In a remote sector of the Neutral Zone, an aging Excelsior-class vessel lies in hiding, within a large asteroid field. This is the USS Belgrade. Stolen from a Federation junkyard, it now serves as the mobile headquarters for the Order of Kodar, a group of kasari terrorists.
Zala and Zyri, nine year old twin daughters of Jack Thomas and Lorza, have been captives of the Order of Kodar for the past two days. Other than the religious ceremonies they have been forced to attend, the girls have been confined to their quarters. Unknown to their captors, Zala and Zyri have put their knowledge of starship systems to use in a plan that they hope will distract the terrorists until their parents are able to rescue them.
At this moment, the members of the Order of Kodar are assembled in one of the Belgrade's holodecks, which is now running a simulation of what appears to be a massive chapel. Zala and Zyri are also present, with two soldiers standing between them. Everyone is lined up in neat rows, looking toward an elevated podium, where Grand Emtoc Zarayn, leader of the Order of Kodar now stands.
"Thanks to the technology of the infidels, we have been able to recreate the Temple of Zanai, so that we may properly worship our lord, Kodar. The sacrifice of our world was necessary, because of the sins of the nonbelievers! Those who survived the judgement will swear their loyalty to Kodar, or they will die! Death to infidels!" Zarayn says.
"Death to infidels!" Everyone shouts, except for Zala and Zyri, who stand still with scowls on their faces.
"Some of the survivors of Kasara now serve the Federation! They have committed many transgressions, and they will be punished for defying the one true god! The daughters of the traitor, Lorza, are now among us. We have liberated them from the corrupt influences of their mother and human father! We will teach them our ways, and when they are of age, they will become faithful acolytes of this order! All glory to Kodar!" Zarayn says.
"All glory to Kodar!" Everyone shouts, except for Zala and Zyri.
"This assembly is now concluded. Chavat, return our guests to their room." Zarayn says.
"Yes, Grand Emtoc." Chavat, a young kasari man says.
Zala and Zyri are returned to their room, and locked inside. The two girls make their way to the food replicator.
"Okay… we've had two days here. We pretty much have a good idea of where everything is now. They've gotten used to us being here, and I don't think they expect us to do what we're about to do." Zyri says.
"So, let's do it!" Zala says. Zyri nods in agreement.
"Computer, execute program Zyri One." Zyri says.
"Working. Program is now active." The ship's computer says, in its feminine monotone.
Throughout the Belgrade, every food replicator begins to spray barbecue sauce. The kasari terrorists order the computer to shut down the replicators, but they have no control of the replicators thanks to Zyri.
On the bridge of the Belgrade, Grand Emtoc Zarayn is now seated in the captain's chair, speaking to several of his followers.
"Have you analyzed the substance coming from the food devices?" Zarayn asks.
"Yes, Grand Emtoc. It is some kind of food paste which the humans call 'barbecue sauce'. Based on the texture and chemical content, It will be quite difficult to remove from all affected surfaces." A young woman answers.
"Have any of you been able to find a way to stop this?" Zarayn asks.
"No, Grand Emtoc. The program that's causing this… requires a specific security code to override. That code would have had to be created by a Starfleet officer." the woman answers.
"Or the daughters of Starfleet officers, who seem to be more intelligent than we thought. It appears our guests have been busy. I will put a stop to this at once." Zarayn says.
Meanwhile, Zala and Zyri are standing in front of the replicator in their room.
"They're going to be on to us if they're not already! We've got a few minutes! Maybe less!" Zala says.
"I know. Relax. I still can't do anything about major systems like weapons or navigation, but I think I can cause some problems with the secondary systems." Zyri says.
"Whatever you're going to do, you better hurry up!" Zala says. Zyri presses a few buttons on the replicator's control surface.
"Computer… begin level three diagnostic of all holographic systems." Zyri says.
"A level three diagnostic of the holographic systems will require eighteen hours to complete. All holographic systems will be taken offline for the duration of the diagnostic. Do you wish to proceed?" The computer asks.
"Yes, I do. Computer, begin the diagnostic." Zyri says.
"Acknowledged." The computer says. Zala hugs her sister.
"Hell yeah! You just… took away their holographic church!" Zala says.
"Yep. Now, if I have time…" Zyri says.
"What else are you doing?" Zala asks.
"When I was looking through the secondary systems, I noticed that those bastards had shut off the emergency transponder. I think I can turn it back on. Then, we'll show up on all Starfleet long range sensors." Zyri says.
"Meaning… mom and dad will be able to find us!" Zala says.
"That's the idea. Computer, activate emergency transponder. Place on silent mode, and require voiceprint authorization and retinal scan to deactivate. Authorization… Zyri Omega Bravo two zero one." Zyri says.
"Working. Emergency transponder is now active. There will be no further audio warning." The computer says.
"Okay… it's done. Now, we wait." Zyri says.
"Good, because time's up." Zala says, as the entrance to the room opens. In steps Zarayn, with two armed men.
"I see the two of you are very skilled with starship systems. It appears that I was in error allowing you access to the replicators. I will remedy that now." Zarayn says. He looks at one of his men, and nods. The man fires his weapon at the replicator, destroying it.
"That won't stop anything! The program's still active!" Zala says.
"Which is why you will order the computer to return the replicators to normal function." Zarayn says.
"I don't think so." Zyri says.
"You will do it immediately, or I will destroy every replicator on this ship." Zarayn says.
"Go right ahead. I already did what I needed to do." Zyri says.
"Very well. Since you will not cooperate, I see no alternative. The replicators will be destroyed. We have little need for them anyway. We have enough food for several weeks, and can easily resupply when it becomes necessary. As for the two of you, I think a few days of confinement is in order. Guards! Take them to the brig! Separate cells!" Zarayn says.
"Yes, Grand Emtoc." One of the men says. Zala and Zyri back away.
"What are we gonna do now?" Zyri asks.
"There's nothing we can do! We're just kids! We can't fight these guys!" Zala says.
"It would be foolish of you to try. Now, accompany the guards to the brig, or I will have them carry you. The choice is yours." Zarayn says.
"Fine. We'll go." Zala says.
"Wise choice." Zarayn says.
We've done all we can with the computer. Now, it's up to mom and dad to find us. Until then, we'll just have to put up with these assholes. Hopefully, not for too much longer. I really hate these guys. Zala thinks, as she and her sister are escorted out of the room.