Lieutenant Commander Chloe Waters: Early Progress

[Jesse F]

((Security Suite, Deck 8 -- U.S.S Khitomer))


There was a lot to do in so little time. Chloe was glad, in a sense,
that Zerva was able to make jokes- at least, she thought he was making
one. If he did, it meant the mood could be lighter, and maybe if they
weren't all distracted by guilt, worry or fear, the well oiled machine
that was still at least some of the Arrow's crew could work out a plan
to get their ship back.


That said, if they got too lighthearted, they might not get anything
done. It was time to get down to business, now that they could do more.


Waters: What were you able to retrieve before we left the station?


Zerva: I backed tracked the cameras from where the decon team left to
board the Arrow. I found something on the security cameras. It might not
be much, but it’s a start.


The Ensign presented a PADD, and Chloe watched the footage closely. It
wasn't much indeed, but they could at least see the faces of those who
invaded their home. She huffed softly.


Zenno: And in addition to the Ensign’s excellent work, Chief Vanta was
able to send me an analysis of their movements before beaming over. Plus
a contact on DS33 was able to get me the personnel jackets for all
concerned. There are… inconsistencies in them. ::Hands over a PADD::


Inconsistencies. That left a disturbing possibility. Was it possible the
team was in fact not what it appeared to be at all? Could they have in
fact been posing as Starfleet officers? And if they were, how much help
did they have from within Starfleet itself, to forge the documents they
needed to pass themselves off?


Chloe knew she was being conspiratorial, but hadn't they already been
dealing with a conspiracy here? One to slip the Arrow out from right
under their noses.


Waters: This is promising work Ensign, Lieutenant.


Zerva: As you can see it’s the first place they came from before
boarding the Arrow.

Zenno: And furthermore, while their jackets could pass a quick scan,
they could not withstand some fact-checking. That Carpenter person most
certainly did not attend a Space Salvage & Recovery School on Theta
Minoris ten years ago. It was a war zone at the time and the school was
closed.


Waters: Curious, that a Starfleet record could contain an inconsistency
that great.


Zerva: ::nodding in response:: Before we continue, should we invite
members of the Khitomer security team to help us since we are borrowing
their ship or do we wish to keep this in house?

Zenno: ::Addressing Zerva:: We are one big happy fleet! Of course we
will involve them… unless the Commander objects?


Waters: At this time, I do not.


Zenno: Of course. ::nods and turns towards his junior officer:: Ensign,
given what we know as of this moment, should we expect violence upon
locating the Arrow?


It was an interesting, if unfortunate, question. One she had to
consider. A Starfleet ship firing on another was a rare event, but then
again the last major starship theft had happened almost forty years ago,
when the Enterprise D was overtaken by the Binar. Starships were
generally fairly secure, except, unfortunately, when they lacked personnel.


They didn't know much about the true intentions of those who stole the
Arrow. As such, Chloe thought they had to assume the worst. They
couldn't afford to assume anything otherwise.


Zerva: Response


Waters: I believe we should proceed, preparing as if we do expect things
to become violent. That said, for now we should focus on finding out who
did this. That, in itself, may provide us with a plan of action, if we
can figure out how they think.


Zenno: That is a fair conclusion. There are many variables, however.


There were always variables. Always question marks. They couldn't hope
to anticipate everything- if they had, the Arrow would still be safely
moored. But they could try, and they would.


Zenno: My concern here is that we are a skeleton caretaker crew of the
Khitomer, supplemented by a handful of Arrow Assets. We are facing a
known suspicious element that is capable of Grand Theft. Would they be
capable of Murder, if we find them and attempt recovery? It is fair to
consider this as we plan. The situation could rapidly become dire.


Waters: A valid concern, and one we should keep in mind. But let's take
things one step at a time.


Zenno/Zerva: Response


Waters: Now, Mr. Zenno. You mentioned inconsistencies in these Starfleet
files. ::beat:: What is the both of your assessment here? Could we be
looking at forged documents?


Zenno/Zerva: Response


Tag, TBC


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Lieutenant Commander Chloe Waters

Mission Specialist

USS Arrow, NCC-69829

Writer ID: E239601CW0

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