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Chirakis

Connecting the Dots

 

Connecting the Dots
 

Except for basic security, most personnel were on yellow alert protocol, roaming the corridors, verifying identifications, assuring that all was well among the civilians on station, and ready to report anything or anyone suspicious.  As far as Security Lt David Garand knew, aside from the usual security guard, he was the only one in the complex, which is why he stopped when he heard mumbling in the main security room.

 

“...Pakleds… to Aegis,” the voice continued, barely audible, as Garand called quietly for backup, then stepped into the main security room.  

 

“...part… An-Ward, along with…. Horta mother….”

 

The voice trailed off, then he heard a sigh and slight movement.  All the offices were dark and the doors were open, but a sight flicker came from the Captain’s office, located at the end of the corridor.  He motioned to Ens Ricora, a tall, slender woman of mixed lineage, who moved immediately to check the other rooms, all of which were empty.  His head ticked toward the main office.

 

“....highly protective of their cargo, insisting that they had rocks….”

 

They stopped on either side of the door to listen.

 

“Come in, Lieutenant,” said the voice, now obviously Captain Chirakis.  “Your stealth approach needs work, but we will address that later,” she continued without looking up or turning.  “Ensign, you may return to your duties.”

 

Ricora acknowledged and disappeared into the semi-darkened corridor.  Garand took the proffered chair next to the captain, wondering.  “Captain, how…”

 

“...did I know?” She interrupted, pulling her attention from the PADD to relax in the chair.  “You have a distinctive odor—shaving cream, body wash, shampoo, or similar.  You also have a distinctive cadence to your walk, as does Ensign Ricora.” She shrugged. “As I said, we will deal with that later.  What do you know of the Pakleds?”

 

He took a moment to think.  “They’re not exactly intelligent, ma’am.  They don’t take care of their equipment, they don’t really know how to handle a starship, keep it running, keep it clean, and several other things that don’t fit into our idea of competence.”

 

“And you have come to these conclusions from first hand experience?”

 

“Yes, ma’am.”

 

“Are you absolutely certain that they are what they appear to be?”

 

Garand blinked, stopped, then thought a while, not sure how he should answer.

 

“Some years ago, the USS Enterprise D came in contact with a Pakled ship that needed repairs.  After goading the Enterprise into repairing their ship, they held their engineer captive and demanded advanced technology in exchange for his return.  Granted, they were outwitted by the Enterprise crew, but it could have ended differently.”  

 

The captain retrieved her PADD and engaged the main viewscreen to reveal a timeline of the Pakleds’ recent encounter with Aegis.

 

“The Pakleds brought their dilapidated ship close enough to Aegis to inflict considerable damage, and it would have had we not diverted it to the shipyard.  The Pakleds are responsible for our first encounter with the Droids who are now here for diplomatic negotiations.  In that same cargo was a pregnant Horta from An-Ward, which led to our investigation of An-Ward and our first encounter with the Alien Alliance that was responsible for the destruction of the USS Vladivostok.  That eventually led to the capture of the USS Byron,  the chroniton bomb, the disappearance of Captain Ramson, the disappearance of TKR-117, the appearance of an energy-hungry cloud, and on it goes.”

 

All Garand could do was stare at the screen.

 

“I am not saying that all these things are connected, Lieutenant. What I am saying is that we should be even more vigilant, because it is possible that they are connected.”  Grasping the chair arms, she swiveled to study the screen.  “Up the threat for security personnel, Lieutenant.  Commander Cayne will be needed in Command and Control.  I will alert CAG Ajax.”

 

“Captain,” Garand began, hesitant, and drawing the captain’s attention. “Do you really believe the Pakleds could be more intelligent than they seem to be?”

 

“Lieutenant, a close friend once told me, ‘There is always someone more powerful or more cunning.  Always.’  Their hubris led to a devastating war that nearly decimated their species.

 

“Lieutenant, what could be more cunning than either pretending to be stupid and being extremely intelligent, or being stupid enough to follow the lead of a highly intelligent and extremely dangerous species that is willing to give you everything you want and teach you how to use it to its full effect?”

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