Stardate: 41016:0138
Title: Divide and Conquer
Author: Commander Scott Deadilus / Ensign Autumn Fall
Time: Current
Scene: Starbase 375

Even though they were a small away team of just four, they were attracting the attention of the inhabitants of Starbase 375.

Natira turned to her fellow crewmates. "Deadilus and Frankson - take the upper levels and C&C and see what information you can find. Fall and I will head to the inhabited areas."

Natira's voice was quiet as she addressed the others.

=/\=

Deadilus and Frankson took a roundabout route to C&C. Whoever was involved would know they were on their way, and so Scott decided that a little delay
might serve them better, and afford them an opportunity to visit some people who might otherwise be 'unavailable'.

Arriving at the small Science section onboard the station, Scott tapped the panel beside the door. After a brief delay, it opened and they stepped inside.

The Chief's office was chaotic and disorganized, much like its owner, who turned to see who should be visiting him.

"Commander Deadilus..." Scott put his hand out to his colleague "... and this is Lieutenant Frankson."

"Lieutenant D'Mitri. Pavlo D'Mitri" he replied as he shook their hands. "And how may I be of service to you Commander?" he asked in a vaguely Russian-confederacy accent.

"We're investigating a murder case, and need some background information on certain crewmembers. My investigation so far shows you are one of only a handful of the original crew."

"Yes. Since the Dominion War we have had an entirely new Command Staff, from the Captain down."

Frankson looked a little puzzled.

"Well, that's strange, isn't it? You would expect a few crewmembers to be changed out, but ALL the Command Staff?!"

"Exactly! My experiments have all suffered because of it" D'Mitri stated.

"Talking of which - how are they going? I couldn't access your results from the ship due to a security glitch" Scott lied.

Pavlo looked at him for a moment before deciding he could trust a fellow Scientist.

"Come. See for yourself" he gestured, urging them to follow him over to another room.

=/\=

"If it was me in trouble, I would head to the out of the way area's of the Starbase. That way you have minimal contact with people and those you do meet could probably be bought."

Autumn voiced her opinion and Natira nodded her consent.

After a while, Ensign Fall's hand tightened on her phaser. The deterioration of the decor suggested they were heading into the more unregulated parts of the station. Autumn didn't stop or break stride, but she was aware of the footsteps that had fallen in behind her and Natira. She listened more intently to the steps and estimated they belong to two heavy set males.

At the next intersection she pulled Natira flat against the wall and motioned for her to draw her weapon.

Their followers had not realized their quarry had stopped and so were unprepared for Autumn who stepped out and quickly disarmed the larger of the two men. With her weapon pushing into the back of the big man's back and Natira's phaser pointing at the other man's chest he quickly surrendered his weapon.

"We are looking for a part Cardassian/part Bajoran woman" Natira stated.

"Can't help you" grunted the larger of the two men.

Autumn gave him a push in the back with her phaser.

"Who runs things down here?"

Autumn's question went unanswered as both men remained stubbornly silent. Autumn pushed her phaser harder against the man's back.

"You won't fire that here - you'll set off every sensor and then your lot will be in even more trouble." The men sniggered.

Autumn was unfazed as she took a small flick knife out of her waist band and placed the tip against the man's neck, nicking him and causing a spurt of blood to slowly trickle downwards.

"Tarran runs things down here."

Autumn released the pressure from the knife slightly.

"Take us to him."


===========================
Commander Scott Deadilus
Chief Science Officer
USS Independence
Scott_Deadilus@ntlworld.com
===========================

&

===========================
Ensign Autumn Fall
Security Officer
USS Independence
amylouskinner@ntlworld.com
===========================
___________

USS Independence: "From this day forth, we write our own history.."