ON:
Getting into a fortress was not as difficult as you would have imagined. Even the Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion and the Tin Man were able to figure that one out. And just as they had done so many centuries ago Marcus and Dia did as well.
As they approached the industrial complex they were stopped as expected by two Vulcans on patrol. Caught totally unprepared Marcus and Dia subdued them, tossed them in the back of the patrol craft bound and gagged and donned their uniforms. It was fortunate for them that the uniforms were a complete body amour suit, helmet and visor included. Now in local costume they would be able, at least for a short while to enter the complex without raising suspension.
They completed the preprogrammed security rounds and in an hour joined a pair of other vehicles as they entered a lower bay door.
“I have to admit. That went better than I had expected.” Dia said as the hover car powered down.
“Getting in is the easy part. Getting out… that’s where the fun comes in. Now. Just follow my lead.”
They checked their weapons and climbed out of the craft, watching the other members of the security patrol head for a locker room. Taking up the rear as the last one in front of them turned into a room Marcus and Dia continued on down the corridor alone. It took several tries but eventually Marcus found what he was looking for. A room with a terminal access to the primary computer core. As the door closed behind them Marcus looked for and found the security camera. He motioned for Dia to disable it as he walked to the console. With one bashing stroke of her phaser rifle the monitor came off the wall.
“We won’t have long before they send some one.” Dia said rushing over to the console.
“Let’s hope it doesn’t take long.” he answered, his fingers flying over the key board.
The seconds ticked by and Dia was becoming anxious. “Come on Old man… where are we going?”
“Found it….” he terminated the connection and grabbed his rifle. “Come on. We have 5 levels to get up.”
“Found what?”
“A storage room for items the regular inventory controls don’t know about.”
“How do you know its there?” she asked as they started down the empty corridor to a turbo lift at an intersection.
“Best guess. What else would you put in a storage room right next to the Commanding officers Office.”
Dia nodded. “Yea, well, that is an odd place to put a storage room. Not thrilled about visiting the Mans office.”
As the entered the turolift they saw and squadron of vulcan security heading for the room they had just left.
“Not the MAN.” Marcus corrected her as they rose thru the complex. “Computer shows a Commander S’Rak in charge. A Vulcan woman.”
“Shit… their a whole lot meaner than the men.”
Marcus nodded. “That’s been my experience.”
The doors opened and they were thankful this level was nearly empty as well. As they started up the corridor a young vulcan male came out of an office and looked at them for only a moment. Then turned his attention to the data padd in his hand and kept walking.
A dozen yards more and they were at the door to the sought after room. A security panel blocked their entry and Marcus worked feverishly at it while Dia kept watch.
“Must be after normal business hours.” she said.
“Luck for us.”
Just then a Security officer rounded the corner and called out. “Hey there. What do you think you’re doing? You don’t have clearance for that room!”
Dia didn’t let him take another step. She brought up her phase rifle and dropped him a dozen feet away. Rushing over she dragged the unconscious man to the door. “You really do need to hurry.” she said.
The door opened and they dragged the Vulcan behind them and dropped him to the floor as the door closed. The lights came up as they walked to the center of the room where a computer terminal sat on a pedestal.
A few more minutes and Marcus had identified the location of the crate he was looking for. Running down an aisle he found the gray container and opened the lock. There in a velvet bedding was the hand made Lyre.. Once the possession of the Legendary Ambassador.
“Your were right… they did switch it.”
“Of course we did..It was the only logical thing to do.”
The both turned to see the most beautiful Vulcan woman either of them had ever laid eyes on.
“Commander S’Rak. I presume.” Marcus smiled as he reached for his rifle.
“You presume quite a bit.. Whoever you are.”
Off:
Marcus Dinn
Owner of Ricks.
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
Lt. Dia Zarch
Governors Station
Phoenix Federation
