Stardate: 61215:2220
Title: Convincing Lies
Author: Executive Officer Abigail Winters
Time: After "The Big Question"
Scene: USS Relentless


The noise in the cargo bay was overwhelming but Abby was pleased with the way the crew were handling the stressed-out refugees. Overall the last few hours had been incredibly testing but they had successful escaped the Dominion fleet and there had been no more incidents with Relly.

The XO surveyed the crowd and watched as the new Ambassador spoke with Captain Merdlock; as if sensing that he was being watched Thessyr turned and looked at her. After a quick word with the Captain he made his way over.

"Ma'am, as you saw I have spoken with the Captain and the cargo is a new weapon he was secretly transporting for the Federation. They believe it will turn the war in their favour." Thess kept his voice low so that the people around could not hear.

"Must be some powerful weapon - what we have learnt so far is that they have pretty much lost this war. Why was he transporting it and not a more secure vessel?" The XO looked at Captain Merdlock who was pacing nervously.

"I haven't got the full story but it would appear his family is in jeopardy." He looked at her expectantly.

"When you go back to him try and get as much information as you can. I will see about his cargo." Abby smiled as a path was cleared especially for the Ambassador. He certainly was an interesting addition.

~

On her way to investigate the cargo Abby was summoned by the Captain to his ready room. Upon entering the room she nodded hello to the CEO and CSO.

"Commander, we have a serious situation." The Captain nodded to Kal to explain.

"Whilst transporting the 'cargo' the scanner picked up some unusual readings I asked Maxine to take a look." The engineer trailed off.

"From what the Ambassador got out of Captain Merdlock it is some kind of new weapon." Abby added what she knew.

"It's an Omega bomb." Maxine said. There was a heavily weighted silence in the room.

"When we figured out what it was, I transported the cargo to a secure hold and erased all record of it." Kal had thought on his feet.

"What are your thoughts?" The XO directed the question at the Captain.

"The bomb has to be destroyed. For now we tell Merdlock that it was lost in transit and we keep it well guarded. We need to get to the Starbase as soon as possible as we can't afford such power to fall into Dominion hands."

"Will we be able to destroy it without incident?" Abby asked

"Possibly" the Chief Science Officer responded cautiously.

With a big sigh Abby prepared herself to try and convince Captain Merdlock about the lie she would be spinning about his 'lost cargo'.


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Commander Abigail Winters
Executive Officer
USS Relentless
NCC-11966
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