The Enterprise
Lieutenant Commander Scott had heard of the Taurek before, had never thought to meet a member of this most elusive people before. The Taurek people were organized into three specific societies. The Wise were those who made Law, and advised the rulers. The Caretakers cared for and taught the young, and cared for the ill. Lastly, the Hunters were a warrior caste, tasked with defending the people, and hunting down malefactors.
Malefactors like Tarnokh Aggadeen…
To say Kaiel was intimidating would be a profound understatement. But the seemingly human woman, Guinan by name, accompanying the Taurek Hunter had the gift of putting everyone at ease.
"Got it," Wesley straightened from the Science station after inputting Exeter's Prefix Code. For now, everything in the Exeter, all of her logs…everything was free for the taking.
"Could you imagine what an unscrupulous commander, or a madman, like Garth of Izar could do with that?" Scott murmured. "It would be so easy to make a ship lower its shields, and then blast it to ash…"
"Yes," Wesley nodded. "But I'll be happy just to get Exeter's Logs..."
…..
It didn't take long for the Bridge Crew to assemble Exeter's Logs and make an abridged synthesis of it. Gathered in the Briefing Room, Wesley, Lieutenant Commanders Scott and Anders, and the Enterprise Bridge Crew watched the record.
Captain's Log, Stardate 1305. Exeter has been assigned to patrol the Omega system, scan for signs of life…
Commodore Ron Tracey's voice issued from the speakers. Wesley stared at the view screen, at his old friend sitting in the Captain's Chair.
"Commodore" Exeter's Chief of Communications speaks up. "We are receiving a distress signal."
"Put it on speaker," Tracey orders.
"This is Martin Hacker, of the Frigate Mariposa. We experienced a catastrophic engine failure and had to crash land on Omega IV. We have many casualties…"
"Inform them we're on our way," Tracey orders. "Helmsman, set course for Omega IV. Tell Dr. Carter to prepare for casualties…"
"Pause recording," Wesley ordered. "Lieutenant Sulu…any information on a frigate called Mariposa?"
"Aye, Sir," the young Lieutenant was already consulting the Enterprise computer. "Space Frigate Mariposa disappeared two years ago. Current whereabouts unknown."
Sulu looked up.
"They could have crashed here," he added.
"Uh-huh…" Wesley grunted sourly. This was looking worse by the minute. He turned back to the computer. "Proceed"
On Exeter's Bridge, Tracey, and the assembled Away Team gather on the Transporter Pad, including two men wearing Life Science Blue; Dr. Carter and an assistant. The Away Team beams down…
Around ten minutes later, the Away Team beams back, minus Commodore Tracey. Everyone looks upset, and it's hard to understand what is being said; everyone's speaking at once.
"He's gone…they took him!"
"Pause…" Commodore Wesley stood; mouth gone dry.
"He's gone…they took him…" he repeated those words as understanding came.
"Commodore Tracey?" Scott asked. "But…who…and why?"
Kaiel likewise stood.
"Tarnokh Aggadeen," he said. "His thirst for power, for dominion over others, will never be sated."
Wesley placed his hands flat on the table, lowered his head, fearful of what fate might have lain in wait for Commodore Tracey. Then, he remembered…
This happened six months ago. He could be dead…
Sighing, he took his seat.
Mourning can wait…
He turned back to the computer.
"Proceed," he said.
Exeter's Transporter Room. The Away Team still discussing how to locate, and rescue their missing commander, the babble of voiced filling the room. Then, one of them notices the tiny thing that has beamed up to the Exeter along with them.
"What the hell is that?" he points to it. And it…whatever it is…goes…poof…
Dust and mite-like things scattering everywhere…
Less than twenty-four hours later, everyone aboard the Exeter is dead, bodies reduced to glittering crystal…
"Damn…" "Oh, my god…" Holy Mother of God..."
Wesley heard, yet didn't hear the exclamations from the others around him.
Instead, he recalled the first time he had met Ron Tracey.
Two brash young cadets, both full of the devil…
"Pipe down, everyone…" his voice felt distant to his ears. "We know Tarnokh Aggadeen's down there; and we have reason to believe Ron Tracey is dead."
He turned to Scott and Sulu.
"Aggadeen couldn't do one tenth of what he did without a power source," he said. "Find it."
"What about Captain Kirk?" Scotty asked. "He, Mr. Spock, and Dr. McCoy are all alone down there."
"Sorry, Scotty," Wesley sighed again. "Until we deal with Aggadeen, they're on their own."
"I know…" Scotty groused. "It's just…"
"They're your friends," Wesley nodded. "I know. A friend of mine's at risk too. He could already be dead, for all I know. We do what we have to to protect the Federation…"
No matter how many friends we lose along the way…