The Transport

1.07 The Transport

Magellan strolled leisurely along the main street of Star base Assailant. It was nice to have little responsibility. Just himself to look after. Following their encounter with the Hozott Magellan had taken time to relax and recover from his captivity. The Victory had put in for some much needed shore leave. Sadly Commander Steve had been reassigned by Command and so for awhile the Victory had been without a first officer. Luckily confirmation had arrived that morning granting Commander Riker the position. He was a more than able officer; in fact he would have been happy with any number of his officers in the position.
He approached one of the Starfleet Information Centres. He was recognised almost immediately.
"Rear Admiral Magellan Sir Welcome aboard" the young Ensign greeted. " Admirals Sheldon and Drew are taking Dinner at Rucks"
"Thank you" Magellan replied "But I have eaten"
It would have been nice to meet up with the others but he was tired and in no mood for socialising. Perhaps he could meet up with them in the morning. All he desired was to get back to his assigned quarters and get some sleep. He hoped the rest of his crew were making the most of their shore leave

Aboard the Victory Riker got changed into his new red uniform, it seemed strange without the yellow. He left his quarters, a few ensigns greeting him as made his way to the transporter room.
” Star base Assailant please.” He asked.
”Aye sir.”
Riker dematerialised and found himself on the Starbase. A cadet greeted him and took his bags to his temporary quarters aboard the Assailant. The cadet walked Riker to his quarters and chatted amiably about the recent changes and developments on the starbase.
”Here you are sir, have a nice stay.”
” Thank you cadet.”
Riker dragged his luggage into his quarters and listened to some music and had a drink. He lay down on his bed and fell asleep after a long stressful mission.

Elsewhere on Assailant in Rucks Bar the rest of the Senior Staff sat in a tight circle around a table.

“Ladies & gentlemen let me first take this time to thank you for coming. I know you all have other things you would like to be doing right now so I won’t take up much of your time.” Matthews announced. “Some of you will be staying on the Big –V so I look forward to our next deployment. Now after this long mission I think we should take this time to reflect on this past mission and to give a heart felt well done to the actions made by some of our officers and crewman of the victory during this mission. Will you all join me in a well earned toast to them”
”Cheers’’ came the roar of approval.

‘’Now we’re past all of the official ship business lets enjoy our meal. By the way everyone Cmdr Stone is picking up the tab tonight so order up what every you want” Matthews laughed
”Yeah so make sure it doesn’t add up to the 2nd fleet weekly operational budget”

Most of the senior staff and crew were taking some well deserved R&R but Carter had decided to stay onboard the Victory to complete some of the more key system repairs. He had just started on the shield systems. Although fixing things did help him to relax.
"Here's the updated repair estimates, the longer ones are due to components which need to be requisitioned from the starbase."
"That’s fine; I'll chase up the components from the starbase. In the mean time just carry on with the other repairs."
"Aye sir."
"Computer, open a channel to the requisition officer on starbase Assailant."
"Standby....Channel open"
"This Lt.cmdr Deakin, go ahead."
"Cmdr. Deakin, this is James Carter onboard the Victory I'm trying to run down some overdue components to complete repairs. I know you’re busy with all the ships in need of repair but I just need an idea of when to expect them."
"No problem Cmdr. I've just finished the paperwork so you’re next on the list; you should have them by the end of the day."
"That’s great, thanks for your help. Carter out."
Carter continued the repairs on the shields, knowing that if everything runs smoothly from now the repairs should be completed ahead of schedule.

***

In the morning Magellan rose early and took a walk around the Starbase. It was still quiet and there were few people around. He made his way up to Ops and read through the daily reports. There was very little of interest. He waited awhile and chatted with the duty officer. The Takarian was a poor conversationist and Magellan swiftly left and went down to the Victory. He stared out at her from the turbo lift window. She was a fine ship, her curves, her lines. The turbo lift stopped and he walked along the connector on to his ship. He moved down through the ship and stopped in at engineering.
"Carter" he called out. He knew his diligent engineer would still be here tampering with the engines and sub-systems
"Sir....(Thud)Aghhhh." Carter emerged from under a console.
"You alright Cmdr."
"Yes sir, once these stars clear."
"Good to hear. So how long have you been back onboard."
"Actually sir I never really left."
"I thought I ordered shore leave for everyone, you included carter."
"Yes sir, I decided to take it here."
"Let me get this straight, I ordered shore leave and you took it in main engineering."
"Aye sir, I relax more when I'm fixing something and the victory needed fixed so where better to relax than here."
"I'm sure there’s logic in that somewhere, hell if I can find it but if it helps you to relax then carry on. I'll expect a status report in 2 hours."
"Aye sir."
I went back under the console to finish the repair but before I finished I checked where I banged my head and just knew it would be a lump in the morning

Riker awoke after about an hour of rest. He yawned and rose from his bed. Commander Riker wandered through the bright corridors of the Starbase until he came to a door which read "Mess Hall". He entered the door and came into an almost full room. Riker thought to himself "I could use a drink...." Riker asked the round faced Bolian bartender:” Could I have a slightly chilled glass of water please.”
” Right away sir”.
The Bolian Bartender approached Riker and put the glass of water in front of him.
”Thank You”.
” No problem at all”.
Riker looked around trying to remember some of the crewmember names from the Victory that were in the mess hall to gain knowledge of the crew he would be working with. Riker had wondered what all the senior officers had been doing.

With the last of the repairs underway Carter finished the report for Adm. Magellan and went to the bridge to give him it. As he entered the bridge Adm. Magellan stood up from the command chair.
"Carter how goes the repairs."
"Fine sir, the last of the repairs are underway. Here’s my report."
"Very good, I see by this that we should be able to get underway in a couple of days."
"Yes sir."
"Very good, I'll put the word out to the rest of the crew. Dismissed."
Carter left the bridge and headed to the mess hall to get some dinner before turning in for the night

Magellan stood and went directly to his ready room. There was a surprising amount of staff members still aboard the Victory; it always surprised him how a chunk of metal could become a home so quickly. He knew he always felt most comfortable on the Victory.
He got himself a cup of tea from the replicator; he had come to like this human beverage and could not start the day without it. He booted up his computer and read through the recent crew reports. Everything was very thorough; he was pleased to see that Stone was beginning to settle in to his new position.
The comm. bleeped and Magellan answered it, careful not to spill his drink.
"Magellan here"
"This is Lt Tanuski. Ops Watch Officer. We have just picked up a faint distress call. All our runabouts are out can you investigate."
"Of course Lt. Send us the information. We'll get under way immediately"
"Thank you sir"
Magellan put down his drink and went on to the bridge. He moved to his command chair and spoke to the tactical officer on duty.
"Patch me through the comms and link it to the Starbases system."
"Aye sir, your on"
"This is Rear Admiral Magellan, to all staff of the USS Victory report immediately too your posts. Senior staff to the bridge

Riker left the starbase in a hurry and boarded the Defiant class vessel. He hurried to the bridge and when he got there he sat in his chair
” What happened” Riker asked
” We received a distress signal” Matthews replied.
” Patch it through” Magellan asked

The Turbo lift doors opened to the bridge as commanders Stone and Matthew exited.

“Nice of you to join us on the bridge” Magellan noted sternly.

“Sorry sir Stone and myself where on the star base when your ship officer call was announced” Matthews explained.
”Understood carry on”
”Engineering’ reports all warp and impulse engines are on line, Security reports all deck are secured, And all weapons are on line and ‘’hot’’” Matthews reported.

With all the crew finally aboard, they could at last depart.
"Helm set course for the ship. Co-ordinates are being relayed from Assailant." Magellan instructed.
Rogue nodded and began to edge the Victory out of her berth.
Now Magellan turned to Ops.
"Commander Matthews. This is an emergency response. You know as much as I do. We have a distress call and that is all. It is an automated beacon with no audio. It is in a deserted sector of space and away from any habitable planets."
Matthews nodded.
"Riker Ill need you to liase with Zoilip and develop some security measures. And can Stone make sure Sickbay is ready”

Riker got up from his chair and walked up to the tactical officer where Zoilip was.
”Lets go down to Security and make sure everyone is prepared and check on our new CTSO”
”Aye sir.”
Zoilip and Riker walked into the turbolift
The turbolift opened and Riker and Zoilip walked to the security office and prepared security teams.

After briefing his engineering staff Carter headed back to the bridge.
"Admiral, engineering is ready. The tractor beams available and I've got repair teams standing by for any onsite repairs if and when any are required."
"Understood commander."
With Adm. Magellan apprised he sat down at the engineering station and ran some final checks before they arrived in the system.

***

In the Science Lab on deck two Cmdr Stone was relived by Lt Morton at the science station he headed for sickbay to help out Ensign Kapoor who had his hands full
He settled down and ran through the inventories and then began his log entry.

“Star Date -18110125.56

Personal Log: USS Victory-B

Chief science officer Cmdr Robert J Stone

After I have left sickbay helping out our acting chief medical officer ensign Kapok headed back to my Quarters for a little rest while I could get it jumping from department is nothing new for the ship crew most are cross trained in departments just for this reasons I found that out when I first came on board the victory
The victory-B being a Defiant class ship mean at any time there are no more then 80 officers and crew on board this mean everyone has longer duty shifts than a larger star ship like a sovereign.

We are currently in route to answer a emergency call what kind of call we do not know if
I received a subspace message from an old academy classmate Lt Cmdr Josh, Skirl telling me that he now the chief strategic officer on star base Rayon.

I have always been amazed how a guy graduated dead last in our academy class has moved so fast and far up the chain of command in Starfleet the way he going he be a fleet Admiral by the time he forty- five boy that a depressing thought

I guest he just lucky that way I have suspended all scientific test and research programs on board for now until we find out what this emergency distress call is all about we may need all of our scientific equipment and supplies for the mission well its getting late I have a early wake-up call I better get some sleep Computer end log.”

The Victory cruised at high warp towards the distress call.
Magellan took a seat in his ready room. He chose the settee rather than his desk and picked up a PADD. It was a request to command for more staff. The comm. bleeped.
"Sir we are approaching the craft."
Magellan was on the bridge before the ensign had finished.
"On screen"
The view screen flashed to reveal

As he entered the bridge the view screen came on and Carters couldn't believe my eyes and neither could Magellan by the look of him.
"Is that what I think it is?" He asked.
Carter started running sensor scans but the results were worrying.
"Admiral it appears to be a federation star ship, sensors are detecting a residual temporal signature coming from the ship."
"Temporal, are you sure."
"Yes sir, there’s no doubt that ship doesn't belong in our timeline."
"Sir I recommend we raise shields." Hansard suggested.
"Not yet ensign, remember they sent a distress signal. Stated Cmdr. Riker.
"Open a channel." Ordered Magellan.

"Channel open sir.” Matthews answered.
"Unidentified ship, this is Adm. Magellan of the USS Victory. We received your distress call what is your condition."
As he waited for a response, I wondered just who was going to answer

Magellan stared out through the view screen. His knuckles tightened on the arms of his chair. The back white and the tendons began to stick out.
"Tactical." he said in almost a hush.
Hansard looked up.
"Sir" he asked.
"Lock target and destroy it"
"Sir?" Hansard replied
"That’s an order" Magellan growled impatiently as he saw the ship move closer. He didn’t think he had seen the ship before but it was familiar and it filled him with dread. It was dangerous, a killer.
Hansard looked over to Riker and then over to the rest of the bridge staff.
"Sir that is a Federation Transport" Riker noted.
Magellan stared at the screen.
"That is not transport. Destroy it immediately"
Again they exchanged glances.
"Check readings" Riker asked
Stone ran his hands over the console.
"There is still that strange temporal signature but its fading."
"Destroy it" Magellan roared getting to his feet. "If you won't I will"
He pushed Hansard to one side and reached for the controls.
Riker paused. He checked the screen and scans again It was definitely a Medical Transport the Askelipios. Readings indicated 3 crew and 14 injured patients.
"Belay that order" he said finally. "Mr Hansard restrain the Captain"
Hansard hesitated and then grasped Magellan by the shoulders.
"Sir Come away please. It’s a medical transport."
Magellan stared at Hansard. His eyes widened and then he collapsed

“Medical Team to the bridge” Riker shouted in to his badge.
Hansard felt for a pulse on the captain and found one though the captain had ceased breathing. A medical team appeared on the bridge and Hansard informed them of the situation. The team rushed the captain down to sickbay.
”Commander Stone, continue running scans on the transport.”
”Yes sir.”
” Just in case the captain was right lock a tractor beam on the transport Commander Matthews.”
”Aye.”
” Mr.Stone, please notify me when your scans are complete. I'll be in sickbay, Mr. Matthews, you have the bridge”

After a short while Stone realised the sensor scans were complete, he cross checked his results and tapped his badge.
” Bridge to sickbay Riker here sir I have continue scanning the transport ship as ordered sir scans show there major system Damage. Warp-off line, Impulse-off line, Comm.-off line
Transporter-off line, Shields-off line, Life sub port-of line running on emergency power.
Sir, what ever we are going to do need to be done now our last scan showed there where Readings indicating at least 3 crew and 14 injured civilian patients on the transport ship and 2 people in the emergency pod the people in the pod are ok all of the system are on line so the officers and crew on the transport are the one we should concentrate on she a mass. People off of that transport ship as fast as we can”

“Cmdr stone has explained until we get someone on board from that ship we don’t know what our Security situation is at this time there could be a single cloak ship out there or a fleet or no ship at all with so many radiation leaks coming from transport ship Warp engines.” Matthews announced. ”Our scanners cant pick-up clear reading we cant even scan the ship to see if there are any Phaser damage to explain the reason for so much damage to there ship or was it just a major malfunctions that cause there damage. Sir I suggest that we get all of the injured people off of that transport ship as fast as we can and re cloak as fast as we can just in case there are some cloak ships out there and head back to the closet star base we can always come back and investigate the transport ship are what left”

Rikers voice echoed over the comm.

“Agreed Commander. Assemble your teams. I’ll be on the bridge as soon as possible.”

***

Matthews walked back over to the command chair and tapped the console switch.

“Attention all decks this is the bridge we have a “Code one Alpha Zero “situation all department heads report to their emergency duty station.”
Minutes later the bridge doors open and ensign Lasooux and Lt Matheson walked in.

“Reporting as ordered. Sir”

“Great ok gentlemen here’s the situation as you know the defiant class has the capacity to transport 170 People an hour in an emergency so transporting 19+ people should be easy.
However Ensign Rogue just told me that the radiation has reached the point that our transporter signal can’t be pick-up a return signal. Therefore Stone will beam out with a medical team to prepare the passengers and then Hansard and Lasooux will follow in shuttles. Understood. Dismissed”

Pretty soon Stone, Matheson and a medical team stood on the transporter pad.
The Chief energised the beam and the team dematerialised to reappear on the Askelipios.
”Away team leader to Victory we have arrived on board the Askelipios we are beginning medical treatment of the injured you can have ensign Hansard launch and dock as soon as possible stone out.”

On board the Victory Matthews acknowledged Stones message and gave Hansard and Lasooux the go ahead.

“Hansard to Victory we are away”
Hansard looked at the ship feeling insecure about being in a shuttle. Next time he would get Rogue to fly for him.
He checked his kit. He had brought his standard combat kit for good measure and he also carried a small medical kit.
”Hansard to victory final approach initiated”.
”Acknowledged”
Hansard rolled the shuttle and entered the Askelipios' shuttle bay, Lasooux flew in tight behind him and landed. Hansard exited his shuttle and raised his rifle ever ready for trouble. Lasooux moved out of his shuttle and raised a hand phaser. Hansard heard a noise and spun round raising his rifle.
”Lasooux I have a contact” he whispered to the worried looking Andorian

***

Wearily Magellan opened his eyes and through bleared vision looked about him. Where was he and why did his head hurt so much. A shape loomed in to view blotting out the bright light that had shone above him.
"Captain...Captain"
A hand shook him gently by the shoulder. He felt the life returning to him and he pulled himself up to sit upright.
Dr Kapoor filled a hypospray and injected its contents in to Magellan’s neck.
The drug took affect instantly and he began to feel much better.
"Doctor" he grunted groggily "What happened?"
"You passed out."
"Passed out! Where on the bridge"
"Yes. You gave us quite a scare. You needn't worry Commander Riker is looking after things just fine."
"The Transport!!" Magellan suddenly remembered
"Is fine. They are preparing a rescue mission right now."
"Then it is a medical transport?"
"As far as we can tell yes. They have injured. I will be needed soon"
"It seemed so real" Magellan mumbled to himself "He would have staked his life that he had seen the Jak'takal again. It weapon ports open. It must have been a dream, a nightmare. It felt like more. Something had sparked him off. Something about that transport had caused his symbiont to panic and try to take over his system. He had heard about this sort of thing happening before but had no way of knowing how to deal with it. Nevertheless he best get to the bridge and find out what was happening

“Has anything changed Mr.Matthews?” Riker asked emerging on to the bridge.
” No sir, the away teams were sent down and we are awaiting confirmation that they have arrived.”
” Contact them.”
” Aye sir.”
”Mr.Hansard is everything ok over there?”

Hansard's light pack on his hand covered the area of where the movement had come from he saw a dark body move quickly away. His phaser rifle was set to stun. He shot a few bursts in the area then ran up, Lasooux covering him. Whatever had been there was gone. Hansard raised his tricorder and scanned but found nothing. They weren’t alone on the ship and there was no way it was out of range of his tricorder so he deduced that they could not scan for them with current scanning methods. Thus why they hadn’t shown up on the ships scans.
”Mr.Hansard is everything ok over there?” Riker reiterated
”Negative sir. We aren’t alone onboard”
”What?”
”I have come across a local sir. And they can not be traced with our scanners. Sir I am requesting Delta Team to come over and assist”
”Hold position I will get back to you.”
”Roger that Lasooux and I will hold by the shuttles.” Hansard replied.
Hansard move back to the shuttle and powered up its outer lights flooding the shuttle bay.

"Lasooux grab a rifle and lock down those shuttles."
Hansard set up a link with the shuttles computers via his tricorder. Lasooux dropped out of her shuttle and the doors sealed on both vessels. Hansard activated shields and powered their phasers in case whoever it was came back in force.
Lasooux thought to herself that this new CTSO was over reacting a bit.

Elsewhere on the Transport Commander Stone pressed the record button on his Tricorder begin a quick log

“My away team we has transported on Board the transport ship Askelipios
and we have started to check the ship for any injured Personnel but with the high level of Radiation it is difficult and dangerous. Communication is difficult making the rescue a little harder but we will get it done. The ship looks like it has been hit by weapons fire but we have not been able to interview any of the crew so that question is still unanswered
I been told that our two Shuttles have docked and we can start loading the injured as soon as possible. Dr Gray tells me we can’t stay too long on this ship with so many radiation leaks before the away team we start to get sick themselves. So we are not wasting any time moving the patients to the Shuttle I just hope we done miss anyone. I have ordered a bow to stern search of the ship. I think that will make sure we have ever one including all of my away team Members. Additionally we are running internal scans of the ship as well just in case this ship should blow we can check these scans at a later date ending log.”

***

”Commander Matthews Personal Log.

This day is turning in to a long one. We received some good news. The Admiral is no longer unconscious and the XO tells me he should be back on the bridge in no time
We are continuing to run long and short range sensor sweeps on the transport and surrounding area it just doesn’t feel right to be sitting out here in the open where an emery ship could easy decloak and blow us in to space Dust at any time.
There’s still nothing to report we are all waiting for any news from the Away team on what happened to the Transport ship. All we can do now is wait”

Matthews was interrupted by Riker.
” Anything new Mr.Matthews?”
” No sir, we are still taking the injured over by shuttle. However Ensign Hansard reported that he saw someone in the shuttle bay on the Askelipios.”
” It might be a good idea to do another scan for lifeforms aboard the ship to see if we find anything that we couldn't detect before”
”Aye sir.”

A hush fell over the bridge as Magellan exited the turbolift.
"At ease people" he grunted "I’m alright now. Commander Report."
"Our away team is just starting to ferry the passengers aboard. Hansard thought he saw something and is investigating."
Magellan frowned and took a seat.
"Very good. Stone did nt I hear some mention of a temporal distortion. Is it still present"
"I am not sure sir I will run some checks"
"Get to it. In the meantime I best explain my... reaction. When the viewer came on I didn’t see what you did. For some reason I saw a transport that I had never seen myself. My previous host was an Exo-ecologist called Toya, it was her memory and that memory was so strong that it panicked my symbiont and it overrode me."
"What was so bad to make that happen?" Riker asked
"I am not sure" Magellan replied "I can only recall bits and pieces. All I can remember is that the transport was called the Jak'takal and that it wasn't what it seemed"
"Not what it seemed?" Riker pressed
"I don’t know" Magellan snapped "It’s all so hazy. Its as if a part of Toyas memory is missing Lin (My symbiont) is hiding it from me"
"Why have the vision now" Stone asked
"I don't know. I don't know" Magellan sighed "It’s all so confusing. Riker check the passenger list for the transport, and bring me their Captain"
"Sir?"
"I am willing to guess one of them is a trill"
"You remember something?"
"No just hunch"

Hansard scanned the shuttle bay for lifesigns with the shuttles scanners again to no avail.
Then Hansard had the idea to scan for energy signatures thinking that the powerful scanners of the shuttle would show everything. Ahead of him the shuttle showed where his phaser blasts had hit the ground and they were disappearing due to the weakness of his phaser being on stun. Then Hansard picked up and energy spike leading to the corner of the bay.
Hansard grabbed his rifle once more and ran following the path of energy.
It stopped and in front of him was a panel with two buttons flashing in the centre of the console. One red one green.

Hansard threw caution to the wind and pressed green.
The figure he had seen before materialised by his side.
"You’re Federation."
Hansard swung his rifle up and levelled it at his head.
"Yes I am. Who or what are you."
"I am a holographic representation of the captain of this crew. I made this program to convey all information on this attack while I had the time before they found me."
"What??" this was a little more than he had been taught at the academy.
"I have vital information and if you are seeing me I am probably dead so hurry."
"Right I will upload the info to my shuttle now."
Hansard tried and failed.
"You cant I made this program to protect the info the only way to get it is if I release it that is why I made my hologram self aware."

”Hansard to Victory. Captain I have something... someone that needs to talk to you right away.”
”Understood” Magellan replied he turned in his seat and looked at Matthews.

“Sir I have been running scans since we arrive and with the level of radiation we just cant penetrate the transport ship so we cant get any answers that way”
”And what did you find out cmdr?”
”Well sir I had my staff to start looking into what the Askelipios was carrying on board at the time to determine if it was a Accident or a enemy attack but from what we have found out she was carrying nothing that could be look upon as valuable that any pirate or enemy of the Federation would risk there ship. So we are now concentrating on a scenario of major system malfunctions making this an accident for now until we get some more information from the transport crew once they are on board the Victory”

Magellan nodded.

“Good Work”

He pushed himself to his feet and started towards the turbolift.
"Your not going are you Captain" Riker asked incredulously. "What if you have another turn?"
Magellan stared at his first officer.
"Hansard asked for me in person"
"Was it him... for sure"
"You’re getting paranoid Riker"
"Not paranoid. Cautious."
"Very well I’ll not go alone. Carters will join me. Riker you have the bridge"

Less than 5 minutes later the two officers materialised aboard the transport. It was dark and smoky. Warning lights flashed over head.
Magellan tapped his badge
"Where are you Hansard?"
"On the bridge sir"
"Carters see if you can't find out what happened to the transport. I'll be with Hansard."
"Aye sir “he replied.
Magellan drew his phaser and advanced towards the bridge.
Hansard was there standing beside a slightly flickering image of a man.
"What is this he asked"
"A holo of the Captain. He must be one of the dead"
"I see. You are?"
"Captain Steele" the hologram replied. "There is much I must tell you."
"Very good. Tell me then"
The Holo paced before them.
"I am obviously dead by now for this to be activated. I picked up some refugees from the Natalian Outpost near Takarian space. It was a routine mission that was until people started to die. I lost two crew in the wardroom. Shot by one of the ships phaser. Then a third man was killed. Scans revealed that he was Talor Kay a Trill Security operative. Then on things got worse"
"Worse?"
"Yes. We began to develop faults and then our transmitter began to emit a strong carrier beacon. We managed to shut it off but when we tried to continue our engines were inoperative. That’s when attempted I decided to find the engineer and went below to find him. That was just after I made this recording."
"I see" Magellan mused "Do you have a manifest?"
"Yes" the hologram pressed a button and it scrolled on to the viewscreen.

Captain Steele - Human Captain
Dr George Davies - Human First Officer
Shev Telave - Andorian Helmsman
Dean Gater - Human Engineer
Lianne Tabor - Betazoid Nurse Deceased
Deren Tak - Betazoid Nurse Deceased
Dr Vorkskip - Benzite Doctor
Talor Kay - Trill Passenger Deceased
Kave Jinzo - Human Passenger
T'Rok - Vulcan Patient
Nomar Til - Trill Patient
Jessica Talthorp - Human patient
Terence Talthorp - Human patient
Mat Caither - Human patient
Wat Lira - Bajoran patient
Graloth - Klingon patient

Magellan read the list with interest he didn’t recognise any of the names.
"Well Hansard" he said "It looks as if we have a good old murder mystery. One of those people we just shuttled aboard the Victory is the killer!!"

***

Riker was sitting on the bridge looking over some PADD’s and looking at the transport ship through the viewscreen every few seconds. He couldn't help but be paranoid that something would happen
”Is everything alright over there captain?” he asked over the comm..
”Riker call a security alert, there could be a killer on the Victory! “
Riker's eyes opened up wide.
”Security Alert!” Riker shouted. “Security to sickbay, I'll meet you there.”
” Aye sir.”
”Mr. Matthews you have the bridge.”

Riker ran down to Sickbay and just as he got there the Security officers did. Riker and the security officers quickly stepped into sickbay and saw 3 medical officers lying on the floor. Two had cuts and bruises all over them and the other appeared to be dead.
”We had better call the off duty medical officers right away. You two post guard here”.
” Aye sir”.
”We better find this killer before he does anymore damage”

Hansard made sure he had all of his kit and was ready to shuttle back when something dawned on him.
"Captain permission to remain onboard the transport and make sure there aren’t and clues that could help the victory."
"Granted Hansard get to it."
”Hansard to victory beam over teams beta and delta”
There was no response but the two teams beamed over almost instantly as if they had been waiting for the signal.
"Right” Hansard began “Beta team I want a full sweep of engineering not a stone left unturned. The captains last known whereabouts are there. Delta I want a sweep of the rest of the ship for anything out of the ordinary then I want you to suit up and check any damaged areas close up for any clues. I will talk with the XO then I will join beta in engineering. Delta let me know when you are going on the hull to make sure it is safe."
"AYE SIR!." Was the response from all of the men immediately in the same strong tone.
Both teams left at a run heading for there start points if there was anything there they would find it.
”Hansard to Riker.”
”Go ahead”
”Sir if you can find Dean Gater there engineer could you send him over here as he is currently my chief suspect for the suspected murder of the captain.”
”I will see what I can do. Riker out”

Cmdr Stone sat down at the ops officer station on the transports limited bridge and started downloading the ship system and command records. Suddenly his badge beeped, it was Ensign Wilson.
”Sir I have scanned all of the Cargo area and containers read negative for life signs in the forward cargo bay we are now heading for the bridge
”Sir” Wilson reported as he arrived.
”Yes ensign”
”Sir I been scanning the ship for Structural integrity and the hull integrity is starting fail. I suggest that all of the remaining away team get off this ship before this ship implodes I don’t know how much time we have before that happen”
cmdr Stone turned around facing the ops station monitor and removed the data from his tricorder and then tapped his comm. Badge.
”Attention all Away team members this is cmdr stone the Structural integrity of this ship is starting to fail All away team members are to break off any searches and head for shuttle Bay.
”Sir” Hansard replied
”Ensign Hansard stop your search and head back to the shuttle on the double with your search teams”
”But sir we just started a search for a missing ship captain in the engineering and the Admiral is on board too”

” In that case I would find him real fast and get off of this ship mister and if I was you I would make it one of the fastest emergency search’s in Starfleet History unless you want to end up as space dust.”
Stone stood up and pocketed his tricorder.
”Ensign Wilson and my self are shuttling back to the victory with the ships records we could save they may help us in this investigation we hope Stone out “.

”Cmdr Stone to Victory”
”Riker here”
”Reporting sir I have down loaded all of the ship records we could save the rest are lost my part of this mission have been completed we have transported all of the injured Patients off of the ship ensign Wilson and myself will be shuttling back to the victory I m sure your sensors have picked up the fact that the transport ship hull integrity is starting to fail I have ordered all of the away teams back to the victory for there on safety”
”Understood we will standby to give any assistant if needed”
”Okay Ensign Wilson lets get off of this Ship of scrap metal

***

Cmdr Matthew s and Cmdr Riker are huddled over the ops station talking
”Cmdr Riker I would be in dereliction of my duty sir If I where not to bring this matter to your Attention. We still don’t have any answers to our questions about the transport ship or its missing captain and xo. We still don’t know if the damage to the transport ship was sabotage or if the ship was attack by pirates or enemy of the federation and now have beam them on board the victory and one could be a possible murders. A flag Admiral is now on board of a ship that could implode at any moment. Sir would like to request that the ship be place at red alert and that security officers be placed at all of the ships high security areas until we get some answers and that all of the Askelipios crew be restricted to there Quarters sir.”
“I don’t think we have to go that far” Riker noted, nothing indicated an outside attack “but I will restrict the Askelipios crew to there Quarters for now the rest I will take under advisement cmdr, and just to be on the safe side put the ship on Yellow Alert”.
” Aye sir”.
” Mr. Hansard have you found the captain yet?”
” No sir, the turbolift stopped and I'm making my way to the jefferies tube”
” You better move fast, I don't know how much more time that ship has “

“ Yes sir”
Just then Ensign Stone entered the bridge with a couple of PADDS. He approached Commander Riker and handed them to him
”Thank you Commander.”
Stone walked to his science station on the back of the bridge.
” Helm set course for a safe distance away from the transport ship once everyone is on board and engage at maximum warp.” Riker ordered
”Yes sir.”
Riker watched the transport ship through the viewscreen wondering how much time they had left

“Hansard to delta team. Collect the admiral and get of the ship ASAP on Lasooux's shuttle. Beta team get to the shuttle bay also I am on my way.”

Delta team got to the shuttle bay easily and fast as they were near bye and not in a deep search when the order was called.
The admiral entered behind them as they found him on the way. They ran aboard the shuttle and Lasooux powered away heading for the victory. Hansard and his team entered a few minutes after and boarded the shuttle. Hansard speeded out of the bay and headed full speed for the victory. Lasooux had boarded and delta and the admiral were safe Hansard looked at his console and saw catastrophic hull failure on board the transport he raised shields and looked at a small view screen seeing it explode.
Hansard’s ship seemed tiny compared to the shockwave approaching him and everyone on the bridge gasped. The shuttle was hit and sent flying out of control. The victory speeded in to the shuttles rescue as the shockwave had dissipated and beamed everyone off.

Hansard awoke in sickbay with the doc looking over him.
"Nothing heavy ensign just level 1 plasma burns and the rest of your team are safe."
Hansard remained silent knowing that he had lost all evidence available to him off that ship.
"Thankyou doc I will leave now."
Hansard left silently the doctor didn’t bother to argue. Hansard cursed wishing that they hadn’t found the problem or could have fixed it but it was to late. Hansard was going to have to start an investigation and do it the old fashioned way

"Carter to Magellan." Carter called as he made his way back to engineering from the Shuttle bay.

"Go ahead Carter."
"Sir, as per your order I was able to get the ships sensor logs and the captains logs."
"Have you informed anyone else yet."
"No sir, you ordered me to report directly to you."
"Good work carter, I'm heading to my quarters right now. Bring the logs to me there immediately."
"Aye sir, I'm on my way."
I thought it was a little strange that the admiral didn't want anyone else informed especially Cmdr. Riker but it wasn't my place to question him, perhaps he just wanted to look over the logs first before informing the command staff

Magellan had returned to his quarters and awaited Carter with the logs. Something niggled. He could not tell if it was him or Lin that was unsettled, either way he didn’t like it. So much of what was happening seemed somewhat familiar, like Deja vu. Only stronger and not quite right. It was if he remembered certain people yet he knew he had never met the Captain or any of the other crew and patients before.
The door chimed.
"Enter"
Carters strode into the room.
"The logs you wanted" he reported handing over a PADD.
"This is the only copy?"
"Er yes sir. Is that alright?" he asked nervously.
Magellan looked troubled and then nodded his head.
"yes. Thank you. You can go now"
Carter turned and walked towards the door, already Magellan was starting to watch the first few entries.
"Oh one more thing" the Admiral asked "Have you looked at these logs yourself at all?"
Carter paused a little uncertain.
"No Sir"
Magellan’s face remained unreadable.
"I see. Good"
"Good Sir?"
"No sorry Carters. I just want this kept quiet until I understand it myself. Perhaps you can help with that."
"Of course sir"
Magellan stood up and showed Carters the PADD.
"Look here" Magellan pointed "all of the logs are 6 years old"
"They were obviously very bad at keeping records"
"I am not so sure. I am convinced I’ve seen that Transport before, well not me but perhaps Toya my previous host. She died 5 years ago."
"I don’t understand Sir"
"Nor do I Nor do I" Magellan snapped slamming the PADD on the desk.
There was an uncomfortable silence for awhile and then Magellan spoke.
"Matthews picked up a temporal anomaly. Can you find out if these people are from I don’t know the past or something?"
"Yeah sure. A few scans"
"Good. Do it immediately you have my full authority, understand"
"Yes sir" Carters replied.

As Carter left the admirals quarters he noted Magellan was more than a little agitated. Not being able to remember what he knew about the transport was the cause probably. I headed to bridge to do the scans the admiral wanted, maybe if I can determine where the transport came from it will help the admiral to remember. As I entered the bridge cmdr. riker turned round in the command chair.
"Carter Its you, I thought you were the admiral."
"Not yet sir." He said with a smile.
I headed to the science station to review the sensor scans of the transport.
"There’s definitely a temporal signature present which would indicate time travel." I didn't realize but I was muttering.
"Did you say something carter." Riker asked.
"Sorry sir, just thinking out loud."
"What is it you’re doing anyway." He asked walking over to me.
"The admiral wants me to find out exactly where the transport came from but that may be easier said than done."
"Why, what’s the problem."
"I can verify that there is a temporal signature but there isn't really anyway to know whether it came fro the past or the future....unless."
"Unless what".
"I need to talk to the admiral. Permission to leave the bridge sir."
"Go."
I ran to the admirals quarters to inform him of my findings.
When I got there I pressed the door chime and entered.
"Carter, Did you find something."
"I verified that the transport definitely had a temporal signature but there really isn't any way to determine from the scans if it’s from the future or the past."
"Then we're back to square one, we've got nothing."
"Not necessarily, we can go back and recover some wreckage from the transport. I should be able to determine from pieces of the hull where it originated from."
"If that’s what we need to do to solve this mystery then that’s what we'll do. Let’s go carter."
With that said we headed to the bridge to put the plan into action

It took very little time for the Victory to return to the debris site and collect some samples. Carters rushed the analysis through the computer system and then with the findings went immediately to the Admirals quarters.

Magellan reviewed Carters findings in silence. Nodding and humming at the various points.
"No one knows about this yet" Magellan asked
Carters shifted uncomfortably.
"Not really sir"
Magellan half smiled.
"Very good Commander"
Magellan stood up.
"Lets get this sorted eh" he said to Carters then tapped his commbadge.
"All Senior Staff Report to the Conference Room. As soon as possible"

Magellan waited in silence until everybody had sat down and got themselves comfortable. Assured that everyone was ready he stood up, pacing always seemed to reassure his symbiont, Lin.
"We have a mystery here." He began "And I want you all to understand what is going on. Some of you may have noticed my behaviour has been a little erratic, that I assure you is a result of a disquiet between myself and Lin."
"Will that continue to present a problem" Matthews asked, direct as ever.
Magellan looked uneasy
"I do not know. I have yet to speak to Dr Kapoor. And yes I will go and see him shortly"
He replied as their accusative faces stared at him.
"I also have not been acting alone. Commander Carters has been assisting me."
Carters nodded curtly.
"So what is our situation" Riker asked "Fully"
Magellan paced a little more and did a lap of the table.
"The Medical Transport was sabotaged it sent out a distress call that we responded to. We rescued most of the crew one of whom is most certainly a murderer."
"This we know" Hansard noted "Your still keeping something back"
Magellan nodded
"My initial fainting was due to Lin, it remembered the Askeliops. Toya my previous host was an exo-ecologist, fragments of her memories have been returning to me over the last few hours. 5 years ago she was serving aboard a trill survey ship in this area. It was attacked by a transport. Her ship was boarded and pirates took control. The pirates dealt specifically in symbionts. Toya watched half the crew killed and disassociated from their symbionts. An opportunity presented itself and the remaining crew fought back. They managed to regain control and sent out a distress call it was answered by a medical transport. The ship took our wounded whilst we waited for a Security vessel to pick up our prisoners. What we didn’t realise was that the Pirate Captain had managed to escape and aboard that medical transport it was never seen from again."
"So you are saying that that medical transport ship is the same one that Toya encountered."
"Yes"
"But how does that helps us the Pirate must have been long gone" Hansard mused.
"This is where Carters comes in. He has confirmed that the medical transport we responded to is in fact the same one its has the same signature. That ship and her crew have travelled 5 years into the future"
The assembled staff leaned back as they took stock of the situation.
"Hansard how do we stand on the crew brought aboard"
"Sir. Both the Captain and Engineer are presumed dead, their bodies were not found prior to the transports destruction however. The Two nurses and one of the trills were also killed before our arrival. Of the patients all are doing well, only Nomar Til and T'Rok remain in critical condition"
Magellan looked up a moment, a flicker of concern emerging.
"Continue"
"As it is likely that one of them is a killer I have posted guards on all the other crewmembers."
"Good" Magellan nodded.
"Here’s how I want this run. Hansard you and Rogue are to begin questioning the suspects. Matthews I want you and Stone to establish whether the temporal rift that brought the Askeliops here is still present. Riker I want you to liase with them."
"And you sir" Riker queried
"I am going to meditate and try and regain more memories. Dismissed"
As the staff began to file out Magellan held back Carters.
"I want you with me for a moment. I want a temporal scan run on all the patients, starting with Nomar Til."

Rogue was sitting in her quarters looking at all the files of the suspects.
It was very late at night...she couldn't sleep: too much on her mind...
" Which one to question first" she thought
" not the klingon that's for sure, I'm never good in talking with them...always say the wrong things...Oh I could so use the help of Hansard right now...
Why don't I go check on him first, not that he is any better then yesterday, but still: it's the thought that counts and I could use a little walk to help me get things out of my mind. Maybe after it I can sleep a little: I can sure use some sleep"
Rogue left her quarters and walked to sickbay still doubting which one to question first. She walked into sickbay and she wasn't wandered to see no one there except the patients.
"No medical caretaker of course at this time of night" she mumbled.
" so let's have a look, Hansard ...you haven't changed a bit I see..still far away with your mind"
As she was thinking and mumbling a bit she suddenly heard the sickbay door slide open.. She looked behind her...but no one entered. She walked to the door and looked down the corridor on the left and right: no one..."hmmm strange" she thought " ok this can mean two things: or the doors are going mad, or I am"
She walked back to Hansard and grabbed his chart and started checking a few things. Suddenly she heard something behind her...she turned around and saw something quickly slipping out of the door. She looked around sickbay quick...but everybody was still there....she ran to the door and looked down the corridor again: no one...again....no she started to get worried: Who or what was that. Out of a reflex her hand reached to her badge:

"Security office this is Rogue, I think I could use some help over here"

At that moment she heard her own voice behind her and she suddenly remembered: Hansard is security officer and the call was coming through his badge.
She walked back into sickbay and checked all the patients and all the medicines: nothing was wrong or missing.

“You ok” Hansard asked

“Not sure, thought I saw something. Its probably nothing”
She walked back to her quarters still looking carefully around.

***

After the senior officers meeting was over both Stone and Matthews headed for the bridge to search star fleet records for any reported Temporal rift in the sector so far there has been 10 reported cases and at the time of these reports there where attacks on transport ship in the surrounding area.
Cmdr Matthew started thinking to him self could the pirates be using the Temporal rift to travel from sector to the other?
”Here’s what I surmise happened. One of the crew never made it to his new command he was attacked and killed by the pirates and replaced with a Chameloid Being name Mancuso /Maria that way the pirates would always have their man on board any of the transport ships they wanted to steal.”
”If your deduction is right and there a Chameloid on board he or she could be anyone now”
”True but we can have the chief Medical officer run Blood test on all of the ships officers and crew that the only way to know for sure”

”I think we should talk to the xo about arming all of the crew for there on personal protection until we find the murderer or murders that are now on board” Stone suggested.
Matthew turned back to his computer to look up Mister Mancuso Prisons Record. It didn’t take long to find and mad for an interesting read.

United Federation Of Planets
Prisons systems Personnel Database
Prisoner Personnel File DXM-55578-GE9913

Name: Mancuso /Maria/
Assumed identities
Dr George Davies

Rank: None
Age: unknown
DOB: unknown
POB: unknown
Race: Chameloid
Hair: varies
Eyes:vaires
Height: Varies
Weight: Varies
Fathers Name: unknown
Mothers name: unknown
Family: unknown
Life span 130 years

Race Back ground History :
A unique feature of the Chameloid is its ability to shape shift. A Chameloid's physique is unlike that of a Changelings in that a Chameloid is a "solid", with muscles and a skeleton. The skeleton is made of a very strong and flexible cartilage that acts a little like elastic but with no diminishing of its overall strength when "stretched". A Chameloid have more then twice the amount of muscles that a Human has. Chameloids have an amazing knowledge of of their race's physique, as well as physiques of other races, and without this knowledge when a Chameloid changes into another species the change would only be superficial. With the knowledge of the physiques of other species, the Chameloid can arrange its muscles to take advantage of that species strengths.

Chameloids can improve minor muscular structures but cannot perform gross changes to the form of the species the Chameloid has adopted. For example a Chameloid can improve a humans eyes so that they can see better and farther or see better in the dark. However when they adopt that form a Chameloid cannot change the eyes so they can see through things on a X-ray band wave. One very curious thing about Chameloid biology is that their genes are dominant no matter what. For example if a Chameloid was to have a child with someone of a different species, the child would have the shape-shifting ability with no diminishing of this trait.

KNOWN CRIMES TO DATE
1. 2 Murders on Station Kepler 21-K-21:
2. Robberies assault on the transport ship Scudder
3.Attemted thief of a federation Shuttle/Runabout USS Gunman
NCC-5-5513, Transferred to The Federation prison Outpost Chouteau, where he then escaped with six other prisoners killing Four prison guards where about to date unknown

***

Magellan took his seat on the bridge and supported his chin on steepled fingers. Matthews had come up with some interesting information on their murderer. A chameloid, that was all they needed, it made sense though, who better to infiltrate medical transports. At this moment Hansard and Matthews were scouring the ship with security teams looking for the invader. Something puzzled him though the Pirates had always traded in trill symbionts and so far the Chameloid had made little movement against the Trill, Nomar Til, on the transport who was now in their sickbay.
Magellan stood up and left the bridge to Riker. He went down to sickbay and checked on the trill. He was still unconscious but doing well. Feeling tired he retired to his quarters outside he met Matthews.
"Sir"
"Commander. No luck in the search"
"Search... No sir. Can I have a word"
"Of course" Magellan ushered Matthews into the room and went straight out to the bedroom where he removed his jacket.
"Keep talking I can hear you" he called back.
Silence
"Ok wait a minute I ll be out in a mo"
Magellan splashed water on his face and exited he came face to face with Matthews only it wasn’t Matthews. The Commanders features had shifted to those of Hansard and then Dean Gater.
"Aww hell" Magellan mumbled reaching for his comm badge and then realising it was on his jacket that he had just removed.
He had no time to react further as the Chameloid brought both fists down on his neck knocking him unconscious

With a security detail headed to Nomar Til Carters went to Dr Davies quarters to run the temporal scan that Adm. Magellan had ordered but when I arrived he wasn't in his quarters.
"Computer locate George Davies."
"George Davies is not aboard the ship."
"Carter to Magellan, sir George Davies is missing."
There was no response
It looked as if the records were right. Carter activated his tricorder and scanned the, it began to beep.
"That’s weird, a morphegenic signature."
There’s nothing on board that could produce these readings except.... a shape shifter.
"Carter to Riker, sir before I left Davies quarters I detected a morphegenic signature, but that would mean Davies is a shape shifter."
"Yes Cmdr, I've just been speaking to Matthews. He has come to the same conclusion. We're performing a deck by deck search, you finish scanning the other survivors and report to me, Riker out."
Carter continued with the scans of the other survivors and they also showed the same temporal signature. Next on the list was Dr. Vorkskip, the benzite doctor.
"Alright Dr. Vorkskip this will only take a minute."
"Just a minute cmdr. What exactly are you looking for, maybe I can help you."
"It’s just a routine scan, just have to check you didn't suffer any ill effects of the temporal rift."
"I see, you may continue then."
"Thank you doctor, see painless wasn't it."
"Quite. Now if you will excuse me cmdr. I'm quite tired."
"Of course doctor, good night."
I had got through nearly all of the survivors, the only one left was Graloth who if he was typical klingon would be less than cooperative about being scanned.
"Mr Graloth I've been ordered to conduct a routine scan on you to check for side effects of your travel through the temporal rift."
"NO."
"Sir there isn't any risks, the scan will only take a minute."
"NO."
"If necessary the security officers will restrain you while I conduct the scan, your choice."
He muttered something in klingon.
"I'll take that as a consent then."
As I stepped toward him he towered above me. I finished the scan and again the same signature showed up.
"Where to next sir." asked the security officer accompanying him.
"Thats everyone, go and join the search teams, I'm going to find the Admiral.
As the security officers left, I asked for the location of Admiral Magellan.
"Admiral Magellan is located on deck 6 section 21 alpha."
I headed to deck 6 to meet up with the Admiral and find out what the hell was going on.

Hansard got a comm from Riker alerting him of the Chameloid and ran towards Delta teams location as they searched. He exited the turbo lift and ran around the corner and came face to face with himself! Hansard stopped in shock.
"Wait you’re me." Hansard said and the Chameloid echoed it at the same time.
Hansard guessed what was going on and swung for the Chameloid throwing him backwards to the floor stunning him. Hansard approached his prone body. His blow seemed to have affected his abilities and Hansard was now staring at a mixture of the captain and Cmdr Matthews but his muscles and body seemed huge. Hansard decided this was a defence mechanism and bent down to check him and the body moved but before he could react the huge arm had knocked him back. Hansard reached for his phaser but he was dazed and the Chameloid was faster and grabbed it. He set the phaser to level 9 and raised it to Hansard’s head.

"I can finish you off this time."
"Go ahead." Hansard spat trying to get up but finding himself too dazed and fell against the wall.
A beam of light filled the corridor and Hansard shut his eyes but felt nothing he opened them to see the Chameloid bent double and saw T'San with her rifle up pointed at the now mixed face of many of the crew of the victory and cargo vessel.
"Its set to stun sir but it seems to have little affect." The Vulcan security officer exclaimed
"It’s his body it’s covered in muscle and hard tissue he can resist lower powered blows hit him again."
The Chameloid raised up changing to a huge Nausican as another beam hit him.

"Up the power." Hansard ordered, but it was too late, he was already running faster than Hansard thought possible.
”Computer lock down Deck 5” Hansard ordered.
Force fields raised and doors locked and Hansard pulled himself to his feet and took the rifle from T'San and she drew her hand phaser. The rest of Delta team arrived weapons ready.
"Full power boys. Let’s Hunt." Hansard ran in the direction of his prey wanting blood.
”All personnel the Chameloid is trapped on deck 4. Advise all teams to travel in a minimum of twos as he can’t become two people. Stun anyone on their own and if they still stand up finish them off”
It was trapped but still dangerous Hansard grinned with readiness this was going to be fun

Carter had reached deck six and was looking for Adm. Magellan when he heard phaser fire he started running to see who it was. When he rounded the corner he arrived in time to see Hansard's team disappearing around the corridor outside the Admirals quarters.

Carter ran to the door and tried it again this time the door opened.

"Carter, is it you." Magellan asked rubbing his neck.
"Sir? Wait, you think I’m the Chameloid. I can prove it; I just finished those scans you asked me to run. How would the Chameloid know that?”
"He could have been monitoring the internal comms."
"Well..."
"Sorry Carter...”
Just then there was a bright light followed by Carter hitting the deck.
"Agghhhh, sir you shot me." Carter groaned
"I said sorry in advance” Magellan explained “I just had to be sure. Besides it wasn't that high a setting."
"With all due respect sir you weren't on the end of that setting." Carter grumbled.
"Well now that we know you're you, what did you have to report."
"I finished the scans you asked for and the temporal signature was present in all the survivors, here’s the data."
The admiral looked over the data intensely.
"Is there something specific you were looking for sir."
"I'm not sure..."
From the look on his face he seemed to notice something about the data but I couldn't tell what exactly.
"I need to get to the bridge. Carter come with me the rest of you continue searching for the Chameloid."
As we headed for the turbolift I wondered what it was he had found because I hadn’t seen anything of any relevance when I performed the scans but something told me I was about to find out

Magellan led Carters back on to the bridge and headed straight for the science console.
"These signatures are accurate?"
"Yes Sir" Carters replied.
"Good. Look here"
Magellan pointed to a schematic of the Victory.
"All matter has a temporal signature tying it to its particular timeframe. All those from the Askelipios are out of phase with us. So if we calibrate the sensors"
Magellan’s hands fluttered over the console.
"We can isolate the Chameloid" Carters finished
Magellan nodded. The image of the victory then became highlighted by a series of bright red spots. Most of them were clustered together.
"They must be the rest of the crew"
"And that" Carters said pointing to a lone dot on deck 5 "must be our man"
"Who's nearest?"
"Hansard I think"
"Magellan to Hansard, He’s in Corridor 5a deck 5"
"I m on it Captain" Hansard replied.
Carters looked at the information again.
"Actually sir I have a better idea. Matthews can you get to transporter room 3"
Matthews acknowledged.
"What are you thinking of Carters" Magellan asked
"I can use the temporal signature to gain a transporter lock. Matthews lock on to these co-ordinates"
Carters downloaded the data to the transporter room.
"Initiate a site to sire transport to the brig"
Magellan waited with baited breath. Then over the comms came Matthews voice.
"I ve got a lock. Transporting now. I’m losing it... hang on... got him again... Transport successful"
Magellan and Carters breathed a sigh of relief.
"Magellan to Hansard. The Chameloid is in the brig. Kindly read him his rights. Rogue plot a course to Starbase Assailant maximum warp. Let’s get home”

Later that day Magellan made his way down to the Brig. He stared at the Chameloid with near hatred. This man had tortured and killed many of Toya, his previous hosts friends. He had made himself rich from selling symbionts. He could feel Lin's anger and it was nearly overwhelming. He found his hand hovering over his phaser. He concentrated hard and relaxed. Lin complied and let Magellan back in control once more.
Turning on his heel Magellan left and returned to the Bridge, they had enough evidence to send Mancusco or whatever his real name was to jail for a very long time to come.