Security Detail

Posted on Tue Sep 4th, 2018 @ 1:22am by Commander Bertrand Cuprum & Lieutenant Jaton Alyl

Mission: Trills and Thrills
Location: Trill Science Dept Security Offices

Bertrand moved quickly through the maze of corridors to the security offices for the main campus of the Trill Science Academy. He was actually quite keen to be using his skills as an investigator again.

The front reception ushered him quickly through to the Chief of Security; a tall red headed woman with a slight accent he couldn't place.

"Commander Bertrand Cuprum, XO, USS Victory," he said by way of introduction.

"Cuprum," The woman responded moving around the table to meet him. "Your reputation is well known here. Perhaps a little too well known. Good to see you, none the less, and thank you for coming. Mese Biasrahl, Academy Security."

"Too well known?" Bertrand queried.

"Let me fill you in, quickly. Time is of the essence, as always." Reed indicated to a chair and sat behind her desk again. "For the past three years we have suspected a leak at the Academy. At first it was only hints; other races benefiting from research we had pioneered but not shared, or suddenly advanced in places they had stumbled only shortly after we had a break through. Coincidence possibly, and never the same race more than once. So, we were not very concerned."

"However, after a mercy mission to a Cardasian planet we found an Atmospheric Condenser that was built on exactly our design, but with Cardasian tech. The thing is, due to an issue with production, these units have not yet been released. There is no way the Cardasians can have the tech without it coming from here."

"Naturally we began an investigation into the department responsible but... Well, there is a lot of red tape. So many of our scientists have respected Symbiots that we can't move without high level permissions. By the time we request and get clearance, the perpetrator, or perpetrators are well concealed; their tracks covered."

"We've even tried to put agents into the different departments as stooges to watch what happens, but who ever is behind this never acts when they are around."

Bertrand frowned, "Suggesting they are either familiar enough with the science teams to recognize someone out of place or high enough in the structure that they would hear about the plans to put someone in ahead of time."

"Which is why I am worried about you being too well recognized," Biasrahl agreed. "Getting your team here on legitimate reasons is a master stroke, but we suspect the culprit will be very wary."

Bertrand studied the woman's face, "So, why call us in now? You said time was very short."

"This is the first time the team we think responsible has worked on weapons. Mostly, their work is to augment farming and terraforming. This weaponization is a significant threat. While the UFP have sanctions and controls about using weapons of this kind, the same can not be said of other races. Imagine if the Thall were to get hold of something like this. The Kresh expanse would be conquered in a matter of months."

"And we would have handed them the weapon," Bertrand concluded. "All right. So, we need to tread VERY carefully. Unfortunately, the perp is already aware that you are looking for them, though they may not know we are involved."

"To be honest," Biasrahl cut in, "We don't know what they know."

Bertrand nodded, "that may actually work in our favour. Our primary goal is to stop the leak; to prevent information about this weapon reaching the outside. Catching those responsible is a secondary goal, for now. If they know you are looking, and there are people all over the place, it may make it too difficult for the person/s to act. They may simply get cold feet, or act out of desperation."

"So for now, my recommendation is to keep the heat up. Use the presence of my teams as an excuse to get your stooges back in to the R&D teams under suspicion. My people will mingle and keep their eyes and ears and minds peeled," Bertrand stood up, ready to act. "I will do a little of my 'dumb Officer asking questions' routine to see what I can stir up."

"Thank you, Commander," Biasrahl stood in response. "And please pass our thanks to your Captain and your crew."

"Let's just catch these people before anyone starts dying," Bertrand nodded, moving from the room.