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Captain Marlena sat on the bridge with her crew frantically around her trying to fix the numerous problems they had when the Vvong battle ship exploded. She was looking at a holo screen of the whole ship. She saw the outer hull was damaged in the front and bow. This was the side the ship faced when the Vvong battleship exploded. She shook her head and looked at the view port. The second Vvong battle ship was still not moving.
She said into her communicator, “Yaddle, how’s it going down there?”
“We should be fine, soon. Whoever tried to sabotage the engines was rushed. They didn't do a good job,” the old dwarf said.
Captain Marlena said, “Can you find out who did this?”
“No,” Yaddle said, “I tried to look at the video logs, but the person was crafty. They erased it.”
Captain Marlena shook her head. So, she thought, the person could still be on board the ship.
“Ok, keep working on it. The Vvong battle ship is still out our stern and still haven't move,” she said.
Captain Marlena didn't want to suspect anybody on her ship was the spy but the Vvong was waiting for them. Somebody must have told them.
Yaddle explained to her that the damage was done recently. It was around the time they encounter the Vvong ships.
“Commander Giles, have you looked at the list?” She said,
Commander Giles knew about the list she was talking about. They were looking over the crew’s manifest and was trying to root out the traitor. This traitor might try to kill her to take possession of the Amulet. She touched it. It was still there attached to the chain around her neck.
“Yes,” Commander Giles said, “I’m still checking, but nothing stands out. What am I looking for?”
“I not sure. Maybe, a new addition to the crew.” She paused. “Check on who was new on board before we left the Hive.”
“Well, that would be must of us,” he said.
The Vvong battle ship lights started to glow and turned to the side to face them.
“Oh no,” Captain Marlena said, “Yaddle, the Vvong battle ship is moving.”
Then the familiar lights of the enemy ships were seen flying out of the large opened dock.
“Battle stations!” Commander Giles said.
Captain Marlena said, “Yaddle, give me good news.”
“Aye, we’re ready,” he said, “We can make a shadow jump.”
Commander Giles said, “Navigator, get us to the next jump. Now!”
Her ship suddenly flew forward and moved through the magical wormhole. Captain Marlena sat back in her chair.
She said, “That was too close.”
“Yes.” Commander Giles said.
***
CAPTAIN MARLENA SHIP was floating among the many rings of the planet Saturn. It was the perfect hiding place. They needed to make repairs before they moved to their next jump to the small planet next to Earth called the moon.
She needed to find the saboteur on board her ship. She cannot believe one it was one of her crew was a traitor. Then she had an idea.
“Commander Giles,” she said, “come over here.”
She moved to a far console near the back of the bridge. Captain Marlena brought up a schematic of the ship, but she was only using this a rouse.
She whispered, “Commander Giles, do we have holo vids showing the hallway which led to the engine room?”
“Yes, I believe so. But those holo vids might be erased as well,” he said.
“Let’s take a look,” she said.
Commander Giles pressed a few controls on the holo screen before them. Instantly, the video showed.
“Focus on the time when we first encountered the Vvong enemy,” Captain Giles said.
They didn't see anybody on the screen.
“More forward,” she said.
The video showed a few people walking in twos or threes going inside the engine room and leaving. Then somebody moved stealthy. He was looking back and forth in the hallway. He moved inside the engine room.
“Log the milli-cycle and check who was inside the engine room at that time,” she said.
Commander Giles pressed a few buttons of the holo panel.
“Yaddle and a few of his engineers were in the engine room, but there was a time when nobody was logged there.”
“Do you know who that is?” She asked.
Commander Giles pulled up several names. “The person is a new addition to the crew. He was assigned at the last minute.”
Captain Marlena rewinding and looked at the elf who was moving stealthy. She noticed he was holding a small device in his hand.
“What is that thing?” She said.
“I don’t know but we will ask him.”
“What is his name?”
“Ensign Jackroy.”
Commander Giles nodded and moved to the chief communication officer who sat a few closer to the front. Captain Giles followed Commander Giles. He had something in mind.
Commander Giles said to the communication officer, “Have you been monitor any communication moving in or out of the ship?”
“Yes,” the woman said. She was a dwarf and her name was Karole. “I have found some odd anomalies. I have been checking on anything odd like you told me.”
Captain Marlena nodded. She didn't tell Commander Giles to do that, but he was smart and didn't need her to tell him what to do.
Karole pulled up a Holo screen and showed some graphs and timelines. “I notice every few solar cycles. I notice an odd sound emitting from G deck.”
Captain Marlena knew that is the deck Ensign Jackroy quarter was and she knew they had to confront him now.
Captain Marlena said, “Good job. Lieutenant Karole.”
She turned to Commander Giles. “We need to get to G deck now with an armed escort.”
“Yes, Captain. But I think you need to stay on the bridge. I will take care of this.”
She nodded and understood his prudence. Marlena was the Captain, and she needed to be on the bridge.
Commander Giles said, “Lieutenant Karole have you been blocking the noise transmission?”
“Yes, at your request, I have.”
Captain Marlena nodded at Commander Giles.
