Stardate:2406.06.21 (USS Nimitz - Bridge - CSO Saleke - 08:28) Having reported in to the Captain and received permission to assume his post Saleke moved to Science 1 and relieved the blonde haired ensign who was manning the station. Saleke reviewed the controls for a moment to make sure everything was in order then ran a level 4 diagnostic to insure the proper function of the console. Since everything was green the Vulcan set the navigational sensors and lateral array on standby and powered up the short range sensors and began a sweep as per Sash's orders. The system itself was nondescript with a class G yellow sun and the planets were also rather plain. The two inner planets were normal hot zone planets of classes J and G and the third was a C with a heavily concentrated atmosphere. The planet Geneva was orbiting was of the adaptable variety (Class K) and the outer two planets were gas giants (Class B). Radiation levels were normal as were the EM readings. Moving the background readings to the side the Vulcan checked the movement of the vessels entering and leaving the system, there was of course a lot of activity surrounding the starbase as a wing of fighter craft patrolled the outer reaches. As he watched a supply ship dropped out of warp and one of the exploration ships in dock began to power up. All in all everything was continuing on a normal routine, even the communications traffic could not have been more normal. Turning to the command chair Saleke said. "Activity is normal in the system Captain, switching to long range scans." (Reply: Devan Sash) The long range scanners began tracking a comet that was 8 light years from Geneva's position and slowly making way toward the asteroid belt that surrounded this solar system at a distance of 6.2 light years, Saleke computed a 84.1% probability of an impact because of the close course of the comet to the belt's location. Sensors picked up a blip at 11.8 light years (Near the limits of the sensors range) that quickly vanished, the proximity of a nearby gas cloud could have caused a "Ghost" for that instant however the Vulcan decided to keep the area under scan, he would check back on it at fifteen minute intervals. "Nothing of note to report on long range scans Captain. Sensors picked up a short contact that was quickly broken, I will continue scanning the area in case of a repeat contact." (Reply: Devan Sash) After receiving the Captain's okay Saleke set the scanners to alert him in case the contact was repeated and began monitoring the experiment. (Reply Devan Sash, Any) (Posted by Charles) Stardate:2406.06.21 (USS Nimitz - SFI Office- SFI- DRu Tagon- 1120) Tagon sat at the terminal in a seat that was too small for him, in an office that was too small for him. The chair graoaned and moaned in protest against the weight of the massive Brikar. He had gotten used to the spacious office he had on Geneva, and was starting to miss it. Wilson had been quiet since his return from his meeting with the captain. All he said was that time was short and then he wedged his way past Tagon and went to his desk. He was surprised that they could both fit into the room. Then he turned back to the painstaking task he had been on most of the night. Reviewing all the reports over the past few months. Tagon remembered someone once saying that life in SFI was not all glamor. Not like the holo-novels where there was constant action and lots of beautiful women. Well, now he was a living testimony of that assessment. This was one of the most boring and arduous tasks he'd ever had. And he was getting frustrated with it, since he really didn't know what he was loosing for. He sat back in the creaking chair to contemplate crushing his terminal when his eye caught something. It was a little note on a report that seemed familiar. "I don't know what's going on with Ensign Smith. His work was usually nothing to remark about it, but at least he did it. Come to think of it, I haven't seen him in a while." The red flag went up and Tagon went back through his log entries. The man was amazingly invisible. Nobody ever seemed to actually have anything to say about him. He did his work from relative obscurity, and the work he did was so unimpressive that noone ever took notice of him. He was so mundane, that nobody ever noticed anything about him, or even when he stopped appearing. After all, none of his work was all that important. It was the perfect cover for an operative. But what was even more disturbing was that he had been missing from duty for about 5 months and nobody had noticed. His work kept getting turned in, but nobody actually saw him. That was odd. Tagon looked over at Wilson. He seemed deep in thought, but this was too out of the ordinary to just let go. Turning in the seat, and nearly breaking it, he got Wilson''s attention. "Commander, I think you should see this." (reply Wilson) (posted by Al Muir) Stardate:2406.06.21 (USS Nimitz - Captain's Ready Room - CO- Captain Sash- 1130) Sash had been sitting at his desk looking over the crew roster for the hundred and twentieth time. The name of Jim Smith appeared on it, but not affiliated with any section. When he asked any of the crew leaders they all seemed to know him, but nobody could really say anything about him. And worst of all, none of them seem to have seen him in a long time. He was thinking about ordering a deck by deck search for the man. It was a puzzle that Sash was growing tired of, and quickly. The sound of the door chime made him jump a little. ~Easy old man, getting jumpy in your old age.~ Then he called out, "Come." The door opened and Ensign Tannasg walked in. Sash looked at the Romulan with a certain amount of curiosity, wondering what would draw him from his OPS station. "What can I do for you Ensign?" he asked. Tannasg looked at him for a moment. "It seems, Captain," Tannasg began, "that I have a small problem." "And what would that be?" There was something strange about his demeanor. Something different. "This is a problem that only you are uniquely situated to help me solve," Tannasg went on, as he crossed the room. Sash continued to watch him with interest and an increased sense, what was that... danger? "How so Ensign." "Well yo see Captain," Tannasg went ont on, "I came here to stay with you and your crew for a long time, but it became apparent that I needed to get closer to you. Unfortunately a sudden increase in my work out put might have looked a little... odd. So I felt it necessary to createa new personality. And so I took on this guise of a Romulan in Starfleet, knowing I would most likely catch your sympathies. And I was right." Sash realized what was going on, but not until Tannasg had pulled out a weapon and aimed it at the cpatain. "Smith?" "Yes, Captain Devan Sash, of Angossia. I was known as Smith at one time. My real name has been changed so many times, it no longer matters what it really is. No captain, please stay in your seat. I prefer it that way." Sash had been making an effort to stand but sat back down. Obviously, whatever Tannasg/Smith had planned he was going to take some time to enjoy it. "You see Captain, I was a deep mole. It was my intention to be here for years. Unfortunately, thanks to the incompetance of my commrades, I'm afraid that is no longer possible. I have been called upon to complete a mission that was not mine. Obviously it is too late to destroy your ship. All avenues for that are too well guarded now. And thanks to Wilson and is henchman Hakeswell was not able to do what he was supposed to. Wilson will pay for his betrayal of our cause. And Falthgood," Smith spat at the name. "Falthgood will be damned for eternity for the things he's done. But, now it's time to send a crippling blow to the traitors of the federation. The death of Captain Devan Sash. Unlike so many other times that you've escaped death captain, this time there is no way to save yourself. You see, you will be dead, and poor Ensign Tannasg will be mortified that he found his beloved captain in such a condition." "How will my death create such a "crippling blow"," Sash asked. "I'll be easily replace." Smith laughed. "Surely you jest. Ah, but you might not know yet. Things are going badly for your side Captain. With the assassination of a captain such as yourself, not only will it strike at the moral of your commanders, but they WILL be hard pressed to find a replacement. There aren't the unlimited resources you've been used to. Besides, you're not the only one in this situation. You're just the first." Sash had never considered himself that important. But he also knew that this was probably only one step in the plan. He wondered if all of the ships had a Smith, who was ready to kill their captains. if all of the captains were to be assassinated at one time then perhaps that would be a dire blow. "And now dear Captain," Smith smiled, "time to die." As he raised the weapon and fired Sash dove to the floor. The back of his chair glowed and then disappeared. He wasn't sure if he could dodge his assassin for ever. He had to think of something quickly. He tapped his comm badge, but nothing happened. "Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot to tell you, I had to disable all forms of communication in this room. I hope that's not inconvenient for you." Smith laughed again and aimed at the desk causing a portion of it to disappear. "And, of course, the weapons discharge warning has been turned off as well. You can hide, captain, but not forever. And then, well, it will be time." Sash could hear the truth in Smith's words, and had no idea what to do. This was not how he envisioned dying. (reply none) (posted by Al Muir) Stardate:2406.06.21 (USS Nimitz - Deck Ten, 10 Forward - CSO Saleke - 18:25) With the day now winding down Saleke sat at a table in the rear and watched the people coming and going, he once again thought how interesting it was to see so many species of people of the Federation represented on the Starship. Whe the waiter took his request he once again ordered a plate of Vulcan vegetables but this time with a glass of orange juice as a stimulant. He looked at the time and nodded his head, his first day of instruction with Priam had gone well; the Vulcan boy learned quickly and would be a high talent for the Academy. Priam's little sister T'Lin was also a very interesting little girl, Saleke wondered who would watch after her while the boy was on Terra. The two subordinates, Chan Kenishi and John Carlton were very much opposites in many ways and would have to be handled carefully. Both were very competent at their duties when they wished to be. He looked at the time again, it was 18:28 and Doctor Kincaid should be arriving shortly and at 20:00 he was expecting Ensign Orkney to appear, Saleke intended to speak at length with the Botanist about his background, the Trill were a fascinating species. As the waiter arrived with his order Saleke looked up and saw the Doctor enter the door to Ten Forward with a blonde woman and stood to his feet to catch the CMO's attention. As the doctor and nurse neared the table Saleke said. "Good evening Doctor I am pleased to make your acquaintance, please sit down. Who is your companion?" (Reply: BigWill Kincaid) "Good evening nurse Sanders will you join us? We will talk about matters later after we get acquainted." (Reply: BigWill Kincaid, Any) (Posted by Charles Gatling)