Chapter 414

HANGAR DECK

USS EXCALIBER

ONE HOUR AGO

Jackson walked up to the container fastened in exactly the right spot on the hangar deck. There was a small crowd watching what was going to happen. Maxwell was talking with Chief Engineer Matthews as Jackson walked up. Jackson asked, "Are we all set for the test?"

Matthews responded in his cockney accent, "Just 'bout sir. Just a little bit of difference of opinion."

Maxwell explained, "Not really a difference of opinion, just a questioning on how the phaser would have been carried."

Jackson looked at the two, "What do you mean?"

Matthews said, "Was it transported horizontal or vertical?"

Jackson asked, "What difference does it make?"

"Might depend on if and how the phaser was broken, and made that noise." Maxwell offered.

Jackson said, "So drop a second phaser if the sound doesn't match. Even if it does, let's drop another one just to see if it matches also. Drop a dozen if you must, I want results."

Maxwell stated humorously, "Aye aye sir. Here is one pristine, brand-new standard issue phaser rifle. It is totally discharged to keep it from blowing up in our faces." Maxwell stepped into the container and walked back to where Matthews put an 'X' on the floor, the place where everyone agreed that the phaser was sitting on the floor of the container. He said loudly, "I'm holding it horizontally and am dropping it from shoulder level." Maxwell released the phaser and it fell with a CRACK when it hit the floor. Maxwell noted right away that the sound was not good and something was probably broken. He walked out and shut the door. "Well, it's sitting there on the floor, let's start recording."

After a short bit of time, Matthews nodded and said, "That is the sound alright. Same everything."

Jackson said, "Well, that is one more bit of evidence for us. Let's clean this up and…"

Maxwell interrupted, "If it is all right with you sir, I'd like to drop another phaser and do a test. We now know that the sound came from a phaser. I'd like to see what possibly happened. Let's let it shake a bit. For the period we figure before those two clowns went inside."

Jackson nodded, "Very well, I'll send a message to the Wisconsin so far on what we found." Jackson walked off.

Matthews asked, "What do you expect to find out?"

Maxwell shook his head, "I don't know, that's where it's fun. We have nothing but time, let's let this shake and bake for a while. I have another phaser, and am going to drop it near the first one. This time I'll do it stock-end down."

After a couple of hours, Maxwell and Matthews opened the door and walked in. They started looking at the phaser rifles. Maxwell noticed abrasions on the side that was near the deck. "Some scuff marks on both rifles. This one here I dropped on the side I would not want to fire, see how this fitting that covers the phaser coils is damaged? When I dropped it, it smashed the fitting."

Maxwell handed it over to Matthews, who looked it over. "Sure enough. Suppose this happened that day. What would you think those two security guys would do?"

"Those two clowns? They probably would not even notice. I really didn't think they were spit and polish at all…." Maxwell's voice trailed off as he looked at the door. "They were only inside for just over a minute. They did not have either the time or tools to fix this."

Matthews looked at the door too. "They would if they took the rifle out. But they didn't."

Maxwell had a short laugh, "'Course they did! They left their rifle behind in the stocks, and walked out right in front of us with the damaged rifle. Right in front of the Cap and Me! Let's see if the video caught that."

The two left and Matthews left some orders for the crew to take apart the container and put the metal in storage. They went to the turbolift.

CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM

USS EXCALIBUR

Jackson was looking over some maps covering the area of their new patrol when the doorbell rang. "Come in."

In walked Matthews and Maxwell. Jackson asked, "You two find out anything more?"

Maxwell said, "Plenty, once we knew where to look. The vibration and drop damaged the phaser rifle. We started thinking what would those two pirates do."

Jackson inwardly chuckled at Maxwell's words. His phrases were becoming a minor legend among the crew. "What did you come up?"

"They swapped the rifles. The rifle would have been damaged, and therefore dangerous to use. It would have been a simple fix, but that required tools and time, neither of which they had in the container." Matthews said.

"So, they pulled a shell game right in front of us! You got to admit Cap, it's a gutsy move." Maxwell declared.

Jackson looked at both, "Any proof?"

Maxwell handed over a pad. "Yes, got them on video. This lead guy here, the same guy I walked around the Embassy with, Whitley. That this first picture is of him and his phaser rifle. The next picture is after he came out of the container. Notice anything different?"

Jackson looked hard. "Not really."

Maxwell zoomed in on the area just ahead of the trigger. "Look at the housing just above the trigger. One is pristine, the other is banged up, scuffed. These are two different rifles."

Jackson nodded. How was he going to send this information to Jacobs? "I want you to write this up and save it and the video to a write-once card. I'll let Jacobs know we got the evidence and see how he wants to handle it from there. Did you tell Mr. Bauer of the situation at Maghreb?"

Maxwell nodded, "And gave him all my scans."

"Thank you both. Now, that closes it for Maghreb. I need you to be thinking about readiness on our mission in front of us. We'll be having a staff meeting tomorrow morning where Mr. Morrow will be going over a deep background on what is happening at the Klingon neutral zone."

CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM

USS WISCONSIN

Jacobs was sitting at his desk reading more background on the negotiations and situation on Maghreb. The doorbell rang and Jacobs said, "Come in."

Bauer walked in; Jacobs offered the seat across his desk. "Jack, good to see you. What is up?"

"You wanted a rundown on the security at the Embassy."

Jacobs sat the pad he was reading down. "Yes, I've been preoccupied with this inbound Klingon."

Bauer nodded his head, "I know sir, if you want to do this later…"

Jacobs shook his head, "No, besides I was meaning to drop by. I got a message from Excalibur; they confirmed that the sound they heard was from a phaser rifle bouncing around one of those containers."

Bauer shook his head, "That is not good for you. Your position is getting a lot worse by the minute. Is it enough to act on?"

"I don't think so. It's strong supporting evidence, but before I do something like arrest an Admiral or Ambassador for gunrunning, I'd like something stronger."

Bauer nodded, "Like a gun."

Jacobs smiled. "Like a gun. We will keep that in mind. What do you have?"

Bauer sat a pad down and pulled up some schematics of the Embassy. "Externally, it looks like other embassies. The problem is the structure. Mr. Maxwell was very sure to get that through to me."

"How so? Don't they have shielding?"

Bauer explained, "They do, but not in the right places. They have an overhead shield to stop the Maghreb from crashing a plane or dropping a bomb, but they just set the shield generators on the ground. Any energy directed at the shield will be transferred to the ground."

Jacobs sat back, "So if it was hit by a big bomb…"

"The shield generator will hold and be pushed right into the ground, on top of the embassy building."

Jacobs looked aft at the engine nacelles imagining the scene. "What else?"

"They shielded only the entrances. One of their armored vehicles could blow a hole in the wall big enough to drive through. Only way to stop it would be to use phasers."

Jacobs looked at the diagram, "Is that at least good?"

Bauer shook his head, "The chief of security there related to Maxwell that they have a minimal force. The ambassador knew the Klingons would come in force so the ambassador wanted to show the opposite."

Jacobs mused, "Ever wonder sometimes we have more in common with the Klingons than our own government officers?"

Bauer chuckled, "Klingons know what true evil is. They have had to fight it numerous times. Our own officials seem to have forgotten what evil is. And one other thing."

Jacobs looked at Bauer, "Don't tell me, it gets better."

Bauer changed the diagram a little bit, to show the underground passage. "There is an underground passage. Maxwell did not get good scans because he didn't have time, but it's there and right under the Embassy building. Breaching it would be a piece of cake. I strongly suspect something like the Klingon embassy exists."

Jacobs pushed the com button, "Jacobs to Bridge."

Jareau's voice came through, "Lt Jareau. What can I do for you sir?"

"Hail Kang, let him know we have important info on the embassy."

"Standby sir."

Bauer said, "Do you think Admiral Clayborne will object?"

Jacobs said dryly, "Only if he finds out."

Bauer chuckled. Jareau's voice came through the com, "Kang is on visual."

Jacobs said, "Thanks JJ." He pushed a button and Kang's image came over the screen.

"This is Kang. What do you want?"

Jacobs said, "Kang, it is Captain Jacobs along with Lt. Cdr Bauer. We have come across some information concerning the embassies."

Kang's scowl seemed like it was permanently etched on his face. "What is it?"

"There is a tunnel under our embassy. The Maghreb claim it is for services; water, sewage, power."

Kang shook his head, "We detected no tunnel with our sensors."

Bauer added, "We dropped a Feinberger sensor down the sewer lid on a nearby street."

Kang's look changed ever so slightly, "Feinberger?"

Bauer said, "A small detachable sensor in a tricorder. One of our men dropped it down the manhole cover. It gave us a perspective that we could not get from above ground." Bauer looked at Jacobs, who nodded. "Sir, I can send over the data that we acquired."

Kang asked, "Why would you do that for us?"

Jacobs mused, "The Maghreb have not earned my trust, you have. I suspect something is amiss."

Kang raised an eyebrow. "What do you suspect?"

Jacobs shook his head. "I am not sure, but an Excalibur security member was attacked while getting this very data. The attack was not well organized, but there were many people."

Kang said, "You suspect a conspiracy?"

Jacobs shrugged, "I do not know. It seems to me like it was an awfully short time for that many people to be in the attack. I suspect something unseen is working against us. But then again, if there is an attack and your embassy is hurt, we would have an unfair advantage."

Kang let through a small smile, "Indeed, from what I hear, your side is losing the negotiations. I too would hate to see you win unfairly. Kang out."

The screen went blank. Bauer said, "At least he could've said thank you."

Jacobs chuckled, "Not the Klingon way. Remind me to ask Admiral Clayborne when he returns tonight on what we are doing about that tunnel."

FEDERATION EMBASSY

MAGHREB

Admiral Clayborne was looking over the courtyard. Maxwell was right, the foundations for the shield generators were made of local material. He remembered the arguments he was having with Jackson concerning the building. Ambassador Mamet was very insistent that the locals do as much as possible. That gung-ho idiot Maxwell was beside himself during the building phase finding problems with everything. Maxwell would talk to Jackson, who would bring up the issue with Clayborne. Most of the heated discussions were done in Jackson's new Captain's Ready room, some whacko idea he got from Jacobs. Clayborne would almost always tell Jackson that the original orders stood, and to have the construction done as directed. Jackson always raised a fuss, but he was a Captain and Clayborne was an Admiral, and the Admiral got his way.

Now he was wishing he would have listened a little bit more. Maxwell's assessment was echoing in his ears. He decided to go inside and check the foundations of the Embassy for himself. The room in the basement that had external services was right next to the stairs leading up to the back of the main lobby. Everything looked good, pipes coming out of the floor, electrical conduit with electrical lines. The Excalibur Engineer, some cockney English guy called Matthews, said they did not need electrical. One fusion generator would fulfill everything.

Clayborne's communicator chirped. Clayborne took it out and looked at the call, it was the Ambassador. Clayborne flipped it open as he was looking around. "Clayborne here."

Ambassador Mamet said, "Could you meet me in my office?"

"Yes sir, on my way." Clayborne looked around and decided to deal with this later. He walked up the stairs through the security door and into the back of the lobby. He was virtually in the center of the Embassy's ground floor. The stairs to the upper floors were just across the hall, but he decided to take the elevator, no turbolifts here. The doors on the top floor opened to the small lobby and the Ambassador's office.

Clayborne walked right in, "Yes Ambassador?"

Mamet stood up from his desk and walked to Clayborne, "I have something to discuss with you. Come." Mamet showed him to the private elevator.

Clayborne always wondered where this went. Once inside, they went down. It felt like the ground floor, but it opened to a room that was filled with the containers, no other entrances. Mamet said, "The negotiations do not go well, the Klingons are winning. It is time for me to step up our offer."

Clayborne suddenly felt cold. What was in the containers? "Why are you showing me this? Wouldn't your assistant Dax be better?"

Mamet snorted in a scoffing sound. "Dax is too clean. He was once the leader of their planet, the Dax symbiont has too much of a good reputation and would never be involved in what I am going to show you. When he was assigned, I hoped to be able to compromise him, but it was readily apparent that Dax would be too savvy to be easily corrupted. We do not have the time, and I am not sure he is able to be bribed or corrupted."

Clayborne scoffed, "If so, why did you choose him to come along? Why not somebody else?"

Mamet was dismissive, "You got to remember that Dax is actually Kirzon Dax. The host, Kirzon, is a junior member of the Diplomatic corps working his way up. Since he has joined to Dax, the honorable former leader of Trill, he will be on a fast track up. I'm not in charge of the Diplomatic Corps, the Secretary of State is, and Dax's name came up to be on the team."

Clayborne was trying to figure a way of wriggling out of what was coming. "So, he doesn't have any part of this portion of your operation?"

Mamet laughed, "None, it is just you and me and some of the Diplomatic security. Back home it's Senator Jameson of course."

"I had no idea. What about the President?"

Mamet looked directly at Clayborne but gave a politicians' answer, "That's a stupid question. If you need anything done, your go-to guy is Whitley."

Clayborne said, "I better leave, I want none of this."

Mamet walked up to the lock and said, "You are already part of this. Remember that you personally vouched for these containers. You ineptly used the President's video, and didn't warn either me or Jameson about it until yesterday. You were instructed to only play that in front of a ship's Captain, on board a ship, not Adama's office. No, my good friend, you are already involved. And now you must see it through. Computer, recognize Mamet."

Mamet faced the lock and the computer did a retina scan. "Ambassador Mamet recognized."

Mamet ordered, "Computer, add Admiral Clayborne to authorized list." Mamet motioned to Clayborne.

Clayborne was trapped. "If the video is that damaging, why finish this?"

Mamet laughed sinisterly, "You think that the President would let something like that out without precautions? Even from a bumbling idiot like you? When you told me what Maxwell said the other day, I instructed the protocol to start. It's taken care of. Now look into the scanner."

Clayborne did not see a way out. He faced the scanner and it reported, "Recognized Admiral Clayborne."

Mamet said, "Computer, unlock."

There was a latching sound and Mamet opened the door. The overhead lights automatically came on. Clayborne walked in and saw crates secured to the walls all over everywhere. In one area, he saw that there were some items fastened to the wall so one could get a very good look at them.

Phasers, Tricorders, communicators, other equipment he did not recognize right away. There was a portable fusion generator along with rechargers for everything he could see. Toolkits, computers, and all of it contraband. Clayborne saw his life go up in smoke. "This is going to be what the Federation offers?"

Mamet chuckled, "What else do I have? I must be very careful; I will keep you updated on who I talk to and how to get a hold of them."

"Why me?"

Mamet said, "In case I get incapacitated, you can finish the negotiations. When we get back to my office, I'll outline what we are prepared to offer. This technology far surpasses Klingon technology, and then the Klingons are not even offering their latest, but technology that predates the Federation. We'll win this, for sure."

Clayborne asked, "What about Federation inactivation codes?"

Mamet laughed, "You really are a moron when it comes to this stuff. None of what is in here will show up in a Federation computer, so it cannot be deactivated. It does not work that way. I'll sell it as a 'feature' when in reality that's just the only way to keep these things off the books, never to enter their serial numbers. They do not even have serial numbers, no ID chips, nothing that a Federation communications signal can inhibit."

Clayborne was looking around at all the equipment again, he was counting the years that this was worth spending on a penal colony. "So, they are untraceable. All untraceable. What happens when this equipment starts showing up? We would hopefully be having a mining colony here. How do we explain illegal Federation equipment showing up?"

Mamet shrugged, "Klingons, initially. Externally, they are identical. Internally, they have some Klingon components. If it is ever asked, and it probably will, we will just say that they were brought over by the Klingons to try to scandalize the Federation delegation. After we are here for a while, it will not make any difference. There will be so many avenues that illegal technology can come in that it will still be untraceable."

Clayborne asked, "What if we get caught?"

"The best criminals don't get caught. Just be sure you don't mess up again."

Clayborne was still trying to figure a way out, getting more nervous by the second. "But what if we do get caught?"

Mamet looked at Clayborne, clearly, he was out of his league. "Get some nerve. Don't worry about this or you won't be able to perform. How did you ever get to be Admiral?"

Clayborne's expression was neutral. Mamet mockingly said, "That's right, I forgot. Jameson worked the rest of the Senate to get you approved to be Admiral. Well, Admiral, there are some that get to be Admiral by virtue, others by widespread recognition, and then there is you." Clayborne shot Mamet a nasty look, which Mamet ignored. "Face it Clayborne. The reason why you became an Admiral is because Jameson needed somebody in his pocket, and that is you."

"You can't talk to me this way!"

Mamet glared back at him, "I have and I will. Now let's go back upstairs and get to work on this."

BRIDGE

USS WISCONSIN

Jacobs walked out of his ready room and stepped on the bridge and said, "Report, Mr. Hotchner."

Hotchner was sitting in the Captain's chair. He said in his usual, Vulcan, stoic voice, "No indications of any cloaked vehicles. We are radiating fully on all sensors. It has been difficult because right now we are putting out so much power and getting so many returns from numerous random elements."

Jacobs chuckled, "Space dust."

"Sir?"

"You are getting interference from space dust."

"Yes sir. I just said that."

Jacobs nodded silently chuckling, "Very well. Let's get the periscopes running. It will pay to have all eyes running. Ben, link up the phasers to slew to the appropriate periscope. It may save us some time. How long can we keep the phasers charged?"

Grimm said, "Not all of them at full power. If I rotate between Phaser A and B from each bank, I can keep something charged indefinitely. Since we only have half the bank powered at any time, it will only be half as effective. No one has tried to run phasers this long, there may be other issues that come up."

"That will do, please make the modifications. Also do what you can about keeping the torpedoes armed all the time."

Grimm nodded, "Aye aye, sir."

Jacobs nodded and said, "Very well."

Jareau announced, "Sir, we just got another message from the Excalibur."

Jacobs nodded, "In my ready room." He turned and went back inside.

Sitting down at his desk, he opened the message. It was two pictures with simple captions on them. First was a closeup of the Diplomatic Security guard Whitley and was titled "Before." The second was of Whitley and titled "After." Highlighted on the second picture was the phaser. Jacobs saw it immediately. He pushed the com button, "Jacobs to Commander Leonaidas."

"Leonaidas here."

"Can you come to my Ready room?"

Leonaidas' said, "Sure. I'm in the galley, would you like anything?"

Jacobs smiled, "Is some of Santini's spaghetti still around?"

"Yes, there is still some in stasis."

Jacobs asked, "Could you heat me up a plate and bring it up?"

"Sure."

In a few minutes, Leonaidas brought in a heaping plate of spaghetti. He had his own plate of some sort of salad. "Here you go Captain."

Jacobs stood up and took the plate. "What are you having?"

"Vulcan Stilch salad. I need to lose a couple of pounds. You better watch yourself, hiding out in here like you have been. You need to get some exercise."

"Thanks Leo, let's get into that afterwards." The two bowed their heads and asked for the blessing.

Jacobs started into his spaghetti, "I'd hate to be caught off the bridge when that other ship shows up."

Leonaidas was picking at his salad, "I understand, but you do need a little bit of exercise to keep that edge. Just thirty minutes will help keep you sharp, you will sleep better. I assume you are going to be sleeping in here?"

Jacobs looked at him amusingly, "Actually, I was thinking about taking naps in here. I've done it before."

Leonaidas pointed out, "We could be here for weeks. That other ship may never show up."

"Then again, it may."

Leonaidas nodded, "And if it does, you need to be sharp. Not sleep-deprived and lethargic from inactivity."

"Yes Doctor Leonaidas. I'll sleep in my quarters tonight and get a swim in tomorrow." Jacobs chuckled.

Leonaidas, glad at his success, asked, "Now that I got my concern addressed, what's cooking?"

Jacobs twisted his screen around so Leonaidas could see. Leonaidas spotted immediately what the issue was. He stopped munching on his salad. "So, now we can see inside the container. At least the evidence of what is inside."

Jacobs nodded. "And now the problem. Is it actionable? Is this enough to arrest Clayborne?"

Leonaidas pointed out, "Or the Ambassador? It is his container. He is responsible too."

Jacobs finished a gulp of water. He sat back and thought out loud, "Do we have enough to accuse an ambassador? I would say no. I can see any high Politician slipping out of this. What about Clayborne?"

Leonaidas said, "If you accuse Clayborne, you accuse Mamet. They are a pair."

Jacobs asked, "So you would recommend against arresting Clayborne."

Leonaidas nodded, "If he gets arrested, the charges better stick all the way through to conviction, otherwise you will have an anchor dropped on your head for false accusation. It will be said you are trying to get even with him for setting you up during that war game a couple of months ago."

Jacobs nodded. "Last we left talking about Clayborne was that I'd send a message to Starbase 5 first to get our story, then notify him that we're going to back Kang up if another Klingon shows up."

"Second thoughts?"

Jacobs finished his spaghetti. "Yep. You said it yourself. What if that mythical Klingon never shows? I would be creating a situation that is unnecessary and boxing myself in."

Leonaidas finished his salad. Even through his beard, you could always detect a smile. That smile disappeared as he thought through what could happen. "Let's play this out. We don't trust Clayborne, because he's a lying, opportunistic, slimeball. You don't tell him about the other Klingon. The other Klingon shows up. You and Kang blow him to bits. What will the not-so-good Admiral do?"

Jacobs answered, "He will flip his lid. He would probably try to relieve me because I interfered in an internal Klingon affair."

Both thought about that statement. Leonaidas said, "What will you do?"

"I guess take a nap. If he relieves me, there is nothing I can do. But Kang will still be around and the mission to Maghreb will be safe."

Leonaidas shrugged. "Perhaps. But this ship will be under control of a person that basically is a smuggler."

Jacobs asked, "What can I do?"

Leonaidas shook his head, "Nothing. I was hoping for more out-of-the-box thinking from you."

"Me too."

Both were quiet. Leonaidas suddenly said, "What if we stationed security on the bridge? Just for a while we have this potential Klingon in the area."

Jacobs said, "We have security on the bridge already. We have a permanent bridge station assigned for security."

Leonaidas continued, "What if we put a couple of guards up in the turbolift landing? Or let them stay in your ready room when you are on the bridge? Not for any specific reason, just in case a threat appears on the bridge."

Jacobs asked, "Klingons?"

Leonaidas said evenly, "Any threat."

Jacobs nodded, "I like that. Make it so. What about the time I spend hiding out here?"

"Sorry about that." Leonaidas said, chuckling. "When you are in here, they can stand in the turbolift landing. When you decide to grace us with your presence, they will be in here waiting." A thought occurred to Leonaidas. "You know there's another solution that our new friend Kang would approve."

"What's that?" Jacobs said smiling, wondering what this was going to be.

Leonaidas said deadpan. "Assassination is a perfectly acceptable way of advancing in rank in the Klingon Empire."

"Naawww. I don't want to be an Admiral."

BRIDGE

IKV INSTIGATOR

Captain Golger was looking at the approach to the Maghreb system. The plan of drawing that blasted Federation battleship had worked well. Too well. He thought that somehow, they were detected, the battleship was tracking straight for him.

Golger ordered full stop and a quick diagnostic of the cloaking system. It was checked out as operating normal. A quick check of the battleship showed it was going to pass extremely close to them, just a few thousand miles. The chances of two ships on a collision course in interstellar space was incredibly small. Golger held his nerve. The Federation battleship slowed to a stop right in front of them.

Golger had kept the ship perfectly still relative to the minute amount of dust in the local area of space. He also ordered minimal power, and kept the cloaking device fully operational. Why had this battleship come to a stop? It was so close as to be a little bit too close to use torpedoes- for either Klingon or Federation. Was this guy suicidal? Golger had kept calm when the warriors around him wanted to attack.

The Battleship dropped something behind it and then warped off. Golger carefully maneuvered to the object. It was a passive sensor buoy. Careful analysis showed that it was not radiating anything, it was totally passive, probably meant to passively sense a warp signature. They theorized the buoy was placed as an early warning device.

Klingon logic was simple. If it was not emitting a signal, and was set to passively sense a warp trail, blow it up so it cannot report anything. So, they did, and proceeded cautiously to Maghreb.

Now they were entering the outer limits of the system. Passive sensors confirmed the positions of the larger planetary bodies against what the IKV Indestructible reported a few months ago. They were even able to refine the orbits a little bit. With that knowledge, they plotted a very stealthy approach to Maghreb. They even coordinated a time so they could get close to Maghreb while Kang was on the other side. Kang reported that the Federation Battleship had assumed orbit near the Klolode, and they were going to assume that the replacement ship was going to be in the same spot.

All it was going to take was some patience. Patience of the stalker.

FEDERATION EMBASSY

MAGHREB

Admiral Clayborne was finished with a truly awful day. He put several datapads and some translated paperwork in his briefcase and was heading for the front door of the Embassy. Blasted Maghreb materials, it must be something in the minerals that inhibited the transporter and sensors. The Embassy building was made from the Maghreb version of concrete, forcing all transportation to be done outside in the courtyard.

The overhead shield was normally off to facilitate transportation, it was decided that it normally was going to be off unless needed. Clayborne walked out and flipped open his communicator. "Admiral Clayborne to Wisconsin. One to beam up."

Clayborne heard a female voice, "Standby Admiral."

Clayborne waited a few seconds. Why was this taking so long? He soon felt the grip of the transporter and was transported.

Clayborne's vision was filled with gold, sparkly light, and all he could hear was the transporter hum. The sparkly light slowly faded revealing the transporter room on the Wisconsin and a female technician at the controls. Clayborne was instantly irritated. "What was the delay in transportation?"

Frye bashfully answered, "Coordination with the bridge to lower the shield covering the transporter array."

Clayborne stepped down and walked up to the transporter control, "Really? Why are the shields up? What is your name?"

"Transporter Chief Kaylee Frye Admiral." Kaylee swallowed embarrassingly.

"You are the transporter Chief? I would expect to be transported within seconds of my call! What if I needed an emergency transport?"

Frye pushed a couple of buttons calling up the log and bashfully said, "Sir, you were transported fifteen seconds from when you first called."

"What if I needed emergency transport? I could be run over by one of their vehicles, or drowned in a river!"

"Sir, the transporters need a stable motion to lock…"

"I did not ask for your opinion Frye! Besides, where is your Captain to welcome me aboard?" as Clayborne was saying the last half of the statement, Jacobs and Leonaidas walked through the doors, Leonaidas was carrying a datapad.

"Welcome aboard Admiral. Is there a problem?"

Clayborne said, "Your transporter Chief took too long for transport. I would say it is bordering on ineptitude. I'm surprised you would have a substandard person on your crew, you are so protective of your people."

Jacobs looked at Frye. "I stand by Miss Frye's performance. In fact, if you would have taken the time, you would have found out that we are running with minimal shielding up right now, just to prevent transporter functions."

"What for? I want to be transported when I want to be transported. Would you trust your life to Frye here?"

Jacobs held Clayborne's gaze. "I would unquestioningly trust my life to Chief Frye. I do not put people in leadership positions unless either me or my senior staff trusts them. As to Transporter Chief Frye, she and I have worked before and I know her work. Also, Chief Engineer Santini recommended her to me without knowing that Transporter Chief Frye and I have also worked together. I take that as a double confirmation. If you have a question about my crew's competence, direct that to their commanding officer, me. I can explain what is going on. Your luggage is in your room, if you would like, I can escort you there."

Clayborne said, "Fine, show me to my room." The three went out the door and down the hallway. "What's the reason for your having shields up?"

Jacobs and Clayborne were walking side by side and Leonaidas was one step behind them. Jacobs explained, "It was relayed to me your concern about Kang being in orbit. I felt it a good precaution to prevent a possible boarding by Klingons. Commander Leonaidas has a threat assessment on his datapad."

"I don't care about that."

Jacobs nodded and asked, "Sir, it was relayed to me about the concerns about security at the Embassy. I …."

Clayborne interrupted, "That is my concern, not yours."

"What is being done about that tunnel under….."

Clayborne stopped and turned to Jacobs. "That is my concern. Your mission is to support the Embassy through me. I will direct you as to whatever support you give for the mission. You are not to concern yourself with what is happening on the ground."

Leonaidas decided to interject. "Well sir, we'll be happy, but with Klingons in the area…"

"That is your concern. Let me make it simple for the two of you. I will be concerned with the things on the ground, you will be concerned with the things in space. Simple?" Clayborne said with a very condescending tone.

Jacobs looked at Leonaidas, and both said in unison, "Aye aye, sir."

Jacobs took a few steps and a door opened. "Sir, here are your quarters."

Clayborne looked inside, "These are tiny!"

Jacobs said, "They are the VIP quarters on board. There are none better."

Clayborne said, "You can fashion one up. You made an intensive care unit for fifty babies in an extremely short time. We could be out here for over a month."

Jacobs walked across the hall and pushed a com button. "Mr. Santini, would you please report to Admiral Clayborne's quarters immediately." He walked back and said to Clayborne, "Mr. Santini will accommodate you if it is at all possible. For tonight, I'm sorry, but this is the best we have to offer."

Clayborne gave a 'hrummph' and went inside his quarters and the door shut. Jacobs and Leonaidas turned and walked down the hall without a word. They stepped into a turbolift and Jacobs said, "Bridge."

The doors closed and the turbolift started off. Jacobs looked at Leonaidas and asked, "Did you get it?"

Leonaidas looked at his datapad and pushed a button on it. "Every word."

The two shared a fist bump.

ADMIRAL ADAMA'S OFFICE

STARBASE 5

Adama just finished decrypting the latest message from Jacobs. He sat back and read it again.

BA

KANG SUSPECTS BLACK FLEET OPS AT MAGHREB TO ATTACK BOTH THEM AND POSSIBLY US. KANG ASKS OUR HELP, I SAID YES. WHEN CLAYBORNE FINDS OUT I ANTICIPATE BIG PROBLEMS. DO YOU CONCUR US HELPING KANG DEFEND EACH OTHER?

JOSHUA

Adama pushed a com button, "Commander Williard, please come to my office immediately."

Adama walked to the big screen and pushed a few buttons, showing the sector. Williard walked in, "Admiral, what can I do?"

Adama asked, "Why do you think the Klingons allowed us to detect their only battleship?"

Williard looked at the map. "I don't understand."

Adama pointed to the map. "The Klingons can keep the design and construction of a battleship secret from us. They allow it to be able to be detected here, in their territory proximate to the neutral zone."

Williard continues the thought, "Prompting us to counter with our sole battleship. But why?"

Adama said, "They know the Excalibur was here, at Maghreb. They also know what's in orbit around Earth and a few other places. They probably know some other locations of ships and can make good guesses. They knew we would have to counter with the Excalibur. But why?"

Williard said, "I never thought of that. It does seem possible that they did this to pull the Excalibur from Maghreb rather than to the neutral zone."

Adama said, "Let's assume that's true. Why?"

"It does reduce our force at Maghreb. It would make an attack by Klingons probably successful. But Kang against the Wisconsin…"

Adama looked at the screen to Maghreb. "Let's attack that assumption. What do you know about Kang?"

Williard took a deep breath. "He's a Dahar Master, which requires extreme valor and honor. He briefly captured the Enterprise, the only Klingon able to claim that, yet he worked with Kirk to defeat an alien. Kirk regards him as trustworthy."

Adama said, "So would Kang attack the Wisconsin?"

Williard pulled up schematics of the Wisconsin and Klolode. "He would probably win."

Adama shook his head, "I didn't ask that."

Williard shrugged, "I would not put it past a Klingon to attack us. We know they hate us."

Adama realized this was going nowhere. He decided to be blunt. "Jacobs sent us a message. Kang suspects a Black Fleet operation against Kang and possibly him. He's notified me that they have promised to defend each other. What do you think about that?"

Williard looked at Maghreb, the neutral zone, planets in the Klingon Empire, planets in the Federation, probable disposition of fleets, and thought deeply. Adama was quiet while Williard thought. "I think that Captain Jacobs has the best read on Kang. Strategically, I can see that as possible, even probable. If Kang is telling the truth, then I think Captain Jacobs is making the right decision."

Adama turned and walked back to his desk, "Me too, thank you Commander." Williard nodded and left.

Adama thought about how best to reply to Jacobs. Obviously, Jacobs wanted support because of Clayborne. Adama did not want to tip Clayborne off concerning the code between Jacobs and Starbase 5, so there was only one way to handle it. Standard code.

TO: CAPTAIN JOSHUA JACOBS, USS WISCONSIN

FROM: ADMIRAL WILLIAM ADAMA, COMMANDER STARBASE 5

REGARDING YOUR REQUEST ON MUTUAL SUPPORT OF KANG AGAINST UNKNOWN HOSTILES, I APPROVE. I WILL FORWARD YOUR REQUEST TO ADMIRAL NAGUMO ALONG WITH MY RECOMMENDATION.

ADMIRAL ADAMA

Admiral Adama then sent a message to Nagumo.

TO: ADMIRAL NOGURA, C IN C STARFLEET COMMAND

FROM: ADMIRAL ADAMA, COMMANDER STARBASE 5

RE: MAGHREB

CAPTAIN JACOBS HAS INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS A POSSIBLE BLACK FLEET OPS AGAINST INTERESTS AT MAGHREB. KANG HAS REQUESTED MUTUAL SUPPORT. I APPROVE AND WOULD LIKE YOU TO SEND YOUR ORDERS TO JACOBS DIRECTLY, AND INFORM ME OF WHAT THOSE ORDERS ARE.

BILL ADAMA

Adama looked across the room at the board. Things are getting complicated.