Stardate: 40205.1114
Title: Timing is Everything
Author: Lieutenant (j.g) Frankson
Time: Current
Scene: USS Independence

As soon as Captain Morris ordered that the hailing Romulan ships call be put on screen, a Romulan face appeared.

"I am Captain Jordan Morris of the Federation starship Independence." Morris said, standardly, not rising so as to show himself superior.

"Greetings, I am Riov Ma'uran, of the Warbird Clauxious." The Romulan said plainly.

"Riov, you are in Federation space, please explain yourself." Morris said cooly.

"We are on an 'expedition', we shall be here for a few hours." The Riov grinned.

Frankson noticed something in the pattern that was emerging, that whatever it was that took Commander Lyla was heading to Cardassia Prime, as Commander Deadilus had pointed out. Now there were 3 Romulans hanging here, not doing anything, but stalling for time.

They were stalling for the Cardassians...

He typed a message out and sent it to Commander Daran's chair console. She read it, looked back at Frankson, winked and typed something.

The Captain then looked at a message on his chair arm computer.

"Riov, I'm afraid you are detaining us from an important survey mission, and we really must be going." Morris said. He then nodded to K'pajek to stand ready.

"I'm afraid I cannot let you go Capta...." Was all that Morris needed to hear.

Like systematic clockwork, the transmission ended, phasers and photon torpedoes fired on the lead Romulan vessel, then the helm engaging Warp 8 to Cardassia Prime.

This was all done in less than 2 seconds.

"Nice work people." Daran said.

Morris looked a bit preoccupied, then he rose and said; "Mr Frankson, can you join me in my ready room?"

Frankson left his post, and a young ensign took over. As he left, he walked down past Daran, who looked as puzzled as he did.

Frankson entered the ready room and the doors closed. Morris sat behind his desk and looked at the young Lieutenant.

"What brought you to your conclusion back then?" Morris asked.

"Sir, it was evident that he was stalling for time, and although it seems bizarre, I believed that the Cardassians were using them to keep us occupied for as long as possible for them to enact some sort of getaway. Now I fear that whoever took Commander Lyla has already got away."

Morris nodded grimly.

===============================
Lieutenant (j.g) Roger Frankson
Chief Operations Officer
USS Independence
peter@millerfamily.plus.com
===============================

This site is for use of © SOULTREK and its members
SOULTREK is a free Role Play Game
Copyright 1997/98/99/00/01/02/03/2004 SOULTREK-RPG-
All rights reserved.
All associated material is copyright © Paramount Pictures