Chapter 2
Starbase Deep Space 9
Bajor Sector
Stardate 89194.82
~BEEP, The time is 0729~
*mumble*
~BEEP, The time is 0729 and 5 seconds~
Beamer gave up his useless fight with the station chronometer and slipped out of bed. He barely got his feet on the floor before the blasted thing sounded again.
~BEEP, The times is 072-~
"I'm up already!"
The computer yielded and ended it's, to many sadistic, wake up call. Beamer was sure that if the female Cardassian computer-though tempered by Chief O'Brian in 2370-had been human, she would have either broken down and put in for a transferred to a more sequestered place, or she would have been the most perfect flight attendant known to the known galaxy.
The spotted blue figure made his way to the replicator and ordered Terran Chocolate Milk- which was proven to be healthier than regular milk- and headed to the coffee table with his portable computer terminal. He asked the computer for a list of messages and it politely spat back a list of 4 messages. A communique' from station operations regarding a series replicator malfunctions,-he put the glass down on the table without taking a sip-a condolence letter to Kurland, which he would look at later in his office, an ad to a trip to Risa 50% discount, and an encrypted DSI report, which he'd read now. "Computer, decrypt file DSI T1184."
~Please state security clearance.~
"Authorization Beamer Sigma 3 Blue."
~Security clearance approved, access granted.~
The Admiral looked over what appeared to be an intelligence file on the status of the Tal Shiar, possible whereabouts of Taris, and the opportunity to gain access into Iconian interactions with the quadrant. For some reason, he had this strange fascination with the Iconians that wasn't solidly concrete to him. All he knew was that they needed to be stopped, and they needed to be stopped now.
He went through the standard routine of deleting the message and headed to his office up in OPS. Luckily enough they added a space directly under the view screen-thus removing the engineering pit-when DSI was officially stationed on DS9, making it home base.
Commander Tuusan T'ylander was working at his usual security station with his "standard issue" stone face. He presumed James was in his office and didn't want to be disturbed, and he couldn't blame him. He could tell by the natural hum and a lot of "blinky lights" that everything had finally settled back into regular life to some extent. That didn't mean it wasn't still a grim atmosphere, but it was gradually getting better. He walked into his office and saw the last person he'd want to see today. His CMO.
She saw Beamer walk in and go to sit in his chair. He pressed a button and his computer screen came out from the desk. Being the nag she was, she pressed the button again and the screen retreated from what would be an argument.
"What is it Tulska, I'm very busy today."
She straightened out and asked wryly "Too busy to come in for a standard transfer physical?"
Beamer was not in the mood for this. "Doctor"
"Ok so I'm here to see how you're doing. Everyone's taking Karen's death pretty hard."
"You Velocity's Counselor now too?"
"No, but I think you should see one. Now I know a colleague who stops by DS9 every week named Chani."
Beamer scoffed at the notion.
"I can always make that an order Director Admiral." Its times like these she liked being a CMO. The times she could beat the brass at its game of orders and tactics, plus she liked seeing Beamer try and get out of that protocol. In all the years she knew the man, he could never avoid her house calls.
"Tomorrow" She was about to say something and he cut her off. "DSI work today."
"Fine, but if I hear you avoided her, I'll lock you up in sickbay."
He nodded and she walked out the doors heading for the lift. The Black haired Betazoid woman mused to herself; I'll need to remind him.
The Bridge of the Odyssey class ship was still under refit at upper pylon 2 following the introduction of a scientific variant. To Spink, affectionately nicknamed Blabbington or Blab, it was satisfactory. The Aquarius Bridge reduced hull stress by 43.74% thus enabling a few more seconds of travel time whilst at slipstream velocities. The Velocity truly lived up to her name, as she could maintain a normal cruising speed of Warp 28 and maximum speed of Warp 30.999. However illogical it was, Blab felt...pride in the sister ship of the Enterprise. However seeing the majority of the bulkheads off to the side, and engineers crowding every conduit and console, he felt uncomfortable. He would be more pleased once the refit was finished, as no doubt Mr. Munroe would.
What concerned Blabbington the most was the admiral's behavior as of late. It was illogical for him to assume he'd never lose anyone, and even more so to assume Ms. Andrew's death his fault. Unfortunately there was not much that he himself could do himself. No it would be more logical to have a certified councilor to show Beamer the illogic in blaming himself for the commander's death.
It was that point that a certain female Romulan tactical officer decided to strike a conversation.
"The new antiproton beams are installed and awaiting test firing." Valeros reported
"I believe the admiral wanted to 'watch it in action.' Schedule the test for 1400 hours tomorrow so we work around the admiral's prior engagements."
"What 'prior engagements?'" asked the Bajoran OPS officer Bilazz. Valeros gave a "I-was-going-to-ask-the-same-thing" look.
"I believe Ms. Tulska would be better suited to answer that."
"Gee Blab, you're not afraid of the Admiral's wrath now are you?" Tulska asked stepping out of the lift.
Valeros retorted back "I've heard he locks them in the holodeck, running a program based solely... on illogic." There were more than a few giggles, and even Blabbington raised an eye brow in amusement. It was nice to see some humor cut through the darkened atmosphere that was hanging overhead.
Tulska in all seriousness stated "He's still reeling from Karen's death, but he'll move on."
Blabbington nodded and asked "Will he be here tomorrow?"
"You can bet on that, I have a feeling he's going to try and ditch his appointment."
Both walked off to their respected duties and Valeros asked in vain again "What appointment?"
She opens her eyes wildly. She tries to sit up but something is holding her back. She was confused, scared, and desperate to escape. She was weak compared to them, and as an axiom they've heard before goes "The weak shall perish." She was one, they were many. They would take what they wanted from her. She would be unable to resist. They will send the strong one to speak for them. She will be their voice, their puppet.
The strong one greets her. The strong one is one that she thought she'd never see again. She does not know how such a thing is possible. She has so many questions yet the strong one will not answer, they will not answer. The strong one informs her of what they want and leaves her to think. They will abide by the strong one's decision.
They will move forward as planned. They will capture the traitor. They will wait on the far side of the anomaly. They will wait for the right moment and strike fear into the weak ones. She will give knowledge of the weak ones, her people to them to capture the traitor. The traitor's companion who escaped them is of no consequence no. The weak ones will tremble; the weak ones will fall to them. They will reclaim their place in the stars. All will yield or all will perish.