The Scavenger Hunt (Part 2 of 2)

Second Lieutenant Jack Truman nodded his head to the music that was playing *very* loudly in his and Robbie Gleason's quarters. Whatever attention that was not on the music was glued to the computer display in his room where he was still working on digging up facts on the whereabouts of Admiral Tom Beard. The doors opened behind him, and newer Marine Second Lieutenant Erindor J'Lan entered. "Avalon ?"

Jack spun around his chair to face the Andorian. "Yep. I'm surprised you know of Avalon. I didn't think Andorians were big into heavy rock."

"Hanging out with a bunch of you human animals on my last assignment was enough." Erindor grinned. "How's progress ?"

"Slow, at best." Jack turned back to the glow of the computer screen. "I've been tracing this Beard guy's career from when he entered Starfleet till now, studying his every move and strategy. Nothing has really come up."

Erindor found a seat on a stool near the desk. "I know what you're talking about. I've also learned, however, that you don't always gain success with a strong military."

Jack looked over at the Andorian with a confused expression on his face. "What do you mean ?"

"Think about it." Erindor jumped off of the stool. "I have to meet the Major in the holodeck for another training simulation with the Nuans."

"What simulation ?" Jack asked over his shoulder.

"Simulation 34 Alpha."

Jack grinned. "Have fun with that one." He heard the doors close behind him. "Computer, begin playing Avalon, track 3 from *Rampage*."

<Accessing...>

"No wait! Belay that. Don't play anything." Jack turned his attention back to the computer display and noticed something. Shipping records. Multitudes of them running between the Klingon Empire, through an undetermined source, and through the Bariens. "Found you again."

Holodeck Three

Yet another explosion rang in Jon's ears. Captain Goerl of the "First Rescue Platoon" from the Nuans was right behind Jon in the trench that was leading towards the enemy hard point. They were both covered in camouflage make-up and mud.

"One thing I must say, I have not seen these types of operations from Starfleet personnel." Goerl pushed a lock of blond hair back underneath the Nuan helmet.

"Me and my boys aren't exactly Starfleet." Jon retorted. He finally made his way up to the enemy hard point and motioned for Goerl to keep down. He then reached towards his left thigh and pulled out a canister about the size of phase welder from Engineering. He then pulled a pin at the top of it and tossed it into the small bunker emplacement.

The weapon went off with a bright flash, and the enemy was then yelling out that he couldn't see. Jon ran forward with blinding speed, Goerl right behind him. With his phaser rifle up, he fired, knocking one of the enemies out. A bluish blast from Goerl's rifle did the same to the other person occupying the emplacement. The two then continued running forward. Reaching into another pocket, Jon pulled out another canister and pulled the pin which then began to emit a yellowish smoke. Jon tossed it over the ferrocrete bunker wall to be greeted with the hooping and yelling from his Robbie Truman and Erindor J'Lan, along with the female voices of the other Nuan soldiers. "Computer. End simulation."

The familiar grid pattern returned, with everyone looking as if they had been tossed into a mud pile. "Good work everyone."

"I too am pleased with our performance today." Goerl added. "Good work today. First Squad, please make your way back to your assigned quarters so you can get cleaned up. Then, you will have off time for the rest of the evening."

"What about us sir ?" Robbie asked.

"You heard the lady. Get yourselves cleaned up."

Robbie smiled at Erindor. "Yes sir." The two then followed the other six women out of the Holodeck. Goerl and Jon were the last to leave.

"I'm surprised by how well disciplined and professional your women are." Jon commented, as the two walked down the corridor.

"Why is that Major ?"

"Well, in the Federation women Marines make up only about 15 percent of the total fighting force. Not that we hold prejudice against them, they just are not able to do as well as most of the men are."

"I guess it would be time for you to get rid of your "prejudices" then. Have a good evening Major." Goerl turned down an adjoining corridor.

*Shot down. I'm going to need a beer to put these flames out.* Jon shook his head, and then continued on his way towards his quarters.

[Sir, I think I've found something.] It was Jack Truman on the comm.

Jon hit his combadge. "What is it Jack ?"

[I think I know where Beard could be hiding and how he's financing his little operation.]

"I'm on my way." Jon turned his walk into a jog down the corridor, on his way to the Second Lieutenant's quarters.

Marine Quarters : Jack Truman & Robbie Gleason

"What is it?" Jon asked, upon entering the room.

"Eck. Smells like you could use a shower sir." Jack commented.

"Just tell me what you found."

"All right." Jack pulled up the information onto the monitor. "As we know Admiral Beard escaped us in the USS Lynx awhile back. His ship had taken damage to many systems, mainly the warp core."

"Yes, yes. That's ancient history Jack."

"I'm getting to my point." Jack commented. "Anyway, the Bariens do not have all of the necessary or complex components needed to repair a Defiant class vessel. However, the Klingon Empire does."

"Beard is in cahoots with the Klingons ?"

"Not the Empire as a whole, but a few well respected people yes. I don't know who yet, but I'll figure that out eventually. Anyway, General Kar'Ok was one of these people. He supplied Beard with different weapons, supplies, raw materials, etc., etc. Seeing as though General Kar'Ok was going to be coming in contact with the Leviathan while Commander Harris, one of Beard's pet peeves, was in command, he was planning to have Harris exterminated at this point, along with Lieutenant Commander Rashad. I don't know exactly why yet, but I'll figure that out too."

"Keep going Jack." Jon was intrigued by what his Marine had discovered.

"So, to accomplish this task, he places two of his goons onboard dressed up as Klingons. They fail, though and then get locked up."

"How do the Bariens work into this bedtime story ?"

"Well, apparently the Bariens were ticked off at Kar'Ok because he had stiffed them out of a deal, probably having to do in the dilithium trade, since there are not many dilithium mines in Barien display according to Nuan intelligence. The Bariens find out that Kar'Ok is onboard the Leviathan and it's only a matter of time before they come knockin'."

"Good work Jack. Now where is Beard located ?"

"Well, I've come up with a few ideas." Jack switched the display over to that of the Beta Quadrant. "Inside Barien space, there are maybe a total of 30 inhabitable worlds."

"That doesn't exactly narrow it, Jack."

"Let me finish. There are about 30 inhabitable worlds and maybe another 40 inhabitable moons. However, only about four worlds and eight moons can sustain human life. There's also the possibility that he may be on a ship. However, knowing Beard from his personnel file, he won't want to give up the ship that he has, the Lynx because it's the fastest ship, besides us, that's out here right now. That means that it has to be docked to a bigger ship, of which there are only about 20 that can carry a Defiant class ship. There are also about fourteen known Barien shipyards where Beard would be while the Lynx is getting repaired. If we can eliminate the different possibilities, we should be able to find Beard quicker."

"Good work Jack. Good work. Maybe someday you'll make First Lieutenant."

"Maybe ?" Jack didn't receive an answer, though, since Jon had already exited the room so he could go to his quarters and get a shower.

Jon walked back to Jack's quarters to find him still attached to the computer screen. "All right Jackie, listen up. I want you to make three copies of this. One goes to the Captain. The other goes to Commander Rashad. The last comes to me, so we can get together and have a meeting with Robbie and Erindor. Got me ?"

"Yes sir. I'll get right on it."

"Good."

At that moment, the door chime sounded. "Come in." Jack called from the computer terminal. He instinctually saved the information and cleared the screen out.

Lieutenant Commander Rashad entered the room. "Have you any new information Major ?" It nearly seemed to be a rhetorical question. As if she had known that they had just discovered the information.

"Yes, yes we have." Jon replied, moving closer to the Romulan/Bajoran hybrid. He moved closer until he was only about an inch from her face. "I would be glad to share the information from you once you have removed the data feeds from my Marine's rooms and removed the hidden cameras you have in them as well." Jon grinned, an air of supremacy on his face.

"How did you know ?" Rashad asked, slightly confused.

"I didn't, but your reply just sealed my suspicions."

Rashad exhaled deeply, defeated. "The equipment will be removed immediately. May I please see the information that you have gathered ?"

"Of course." Jon turned his head. "Jack."

Jack Truman walked over with a PADD. He handed it over to Jon. Jon, in turn, handed it over to Rashad. "You'd be surprised how far you can get when you simply ask."

Rashad's lips were a thin line across her face. She turned to leave the small quarters.

"Thanks for stopping by." Jon waved as she exited through the doors.

"That was mean." Jack commented.

"We're all on the same ship. She doesn't need to keep spying on her own crewmates for information. Have you figured out where she planted the cameras and data feeds ?"

"Cameras, yes. Data feeds, no. They are *very* well hidden."

"All right. Remove the cameras."

"Aw... I'm kind a starting to like the one I had found in the bathroom."

"Jack...."

"Yes sir."