Chapter 604

BRIDGE

USS WISCONSIN

Leonaidas checked the time. "Ok people, final check. Engineering?"

Commander Santini said, "Good to go sir."

"Weapons?"

Lt Cdr Grimm answered, "Charged and ready sir."

"Badgers?"

Bauer said, "All ready sir."

"Flight ops."

Carter was sitting at Leonardas' normal station. "All shuttles manned and ready for launch. Raptors armed and will be first out the door."

"Helm and Nav."

Lt Agathon said, "Ready."

"Science."

Lt Cdr Hotchner answered, "Ready for full power."

Commander Leonaidas turned to Lt Jareau and said, "Communications."

"Burst transmission ready to send on your command, interference devices are ready for activation. I am also ready for the mass hail on command." Lt Cdr Jareau answered.

Leonaidas said, "Very well. Pastor Octavian is still down in the ship's Chapel leading prayer service for the Captain. I assume his part is ready as well." Leonaidas pushed the PA button. "Attention all hands, this is Commander Leonaidas. As you all know, the Captain was captured by someone on the Ghut's station several hours ago. So far, no ship has left the station. Our mission is simple, contain all ships in the system until verified that they do not have the Captain. When we find the Captain, rescue him." Leonaidas looked around pausing briefly. "All hands, battlestations. Leonaidas out."

Leonaidas ordered, "Helm, swing us around the asteroid full impulse. All stations stand by for warp speed."

The Wisconsin leaped ahead and started turning around the asteroid. The warp coils in the nacelles started glowing a bright blue in preparation for warp speed. Leonaidas watched the progress of the maneuver. They cleared the asteroid in just a few seconds and Leonaidas ordered, "Ahead Warp 2. Send those transmissions JJ."

Jareau said, "Burst transmission sent to Starfleet. Sending your command hail."

OPERATIONS

GHUT'S STATION

The person manning the operations command seat turned at the sound of the alarm. The sensors operator turned in panic, "A Federation Cruiser just entered warp!"

"How close?"

The sensors operator said disbelieving, "Right on top of us! They will be here in seconds!"

The communications officer yelled, "We are receiving a hail from the ship!"

The commander was just about to push a button when Ghut came stumbling in. "What is going on?"

The commander pushed a button and the hail came over the speaker. "THIS IS COMMANDER LEONAIDAS, COMMANDING THE USS WISCONSIN. YOU ARE ALL HEREBY ORDERED TO HEAVE TO FOR INSPECTION. ANY VESSEL ATTEMPTING TO ESCAPE THIS SYSTEM WILL BE FIRED UPON. WE ARE ONLY INTERESTED AT FINDING OUR CAPTAIN. ANY VESSEL WISHING TO LEAVE WILL BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE ONCE WE CONFIRM NEITHER OUR CAPTAIN OR FEDERATION CITIZENS ARE NOT ON BOARD. THIS WILL BE YOUR ONLY WARNING. COMMANDER LEONAIDAS OUT."

Ghut jumped up, "Let's get out of here! Send the evacuation signal!"

The commander said, "Why bother?"

"They may lose us in the fleeing mob! Let's get to the shuttle!" Ghut was out the door. The commander pushed an alarm button along with the PA, "The Federation is attacking! Every man for yourself!"

BRIDGE

USS WISCONSIN

"They are scattering sir." Hotchner said.

The main screen was showing many ships undocking. Lt Agathon announced, "Approach point in five seconds."

Leonaidas said, "Call it Mr. Agathon."

Agathon watched his instruments, "Impulse power…. Now! Now! Now!"

The Wisconsin came out of warp very close to the station, it was a dramatic entrance. In a blur, the starship appeared out of nowhere, hanging menacingly just a few miles from the station. Everyone could see it was point-blank for weapons. "Launch shuttlecraft."

Carter pushed the intercom button. "Hangar deck, launch!"

Leonaidas ordered, "Weapons, launch torpedoes!"

Grimm answered, "Torpedoes away on course!"

BRIDGE

ORION HEAVY FREIGHTER SLSSRAIN

"They've fired torpedoes!"

The Captain said, "At us?"

The sensors operator said, "No, they are cornering in opposite directions. They are not tracking towards any ship!"

"Why are they doing that?" The Captain asked, suddenly the screen flared. "The torpedoes just detonated. What was that for?"

The comm Operator turned and said, "Interstellar communications are out, I can't read anything outside this system."

The Captain hit the side of his chair. "Forget that, make course 212-mark 5 full impulse. Stand by for warp speed!"

The first officer said, "They warned us."

The Captain said dismissively, "Starfleet is always bluff. They will not fire. Full impulse. How long for warp engines?"

INTERROGATION ROOM

IKV SHADOW OF DEATH

A Klingon came up with a datapad. Kor was working with the healer and a couple of technicians on the mind sifter. The warrior handed the datapad to Kor. Kor looked at it and said, "So what?"

"They have said to remain put and be inspected. Shouldn't we fight our way out?"

Kor laughed sinisterly. "No. They will not find us here. We are inside a freighter barely using enough power for life support and the mind sifter. The container holding our ship is isolated from the station, it will take spacesuits to get in here unless we reconnect the boarding tube. There is too much for them to search, even with scanners, tricorders, and eyes it will take too long. If they scan this container, all they will see is a large area that their scanners cannot penetrate. I assure you there are many other areas in the station as well. They will scan what they can first then work on the unscannable areas on foot. We are a tree hiding in the forest, if we cloak and launch to try to get away, we will focus attention to ourselves and away from the mob outside. We need to exercise patience."

The warrior nodded compliance. Kor got back to work. This next portion of the interrogation had to be done very carefully.

BRIDGE

USS WISCONSIN

Hotchner said, "Fourteen ships have undocked, they are starting to scatter. That Orion heavy freighter is preparing for warp, they will be at warp in thirty seconds."

Leonaidas' eyes narrowed, "Anybody else going to beat them to warp?"

"No, they will be the first."

Leonaidas had thought this scenario out a lot, he had made his mind long before and was determined to accomplish his mission. "Very well, Mr. Grimm, I want that ship immobilized."

"Aye aye sir, firing photon torpedo full yield." Grimm announced. The torpedo leaped from the tube and unlike the ones used for creating the interference, this launch was at full speed. The torpedo went out and hit the shields of the Orion freighter. The freighter's shields instantly overloaded and fell. Sufficient energy was left over and the blast wave hit the side of the freighter partially collapsing a section of the hull and frying systems.

"Torpedo hit, shields down, significant superstructure damage. They are still capable of warp." Grimm announced.

"Follow through Mr. Grimm." Leonaidas ordered.

"Aye aye sir, as discussed previously." Grimm took the phasers and said, "Firing phasers."

The phasers fired and hit one warp nacelle; Grimm chose his target well. The phasers not only fused the warp coils, they turned them into a blob of molten slag. The damage also caused plasma to start venting out of the nacelle. Grimm followed up with a phaser shot to the plasma leak and was successful in igniting the plasma. A fireball ensued and the plasma leak looked like a blowtorch coming from the supporting strut. Grimm fired another phaser at their impulse section destroying the drive section. The phasers cut through the drive section and hit the coolant lines causing the impulse coolant to dump.

"Looks like I kept them on a little too long on that last shot sir. They will have to scram their reactor system. They will be on batteries." Grimm said.

"No worries, Ben. Nice job." Leonaidas said. "Hail everybody JJ."

Jareau said, "You're on sir."

"This is Commander Leonaidas, commanding USS Wisconsin. Next ship that tries to leave may not be so lucky. We might accidently cause more damage. All ships are to line up on that Orion ship's stern. Line up bow to stern, prepare for inspection. All undocked ships will immediately vent their warp plasma. Any ships that do not immediately comply will be fired upon. Leonaidas out."

Now was the test. Will they comply or not? Leonaidas asked, "What is the verdict?"

On the big screen, they could see several of the ships already venting plasma. Any ship that vented their plasma that was built up by the warp reactor would not be able to go to warp. It was like an old-fashioned steam engine venting their steam, it was also just as spectacular. "Five ships have started venting. The others are not but they are changing course to fall in line."

Grimm said excitedly, "That Romulan freighter is cloaking!"

"Quickdraw! Snapshot!" Leonaidas ordered.

By the time Grimm started to fire, the Romulan was almost entirely cloaked. Grimm was using a best guess, tracking where he thought the Romulan was going to be, since there was not enough of a target to see clearly. Grimm tagged part of the freighter and created a debris cloud along with causing the cloaking device to flare. The freighter's shape outlined in orange and green. Grimm brought another phaser to fire as the first one was expended and played the beam across the target, causing massive damage. There was no way to know, but the phaser cut through the engineering section slicing the antimatter containment system. A very large explosion ensued shaking the ship violently.

Leonaidas asked quickly, "The shuttles?"

Carter checked, "They are shaken, but operational. Good thing they were on the far side. I cannot speak for the freighters that were much closer."

Leonaidas looked at Grimm, "Nice hit."

"Sorry sir, I didn't think the first phaser got enough energy on target to do enough damage. If they recloaked we would have lost them." Grimm said.

Leonaidas said gruffly, "Better that the Captain die like that than be taken to Romulus or somewhere. Good call Ben."

Santini said, "Maybe you can use that to our advantage."

Leonaidas nodded and motioned to Jareau. Jareau said, "You're on."

Leonaidas pushed the com button on the command chair. "This is Commander Leonaidas. The rest of the ships should begin plasma venting immediately. Leonaidas out."

Leonaidas looked at Hotchner. Hotchner was intently looking at his scanners. "The rest are following suit. All undocked ships have started venting."

Jareau said, "I'm getting hails from them plus many from the station."

Leonaidas said, "Tell them we are busy. We will call them, don't call us."

INTERROGATION ROOM

IKV SHADOW OF DEATH

They all felt the ship lurch. The healer said, "What was that?"

Kor said uninterested, "The Wisconsin probably blew up a ship. Don't worry. Are we ready now?"

The Healer nodded. "Yes. Just to remind you that now we are in the brain damage state, Jacobs is almost in a dream-like state. Your interaction with him will be like hypnosis, but much stronger."

An assistant said, "Hypnosis? That is it?"

Vorneh shook his head, "No, people can still resist a hypnotic state. This machine makes that impossible. Kor, you can still do your work, we just now have the added ability to see what he is visualizing. You no longer must make him say it, all you have to do is have him look at the star system. We will see what he is 'looking' at."

Kor had his evil smile on his face, "Excellent. It will be good to see what he sees."

"As before, you can influence that. He can still hear us, but more on a subconscious level." The Healer stated. He grabbed a hypo and prepared an injection.

Kor asked, "What is that?"

"A different version of the memory drug. The initial dose we gave him hours ago is wearing off. This will allow him to form memories but at the end of the scenario we'll give him an activator shot. Any memories formed between the two shots will be erased. This will allow you to start with a blank slate each time. In the end he will remember nothing." The healer said.

Kor said, "In the end his brain will be mush anyways, such a waste."

The Healer asked, "Is that pity?"

Kor's smile evaporated and a serious look came over his face. "No. I would have liked to meet him in battle. Let's start."

The Healer gave the injection then manipulated the controls. Once his instruments were reading properly, he looked at Kor and nodded. "Be careful, do not touch him or the energy will go to you."

Kor nodded. He leaned over Jacobs and said, "Captain Jacobs, you are in your bunk on the Wisconsin sleeping. You are on the way to the secret base. For right now I want you to think of these star systems roughly centered around the Taurus Delta Star system: RLN-1332, PXK-1016, TPW-003, FQG-144, ITI-001, PRT-521. Can you imagine them for me?"

On the holographic wall the seven-star systems appeared. Kor said kindly, "Very good Captain. Which one has the secret base?" The image of the seven-star systems went away. Kor looked at the Healer. "I didn't think it was going to work, but it was worth a try."

The Healer shrugged. Kor said, "You are waking up on the Wisconsin on the mission you arrived at the secret base. I want you to start your day." Kor and the Healer looked at the wall and watched.

The clock alarm went off and Jacobs reached over and tripped it off. The headache was bad and he rolled out of bed. Jacobs looked around his room and turned up the lights. This headache was stronger than what he has had in a long time. He fumbled for a painkiller and water. After downing the painkiller he stumbled over to his desk. It was very tough waking up for some reason today. He could not remember if he had stayed up late last night or not. Sitting down at his desk he reached for and opened his Bible. The verse he chose today was in the book of Hebrews Chapter 13. A couple of verses leaped out at him.

"Verse 5 and 6. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."

Kor heard Jacobs say the words, for some reason the print was alien to him, he could not read it. "What is he reading?"

The Healer said, "It must be a holy script or something for them. They call it the Bible."

Kor snorted, "So this Bible is telling him that his God will never leave him?"

Vorneh said, "If he believes what he just said, it would explain why he has appeared unafraid of you so far."

Kor said scornfully, "Then he is a fool. His brain is already being damaged, he is totally in our power. Nothing will stop us from getting what we want."

Jacobs finished cleaning up and stumbled. He righted himself and checked his uniform before stepping out the door. His uniform was straight and presentable. 'Boy, I wish I could get rid of this headache. I'll stop by Ducky and see what he can do for me.'

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

"Commander Leonaidas here Captain."

Jacobs frowned, Leonaidas sounded so formal. "Leo, I'm going to be a few minutes late. I'm stopping by Sick Bay."

"Something wrong sir?"

Jacobs reached for his firearm and slid it in the concealed holster on his belt. "Just a headache, I'll see what foul-tasting goo Ducky has for me today."

"Very well sir. We will be waiting for your course adjustment." Leonaidas said killing the com.

Strange, Leonaidas usually jumped in with lighthearted comments. Leo is being formal today for some reason.

Jacobs walked out and to the turbolift. He stepped in and pushed the turbolift command button, "Sick Bay." The turbolift started traveling. Jacobs started thinking on the passage he read this morning. Funny thing was he usually read the whole chapter when starting off in the morning, but all he could remember was those verses.

Jacobs walked into Sick Bay and saw Dr. Mallard. The Doctor walked over and asked, "What can I do for you Captain?"

"I got a splitting headache, Ducky." Jacobs said.

Dr. Mallard took out a tricorder and scanned the Captain. "I am not reading anything sir. Maybe you should take the day off in your Cabin."

Jacobs shook his head, "I can't. Very important day. It's…." He was trying to remember.

Kor said quietly over Jacobs' head. "You are heading to the secret base. Is the Doctor cleared for that information?"

"Ducky, I'd like to tell you, but I just can't pass up today." Jacobs said.

"Very well Captain, I'll give you a stronger painkiller." Dr. Mallard said.

"Thanks." The Doctor gave a hypospray. Jacobs thought 'Stronger? How did he know I took a painkiller in my quarters?'

Jacobs was speaking what he was thinking. Kor looked at the Healer, "Why is he questioning what is going on?"

The healer shook his head, "I do not know. His own mind is generating the conversations. It should be foolproof. Any characters he comes across should be consistent with what he knows as genuine."

Jacobs walked into the turbolift and Pastor Octavian joined him. "Good morning, Ian."

"Good morning, Captain." Octavian said blandly.

Jacobs turned to Octavian. Octavian usually had a smile on in the morning, a quip as well too. Today he was totally deadpan. What is wrong with him? The doors opened and they were on the Bridge. Why were they here? He never had ordered the turbolift to go to the Bridge. Jacobs stepped out onto the landing. Leonaidas turned around in the Captain's chair and said, "Awaiting final course change sir."

On the screen were seven stars. Jacobs could see each one and looked at Octavian. Octavian stood dispassionately near him. The Briefing for this mission was clear and Octavian should not be here. Why did Leonaidas ask for the course change before excusing Octavian? Jacobs said to Octavian, "Ian, you shouldn't be here, sorry."

Octavian nodded without smiling and left the Bridge. Jacobs was trying to figure this out, something was wrong. Very wrong. Leonaidas asked, "Sir, the final course to the secret base?"

Jacobs suddenly got the impression not to look at the viewscreen. He looked around the bridge and everyone was motionless. Suddenly, a bright light erupted from the left side of the viewscreen. Jacobs could make out a man dressed completely in white. The man spoke to him, "Joshua Jeremiah Jacobs, repeat what I say."

"I will." Jacobs said.

Kor said, "What did he say?"

The Healer said, "'I will.' Whatever that means. He must have heard something we missed."

Kor took a couple of steps toward the holographic wall. "What is he looking at, there's nothing there but bulkhead." Kor turned to Jacobs sitting in the mindsifter chair. "What do you see Captain?"

The angel said, "And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou has finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD."

Jacobs started repeating what was said to him out of the book of First Chronicles.

Kor and the Healer listened to what Jacobs repeated. Kor said, "Captain, who are you talking to?"

Jacobs asked the Angel, "Why did you want me to repeat that scripture?"

"For you to finish the work of the LORD. He will not forsake you. Those that are watching you will not see me or hear me. Do you remember the lesson of Peter walking on the Water?" The Angel asked.

"Yes."

"What did you learn from that lesson Joshua?" The Angel asked.

"Peter was fine as long as he kept his eyes on Christ." Jacobs said.

"Keep your eyes on Christ, you will not fail. Remember what I just said to you." The Angel said.

"He will never leave me or forsake me." Jacobs said.

Kor was angry, "Captain, I will take this information from you even if I must kill you. You are already suffering brain damage! Look at the viewscreen at the star system of the Secret Base! You cannot resist me!"

Jacobs said, "I need to set a course."

The angel responded. "Listen to me only. You can disregard Kor's voice."

Jacobs recognized the voice in the distance and said simply. "Kor."

Kor looked at the Healer. "How is he recognizing me? You said he would not be able to hear us consciously."

Vorneh started checking his instruments. "He should not be able to. It sounds like he is talking to someone."

"Who?" Kor demanded. Kor turned to Jacobs. "Captain Jacobs, who are you talking to?"

The angel said simply, "Do not reply to Kor. You will be able to resist. You can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth you. Quote that verse."

Jacobs nodded his head. "I obey Lord. Phillipians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Kor was furious. "He thinks he is talking to his god! Healer, what is blocking us?"

The Healer shook his head. "I do not know. All the readings are normal for this level. The characters inside the simulation are all accounted for."

Kor walks over to the spot just to the left of the viewscreen. "He keeps talking to someone here! Why don't we see it? Captain Jacobs! Tell us or you will die! You will die in pain and misery! It is useless to fight me! Tell us now!"

The angel said, "Joshua, repeat after me.."

"I will."

The Healer said, "What did you say?"

Jacobs continued staring at the bulkhead on the holographic bridge. "Second Chronicles 20:17 Ye shall not need to fight this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out and against them: for the LORD will be with you."

Kor was so angry he could not talk. The Healer said, "We are fighting against his god."

"He thinks we are fighting against his god. Knock him out, we need to reset. Make him forget this happened. We Klingons believe in no god, his beliefs are what we are resisting. If we make him forget this episode, he loses that bit of self-enouragement." Kor ordered.

ADMIRAL NOGURA'S OFFICE

STARFLEET COMMAND

EARTH

A beep came from the desk speaker. Michael Briggs practically jumped up and went to Nogura's desk. Nogura pushed a few buttons and the message came through on the screen.

TO: ADMIRAL ADAMA, COMMANDER STARBASE 5

ADMIRAL NOGURA, C-IN-C STARFLEET, STARFLEET COMMAND

PRIORITY: URGENT

I AM STARTING AN OPERATION TO RESCUE CAPTAIN JACOBS. WE ARE GOING TO BLOCKADE THE WHOLE SYSTEM AROUND GHUT'S STATION. THE BLOCKADE WILL BE ENFORCED WITH LETHAL MEANS IF NECESSARY, ALSO INTERSTELLAR SUBSPACE COMMUNICATIONS WILL BE DOWN FOR APPROXIMATELY FOUR DAYS, MAYBE LONGER DUE TO US DETONATING AN INTERFERENCE DEVICE.

AS COMMANDER OF THE WISCONSIN, I DEEM THESE ACTIONS NECESSARY AND LEGAL AS AN ACT OF PIRACY WAS PERFORMED AGAINST FEDERATION CITIZENS. I AM REQUIRED TO PROTECT FEDERATION CITIZENS AND SINCE THIS AREA OF SPACE HAS NO CLAIMS FOR OWNERSHIP, I DEEM THIS AS INTERNATIONAL SPACE AND WILL RESPOND ACCORDINGLY.

COMMANDER LEONAIDAS, COMMANDING USS WISCONSIN

Briggs had a smile on him bigger than his mustache. "I'm glad to see that Cdr Leonaidas does not disappoint."

Nogura nodded and pushed a few buttons. "He made his decision quickly. Our message has not reached there, so he didn't claim static, he truly hasn't received the orders to stand by. Michael?"

"Yes?"

Nogura asked, "This is going to start a political firestorm. I would like to ask your help for some political cover for the Wisconsin. I think they are going to need a guardian angel."

Briggs smiled a big toothy smile. "I would be happy to. This is going to be fun. Call you later." Briggs turned and walked fast out the room with only a slight characteristic limp.

Nogura smiled thinly. "I bet you are Archangel." It is interesting on how people can forget even recent history. Briggs made his name by protecting assets, people who helped the Federation out by spying on various entities. Klingons, Romulans, Norsicans, even the Orion syndicate. Briggs not only was able to get spies in everywhere, he was legendary on his fierce protection of them, and so his Archangel moniker. He has even ended a few politician's careers once he was able to prove that they leaked vital information.

STARBASE 5 COMMANDER'S OFFICE

STARBASE 5

Adama read the latest information from the Wisconsin. Leonaidas was reacting the way Adama hoped he would. Adama got very concerned thinking about Jacobs. Somebody snatched him, for what purpose? It was on a mission to recover SKINDIVER, and SKINDIVER was obviously compromised, probably dead. So, Jacobs was the real target, not SKINDIVER. But why him? Was it him or just a Starfleet Captain? Adama was betting on it was Jacobs specifically that was the target.

Adama pulled out of his safe of his doodle of people that Jacobs knew. There were names all over the page and arrows on how he thought they knew each other. Adama spied the Bible that was used for a short time to provide secure communications between him and the Wisconsin. It was a strange solution to a secure communications problem, but it worked. Strange thing was Adama read some of the verses that were used to compile a message, and they seemed to speak to him. Jacobs obviously used this book in his life, and that made him different than other Starship Captains Adama had known. For the short time that he has known Josh Jacobs, Adama has grown to like him a lot. It was more than Jacobs being one of his best ship's Captains. Jacobs had the ability to turn bad situations to good, but it was more than that. Jacobs and another Captain of Adama's, Hank Jackson, made peace with each other and became friends. Jacobs also became officially 'friend of the family' to the Klingon Dahar Master Kang, and that was no small accomplishment. What was it that Adama felt for Jacobs? Could it be friendship? This whole thing of Jacobs getting captured was affecting Adama more than he thought it would, and that was surprising to Adama. Adama kept wondering what was going to happen to Jacobs, what was going on right now. Was Jacobs being tortured? Sold into some slavery deal with the Orions?

Adama remembered Jacobs talking one time with Jackson just after they formed their friendship, something about the Bible having the answer to every question. Adama's skeptical mind said how could a book written thousands of years ago answer questions for today? Adama leaned over and grabbed the Bible and opened it up, searching for the answer to some question, he was not sure what he was even asking.

The verse that his eyes fell on was Psalm 34:19 "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all." Adama sure would like to believe that. Jacobs probably did. There was something that Jacobs had that so few people had, Adama was trying to nail it down. Confidence was not the right word, but it did apply. Faith? Adama looked at the paper with the doodle on it and suddenly an idea came to him. He realized the lines were in the wrong places. Adama copied the names all down again without the lines and shredded the old paper. Ok, back when they were having that secure communications problem, Jacobs had a Bible and had McGonagle give one to Adama for decoding. Adama drew a line between McGonagle and Jacobs. Adama remembered another copy of that Bible on Cogley's bookshelf. Did Cogley give that to Jacobs? Adama drew a line there. Jacobs gave a copy of that Bible to Jackson to solve the communications problem. Another line. Jacobs had Octavian placed on his crew, and Adama drew a line assuming that a Pastor had the same copy of the Bible. All these lines were converging on Jacobs. Why? What was special about Jacobs?

Adama did not know how to answer that question. The only thing that came to mind was to go talk to Cogley and let him know Jacobs was MIA, Missing in Action. A heartbreaking phrase to be sure. How far did Cogley's relationship with Jacobs go? Adama looked at the paper again. McGonagle.

Adama pushed a button, "Adama to McGonagle."

A short time later and he heard McGonagle's voice with some cattle in the background. "George here Bill, what's up?"

"I need to talk with you and Sam. Could you come over?"

McGonagle answered, "I'm hip deep in cows right now, could I come over tomorrow morning?"

"That would be great George. See you then." Adama killed the line. He thought about calling Cogley, but that did not seem right for some reason. Adama decided to go talk to Cogley directly.

FID DIRECTOR'S OFFICE

FEDERATION INTELLIGENCE DIRECTORATE

EARTH

Briggs was looking over some reports plotting his method of being a guardian angel. A chime rang and he said, "Come in."

His secretary, Morella, walked in with a secure datapad. "This just came in from the Klingon watch desk sir."

Briggs immediately had a frown. He typed in his security code and verified with a retina scan. The datapad displayed the secure memo.

Briggs read it and then read it again. He slapped the pad down on his desk. "Morella, I need to send a secure communiqué to Starbase 5."

"What for sir?"

Briggs said, "We have just developed information that Kor was dispatched to the Lambda Beta system a month ago." Briggs said.

"Oh no." Morella said.

Briggs nodded. Kor the Merciless.

SAMUEL T COGLEY'S OFFICE

STARBASE 5

Adama was sweating just in the few feet walking from the transport to Cogley's office. It was probably 120 degrees in the shade and this was not even high summer. Fortunately, there was a generous carriage porch where he could get dropped off and walk into the office in shade. Cogley's office was large, employing many, and was set up efficiently. The receptionist recognized and greeted the Admiral. "Admiral, good afternoon. Mr. Cogley is in, please check with his secretary."

"Thank you, Lola, I will." Adama walked to the turbolifts. The receptionist sent a quick message to Cogley's secretary.

Adama stepped off the turbolift and admired once again the setup that Cogley had. It was very open and cheerfully decorated, but still had that law office feel. Cogley's secretary walked over to greet him, "Admiral, how are you doing today?"

Adama could not help but smile. Della Street was his secretary for a while, but when her Starfleet commitment ended, Cogley snatched her in a second. She was the best secretary or yeoman Adama ever had. "Very well, thank you Della. How is life over here?"

"Very nice. Mr. Cogley treats all of us well. Not that you did not, sir."

Adama chuckled, "As you were Della, you are not in Starfleet anymore. I am glad to see you went to work for Sam. At least he can pay you what you are worth."

Street smiled, "Thank you Admiral. I do not see you on the schedule, what brings you here?"

Adama said, "I need to let Sam know what is going on. It's urgent."

"He's meeting with Mr. Shoor right now. I'm sure they can take a small break." Street walked over and made a short intercom call. "Please go right in Admiral."

Adama smiled and walked in. Cogley and Shoor greeted him warmly. "Admiral! What brings you by like this?"

Adama said, "Well Sam, it's classified. I'm sorry Shoor."

The Andorian held up a hand, "Don't worry, Admiral, I quite understand. I need to go get me some icewater. Cogley does not keep the temperature low enough."

Adama smiled thinking that nobody keeps the temperature low enough for Andorians. Once Shoor was gone Sam could see the urgency in Adama's eyes. There was something also. Pain? "What is it Bill?"

"This is classified, I can't tell you much, but Josh is missing. We think he's been kidnapped." Adama said.

"By Whom?" Cogley asked.

Adama said somberly, "We are not sure. If you can come by tomorrow morning, I will give you what I can."

"I'll be there." Cogley said.

Adama thought for a second and said, "I'm inviting George as well."

Cogley nodded. Cogley could see something else was troubling Adama, but decided not to press it. "It'll be good to see him."

Adama nodded then left. Cogley's face furrowed. Not good news, but Adama has had to deal with not good news before. What is up with him now?