Lost – Chapter 8
USS Enterprise – Captains Ready Room
"Please take a seat Mister Black" Picard gestured to a seat and dismissed the security escort "That will be all Ensign."
"How is Harry recovering?" asked Picard politely.
"He's still asleep but Healer Crusher assures me he will make a full recovery"
"Good, that's excellent news. Now Mister Black….." Picard was interrupted by Sirius's "Please call me Sirius."
"Sirius I would like to ask for your opinion on a situation that has arisen."
Sirius studied Picard's face with a pensive expression before responding "What situation?"
USS Enterprise – Brig
"Revelis Magicus" Sirius intoned quietly as he moved his wand in a circular motion. The magical core revealing spell would allow the caster to detect any living creature with a magical core.
The eight prisoners, including the two humans where spread over four cells, all eight appeared to glow with a blue-white aura for a few moments before the light winked out.
"All eight are wizards Captain Picard; I would suggest that you be very careful with them as some wizards are able to cast wandlessly. I assume you have taken their wands?"
Picard nodded and Sirius turned to face the Human prisoners.
"So Dark idiots or not your wizards, did you train on Earth are any of our people still alive?"
One of the humans was staring at Sirius with undisguised loathing.
"Traitor"
Sirius raised his wand.
"Listen blondie you tried to kill my godson so right now I couldn't care less about what some dark wizard calls me."
Picard, worried that Sirius was about to attack the prisoner grabbed Sirius's wrist and pushed his hand until his wand pointed toward the floor.
"That's enough Sirius, come we need to discuss these developments."
"We will be back for you both Traitor"
Before Picard or Sirius could respond there was a flash of white light accompanied by a painfully loud whistling noise. The two Starfleet security guards raised their phasers their training telling them to react with caution to strange events, Picard spun back to look at the cells and Sirius redrew his wand but all eight prisoners were gone.
Sirius growled and sheathed his wand "I hate bloody portkeys."
USS Enterprise – Conference Room A
"So they portkeyed straight through all your shields that's worrying" commented L'kor.
Picard nodded to L'kor before speaking to the rest of working party positioned around the table "Indeed and as a result of this new found vulnerability I have Commander La Forge working on a new shield modulation and any other options that can render this method of travel useless. To that end Mister Black has volunteered to create a supply of portkeys for us to test."
"My crew have been working on finding a reliable way to scan for those who share Sirius and Harry's gift and for this shield they have been using to fool our sensors" offered D'Mek.
The voice of Lieutenant Commander Data interrupted the meeting.
"Bridge to Captain Picard"
"Go ahead Commander" responded Picard
"Sir I have a priority one message from Starfleet"
"Route it through to the console in conference room B Data I will take it there."
"Aye Captain"
Picard made his apologies and walked across the corridor to conference room B. Seating himself before the screen Picard accepted the communication and entered his authority code, the Starfleet logo disappeared and was replaced by the no nonsense visage of Commodore Timothy Zoran of Starfleet Intelligence. Picard knew the Commodore quite well having served with him as an ensign aboard the USS Albatross.
"Jean Luc, are you alone?"
"Yes I am"
"Good I'm risking a lot making this call Jean Luc even if I'm using my personal encryption key and a disguised carrier signal. A few months ago I received a strange request it appeared that a Federation scientist had discovered a piece of ancient technology on an airless sterile planet in the Tal Sigma system."
"Tal Sigma 5?" asked Jean Luc
"Yes Tal Sigma 5, the team had requested Starfleet help after four of their senior researchers had 'disappeared' on route to Earth along with the crew of the privately registered Starship they were using. Starfleet investigated and found nothing, not unusual in the advent of accidents but what was unusual was the fact that several highly ranked members of Starfleet intelligence were very quick to quash any investigation and a very short time later the research team withdrew their request. Then when I was talking to Charles Barrington of the Yukon he mentioned his orders to patrol the Tal Sigma system, orders which should have crossed my desk but didn't."
"Given recent events, including the death of the researchers I can see why you might be wondering who is hiding what but why tell me surely this information is classified?"
"Jean Luc your two survivors, your crew and the Klingon's are in a great deal of danger."
"Well yes we had an encounter with a squadron of Romulan Warbirds."
"No you misunderstand me Jean Luc elements in Starfleet intelligence wants them neutralised before they fall in to the hands of the Romulans or anyone else. I wouldn't put it past them to make sure that there were no witnesses to their actions."
"Tim you must realise that this sounds…well outrageous."
"Have you heard of Section 31? They have resources Jean Luc, resources and powerful friends. I fear I am already under scrutiny; my calls to my superiors have gone answered. Admiral S'veer died in a boating accident three hours after I spoke to him of my concerns, three hours Jean Luc"
"S'veer….my god Tim what have you uncovered?"
"Old friend you must be careful I've done all I can in warning you and a few of our other old friends but….." The Commodore half turned in his chair and began to rise before being blasted back by a disruptor blast apparently set to full power.
Another figure appeared in the viewscreen dressed as a Starfleet Captain, the figure glanced at something off screen before turning to look at the monitor, at the moment the visual disappeared and returned to the Starfleet logo.
Picard was stunned; he had just watched the apparent murder of a ranking Starfleet officer in his own office. For a few moments he just sat there unable to process the events he had seen. He took a deep breath and tried to think, he needed to confirm what he had seen had actually happened and if it had then he needed to find allies to hunt down the rouge elements of the intelligence division. Working quickly Picard set up a random encryption code and set up a second string that would send his message through as many relays as he could to disguise its source. He hesitated a moment before disabling the visual but decided that security was a factor and went with audio only.
"Commander Bryant for Commodore Zoran."
"This is Captain Carlow I am the Commodore's aide. Unfortunately the Commodore is unavailable at the moment a family emergency."
"Really how unfortunate, do you have any idea when he may be back in?"
"I am afraid that is classified information Commander, may I ask what this was in relation to?"
Picard terminated the connection and sat silently for a few minutes as he struggled to wrap his mind around what he had just seen. With a sigh he walked back to Conference room A and stood in the doorway for a moment as he made his decision and then schooled his expression before entering and sitting down.
"Could I have everyone's attention for a moment?" Said Picard as he tried to keep his voice steady and calm "I need to see all senior department heads in the next conference room immediately. May I suggest that our guests make their way to Ten Forward until we can reconvene?"
As the non-Starfleet people began to leave Picard led his Starfleet officers to the second conference room. Once they arrived and were seated Picard stood, adjusted his uniform tunic and addressed the gathered officers. His face was serious, grim even as he spoke.
"As of this moment we are speaking off the record, anyone not comfortable with this may leave the room."
No one left.
"Just a few minutes ago I received an off the record priority one communication from Commodore Timothy Zoran of Starfleet Intelligence……."
For the next ten minutes Picard filled in his command crew, at the end of his speech no one moved or spoke for several long moments until Riker cleared his throat and addressed his Captain.
"Do you believe the ship is at risk?"
"Had you asked me earlier I would have answered no, I am not so sure now" responded Picard.
"Jean Luc" began Dr Crusher "your speaking of a conspiracy centred in Starfleet Intelligence, I mean we need to report this but to whom?"
"I also begin to question exactly what the technology they were researching was. I mean is it linked to Sirius and Harry's skills, where do the Romulans and their apparently human allies fit in all this. We are walking along the edge of a precipice." Picard warned.
La Forge spoke up "What's so important about Harry and Sirius; I mean the 'magic' if that's what we want to call this is scientifically and culturally interesting but is that enough to justify this? I mean we are talking about Starfleet officers committing murder to hide it."
"I know Geordie" answered Picard "and I am horrified by the implications but until we can get to the bottom of these tangled webs we need to protect ourselves from any external threats from our enemies or our friends."
Worf looked around the room before contributing "I could begin implementing more Security patrols and electronic surveillance of key onboard systems to help prevent any saboteurs we may have aboard. I also respectfully suggest that we inform D'Mek of at least an edited version of this news."
"A good suggestion Worf it would appear that the Enterprise and the Kaveth Nar are both at risk."
USS Enterprise – Sick Bay
"Mister Potter how are you feeling now?" asked Dr Selar after administering a mild analgesic with a hypospray.
"I'm still a bit stiff and sore but otherwise okay."
"Do you feel up to seeing a visitor?" asked the Vulcan physician.
"That would be great thanks" Harry smiled and nodded to Dr Selar who disappeared around the corner and returned with a smiling Emma Kelly.
"Hi Harry are you feeling better?"
"Emma" exclaimed Harry as a shy smile spread across his face "please take a seat."
"I can't stay too long I have a study meeting in twenty minutes, I just wanted to see if you were awake, the last couple of times I dropped by you were sleeping."
"So you have been checking up on me?" Harry said with a grin.
"Maybe"
Harry smiled for a few moments before his expression turned serious. "Emma I owe you a life debt, Doctor Crusher told me your quick action saved my life."
Emma didn't answer for a long moment and when she did her voice was uneven and her eyes grew teary "I thought you were dying in my arms Harry, you……you killed those people and saved us…then you just lay there…there was so much blood." Her hands were twisting in her lap.
Grimacing as his still sore muscles protested Harry sat up and pulled Emma in to a hug.
"Thank you Emma."
After they separated the he two teens spent the next twenty minutes talking quietly about Emma's family and her life on Enterprise. Before she ducked out and headed off to class she had agreed to bring her parents to meet him next time she visited. Neither seemed aware that Harry had not released Emma's hand until she stood to leave.
USS Enterprise – Conference Room A
Picard rose from his seat at the head of the conference room table, pulling down his uniform tunic before he addressed the two command crews.
"I find myself faced with a rather unique dilemma; earlier I received an encrypted message from a friend in Starfleet intelligence. He warned me that there were elements in Starfleet willing to murder to suppress the knowledge of Tal Sigma 5."
The Klingon officers exchanged looks as Picard continued to deliver the message delivered by Commodore Zoran and its tragic end. The Starfleet officers were quiet throughout their Captains speech and sat awaiting the discussion to come, the Klingon's however were shocked and several Klingon curses were thrown around before D'Mek slammed fist on the table.
"So what you saying is" he questioned "that senior Starfleet officers have been assassinated, apparently by agents of Starfleet and know you are cautious to report for fear that person may be compromised or indeed a part of this apparent conspiracy?"
"Essentially yes" answered Picard.
"A wise decision Captain. It appears we need to be on our guard for our enemies surround us."
"So how do we proceed?" asked Picard.
USS Enterprise – Bridge
Lieutenant Michael Watson was currently in command of the bridge and was unaware of the topics under discussion by the two command crews. So when he received an altogether routine communication from the USS Mercury a Starfleet science vessel he immediately authorised the request to allow the small vessel to test and calibrate its sensors using local celestial bodies and the Enterprise as references.
"Sir" said Ensign Scott Trent from the security station "The Mercury has just launched a full spread of photon torpedos."
"What? Who are they….shields up" ordered Watson.
The Enterprise got its shields up, barely but the ship was still thrown about as the torpedos impacted their shields.
"Helm; take evasive action and hail the Mercury, Red Alert, Captain Picard to the Bridge."
"No response from the Mercury, they are coming around for another pass."
"Damn it! Scott, lock phasers on to the Mercury and disable them."
"Targeted"
"Fire" ordered Watson.
"Direct hit, their shields are holding."
"Sir the Mercury just cloaked."
"Scan for tachyon emissions and drive trails"
"They've disappeared of our scanners and I can't find even a warp signature."
"Sir, the Kaveth Nar has just powered up disruptors and is firing."
The Enterprise bucked again as another spread of torpedos impacted its shields; however it appeared that the ship had given away its position as it was raked by disruptor and torpedo fire from the Kaveth Nar.
Watson watched the Mercury taking damage from the Klingon's attacks and turned to Ensign Trent.
"Scott target the Mercury when the Kaveth Nar next attacks, their cloak flickers so hit them with whatever we can."
"Aye Sir"
Apparently the Kaveth Nar was now a threat because the Mercury returned fire on the Klingon ship causing some minor damage before the Enterprise could lock weapons on it. Then came the flicker of the cloak that Ensign Scott Trent was waiting for.
"Firing phasers and photon torpedos"
The Kaveth Nar's weapons officer apparently had the same idea as he poured disruptor fire in to the cloaked ship within seconds the enemy ships cloak and shields failed and it blew apart in a spectacular anti-matter explosion.
"Damage report" ordered Watson.
"Sir we have reports of minor damage coming in from all over the ship and… hold on there has been an explosion reported on deck…wait…we have three separate reports of intruders, my god we've been boarded."
USS Enterprise – Conference Room A
Riker nodded to L'kor "I don't disagree that understanding how Sirius and Harry do what they do, and the science behind it as you put it still important but I think our first priority needs to be finding out what happened on Tal Sigma 5, that's our starting point."
D'Mek stood and was about to speak when the Enterprise bucked and shuddered, throwing many in the room back in to their chairs then the red alert signal but before anyone could react there was a loud explosion in the corridor outside and the door literally exploded.
USS Enterprise - Sick Bay
Suddenly the ship shuddered, throwing Emma off balance; she would have fallen if Harry hadn't caught her. Then a red flashing light appeared and a klaxon sounded.
"What the bloody hell was that?" asked Harry as he struggled to sit up while still supporting Emma.
"I don't know but that's the red alert signal it means there some sort of danger" replied Emma.
"Accio Wand" Harry's wand flew across the room and in to his hand.
"What…how did you do that?" asked a shocked Emma.
"I promise I'll explain later, but right now we need to get out of here because I've got a horrible feeling that something bad is about to happen" said Harry as he swung his legs out of bed; Just as Dr Selar came out of her office.
"What are you doing Mister Potter you need to stay…"
"Stupefy" called an unseen attacker as a beam of red light struck the Vulcan who fell to the ground.