Bethany finished her coffee, set the cup down and thanked Reed. She headed out and back to deck 26 and cargo bay 5. She had to get the shuttle system broken down. She entered the bay and looked over at Athena. “Alright, old girl. Let’s see exactly what F’ac did to you.” She turned off the force field, stepped through and turned it back on. She didn’t need any more wayward crewmen coming in and shocking themselves on a dare while she worked. She opened the cargo hatch and stepped in. Laying her hand on the control panel, “Computer activate repair and engineering bypass mode for as long as I am inside or within 15 feet of the exterior.” ACKNOWLEDGED REPAIR AND ENGINEERING BYPASS ACTIVATED.

Bethany pulled up the schematics on the security system and began to remove panels to follow the diagrams with the actual thing. This was NOT her area, but usually with a manual she could figure it out. She spent a couple hours following lines, and power outlets, and a range of other techie stuff she didn’t know much about. “AH! Found you.” She wedged herself farther under the main console to get at the power supply for it. The shuttle was powered down and there shouldn’t be a problem. She scanned it with a tricorder just to make sure–no power to the console. “Alright let’s get you out of there.” She grabbed the tool she’d put down and started working at unplugging it.

The was a loud snap and sizzle sound. “OW!” and she began cussing. About the same time she came out from under the console, the display screens turned on. The face of a very old woman appeared. The dark hair and brow ridges of a Klingon, but the high cheek bones, angled eye brows and point ears of a Vulcan. A dark gravely chuckle came from her. “Oh no girl. You aren’t getting rid of my little present that easy. You have two ways to get the secret from me. You know what they are. Or you can electrocute yourself.” Bethany groaned and looked at her hand. “ow…” She glared at the face on the screen. “Nope, nope, nope. I”ll just leave the system in there. I’m not doing it.”

Lt. Gadi, CNS