Star Date: 1206.19-

"Has anybody seen my hairbrush?" Azia Dilem asked as they dug through their performance bag.

"Did you misplace another one?" Katie playfully teased as she wiped off her makeup.

"Katie, I'm serious." They turned to look at her, "It's gone, and I know I zipped it into my performance bag before I left for the stage."

"Are you sure you did?" Aslan Bakhayev asked honestly from the other side of the mirrors.

"I am sure As. I know I can get scatterbrained, but I put it in the bag so my things wouldn't get all over the place." By then, Azia was near tears. "You have to believe me."

"We do believe you, Azia." Katie laid a hand on Azia's shoulder. "But you must admit it is odd that they could disappear from your bag."

Azia was about to respond when the door to the dressing room opened, "Did I leave my pointe shoes down here earlier?" Hayley asked as she began poking around the room.

"You are missing something, too?" Katie raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean, missing something too? Did one of you lose something as well?" Hayley turned to look at everyone in the room.

"Azia lost a hairbrush, and now you are missing your pointe shoes." Aslan looked concerned.

"Anyone else missing something?" Katie asked as she began to look through her things.

"My ball cap is missing." Aslan poked through his locker area. "Dam it! I loved that hat."

Katie pressed her lips together in annoyance. "I'll go talk to the stage manager. See if there were any unusual people backstage during the performance."

"Why would anyone take these random things?" Hayley asked.

"No idea." Katie slipped some sweats on and left to find the stage manager.

"Tigger, make sure the mics are all back in their cases. If one is missing, I'm coming after you." Jumom Magnam, the stage manager, shook a finger at their cohort. "It is your responsibility to keep track of them, and it is your ass I'm going to kick if any are missing!"

"Trouble in the tech world, Jumom?" Katie asked as she walked up to them.

"Two of our spare mics are not in their slots. They were there when the performance started, and now they are gone. They weren't signed out, so we have no idea who took them."

"Yeah, that's not good." Katie shook her head. Jumon, we need to talk."

"I'm a little busy, Bug." Jumon started walking toward where techs were taking down some lights for transport.

"I know, but we have a serious problem." Katie followed them. "We have more than a couple of mics missing."

"Wait, what?" Jumon turned to face Katie. "What else is missing?"

Katie crossed her arms, "Several performers are missing personal items. Nothing of high value, but Aslan, Hayley, and Azia are all missing items that are important to them."

"Hmm, are you sure they didn't misplace them?"

"Aslan lost his hat, and when have you seen him without it off stage?"

"Point." Jumon wiped their face, "I'll talk to building security and find out what is happening. In the meantime, see if you can find out if anyone else is missing anything, but do it discreetly. I don't want to think one of us would take the things, but it can't be completely ruled out."

With a nod, Katie returned to the dressing room to finish packing up for herself. Katie hoped that it wasn't one of her fellow cast members. But, unfortunately, they were her friends, and it wouldn't do morale good if trust was broken.

Star Date: 12306.30- 18:05 Hours- Backstage of The Courtyard Assembly Hall- Spica III

"Petty Officer third class Daniel McBride reporting." A young petty officer addressed Jumom Magnam, the tour's stage manager.

"Oh, you." Jumon checked the pad in their hand. "You are assigned to the leads corridor." Jumon indicated the hall behind the stage. "Your charge for tonight is Katelynn Skyler."

"Any special requirements I need to be aware of?"

"As you know, we have been dealing with thefts and unauthorized access to our performers. To see that No one without proper authorization gets anywhere near that corridor or your charge. Understood?" Before he could say anything, Jumon held a finger to him for a moment, "Katie, can you come here, please."

Wrapped in a thick robe, a platinum blonde in high bright pink heels with thick eyeliner and lashes walked up to them. "Did you need something, Jumon?"

"Katie, I would like you to meet Petty Officer Daniel McBride. He is assigned as security for your corridor."

"Lovely," Katie grumbled. "What about pimple face?"

"Katelynn!" Jumon scolded.

"What else do you want me to call him? He is more interested in keeping the locals happy than doing his job."

"Be that as it may," Jumon looked between Katie and Daniel, "Petty Officer Reid Tai is in charge of stage door access and will follow protocols."

"Whatever; I just finished my hair and makeup, and I need to warm up before I get in my first costume," Katie grumbled.

"Then, can you at least show Petty Officer McBride where the dressing rooms are while I finish preparing for the show?"

"Fine," Katie sighed as Jumon disappeared into the crowd of moving scenery backstage.

"As we weren't formally introduced, nice to meet you, Miss Skyler." Daniel gave her a slight bow.

Katie rolled her eyes. "Please don't call me that. And it's just Katie."

"As you wish, Katie," Daniel said with a small smile.

"How long have you been doing this executive protection training?" Katie asked, trying to make conversation.

"A few months now," Daniel answered. "I hope to become certified soon and get hired as a professional bodyguard."

"Interesting," Katie said thoughtfully. "Well, let's hope tonight is uneventful, and you won't have much to do." Katie led him to a narrow but well-lit corridor. "Mimi and I are in Prime 2; Aslan and Archer are in Prime 1." She pointed out the different rooms. "Good luck, and make sure you don't get run over in the costume changes." Katie went into her dressing room and shut the door.

With a sigh, Daniel took his place on guard at the mouth of the corridor. He had a feeling it was going to be a long night.

21:33 hours- Backstage of The Courtyard Assembly Hall- Spica III

"And we are at intermission, people, Junmon called across the stage. "Twenty minutes until next curtain."

Daniel had spent the past two hours watching the different people running backstage, pulling levers, and running from one part to another without colliding impressed him.

"Which way to the dressing room of Ms. Al-Hajj." A very well-dressed gentleman asked as he approached the corridor. Daniel moved to intercept him.

"May I ask who is asking?"

The man huffed at Daniel, "Tobias Edgar Allen Court. I demand to see her." He started to go down the corridor again but was further blocked by Daniel.

"Are you a member of the cast?" Daniel asked politely but firmly.

"I am one of her adoring fans, and you will lead me to her right now." The pompous man demanded.

Daniel tapped his communication badge, "Chief Petty Officer Defries, I have a security breach at Prime Corridor. Assistance requested."

"You listen here, young man! I have a right to see Ms. Al-Hajj."

"Possibly, but until I get clearance from my Chief Petty Officer, you are going nowhere." Daniel didn't lay a hand on the man but also ensured he wasn't getting past him.

A moment later, Chief Petty Officer Defries appeared with another Petty Officer. "What is the problem, Petty Officer?"

"This gentleman," Daniel indicated to the now red-faced, angry man next to him, "is demanding to see Ms. Al-Hajj. But, unfortunately, he is not a member of the cast, and I don't believe he has the authorization to be backstage during the performance."

"He doesn't," Defries said, annoyed. "Mr. Count, we have discussed that you are not allowed backstage at any time. So, if you wish to speak with Ms. Al-Hajj you will need to wait at the stage door like everyone else." Defries carefully touched the man's arm, who shook it off venomously. "Mr. Reid escort Mr. Count out, and make sure he doesn't return."

"Aye, sir." A sour-looking, pimple-faced petty officer escorted the pompous man away,

Once out of sight, Daniel sighed. "How did he get back here?"

"He is a big shot around here." Defries commented, "Either he bribed, or intimidated his way past our door guards."

"So not much help there." Daniel groused.

"That is why we called you in." Defries patted him on the shoulder.

"Aye, sir." Daniel saluted and continued his watch.

A moment later, the platinum-blonde girl from earlier walked up to him. "More trouble?"

"Door security let him in, but we got rid of him. Don't worry."

"If mister fancy pants can get past them, what will stop someone with more evil intent?" She commented.

He looked over at her, "Me." He smirked, earning an eye roll from the girl.

"Whatever, I need to get changed for the second act." She started to walk off but stopped, "If I didn't say it before, thanks for watching our backs."

"You are welcome," Daniel gave her one of his charming smiles. She just shook her head and went into her dressing room.

23:14- Backstage of The Courtyard Assembly Hall- Spica III

Daniel shifted his neck so that it popped. The show ended about an hour before, and people began clearing the backstage area.

"Hey," a short human woman with dark auburn hair tapped him on the shoulder, "Have you seen Mimi?"

"Pardon?"

"Miss Al-Hajj, the one mister fancy pants were looking for at intermission, have you seen her?" the girl asked, concern etched on her face.

"No, I have not seen her since the final curtain; why?"

"She didn't show up for notes." The girl's concern became worried. "She doesn't miss notes. Something is wrong."

Daniel wasn't sure if this girl was playing a joke on him or was serious. From the look on her face, he took what she said as honesty. Daniel tapped his communications badge, "McBride to Defries. Do we have a location on Miss Al-Hajj? She isn't in her dressing room, and her," He looked to the girl, "roommate..." The girl nodded, "has not seen her in over an hour."

"Records indicate she has not checked out with the stage manager or the door staff. I am initiating a lockdown on the theater."

"Search procedures initiated. McBride out." Daniel looked to the girl next to me, "What else can you tell me?"

"We were getting changed out of costumes, but a runner came by to say she had flowers at the stage door for pick up. She left still in costume to get them. When she didn't return immediately, I assumed she went straight to notes, but she wasn't there."

"What was she wearing?"

"Blonde hair, pink strapless dress, and heels. She didn't take her leather jacket with her."

"Stay here. Lock yourself in your dressing room, and don't come out until Chief Petty Officer Defries or I come to get you."

"I'm going with you." She said stubbornly.

"No, you are not." Daniel held the girl's shoulders. "Someone needs to stay here in case she returns. Also, we don't want someone else to disappear. Trust me to do my job."

"I don't like it but go get her." The girl nodded and backed off towards the dressing room.

Star Date 12307.01- 00:25 hours- Backstage of The Courtyard Assembly Hall- Spica III

Missing a shoe, Daniel, Defries, and Reid brought the bruised and crying Mimi back to the theater, only to be met by her roommate. As soon as Mimi saw her friend, she rushed to her. Her friend wrapped her arms around her and held her as she cried.

"Where the hell was, she?" The roommate demanded.

"At the estate of Tobias Edgar Allen Court," spat Defries.

"When I went to get my flowers, some of his friends were at the door," Mimi said between sobs. "They grabbed me and teleported off before I could scream."

"Where the hell was security?" the roommate demanded.

"We will hire more security next time." One of the show's producers tried to calm things down.

"More security will not help when they bend under the whim of the locals. Mimi could have been killed, heck any of us could have been killed if someone decided to place a bomb or something. This is ridiculous!"

"I can assure you; this will never happen again." Another producer tried to smooth things over.

"You are right. It won't," The roommate held Mimi's face in her hands, "That I can promise you, Mimi." The girl looked from Mimi to the producers and Defries, "I'm taking Mimi back to the hotel and I'm calling my father." The girl stormed out, taking Mimi with her, and the producers begged her to listen in her wake.

"Why do I feel that wasn't an idle threat," Daniel commented to Defries.

"It wasn't. Trust me." Defries turned to Reid. "You were assigned to the stage door. How did those men get past you, Reid?"

"Toby threatened my career and family. If I didn't let him see her, he would use his influence to have my wife removed from her job, and see to it that Commander Ngonyama …..."

"In other words, he blackmailed you." Defries snarled.

"Yes sir," Reid said meekly looking to Daniel for help.

"Petty Officer, I counted on you to do your job. My orders were to not let ANYONE through that door who did not have proper access, and what did you do? You let people, and it caused one of the people under your care to be taken from the premises and assaulted!" Defries tore into Petty Officer Reid. "Because of your stupidity, I now have to pull another Petty Officer off another assignment and replace you." Defreis poked Reid in the chest. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

Reid's eyes looked to the ground, and he didn't say anything.

"Answer me!"

"He said he would ruin my life if I didn't do as he wanted."

"Well, you did that to yourself, Reid; now get out of my sight!" Defries snarled. Without a word, Reid turned and scurried out the door.

Daniel cringed at every word Defries said to Reid. Blackmail or not, Reid's negligence allowed this to happen.

"McBride!" Defried shouted.

"Yes, Sir!" Daniel snapped to attention.

"You were assigned here because you needed hours for your Executive Protection Detail certificate, correct?"

"Yes, sir." Daniel raised an eyebrow, wondering where Defries was going with his line of questioning.

"I'm recommending to Commander Ngonyama that you be assigned to the tour group as their permanent security officer."

"Pardon, sir?" Daniel asked, confused.

"I am assigning you to work run security for the show going forward." Defries squeezed Daniel's shoulder. "McBride, grab a go bag. This show leaves in 12 hours, and you are going with it. Welcome to the show."

Daniel stood there agape momentarily, then hurried off to grab his go bag.