Starbase 47 ◇ Thread Concluded SD: 2409.0221

[Gheskori]

Ghes nodded as he watched the tactical displays, "Keep me apprised, if either the Klingons or Romulans enter that system inform my office immediately."

As he left the command centre he was worried. The Klingons had at least known of Section 47's mission in the Ceylanite system, but they didn't know there was a ship - the El Alamein. Ghes assumed they would think a small team had been sent as quiet passengers on some civilian vessel. The Romulans on the other hand knew nothing about the operation, so their presence was more concerning; had they simply detected the Klingon presence?

He proceeded through the base to the diplomatic quarter and nodded to one of Ch'Lor's Starfleet security officers. The man tried to follow Ghes into the office but the Denobulan told him he could wait outside. "Are you sure, sir?"

"Ch'Lor is an ambassador to the Federation; he can't hurt me however much he may want to. Besides... Ah, stay away..." and he showed the guard his right wrist. Just inside the sleeve was a motion sensor; if anyone came within two feet of him a computer would start a site-to-site transport and beam him to his office. At worst, the transport would catch both of them, and Barton and a couple guards were on hand to incapacitate Ch'Lor should anything improbable like that happen.

The guard conceded and Ghes entered the Klingon's workspace. "What can I do for you, Ambassador?"

Ch'Lor shook himself and stood abruptly, "The Romulan has his Starfleet security detail, and now I have mine. I cannot breathe with these hangers-on, Gheskori! If the assassins are near, let them come!"

"I know they offend you, Ch'Lor, but they are there for your own safety. Ambassador, my orders come from the Federation Council; both you and Hazr'vat are to be kept secure from what Starfleet Command now strongly suspects is a changeling attack, or at least one which they've instigated."

Ch'Lor heaved a sigh and was reflective, "Is that so?"

Ghes nodded, "It seems your guess was right, when you spoke in the council we held between you and Hazr'vat - before you, unfortunately, struck Admiral Kletchley. The changelings are involved, and it's likely one of them is present on the Starbase."

Neither of them could be absolutely sure about it, but both knew they had to play by the rules of the Fed Council, as they also had to go along with the Klingon High Council. That meant treating the changeling threat as immediate, and - after the latest transmission from the Klingon homeworld to Ch'Lor - also that the ambassador was to put himself at Section 47's service and go wherever he was asked in the next few weeks. The Enzio was being readied just in case, as Starfleet's Commander in Chief had earmarked the Prometheus class for a trip through Romulan space in about a month's time.

How about it though, was there a changeling in their midst? While the command centre was dealing with the problem of the Klingon and Romulan squadrons approaching the Ceylanite system, Ghes now ordered blood tests to be conducted throughout the station, in search of DNA alike to that of the Founders. Service personnel were tested as priority considering their positions, carrying clearance etc, the great mass of civilians were to follow.

* * *

Sighing with relief as he left the diplomatic quarter, Ghes returned to his office and Cavit who'd just been appointed as his new CNO arrived shortly. He checked her coffee and then wished he hadn't, sweeteners were unknown on Denobula. "Try a blend from my people's north continent." He welcomed her back to the Enzio and then updated her on the situation around the Ceylanite system.

"... Hold fast, this may get ugly - it may not. I didn't mean to throw you back in the frying pan right away but it looks like we may have no choice or time." Samia absorbed this and Ghes went on, "We do have one ship out there already though, the El Alamein, with the Intrepid class Maracanda on standby. Our own next assignment could carry us into Romulan space, towards the border they have with the changeling species. We're not leaving for a while though.

"For the moment I need you to refamiliarise yourself, I know you'll be used to it, probably fed up with hearing it, but it can't have been easy being the only one to come back from the Vesuvius," he closed his eyes and scolded himself, he knew how much of an understatement it was.

[Iorte Clancy]

"OK, anyone any thoughts on what would prove to be problematic for the good folks of Ceylan'tar Two to supply?" Fran Komin asked as she looked around the table.

First officer Van replied to the El Alamein captain, "Well, what do our Intel officers make of this?"

Iorte stared blankly and looked to Iezelda, he recalled that she had taken an economics course as part of her training, though not being an officer she hadn't done these things at the academy like many who'd attended. Those many didn't include Iorte who'd spent most of his time living, boxing and very occasionally reading.

"They might be short of various raw materials," Iezeld put in, frowning as she saw Iorte's look, "If that's something the other planet might want in its production of consuambles, and if Ceylan'tar II's main wares are only technological, however advanced or not advanced. We should try to sell materials to them if we want a way in to their various concerns, see how far any changeling presence may go. III's raw materials would seem to be scarce, they buy what they can from II, who use most of their resources to develop their technological products."

"So we try to take a slice of the market, selling replicable materials to vendors on Ceylan'tar II. They'll want them, as they know they can sell them to III," Tan said and Iezeld confirmed it.

Van nodded at Komin, "Recommend we draw up a list of applicable business partners based on Ceylan'tar II, Captain. If they're as keen on market economics as the Ferengi, as the Federation believes, I imagine they'll have their own centralised means for, umm... mediating sales and overseeing redistribution of currency and commodities."

"It was called a stock exchange," Iezeld said.

"Right. And they'll have a publicly available list of businesses and trading individuals," Milo Van nodded.

The El Alamein made an information request of Ceylan'tar II, round which the Defiant class still orbited; from the crew's vantage point, the sun was starting to rise and the commerce region of the planet was illuminated. The authorities responded, the chairman of the economics council this time and not the planetary governor. They were delighted to help and passed up the information, Van having it routed to the wall display at the end of the conference table; a series of names, businesses and latitude and longitude coordinates appeared on the screen.

"This business is lacking in several key alloys and polymers for constructing one of Ceylan'tar III's most sought after tech products, as well as for meeting their export quota to III," he discerned, pointing to one of the traders on the list.

=/\=Captain Komin, this is Massa. Sir, I thought I'd refrain from contacting you until I had all the facts... Mr Finch didn't report for his duty shift at 0600. He didn't respond to a wake-up call comm. After I sent a crewman to try to gain entry, to no avail, I was able to access his quarters... Finch is now in sickbay, sir, virtually comatose; he suffered severe damage to his respiratory system, seems someone tried to strangle him. Either that or it was an accident,=/\= the security chief joked very darkly, not realising how close the idea of an accident was to the mark.

Komin sat up straight, =/\=Study internal sensors. Someone must've accessed his quarters during the night.=/\=

=/\=Yes, sir, we've realised that. We have studied them; sensors detected no biosignatures in Finch's quarters other than that of Finch himself.=/\=

Well, it's concerning, Iorte thought, Has someone masked internal sensors to leave no trace in the man's quarters? The main business of the meeting having already been concluded (and one Barkas, a trader on Ceylan'tar II having been contacted, who let them know they'd be in fierce competition with a mining corporation, harvesting rare metals, on his planet's southern continent), Komin broke up the conference early.

The Intel officers spoke about the apparent attack on Finch (inadverently starved of oxygen by the changeling, but they weren't to know). "I'm going to work with Massa to interview everyone who spoke to Finch that night before he went to bed," de Luca said.

Clancy nodded, "Surely Finch didn't do it himself, but who on the ship would have a motive?" He didn't know of any trouble aboard the El Alamein that might lead a crewmember to the act, but then he wasn't officially assigned here.

Security checkpoints were established round crew quarters - forcefields ready to be raised and guards at most intersections.

[Carl Torek]

SD: 2408.0904 .. 03:30 hrs ...
Starbase Forty-Seven ::

Since the Raven was expected to remain on Spacedock for some time, Carl and his family had moved to their quarters aboard the Starbase ..... It was the middle of the night as he heard the comm beep to life and banging on the door .....

Climbing out of bed he cancelled the comm and walked into the living area, Elise close behind him. Bethan, his youngest, had been woken by the banging and came into the room rubbing sleep from her eyes, Elise took Bethan's hand as he approached the door:

"Admiral..." Commander Theo Dúpin, the Stabas Deputy Security Chief said, hesitating as he saw Torek's partner leading one of their daughters back into her bedroom, "... Sir, I need to speak to you urgently!"

"Go on," Carl ordered as he saw Bethan's bedroom door close.

"There's been an explosion!" Dúpin replied.

"WHERE!?"

"Level Eight Five Eight... Sir, it's the Klingon Embassy!" Dúpin explained.

"Has the Section Admiral been notified...?" he asked, Dúpin confirming he had, "... Give me a moment!" Carl said, disappearing into the bedroom to hurriedly dress. He was heading for the door when Elise came out of the girls' bedroom, quickly explaining that he needed to leave, he kissed her then left the quarters, Dúpin a pace behind him .....

Level Eight Five Eight
Diplomatic Levels ::

He stepped off the turbolift to see Emergency Services tackling the blaze ..... The Embassy had been completely destroyed, but thankfully, or by design, there was no outer hull breach that could have caused a massive decompression and unknown loss of life. Thankfully, no one was inside the embassy at the time of the explosion. Again, by design or pure luck, they wouldn't know until first the fire was out and the structure made safe, and an investigation team could be sent in.

He was receiving a report from one of the fire teams when Ch'Lor, the Klingon Ambassador, arrived!

"THIS IS ROMULAN DOING!" the man shouted over the din. Carl took his arm and tried to lead him further from the fire, but Ch'Lor was adamant and remained rooted to the spot as several other Klingons arrived. Carl instructed Dúpin to get Security Personnel down here to evacuate and seal off Sections on either side of this one, including Levels below and above until structural integrity could be verified. His commbadge chirped to life and he slapped at it annoyingly.

=^= Carl .. Gheskori .. Report =^=

=^= Explosion in the Klingon Embassy .. Fire Crews are dealing with the fire now =^=

=^= The Klingon Ruling council is demanding an explanation =^= the Section Admiral informed him.

=^= Already? =^= only half surprised.

=^= Yes .. .. It would appear news travels faster than we thought in such matters .. Keep me informed .. I in turn will try to placate the Klingons .. Gheskori Out .. .. =^=

The comm snapped off and Carl began to make his way back to where Ch'Lor was standing, now practically surrounded by what he assumed was the Embassy Staff. The Ambassador was barking orders in Klingoneese, so fast that Carl, with his mediocre grasp of the language, was completely lost. After several minutes, the other Klingons left, leaving a fuming Ambassador to watch proceedings, he looked around, eyes landing on Cark:

"TOREK... I want the Romulans interrogated," Ch'Lor demanded.

"There's no evidence to say this is the work of Romulans or anyone else for that matter Ambassador..." Carl replied, trying hard to hold his patience, "... Once the structure is safe, investigators wi ....."

"NO! ..... The Embassy is deemed 'KLINGON SOIL' and as such will be investigated by our own people ..... You will keep your investigators out of the Embassy until told otherwise, is that clear!"

"I'm sorry Ambassador, but while I agree the Embassy is indeed Klingon soil, that 'soil' is on a 'FEDERATION' Starbase, and we 'WILL' be investigating the cause of the explosion. Of course, you can lodge a formal protest, which I'm sure the Federation Council and the Klingon High Council will discuss and undoubtedly be able to come to some, amicable, consensus regarding who finds what, so to speak," for a second Carl was sure the Klingon was going to strike him, but Ch'Lor, clearly winning the battle against his instinct to crush the Human before him, spun and stormed away, within five minutes several heavily-armed Klingons appeared, effectively blocking any access apart from those dousing the now dwindling embers of the Embassy.

As the fire crews began to clear away their equipment, the Klingon guards moved into place, sealing the gaping opening that was formally the front of the Embassy. Dúpin walked over to Carl with a preliminary report:

"Why didn't the fire-suppression systems activate following the initial explosion?" he asked.

"It's possible they were deactivated, but we can't say until we investigate further, thankfully the emergency bulkheads reacted, otherwise the fire could have easily spread," Dúpin replied.

"Get a report up to my office as soon as you have anything..." Carl said, turning to leave, "... Oh, make sure we assign adequate floor space on this Level for the Klingons to use as a temporary Embassy 'well' away from the Romulans Commander,"

"Aye Sir," the 'Base Deputy Security Chief said, shaking his head, wondering just when Admiral Reynolds was due back from Earth.

Carl had been in his office less than a minute when his Adjutant, Captain Jessica Yu, informed him that long-range sensors had picked up no less than three Vor'cha Class Heavy Cruisers leaving Klingon space heading here, as he sipped the cup of hot coffee she had given him, he wondered how long it would take the Romulans to follow suit! ..........

[Gheskori]

On his way back to the command centre, Gheskori was told by a security officer about the explosion in the Klingon embassy. Most likely another attack from the anonymous provocateur, and the Klingons would once more blame the Romulans. At what point did these fake reprisals and counter-reprisals become real acts of vengeance? How long could the two embassies accept the suggestion that changelings were responsible and refute their shared tendency for war?

Ghes commed Torek who was down on deck 858 at the site of the destroyed embassy. Brought up to speed, Ghes was now sat in his office with his ADC Barton and the Chief of Starbase Operations,

"Blood tests need to proceed with pace now," he turned to the Ops chief, "Assign more spare personnel with the necessary qualifications to carry out the tests. The Command Staff has agreed that by the end of three days the entire base population should be tested for changeling DNA."

"Aye, sir," the officer passed the instructions to subordinates, "Beg your pardon, though, if there really is a changeling present, wouldn't they know how to avoid being brought in for a test? They could make themselves into anything to dodge security; we don't think every individual on the Starbase is registered by Personnel anyway."

"You mean they could disguise themselves as someone we don't even know is aboard the Starbase? Then the idea of a disguise would be moot," Ghes nodded, "Still though, we have to eliminate the possibilities. Starfleet knows so little about these changelings - apart from their possible kinship with the Gamma quadrant Founders - that we don't really know, for instance, how intelligent they are, or how familiar they are with Starfleet methods. They may not know such a blood test might be coming." He could at least try to convince himself of this possibility. "A changeling or an agent of theirs will have carried out this embassy attack and -"

"We don't have evidence of that as yet. Isn't it possible that the Romulans really are responsible?" Barton asked, "Or perhaps even the Klingons did it - no one was present after all - to give them an excuse to strike at the Romulans?"

He was informed by comm of the approaching Vor'cha class cruisers. "Then why are they sending ships after us, and not the Star Empire?" he replied to Barton and entered the command centre, Torek as well as Valente - who'd been given the rest of the day off by her other boss Lemond - joining him.

"What are they doing?" the Denobulan asked, watching the tactical displays on the central platform. The cruisers were now about 0.25 parsecs away. "Surely the Klingons know they can't take on the Federation and the Romulans at the same time?" he referred to the other Klingon squadron heading towards the Ceylan'tar system close to Romulan space.

"I would say, 'they're Klingons', but they must have some other motive," Torek said.

Ghes nodded, it would be highly surprising if the Vor'chas decided to come in firing; Klingons were known for accepting missions from which they wouldn't return, but such an attack on the Federation Starbase would be a pointless suicide, "Commander Barton thinks the Klingons may possibly have destroyed their own embassy, these cruisers would be here on that pretext."

"Their homeworld did find out about the attack quickly," Calli nodded, "Too quickly. But why do it? The Empire doesn't have any designs on this sector as far as we know. Unless they're here only for the Romulans."

"I still think the changelings are responsible for the explosion," Torek put in, "The Vor'chas are probably only here to show that any further action against Klingons on the station won't be tolerated." The lead ship was hailing.

Commander Dol'qar of the IKS Jolar introduced himself and launched into a condemnation of the Romulan delegation of Ambassador Hazr'vat. Gheskori waited til the Klingon officer took a breath between words; in a couple minutes he was able to respond, "We are already investigating the explosion in the embassy, Commander. We ask that you hold station."

"... I will wait, but Hazr'vat has a long history of provocations against the Empire, Admiral," Dol'qar replied, "Doubtless you know something of his record: supporting disenfranchised rival Houses for prominent seats on the Klingon High Council; once fleeing from single combat with your resident Ambassador Ch'Lor. He is a typical example of Romulan dishonour."

"Be aware there is no evidence at present that Hazr'vat or any other Romulan is responsible. Commander, we would be pleased if you would come on to the station for an official meeting." There's no evidence against the Romulans either, he thought. Proof that all this was a changeling provocation had to be found quickly; something that pointed to them had to be uncovered before Dol'qar's patience was exhausted, but then what could the Klingon Commander do?

"Don't accept Dol'qar on board! He is a traitor!" Ghes became aware of the commotion as the comm ended; he, Torek and Valente turned to see Ch'Lor emerge at an entrance to the command centre, evidently having just heard the comm.

[Carl Torek]

Level Eight Five Eight ...
Starbase Forty-Seven ::


Carl had been up to his knees in rubble and draining water from numerous burst conduits when the Section Admiral had contacted him ..... He had given as best an update as he could given the glaring lack of evidence to point the investigators in any particular direction. No signs of any explosive had been discovered, but it was early days, so to speak. He gave instructions that the emergency bulkheads that had snapped into place at the time of the blast be raised, but his original instructions regarding the sealing off of the area, including the levels above and below 'MUST' remain in place without exception. Satisfied he could do no more at the moment, he left the investigators to their work and returned to the Command Levels contacting Commander Valente asking her to join him .....


Level Eight - Mezzanine Level ...
Command Centre ::

"Commander Barton thinks the Klingons may possibly have destroyed their own embassy, these cruisers would be here on that pretext." Gheskori was saying.

"Their homeworld 'did' find out about the attack quickly..." Calli nodded, "... Too quickly. But why do it ..... The Empire doesn't have any designs on this Sector as far as we know. Unless they're here only for the Romulans."

"I still think the changelings are responsible for the explosion..." Carl began, "... The Vor'chas are probably only here to show that any further action against Klingons on the station won't be tolerated." he paused as the Duty Communications Officer tapped o the open door to inform them that the Vor'cha was hailing. Carl instructed the comm be routed to Gheskori's office screen. After a tirade from the Klingon Commander Dol'qar, Gheskori managed to get a word in:

=^= We are already investigating the explosion in the embassy Commander .. .. We ask that you hold station =^= he was about to continue when there was a commotion from the doorway. Ch'Lor ..... The Section Admiral cut the comm and spun on the Klingon Ambassador:

"I do not appreciate people barging into my office, regardless of their supposed RANK!"

"If you allow that petaQ onto this station you will rue the day!"

Carl waved the two Security Officers, who had only now managed to drag themselves to their feet after being battered by the irate Ambassador, away, both were clearly happy to leave as Carl rounded on the Klingon.

"I'm only going to say this once, Ambassador. The next time you have relevant information pertaining to any incident on the Starbase, you will go through the correct channels and 'wait' to be asked to submit said evidence when Command deems it appropriate. I hope I don't find I need to repeat this instruction, of you might find your movements of this Starbase severely curtailed,"

"I could kill you where you stand, HUMAN, and blast this relic to atoms if I so wish!" Ch'Lor spat, but Carl wasn't backing down, he shouted for the two Security Officers to return.

"I suggest you accompany these Officers from the Command Center ..... Now ..... Ambassador," the Klingon looked at the two men, who had both drawn their phasers, even he understood that if he killed one of them, the other would undoubtedly return the favour. With a glare at the Federation Officers, he spun on his heel and marched from the office shouting obscenities at anyone who dared glance in his direction. Gheskori shook his head:

"You do know that replacing a Fleet Admiral is practically impossible,"

"I can't stomach the man's blatant arrogance..." Carl said, his frustration ebbing, "... He storms around this Starbase as if he owns it,"

"You can't blame him for being suspicious," Calli commented, earning a withering look from Torek.

"How close are the two Klingon vessels...?" Carl asked the Operations Chief by way of changing the subject, albeit slightly. Captain Erik Helgesen checked the data on one of the suspended display screens and then replied, "... Contact Commander Dol'qar on the Jolar and ask them politely to hold position one million kilometres off the Starbase,"

"You think he's here to cause trouble?" Calli asked.

"As you said, they got the news quickly, too bloody quickly, in my opinion, if we keep him out there, at least for the time being, he can't cause trouble here, and it keeps Ch'lor off our backs..." Carl replied, looking at the data displayed on the Command Centre screens from the doorway of Gheskori's office, "... I'm going back down to the explosion site, Calli you come with me, can't hurt to have an extra pair of eyes," Gheskori asked to be kept informed as Commander Barton informed him that both Ch'Lor AND the Romulan Ambassador Hazr'vat, wished to see him!

Level Eight Five Eight ::

"What have you found?" Carl asked Colonel Dúpin.

"Water, rubble, the remains of several Klingon meals, possibly Gagh, or Pipius Claw... Well-done Targ, hard to tell,"

"You trying to be funny?" Carl asked. clearly unamused.

"With all due respect Admiral, you've been gone less than two hours, what exactly was it you were hoping we'd find?" the colonel asked, eyes locked on Torek's.

"Sorry Theo," Carl said apologetically.

"Apology accepted..." the Security Deputy Chief replied, understanding the pressures Carl and the Section Admiral must be under to get answers before the Starbase is overrun by Klingon baying for blood. Any blood, "... We think we've narrowed the blast point to this area, don't ask me why, just a hunch, given the destruction caused,"

The three of them clambered over scorched and twisted beams until Dúpin pointed out a small area. Carl couldn't distinguish any difference between the area indicated and its surroundings. It was clear they would need to wait on a more extensive examination, they could shoot themselves in the proverbial foot, speculating then finding out they were wrong.

"Anything on the explosive used?" Calli asked, picking up a partially melted piece of bulkhead and then turning it over in her hand before sniffing at it frowning.

"..... Not a thing..." Dúpin replied, watching the Intelligence Officer, "... You have any ideas?" he asked, nodding towards the small piece of metal in her hand.

"No, but ....." she said, deep in thought as the others waited, "... Sorry," she said with a shrug, replacing the melted piece of bulkhead to the wreckage-strewn deck where she had found it. She got back to her feet, looking around the room as Carl and Theo Dúpin continued to discuss. She wasn't sure why, but 'something' kept saying this wasn't the first problem they would have to deal with. If it was this 'shape-shifting' changing race, they could be anywhere. She found herself scrutinising the investigation team members, wondering if one of them was the very intruder they were looking for!

Two Levels below the devastation, the Romulan Officer showed his identification pass to the guard then left the Embassy ..........

[Gheskori]

"Dolqar won't accept your version of events about the changelings! You must understand, his mission is not intended as a show of force on the part of the Empire. He is here to provide a different point of view," Ch'Lor told his fellow ambassador as well as Gheskori and Barton who were sat at a table.

"A view that the Romulans are responsible for the embassy explosion, and for the killing of your aides," Barton concluded, making a note with his PADD stylus.

Ch'Lor growled, "Unfortunately, no... He will be trying to prove that the Klingon Empire is responsible!" The Romulan Hazr'vat nodded and smiled. Ghes was uncomprehending. "Dolqar is half-Romulan, Admiral, as are about a hundred of his own crew! I take it you didn't know this; he may command the ships of Qo'nos, but his heart belongs to New Romulus. I suppose he is a freebooter, working for neither officially, but really he turned traitor long ago, over two decades by your reckoning of years."

"It's true," Hazr'vat conceded, "I've worked with him in the past, when I sought to sponsor a scion of a rival Klingon House against Ch'Lor for a seat on the High Council. The scion was a close associate of Dolqar," he folded his arms as Ch'Lor growled again in unhappy remembrance. "But Klingons are temperamental and their politics equally so," Hazr'vat continued, "Dolqar created trouble for me with my Senate, so I withdrew before the selection."

"You fled from me, disgracing even your own people's tradition of single combat!"

Hazr'vat was unperturbed, "And unfortunately for the most esteemed Ch'Lor here, he lost out in the selection despite my withdrawal and Dolqar's friend took the Council seat."

Ghes sighed and sat back, calling for a recess, Barton departing while the Denobulan stayed in an anteroom. These Vor'cha class cruisers were here in the Romulans' interest then, though Ch'Lor had said Dolqar wasn't technically aligned to either Klingons or Romulans. When would there be an official presence of either empire, if ever? Squadrons of theirs were already facing off over the Ceylan'tar system.

How did he keep the two ambassadors from each others' throats? Well, the Federation had already tried to help him. A Federation diplomat was on the way here on the USS Colorado, a Vulcan ambassador, Malvik, of great reputation; at any rate he outstripped the poor Admiral Kletchley who was better in his holodecks thinking up wargames and strategies. Malvik would be arriving in about half a day and Savot of the El Salvador had agreed to help acclimatise him.

Barton returned from break, "Admiral... We've just had word. The embassy ruins... Dupin has found evidence." A junior diplomat took Ghes's place in the resumed meeting.

* * *

The resident changeling was still trying to learn who had done the deed on the Klingon embassy, but Starbase authorities had stolen a march on him...

"The DNA is Klingon," Dupin stated from his place at the conference room table, "And no, it's not from anyone killed in the explosion. According to the personnel roster all active Klingons on Ch'Lor's diplomatic staff are currently accounted for. It appears no one was present, at least until a few hours before the detonation."

Ghes nodded and turned to the viewer at one end of the curving table; it displayed the triple helical figure of a Klingon gene sequence. "What do we have then, one individual?" Dupin nodded; there was no match to any Klingon registered as being on the Starbase or to any other they had on record. "He or she planted some device... But how do we really know no one was killed? Could it be they were a victim rather than a perpetrator?"

Dupin shook his head, "We would've found remains, however insubstantial. What we have here is the barest hint of DNA at the estimated locus of the explosion, where the device would've been planted. It was Ch'Lor's office incidentally; perhaps the planter hoped the ambassador would be present."

"Maybe, maybe not, but surely the main point is that the Klingons - or just one Klingon - did this themselves, destroyed their own embassy!" Admiral Lemond said.

"They wanted to frame the Romulans? Of course we've got to tell them. Half-Romulan Dolqar's going to be happy the Klingons did it to themselves," Ghes added. Perhaps fed up of the attacks on the Starbase and spoiling for a fight with the Romulans, the Klingons had taken these drastic measures. At least Ch'Lor himself seemed to know that the changelings were responsible for the previous incidents... "Let's sweep the station; presumably the Klingon who planted the explosive is still at large. And redouble blood tests; any changelings must be identified!"

[Carl Torek]

Carl was in his office aboard the Starbase when Colonel Dúpin asked to see him with an update .....

"..... And Gheskori is happy with the findings thus far?" Carl asked the Deputy Security Chief.

"Far from it, then, neither am I..." the man said, his frustration showing, "... I just can't come up with any 'reasonable' explanation as to why the Klingons would destroy their own Embassy ..... Had they somehow managed to plan Romulan 'DNA' in the rubble, to at least 'imply' that they were responsible, I could see that, but why go to all the trouble and not try to point us in one direction?"

"What do you make of the information that our friendly Klingon Commander is half Romulan?"

"Can't see it," Dúpin replied instantly.

"Why?"

"To be honest, I'm not one hundred percent..." the man replied, a deep frown forming as he continued, "... If I had to poke a finger at one thing that's bothering me, more than the myriad of other niggling concerns that is. It's that I'm having a lot of trouble believing the Klingons would allow a 'half-Romulan' rise to any worthwhile position, let alone Commander of a fleet of Vorcha Class Battle Cruisers,"

"You believe the information on Dol'Qar is incorrect?"

"Without going directly to the source, there's no real way we can confirm or refute the information, but it's still annoying me..." Dúpin said, pausing for a second, "... Sir, what do you make of the fact that a Vulcan Ambassador is heading here?"

"I only know Ambassador Malvic by reputation, he's an accomplished diplomat. I've never met the man, but his record, especially in regards to Klingon/Romulan difficulties, Is unsurpassed ..... Why?"

Oh, I don't know, maybe I'm seeing too many shadows," the man said.

"How are we progressing with the blood tests?" Carl asked, taking the conversation on a tangent, at least until the Security Deputy could put something more substantial to his concerns.

"Anyone arriving is being tested and we have increased random checks throughout the Starbase, hopefully, we'll catch someone, or something, unawares before long," Dúpin said, clearly unconvinced.

"Are Haz'rvat and Ch'Lor being kept apart?"

"They have returned to their respective Embassies, Ch'Lor in the temporary accommodations we found him, for the time being,"

"..... Assign two teams ..... I want them both, along with any of their Senior Staff, watched at all times from here on in," Carl ordered.

"Understood," Dúpin replied, turning to leave the office. Carl watched the man go, wondering if either the Klingons or Romulans might take matters solely into their own hands.

Tempory Location of Klingon Embassy ...
Level Eight Six Four
Section Gamma ::

Ch'Lor stormed into the temporary Embassy accommodations assigned by the Federation. Every room was swept hourly for any signs of surveillance equipment, and Ch'Lor's own office was checked thoroughly before he entered. But despite this, he constantly believed he was being watched!

"You have seen this so-called 'EVIDENCE' the Federation has presented?!" he asked his Aide.

I have just read it, Ambassador..." the High-born Klingon Commander said, falling silent as Ch'Lor's eyes locked on his, "... You still believe it was Romulan doing?" he asked, but Ch'Lor changed the subject:

"A Vulcan Ambassador of note is coming, he will undoubtedly try to 'persuade' us that other forces are at work,"

"Other forces?" Tok'lon asked.

"Leave me...!" Ch'Lor spat, glaring at his Aide as he remained stood before him, "... You have something further?"

Apologies, Ambassador," the man said, turning to leave without a glance back. If he had he might have seen the frown on Ch'Lor's face.

Once in his own office he activated the rooms' shields and took a Federation-issue communicator from a concealed drawer in his desk. He tapped the comm link and spoke:

=^= Nothing to report =^= deactivating the communicator without waiting for any reply, he returned it to its place of concealment. For the next hour, he continued to work until it was time to leave for the night. Normally he would report to Ch'Lor to ensure he was no longer needed, but tonight he knew the Ambassador was too preoccupied to care about his Aide's whereabouts. On the Vorcha Class Heavy Cruiser, Dol'Qar grinned ..... Tok'lon had been in his service since first being accepted into the Military, both came from high-born families, and both had ambitions, but whereas 'he' was in a position to act, the evidence he held over Tok'lon, or more precisely, his Father, ensured the younger man's obedience!

Having witnessed the turmoil caused by the explosion in the Klingon Embassay, he had changed form and entered the Romulan's private domain on the Starbase. Here too he had listened intently, as they discussed how they would act should any act of aggression be taken against them. The Romulans believed the Klingons too cowardly to forbid Federation involvement, choosing to sit back while others investigated.

He listened as they discussed the Federations' intent to increase blood tests and searches for the perpetrators of the Klingon Embassy explosion, and made a mental note to avoid such checks.

Happy his work was having the desired effect, he found an empty corridor and transformed .....

Moments later he enter a bar on the Promenade and ordered something to eat, allowing conversations to flow over and around him as he listened for that one piece of information that could prove useful ..........

[Calli Valente]

Ferengi Bar ...
Alpha Promenade
Level 1551 ::


Calli had waited until Kara, O'Tooles Bar Manager, had finished her shift, then asked if her friend fancied going somewhere else. Not that either didn't enjoy the Irish bar, it was just that on occasion they enjoyed somewhere away from their local. So despite Sean's feigned upset at his fiancé taking business elsewhere, they left and headed for the Ferengi Emporium part way around the Alpha Promenade .....

Having managed to brush off the annoying attentions of the Ferengi owner, they ordered food and drinks ..... They were still sitting at the bar, watching the gaming tables when Kara nudged Calli:

"You're being admired," she said, winking.

"Give over," Calli said.

"No, he's not stopped looking at you since we sat down, a bit of a hunk too," O'Tooles Manager said with a chuckle. Calli gave it a moment then turned on her stool until she could see the tables, 'and' her so-called admirer. The man was looking right at her and raised his glass a fraction by way of acknowledgement that she had seen him. With a curt smile she turned her back and began to talk to Kara, but was interrupted almost before she had got her first word out:

"B'jesus, he's only comin' over!"

"What!?" Calli said as she felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning she saw the man from moments earlier smiling at her, he looked in his mid-twenties, Mediterranean complexion, Italian, or Greek maybe, good build, and she felt herself suddenly reddening.

"Good evening ladies, I know I'm being a little forward here but could I buy you both a drink?" he asked.

"We're fine," Calli said, moving just enough to shrug his hand off her shoulder, but Kara was clearly enjoying the situation and held out her suddenly empty glass:

"O'course you can fella, we'll take two of them Black Holes, please..." she said, winking at Calli as the man called over the bartender and ordered, "... Sooo, you're new to the Starbase then?" she asked.

"I am, yes," the man replied almost shyly. Calli couldn't help but like his voice, soothing, almost hypnot .... She shook herself inwardly to put a stop to her irrational fanaticising as she was handed her drink.

"Civilian clothes, so you wouldn't be Starfleet then?" Kara asked, nudging Calli with her knee.

"No, nothing so glamorous, I'm a writer, nothing interesting,"

"I'm Kara, this here is my friend Calli .... And what would you be callin' yourself then?"

"Jason," the man replied after a second's thought.

"Hmmm ..... Jason ..... Like the leader of the Argonauts...?" Kara said, seeing him frown, "... Sorry, weird sense of humour, I thought being a writer you might be appreciating the comparison,"

"Sorry, not my field, I'm an Engineer, so more 'technical' and 'extremely uninteresting' tomes, but out of curiosity, I'll have a look at this Argonaut you refer to,"

"Kara, we need to be going," Calli said suddenly interrupting their conversation.

"Oh, I was hoping you would give me the tour, it's the first time I've been on a Starbase..." Jason said, seemingly disappointed, "... I did try to take a look around earlier but was sent on my way by Security,"

"Really?" Kara asked.

"Yes, I'd gone to one of the upper levels and suddenly found myself surrounded by a bunch of heavily-armed Officers, who made it clear that I was somewhere I shouldn't have been. Frightened me half to death I have to say...!" Jason said, waving at a passing bar tender motioning for refills, and before either woman could object he continued, "... I only wanted to visit the Observation Lounges, but apparently there had been some issue and they were closed off. I don't mind saying I was a little scared at being almost forced back into a turbolift, thus the drinking," he said apologetically.

"Yeh, you wouldn't believe it but there was an 'explosion' ..... The Klingon Embassy apparently..." Kara said by way of explanation, "... Hardly surprising, they don't exactly go out of their ways to make people like 'em. Bunch o'thugs if you ask me, which you didn't, it's no wonder Sean banned them from our bar more than once,"

"You own a bar, on the Starbase?" he said, requesting yet another round, placing the newly filled glasses in front of the women as Kara replied.

"Yes ..... O'Tooles Bar and Grill, further around the Promenade ..... You should visit before you leave, Irish bands, dancing, good food and ales," Kara replied, the 'Black Hole' taking effect.

"So you think the Klingons blew up their own Embassy then?" Jason asked casually.

"HA! ... Wouldn't bloody surprise me. Hey, maybe you could offer to redesign the place for them, looked like a right dull place if you're askin' me,"

"I heard someone saying it was the Romulans," Jason said as if divulging a state secret.

"Kara, we need to go!" Calli insisted, realising why she felt the need to get away from the all-too-charming Engineer. Kara could hold her drink, much better than Calli could, so to suddenly see her affected by three drinks rang proverbial alarm bells!

"Oh, fine then, so it is, well, 'Slán' Jason, maybe you'll visit our little bar before ya leave," Kara said, thanking Jason for the drinks as she slipped off the stool. Linking arms with Calli she bade the man farewell. As the two walked away he waited for a few seconds, then followed. Outside they meandered their way around the Promenade, pausing to look into shop windows before reaching O'Tooles. Satisfied they were back safely, he grinned and walked away. Neither had given him any useful information, but he would continue ... Once inside O'Tooles Calli checked the man wasn't following then helped Kara into the back room. She grabbed a tricorder and scanned them both, hardly surprised when she found - A derivative of Thiopental Sodium, a form of truth drug used by numerous secret Agencies, before finally being banned on twentieth-century Earth!

Urgently instructing one of the staff to get Sean, she tapped the commlink and spoke to Carl ..........

[Gheskori]

The Romulan on the screen continued, "Admiral, we've already learnt about the explosion in the Klingon embassy and who was responsible for it..."

Ghes watched the senator - sitting in his governmental office on New Romulus - carefully. Fine, he'd found out about the explosion itself, just as the Klingon homeworld had, but how could he possibly know who was responsible? The Starbase had only just uncovered it themselves.

The senator continued over the subspace comm, "We understand two Klingon warships out of a flotilla of 40 are visiting Starbase 47, including its commanding vessel. It's clear to me - as it should be to you - that the Klingon Empire is using the destruction of the embassy as a pretext for punishing us Romulans, and inviting us to make war."

"Senator... We've been provided information by the Klingon and Romulan ambassadors aboard our base: We believe the Klingon ships we have in attendance are actually flying the flag of the Star Empire. Their commander is half-Romulan."

The Romulan senator didn't hide his disgust, "... Utter nonsense. I know the flotilla commander; one Dolqar, just last year as CO of the same unit he put to the bat'leth an entire colony of Romulans close to our border with the Empire. Only the negotiations of Federation Ambassador Malvik staved off all-out war between our peoples. Gheskori, Dolqar has been on the rampage against us for nearly a decade, spoiling for war and wanting to lead the fight."

Ghes absorbed the information. Why would Ch'Lor lie about Dolqar's allegiance and identity, and just as interestingly why would Hazr'vat of all people back him up? If this senator could be trusted, Dolqar was full Klingon, and Ghes knew both Torek and Dupin had voiced their doubts about the half-Romulan story. His eyes had widened at mention of Malvik. "What is the trouble, Gheskori?" the senator pressed.

"You mentioned Ambassador Malvik; he's on the way to Starbase 47 as we speak, Senator. He has another opportunity to demonstrate his skill... He hopes to mediate between you and the Klingon Empire. Meanwhile, I'd be interested to know what are New Romulus's plans? The Klingons have destroyed their own embassy and presumably wish to suggest you were responsible. I am sure I speak the mind of the Federation Council and Starfleet Command when I say that it's incumbent on you to expose the Klingons' intent to frame you. That is to say, Senator, that you shouldn't be preparing for war."

"... I may agree with you, Gheskori. But it's not my choice. The praetor is at this very moment in a meeting of his personal cabinet, a body separate from the senate... His decision will dictate whether our fleets close to the Klingon border are to marshal themselves for war... We would like to conduct preemptive strikes, but our priority will be defence," the senator surprisingly volunteered.

"You'd be fighting separate wars on separate fronts," Ghes said, referring to their current fight with the changelings, "Let's hope your praetor sees sense and accepts Malvik's mediation. He'll be arriving at Starbase in two hours... Senator, you seem to know the Klingons did this to themselves. What reason would you have for fighting?"

"I said it's not my choice. But I'll try to speak with the praetor," the Romulan senator nodded and closed the subspace comm.

Feeling pensive, Ghes sat back in his office chair and called in Barton. They talked about the Klingons' destruction of their embassy. It made sense to Ghes that they might try such a thing if they were infuriated enough. Presumably the DNA Dupin had found - deposited by the planter of the device - had been left entirely accidentally.

The troublesome matter was Ch'Lor and Hazr'vat. Ch'Lor then had lied about the half-Romulan status of Dolqar, but Hazr'vat had supported him. Why? Were the two engaged in a conspiracy to bring about war between their empires? It would take some proving. Perhaps instead Ch'Lor believed the story of Dolqar's Romulanness to be true and Hazr'vat had backed him up despite knowing better. Or perhaps both were delusional.

"Admiral, the USS Colorado is on approach... Ah, they're hailing. Captain Thomas has Ambassador Malvik on the bridge." Ghes acknowledged and entered the arena of the command centre.

[Carl Torek]

Ferengi Bar ...
Alpha Promenade
Level 1551 ::

"Kara, we need to go!" Calli insisted, realising why she felt the need to get away from the all-too-charming Engineer. Kara could hold her drink, much better than Calli could, so to suddenly see her affected by three drinks rang proverbial alarm bells!

"Oh, fine then, so it is, well, 'Slán' Jason, maybe you'll visit our little bar before ya leave,"

The Changling watched the two women leave, annoyed with himself for his unforgivable lapse in judgement. When they had entered the bar, he had believed they were possibly off-duty Starfleet Officers, but as their conversation progressed, and he was getting nowhere with his 'subtle' questioning, something began to raise alarm.

His fears were confirmed when one had told him of her association with another bar on the Promenade, but he had already placed the drug in their drinks. Now, one of them was clearly suspicious of him, and was trying hard to take her friend away. He suspected that the black-haired girl was Starfleet, possibly even INTELLIGENCE!

He had fought to retain his smile, feigning disappointment as the two women left him alone. As soon as they turned out of sight he too left the bar, turning the way the two had gone. He watched as they entered the Irish Bar one had spoken of then he walked to the nearest bank of turbolifts.

Requesting 'Level one five five eight - Beta Promenade' .....

Stepping from the turbolift, he quickly made his way towards the Civilian Quarters Section. Checking behind him that he was alone in the corridor, he entered one of the rooms and in the bedroom quickly changed clothes, then in the bathroom, he watched his reflection in the mirror as he altered his appearance, still retaining Human form: He aged himself approximately thirty years, his once brown hair now tinged with wisps of grey. In the living area, he replaced his Identification Card with one that showed him as a retired school teacher ..... Satisfied, he left the quarters .....

His plans needed to change: He had expected the explosion in the Klingon Embassy to keep the Federation busy, while sewing seeds of conflict between the Klingons and Romulans, but it appeared the Federation was more competent than he had first believed. He had planted the small device three days earlier, confident that it wouldn't be discovered without an extremely thorough search. He made his way casually to the Main Promenade and perched a beverage at one of the outlets, then sat where he could see the stars beyond the windows ..... Glancing around, he took the small device from his tunic and held it in his hand. Making several inputs he paused for a moment then pressed the flashing red tab .....

In the Reception Area of the Romulan Embassy, six hundred ninety-eight Levels above him, the device exploded ..........

[Gheskori]

"Greetings, Captain, it's most excellent to see you again. You made good time," Ghes said to the woman's image on a screen alongside the tactical displays at the central platform. She was also shown on the fabulous concave main viewer along a wall segment of the more or less circular command centre. "Is Ambassador Malvik with you? Ah yes, there he is."

"Likewise, Admiral, it's good to see you. Indeed, the ambassador was eager to see the station and learn what was going on. When he found out he was going to be negotiating between Klingons and Romulans again, I can tell you he was delighted," she smiled.

The reasonably diminutive Malvik - he was short for a Vulcan who most often neared two metres - raised an eyebrow, "Pleased, perhaps."

Captain Thomas turned to him briefly, "Sorry. Pleased," she laughed and clarified for Ghes who beamed.

"I will be transporting aboard in 30 minutes, Admiral," Malvik said agreeably, "I'm eager to meet the two ambassadors in question." Ghes agreed to expedite a meeting as soon as possible, saying though it might be best if Malvik meet them individually. Had he encountered either of them before? "I have met with neither in the past though I'm familiar with their records and that familiarity is increasing all the time. Their relations over the last two decades are a most fascinating subject of study. I find it difficult to accept that they should be able to work together on one station so effectively."

Ghes nodded and winced, "So do I, Ambassador. Ok, we're ready to receive you. We have prepared ambassadorial quarters for -"

"Admiral!" a controller at a nearby operations console down on the starboard-side alerted him; his station was configured for interpreting internal readouts from across the Starbase, "Sorry to interrupt... but we've detected another explosion. It's the Romulan embassy."

Ghes's heart sank in dismay and he turned instinctively to Thomas and Malvik on the viewscreen, "I'm afraid in all likelihood we'll need you here even sooner, Ambassador." Malvik nodded, he seemed perturbed and evidently had heard the controller's report. The comm ended and the view on Ghes's tactical display was replaced by the old Excelsior class Colorado hanging some 500,000 kilometres off the base.

"Sir, Dolqar is hailing from the IKS Jolar. He may have detected the explosion."

Ghes nodded to Barton who replied to the tactical controller, "Ignore it for now. Status!" More reports had been flooding in on the new detonation. The changeling or changelings - or their non-changeling agent on the base, or whoever was responsible; was this really a secret war between Klingons and Romulans, or was that just what the changelings wanted them to think? - had raised the pressure tenfold.

* * *

Senior officers and a few leading civilians on the Starbase had convened in a conference room in an informal capacity. Of the notables - as well as Gheskori, Torek and Lemond - Reynolds, Valente, Dupin, Helgesen, Mr Botracht (a civilian who represented all the businesses on the promenade levels) and Ambassador Malvik were also in attendance. "This is surely the spark that sets off war between the Beta Quadrant powers," Helgesen said, "Regardless of who laid the bomb."

"The DNA in the Klingon embassy is indisputably Klingon," Dupin raised his arms helplessly, "Unless the changelings or whoever's responsible are able even to mimic other species' gene sequences as they shift into their form. Which would put them far in advance of the Founders' abilities."

"Perhaps a changeling or their agent merely planted the DNA at the specific site of the explosion," Ghes said, "But we can't rule out the possibility they have the ability you suggest, Colonel. What about the Romulan embassy?"

"It's too early to tell," Dupin virtually snapped, clearly he'd been flustered by the doubled workload, "But it's possible that whoever it was - if they were the same person - learnt that we detected the DNA in the Klingon embassy and has done a better job of covering their tracks this time. Relatedly, maybe it is the same person, but it's instead the case that person's a Klingon and not a changeling!"

Ambassador Malvik pitched forward in his seat, "I would like to speak to Ch'Lor and Hazr'vat as soon as possible. This is a critical time for relations between them and their empires. Talks I conduct now could be the only chance of preventing war between them." Ghes nodded and allowed the Vulcan to leave early; he was taken under the wing of the Diplomatic Corps office, though the officials there soon realised his greater experience.

"The DNA... would at first glance suggest the Klingons destroyed their own embassy, and have now used the destruction as a pretext for a 'reprisal' against the Romulan embassy," Ghes said slowly, "Come on, we need evidence to the contrary! Let's hope there is some and let's publish it immediately, it might be the only thing that'll stop Romulans and Klingons from going to war."

[Carl Torek]

Conference Room C ...
Level Fifteen
Starbase Forty-Seven ::

The Section Admiral had called an extraordinary meeting, which included the majority of the Command Level Personnel on the Starbase, and the newly-arrived Vulcan Ambassador, but also, unusually, but completely understandably, Mister Botracht, the Civilian Head of the Traders Guild, a Committee, set up to ensure fair trade practices on the three main Promenades ..... They had discussed several issues, but the main focus was the bombings ..... Botracht's main concern: The possible outcomes of a war between the Klingons and Romulans, more importantly, between the members of both races that lived or worked on the Starbase!

"I do not believe it will come to that," the Vulcan Ambassador said, but Botracht wasn't convinced.

"We have already witnessed incidents, not only on the Promenades but in other sections of the Starbase!" the man said, glaring at Gheskori.

"Security is making sure there are no further, confrontations, between them, you can ease any concerns your membership has Mister Botracht," Colonel Dúpin said in Admiral Reynolds' absence.

"I may be able to help ease Mister Botracht's concern..." Ambassador Kalvik said, nodding briefly to the Guild Representative before continuing, "... I would like to speak to Ch'Lor and Hazr'vat as soon as possible. This is a critical time for relations between them and their respective Empires. Talks I conduct now could be the only chance of preventing war between them." Gheskori agreed, and Dúpin instructed one of his Security Personnel to conduct the Ambassador. With a nod, the Vulcan left.

"What are you going to do in the meantime to ensure not only the wellbeing of the traders but of the public visiting the Promenades?" Botracht asked.

"I have already increased Security on all Promenades," Dúpin said, clearly annoyed with the Civilian.

"It has been suggested that it might be best if the movements of all Klingons and Romulans were restricted," Even Carl had to shake his head at this ludicrous suggestion from the Guild Leader, and was only too happy to answer the suggestion:

"That is 'NOT' going to happen Mister Botrach..." he said, lifting a PADD, "... I understand this isn't the first time you suggested such measures ....."

"My 'ONLY' concern is for my members, nothing more..." the man replied, falling silent as he lowered himself back into his seat, but then seemed to have more to add, "... What if there are more incidents, the damage to property alone could be substantial if ..... Tell me, is the righteous 'Federation' going to reimburse us?"

"I'm not sure what else you expect from us Mister Botracht ..... Would you prefer we flood the Promenades with Security, how would residents, and indeed the many visitors to the Promenades react to that?" Dúpin asked, hiding a smile as the Guild Leader could only shake his head, unable to reply.

"There is of course another, more 'decisive' measure we can take..." Carl suggested half-jokingly, "... We could close the Promenades until this issue is resolved one way or the other,"

"ARE YOU MAD MAN!" the Guild Leader said, leaping from his seat as if electrocuted.

"Mister Botracht, please ....." Gheskori said, trying to calm the man, but Botracht was done, he stormed out of the room, almost trampling the Security Officer at the door as he left.

"Did you really have to wind the man up carl?" Nia Lemond asked with a grin.

"It might be an idea to have someone watch him though, I wouldn't put it past him to try to form some sort of vigilante security of his own," Calli commented, Dúpin nodded in agreement.

With that, the meeting came to an end, they would wait to hear what the Vulcan Ambassador had to say once he had met with both Ch'Lor and Hazr'vat, though Carl seriously doubted his making any significant progress given both sides were now blaming the other for the respective explosions. As Carl returned to his office he wondered vaguely how long it would take the Romulans to dispatch their own vessels to the Starbase, if indee they hadn't already! ..........

[Gheskori]

The Vulcan sat with Hazr'vat, the Romulan answering his questions coolly, continuing to restate that the Romulan delegation blamed Ch'Lor and his staff for the latest explosion. "And yet you and your subordinates deny that you had anything to do with the destruction of the Klingon embassy?" the Vulcan asked.

"Of course."

"Then is it not possible, perhaps probable, that someone is attempting to provoke both you and Ch'Lor, both the Star Empire and the Klingon Empire, into fighting one another? You didn't destroy the Klingon embassy, and yet you are absolutely certain that Ch'Lor played the leading role in destroying your embassy. Logic would rather guide us to an idea involving a third party in addition to you and the Klingons. The base authorities believe the changeling species is responsible."

"I have heard this. But listen, Vulcan, the Klingons will stop at nothing. They wouldn't hesitate to destroy their own embassy if it meant gaining a fair excuse for attacking us."

"The Star Empire must not allow itself to be drawn into another war. Do you really think, Ambassador, that you can fight the Klingons and changelings at the same time? Say that you and the senate are correct, and the changelings had nothing to do with the explosions here. Then if there is no antagonism between changelings and Klingons, how can you be sure they won't form an alliance with one another as they separately attack Romulan territory?"

"Your damned logic... has a certain logic to it!" Hazr'vat clenched a fist but nodded minutely and asked Malvik to leave. As the Federation ambassador reached the door Hazr'vat called out, "I don't think you can get us out of this one, Vulcan. I've received a message from the staff of the praetor on New Romulus... The Navy is deploying."

Malvik met with Ghes and told him the news... The Denobulan facepalmed, he had already suspected the Romulan senator he'd spoken to via subspace wouldn't have convinced his praetor. He suggested he go meet Ch'Lor anyway, promising he'd have a transporter lock on him at all times... The diminutive Vulcan almost seemed to hesitate. Ghes was sure he thanked him for the suggestion.

"Colonel Dupin has found evidence of Klingon DNA at the site of the Romulan embassy," he said. Ch'Lor suppressed a growl and slowly shook his head over the table from Malvik in the temporary embassy. "Regardless of whether or not you did it, Ambassador, and I accept your claim that you did not, you must also explain if you can why Klingon DNA was found at the Klingon embassy."

"That's an outrageous suggestion!" Ch'Lor boomed; Malvik waited impassively, "... I have no explanation. Reportedly the bomb was placed in my office. Why would I wish to kill myself? I - I would almost say Gheskori planted that DNA!"

"But it is known you blame Hazr'vat and the Romulan delegation," Malvik nodded, "And he blames you for the latest event. But Ambasssador, while as you will have heard the Romulans have begun a series of fleet movements close to your mutual border and conflict is ever more likely, we must at least bring you and Hazr'vat together. Allow me to suggest to you the following. If DNA of Romulans had been found at the Klingon embassy and Klingon DNA at the Romulan embassy, the matter would be less irregular and a feud between you and Hazr'vat considered more probable, but we don't... rather we find Klingon DNA at both sites..." he hurried on as Ch'Lor growled, "I suggest that whoever placed the device in the Klingon embassy made a mistake and left Klingon DNA rather than Romulan, and from this error we're perhaps able to trace another version of events, one involving the changelings. Indeed, the changelings, as they are the most likely candidate for wishing to provoke conflict between you."

"I accept the possibility, Gheskori knows this already! But his staff must stop blaming me, for both detonations!"

"They will, Ambassador, and you must stop blaming Hazr'vat."

"... Perhaps I will. But it's already too late, as you said, warbirds are amassing near our space!" Ch'Lor shook himself and placed fingers against his temples. Malvik nodded, those warbirds sat perched on the edge of the Ceylan'tar system, several other border worlds between the Klingons and Romulans and also a few lightyears from Starbase 47.

Ch'Lor's assistant Tok'lon was stood in the corridor outside when Malvik emerged to head back to the command centre. Tok'lon watched him unhappily - he'd overheard most of the conversation - and then entered his own temporary office by a separate door. Commander Dolqar would be furious at the turn of events; how to keep the two ambassadors at each other's throats? The man at the desk turned to him. It was Botracht. Tok'lon glowered, "It seems Ambassador Ch'Lor has listened to the Vulcan. He may even apologise to Hazr'vat!"

"That's bad news indeed, Tok'lon. What are you going to do about it?"

[Carl Torek]

Fleet Admiral Torek's Office ...
Mezzanine Level
Command Centre ::

Carl was speaking to Colonel Dúpin, the Security Deputy, who had heard through the grapevine, that the Federation Council was now involved, presumably on the behest of both Klingon and Romulan Representatives, saying that he was almost thankful he was here rather than in the Council Chambers on Earth as Chu'Vok the Klingon Representative, and the Romulan Crelev were always at each others' throats over everything ..... Dúpin was updating Carl on the explosion investigations when his presence was requested in the Command Centre ..... Carl accompanied Theo Dúpin onto the Main Floor, shaking his head in dismay as he listened to the report that several Klingon and Romulan Officers, despite being told to keep away from the three Main Promenades, had come together on Alpha Promenade. Needless to say, mayhem had ensued with several people being detained.

"I'd better get down there....." Dúpin said.

"I'll come with you," Carl said, following the man as he headed for one of the nearby weapons lockers to draw a phaser, then one for Carl, who reluctantly took the weapon, before both stepped into a turbolift .....

Alpha Promenade ...
Level One Five Five One ::

As they stepped from the 'lift, it seemed all hell had broken loose!

Several dozen Security Officers and Marines had managed to separate the fighters, they had disarmed both Klingons and Romulans, who were protesting at their treatment by swearing blood-oaths against everyone's family in earshot. A Marine Lieutenant saw them and approached, informing them that the Klingons had seemingly ignored the 'suggestion' that they stay clear of the Romulans, and had instead sought out their enemy with fervour. A round of insults ensued until one of the Klingons approached several Romulans and floored one with a single punch, from there it was a proverbial 'free-for-all' .....

It was clear something had to be done!

"OK... OK... QUIET .....!" Carl shouted over the din, waiting until relative silence fell. He glanced over towards O'Tooles, where a grinning Sean was seemingly enjoying the impromptu entertainment.

"You will release us ..... NOW ..... HUMAN!" one of the Klingons shouted, cheered on by his drunken associates.

"YOU... And your friends... Will leave the Promenade immediately, and will not reappear without permission, is that understood?" he instructed the man.

"We will go where we PLEASE!" the man spat.

"AS WILL WE!" one of the Romulans shouted, forcing himself through the row of Security Officers to knock the Klingon off his feet before anyone could stop him. Within seconds, both parties were again forcing themselves closer to their opponents until Carl lost patience and fired his phaser several times into the bulkhead above the melee.

"Very well ..... Colonel Dúpin..." Carl said, watching the Klingons and Romulans closely, "... Please confine these men in High-Security Holding on Level one one six four, until further notice, and Colonel, 'NO' visitors!" he ordered, watching as the two groups were led away by Security and Marine escorts. As the Promenade cleared he turned to Sean, who was already walking over.

"The ole rumour mills are working overtime my boy... Klingons and Romulans at each others' throats, can't be good," the Irishman said with a wry grin.

"You can say that again...!" Carl said, walking away without another word before stepping into a turbolift, "... COMMAND CENTRE!" he snapped, closing his eyes as he tried to calm his temper ..........

[David Tan]

Industrial District ...
Ceylan’tar II ::

David, Elena, and Iorte had sat in the outer offices of one of the facilities tasked with a specific production, namely a polymer greatly needed by their sister planet, Ceylan'tar III, for almost four long hours .....

"I think it's likely the Management don't want to deal with outsiders," David said, his patience ebbing by the second.

"According to Captain Komin, the Chairman of their Economics Committee sent word that they were expecting us at nine hundred," Iorte said, trying 'not' to glance at the seriously oversized clock behind the reception desk.

"Well they have one more hour then we're leaving!"

~~~~~~~~~~

He was looking over the so-called 'proposal' for the facility management when he received a nudge from DeLuca, someone was approaching, and he looked up to see an elderly gentleman.

"I must apologise for the delay, the Chairman did say you wished to see us but we have had a, internal, issue to deal with..." the man said, clumsily holding out a hand which Tan stood and shook, "... I believe he says you are able to offer us a supply of disilicon polymer, is that correct?"

"We heard from your Commerce Division that it was one of the substances you regularly export to Ceylan'tar III, for use in their construction industry?" David replied.

"..... Indeed," the man replied after a moment's hesitation.

"Is our information correct?" Clancy asked.

"Somewhat, yes..." the gentleman said, motioning for them to follow him.

"So the polymer can be used for other things?" Elena asked casually.

"Well, yes, I believe Ceylan'tar Three's Military did try using it in constructing the outer casings on sub-orbital weapons, though we prefer something more stable," for a second David hesitated, they hadn't actually known what the polymer was going to be used for, so finding out it could be used in weapons was something they would need to consider and quickly, providing any weaponry was expressly forbidden he needed to find a way to speak to Karka and Elena before they sat down to discuss terms! ..... They were led down a long corridor then through a pair of ornately decorated doors almost three metres tall. Beyond was a long room with a table which seated maybe thirty down each side. At the head of the table sat three men, each seemingly older than the one escorting them, as they were asked to sit, one of the men reached out and took the PADD from David.

The three seemed to scrutinise the information on the PADD closely before handing it back.

"How much of the disilicon polymer would you be able to supply, and how frequently?"

"Wow, straight down to business, no tea and biscuits?" Elena said with a smile, which notably wasn't returned.

"It would depend on what form you wanted the polymer," David said, seeing the three glance at each other.

"There is no mention of tritanium polymers in your notes, can this be something you may be able to supply?" another asked, hardly waiting for Tan's reply.

"We would have to discuss that with our Government," Clancy said firmly.

"Then I believe we should adjourn and resume our meeting when you have the information," the three elderly men stood, turning to walk out of the room as the three Federation Officers watched on bemused .....

Mess Hall ...
USS El Alamein
In Orbit Ceylan'tar II ::

"..... And they just shut you down without a word of explanation?" Fran Komin asked in disbelief.

"It was bizarre, they kept us sat there practically half a day then wheeled us into a room to be dismissed after sixty seconds!" Elena replied.

"Why do you think they suddenly asked for the tritanium polymers?" Milo Van asked.

"..... Could be any number of reasons, tritanium polymer is used in ships construction, 'EJ7' interlocks, even armour-plating..." DeLuca continued, "... But also in some ballistic weapons systems!"

"You think they want the disilicon polymer to export while keeping hold of the tritanium themselves?" Komin asked as Sharon Yip, the El Alamein's Navigation Officer entered handing Fran a PADD ..... They waited in silence while she read.

"There have been two explosions on Starbase Forty-Seven, both the Klingon and Romulan Embassies have been completely destroyed,"

"So we're going back?" Elena asked.

"I'd like your opinion on whether it would be of any use to allow you to remain here, is this 'trade' thing going anywhere?" Komin asked urgently.

"Well ..... If it hadn't been for them making it crystal-clear that their main requirement is Tritanium, I'd have said keep up the trade pretence on the off-chance we come up with information on the Changelings, and where they fit in with the Klingons and Romulans. But their unexpected request clearly puts a new slant on things. We certainly can't start supplying them with weapons-grade materials," Tan said, looking at the others ..........

[Gheskori]

Ghes was in a side room of the office lounge listening to a report from the Ceylan'tar system. It was dreadful news. The Romulans had tripled their ship numbers and were closing to the edge of the system, just outside the Ceylanites' own version of the Kuiper Belt, home to a few dwarf planets and primordial leftovers from the system's development. The Klingons meanwhile, whether it was in response to the Romulans' presence or not, had entered the system itself, bringing 50 Birds of Prey, 3 Vor'cha classes and an upgraded Negh'var type battleship.

"The noose is tightening," Kletchley observed the other side of the table to him. Barton was stood at the door and Malvik was stepping back and forth gracefully in the main area of the lounge, a Vulcan version of impatience.

"So it is." Soon the El Alamein wouldn't be able to leave the system, at least not powered up. If it came to it, perhaps she could set her trajectory, deactivate all systems except back-up environmental controls and drift out of Ceylanite space, unseen by the great warships swinging in silently behind her.

"The Romulan praetor has decided to fight," Barton said as he received the latest news from New Romulus. "Despite the danger to Captain Komin's crew, we should hope the battles remain around the Ceylan'tar system and Commander Dolqar doesn't get any ideas."

"Admiral, if I may speak with you," Malvik had arrived at the door of the anteroom. Ghes swung in his seat and nodded, signalling to Kletchley that he could go and asking Barton to stand outside beside a series of couches where the guildsman Botracht was waiting.

"What do you have to report, Ambassador?" the Denobulan asked.

Malvik remained standing before sweeping round the room and occasionally turning to the wall display which showed a galactic plan view of the Ceylan'tar system (with Klingon and Romulan space threateningly nearby). "The situation between the embassies is difficult. I've spoken to both Ch'Lor and Hazr'vat, and it would appear they truly do despise one another... But there is one thing they agree on. Neither of them wants a war between their peoples. I've seen that a tacit silence exists when they speak via internal communique, neither will admit to the areas of concord existing between them but it is most surely there."

Botracht was listening with great interest - and dismay - as he kept up a perfunctory exchange with the ADC Barton. Ghes nodded, "At least the trouble's unlikely to spread here. True, we have Dolqar's two battlecruisers in close attendance, but he's doing nothing out there and doesn't seem to want to interfere. That's despite reputation as a firestarter."

Botracht chuckled, on the face of it at the joke Barton had just made, but his thoughts were elsewhere. Inside the anteroom Malvik tilted his head; it seemed to Ghes it was in response to his comments on Dolqar, but his senses were attuned to more than just who he had before him. "Admiral... It is all 'well and good' that the Romulan and Klingon ambassadors don't want this fight, but clearly the same pacific motive doesn't extend to their subordinates."

"Very true," Ghes nodded, reflecting on the recent fight near O'Toole's.

Barton appeared at the door again, "Sir, we've received word. The Klingon and Romulan fleets at Ceylan'tar are exchanging fire!"

"Get me Captain Komin and Commander Tan on subspace." Ghes stood to return to the command centre, Botracht crestfallen as he watched the Denobulan go.

<Tag El Alamein>

Botracht sighed and knitted his brow, leaving the lounge separately. Well, he'd better comm Dolqar and tell him what he'd heard. There had to be blood on Starbase 47, a fight between Ch'Lor and Hazr'vat, getting both delegations thrown off the base and removing forever the nefarious, business-damaging influence of Klingons and Romulans on his promenades... Perhaps a direct attack by Dolqar's two cruisers would do it? Traipsing back down deck, he ran into that bar-owner from Alpha Promenade. "Botracht! What you doing up here again?" the man clapped him on the shoulder.

"Mr O'Toole... I had another encounter with some of the unpleasant people who run this benighted station... Tell me, though I know it well... You don't particularly like Hazr'vat's Romulans, or the pesky Klingons, hovering around your bar, do you? What if I told you I had a plan for getting rid of them?"

<Tag O'Toole>

[David Tan]

USS El Alamein ...
In Orbit
Ceylan'tar II ::

No one disagreed with David's summation regarding supplying weapons-grade materials, but they still had much to discuss, predominantly whether to leave Ceylan'tar Space .....

"Given the situation back home, we shouldn't discount the idea that we could be of more use there than here," Iezelda suggested.

"I'm tempted to agree," Fran Komin was saying as Alan Ross entered the Mess Hall:

"Captain, we're picking up what could be weapons fire on long-range sensors,"

"The Ceylanites?" Elena commented.

"No ..... From what we can see the Romulans and Klingons are exchanging fire...!" the Operations Chief said, bringing a schematic of the System up n the wall-mounted screen, "... Looking at this both sides are straying into Cylanite Space trying to avoid being hit or jockeying form firing positions. Two Ceylan'tar vessels have left orbit of 'III' and are heading towards the fight,"

"What the 'HELL' do they think they can do against a couple of dozen battle cruises and warships!?" David asked, jumping to his feet, the others following suit as he left heading back to the Bridge.

~~~~~

On the ship's main viewscreen they had the same view as before, red and blue triangles seemed to dance around each other in some bizarre ballet.

"Is there any chance they could stray further into the System?" Komin asked.

"Every chance..." Elena said, taking a few steps towards the large viewscreen, "... Neither will be worried about upsetting the Ceylanites. I'll be surprised if those two ships heading out there aren't destroyed out of hand by one side or the other,"

"Captain, Incoming communication from Starbase Forty-Seven ..... It's Section Admiral Gheskori,"

=^= Captain .. Can I assume you have picked up the fighting by now? =^= Gheskori asked with his usual lack of preamble.

=^= Yes .. We're just debating if we could leave the System safely =^=

=^= Would it be possible for you to remain to monitor safely? =^= he asked. Komin looked at the others.

"We could move into open space then manually release a level four probe, without propulsion, it will be almost impossible to detect. We can at least keep an eye on the fighting from somewhere safer than in plain sight, so to speak," Tom Demik suggested.

=^= We'll do what we can Admiral .. How are things there?" Fran Komin asked.

=^= Precarious .. .. Gheskori out =^= the comm snapped off and the Captain turned to the Tactical Officer.

"Tom, prepare the probe, we'll keep the planet between us and the fighting, after leaving orbit we'll move out from behind Ceylan'tar II and release the probe. Lieutenant Yip, can you find somewhere on the far side of the System to hide us!"

Fifteen minutes later they were heading away from orbit, once clear they moved to release the probe ensuring it was stationary before moving on. The Navigation Officer had found a small planetoid, uninhabited, on the furthest edge of the System, taking the El Alamein there they moved behind the 'rock' and began monitoring via the probe ..........

[Sean O'Toole]

OOC :: Apologies for the size of post.

IC ::

Alpha Promenade ...
Level One Five Five One
Starbase Forty-Seven ::

Sean had been coming back from arranging supplies for the bar when he saw the Trade Guild Representative .....

"Botracht. What are you doing up here again?"

"Mr O'Toole... I had another encounter with some of the unpleasant people who run this benighted station... Tell me, though I know it well... You don't particularly like Hazr'vat's Romulans, or the pesky Klingons, hovering around your bar, do you... What if I told you I had a plan for getting rid of them?"

"Rid of them?" Sean repeated, glancing back over Botracht's shoulder before returning his attention to the creepy, self-serving, Representative.

"Once and for all,"

"..... And just how would you be going about that then?"

"Oh, I have my plans..." the man said, tapping the side of his nose theatrically, "... How about we have a little 'meeting' in that establishment of yours tonight?"

"Why my bar?" Sean asked, raising his eyebrows. He almost laughed out loud when the Guild Rep looked left and right as if making sure he wasn't being watched by some hidden sect or other.

"Well, it's well known, to those in the erm, know, that you have area's in that bar of yours that are, shall we say, private,"

"There are plenty o'places in my bar that are 'private' Botracht, and are private for a reason..." Sean said, winking treasonably while watching the man closely, "... Now ..... If you'll be wanting to hire one of my 'private' rooms for a little get-together, I'm happy to give you trade rates, by the hour, of course, can't be givin' these things away now can we,"

"You would try to charge me even when I'm trying to help you?" the Guild Rep asked.

"Just like everyone else I have a livin' to make fella..." Sean said with a shrug, "... So what's it to be then, a room for an hour, or will ya splurge on two?"

"Fine... One hour, twenty-two hundred," the Rep said.

"Let's make it zero two hundred shall we," O'Toole winked at the rapidly disappearing troll. Back in his office, Sean made a call .....

O'Tooles Bar & Grill .. 02:00 Hrs ::

Botracht, with two other Guild Representatives in tow, came into the bar dead on time, he quickly moved into an empty booth and asked to see Sean. Making the Guild Rep wait, Sean finished his drink and then approached the three, motioning for them to follow him ..... They walked down a corridor and Sean led them into a small room. Inside he asked everyone to sit as he closed the door and took a seat at the table himself. The four made small talk for some time, presumably deciding if he could be trusted:

"So, Mister Botracht, your payin' for the room, feel free to begin,"

"This room..." the man said, eyes darting from corner to corner, "... No one can hear, or see us?"

"No, but I can have Security come down and scan for bugs if you wouldn't mind the wait?" Sean said, grinning at the discomfort ..... Botracht was a little man with what he believed was a lot of power, where the reality couldn't be further from the truth. Yes, he Chaired the Trade Guild, and 'did' get things done, but only when it suited Command and others. He had come to what could laughingly be called 'power' after the Betreka disaster and had tried to hold on to that slim strand of power ever since. Several times he had tried to hold the Federation up for one thing or another, and they had ceded to his 'demands' more for convenience than out of necessity, now the man said he had plans.

"NO!" one of the others said a little too quickly, Saen shrugged.

"OK then, what's the plan?" the Irishman asked.

"The Klingons and the Romulans ....."

"What about them?"

"We think we should act to get rid of them once and for all..." one of the other two Reps said quietly, "... We should, 'encourage' them to fight each other until the Federation has no option but to bar them both!"

"..... And if they don't, kick them off the Starbase I mean?" Sean asked.

"Then we do it for them...!" Botracht said slamming a fist into the table, seemingly having brought his backbone along to the meeting, he glanced at his associates then leaned forward, "... These explosions, in their Embassies, they're a bit of a godsend, something we can use to our advantage. All we need to do is escalate the damage both are incurring and 'BOOOOOM' all-out fighting ..... Gheskori and his Federation cronies will have no option but to interfere throwing both of them off the Starbase!" the Reps nodded, congratulating each other for the ingenuity of their scheming.

"Just out of curiosity here ya understand..." Sean whispered, "... Where would I be comin' into your little plans?"

"We need, things"

"Things?" the Irishman asked.

"Explosives!" Botracht replied.

"..... And where might I ask do ya think I could be gettin' hold of such stuff?" Sean asked, feigning shock.

"Come on Mister O'Toole ..... We 'all' know that you 'know' people, people who are not exactly on the right side of the law!" one of Botracht's colleagues hissed.

"Like you three?"

"This I a waste of time...!" the third man, who spoke for the first time since sitting down said, "... I told you he wouldn't help, and now he knows what we're planning!"

"PLANNING!..." Sean replied, bursting into laughter as the three Guild renegades jumped to their feet, "... All you've done is talk talk talk, I've heard nothin' about any 'plans' ....."

"We need certain items, Mister O'Toole. I believe that you can supply those items. If you can then say so, otherwise we'll leave and say nothing more about this meeting," Botracht said quietly.

"You said explosives, are you 'planning' on killing anyone or just causing damage?"

"If we can rid the Station of the Klingons and Romulans without loss of life, then we will, but we can't rule out collateral loss of life on either side,"

"Let me think on it..." Sean said, calling an end to the meeting as he stood and headed for the door, the Guild Representatives, with no option, followed the Irishman into the bar, "... C'mon, I'll treat you to a good ole traditional Irish drink apiece, it should at least calm your nerves before ya' leave," he said as he pulled four pints of what he explained was an Irish 'stout' called Guinness .....

Section Admiral Gheskori's Office ::

Sat with Gheskori, Carl, Nia Lemond, and Theo Dúpin had watched the meeting:

"We really do need to ask Sean about the surveillance equipment he has stashed around that bar of his," the Deputy Security Chief said, grinning ..........

[Gheskori]

"Is your Irishman on board?"

"Yes, at least I believe so," Botracht replied and proceeded to dissemble about the interview in the bar. The proprietor had hardly convinced him he really wanted to help, but then again he hadn't given him any hard evidence against the possibility. Whether or not O'Toole could secure the explosive devices may be immaterial as Dolqar would surely provide them, but Botracht would prefer not to have to ask the Klingon and besides, how were they going to be brought aboard the station from the IKS Jolar?

Dolqar smiled toothily on the small screen, "I'm pleased that you can vouch for him. He may need your support if things do not go to plan..." the commander exhaled sharply, "And what was your other item, human?"

"Well, precisely that... if things do not work out and I can't get either party evicted, will you strike at the Starbase yourself?"

Dolqar paused before bursting into laughter, "You are serious, human! No, as much as my honour would be augmented by an attack on this facility, I would be killed to no purpose! Your devices are what we must use... And unless the hidden assailant does the work for us, either Hazr'vat or Ch'Lor must die in the explosions! One qualification only: the devices must not under any circumstances cause an accidental death of a Starfleet officer, or the Chancellor will have my head."

The Klingon commander was gone. Botracht shut off the terminal screen in the dark of his quarters and shuddered a sigh.

---

Sipping a synthehol in the bar of the guildhall on Gamma Promenade, Botracht had a good enough view of the entrance to see the Irishman approaching. He put down his bottle and wiped his mouth with his sleeve, ready to receive whatever barrage of clever remarks O'Toole would be sending his way this time, but he saw the man pause briefly and seem to do something with his collar. Frowning but soon forgetting about it - he would recall it later when everything hung in the balance - Botracht chuckled to himself and swigged again from his bottle.

O'Toole didn't really take notice of him at first as the Irishman entered the guildhall; instead he cast his eyes about the place, some sort of evaluation perhaps, fairly efficient evidently as O'Toole approached the representative quickly and nodded to him. An expert then, but in what? he thought, not knowing the Alpha Promenade man's past. "Satisfied, Sean? None of my pals are round right now, I can tell you. Have you managed it?" he asked as O'Toole stood alongside him at the bar and placed a PADD on the surface; he pushed it along with an index finger and spoke quietly,

"A request for the acquisition of the devices you specified."

"How on Earth...? From what source? Surely it'd have to be military," Botracht spluttered up some of his synthehol.

"Ask for my help, lad, and you get it... But ask too many questions, there are a few people I know who'll be wanting to have a word with ye."

"When will the explosives be available?" Botracht asked, wide-eyed.

"Tomorrow evening at the latest."

---

Being kept informed by Lemond of O'Toole's progress with Botracht - after the guildsman's unexpected attempt to draw the bar owner into an apparent conspiracy - Gheskori was keeping busy studying Romulan and Klingon fleet movements.

There was a cat and mouse game (those being two mammals of Earth origin) underway in and around the Ceylan'tar system. Several Birds of Prey had been damaged and one of the Vor'cha class cruisers disabled and drifting into the depths of the system towards the orbits of the two inhabited worlds. The Romulan losses were apparently unclear as different parts of their flotilla repeatedly activated cloaking devices and darted in and out of the system sowing confusion amongst the enemy. Worryingly there'd been no communication from the El Alamein since she'd agreed to stay in the system to scout.

Ghes was growing restless about the situation on the Starbase. Malvik could only do so much to quell the discontent of the two embassies; Ch'Lor and Hazr'vat were quiet for now, but it didn't have much bearing on the fight out in the stars. It almost made it seem worth sending a starship into Romulan or Klingon space and trying to speak to one or the other of the homeworlds. He'd spoken to Starfleet Command about it and had been given free rein as long as only one ship was used. Whichever vessel was chosen, if any, hadn't been decided.

Barton returned from the main infirmary and joined Gheskori and Torek on the command centre's central platform. "How are the changeling blood tests coming?" Ghes asked.

"About 65% of the base population has been tested. Nothing so far. Again, the shapeshifter may have evaded detection, by any number of familiar means."

"Let's just hope he's not in this room!" Ghes smiled ironically, "Well, I didn't mean to give myself away. You can test me, I promise not to run away or turn myself into a cactus."

[Sean O'Toole]

Six Hours Earlier ...

Fleet Admiral Torek's Office
Mezzanine Level
Command Centre ::

"..... YOU DID WHAT .....!?"

"Calm yourself down fella, I'm not actually going to supply the man with 'REAL' explosives," Sean O'Toole said, grinning as Carl paced his office like a rabid tiger.

"But you 'have' offered to supply a civilian, a reputedly deranged civilian at that, with the means to cause serious injury, even loss of life?" Theo Dúpin commented, wondering if Carl was about to suffer a coronary.

"Yes..." Sean said as if the question was moot, "... He wants to cause trouble, I figure let him. Oh, by the way, I'd like someone from Ordinance to make a small modification to the devices prior to delivery ....."

"And what would that be?" Carl asked, almost wishing he hadn't.

"I'd like them to reduce the yield by something in the region of oh, say, eighty percent..." the Irishman said with a wry grin as Torek dropped into his seat and rested his head in the palms of his hands, "... Well, he's determined to get the Klingons and Romulans off the Starbase, even so, we can't have him actually blowing the smithereens out of them, now can we?"

"Even at twenty percent, they could still do some damage," the Security Deputy said.

"Not if we make sure he's not actually placing them under someone's chair..." Sean said, rising to pour himself a drink from the cabinet, "... Look, he's going to get hold of what he needs, better from us than from someone who is a damn-sight less concerned about what bits of which Klingon or Romulan get flung against the closest bulkhead,"

"He has a point Admiral," Dúpin said reluctantly.

"Fine, but no more than six devices, and I want prior notice as to where he's planting them, maybe we can come up with some way to have that room vacant when he tries to blow someone up," Carl said, dismissing everyone before rising. He poured himself a large cognac and almost sacrilegiously downed it in one, then left his office to update Ghekori on events .....


Now ::

Tradesmans Guild Hall
Gamma Promenade ::

"Bloody amateur,"Sean muttered as he watched the Guild Representative drinking heavily for a while before entering the bar.

"When will the explosives be available?" Botracht repeated, wide-eyed as if he hadn't heard or didn't believe the first answer.

"As I said fella, they'll be ready tomorrow evening at the latest."

"So soon?"

"Do you want me to ask them to leave it a week. Maybe that would be suitin' you better?" Sean asked.

"No, no ..... Tomorrow, that's fine, erm, where do I go, will they bring them here?"

"..... Pardon me for pryin' here, Mister Botracht, but you don't sound too keen on whatever it is you want to do. I assume you have the means to get these devices in place, I mean, you're not just going to walk past the door and throw a couple of explosives in an' hope for the best, because I'm not going to be too happy if you end up killin' someone you shouldn't, do we understand each other?"

"You think I'm a fool...?" the man asked, suddenly stiffening. Sean grinned, holding his hands up in mock submission, "... I will let you know where I want the. goods, delivered to when you confirm you have them tomorrow," the Guild Representative said. Placing his glass on the bar, he instructed the steward to get Sean whatever he wanted 'on his tab' then he walked out of the bar without looking back .....

Sean, believing Botricht had gone back to his own establishment, declined the drink offer and left the Hall himself ..... On the first floor of the Hall, Betracht looked down from the window overlooking the Promenade as the Irishman left. Beside him, the other person in the room remained silent for a moment then spoke:

"He had what we need?"

"Yes..." Botracht said, turning to see a mirror image of himself, "... Please, don't ....." almost pleadingly, turning away as the Changling grinned, altering his appearance so as not to resemble the Guild Representative.

"You really should learn to present a more 'confident' outward appearance. You might hold sway over these business owners, but I wonder if you realise just how little it would take for them to dethrone you from your lofty pedestal,"

"Don't forget who I am Changli ....." Botracht began, eyes bulging as the Changlings' hand shot forward and began to tighten around his throat. He watched the colour drain as life began to drain from the Human until satisfied he had made his point. He released his grip, allowing Botracht to drop to the floor gagging to get air into his starved lungs before he passed out. By the time he could clamber to his feet, the Changling was nowhere in sight! ..........

[Gheskori]

Botracht held the PADD, reading its contents yet again. Only six explosives, he said to himself once more. Would that be enough? Would all the targets pass through more or less the same point, or if the devices were placed at different locations could he and his collaborators achieve as many deaths as they would like? Or were six devices too many seeing as he wasn't sure he wanted to go through with this...?

"PetaQ!" Dolqar sat bolt upright in his angular seat in the Jolar's ready room.

"I'm sorry," he felt compelled to say to the terminal's screen, "I will... I will try to -"

"Don't apologise! Never apologise! What has brought this about, human weakling?" Dolqar roared.

"Many people could be killed... You said yourself that I should take extra precautions no Starfleet officers are caught in the blasts. Besides... hasn't your war started already?"

"If you're referring to the fight in the Ceylan'tar system, thanks to Malvik that will be over in a standard Federation week," Dolqar said quietly, "No, only the deaths of Ch'Lor and his underlings, or Hazr'vat and his own remaining staff will accomplish it. The two embassies, what is left of them, will blame each other once more; war will start and the remaining delegations will be removed from the Starbase. Do you know which group the changeling has chosen for his target?"

"He thinks it'll be easiest to have Ch'Lor and his Klingons murdered using the proximity devices. But he suggested some of the other explosives - based only on time-delay - could be placed in other areas to take out Romulans, too. He thinks it would look like reprisals by Ch'Lor's people."

"That is acceptable... Fortify yourself, Botracht! Believe me when I say I am the forgiving one. But if you were to tell the changeling of your doubts, well, I will skip the details, but know he would have you scattered to the four corners of the galaxy."

Botracht prodded a trembling finger at his terminal and closed the channel.

---

The promenades were flooding with people once again as a new day began. People were coming in from all over the Starbase looking to buy or sell wares, and from off it too as newly arriving merchant crews disgorged products from their vessels. For about an hour after each artificial dawn the non-commercial uses of the promenades were forgotten as the four centres - to varying degrees - became hives of market activity, traders getting into their places, people manoeuvring mag-lift platforms full of different wares, establishments opening up for the day.

Botracht went about his usual business at the guildhall, and eventually met with two of his cronies - as well as their shady hired hands who would be planting three of the explosives. In the care of the changeling - wherever he'd got to - would be the other three devices, once they were collected this evening from O'Toole. The shapeshifter would be placing them to kill Ch'Lor and most of his Klingon delegates.

"Where is the assassin?" Mervin, one of the cronies asked. Of the collaborators, only Botracht (and the Klingon crew of the Jolar) knew the assassin was a changeling. He supposed he could be anywhere, perhaps even in this room. Perhaps that flower pot, when had that got here?

"Unless he's shrunk to a millimetre in height he's not in here!" the other crony Thomas stared at Botracht incredulously, "Now what is your plan?"

Botracht leant against the desk and folded his arms. He desperately tried to instill confidence within himself, "Crude calculations suggest increased profit margins for most promenade businesses should all the Klingons and Romulans be removed, however many we manage to kill and however many are forced to leave the base when war starts."

He went on, "First our assassin will take care of the Klingons with the three proximity devices. Some short time later, your dozen heavies will split into groups of four; each will be responsible for placing one of the devices at a location frequented by members of the Romulan embassy. There will be a time delay on each device, counting down to when a Romulan has typically been seen to pass by. If they pass by sooner than expected, your assistant can trigger the device or devices by remote."

"Do you not realise just how much can go wrong with that?" Mervin asked eventually, "You're confident Federation civilians won't be killed, or worse... Starfleet?" Botracht bit his lip.

"Look, I understand you're picking up the explosives from O'Toole this evening, but that you won't see him," Thomas heaved, "I would insist on a meeting and I want to be there. I don't trust the man, seems too friendly with various Starfleet officers from what I've seen."

The changeling can come, too, but not in the open, Botracht thought.

[Sean O'Toole]

O'Tooles Bar & Grill ...
Alpha Promenade
21:00 hrs ::

The bar was as busy as usual, Starfleet Personnel, who had finished their shifts an hour earlier tended to call in for drinks and something to eat. There was also a fair number of civilian patrons .....


Behind the bar Sean saw the Guild Representative enter, he wasn't alone. The other man, clearly used to being on the proverbial wrong side of the law, as the saying goes, was looking left and right, presumably trying and failing not to draw attention to himself, no doubt looking for exit options as the two made their way across the room to the bar.

"Gentlemen..." Sean said as Botracht leaned forward, "... What'll it be?"

"You have them?" the Representative whispered as his associate locked eyes with Sean.

"Ah, now what would that be...?" the bar owner asked, winking, "... Oh, them, yes, they're in a box under the bar," Sean replied grinning.

"Are you 'TRYING' to get yourself killed!?" the glaring man hissed.

"Calm your friend here down Botracht, no one's listening into our conversa ....." Sean began saying as the man reached forward to snatch his shirt, but faster, Sean rotated, grabbing the hair to the back of the thug's head before slamming his face into the bar. Rather than allow the semiconscious man to fall to the floor, Sean kept hold of him as he turned back to the Guild Representative and continued casually, "... As I was saying. No one is taking the slightest bit o'notice of you and your drunk associate here ..... Now listen carefully ....." he said, giving Botricht information where his items could be collected, as he finally released the thug, handing him a bar towel to stem the blood pouring from his broken nose and bleeding forehead.

He poured two drinks, pushing them casually across the bar:

"On the house gents..." Sean said, talking to the Guild Rep while keeping a wary eye on his associate, "... and Botracht, the next time one of your cronies tries to play the hard man in here, he'll leave with more than a bloody nose, understood?"

"He was being cautious, nothing more," the Guild Rep' said, turning to leave, wondering vaguely if Thomas would take his embarrassment out on 'him' rather than try for a second round with the bar owner .....

Accommodation Quarters
Level 1526/D/#354 ::

The door slid aside as the Guild Representative entered the code, looking up and down the corridor both men stepped over the threshold, the door sliding closed behind them. Inside, the room was clearly ready for the next occupants to be assigned this accommodation. The only thing out of place was the small box sitting in plain sight on the living area table, Thomas, drying blood covering his shirt, walked over and cautiously lifted one of the covers. Inside, six small devices lay in two rows, the thug could hardly believe they were left in the open for anyone to see.

"Are they what he promised?" Botracht asked nervously. Thomas selected one at random and lifted the apple-sized device.

"Smaller than I expected," the thug said, frowning as he turned it over in his hand.

"How big did you want it to be? ..... As long as they do what we need them to do. Let's go, I don't want to be caught here!" Botracht said, walking towards the door as Thomas replaced the explosive and picked up the box .....

O'Tooles Bar & Grill ::

In the back room, Carl Torek, Theo Dúpin, and Sean watched the large wall-mounted screen as the two entered the room and after a brief discussion, left.

"I've got people watching their every move..." the Deputy Security Chief confirmed, frowning before turning to Sean, "... You're sure they have been partially deactivated?"

"Yes, though even at below twenty percent yield, they can still blow a leg clean off if you're gettin' yourself too close,"

"I still believe that should pull them in as soon as Botracht distributes the devices!" Dúpin said decisively.

"Don't go showing your hand too quickly Colonel..." Carl said, still admittedly nervous at the turn of events he'd agreed to, should either the Klingons or Romulans find out the Federation had not only prior knowledge of the possible assassinations but openly condoned them, war would be the least of the Federations problems, "... We need to know 'where' they are going to plant the devices,"

"I'd say they're likely to be splittin' them between our Klingon and Romulan friends," Sean suggested.

"OK ..... Well, I have a bar to run and that fiancé o'mine likes to see me working. let yourselves out when your done gentlemen," Saen said. downing the remaining cognac in his glass before leaving the Starfleet Officers to it ..........

[Gheskori]

"I hate all this waiting," Mervin said gruffly, "What's keeping your friend? He may be an assassin, cloak-and-dagger type, but he's got to show himself eventually if he wants these blasted devices. Where did O'Toole get them from anyway?"

Botracht shook his head, "He didn't say. But they look like Starfleet issue. I can't believe he would've stolen them; he doesn't seem the type for it, so someone in the hierarchy must've provided them for him."

"And you still think he can be trusted?!" Thomas said, still touching his nose where it was tender from the slam against the bar top. What happened to the days when O'Toole's bar was family friendly? the crony thought.

"His contact wouldn't have been anyone with real authority, at least it wouldn't involve the chief officers of the Starbase," Botracht spoke assuredly, "Some corrupt official, in Security or Intelligence, is probably responsible. And you say, Thomas, that you've seen O'Toole fraternising with Starfleet Intelligence officers, so there you go, there is his connection."

"Well let's hope those officers aren't loyal and dutiful members of their department," Thomas said, "I'm taking a big gamble throwing in my lot with you, Botracht. This lethal ploy of yours better give res- "

The thug was hushed as Botracht heard someone in the entry vestibule of the small suite of meeting rooms - deserted apart from the presence of the three conspirators and whoever the newcomer happened to be. On a pedestal in the centre of the main room was the case containing the six apple-sized explosives. Feet of the newcomer shuffled quietly on the cobalt blue carpet and their owner emerged into the main space - it was the Section Admiral.

"But what are you doing here, Gheskori?" Botracht trembled, "Oh... wait a minute..." he began to smile but the admiral didn't respond in kind. And of course, the guildsman thought, these cronies still don't know of the assassin's changeling nature.

"I might ask you the same question, Mr Botracht." Gheskori paused to take in the fellow businessmen Thomas and Mervin and strode towards the pedestal at the centre, "What might this be?" He reached out and opened the case; Botracht's nerves had already been put on edge, now he was truly panicking. "Excellent..." Gheskori reached in and picked up one of the weapons; only now he gave a wide Denobulan grin which then became unnatural even for one of his species; his head, shoulders and whole body began melting. Botracht breathed a sigh of relief. The Trknn changeling reformed into the mould of a Klingon diplomat, holding the device he'd lifted, "Tell me about them."

"Three proximity-activated devices and three devices based on time delay," Botracht said proudly, "Where did I get them, you may ask? I have my sources..." Thomas glanced over at the guildsman dubiously, Cut it out, Thomas mouthed, hiding how he disturbed he was at discovering the assassin's true nature. "You agreed to take half of them," Botracht said to the shapeshifter, "I suggest you use the proximity devices, and for tomorrow morning. My associates and their hired hands will take the time delay ones and place them a couple hours later round about lunchtime."

The changeling took the three weapons that he recognised as being based on proximity and paused as another beautiful consideration presented itself to him. With a melting and deforming hand he picked up all six explosives, slotting them into pouches he quickly formed at his abdomen, and liquid silver protrusions like spokes on a wheel flew out from his torso and slammed into the three businessmen. They were out cold instantly.


Botracht came to groggily and roused Mervin and Thomas. The changeling was nowhere to be seen; the case on the central pedestal, empty.

"What the hell was that?" Thomas growled as he sat up; he groaned and cradled his thorax where the changeling's spoke had impacted, "How long were we out? 30 minutes? Botracht..." he warned. Botracht explained belatedly that their collaborator was in fact a changeling. Thomas grunted and nodded to himself, "Not a Founder, I guess, but one of the Romulans' enemies. Are you mad, man?"

"It's worse. He's taken all the devices. I guess we just have to hope he uses them against both Klingons and Romulans."

"You're telling me there's a changeling running loose on the station with six explosives probably provided by Starfleet Intelligence?!" Mervin cried, "We have to go to the authorities, tell them everything we know about your liquid friend, Botracht."

"No. I won't see the light of day again. None of us will," the guildsman added quickly.

"I don't know about that..." Thomas said, raising himself to his feet at last, "I agree with Mervin. I can well imagine this changeling won't be so discriminating about who these explosives kill. He'll kill the Klingons and as many Romulans as possible, so what? Don't think he'll hesitate to kill civilians and Starfleet officers if it makes the task easier."

To their shock O'Toole entered the room. They noticed the bar-owner was bleeding for whatever reason, so it really seemed to be him and not the Trknn changeling again. "Oh, you again. How did you find us?" Thomas asked. O'Toole said nothing but smiled, making it clear he had his methods. The thug mistrusted their ostensible friend all the more. "We may have bad news, O'Toole. The explosives you gave us? Our wonderful collaborator has just made off with all of them. We assume he'll want to complete the job on the Klingons and Romulans, but can't say who else may get in his way."

O'Toole started and frowned, seemingly genuinely perturbed, "Who would you be referring to?"

"He doesn't know either?" Mervin glanced distastefully at Botracht and back at O'Toole, "The changeling, man, the changeling. He has all your devices."

"So there is a changeling on board then?" O'Toole said and began to depart quickly. Thomas barked out asking the bar-owner where he was going, back to his friends in Starfleet Intelligence perhaps? Who within it had provided him with the explosives?

[Iorte Clancy]

OOC: See above for other post

IC:
"Klingon vessel on approach, sir. Identification, the IKS Qo'nos, according to its universal transponder."

Clancy watched the screen which displayed the Vor'cha class cruiser as it glided into the system, just visible to the El Alamein and its sensors - from where the Defiant class was positioned near the terminator on the far side of the planetoid in the Ceylan'tar system's Kuiper Belt equivalent. He stared and stared at the moving image until he realised something wasn't quite right. "What's the matter with her?" he asked, seeing that the vessel wasn't changing course.

"Seems she's disabled, sir. Readings of crew are sporadic - perhaps only 20% are active, that is not dead or injured," Demik reported. A flurry of warblings and alerts came from his tactical console, "Hmm... I've seen this reading before. I can't be certain, but I have a new signal that I think matches with what we discovered at the star-planet Lagrangian point..."

"It has a new location?" Komin said and stood from the centre seat.

"Right behind us... It now has a clearer engine signature, must be why I've detected her. Seems to be breaking cloak. She's on the move, heading towards the Qo'nos..."

"A Romulan vessel," Iezelda concluded. It was awful to think that the Romulans had detected them. Not only had one of their vessels been detected in close proximity to the El Alamein but the implication was that the same vessel had been in the star system this whole time... Clancy watched the vessel decloaking before them; it was shooting by from aft and starboard, disappearing into the visual field and heading towards the distant silver speck that was the adrift Klingon IKS Qo'nos. Iorte was thinking how he wouldn't mind taking on the vessel's Romulan commander in a bout; how that miscreant and his damned vessel had deluded them this whole time, hovering off their six. But he was uncomprehending as he saw the same decloaking vessel resolve itself into something decidedly un-Romulan.

"What in the name of god is that?" he murmured.

"Unknown, sir," Commander Ross replied. The materialising ship had taken on a curious rhomboid form with various protrusions; its surface was highly reflective, a chrome approaching a brilliant off-white. "Speculation, but could be a changeling vessel."

It sped towards the stranded Klingon ship, leaving the El Alamein far behind under the cover of its diminutive planetoid. "Report," Tan spoke as they learnt that the mysterious ship - about 60 metres in length they guessed, or about a third the length of the El Alamein - had now fallen in alongside the much larger Vor'cha class Qo'nos.

"Difficult to say. Seems whoever is aboard the unknown ship - perhaps just one individual if these sensors are working on it properly - is boarding the Klingon vessel. Maybe they're attempting to hijack it. Or they could be greeting Klingon allies," Ross said.

"That craft had been shadowing us for who knows how long," Iorte said, "If it's a changeling vessel, well..." He wasn't sure on the implications. "Well they probably witnessed us communicating with the Ceylanites. And they were probably here before we arrived, if Tom's right and it's the same vessel we think we detected at the Lagrangian. Can we get ourselves over there?" he asked suddenly, gesturing to the speck of the Klingon IKS Qo'nos and docked unknown rhomboid ship on the viewscreen, "We might be able to learn something about the changelings first-hand, perhaps speak to the surviving Klingons. We going to find them welcoming of the presumed changeling in their midst?"

"Just your team, I presume?" Komin asked Iorte, who nodded. The El Alamein CO looked to Tan for his view.

"I think I can get them beamed over there, Captain," Demik said.

"I'd recommend we send a couple security officers with them however," XO Van said, "Including Lieutenant Massa."

[David Tan]

"..... We might be able to learn something about the Changelings first-hand, perhaps speak to the surviving Klingons. We going to find them welcoming of the presumed Changeling in their midst?"

"Just your team, I presume?" Komin asked Iorte, who nodded. The El Alamein CO looked to Tan for his view.

"I think I can get a small Away Team beamed over there, Captain," Demik confirmed.

"I'd recommend we send a couple of Security Officers with them... Including Commander Massa." Van commented .....

With no possibility of taking the El Alamein closer lest they be discovered, Demik was being forced to attempt the transport at the very limit of their systems' safety margin. As the four:


David Tan
Iorte Clancy
Lt. Commander Nate Massa
Lieutenant Don Finch -


Stood on the platform, they watched the Tactical Officer frowning.

"Ready?" Demik asked, and when understandably no one replied, he activated the transporter, sighing with relief as the system confirmed their arrival aboard the distant vessel .....

Damaged Klingon Vessel ...
Vor'cha Class Cruiser
IKS Qo'noS ::

It was immediately clear that the namesake of the Klingon Homeworld was severely damaged, the inertial dampeners straining, resulting in the vessel resting at approximately fifteen degrees from horizontal. Shattered furniture and detritus were strewn around the room Demik where had placed them. Lighting flickered as Finch pointed, in the doorway, the remains of a Klingon Officer, burnt, charred, the Qo'noS had clearly come worst-off in their fight, but with who? ..... Massa pulled the corpse further into the room to allow them to pass as Finch took out a tricorder and began scanning for life signs, holding up the device for the others to see:

"SEVENTEEN...!" David whispered, "... Out of the full compliment?" shaking his head in astonishment.

"Any anomalous life signs?" Clancy asked, eyes flicking up and down the wreckage-filled corridor.

"Can't tell," Finch shrugged.

"Where're the closest survivors?" Tan asked, foregoing the unnecessary need to whisper.

"Thirty meters ..... That way," the Security Chief confirmed. With phasers drawn, the four began to make their way for'ard, trying not to step on any of the bodies strewn along the corridor. In another room they saw two Klingons, one clearly dead, the other seemingly hanging on, only postponing his inevitable journey to Sto'vo'Kor. Clancy knelt beside the man:

"Who did this?" he asked, suddenly, the Klingon reacted, reaching up to grasp Iorte by the throat. Even close to death the man had some strength left as Clancy reached up to release the hold the warrior had. Finch quickly leaned forward, placing a hypospray against the Klingon's neck sending a strong painkiller surging into his bloodstream, seconds later the injured man fractionally relaxed his eyes locked on Clancy.

"We're here to help," Finch said as he doubled the dose.

"Romulan DOGS!" the Klingon spluttered, blood oozing from his mouth as he spoke.

"Romulan ships did this much damage?" David asked, unconvinced.

"Boarded ....." the Klingon replied almost losing consciousness. David ordered Finch to keep the man awake, but before the Security Medic could act, the Klingon's body went limp as he passed away.

"Great!" Massa said as Don Finch, now relieved of his medical task, began scanning the ship once more, suddenly grasping Tan's arm:

"There's someone else on board, I can't isolate the signal, but there's definitely a non-Klingon aboard!"

"Could you be picking one of us out?"

"No ..... Here's us..." Finch said, pointing out the Away Team, "... That reading ..... If it's correct, is close to, or on the bridge,"

"One of these 'Changelings' maybe?" Massas commented.

"Let's go find out!" Tan said ..........