A Day Late, But Maybe Not a Dollar Short
Posted on Thu Feb 6th, 2020 @ 7:43pm by Lieutenant Commander Katherine Malbrooke
Edited on on Wed Feb 26th, 2020 @ 5:37am
1,121 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Episode 9 - Empok's End
Location: XO's Office
Timeline: MD002 1000 hrs
Tags: t
It took Kat far longer than she anticipated to sift through every log, every bit of data in the main computer. It had to be done by hand until she finally found when the computer had been altered. It was an elegant little program that hid data without actually deleting it, much like a cloaking device hid ships. This, however, had a fail safe. If anyone tampered with the program who didn't know how it worked, it would send a message and then crash the computer.
Her programming skills were limited to engineering and ship functions, so she brought in Mira Jayna from intel to help. Between the two of them, they managed to not only flag the hidden and altered files, but change the program so it would let them know if anyone else accessed the program while performing as it should.
With the probable fall of Empok Nor the information was too late, but Kat hoped that some of it might help Ty and Quinn turn the tables on the Cardassians and New Maquis.
With her PADD filled with information, she went to Quinn's office and rang the chime.
Quinn was not sticking around long, he was about to meet up with Tyler when heard a call come in from his ready room door. "Enter," he called out, wondering who was at the door. He was not expecting anyone.
Kat walked in, not wanting to take up too much of his time. "I finally have a report for you. And some answers."
"Have a seat, skip the formalities. I was about to meet with Ty. But he can wait." Quinn said, as he motioned for her to sit. He was curious, to see what she had learned.
"All the information points to the New Maquis," she said, sliding the PADD to Quinn. "I think we both know the most likely candidate. He's very good. I found a program deep in the computer that kept me from finding any information outside of a file-by-file search. Warrant Officer Mira helped me alter the program so that it wouldn't notify the creator that we found it. All hidden data has been flagged, and it will now notify us if the program is accessed by anyone else. It's my hope the information will help you nail the bast...people responsible."
"Who do you suspect?" Quinn asked, as he came out with it. He wanted to ask about how her other assignment was going. Sadly the New Maquis threat, took priority.
She paused. "I think Rodney Leyton had a hand in it. He knows enough about starships to get into the computer and put in the program. The question I have is whether he had someone on the ship working with him. Who that could be, if there was someone in the inside, I don't know."
"The Admiral?" Quinn asked, a little in shock, but the evidence could certainly point to him. And he had the time and means to carry it out. Kat would not come to him, if she was not certain.
"From everything I've seen, if he didn't do it himself, he directed it," she said. "And, if you add the attack on Empok Nor, the two appear to be linked. The PADD shows everything in the main computer that was hidden. Look through it. Someone went to great lengths to use a Federation Starship for an entire year and hide the evidence."
"Last records I have seen on him, were back in the 70's when he forced to resign his commission. What is he doing out here?" Quinn asked, as he started to gather his composure. He was not expecting to hear that name being called out.
"That's the question. When I was at Empok Nor, there were rumors about him and the New Maquis, but they were just that. There was no proof," she said. "But this...just look over the information on the PADD. Then decide for yourself."
"The Admiral does not appear to be as retired as we were lead to believe." Quinn said, as he started to review the data from her padd. He was a little annoyed that the Admiral's ambition, were taking away from his personal mission, to discover what happened to the Pioneer.
"What also worries me," Kat began, "Is that there might be someone on the inside helping him. I can't prove it, but there are too many things that couldn't be done remotely." She pointed to an item on the PADD. "Like that. I haven't been able to find him or her yet. Nor do I know if this insider was on board the entire time or hid these files when the ship returned."
"My question is why now? Why did they attack the station now? Was it because were getting close or is it just bad timing? Lieutenant Essu was following up on some leads." Quinn said to Kat. It seemed like they were on the right track. Then the attack on the station happened.
"I'll keep looking, but that information wasn't in the computer. What they did is there, but not why." It frustrated her that they had everything planned before taking the ship, so thee data and communications were woefully vague.
"I know you will be very diligent, hopefully we get some answers." Quinn said, neglecting to tell her, that he hoped Jayna and Makeba can gather some data as well, on their covert operation mission.
Kat nodded. "I'll let you get to your meeting." She grinned. "Tell Ty I said hi. One of these ays we need to have dinner together." She knew he was busy and didn't really mind. SHe was grateful to be on the same ship with him.
"Before you go, any updates on Lieutenant Essu's part of the mission?" Quinn asked, he was trying to piece together the data, there was still a mystery out there, that needed to solved. Leyton was being a bit of a distraction, but he wondered if the cases were linked.
She hesitated, her expression turning somber. "No. I thought you had."
"Not yet, but I heard she was getting close." Quinn said, as he walked with Kat to his door. "Thanks for the update." Quinn said, as the doors swished opened.
"You're welcome." She gave him a nod as they separated. "Good luck with your meeting."
"Thanks, dismissed Kat." Quinn said, as he watched Kat walk out his door, as the scene faded away.
A Post by:
Commander Quinn Ó Flannagáin
Executive Officer, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Commander Katherine Malbrooke
Mission Advisor, USS Pioneer
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