The Return : Gremlin

"But Marc !" Sierra protested.

"No buts. Tell Harris the co-ordinates of the Lynx and if I am not on board the Leviathan then to engage and destroy the Lynx. Beard has gone crazy and we must stop him. Understood ?"

Sierra started to cry.

"Understood Lieutenant ?"

"Yes sir."

"Sierra !! I love you." Devore said as she was energised into the pattern buffer.

"Now, it is time to take care of business !" Devore said heading to Engineering.

Softly and quietly he opened the door to the transporter room. His phaser rifle was in hand and ready for the fight that might have ensued if there was someone on the other side but fortunately there wasn't. He looked down to the weapon's setting to make sure that it wasn't set to kill. Yes, the crew of the Lynx were out to get him, but they were still fellow Starfleet officers and Starfleet do not fire on their own. However, Devore made two exceptions and two only, Lighter and Beard. Beard had betrayed everything that Starfleet stood for and everything that Devore has fought for. Even young Lieutenant Beard died in the service to Starfleet and now his own father has betrayed the morals for which they swore protect. Admiral Beard has made Lieutenant Matthew Beard's death in vain.

Lighter's death was not so ethical. It was however the most common theme in the history of mankind. 'Revenge !'. Lighter has kidnaped Captain Devore, has tortured him and done god knows what to Sierra. The bruises and busted lip of his wife haunted Devore's memory thinking of what else might have happened. Death was something that may be too good for Lighter.

With his back against the corridor, Captain Devore moved swiftly through the dimly lit halls. *Looks like Beard is expecting company.* He thought laughing internally at his own joke.

Down the corridor, he made his way to the nearest turbolift. The door to the turboshaft was sealed. Entering the universal command codes for nonessential systems, Devore stood waiting patiently for the turbolift to return. A moment passed which seemed like an eternity when finally doors opened to two security guards. Devore, acting on impulse and probably adrenaline as well, raised the rifle and fired two quick shots before they could even utter "There he is !". The security guards were thrown back into the back of the turbolift and slid down the walls as the doors slid shut.

*Probably turbolifts may not be such a good idea. Can get trapped. Jefferies Tubes.* Devore thought. He quickly ran to the nearest hatch and crawled in. *I just hope that it isn't all too far.*

On the Bridge, Admiral Beard sat in the command chair staring at the viewscreen. He thought about what had just transpired a few hours ago in regards to Lighter. Lighter had became a loose cannon that fortunately came back around, but still he could not be trusted.

The rest of the crew were hand picked by the Admiral, including Commander Lewis. Commander Lewis himself was close friends with the Admiral and knew of the mission and the entire intent of it. Commander Lewis was a close friend to Matthew Beard and when he had heard of the his death, was devastated. He felt as if his brother had died which in some respects was the truth. Admiral Beard had given the news to Lewis who swore as well to avenge his death and now Beard has given him the opportunity.

Rubbing his rough chin, Beard decided that it was time to tell his elite crew what has happened. For those that are not part of his elite group, they will not know. However, Beard took care of making sure that of the 24 crew members and officers aboard, 99.9% of them were loyal to him and not Starfleet.

"Computer. Open intership communication, All channels." Beard finally said.

<Channel open.>

"All hands this is Admiral Beard. The mission has just begun, for now we must make it back to the nearest Starbase However, IT IS FINISHED. Close channel."

<Channel closed.>

*I think it is time to take care of Mr. Devore.* Beard thought rising from his chair. "Commander Lewis. You have the Bridge."

"Aye sir."

".................... It is finished," The ship wide com system announced.

*What does that mean ?* Devore thought as he neared the inside hatch from Jefferies tube which was to open to engineering. *Deck 8 sect F. Mental note: Remind Starfleet to create bigger access ports. My back is killing me !*

The message seem to echo through the endless meters of access tubes and Beards deep, hateful voice didn't help much. Devore didn't understand the message but he wasn't there to decipher obscure messages. He wanted off this ship and back to his crew.

Devore slowly and carefully unlatched the door and crawled out. There he was in front of Engineering. Surprisingly enough there were no guards posted. He didn't understand why. He walked to the door which opened to find that there were five crew members busy trying to regulate the antimatter-matter coolant mixture.

*Too easy.*