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Mission 27 Desperate Times (Part I) Prologue Captain’s Log, USS Argus: Stardate 54805.7 We’ve just finished another successful round of negotiations with the P’Dralans concerning strengthening our trading and commercial ties. The process is a slow one, and diplomacy is admittedly not my first love, but all in all, I really feel that progress is being made. Who’d have thought four years ago that my life would lead me here, to the very rim of Federation territory? But that’s the beauty of the unknown – you never know what it’s going to throw at you next. As if to prove my point, our journey back from the negotiations has been unexpectedly interrupted. We’ve received an urgent, encrypted message to rendezvous with Admiral Walter Keaton’s ship, the USS Infinity, back at Starbase 251. Admiral Keaton is the new commander of Starbase 88, our old home in the Luminaire Nebula, having replaced Admiral Parker who retired at the end of the Dominion War. The message didn’t say what the admiral wanted – but it did say that he wasn’t travelling alone. As well as Keaton and his adjutant, Commander Bateman, the Infinity is bringing Admiral Morrison from Starfleet Intelligence. While I don’t know much about Morrison, the idea of an urgent, secret rendezvous with an admiral from Starfleet Intelligence does not fill me with a sense of joy. Unfortunately, I’m sure this meeting is not going to improve my mood… Lex swept through the corridors of Starbase 251 as soon as the Argus was within transporter range. If there was a crisis that warranted two admirals journeying to the outskirts of Federation space, it was obviously important enough to not keep them waiting. While he left Lieutenant Commander Tennison to oversee the docking procedures, Lex and Sheridan beamed directly onto the station and hurriedly made their way passed the security officers to the main briefing room. As he quickly took his seat, Lex scanned the room and noted who else was present. He recognised Admiral Keaton straightaway, although he’d only met him in person once before, while he was

Desperate Times (Part I)

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Mission 27

Desperate Times (Part I) Prologue

Captain’s Log, USS Argus: Stardate 54805.7 We’ve just finished another successful round of negotiations with

the P’Dralans concerning strengthening our trading and commercial ties.  The process is a slow one, and diplomacy is admittedly not my first love, but all in all, I really feel that progress is being made.  Who’d have thought four years ago that my life would lead me here, to the very rim of Federation territory?  But that’s the beauty of the unknown – you never know what it’s going to throw at you next.

As if to prove my point, our journey back from the negotiations has been unexpectedly interrupted.  We’ve received an urgent, encrypted message to rendezvous with Admiral Walter Keaton’s ship, the USS Infinity, back at Starbase 251.  Admiral Keaton is the new commander of Starbase 88, our old home in the Luminaire Nebula, having replaced Admiral Parker who retired at the end of the Dominion War.

The message didn’t say what the admiral wanted – but it did say that he wasn’t travelling alone.  As well as Keaton and his adjutant, Commander Bateman, the Infinity is bringing Admiral Morrison from Starfleet Intelligence.  While I don’t know much about Morrison, the idea of an urgent, secret rendezvous with an admiral from Starfleet Intelligence does not fill me with a sense of joy.

Unfortunately, I’m sure this meeting is not going to improve my mood…

  Lex swept through the corridors of Starbase 251 as soon as the Argus was within transporter range.  If there was a crisis that warranted two admirals journeying to the outskirts of Federation space, it was obviously important enough to not keep them waiting.  While he left Lieutenant Commander Tennison to oversee the docking procedures, Lex and Sheridan beamed directly onto the station and hurriedly made their way passed the security officers to the main briefing room.As he quickly took his seat, Lex scanned the room and noted who else was present.  He recognised Admiral Keaton straightaway, although he’d only met him in person once before, while he was still captain of the Infinity.  Keaton was now in his early fifties, and looked a lot older than Lex remembered him, with his white, thinning hair cropped so closely that it almost wasn’t visible at all.  Next to him sat a man in his early thirties, with well-groomed hair and an immaculately pressed uniform; Lex assumed this blue-eyed boy must be Commander Riley Bateman, Keaton’s right hand man.Sat opposite them were two men Lex didn’t recognise.  Lex assumed that the older man, with thick grey hair and a trimmed beard, must be Admiral Morrison from Starfleet Intelligence; but the other figure, a bald black man in his mid-forties, with four captain’s pips on his lapel, was a complete stranger.“Captain Lex, Commander Sheridan,” Keaton acknowledged, once they were settled.  “Let me get straight down to business; this is Commander Bateman, my adjutant, and these officers here are Captain Quentin Jefferson and Admiral Tyler Morrison.”

“Gentlemen,” Lex nodded in return.  Two admirals, a captain and a commander – I definitely don’t like the sound of this, he thought.“I have a vital operation of the utmost urgency for the Argus, Captain,” Keaton began.  “As the fastest vessel in this sector, the Argus is the best suited ship for this mission.  I have orders to temporarily relieve you of your current assignment for the duration of this mission; the Infinity and Commander Bateman will stand in for you in the meantime.”“I understand, Admiral,” Lex replied, a sense of dread building uncontrollably.  “What are my orders?”“What I am about to tell you is highly classified,” Admiral Morrison said, taking over.  “I’m sure I need not remind you that as such, the specific details of your new assignment must be restricted to those senior officers with the appropriate clearance.”Lex nodded silently, turning to Kate to exchange a glance that showed they were both thinking the same thing – this does not sound good.“What I can tell you,” Morrison continued, “ is that at 0300 hours yesterday morning, a disgraced Starfleet officer commandeered Captain Jefferson’s ship while it was docked at Starbase 88.  The man responsible was aided by a handful of other rogue officers, and once the ship was theirs, they set a course for the Romulan border.“We believe that they are intending to defect.”Morrison paused for a second to let this news sink in.  The ‘Cold War’ with the Romulans had raged for over a decade after they came out of their self-imposed isolation – but since the Federation/Romulan alliance had been formed to combat the Dominion threat, relations may have been strained, but were on the whole, much more civil.  But deep down, everyone on either side knew that it could not last – the mutual enemy was now gone, and with it went the only real unifying factor between the two cultures.  And as such, the prospect of a return to the Cold War days seemed almost unavoidable.“With his detailed knowledge and experience of post-Dominion War Starfleet operations, his defection would be a major blow to Federation security,” Morrison continued.“I can only imagine,” Lex replied ominously.  “Where do I come in?” he continued, staying focused on the business at hand.“We believe that the rogue officer will attempt to enter Romulan space across the border somewhere in this sector, where the Starfleet presence is at it’s weakest.  As the Argus is the nearest ship – not to mention the fastest vessel in the vicinity – you’re being assigned to stop the renegade from reaching the border.”“I’m to remain in command of the Argus for this mission, then?” Lex asked cautiously.“Captain Jefferson and I will be accompanying you, along with our senior officers,” Morrison answered, “but we’re acting in an advisory capacity only.  The mission – and the Argus – remains yours.”And therefore, it’s my career that’s on the line if it all falls apart, Lex thought cynically.“It’s crucial that we keep this as quiet as possible,” Morrison explained.  “Despite the urgency, we must keep a low profile, or we risk causing serious embarrassment for Starfleet – as well as a major diplomatic incident with the Romulans.”“It’s not much to ask,” Keaton commented sarcastically.  “Locate and capture a renegade Starfleet officer with a significant head start before he can make it to the Romulan border – and all without alerting anyone to what you’re up to.  Think you can handle it?”“It’ll be a walk in the park,” Lex said, mustering all the bravado he could.“So who is this defector?” Sheridan asked.  “Anyone we know?”“Actually … yes,” Keaton said awkwardly, exchanging a quick glance with Morrison.  “In fact, it’s an old … mutual acquaintance of ours.“He’s the former captain of the USS Odyssey – Commander Thomas Henriksen.”

Act 1Six Months Ago: Henriksen stood patiently on the bridge of the Odyssey and pressed the door chine for the captain’s ready room again.  He waited a few seconds more, but still there was no reply.He looked over his shoulder back onto the bridge, and couldn’t help but notice everyone hurriedly look busy and avoid eye contact.  The ship was currently docked at Starbase 88, and so there was only a skeleton crew of technicians on the bridge – but they were still people Henriksen had known and served with for many years.  To see them act like they didn’t know him still hurt – but he could understand why they did it.A few months ago, he had been their commanding officer – their captain.  Now … even he didn’t know for sure what he was, so it was hardly surprising they didn’t know how they were meant to relate to him.  He turned back to the ready room door and tried the chime again.  This time, a voice called out from within.“Enter.”The door slide quietly open, and Henriksen strode in – but his step almost faltered once he was through the doorway.  The ready room had been completely redecorated – Henriksen’s soft colours and earthen ornaments had been replaced with sleek silver and black furnishings, making his former private chamber almost unrecognisable to him.“Commander, please, take a seat,” Captain Jefferson gestured, as he turned the volume on his music down.  “You’ll have to excuse me, I didn’t hear the chime first time.”“No need to apologise … sir,” he added after a second’s hesitation.  He was still trying to come to terms with his demotion from captain to commander, and sometimes forgot that former peers were now his superiors.  A year ago, Henriksen had been a respected veteran captain, with over thirty years experience in Starfleet – now his career lay in ruin, and his new rank was intended to be a permanent reminder of how far he had fallen.Henriksen looked Jefferson over as he took the seat on the near side of the desk.  This was Jefferson’s first command, despite the fact that the Odyssey’s new captain was only a little younger than Henriksen.  Before this assignment, he had served with distinction as an advocate in Starfleet’s Judge Advocate General’s office.  Although Henriksen had not met him until now, he knew Jefferson by reputation to be a decent man with a keen mind.  The only question now was, what would he be like to serve under?“Can I get you something to drink?” Jefferson asked, obviously attempting to put Henriksen as ease.“Hot chocolate, extra cream, please,” Henriksen answered.  “I’m trying to lay off the caffeine at the moment.”“I don’t think I’d function properly without my daily dose,” Jefferson joked, ordering Henriksen’s drink and his own triple espresso.  “But then again, everyone’s allowed a couple of vices, aren’t they?”“Sure,” Henriksen said, growing impatient.  He was really beginning to wish that Jefferson would just get to the point – there was something about ‘casually chatting’ with him that felt strangely like cross-examination.“I have your new assignment here,” Jefferson said, returning to business and passing Henriksen a PADD.  “As of 1200 hours today, you’re officially assigned to the USS Odyssey

as the new strategic operations officer.”  He paused for a second to see if Henriksen had anything to say, but the Odyssey’s former captain sat there silently.“I’m not going to patronise you by giving you one of those ‘new CO’ speeches,” he continued, leaning back in his fitted reclining chair. “I know you’ve given a hell of a lot more of them than I have over the years.  I know you’ve had many more years of experience on a starship than I have.  I also know that I’ve only been captain of the Odyssey for three months – you were her CO for three years.  You know her and her crew inside out, whereas I’m still finding my footing.“I understand that - and I respect it.  If I can make full use of your experience, I will.  If you can offer any advice or assistance, it will be graciously received.”  He suddenly paused, and leant forward intently.“But make no mistake about this: I am the Odyssey’s captain now.  I will not tolerate any insubordination or disrespect; I do not expect you to contradict me or act inappropriately in front of the crew at any time.”Jefferson sat back in his chair again.  “Do you think you’ll have a problem with that?”Henriksen paused for a second, before replying.“Permission to speak freely, sir?”“Denied,” Jefferson said firmly.  “You’d better get used to choosing your words carefully.”“I see,” Henriksen said through gritted teeth.  “In that case, sir, I don’t think I’ll have a problem with any of that.”“Glad to hear it,” Jefferson said jovially.  He took a long sip of his black coffee, before continuing in a more relaxed tone.“Thomas, I know the last few months have not been easy for you.  But as far as I’m concerned, the past is best left to history – I’m going to be judging you on what you do here and now.  If you undermine my command, I’ll have you off my ship before you can say ‘reassignment’.  And I think you’re as aware as I am, that this is really your final chance with Starfleet.“But if you play ball with me, I’ll do everything I can to make this work.”“I appreciate that,” Henriksen said, swallowing his pride.  It cut him to the bone to be second fiddle on his former ship, but Jefferson was right about one thing – it was this or nothing.  And Henriksen wasn’t quite ready to pack it all in just yet.  “I realise this is not what either of us really wanted; but for both our sakes, I’ll certainly do what I can to make the best out of a bad situation.”“That’s all I ask,” Jefferson said, rising from his chair.  “There’ll be a senior officers meeting at 1800 hours, where I’ll announce your posting to the rest of the crew.  Until then, you’re free to get settled in to your new quarters.  Dismissed, Commander.”“Aye, sir,” Henriksen said, the words still feeling awkward and unnatural in his mouth.  But if he was going to stay in Starfleet, it was just something he was going to have to get used to.He just hoped that, with time, he could… Now: “Henriksen?” Lex repeated incredulously.  “How the hell did he get control of a starship?  What the hell is he still doing in Starfleet, for that matter?”Kate leant over and gently put a hand on Lex’s leg under the table, urging him to calm down.  He took the hint, and inhaled deeply before continuing.“I was under the impression that he was put on restricted duties after the hearing into the B’rhaim incident,” he said, more calmly.  “I was informed he was demoted and suspended, pending psychological evaluation.”

“He was,” Commander Bateman explained.  “He was demoted to commander, then submitted to three months of psychological assessments.”“But apparently,” Morrison interrupted, “he still had a few high ranking contacts within Starfleet Command.  They made sure that, despite the objections, he was reassigned to a starship.”“That man should not be on any Starfleet vessel,” Lex said adamantly.“Which ship was he assigned to?” Sheridan asked, attempting to stop Lex getting too agitated.“Ironically, the Odyssey,” Keaton replied.“I don’t believe it…” Lex mumbled under his breath.“He replaced Commander Eloquin as first officer?” Kate asked, surprised that she had not heard about this earlier.“No, no – he came aboard as our new strategic operations officer about six months ago,” Jefferson explained.“Strategic operations officer?” Lex repeated.  “This just gets better and better.  Why the hell is he a strategic operations officer?” he asked, before another glance from Kate reminded him to tone it down a little.“As I said, he has friends in high places,” Morrison said.  “That, combined with his years of experience in Starfleet, makes me think it was a position obviously created especially for him.”“And now he’s stolen the Odyssey and is making a run for the border?” Lex asked.  “And no one saw that coming?  The guy’s career’s in tatters, he’ll never get a ship of his own again, and he’s the pariah of the whole Federation!  Talk about a man with nothing left to lose!”“That’s a very polarised view,” Keaton said sharply.  “I’ve known Henriksen since we went through the Academy together, so I think I’m in a better position to say what behaviour is in character and what’s out of the blue, Captain.”“I would have thought so,” Lex retorted, “but personally, I think Henriksen’s actions speak for themselves.”Keaton obviously didn’t like Lex’s tone, but he couldn’t deny that he had a point.“With respect, gentlemen,” Jefferson said, attempting to restore some order to the briefing, “I think we’ve covered all the relevant information.  Each minute that passes now is just another minute Henriksen has over us, so I suggest we don’t waste any more time.”“Agreed,” Keaton said, rising from the table.  “I’ll download the necessary files to the Argus now, so you can head off straightaway.”“Understood.  I’ll prepare the Argus for departure; we’ll be ready as soon as you and your personnel are aboard,” Lex said, motioning to Morrison and Jefferson.“Excellent, Captain,” Morrison said, shaking Lex’s hand across the table.  “I look forward to seeing what the Argus is capable of.”“You wont be disappointed, Admiral,” Lex said.  “If any ship can catch the Odyssey, it’s the Argus.”“I certainly hope so,” Keaton said ominously.“We could be facing a serious political disaster if she can’t.” 

***** Lex sat behind the desk in his ready room lost in thought.  The prospect of hunting a renegade Starfleet officer was not something he found appealing  – simply because the mere idea that someone could turn their back on everything the Federation stood for was so abhorrent to him.  He realised Henriksen’s world had fallen apart over the last year, but that was no excuse for selling out his own people for personal gain.But as he sat there, there was one proverb that Lex just couldn’t get out of his head.

There’s nothing more dangerous than a man with nothing left to lose…And right now, Henriksen certainly seemed to fit that description.A moment later, Lex’s chain of thought was broken as his door chime sounded and Sheridan entered the room.“Sir, Admiral Morrison, Captain Jefferson and their personnel are now safely aboard,” she informed him.  “I’ve shown them to their quarters, and have given the order to set a course for the Odyssey’s last known position.”“Excellent work, Commander,” Lex replied, not failing to notice how self-sufficient Kate had become during her short time as an executive officer.“Is there anything else, Kate?” Lex asked, noticing she was still hovering in front of the desk.“Actually, sir, I was going to ask you that.  You’ve been shut away in here since we returned from the briefing – I was wondering if you were okay.”“I’m just fine,” Lex said unconvincingly.  “Except for the fact that, once again, my life is revolving around cleaning up Captain Henriksen’s mess.”“Commander Henriksen, sir,” Kate corrected.  She took the chair opposite her captain, and looked him straight in the eye.  “I didn’t tell you this earlier, but while I was on Earth after I’d given my evidence at the Henriksen hearing, I stayed on to hear the board’s decision.”“Why?” Lex asked, surprised that Kate had not mentioned this to him before.“I wanted to see what was going to happen to him,” Sheridan admitted.  “I felt I owed him at least that much.  Despite what eventually happened, we wouldn’t have the Argus if not for him.”“That does not justify what he did,” Lex replied sternly.“With respect, sir,” Kate began, scaring Lex with her formal tone.  “Is this about what Henriksen did to the B’rhaim, or about what he did to you?”“What are you talking about?” Lex asked defensively.“After Henriksen fell under the B’rhaim’s influence, it was your ship that was stolen, and therefore your career that was on the line.  When he destroyed the B’rhaim Colony-Ship, he was still under your command – and I know for a fact that you got a lot of heat from the investigation into the whole incident.  And then just now, you said you were ‘clearing up Henriksen’s mess again’.  Are you sure that this isn’t, at least on some level, about you blaming him for everything you went through?”“Very insightful, Counsellor,” Lex replied sarcastically.  “Of course I blame him.  Maybe it wasn’t his fault that the Argus was stolen – but if he’d been a little more careful … who knows, maybe he could have stopped the B’rhaim before things went too far?”“That’s not really fair…”“Maybe not – but you can’t tell me that what he did to the Colony-Ship wasn’t his fault.  No one made him commit genocide!”“You’re forgetting the fact that he was still in an unstable state of mind, following his torture at the hands of the B’rhaim.”“Yeah, I forgot – that’s my fault too!  I should never have brought him back on active duty – isn’t that what you were going to say next?”“Jono – this isn’t about fault, that’s what I’m trying to tell you,” Kate said soothingly.  “Henriksen made the wrong decision – that’s not in issue.  But there were extenuating circumstances that mean he deserves a second chance to prove himself.  It’s not like we’ve never been guilty of making a bad decision before.”“But not many bad decisions result in the annihilation of an entire race.”“Maybe not.  But I’m just saying that maybe if you let go of your anger towards him, you could focus on this mission a bit more clearly.”

“I’m focused on this mission just fine, thank you, Kate,” Lex responded abruptly.  “If you ask me, this whole incident just shows what kind of a man Henriksen was all along.  You can see what he’s done with his ‘second chance’ now.”“Maybe he is an evil man,” Sheridan said, changing tactics.  “Maybe they should have locked him up and thrown away the key.  But blaming him for all that’s gone wrong in your life over the last year is not going to help you find him now.  I know things have been hard for you – harder than I can imagine – with the hunt for your alternate-universe double, the problems with the Lex symbiont … and the death of Sara … but you can’t project all that anger onto Henriksen.  If you do, he’ll make it all the way to Romulus before you find your way out from under that black cloud.”Lex sat back, unsure of how to respond.  Initially, he wanted to lash out angrily, incensed that Kate could take such a tone with her CO.  But he soon realised that Kate was not speaking as his first officer – she was here as his friend.  Whether he agreed with what she had to say or not, her heart was certainly in the right place.“Kate,” he said finally.  “I’m glad I can always rely on you to speak your mind, and I do thank you for your concern.  But I am focused on this assignment, regardless of my personal feeling about the man.  And after everything he’s done, I don’t think he deserves any more benefits of the doubt.”“Understood, Captain,” Sheridan said rising.  “I just wanted you to know that if you do ever need to discuss anything with a friend, you know where to find me.”“Kate,” Lex called as she turned to leave.  “Thank you for the chat.  Sometimes it does help just to get some things off your chest.”“No problem, Jono,” Kate said with a smile.  “It’s all part of the job.”“There is one thing you could do for me, though,” Lex said, joining her by the door.“Of course.”“We’ve got a senior officers briefing in ten minutes – I would like you to handle that.  There’s something I need to do personally first.”“What’s that?” Sheridan asked intrigued.“I’ve spent the last few weeks since we returned to the Argus familiarising myself with the personnel files on the new crew we’ve taken aboard … and there’s one new Academy graduate that I really need to speak to before we go any further.“Ensign McFarlane may not have the necessary security clearance officially,” Lex explained, “but if we’re going to be pursuing her father across the sector, she deserves to hear it from me before she hears it anywhere else.”“Oh God … I hadn’t even thought of that,” Kate replied.  “I’m still getting used to the new personnel myself.  I hope she handles it okay.”“We’ll have to see about that – I just hope she doesn’t shoot the messenger…”Captain Jefferson stood behind the desk in his temporary quarters on the Argus and looked over the assembled personnel before him.  He obviously hadn’t felt the need to bring his entire crew with him; for one, it might make things a little crowded on the Argus, but equally, they wouldn’t all be needed even when the Odyssey was recaptured.  Current Starfleet design meant that with the main computer controlling most systems, it was possible for a single person to pilot a ship – nothing fancy, of course, but enough to get it from A to B.Instead, Jefferson had chosen to bring just a few of his senior officers with him.  He thought that they may be able to provide the Argus’ crew with any assistance as and when it was required, but primarily he hoped their experiences with Henriksen might be able to offer some sort of clue as to what their former captain might be considering.Of all the officers he’d brought with him, Liral Zirella was the one he hoped would prove to be the real asset.  The Odyssey’s second officer had served with Henriksen longer than anyone

else under Jefferson’s command, and he hoped that her experience, combined with her innate tactical ability, would prove decisive in the inevitable confrontation to come.“First of all,” Jefferson began finally, “I want to make it clear from the outset that I understand what a difficult situation this is for all of you.  Commander Henriksen was your commanding officer, and for a lot of you, a friend too.  It’s only natural that you feel a sense of internal conflict, now that you are being asked to help hunt him down and bring him to justice.  I understand that you may feel as though you are betraying him by helping Admiral Morrison, Captain Lex and myself to find him.“But make no mistake about this: Our mission is to locate and capture Henriksen by any means necessary.  The Odyssey, it’s contents and Henriksen must not be allowed to fall into Romulan hands.  Any officer not able to commit to this mission with the same dedication and intensity that I’ve demanded on all our previous assignments had better speak up now.”He paused for a moment, and looked each one of the assembled officers in the eye, before Liral finally took a formal step forward.“Permission to speak freely, Captain?” she asked.I did ask for this, Jefferson thought to himself, as he nodded in approval.“You were right when you said that Henriksen was more than a captain to a lot of his crew,” the young Cardassian/Bajoran began.  “I myself considered him a friend and a trusted mentor for many years, and learnt a lot from my time serving under him.“But none of that changes the fact that he betrayed us.  It doesn’t matter how bad things were going for him, it can never justify him turning his back on the Federation and all it stands for.  I once admired him because he was willing to do whatever was necessary for the greater good – but now he’s thrown it all away in the name of self-preservation.“I, like everyone here, was willing to do whatever was necessary to defend the Federation from the Dominion menace.  I have sworn to do whatever I can to protect the Federation from any further threats – and now that Henriksen himself has become such a threat, I have no problem taking him out like I would any other.”Liral stepped back in line with the others, and even Jefferson was left speechless for a moment by the ferociousness of the denunciation of her former CO.  He’d realised that his tactical officer was a complicated woman, with more than a little pent up rage, but he’d certainly been blindsided by her unexpected diatribe.“I think Lieutenant Commander Liral has summed up my argument perfectly,” Jefferson said, recovering his composure.  “This is just a mission like any other, people – it’s only complicated if you make it so.  Now unless anyone else has something to say, I advise you all to begin preparing for the next briefing.  Dismissed.”Jefferson sat back in his chair as his small team filed out of his quarters in silence.  He knew that there were certainly people in his crew that didn’t feel as ‘justified’ as Liral did.  Equally, he knew there were others who agreed with Liral, although admittedly, they were mainly personnel who had arrived with Jefferson having never served under Henriksen, like Ensign Ankara Lon, the Odyssey’s new Ktarian operations officer.But Jefferson had come to realise during his nine month stint on the Odyssey, that her crew were among the finest officers in Starfleet; whatever their personal feeling were concerning the mission, he knew they could be trusted to carry out their duties like the professionals they were.Once the officers had left, Jefferson’s attention was drawn by the sudden opening of the door to the next chamber of his quarters, as Admiral Morrison and his two aides strode in from the side room.“As I assured you, Admiral,” Jefferson began, rising from his chair again, “my crew can be trusted implicitly.”

“I heard everything for myself, Captain,” Morrison replied dismissively, “and I’d hardly call it conclusive.  You’ve had the wool pulled over your eyes once by Henriksen and his co-conspirators – make sure there is no second time.”“Henriksen was a bad apple,” Jefferson assured him.  “As bad apples do, he spoilt those closest to him as well.  But that doesn’t mean the rest of my crew are any less reliable.”“I hope not – or this incident could mark the end of your Starfleet career, as well as Henriksen’s,” Morrison added threateningly.  “If Henriksen makes it to the border with the Odyssey, someone’s going to have to take the fall for this whole fiasco.  And court martial tribunals never look kindly on a captain who loses his ship…”“Then I guess I’ll just have to make sure I get it back then, Admiral,” Jefferson retorted defiantly.  “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a lot to do.”Jefferson pretended to begin reading a nearby PADD as Morrison left, but truthfully he found he couldn’t concentrate on the text before him.  Morrison was right when he said that the loss of the Odyssey could spell the end of Jefferson’s career, no matter what the extenuating circumstances were.  But even worse was the fact that although Morrison was really beginning to rub him up the wrong way, he knew he couldn’t afford to get on the wrong side of the admiral if he wanted to remain where he was.  As a high-ranking official in Starfleet Intelligence, his word carried a lot of weight – and so if he decided to make Jefferson’s life a misery, a misery it would be.Lex paused outside Ensign McFarlane’s quarters, attempting to compose himself before activating the door chime.  These were the times when he really missed his days as a science officer, before he had to worry about breaking bad news to his crew, or reporting their deaths to their loved ones.Just as Lex finally raised his arm for the chime, the door opened and a hurrying McFarlane almost knocked him down as she burst out from her room.“Oh, Captain!  I’m sorry – I didn’t see you there,” she stammered as she brought herself to a halt.  “I was just on the way to my next shift.  What were you doing there … were you looking for me, sir?”Lex looked the junior helm officer in the eye, attempting to calm her down and prepare her for his news at the same time.“Ensign, there’s something I need to talk to you about,” he said finally.Back in her room, Elizabeth McFarlane was clearly beginning to feel very unsettled by her captain’s presence.  He was obviously not here to spread joy and happiness – that much was evident from his expression – but McFarlane couldn’t begin to guess what he had come for.“Coffee, Captain?” she offered awkwardly.  “I mean, tea.  It’s Earl Grey tea, isn’t it, sir?”“I’m fine, thank you, Elizabeth,” Lex assured her.  “Please, sit down – I have something of a sensitive nature that I need to discuss with you.”Lex couldn’t help but notice McFarlane stiffen slightly at this, as if she had decided to abandon her attempts to be friendly, in favour of a more professional approach.“It’s Eliza, sir,” she added calmly as she sat down.  “I haven’t been Elizabeth since I was six.”“I’m sorry, Eliza, I didn’t know,” Lex replied.  He took a deep breath, before finally beginning.“What I’m about to tell you is classified information, which normally you wouldn’t have clearance for.  But given the details of our current mission, I wouldn’t expect you to operate on nothing more than half-truths and speculation.  Therefore, for the duration of this mission, I’m bumping up your security clearance to allow you access to the information relevant to this assignment.”McFarlane sat motionless on her sofa, taken aback by her captain’s words.  She’d expected a verbal warning over some minor infraction of the rules – not this.  However, before she could

speculate what it was that warranted her increased clearance, Lex’s next few words knocked the ground out from under her.“Eliza … it’s about your father,” Lex managed eventually.  “Commander Henriksen has stolen a ship – the Odyssey in fact – and is heading directly for the Romulan border.  We believe … he and his fellow mutineers are planning to defect.”McFarlane’s eyes glazed over and the colour drained from her face as Lex spoke, so much so that Lex wondered if she was actually going to be sick then and there.“Eliza, are you alright?”“It’s not true,” she said finally. “It’s not possible – it can’t be!  He’d just got back into Starfleet, just got back to the stars – he wouldn’t throw that all away!  Starfleet was his life!  He gave it everything!”“Maybe he felt it had nothing left to offer him?  The facts are pretty clear…”“No.  He wouldn’t … he wouldn’t leave … not again, not like this…”“I’m sorry, Eliza, I know this can’t be easy for you.  But the Argus has been assigned to stop him before he reaches the Romulan border; I need to know if I can count on you to do your part?”“‘Do my part’?  Is that what you want?” she snapped, turning towards Lex again, eyes burning bright with fury.  “Be a good little girl for you?  How can you hunt him down after all he did for you?”“Eliza, please, calm down…”“No, wait … I bet you asked for this mission, didn’t you?  A chance to finish off out here what you couldn’t do in the courtroom!”“Now wait a minute!”“First you drag him back on duty before he’s ready, just so you can get your precious ship back, then you turn your back on him when things go wrong!  You sold him out – let him take the fall for the whole B’rhaim incident, just to save your own hide!”“Ensign – that’s enough!” Lex said, rising from his chair.“No, it’s not!  You’ve got away with everything – your ship, your career, your future!  Henriksen lost it all because of your mishandling of the whole mission!  It should have been you on trial – not him!”“You can calm down now, Ensign, or end your own Starfleet career before it’s even begun!”“Take it!” McFarlane said, tears beginning to well up, as she ripped the comm badge from her uniform and flung it to the floor.  “Take it all!  I don’t want to be a part of something that turns heroes into pariahs and cowards into fleet captains!”With that, her resolve finally broke, and she dropped down onto the sofa, her head in her hands, sobbing quietly.“Just get out,” she whispered.  “…get out…”Lex took another deep breath, and slowly unclenched his jaw, before turning and walking back out into the corridor.Simon Frazier gazed out the rec room’s windows as the Argus sped through space, sipping a drink and relaxing after another dull and tedious shift in sickbay.  He often found that being a doctor was very much an all-or-nothing profession; one day you could be saving the lives of multiple casualties, but the next you may find you have no patients and spend the day re-indexing your hyposprays.“Mind if I join you, Si?” said a voice from behind suddenly.  Simon turned away from the stars and saw that Dulmis had obviously finished his shift now as well.“Of course not, James,” Frazier replied.  “How are things down in the bowels?”“The ship’s still in one piece, if that’s what you mean,” Dulmis joked.  “But there’s always plenty to keep me busy.”

“Well, that’s what a promotion’ll get you,” Simon replied sarcastically.  “I bet you miss the days of just having to say ‘anomaly off the port bow’ every couple of weeks!”“There was a little more to being ops officer than that, you know,” Dulmis countered in a mock-hurt tone, before taking another sip of his drink.  “Actually, Si … there was something specific I wanted to ask,” he added a moment later.“Yes?” Frazier replied, putting his glass down on the table to give his friend his full attention.“I didn’t really have a chance to ask you after the briefing, but I just wanted to check how you felt about the new mission.  I mean Henriksen … that brings up the whole B’rhaim thing; I was afraid it might be dredging up a whole load of unpleasant memories for you…”Frazier remained silent for a moment, obviously searching for the right words to reassure Dulmis.“James, I’d be lying if I said thinking about that ‘incident’ was my favourite pastime,” he began, “but to be honest with you, I was so out of it by the time I was rescued from the B’rhaim, my memories of the whole thing are little more than a vague haze.  Then, before I knew it, I was hit with the double whammy of Riley’s return - and as I’m sure you remember, I pretty much fell apart.”Dulmis sat quietly, offering support for Simon, but at the same time wanting him to get all this off his chest.“But I pulled myself back together – with more than a little help from Cassaria,” Frazier continued, “and I got to finally bring my sister home.  As closures go, that was pretty much as good as it gets.”“So you’re alright about this new Henriksen thing?” James asked cautiously.“I’ve drawn a line across what happened in the Delta Quadrant last year, and have moved on.  Henriksen resurfacing wont undo all that – but thanks for the concern!” he added smiling.“Well I’m definitely glad to hear that,” Dulmis said, his relief obvious.  “You certainly seem to have handled the whole thing a lot better than Henriksen did.”At this last comment, Frazier fell silent again.“I don’t feel the hatred that Henriksen did,” he said finally, “but I can understand it, at least on some level.  The fact that it was him who took out the Colony-Ship and not me, could have been nothing more than a matter of opportunity.”“There but for the grace of God…” Dulmis whispered quietly.“Exactly.  I’ll never know for sure what I would have done if I was in Henriksen’s shoes – and hopefully I’ll never have the opportunity to find out.  But that hatred drove him to take extreme measures once before,” Frazier added ominously.  “And emotions like that don’t just disappear overnight.“The question for us all is, what it could have driven him to now?”

Act 2Seven Days Ago: Henriksen sat in his quarters and looked at the clock on his desk again as the door chime was activated.  Zero-two-hundred hours exactly; she was right on time.“Enter,” Henriksen called, turning off the monitor he had been using and rising from his chair.  A moment later, Commander Eloquin, the Odyssey’s first officer, strode in casually and waited for the door to close behind her.

She was about to speak when Henriksen held up a hand for silence, as he took a small metallic device from his desk.  He quickly activated it, and placed it back down gently.“You can never be too carefully,” he said smiling.  “We wouldn’t want our conversation turning up on any recorders now, would we?”“I suppose not, sir,” Eloquin replied awkwardly.“Sarah-Louise, it’s not too late for you to back out,” Henriksen said soothingly, as he moved towards her.  “I wouldn’t think any less of you.  But if we set off down this path, even I can’t say where it’ll take us.”“If you’re still going ahead with this,” Eloquin replied resolutely, “then I’m still with you.  Jefferson may be in charge here now, but as far as I’m concerned, you’re still my captain.  Where you go, I follow.”“You know what’s at stake here; if you do this, it has to be because you want to, not because of any loyalty to me.”“That’s where you’re wrong, sir.  This is all about loyalty – and commitment and support.  If an action is not for the benefit of someone else, at least partially, then it’s truly a selfish act.  And if you say that this is really the only option left to you, then I’m with you all the way.”“Thank you,” Henriksen replied after a short pause.  “I have to do this; but with your help, we stand a chance of actually making it to the border.  On my own, things may have ended before they had even begun.“And Sarah-Louise,” he added, “it’s Thomas.  The ‘sir’ business should have ended after my demotion.  And after this, I definitely wont be pulling rank over you!”“Okay, Thomas,” Eloquin said, smiling for the first time.  “So if we’re going to do this, the question is, when?”“In four day’s time,” Henriksen began, “the Odyssey’s stopping over at Starbase 88 for a supply pickup.  That’ll be our opportunity.”“Is that soon enough?”  Eloquin asked.  “I mean, if we’re going to make the rendezvous with your contact.”“There’s no chance to seize the ship before then – and without the Odyssey, we’ll never make the rendezvous anyway.”“Alright then, we have four days to make all the necessary arrangements,” Eloquin said, feeling better now they were actually making practical plans rather than discussing decisions.  “And four days to work out who else we can trust.”This time, it was Henriksen’s turn to feel awkward.“That’s where I was hoping you could come in,” he said, after a slight pause.  “You’ve spent more time with the crew lately – during my absence and since my return – so you know how people’s feelings about me might have changed.  If we’re to stand any chance of making it to the Romulan border, we can’t afford to raise anyone’s suspicions about us.  That means only trusting those who we can be absolutely sure will want to join us.”“I’ll look into it,” Eloquin replied, already lost in thought.  “I’ll make a few subtle inquires – just leave it with me.”“Thank you.  Now you’d better get gone before anyone misses you.”“At two in the morning?  I wish I had someone to miss me!”“Well, if you’re caught here at two in the morning,” Henriksen said with a smile, “it could start a whole new rumour going – although at least it’d have nothing to do with the Romulans!”“That’s not quite the red herring I was looking for,” Eloquin replied with a coy smile.  “I’ll see you tomorrow … Thomas.”“Goodnight, Commander,” Henriksen said warmly, “and get some rest.“You’re going to need it.” 

Now: “The trail’s dead, Captain,” Tennison announced to the assembled group of officers in the Argus’ briefing room.  “We followed it this far without problem, but now that we’re nearing the border, they seem to have started to mask their warp signature somehow.”“Can you get any kind of trace on them?” Lex asked his operations officer desperately.“None as yet, sir – but we’ll obviously keep trying.”“Have you tried scanning for their residual warp plasma particles?” Ensign Lon, Tennison’s counterpart from the Odyssey, volunteered.“Actually, that was one of the first things I tried,” Tennison replied, a little more aggressively than she had intended.  There was just something about being second guessed by a wet-behind-the-ears ensign that rubbed the lieutenant commander up the wrong way.“If we’re going to intercept them before they make it to Romulus and back,” Lex interjected, “we’re going to have to find them now.  I want Ensign Lon to work with Tennison and Davis to see if they can find a way to track the Odyssey.  Our speed means nothing if we don’t have a destination.  Let’s get to it.”“We’ll get on it right away, Captain,” Tennison replied immediately, rising from her chair.  She turned to the young Ktarian officer, and extended her hand in an attempt to counteract her earlier rudeness.  “I’ll see you in the astrometrics lab in five minutes, Ensign.”“I’m looking forward to working with you,” Lon replied enthusiastically.  “I’ve always wanted to talk to you about your bio-neural circuitry designs!”“Really?” Tennison replied, her ego suitably fed.“Yes – we studied your work in detail at the Academy,” Lon answered, before she turned and headed off for the astrometrics lab.The Academy? Tennison thought, smiling to herself.  Now I’m really beginning to feel old!“Kate, T’Kare, Captain Jefferson,” Lex called, as everyone filed out of the briefing room.  “If I could just have a quick word?”The three officers waited while the others left, as Lex joined them at the end of the long room.“When we find the Odyssey,” Lex began in a hushed voice, “we have no idea what kind of a struggle she might put up.”“If they really are defecting,” T’Kare said cautiously, “they’ll not go down without a fight.”“That’s exactly what I’m afraid of,” Jefferson interrupted.  “The Odyssey is totally outmatched by this Sovereign-class ship.  Don’t get me wrong; against another ship her size, the Odyssey can hold her own – but there’s a reason why the Sovereign-class is the ‘Queen of the Fleet’.”“But isn’t that a good thing for us?” T’Kare asked, slightly confused by Jefferson’s interruption.“If we destroy the Odyssey rather than recapture her,” Kate explained, “we’ll have lost a valuable Starfleet asset.”“And Starfleet Command may not look too favourably on a captain who loses his ship,” Lex continued, saying out loud what was on everyone’s minds.“Very true,” Jefferson said firmly.  “But let’s not forget that we still have the rule of law in Starfleet.  As such, executing Henriksen and his co-conspirators without a trial is not an option either.”“Either way,” Lex said sternly, attempting to calm everyone down, “we’re all agreed that we want to capture the Odyssey intact, if at all possible.”“Chances are, Henriksen will have already changed all the command authorisations and overridden the prefix codes, so there’s little hope of overpowering him that way,” Kate said.“I think the best option is simply a ‘surgical strike’, Captain,” T’Kare volunteered.  “With the Argus’ targeting sensors, I could shoot through the eye of a needle if need be.  A few well-

placed, focused blasts from the phaser arrays should be able to take their weapons and engines offline, with minimal damage to the rest of the ship.”“That looks like being the best option we have, Lieutenant,” Lex agreed.  “I want you to go over our tactical systems with a fine comb – ensure everything is working at one hundred percent efficiency.  If we’re going to disable them with only minimal structural damage, we have to strike quickly and accurately.”“I just hope you’re as good as you say you are,” Jefferson added suspiciously.“Don’t worry, Captain,” T’Kare replied with a subtle wink to Sheridan.“I learnt from the best.” 

***** Lex had only just sat himself down in his ready room when the chime went again and Sheridan walked in.“Is there a problem, Commander?” Lex asked.“Actually, there was something I wanted to ask you, sir, but not in front of the others.”“Go ahead.”“It’s about McFarlane.”Lex almost audibly groaned at the mention of his junior helm officer’s name.“Yes?”“I noticed you’ve taken her off active duty…”“And?” Lex replied defensively.  “After her behaviour earlier, she’s lucky that’s all I’ve done.”“With respect, sir, I don’t think that was the right thing to do.”  Kate paused for a second to see if Lex wanted to say something, but he seemed happy to let her have her say, at least for now.“She’s a good officer, Jono, and has been rightly selected for the command fast-track.  Fifteen years from now, she could be captaining her own ship – but not if you put an official reprimand on her record.”“She was well out of line, Kate.  She has to know she can’t talk to her CO like that.”“I’m sure she does.  And I’m sure whatever she said was said as a frightened and confused young woman, not as this ship’s helm officer.  She’s had a rough time of late, with the death of her mother, Henriksen’s demotion, and now this.  It’s little wonder that she’s disorientated and upset.”Again Kate paused, and again Lex remained silent.“Let me talk to her,” Sheridan suggested.  “I had the chance to get to know her a little while I was on Earth for the trial; maybe she’ll respond to me a bit better.”Lex turned to his monitor and accessed McFarlane’s personnel file, turning the screen so that Kate could see it too.“I never put the reprimand on her file, Kate,” Lex said quietly.  “I was about her age when I was joined with the Lex symbiont, you know.  I remember what it was like to be overwhelmed by the universe, just as you’re taking your first steps out into it.“She just needed time to cool off.  If you can talk to her, I’ll leave any decision about what she should do during the remainder of this mission in your hands.”“Thanks, Jono.  She’ll make you proud one day, I know it.”“With you looking out for her,” Lex said affectionately, “I know she can’t go far wrong.” 

***** 

T’Kare was busying herself in the security office, running through a thorough series of diagnostics on the tactical systems, when she suddenly felt the barrel of a Type II phaser pressed against the back of her head.“You’re slipping, T-K,” said a voice from behind.“On the contrary,” T’Kare replied calmly.  “I’ve been aware of your substandard attempt to creep up on me for sometime, Zirella.”  With that comment, she gave a quick flick of her left wing, and the weapon flew out of Liral’s grasp, just as T’Kare spun her chair around to reveal her own concealed phaser.  “I’m afraid it’s clearly you that is ‘slipping’.”“Show off,” Liral retorted in a mock-bitter tone, as she collected her pistol from the floor.  “You should see what I could do with a couple of extra limbs!”“I could have a word with Dr Frazier, if you want,” T’Kare deadpanned.  “Ask him to even the odds?”“I think I’m enough of a freak as it is – without being a flying Cardassian/Bajoran!”“You don’t know what you’re missing,” T’Kare joked, as she turned back to her console.  “What brings you down here anyway?”“I was going stir crazy in my quarters – so I thought I’d see if I could give my old friend a hand.”“I’m just making sure all the tactical systems are fine at the moment; it’s not exciting, but I wont complain if you lend a hand.”“Sure, no problem.  What’s left to do?”“Double checking shield emitters, torpedo launch mechanisms, phaser relays and the fighter wing – pretty much everything.”“Hey, I said I’d help, not do it for you!” Liral said with a smile.  “I’ll check the Chimera fighters – I’ve been wanting to get a closer look at those since you got them.”“That’s the benefit of being onboard a Sovereign-class ship,” T’Kare teased.  “We get all the best toys!”“Well if this goes badly,” Liral began, the joviality disappearing, “I may be in need of a new assignment.  If the Odyssey makes it to Romulus, I don’t think they’ll be rushing to commend my performance as her tactical officer.”“We’ll get her back, Zirella,” T’Kare said defiantly.  “I promise.”“I hope so, T-K.  Because when we find the Odyssey, I’m gonna make Henriksen regret the day he ever betrayed me.” 

***** 

“Please, have a seat, Commander,” McFarlane offered, as Sheridan entered her quarters.“Thanks, Eliza, but I’m sure you know why I’m here,” Kate said, getting straight down to business.  “This isn’t exactly a social visit.”“I know,” McFarlane said with a resigned sigh.  “I’ll start packing things up here – I’ll be ready for reassignment as soon as we get back to Starbase 251.”“Eliza, you’re not being reassigned,” Kate said, surprised that she would have jumped to such a conclusion already.“He’s kicking me out of Starfleet?” Eliza cried in shock.  “I suppose I should have expected that from him.”“Hold your horses there, Ensign,” Kate said, trying to get McFarlane to actually listen to her instead of have the conversation purely in her imagination.  “No one’s being reassigned - no one’s being discharged.  Captain Lex is happy enough to let you calm down in your own time – then I will be deciding what happens next.”  McFarlane paused for a moment to take this in.“Oh,” was all she could manage a few seconds later.

“Eliza, I know you blame Captain Lex for what happened to your father,” Kate began calmly, “but it’s just not as simple as that.  And if you can’t get over this need to project everything onto Captain Lex, it’s not going to do you or your career any good.“To be frank, it wont be appropriate for you to continue on the Argus if you can’t sort this thing with Lex out.”McFarlane hung her head for a moment, and Kate could see that the young woman was taking all this onboard.“I know,” she said eventually, “that Captain Lex is a good man.  But so is my father … and when everything went sour last year, I just needed to latch onto something, to blame someone for my whole life falling apart.”“I can understand why you might have felt that way,” Kate said soothingly.  “But it’s time to let it go, before Henriksen’s past destroys your future.“I’m asking you this as a friend, so you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to – but it might help to know why Henriksen’s demotion hit you so hard.  I mean, as far as your records show, you didn’t even know he was your father until two years ago…”McFarlane picked her head up, looked at Sheridan and gave a weak smile.“You know,” she said in a trembling voice, “you’re the first person who’s ever asked me that.  Everyone else just ignores me when Henriksen’s name’s mentioned, or tries to sweep it under the carpet – but no one’s ever asked why I feel the way I do.“My mother, Vanessa McFarlane, met Thomas Henriksen during his first assignment after the Academy.  She was a civilian microbiologist, and he was the junior Starfleet science officer assigned to her project.  They got to know each other, and eventually fell in love and had five fantastic years together.“But in the end, my father’s career got in the way,” Eliza continued.  “He could pass up only so many offers of a posting aboard a starship – his first great passion had always been exploration, a love of science combined with a fascination with space.  My mother on the other hand, hated space travel, and couldn’t adjust to the instability of life on a starship.“My father was twenty-seven when he got offered the chance to be senior science officer on a deep space exploration mission.  It came down to a choice between love and career – and he chose to follow his dream to the stars.”“That must have been very hard on them both,” Kate offered, as Eliza paused to collect herself.“It wasn’t an easy choice for either of them,” she confirmed.  “My father’s told me since, that not a day went by that a part of him didn’t regret his decision.“But a month later, my mother found out she was pregnant with me.  She wanted to keep the baby, but couldn’t bring herself to tell Henriksen, and end his dreams of going to the stars.  So my mother raised me alone … and never told me about Henriksen or vice versa.  I grew up believing that my father had abandoned us before I was born, and ended up resenting the faceless figure for it.”“Why didn’t your mother ever tell you – or Henriksen – the truth later?” Kate asked.“I found out after her death that she thought about it a lot.  But as more time passed, it became harder and harder for her to admit she had deceived all of us.  I think in the end, she was just to afraid of losing what she had by upsetting the boat.”“So how did you find out?” Sheridan prompted.“During my penultimate year at the Academy, my mother became ill and died, quite suddenly.  After her death, I discovered she had left two letters with her executors – one for me, and one for my father.  In them, she apologised for keeping the truth from us for all these years, but said that as time went on, she’d found she’d dug herself a hole she felt she could never get out of.”“How did you feel, when you found out the truth?” Kate asked gently.

“I fell apart initially.  Henriksen tried to contact me – but I wasn’t ready for it.  I was angry at my mother - for lying to me, for dying and leaving my life a hollow joke.  I was angry at Henriksen for never taking the time to look in on my mother … and find out about me.“My grades plummeted and I had to re-sit the year’s final exams on compassionate grounds.  I still needed more time to come to terms with everything, and Henriksen said he would back off and give me my space until I felt ready.  And that was two years ago.“After that, I started having regular sessions with the Academy counsellor, and got some degree of normalcy back in my life.  But I could never bring myself to call Henriksen and open that whole can of worms.”“So what changed all that?”“The B’rhaim incident … that brought everything crashing down.  My father had left my mother – and by extension, me – for his career.  The fact that he was such a well-respected veteran captain made me feel a bit better about the whole situation.  Although I never realised it at the time, I was secretly proud of who my father was, and it meant that at least some good had come out of my parent’s split.“But when Henriksen lost it all, it meant that everything I had been through, everything I had sacrificed and been denied, had been for nothing.  I secretly attended the hearing to hear for myself what had happened – and came out with the conclusion that it had been Lex’s fault.  I needed someone to blame for everything I had lost, and Lex fit the bill.”“So why did you take the assignment on the Argus after the refit?” Kate asked confused.“At first, I thought it was some kind of cosmic joke.  But then I became determined to be a professional and maintain my spotless record, no matter who my captain was.”“And you were doing just that,” Sheridan commented, “until yesterday.”“I know – and I’m sorry.  I realise now that blaming Lex is not the answer, and that my father is not blameless either.  But I just couldn’t help but hold onto my anger – first with my mother, then Henriksen, then Lex – as a security blanket of sorts.”“So what now?” Kate asked, hoping to help the young helm officer to get a little more off her chest.“I freaked out when I heard Henriksen was supposed to be defecting, because I was just reaching a point in my life where I felt ready to let him in.  I realise now that no matter what, he is my father, and even if I don’t know exactly what that means, I know it must mean something.“But now I’m afraid that I may lose him for good, before I ever really got to know him.”“I can’t say how this is going to end, Eliza,” Kate said after a pause, “but I promise we’ll do everything we can to bring Henriksen back alive.  In the meantime, you’ll be restricted to non-sensitive duties for the remainder of this mission; then you’ll be on indefinite probation – but in return we’ll keep the whole incident off your official file.  Agreed?”“Absolutely, Commander,” McFarlane said, smiling again.  “I wont let you down!”“You’d better not,” Sheridan replied, getting up to leave.“Commander, there was one other thing,” Eliza called hesitantly.  “Do you really think it’s true, about Henriksen defecting?”“It certainly looks that way at this stage,” Sheridan replied cautiously.  “Don’t you think so?”“That’s the worst thing of all,” McFarlane confessed.  “I don’t know what to think.  A part of me is screaming that Henriksen could never betray Starfleet like they’re saying he has – despite his earlier mistakes.“But a part of me is wondering if he’s abandoned the Federation for a better deal … just like he abandoned my mother twenty-four years ago…”

Act 3Three Days Ago: Henriksen sat motionlessly in the dark of his quarters on the Odyssey, lost deep in thought.  In a few minutes, it would have begun – he would have crossed the line from which there was no turning back.When he’d first made the decision to take the Odyssey, he had been certain that it was the right thing to do – there was simply no other way to reach Romulan space in time.  But as things progressed, and he’d been forced to wait days for the right opportunity to present itself, doubt had slowly but surely crept in.He thought about the B’rhaim and everything they’d done to him – indirectly this was all still flowing from his encounter with that cursed species.  His life had fallen apart as soon as they first boarded his ship – when it was still his ship – and despite his best efforts, it seemed he was never going to be able to rebuild what he once had.He thought about the people he’d let down in the past – the crew of the Genesis, Christopher Ellis his former X-O … and Vanessa McFarlane, the love of his life.  He once swore he’d never let anyone down like that again, but now he wasn’t so sure that was a promise he was going to be able to keep.Finally, he thought of Elizabeth, the daughter he never had the chance to know.  He realised that after this he may never be able to see her again, and that alone almost made him reconsider his plan.But he realised that things had already been set in motion, and whatever he felt now, he knew that they were already passed the point of no return.In a few short moments, it would be time to meet his trusted co-conspirators in the main transporter room.  From there, they could quickly initiate an emergency beam-out of the few personnel remaining onboard, transporting them over to Starbase 88, before finally starting their dash for the border.  After that, it was just a question of evading whoever Starfleet sent to stop them from reaching Romulan space.But Henriksen knew that was not going to be as easy as it sounded. Now: “Captain, good news!” Tennison exclaimed triumphantly.“You’ve found the Odyssey?” Lex asked hopefully.“Not quite – but we’ve found a way to track her,” Lon clarified.“Show us what you’ve got,” Sheridan instructed, as the small group of officers gathered around the astrometrics lab’s main holographic display.“Henriksen’s managed to hide the Odyssey from our sensors completely,” Lieutenant Davis explained.  “But what he can’t do is hide the effects the Odyssey has on the surrounding space.”“But space is a void,” Kate said, realising she was stating the obvious, but hoping that someone would explain.  “There isn’t anything for the Odyssey to effect.”“You’re right,” Davis continued.  “The Odyssey doesn’t effect the surrounding space, but it does effect the surrounding subspace.”“We’ve managed to calibrate the sensors to track the subspace eddies created by the Odyssey’s warp field,” Lon said, taking over from Davis.  “It’s the same as trying to follow a boat by tracing its wake.”“We’ve picked up the Odyssey’s trail,” Tennison concluded, indicating to the holo-projection, “and should be able to follow it all the way back to Henriksen.  The only problem is,” she

added tentatively, “if we go to transwarp ourselves, the subspace disruption created might interfere with the sensors.”“Maximum warp it is then,” Lex said firmly.  “Send these co-ordinates up to the helm right away.”“Aye, sir,” Tennison answered, turning quickly to a nearby console.“You’ve done some very impressive work here,” Lex congratulated.  “It’s nice to see you putting our new astrometrics lab to such good use.”“I’ve been itching to really try it out since the refit,” Davis confessed.  “It’s a science officer’s dream.”  She suddenly fell silent as she realised what she’d said.  “I mean … it’s very …”“It’s alright, Lieutenant,” Lex said calmly.  “Nobody wants promotion through dead-man’s-shoes, but it’s not any kind of reflection on your performance.  And you don’t need to apologise to me for simply being the science officer.”“Thank you, sir,” she replied, relieved she had not caused offence.“Helm reports that the course is laid in and ready, Captain,” Tennison announced.“Then let’s go,” Lex ordered.  “We have a lot of ground to make up.” 

***** “We currently seem to be gaining ground on the Odyssey quite significantly, Admiral,” Lex informed Morrison in the admiral’s temporary quarters three hours later.  “Dulmis suspects that the Odyssey is only travelling at low warp to enable them to mask their readings more effectively.  Luckily for us, this means we should be able to make up the ground we lost earlier, when they first disappeared from our sensors.”“ETA?” Morrison asked gruffly.“Best guess – estimating their current speed and initial head start – about fifteen hours,” Lex answered.“That’ll put them dangerously near the Romulan border, wont it?” Jefferson asked cautiously, having joined Morrison for Lex’s update.“We should still have a workable margin of error,” Lex replied confidently.  “Once we have a fix on their approximate location, we could always transwarp ahead of them, blocking their route to the border.”“I’ll be happy when we aren’t relying on ‘ifs’ and ‘maybes’, gentlemen,” Morrison retorted.  “Find me that ship, and find it before it’s even in sight of the border.”“We’ll do what we can, sir,” Lex responded enthusiastically.  He knew that admirals like Morrison didn’t like to be told people were doing their best – they simply wanted results.  Lex just hoped for everyone’s sake that he could produce the results when required.“Good.  Keep me informed as things develop, Captain.”“Aye, sir,” Lex said, before leaving the admiral’s quarters with Jefferson by his side.“I’m sorry if I came off as abrupt earlier,” Jefferson said suddenly, as the two captains made their way towards the nearest turbolift.“I’m sorry?” Lex asked, not sure what Jefferson meant.“I was a little harsh with you and your officers earlier,” Quentin explained.  “I know you’re all doing your best – I just sometimes have high expectations that are hard to live up to.”“I think you’ll find my crew are among the best in Starfleet,” Lex replied defensively.“Oh, no, I’m sure they are,” Jefferson assured him.  “It’s just that this is all … very new to me.  I’m sure you can imagine what it’s like, to be given an assignment you didn’t expect.  I was ‘king of my own castle’, used to having everything just how I wanted it – then a moment later I’m sent here, into an unfamiliar role, on an unfamiliar ship, competing for the loyalty of my crew with my own right-hand man.  I’m still … adjusting to things, and so if I have been a little on edge, I do apologise.”

“There’s really no need,” Lex replied smiling.  “We all feel a little overwhelmed at times.  If you don’t mind me asking, what did make you accept the transfer from the Judge Advocate General’s Office to the Odyssey?”“I go where I’m needed,” Jefferson replied with a smile.They carried on down the corridor in amicable silence until they finally reached the turbolift.“Going up?” Lex asked.“No, thank you,” Jefferson said politely.  A second later however, Jefferson suddenly stuck his arm out, preventing the lift’s doors from closing.“There is one thing that I still don’t understand,” he said casually, almost as if he was thinking out loud.  “If Henriksen stole the Odyssey from Starbase 88 at 0300 hours, and we left on the Infinity in pursuit only hours after that … how did Starfleet Intelligence find out about it all so quickly?”As Lex paused to consider this, Jefferson withdrew his hand, allowing the doors to close.“I’m sure they have their ways…” Lex heard Jefferson say enigmatically, as the turbolift sped him away.“Computer, connect to Starfleet central database,” Lex ordered, as he entered his ready room.“Subspace connection established.  Please state field of inquiry.”“Personnel file: Henriksen, Thomas Daniel,” Lex instructed.“Henriksen, Thomas Daniel: Commander, currently assigned as Strategic Operations Officer to the USS Odyssey NCC-75171.”“Access personal history sub-file.  Display from return from Project: Voyager mission to the Delta Quadrant.”“Officially suspended from active duty Stardate 53947 pending Board of Inquiry hearing.  Board convened to decide on course of action to be taken following Henriksen’s actions during Project: Voyager mission - actions which resulted in the Odyssey sustaining heavy damage, requiring four weeks in spacedock, the loss of the USS Victory NX-75281, deemed unsalvageable following its return from Delta Quadrant, and the alleged genocide of the B’rhaim race,” the computer intoned impassively.“Board of Inquiry ruled that Henriksen be demoted to rank of commander and must submit to psychiatric evaluation and assessment.”“Continue displaying file, computer,” Lex instructed, as the computer appeared to pause.“Currently assigned as Strategic Operations Officer, USS Odyssey NCC-75171.  End of file.”“Computer, display personal history files between date of the board’s decision and Henriksen’s assignment to the Odyssey.”“All available files have been displayed,” the computer replied.“This can’t be right,” Lex said to himself.  “The records shouldn’t just leap like that.  Computer, rescan for personal history files – authorisation Lex Delta-Sigma-Nine.”“Cannot comply – authorisation denied.”“Well that tells me everything,” Lex said ominously.  “If there weren’t files there to be accessed, there wouldn’t be anything to deny access to.  But if I am being rejected, it must mean that someone with even higher clearance sealed the records.“And that really doesn’t sound good.”“Jono, it’s good to see you again,” Captain Foxton said as she appeared on the monitor in Lex’s ready room.  “To what do I owe the pleasure?”“Alyson, is this channel secure at your end?” Lex asked seriously.“It is now,” Foxton replied, the humour dropping from her voice instantly.  “What is it, Jono?”“I have to ask a favour … the kind that I can’t officially ask for.”“I see,” Alyson replied slowly.  “Then it must be serious.  How can I help?”

“I need access to some sealed personnel files, and I need them by the end of the day – but whoever sealed them has a higher security clearance than I do.”“I’m not sure if I can be of any use to you – as a fleet captain, your clearance is higher than mine.”“Maybe – but you’ve been in Starfleet for nearly fifty years now, and there must be some people who owe you favours.”The veteran captain paused for a moment, considering what she should do.“Give me a couple of hours,” she said finally.  “I can’t promise anything, especially given the time constraints … but I’ll do what I can.”“Thank you, Alyson.  I owe you – again!”“You always do, Jono – just like Kat before you!” she replied with a smile.  “Maybe the next Lex host can repay the debt by keeping an eye on my descendants!”“Count on it,” he said, returning the smile.  “Lex out.” 

***** McFarlane piloted the Type IX shuttle through the asteroid field at breakneck speed.  As she successfully manoeuvred the small craft between the gigantic jagged rocks, she pushed the shuttle’s throttle harder and harder.Soon the asteroids were coming thick and fast, but McFarlane didn’t care.  She just kept slowly increasing speed, pushing the craft’s manoeuvrability to the limit.But in a flash, it became too much.  A massive asteroid came out of nowhere, forcing McFarlane to bank the shuttle hard to the port.  At that speed, it proved too great a strain on the thrusters, and the shuttle entered an uncontrollable roll.  As McFarlane did all she could to correct the error, another asteroid came at her from above, and she knew there was nothing she could do.The asteroid collided with the shuttle, and McFarlane had to shield her eyes from the blinding white flash.“Programme suspended,” the computer announced, as the holo-grid reset itself.  “Mission failed.”“Damnit!” Eliza shouted in frustration.  “Computer, reinitialise programme Arkin Beta Four.”“That’s not a particularly easy scenario you’ve chosen,” said a voice from behind.  McFarlane spun around to see that Arkin was standing behind her in the rear section of the holographic shuttle.“What are you doing here?” McFarlane asked, half surprised, half angry.“It’s my turn,” Arkin said simply.  “Your holodeck slot finished ten minutes ago.”“Oh, I’m sorry,” McFarlane replied sheepishly.  “I guess I must have lost track of time.”“Don’t worry about it,” Arkin said gently.  “I know you must have a lot of other things on your mind right now.”“That’s the understatement of the year,” Eliza replied sarcastically, as she unbuckled herself from the pilot’s seat.“I hear you’re stuck on light duties at the moment,” Jora mentioned casually.  “I’m sure that can’t be helping.”“What do you mean?” McFarlane asked, pausing.“When I’m shaken up about something, I like to bury myself in my work – it provides me with focus and something else to apply myself to.  It’s when you’ve got time on your hands, when your mind wanders – that’s when it always hits you the worst.”“I know what you mean,” Eliza replied after a moment.  “I came down here to try and concentrate on something else, to try and beat your best time on the simulation – but it didn’t help.  I’m still just as mixed up on the inside, not knowing who or what to believe.”

“I understand what that’s like, you know,” Arkin admitted.  “Last year, when I was ostracised by my people, banished from my homeworld, I felt unbelievably conflicted over my own roots.  On the one hand, I was proud of what I had done, and I really felt that it had been the right thing to do, standing up for my principles above all else.  But a part of me … a big part of me … wanted to go home more than anything else.”“So what did you do?”“I survived.  I carried on.  One day at a time – one minute at a time to begin with.  The secret, Eliza, is not to try to have all the answers – the universe doesn’t work that way and you’ll go mad trying to figure it all out.  I have faith in the Prophets that what is meant to be, will be, and when it’s time to know the answers, we’ll find them.”“I wish I had that kind of faith,” McFarlane confessed.“Whatever your beliefs are,” Arkin said comfortingly, “I guarantee that time is the key.  In time, all questions will be answered – the real problem is making sure you’re around long enough to get that far.”“Thanks,” Eliza said, smiling again.“Don’t mention it.  You’re part of our family now, and we look out for our own,” Jora replied with a wink.  “Now how about we share my holo-time, and I’ll show you how you’re meant to do the ‘asteroid slalom’ programme!” 

***** “I’m sorry, Jono,” Foxton apologised over the comm channel.  “There was nothing I could do in the time available.”“Thanks for trying, Ally.”“I called a couple of people, but they had no better luck than you.  And Jean-Luc’s out of communications range … there just wasn’t enough time.”“It was a long shot at best anyway,” Lex assured her.  “But I appreciate your efforts all the same.”“If you’re in trouble, Jono, the Sentinel’s only a few hours from you…”“Hopefully it wont come to that,” Lex replied optimistically.  “For now, just continue with your border patrol as before.”“Understood.  But if you need anything, don’t be afraid to ask.”  Foxton had only know Jonozia for two years – but she’d known Lex for over fifty, and she knew that Lex wouldn’t be asking her for favours unless he thought something was seriously wrong.And that worried her.“I will.  Take care, Ally – and thanks again.  Lex out.”Lex tapped at the monitor to close the channel, and sat back in his comfortable chair.  Within hours they would be on the Odyssey and everything would be over … but Lex couldn’t help but feel that there was something that was being kept from him, and he didn’t like that one bit.Just then, Lex was brought back to reality by someone at his ready room door.  He was surprised however, to see that it was Jefferson who entered a moment later.“Captain Jefferson, what can I do for you?” Lex asked politely.“There’s just a little query I was wondering if you could help me with,” Quentin said calmly.“And that is?” the Trill captain asked, uncomfortable with the tone Jefferson was using.“I was just wondering, if you were aware that attempting to coerce others into providing you with files that have been sealed by your superior officers, is potentially a very serious offence?” the Odyssey’s captain asked, still in the same unnervingly calm voice.Lex tensed, all too aware that Jefferson could be bluffing … or could be preparing to confront Lex with evidence of his recent communications with Alyson Foxton.  Finally, Lex decided to

stand his ground – if Jefferson wanted a fight, he could have one, but Lex was tired of being kept in the dark.“If you’ve got something to say, Captain, please spit it out.”“I know that after our last conversation, you attempted to gain access to a sealed section of Henriksen’s personnel file,” Quentin began, almost as if he was still addressing a courtroom.  “When you failed, you enlisted Captain Foxton’s help – but she too was unable to access the information you wanted.”“And your point is?” Lex asked unwaveringly, despite that fact he was wondering how Jefferson knew all this.“My point, as you so eloquently put it, is that I have had decidedly better luck than you since our last conversation.”The penny dropped, and Lex realised that Jefferson was confiding in him, not confronting him.  He also realised that the former advocate had an annoying tendency to never just come out and say something – presumably old habits die-hard.“What did you manage to find out?” Lex asked, relaxing finally.“I called in a few markers with contacts back in the JAG’s office – and got a copy of the missing files,” Jefferson informed him.“And I think you’ll agree, it makes for a very interesting read.”“Just when were you going to tell us the full story, Admiral?” Lex demanded as he stormed into Morrison’s quarters.“Watch your tone, Captain,” the older man warned sternly.  “And explain yourself immediately.”“With respect, sir, I should have been made fully aware of the facts surrounding Henriksen’s assignment.  I was assured that I was to be in command of this mission, but I how can I be when I’m not being told everything?”“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Captain,” Morrison replied in his usual gruff tone.“Sir, there’s no need for you to play games anymore – I know you lied to us about Henriksen’s history.  It was you who assigned him to the Odyssey after the Board of Inquiry’s hearing, and then sealed the records … to hide the fact that he’s been working for Starfleet Intelligence ever since!”Lex could see Morrison stiffen, ready to march the young Trill straight to a court martial hearing.  He knew that the admiral could still deny everything, in which case Lex would have to explain how he found out the truth.  Even then, Lex was painfully aware that an admiral in Starfleet Intelligence could easily make the evidence disappear, leaving Lex looking like a bare-faced liar.But some part of Lex instinctively knew that this was the right thing to do.  One can’t live for several lifetimes without developing an ability to read people – and right now Lex’s gut was telling him that Morrison would fold.A second later, Lex’s instincts were proved correct, as Morrison visibly relaxed and turned to his two aides.“Excuse us for a moment,” he instructed.“That’s restricted information, Captain,” the admiral continued once they were alone.  “I don’t have to ask to know that you didn’t get it through official channels.  That in itself could end your career.”“But is it true?” Lex demanded, determined not to be thrown by Morrison’s thinly veiled threats.“It is,” he replied simply.  “We had a particularly sensitive mission for a Starfleet Intelligence operative – and I personally selected and recruited Henriksen for it.”“But why Henriksen?” Lex asked, baffled by Morrison’s decision.

“Because he had everything we needed.  He was a veteran captain who was now clutching at the last few tatters of his career – no one would suspect he would be entrusted with intelligence work.  And he needed a way to get back into the loop, and we provided him with one.”“So what went wrong?” Lex asked sternly.“At some stage, he wised up.  He realised that no matter how many unofficial assignments he did for us, he was never going to amount to anything in Starfleet.  Eighteen months ago, he’d been considered admiralty material – now he was lucky to get an assignment anywhere.  But there was still one way he could get everything he ever wanted – respect, authority and rank.”“The Romulans.”“Exactly.  Henriksen had amassed files of classified Starfleet Intelligence data on all of our post-war operations – he knew that this, along with another prize the Romulans would kill for, would buy him a place of authority on Romulus.”“So Henriksen was spying on the Romulans?”“Don’t look so shocked,” Morrison replied contemptuously.  “The argument that ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend’ only works when there is an enemy.  Once we defeated the Dominion, it was just a matter of time before the remaining races began to vie for dominance again.“Cardassia lay in ruins and the Klingons had suffered huge losses.  It was clear that only the Federation and the Romulan Empire were in any fit state to become the dominant Alpha Quadrant power.  With the threat of a return to the Cold War days looming ever closer, it became a race to rebuild – a race that the Romulans are clearly winning.“We were in the war far longer than the Romulans, our losses were far greater, and their militarily structured society means they can rebuild their fleets faster.  We had to know what they were capable of and what they were planning.”“But how can you justify spying on them?” Lex asked incredulously.  “They’re our allies.”“How can you be so naïve, Captain?” Morrison asked honestly.  “The major powers have all spied on each other since the dawn of time.  No one can admit it publicly, or face sanctions from the other races, but it goes on nonetheless.  Right now, the Romulans no doubt have moles in Starfleet, just as we have contacts in the Romulan Empire.”“And at some stage, Henriksen saw that the grass was a hell of a lot greener on the other side,” Lex concluded.“He’s not blind – he saw that the way things are going, the Romulans will dominate the Alpha Quadrant within the next decade.  So he decided to join the winning side.”“And buy his freedom with Starfleet Intelligence’s secrets…”“It’s worse than that even – Henriksen has with him something that could feasibly tip the balance of power decisively in the Romulan’s favour if they get their hands on it.”“What?” Lex asked, equally curious and horrified.“I … I’ve already said too much,” Morrison said, realising that there was a line he wasn’t prepared to let Lex cross.  “You simply don’t have the clearance, Captain.  And to be honest with you, I kept this information from you because I deemed it irrelevant; you were assigned to stop Henriksen reaching the border, you shouldn’t need extra incentives to persuade you that the mission is of vital importance.“But now you know, you can see why we have to do everything in our power to stop Henriksen, or else it’ll be the end of my career, your career, and possibly the Federation itself.“We must do everything, and I mean everything, to make sure Henriksen doesn’t reach his Romulan handler at the border – nothing else matters.  Henriksen may be a desperate man, Captain, but I can assure you that right now, so am I.”

Act 4Six Months Ago: “Are you sure you really want to resign your commission, Commander?” Admiral Morrison asked again.  “Once you’re out, there’s no turning back.”“I’ve thought about it a lot, sir,” Henriksen replied stiffly.  “As things stand, I don’t really see a place for me in Starfleet anymore.”“But the psyke board has cleared you for duty again – why do you want to throw it all away after you’ve jumped through all their hoops?”“To be blunt, Admiral,” Henriksen replied, pausing for a moment to see if Morrison was going to interrupt him, “it’s because I’ve just been given my new assignment from Starfleet Science.”“Something wrong with it?” Morrison asked in a tone that suggested he already knew what Henriksen was going to say.“Permission to speak freely, sir?” Henriksen asked, determined not to give anyone an excuse to kick him out of Starfleet before he left of his own accord.  Morrison nodded his approval, and so Henriksen continued.“This assignment is a joke – an insult.  Managing a low priority, secondary research station on Earth?  I had more responsibility in my first assignment after graduation!  It’s not even off-world!“I should have known this was going to happen.  Admiral Lydiard never wanted me back in Starfleet Science, no matter what the Board of Inquiry or the counsellors said.  She’s used her influence to make sure that there’s nothing left for me in Starfleet anymore.”“So what will you do?”“I’m not entirely sure … get a position on a commercial expedition, or a private research facility or something…”“May not be easy for you so soon after the inquiry – especially with Admiral Lydiard’s comments on your file.”“What else can I do?” Henriksen asked rhetorically, resignation showing through his body language.“Commander, I haven’t been totally up front with you,” Morrison said after a pause.  “I’m not actually with Command.  I’m with a division that may be able to offer you a way back into Starfleet – if you’re willing to consider a slight change in career.”“I’m listening,” Henriksen replied, cautious but interested.“I’m with Starfleet Intelligence, and as I’m sure you are aware, we can exercise a great deal of influence when necessary.  If you transfer, unofficially of course, from Science to Intelligence, we can guarantee you a place back onboard a Starfleet vessel.”“As captain?”“I’m afraid that’s out of the question – we have to keep a low profile, and to overrule the demotion handed down by the Board of Inquiry would simply draw too much attention to you.  But we can see that you’re assigned as ‘strategic operations officer’, essentially lifting you out of the traditional chain of command and making you answerable only to the captain, almost a second executive officer in effect.”“But why me?” asked Henriksen, aware that when things usually sounded too good to be true, it’s because they were.

“I’ve monitored you closely since your return from the Delta Quadrant – unsurprisingly, the incident with the B’rhaim brought you to my attention.  But whereas Starfleet must officially condemn your actions, I can see the motivation behind them.“Your psychological evaluations confirmed what I already knew,” Morrison continued, making no secret of the fact that he’d obviously read Henriksen’s confidential reports.  “You are a man willing to do whatever is necessary for what you deem to be the greater good.  In the case of the B’rhaim, your judgement was somewhat clouded by your recent ordeal, but at your core, you were trying to do what you felt was required to save others.  In times as turbulent as these, with the Alpha Quadrant still unstable following the end of the Dominion War, Starfleet Intelligence needs people who are prepared to risk their own necks for the benefit of the Federation.”“All that aside,” Henriksen replied dismissively, “I’m a scientist.  Why should I start spying for the Federation?”“The fact you’re a scientist only helps your cover.  If we assign you to a science vessel, no one’s going to be suspicious if you patrol around the edge of Federation space.“And let’s be honest for a moment, your options are somewhat limited.  You’ll never get back on a Starfleet vessel without someone in your corner, and who else is there?  I’m giving you what you really want - a chance to get back to the stars!”Henriksen paused for a full minute, considering what was being offered.  In the end, he really couldn’t see any other alternative.“And this will be completely off the record?” he asked eventually.“The true nature of your assignment will be sealed and classified.  Your cover story will be established and the records will reflect this.  Only your new captain will be made aware of your status initially, with other senior officers informed on a need-to-know basis.”“Then I guess it’s this … or nothing.”“To be honest with you, Commander – that’s exactly what it is,” Morrison confirmed humourlessly.  It was clear that he had decided he wanted Henriksen, and he wasn’t the kind of person who made offers if he didn’t know they would be accepted.“In that case, Admiral,” Henriksen said resolutely.  “You’ve got yourself a deal.” Now: “Captain to the bridge,” Sheridan called, as she vacated the centre chair.“Status report, Commander,” Lex ordered as he exited his ready room.“We’ve found her, Captain,” Kate replied triumphantly.  “We’re closing in on the Odyssey at maximum warp – time to intercept: five minutes, fourteen seconds.”“Excellent work, people” Lex congratulated, nodding to Tennison, Davis and Sheridan.  “Sound Yellow Alert – I want everyone ready for whatever happens next.”“Aye, Captain,” Sheridan acknowledged, turning to her console.“How long to intercept?” Admiral Morrison asked, as he and Jefferson arrived on the bridge.“Just under four minutes, sir,” Tennison answered from the ops station.“They’re still quite a way from the Romulan border,” Jefferson noted, looking at the readings from the science station over Davis’s shoulder.“They were probably running circles and doubling back on their tracks,” the tactician in Sheridan noted.  “They knew they’d never be able to beat us in a straight run for the border.”“Whatever they’re up to, they’re unlikely to come quietly,” Morrison noted grimly.  “Are the tactical systems fully prepared, Commander?”“Everything’s at 100 percent, Admiral,” T’Kare announced proudly.  “We’ve got Type XII phaser arrays, quantum and photon torpedoes, not to mention a full compliment of Chimera-class fighters – so I think I can say that we’ll be ready for anything they throw at us.”

“Just remember, we’re not here for a fight, Commander,” Lex gently reminded everyone.  “If there’s a peaceful solution to all this, I want to find it – so we’re not going in guns blazing.”“If at all possible, I want my ship back in one piece,” Jefferson repeated as he joined T’Kare by the tactical console.  “Now’s where we see if you’re really as good a shot as you promised.”“I wont let you down, sir,” T’Kare reaffirmed.“Let’s not lose sight of what’s at stake here,” Morrison said, with a very unsubtle glance at Lex.  “All these matters are worth considering – but the primary concern is to prevent Henriksen reaching the border.”“Well now’s the chance, sir,” Arkin announced suddenly.  “Intercept in ten seconds!”The Argus abruptly came out of warp behind the Odyssey, almost seeming to appear from nowhere.  As the smaller Majestic-class ship sped away at full impulse, the Argus easily matched her speed as she began her pursuit.“Red Alert – raise shields,” Lex ordered.  “I don’t want to underestimate them and be caught off guard.”“They’ve begun evasive manoeuvres,” Sheridan reported.“Helm, stay with them,” Morrison interjected.“Not a problem,” Arkin replied confidently.  “I’m all over them.”“Davis, open a channel,” Lex began, trying to ignore the fact that the admiral was now giving orders on his bridge.“Channel open.”“USS Odyssey – this is Captain Lex of the Argus.  You are in direct violation of your orders – stand down immediately and prepared to be boarded.”“You don’t really expect that to work, do you, Captain?” Morrison asked scornfully.“Odyssey, you have ten seconds to surrender yourselves into our custody, or we will be forced to open fire,” Lex continued.  “Henriksen … it’s over.  Don’t force the issue with us – you will lose.”“Each second you delay, they get closer to the boarder,” Morrison interrupted.  “Open fire now, Commander.”“Belay that order!” Lex snapped, rising from his chair and signalling for Davis to cut the communication channel.  “Admiral, I was given this mission by Admiral Keaton and yourself on the understanding that I would remain in charge.  If you feel that you now need to take command of the Argus, then it’s within your power to do so – but as long as I am in command, I give the orders on this ship.”Morrison paused, obviously angered by Lex’s outburst, but also understanding that it had probably been warranted.“The ship remains yours, Captain,” he replied simply.“Thank you, sir,” Lex responded politely.  “Davis, has there been any reply from the Odyssey?”“Negative, Captain.”“Where can they think they’re going?” Kate asked rhetorically.  “They must know they can’t escape us now.”“Well let’s not find out what they’re up to,” Lex said determinedly.  “They’ve had their chance – and thrown it away.  T’Kare, proceed as planned; phasers only, focused beam.  I want their weapons and engines taken offline.”“Aye, sir,” T’Kare responded, firing the concentrated energy stream at the fleeing vessel.The beam struck, knocking the Odyssey slightly off course as her shields flared … but held.“Direct hit,” Tennison reported.  “Their aft shields are weakened but holding – we didn’t get through.”“They must have reinforced their shields with power from other systems,” Kate speculated.

“That wont be a problem, Commander,” T’Kare assured her.  “Give me a moment to compensate and realign the targeting scanners, and I’ll punch through the shields and take out their weapons and engines – reinforced shields or not.”“Sir, I’m picking up some strange readings from the Odyssey,” Davis announced.“Weapon systems?” Lex asked.“No – a computer connection.”“They’re attempting to access our main computer,” T’Kare announced.“Lock them out,” Lex ordered.“It’s no good, Captain,” Davis replied frustratedly.  “They’re uploading a virus into our systems – I can’t contain it!”“Targeting scanners are being scrambled,” T’Kare announced.  “I can’t lock on to the Odyssey.”“Navigation is seizing up, Captain,” Arkin announced.  “I’m losing helm control.”“Captain, if I may, I think I have an idea,” Tennison volunteered.“Whatever it is – do it!” Lex replied, trusting his second officer’s instincts.Tennison reached into a small compartment under her console and took out a metallic circular device.  Throwing back her long auburn hair, she revealed the dataport embedded in the base of her skull and quickly attached the transmitter to it.  As she activated the interface, her eyes glazed over, as she began to communicate directly with the ship’s systems.“Commander – what are you doing?” Lex asked worriedly, rushing over to her side.“It’s too slow using the terminals to try and counter the spread of the virus,” she explained, her eyes now closed but visibly dancing under her eyelids.  “I might be able to work quicker like this, liking my mind directly into the main computer.”“Or you might just allow the virus to travel up the link into your mind!” Lex retorted.  “Who knows what it could do to you if that happens.”“Then I’ll make sure it doesn’t,” Tennison replied determinedly.  “Whoever constructed this virus is good, but I know these computer systems better than anyone – I’m putting up containment walls, sealing off the virus in the areas it’s already contaminated.”“Once that’s done, we can set about restoring the corrupted systems,” Davis continued.“Exactly,” Tennison confirmed.  “I’ve got it!  It’s shut in the primary tactical systems – that’s the best I can do for now.”“Excellent work, Elena,” Lex congratulated her, turning back to his chair.“Sir, the targeting systems are still corrupted,” T’Kare announced.  “There’s no way I can fire accurately without them.”“Then we have no choice,” Kate said reluctantly.  “We’ll have to hit them hard … it’s the only way to stop them.”“It’s the only way to destroy the Odyssey and kill them all you mean,” Jefferson said sternly.“If that’s what it takes,” Morrison confirmed, “you have authorisation.”“Captain, wait,” Tennison called, still connected via the dataport.  “There may be another way.”“Explain.”“The computer link to the Odyssey is still intact – I could travel down it and attempt to infiltrate their systems, using myself as an organic computer virus, if you will.”“Is it safe?” Lex asked concerned.“It’s not without risk,” Tennison admitted.  “But it’s better than killing everyone onboard the Odyssey.”“Very well, Commander,” Lex said after a moment.  “Proceed.”Minutes continued to tick away, as the crew waited on tenterhooks to see if Tennison could produce a miracle.  Arkin, despite the damage to the navigational systems, was doing an admirable job of keeping up with the renegade vessel, while T’Kare waited to see if she

would be called upon again.  With the targeting systems down, she knew they really only had two options left it Tennison failed – let the Odyssey go, or open fire and probably destroy the smaller science vessel.“I’m in!” Tennison announced eventually.  “I used their own virus to piggyback myself into their systems!”“Shut them down!” Lex ordered urgently.  “Weapons, engines, sensors.  Shut down everything but life-support.”“I’m on it, sir.”“The Odyssey’s coming to a halt,” Arkin announced triumphantly.“Confirmed,” Davis agreed from the science station.  “Their shields are dropping and their weapons are offline.”“Excellent work, Elena – now get yourself out of there,” Lex ordered.  “Bridge to transporter rooms – lock onto life-signs aboard the Odyssey and beam them directly to the brig.”“Captain,” came Gav’s gruff reply from the transporter room.  “I’m not picking up any life-signs onboard.”“What?”“They’ve flooded the ship with a high energy thoron field,” Davis explained.  “It’s blocking all our attempts to scan them.”“Then we go in blind,” Lex replied, determined not to be messed around at this late stage.  “Captain Jefferson, I’m sure you’re eager to get back onboard your ship.  If you and Commander Sheridan take a security team over to the Odyssey’s bridge, T’Kare and Commander Liral will lead a second team across to main engineering.”“Agreed,” Jefferson said, heading for the exit.“Deck Eight, main security,” Sheridan commanded, as she and T’Kare joined Jefferson in the turbolift.Jefferson, Sheridan and their security personnel materialised minutes later in the Odyssey’s conference lounge, phaser rifles raised and ready.  Kate certainly hoped that Henriksen and his people would know when they were beaten, but she wasn’t going to take any chances with the safety of her crew.She motioned for the security officers to take positions by the doorway to the bridge.  She knew they were reliable people, most of them she’d picked herself while she was still the Argus’ tactical officer.“Why didn’t we beam directly on to the bridge?” Jefferson whispered.“We have no idea who is on the bridge or where they are,” Kate explained.  “If we just beamed in, we might find ourselves without cover in the middle of a crossfire.  This way we can control our entrance, making best use of available cover – and Henriksen’s thoron field will have hidden our arrival as well as it hides his position.”“Good thinking, Commander,” Jefferson nodded, acknowledging Sheridan’s expertise in this field.As soon as her people were in position, Kate signalled for them to force the door open and the team quickly fanned out onto the bridge, rifles levelled.  As they silently swept the darkened bridge, Sheridan was surprised to find it empty, save for one person sat in the captain’s chair.  Circling around, making sure she kept her phaser trained on the figure, Kate was somewhat surprised to find that the solitary conspirator wasn’t Henriksen … it was Commander Eloquin.“Sarah-Louise?” she asked, taken aback but remaining cautious.  “What the hell are you doing here?”“Commander Sheridan,” she replied formally, rising from the chair.  “Welcome aboard the Odyssey.”

Kate noticed that although Eloquin had lost her uniform’s jacket, she’d retained her red command tunic, but without the rank pips or Starfleet insignia.  More importantly however, Kate noted that she wasn’t armed.“Secure the area,” Sheridan ordered, turning to one of her officers.  “Check the ready room, then seal off deck one.  Lieutenant Reece, contact T’Kare in engineering – tell her what we’ve found up here and get a status report.”“Aye, ma’am.”“Where is he, Commander?” Sheridan asked, turning back to Eloquin.“Where’s who, Commander?” Sarah-Louise replied stiffly, standing to attention.“Don’t play games with me, Eloquin,” Jefferson glared.  “Where’s Henriksen?”“I believe I have the right to remain silent, don’t I, Commander?” she retorted, turning back to Sheridan.“If that’s the way you want it,” Kate replied, angry that her friend was being so obtuse.  “Commander Sarah-Louise Eloquin, you’re hereby relieved from duty and placed under arrest for gross insubordination.”“If you want to avoid charges of mutiny and treason, I suggest to begin to co-operate,” Jefferson continued threateningly as Sheridan motioned for an officer to restrain Eloquin.“T’Kare reports that main engineering appears abandoned,” Reece reported back.  “They’re securing the area right now.”“We’re locked out of the environmental systems,” another officer announced.  “I can’t deactivate the thoron field.”“Sarah-Louise, if you can help us, it may not be too late for you … I could put in a good word when we get back.”“I think things have gone a little too far for a ‘good word’,” Eloquin said with a wry smile.  “The way things stand right now, I’m probably going to be ready for retirement by the time I get paroled.”  She paused wistfully for a moment, before turning to Sheridan.“But that’s no excuse for being rude,” she added with a smile.  “Computer – disengage lock-out protocols, authorisation Eloquin Theta-Epsilon-Seven.”Sheridan looked over to Jefferson at the environmental controls console, as he nodded back when the systems became free.“Computer, deactivate thoron field on all decks,” Jefferson ordered.“Field deactivated,” the computer complied.“Sheridan to Argus – the field’s down, you can scan for Henriksen and the others.”“That’s good to hear, Kate,” Lex replied from the Argus’ bridge.  “What’s the situation over there?”“We have Commander Eloquin in custody – but there’s no sign of the others on the bridge or in main engineering.”“Understood, Commander.  Stand by,” Lex said as he walked over to Tennison at the ops station.  “How are you feeling now, Elena?”“A little drained, sir, but I’ll be okay,” she replied firmly.“Make sure you let Frazier check you out as soon as this is over,” Lex said softly.  “In the meantime, I want a full scan of every room, cargo hold, Jefferies tube and bulkhead on the Odyssey.”“I’m already on it,” Tennison said with her usual focus.  “Getting the result back now.  But … that can’t be right.”“What is it?” Lex asked, a feeling of dread quickly building.“I’m reading Commander Eloquin and our people – but no one else…” she answered, confused.  “Eloquin was alone on the Odyssey.”“How can that be?” Lex asked incredulously.“It was a wild goose chase…” whispered Morrison, the colour rapidly draining from his face.

“But if the Odyssey’s here,” Lex thought out loud, “ then where the hell is Henriksen?”  

Created Stardate 10109.18© 2001 Michael Axe

Posted Stardate 10212.01