The Trojan Horse Regulation

Posted on Sun Mar 15th, 2009 @ 6:30pm by Captain Elsie Halliwell & Lieutenant JG Lucy Carter

791 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: In The Dark
Location: Lane's Ready Room
Timeline: Current

ON:

Commander Lane entered his Ready Room sharply from the Bridge and strode confidently over to his desk, planting himself in his chair. I'm going to need coffee for this, he thought to himself. He lifted the flask of Larkin's Harmony sat, still piping hot, from the surface of his desk and poured the twice-caffeinated liquid into his beaten Academy mug. The steam escaped from the blackness as it cascaded from the lip of the jug and hit the base of his beaker, sloshing about with its ripples. The aroma permeated the small space between the Trill and his console, flooding outwards into the room. This indeed was satisfying to him.

"Computer," he announced into the air before him, "seal the doors to this room. No entry without my authorisation."

The computer chimed, [Acknowledged]

Tapping the console in front of him, he sighed. "Now, access secured frequency Epsilon-4 and activate it."

The computer responded, [Voice-print confirmed. Please state security clearance code]

"Authorisation, Lane-Pi-1-5-3-9-Red," he replied with an intended tone.

The computer console blipped in front of him and then the screen was replaced with a small United Federation of Planets logo, fading in and out of focus with "Working…" flashing beneath it in red.

Suddenly, the weathered face of Admiral Nield appeared on screen wearing a stark, harsh expression.

The Trill shifted in his seat and took a swig of the precious liquid in his mug. "Admiral Nield, I am Commander Coltan Lane of the USS Archimedes. I am sorry to trouble you, sir, but it is concerning my Chief Counsellor and the Trojan Horse Regulation.

The Admiral looked none too pleased to be disturbed and responded in a gruff tone "yes, what is it, Commander Lane? And please make it quick. I am due in a meeting in ten minutes." His large forehead was shiny and he took great rasping breaths between sentences.

"Admiral, as I have just said, it is concerning my Chief Counsellor and the Trojan Horse Regulation," he said with meaning, allowing the words the settle on the Admiral's shoulder. I am following procedure…"

The Admiral had been looking at something interesting out of Lane's view but the Commander's words soon brought his attention back to the screen in front of him. "Did you say Trojan Horse, Lane?" There was a note of concern now in his voice, although his breaths were still as laboured.

"Yes, sir," the Trill replied. "And a member of my crew: Ensign Lucy Carter."


Admiral Nield was silent for a moment then with another rough inhalation continued "tell me, Commander the nature of the, er, contamination."

"I'm sending you the encrypted medical file now, Admiral." He haplessly tapped at the console in front of him, and then on the control panel embedded in the surface of his Ready Room desk. "A few weeks ago, before the good Doctor Mabren joined our ranks, we utilised the services of our EMH for a few of the primary physicals. While conducting Carter's he discovered the Trojan Horse. I have just been informed. Only myself and the EMH are aware of her 'condition'. She is still in the dark but asking questions. I need you to instruct how I am proceed with this, sir."

Nield let his eyes drift to the transmission coming in under his viewscreen. He took a while to read it, his vast eyebrows moving a good half inch up his forehead by the end. He regained his composure, cleared his throat and looked back at Lane. "Well, Commander, you certainly have something of a situation there. Is it under control?"

"For the moment, yes," Lane replied with a heavy sigh.

"I must say," continued the Admiral, his cheeks puffed and red now, "that it is fortunate to have been picked up by the EMH. The fewer people know the better. At present, I suggest you do nothing. As your counsellor's problem is dormant, there is no cause for action at this point. However, as you know, you must inform me immediately if the situation changes. Do I make myself clear? Let me stress that there can be room for no error in this instance whatsoever. Further, Ensign Carter is to report to Starfleet HQ the moment your ship returns from its mission." Nield finished his soliloquy on a large puff of air, that he let out through his bulbous lips with a sound that would have been almost comical, had the severity of the situation not been so severe.

"Understood, Admiral."

Admiral Nield checked his watch and said gruffly "thank you, Commander, that will be all. Nield out."

OFF:



Commander Coltan Lane
Commanding Officer

AND

Admiral Nield,
played by Ensign Lucy Carter
Chief Counsellor

 

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