The Continuing Story of Deep Space 2: Page 101
As everyone went toward the Sickbay, Sarah walking next to Maccs
mentioned to him that Ernie's great grandfather had been a Vampire
bat so Ernie had a keen sense of smell when it came to blood.
Numerous were the times she had heard Ernie brag about his
inherited "talent" for distinguishing blood by scent or by taste,
although he claimed to get sick if had to sample blood very often.
He might like to eat leeches but did not want anyone to get the idea
he was a "little bloodsucker"! Sarah suggested to Maccs that maybe
the person who attacked Stangya could have gotten some of Stangya's
blood on him and maybe Ernie could try to follow the scent of the
blood.
Following Gav and Captain Kalee to the Alice Cooper-B's medical sick
bay, Maccs Avaat expresses doubt that Sarah's plan for Ernie sniffing
out traces of blood on the person of whowever tried to kill Lt. Cmdr.
Finiksa M. Stangya... his doubt stemming from his opinion that Finiksa's would-be killer would no doubt have cleaned him, or herself
up of any such incriminating evidence... all our characters (Karn,
Frances, Sarah, Ernie, Maccs Avaat, and Admiral Arthur) present
throughout this scene. However, Frances sees Sarah's idea as having some merit... Frances pointing out from her own experience as a "Protector" (the 30th century Terran Commonwealth term for the police) that criminals often slip up in small ways often leading to their capture... And overhearing Frances, Sarah, and Maccs Avaat talking Lt. Gav Tiral (the Tellarite Chief of Security aboard the Alice Cooper-B) suggests that Sarah and Enie might help him in his investigation... Gav intrigued by Sarah's reference to Ernie's telepathic capabilities... And talking about his investigation as they all reach the actual sick bay on deck #8 of the USS Alice Cooper-B, Gav is overheard by Dr. Kory B. Caynizmyr (Chief Medical Officer aboard ship... a member of a caniniod race called Dohg's... Kory having the body of a human with the face/head of a golden retriever; Dog people instead of cat people)-- Kory informing Gav that, whoever Finiksa's would-be killer was, they didn't know much about Tenctonese physiology; clearly unaware that Tenctonese have two hearts. Likewise we also meet at the side of Finiksa's hospital bed Finiksa's wife, Lt. Cmdr. Jelana Frankel-Stangya.. Finksa the Chief Science Officer aboard ship while Jelana is Chief Engineer... both Finiksa and Jelana likewise Tenctonese (the alien race in the TV
series, "Alien Nation"). In fact, Finksa is a direct decendant of
Alien Nation's "George Fransisco" while "Jelana" is a direct
decendant of "Kathy Frankel" from the same series -- both even
looking like their famous "Alien Nation" ancestors. And talking to Jelana we learn that she was the one who found Finiksa stabbed, unconsious, on Deck #13 aboard the Alice Cooper-B... Cargo
bay Three... after receiving a message from Finiksa to meet him
there -- the reason he asked her to do so never revealed, Jelana not
sure why her husband asked her to meet him there other than it had
something to do with the artifact stolen by the three alien starships of before. And hearing all this, Gav likewise asks Frances who among her crew has any past experience in the area of police investigation... Frances revealing that both she, Karn, and Lt. Katz are all former law enforcement officials (Frances under the impression... mistaken, or otherwise... that Karn's experience with Imperial Forces included criminal investigation) -- Gav suggesting it might be useful to his investigation to enlist the aid of non-Starfleet/non-Federation personnel that the would-be killer(s) might not see as a potential threat.
Meanwhile, unknown to all our characters, the entire Archeology team
being transported back to Federation space aboard the Alice Cooper-B
are together in Prof. Sybrekès private shipboard quarters -- all of
them having heard about the attempted murder of Finiksa M. Stangya,
realizing without getting into it that at least one of them is guilty
of the attempt on Finiksa's life... And as they talk among each other, we (the writers) learn from them that there is something about the mysterious relic stolen by the three Alien A.I. starships none of the team wants the Federation to learn about -- some mysterious destructive potential inherent in the stolen atrifact none of the Archeology team feel the Federation should get ahold of -- Prof. Sybrek expressing cretain doubt concerning the moral integrity of both Starfleet Command and even the Federation Council should either get hold of the stolen relic already taken by the three alien A.I. sentient ships of before... In fact it seems that some of the team in question think it might be a good thing after all that the device was stolen, Prof. Sybrekès only concern being how the three alien ships knew of its existence and why they, too, wanted it.
And while all thatès going on aboard the Alice Cooper-B, the
Celestial likewise follows the three alien ships in question back to
their original base of operation... their Home System as it were...
shocked and amazed by what she finds there...
And last, but not least we meet with some shadowy figures back on
Earth who know about what wipede out the populations of all three
planets both DS-2 and the Alice Cooper-B recently learned about...
mysterious individuals responsible for the three incidents in
question... refering to the instrument used in their disappearance as
a Chrono-Sweep.
SETTING: Professor Sybrek's private quarters aboard the Alice Cooper-
B, his entire team there with him, as the door chime to his quarters
sounds off... Professor Sybrek granting those on the other side
entrance, the rest of his research team looking up in nervous silence
as the new arrival make their way into Prof. Sybrek's quarters (his
archeology team consisting of both himself, three Humans, one
Andorian, a Caitian, another Tellarite, and another Vulcan)...
GAV TIRAL (followed by Sarah, Frances, Karn, and Ernie... Ernie
sitting on Sarah's shoulder... Maccs Avaat and Lt. Katz on deck
thirteen, cargo bay three, investigationg the scene of Lt. Cmdr.
Finiksa M. Stanya's attack alongside Jelana Frankel, Admiral Arthur,
Colonel Theys, and Captain Kalee): "Very good, the entire Survey Team
here".
PROF. SYBREK: "Yes, Lt. Cmdr.. How may we help you?"
GAV (cutting to the chase): "I think we all know why we're here, both
your people AND my companions here. To put it bluntly one, or more of
you is an attempted murderer -- trying as someone here did to kill
our Chief Science Officer, Lt. Cmdr. F. M. Stangya. Fortunately,
however, the attack failed... Lt. Cmdr. Stangya still in critical
condition though".
Dr. ELLEN DRESHER (a young human female and professional
xenophilologist): "So how do you know it wasn't one of your crew
instead?"
GAV: "Don't worry, Doctor: I'm not ruling out any possibility.
However, for the moment I think it safe to assume it's more likely
one of you having yet to learn of any motive someone serving aboard
the Alice Cooper-B might have to kill Lt. Cmdr. Stangya".
Dr. TALGA (andorian male... profession: Archeologist): "And what
motive would any of us have to try and kill Cmdr. Stangya. Nonme of
us hardly knows him well enough".
GAV TIRAL: "True enough except for the previous altercation between
Lt. Cmdr. Stangya and Professor Sybrek concerning the artifact stolen
from aboard this ship. If I remember correctly, there were others of
you present at the time equally determined to keep Lt. Cmdr. Finiksa
from examining the stolen relic"...
Sarah indicates she would like to speak and shares her thoughts with
the others.
Does the Alice Cooper-B have any 24 hour survellance systems?
I ask because would seem a good idea to check any sensor records or
security tapes to see if we can narrow down our possible suspects.
Also we should interview the people we know that were on the Alice
Cooper when the attack took place. Who knows what might have been
seen that could be a valuable clue. This would allow us to establish
which individuals have alibis or who is known by others to harbor
less than friendly feelings against Stangya. I suggest Ernie be
present at the interviews. While he might not be able to read the
mind of the individual being interview, I believe he could probably
detect if someone is not telling the truth. In the past Ernie has
been invaluable in spotting liars. Ernie and I would be happy to work
as part of the interview team. Does anyone have any suggestions about
who would be the best person to find out about sensors or survellance
tapes? Should be someone we can trust, but also has some technical
knowledge of the Alice Cooper-B.
Admiral Arthur looked at Colonel Theys and Captain Kalee. He didn't need much words.
"You haven't checked on the internal sensor logs yet?"
Captain Kalee was a bit disappointed as he said that "Security is working on it, but there is nothing conclusive as of yet. According their last report they are still doing some DNA scans."
"Maybe we should give them a hand. Let's go Colonel."
Both officers were already in the corridor before anyone could say anything. Into the turbolift... But not to security. Everyone was a suspect in this case. This investigation should be done independently. So as soon as arthur and his XO found a secured office, they sat down at one of the consoles. Colonel Theys, specialist in these kind of things gave the ships computer one order after another. Just at the moment as Arthur used the replicator for a small snack, Colonel Theys had a first report.
"Arthur," He only called the Amiral by the first name when they were alone, "I have something, but you are not going to like this."
Exactly at the same time somebody chimed at the door. A bit in surprise, Arthur opened the door. A security officer was standing at the door, apparently a bit embarrassed, and addressed the Admiral.
"Sir, I am Ensign Harry Benton sir, I know this sounds a bit strange, but could we talk sir. I think it was Captain Kalee who did it sir. I mean who tried to kill Lieutenant Commander Stangya sir. I came to you sir as the Captain is my superior and I don't really know what to do."
Arthur let the young Ensign in and closed the door.
"That is a serious accusation Ensign."
But before the Ensign could say something Colonel Theys, behind the console already had the answers.
"Maybe you both should come here and have a look at this."
Colonel Theys showed the internal sensor logs. It was clear that Captain Kalee indeed attacked Lieutenant Commander Stangya. Arthur could not believe this. The Captain wasn't even near the place. But Colonel Theys already had an explanation.
"You see this group of pixels here sir? Do you see them Ensign?", and as both of them nodded, Colonel Theys continued."Those pixels have been added and here and here as well. Somebody has altered and overwritten the original internal sensor logs."
Both Admiral Arthur and Ensign Benton were amazed. The Ensign had not seen the falsification of the logs and was copnvinced that Captain Kalee had indeed tried to kill Lieutenant Commander Stangya, which was not the case. But Colonel Theys had not finished yet.
"So if we find the one who falsified these logs, we have a good chance we have found the attacker..."