94

Admiral Drake's head and shoulders filled Macen's screen, "I see you're hassling my aide again, Brin."

Macen shrugged, "She was protecting your schedule again, Amanda. I don't have the time for it so I cut through the crap."

Drake squared her shoulders, "What have you turned up?"

"A lot." Macen wore a tight smile, "Our culprit on Bajor was one Kara Gena."

"The Legal Minister?" Drake's surprise showed, "My feelers were that she and the 1st Minister were quite intimate."

"They are." Macen confirmed, "Kara and Astris' relationship began before Astris was elected 1st Minister. I think this agenda was planned well in advance and Astris and Kara's relationship just got in the way."

"Or not." Drake commented, "Seeing as how she was kidnapped anyway."

"Kara seemed genuinely reluctant to take Astris into her custody. I think she wavered for a moment between her cause and her lover. We might be able to use that later on."

"Perhaps." Drake remained unconvinced, "What else have you found?"

"Kara Gena is genetically enhanced." Macen revealed, "Her troops were typical Bajorans but she herself is a product of eugenics and genetic manipulation. We have the names and Militia files on all our suspected kidnappers."

"How did you come up with all of this?" Drake was astonished, "The rest of our investigative teams have barely turned anything up."

"Thank the Bajorans insistence on utilising any spare bit of technology, no matter how retrograde, for capturing the bulk of the kidnapping on video." Macen grinned.

"Have you recorded that footage?" Drake eagerly asked.

"Of course." Macen turned to T'Kir, "Can you prepare a data packet for Amanda? Include everything we've turned up."

"Sho' nuff." T'Kir's eyes glowed with enthusiasm.

"We're on it now, Amanda." Macen assured Drake.

"What's this 'we'?" T'Kir teased.

"Never mind her." Macen urged Drake.

"I usually don't." Drake replied.

"Hey!" came T'Kir's sparse protest.

Drake laughed, "I wish I could see the look on her face."

Macen chuckled, "You'd enjoy it."

T'Kir stuck out her tongue at him.

"Have you seen the 'ransom' demand?" Drake nodded and Macen continued, "As you've probably surmised by now, this 'New Order' is an interstellar movement. I think the week long deadline mentioned in their transmission is undoubtedly aimed at the Federation Council and it begins today."

"You truly believe they could strike at the Federation Council?" Drake enquired.

"They believe they can and so far they've managed to pull off whatever they want to. They have help in all of the right places."

"You believe they have agents in place?" Drake wondered.

"I do." Macen confirmed, "They were well connected here on Bajor. They undoubtedly have influenced Starfleet Security. Cell 51 proved that was possible."

"I'll have Ed Noyce look into it." Drake promised, "What's next?"

"The Tal Shiar intercepted an arms shipment bound for the Federation." Macen relayed, "Its destination was an arms supplier who would distribute it amongst an interstellar movement. That sounds like our boy, Pytor Boromov, is back in business."

"Boromov was cleared of all charges as a reward for his actions during the Cell 51 coup." Drake reminded Macen, "It was stipulated that it was a conditional pardon dependent on his retiring from the revolutionary business and living life as a private citizen."

"Then this private citizen won't mind us paying him a visit." Macen insisted.

Drake sighed, "You're hell bent on this aren't you?"

"Yup." Macen's lopsided grin returned.

"Then no matter what I say, you'll pursue this course of action." Drake correctly surmised, "I therefore authorise your interrogating Boromov."

"Thanks Amanda." Macen's grin blossomed into a smile.

T'Kir cleared her throat and Macen asked Drake, "Ready for that packet?"

Drake nodded and Macen cued T'Kir. With the tapping of the screen, the data was transmitted. The subspace signal was relayed through various communications arrays. Travelling faster than even the Prometheus-class starship, the signal reached Earth in less than twenty minutes.

In the interim, waiting for the signal to arrive, Macen and Drake outlined his line of questioning for Boromov. Finding themselves with a free moment, the topics became personal.

"So how's Alynna?" Macen asked.

"As good as to be expected in the wake of the coup." Drake answered, "It took a huge personal toll on her. The fact that she didn't see it coming is a constant source of guilt for her. She could stand to hear from an old friend."

Macen guiltily nodded, "If we survive this crisis, I'll contact her."

"That would be a help." Drake smiled, "It would mean a lot to her. She wonders why you haven't reached her for almost a year now and it weighs on her. I'll be contacting her as soon as I've reviewed your data. I'll pass along your regards."

Macen nodded, "Thanks."

"How's Shannon?" Drake asked, "You haven't gotten her killed have you?"

"Not yet." Macen chuckled, "And the ship still hasn't been destroyed."

Drake shook her head, "Give it time. You'll blow her up and my sister with it."

"Don't tempt me." Macen wore an evil grin.

"You'll do it." Drake groaned, "Just to spite me."

"Maybe." Macen was all innocence now.

"Makes me wonder about all those other ships." Drake almost accused.

"Those were honest losses." Macen ruefully admitted, "I'm not a very good ship handler."

"You were never Command track." Drake consoled him, "But Admiral Janeway can testify that the Sciences track can still prepare you for command. You've developed into an able shipmaster."

Macen looked dubious, "Thanks for the kindness but I still believe I'm a better investigator than a ship's captain."

Drake shrugged, "Believe what you will. The truth is self evident for those to see."

Macen grinned wryly, "That's what I'm afraid of."

Drake glanced sideways, "The data arrived."

"I'll leave you to it then and get underway." Macen replied, "I trust Boromov is still playing hotel baron on Risa."

"No." Drake corrected him, "He's on Magna VII. He's left the day to day operations of the Royale in his manager's hands."

"No longer needs a front, eh?" Macen remarked sceptically, "We'll see."

"Go easy on him, Brin." Drake warned, "For all intents and purposes, he's an innocent man. We don't even suspect him of anything."

"At least you don't." Macen said.

"Legally we don't suspect him of anything." Drake amended.

"I'm still going to shake him down." Macen resolutely declared, "If nothing else he can provide the name of the true dealer."

"You think he still has contacts in the Underground?" Drake enquired.

"It's a game to him." Macen explained, "It makes him feel powerful. He'll keep his hand in out of love of the game."

Drake pondered his words and then nodded, "I see your point. Sweat him."

Macen grinned, "With pleasure. Macen out."

The screen went dark and T'Kir stared at him with a manic gleam in her eye, "So, we're gonna press Boromov. This should be fun."

"When was the last time you took your meds?" a suddenly concerned Macen asked.

"This morning." T'Kir huffed, "When you saw me take them."

"The dosage isn't enough anymore is it?" Macen inquired.

"No." T'Kir readily admitted, "But it's as high as Kort can proscribe because of the toxicity levels."

"I thought as much even though neither of you told me." Macen divulged.

"It's not bad yet." T'Kir assured him, "I can still block out most thoughts. If a person is really concentrating then it slips past but for the most part things are under control."

"Except when you're tired." Macen countered, "Then your control wavers again."

T'Kir sighed, "Ye-es. I also lose some of my control when I'm tired."

"Like now." Macen deduced.

"Yes," T'Kir was becoming irritated with the scrutiny, "like now. Drop it will ya?"

"Okay." Macen sighed, "We need to find a solution for this though. The last time we faced Boromov you melted down because your med dosage was too small. I'd hate to see that happen again."

"So would I." T'Kir admitted, "But no one can do anything about it right now."

"That'll change as soon as we complete this investigation." Macen said and took her hand, "I promise you that."

"You're sweet." T'Kir squeezed his hand, "Here comes the others."

Macen rose and met the oncoming team, "Everyone ready to go?"

"I found additional skin and hair samples in the lorry." Kort reported, "We can cross reference the DNA with Militia records."

"Excellent." Macen smiled and turned to Daggit and Radil, "Any new information?"

"Nothing that deviates from what they've already reported." Daggit grumbled.

"You had to try." Macen patted Daggit's shoulder.

"Actually," Radil remarked, "one new detail came to light. Leto Fira was the first to awaken. She saw the transporter halos that whisked the kidnappers and Minister Astris away. She then sounded the alarm and requested back-up."

"What times was that?" Macen asked.

"Approximately 25:15 local time." Radil supplied.

Macen hit his comm badge, "Macen to Defiant."

"Bowers here." the Defiant's Tactical Officer replied, "How can we assist you, Captain?"

"I need to speak with Commander Vaughn."

"I'll patch you through."

"Vaughn here."

Macen smiled, "Elias, the kidnappers beamed out of the Residence at 25:15 local time."

"That would make it 10:30 Greenwich Mean time." Vaughn calculated, "Thanks. That'll narrow down our search."

"How's it coming?" Macen enquired.

"Twelve of the ships haven't made it to their destinations yet. We'll narrow our search parameters down to those ships that left between 10:30 and 11:30 Standard and get back to you."

"Elias, I'm breaking orbit." Macen announced, "I'm calling on Pytor Boromov."

"That slime?" Vaughn let loose of an evil chuckle, "Happy hunting."

"I may have need of the Defiant's assistance in the next week or so. Will you stand by?"

"We'll be ready." Vaughn promised.

"Thank you." a relieved Macen said, "Macen out."

Macen hit his comm badge, "Macen to Ro."

"Ro here."

"We're beaming back to the Obsidian." Macen announced, "Can you check in with the Inn and keep our rooms reserved? Keep the corporate tab running and let Parva know that we'll be back soon."

"I'll have the Defiant transport me." Ro replied, "Then I'll hop a ride back to the station with them."

"How's General Tannin holding up?" Macen asked.

"He's a veritable sabrecat right now." Ro chuckled, "It seems someone used his authorisation code to access Militia files."

"I wonder who could have done that?" Macen innocently enquired.

"So do I." Ro's smirk could virtually be heard, "Let's just hope Tannin can't trace it. He's ready to crucify someone."

"I have it on good authority that the culprit will go undiscovered." Macen assured her.

"Good." Ro asserted.

"Are you endorsing a crime, Security Chief Ro?" Macen teased.

"No." Ro retorted, "Ro Laren, former Maquis, is cheering for the good guys on this one. Safe travels, Brin. Get these bastards."

"We will." Macen promised, "Macen out."

"Ready to leave?" Macen asked his team. Receiving positive nods from everyone but Daggit, he tapped his comm badge, "Macen to Obsidian."

"Obsidian here."

"Transfer me to the Transporter Room."

"Aye sir. Standby."

"Telrik here."

"Beam us up, Chief." Macen ordered.

"Give me a second to lock on to you." Telrik grunted, "Ah, I've got you now. See you in a moment, Captain."

With that, the world dissolved.


"Hannah, break orbit." Macen said as he exited the turbolift, "Set course for Magna VII."

"Yessir." Grace replied gratefully.

"Trouble?" Riker asked.

"Probably." Macen answered, "We're off to see Pytor Boromov."

"Definitely trouble." Riker opined.

"Why are we going to see that toad?" Grace swivelled around to face Macen.

"He has information we need about the case." Macen answered.

"What is the case?" Riker enquired.

"Shannon relieves you in what, eighteen minutes?" Macen asked.

"Yes." Riker confirmed.

"See me in the Team Room and I'll fill you in." Macen replied, "Now if you'll excuse me, I'll join my wife for a midnight snack."

"It's dinner time." Grace insisted.

"You were on the surface with us, Hannah." Macen pointed out, "What time was it there?"

"Point taken." Grace acknowledged that fact.

"I'll see you in twenty minutes." Riker informed Macen.

"Good." Macen grinned, "You'll like this one, Tom. It has all the elements of a holonovel."

Riker chuckled, "I'll take your word on it for now."

Macen stopped in front of the lift doors, "Tell Shannon to keep us on course and to proceed at warp 8."

"You've got it." Riker assured him.

"Later." Macen called out as the doors closed.


"Sounds bad." Riker leaned back and rubbed his chin, "The big mystery is how are we going to find a 'lost' colony if that's the source of the trouble?"

"Hopefully that's where Boromov comes in." Macen explained, "I want information on what the New Order's 'reprimand' is and the location of the movement's headquarters."

"Do you really think Boromov will know all of that?" Grace asked between bites.

"He doesn't know." T'Kir supplied for Macen, "He's basically hoping that Boromov will be obsessive enough to have put the New Order's plan together."

"Why would he do that?" Grace wondered.

"Insurance." Macen detailed, "Our boy Pytor will use that knowledge to insure his own safety. He'll spill his guts to Starfleet Security if he's threatened by the kidnappers."

"Makes sense." Grace accepted the reasoning and then took another bite of her entree.

Riker sat his fork down, "What will we do if Boromov knows both pieces of the puzzle?"

"We'll give Admirals Drake and Noyce the details of the plot against the Federation Council and go after the New Order itself." Macen disclosed, "We have the Defiant standing by ready to assist us."

"That's a relief." Riker grinned, "The way this New Order keeps coming up with surprises, I'd hate to barrel into their system and find a fleet of starships waiting for us."

"That might still happen." Macen said grimly, "Remember, they had a ship waiting for them. Who knows what kinds of vessels they have."

Riker frowned and went silent. Grace perked up, "How was it working with Commander P'ris again? The last time we met, we were shooting at each other."

Macen grimaced, "Don't remind me."

"We coulda resumed the firefight this time `round." T'Kir suggested, "She still thinks we're Starfleet for Elements' sake."

"Really?" Grace's brow crinkled as her eyebrows rose, "What's she know that we don't? I know my commission is back in the reserve rolls. Otherwise I'd have made Lt. Commander by now."

"Don't worry Hannah." Macen smiled, "I have it on good authority that your promotion has come through."

"Yay!" Grace happily exclaimed.

"What about me?" Riker asked.

"I don't know." Macen admitted, "Amanda only specifically mentioned Rab and Hannah."

"So Lees is left out as well?" Riker testily enquired.

"Her next grade is captain." Macen explained, "She'd have to do time at a research facility learning administrative management to attain that."

"So she's making a sacrifice by staying on the team?" Riker looked disquieted.

"We all are, Tom." Macen reassured him, "I could have a nice, quiet analysts posting back in Starfleet Intelligence and wouldn't have to bother with all of the Operations' hazards and details. You could be back in the regular fleet serving as the OPS Officer, and probably as the 2nd Officer as well, of some starship. Everyone could find a calmer way to live but for whatever reasons, we've banded together. We're each free to leave at any time."

"You sound as though you've put some thought into leaving." Riker pointed out.

Macen shrugged and wore a wry expression, "I always think about dropping out of the SID game. You'd have to admit our three-year 'hiatus' was fairly nice and relaxing by comparison."

"You could have rejoined Starfleet Intelligence then." Riker smirked, "Why didn't you?"

"And give up this life of crime?" Macen laughed.

Riker chuckled, "I see your point."

"What do you want to do when you retire?" Grace asked, wiping her mouth.

"Sit in the sun and frolic in the water all day long." T'Kir happily grinned.

Macen smiled at his wife's notion of paradise, "I've been thinking about teaching."

"Really?" Grace wrinkled her nose, "Teaching what?"

"My people bestowed a lot of knowledge upon me." Macen said with all due seriousness, "I need to pass it along before I die."

"Is this that 'Seekers of Truth' shuk T'Kir told me about?" Grace wondered.

"Yes, Hannah, it is." Macen patiently answered.

"I know all about Kelvan history and I don't feel a need to pass it along." Grace announced.

"You may feel differently in the future." Macen counselled, "Don't rule it out quite yet."

"We'll see." Grace replied sceptically.

T'Kir yawned and Macen took a final sip of his apple juice, "If that's all, I think we'll turn in."

"You're going to bed?" Grace plaintively asked T'Kir.

"I have to, Honey." T'Kir defended herself, "I was up all night upgrading the computer core and then today's been a full day as well. I'm beat."

Grace pouted and T'Kir patted her cheek, "I'll see you in the morning, Sweetie."

"Fine." Grace was still slightly sullen, "Have a good night."

"Always." T'Kir laughed.

"So what are you up to?" Grace asked Riker.

"I think I'm going to find out how Lees is doing." Riker told her.

"Where is she?" Grace wondered, "I'd assumed that she'd be here eating dinner."

Riker shook his head, "She's probably eating dinner at her work station in the lab. She's writing a paper for the Daystrom Institute."

"Oh." Grace's mouth puckered, "She'll be cranky."

"Most likely." Riker chuckled.

"Good luck." Grace cheered him on, "I'll take care of your tray and dishes."

"Thanks." Riker gave her his most charming smile.

Grace looked about. Radil was eating with some of her Security personnel. Abigail Collins, the Deputy Security Chief, looked as though she were having the time of her life. Grace had to wonder. Radil was never that jovial around the team. What made her Security detail so special?

Kort had taken to eating in his quarters. Ostensibly, replicated Klingon food was still preferable to Chef's creations. Personally, she thought that was a load of crap. Grace assumed that he just couldn't stand the sight of Radil having this much fun so soon after their break up.

Dracas was there as well. He was enjoying a conversation with a few of the engineers. Telrik was among them. Despite Dracas' militant bearing and upbringing, he could be quite charming when he wanted to be.

Grace found Dracas to be an affable companion. His loyalty towards Macen was unquestioned. The Nova Roman Emperor had commanded that Macen's word be treated as his very own. Dracas would fall on his sword if ordered to so there was no doubt as to his unflinching obedience. His devotion to his duties was a plus as well.

That and he's cute. Grace regretted, Too bad. I might not have paired up with Ian if Joachim were interested at all.

The thought of Delaney made her lonely. I think I'll see what he's up to. His attitude about my last message should have coalesced by now. With a smile on her lips, she rose from her seat and returned the two trays in her charge. She exited the Team Room. Anxiously awaiting Delaney's reaction, she hurried to her cabin.