Chapter Fourteen

Ken was walking down the corridor with Culdane, towards the mess hall. "I tell you, Doc, the sooner Cirix beams down, the better. Hopefully she can prevent this war with the Klingons. Then we can find this 'Enigma' character."

"IF he or she is still on board, Captain. Maybe-"

They walked into the mess hall just as Siavod was preparing to exit, and almost walked into her."Oh, excuse me, Captain, Doctor! I didn't see you."

"No harm done, Lt." Harris said.

"Siavod, where is Lt. Burns? Isn't she your partner for this shift?" Culdane asked.

"We're meeting in her quarters, Doctor." Siavod figdeted. "She had some personal errands to run, and this is the first chance I got to get some nurishment all day."

"'Nourishment'? Lt, that smells suspiciously like a ...steak!" Ken exclaimed.

"It is, sir. Is something..?"

"There are many aspects of Vulcan culture I am ignorant of, 'Lt.', but I do know that Vulcans don't eat meat! Culdane, she's 'Enigma'! Grab her before-"

"Ken, this IS Siavod. Her readings check out perfectly." Culdane was scanning Siavod.

"But then why...?" Ken said.

"I am partnered with a human, sir. This meal is for both of us." Siavod said in her Vulcan demeaner.

"Yes, but I thought... No matter. Carry on, Lt."

"Aye, sir." Siavod said. She then thought to herself, *Surak must be watching over me. He believed me!*

Culdane glanced back at Siavod, and was thinking, *No. It couldn't be...* She and Ken grabbed a bite to eat, then headed to the transporter room.

As they entered the transporter room, Whitehawk and Robinson were waiting with Cirix, with Devere at the transporter controls.

"Ambassador Cirix is ready to beam down, sir" Devere stated.

"Have you checked the transporter system for sabotage, Chief?" Ken asked.

"Aye, sir. And it's clean as a whistle. so, with your permission..."

"There's just one more thing, Chief. 'Queen to Queen's level 3'"

"Sir? I don't know wha-"

"'Queen to Queen's level 3', Chief," Ken repeated.

"Captain, have you been nipping too much Saurian Brandy? What does-"

Ken turned quickly. "Ambassador! Get off that platform! Whitehawk, phasers at-"

Just then, 'Devere' changed shape as she was activating the transporter controls, and flew into the transport beam. Cirix softly said, "Chianna, no!"

Whitehawk spoke. "Sir, that things materialized on Babel by now. I'll bet the Ambassador never would have made it in one piece."

"No bet, Cmdr. 'Enigma' must be miles from the beam-down point now. Still, alert security planetside."

Cirix, shaken, said, "I'll be in my quarters, Captain. This has been very-"

Ken cut her off. "Just a moment, Ambassador." Harris walked over to her. "Cirix, is there anything you'd like... to tell me?"

"I have no idea what you mean, Ken." Cirix had a stern look on her face.

"I see. Whitehawk, escort the Ambassador to her quarters, institute a ship wide search for Devere, starting with her quarters, and have Lt. Siavod meet me in the briefing room immediatly."

"Yes sir." They all exited the transporter room, Whitehawk, Cirix, Culdane and Robinson heading one way, Ken the other.

Ken entered the briefing room, and activated the computer console. "Computer, scan personnel file of Federation Ambassador Cirix."

The computer responded, "That file is classified top secret."

"Command priority, authorization Harris, Kenneth. Code 3A-2B-A. Initiate scan of file."

"Working", responded the computer. Ken went over and got a cup of Andorian hot chocolate, then sat, waiting for the computer to scan the file. It gave him a moment to reflect on his relationship with Kim, and his thoughts went back to a time with Cirix.

"Scan complete. File- Cirix. Agency- Section 31."

"Computer, find any refference to the name 'Chianna'.

Just then, Siavod walked in. "Have a seat, Lt. I'll be with you in a moment."

"Working", the computer said. "Chianna. Daughter of Cirix. Age: 19. Left mother at age 13 over dispute of personal nature. Born-...."

"Computer, stop. What was the nature of the personal dispute?" Ken had a feeling he knew, given the age at the time Chianna had left.

The computer responded, "The nature of the dispute was the death of the daughters father."

Ken muttered to himself, "I thought so. Damn! Computer, stop. Siavod, run a computer check for any uses of it by Cirix during this voyage."

"Yes sir." Siavod's hands moved across the computer console.

Ken walked over to the com panel. "Harris to Whitehawk."

"Whitehawk here, sir."

"Any sign of Devere? she-"

Just then, Culdane cut in. Sir, you'd better get to Devere's quarters right away."

"Doc? What is it?"

"Just hurry! Devere may be dying!"

Ken turned to Siavod. "Finish up here, then let me know what you find." Harris then took off down the corridor, heading to Devere's quarters.

As Ken entered Devere's living area, he saw Culdane crouched down by a stain on the floor. "Doc, what the devil's going on?"

Brianna looked up. "See this stuff on the floor, Ken? It's the venom secreted by the Dimorian watter bat."

"Yes. So? Has Devere been bitten by one?"

"It's fatal if not treated within 24 hours."

"Then treat it!" Ken was getting irritated.

Tom came walking in from another room. "It's not that simple, sir. Chief Devere is not on her quarters. 'Enigma' probably hid her somewhere, to avoid exposure."

Now Ken was irritated. "Then find her! You don't need me to-"

Ken's communicator beeped. "Siavod to Captain."

Ken took a deep breath. "Harris here. What do you have?"

"Computer records indicate a tape played by Ambassador Cirix. Sir, apparently a somewhat premature announcement of the Ambassador's 'cessation'."

"I'm sure 'Enigma' will try to make certain her claim comes true, Lt." Ken turned to Whitehawk. "You have your orders. I want this ship searched fore to aft, and stem to stern. I want Chief Devere found! Is that clear?"