ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Committee investigator Commander Barton tapped a finger against his PADD. Knight smiled while trying not to let Barton know why. Barton had majored in Human Psychology. That was nothing to be ashamed of by itself. Many of Earth's greatest men had studied the science and Earth had almost two million universities that offered it. What was amusing was that he had studied it at Starfleet Academy.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ There were a number of sciences that Starfleet didn't specialize in and so preferred to recruit graduates from other, more suitably specialized institutions. Human Psychology was a well-known example, and no one who was passionate about Psych studied it at the Academy unless they were forced to--usually either by their grades or their parents.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Barton didn't seem to notice Knight's amusement. Most likely he simply had already learned to deal with it long ago.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Knight wasn't sure whether to be amused or confused. How had anyone this stupid gotten a job working in Intelligence? Knight sighed. He'd just have to answer the man's questions and hope for the best.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ By his appearance, he seemed to be almost twice Knight's age.Ý He was quite trim and tall by human standards, with deep set eyes, a gaunt expression, and graying hair. He cleared his throat and went on to his next question. "When you met Professor Pheck, what was your first impression?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Knight leaned back in his chair. "He seemed almost pleased his prototype had been stolen. He told me in no uncertain terms that he felt it was wrong of his government to ask Starfleet for help in the first place and added that he was certain we wouldn't be able to find it."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Barton blinked and his features squashed together in the center of his face in confusion. He began to tap information into his PADD.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "It was seventeen hundred hours and I'd just finished my modifications on the probe..." ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Nicot smiled as he handed over a tricorder containing schematics. Knight and Rojc had seemed so calm about their 'interrogations' and now that Nicot had gotten a feeling of who was questioning him, he was too.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "I detected an unusual transmission and tried to record it, but it used a tri-axilating frequency. With the ship's sensors configured to look for Dihassium signatures, I guess they weren't working as well as normal. I tried to trace it but the results didn't make sense."
ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Barton was transferring the tricorder's data to his PADD. "Why was that?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "The transmission appeared to be coming from Professor Pheck's lab."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Barton stopped and appeared to consider this for a moment. He put the tricorder down and started stroking his chin. When he looked back up at Nicot his face was hard and serious. "Do you believe a secret Federation operative could have sent the transmission?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ That stopped Nicot short. It was all he could do to stop himself from taking a sudden deep breath-he had to appear relaxed. Instead, he pretended as though he was remembering something. "You mean from that secret group, Section 21?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "Thirty-one actually, but yes."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ This was bad. How could they possibly know?

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "Why would they have anything to do with stealing this prototype?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "History shows that any technology found or developed by the Federation eventually ends up disseminated to the Klingons, Romulans, and the rest of the local powers. Some of it they've stolen, some of it they've traded for, and some of it we've just given them. Perhaps Section 31 feels that in this case, we simply can't risk the other powers getting a hold of this technology."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Nicot realized it made sense, long term sense. Barton looked at Nicot questioningly and Nicot suddenly realized he was still meant to answer the question. "Well, I guess so if the Professor wasn't there at the time."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Guitarrez looked from one investigator to the other. Now it was her turn to answer questions. "Well at that time, I was on my way to ask Professor Pheck to join us on the Phantom. I'd been told to look for him in his lab and when I got there, I found him just outside the door."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "Do you know the exact time you found him?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "I'd say within ten--no--five minutes after seventeen hundred hours."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "And when you saw him outside his lab, was he on his way in or on his way out?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "He seemed to be on his way out, I think."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Barton leaned over the table towards Guitarrez. "Are you sure?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "Fairly certain. He closed the door, locked it, and seemed eager to come up and see the scan when I asked him."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ T'Senishra raised an eyebrow in response to the question. Barton thought it was excessive, but forgot about it as she began to answer.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "The pulse did not indicate the position or existence of the prototype.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "When our attempts failed, Professor Pheck displayed an unusual amount of delectation with the situation. Typically his disposition around Starfleet officers had bordered on contempt and disregard, but at this particular time he appeared to be reveling in some sort of satisfaction. Conversely, Captain Knight was decidedly annoyed.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "I hypothesized there existed some form of rivalry between them, and that the Professor had 'won'. The Venture arrived immediately afterwards."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Barton looked over at his assistant. They both nodded. "Thank you Commander. If we need more information, we'll contact you again."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Nolon Pheck began to program the dimensions of a new prototype into the industrial replicator inside his small lab. It was clear--as he had known from the start--that the Starfleeters would be unsuccessful in finding the old one. It was a dreadfully inconvenient setback, not to mention the unsettling notion of who might have a hold of it now. But it wasn't fatal.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Even if Pheck didn't have complete schematics in the computer, he still retained a copy of the design in his head. And he was determined to show them how useless their help was, which meant he had to rebuild it before he got to this "Day-some" or "Someday" institute, or whatever it was called.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ When Pheck noticed Forth Minister Trassik entering his lab, he put on his most diplomatic smile. His smile faded somewhat when he noticed that Trassik was accompanied by Commander Rojc and an armed security team. Pheck was unsure of what he was seeing; he tried to read Trassik's expression.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Trassik didn't look happy.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "Professor Pheck," Trassik began, "These people have brought some very disturbing information to my attention."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Pheck kept his tone neutral. "And what disturbing information would that be?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "The copies of our designs in the computer banks are forgeries." Trassik handed Pheck the Emcrozi equivalent of a PADD; Pheck began to click through the different pages. Trassik continued, "They look authentic enough at a glance. Upon closer examination however, all of the key details are missing or incorrect."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Pheck seemed perplexed. "It's true..." He looked around at the people surrounding him in something bordering on surprise and apprehension.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "These aren't mine. We will have to contact the homeworld," he continued, as he nodded to himself, "The computer in my lab will have a copy of the original plans."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Trassik's sober expression didn't change. "We already have. Your computer records that all copies of the plans were destroyed just before you left, except those you took with you."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Rojc appended, "If you have an explanation, now would be a good time for us to hear it."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Pheck looked from Rojc to Trassik and back to Rojc. "I...I don't know. Why would someone destroy my work? It is extremely valuable."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Rojc shook his head curtly. "Due to extensive sabotage aboard the station, we were unable to launch a more timely and thorough investigation.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "Then at approximately seventeen hundred hours, an unauthorized subspace transmission was detected. The transmission used a tri-axilating frequency and as a result of the sabotage and further sensor difficulties on the Phantom, we were unable to record all of it for decryption.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "We surmise that the transmission contained the real plans."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Pheck's eyes bulged in surprise. "Someone stole the plans as well!?" He was close to his people's equivalent of hyperventilation. "It's impossible! How could they get past our security?!"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Rojc continued evenly, "The transmission was sent to an unmanned relay buoy. The buoy then retransmitted the signal and destroyed itself before it could be examined.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "We're not certain of its origins, but preliminary analysis indicates it was made by a race of aggressive aliens known as the Dravic."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Trassik fumed. "The original transmission was made from this lab using your authorization codes. The suspect then tried, unsuccessfully, to delete the evidence of what had happened."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Pheck blinked, not sure that he was hearing what he thought he was hearing. "Are you--are you saying...I...I am under suspicion?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "No, Nolon," continued the Minister dourly, "I'm saying that you are under arrest."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ All color drained from Nolon Pheck as he stood with his mouth agape. He looked around the room at all the grim faces staring straight back at his for just a moment--then dropped speechlessly into the seat behind him.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Zelenta Rith stood watching through the glass as a strong and steady stream of officers disembarked from the USS Surya. Her new officers had finally arrived and it felt good knowing she would soon be able to get back to doing her job as it was supposed to be done. She tried to look at each face as it came though--tried to commit each one to memory--but there were too many for that. She would have many people to become acquainted with over the next few weeks.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ She heard the door behind her open and smiled as she saw the reflection of Captain Knight stepping into the room.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Knight saw his reflection as he moved towards her and motioned towards the stream of people passing through the airlock hatch. "It looks like things will be getting back to normal around here."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Rith nodded, still trying to keep up with the flood to no avail. "Not straight away maybe, but soon.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "Come to say good-bye?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Knight paused, considering his words. "Not so much good-bye as good luck."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Rith smiled graciously at Knight's reflection. "And also to you."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "We will be leaving within the hour, though," Knight admitted, focusing his attention on the visible flood of people.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Unseen by Knight, Rith's eyes dropped to the floor. "So soon? Surely you're not really going to leave without telling me."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ A look of playful confusion crossed Knight's composure. "Without telling you what?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Rith turned to face him, finding his eyes. "Who is it you see when you look in my direction?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ The playfulness drained from Knight's face. "An...old friend...to whom I owe aÖtremendous debt.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "In fact it's the very business I ought to get back to."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "If you ever get the chance to--I mean, if you're in the neighborhood..."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Knight nodded wistfully. "I'll be sure to visit."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "Nicely done."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Nicot's eyes snapped open. He rolled over slightly in his bed and looked around the room. Then with a grimace, he remembered and his hand went to his ear. He twisted himself into an upright position and began to rub sleep from his eyes. "Yes?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "I just wanted to congratulate you on your performance."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Nicot shrugged plaintively. "There was a fair amount of luck involved as well."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ The voice in Nicot's ear gave an amused sigh. "If you say so. I thought you showed genuine talent today.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "Hiding the prototype in the nose of the probe put it safely out of the metaphasic pulse's path without attracting the wrong sort of attention."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "It was nothing. Misdirection is an old trick." Nicot's tone turned accusatorial, "Actually, I'm surprised I survived, working half in the dark as I was."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "Meaning...?" The voice seemed to be smiling.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "The committee already suspected Section 31, but not for the reasons you gave me." Nicot paused considering if he should go further. "Now that I've had a chance to think about those reasons..."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "What can I say. It was the best I could come up with at short notice."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "You lied!" his voice turning furious on the last word.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ The serious tone of the voice returned, but not without some pause. "Yes I lied, but only to protect you from yourself. Can you say with certainty that you would have been successful if you had been debating issues of right and wrong as you worked? What conclusion would you have reached, what course of action would you have chosen, and would you have chosen it in time?

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "I lied to save your career, perhaps even your life--to protect a valuable asset of Section 31.Ý And let me tell you, the distinguished Professor Pheck was far from a saint. His research was consistently directed towards militaristic uses for technology, with a strong proclivity for weapons of mass destruction.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "Now you've had a chance to think, to weigh up the risks and benefits with a clear head. Have I really made you do something you regret?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Nicot stopped himself from snapping back with a glib rejoinder. What would he have done?

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ For a lengthy interval, Nicot reflected on the question.Ý All the arguments--pro and con--he'd been running in his head over the past day circulated tumultuously.Ý A slow smile spread across Nicot's face as an image formed in his mind, but he caught himself.Ý Pheck was an arrogant pain in the ass.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "No," he finally understood, "I'd do the same again."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ The door of Knight's ready room opened and Commander Rojc entered austerely. "You wanted to see me?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Knight nodded grimly. "Minister Trassik just informed me that the Emcrozi President died early this morning. Their cabinet has empowered First Minister Wacoona as temporary President until an election can be held...

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "His first official act was to submit an application for immediate Federation membership."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Rojc smiled wryly. "Very...interesting."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Knight didn't return the smile; he was too busy staring at the blank viewscreen on the wall. "Ever since we arrived, I've been experiencing a strange sensation. I don't remember ever having it before, and it took me a while to realize what it was."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Rojc's expression became more serious. He sat down across from the Captain, his eyes remaining focused on Knight. "What was it?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "It was the opposite of what I felt back when I was a Maquis--pulling the wool over the eyes of Starfleet officers. I thought that it would go away once everything was sorted out."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "But it hasn't, has it?"

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "I don't know," Knight answered tersely.Ý A moment later he amended, "My head tells me it's finished. That I've won.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "But a part of me can't shake the feeling, that somehow, somewhere along the line--I've been had."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Rojc nodded, musing, "Instincts are often more reliable than facts. Not always, but often.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "Be that as it may, you aren't the only one to think there was something uncanny about all of this."