Intrigue in the Making

*I will need to get more Intel on this Omega.* Thought Rashad on the way to her quarters that night.

The information Lieutenant Stefen Moss got from his old friend was going to be invaluable in finding at least some of the Omega agents. But there was so much more she needed to know, and there was only one person from whom she knew she could find out what she needed.

"Computer, lock down these quarters !" She ordered when the doors closed behind her inside her quarters. "Authorisation T'Kul Beta 4-6-2"

<Secondary communication lockdown initiated.>

"Connect to Starfleet Intelligence database, T'Kul Beta 4-6-2."

<Connection established.>

The Starfleet Intelligence logo appeared on the console viewer screen just as Rashad leaned back in her chair.

"Open link to Section 31. T'Kul Beta 4-6-2." She continued.

<Officer identification required.>

"Officer 25007."

<Identity confirmed. Stand by…>

She spoke to the computer once again: "Computer, open connection to Officer 003."

There was another pause, and then the image of Charles Doyle, known to Rashad as "Charlie" came onscreen. "Charlie" had been her direct superior officer ever since the defection and demise of Admiral Beard.

[Officer 25007 !" The man smiled, but his eyes remained cold as usual. Just one look into those eyes was enough to show anyone that Officer 003 was not a man to mess with. [Now what was so urgent you couldn't leave a message ?]

"Sir, you are no doubt aware of the possible kidnapping of Admiral West by an enemy espionage ring, called Omega." Started Rashad and immediately noticed Doyle's facial expression tighten.

[Go on, Commander !]

"Well, sir, there seems to be nothing I can find on this renegade group on the Section 31 database, yet there must be something ! So far, I am only familiar with the data on their alleged leader, a Klingon traitor named Klang. I need more information on the group itself…"

[Why do you need to know this ?] The expression on Doyle's face has become even grimmer.]

"If you allow me, you can see it for yourself, sir." Replied the Romulan-Bajoran with a raised eyebrow and played Admiral West's interrupted message, and then the recording of Lieutenant Moss killing T'Val.

"Sir, my colleague Lieutenant Stefen Moss's wife has also been kidnapped by them from Deep Space 9. Also, as you see, there is evidence to suggest that one or more Omega operatives are still left on the Leviathan right now. We are in the Dominion territory and there is evidence that Omega has links with the Dominion. They endanger not only our crew, but possibly much wider Federation interests. It is imperative that we discover more about Omega as spoon as possible, and neutralise the threat they represent…"

[So it was you who accessed our records on T'Val without !] Replied Officer 003, with eyes growing colder and face paling with anger.

"Well, sir, you may say so, but in fact it was my colleague, Lieutenant Stefen Moss who did it with my blessing. We are in the thick of this, sir and the relevant Intel could save lives. In fact, I would recommend recruiting him into Section 31."

[Oh, Lieutenant Moss ?] Doyle's sudden smile sent shivers down Rashad's spine. [He is already one of us. His identity is Officer 00230, but like you he has no clearance for the information you require. You will have the data available on Omega, but I am not the one to give you clearance on this. You will need to talk to Officer 001. Just a moment…]

On the other end of the open comm channel, "Charlie" tapped his console, and the image of Rear Admiral Kyrie McCaffee appeared next to that of Doyle. Officer 003 briefly repeated to the Admiral what Rashad had just told him about the situation, and immediately the expression of deep concern came over the Admiral's face.

[Commander…] Said the Admiral, upon reflection. [You and Lieutenant Moss have your clearance. I am sending you a file with the relevant data. We do not have very much, but whatever we do have, you will get.] Her facial expression became more serious. [Be careful who you trust, 25007. There is evidence that we have been penetrated at a high level, and we do not know who the mole is. Report to us on the future developments.]

A file appeared on Rashad's console and she immediately saved it and made a copy of it on the PADD.

"Thank you, ma'am." She nodded respectfully to Officer 001.

[Good luck, Commander !] Admiral McCaffee gave Rashad a last look, and then her image disappeared off the screen and there remained only the image of "Charlie".

[Well, be careful, 25007 and good luck !] Doyle's gaze was still stone cold.

[Now I must get back to my own work. Report back when you discover anything new.]

Officer 003's image faded from the screen, replaced, for a moment, with the Section 31 logo, then with total blankness.

"Computer, exit all Section 31 and Starfleet Intelligence databases and terminate outside connections," ordered T'Kul, getting up from the chair and picking up the PADD.

She could not help thinking that her superiors were not giving her all of the information they had. Her instinct told her there was more available to Section 31 about Omega.

<Complying… Logout complete.>

"Deactivate secondary communications lockdown, T'Kul Beta 4-6-2."

<Secondary communications lockdown deactivated.>

Rashad tapped her combadge. "Rashad to Lieutenant Moss, meet me in the Intelligence office in 5 minutes."

[On my way, Commander.] Came the reply.

The Intelligence Office

"So, you are one of us already, Stefen." Said T'Kul after locking down the office.

"What do you mean, T'Kul ?" Stefen's eyebrow rose slightly.

"Officer 00230, I have just spoken to Officers 003 and 001 - they gave us the clearance to access the Intel on Omega, although I think there is more than they are giving us." She looked straight at the surprised and pale Stefen. "Do not be alarmed at the fact that I now know your identity - I am a Section 31 officer as well. I am Officer 25007."

"Very well." Stefen said. He had talked to officer 002 yesterday.

He was a close friend to Stefen infact he had recruited him.

We need to examine all the information in this file and have it ready for the briefing later today." Rashad said, passing Stefen the Padd containing the file she had received from Officer 001.

They worked over the data for the next few hours until the briefing. The information that T'Val had passed to Stefen had included a map of all the Omega bases within the Alpha, Beta and Gamma quadrant. They were concentrating on the Gamma quadrant, but there were still over a thousand locations. Some were simply arms dumps, friendly places whilst others were fixed or mobile bases. The two Section 31 officers were concentrating on those site which could be used as safe-houses, as these would be the most likely locations of Klang.

The data Section 31 had provided was a partial map of the same data, but it was going to take time for the two maps to be collated and the known dead ends eliminated.

"We better get to the briefing." Rashad commented, noticing the time.

The two officers headed out of the Intelligence office, leaving the analysis going and headed for deck one and the main briefing room.