Chapter 119.
Live Fast and prosper.
(Leah POV)
By the Time I woke up. 7 must have already left. And My girls were away out also. As I got a cup of coffee.
"Computer, Activate sonic shower," I said. As it did but the hummed was getting louder and louder. "Computer deactivate sonic shower," As it cracked the Mirror in there. As I went and got changed and headed down to engineering. Where I found B'Elanna.
"Report," I said.
"We've got systems failures on 8 decks, Captain," B'Elanna said.
"That explain why my sonic shower was a little louder than usual," I said.
"Make that 9 decks," B'Elanna said. "I've run every diagnostic I know, and I can't seems to isolate the problem,"
"Gremlins," I said.
"Excuse me," B'Elanna said.
"In the early days of aviation, Engineers blamed imaginary little creatures called gremlins for malfunctions they could not explain," I said.
"Well, one of your gremlins just paid a visit to the replicator system," B'Elanna said.
As we got to Engineering.
"Everybody stop eating," B'Elanna said.
"Captain, What's wrong," Neelix said.
"If I could have everyone's attention for a moment, We found a contaminant in the replicator system, It's nothing serious but if any of you start to feel a little queasy report to Sickbay immediately," I said. "In the meantime, The Galley is closed, Here,"
"Well, that explains it," I said.
"Don't tell me a simple heating coil in the stove is responsible for everything that's gone wrong this morning," Neelix said.
"Any component connected to the integrated circuitry can spread a contaminant," I said.
"This isn't Starfleet issue," B'Elanna said.
"Where did it come from?" I said.
"I obtained it during a trade," Neelix said.
"With whom," I said.
"Sister Dala," Neelix said.
"Sister," I said.
"One of the clerics on Selnia Prime, Tom and I met her during our away mission, She was the one trying to help all those poor orphans, It's all in our report," Neelix said.
"Did you run a diagnostic before you installed it," B'Elanna said.
"Captain to the bridge," Chakotay said.
"I'm a little busy now, can it wait?" I said.
"I'm afraid not," Chakotay said.
"I'll be right back," I said before leaving and headed for the bridge.
Once I stepped out of the turbolift as it got to the bridge.
"Captain, this is Mr. Orek, He's chief of mining operations on Telsius Prime," Chakotay said.
"A problem. Mr. Orek," I said.
"Not if you deliver our Dilithium," Orek said.
"Dilithium," I said.
"It's all clearly documented, 10 kilotons of bolomite ore in exchange for 10 kilotons of Dilithium," Orek said.
"I think there's been some sort of misunderstanding," I said.
"One way or another, I intend to collect what you owe me," Orek said.
XXX
"We've enjoyed meeting you gentlemen," She said.
"Captain we haven't received the dilithium yet," Miner said.
"Oh, the neutronic storm seems to be interfering with our transporters, If we don't leave orbit, immediately, we will sustain heavy damage," She said.
"What about our dilithium," Miner 2 said.
"We'll be back to deliver it as soon as the storm clears," She said.
"Do you still deny you made the trade," Orek said.
"That woman isn't me," I said.
"Who is she then," Orek said.
"Well she's obviously an imposter," I said.
"I have transmission logs, transport records, Scans of your shuttle craft," Orek said.
"I have never been to your planet. Orek, Aboard Voyager or an other vessel," I said.
"Our ship's logs will confirm what the Captain's been telling you," Chakotay said.
"How do I know they're authentic records," Orek said.
"How do we know your records are authentic?" Tuvok said.
"You think I falsified data, Why would I do that?" Orek said.
"Perhaps to extort dilithium from us," Tuvok said.
"I'm not the thief here," Orek said.
"We are not questioning your integrity, Orek, It does appear you've been cheated, but not by me or anyone on my crew," I said.
"How naïve do you think I am?" Orek said.
"Naïve, No. Stupid, yes," I said. "I have never been there with Voyager or any shuttle we have. I be more concern about getting my ship and crew back home, then do this to someone,"
"First you prey upon the sympathy of my miners by telling them stories about poor orphaned children," Orek said.
"Stop right there, Did you just say orphaned children?" I said.
"A despicable tactic," Orek said.
"Commander, take over. I need to talk with someone right now," I said as I left and headed for where Neelix would be.
XXX
"Neelix," I said.
"Captain, we're making real progress," Neelix said.
"Never mind that, tell me more about this cleric who gave you the heating coil," I said.
"Sister Dala, What do you want to know," Neelix said.
"Everything," I said.
"Well, Tom and I met her during our away mission, We were on a small planetoid in the Wytanti system searching for a spore the Doctor wanted to grow antiviral proteins with," Neelix said.
"That's when they gave you the heating coil," I said.
"It was going to take a while to replicate the supplies they needed," Neelix said. "So we invited them back to the Flyer,"
"That's when they must have gotten access to our systems," I said.
"Captain," Neelix said.
"Did you leave either of them alone at any point," I said.
"I don't think so, After we ate, Tom took Brother Mobar to see the cockpit, But I stayed in the aft section with Sister Dala, Talking," Neelix said.
"About what?" I said.
"Well, me mostly," Neelix said. "She wanted to know all about my role on Voyager, But then Tom came back, Then they did this Blessing think which we ended closing our eyes Then we transported them back to their sanctuary,"
"How long did it take," I said.
"No more than a minute or 2," Neelix said.
"That's probably all they needed," I said.
As Neelix, Tom and I got the to Flyer as I checked it out.
"Just what I thought," I said. "The Entire database was downloaded 18 days ago,"
"Brother Mobar, The Talisman," Neelix said.
"Some sort of scanner," I said.
"What would a couple of religious clerics want with our database," Tom said.
"It might help if they wanted to pose as Federation Officers," I said. "Gentlemen, You've been had,"
XXX
"The way I see it. We're both victims, Your Bolomite was stolen, and our reputation has been damaged," I said.
"What are you proposing," Orek said.
"You said you had scans of the vessel that visited your mining colony, if you allow us to analyze them, We might be able to derive the imposters warp signature," I said.
"We could find them and recover your property before they cheat someone else," Chakotay said.
"This is all difficult for me to believe," Orek said. "2 of your crewmen deceived by clerics, Hmm, Could they really have been so naïve,"
"A legitimate question," Tuvok said.
"No offense Mr. Orek but you are the last one to talk about been naïve. It's obvious we're dealing with clever adversaries they fooled both of us, but I'm confident we can stop them," I said.
"Perhaps I should contact Telsian security," Orek said. "They have persuasive methods for determining the truth,"
"In the meantime the real thieves could be halfway across the sector, With your Bolomite in their cargo hold," I said. "Also any hostile action against my ship and crew. I will respond in defence. Your choice, Waste time on being small minded or we can get started on finding the real thieves,"
After a minute as he slide it up to me.
XXX
I was on the Bridge when.
"Captain, I'm detecting a vessel on long range scans, the Warp signature matches the imposter's ship," Tuvok said.
Harry, tell Tom his coffee break is over, Set a pursuit course," I said.
"Yes Ma'am," Harry said.
We are coming into range.
"There's another ship alongside the impostors, It's got them in a tractor beam." 7 said.
"Hail both vessels," I said.
"No response from either one," Harry said.
"Well let's try and get their attention," I said. "Tuvok, Charge Weapons,"
"Aye Captain," Tuvok said.
"Red Alert," I said. As the Klaxons went Red.
"The other ship is hailing," Harry said.
"On screen," I said.
"Stand down Voyager," he said.
"I have no argument with you, However the vessel you're tractoring," I said.
"I paid for my Federation membership," He said. "The Delta Flyer belongs to me now,"
"I think you've been misled," I said.
"Yes I have," He said. As he closed the channel and we got hit 3 times.
"3 direct hits, Shields down to 60%," Tuvok said.
"Engaging ZPM 1 to Shields," Harry said. "that did it, Shields back to 90%,"
Target his tractor beam. Nobody is taking possession of the Delta Flyer todays except us," I said. "Fire, Lock onto them,"
"Yes Ma'am," Chakotay said.
As we got hit.
"Now our tractor generator's offline," Chakotay said.
"Shields down to 81%," Tuvok said.
As we got hit again.
"The imposter's ship is powering engines," Tom said.
"7 transport everyone on that vessel directly to the Brig, Tuvok target that ships weapons array and fire," I said.
"Establishing a lock on 3 lifesigns," 7 said as we got hit. "That impact damaged the transporters, I'm losing annular confinement,"
"Harry Reroute ZPM 2," I said.
"They're gone," Chakotay said.
"7," I said.
"I only got one of them," 7 said.
As we got hit again.
"Tom, Follow that ship maximum warp," I said.
"Aye Captain," Tom said.
XXX
I got to the Brig with Tuvok.
"Nice hair," I said.
"It's not really my taste," Dala said.
"Posing as a Starfleet Captain, Selling memberships to the Federation, Too bad we didn't think of it, Tuvok, Imagine the resources we could have acquired over the past 6 years in the wild," I said.
"Indeed," Tuvok said.
"I have to admit, I'm impressed," I said.
"I wish I could say the same," Dala said. "The great Captain McCall, Somehow I expected you to be taller, I make a better you than you,"
"Oh I don't know, I'd say we're very much alike, Resource, Intelligent, Ambitious, But with just one tiny difference," I said.
"And what is that?" Dala said.
"I'm not a liar and a thief," I said. "You're going to give me a detailed account of everyone you cheated and exactly what you did with their property,"
"Why would I do that?" Dala said.
"Because if you don't, I'm turning you over to Telsian security," I said
"Oh is that supposed to frighten me," Dala said.
"How much do you know about the Telsians," I said.
"Just that they're a more gullible species than most," Dala said.
"Tell her about your research Tuvok," I said.
"I beg your pardon, Captain," Tuvok said.
"On Telsian law, I think it's only fair that we let our guest know what to expect," I said.
"The Telsian criminal justice system is rather barbaric," Tuvok said.
"Tell her about the prisons," I said.
"Barely habitable, Inmates often die of malnutrition, before they are brought to trial, Torture is commonplace as is disease, Including several incurable forms of psoriasis," Tuvok said.
"I think she gets the general idea," I siad.
"Suppose I do tell you, How do I know you won't turn me over to the Telsians anyway?" Dala said.
"If you make full restitution to your victims, I'll give you safe passage out of this area," I said.
"Is that a promise, Captain," Dala said.
"I know it's hard for you to believe, but occasionally some of us tell the truth," I said.
"Give me the Delta flyer and 3 days to get as far away from here as I can, And then I'll send you the information you want," Dala said.
"How stupid do you think I am?" I said.
"As far as the victims are concerned, You're the one who cheated them," Dala said. "Without my help, you'll be the one who has a problem leaving this sector,"
"Tuvok, Contact Telsian security, Tell them we have a prisoner to turn over," I said as we left. "Psoriasis,"
"Improvisation is not foremost among my talents," Tuvok said.
"Considering I caught you off guard, I thought you performance was exemplary," I said.
"Thank you Captain, Was you order to call the Telsians part of the deception," Tuvok said. "Or did you actually want me to contact them,"
"Not yet, let's give Dala some time to think about those barbaric prisons," I said.
"Do you believe she'll relent," Tuvok said.
"I'm not sure, Something tells me she's just as stubborn as I am," I said.
"Then Am I to assume you have an alternative plan," Tuvok said.
"Have Tom and the Doc on the Flyer just in case Dala does get away. As least we will be able to track them. But Put something into the Flyer so we can find it. In case they find Tom and the Doc," I said.
"I have to admit that is a sneaky plan," Tuvok said.
"Just want I was going for," I said.
XXX
"Intruder alert Captain to the Bridge," Chakotay said.
"Report," I said. As I got out.
"Dala got out, Neelix called for security, then she got into the Delta Flyer and took off," Chakotay said.
"Can we get a tractor lock," I said.
"No, She's gone, Captain," Harry said.
"Stand down Intruder Alert," I said. As the Klaxons went Red. "Tuvok tracker,"
"It's working Captain," Tuvok said.
"As soon as it stopped lay in a course, Warp 9," I said. "Chakotay take the helm,"
After a few minutes.
"Captain, I have the Coordinates," Tuvok said.
"Chakotay Maximum warp, Punch it," I said.
"Aye Captain," Chakotay said as we went to Warp.
XXX
We got into orbit with.
"We picking up a transmission," Harry said. "It's the Doctor,"
"Captain I'm in position," Doc said.
"Can you get a lock," I said.
"Negative, the geostratum is too dense," 7 said.
"Keeping trying, Tuvok get down there," I said.
"Aye Captain," Tuvok said.
"Red Alert," I said. As the Klaxons went red.
XXX
"Captain's log Stardate 53849.2, The Stolen property has been returned to the Telsian miners as well as vessel from 7 different worlds, I'm hoping that the reputation of the Real Federation will survive the events of the last several days, We resumed a course for home. But one thing on my mind is what the hell is coming next, End log," I said.
That's all for this chapter.
More to follow.
Stay tuned and safe.
Love Y'all
PEACE!