Post 559) Transponder

Stardate: 71120.2330
Title: Transponder
Author: Simon Biggs
Scene: Bridge, Seven, Security and Quarters
Time: After Take Your Stations Part Two
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After the briefing with Commander Salvek, Simon headed to Seven Forward to find James.

The doors to Seven opened to reveal that the place was empty, due to the early hour. The only people present were Simon's brother, and Trick London. The two were talking and laughing as Simon walked over.

"Hey, James."

"Hey Si, have a pint?" James patted the barstool next to him.

"Can't, I'm on duty," Simon replied, knowing that now was not the time for even a synthale with the mission looming large before them. "Tea?"

Trick nodded and moved to the drink replicator.

"Simon," James stared into his glass guiltily. "I've got a confession to make."

"What's that, my brother?"

"I lied when I said I had no idea how to find the Blizzard."

"What do you mean, lied?" Simon felt his temper rising.

James pulled a PADD out of his jacket pocket.

"What's that?" Simon asked.

"I have the transponder codes." James admitted.

"What are these?" Simon pointed to some lines of text on the PADD, testing his brother.

James smiled, knowing what his little brother was doing. "That can be used to take down the ship's shields, weapons and even engines. And yes, it has the exact frequency of the Blizzard's warp trail."

"What about the camouflaging shields?"

"It will disable them, too."

"Your tea, Lieutenant." Trick said, setting the cup down gently before Simon.

"Thanks, bud." Before Simon could gulp down the liquid, he heard a voice hailing him.

[N'dura to Biggs. Report to Security on the double.]

James gave Simon the PADD. "You have to take this to your Commander. It'll give you an edge, at least."

Simon nodded. He tapped his combadge "Be right there, Chief," He looked back at his brother as he turned to leave. "I'll see you later, James."

Then without another word between them, Simon got up from his chair and walked out.

------------------ Security--------------------

Simon walked into Security to see Commander N'Dura pacing back and forth.

"I hope you are a great warrior, Biggs."

"I can handle myself if in battle," Simon assured her, "If that's what you mean."

"We're going to be in a hostile area, and I'll need to see if your up to it. Defending a ship is one thing, running in a battlefield is completely different."

"I have taken training in battle simulations at the Academy. I'll be ready."

"We'll be launching shortly. Be ready."

Simon nodded at N'Dura, making sure she saw the seriousness in his eyes. Then he left for the bridge, to take the transponder codes to Commander Salvek.

-----------Bridge--------------

Simon stepped out of the lift, expecting Salvek to be in the captain's chair.

"Yes, Lieutenant, can I help you?" Came a familiar, sweet voice.

Simon turn around, startled. It seemed that February Grace and Lt. Commander Lair were headed for the lift themselves.

"Yeah. Where is Commander Salvek? I have important information for the Alchemy's mission."

"He's in the ready room," February turned worried eyes toward her friend. "Are you going to be all right, Simon?"

"Yeah," he replied. "Thanks, Bru."

"Good luck on your mission," she added, and he nodded to her.

"Thanks. You, too."

Simon walked to the door of the ready room and pressed the door bell.

"Come," Salvek responded.

"Commander, it seems, Sir, that my brother. . ." Simon sighed, "held back some information about the Blizzard."

Salvek stood up. "What kind of information?"

"He's got the transponder codes." Simon put a PADD on the desk. "He put all the information you need onto this PADD."

"This will help." Salvek nodded appreciatively. "It is a shame that your brother withheld this information, we might have prevented Vely from getting away with the Captain," Salvek actually sighed as well at this revelation. "But there is a human saying I have heard, 'better late than never'. Good work, and thank you, Lieutenant. You are dismissed." Salvek concluded, in the normal, flat Vulcan tone of voice.

Simon exited the ready room and headed for his quarters to prepare for the journey ahead.

---Quarters---

He entered his quarters and discovered a rather large sword on a rack in the middle of the room. Simon moved closer to the unfamiliar object. How it came to be where it was? A mystery to him.

"Computer, has anyone entered my quarters other than myself?"

[Affirmative.]

"Who?"

[Sheila Biggs.]

Simon picked up the sword to take a closer look at it.

"Remember this sword?" Simon turned to find his mother standing over his shoulder. "That's right, it's your father's plasma samurai sword. Where you're going, you'll need it. But be careful, it's a very dangerous weapon."

Simon put his fathers sword around his back, realizing how light it was. He couldn't wait to test it in battle. Simon hugged his mother close for a moment.

"Good luck," Sheila Biggs whispered, "my son."

Lieutenant JG Simon Biggs
Security Officer
USS independence NCC-90791