Shadow Task

It had been almost an hour since the mysterious shadow had contacted Rashad. She was sat in her quarters and had spent the time waiting thinking over and over in her mind whether she was doing the right thing. For all she knew this shadow was the person who had injected the nano-virus into her body, but there was something about the way they had conducted themselves, knowing about the communications trace that didn’t fit with standard Section 31 protocols.

Suddenly the communications console Rashad was sitting in front of activated, gaining Rashad’s attention. She activated the console and watched as the Starfleet communications sign-on screen changed to the more sinister looking Section 31. Rashad entered her Section 31 security access codes and the screen changed once more to show a shadowy figure on the screen.

"So what do I have to do ?” Rashad asked.

[Straight to the point, just like your Starfleet profile said.] The shadow stated. [First to answer a question you asked earlier. Whilst I cannot at this time reveal my true identity, my codename is Freelancer. As for your part, I need access to the USS Hellcat, it’s the only vessel that we can use to gain access to the Section 31 facility.]

“I may be able to get access to the Hellcat, but I don’t know whether my Captain will allow me to leave the ship without an explanation.” Rashad commented.

[You must not tell anyone, not even your Captain of any of this.] Freelance stated. [We must leave in thirty minutes, can you get to the Hellcat and launch in that time ?”

“Thirty minutes !” Rashad exclaimed. “It’s possible, but I doubt we’d get out of the shuttle bay before ship and station security would be onto us.”

[I can create a diversion to get us away from the station without being tracked, all you would need to do is launch the Hellcat.] Freelancer stated. [There is one more thing that you’ll need to do….]

"How much harder can you make this ?” Rashad asked.

[You’ll need to bring Lieutenant Kahfre with you, no questions asked.] Freelancer stated. [I don’t have the medical expertise to perform the procedure which will remove the nano-virus, but I also need her experience on another matter as well.]

“You want me to kidnap Rahel !” Rashad protested. “You promised that she would not be harmed.”

[How you get her to come along is not my concern, all that I ask is that you keep everything to yourself, at least until we are away from the station.] Freelancer stated.

“I’ll be ready in half an hour.” Rashad replied, cutting the connection.

*Am I being played.* Rashad asked herself. *Should I just tell the Lieutenant what is going on or should I take her by force and leave the explaining until later.*

Rashad took a deep breathe and headed for her locker. Removing a large backpack, she started to place various items inside. She then ducked down to the very bottom of the locker and pulled out a large box. To most people, it looked like any other storage trunk, but Rashad opened a small panel in the lid, revealing a console. Tapping in an access code, the trunk hissed and then opened.

Rashad took the two items stored within and placed them into the back pack. Finally Rashad picked up another device and activated it. There was a sound of a transport and Rashad disappeared.

Seconds later Rashad appeared in the main shuttle bay. Rashad quickly headed for the Hellcat and opened the starboard hatch.

Stepping inside, the lights came on and after stowing the back pack she headed for the Command deck and took the helm position. Activating the ship’s main systems, Rashad watched as the ship came to life.

*Just two things to do.* Rashad though to herself.

She activated the site to site transporter and moments later found herself outside Sickbay.