A sudden departure...

[Tom Servo 0]

As Tom and Daena proceeded to meet up with the Captain for their tour, Tom's communicator suddenly beeped at him. "Lt. Servo, there is a priority incoming transmission for you. They said their name was Octus Spencer, and refused to provide any further information."

 

Tom knew exactly who "Octus Spencer" was. It was a code name provided on any incoming secure transmissions from Starfleet Internal Security. Tom had been covertly trained shortly after his time at the academy for undercover duties investigating internal matters, and was provided this code so that he may be advised of an impending mission without drawing attention to the matter.

 

"Acknowledged. I will be on my way back right away", Tom advised the communications officer.

 

He turned to Daena, "Sorry, I have to head back to the ship. Its important." Daena turned to Tom and gave a frown. Tom apologized again, "I'm sorry." He gently brushed his hand along the side of her cheek, and leaned in. He gave her a kiss on the cheek, and a warm, loving hug before departing for the transport tube.

 

He walked briskly to the transport tube, and anxiously waited for the tube to carry him back to the ship. Once back on the ship, he made a mental inventory of the things he would need to do before he departed the ship for his upcoming mission.

 

Tom quickly returned to his quarters and sat at the console. "Computer secure the door, and route my secure transmission to this terminal. Authorization Servo-1-6-6-Zulu."

 

It only came through as a pre-recorded message advising him of his mission, with no option for Tom to respond in any way. When he signed up for the program, it was required that he would be accept any mission that he was sent.

 

There was no face on the message, only data. "Lt. Servo, you are to proceed directly to Starbase 143. The commander of the station has been made aware of your arrival, and has informed his security staff that he has been tipped off that a person of interest to Starfleet is to be arriving shortly. On arrival, you will be arrested by security under committal warrants for falsely representing yourself as a Starfleet officer. Your name is 'Marcus Penzie', and you had been presenting yourself as an Ensign. You will be transferred to Jaros II for incarceration. You are to gather information from a former officer, M'Gaugh LaGugh, who has been convicted of trafficking confidential data to a splinter Romulan group that is looking to start a very open war with the Federation. LaGugh was not able to provide them with any critical information, however the amount he was able to get through, compounded with intelligence from counter-operatives, indicate that there are still others within Starfleet that are providing them with information. Despite the relatively low risk this group realistically poses, the potential that those providing this information may begin selling to people that can be of higher risk demands that Starfleet Internal Security investigate the matter quickly, and identify those that are conducting these transactions. You will depart immediately. Captain LoAmi has been notified of your departure, and is aware of the general parameters of your mission. Your official personnel record will indicate that you have been recalled to Earth for a refresher on tactical entry into fortified installations. The Commander at Jaros II also knows of your mission, however no one under him will, not even his second in command has been briefed. You will contact the Commander discretly once your mission has been completed, at which time 'Penzie' will be transferred to another penal colony, and you will return to the Arcadia."

 

 

Tom made several mental notes regarding the mission, and began preparing. He thought about how leaving suddenly would affect Daena, and decided that another 2 minutes composing a message would not adversely affect his forthcoming mission. He put together a quick message giving her his cover story that will be put on his record, and advised her that he would not be able to communicate for the duration of his trip.

 

He did not like lying to Daena, but the circumstances surrounding the assignment, as well as any future assignments sent out by Internal, dictate that the less people that knew about this covert reconnaissance, the safer it was for him as well as other operatives. He concluded his message with an "I love you" and a smile. He sent it to the terminal in her quarters so she would receive it as soon as she returned to the ship.

 

Tom then quickly replicated some slightly grubby clothing, and proceeded to the shuttle bay. With his bag stowed away, and with minimal fanfare, he left Arcadia for Starbase 143.