Chapter Three
Marcus Foley was dressed all in civilian black clothes carrying a bag over his shoulder. Harris had given him one name: Philip Jepson. He was a strong supporter of Paxton and Terra Prime both financially and in manpower. Jepson was a wealthy industrialist whose company manufactured hovercars. Some thought his support of Terra Prime had to do with alien technology and the possibilities of imports, but they were wrong. He was an isolationist. Both his company and Jepson were located in Glasgow, Scotland.
Dropping off a shuttlepod, which he had stolen from the West Point vehicle pool, at the Glasgow Shuttle Port, he hailed a cab to take to a nearby hotel. According to Harris, his best chances of getting information on Earth First leaders were Jepson or the files kept by Starfleet Intelligence. Because of the sensitive nature of Terra Prime and the number of passive supporters the group had, all the Terra Prime intel was marked A level Omega secret. Foley wasn't looking forward to breaking into Starfleet Intelligence, so he sought out Jepson.
Jepson lived in a converted 12th Century on the outskirts of Glasgow. To say he had an abundance of security was an understatement, but it was private security done by men who'd never make it in the MACOs and definitely never would be Section 31 worthy. Foley was trained to deal with security systems and guards, as well as much, much more. Paying his cab, got out then checked into a cheap hotel and prepared for his nighttime visit to Jepson.
Foley unpacked his bag. First out was a black, cold jumpsuit. The cold Jumpsuit hid his heat signature well below normal that allowed him almost stealth ability when it came to heat sensors. Next, was a nonlethal zap gun followed by a smaller, powerful version of the phase pistol. He then pulled a security scanner out of the bag and nightvision goggles, then, finally, he took out a Ka-bar tactical knife. With these few items and a computer the size of a PADD, he was equipped to break in, deal with the guards, and question Jepson.
He'd carry one hypospray on him for Jepson. It was filled with a concoction of chemicals that would make him susceptible to give him all the information he needed. Once he got the information from Jepson, he was to be eliminated. Foley hated doing wet work, but Harris left him with no alternative. After he questioned the man, he could not leave him alive. Jepson had to die.
STSTST
Commodore Hernandez invited Vice Admiral Archer to dinner. During his time so far with the Second Fleet at Starbase 6, their relationship had been shaky. When they were in each other's company neither one of them knew how to act. Part of the problem was that Erika didn't realize their relationship was over until she heard that Trip's sister was pregnant with Jonathan's child. Since they were both professionals, she decided to make amends.
She had the base's chef prepare chicken Alfredo for dinner along with salad and garlic bread, nothing too fancy. Archer offered to bring dessert. At 1900 hours, he showed up carrying a German chocolate cake in one hand and a bottle of Riesling wine in the other.
"Beware of Admirals bearing gifts," she joked.
"Thank you for the invitation, Erika. I know that it's been odd between us lately, so I'm glad you've had me over for dinner," he said.
"We are adults, Jonathan," she smiled.
Her steward took his gifts to the private kitchen of her Commodore's Mess. They sat down at the table and the steward returned with the Riesling and poured them drinks then he left once again.
"I hope you brought pictures of Juliet with you. I'm dying to see the little Archer," she said.
Archer smiled. He reached into the inner breast pocket of his tunic uniform jacket and took out a PADD. Turning it on, he handed it to her. The PADD was filled with baby pictures.
"Jonathan, she's beautiful," Erika said. "Good thing she takes after her mother."
He smiled.
"I'm a lucky man," he said.
"Have you heard from Uncle Trip?" asked Erika.
"No. It's still awkward between us," he said.
"I can imagine," she smiled then chuckled. "His sister, Jon."
Archer blushed at this comment then laughed.
"I know, I know. Believe me it wasn't planned or thought out. It just sort of happened," he said. "I think Trip may be pissed at me."
"You know he is with family," she said.
"I remember the first time I met the Tuckers. He was a lieutenant and I was a commander. We'd become friends along with AG proving my father's engine was capable to the Vulcans. We proved it and got into trouble and Trip and I became friends. When he went on leave, he asked me to join him to visit his family. They adopted me," said Archer.
"When is the marriage?" she asked.
"When I'm called back to Earth for whatever excuse they'll use to get me in a one on one debriefing, we'll take a couple of days and get married," he said.
"And get caught up with your daughter," Erika remarked.
"Hopefully, it will be soon," he said. "I am dying to see her in person."
The steward brought the salad and dinner began for them. While they ate, small talk dominated the meal. Mainly they discussed movies and books then over dessert and coffee, the subject matter changed. The war finally came up.
"I have to admit, Erika, I'm bored here. When I first got this assignment, I thought it was going to be a hotspot, but the Vulcans and Trip beat the Romulans back so hard that they gave up on Vulcan and took Regulus," complained Archer.
"We repaired three ships yesterday because of skirmishes on the DMZ and that was the most action we've had this month," said Erika.
"Everything is now being mounted on the Andorian border. It looks like Regulus is going to be the Vulcans staging area until we can free the area," he sighed.
"You're looking to be reassign, aren't you?" asked Erika.
"I'm contemplating it," he said.
"No medals won where the fight isn't," she smiled.
"It's not about medals, Erika. It's about doing something important. It's about doing the right thing," he said.
"Jon, I remember when you came back from the Delphic Expanse. You were a changed man, haunted by some of your actions and losses of your crew. Do you really want to do that to yourself again?" she asked.
"It's who I am," he replied. "I'm not good at standing on the sideline."
"It's who I am," she repeated. "You're much more than a warrior. Maybe a chance at seeing your daughter in person will show you that. You are so much more than that, Jon."
"I'm not too sure of that, Erika," he said. "Ever since I took the Enterprise out to do some exploring, I've been fighting. Klingons, Suliban, the Xindi, and even the Andorians, I've been fighting them. I didn't want to fight, I wanted to explore, but they forced us into a fight. Meanwhile the Vulcans stood and judgment and blamed me for every incident. With this war, I guess I feel obligated to be in the action."
"It amazes me how different you and Trip are from each other," she said shaking her head.
"I thought we were alike, but I guess we are different," said Archer.
"Oh, yeah, you two are night and day," she said.
"Have you heard from him?" Archer asked.
"He's dropped me a letter or two," she said. "He hates this war and commanding a ship, but he had turned out to be a damned good captain and commander. If he had his way, though, he'd rather be in Engineering during duty hours and off duty spending all his time with T'Pol."
Archer sipped his coffee. He missed Trip, especially the Trip that was his Chief Engineer. This was Trip before all the mistakes, before he fell in love with T'Pol, the Trip that was his brother in many ways. Of course, that Trip was gone. When he left for the Columbia, he became a different man.
"You're fond of Trip," Archer said to Erika.
"He and I got close in the short time we were on the Columbia together," she said. "He's a good man. No one is harder on him than he is on himself. He's brilliant without making you feel stupid, too. Who else do you know who'd get in constant arguments with Vulcans and win a good many of them."
Archer smiled, "He and T'Pol used to argue all the time. Of course with them it turned out to be foreplay."
"They are a strange couple," said Erika.
"Yeah, they are," smiled Archer then he laughed to himself. "I used to always be in the thick of the action. It was like a stupid gift I had. Well, it looks like Trip has that gift now."
"Jealous?" asked Erika.
"Maybe a little," Archer admitted.
"Don't worry, Jon, you'll be back in the action soon," said Erika.
STSTST
With his cold suit and nightvision goggles on, Foley used his scanner to find the security system weak spot then he hacked in and looped security scans, as well as images, and killed all alarms. Now he was ready to take down the security guards. Once he was over the security wall, he took out the first guard he came across out with the zap gun. It was a quick quiet shot. The next two guards, he took out with his hands rendering them unconscious in a matter of less than sixty seconds. Neither one of them was bright enough to even yell an alarm because they thought that they actually could beat Foley. He continued on into the converted castle.
Foley was awed by the ostentatiousness of the home. Besides works of art that cost in the millions, he appeared to have every tech toy there was. Jepson never had to leave his home unless he wanted to leave it. With his goggles off and the hood of his cold suit down, Foley proceeded through the castle to Jepson bedroom. As he got to the second landing, he zapped two more guards and broke the jaw of a third, who came up behind him. From his scanner reading, he had one more guard to go.
As he came to the third floor, the final guard took a shot at him. Foley did a quick forward roll and fired the zap gun. All guards were finally all down. Foley continued on to Jepson's bedroom.
Entering the bedroom, which was bigger than Foley's apartment, Jepson was standing waiting there with a phase pistol aimed at Foley. Foley smiled. This just became a little more fun.
"Drop your weapons," Jepson ordered.
Foley dropped his weapons and stared at Jepson. He was fifty years old, but looked to be in thirties. Foley shook his head. The man must be getting illegal genetic cosmetic treatments. No wonder he doesn't leave his place. He's probably setting up a new identity for himself. Vanity, Goddamn vanity.
"Who are you?" Jepson asked.
"Your reckoning," said Foley.
"Starfleet Intelligence?" asked Jepson.
"Section 31," smiled Foley.
"I've done nothing wrong. There is no reason you should be here," he said.
"Earth First. Names, I want them," said Foley.
Foley observed as Jepson looked over at his desk and his computer. It looked like he didn't need to use the hypospray on Jepson. In his mind Foley calculated the time it would take for him to make his next move.
"Aliens are dangerous," said Jepson. "They corrupt our culture, our blood. Look at the wars we fight because of them."
Foley went down on one knee, unsheathed his Ka-bar, spun around, and threw the knife. Before he could even get a shot off, Jepson found himself gutted. He dropped down to his knees then fell face first to the floor.
Foley picked up his phase pistol, checked that it was fully charged, then shot Jepson in the back of the head. He had no intention of leaving any chance of survival for the man. Taking the scanner out, he walked over to the computer and then downloaded its memory into his scanner. He then checked what he downloaded. Jepson had names, locations, bank accounts, and even names of supporters to Earth First. One of the names really interested him: Admiral Hiram Black.
He put the scanner back in the pocket of his cold suit, closed it up, and collected his Ka-bar and zap gun. Tonight was a good start but from what he had just read, he had a great deal of work ahead of him.
STSTST
Malcolm and Endilev worked out a system to check the quarters of their potential traitors. They checked the duty roster then would inform that department head that they needed to make sure whomever they were checking on was kept busy. Once they were sure that their target was taken care of, Endilev stood guard, while Malcolm went into the quarters, sometimes shared quarters depending upon rank, and he did a thorough search.
He checked for physical evidence, including checking under the bunk, drawers, pockets of civilian clothes, and any other items for literature or potential clues. Next, he hacked into their personal computer usage and storage and see if there was anything that stood out. Finally, he tracked and reviewed all subspace communications.
Once quarters were search, as well as subspace comms and computer usage, Malcolm began a search of the individual from birth until coming onboard the Paladin. He was taking no chances with Trip's and T'Pol's lives. They were too important to him; they had become his family.
Malcolm found communications from Petty Officer 1st Class Richard Malouf in Engineering to an unregistered comm. With some research and pulling in of favors, Malcolm found that the unregistered comm was setup and maintained by Hallow Corp, which was owned by a former supporter of Terra Prime. Malouf became a prime suspect.
After Malouf, Malcolm came up with one other prime suspect. Chief John Chan, leader of Damage Control Team 3, had a section of Earth First manifesto hidden in one of his computer files. Besides that, a check on him and his family showed several connections to Terra Prime. He never joined or went to a rally, but close members of his family did.
Malouf and Chan, he had two suspects. Now he needed to bait them, get them to make a move, and bring them in for questioning then his ship will be clean and his captain and XO will be safe.
In the past, some of his CO's thought he was too obsessive about duty. He was all spit and polish and lived to do nothing but his duty. Instead getting to know crewmates, he'd spent his off hours fine-tuning ships internal sensors, or some weapons system. All was duty.
His friendship with Trip changed him. He learned that there was more than duty, there was loyalty and friendship. Yes, that elusive thing called friendship. Some people took it lightly, but Malcolm was not one of those people. Friendship didn't come easily to him, so he couldn't take it lightly. It was his friendship with Trip, which made him a better officer and even a better man. It was also that friendship with Trip, which taught him sometimes you took a chance with your heart. He'd never have the relationship with Erib if it wasn't for his friendship with Trip.
The outgoing, Southern Engineer was almost the opposite of the tightly wound Brit, yet they became brothers. He owed the man far too much to fail him now. Lieutenant Endilev and he will keep them and the ship safe. Malcolm hit the comm button for the Security Station.
"Endilev," she said.
"It's me," he said. "I have our two prime suspects."
"How do you want to handle this?" she asked.
"I want to set them up and then put their balls in a vise and squeeze until we get all we can from them," he said.
"I'll do whatever you want," she said.
"Thank you, Lieutenant," he said then broke the connection.
STSTST
Skann stood on the mat in the gym and waited for Petty Officer Huntley to attack him. Since Huntley had rotated into Security, Skann agreed to teach him some basic of Vulcan martial arts. The form he chose to teach him was Suus Mahna. It would take years properly to learn Suus Mahna, but Skann thought the rudiments would be enough to help him in his duties.
"COB, I'm kind of intimidated by you," said Huntley then he offered a lopsided grin.
"That shows good instincts. I am proficient in Suus Mahna and other forms of martial arts," Skann said. "With my superior strength and stamina and skills, you have no chance of defeating me. But I have an opportunity to teach you. Now attack me."
Huntley did as he was told and attacked the Vulcan. With three simple, effective, and clean moves, he put hard onto the mat. Skann offered the young man his hand and helped him up.
"When you attack you must never lose control. You must be aware of all things: you enemy, the terrain, your own energy levels, and many other factors," Skann told him.
"So I shouldn't just clear my mind and attack," he smiled.
"I would recommend using your mind, Mister Huntley," said Skann.
"Yes, COB," said Huntley.
"Now, attack me again," Skann said.
Huntley attacked again, except this time he tried to make a feint to the right then attack on the left side. Skann did not fall for the feint, defended himself, and then put Huntley down with a leg sweep.
"COB, my body is going to be sore as hell after this, isn't it?" said Huntley.
"Sometimes we learn through pain," said Skann.
Huntley laughed and took Skann's hand of help to stand up.