CHAPTER TEN
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"What happened?" Hilte asked, after he and Shook reached the security office.
"Ensign Ubel and I observed Commodore Ramsey exiting her quarters carrying a dagger. I ordered Ubel to contact you while I followed the Commodore. She entered Captain Kirk's quarters and the door locked. There was no response to my activation of the door chime. I could hear raised voices in the room."
"Could you understand what was being said?" Hilte looked up at Shook, who was standing in front of the desk.
"Only partially. The gist of the argument appeared to be about Captain Kirk being assigned to watch the Commodore."
Hilte stared at the Lieutenant. "Why?"
Shook shifted his weight and swallowed before answering. Hilte knew he hated making imprecise reports and now realized he didn't like the idea of snooping on a pair of senior officers. "From what I think I understood," he said. "Commodore Ramsey is suspected of being a Klingon agent."
"Thank you, Lieutenant. You can go. I don't have to remind you, this conversation doesn't leave this room."
"No, Sir," Shook said.
Hilte's eyes narrowed as he watched Shook leave the office. Wonderful, simply wonderful, he thought. This is all I need.
Hilte sat thinking about what he had just been told and the rumors he himself had heard. He wasn't one to panic, but he did know enough to consider the worst case scenario. In this case, that could mean a mutiny. Time to see about getting a favor.
Hilte pushed the intercom button on his desk. "Bridge, I want a secured channel to Starfleet Intelligence, Admiral Honeycutt's office."
"Standby." There was a momentary pause then M'Ress' purring voice spoke again. "Go ahead, you have your channel."
The communications screen lit up. "Kerien, you old devil, what's up?"
"Mike, I have a potentially explosive situation here, and need some information. I don't want to get it through normal channels, because it might alert the wrong people. Since you and your little group are involved in covert operations, I thought of you."
"Of course." Honeycutt grinned. "What do you need?"
"I need all the information you have on Commodore Kelli Ramsey," Hilte said.
"Let me guess, the Klingon agent rumors have surfaced on the Enterprise."
"How did you know that?" Hilte raised a bushy eyebrow.
"How do I know anything? My people are that good." Honeycutt's grin grew larger. "Actually in this case, it was predictable. Admiral Cartwright has been trying to discredit Commodore Ramsey for several months. He's mentioned his allegations to several important officers, including Admiral Nogura. As yet, he hasn't asked intelligence to investigate. I'll include my file on Admiral Cartwright as well."
"Thanks, Mike. I appreciate this," Hilte said.
"You're welcome. You know I would like to have you back over here in intelligence. Since you now owe me one..." Honeycutt let the rest of his sentence go unfinished.
"I'll think about it."
"That's all I'm asking. Good luck with this one, Kerien. Let me know if you need any help. Honeycutt out." The screen went blank.
#
"Come in," Kirk called when his door chime sounded. "Commander?" Kirk looked up as Hilte entered the room. "Don't tell me the Commodore sent you to escort me to the reception."
"No, Sir. I felt we should talk." Hilte assumed a parade rest position as he faced Kirk.
"About what?" Kirk's tone was harsh.
"About Commodore Ramsey, Sir."
"Commander, I told you it was a personal matter, and to stay out of it."
"Sir, if that's all it was, I would. However, I believe this personal matter could jeopardize the security of the Enterprise. As security chief, I need to know what's going on."
Kirk studied Hilte for several seconds. He saw the determined look in the commander's eyes and frowned. "Fine, but we only have about thirty minutes before the reception is to begin."
"This shouldn't take long. I just need to know what's going on. Are you under orders to observe Commodore Ramsey? For what purpose and from whom?"
Kirk stared, one thing he had heard about Hilte: He never asked a question to which he didn't already have part of the answer. "Yes. I'm under orders from Admiral Cartwright. He suspects her of being a Klingon agent."
"Sir, my main concern stems from the rumors which have already begun circulating. The majority of this crew is made up of officers and crew who served with you, and are very loyal to you. If they start to sense hostility between you and Commodore Ramsey, it could lead to serious problems. I also did a quick check on the replacement personnel and there are several that have worked closely with Admiral Cartwright in the past year," Hilte said.
"Commander, the people serving on this ship are professionals; I resent the implications you are making." Kirk noticed Hilte stiffen at his statement, something he wouldn't have thought possible for the already rigid security chief to do.
"I'm thinking worst case scenario—something I have to do, if I'm to do my job properly," Hilte said indignantly.
"I assume, since you brought them up, you've already begun checking into the rumors." Kirk leaned back in his chair, watching Hilte.
"Yes, Sir. I contacted Admiral Honeycutt and he sent me copies of his files on both Commodore Ramsey and Admiral Cartwright." Hilte walked over to the empty chair facing Kirk's desk. "May I?" he asked.
"Of course." Kirk tried to hide his grin. Even sitting, Hilte maintained rigid military bearing.
"Have you had a chance to review the Commodore's records?" Hilte asked.
"I have, and they were interesting." Kirk leaned his chair forward as he told Hilte about Ramsey's records. "I'm still not sure what's going on," he said. "But, to tell the truth, I'm not sure I trust Cartwright either."
"Based on the information I received from Admiral Honeycutt, I would agree. According to his files, Admiral Cartwright began making his accusations about three months ago. Coincidentally, that was around the time Admiral Nogura assigned Ramsey to the Excalibur," Hilte said.
"Does your information say anything about her leave time being taken on planets near the neutral zone? I also noticed she has received several communications packets from the Klingon Empire," Kirk said.
"Those items are mentioned here. If you'll allow me to play devil's advocate." Hilte relaxed slightly and offered a hint of a grin.
"By all means." Kirk leaned back in his chair.
"Remember, the Excalibur's primary patrol route was along the Klingon border and later the neutral zone. She probably has friends in that area. As for the correspondence, Admiral Honeycutt's file shows most were nothing more than official acknowledgements or thank yous from the Empire. Even under Captain Kraus, the Excalibur had a reputation of aiding any ship in distress, including Klingon vessels. Ramsey continued this policy after she became Captain of the Excalibur. If you check the dates of those communiqués, you'll find they usually are dated within a few weeks of one of the Excalibur's rescues of a Klingon ship." Hilte said.
"Is there any record of Captain Kraus ever receiving communications from the Empire?" Kirk asked.
"Nothing directly, as Commodore Ramsey has, but several official thank yous were sent to Starfleet with regard to his rescues of Klingon ships." Hilte paused.
"Of special note, however," he continued. "Ramsey also received two personal messages from Emperor K'Lyion. One congratulated her on her promotion to Captain. The other was an invitation to some ceremony on the Klingon home world. She declined."
"I thought you were playing devil's advocate?" Kirk stood up and began pacing. "You said Emperor K'Lyion offered his congratulations on her promotion and invited her to the Klingon home world?"
"Yes, Sir. It seems the Klingon Emperor has a great deal of respect for Commodore Ramsey. While she was serving as first officer on the Excalibur, she led a rescue that saved his life. From the reports, she placed herself in a very dangerous situation because she knew there was one more person trapped on the ship. Without knowing it at the time, she rescued K'Lyion. He offered her a position with his personal guard, but she declined. Even with her refusal to leave Starfleet, he presented her with The Order of the BatleH. This is some sort of high honor within the Empire. No details were given to Starfleet on the award. He also gave her those two daggers she carries." Kirk noticed Hilte glancing at the holes in the desk and wall.
Kirk stood quietly, thinking for several minutes. "Commander," he said finally. "Did Admiral Honeycutt offer any opinions?" Kirk sat back down.
"No. He did note something in his file on Admiral Cartwright that you might find interesting. The admiral was strongly opposed to the conference."
Kirk's head snapped up. "Was?"
"He seems to have backed off that position a little. He is also the one who recommended placing Commodore Ramsey in command of the Enterprise. This was in response to the Klingon Ambassador's request to travel on the ship she was commanding."
Kirk nodded slowly. "This is getting more and more complicated."
"One other thing, Sir. Earlier this evening, Commodore Ramsey told me she suspected Ambassador Kaphil of being an assassin." Hilte went on to explain about the conversation on the bridge, and his suspicion that Ramsey was the target.
"That explains her reaction when he arrived," Kirk said.
"She did act like she knew him, when he came on board. I also noticed she seemed to be a little nervous. If she is a Klingon agent, someone within the Empire could have discovered we now suspect her. If that's the case, they may consider her too much of a risk to leave alive. If she's not, it might be a personal vendetta. Of course, with all the tension on the ship right now, we may only be jumping at shadows." Hilte glanced at the small chronometer on Kirk's desk. "We had better get to the reception, Sir."
"It'll be interesting to see how the Commodore reacts to us arriving at the same time." Kirk stood and gestured to the door. "After you, Commander."
#
As she entered the Officer's Lounge, Ramsey looked around and nodded at the decorations. Three large banners were hung on the back wall. Each of the banners was embroidered with the emblem of the Klingon Empire, Romulan Empire or the Federation. On a table under each banner was a centerpiece also representative of each culture along with appropriate food and beverage selections. She was pleased with the efforts of the Enterprise staff who had put the reception together.
Ramsey carefully scanned the room as she made her way over to a group that included Commander Uhura and the three ambassadors.
"...a masquerade ball," she heard Uhura say.
"Commander, perhaps you should explain what a masquerade ball is," Ramsey said, as she approached and saw the puzzled expressions on the Klingon and Vulcan Ambassador's faces.
Uhura nodded. "Of course. A masquerade ball is a party or dance where the participants disguise themselves as someone else. At a predetermined time, the masks are removed and everyone's true identity is revealed."
"It is illogical to pretend to be what one is not," Sarek said.
"Perhaps, but the potential knowledge that could be gained through attendance makes refusing illogical also," the Romulan Ambassador said.
Sarek looked at Ambassador Turnel and raised an elegant eyebrow. "Explain," he said.
"Among many cultures, beings wear masks every day. They behave as they are expected to behave, never as they truly feel. A masquerade ball, where everyone's identity is concealed would provide the opportunity for these individuals to be who they think they are, without the need for pretense." Turnel inclined her head to Uhura. "Commander," she said. "I would be pleased to attend."
"A fascinating notion. By pretending to be someone they are not, individuals can be themselves. I will attend also. If only to observe if my colleague's theory is valid," Sarek said. "It will make an interesting experiment in the social sciences."
And, something your Vulcan curiosity would bug you about if you didn't, Ramsey thought.
"And, you, Ambassador Kaphil?" Uhura asked.
"I see no honor in this pretending to be someone one is not. I do not wish to attend," Kaphil said.
"You could consider it an opportunity to study the nature of those you would call your enemy," Selat said.
Kaphil looked at Ramsey and grinned. "Perhaps you are correct. It could provide some information and perhaps a bit of entertainment. I will attend, but only on one condition. I wish Commodore Ramsey to allow me to escort her."
"Ambassador Kaphil, I am honored, but I don't believe it would be appropriate. If I allowed one ambassador to be my escort over the others, it would not be...diplomatically correct," Ramsey protested.
"That is the only way I will attend this masquerade ball." Kaphil's voice was sharp as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"You might as well humor him, Commodore. I think the rest of us will understand. If he is going to behave like a spoiled child he may decide to show up after all and ruin the evening for everyone else," Pardek said with a grin.
"Very well. In the interest of peaceful relations, and since no one objects, I accept your invitation, Ambassador." Ramsey reached over, picked up a glass from the table under the Klingon banner, and took a swallow. She was surprised by Kaphil's lack of reaction to Pardek's insult. Most Klingons would have taken exception to being called a spoiled child.
"Not many Terrans can stand to drink blood wine," Kaphil said.
"I developed a taste for it while serving on the Excalibur." Ramsey turned to Uhura. "Commander, when will the ball be held?"
"Day after tomorrow, beginning at nineteen hundred."
"Thank you." Ramsey glanced around, saw Kirk and Hilte walk into room together, and frowned. It's bad enough; I have an Imperial Intelligence assassin to worry about. Now, Kirk has my chief of security involved in this little witch-hunt, she thought.
"Commodore?" Ramsey felt someone touch her left shoulder. She brought her right arm up in a blocking motion as she quickly turned to see who it was.
"Yes...Ambassador?" Ramsey forced a smile onto her face and lowered her arm as she faced the Klingon. For a moment, she was glad she had chosen to leave her daggers in her cabin tonight.
"What time shall I meet you for the ball?" Kaphil asked.
"Meet me at my quarters at eighteen thirty. Your escort can show you where it is," she said. "If you will excuse me?" Ramsey nodded to the Ambassadors and stepped away from the group.
"Commodore, I have a question, before you leave," Uhura said before Ramsey could walk away.
"Yes, Commander?"
"The statue here." Uhura gestured to the bronze centerpiece on the Klingon table. "Yeoman Kraus said this was yours. I was wondering what it was."
"I'm not really sure. I was admiring it on one of the border planets after we dropped off the crew of the Morskia. The first officer, Bortal, presented it to me as a gift then left. I never found out if it has any cultural significance."
"It is a representation of Kahless and his brother Morath," Kaphil said, staring at Ramsey. "Kahless fought with his brother for twelve days and twelve nights because Morath told a lie, bringing dishonor to their family. The statue is a reminder that the price of duty and honor can be very high," Kaphil explained.
Ramsey looked at the Ambassador and inclined her head slightly. "Thank you. That was most interesting, Ambassador." Ramsey glanced around the room again and smiled. "I really must quit monopolizing your time. Please feel free to mingle and talk with those here. The officers and crew of the Enterprise are some of the best representatives of the Federation available." Ramsey nodded again, set her glass on the table and took several steps away from the group.
Ramsey looked around and saw Kirk approaching her and she felt her anger from earlier rebuilding. Narrowing her eyes, she gave a slow shake of her head. Kirk gave her a nod and turned away. She watched him for several minutes then began mingling with the crowd in the lounge.