Breadcrumbs

Posted on Thu Nov 9th, 2023 @ 11:52am by Commodore Samantha York & Lieutenant Commander Damion Wolfe

1,003 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Broken Mirror
Location: Prowler

ON

Alora set a PADD on Alex' desk. "That's what I've found so far. Whoever they are, they're good. They hit at random times in random places. Most of the time, nobody notices until after they're gone. There are two notable exceptions. Someone picked up part of an ion trail on Wolverton's planet. And they have this from Relay Station 42." She pushed a button and a shadowy image appeared on the screen for twenty seconds, then disappeared.

Alex leaned over her shoulder, looking at the screen, as he placed his hands on the desk. "And we are sure this is a shuttle that jumps universes, yes? Not just some new form of cloaking device?" He was sure this was exactly what Max thought it was, another ship with a device that allows it to jump from one universe to the others, but Alex wanted to be thorough and make sure all doubts were brought forward.

"Yes. It has the right chroniton readings, too," she said. "They're similar to the ones from the Prowler when you came back, but they're not exactly the same." She looked at her husband for a moment before adding, "What we don't know if this this is the only ship. There's a very real chance there's more than one."

"Let's hope not or else Max is going to have a lot more problems on his hands." Alex replied softly as he moved his hands to her shoulders and let out a deep sigh. "We may have to take a trip back home to get some insight. Which means we may have to take the Calypso with us, or at least, some of its people on our ship."

Alora leaned back against Alex and sighed. "This is going to be a problem no matter what we find. Why steal our tech and supplies when they have their own? I get a feeling we aren't going to like the answers."

"Baby steps, Love. Baby steps. One problem at a time and eventually the pieces will all fall into place." Alex replied softly as he rubbed her shoulders. "First things first. It might be important to go to the source. The person who designed the Prowler and the device that it uses to cross the universes. Maybe he tested the device on a prototype and that is what we are dealing with. That last thing we want is for him to have designed another ship and device under threat."

"I hadn't thought of that. I was thinking it may be one of Dylan's associates." She paused for a moment. "Both could be true, but this doesn't feel like something your brother's friends would do." She hadn't realized how tight her shoulders were until now. Alex's ministrations were definitely appreciated.

"I haven't ruled that out, either. Dylan means of getting to and from here was never discovered. This could be it and, with that in mind, all this gathering of equipment might be just a supply run in order to get him out." Alex began to rub her shoulders a bit as he continued. "There is no telling what it is until we find this ship or dig up more information."

"It's always possible, although I don't like the idea that this has anything to do with him. There are so many variables and no real breadcrumbs to follow. Not yet, anyway. I'm gathering all the information I can discretely obtain. It's nice to have work to do, but this is incredibly frustrating."

"As you said, until we rule it out, we shouldn't remove it from the table." Alex said before leaning down and kissing the side of her neck. "Keep digging, Alora. If there is anything out there to find I am sure you can dig it up. You're the best." He whispered in her ear before wrapping his arms around her. "I won't want to go to the Captain of this ship without anything."

"I'll keep looking." Although she wasn't so sure she was the best. And Alex was a lovely distraction. At least they had time before they met up with the Calypso. "Do you have any suggestions? I know this universe, but I'm not familiar with yours. I only know what you've told me. Are there any patterns I should look for?"

Alex took a moment to think. "Bring up the locations of the thefts. Maybe the same location in my Universe might be important somehow. If their system works the same way as ours then jump from one place in this universe will land you in the same place but on the other side."

She pulled up the locations of the known attacks, then asked the computer to search for more and find the corresponding coordinates in the Terran Empire. "Okay. That may take some time." She stood and turned to Alex. "How about some dinner?"

"As long as it’s not rations." Alex replied, looking over to Alora with a laugh, before tapping on the console. "I have no idea how John can stand those things daily."

"No. Definitely not that." She pretended to shudder. "What do you fancy? Steak? Lasagna? Stew?" She didn't really have a preference--as long as it wasn't rations.

Alex smiled slightly, his hands tapping through the information Alora have brought up, looking at it closely as he continued the conversation. "I was about to tell you that you could decide, but when you said 'Lasagna' my stomach began to growl." He laughed, looking over to her as his laugh shifted to a smirk.

She stood and kissed him. "Lasagna it is." Might as well relax while they had the chance. They'd be busy enough before long. She glanced at the console. This would, however, be the first time she had been to the Terran Empire. It would be...interesting. At least she'd be with Alex.

____
OFF

Commander Alexander Knight
Head of the SWORD team
Commander of The Prowler

Commander Alora Knight
First Officer of The Prowler

 

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