ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Knight paced restlessly from station to station on the bridge as the Phantom came out of warp and Starbase 121 appeared on the viewscreen. "Hail them."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Rojc watched the communication system waiting for a response. For a second he thought they hadn't received the message; finally a reply came back.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ The woman who appeared on the screen wore captain's pips. She was bent over a control console, but raised her head and smiled briefly. If she'd been human Knight would have guessed her age at thirty to thirty five, but as he watched her Knight realized she was a Menayen and therefore probably older than sixty or seventy. On either side of her head was a small tentacle, about the width and length of a pencil--he remembered they were called baparen.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "Hi, I'm Zelenta Rith, commanding officer of this station. How can I help you?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ As she finished speaking the console she was working on beeped and she tapped some controls before turning her attention back to Knight. Clearly this Zelenta Rith was a busy woman.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "I'm Captain Xanthus Knight. I've come because I believe that..."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Suddenly sirens began to blare inside the station. Rith's commbadge beeped and Knight heard someone talking to her, but he couldn't hear what was being said. Rith nodded. "I'll be right there." She turned her attention back to Knight. "Stand by Captain." Abruptly the signal terminated.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Knight practically shouted as he looked to Melina. "Prepare to dock with the station."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ The doors of the airlock parted, allowing Knight entry to the station, followed a few steps behind by Nicot. The Menayen woman who had been on the screen earlier was now kneeling on the floor, working on a panel. As the two approached her, she looked up from what she was doing and gave a small, but warm smile. "I'll just be a second." she promised, continuing with her work.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Knight glanced back at Nicot who just shrugged. The woman tucked her isolinear polarizer into a pouch on her waist, closed the panel, and stuck out her hand. Knight took her arm and steadied her as she stood. "Thanks, I'm station commander Captain Zelenta Rith. Did I mention that before?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Knight smiled. "You did, but we were interrupted."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "That happens a lot lately. Sorry about that by the way," she said, motioning towards the panel. "It's needed doing for days and I figured since I had to be up here to greet you anyway, I'd open two pubs with one ribbon, so to speak."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Knight smiled and offered her his hand again. "Captain Xanthus Knight, and my operations officer Lieutenant Commander Nicot."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "Pleased to meet you," she replied.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "Short of staff?" Knight queried.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Rith finished shaking his hand as she knew was the human custom. "You could say that. Volunteering to help out?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Knight almost recognized the voice--the slight, nigh-undetectable Menayen accent was familiar but he couldn't remember from where. "I'm sure we can arrange something. Why don't you start by explaining exactly what's happened here."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Rith and Knight started walking down the corridor and Nicot fell into step behind them taking in every word, but additionally noticing numerous inscrutable details about the corridor as they went. Rith took in a breath before starting. "The theft of a very...very important device."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Knight grimaced. He'd been too late. Perhaps he could still catch them before they got too far away. "What sort of device?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "An experimental prototype for a new weapon being developed by the Emcrozi--an alien race we're in treaty negotiations with at the moment. It's being called a Dihassium-plasma torpedo."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Knight sighed. "Dihassium?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Rith nodded. "An artificial element with metaphasic properties. Dihassium atoms are very large and Dihassium-plasma has extremely high amounts of energy per atom. It's pretty difficult stuff to contain. And to work with."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Knight's face began to darken in concern; the situation was more serious than he'd originally thought.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "Any suspects?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "No one obvious. Though I have ordered all ships to remain docked here until further notice. I'm afraid that will include your ship as well, Captain."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Knight grimaced but nodded his head in agreement. "Do we have any way to track this weapon?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Rith shrugged her shoulders. "In theory it shouldn't be too hard. Dihassium doesn't occur naturally--it has to be produced. As well as being large, Dihassium atoms emit highly damaging radiation. Without some form of shielding direct exposure is fatal within minutes.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "The weapon itself has several layers of shielding, but there should still be a trace signature of radiation. Last week we altered our sensors to be able to detect that signature. If we can detect and locate the radiation we'll find the device."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Knight was confused. "What's stopping you?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "Hopefully nothing..." She pulled the isolinear polarizer out of her pocket and waved it a bit. "...now. We've been having problems with many of our systems, including sensors. If we don't find the prototype, the Emcrozi will likely pull out of negotiations with the Federation."

Knight looked back to Nicot before turning his attention back to Rith. "I'm not familiar with the Emcrozi."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ The trio came to a turbolift. Knight and Nicot followed her right past it without question.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "They come from the Beta Quadrant, and already being part of a small coalition of planets weren't previously interested in Federation membership. Two weeks ago I didn't know who they were either, but since then I've had to become an expert, and at the worst possible time.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "The Borg have invaded one of their allies' space, and now the whole group is eager to start negotiations."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Knight nodded in understanding. "That's why they're giving us the prototype?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "Yes. ÝTheir government agreed we could help them develop the technology faster than they could on their own. Trouble is their scientist, Professor Pheck, doesn't agree and he's already been exceedingly vocal when it comes to his opinion about us 'Brainless-Military-Types'."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Knight smiled. "He sound's like quite the charmer."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "You have no idea. And now that we've lost his device..."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "...He'll only get worse?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "In the last twenty minutes I've had no less than three admirals threaten to tear this entire base to pieces. I'm expecting an investigative committee to arrive in two hours."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Knight paused in mid-stride. "So quickly?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Rith turned back around to face him. "I know, isn't it amazing what you can organize if you're able to complain to the right people. I should get a copy of his contact list."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Knight gave Rith a questioning glance. "This weapon is that important?

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Rith nodded. "Starfleet believes that once fully developed, it could provide a key foundation for a long-term defense strategy against the Borg."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ No wonder the Syndicate wants it. Knight thought, with grim realization. "I think I want to speak to your chief of security--"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "It's not as simple as that," Rith interrupted, stopping the two men where they were. "I wish it was. I don't understand what's happened myself and I wish I could get a straight answer. For months now, personnel who wanted a transfer off the station were told that they would have to wait. And no new personnel arrived either.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "Then suddenly last week over 140 requests for transfer were granted in one day. Another 230 were forced to transfer off the station. In a single day I lost nearly three quarters of my staff. Entire departments ceased to exist, and only a handful of new recruits turned up to replace all the people I lost. The normal complement of this station is five hundred and seven. At the moment we have a hundred and thirty four."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Even Nicot was surprised. "That's unbelievable!"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Rith shook her head from side to side. "I immediately contacted Personnel Logistics and they seemed almost as surprised as I was. They blamed it on computer input error and assured me I would have new staff within forty-eight hours."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "But...?" Knight prodded.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "It's been eight days, and I'm still waiting. I've been contacting them every day for updates and they keep promising to send more officers. Frankly I'll be happy when that committee gets here--hopefully when those admirals understand the conditions my teams have had to work with, they'll be able to get something done about it.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "My acting security chief only got out of the Academy six months ago. All things considered we've been lucky--the Emcrozi delegates are safe, at least."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Knight knew immediately what he had to do. "With your permission I'd like to bring some of my security people over to assist with the search for the weapon before this committee gets here."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Rith enthusiastically accepted the offer. "Absolutely! I could also use anyone with any engineering experience you can spare. Much longer and those admirals won't have to tear this station apart--she'll fall to pieces all by herself."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Knight nodded. "Done. I'll return to my ship and start making arrangements."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Rith smiled. "Thank you." Knight turned back to face her and he saw as she spoke she was genuinely happy to have him there. "I really appreciate this," she finished.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Knight smiled, then turned and began the walk back to the airlock with Nicot still following, but not speaking, knowing better than he should have how much thinking the captain had to do. They reached the airlock and stepped inside. As the airlock closed behind him, Knight suddenly remembered whom Rith reminded him of.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Xanthus Knight was on the dusty, desert surface of Hepterion IV. His civilian clothes were like those of many other Maquis, though he wasn't thinking about those right now. Right now he was overwhelmed by anger and desperation. He leapt up to shoot Encasa, but before he got the chance McHale tackled him to the ground. "Not yet Xan, you won't be able to hit him!" McHale whispered fiercely.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ One hundred meters away, the target of Knight's wrath stood over a sobbing and bleeding Menayen woman. Gul Encasa, of the Cardassian Fourth Order, held Koorel's severed tentacle-like baparen up to the light, looking at it from several angles. He put it up against the side of his head and gestured to one of his guards. "What do you think? Does it suit me?" he asked, and was rewarded by sadistic laughter from all of them.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "Let go of me!" Knight hissed, "We don't have time!"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "Just a few more seconds, I'm almost there!" Sakonna replied as McHale continued to pin Knight.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Encasa casually tossed the baparen away. "You know what, I've decided you were telling the truth after all."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ He let out a sigh of disappointment, shaking his head. "If your friends didn't try to save you after that..."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ He looked down and then directly at her in mock sympathy. "They really aren't coming."

Blood was running over Koorel's face. Her eyes, her nose, her cheek, her mouth, and her chin were all dripping with it from the wound where her baparen had been. The pain was unbearable, but her other baparen was still intact and her echolocation was still working. Suddenly she smiled from under the glistening mask of blood. "They're here."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Encasa regarded her doubtfully. "Then why haven't they helped you?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ He was so over confident, so arrogant. If Koorel was going to die, she wanted the satisfaction of knowing he was afraid to join her. "They knew...they knew about the forcefield."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Encasa's show of confidence vanished as he immediately stood up straight to look around. He didn't see the blue bolt of energy until it was too late. In the next instant, his chest exploded, blood, bones and entrails spraying out behind him as he fell to the ground.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ The remaining Cardassians ran for cover, diving behind rocks and into small holes. At the last second, one Cardassian remembered his duty and as Koorel smiled up at him, he blew her head off.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "...so that's how things stand at the moment," Knight continued from the head seat in the Phantom's briefing room. The rest of the senior staff were seated around the conference table.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "Rojc, I'm sending you to the station with a full security detail. Your mission, for now at least, is to effectively take over responsibility for security on the station. Use any available help from the remaining security personnel and ensure the safety of the Emcrozi delegates and scientists. Be on the lookout. Whoever stole the prototype is still here.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "Guitarrez, I'm sure the investigative committee will consider the fact that we arrived just seconds before the theft an amazing coincidence. If someone on this ship is responsible, I need to know about it."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "Captain we only have--"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "I understand you already have work to do, but I also need you to send three engineering details to the station to assist in repairs. If you need to take people from other departments in order to cover your workload, then do so," Knight added quickly, "Security will have their hands full as well, so don't expect any help from them. It's only for a few hours just until we get things sorted out a bit.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "T'Senishra, I want you to help Captain Rith find the prototype. With Rojc also on the station, you should be able to coordinate your efforts. Okay--any questions?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Knight knew there wouldn't be, at least not until later, when they had thought through what they were doing more than he had.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Knight's commbadge chirped at that moment. "Bridge to Captain Knight."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "Knight here."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "We're receiving a hail from the station. Captain Rith wants to speak to you."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "We'll be right there." Knight's scanned the room quickly, eyeing his senior staff. "All right, that's everything. Let's get to work."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Captain Rith was on the viewscreen as Knight entered the bridge.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "Hello again, Captain Knight. We just attempted a scan for the Dihassium, but for some reason our sensors still aren't functioning."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ T'Senishra stepped up to Knight's side; stopping Rith, Knight turned his head and gave her a questioning glance.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "Captain, if we had the signature of the Dihassium radiation, our sensors may also be adapted to detect the prototype."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Knight turned back to Rith. "Did you hear that Captain?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Rith was already working a panel and nodding. "Yes, I'm sending you the signature now. You'll probably need to add some components to your sensor array, but nothing too exotic."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Knight turned to T'Senishra again. "How long will it take to modify our sensors."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ T'Senishra stepped over to the forward stations to review the data. "We will need to install multi-phase neutron resonators at key locations in the sensor array. The resonators will be easy to replicate; once in place, it will take only minutes to calibrate them. The modifications will take approximately one hour to complete."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ On the viewscreen Rith smiled. "Sounds like I'll be calling you again in an hour then. Rith out."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ As soon as the connection was severed, Melina looked up from her console at T'Senishra. "Nothing too exotic? How come I've never heard of these things?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ T'Senishra nodded. "From her perspective, the necessary components would not be unusual. The Federation admitted Menayevas only fifteen years ago.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "Based on her rank and apparent age, Captain Rith was likely once an officer of the Menayen Defense fleet, in which such resonators were widely employed."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "And do all Menayens have such good hearing"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ T'Senishra didn't get a chance to answer. "Yes," Knight replied, approaching the two.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ T'Senishra raised an eyebrow. It was somewhat true, but not exactly.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Melina took the hint anyway and turned back to her console, reviewing a text message. "Looks like Lucia will need me in Engineering after all." She stood, and with a completely blank expression, walked towards the exit.