Shannon sat in her darkened quarters with the computer screen on. "Computer, access Marine Corps Data base." Shannon paced her area in front of the computer, "Eliminate all female members." She watched while the computer worked and then added, "screen out all pure Klingon, Frengi, Nausicaans, G'kar, or Mullurans." She waited and after ten more minutes of pacing she was left with the names of 500 Marines... Shit! She sighed and sat down on her bunk. It had been two days since the locker incident and their being grounded, and this is all the farther she'd gotten.
Suddenly, her door sensor chirped. When she didn't bother answering, it chirped again.
Shannon stood and moved and manually disengaged the lock, and the door slid open and Talia didn't wait to be invited in she just moved past her friend and waited for the door to close. As she waited she noticed an empty whiskey bottle and that the quarters were dark and unkempt.
"I can see you're dealing with being grounded pretty well," Talia replied with a straight face, her aqua eyes flashing at her friend.
Shannon looked at Talia's face and deep into those agua eyes and saw the pain the other woman was trying to hid behind the sarcasm. "Look who's talking. Why've you been crying?" Shannon moved a stack of uniforms from a chair and pointed Talia toward it as she took a seat back on her bunk. "I've been running computer searches to see if I can identify any of those shadows that I saw just before they knocked me unconscious..."
Talia wasn't about to go into Jakey just at that moment so she looked over at the monitor. "Have you made any headway in the search?" she asked.
Shannon scrubbed her face with her hands and shook her head, and said, "I've got five hundred faces to go through...if they are marines otherwise I'd have to restart the search and open it to the whole stations data base... So, No. I haven't made much progress."
When I think about that night I see a few faces clearly but the others are 'shadows' Talia. Before you arrived I was going to see if I couldfind those first couple that I see clearly."
"Well, what is it that you see clearly? Are they human from what you can tell? If they seem human we can't rule out certain species. But whatabout color of skin? Hair color . . . even eye color . . . You could try narrowing the search using those perameters as well," Talia suggested."Have you tried that?"
Shannon nodded, and said, "Computer resume search: Man number one has dark skin, medium build, bald with a crainial ridge. Man number two; is slight build, fair complection, mustache, stud inleft ear. Man number three; heavy build-height 6ft, light skin, white hair-flat topped, tatoo on right bicept-no description... very light blue eyes." Show pictures when matches made."
Shannon shivered and realized she was tired and cold...but sleep had evaded her for since the Colonel Grounded them. "We'll see if that search comes up with." Shannon said to Talia who was nodding and smiling.
"You know what? Why the computer does its work, why don't we do some of our own!" Talia said. "Lets go spar for awhile. I'm sure that search will be done by the time we come back and I'm sure the exercise will be go for the both of us."
Shannon stood up she was already in sweat pants and a standard issue tee; I'll change into some shorts." She decided, then asked,"You want to meet me in the a main gym after changing in your quarters?"
"I don't need to change in my quarters," Talia laughed. Instantly, her clothes melted into sparing attire. "How quickly we forget!"
Both women exited Shannon's quarters and walked halfway around the station rim to the Gym that was dedicated to just the Marine detachment and Air wings. One of the matted areas was open and they both moved to it, removed their shoes, and bowed before stepping onto the mat itself. Facing each other they bowed. Shannon stood but didn't take a ready stance but said, "I'm not sure sparing is such a good idea..."I haven't been eating or sleeping and can't guarantee my control. We could run or work out with weights?" Shannon shrugged and said, "Screw it lets just spar." And assumed a ready stance.
"My sentiments exactly!" Talia smirked also assuming a ready stance.
Talia's long wiry frame was quick. Shannon was the same height as her friend but stocky/medium build and so both women employed different styles of martial arts.
Shannon moved in struck with a let snap kick which Talia blocked and countered with s forward punch and round house combination...driving Shannon back when it connected lightly with her ribs. Shannon brought her right elbow in to guard that area of her chest while she changed her stance and moved in again.
Talia watched Shannon like a hawk and like a viper, she went for a spear- thrust, knowing Shannon would catch it. But what she was sure Shannon wouldn't predict was her drop to the floor, where she swept Shannon's legs out from under her. As Shannon hit the floor, Talia jumped to her knees and mimed a hit to her solar plexus.
"Ready for round two?" Talia asked.
Vansen sat on her ass, her hands stinging from slapping the mat to absorb some of the energy of the fall. Looking up at her friend she saw the smile and the excitement of battle vibrating though her body.
"Yeah, just let me catch my breath." Shannon rolled over on to her knees and rested and stretched out a hamstring that felt tight from the leg sweep. Slowly she climbed to her feet and brushed her hands off on her shorts. "Ready and willing when you are, baby!"
"Okay, let's go!" Talia replied with a smile.
Shannon came at her with a spin kick, back fist combo, but Talia countered her easily. Talia went for Shannon with a crescent kick, which Shannon blocked, followed by a fist to the temple. Suddenly, before Talia could stop the blow from connecting, it did, though she was able to mute its force a bit. Still, it caused Shannon to topple over, back onto the mat. "Oh my god . ." she said. She had sensed only at the last moment that Shannon hadn't been ready for her move.
Shannon hadn't seen the blow coming but had already been in the process of and inside block in which her wrist took the impact and not her head...thank god but the force of the blow brought her own hand in and split the skin above her eye which was bleeding. She'd hit the mat hard not absorbing the energy of the fall like she had previously. She hit hard going down on her right side and the as soon as the shock cleared she knew her wrist was broken. Talia moved immediately, kneeling at her friends side.
Several marines who'd been watching the fun moved in and around Shannon and Talia. Talia a hand resting on Shannon's shoulder she asked, "Don't move. Take some deep breathes, and then tell me how bad it is?"
"I'm okay, just help me sit up, i think I broke my wrist with that incomplete block."
"We have to get you to the infirmary," Talia replied as she helped her friend sit. "We have to get that taken care of."
Shannon nodded and stood. Someone handed Talia a towel which she applied pressure to the cut above Shannon's eye. A minute later theyboth were walking the hall to the infirmary. Once their the door opened and both women stepped in. Shannon saw both male Corpsmenand took a step back and a second. Talia grabbed Shannon's good arm thinking her friend was just having anxiety about being treated andimmediately picked up on the flash back Shannon was having, when her friend turned and fled back out into the hallway. She was leaning against the wall cold and sweaty and nauseated when Talia appeared at her side. Talia had hesitated to get a good description of the them before joining Shannon in the hallway.
Shannon swallowed hard and continued to hold her injured wrist to her chest...she looked into the agua eyes and said, "We need to call the Major, Talia! "
"Lets take you to sickbay first. I can make up some excuse why we're there instead of here," she said, adamant that her friend's injury be tended first. "OR if it makes you feel better, we can call the Major from there."
Shannon knew she was reaching when she said, "Lets call Jayme and she can fix this while we maintain survailance on them from "Gunny's desk." Talia was shaking her head 'no'. Shannon was holding her breath, then with a breath said, we can call Morgan from there, too.
Talia shook her head. "Sickbay. If they saw you, you need to get out of here now anyway. Period. Lets go."
Talia took hold of Vansen's arm and took a back corridor so they didn't back track past the infirmary, or have to go forward past master sargeants desk and the colonels office to get out of Marine HQ. In the lift Shannon leaned against the wall and waited for them to reach the correct deck and section. The doors opened right in front of the Sickbay doors. Shannon pushed away from the wall and walked with Talia. They were greeted by one of the triage staff who immediately took Shannon to the side. Talia moved to a quiet corner where she could watch what was going on with Shannon. She touched her commbadge, [Lt. Tigre to Major Bicardi.]
Shannon sat on the biobed while the nurse scanned the wrist, and gave a dose a terakine and left the pilot to wait for an MD, Dr, Cherrinwas on and immediately walked over, read the scan and manually checked the wrist. "It's not broken but very dislocated, as soon as the medication is working I will reduce the joint and use the tissue generator and wrap it. You'll be in a split and pain meds for a few days." Hewalked away to start his report when Major Bicardi walked in and started speaking with Talia.
"What happened here?" he asked very tersely.
"I accidently injured Shannon's wrist while we were sparring, but that's not what I contacted you about," she replied. "Shannon recognized the two people working the infirmary as men from the group that assaulted her that night," Talia explained. "They're among those responsible for the threats against Shannon and the destruction of our lockers."
"We need to take this information to the Colonel and to Security at once!" Bicardi said.
"But we don't have enough, do we?" Talia responded. "Shannon's started a search of the Marines database for facial matches, but we haven't had a chance to check how its going yet."
Shannon cussed like a warrior whe they pulled the offending wrist bones back in to alignment. Bicarrdi walked over and looked at Shannon, and asked, "Is that so?"
"Yes, sir!" Shannon looked up trying it hid the pain, "I had the time and started,!"
"Security's search techniques are much more refined. They have access to tools unavailable to you," Morgan told her. "It is theright thing to do."
"Morgan, maybe her search has turned up some other people. Do you want to take a look at it," Talia asked.
Morgan had a nurse bring a terminal to the biobed where Shannon was laying. "Access your search. We'll see what you've managedto uncover."
Shannon accessed the terminal in her quarters and saw the there she'd given descriptions on were displaced and yes, she recognized them, "Sir two of the three were just working in the infirmary."
"Which ones were they?" Morgan asked. Shannon pointed them out to him.
Morgan tapped his combadge. "Captain Bicardi to Colonel Tarik--we have identified two of the suspects in the incident. They're in theinfirmary. Private First Class Hector Rodriguez and Lance Corporal Dennis Zenker."
[Acknowledged. I'll inform Security and have them detained for questioning. Thank you, Captain.]
Shannon sat up quickly still holding her wrist..."Sir, I know think this is a good idea?"
"Why wouldn't it be? They're just going to be questioned, not arrested."
Shannon looked to Talia who was distant, "Can you help me out here... Sir, detained and questioned and guess who they sawand know who squealed and ratted them out. My life is in serious jeopardy.!"
"Shannon's and mine," Talia added quietly.
"The decision stands. We let the proper authorities deal with this, now that you've identified two suspects," Morgan said. "Now, let's get you back home before you manage to get into even more trouble."
The three of them left, Morgan chewing them hard and heavy about their activities.
When they reached Shannon's quarters, Morgan finally let them go. Talia assured Morgan she was fine from there. In fact, she had originally wanted to stay with Shannon as an added safeguard. Maybe not a lot of protection since both their lives were in danger, but perhaps some. She was a Tanzaran and that did add a certain amount of protection when you could shapeshift into things.
"So do you want me to stay for awhile?" Talia asked.
Shannon had her ice pack, packet of meds, and orders to rest. Both women stepped into the quarters and the room was a little more messythen when they left but she couldn't be for sure. "Go get some rest Talia, I'm sleeping with phaser tonight and the door locked. I'm really not up for company."
"Are you absolutely sure?' Talia asked, not liking the idea of leaving Shannon alone and in her mind, vulnerable.
"I'm fine...and plan on sleeping. You have the overrides and can check on me anytime....unless you realy want to sleep on the top bunk."
The thought crossed Talia's mind, but she could sense that Shannon just wanted some space and truth be told she felt a bit overwrought herself. Rest would be a good thing. "Maybe I'll check on you in a bit," she smiled. "Comm me if you need anything! Including a grizzly bear!" she smirked.
"Same goes; if you need me." Shannon walked over and turned of the monitor as she couldn't stand to see the pictures on her monitor. Talia closed the door and heard the lock slide into place, before she headed off to speak with Morgan.
On second thought, Talia stopped and headed to her quarters. Her chat with Morgan would wait.
Shannon, showered, threw back the covers of her bunk and found a combat knife, covered with blood, tossed under her pillow--she moved away and thoughed nothing. She was just about to comm Morgan when her door chime sounded, quickly covering the knife she answered the door and in stepped Jake the newest pilot of the unit. "ugh sorry this isn't a good time to visit, Jake!"
"I'm sorry. I just needed someone to talk to and you're the only person I could think of," Jake said. He explained the situation between himself and Talia.
Shannon, ran her fingers through her long dark hair sitting carefully on her bed not to disturb the newest message on her bed..She listened while he talked about Talia and being new and out of sorts. For about an hour he stayed and they talked. Finally the ache was back in herwrist then the ice pack was warm and she was exhausted. He could see that some thing was amiss but not what and stood to leave. At the door he asked, "It there anything I can do you you?" Shannon shook her head negative and watched as he walked out into the hall. She tapped her commbadge and paged, [Lt Vansen to Captain Bicardi.]
[Bicardi here.]
"Sir, I need to see you in my quarters ASAP."
[I'm on my way.]
Moments later Bicardi arrived. "What's going on?" he asked.
"Sir. While sparring and in medical someone left me another message/threat." With that she pulled the blanket from about the knife left on her pillow."
"And why have you been handling it? It could hold evidence!" Bicardi nearly shouted. He then tapped his combadge. "Bicardi to Security--we need someone at my location regarding evidence related to today's questioning."
I haven't moved it, Sir! I discovered it after Lt. Tigre left and before Jake showed up and just though the blanket over it as it...it's not been moved or touched." She looked at him the when to punch her locker and remembered the wrist. "I think I am going to start sleeping either in my cockpit or in the brig for safety...this is my third up close and personal warning." He saw the frustration and exhaustion.
Jake headed down the corridor for the gym. Talking with Shannon had helped, but a good workout would help better! Not feeling muchlike surfing (for once) after the incident with Talia, he decided on racquetball. As he turned down the corridor to get to the locker room he nearly bumped into a Security officer. "Oh, sorry!" he said, wondering what was going on in Marine Country that Tarik or Bicardi couldn't handle on their own.
Just as he entered the locker room, he felt an impact on the back of his head and saw a bright flash before he dropped to the deck, unconscious.
Talia was almost asleep in her quarters when she was commed. "This is Lt. Tigre. What is it?" she asked.
"This is the infirmary. We have Lt. Jake McIhenny here. He told us to notify you as his next of kin," the medic replied.
"What?!" she said as she almost leaped off her bed. "Why? What's happened?" she asked.
"You might want to come here, Ma'am," the medic replied.
Without thinking twice, she vanished out the door almost at a run. She made it to the infirmary in record time. As she announced who she was, she was taken to Jake who looked worse for the wear. She was appraised of his condition.
"He's got a fractured skull and four broken ribs," he told Talia. "As soon as we brought him about he was asking for you."
Talia approached the exam table. Jake appeared to be trying to say something.
Shannon sat in the chair Talia and Jakey had used often and on and noted the pounding headache. Finally, security Chief Carmicheal arrived with a pair of officers, who started collecting evidence, interviewing Shannon, also over heard. Shannon glanced up at Morgan...I'm here with security, why don't you go check on Jakey and Talia.
"Jakey . . ." Talia said softly as she tenderly took his hand. "Shhhh . . . It's okay, I'm here . . . I'm here . . ." Tears welled up in hereyes as she looked down at him. She was more worried for him than she'd ever been in her life and an anger was building toward those that had done this.
"They...took me...from behind..." Jake said, gasping for air. One of his lungs had been punctured by a broken rib. "Four of them...saidthey wanted...to shut you up..." He nearly passed out from the exertion.
Tears fell from her eyes. "Don't talk . . ." she urged. "It's all right . . I'm going to fix this . . ." The anger was burning her now. She hadto do something. She had to make these men pay for what they'd done. She wouldn't let them get away with hurting Jake like this. "I'll take care of them . . ." Tenderly she kissed his forehead. "I'll be back later. I promise."
With that, she set off toward the door. She was going to make herself a target and hope they come after her, so that she could take them down.
Morgan received the news that Jake had been badly injured, likely by the same people who were targeting Talia and Shannon. These people have rendered us combat-ineffective! Someone's going to pay for this, and pay dearly!
He contacted Ryan and told him not to leave his quarters. Best not to have all of our pilots in fear of their lives! he thought as herushed to the infirmary.
Jake lay in bed, just barely conscious. "What's his status?" he asked the nurse.
"He'll make a full recovery but with these injuries he's grounded at least a week." Morgan heard a groaning sound from the bed.
"What is it, Jake? What are you trying to say?" he asked softly.
"Talia...going after...attackers..." Jake told Morgan. "Got to...stop her..."
At that point Jake ceased to be a rival for Talia in Morgan's mind. He was an injured man deeply concerned about a friend. And Morgan'sKlingon instincts had taken over. His comrade had been felled in battle by a dishonorable opponent. One who had to pay. If Talia's looking to mete out punishment, perhaps she could use a willing partner, he thought.
"Nurse, notify me as soon as Lieutenant McIlhenny is recovered," Morgan said as he left the infirmary. He had a little hunting of his ownto do.
Talia walked through the back corridors of Marine Country where Shannon had been jumped. She wandered by the Gym. She went to all the dark spaced she could think of watching, waiting, telepathically reaching out for anyone that might be around . . . There wasn't anyone . . . Her anger continued to build, but she knew that there were reasons they wouldn't come after her. The biggest being that she was Tanzaran. They knew her. They knew what she was. They wouldn't confront her physically one-on-one. She needed another plan . . . She needed another person . . . She needed Shannon. Quickly, she made her way toward Shannon's quarters as a plan started hatchingin her mind. She would find these men and she would take them down, no matter what it took. Jakey was just the last straw . . .
Talia wasted no time in getting to Shannon's quarters. She could barely contain herself as she set off the sensor and waited. She didn't want to wait. She wanted to get this plan in motion. She just had this feeling that if they tried it, it would work and draw the bad guys out. Then she would take them out for what they had done . . . To Shannon and to Jakey.
Shannon had remade her bunk but was unable to sleep in it...she'd have to request a change of housing with the Captain in next watch. She laid down with her head cradled in her arms on her desk. She heard the sensor, heard it again, but she was fogged out from the meds, but finally sat up and moved to the door. The door opened and there stood Talia. "Hmmm." Talia pushed her way into the room so the door would close and they'd be alone.
"Shannon?" She noticed the unmade bunk, the glazed eyes and rumpled uniform her friend was still wearing. "Oh no . . ." Talia moaned. "How doped up are you on the meds?" she asked, hoping for a coherent response. "Obviously you can't get comfortable enough to sleep . . ."
"Was...asleep." Shannon a touch dizzy turned and sat on the chair. She went to rub her face with both and remembered the splint. "What'sup, Talia?"
"You're probably not going to want to hear this right now, but I need your help," Talia said. "I want those bastards and I want them now. I have spent the last hour and half at least walking through all the back corridors and dark spaces of Marine country and they haven't come after me. I've made myself a target, but they won't come seize the opportunity because they know I'm Tanzaran. They don't want to tangle with someone that can shift into something that can take them apart in a second . . ."
"You're crazy!" Shannon looked up and met her friends' eyes, and said, "I should call Morgan!" Standing she took a step foward and then leaned against the wall. Her wrist and head hurt no matter that she'd taken a double dose of the meds. "Be thankful that they won't take the bait, Talia. You think you're invinsible being Tanzaran ...but you're not!" She shook hear head and tried to reason out why all of a sudden Talia was being so stupid and could only come up with two reasons and one was an easier target...and said, "Jakey?"
Angry tears appeared in her aqua-colored eyes, giving them the appearance of pools of water. She nodded. "He's in the infirmary . . . They beat him, Shannon . . . They knocked him cold and beat him! He has a concussion, broken ribs, punctured lung . . . These animals have to be taken down!" she replied, raising her voice unintentionally. "If you won't help me, I'll find a way to do it myself one way or another. I don't care what it takes . . ." There was unbridled anger in her eyes. Something Shannon had never seen before, and a determination that spoke of nothing stopping her no matter the cost to herself. Talia took Shannon by the arm and pushed her back to sit on the chair and went to the mini replicator and ordered, "Raktijino, black double strong!" The cup materialized. She took a ship and then handed the cup over to Shannon who took a cautious sip. "I need your help...please, Shannon."
Shannon sipped the strong liquid. After a couple of minutes she looked up at Talia who'd slid down the wall to sit on the floor with herknees up, arms wrapped around them and waited. "I take it you have a plan?"
Talia nodded, and said yes. "You walk the halls and I'll cover your back."
Shannon choked on mouthful of the Raktajino. When she was finally able to speak she said, "That's your plan."
Talia nodded and closed her eyes for a moment, trying to relax her over- stressed nerves. "Yeah, that's the plan," she replied. "Think about it. They won't go after me, but they will go after you. And when they do, I'm there and I can take them down. Avenge you and Jakey in one fell swoop."
"I want this over with, too." Shannon put the cup down on the desk. "Okay."Shannon stood and started pulling off her clothes and walked to the closet and pulled on fresh flight suit beings her uniform had to many parts and with her hand didn't want to ask Talia to help her dress. Dressed she turned to her friend. "Let's go."
"Okay, I'll be following you as a cat. I'll be keeping to the shadows as much as possible to hopefully not be seen," Talia explained. "But Iwill be there and I will be ready."
Shannon nodded and stepped into the corridor and felt the knife sheathed in her right thigh pocket and the Mark 1 phaser in another pocket.
She walked the halls unsteady on her feet with the pounding in her head and chest either by the anxiety or the Raktajino. She leaned against the wall and watched several people working out in the gym. Turning she headed back toward her quarter the longway around, when an arm snaked out across her neck. She lead with an elbow strike and a stomp to his instep, and felt the hot burning pain in her left side. She took a deep breath and the world spun...
Talia had been following behind Shannon at a healthy distance, just so that if she were spotted the connections wouldn't be readily made. However, as she sensed Shannon's distress and saw two men grab her, she knew that might have been an error in judgement to hang that far back. As quickly as she could, she shifted into a large, Bengal tiger and ran toward the trio. She could smell blood and knew it was Shannon's as she saw her friend crumple to the deck, just as she leaped upon one of the men, slash his chest open with her great paw. Another swipe and his abdomen was open. She let loose a roar as she turned her attention to the other man who was backing away from her. But just as she was about ready to lunge at him, she felt something pierce her. She roared again and looked to see what seemed like an arrow sticking out of her. She turned in the direction of where the arrow had come and caught the glimpse of another man holding a crossbow. She took off after him, though she could feel something more than just an arrow had been delivered to her system. However, she couldn't think about that right now. But the faster she ran, the more light-headed she got. Suddenly, she lost site of him as if everything in front of her eyes began to swim. She had heard a couple of surprised yelps from people as she had run by them as a tiger . . . but he had gotten away from her. Suddenly, in confusion and being unable to stop the dizziness, she shifted back into her normal form and collapsed, unconscious onto the deck.
Morgan was discussing the situation with the squadron with Tarik when his combadge chirped.
[Sir, this is PFC Benson with Alpha Company. I've found two of your pilots injured near the gym. I've got corpsmen on the way.]
"Injured? How?" Morgan asked, fearing the worst.
[One of them was stabbed, the other looks like she's been shot with a crossbow!]
"Who the hell carries a crossbow in this day and age?" Morgan asked.
"Someone who wants to get past weapons sensors," Tarik replied. "Good work, Private. Keep the area secured until we arrive."
PFC Rob Benson did his best to apply first aid to Shannon and Talia, but between having to treat two patients at once--one an alien with a radically different physiology and the other affected by an unknown poison--he began to worry that they were slipping away.
Finally, two corpsmen showed up. "Take a hike, Private," one of them--a lance corporal--ordered.
Corporal Zenker, I have been ordered by the Colonel himself to stand watch over these two until he and Captain Bicardi arrive."
"Well the Colonel ain't here, is he?" the other one snarled. "Get out of here, now!"
"Corporal Zenker, Private Rodriguez, I have my orders. Nothing in my orders prevents you from treating these patients. Why haven't you done started working on them already?" Benson asked, his berzerker sense starting to tingle. Oh, shit! he thought.
"Hey, I remember this guy! I knew him in the 223rd," Zenker said. "Total retard. Surprised he doesn't still wet his pants!"
"Oh yeah?" Rodriguez laughed. "Maybe he wears a diaper--let's find out!" With that, he drew a knife.
In less than a blink of an eye, Benson shattered Rodriguez's arm and took the knife from him. "That was then," he said with a snarl. "This is now. Care to try that again, or are you going to let these people die?" Benson asked as he brandished the knife against Zenker.
At that moment Tarik and Bicardi arrived. "Why am I not surprised in the least???" Bicardi growled as he grabbed Zenker and slammed him against the bulkhead with enough force to break the man's collarbone.
Tarik tapped his combadge. "Captain Alcon, we have a medical emergency at my location. Beam over immediately!"
Jayme arrived with another corpsman and began treating Shannon and Talia (but not Rodriguez, whom she refused to even acknowledge).
"Good work, Corporal Benson," Tarik said. "As for you two, you're under arrest. Bicardi, call Security and get these maggots out of my sight."
"Acknowledged," Morgan said, regretting that he didn't have the chance to work these two over more.
"Colonel, I'm only a Private," Benson said.
"Not anymore," Tarik replied with a smile. "You'll have the paperwork by week's end--as soon as I get done with the court-martial proceedings for those two."