over. Or would you Rather I turn this over to Security Chief Ægeri?”

 

[milkmaiden38]

Hora

“Dr L’Sa, thanks for the offer, no need to run any tests.” Hora replied. Then she looked over to Commander Reeves “He is your baby dinosaur… You need to be a good dad… and talk to him!” She almost laughed as she said it.

Then she got more serious again.

“I’m thinking about re-engaging with the biological. If it does not start communicating, I might punch it in the nose. We need to communicate with it soon, so we can save Ensign Stonn. Also, according to my illegal orders… I must report back to deep star 9, by 29870519.0400.” Hora stated

She listened to their thoughts and then said good night to each of them.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870518.2200

“I’ll speak with him in the morning, Captain.” Reeves replied. He hated discussing social issues, and talking to a reptilian about dating fell into that category. Maybe he could have Dark Fire, do it?

“Ensign Stonn may be lost to the genetic rewriting,” Dr. L’Sa said. “His condition is critical, and we are not gods. The Cryosleep may, and I stress may, slow the change, but we are no closer to reversing it. It may take years to find a cure.

“That timeline of arrival at Deep Star 9 only gives you six hours from now. Even at full speed, we’ll never make it.” Reeves informed her as they departed The Captain’s Quarters.



Stardate 29870519.0400
“Lt. Sol,” Reeves said over the Commlink. “I’m awake and will be in my office at 0445, Please meet me there.”

 

[milkmaiden38]

Lt Sol

Zosh had walked back to his quarters defeated. He had been ordered to leave Lt Bumme alone for a while.

“I failed at the warm blood dating ritual” he grumbled to himself. He was the superior species. He should have been able to sweep her off her feet. What would he do next time he saw her? The while experience made him angry. He did not like losing.

He went to sleep, but it was not a relaxing sleep.

In the morning, he received Reeves message to meet him in his office at 0445.

Zosh quickly got dressed and walked toward Commander Reeves office. He thought about what Commander Reeves would say to him.

“UGH” he grunted. It was not going to be good. He had reached the door. He asked permission to enter.

Hora

Captain Hora paced in her quarters, the weight of command pressing heavily on her shoulders. Sleep had eluded her. She knew her decision not to return to deep star 9 was the right thing to do, the responsible thing to do. But she still felt bad, disobeying an order. USS Dark Fire was a rogue ship.

She wanted to buy them some more time. But what was a clever way to do that? Ideas swirling in her mind like a storm. With a sigh, she decided to take a walk, hoping the quiet hum of the ship might soothe her restless thoughts.

She made her way to the bridge.

“Captain on the bridge” Someone called out. She waved off any reports. She watched the bridge team preforming their duties. The soft glow of the control panels lighting up their faces. She saw Lt. Commander Zeb Stephens, Strategic Operations Officer look out at the distant stars zooming by through the main viewscreen.

She approached him

“Lieutenant Commander Stephens” She began, there was lust in her voice. But also, a great deal of respect. He had been awarded the Christopher Pike Medal of Valor.

“Glad to meet you. Captain Hora.” She introduced herself. Then she added. “I need your advice on something… personal.”

This caused a slight reaction in him. Hora hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “How would you… I mean, do you lie? Are you a convincing liar? I find myself needing to report to deep star 9, why we have not returned yet.”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870519.0445

“Enter,” Commander Reeves called, Dark Fire ad already showed him whom was outside, So he didn’t need to ask. And Lt. Sol was on time. At least this time is body language wasn’t arrogant.

“Have a seat, Lieutenant,” Reeves told the Croco-Lamian. “It’s come to my attention that there Medical situation involving you last night. Could you please explain what happened last night?”

****
After taking the report of Lieutent Sol’s version of events he sent copies to The Captain, Chief Medical Officer, and the Head of Security. If anybody had objections it would go further to an investigation. Otherwise it would end with a notion in Sol’s file.


***
Stepping onto the Bridge he looked at the Captain, and the S.O.O. speaking. Probably talking about the reports he’d sent this morning.

Sweeping his eyes around the room he noticed several empty seats, and since they were still at yellow Alert, that shouldn’t be happening.

“Dark Fire, location Tactical Officer Collins, And Torpedo Control Officer McGivens.”

“Officer McGivens is in the Aft Head. Tactical Officer Collins is in his Quarters.”

“Alert him he’s late for his Duty Station. Loudly.”

“Tactical Officer Collins is not responding. Genome match confirm. Bio-Readings negative.” Dark Fire reported.

“Shit!,” Reeves said to himself. “Security Chief and Chief Medical Officer to Tactical Officer Collins Quarters.”

Moving to the Captain and SOO he looked at them both. "We may have another death. I’ll be off the Bridge with Security and Medical.”

Stardate 29870519.0515

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870519.0530



“He’s Dead,” Dr. Grissom said. “Until get an autopsy, I won’t know who or why. But from preliminary readings.. he’s been dead for three days. And his internal organs are crushed.”

“Three days,” Aegeri said. “I saw him yesterday in the dinning hall.”

“Dark Fire, Scan for any changeling DNA on board.” Reeves called.

“Negative scan. No Morphogenic Enzymes located.”

“Scan for any other crew with Negative Bio-Signs!” Reeves demanded.

“Negative results.”

“Reeves to the Captain,” Reeves said tapping his comm badge. “Potential Shapeshifter on Board.”

 

[milkmaiden38]

Hora

Hora’s emerald skin seemed to glow after Stephens replied. The soft lights of the bridge made her eyes sparkle with mischief as she stared at him.

“And here I thought all the male officers on this ship had been neutered.” She purred. “Come to my quarters after your watch. I will show how much more efficient our operations can be with a bit of personal motivation?”

There was a smile on Zeb’s face as he looked up from his console.

Hora’s lips curving into a playful smile. “You see, in Orion culture, we believe in rewarding excellence. Your idea about the trans-warp drive is excellent. The best lie is the truth. Please use that for your message to DS9. You can add a part about personnel being confined to non-essential parts of the ship”

Commander Reeves report came in.

“I’ll meet you in his quarters. Captain Out” Hora said

Hora’s hand brushed lightly against Zeb’s arm, sending a shiver down his spine. “You are also correct that if there is a shape shifter aboard, then getting to know each other, is the best defense. Might want to check what the fake Collins did at TCO. We’ll need to add something to our biometrics for security.” she murmured. “Imagine what we could achieve if we worked… even closer together.”

Hora was not using any pheromones, but the undeniable allure and sexuality pleasure the captain was offering made his head spin.

Hora leaned in; her breath warm against his ear. “Let’s not tell the XO about this. Ok”

Hora smile widened; her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “I'll see you tonight. Lieutenant Commander Stephens has the deck” she told the bridge team. She turned on her heels and walked off the bridge.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870519.0545

The Body was bagged and on a hover gurney as Captain Hora left the TurboLift. “Sorry Captain. No, I don’t know. Give me a few hours for prelims.” Dr. Grissom told her before she had a chance to speak.

Stepping into the Hall Aegeri made sure no one else was around as he followed her into the Tactical Officer Quarters. Single but of sufficient rank to have better quarters he was assigned a Single Junior Officer’s quarters. So, he didn’t have a bunk mates. But it was a large single room.

A few decorations adorned the walls, plaques from previous postings and pictures of his Parents home on Mars. Holding out a knife Aegeri cut his hand and took a deep bio scan. It flashed Zabrax with his bio file on the tricorder.

Reeves followed suit allowing the cut to take place, though he already knew L’Sa would know if he wasn't’ himself, just as he would know if she wasn't herself. It flashed Human and then showed his Bio.

Looking at Captain Hora The Security officer dd the same, sighing when her DNA Matched and her bio showed up.

“We have a serious problem.,” The Security Chief said.

“I recommend bringing the CMO, Dr. L’Sa, and The Strategic Operations Officer on Board, but I don’t know him well enough to make that call. He’s relatively new.”

 

[milkmaiden38]

Hora

“Yes, we do have a serious problem.” Hora agreed. “Be sure to test everyone, including the person or persons doing the testing.” Hora recommended looking at the security chief. “And sighing when my DNA matches my bio, pisses me off a little bit.”

Hora turned back to looking at both of them. “Dr. L’Sa and The Strategic Operations Officer should be told what we know. Decide where to have this meeting, and include the Vulcans as well.” Hora ordered.

“Why Tactical Officer Collins?” Hora asked out loud. “Maybe, he was just convenient or maybe if this shape shifter can’t control the ship, it would try to control the ship’s most powerful weapons. You and I can override the TO, but the shape shifter could have put in cyber blocks in place, or sabotaged them, or set to self-destruct if we use them. We’ll need to do a complete check on all the weapon systems and shields.”

“Any other ideas?” Hora asked Reeves and Aegeri

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870519.0550

“I sighed when we got a match because I’m not in the habit of killing a Starfleet Captain,” Ægeri replied before the subject changed to other things.

“Any other ideas?” Hora asked Reeves and Ægeri.

“This is one of the most secure ships in the fleet, we already have bio scanners at critical stations, and access hatches and doors to critical area. I’d recommend encoding every door, very hatch. And bring out the Marines and place them around the ship. And I’m guessing our Marine assailant was the shifter. We’ll know more when we get the medical report.” Reeves said.

“I recommend everyone, with a 75% or better rating, be armed, everyone goes two by two. No one alone. Between the Bio-Ship we’re following and the attacker on board, we can’t afford to take chances.” Ægeri commented.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870519.1000

“Chief Ægeri if you please,” Commander Reeves said looking across the people gathered.

“I won’t bother with dates or times.,” Ægeri stated as he started. “Captain James Marcus was killed in a tragic accident, that may actually have been a carefully conceived murder.”

“Ensign Cook for reasons unknown was seriously attacked and injured by what appeared to be a Marine but may have been a shapeshifter in Marine Armour.”

“Tactical Officer Collins was seen 2 days ago in the dining hall eating by myself but according to the medical report was killed three days ago. Early today when Tactical Officer Collins didn’t report for duty, we discovered this deception.”

“During my investigation in the three incidents I’ve come across a material that appears to be metal but doesn’t match anything in any database. Not even the Chief Engineer was able to identify the substance. As an unknown material it has bypassed scanners.”

“I’ve located the Material at Ensign Cook’s Airlock, The Captain's Accident site – inside the bulkhead, The Evidence Container containing parts from the blast area, And Ensign Collin’s Quarters. All of them are minute particulates. So far I’ve collected less that one gram in total.”

Looking over at Dr. Grissom – The Chief Medical Officer – he gave the man a nod.

Coughing once to clear his throat Grissom started. “I’ve reviewed Captain Marcus death and Autopsy reports. There’s no indication to change what’s already in that report. Blunt force trauma from the access panel detonating. Plasma burns. Death was immediate, or very quickly thereafter. He was pronounced dead by the First Responders.”

“Ensign Collins, however, was not fast. Nor Painless. His internal organs were crushed from the inside. There are... tunnels into his nervous system, Cranial cavity, every bone he had. I don’t think he was duplicated so much as he was... well occupied and ridden like a suit.’

A holo image appeared over the table showing the Ensign body inside and out. “From what I can tell something entered him through the mouth and nose, ripping the tissue as it crawled inside. It then displaced his organs and extended... ?feelers?Tendrils? Into his organs and limbs. Using his eyes ears, and limbs like a living robot. The entity seared nerve ends and bore into the marrow of the bones. Unfortunately, the bones show signs of healing, so it was inside him for a while, and he was alive. According to his medical chart he’s never been sick.”

“Tactical Officer Ensign Samuel Collins arrived aboard the Dark Fire 29870515.0100, via cargo shuttle, he took second position in the cockpit instead of coming aboard via personal transport or Transporter system.” Reeves noted to everyone.

With the C.M.O. Done he looked at the Ambassador on his right.

“Unfortunately anyone I can contact has stopped responding to my inquires. I have received a message, source unknown, on a very old Diplomatic Frequency. It hasn’t been used in several centuries so whom ever was transmitting was desperate. But the Massage makes no logical sense.”

“P’Jem. Holodeck,” she said, looking at the room. “That was the entry of the message. Two Words. But P’Jem doesn’t have a Holodeck. Hence, the message is not logical.”

 

[milkmaiden38]

Hora

“I have a few more pieces of the puzzle.

On my orders, I had Ensign Cook run a few simulations on Captain Marcus' accident. Dark Fire concluded that “the panel had been serviced two hundred and sixteen times in the course of 1 year. That is statistically unlikely. Most panels receive an annual or quarterly check dependent upon the components behind such panel. That panel contained no critical functions, the only cause for continual access would be replacement of an inferior component with another inferior component.

Maintenance logs indicate forty-seven of the components used inside that access point have been changed. Because of this fact… The Captain may have been killed, but they took an extremely long time to do this.

Ensign cook did take samples at the site of the accident. I’d also add that only a few people knew Ensign Cook did this investigation. Myself, Commander Reeves, and Dark Fire. I’m not suggesting Commander Reeves is a traitor. However, it is not possible to read the mind of an Orion, so someone read Commander Reeves’ mind or Dark Fire data files were scanned.

Sorry, Lt Commander Aegeri, but I did this without your knowledge as I did not know who to trust.”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870519.1030


“Mr. Stephens, I did make it clear that we have less than one gram of the material, yes?" Chief Ægeri said looking at the man. “It would take several grams to perform any tests. However, if we run tests during the night and use the transporters on the entire crew, moving them to their same location we might locate our suspect, or suspects. We cannot discount the chance that more than one hostile may be aboard.”

“Anybody that beamed aboard should be cleared already, but they could have been possessed afterwards. For the Bridge crew and all essential stations, we could start instituting site-to-site transport to ‘enhance efficiency’ of travel. Especially with long distances. Turbo chutes are quick, but not as fast as a transporter.”

“I’m still recommending that everyone goes two by two, is armed, and senior staff should be outfitted with Tactical shields or combat armour, just in case.”

“And Captain, I would have done the same thing. There is no need to apologize.”

**
Raising an eyebrow Dr. L’Sa looked at the Human Strategic Operations Officer, “That is not logical, but the concept is fascinating. I can assist the Ambassador in the analysis of P’Jem, I spent nearly a decade there and am familiar with the layout.”

“The Security Chiefs suggestion of Transporters is logical, if the is hostile is somehow affected by the matter transmission system.”


**
“Engineering has gone through the Dark Fire’s code and verified that it has no ill will towards the crew.” Reeves informed everyone that didn’t already know. “How long will it take to remove the coding from the tactical console, or can you reset it to original default sequencing? Work with Dark Fire to fix the Tactical Station mess as fast as possible.”

“Captain I would recommend going to condition Red until the intruder is apprehended or immobilized.”

“And I have a question,” Reeves said looking at the staff around the table. “If the explosion that Killed Captain Marcus was intentional, how did it know when he was next to it? Bio Scanner? Proximity alert? A hundred people a day walk that corridor, Hell Captain Hora and I walk past that spot at least twice a day. How did the part fail when He was next to it and not someone else?”

“Mr. Ægeri, start going through personnel files, background check with Dark Fire for anything suspicious. And people, Captain Marcus was Killed before the transfer of crew. So, we have at least two Hostiles. One that Killed Captain Marcus, and the one that Killed Ensign Collins. And get me Collins File, let's see if we can figure out when and where he was converted.”

"Doctor, I need to know when he was converted, or attacked, as close to the hour as possible."

 

[milkmaiden38]

Hora

“I agree with most of the recommendations. I think we can use the transporters now. People can just be beam right back to the place they are standing. There are ~20,000 people on the ship. 3 sec per transport, assume 10 transporters are used, we complete everyone in 1.6 hours. I’m sure we can use do more than 10 transports… so this can be done fast. And no reason to hide it. I’ll make it an order. Everyone is going to be transported, unless I approve the exception.

I think the transporter’s bio filters will catch creature. That is why it came aboard via shuttle.

I like the two person rule… at least for senior staff. And Zeb can be my partner.” Hora added with a little naughty smile.

"Only thing I’m not keen on is the red alert. I feel having troops with weapons all over the ship does not always enhance security. Anyone up to no good goes into hiding and they are harder to find. I prefer “covert” security. Troops watching and protecting using hidden surveillance or concealed locations. That way, the bad people, will unwittingly expose themselves.

The P’Jem. Holodeck… might be instructions. Go to our holodeck and look for the P’Jem simulation. Or something like that. Just an idea

Finally, some species can move objects with their mind. Perhaps someone with the Captain triggered the failure in that way"

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870519.1045

“If no one has anything further to say?” Reeves asked looking at the room. “Mr. Stephens, get the transporters operating at maximum usages. And scan everyone for this material as well. Log any positive tests for time and location.”

“Senior staff will be assigned a security guard. Mr. Aegeri investigate any personnel with Telepathic abilities, specifically their location when Captain Marcus died.”

“Dark Fire, analyze all communications from Starfleet, look for any patterns or peculiar orders. And send me a report on Ensign Collins movements after arriving on board, specifically anyone he interacted with privately.”

***
“I apologize for intruding,” Dark Fire reported. “We are receiving a Fleet Wide transmission. Captain Hora Layvnullo has been charged with disobeying a Direct Order from Fleet Command. She’s also been charged with theft of Fleet Property, namely this vessel, and Two Counts of conspiracy to Commit Murder. Murder of Vice Admiral Roanoke and Captain James Marcus. Treason and Sedition.”

“Also included are LCdr. Jordan Reeves, Treason. Two Counts of conspiracy to Commit Murder. Murder of Captain Marcus. Destruction of Evidence. Falsification of logs. Stolen Valor the Claim to Rank of Commander. The charges go on.”

“Also charged with multiple crimes are. Dr. Grissom, Dr. Sidle. Dr. L'Sa T’Ker T’Gahn, LCdr. Tyrande Aegeri, Major K'alena K’Goz, Lcdr. Zeb Stephens, Ambassador M’Chel, Ambassadorial Attache Su’Nak.”

“I have also been charged with a corrupted AI Core and several other charged.”

“All ships have been ordered to report our location, and to detain, apprehend, arrest, and remove Command staff and return the USS Dark Fire to Deep Star 9.”

“Lethal Force has been authorized.”

 

[milkmaiden38]

Hora

“Ok everyone, I love the passion. However, I think there might be a better way to handle this.” Hora suggested. She typed out a number on her com-badge

“I have changed our prefix code and command code.” She told them. “If you need the number” She pointed to her chest “Its right here” she said with a smile.

“Next, we send back an all channels, an all-fleet message ourselves. The message states the following:

• USS Dark Fire was given altered star charts by XX narrowly avoiding collision with black hole.
• USS Dark Fire trans-warp was damaged and under repair, preventing return to deep star 9. ETA on repairs is XX.
• USS Dark Fire believes Vice Admiral Roanoke and Captain Marcus were murdered. We provide evidence to support our belief.
• Orders received from Deep Star 9 have been erratic and not lawful. We present our evidence.
• USS Dark Fire is concern about “mimic” creature found inside Ensign Collens. Present our evidence. Possible additional mimic creatures on deep star 9
• Dark Fire AI has been checked. Report our AI scan
• USS Dark Fire is involved in a first contact situation
• USS Dark Fire plans to return o deep star 9 at first opportunity
• USS Dark Fire will not fire upon or engage in a hostile manner any federation ships.
• USS Dark Fire will not turn over this vessel without solid evidence that Deep Star 9 command personnel are not comprised.

Any edits? Enhancements? With this message, the trouble makers on deep star 9 will need to start explaining themselves. Also, I’m sure we are not the only ship or people they are manipulating. This message will also get to star fleet HQ. They will also start looking into things.

I don’t want to go to red alert for extend periods. However, I hear you. Please figure out a modified red alert schedule that has us prepared, but not exhausted after 12 hours.

On the transponder, if we turn it off, it might be seen as admitting our guilt. If someone shows up, we can cloak and get out of here. In cloak, the transponder is off.

On all of this, I’m just suggested a possible way to address this message. Willing to go a different way.

Also, my biggest problem, is our crew. They need to be on our side. The best way to do that, is by telling them as much as we can. I think they deserve that. Thoughts?”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870519.1100

“The mimic/host entity could have infiltrated anyone, Crew or civilian. It could have multiplied. It could possibly not be in a host when we do the transporter maneuver.” Commander Reeves commented. “We should be ready for any event. Only by being at Red alert can we guarantee that. But by warning everyone what we’re doing, it could allow the hostile a chance to escape capture, or detection.”

“I would say we go to red Alert. Perform the Transporter maneuver without explanation. Then we explain what’s happening.”

“And once we lay our cards on the table as it were, Starfleet can move against us, claiming we are the mimics or polymorphs or whatever they are.”

 

[milkmaiden38]

Hora

“Commander Reeves and Stephens, you both make great points. Please proceed. I will make an announcement to the crew after we complete all transports.” Hora agreed.

“We’ll keep our transponder up unless we see a ship approaching. Then cloak.” Hora reconfirmed. “Just a note. They can come at us cloaked too. But for now. Let get through the transports. I’ll work on my speech to the crew.

Go ahead and give the order to the transporters, Zeb” Hora directed.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870519.1100

With the Transporter demonstration over Reeves looked at everyone. “We all have work to do, So I suggest we do it.”

“Captain, I’ll be on the bridge.” Leaving the room with the Vulcans he touched his two forefingers to L’Sa’s forefinger in the hall before they went separate directions.

On the Bridge he took a status update from the Bridge Officer before turning his attention to the bio ship. “Long ways to go, but why are you going?”

 

[milkmaiden38]

Hora

In Orion myth and philosophy desire is the most important element. In the creation myth, their god stated regarding an Orion’s spirit: "In the beginning there was Desire that was the first seed of the mind.” Philosophers later stated that without desire there was no action.

Hora desired Zeb. He would provide the fulfillment and pleasure she was seeking. It was just pure pleasure and hedonistic desire on her part. But she also knew right now the ship and the crew needed her.

“Zeb, I’d love to invite you back to my quarters, but you need to go the bridge. I’ll prepare my speech to the crew in my quarters. After we have completed the transports and there are no riots aboard the ship, come to my quarters. I think you and I need to do a little self-care” Hora said

 

[milkmaiden38]

"Mmm, ok. I guess I can write the speech on the bridge." Hora agreed.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870519.1115

As soon as Captain Hora stepped foot on the deck, Reeves called out “Captain on Deck!!” and everyone not actively working hard at their station stood up and saluted.

Dark Fire’s Holo image had appeared and taken the Primary Science Officer station in essence she/he/it would be manning the Transporters from everywhere, but this would ensure no one ‘interfered’. Dark Fire had also shifted the holoimage to be female in form and appearance, but still flaming as before.

“All transporters are primed and active, ready to commence Operation Lightening Bug on your command, Captain Hora.” She called using a female pitched voice as well.

“It will be more efficient if I perform the task than any corporeal entity. As I will be able to cycle the process within 5.23 seconds per group of individuals. And process the crew using all the transporter buffers including the cargo platforms. I can complete this Operation within five minutes, a fleshling would take nearly an hour.”

Reeves watched Hora and Stephens and nodded. “I agree, muscular reaction time is to slow. Dark Fire is more ‘efficient’ than any of us could be.”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870519.1130

“Confirmed, Proceed with Operation Lightening Bug,” Commander Reeves acknowledged. A second later all the bridge crew no previously transported in the Briefing room dematerialized and hen reformed.

Across the ship a wave of personnel, old and new crew, young, old, civilian and military passed through the transporter system. With a matter of minutes the process was completed.

“Five fatalities: One Civilian, One Engineering, One Security, One Medical, and a Marine.”

“The Remains of the fatalities have been sent to Medical for Autopsy.”

 

[milkmaiden38]

Lt. Commander Shino Mc’Leo and Ensign Riley Cook

Shino and Riley were both dressed in old earth outfits. He was dressed in shorts and a tank top T-shirt. There was a hole in his shorts for his cat tail. Riley was wearing a bikini and sandals. Each had sun glasses on and a breakfast burrito in their hands. As they ate the burrito, Shino explained.

“This is how they used to gear up, before hittin' the waves.”

That was when suddenly they were beamed out. A few seconds later they were beamed back.

“Babe, what a gnarly catnip ride, I totally wiped out!” Shino complained.

“No, you didn’t.” Riley said “Aegeri took all your drugs. Remembered!”

“Totally, babe. This is bogus. We gotta shred some complaints. It's straight-up harassment, Sis!!”

Hora

When Hora heard that transportation was complete. She ordered “Go to red alert.”

Then she waited for all stations to report in. Once the ship was at Red Alert. She opened the shipwide communication channel.

“Crew of USS Dark Fire. This is your Captain Speaking. Those of you who have served any length of time on this vessel know the missions we have been assigned are important and dangerous. The reason this ship has always come out on top is because of you. You put in the hard work to make the mission successful. You also know the greatest danger facing us is... ourselves, and irrational fear of the unknown. It is times like these, that your knowledge of this fact will be tested.

Let me describe recent events and my best guess at the situation we are facing.

We have uncovered evidence that Captain Marcus and Vice Admiral Roanoke were murdered. That USS Dark Fire was given altered star charts which, had we departed the deep star 9 at our scheduled time would have heavily damaged this ship. We have received erratic and unlawful orders from Deep Star 9. A “mimic” creature was found inside Ensign Collens, which controlled his actions. While controlled Ensign Collens disabled all our main weapons. The mimic creature went on to kill Ensign Collens. We are currently searching for the creature. We recent used the transporters to beam everyone, once. It was my hope the bio-filters in the transporters would detect the mimic creature. Lastly, as many of you know, Deep Star 9 has declared this ship rogue, and requested the arrest of many of the senior officers.

This is where I need your support. I need you to trust me and your fellow officers and shipmates. There is no evidence that any officer was involved in these murders. All our evidence is available for review. You will not see any evidence from deep star 9. If evidence does show a person was involved including myself. They will be placed in the brig. But until that happens, we will continue to carry out the mission of this ship.

Additionally, I as well as all of you, have sworn an oath to the federation and the fleet. I will not fire upon another federation vessel. I will also not turn over the most power ship in the fleet to deep star 9 unless I’m sure they can be trusted.

I also need you to watch out for each other. We need to find these mimic creatures. Traveling in pairs is encouraged. Bunking together is also encouraged. If you suspect someone, inform security.

Lastly, this situation… this mission is what this starship is all about. That's why we're aboard her. How we handle this danger, how we resolve this conflict, is important. I trust all of you to act in the finest tradition of the fleet. And in the words of Capt Jean-Luc Picard, 2368 “The first duty of every Starfleet officer is to the truth. Whether it's scientific truth, or historical truth, or personal truth. It is the guiding principle upon which Starfleet is based." I will continue to tell you the truth.

Captain Hora Out”

And she turned off the communication channel.

"A marine? I wonder if that was the mimic that attacked Ensign Cook?" Hora asked