A New Ally

An Admiral was searching through log files in a restricted area. He kept searching for logs that had been routed to the Lynx and the Leviathan in the last months. He noticed a few encrypted logs which the admiral was trying to decrypt using different types of algorithms. A security officer walked into the room.

"Uh, Admiral ? You aren't supposed to be here. This area is restricted." The guard announced.

The Admiral moved away from the console and into the light. It was Charlie. "Lieutenant, my presence here has been authorised by Fleet Admiral Ross himself."

"I'll have to confirm that. Please stay where you are." The Lieutenant turned around and tapped his com badge. "I have someone here who..." Suddenly, the Lieutenant fell to the floor, unconscious.

Charlie put his phaser back in his pocket. He ran to the officer and placed a device in front of his mouth. He grabbed the com badge with the other hand and said, "...who is looking for the restroom. Does anyone know where it is ?"

The officer on the other side laughed. [Down the hall to the left.] He laughed again and shut off the link.

Charlie then placed a small device on the officer's forehead. It bleeped and shut off.

"You won't remember a thing." Charlie returned to the console. The program he had been running worked. He accessed the first file. It had come from the Omega Fleet Admiral's Office. Charlie quickly examined the content of the message. Nothing of real interest. A little dispute. Someone mentioned Leary's death. Lighter was outraged and took Devore on his own. He began to match the voice patterns of the real Leary and the Leviathan Leary. They did not match.

Charlie sighed. "So, it's not Leary. But who is using his image ?" He found that the sound file had been corrupted by a device similar to the one he has used to mimic the Lieutenant's voice. He used a similar algorithm to flatten and recreate the original voice. Then, he matched it with all known Section 31 officers with enough power to pull off this type of act. After two minutes, a name flashed on the screen.

[Rear Admiral Thomas Beard. Section 31 Officer 001.]

"Damn." Charlie shook his head. "What a shame."

He saved the information on a PADD. Then, he searched for Beard's last seen location. He had gotten on a ship and headed for the Beta Quadrant.

Charlie took out a visual communicator. He contacted Sloane. "Luther, guess who our bad boy is ?"

Sloane was interested. "Who ?"

"Officer 001."

"Admiral Beard ?" Sloane shook his head. "That's terrible." He paused, then he looked at Charlie and said, "You know what to do."

"Get me a ship and a few officers. We will leave in pursuit of his ship as soon as possible."

Sloane smiled. "It's already taken care of."

Charlie suddenly disappeared. The computer Charlie was working on began flashing in red the words: MEMORY PURGED.

SSS Sniper : Bridge

Charlie stood at the Captain's seat of the SSS Sniper. He directed at the helm officer, dressed in black. "Let's get to Admiral Beard before he gets to Devore. Initiate the quaxl warp drive."

"Ready, Captain."

Charlie smiled. "Engage."

He had always wanted to say that. The vessel crumpled up like a sheet of paper and disappeared.