Finders Keepers?

[MisterSmith 0]

The expression on Brian's face mirrored Debbie's own feelings. Anything to do with Cairo was both intriguing and downright painful. The Chief Science Officer had not been in on the detailed briefing provided the away team shortly before they left for the unidentified planet. Deb seriously doubted Brian ever considered the possibility some of the Cairo's crew might still be alive. She hadn't....until the briefing. Even then, Debbie wouldn't allow herself to believe such a thing was possible.

 

All that changed when they found Lt. Montgomery's jacket.

 

Brian deftly called up the personnel file for the jacket's owner as Debbie stood looking over his shoulder.

Name: Montgomery, Ian

Serial Number: CYZ0039282

Rank: Lieutenant

Status: Deceased - 05303.30

 

The same picture she'd seen during her first inquiry appeared on the screen. Ian Montgomery was Caucasian with fair skin, brown eyes and dark hair. He was an attractive man who looked to be in his early thirties. Debbie already knew the Lieutenant was a Planetary Science Specialist assigned to the USS Cairo, NCC42136-A. Brian quickly confirmed that as well.

 

But now that she had a little more time and Brian's assistance, Deb was determined to learn all she could about Lt. Ian Montgomery.

 

"I know he was found in Compartment 4C on Deck 13," said Debbie, as she studied Montgomery's picture. She shook her head slightly, searching for a delicate way to phrase her next question. "What was the condition of his body?" she asked quietly. "Was he one of those identified by DNA only?"

 

Brian sat puzzled. He had been the one who, nearly four years ago, had catalogued every single body from deck to deck, so that the families had atleast a small sense of closure. In his reports, he had also noted how each body was identified.

 

"I haven't checked the records," he started, "but I have a feeling that he was identified by a DNA match. It's a shame too. I don't think the report listed any family members. The poor guy seemed to have just dissappeared from the world, without anyone knowing."

 

Yet another puzzled look struck Brian. "So...What exactly does this have to do with the whole away mission?"

 

Debbie hazard a quick glance at Smith, not quite sure how much she was at liberty to share with him. She nodded toward the small console." Find out where he was born and raised," she said, keeping her voice low. "Even if he had no family, there might be someone in his hometown who would remember him. They might be able to identify him from the picture. As a matter of fact, let's go back to his Academy days. Maybe he had a couple of buddies he hung out with and we could track them down."

 

She glanced at the Captain and XO. They were both engrossed in the hunt for the old Miranda Class starship. Debbie put her hand on Brian's shoulder and leaned close to his ear. There was so much noise on the bridge she wanted to make sure he could hear without her having to yell.

 

"There's a possibility whoever took out the Cairo kidnapped some of her personnel...may have taken personnel off other ships as well. They may still be alive." She nodded toward the jacket. "We found Montgomery's jacket on that backwater planet. How do you suppose it got there?"