Captain Mallory looked over the charred remains of the Ferengi surveillance probe found in Kassia's shop. "This is most disturbing, on a number of levels," she said. "I see the possibility that these probes have been used to monitor counseling sessions for the intent of compiling blackmail material on station personnel. Or that these probes are being used to monitor Tarik's and Kassia's conversations in the hope to either blackmail them or obtain valuable information. How long have these artifacts been in your shop?" Kitty asked.
Kassia looked over a PADD containing sales and inventory information. "Since just before we came back from Vulcan," she replied. "They aren't really remarkable items, just Talcorian luck charms. They were placed on consignment with a price of about fifty credits each."
"A bit more than most tourists would want to pay, and beneath the notice of a serious collector," Kitty noted. "And they showed up when you wouldn't have been able to monitor the intentions of the person who placed them on consignment. Who was that, anyway?"
"That was a Mr. Sartorius," Kassia said.
"Sartorius is the name of an analytical equipment company on Earth. They've been in business for centuries. I doubt very seriously that was your customer's real name."
"I don't think the roundup of suspected Romulan agents on the station just after our return was complete by any means," Tarik said. "It's likely also that there are Mulluran agents operating on the station as well, perhaps even among station personnel. How else could the Nausicaans managed to overwhelm our defenses so completely and kidnap Lt. K'Tag?"
K'Tag grunted. "Our defenses were completely foolproof! No one should have been able to bypass them!"
"They've got someone on the inside," Kitty said, "and I mean to find out who it is."
An hour later, Kitty had Tara Carmichael and Eric Lee in her office.
"It seems our security division has been a little overwhelmed lately," Kitty said. "In addition to an overall increase in crime on the station, we may have one or more moles operating for the Mullurans aboard.
"We need more effective management of Security. K'Tag has been doing an excellent job as Acting Security Chief, but I need him at Tactical. Likewise I really can't spare Colonel Tarik for his skills in counter-piracy and intelligence operations. Both are needed much more in their primary postings to ensure overall station defense. But fortunately I don't have to worry about that," Kitty smiled.
"Ms. Carmichael, you've proven your worth in Security time and again. I want you to take over conventional Security operations--crime prevention and routine support of Operations and Tactical personnel. With this will come the grade of Chief Warrant Officer. Congratulations," Kitty said as she handed over the new rank insignia. "I want you to start cleaning up this station, Ms. Carmichael. We've got a lot of people coming through here and not all of them are clean. Find the dirty ones, and get rid of them. If you need anything, just let me know."
Tara nodded. "Understood, Captain. You won't be disappointed!"
"Chief Lee, you come very highly recommended. It is for this particular assignment that you were requested. You are to take over counter-espionage, counterterrorism, and organized crime investigations on the station. Your first assignment is to locate and detain our mole, and anyone else who might be passing information on to either the Romulans or the Mullurans. Time is of the essence. As with Ms. Carmichael, whatever you need, you've got--just send in the requisition."
"I will endeavor to accomplish this mission to the fullest of my ability," Lee replied.
"You will have joint responsibility for Security overall," Kitty answered. "I've every confidence that the best people for the job are sitting in front of me. Now, get to work!"