Misplaced

Unofficial Literary Challenge 12 - Misplaced

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Thel entered the Captain’s ready-room with a PADD in hand. The Andorian’s dour mood was obvious to Kathryn. She pushed her office chair back to stand for the report her Chief Engineer was prepared to make.

He looked to the PADD before speaking. “Captain, three days ago you mentioned to Lieutenant Taneki you had lost something from your quarters?”

Surprised by the question, Kathryn recalled the conversation with her Bajoran friend. “Well, yes. It was just a side comment though. I’m sure it will turn up eventually.”

“I understand, sir. What was it exactly?” He lifted his other hand to the PADD as if to capture Kathryn’s response for record.

“It was my favorite hair pin.”

Thel tapped on the display. “Please describe it.”

Kathryn raised an eyebrow. Thel was a very serious officer with his duties, yet she started to feel under some interrogation. “It … was long, about twelve centimeters, and metallic. Hand-crafted by an Risian and was a gift from a very good friend from our last lay-over.”

"Metal, I see.” More tapping.

“Commander, what’s going on?” She walked from behind her desk.

Thel looked to Kathryn. “May I use your wall console?”

Kathryn nodded and the Engineer activated the panel from his PADD. Listed on the screen were several items attached to crewmember names. The list scrolled slowly and Kathryn recognized the items immediately. “These are personal items. Wait, some are from the ship itself?”

Nodding, Thel replied, “exactly. All of these have gone missing over the past week. At first I overheard mumblings from the team. It wasn’t until my Guard service pin disappeared that I started to pay attention and ask questions. Scuttlebutt turned to coincidence … and then a pattern.”

At his command, several items on the list were highlighted. “Captain, I believe these items can be manipulated into crafting some … tool or device.”

“Like what?”

“I’m not sure, but the dimensions, materials, and other properties suggest they are useful to that end. I’m concerned we have a thief or a spy within the crew.”

Kathryn looked skeptical. “Thel, I need something more convincing.”

Thel raised a hand to his chin and thought for several seconds. “Our last crew exchange happened over two months ago in the Paradan system. Our last stop was one week ago at the Markia III colony. If we have a spy, then they have been biding their time until now. If it’s just a thief, then they are breaking several regulations in a short amount of time. Unless –“

Kathryn interrupted Thel with eyes widened. “Computer, how many crew are scheduled on board USS Solaris at the current stardate?”

The soft female voice responded, seven hundred forty seven.

“How many lifeforms are currently present on board Solaris?”

A few seconds passed before a small chirp sounded. “Seven hundred forty eight.[/i]

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Kathryn activated the wall console while gripping her phaser pistol tighter. The display revealed a tactical schematic of Deck Fourteen. Imposed were several blue dots representing the crew; some dots moved while others were stationary. A cluster of five dots huddled at the security gate between stellar cartography and the enlisted personnel living quarters. Kathryn knew that was her location and could see the security team looking up and down the corridor from the reflection on the console. A lone yellow dot was added and was in the Jefferies Tube between sections three and four, not moving.

“Okay, if we can corral the intruder along this ventral section, then he’ll either be trapped in the Tube or he’ll be trapped in Cargo Bay One. Either way we’ll have it cornered.” She looked to each of the security officers assembled with her. “Bosk move from port-side, Trenu from starboard and Cremeans from stern. Bur’ar and I will head to CB1. Set phasers to stun and shoot if provoked. Good luck.”

The team adjusted their weapons, then split up.

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Inside Cargo Bay One, Kathryn and Bur’ar stood near the Jefferies Tube hatch with raised phaser pistols. The locks hissed and the door swung open. A large ball of brown fur fell and clanked as it contacted the floor. Not expecting that, the Starfleet officers took a step back but did not lower their weapons.

Kathryn whispered to Bur’ar, “a Markian.”

Unraveling itself, the humanoid creature pushed the Tube door closed, wiped at its fur, and then sighed. Turning into the cavernous cargo bay, it stopped at the sight of Kathryn and her Klingon Security Chief then raised its hands to surrender.

“Oh. <Ch> Hello.”

Kathryn was reminded of an Earth prairie dog with large ears. It stood just over one meter tall, whose fur flowed grw from head to feet. Wearing a shirt and shirts with a large work belt and bandolier, both straps had numerous pouches that looked full. Based on the bulges on its chest, Kathryn surmised the Markian was female.

Lowering her pistol, Kathryn took a step forward. “Greetings. You are on board the Federation starship Solaris. I am Captain Kathryn Beringer. What’s your name?”

The large ears twitched a little. “<Ch>Tarkap.”

“Okay. What are you doing aboard my ship?”

“<Ch>Would you believe sight-seeing?”

Kathryn shook her head.

“<Ch>Me neither.”

“I see. Well, you are a stowaway on my ship and very far from home. Why?”

Tarkap‘s short muzzle trembled before she spoke. “<Ch> It is a long story.”

Kathryn crossed her arms. “Humor me.”

The Markian placed her arms behind her back and walked a few paces thoughtfully along the wall. “<Ch>Over the septirs, my kind have traveled the stars on other ships. We forage to find parts that will allow us to make a talker. <Ch>It is test of our cleverness. Sending message home proves our skill. Finding way back home is another test.” Tarkap looked back the Kathryn. “<Ch>You see, rite of passage?”

Nodding, Kathryn looked to Bur’ar quickly. After a week of items went missing, it seemed silly to stop Tarkap’s progress. At the same time, she couldn’t allow the Markian to continue. “Are you close to finishing?”

Tarkap smiled wide. She opened a pouch and pulled out a piece of jewelry that looked like a Bolian broach. “<Ch>This color stone may be what I need. Want to see?”

“Yes, please.”

Bur’ar contacted the security team in the Tubes to stand down. The three walked over to a corner in the Cargo Bay. Tarkap pulled on a wall panel and lowered the plate. Reaching into the wall, she retrieved a motley device that looked more like a pile of trash that anything useful. She fixed the broach into the machine and it seemed to fit perfectly. Flipping a switch, it activated and static could be heard from within its core.

Not expecting it would work, Kathryn kneeled down to inspect the contraption as Tarkep spoke to it.

“<Ch>Hello?”

KKKKkkkkZZZZzzzz-llo-zzzzZZZZkkkkKKKK

Tarkap’s ears perked up. “<Ch>Hello?”

KKKkkkZZZzzz-ho is talk-zzzZZZkkkKKK

“<Ch>Tarkap. It is Tarkap!”

KKkkZZzz-ood job-zk-ome back hom-zzZZkkKK

Kathryn found herself smiling when Tarkap looked up from the device. “Looks like you did it.”

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Cast for crew:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Thel Ythysi - Kevin Sorbo
Bur'ar - David Ramsey
Tarkap - Ariel Winters
Bosk - male sidewalk extra 1
Trenu - male sidewalk extra 2
Cremeans - male sidewalk extra 3