A few days later, August the second of 2379. Admiral Alynna Nechayev sat in her office. “Computer,” she commanded, “access and add to a file called Operation Mirror Chameleon.”
Working.
“Current observations from the Enterprise-E include variable radiation bands, all coming from the chi spectrum in the Denab System. Variant radiation pulses are confined to a space of approximately one cubic light year. Currently, the specifics about the location are only known to the following persons – this report writer, Captain Jean-Luc Picard, and four researchers, namely, Commander Martin Madden, Lieutenant Commander Geordi LaForge, Lieutenant Reginald Barclay and an android designated as B-4. The full significance of this location and these tests are only known to the report writer.”
She paused to think a bit. “It is my considered opinion that these pulse shots are of a Tactical nature, and to develop something similar could provide a Tactical advantage. However, official research, investigation, testing and implementation would likely be considered to be in direct violation of several treaties. In particular, as chi spectrum radiation has known cloaking applications, it would be considered to be a direct violation of the Treaty of Algeron if further investigations were to overtly continue.”
She took a breath. “Therefore, it is my considered opinion that an ionization diffuser, such as is found on the non-Federation ship known as the,” she inadvertently snorted a tiny bit, “Cookie, could prove to be a part of an effective defense if these pulse shots were to finally punch through. I suspect that an incursion is the likely intention behind these pulse shots. I fear that our next military threat will come, not from the Andorians, the Romulans, the Breen, the Jem’Hadar, the Klingons, the Vorta, the Cardassians or even the Borg – I fear that it will be an interdimensional invasion.”
She took a sip from a tumbler of water that was on her desk. “Further, I suspect the Cookie may very well have other helpful inventions or near-inventions. Our operative is in place and is conducting an investigation into that ship’s operations. Expect some possible delays in reporting as our operative is posing as an athlete and is required to practice, play and otherwise train as a part of cover.”
She clicked around a little on her PADD. “Computer, attach the following files to this file – image one, showing the Cookie’s Engineering section; image two, showing a close-up of the warp containment field monitoring station; image three, showing a close-up of the Tactical array; image four, showing a close-up of the Communications station; image five, showing Sick Bay; image six, showing the pilot’s station; image seven, showing a close-up of an off-Bridge station which may or may not be connected to the actual ionization diffuser; image eight, showing the entire team; image nine, showing the Black Sheep team’s current, complete playing and travel schedule; and image ten, showing M. Dana MacKenzie’s full legal file.”
Attached to the file.
“Good. We currently have an operative on Andoria but not with the Federation Diplomatic Attaché on Andoria, Human Unit. The operative will attend the upcoming game and will obtain autographs from a number of players. This will include the obtaining of an autograph from our inside operative, which will also serve as the point of transfer of any vital information. If any information is requested, let me know. As always, we will disavow all knowledge in the event of the capture or revelation of the existence of our operatives. Respectfully submitted, Admiral Alynna Nechayev.”
She coughed slightly. “Computer, send to the standard masked transfer point, utilizing all regular encryption coding and procedures.”
Accomplished.
She settled back in her chair and allowed herself a smile. “Good.”
=/=
“Majira,” Mack said into her wrist communicator, “How quickly can you give everybody basic physicals?”
“A few days, unless something egregious is discovered,” replied the Ikaaran.
“Got it. If you could, please, start checking out the athletes. Once things are a little quieter up here, I’ll give you more of a priority list, all right? Set aside anyone with major issues, but hold off on dealing with that until either they’re all examined or you’ve got a lull for some reason or another.”
“Understood.”
“Let me know immediately if anybody’s got major issues, and how long it’ll take to deal with them, please. If they’re on the priority list, well ….”
“I shall treat them as a priority,” Majira replied. “I will maintain their medical confidentiality, and will only tell you whether there are major problems, but not what those precise problems are. Will that be acceptable to you?”
“Yeah, of course. Thanks. MacKenzie out.” Mack turned to the remainder of her Bridge crew. “At some point, I’ll want you two and Wesley to get physical exams, too. But not yet. Uh, Daniya?”
“Yes?” replied the green-skinned woman.
“Do we have an ETA?”
“It will take a few days, at our present course and speed, assuming no incidents.”
“Good, we’ll have some time to practice on their turf and get to know it a bit. Crita, can you open a channel to Andoria, to, uh,” Mack checked her PADD, “the guy’s name is EK Hoberman.”
Fluffy hands glided over the controls and then an earpiece was adjusted inside a white triangular ear. “I believe that I can get visual communications.”
“Terrific,” Mack said, “let’s see ‘em.” The screen showed a slight guy in an old-style MACO flight suit. He looked up. “Uh, hi,” Mack said, and introduced herself.
“Hello,” he replied, “Major EK Hoberman here. We’re looking forward to your arrival. When will that be?”
“The second, I think. Is it okay to be early?”
“Sure; it’s fine. What sort of accommodations will you be needing?”
“Maybe nothing. You got a bay that can accommodate my ship?”
“Really?”
“Crita, can you please send the Major the dimensions of the Cookie?”
“Right away.”
“The Cookie?” he laughed a little. “I, uh,” he checked his PADD as the data came in. I think our big bay, number fifteen, that oughta work. I’ll have my men clean it out and dump any cargo elsewhere, and retract the roof. You don’t need a runway, do ya?”
“No. Uh, we don’t, Daniya, right?”
“We can take off and land, straight up,” clarified the Orion.
“I guess we don’t need a runway,” Mack surmised.
“Good. The game’ll be on the tenth. There’s a rink and seats at a small arena, plus you can practice there through the eighth; we’ll work out a schedule so we’re not colliding. I hope you realize that this is sold out.”
“Fantastic!” Mack gushed. “You had mentioned in your note a fair of some sort? For the day afterward?”
“Right. We’ve got local vendors set up, that sort of thing. There’ll be food, and the corps has a band. Hope you like songs about winter – they know ‘em all.”
“Long as it’s not Christmas carols in August.”
“You have my word,” Hobie put a hand to his own chest briefly. “No caroling. We’ll host a meal in our main mess the night after, too.”
“Okay, thanks. We’ll be there. MacKenzie out.”
Maybe a minute later, there was a ding on her PADD, an incoming message from one EK Hoberman.
Can I escort you to dinner the night of the game?
Mack raised an eyebrow and smiled to herself. “Well, well, well.”
“Hmm?” Crita inquired.
“Nothing to worry ‘bout,” Mack replied. She tapped back a one word reply.
Sure.
=/=
Marty sat down to lunch in Ten Forward, alone. The proprietress was a crew member named Guinan. She came over. “Y’know,” she stated, “If you keep coming here for lunch at off hours, you’ll never make any friends.”
“Huh? Oh, yeah, I suppose so. Still, I guess it’s better than just eating in my quarters all the time.”
She made a sweeping gesture encompassing the entire area. It was devoid of personnel, except for the two of them. “Yeah, this is such an improvement,” she muttered under her breath. More loudly, she added, “You’ve been here for a good month, and you’re still doing that?”
“Yeah,” he admitted.
“Look, we all know what happened. We know how you got off on the wrong foot with the captain. But Geordi LaForge tells me you’re easy to work with.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I asked. Plus I haven’t seen anybody but you and him working with B-4.”
“And?”
“I think that’s really nice of you, because otherwise everybody looks at B-4 and they see what they think of as a pale imitation of Data, and they shy away. It’s not that poor android’s fault. You’re giving him a chance when other people won’t.”
“I dunno.” Marty pretended to take an inordinate interest in his beverage.
“I also think that maybe you’ve got friends, or at least kinda proto-friends, already.”
“Maybe,” Marty replied cautiously.
She sighed. “You sound like a guy who’s been burned in other ways. Wanna talk about it?”
His PADD was on the table and a small chime began to emanate from it, insistent and getting a tiny bit louder with each repetition. He glanced at the device. “No time, sorry. But thanks for giving a damn.” He was about to bus his plate but she waved at him. He left.
As soon as the doors had closed, she said to no one, “That’s maybe five of us at most. Mister Madden, you might not have set out to be a loner, but it looks like you’re becoming one, whether you wanna be one, or not.”
=/=
There was a ding on Alynna Nechayev’s PADD, an incoming message from an unknown, masked source.
Good work. The section is very interested in whether and how the inventions on the Cookie can be weaponized. You are likely correct that the radiation patterning seen in the Denab System is scouting work, perhaps as a prelude to an invasion. We cannot be too careful.
=/=
As the day spilled over into the evening, the inner circle was relieved by the new second shift personnel. Mack trudged to her quarters, and saw Xo as she walked. “I have been examined,” he informed her.
“Oh, good. Everything all right?”
“Yes. We have, might I make a training suggestion?”
“Sure.”
“Could we review some footage of true hockey professionals? I know that times change, and perhaps even the rules do, at times, but it might still be educational.”
“That’s a great idea!” She thought for a second. “Tell ya what. I’ll get it all going tonight. We’ll have dinner in the mess and the game’ll be on. Tomorrow it can be breakfast or lunch or something, to pull in anyone who can’t make it tonight.”
“Thank you for taking my suggestion seriously.”
“But of course!” She stopped walking, and peered at him. “What’s wrong?”
“Hmm?”
“You seem a little troubled.”
“It is – huh, I was about to say that it was nothing, but that is not the truth.”
“And?” she probed.
“I believe it is from ketrecel white withdrawal.”
“What kind of symptoms are you having? Should I contact Majira?”
“No, it is not physical. It is psychological, I feel. I fear I have very little confidence now.”
“Huh. You’re here, right? So you can do things – I wouldn’t have brought you on if you couldn’t, y’know. Maybe you don’t do things the way you did before, but you are anything but incompetent, Xo.”
“But –”
“I want you on my team.”
“Well, yes, but –”
“So does my opinion matter to you, or not?”
“It matters, Coach.” The Jem’Hadar thought or a moment. “I just do not wish to let you down.”
She surprised him by hugging him. “You won’t. I got faith in you.”
As requested, anyone not on duty gathered in the mess on the middle level. “I am pleasantly shocked that we’re just zooming along and not being shot at. If that changes, then all bets are off. But right now we’ll operate under the assumption that this good fortune will continue. We have required viewing tonight, and every night, until we arrive on Andoria. That’s three nights, by my understanding and by Daniya’s reckoning, too. Now, don’t look at your PADDs. I don’t want anyone here – except for me – to know the outcome of this game before it ends. Be sure not to tell anyone on duty. Let it be a breakfast surprise for them, all right?” Mack announced.
She looked over her charges. “Here, this side of the room, you’ll root for the Russians. This side will cheer on the American team. I know how this turns out, but don’t worry – the side I put you on, it doesn’t matter. This is just to make things more interesting.”
“Which game is this?” asked Wes, from the back, on the Russian side of things.
“Glad you asked. It’s one of the medal round matches in the Winter Olympic Games at Lake Placid, New York.” The Miracle on Ice.
“When did this take place?” M’Belle inquired.
“1980. Let’s watch.”
=/=
As Mack and most of her team watched the Miracle on Ice, the patterning of the shifting radiation pulses in the Denab System changed ever so slightly, and the pinging slightly changed pitch, too.
Martin Madden and Geordi LaForge were roused out of sound sleeps in order to investigate and document the change, joining B-4 in a conference room kept locked in order to maintain the utmost level of secrecy.