Under the spotlight

[Seiben 0]

Tar'Mok exits the Observation Lounge, and returns to his station to compose the report. Tar'Mok meticulously details his every action, monitoring the construction of the research facility. Tar'Mok leaves nothing out. Thirty three minutes later, Tar'Mok completes his report and sends it to Admiral Day, and also saves the report in his archives for future refrence. Soon afterwards, Tar'Mok shift ends. He takes the turbolift down to his quarters and does his routine meditation for the next hour. After that, Tar'Mok changes into his nightware and goes to sleep....

 

The next day, Tar'Mok gets up at his usual 0700. Even though Tar'Mok has the day off. Tar'Mok heads up to the messhall for breakfast. Digging into his scrambled eggs, bacon, pankcakes, buttered toast and coffee, Tar'Mok glazes out the window. Tar'Mok was informed that the Excalibur was ordered to return to Earth in the Observation Lounge, where they will be detained for questioning. Rumours on the Excalibur travel fast, like on any ship. So crew morale is low. "Do you think we'll all get arrested for this?" One crewman asks. Eating his meal in silence, Tar'Mok gazes out the window. They are well into the Alpha Quadrant now, and judging by his calculations shall reach Earth within the hour. Tar'Mok goes over a PADD containg the report he submitted to Admiral Day yesterday.

 

Eventually, the Excalibur reached Earth. Tar'Mok was transported down to San Francisco. From the distance, Tar'Mok can see the Golden Gate Bridge. The wind breezed on Tar'Mok as he gazed out at Fisherman's Wharf, and some sea lions feeding nearby. His train of thought was interrupted by the hiss of a door opening. Tar'Mok turns around to see a black Ford Crown Victoria shuttlecraft -- the Standard Federation conveyance vehicle. Two people exited the craft. One was a large man, Terran, standing about 6'6" and weighing about 300lbs. He resembled a 21st century "NFL Football" player. Beside him was a Bajoran female. "Ensign Tar'Mok, USS Excalibur. Acting Chief Science Officer of the construction process. I am Agent Mike Henderson, Federation Bureau of Investigations, this is Agent Roka. "

"That is correct, sir. But I do have superiors." Agent Henderson looked over his records. "Yes, a Lt. Cdr Vex Xiang, Chief Science Officer of the Excalibur, and a Lieutenent Junior Grade Rosa Micheals. We are aware of them. However, you are still required to accompany us for questioning.

 

Tar'Mok enters the shuttle. Agent Henderson pilots the big Crown Vic through the busy skies of San Francisco. It is lunch hour, so traffic is a little high. Nonetheless, the shuttle passes by Starfleet Academy where his sister T'Val is staying. A few uneventful minutes later, the shuttle arrives at the Federation Headquarters. Henderson lands the shuttle, Roka and Henderson them guide Tar'Mok in the Headquarters. He is taken into a small interrogation room. Inside is a table, four chairs, a lamp and a large mirror. "Please sit here." Roka says.

 

Roka walks out the door, and returns a few minutes later with another person. Ensign Smith. The new Assistant Science Officer. She transferred to the Excalibur from the Foulgrain, and was part of the constrcution team on the planet. Ens. Smith beamed back to the Excallibur shortly before the explosion, according to the transporter logs, which makes her a suspect in the explosion as well.

 

"Wait here please". Roka tells Tar'Mok and Smith. Agents Henderson and Roka exit the

room. Not long after a Klingon female enters the room. "I am Commander Ke'Larr. I am here on loan from the Klingon High Command in Quo'noS. Ke'Larr looks over Smith and Tar'Mok. She then glances at a PADD. "Ensign Tar'Mok, born in Shi'Karr, Vulcan --

birthplace of Capitan Spock. You were the Acting Chief of Science for this mission.

Is that correct?" Tar'Mok nods. "Yes, that is correct, ma'am." Ke'Larr nods. "and did you notice out of the ordinary when you were overlooking the construction. Readings out of the ordinary, system malfunctions, that sort of thing?" Tar'Mok shakes his head. "No, ma'am. All systems were in perfect working order, systems were normal on the planet as well." Ke'Larr cracks her knuckles. "I see. So, everything was 'hunky dory', eh?" She sneers. "Correct, ma'am." Tar'Mok replies emotionlessly. "In fact, here is the report. You will see that it will satify your curiousity." Tar'Mok then handed Ke'Larr the PADD, containing the report of what happened. Tar'Mok's Vulcan instincts told him he might need a copy.

 

Ke'Larr looks it over. By her looks, Ke'Larr seems content."Hmpf.. seems fine." Vulcans.. they always were difficult to interrogate. Ke'Larr thought. With their emotionless stares, nothing could crack them. Ke'Larr was getting nowhere with Tar'Mok. She was growing frustrated. She spent a few more minutes grilling Tar'Mok, but didn't really get anywhere. His answers seemed to be on the level anyways. Ke'Larr then focused her attentions on Ens. Smith. Humans were always weak, and easy to 'crack'. Ke'Larr surmises. Ke'Larr looks at her PADD.

 

"Hmm, Ensign Elizebeth Jacquiline Smith. Assistant Science Officer.. and part of the construction crew, I see." Smith nods. "That's right." Ens. Smith was born in Portland, Oregon, twenty-two years ago. She graduated from academy six months ago, she has been on board the Excalibur for only two weeks, however she is highly popular with the men of the crew. Especially after they find out she was named Miss United States two years ago. Her slender 5'8" body and long brown hair get their fair share of looks from the opposite sex.

 

Ke'Larr shone the lamp in Smith's face. Smith tried to shield her eyes. Ke'Larr growls at Smith. "And what was your role in the construction process?" She asked. "I was in charge of the installation of the computer banks, and software. I also oversaw the download of the files to the computer banks in the research facility from the Excalibur's computer core." Smith replied. Ke'Larr barrs her teeth at Smith. "I see. Who was with you during your construction process?" Smith looked at the ground. "Nobody. I was alone". This seemed to stir up Ke'Larr's curiousity. "You were alone? No help from anyone else? Where were they?" Ke'Larr asked. "The crew were scrattered around the facility doing their seperate tasks." Ke'Larr looked at her PADD. It is displayed a schematic of the research facility.

 

"1500 square foot facility. The area you were at was highly isolated, wasn't it? Noone can really see what you're doing, can they?" Ensign Smith looked up at Ke'Larr. "What are you implying?" She asks. "SILENCE!" Ke'Larr snaps. Smith sighs.

"You installed the programmes into the computer banks, so maybe you could have also implated a virus or bomb!" Ke'Larr exclaims. Smith stands up. "No! I didn't! I'm innocent!" said Smith. Ke'Larr angrily shoved Smith back in her chair. "SIT DOWN! I am not finished with you!" she angrily yelled.

 

The lamp still shone brightly on Smith. Tar'Mok could see sweat starting to drip down Smith's face. So could Ke'Larr. She smugly smiles at Smith. "What's the matter Ensign? Thirsty?" Ke'Larr walks over to a table, and brings over a pitcher of iced tea." Ke'Larr then poured herself a glass, and downed the drink in one gulp. "Hmm, decilious". She says. "Would you like a glass?" Ke'Larr poured some iced tea in an empty glass and placed it on the table near Smith. Smith reached for it. At that moment, Ke'Larr thrust a daggar, impaling it on the table an inch from Smith's hand. Smith screams in terror, and recoils her hand. "You would like a drink, wouldn't you? A drink of the condemned?" Ke'Larr sneers. "Tell you what? If you tell me the truth of what happened, I will let you have the drink."

 

"But I am!" Smith replies. Ke'Larr ignores Smith's comments. Ke'Larr walks over to Tar'Mok and Smith looking them over. Tar'Mok stares blankly at the one way mirror, whilst Smith looks down at her hands. She walks over to Smith and splashes the drink in her face. "So Ensign Smith, tell me the programmes and files you downloaded to the computer banks." Smith looks up at Ke'Larr. "Just standard Federation stuff." Ke'Larr cupped Smith's face in her hands. Smith can smell the fresh gagh and bloodwine Ke'Larr had for lunch. "What kind of 'federation stuff'?" She asks.

 

"Uh. Science equipment, programmes, files..." Smith started. "Computer viruses? Bombs? Or maybe a way to hack into the self-destruct sequence!" Ke'Larr interrupted. Smith gets up again. "That's rediclous! I did nothing!" Smith says. This seemed to anger the Klingon. An illogical move. Surmised Tar'Mok. His suspicions were confirmed when Ke'Larr growls and viciously slaps Smith in the face. The force sends Ensign Smith sprawling to the wall. Ke'Larr walks over and grabs Smith by the collar. She picks Smith up and plants her hard on the chair again. "DO NOT DISOBEY ME AGAIN, YOU INSOLENT LITTLE P'TAQ!" Ke'Larr yells. Tar'Mok glances over at Ensign Smith. Tears are running down her face. Ensign Smith rubs her bruised cheek. "You saw that, right Tar'Mok?" Smith asks. Eyes glistening with tears . "Indeed I have, Ms. Smith" Tar'Mok emotionlessly replies.

 

She turns to Ke'Larr. "Any minute now, guards will be here to place you in the brig." So, Ke'Larr, Smith and Tar'Mok wait a few minutes in silence. However, ten minutes later when nobody came barging through the door, Ke'Larr smugly chuckles. "Where are these guards you speak of? Oh wait.." Ke'Larr walks to the table and rummages inside her bag. She extracts a PADD, and smiles. "Diplomatic Immunity." Ke'Larr draws her dagger and jabs it slightly on Smith's neck. "I could kill you like the dog that you are and there is nothing your precious Federation can do about it" she coldly said. "Now, we shall continue our interrogation. Computer, resume recording." The computer beeps in reply. "You will tell me your every action on the research facility". Smith explained to Ke'Larr her every move.

 

"I see, and when exactly did you beam back to the Excalibur?" asked Ke'Larr. "I beamed off about twenty minutes before the explosion." Ke'Larr walked over to the replicator, and replicated herself some raw targ. Ke'Larr takes a large bite. "You beamed off twenty minutes before the explosion, eh? How convient. Would you say?" Smith was sobbing. "It's just a coincidence. I didn't cause the explosion! I'm innocent!" Ke'Larr sets down the targ. "Lies! You have no proof! You could have planted a bomb in the station, or activate self destruct."

 

Ke'Larr turns to Tar'Mok. "Is it possible that Ensign Smith here could have done this?" she asked. Tar'Mok thought about this for a second. "A bomb, no. But it is theoretically possible to set the self destruct, or to overload the power generators causing them to explode." Tar'Mok blankly stated. "But I..." Ke'Larr smacks Smith on the head. "SILENCE! YOU WILL SPEAK ONLY WHEN SPOKEN TO!" Smith whimpers, she burries her face in her hands and starts crying again. Ke'Larr smiles coldly. She was sure this pathetic little p'taq will crack any minute. They all did.

 

Ke'Larr served aboard three Klingon vessels, most notably the IKC Bortas -- Gowron's flagship. On an away mission, three Romulan defectors posing as Vulcans were captured by the Bortas in the Klingon Neutral Zone. That is when her superiors first noticed Ke'Larr's crude but highly effective interrogation techniques. The Romulans cracked, and revealed their true purpose. They were Romulan spies sent to spy on a new Klingon miliary base built on a moon on the Klingon Border. This resulted in Ke'Larr's promotion to Commander, and Chief Interrogator for the Klingon High Command.

 

Ke'Larr is on loan to the Federation from the Klingon Empire, but it wasn't the first time they employed her service. Tar'Mok remembers seeing Ke'Larr in action. Shortly after the Baton Rouge's destruction, a Federation ship, the USS Relentless captured a Romulan deflector. He was taken to Starbase 86, for questioning. Tar'Mok remembers that it did not take long for the Romulan to crack under pressure. He watched the interrogation from behind a one-way mirror. Though he was a low ranking collaborator, he managed to reveal alot about how they destroyed the Akyazi-Class Baton Rouge.

 

The Romulan also revealed the identity of a Federation Officer who collaborated with the Romulans. Lieutenant Tim Burke, of Starfleet Intellegence. Ten minutes was all Ke'Larr needed, she agreed to interrogate Burke, on one condition -- Dimlomatic Immunity. Burke sent logs from the Baton Rouge, and gave their exact location. He also provided the Renegade Romulans with highly classified data on the Baton Rouge, including shield tolerance limitations.

 

Lt. Burke was sentenced to 25 years in Federation Prison for his role in the attack. The Romulans were given a life sentence... Ke'Larr was mercyless to Ens. Smith. "Your actions! Tell me your every move on the Gas Giant!" By now, Smith was reduced to a whimpering mess. "I told you, all I did was install software to the computers and downloaded files from the Excalibur. After my task was complete, I beamed back on board. That's the honest truth." exclaims Smith.

 

"A likely story" excalims Ke'Larr. "Listen, Smith.. I have enough proof to put you away for life in the worst Maximum Security Female Federation Prison. You'd be pretty popular with the prison inmates, wouldn't you?" Ke'Larr says as she strokes Smith's hair. "Nooo..." Smith says quietly. According to the cronometer, it is 1800. The interrogation last for four hours. "I believe I am finished for now. Computer, end recording." Ke'Larr says. Ke'Larr looks into the one-way mirror. "I am finished for today. You may escort these two to their quarters." Ke'Larr gathers her things as Agents Henderson and Roka enter the room. Tar'Mok and Smith are ushered out. Tar'Mok exits the interrogation room unharmed. Ke'Larr tried in vain to crack Tar'Mok, but his Vulcan emotional supression techniques, rendered her intimidation threats ineffective. "I'll see you tommorow, Elizabeth." Ke'Larr said just before they are taken out the door.

 

Tar'Mok and Smith are taken to their 'quarters'. A standard Federation holding cell. It is about 15' x 15'. Two beds, a toilet, a sink, and a small desk in the corner. Agent Roka closes the door, and the two of them walk away. "So, care for some seafood at Fisherman's Wharf?" Agent Henderson asks. Their conversation was cut off when they entered the turbolift. Ensign Smith sobs quietly. Tar'Mok finds an empty space and meditates for ten minutes. He then walks over to Ensign Smith. Now the envy of every single man on the Excalibur, Tar'Mok is alone with Smith.

 

Tar'Mok looks out the barred windows at the San Francisco skyline. The bars are comprised of tritanium making escape impossible. That, and their room is 52 storeys above ground. "Are you alright, Miss Smith?" asks Tar'Mok. Smith looks up at Tar'Mok. A little blood is running down her nose. Her blood shoot eyes, glisten at him. "You believe I'm innocent, right Tar'Mok?" asks Smith. "Yes, I do Your voice during your interrogation indicates you are thruthful." Smith sighs. "Then why doesn't Ke'Larr believe me?" she asks. Tar'Mok shrugs. "I do not know, but do not let her get to you". A guard then comes to their cell giving them their dinner. "Bon appetit. Your interrogation is being reviewed, and you should be released by the end of the week, afer some more interrogations that is." TheTerrarite guard says. Smith started to cry again.

 

"I don't know how much more I can take!" she complained. The guard shrugged and walked away. Given Smith's emotional distress, Tar'Mok judged it wouldn't be logical for him to suggest meditation or to reassure her about the interrogation. Sometimes, with humans, it is best to e silent, and listen to them speak their minds. Tar'Mok learned that fact from one of his El-Aurian friends. Tar'Mok and Smith eat their dinner of 'salsbury steak', mashed potatoes, carrots, red Jello and Apple juice in silence.

 

Nightfall soon fell on the Golden Gate City. Tar'Mok silently comforted Smith in the dark room. Tar'Mok knows he and Smith are innocent. They will be questioned for a few more days, then released. Ensign Smith wasn't looking forward to that, but Tar'Mok told her to stay strong. "Klingons detest cowadliness in their adversaries, which is why you were constantly assaulted". Smith nods. "You're right, but she's so intimidating." Smith leans her head on Tar'Mok's shoulder. Curious, thinks Tar'Mok. But he does nothing. Eventually, this unpleasant ordeal will be over, and they will be free to resume their lives on Excalibur.