Continuing adventures of the Starship Odyssey!
THE STORY
U.S.S. Odyssey, Mission Report: 030701 Based on crew role-playing sessions in the holodeck. Written by Cmdr. Kathryn Wykle-Carter Edited by Adm. Debby Legner Cmd. Jenkins looked through his office window into the docking bay where the U.S.S. Odyssey lay awaiting its new Captain. You could hardly see where they had repaired the damage from its disastrous shake-down cruise. He hoped they’d get it right this time. Turning to his desk, he scanned the crew roster for this mission: Captain Eric Tackett, Vulcan/Betazed, odd combination, must be southern Betazed, he’s always late. XO: Cmdr. Rapp’ex, Gorn, former Chief Engineer on the Odyssey shakedown, hmmm. CMO: Lt. Cheryl Tackett, El-Auiar/Human, unusual but at least she’s been around awhile. Dr. Dev’Rik of the house Ru’Tann, Klingon exchange program civilian doctor. Prototype Data II Android. Oh yes, the new crop of Academy grads: Ens. Chris Matthews, Human, communications, wasn’t he promoted for valor then busted for partying? Ens. Dark Esper, Klingon/Vulcan, engineering, unusual background, I wonder where he left his other ship. Ens. Janet T. Kali, Trill, navigation, at last, a normal one, spit & polish type but pretty too. Ens. Timothy A. Parker, Human, tactical, What! Who put that crazy Irishman on weapons? Just then the Commodore’s door chimed announcing Captain Tackett. As the Captain entered, the Commodore greeted him and told him to be seated. “We have a very important and unusual mission for the Odyssey. An M-Class planet has been discovered by one of our extreme distance Cameron probes. Unfortunately the probe has been disabled and must be retrieved. Your job is to bring it back, intact if possible, or its data if not. You are also to survey the planet and gather as much information as possible without disturbing the inhabitants. If you detect sentient life signs, you are not, I repeat, not to make contact. You are to pull back and call for a first contact team. On your first leg of the trip, you will be delivering supplies to Deep Space Nine. Then you will continue to the newly established Babylon Five station for refueling. You will be given the coordinates for the new planet at that time. Any questions?” “No, Sir,” replied Captain Tackett. “You’ve been assigned four new graduates you’ll want to collect as you leave,” continued the Commodore. “I believe one of them is waiting outside.” He signaled for the Ensign to enter. The door opened and a striking young woman entered, flashing a radiant smile. “Captain Tackett, meet Ensign Kali.” The girl snapped to attention. “Ensign Janet Kali reporting for duty, Sir.” “At ease, Ensign.” said the Commodore. “Well, I’ll just leave you two to get acquainted” he continued as he showed them out of the office. “Ensign Parker should be in the waiting area,” said Kali as she escorted Captain Tackett through the outer offices of Space Dock. “You’ll want to watch out for him.” Captain Tackett was wondering about this comment when he found himself face to face with a red-headed young man with a strong smell of whiskey on his breath. “Ensign Timothy Parker at your service.” stated the young man in a strong Irish brogue. “The other two lads are in the pub having a wee bit of a farewell drink.” Parker led the way to the Star Pit Bar where they were greeted by the bartender. “Good day, friends. What will you have?” “Nothing today,” replied Tackett, “We’re here to find two of my crewmen.” “Well, what do they look like?” asked the barman. “One Ensign is a Human, the other a Klingon/Vulcan mixture.” replied Tackett. “That might be them in the far corner there, drinking.” pointed out the bartender. The Captain looked over and saw Ens. Matthews and Ens. Esper drinking and talking animatedly. “I’ll fetch them, Sir.” piped up Parker. He lurched across the room and fell flat on his face at the two’s feet. “Hey-ya boys, how are you this fine day?” said Parker grinning up from the floor. “Who is this clown?’ growled Esper. “I’m Parker.” responded Parker. “You see that fine fellow over there with the stripes on his sleeve? He’s our new C.O. come to fetch us to the ship.” Parker pulled himself up, using their shoulders to steady himself. At his touch, the Klingon/Vulcan let him have it with his elbow. There was the sound of metal bending then Esper grabbed his elbow. “Your chest is like metal!” he exclaimed. “Aw, you’ve dented me flask” said Parker wistfully. “Oops! Here comes the love of me life. Pity her tongue’s as sharp as a bat’etlh.” Ens. Kali strode up to the table and forcefully suggested the three come with her, immediately. They did. On the way to the ship, Cpt. Tackett tried to get to know his junior officers better by asking them about their specialties. “Engineering, Sir” reported Esper proudly. “I’m communications.” said Matthews. “I can fly if you like” offered Parker. “I’m the navigation officer, Sir” said Kali with a frown at Parker. “He’s tactical.” “What? Oh, I get the guns. Good!” chirped Parker happily. As they neared the ship, Cpt. Tackett’s group was intercepted by a harried looking Bolian Lieutenant. “Pardon me, Captain Tackett.” The Bolian panted. “Some of the paperwork on your new crewmen was misfiled and we’ve just now straightened it out. If I may...” He turned to Dark Esper “Congratulations, Lieutenant, your promotion came through.” Then he handed some documents to Chris Matthews. “The Board of Inquiry has cleared you concerning the drinking incident and reinstated your Lieutenant’s rank. Also, the Academy navigation instructor recorded the extra time you’ve been spending on the simulators and promoted you to Pilot Class A. Congratulations.” With a sigh of relief the Bolian Lieutenant turned and hurried on his way. A somewhat bemused group entered the Odyssey where Captain Tackett sent Lt. Esper and Ens. Parker to Sick Bay while he and Ens. Kali continued on to the Bridge. Meanwhile, Cmdr. Rapp’ex was on the com to Space Dock Engineering. “But, why can’t we have that new slipstream drive? I know it hasn’t been approved for use, but it did pass some of the tests, didn’t it? I’ll be happy to run some more tests on our flight. What? No? But...” He sighed as the line went dead. Starfleet was so stuffy about new designs. “Captain coming aboard” the security officer announced. Dr. Dev’Rik was inventorying medical supplies in Sick Bay when CMO Cheryl Tackett walked in. “I understand you are part of a medical exchange program, Doctor. Is there anything I can help you with?” inquired Dr. Tackett. “I am here because so many heroes were lost to the Dominion War that our government decided we must learn new methods. But, I find your Human ideas confusing. You find no glory in pain, no honor in battle scars.” murmured the Klingon, “Why?” Dr. Tackett thought a moment then replied “We believe in preserving all life. We don’t see a glorious death as something to be wished for. Instead of fighting a losing battle, we run away to save lives so they may fight another day. Living is what’s important.” “Do you mean that cowardice is a survival trait for Humans?” asked Dr. Dev’Rik shocked. “In a way” replied Dr. Tackett. “I can see that we are going to have some interesting discussions on this trip.” she said as the Klingon medic shook her head. Further discussion was interrupted by the arrival of Esper and Parker. On seeing the Klingon/Vulcan officer holding his arm, Dr. Dev’Rik led him into treatment room 4. “How were you injured? And why do you smell of alcohol?“ she asked. “I hit that Human with my elbow” muttered Esper. “He had a metal flask concealed on his person. I hit it, damaging my elbow.” “Humph! What kind of Klingon are you?” growled the doctor. “One from an outcast House” asserted the Ensign, “this hurts.” Dr. Dev’Rik pulled his arm sharply then wrapped it in a quick cast. “This will heal in a few days with no scars” she said coldly, dismissing the ensign. In the other treatment room, Dr. Tackett asked Parker where he was injured. “I’m not hurt, it’s my flask that needs fixing.” he reported. “That big fellow over there broke it.” Dr. Tackett smiled and said, “Well, get up on the table so I can look you over.” Parker tried jumping up on the exam table but missed and landed on his backside. A second try, with the doctor’s help was more successful. When Dr. Tackett found only minor bruises she dismissed him and sent him to the Bridge to report in. “But how do I get to the Bridge?” the befuddled ensign asked. “Here, I’ll show you” offered Lt. Esper. Grasping Parker’s arm, Esper took him to the turbolift. “Get in.” Parker looked doubtful but Esper urged him to enter. “I’ll show you how this works” he said with a grim smirk. “Bridge! Fast!” he ordered. Cmdr. Rapp’ex noticed the turbolift open and discharge a snappy looking Klingon/Vulcon Lieutenant and a staggering human Ensign. “Lt. Dark Esper reporting for duty” said the smug sounding Lieutenant. The bent-over human was muttering something about a devil’s contraption when he caught sight of the Gorn officer. Starting at the knees, Parker looked up and up and up at the stern green vision before him. “Saints preserve us” he whispered. “Ahem, you don’t look well, Ensign” said the XO. “Perhaps you’d better return to Sick Bay.” “Is there any way there besides that awful whirly box?” asked Parker. Esper chuckled and Parker turned angrily to face him. “As you were!” ordered Rapp’ex as the two young officers squared off. “You could try the Jeffries tubes” offered Ens. Kali sweetly. “But I don’t think you’d fit.” “Not a good idea” commented Captain Tackett. “Alright, Ens. Kali, take Mr. Parker down to Sick Bay and ask Dr. Tackett to deal with him until he sobers up. Then check the supplies and see what we’ll need to load at DS9.” “Yes, Sir, right away” responded Kali. As she passed the Captain she smiled and thought “He’ll never know what hit him.” At 0900 hours, the Captain called a staff briefing. CMO Tackett explained that Ens. Parker has been confined to his quarters and could not attend. Most of the officers present agreed that the meeting would go more smoothly without the young Irishman. Lt. Esper suggested they send Parker to the Space Dock infirmary - permanently. He was ignored. Captain Tackett filled the crew in on the mission. He also announced that they would have some special passengers to the Babylon Station. The Narn ambassador and his wife would arrive at 1100 hours. The ship would depart as soon as they were settled. A reception would be held in the Officer’s Lounge for the Ambassadorial party that evening. The welcoming party for the Narns included Captain Tackett, Dr. Tackett, Dr. Dev’Rik and Ens. Kali. “We are honored to have you aboard” said Captain Tackett as the Ambassador and his guards entered. His wife followed him and seemed somewhat shy. She was obviously pregnant. As the party was shown to their quarters, Dr. Dev’Rik zeroed in on the female Narn. She seemed tired and stressed to the doctor but insisted that she was all right. “I do get tired quickly” she said. “But he fusses so about every little thing” indicating her husband. “I have my doctor’s records and notes here somewhere.” As the lady Narn rummaged in her bag, Dr. Dev’Rik exchanged amused but worried looks with Dr. Tackett. A pregnant alien VIP did not bode well for a quiet voyage. The new Bridge crew smartly exited Space Dock. Captain Tackett seemed quite pleased and more relaxed once the ship was under weigh. Watching from his window, Commodore Jenkins was also relieved. He hoped they’d come back in one piece this time. The galley crew outdid themselves for the reception. Along with tasty items from the Federation, they had included some spoo dishes contributed by the Narn Ambassador. Captain Tackett was enjoying himself until the Narn Ambassador insisted he try a special spoo dish. “This is from my personal stock, Captain. Do try a bite” suggested the Ambassador. Captain Tackett put on his best smile and took a mouthful of the lumpy white stuff. It was awful. Still smiling, the Captain forced himself to chew and swallow. “Interesting” he said. Over his shoulder, Cmdr. Rapp’ex reached for a second helping. “Tastes like chicken” he commented. Nearby, Lt. Esper tried a serving of another spoo dish. A wide grin came over his face as he helped himself to more spoo. CMO Tackett noticed the Captain was looking a little green and slipped over to his side. “Are you alright?” she whispered. “I don’t think so” said the Captain as he started to wobble then passed out. “Medical emergency team to the Officer’s Lounge.” Dr. Tackett called as she tried to catch the Captain. “I think it’s the spoo” she told Dr. Dev’Rik. “Check the others.” Dev’Rik checked for other spoo eaters. The Gorn XO wasn’t in trouble yet but soon would be. When she tried to get Lt. Esper to stop eating the spoo, he only ate faster. “I can’t stop” he cried. “It’s too good.” Dev’Rik called for a stretcher with restraints for the Klingon/Vulcan officer then assisted Rapp’ex to the nearest head where he threw up as much of the spoo as possible. “You hurl like a true warrior.” she commented. Later in Sick Bay things had quieted down. The Captain was resting quietly in a private room. Rapp’ex was sleeping and Esper had his stomach pumped and was sedated. Quite a reception. Thought Dr. Tackett as she filled out her report. The door to Captain Tackett’s room slide silently open and Ensign Kali entered with some papers in her hand. She looked quickly around then reached behind the bed and turned off the alarms and bio-sensors. Kali smiled at the Captain then pulled out a hypospray and injected it. Captain Tackett woke at the contact and saw a shadowy figure bent over him. As his vision darkened he heard a female voice say “Goodnight, Lieutenant.” A relaxed Ensign Kali made her way back to the Bridge. If anyone asked, she’d just say she had tried to get these reports signed but the Captain appeared to be sleeping and she didn’t want to disturb him. However, the corridors were empty and she didn’t need the excuse after all. All was quiet in the Sickbay as Cheryl walked into the Captain’s private room. The Doctor immediately noticed that the bio-bed wasn’t showing any readouts. She checked the Captain with her medical tricorder and found that his blood pressure was low and he was having trouble breathing. Then she noticed the bed had been deliberately unplugged. Cheryl plugged the bed in and alarms started sounding which brought Dr. Dev’Rik to the room at a run. “What’s going on in here?” asked Dev. “Someone disconnected the sensors and now the Captain is having problems with breathing and blood pressure” answered Cheryl. “The tricorder is picking up something strange in his system” she added. “It wasn’t there when we first examined him.” They were interrupted by thrashing noises and groans coming from the adjoining room where Lt. Dark Esper and Cmdr. Rapp’ex had been resting. “The Lieutenant must be waking up.” said Dev. “I’d better see to that.” Dark Esper was pleading with the sleeping Gorn for more spoo. As Dr. Dev’Rik entered he became more agitated, “Give me more, I want more.” “Lieutenant, your body can’t handle any more spoo. If you don’t calm yourself, I will have to sedate you again.” explained Dev as she pushed the Vulcan/Klingon back on his bed. Dark Esper’s cries just got louder so Dev put him under again. Dr. Tackett put the Captain on life support which would keep him stabilized for a time. How long, she didn’t know. Dr. Dev’Rik found her in the lab running blood tests. “These results are very disturbing.” She told the Klingon doctor. “The analysis shows arsenic, an old Earth poison, and some unknown agent in the Captain’s blood. Arsenic I can treat but what is this other substance? And how did arsenic get into his system in the first place?” The Klingon growled under her breath at this. Poison, the weapon of cowards. ‘The Captain must have an enemy aboard. We shall seek him out and destroy him. But first, we must do battle with the enemy agents he left behind.” “Right,” said Cheryl with an odd look at the scowling Klingon. “Do you recognize this?” Dev examined the indicated readout and shook her head. “Could it be from the alien food he ingested?” she asked. “I don’t think so,” replied Cheryl. “It seems to act like a virus not a poison. There’s nothing in our memory banks that comes close to this. We’d better send a report to Star Base. They have a larger database and could recognize it. We also need to warn them in case it’s infectious.” Ensign Janet Kali had just arrived back at the Bridge when the call came up from Sickbay. She smoothly relieved the android filling in at the com station. Drat that Doctor! It was going so well. Why couldn’t she have let him sleep longer. Now I’m going to have to change my plans, she thought as she replied to Dr. Dev’Rik. The doctor’s voice was harsh with battle stress. “Ensign Kali, send this to Star Base immediately, highest priority. ‘Attention Earth Base Medical, we have an emergency.’” This was followed by details of the food poisoning by spoo and a description of the viral agent attacking the Captain. A second message was addressed to Star Base Security which detailed the arsenic poisoning of the Captain by person(s) unknown. “Contact Sickbay as soon as you get any response.” ordered Dev’Rik. “Yes Sir,’ responded Kali. It will be a long wait. This is never going to leave the ship. She thought as she quietly disposed of the message. As Ensign Kali was about to turn over her station to the night crew, a message came in from Star Base. “Attention, U.S.S. Odyssey. We have a report that a container holding an experimental virus was stolen from our research lab just before your departure. It is possible that the thief may be aboard your ship. The virus is deadly, but only if injected. Notify your Medical Officers to be on the lookout for the following symptoms....” Kali moved quickly to erase the message but her replacement caught sight of it before she could do so. “Hey, that sounds serious. I’d better run it straight to Dr. Tackett.” he said. Kali left the Bridge, thinking furiously. OK, plan B. As soon as they find out I didn’t send that message to Star Base, they’ll be on to me. I need to hide out until we reach DS9. As soon as we dock, I can disappear. In Sickbay, a frustrated Dr. Tackett was facing the revived First Officer. “We’ve studied the information from Starfleet Medical and our own tests agree. At this stage of the disease, there is no known treatment that can save the Captain.” The tall Gorn considered the situation. His background in Engineering suggested a solution. “I recall that the Enterprise-D dealt with a terminal condition once by sending the patient through the transporter. The patient’s pattern was already in the pattern buffer and they programmed the bio-filters to remove any matter that didn’t fit the original parameters. It was dangerous but it worked.” “We don’t have much choice. Let’s do it.” responded the Doctor. While Cmdr. Rapp’ex and the engineering crew prepared the transporter, Lt. Dark Esper finally woke with a clear head. He immediately wanted to join in the technical work but was stopped by the First Officer. “We need to find out who is responsible for the attack on the Captain.” he said. They checked with the ship’s computer and found that Ensign Janet Kali was the last person to enter the Captain’s sickroom before his crisis. “Find Ensign Kali” ordered Rapp’ex. “And take Ensign Parker with you. They were together in the Academy and he may have some useful insights.” Parker reported to Sickbay as ordered. He looked rather green and began apologizing to the XO for his earlier condition. “You see, Sir, there was this quiet little welcome home party for me brother...then someone started mixing the Irish whiskey with some blue Romulan stuff...then his Klingon friends showed up with blood wine...there were challenges...we had to hold up the honor of the Irish and Starfleet...I don’t remember much after that.” he babbled. “All right, we’ll deal with that later.” said Rapp’ex impatiently. “Now I want you to work with Lt. Esper to find Ensign Kali.” Lt. Esper glared at Parker, disgusted with the human he considered a disgrace to the fleet. He cut off Parker’s attempt to apologize to him for his behavior the previous day. Cmdr. Rapp’ex noticed the building conflict and curtly told both young officers to get to work. As soon as she reached her quarters, Janet gathered the essentials she’d need for her vanishing act. Then she set booby traps in her room to stop anyone searching for clues about her. That should keep them busy for a while, she thought. She heard her communicator beeping in her room as she slipped quietly into the nearest Jeffries tube. Chief Security Officer Lt. Colony and Ens. Sierra headed down the hall toward Ens. Kali’s room. “Ensign Sierra, you stay behind me and make sure she doesn’t get away.” said Lt. Colony. “Yes, Sir” replied the Ensign. When they reached Janet’s room, Lt. Colony used the security override to open the door. When it did, the trap left by Ens. Kali was sprung. The security chief was hit by knives in the knee and upper arm. Sierra escaped the third knife and called for help. Captain Tackett lay on the bed and tried to think of why anyone would want him dead. He remembered another close call, the mission where he lost his best co-pilot, and friend. That couldn’t have anything to do with Ensign Kali. Or could it? He hit his com badge. “Dr. Tackett, I am well enough. Let me up to go back to the Bridge.” Dr. Tackett came in. “Captain, please rest. In eight hours, if there are no complications, I’ll let you go back on duty.” They were interrupted by the call from Ens. Sierra. “Sierra to sickbay, Lt. Colony’s been wounded, Ens. Kali’s quarters were booby-trapped. She’s not here.” “Got it, med team on the way.” replied Dr. Tackett. Turning back to the Captain she firmly stated “Eight hours, Captain, no less.” then she hurried out to deal with the new crisis. As Janet went through the Jeffries tube, all she could think of was finding another opportunity to kill the Captain. Her mind was busy trying to find ways to escape the search parties but the Trill symbiot part of her focused only on one thing: “Kill the Captain.” She needed to find a deep hole to hide in until the ship reached DS9. Once they docked she could leave the Odyssey and find a safe place to plan her next attempt. Captain Tackett and the CMO sat in his ready room discussing the situation. “With Lt. Colony in the infirmary, who will fill in as Security Chief?” asked Dr. Tackett. “Ensign Parker is the best person to take over until we reach DS9” replied the Captain. “I hope you aren’t serious” responded a surprised Dr. Tackett. “I’ve already asked him to report to us here.” said the Captain with a sigh. “He is a trained security officer and he’s the only one who knew Ensign Kali before she came aboard.” When Ens. Parker heard the page to report to the Captain’s ready room his first reaction was ‘Now what have I done?’. Sweating a bit, he tugged his uniform tunic straight and pressed the signal button outside the ready room. The door opened to show a recovered Captain at his desk. “I have a job for you, Ensign.” said Captain Tackett as Parker entered. “You will head the security team until we reach DS9. Your assignment is to find Ens. Kali and get her in custody before we arrive at the station.” he continued. Parker turned pale and wondered if he was going to faint. “Me, Sir?” he squeaked. Two hours later, Parker and Lt. Esper were making their way down another Jeffries tube. “What makes you think she’s down here?” asked the Lieutenant. “It’s just a hunch.” replied Parker. “On the day we got our ship assignments, I went to see her since we pulled the same ship. She had copies of the Odyssey’s blueprints and engineering schematics spread out all over her quarters. When I asked why, she said she was just getting to know the new ship.” Esper stopped climbing. “Mr. Parker, look here. I think I’ve found something more solid than a hunch.” He pointed to a piece of hair ribbon caught on the ladder bracing. “That’s Janet’s all right.” said Parker. From the corner of his eye, Parker saw a shadow move where their tube joined another below them. He nudged Lt. Esper to draw his attention to it. “Why don’t you go up this tube then over to the one on the right.” Parker suggested in a whisper. “I’ll continue slowly with this section. I think she’s in the cross tube there. If we hurry we might be able to trap her between us.” Esper agreed and moved quietly but rapidly away. Janet Kali had stopped to rest in the shadow of a repair locker. The Jeffries tubes made a sort of three-dimensional maze throughout the ship and she’d been traveling them for hours avoiding both engineers and security people. Maybe she could double back again and find a safe spot to hole up and get some sleep. Some place where the shielding blocked the security bio-scanners. As she gathered her bundle of necessities, she thought she heard voices in the nearby tube. ‘Parker?’ she thought. “That’s Parker!” thought Janet Kali. She scrambled away from the young Ensign’s voice. “Janet” came the voice, “This is Parker, your friend. You don’t have to be afraid. No one’s going to hurt you. We just want to help you.” “No one is my friend.” muttered Kali. “You’re all on his side. You’re all my enemies.” Kali moved quietly into the next Jeffries tube and began to climb. When Parker’s head appeared in the tube, Kali threw her bundle at him. “Is the Captain dead yet?” she asked bitterly. “Are you here for revenge?” Parker ducked back into the cross tube. “Of course not, Janet. I’m worried about you.” said Parker soothingly. “Tell me, why did you attack Captain Tackett? What’s the problem between you two? Maybe I can help.” He peeked out and saw Kali perched several rungs above him. She frowned and paused, looking at him sadly. “He betrayed me,” she said quietly. “He was my friend and he left me to die. He left me to burn while he ran away.” She looked at him with tears in her eyes. “Parker, let me go. I’ll just disappear when we reach DS9. No one need ever know you found me.” “You know I can’t do that, Janet.” replied Parker. “Then you can die with him” shrieked Kali as she threw something at Parker and started climbing again. As he ducked the missile, Parker’s com signaled. “This is Lt. Esper. I can hear you below me. See if you can keep her talking as I move in.” “Be careful,” replied Parker. “She’s dangerous and delusional.” “Parker to Bridge. We have Lt. Kali bracketed. Seal off Jeffries tube G-21 above level 9. We’re moving in. Signal when you can get a lock on her.” “Janet, listen to me” pleaded Parker as he climbed after her. She glanced down at him and didn’t see the Klingon/Vulcan Lieutenant as he slid rapidly down the tube toward her. Since his orders were not to harm, Lt. Esper stopped just above the fugitive. Janet swung around and pulled out her knife. “Bridge” whispered Parker franticly, “Where’s that transporter?” “We’re trying to get a lock, there’s a lot of interference. Stand by.” Janet threatened Esper with the knife as she started backing down the tube. She turned to face Parker but he was gone. In her momentary confusion, Esper tried to grab her from the back. Reflex drove her knife into his leg and they both tumbled down the tube. Parker stared wildly at the transported room around him. “What the ---! Send me back! We almost had her.” “Sorry, Sir” muttered the transporter chief. “Uh, Lt. Esper’s signal has moved down a level. Do you want to go there?” “Yes, fine!” growled Parker. “Do it!” Parker found himself just outside Jeffries tube G-21. Janet and Esper were wrestling as they bounced off the tube rungs. Klingon blood spattered the tube and floor below. Parker pulled out his phaser and watched for an opening. Lt. Esper grinned as he staunched the blood flowing from his leg. “An interesting place for battle.” he commented. “I generally prefer more elbow room. Now, let’s see what this is all about.” Esper approached the stunned Kali and prepared to do a mind meld. “Sir, do you think that’s wise?” asked Parker. “It might be better to wait.” “No time like the present.” replied Esper. He concentrated on reaching Kali’s mind. The contact threw him across the room and he collapsed against a bulkhead. “Parker to Sick Bay, two officers down in Engineering at 9/G-21. We need help here.” “Lt. Kali is really Kali Janx, a joined Trill.” CMO Tackett reported to the assembled senior staff. “She faked her medical records to appear unjoined.” “Janx?” Blurted the Captain, “My best friend was Misha Janx. He was killed in an explosion and fire when we were Lieutenants. Could this be the same Janx?” “Yes. Apparently the symbiont survived the fire which killed his host. The experience unhinged his reason and he became obsessed with the image of then Lt. Tackett leaving him in the wreckage as the ceiling collapsed.” “But, I didn’t leave him.” said Cpt. Tackett. “I found help and we dug him out but it was too late.” “The symbiont doesn’t know that.” replied the CMO. “By the time you returned, the host was dead and he had no way of knowing he wasn’t abandoned. Perhaps, with time, therapy may bring him around. For now, Kali Janx is obsessed with the need for revenge and should stay confined in the Brig until she can be turned over to Starfleet Medical on DS9 and returned to Trill.” Later that day after docking with DS9, Captain Tackett went down to the Brig. “Parker, what are you doing here?” he asked. The young Ensign blushed a bit and said “I just thought she might like having a familiar face nearby, Sir. We were friends...once.” The Captain nodded in understanding and moved toward the lighted cell. “Lt. Kali? Janx?” he said softly to the figure huddled in the cell. Kali jumped up and rushed at him with hands like claws. “You!” she hissed. “Why aren’t you dead? You’re supposed to be dead.” “Janx, listen, I didn’t leave you. I came back for you. We were best friends, I couldn’t leave.” “Lies!” Kali shrieked. “All lies! You left me to burn! I’ll kill you for that. You got away from me this time but I’ll never stop trying and some day I will kill you.” Captain Tackett sighed and turned away. “Bridge, were ready to transfer the prisoner” he said into his com. “Security protocols in place, transporting now.” came the reply. Lt. Kali Janx disappeared in a sparkle of light. “’Tis a great pity” said Parker. “You look like you could use a bit of cheer, Sir.” Parker moved to a small cabinet and pulled out a flask. “After you, Sir” he said as Captain Tackett took the flask with a shrug and a wry smile. ”To old friends.” he said as he raised the flask. On the Odyssey Bridge, Cmdr. Rapp’ex was receiving bad news from the station. “What do you mean she didn’t arrive?” he bellowed at the com screen. “If she’s not here and not there, where is she? How could she get through the security fields?” “There was a glitch in the transport and someone grabbed the signal.” replied the flustered station technician. “We’ve traced the signal but it goes to an empty sector of space. Either she’s scattered molecules or there’s a cloaked ship out there.” “Lt. Matthews, check those coordinates for any energy signatures” ordered Rapp’ex. In a few moments Matthews responded. “Scans indicate that there was a cloaked ship there. The traces show that it has left the area. Signs are too faint to get much more information but it might have been a Romulan or Klingon vessel. There are also signs of multiple transports to that area.” “So,” Rapp’ex continued as he briefed the Captain a few minutes later. “Lt. Kali Janx could be on that ship or still in the area. There’s no way of knowing.” “Well, let’s hope she isn’t on the station.” replied Cpt. Tackett. “Just in case, have Parker arrange a security escort. I’ll meet him at the docking bay in five minutes. You may allow shore leave for those crew not on duty.” he continued. “You have the Bridge.” The crew enjoyed the attractions of the Promenade while Cpt. Tackett and Parker discussed the situation with station security. After filing their reports, the two wandered back towards Quarks. They met Dr. Tackett and Dr. Dev’Rik coming out of station Sick Bay. “We’ve filed a report with Starfleet Medical and briefed the station staff.” said Dr. Tackett. “If Lt. Kali Janx shows up here they know what to do.” “Captain,” said Dr. Dev’Rik, “I must ask your permission to leave the Odyssey. I’ve received a message from the Klingon High Command. They require my services on a nearby colony where an epidemic is threatening to destroy the settlers. A Klingon ship is waiting to take me there.” “Of course,” said Capt. Tackett. “You must go where you are needed.” “Thank you.” said Dev’Rik with a formal salute. “It has been an honor serving on the Odyssey.” She turned to Dr. Tackett “I have found our talks to be most helpful, Doctor. You have honored my House.” Dr. Dev’Rik turned quickly and hurried away. “Well, things will be quiet in Sick Bay without her.” commented Dr. Tackett. As they entered Quark’s bar Parker excused himself. “Turning over a new leaf, don’t ya know” he quipped. He walked toward the ship as Captain and CMO entered the bar. Later, as Cpt. Tackett walked around DS9, he had the feeling he was being watched. A familiar-looking female figure seemed to be closing in on him when Parker appeared and ran into her. As Parker apologized to the disgruntled lady, Tackett smiled. Things were back to normal.
