Stardate 52012.3

     Captain Mason left his quarters, headed for the bridge.  He had changed 
clothes from the more colorful dress uniform back to his standard grey duty 
uniform.  After Dr. L'vant was found dead, he had retired to his quarters for 
the night.  When he saw her, her face completely unrecognizable from whatever 
weapon had hit her, he didn't feel like going back to the dinner.  He was up 
earlier than usual this morning, partly because he couldn't sleep, and partly 
because he had called an early meeting of the senior staff.
     When he stepped out of the turbolift onto the bridge, Commander Ming was 
already there.  Mason walked toward her, "What's our progress so far 
Commander?"
     Ming got up from her chair, "Lieutenant Carter's been able to determine 
that she was killed by a type 5 disruptor."
     The Captain could tell she was taking Dr. L'vant's death pretty hard.  She
was usually more serious while on duty than off duty, but today her voice was 
very solemn.  Mason said, "Have you been able to detect that type of weapon 
anywhere on the ship."
     Ming sighed, looking frustrated by the whole thing, "No, sir.  It seems 
like the weapon's no longer on the ship, but we haven't detected any 
unauthorized transporter or shuttle activity."
     Mason's expression was harder to read, his emotions usually being hidden, 
"We'll go over it at the staff meeting.  Maybe we can come up with some working
theories then."
     Ming forced a smile, but still seemed rattled by the whole thing, "I hope 
so.  I've instructed Lieutenant Carter to brief the senior staff on the 
situation so far.  I also think we should arrange for a funeral service for 
Dr. L'vant."
     Mason replied, "Thank you, Commander.  I'll leave that in your hands.  You
knew her better than I did."
     Ming nodded, and Mason started toward his ready room.  On the way, he 
noticed the two security officers Carter had stationed on the bridge, a good 
precaution considering one of the senior staff had been murdered.  He turned 
toward one of the officers, a young female Ensign, "Ensign, I want to speak to 
you in my ready room."
     The Ensign nodded and followed him inside.  The Captain sat down at his 
desk, and the Ensign stood in front of him.  The Captain looked sternly at her,
"What's your name?"
     The young woman replied, "Ensign White, sir."  
     "Ensign, I have a job for you, and you're not to discuss it with anyone 
except me, is that clear Ensign?"
     White was a bit shocked, but still stood dutifully at attention, "Yes 
sir."
     Mason said, "You've been assigned to security on the bridge.  I want you 
to continue to do that, and provide security during staff meetings, but at the 
same time, I want you to keep an eye on all the senior officers.  Watch for any
unusual activity among them."
     White said, "Sir, would it not be more prudent to assign the chief of 
security to this?"
     Mason interrupted, "No, Ensign, it wouldn't.  You're watching them 
because I believe it's possible that one of them has been replaced by a 
Changeling.  The Dominion has been known to use the type of disruptor that 
killed Dr. L'vant, and a Changeling is more likely to replace a senior officer
than an Ensign.  That's also why you're not to discuss this assignment with 
anyone.  I've been on ships that have been infiltrated by Changelings before, 
and I'm not going to let it happen here.  Watch the senior officers carefully.
Report any abnormal behavior directly to me.  Understood?"
     White answered, "Yes, sir."
     Mason said, "Good.  Return to your post."
     As soon as Ensign White walked out, Mason tapped his communicator to begin
his Captain's Log for the day.  He hoped that he was taking unnecessary 
precautions, that the Equinox was too far away from the war to be of interest 
to the Dominion, but he wasn't ready to rule out the possibility, not yet.