A Normal Day at Work

(Part 1)

Bruce Sommer

Ensign Christopher "Thomas Jefferson" Edwards groaned to himself as he saw the next screen of data before his eyes.

"Well, that planet will never do." he mumbled. "The culture is under a prime directive quarantine. What a waste of perfectly good dilithium crystals."

Ever since Commander Scott had given him the assignment of locating a politically appropriate planet to get some dilithium for Engineering, it had been one migraine after another. Edwards thought about going to Sickbay for some pain relief, but he felt that too much time would be wasted. Besides, the Chief Medical Officer would probably order bed rest. This was one thing he could not afford at the time.

Like the nickname "Thomas Jefferson" he picked up, Ensign Edwards was what some people would call a Scientific and Political genius. The nickname came from his firm Libertarian beliefs of limited government, individual rights, and an aversion to coercion for political and social goals. Thomas Jefferson would have loved the Prime Directive. Too bad it could not be applied to the individual. Well, maybe in the future.

Another screen passed before him. This time of a highly technological culture belonging to the Federation. Arbos II was a planet well known for its forestry, and was only just colonized by the Federation forty-eight years ago. The screen blanked out and was replaced with the words:

SEE LIBRARY COMPUTER FILE ARBOS-II-37B (SECURITY CODE 04 - BLACK)

Edwards could have called up the data on the screen, having the same security clearance, but as Political Specialist, he felt he had a responsibility to go to a secured room. Of course, it also had to do with his fascination with the ship's security setup. With that fascination in mind, he made his way to the turbolift enunciating the words, "Science Department Security Section" as the doors closed.

As the turbolift started its descent, Edwards thought about the possibility of making a trade of fabricated materials for housing in exchange for dilithium. Otherwise, he hoped Federation credits would do just as well. It was hard to say whether a trade would even be able to be made. How did these colonists view current Starfleet policy? Were there actions by Starfleet that had a negative effect on Arbos II. What was the racial composition of the planet? Was there any sort of government on Arbos II or were they individually self-governed? All of these questions could have any effect on the Saratoga's relations with the planet.

As the turbolift doors opened, Christopher Edwards' thoughts went back to his surroundings. Being delta-shift, the corridors echoed the relative quiet of the post-midnight to early morning hours. Most recreation areas would be cloaked in artificial night to reflect the mood of the shift.

Primary personnel, including the Captain, would be in bed - scheduled to wake up in approximately four hours. This was Christopher's favorite time to work, avoiding the hustle and bustle of the other crewmembers. Compartment doors passed by him as he strolled leisurely to the end of the deck. He could see the Security Section loom up in front of him to his left. An odd feeling that he could not place caused the hairs on the nape of his neck to stand up. But this he shook off as being from the effect of the emptiness of the early morning hours.

As he permitted himself to be retina-scanned, the feeling of apprehension intensified. The security doors swished open and he walked wearily into the room. In the room were several computer terminals and locked cabinets filled with computer tapes, but one of the cabinets had been forced open. As he noticed this, and began to whirl around, he was clubbed at the base of the head. As he fell into unconsciousness, he realized what was bothering him.

Ensign Jacobs of Security was not on duty outside the door.

Next Part