The two security officers had left a good hour ago; after Jason had let them in to look around.  They hadn’t actual asked, but he felt by doing so; they’d see he was clearly cooperating fully and not trying to hide anything.  He’d also promised them he’d contact them if he saw the Rear-Admiral, but whether he did that straight away he wasn’t certain just yet.  Too many question for one thing.  So for a start why had he never heard of Rear-Admiral Devron even if he was retired?  When did he retire?  He seemed pretty active a couple of years ago.  Though at that point; he didn’t know the man’s name.  Why had he given him his surname as a new identity, was there or had there ever been a real Jason Alan Devron.  Who was he supposed to trust?  Frustrated the young lieutenant slammed his fist into the cushion on the sofa; before letting out an exasperated groan.

How do you find a man that’s trying not to be found whilst simultaneously not letting anyone else know you’re actually searching for him?

Devron moved over to the office chair which was exactly were that ‘Q’ fellow had left it; sat down and turned towards the computer.  He wanted to see what he could discover about this Rear-Admiral George Jason Devron.

The man seemed rather unremarkable; Born in 2314 he’d joined the Academy before going on to serve aboard a number of various vessels as he moved up through the ranks before finally becoming Captain of the USS Seattle in 2355.  Eight years later he was working on Earth in Starfleet intelligence becoming a Commodore three years after that.  By 2377 he was listed as a Rear-Admiral, but retired in 2390 having never risen further than that.  That couldn’t be right though, Jason had met him seven years later, and he was clearly working back then.  More puzzles, mysteries and misinformation.  The truth was buried deep and to search any deeper might set off someone’s alarm bells!

Right now though all these questions along with how he was going to handle the situation with the doctor needed to wait, right now a shower and something to eat sounded a much better idea.

**********

The crew of the USS Jaxartes had been working on her repairs in secret for roughly ten hours that day.  Secret that is from their captain, who they hoped would appreciate their efforts.  It would probably take then another day to get the important work finished, but at least the worst of it was out of the way and the old girl was flyable again.

Dinari the Chief Engineer sat himself down on an empty packing crate to the rear of the corvette admiring the effort they’d put in. “You know Albert.” He said turning towards the Betazoid standing next to him. “You’ve put those panels in upside down.”

The other engineer walked forward.  Ran his eyes and then his fingers over the perfectly flat surface of the bulkhead.  Then turned as he heard the unmistakable chuckle of the ebony skinned Chief.  He was just in time to catch Lyanna give the other man a light hearted punch in the back of the shoulder. “Behave and stop teasing the guy.  He’s worked hard.” She gave a long loud yawn, putting the back of her other hand across her mouth. “We all have.  Time to call it a day”

With that the crew gathered together any stuff they wanted to take with them and headed for the exit ramp.  Last off the ship, Lieutenant Stuart closed and sealed the hatch before coding in an eight digit security lock.

“What does the Captain think we’ve all been doing, by the way?” Tyson asked.

“Eating, drinking, sightseeing, sunbathing.” Answered Stuart. “Basically anything but actually working on that ship.”

“I’m surprised he hasn’t checked up on any of use.” C’Rren mused.

“He’s not the sort of person to go around chasing after everyone, not unless there’s a problem.” Lyambo reassured the young Caitian. “So enjoy whatever you have planned for what remains of the day.”

C’Rren hadn’t really thought that far ahead.  What was there to actually do on the planet or the small space-station housing their temporary accommodation?  He hadn’t visited many places in the past; other than those on his home world and that of the Academy, so he wasn’t really sure of what to expect on other planets.

They all rode the lift up to the top level.  It was a huge thing designed mainly for cargo, with just a simple set of concertinaed doors which had taken a lot of effort to pull across.  As it moved it groaned, clattered, squeaked and squealed like something that hadn’t seen a spot of oil in who knows how long.  It shuddered to a stop, allowing them to force open the doors and exit into a large drab corridor.  Beyond two sets of double door at one end of the corridor they entered the only marginally better looking passenger foyer.

Crewman Lightwood went on slightly ahead and came back a minute or two later. “We have a shuttle heading our way in six minutes.” He informed the rest of the crew.  They boarded the shuttle a couple of minutes later; sitting along the fold down seats along the sides of the main compartment.  A couple of engineers joined them placing a large metal box and three smaller ones in the centre which some locals helped them load on board.

Lyambo soon struck up a conversation with the woman and her male Tellarite companion; discovering that the boxes where part of the cargo from the Spirit of the Loch and where to repair a damaged Runabout.  Of cause when they learned it was Lyanna’s father in charge of that ship which had delivered the parts; that drew her and other members of the crew into the discussion.  They were so busy talking they didn’t realise their shuttle had arrived until its stubby little legs touched down.

When the aft doors opened and the ramp slid out, they offered to help the engineers unload their cargo and place it on the back of a pair of motorised trollies waiting for them.  With a thank you and a smile from the woman; Tellarite’s didn’t really do smiles, the two engineers disappeared off towards another section of the station.

“Did you get her name and details?” Lyanna whispered in Dinari’s ear, knowing what his reputation with members of the opposite sex was like.  The Chief turned giving her his ‘who me look’ smiled and put his finger to his lips. Before walking off laughing to himself.

“So who fancy a drink?” Asked Lose.

“You paying?” Enquired Ligthwood.  The Chief Petty Officer made a show of having empty pockets; not that anyone carried money around.

“You lot go have fun. I’m meeting up with the family.” Stuart informed them. “So I’ll see you in the morning 7am?” They groaned and she just ignored then, because she knew they realised she hadn’t really meant that.

They’d all be ready to work again in the morning, whatever they got up to.