Precautions

[T'Prise 0]

The computer chimed, indicating that its instructed encryption protocols were complete. T'Prise looked up from her data PADD and turned to the terminal on her desk to examine the encryption methodology. Satisfied that the data was secure, she returned to the letter she was composing.

 

...given the sensitive nature of our current mission. While a career in Starfleet is always accompanied by a certain amount of risk, I have no misgivings regarding my accomplishments as an officer and as a scientist. Should some type of harm befall me during this assignment, I want you to understand that despite the impediments I experienced, I have continued work on my research. If I do not complete it, perhaps someone else, at some time, will.

 

Please convey my regards to Saylek. When the appropriate time arrives, he should feel free to invoke koon-ut-so'lik in my absence. While we have had little contact with one another since childhood, his service in the Diplomatic Corps of the Federation has, by all indications, been exemplary, and is to be commended.

 

Time is short and I must attend to my duties. Enclosed are copies of T'Lann's recipes; you should find the one for plomeek to be particularly refreshing. I apologize for being unable to prepare it for you myself, either at this time or in the future.

 

I wish you peace and long life, Father.

 

Satisfied with the results of her efforts, T'Prise transferred the letter to her computer console and began to attach all of her research on slipstream to the file, masking it as recipes. Her father would understand the reference to plomeek broth and would make sure the data was kept safe if she did not survive this mission. Her work would not be lost.

 

Carefully scrutinizing the data stream to safeguard the information contained within, she opened a secure communications signal and uploaded the transmission. If the letter was intercepted by anyone, the attached data would appear to be innocuous. With no certainties given regarding the mission they were preparing to embark upon, sending this letter seemed a logical precaution.

 

Tapping the console, she sent the transmission, and watched as the emblem of the United Federation of Planets appeared and then faded like an ominous portend, leaving only a darkened screen.