Chapter 12: The Starbase and the "Stowaway"
The USS Enterprise glided into orbit around Starbase 47, a sprawling Federation facility that shone like a beacon in the dark reaches of space. With its massive recreational facilities, repair bays, and marketplaces, the starbase promised a much-needed reprieve for the crew after their recent string of crises. Captain Kirk had ordered a three-day layover, granting everyone aboard time to recover and unwind.
Unbeknownst to them, The Riptide clung to the underside of the ship, magnetically latched to the hull just outside sensor range.
Inside his ship, Robert monitored the starbase through his cloaking device’s scanners, a predatory grin spreading across his face.
“They’ll never notice me here,” he muttered, leaning back in his pilot’s chair. The cluttered interior of The Riptide buzzed with quiet energy—monitors blinked with data, while the faint hum of cloaking tech droned in the background. Around him were crates of stolen goods, discarded clothing, and a pile of tools that spilled across the floor like a mechanic’s afterthought.
“Well,” Robert said to himself, standing and cracking his knuckles. “Time to stretch my legs.”
The Suspicion
In the Enterprise’s science lab, Spock adjusted the inconspicuous device attached to his uniform. The small, circular gadget, resembling a Starfleet insignia, was calibrated to capture images using advanced facial recognition software. It had been a quiet addition to his tools—a precaution he had decided to take after the series of sabotage incidents that had plagued the ship.
“Mr. Spock,” McCoy said, stepping into the lab. “I thought you weren’t the paranoid type. What’s this gadget for, anyway?”
Spock raised an eyebrow. “Paranoia is an emotional reaction, Doctor. My actions are based on logical deduction. The anomalies we’ve encountered suggest the presence of an external force—one that has yet to reveal itself fully. This device will allow me to capture and analyze any unidentified individuals who may be monitoring the crew.”
McCoy huffed. “Fine, but don’t go pointing fingers at every poor soul who doesn’t fit into your perfectly ordered world.”
Spock ignored the remark, focusing instead on the data stream as the device began recording.
The Naive Ensign
Near a café overlooking the central atrium, Robert’s gaze landed on an ensign sitting at a corner table. She was young, with long, flowing hair cascading down to her beltline, and an innocent air about her that practically screamed inexperience. She was thumbing through a datapad, her Starfleet insignia catching the light.
Robert approached, his smile warm and disarming. “Mind if I sit? Looks like all the other seats are taken.”
The ensign glanced up, startled, then quickly nodded. “Oh, sure. Go ahead.”
“Thanks,” he said, sliding into the chair opposite her. “You don’t look like you’re enjoying your shore leave much. Something on your mind?”
She hesitated, then smiled shyly. “Oh, it’s nothing. I just… I guess I’m not used to places like this. It’s overwhelming.”
Robert chuckled, his tone light and reassuring. “First time on a starbase?”
She nodded. “Yeah. I just graduated from the Academy a few months ago. It’s my first assignment.”
“Well, let me give you some advice,” Robert said, leaning in slightly. “The galaxy’s a big place, and it can feel pretty intimidating. But places like this? They’re for forgetting all of that. You’re not an ensign right now—you’re just you. Enjoy it.”
Her smile widened, and the two fell into easy conversation. By the time they finished their drinks, she was laughing at his stories and hanging on his every word.
The Hotel Room
Hours later, Robert found himself in a modest hotel room on the starbase, the ensign beside him. The soft glow of the planet below filtered through the window, casting a warm light over the room.
“You’re full of surprises,” she said, smiling as she traced a finger along his arm.
“I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve,” Robert replied, his voice low. “But I think you’re the real surprise. Starfleet must be lucky to have you.”
The ensign blushed, her long hair spilling over her shoulders as she leaned closer. The connection between them deepened, and the room was soon filled with the quiet sounds of laughter and intimacy.
Spock’s Device
Meanwhile, back on the starbase, Spock had strategically left his facial recognition device in a high-traffic area near the promenade. By placing it and walking away, he hoped to capture images of anyone who didn’t belong—who might be trailing the crew or monitoring their movements.
The device worked flawlessly, quietly recording hundreds of faces over several hours.
Back on The Riptide
Hours later, Robert was back aboard his ship, the Enterprise once again unknowingly carrying him through space. He flopped onto his bed, exhausted but triumphant.
The sound system he’d pieced together from Federation databanks crackled to life, and the opening chords of Queen’s I Want to Break Free filled the cabin.
Robert sat up, his grin widening. “Oh, this is perfect.”
As the song began, he sprang to his feet, grabbing a wrench from a nearby crate as an impromptu microphone.
“I want to break free!” he lip-synced, his voice booming in his head.
He jumped onto his bed, his boots leaving scuff marks on the worn surface as he threw his head back dramatically.
“I want to break free from your lies, you're so self-satisfied, I don't need you!”
Robert belted out the words with exaggerated fervor, his movements wild and uninhibited. The lyrics, originally about escaping a bad relationship, resonated with him on a deeper level. He thought of Starfleet, of Kirk and Spock and their sanctimonious rules.
“They lied to me,” he thought, his lips moving in sync with the words. “Told me they couldn’t send me back, but I know the truth. They didn’t want to.”
“I’ve got to break free… God knows, God knows I want to break free!”
The wrench became a microphone stand as he leaned into an imaginary audience, his voice rising in defiance. The line, meant as a declaration of personal liberation, felt like a condemnation of Starfleet itself.
“I don’t need you,” Robert whispered to the invisible crowd of imagined Starfleet officers. “I’ve got myself. Flaws and all.”
As the song reached its crescendo, Robert spun across the cramped cabin, knocking over a pile of tools. His laughter echoed through the ship as he collapsed onto the bed, breathless but exhilarated.
“Damn right I want to break free,” he muttered, staring at the ceiling. “And I will.”
Spock’s Revelation
Back on the Enterprise, Spock reviewed the data collected by his device. Among the hundreds of faces captured on the starbase, one image stood out: Robert.
“Fascinating,” Spock said, analyzing the image. He cross-referenced it with Starfleet’s databases but found no matches.
Kirk leaned over his shoulder, frowning. “Who’s this?”
“I do not know,” Spock replied. “But given the recent incidents, it is logical to conclude that he is connected to the sabotage. Yet his identity remains a mystery.”
Kirk’s jaw tightened. “We’ll find him, Spock. Whoever he is, he’s not going to keep messing with my ship.”
Comments
Post a Comment