Post 553: Quicksand, Part One

Stardate 71115: 1500
Title: Quicksand Part One
Authors Simon Biggs and Zanh Liis
Scene: Main Observation Lounge
Time: Following "Time to Meet"
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Simon led the party onward, and they walked through the doors to the observation lounge to find Commander Salvek and Zanh seemingly in deep conversation.

The CO and XO stopped talking as the doors closed behind N'Dura, who had come into the room last of all. They slowly rose from their chairs.

"I'm sorry, Captain, but Mr. Vely insisted that he needed to speak with you urgently." Simon's eyes begged her forgiveness, and Zanh raised an eyebrow.

"Very well." She offered her hand to the Ikiian, and then pointed to a seat, gesturing for him to sit down. Vely sat, then Zanh turned her attention to Sheila Biggs.

"It's so good to finally meet you, Mrs. Biggs. I've heard wonderful things about you from your son."

"Thank you, Captain Zanh." Sheila Biggs shook her hand firmly. "I want to thank you also for allowing this meeting to take place."

"Please, make yourselves comfortable. We'll start the official meeting as soon as,"

The doors opened, and TC Blane and Fox Margolis arrived.

"Are we late?" Fox asked, frowning.

"I thought the meeting started at 0700." TC frowned as well.

"No no, you're not late, they're early. Please, have a seat." Zanh concluded.

"Who are we missing?" Blane asked, looking around.

"Grace, Reece, and McKenna," Salvek listed.

"I'm not sure if the doctor will be able to join us this morning," Zanh said softly. Her eyes clouded with sadness as she spoke. She had been to see Rada Dengar in Sickbay earlier, and she knew that the medical staff had their hands full at the moment trying to help-- and contain -- the young engineer. "Grace and Reece should be here soon."

"I thought they had a couple of days off," Biggs whispered to Zanh.

"They do. But I knew when they found out about this situation, there was no way that either of them would want to be out of the loop. . ." just as she spoke the doors opened again.

"And so I said to him, you can forget it, Samson! There is no way I'm working doubles the next week and a half just so that you can-" Reece stopped mid-sentence as he realized that the conference room was already full to near capacity.

"Are. . .we late?" February frowned, and Margolis leaned over toward her.

"No, they're early."

"Is this everyone?" The Ikiian asked impatiently, folding his long arms. "I really am anxious to begin, Captain Zanh."

"He sure is anxious," Zanh remarked to Salvek softly.

"Too anxious." Salvek concluded.

"We are just awaiting our Chief engin-" Zanh tried to explain, as Lair Kellyn skidded into the room, nearly spilling her cup of coffee.

"Am I," Lair began to inquire.

"NO!" Everyone declared in unison, and Lair jumped back a step.

"Well, alrighty then. Don't let me hold up progress," She slipped into a chair.

"Now can we begin?" the Ikiian implored Zanh.

Zanh stood at the head of the table as everyone else settled in. Simon's mother sat next to him, and beneath the table out of view, Simon squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"Some time ago, our own Lieutenant Biggs received news that his father and sister had been killed in an alien attack upon their supply depot," Zanh began. Audible gasps emanated from those around her.

"Oh, Simon," February whispered, suddenly viewing the conversations she and Simon had shared on Yensul V in a whole new light. "Why didn't you tell us?"

"Now, however," Zanh continued, "there are reports that Simon's father and sister may actually be alive. Mrs. Biggs, if you would continue, please,"

Sheila stood, and Simon pressed a control button on the table to bring up the information he and N'Dura had spent the morning authenticating. "Thank you Captain Zanh. After months of research, leaving no stone unturned, our findings have come together into viable proof that my husband and daughter are still alive." Simon flipped through various screens, giving a preview of the information gathered up to this point, and finally, revealed their ultimate finding.

The image of the two captives was brought into focus.

The footage also showed two armed Trikz guards, prodding the two prisoners onward. Keith and Jenny Biggs appeared to be in chains, and were carrying heavy crates.

One of the guards laughed, and shot his rifle suddenly at the ground, making Jenny and Keith stumble and fall.

Simon stood up, as angered by this image now as he had been the first time he'd seen it in the security office earlier. "I'll have you for that, you coward!" he vowed.

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Lieutenant JG Simon Biggs
Security officer
USS Independence NCC-90791

and

Zanh Liis
Acting CO
USS Independence NCC-90791