Title: "Plausible Deniability" (Part 1 of 12)
Author: Major Johnny Chee
Stardate: 2461170
Earthdate: March 3, 2384
Location: USS Virgo

"The Portanus system offers us some very distinct advantages," Lieutenant Alysa Sinclair informed her superior. "The subspace geometry in the system is highly unusual. While warp drives are unstable near the system's
primary, energy transmissions can travel much more quickly. A standard subspace transmission from Portanus to Earth would take only seconds rather than years; even ordinary *radio* transmissions could make the round-trip in a few weeks! As a communications nexus, Portanus could prove essential to securing a beachhead against the T'rais sector command in the area.

"In addition, the population there is very low-tech, at best equivalent to 17th-century Earth, and relatively small. Securing Federation control of the planet should be relatively simple and require only one operative."

"Intriguing. Who do you have in mind for this job?" Luther Sloan asked.

Alysa tapped a key on her console, which transmitted the entire contents of a personnel file to Sloan.

"Are you *insane*?! Johnny Chee's been a loose cannon since his enlisted days! Are you sure you can control him?"

"He's really the only choice. My first choice would have been Richard Wallace, but he's already left the ship. The mission will require a senior officer with extensive ground combat experience, which leaves only Lataro,
Benton, and Chee, and Lataro's too high-profile and probably even more unpredictable if pushed. And given the situation with the Kelvans, Benton is too unreliable. Even if that weren't the case, removing Benton would put
Chee at least temporarily in command of Security, and we *don't* want him having that much power. That leaves Johnny, who doesn't have a problem with working in low-tech environments. Consider what he did on Xenon III and his escape from the Cardassians in the Taos system during the Dominion War. Anyone who can take on members of the Obsidian Order with a stone knife is someone we want working for us!

"Besides, he's not part of the original crew, which means he's less likely to be loyal to the captain, who, of course, has no idea what's going on. And consider this: having him on our side, or at least under our control,
means one less member of the command staff to deal with in exerting control over the *Virgo.*" *Two, actually, because I can put leverage on that bitch Jenara and her illegitimate brat as well. If anything will make him
cooperate, that will,* Sinclair thought to herself.

"And with Wallace, Loran, and Valdago already out of the picture, that means at least half of the chain of command out of our way. *If* you can bring him on board," Sloan replied. "If not, are you prepared to do what's
necessary?"

"Quite prepared. There's something about that man that's been on my nerves since we rescued him. Entirely too nosy for his own good," Sinclair answered. Since the *Kirk* salvage mission she'd been much more careful to
eliminate or falsify sensor readings lest a certain Marine decide to look beyond appearances.

"Very good. I will inform our associates. Sloan out." The com panel clicked off.

"And I'll make sure you're kept apprised every step of the way, love," Sinclair said to a non-present Kosst.
 ______________________________

Johnny approached the door to Alysa's office with curiosity more than anything else. Generally most of his interaction with the *Virgo's* Intelligence Officer was either through memos or staff meetings. There always seemed to be something about her he didn't quite trust, but most of that, he figured, was the typical grunt's distrust of intelligence types.

The door opened before he could chime for entry, which made Johnny wonder just what was going on. If *anyone* would want to restrict access to her office, Sinclair would be the most likely candidate.

"You asked to see me, Ms. Sinclair?" he asked.

"Have a seat, Major. I have a proposition for you." she responded. The door closed behind him. Sinclair's office was almost as barren as Johnny's had been before he and Jenara got married. After the wedding some of the more out-of-place items (like his sketch of the ancient actor John Wayne) had migrated to his office.

Johnny, biting back a joke about refusing because he was now married, sat down. Alysa handed him a PADD.

"Please keep in mind that this conversation is classified at Level Five and therefore must not leave this office. On this PADD you will find comprehensive data regarding the Portanus system, which the *Virgo* is currently about 72 hours away from at its present heading and velocity," she explained, carefully not mentioning how the data were obtained. Ostensibly we are headed there to survey a subspace anomaly of unusual character, but the Federation wishes to establish formal contact with the inhabitants of Portanus V."

Johnny scrolled through the display. "I see that these people are a pre-warp civilization. Agrarian economy, no mass manufacturing, only a very rudimentary understanding of Newtonian physics. Why is the Federation
interested in making contact with a society so primitive and so far removed from its sphere of influence?" *More to the point, Ms. Sinclair, what do you have in mind with this little act of legerdemain?*

"Scroll down to the physical data for this system. You'll find that the entire system doesn't have enough dilithium to run the *Virgo's* warp drive, much less something on the order of Zefram Cochrane's first vessel, which was an order of magnitude less efficient. The locals may develop warp theory in principle within the next 300 years but they may never build a working model. The material just doesn't exist in their system. Even with antimatter
the nearest star system with dilithium is 50 light years away, which means over 500 years aboard a sleeper ship. That's assuming they even explore in that direction or know what they've got when they find it. Under current interpretations of the Prime Directive, that means the Federation can have no formal contact with them," Alyssa explained.

"I take it, then, that the Prime Directive is about to be reinterpreted?" Johnny asked.

She smiled. "You could say that. Occasionally, the Federation must break its own rules in order to serve the greater good. Our early pioneers like Kirk and Sulu understood this well, but later generations have become somewhat squeamish on this point."

Johnny nodded. He had had his differences with the Prime Directive, but it was the first standing order of the Federation, and had to be upheld even to the disadvantage of the Federation. If it meant losing trade privileges,
that was something the Federation could survive. If it meant thousands of people getting slaughtered, then Johnny felt higher principles still were involved and the Prime Directive could go straight out the airlock. Kirk and
Sulu had believed that, and Johnny was certain that Captain Maruu believed that. Johnny knew he did. The question was whether or not Alysa believed that.

"And how is the greater good served here?" he asked.

"Again referring to the physical data, you'll see that the Portanus system lies in the heart of a unique anomaly which allows data to be transmitted at much higher than normal rates. Control of this system gives the Federation an unparalleled advantage in this quadrant. If we don't control this system, then the T'rais will move in and exploit both the anomaly and these people," she explained.

So that's what this is all about! Johnny remembered the absurdly high security clearance on the sensor readings from his mission to the wreck of the USS Kirk the year before. The Federation appeared to be deliberately trying to pick a fight with the T'rais over a few more empty parsecs of space. At that point his mind was made up. But still he continued.

"Okay, I see your point. What's the operation plan?"

"This is why I sought you out, Major. Among the crew, you are the best-qualified for this mission. In fact, you just might be what we're looking for to handle more than a few things," Alysa said, her voice becoming a little uncertain toward the end.

*Who's we?* Johnny thought. *Is there a mouse in the room? How many other people are in on this.*

"As you are no doubt aware, Federation intelligence activities go a bit beyond what an outsider might expect. In addition to providing information on potential opponents and helping to secure a strategic edge, there are certain components that also try to be pro-active in asserting Federation objectives. Based upon your service record and your training, we've decided that you would be ideal to help us, and the Federation, reach our goals."

*Congratulations, Johnny! You've just been recruited into a black op!*  "Again, what's the plan?"

"We want you to make contact with the locals and secure the rights to a starbase, and all necessary support facilities, in this system."

Okay so far. "I'm no ambassador; suppose they decline? What support do I have, and what are our alternatives?"

Alysa smiled, but not in a friendly manner. "It is your job, Major, to ensure that they do not decline our invitation."

At this point Johnny could no longer contain himself. "So that's why you want me for this job! Someone to kick down the door if they don't decide to open it of their own accord. Madam, you can count me out of this one! I
will not be a party to this or any similar action, and, furthermore, I am obliged to report this discussion to the Captain under the Starfleet Code of Military Justice." He got up to leave.

"Sit down, Major!" Alysa snapped, ignoring the technicality that Johnny outranked her. "You will do exactly what we want, and I'll tell you why. Your quarters and the berthing area of your Marines have been discreetly mined. As long as I give my authorization code at a predetermined interval, the mines will not go off. If you do not go on this mission, or if you attempt to report this discussion to anyone I have not specifically cleared you to speak to, the mines will go off, killing everyone in those compartments and probably anyone else in the vicinity as well. If the mines are tampered with, or if my life signs dip below nominal for any reason, the mines go off immediately. So don't even try anything funny!"

A horrid image of Jenara and the baby being vaporized by a mine, the resultant gas dispersing into space, passed through Johnny's mind. *You'll pay for this, you bitch!* he thought.

"Now that you put it that way, where do I sign up?"
 

Title: "Plausible Deniability" (Part 2 of 12)
Author: Major Johnny Chee
Stardate: 2461173
Earthdate: March 4, 2384
Location: USS Virgo/USS Limpopo

The message had come yesterday, just after the meeting with Alysa Sinclair. The timestamp on it indicated it had been sent about five minutes before he had arrived at her office. *One way or another, it looks like I've been drafted,* Johnny thought.

As one of the small-craft qualified officers on the *Virgo,* Johnny was in the flight rotation. Whenever a shuttle or runabout was needed, an officer from the list would be tapped. It was a good system and ensured that all officers had a chance to maintain flight hours toward their certifications. In principle, Johnny had no problem with it; in fact, before joining the *Virgo* crew he had always faced difficulty in building up enough flight time to maintain his small-craft certification.

However, it did seem rather suspect that the five officers ahead of him on the rotation had suddenly become indisposed with a strange, flu-like illness. Johnny knew better than to ask Dana about the specifics of their
condition. It had absolutely nothing to do with anything medical.

The assignment was suspect as well: Ensign Bortu from Operations needed flight training. Any of the five officers suddenly removed from the rotation were more qualified to perform flight training than Johnny, and there was
no reason Bortu couldn't wait until one of them recovered. Johnny checked Bortu's personnel file and found nothing terribly remarkable: Bortu was a Benzite on his first duty assignment since graduating from Starfleet
Academy. Commander Wallace had rated Bortu very highly during his last performance appraisal and had recommended Bortu for flight training six months earlier. *At least there's that. Wallace wasn't the type of guy who would put up with any crap from Sinclair or anyone else, and I've seen Bortu around. Unless he's a deep-cover agent, which I doubt; Benzites are too noticeable for that,* Johnny thought. Deep-cover agents were likely to be from races that had a high representation in Starfleet: Humans, Vulcans, Bajorans, possibly even Betazoids. But Benzites were still quite rare in Starfleet and easily remembered by their unique breathing apparatus.

Then again, maybe not. Johnny's last reading project had been Edgar Allan Poe. *Remember *The Purloined Letter*: the best way to hide anything is to put it in plain sight! Although it wouldn't be out of Sinclair's character
to add another sacrificial lamb to the altar.*

Johnny performed the pre-flight check of the shuttle *Limpopo's* systems and, as an extra precaution, did a full manual check of the systems as well. He'd arrived at the shuttle bay a full three hours early to make sure he
did a thorough check. Like the river in southern Africa the shuttle was named for, the *Limpopo* was not a desirable craft, and had a reputation for being unpredictable. *It must have been built just before liberty call,* Johnny thought. He would have much preferred the newer, more-reliable *Colorado* or the newly-built replacement for the *Lambda Flier,* the *USS Dawn,* but they were (conveniently) already reserved for use. Bortu would also have to work through the pre-flight, but procedure and prudence dictated the instructor perform the check first. Besides, most routine flight instructions did not involve the potential for sabotage.

Bortu showed up about five minutes early. "Reporting for flight training, sir!" Even after four years, much of the cadet eagerness was still in this Benzite, his bluish skin, stocky physique, and vapor-emitting breathing apparatus immediately setting him apart from the rest of the individuals in the shuttle bay. Bortu was the only Benzite among the crew.

"Good morning, Ensign. I am Major Johnny Chee, commander of the Marine detachment aboard this vessel. Lieutenant Estermann was unavailable to perform your training, so I will be performing your training today."
Johnny informed Bortu, sincerely hoping that Estermann was legitimately ill and not another of Sinclair's victims. "You will have done the academic research on the Federation Mark IV Shuttlecraft. Today we will be covering the pre-flight checklist, basic flight operations, and emergency procedures. I will be observing you as you illustrate proficiency in the procedures. At your leisure, we may begin."

"Yes, sir!" Bortu immediately began a stem-to-stern walkaround of the *Limpopo,* making notations on a PADD of system readouts and any real or perceived anomalies both in the systems and in the structure of the runabout. "Sir, there appears to be some minor corrosion on the starboard nacelle intercooler," Bortu reported.

Johnny had already noted that; it was a first-echelon maintenance issue but he'd left it for the ensign to address. "You know what to do about it, Ensign. Get to it!"

Bortu walked over to a storage locker and checked out a toolkit. From the toolkit he selected an ultrasonic cleaning tool, primitive, but it wasn't as though he was rebuilding the warp core. Within two minutes the corrosion
had been cleaned off. Bortu placed the tool back in the toolkit, returned it to the locker, and logged it back in. Johnny noted this on his evaluation.

Moments later they were in the *Limpopo's* cockpit, Bortu going over the instrument panel and calling off readings as Johnny noted his performance. *At least this much is going right,* Johnny thought, remembering the last time he'd performed a flight certification. He'd had to take the controls himself before the candidate, another ensign just barely out of the Academy, rammed the shuttle into the starbase's docking bay doors. Needless to say, that candidate did not receive certification.

That did not happen this time, as Bortu properly contacted Operations and received flight clearance. An alert siren cleared the docking bay, the doors slid open, and the force screen dropped as the bay depressurized. Perhaps a little too quickly, the *Limpopo* rose off its magnetic skids and shot out of the docking bay.

"A little too fast there, Ensign. Remember, under non-combat conditions a runabout can only leave the docking bay at 1/64th impulse power, the lowest possible setting. That was more like 1/16th," Johnny informed him.

"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir."

"No need to apologize; nobody's hurt, nothing's damaged, and you've learned something. But the speed limit's there for a reason. One other thing, Ensign."

"Yes?" the young officer asked.

"Relax! You've already earned your pip. Don't let it break your collarbone, and it won't in twenty years when you've earned a few more," Johnny laughed. He could tell the ensign was tense and nervous about the outcome. But nervous tension was the *last* thing any pilot wanted.

Besides, Johnny had enough for both of them and the rest of the crew besides. And not over Ensign Bortu's performance, which was nearly flawless.

"Sir, how fast is permitted under combat conditions?" Bortu asked.

"Whatever it takes to get the job done short of going to warp in the docking bay! Once you've finished this certification you can see Commander Lataro about combat flight certification and he'll give you the details: pending approval from your commanding officer, of course. Right now, let's stick to the basics," Johnny replied. Johnny could fly in combat, but the Lataros and the Captain were the only Starfleet combat flight *instructors* aboard the *Virgo.* The combat flight certification was about as different from the basic program as earning a place on the NASCAR circuit had been from earning a driver's license on 20th-century Earth. "What's our position relative to the *Virgo*?"

"Bearing 180 mark 4, distance 25,000 kilometers," the ensign replied.

"Very good. Take us at warp factor four to three parsecs."

The ensign tapped in the necessary commands, and Johnny felt the sudden change in the vessel as the *Limpopo*'s warp drive engaged. A few minutes later, the *Limpopo* dropped out of warp. Johnny started to tap in a command sequence that would simulate a primary coolant failure to drill Bortu's readiness for an emergency when suddenly there was no need to do so.

An emergency was already waiting for them. In front of them, *decloaking,* was a T'rais attack vessel.

"Lesson's over, Ensign. I'm taking command," Johnny told Bortu. Bortu had no complaints with that.

*Where the hell did they get a cloaking device?! They're not nearly advanced enough to build one on their own, and we're the only Alpha Quadrant presence in this part of the galaxy!*

"On my signal, Ensign, activate the countermeasures suite, the control pad to your right, and go to warp. Once we've gone to warp, contact the *Virgo.* I'll handle the talking and the flying from here," Johnny ordered.

"Sir, they're hailing us," Bortu reported.

"Answer their hail."

[This is Sector Commander Krax of the T'rais. You have violated our sovereign space. Please explain your intentions.]

Johnny responded. "This is Major Johnny Chee, commanding the Federation runabout *Limpopo,* attached to the starship *Virgo.* With me is Ensign Bortu. We are conducting a routine training exercise and had no intention
of violating your borders. We will leave immediately." Better to avoid a fight, particularly when we're outgunned at least three to one.

[You will not move from your current position. You are wanted criminals and will submit to our authority!]

*Like hell,* Johnny thought.

"Criminals? What does he mean?" Bortu asked, suddenly panicky.

"To the T'rais anyone whom they don't like is automatically a criminal," Johnny answered. "Try to raise the  *Virgo*; I'll keep him talking."

Bortu tapped a couple of commands on the console.

<Unable to comply,> the computer responded.

[Your communications are jammed. You will surrender at once!]

"Keep working on it, Bortu," Johnny ordered. Then, to Krax: "Jamming communications is an open act of hostility and likely to lead to misunderstandings. If we have violated your sovereign space, wouldn't it be prudent for us to alert our fleet so that we don't further compromise your borders?" he said, lying through his teeth. The *Virgo* was the only Federation asset in that part of the quadrant. But the T'rais likely didn't know that.

[Your fleet is no match for us!] Krax laughed as a second ship decloaked.

"The second vessel is identified as a T'rais heavy assault transport, warp capable, and carrying fifteen thousand troops with mechanized assets," Bortu reported. "It looks as though they were getting ready to invade something," he added.

"You've got that right, Ensign," Johnny replied gravely.

"So what do we do?"

Johnny thought for a moment. *We could surrender, but then the *Virgo* would be walking right into a trap once we don't return on schedule. We could try to stall, but that still doesn't help the *Virgo.* We could try to fight,
but with these odds I might as well breach the warp core right now.*

"Ensign, bring us about at maximum warp. We're going to run for it!"

"Aye, sir!" Bortu tapped the commands into the console. The *Limpopo* turned about and began to run. Both T'rais ships followed in hot pursuit.

"Ensign, I'm taking helm control. You activate the countermeasures suite. Computer, initiate evasive pattern Alpha Four."

The computer initiated the maneuver; both T'rais vessels countered it flawlessly.

"Computer, initiate evasive pattern Gamma Three!" Johnny ordered.

Again, the computer initiated the maneuver; again the enemy vessels countered it.

*Damn! Somehow they've gotten hold of our tactical programs!* Johnny thought. *And I have a hunch just who gave them up!*

"Sir, electronic and tachyon countermeasures are not working! Their scanners are cutting through them like tissue paper!" Bortu reported.

"Ensign, you're about to get that combat flight instruction!" Johnny replied. "Computer, override all tactical programming. Authorization Chee omicron two one six. Manual control to helm." The programming was worse
than useless now that the T'rais had every stratagem available to the computer to evade the enemy. But unless the T'rais were telepathic (which they were not) what Johnny was about to do would be completely unexpected.

An indicator light indicated that the helm was now under Johnny's direct control. He tapped in a series of commands that sent the *Limpopo* up into a high looping curve directly above the two enemy ships. The *Limpopo* suddenly did a 180 degree roll at Johnny's direction, then unleashed a barrage of phaser fire. Bortu looked stunned.

"That was an Immelmann, Ensign. A trick from over four hundred years ago: as old as air combat on Earth! And still one of the best tricks in the book. What'd we do to them?"

Bortu read the scanners. "Damage to environmental systems and engineering on the attack vessel, sir! Sensors indicate hull breaches on three decks!"

Suddenly, the *Limpopo* rocked violently. <Warning. Shields at seventy percent,> the computer reported.

"Ensign, drain power from communications and life support. Keep those shields going and get into an environment suit! You're leaving!"

"But sir! I should stay here..."

"That is an order, Ensign! Don't make me put you in the suit!"

Bortu saw the look in Johnny's eyes. He meant it.

Johnny goosed the engine again, doing his best to lead one of the ships into the other's field of fire.

"Ensign, I'm going to beam you and the empty suit out. I will guard you as long as I can. Somebody's got to make it back to the *Virgo* and tell them we've been sold out! When you beam aboard, you will make a full report to Commander Lataro or Lieutenant Commander Benton and only those individuals. No one else!!! Am I clear on this?" Johnny shouted as another blast hit the *Limpopo.* Alarms began to scream throughout the runabout. <Warning. Shields at thirty percent.>

"Why only them? Why not the Captain?"

"I think someone's compromised the Captain. That's the only way the tactical programs could have gotten into enemy hands! Only Lataro or Benton: understand?"

Johnny took the *Limpopo* about and let fly another barrage at the assault transport. The sensors told him that the transport's engines had been heavily damaged, but for the moment he was more concerned with keeping his crippled craft flying.

"Shouldn't I stay here and help you, Major?" Bortu asked, pausing before fastening on the helmet.

"Only captains go down with the ship. Ensigns come back to fight again!"

"And how about you, sir?"

"There's a saying in the Corps: 'Old Marines never die; they just go to Hell and regroup!' Tell my wife to look for the bear. The answers she'll want are there. Now go!!!"

Bortu finished fastening the helmet and ran the suit diagnostic. "All clear, sir!" he reported.

"Stand by to beam out. I'm putting you as far away from here as I can. Don't forget to activate your beacon! And, Ensign?"

"Yes, sir?"

"Tell your CO that you passed your flight exam!" Johnny replied as he hit the transporter control. Bortu could have sworn he heard Johnny singing as the transporter beam engulfed him. Something about the halls of Montezuma, whatever those were...

With Bortu safely beamed 50,000 kilometers from the fighting, Johnny could concentrate on what he was doing. Namely, a suicide attack.

Bortu had to be beamed out because Johnny knew who was really behind the attack. And that someone would not hesitate to eliminate a young, inexperienced and relatively unknown ensign to get at her goals. It was the only way, albeit a slim one, to, one, save Bortu's life and, two, get word to the few people on board the ship he could trust about what was going on.

And Johnny was damned if he was going to let her get away with it. He grabbed two Type II hand phasers and a tricorder from the emergency kit aboard the runabout. <Warning. Hull integrity at fifty percent. Warp core breach in forty-five seconds,> the computer alerted him.

Johnny altered the *Limpopo's* course so that it would pass directly beneath the assault transport. "Computer, on my mark, initiate transport to the T'rais attack craft and detonate the warp core. Authorization Chee omicron
two one six, alpha lambda four," he ordered, adding the suffix needed to initiate the ship's self-destruct sequence.

<Acknowledged. Warp core breach in thirty seconds.>

"Computer, mark!" Johnny shouted as the transporter beam engulfed him. Less than a nanosecond later the *Limpopo* exploded, damaging most of the assault transport's main engineering systems in the process.
 

Title: "Plausible Deniability" (Part 3 of 12)
Author: Major Johnny Chee
Stardate: 2461173
Earthdate: March 4, 2384
Location: USS Virgo

"Sir! Sensors indicate a massive explosion at coordinates 180 Mark Four, three parsecs from our position. It's consistent with a warp core breach," Ensign Arlita, a Deltan who had the Operations watch, reported to Commander Lataro.

*Dear God, that's where the *Limpopo* is!* Lataro thought, then he jumped to action. "All hands, yellow alert! Helm, hard about, take us to the source of the explosion. Tactical, I want a full sensor sweep of the area. Look for
anything: debris, survivors, possible hostile vessels. Open a channel to the *Limpopo.*" Then, to the ship's com system: "Bridge to Captain Maruu, we have a situation."

The acknowledgments came back as Jon Lataro felt an icy pit forming in his stomach. Minutes later, the *Virgo* arrived at the scene.

"Sir, I'm picking up a large debris field. Analysis indicates that the composition is consistent with that of a Federation shuttlecraft. There are also substantial quantities of debris of composition consistent with that of
a T'rais vessel."

"Any lifesigns?"

"I'm picking up distress beacons from two Starfleet-issue environmental suits, but only one appears to be occupied. Life scans are consistent with those of a Benzite," Arlita reported.

"Bridge to Transporter Room Two: two to beam aboard," Lataro ordered.

[Acknowledged. Transport complete. Sickbay has been alerted, sir. Both suits are present, but only one was occupied.]

At that moment Captain Stephen Maruu appeared on the bridge. Lataro briefed him.

"Any signs of hostile activity?" the captain asked.

"None, sir. Sensors were reading some anomalies but I've run a diagnostic and it appears they were being adversely affected by the radiation from the blast," Arlita responded, puzzled by what her panel was showing her.

*Wasn't there T'rais debris there a minute ago?* Lataro started to speak up but the captain cut him off.

"We'll have to assume this was an accident. Mr. Lataro, contact Ms. Antillies and Mr. Benton; have them follow standard procedures for an accident investigation. I will report to sickbay and interview the crew personally. You have the bridge."

"Aye, sir," Lataro answered, getting a sense that there was something wrong here. *Two suits, one crewmember. Why would Johnny do that? If he were already dead then it would make no sense for Bortu to waste time beaming out an empty suit. Two people, two suits; one person, one suit, but not one person, two suits! That makes no sense!* he thought, afraid of what he'd have to do later that day.
 _____________________________

Location: T'rais attack vessel

Johnny beamed aboard the T'rais attack vessel, figuring it to be the softer target. He found himself in an anonymous-looking corridor. He pulled out his tricorder and determined that he was approximately 20 meters from a large power source that had to be the ship's engineering compartment. Loud alarms screamed around him. Good! I've hurt the bastards a little! I may not make it out of this one but I'm going down swinging! He began running toward Engineering, phaser at the ready.

No sooner than he cleared the first frame than the T'rais picked up on his presence. Johnny ducked behind a support structure as a phaser beam shot past him. He fired blindly around the corner, setting his phaser for
maximum dispersal. A loud scream told him he'd hit something.

Scanning first with his tricorder, Johnny proceeded down the corridor and retrieved the phaser rifle from his wounded assailant. It was an older Federation model, but still somewhat more stout than what he was currently
carrying. Johnny stunned his opponent into unconsciousness (killing the wounded was not in his ethos) and moved on.
 _____________________________

Location: USS Virgo

Ensign Bortu lay on a diagnostic bed, very frightened but otherwise unhurt. But he wasn't about to let on otherwise. If I refuse to talk to the Captain, I'll be written up for insubordination and sent to the brig. Which would
at least put me in contact with Commander Benton, and I can tell him what the Major told me. But that's only if Benton's on watch right now. If not, I may end up interrogated anyway by whoever's running this plot.

"Can you tell me what happened, Ensign?" Captain Maruu asked.

Bortu said nothing.

"It's more than likely post-traumatic stress syndrome. Bortu is young, and Benzites tend to be more prone to post-traumatic stress than many other races. You may want to back off and come at it a little later. Besides,"
Dana said, "it's not going to bring Johnny back."

"Quite true, Doctor," the Captain answered, observing protocol while both he and his wife were on duty. "I'll have to address this later. Let me know if he decides to say anything. Ensign," he continued, addressing Bortu,
"whatever happened out there, it's over with. You're safe now. Accidents happen; it is part and parcel with the risks of being in Starfleet. When you feel ready to talk, let the Doctor know, and we'll sort this out." He nodded
to the two, then left Sickbay.

*Then again,* Bortu thought, *there is another way...*

"Doctor," he said, waiting until the Captain had left.

Dana turned. "Yes, Ensign, what can I do for you?" The next few minutes were critical.

"Am I covered by the physician-patient privilege?"

*Why would he be asking that?* "Yes, so long as you are not planning anything illegal. If that's the case then I'll have to inform the Captain and Security."

"Ma'am, I need to speak with Commanders Lataro and Benton. There's something I need to discuss with them, and I was ordered to take it solely to them."

"Of course." She tapped her com badge. "Sickbay to Lataro and Benton. There's someone here who needs to speak to you."

Then Dana put two and two together. Johnny's the only one who could have ordered him to keep quiet. But why not tell Stephen? What's going on here? If it were an illegal order then why would Bortu want to pass it on to two people who would most certainly cashier him for it? Or is this bigger than it looks?

She quieted her thoughts, temporarily, as Benton entered Sickbay. "I'll leave you two alone," she said.

"You had something you wanted to tell me, Ensign?" Benton asked.
 _____________________________

Location: T'rais attack vessel

Johnny continued his movement down the corridor from bulkhead to bulkhead, making sure to check corners and stay hidden. A damage control team nearly spotted him, but he kept out of their way. *If I start killing too many of them someone's going to notice.*

Suddenly there were shouts from farther down the corridor. Someone had found the T'rais he'd stunned. Johnny began frantically looking for access panels or anything that might remotely resemble a Jeffries tube.

Too late. Two T'rais security types saw him and began firing. Johnny had barely a split-second to duck behind a support. He looked at his tricorder. Five more were coming down the corridor in the opposite direction. No
hatches, access panels, or other convenient places to hide were forthcoming. A grenade would be nice right about now, he thought. Overloading one of the phaser pistols would do the job just about as well, however...

He drew one of the phaser pistols and set its control circuitry into a feedback loop. At maximum power he'd have ten seconds to throw it. Johnny armed the phaser and threw it in the direction of the five advancing
guards. He turned to fire at the two coming at him from the opposite direction.

The concussion from the exploding phaser smashed him against the bulkhead.
 _____________________________

Location: Portanus V

Five minutes, five days, or five years later, Johnny woke up in a festering pit. He was naked but for a loincloth, his wrists bound with wrought-iron chains, and surrounded by dozens of bipeds somewhat shorter than himself
with bluish skin and large, widely-separated eyes. Somewhere in his stunned mind he recognized them as natives of the Portanus system.

At first he could hear only gibberish noises, but gradually they resolved themselves into coherent speech. At least they left the Universal Translator intact. After listening for a few moments, Johnny determined that he was
in a slave pen. Someone jabbing him with a pointed object, which Johnny quickly determined was a black powder rifle with a bayonet, sealed the deal.

"On your feet, foreigner! It's time to see how much your miserable hide is worth!"

A musket may not be the most terribly effective weapon, but it was much more terrible and effective than no weapon at all. Johnny got up and went where he was told.

He walked past a display the likes of which humanity, even at its worst moments, had not known in centuries. One individual had a sloughing skin disease horribly reminiscent of what Johnny had read about leprosy at the
Academy. *Terrific. That only reminds me that my broad spectrum antibiotic was due for an update this week! Let's hope they've at least figured out penicillin and sulfa drugs, or my life here may be decidedly short and
unhappy! But then again, I appear to be a slave, so they may not care.*

*Escape. I've got to escape somehow and figure out what to do next. Either that or hope I get an extremely progressive master, which somehow I doubt.*

Johnny stood on an auction block, listening to the bids for the individual ahead of him. The individual looked to be an older male and was advertised as "an experienced, skilled laborer." The man fetched a price of five paregi, whatever those were.

Then Johnny took his place. The auctioneer began his pitch. "Item 24: an unknown foreigner, apparently male. Recently injured but otherwise in excellent physical condition! Should make an outstanding thrall or eunuch
for your palace!"

*Charming. I hadn't thought of that particular option!* Johnny thought nervously.

The bidding began. After five minutes the bid was up to one-half paregi. Johnny never did find out how much his worth as a slave was, however.

A large Portanan male in attire finer than most of his fellows was examining a female with child farther down the line. A male just ahead of her started to protest, whereupon the large well-dressed man motioned to his attendants. They grabbed the child and one of them started to brandish a club.

Without thinking, Johnny rushed from the auction block. His long-legged, athletic stride was no match for the shorter Portanans. Two slave pen guards began pursuing him with bayonets at the ready, but it was too late. Johnny delivered an elbow strike to one of the attendants and had disarmed the other, choking him with the club that was about to be used on the child. The guards raised their muskets.

"Go ahead and shoot! I've got nothing to lose!" he yelled. The guards cocked their muskets.

"No! Don't shoot!" a voice from the crowd shouted. "I will pay twenty paregi for this slave!"

The guards lowered their muskets. A much older Portanan strode out from the crowd. "And you, Baron Kelto, should really try not to provoke these people," he said. Johnny looked at his presumptive master/benefactor. The man was very well-dressed, even better dressed than Kelto. Obviously some sort of nobleman, maybe even a king.

"I, Vinzi, Wizard of Flor, will pay 20 paregi for this foreigner and another five for this family of three," he said. "Does anyone contest my bid?"

No one spoke.

*This guy's got some clout!* Johnny thought.

The auctioneer broke the silence. "Sold: four slaves, Items 25 and 33 through 35, for the price of 25 paregi!"

"We've not even begun to finish, Wizard!" Baron Kelto growled.

"Don't start what you won't be able to finish," Vinzi answered, then walked on. He ordered the chains off Johnny and the others, then walked them over to a small desk where a clerk filled out some paperwork. Johnny watched the proceedings carefully. *They're literate, or at least have a literate class. And those papers have the look of pre-printed forms which means they've got books somewhere that I need to start reading as soon as possible!*

Vinzi opened up a small purse and emptied out 25 large gold coins.

*So that's what paregi are! Not a bad price, but then again no one should be sold at any price,* Johnny thought.

"How well can you speak our language, foreigner? Do you have a name?"

*Chee, Johnny, Salt born for Bitter-Water. Major, Starfleet Marine Corps. 549526582. Under the Khitomer Accords I am not required to give you any further information.* But Johnny resisted the urge to be uncooperative, not
that any of the above would have meant anything to the Wizard of Flor, any more than the presumptive wizard would have had standing in Starfleet Academy's faculty. "My name is Johnny. I can speak your language fluently, but I cannot read or write it." The Universal Translator allowed him to speak and listen only; written language would have to be learned.

"You handle yourself well. I need such as you in my employ, as a bodyguard and master-at-arms."

"You would arm a slave?"

"I would never own a slave, my friend. That clerk just signed your manumission papers. And those of your companions. By our laws, once I have bought you I can do whatever I wish with you. You're now hired as my
servants; you'll be paid and lodged in my estate but must have my written permission to venture beyond there, and may only wear the livery of my estate. If you wish to learn to read our language I will arrange to have
someone teach you."

"That would be appreciated. May I ask how should I address you?"

"'Wizard' in public. I must confess that the lessons of the sextons have had their impact. I abhor slavery and the abuse of innocents. If my own budget could support it I would have bought all the slaves in that pen, then freed
them. But altruism wasn't my only motive.

"Kelto is my sworn enemy; he and I are currently in a feud for control of Flor. I have the hearts of the people, but he has their fear. Anyone who could disarm and defeat two of his best men-at-arms with no weapons of his
own is someone I could use!"

*From slave to mercenary,* Johnny thought. Even so, he didn't have to free these others, so this Wizard can't be too bad. Certainly better than ending up a eunuch!
 

Title: "Plausible Deniability" (Part 4 of 12)
Author: Lieutenant Jenara Chee
Stardate: 2461173
Earthdate: March 4, 2384
Location: USS Virgo

Jenara had been off duty for the last few days. Her altered due date was drawing near. She had at least wanted light duties, but Dana had been adamant about her trying to rest. Especially since her pregnancy had not been an easy one.

She rested on the couch. Her head at one end and her feet over the other all stretched out. Her eyes were closed, listening to some of her favorite music from all over the galaxy. It was a composite she had created herself. As she relaxed, she felt the baby move. It was a strong kick that made her take a quick breath in.

"Okay, little one, just take it easy. You won't be in there forever. Just let momma relax for a little while," she smiled, patting her very bulging belly.

Just then, the chimes for the door sounded.

Slowly pushing herself up to sitting, she called out, "Enter."

As the door slid open, she saw Commander Lataro walk in. He was still in uniform and by the look on his face, he was not there for a social call. Even his dark eyes seemed darker. Immediately, she began picking up his
emotions. He was... upset. There was something he had to say. He was going to hurt her somehow, and he didn't want to.

"Hello, Lieutenant," he said, formally, but, seeing the concern in her eyes, he quickly softened his demeanor, "Jenara."

"What's going on, Commander?" she asked. "What is it?"

"I have some news for you. It's about Johnny."

Suddenly she felt as if someone had gut kicked her. Her breath became shallow, and a wave of nausea hit her.

"I'm sorry, Jenara. There's been an accident. He was testing an Ensign in a runabout and..."

"No!" she cried, tears springing to her eyes. Immediately, she hid her face in her hands and sobbed, "He can't be dead! Not now!" She leaned forward, trying to curl up, but her stomach got in the way. Her fiery mane hid her
face from him, but her agony was apparent.

Jonathan Lataro took a seat beside her on the couch and put his arms around her as she cried. "I am so sorry," he tried to comfort.

"This can't happen! I have already lost so many people I loved. If he's dead, he won't ever be able to hold our daughter or watch her grow up. She won't have a father." The tears wouldn't stop, but she accepted his attempts
to calm her.

Jon felt helpless. It was bad enough delivering this kind of news to someone you didn't know very well. But when it was someone you knew personally, someone you cared about as a friend, it took on a whole new meaning. Especially in a situation like this.

"If I could, I would bring him back," he soothed. "I know he loved you very much."

"And I loved him too." she replied in almost a whisper, between tears and muffled sniffs.

Suddenly, a pain gripped her abdomen, tightening the muscles. A pain she was all too familiar with. Only this time, the couch below her became soaked. Lataro felt her tense in his arms.

"What's wrong?" he asked, as she looked up with more emotional pain etched on her face.

"The baby. I'm in labor." Just then, she was gripped by another contraction. They weren't so strong as to keep her from talking, but they were uncomfortable. "And he won't be here," she said tearfully.

"We need to get you to sickbay," he said, helping her to her feet.

She continued to cry as the realization hit harder that she would go through this without Johnny's love and strength. She would go through this alone.
 ________________________________

Commander Lataro arrived in Sickbay with his arms around Jenara, helping her walk through the contractions. "Dr. Maruu," he called out, "Lt. Chee is going to have her baby!"

Dana was instantly there. "Bring her over here!"

As Dana guided her to a biobed, Jenara caught site of Bortu. She picked up that he was the one that had been with Johnny and that he was still shook up and still very frightened. He wasn't really sure what had even happened out there. But before she could read further, another contraction hit her. They were getting stronger fast. She began to breath through them to ease the discomfort.

"Well, you and the baby are all right, and you are definitely going to have her soon! How uncomfortable are you?" Dana asked.

"The contractions hurt, but not as bad as my heart," she replied, bursting into tears anew.

Dana understood and assessed the situation for only a moment. "I'm going to give you something to ease the pain. It won't stop the contractions, but will make you feel a little better. It might even allow you to rest for awhile."

Jenara didn't reply. Nothing would make her feel better at this point. As another contraction came, Dana placed the hypospray to her neck and injected some medication. Instantly, the pain from the contractions subsided,
though she could still feel her abdomen tighten as it contracted, and even her tears stopped. It was as if she were becoming detached. Instead of the loss, she allowed her mind to wander over the last several months with Johnny and how wonderful they had been. She remembered their kisses, how he had saved not only her life, but her heart. He not only loved her, but this baby within her that wasn't even his. As she dwelled on each memory, she lost track of the time.

Lataro watched on, but wouldn't leave. He felt a certain amount of responsibility. Not just because he had been the one to break the news to her about Johnny, but because genetically the child was his and he couldn't
let her go through this alone. He took her hand and held it as his own memories came to mind, such as the night of Jenara's birthday party when he had found out he was the baby's father. Jenara had been adamant about him not telling K'Lara. She hadn't wanted to upset the apple cart for him, and then Johnny had taken responsibility. *He would have been a great father,* Jon thought. For a moment, he saw a sad smile appear on Jenara's face and a single tear fall from a corner of her green eyes.

"He'll always be here with me," she said, "Right here." She patted her chest with her free hand, "Along with all the others who have passed before me. My mother. My father. My brother. My Sister. They're all here. I don't know
why I was spared," she said. "Maybe for a cruel joke. I should have died with my family."

"Then this baby would never have a chance to live," he said, trying to change her morbid thoughts. "And she deserves that, doesn't she?"

"So she can see the people she loves die?" Though she didn't sob, the pain was still there. It was a bottomless well of sorrow.

There was nothing he could say to help. To the grieving, nothing could be said except the usual, "Sorry for your loss." But he knew that being there was something. He wouldn't let her go through this alone.
 ________________________________

Several hours later, Lataro found himself still by Jenara's side. Dana had kept him abreast of Jenara's progress. He had also informed K'Lara of his whereabouts and why. Jenara didn't sleep, though she tried to rest, and
when she did feel the pain, it was the only thing that seemed to bring her to life momentarily. He had never seen her so devoid of life. It was as if she had become a shell of the woman he had known. He wanted to believe it was due to the medication, but deep down knew it wasn't. He thought about how he'd feel if he lost K'Lara. He sighed to himself as he let the feeling pass. Gently, he placed his other hand on Jenara's belly. Almost instantly he felt the baby move. Then Jenara moaned.

"Get Dr. Maruu," she said, moaning a little more. "I think she's coming!"

John called for Dana. She arrived at their sides immediately.

"We have to get her to the birthing chair."

John helped her and soon, they had Jenara ready.

"Okay, Jenara, I want you to push with your next contraction. Push as hard as you can. Jon, as she pushes count to 10. When he reaches 10, Jenara, take a deep breath and do it again until the contraction passes."

Jenara nodded as another contraction began. Jon held her hand as before, but her grip tightened, as he counted and the contraction got stronger. He'd never realized just how strong she was until he began to lose feeling in his hand. As the contraction ended, she took a deep breath and relaxed for a moment.

"Good, good! You're doing great! Here comes another contraction! Ready? Now!"

For 30 minutes, Jenara pushed as hard as she could with Dana and Jon coaching her.

"Keep pushing! I see her head! She's crowning! Just a little more!" Dana urged. "One more big push and she'll be out!"

As Jenara did what was asked, the most incredible thing happened. She felt her daughter enter the world and heard her let loose a loud cry. Dana immediately placed her in Jenara's arms and again Jenara started crying.
But this time, there was a smile on her face.

"There she is. She's perfect," Dana concluded as she looked at the infant in her mother's arms.

"And look at that hair!" Jenara said, touching the light brown fuzz on her daughter's head."Oh you are so beautiful." She kissed her little one's forehead as she let Dana hand her to one of her nurses to weigh her and
clean her up a bit.

"You did it. She's beautiful. Just like her mother." Jon said.

"I wish he could see her..." she said.

They both picked up something strange in her voice and realized Jenara was getting pale and clammy. Concern went into Lataro's face as he looked at her, and saw instant action on Dana's part. There was suddenly a lot of commotion around them, but Jenara seemed detached, as if removed from the flurry of activity. Within moments, she lapsed into unconsciousness.

"We need to stop the bleeding now, or we're going to lose her for good!" Dr. Maruu called out to her nurses to spur them into acting faster.

"What's happening?" Lataro asked.

"She's bleeding! Her uterus isn't shrinking down like its suppose to. If I don't stop the bleeding, she'll bleed out in a matter of minutes."

Instantly, one of the nurses appeared at her side with a hypospray. He injected the medication into Jenara as Dana massaged Jenara's abdomen. Finally, the bleeding began to slow, and then it stopped. Dana breathed a
visible sigh of relief.

"That was too close," she muttered, then added something about Tanzaran physiology under her breath. "She should be fine now," she told Lataro. "She'll just need to rest for awhile, while we replace the blood she lost.
But all in all, I think she's done well. This hasn't been an easy pregnancy for her. And you were a good coach."

He was still recovering from the shock of watching Jenara almost die, but managed to walk to the isolet where the baby was laying, crying for a mother she had almost lost. He knew she needed a father. Tenderly he picked her up and she stopped crying. Looking at Dana, he said, "If Jenara needs anything, let me know."

Dana nodded.
 ________________________________

Jenara felt strange as her consciousness returned. Her mind was a blur. She felt her abdomen and remembered that she had had her baby! Immediately, she opened her eyes and sat up. She was still in Sickbay and beside her, in an isolet was her baby. Slowly, Jenara managed to get to her feet. She was stiff and sore and felt weak, but she had to see her baby again. As she gazed into the peacefully sleeping face before her, tears misted her eyes.

"She's beautiful, Johnny." she said. "She's perfect." Tenderly, she caressed her daughter's cheek.

Suddenly, someone walked up behind her. She sensed it was Bortu, who for some reason was still there. "You're Major Chee's wife?" he asked quietly.

She nodded. "Yes," she replied, barely above a whisper. Tears threatening to come to her eyes. She wasn't ready to talk about Johnny. The pain was too fresh. But there seemed to be something he wanted to say to her.

"I... I have a message for you from him."

She was stunned. "What?" she asked, turning around to see him.

"Yeah. It was a strange message, but he told me to tell you to... Look for the bear?"

A shiver ran down her spine. "He told you that? That I should look for the bear?"

The Ensign nodded. "I need to get back to my bed now, but I wanted to tell you that. I didn't know when I would have another chance."

"Thank you," she replied, still stunned by the message. Instantly, she knew that the shuttle accident hadn't been an accident. Looking at her baby, she whispered, "Someone killed your daddy, and I'm going to find out who."
 

Title: "Plausible Deniability" (Part 5 of 12)
Author: Lt. Commander Benton
Stardate: 2461173
Earthdate: March 4, 2384
Location: USS Virgo

[Sickbay to Lataro and Benton. There's someone here who needs to talk to you.]

Benton looked up from his paperwork as the call came over the intercom. He glanced over at Sitto, who was sitting at his own desk in the security office pretending to do his own paperwork. Sitto noticed Benton's glance
and shrugged noncommittally in response.

Benton stood up, tapped his com badge, and said, "On my way, Doctor." With that, he was through the office doors and was gone.

Sitto sighed contentedly, leaned back in his chair, folded his hands behind his head, and put his feet up on his desk. "Thought he'd never leave..." he muttered through a smile as his eyes drifted shut.
 _________________________________

Benton had been apprised of the runabout *Limpopo's* apparent destruction while still in the Security office. The report had come in over the computer system while he had been doing his paperwork, and his multi-tasking Kelvan brain has assimilated the information on the computer screen without his having to interrupt the paperwork. His thoughts turned fondly toward his secondincommand. He knew that if Sitto had been even marginally awake and alert, he would have noticed the accident report too. That was fine with Benton. Sitto was always awake when the shooting started.

The doors to sickbay hissed open, and Benton maneuvered straight for Doctor Maruu. She pointed toward an occupied biobed, and Benton altered his course toward it. The biobed was occupied by Ensign Bortu, the Benzite that had been aboard the *Limpopo* along with Major Chee.

He saw that Bortu was awake, so Benton got right to the point. "You had something you wanted to tell me, Ensign?"

Bortu turned his head to see who had addressed him. At the sight of Benton, a look of great relief crossed his blue-gray face and he said, "Yes, sir." A puff of gas from his breathing apparatus punctuated his statement. "It's
about the mission."

Benton pulled up a chair and sat down. "All right. Let's start from the top, Ensign."

Benton listened and mentally recorded everything as Bortu wove his tale: how he had arrived at his flight training to find that Chee had replaced his scheduled flight instructor, how they had departed the ship and then
encountered two cloaked T'rais vessels, how Chee had thrown him into an environment suit and beamed him off the *Limpopo* before zooming off to attack the T'rais ships single-handedly.

Bortu had actually seen the matter/anti-matter flash of the *Limpopo's* warp core explosion, and shortly thereafter, a larger explosion that he assumed was one of the T'rais vessels.

"I'm sorry, Commander. He wouldn't let me stay and help! I wanted to, but he made me get in the suit and then he beamed me off the runabout!" Bortu was losing it. "I should have been there with him right up to the end! Now all we can do is look for the bear!"

Bortu was trying to get out of his bed, but Benton put a restraining hand on his shoulder and held him down. "Don't get agitated, Ensign. There was nothing you could have done. Major Chee sent you to safety so you could report to us what happened, and that's exactly what you've done. Relax."

Ensign Bortu struggled for a moment longer, but then the life seemed to go out of him. He slumped back on his pillow and took a deep breath from his breathing apparatus. "It's just not right," he said finally, despair in his voice. "Why did they attack us? We were no threat to them..." he trailed off.

Benton tried to sympathize with the Benzite. His Kelvan heritage meant that his emotions were somewhat different, however, and considerably less intense. He felt at a loss for words, but he knew he had to say something to the young man. Finally, he patted Bortu on the shoulder, tried a small smile and said, "Don't worry, Ensign Bortu. We'll get them for what they did."

Benton stood up to leave. Bortu then seemed to remember something. He said, "Commander? Major Chee said to report that I passed my flight test..."

Benton paused and turned back toward Bortu. "Very good, Ensign. I'll log it. Is there anything else you can remember that I should know?"

Bortu thought for a moment, then replied, "No sir. I've told you everything I can remember."

Benton nodded in acknowledgment and walked away. Then he seemed to remember something and turned back yet again. "Ensign? Why didn't you report any of this to the captain? He has been here to see you, I believe."

"Yes, sir. Major Chee specifically ordered me to report *only* to you or Commander Lataro."

"I see. Thank you, Ensign." Benton left Bortu's bedside. A nod at Doctor Maruu indicated to her that he was done with his interview, and she responded with a smile and a wave. The sickbay doors hissed shut behind
him.
 _________________________________

Benton's thoughts were boiling as he made his way back to the Security office. Ensign Bortu's verbal report coincided perfectly with the sensor data the *Virgo* had received, but there were two questions for which he
had no answers as of right now. Namely, "Why was Bortu ordered to talk only to me or Commander Lataro?" and "Why were *two* environmental suits beamed from the *Limpopo*?"

Benton had just rounded a corner near the Security office, still lost in thought, when he ran head-first into a running crewmember coming around the same corner in the opposite direction.

"Oof!" said his victim.

"Oof!" said Benton. He quickly recovered his wits and saw that it was Ensign Milano. "Francesca! Where are you going in such a hurry?"

"Haven't you heard? Jenara has had her baby!" Francesca dodged around him and ran on down the corridor back the way he had just come.

For a moment Benton was torn between his duty to continue the investigation and his duty to his friend Jenara, but his friend very quickly won that contest. He reversed his course and followed Francesca back to sickbay,
except at a slightly more dignified pace.

As he walked he couldn't help but wonder what Francesca had been doing in the Security section of the ship anyway...
 _________________________________

When Benton arrived back in sickbay, the first thing he saw was a small crowd around one of the biobeds. People were oo-ing and ah-ing over something, so it wasn't hard to tell where the baby was.

When he made his way over Jenara caught sight of him and said, "Benton! I'm glad you're here. Take a look at my daughter." Jenara held up a tiny humanoid infant. It kicked and goo-ed in Benton's direction.

Kelvan emotions notwithstanding, Benton felt something stirring deep within him. He looked at the baby and said softly, "She's beautiful, Jenara."

Jenara smiled and said, "Yes, isn't she? If only Johnny were here." A hard edge entered her voice. "All we can do is look for the bear...."

Those last words froze Benton's mind. He had heard them before, but where?! He rewound the record of his memory and suddenly he found it. Bortu had said the exact same words: "Look for the Bear." Surely that must mean something!

"Jenara! What did you just say?"

Jenara sniffed and said, "I said, 'If only Johnny were here.'"

"No! After that!"

Jenara thought a moment, then said, "Look for the bear?" She looked puzzled.

"Where did you hear that?" demanded Benton.

Taken aback by Benton's sudden intensity, Jenara shrank away from him a little, shielding her newborn. "From Ensign Bortu," she said. "He said it was a message from Johnny."

"From Major Chee! What does the message mean?"

"I have no idea!" sobbed Jenara. These reminders were more than she could take.

Benton's mind was once again boiling. This could be a clue to Major Chee's location, assuming he wasn't dead. Benton knew how hard it was to kill the major, so he *was* still assuming the major was alive.

Suddenly he had an inspiration: he remembered something from Earth history. He looked about the room and spotted who he was looking for. Striding for the Sickbay door, he snagged Francesca's arm en-route and dragged her after him. "Come on," he said simply.

"Aaah! What? Oh. Hi, Benton," she smiled. She tried to wriggle free but Benton's grip was iron-tight. "Wait! I was just talking to..." she sputtered ineffectually. She stumbled along after Benton spewing "Wait a minute!" and
"Hang on!" Eventually she wrested herself from Benton's grip, and followed him to wherever he was going on her own accord.

Where Benton was going was the main Stellar Cartography lab, an invention only four years old, which just happened to be Francesca's specialty.

Benton motioned her to the main control seat in the center of the cavernous chamber. Franny took her seat and touched a few switches. The walls of the room lit up with the brilliance of the cosmos. For 360 degrees around the pair, the chamber's walls, floor and ceiling were painted with holographic images of the surrounding space sectors. It was as though Benton and Francesca and her small control console were floating in the center of the
universe.

"Why are we here, Benton?" asked Franny.

"We're here to discover where Major Chee is, Francesca," said Benton frankly. "I have discovered a clue."

"Okay. How can I help?" said Franny, eager to help Benton.

"Well, his last message was 'look for the bear,'" explained Benton. I remembered that on Major Chee's homeworld, Earth, there was a constellation called the 'Great Bear.'"

Francesca was completely serious now. "Yes, the Great Bear, also known as Ursa Major and the Big Dipper." She worked her console and the star field on the walls swung wildly around, then steadied once more in a different direction. "The Bear," she announced.

"I don't recognize it," said Benton.

"Of course not. You're looking at it from the opposite side now. The *Virgo* is far *behind* the Ursa Major cluster as seen from Earth."

"How far away are the Ursa Major stars?"

"Most are about two thousand parsecs."

"Hmm. Much too far for a shuttle to travel in a few minutes..." mused Benton. He studied the star view before him. The names of the stars of the Earth constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear, were marked by the computer on the screens, otherwise he wouldn't have recognized them. At this distance and angle, the "bear" pattern was broken, and didn't resemble a bear by any stretch of the imagination. All the stars were severely dimmed by
distance, even with computer enhancement.

All but one.

The star marked as being the "Eye of the Bear" was a brilliant sparkling diamond of light.

"Francesca, zoom in on the sector marked by the Eye of the Bear."

"Okay." The computer generated holoimage once again shifted and seemed to shoot toward them. When it stopped, one nearby star was prominent in the center of the screen.

"Francesca?"

"Um," stalled Francesca as she worked her controls. "The Eye of the Bear is more luminous than the others because there's another star, much closer, along the direct line of sight of the actual eye. Distance, less than one parsec."

"Name?" asked Benton.

"Portanus."