Subject: FRONTIER: Oh dear...

SD 70923


>"So," said Keanu, "how did you know it would work?"

Before Houston could reply, a transporter beam engulfed the four 
bridge crew. Seconds after their mysterious departure, four figures 
materialised in the centre of the bridge. They quickly took the 
vacated stations.

"Report," said the red-haired android, carefully adjusting her wig.

After a brief pause, "All security clearances check out. The computer 
doesn't know the difference," replied Maren.

Leana was less than impressed. "They call *this* a tactical station?
Where's the sterilisers? The disruptors? The nukes?"

"I've doctored the internal sensor logs. The only way they'll know 
someone was beamed on is if they get an army of people with tricorders
in here," said Ishara.

"How do they *wear* these uniforms?" continued Leana. "They're *so* 
claustrophobic."

"Guess you're used to walking the ship *sans vetements*," 
dryly replied Houston.

"Hardly!" Leana retorted, "I just prefer something a little less... 
restrictive."

<nrpg>
*sans vetements* (French) literally 'without clothes' <BG>

Ah, and guess who *can* use contractions <VBEG>
<rpg>

"Hey, watch it," said Maren after a few moments thought. "You're not 
supposed to use contractions."

She scowled and replied, "I *am* not supposed to have blonde hair 
either but I *will* soon fix that."


Another Frontier
Bridge

"Captain, they're in position. The computer's accepted their 
voiceprints and access codes," reported Murray from the tactical 
console.

"Excellent. Are our guests secured in the Brig?"

"Yes, and I've disabled any voice commands from there. They won't be 
trying any fancy tricks on us."

"I think I'll go to my quarters for a few hours before I interrogate 
them. The bridge is yours," Caroline stood and walked to the 
turbolift.

Murray watched her leave, then sauntered round to the command chair, 
muttering something not-so-unintelligible about the captain's sexual 
activities. He wore an expression which defiantly challenged anyone to
comment.


Captain McMirren's quarters

As Caroline entered, she could tell already that the bed was occupied.
She sighed with the exhaustion of the day's burden, and headed to the 
replicator to get something to satisfy her gnawing hunger.

"So, how is our young captain today?" asked a voice from the bedroom.

"Tired, Number One. But things are moving along brilliantly. Would you
care to help me interrogate the prisoners?"

"Now?"

"No... I was planning on some relaxation before I go anywhere near 
them," replied Caroline, a smile touching her lips.

"Ah. I know what you mean," was the reply.

"You care for a hot chocolate?" asked Caroline.

"Need you ask?"

"I guess not," muttered Caroline. She ordered two hot chocolates with 
her meal and sat down on the sofa to eat.

After a while the current love of her life, who also happened to be 
her first officer, walked through to fetch the drink. "You must be 
tired today. Is it too much to ask for you to bring it through?"

"Hey, I forgot, okay? Now lighten up," said Caroline. She eyed her 
lover through the tightly-fitting bathrobe. "Come here. Give your 
tired, worn-down captain a revitaliser."

After a moment's consideration, she leaned across and kissed her.


Brig

"So, do you have any ideas?" asked Leana for the umpteenth time.

Houston had been quiet for some time. Finally she came to a decision 
and said, "Mr. Maren, what do you know of cybernetics?"

"I did a half semester in biomechanical engineering," he said 
hopefully.

"Not quite the same, but close enough. I need you to disable my 
deactivation switch."

"Your what? You mean people can turn you on and off?" he stared at her
in disbelief.

"Like a light-bulb. Now listen - no matter what happens, do not tell 
anybody where it is," she stated seriously. Then she turned to Ishara 
and Leana. "Could you block the field of view please. Also, it may be 
rather distressing to watch."

The two nodded and grimly turned away while Houston loosened her 
uniform.

Keanu was to say the least a little surprised by the location that had
been picked for the switch. If he'd been any judge, it would have been
best put somewhere... *anywhere* else. He felt a little pang of 
relief, as Joanna released the synthskin on her chest, which was
swiftly countered by the internal view. Silently she pointed to the 
location and Keanu got to work.

It was hard on him psychologically. He'd gotten used to thinking of 
Joanna as just a regular crew member, but this shattered his 
ill-formed illusions. Now he was looking at flashing lights and 
metallic casing. The switch was located on the left side of the chest,
and he could see how it would be activated - by pressure on each end 
of a tiny double-plunger.

Carefully, he maneuvered one of the plungers out of its socket. Now, 
as to what to do with it... he snapped the rod on the plunger to half 
its length. Then he replaced the plunger in its socket, and Keanu 
could see that it no longer reached the central mechanism. Hopefully, 
that meant the mechanism was disabled.

"All done," he said.

Houston flipped the sythskin back into place and sealed it when it was
in position. Keanu was amazed at the snug fit; he would have expected 
the edges of the section to stand out. He suddenly realised he was 
staring at Joanna's bare chest, and turned away, his face turning red 
with embarrassment. He heard the sound of a jumpsuit being zipped up, 
and then Joanna's voice, "Do not be concerned Lieutenant - I have no 
modesty to offend."

Keanu made no comment, but his complexion lightened a little.

"So, I assume when they take you out of here and try to deactivate 
you, you're going to fake it?" asked Leana.

"Precisely," replied Houston. "That will give me an opportunity to 
escape when they are least expecting it. I will try to give you a
good chance of doing the same - watch for it carefully."

"They will undoubtedly have to take you elsewhere on the ship," added 
Ishara. "Conventional means of interrogation will certainly not be 
effective."

                       Respectfully submitted:

                           Allan MacLennan
                 [Lt.] Angus Murray, Tac/CSO FRONTIER

                             Dale Forster
                  [Lt.] Keanu Maren, CEO FRONTIER

                            Sam M. Edwards
                  [Captain] Will Ramsay, CO FRONTIER
                 [Cmdr] Caroline Ramsay, XO FRONTIER
               [LtCmdr] Joanna Houston, 2O/tCMO FRONTIER


          "Put your faith in God, but keep your powder dry."
                           Oliver Cromwell

                 "Time is the fire in which we burn"
                          Dr. Tolian Soren                            

      "Rom's an idiot, he couldn't fix a straw if it was bent."
                                Odo