Shane woke up violently having experienced another incarceration dream. After a quick visual assessment of the area his anxiety eased.

Sickbay was empty, at least to what he could see. Someone had been kind and lowered the lights in his area. Must have been that Andorian doctor. He got up and found the refresher. Having taken care of his immediate task, he looked himself over in the mirror. Yikes, he certainly looked like a prisoner. That needed to change.

When he returned to the main floor, it was still empty. His left eyebrow tilted as he thought. ‘No guard…no doctor…maybe a quick trip out into the corridor. Trenton said she wanted to show me around…I think I’ll take her up on that.’

Warwick took several tentative steps towards the door, and no one seemed to notice. The Sickbay doors slid open and Shane Warwick stepped out onto the corridor. Knowing the ship certainly helped, and he was able to get to a wall mounted computer access. Knowing he was taking a chance, Shane cleared his throat and clearly asked, “Computer. Where is Lieutenant Trenton?”

“Voice recognition not found. Please identify.” ‘Frick!’ his internal voice shouted. ‘Come on, Shane. It’s just a puzzle, you can do this.’

“I’m Doctor Carson Lowe. I am returning from an indefinite Leave Of Absence. Please list me as returning to duty.” Shane Warwick was dead, but Lowe was the name he last used as an active Starfleet officer. One he knew the ship’s computer would be able to find. It’s a long shot… Abrams will most assuredly will be notified. She’ll probably send a pair of knuckle dragging goons in gold shirts to escort him to the brig. He had to get moving, no matter what…

“Carson Lowe. Rank, Lieutenant Junior Grade, Last posting USS Crusader. Status provisionally re-instated pending Level 4 review. Please proceed to Security Office, Deck Seven.”
‘Wow! It worked!’ Shane was ecstatic , “Where is Lieutenant Trenton?’

“Please proceed to Security Office, Deck Seven” So much for the momentary feeling of relief. Now it’s in a loop. He had one more Idea.

“Computer, where will I find Security Chief Abrams.” Maybe if it thinks I’m turning myself in…

“Lieutenant Abrams is in Nine Forward.” ‘Good enough for me…Nine Forward here I come.’

• Warwick