The material, which Ensign ASHER had shown at the briefing, was indeed alarming. Rashad was still shocked at the evil, which existed only seemingly a quantum singularity away.

As she walked towards the turbolift, her eyebrows rose. The Romulan-Bajoran XO suddenly realised exactly what she had to do.

"Security Office," she ordered as the turbolift doors closed. It was just about time to have another conversation with "Ensign" Morriden. He obviously knew what was going on, but had for some reason lied to her when he had tried to secure her cooperation a couple of days previously.

The turbolift doors swooshed open, and T'Kul immediately knew something was wrong. All the detention cells were empty, and there was only a lone female Ensign on duty in the Security Section. Rashad could not help but stop in
her tracks for a moment...

The Ensign immediately rose to her feet and appeared like she was about to stand to attention, when Rashad finally spoke. "As you were, Ensign...?" And then Rashad realised that she had already seen the young woman's face...in
the transmission shown by Ensign ASHER at the briefing, only the face she had seen on the screen was full of evil expression and had was not scarred like this young woman's face. The young woman in front of her now had a prominent scar on one side of her face and neck and eyes of different colour, but despite that she still radiated a sort of internal confidence and beauty.

"Ensign Julia Oakenshield at your service, ma'am," said the young woman. Her manner was respectful and Rashad guessed that the Ensign must have been one of the top students at her Starfleet Academy class. "I am Betazoid and
cannot help but feel your concern about something. How may I help?"

"Yes, indeed, Ensign Oakenshield," the Romulan-Bajoran XO found herself nodding in a Vulcanoid manner as her eyebrows rose slightly. "Do you know where the prisoner is? He is supposed to be in one of the holding cells."

At this question Ensign Julia Oakenshield was immediately confused, and, for a moment she looked a bit sheepish, like a Cadet at the Academy who had suddenly forgotten an exam answer. "I am sorry, ma'am, but there was no
prisoner here when I arrived. I have just joined the ship's crew and my official assigned position is at the Tactical station on the bridge..."

"I understand, Ensign, carry on as you were and welcome aboard," nodded Rashad in an almost Vulcan manner. "Computer, locate Ensign Morriden!"

<Ensign Morriden is not aboard this ship.>

"That is impossible! Computer, scan for traces of a personal site-to-site transporter signature, authorization T'Kul-beta-4-6-2."

<Unknown transporter signature detected in Cargo Bay 12. >

"Computer, locate Lieutenant Eran Dakul," Rashad continued her search as she made her way out of the Security Office.

<Lieutenant Dakul is in Cargo Bay 12>

"Cargo Bay 12," said Rashad immediately upon stepping into the turbolift.

A horrifying sight waited for Rashad there. Eran Dakul and three others comprising the Security team were laying unconscious on the floor... By the look of it, they have been that way for quite a while. As T'Kul approached the Chief of Security, he stirred and tried to get up.

"Commander..." His voice was breathless - almost a whisper, "Ensign...Morriden has...escaped..." The Cardassian's eyes rolled back and he fainted again.

"Morriden...what?!" It took her a moment to come to terms with the shocking revelation. Then, with her Vulcanoid eyebrows risen she tapped her commbadge and took out a tricorder. "Sick Bay, medical emergency in Cargo Bay 12!"

* * *
"You were lucky to have found them when you did, Commander." Dr Katts was administering medication to the downed security crew, using a large hypospray. "Another hour or so, and the poison would have completely shut
down their neural activity. Now they will be just fine."

*Yeah, thank the Prophets, but what about the ship? * Thought Rashad as she stood next to the Security Chief's Sick Bay biobed.