Athena stalked the edge of the colony, her eyes searching the surroundings while her team amplified the scans through tricorders and ship-bound sensors. The rumors of double agents and inside operators were rumors no longer. The reports from the XO were clear on the dangerous implications. Whatever had happened to the colony, it hadn’t happened in isolation. She tightened the scanning area locally and through the tactical team on Mackenzie. There was some interference at play. It wasn’t old. It was new. As if someone was trying to hide something out there just beyond the colony. She turned as the figure of Commander Alex Benson approached, PADD in hand.
“Hope I’m not interrupting anything, Ensign. Mind if I…?” He motioned to the seat across from her.
Athena nodded to the seat. “I’ll take another set of eyes and ears, Commander.”
“Excellent,” he eased into the seat. “I’m sure you’ve heard the chatter about Network agents within the colony.” He set the PADD on the table in front of Athena. “I’ve ran a series of profiles on suspected operatives. Admittedly, it’s a partial list, but it’s enough to get things moving. The computer is working through the rest, refining it. I’m estimating anywhere from 10-14 total names. I want you to do deeper dives and see what I’m missing.”
The Bajoran Security and Tactical chief accepted the PADD, her eyes narrowing in thought as she scrolled through a first glance. She frowned off and on as she searched, scrolled back, and then forward, tapping on her own PADD, making notes as she went. “There’s a few false positives but not for lack of trying. These two are just shady in everything. They’re clear.” Athena tapped on his PADD and then hers, and back again. “Your formulas are hand programmed first, and don’t rely on the computer for the first pass.” She glanced up, a look of respect passing between them. “Glad there’s still people out there that don’t put all their trust in the ship’s computer.” Another scroll. Another pass. “This one isn’t talking because she’s been too close to too much here and she doesn’t trust anyone but those who can help her. She flexes those shady muscles to stay alive.” A final pass, and she slid the PADD back to him. “That leaves eleven from your list. That’s still a lot.” She grumbled. “Selene Voss is a problem I wish we didn’t have.” Athena turned her attention to him. “You don’t get those three rank pips without some kind of theory or two in the back of your mind, sir.”
“I’m running with the theory that it’s not Voss operatives, not entirely. I think they’re working with Sons of Red Fury…” He frowned, “Red Fury Sons?” Alex tapped his finger on the table in frustration. “Why can’t I remember their name?” He blinked, “Anyway, see if there’s a connection between Voss and various terrorist organizations.”
Athena gasped, annoyed at herself instantly. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Barzo!” She waved to a distant officer, and the woman started their way. Athena filled Benson in. “Lieutenant Barzo, from the Denver. She was a security investigator before she got the chief job on Denver.”
Barzo walked up. She was younger than Athena and had a quiet smile that never really left her face. Her eyes were brighter, less caustic, and a little curious as they flicked over Benson. “Commander,” she said first, out of respect and duty. She turned to Athena, her tone less respectful. “I am not your dog to be called, Athena. What do you want?” It was sarcasm, said with a sly smile. It was a joke, and it landed like one.
Athena groaned, but answered. “Commander Benson has something.” She retold the story and the details. She watched the Barzi’s face and felt a cold sweat develop on her collar as the eyes and face of the usually genteel Barzi tightened up.
Her voice was quiet, and her eyes went a little distant as she said, “The Fury of the Red Sons. That’s a name.” She slid slowly down to sit beside Benson. “You’re sure that’s the name you’ve heard?”
Alex nodded, “That’s the one. I came across the name mostly in whispers. The colonists that mentioned them were quick to stop talking.” He considered, “Or told to by others. It’s almost like speaking their name would summon doom. It had the same respect and fear as Baba Yaga. I looked into archives and contacted some old resources, but it didn’t result in much.”
Barzi shook her head, amazed. “They’re old, at least by our standards. We know they’ve been operating out here in the rimward for a long time. Some theories are in the fifty years, or even some think one hundred years. I don’t know what I believe, but they’re bad news. Lots of legends on this one.” She took out her PADD and searched for a few moments and grumbled when she opened the file. “The one that’s got the most water is that someone was experimenting on a sun in their sector. They say it was some clandestine Starfleet operation, but who knows? The point is that the sun collapsed, and they were forced to flee. Their planet became uninhabitable, and people died. They’ve claimed all they want is justice, but that’s just a part of their legend now. They’ve grown, picked up all kinds of people pissed off at Starfleet and everyone else. The dirty work is their business, and they enjoy it.” Barzi winced. “Doesn’t surprise me that Voss has them on her payroll.”
Benson listened with rapt interest, “Misery and hatred seem to be in large supply around here. It attracts more people than we care to admit.” He paused in thought, “I see why everyone’s scared of them, or at least the thought of them. Their destructive nature makes more sense too.” Alex turned to the two women, “Any thoughts on next steps?”
Barzi shuddered. “This used to be my job before Denver. Procedure is we would work the case, fast track any traces and rush like hell to find them before the trail runs cold. Denver break off and do the trail run.” She glanced at Athena. “Captain Walton will keep the Mackenzie here as shield and defend if it comes to it, I think.”
Athena nodded, annoyed she was probably going to miss out on the adventure. “Present it to Commander Hale.” She turned to Benson. “You should probably go along, sir. Barazi’s good at her job, but Hale’s going to wonder what got her there.”
“Agreed,” Alex said, nodding at Athena and standing. “I always appreciate a good brainstorm.” He picked up his PADD off the table, consolidated the contents of the conversation, and added them to his notes. “Shall we, Lieutenant?”
Barzi stood with a deep sigh. “It’s never boring in the rimward. “
