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"The Game's Afoot"
[Previous Post: "Observations"]
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<< There's plenty of timeto solve this thing, but you got to stop using your mouth and start using yourbrain!>>
- Major John Sheppard, Stargate Atlantis

Setting: USS HATHOR, Bridge
Stardate: 63076.1930

The USS HATHOR was an amazing shipin many ways, but the Native American grew to appreciate more and more theluxuries of a full size vessel as compared to the DEFIANT-Class cruiser.  The crew quarters were small even forOfficers, the Mess Hall was overly "cozy" to say the least, the corridorswere tight and most important had been the fact that there had been *no* ReadyRoom.

"Ensign Thomas, what is ourETA for the VALLA ROYAL?" the CO began, having no other choice but to runhis Mission Briefing while everyone worked at their respective stations.

"Just over two hours,Sir," the COO replied after having confirmed the information on hisconsole.

"Good," Erik acknowledged as he glanced around the Bridge to insure once again that everyonehad reported to the Bridge as ordered. "I thought it wise for us to go over a few details of the missionbefore we actually arrived and to bring you all up to speed with a fewadditional events that have taken place on the VALLA ROYAL."

"Why do I have the feelingthat this is no longer as simple a mission as it was when we left?" Evequietly sighed to herself although her words had been spoken loud enough to beheard by the rest of the Senior Staff.

"Because the universe didn'twant Hex to get bored again," Aki chuckled as she recalled how thoroughlythe Sec/Tac Officer had searched the HATHOR for the *intruder* that had beentheorized to having been onboard.

The Kzinti's ears feel againsther head, her eyes narrowed to tiny slits, and her gaze pierced across theempty space of the room to reach the Asian scientist who quickly decided tokeep any further comment about Ensign Fanggot to herself.

"The mission parameters havesomewhat *expanded*," Erik confirmed while at the same time redirectingeveryone attention on the task at hand. "Our primary objective is still to locate and secure the box thatwas onboard the XANTUL, and gather as much data as to the cause of itsdestruction," Erik paused for an instant as he met the eyes of each andevery Officer present.  "Oursecondary objective will be to see if the murder of a Dabo girl on he VALLAROYAL was in any way linked to the fate of the XANTUL.

"Murder?" The toweringOltharian repeated, unable to contain the shock the news had created inhim.  As wild as the reputation of theorbital station had been at times, there had not been a report of such a crimein over a decade.  The truth had been assimple as this: murder was not good for business.

"What happened?" EnsignDalziel inquired, as grim as the news had been getting as much information aspossible would help their own investigation into establishing if there had beena link or not between the murder and destruction of the cargo vessel.

"The VALLA ROYAL is doingits utmost to keep this story buried so as to not create panic amongst theguests," the Captain explained. "All that we know was that the body of a Dabo girl was found on oneof the lower decks, mutilated beyond recognition.  Only a comparative DNA test was able toestablish her identity."

Although not officially part ofthis meeting, or even the crew for that fact, another set of ears, these onesmuch smaller than those of the Kzinti, dropped at the report given by theNative American.  Hidden in one of theair vents, unseen by anyone else, the small shape-shifted primate closed hereyes for a brief moment to offer a silent thought to another life that wasprematurely ended.

"What was her name?"Aki quietly asked, not that the information had any direct impact on thesituation, but the aCSciO had wanted to have a more than a brutally maimed bodyon her mind, the victim deserved at the very least that much.

"The intercepted report fromthe VALLA ROYAL claimed that the victim was named Kamlia, nothing more abouther was released other than the state of the body," Erik replied, acertain tone of sadness laced his words. Death was a natural part of life, but still it did not make it easier todeal with it.

"Aki, Elliot and I will takecare of looking into the murder of Kamlia," the Cardassian born Counseloroffered.  "Maybe the station'sadministrators will be more willing to speak to a grieving couple and it willgive us the chance to reach out to Captain Rikar."

"Will take some doing andresearch," Elliot chuckled, not at all convinced that they would be ableto manage the angel presented by Ensign Dalziel.

"We'll find a way," Akicountered with.  "We could claimthat we met her earlier and that we became friends and wish to help in whateverway we can, this could give us a line on Captain Rikar's whereabouts andsituation."

"Sounds like a plan,"Eve confirmed.  "We'll need to getas much information of her as possible," the CNS continued as she lookedat the COO who nodded his head to endorse his role in this part of the mission.

"Elan," Erik continuedas he turned to face the imposing CEO. "You and I will work our magic to see if we can figure out whathappened to the XANTUL and locate the box. Once this is done we will relay the information to Hex who will be incharge of retrieving it back to the HATHOR," the Native American COexplained as he turned to face the Kzinti woman.  "I want this to go done nice andeasy.  Get in, find the box and getout.  That is why I am putting you incharge of that part of the mission, I can't think of anyone better qualified tomake this happen without anyone figuring what happened."

Hex remained stone-faced despitethe fact that the compliment had been appreciated.

The six Senior Officers had beensplit into two groups of three, each one with their specific task.  If all went well, the HATHOR and its crew shouldbe on its way back to NEW ALEXANDRIA within only a few hours of their arrivalto the VALLA ROYAL with both mission objectives accomplished and all withoutthe slightest incident.

--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette

Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn
Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS

AND

Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA

Also

Captain Erik Morningstar
Commanding Officer
USS PARADOX