Chief Science Officer's log. Commander Demar and I will be spending most of the morning in the computer core attempting to boot the core up. I worked until nearly 0100 in the morning to come up with our own computer virus that would counteract the T'Kon virus or at least partition it in some remote corner of the colony's computer core and allow us to take full control. I have some confidence that with help we can do it today. Commander Demar isn't the most enjoyable of people who be stuck in a room with most of the day but as a former science officer with almost two decades of experience, he knows what he's doing better than most people in my department. It's such a wonderful way to spend Frontier Day but at least the Captain planned a little get together for tonight so everyone can blow off some steam. It's pretty much just a speech and evening off from figuring out this place but I'll take what I can get.

Alex sat back down at his console, placing the warm cup of coffee next to him. He wasn't particularly fond of hot coffee, cold espresso drinks were more his speed, but they didn't have the luxury of a functioning replicator right now so he would happily get his caffeine intake this way.

He glanced to his left, eyeing Commander Demar. The man had barely spoken a dozen words to him in the two hours they had been in this room and one of those words was a blunt ‘no’ when he had asked if Demar wanted any coffee. The Commander was a curious individual. He refused to interact with most of the crew beyond his required duties. Even now he sat with his back to Alex, shoulders tense wholly focused on the task at hand. Alex didn't do well with people like that; he was often a chatterbox and it got even more awkward and chatty when he was alone with someone who didn't want to interact. 

He turned his attention back to the console. He had managed to deploy a counter virus with no issue but the T'Kon virus quickly adapted. There was so little they knew about the T'Kon beyond how powerful they were and that power was becoming very apparent. He had done his best to ‘dumb it down’ in the hopes that something simple and more basic would be able to evade detection. It had partially worked, they gained control of lights and some other basic environmental systems, but everything else was still locked out. The original plan was for the virus to section off or block it into noncritical areas of the computer core, like the lighting systems, so they could move in and get control of the critical systems. Sadly, that failed. The T'Kon programming caught on quickly and moved to put up additional safeguards around the critical systems at the expense of less critical systems; hence why they could turn the lights on and off but still couldn't access the comm systems or take down the damping fields.

Alex rubbed both eyes with the palms of his hands. “I feel like this is getting us nowhere. We need access to the T'Kon control center but we have no idea where that is because we can't access anything outside of the administration building and colony environmental services building. To access anything else we have to lift the damn lockdown, which increasingly looks like we can't do without across to some actual T'Kon tech.  It's a damn circle that can't be broken.”

Silence sat in the room for a few moments before Demar answered. “That is likely correct.”

Alex waited a few more moments to see if anything else would follow. When it was clear nothing else would be said, Alex dropped the PADD in his hand onto the table with a clatter. “Commander, this is going to be out of line but at this point, I'm not exactly worried about a reprimand in my file. What is your issue? Is it with me? This rest of the senior staff? You've been damn near silent since we set foot on the ship, you walk around with a sour expression 24/7 and don't interact with anyone outside of your official duties. Even Lieutenant Commander T'Keu is more social."

Alex watched as Demar's shoulders tensed up even more, something he did not think was possible, as a tense silence filled the room. He'd stepped in it more than a few times with superior officers before but this was one of the few circumstances where he didn't care. 

Demar did not turn to face Alex before speaking. “Do you want an honest answer, Commander? It's because I do not want to be here.”

Alex rolled his eyes. “Yes, none of us want to be here. This situation is awful.”

This time Geden turned to face the other man, his face taught and lined with tension and frustration. “No, you fail to understand. I don't want to be here. I don't want to be on this crew, I don't want to be this ship's executive officer, or any ship's executive officer for that matter.”

Alex arched an eyebrow. His mind had come up with a few possible answers but this wasn't one of them. “Forgive my bluntness Commander, but if you don't want to be on this crew, then why are you? Starfleet does give executive officers some leeway with assignments. You could have said no.”

Geden let out a low chuckle. “No, I did not have that choice. Good executive offices are given leeway; the ones that don't perform to Starfleet's oh-so-lofty standards are told where to go, to sit down and shut up, and be happy about it. You can surmise which camp I fall into.”

Alex let out a soft sigh. It still was not adding up; there were always options. “So you just sit around and be grumpy as hell all the time? Why not ask for another ship or leave the command department? Resign? Something?”

Alex watched as tension and frustration rippled across Geden's face. “Because, Mr. Conklin, this is my third posting as an XO. If I am dismissed from this posting by yet another Captain then I will be shunted off to some backwater science outpost until I retire.”

“Would that not solve your problem?” Alex said, waving around his hands for emphasis. 

“No, no it would not. It's the same reason I can't simply resign and go back home with my tail tucked between my legs and beg for some professorship at a university. I am a joined Trill; the expectations of my people are high. A ‘mundane’ life is not acceptable as a joined Trill. We must do more, push the boundaries of our knowledge, and enrich our lives so that when our memories are passed down to the next host they take the best of what we were. This is drilled into our heads from the day we begin our training with the symbiosis commission; we are the best of the best and the expectations laid upon us are great.”

Alex paused for a moment. He was, after all, looking from the outside in at another society. Of everything he knew of Trill culture, they were an open and kind people. It was true that the few joined Trill he had met were often leaders in their field or had otherwise excelled at their chosen field but he'd also met some that worked by day and went home to their families at night. It was hard to shake the feeling that the other man's views were warped by the situation and the unhappiness he was wallowing in; now was not the time to challenge those views however. 

“I see.” Alex began. “Those levels of expectations would be difficult, to say the least, and I don't know your history with Statfleet but all I can say is to at least give this posting, give us, a chance. I have known Captain Myers for many, many years. She is a kind, patient, women and while she expects your best on her ship she will do what it takes to help mold you into a stellar officer, no matter your rank or position. It's your choice but I suggest you embrace the opportunity.”

Alex watched as the lines on Geden's face relaxed for a brief moment before the tension came rushing back. “Thank you, Commander. I will take that under advisement." With that, Geden turned back around.

Alex sighed. He hadn't made a fool out of himself, so that was something. Hopefully, he'd broken through the Commander's wall just slightly.

Both their comm badges chipped at the same moment, the voice of Captain Myers coming through the small speaker. “All senior staff are to report to the location being sent to your tricorders immediately. No exceptions. Myers out.”

Geden and Alex shared a glance as they got up; another complication must have reared its ugly head.

The door slid open with a hiss, Geden entering the hallway slightly ahead of Alex. 

Geden let out a deep sigh as he caught sight of the dead woman on the floor. Dr. V'Rel hovered over her, tricorder in hand, as she ran a forensic analysis."

“Do we know what happened?" Geden muttered softly.

“When the Lieutenant failed to report in I attempted to locate her by visiting the location she had been assigned to for the day.” T'Keu looked down at the body. “I found her like this. Her partner, Ensign Kerrit, is nowhere to be found. I have teams looking for him.”

Clara turned to Geden. “There are no signs that she triggered any security systems nor are there any signs of anyone else aside from Kerrit being here.”

Broheth and Brex were huddled together in the corner of the hall looking through the Lieutenant's tricorder. “Tricorder is clear, she was actively scanning the computer interface for the door until the tricorder was dropped.” Offered Broheth. 

Geden let out another sign. “So the first thought was this was intentional.”

“Yes." replied T'Keu matter of factly.

“I've got some traces of organic residue on her neck. I'm trying to get an ID on it but it's hard to read.” V'Rel tapped the tricorder a few taps before her eyes widened. “Shit." She held it up for Myers to see.

Geden watched as the color drained from Myer's face. “Commander Demar, I want the entire crew assembled in the main lobby immediately. T'Keu, I want guards stationed at every exit of the main lobby; nobody out once the crew is assembled. If anyone tries to escape, stun them. Doctor, I want every single member of the crew blood tested.”

A chill went down Geden's spine and settled into his body. He didn't need to look at the readings on the tricorder to know what those small traces of organic matter turned up.

“Get moving ladies and gentlemen.” Clara paused for a moment. “We have a changeling on the loose.”

Geden stood next to Myers at the front of the room. The 90 crew members had been lined up, starting with the senior staff, as V'Rel administered blood tests to everyone. After the Captain had announced a security incident and blood tests were required the entire crew instantly knew what had occurred. The tension in the room was palpable. It was hard to avoid considering each crew member had to stand next to a security officer armed with a phaser rifle while their blood was extracted.

The final crew person, Petty Officer Schmidt if Demar remembered correctly, stepped forward and V'Rel pressed the hypo to his neck, a few seconds passed before red fluid filled the small tube. V'Rel held it at eye level and after 60 seconds, she put it with the rest of the small tubes of blood.  Schmidt hurried off to join the rest of the crew that was milling about in the large room.

“It's blood, like all the rest,” V'Rel muttered. “We're still not able to find Kerrit but I'm going to assume that they have a way around the damn test. Every officer underwent a blood test during their physicals when they came on the ship.”

Demar crossed his arms. “We have to assume the Changling is in the building; it has to have an ulterior motive if it stuck around this long. Otherwise, it could have easily slipped away in the night the last few weeks.”

Alex sighed, leaning against a pillar. “I mean, what agenda could it have? We're stuck on the planet in a colony where we can't access 98% of the buildings.”

“Trust only the Fourth Fleet.” Clara muttered as it all started to click into place.

“Ma'am?” Brex inquired.

“Fourth Fleet Command highly classified our orders and came with a usual warning at the end: trust only the Fourth Fleet. I didn't pay it much mind until we got held up at the fleet yards and then once we arrived here it was the last thing on my mind.”

“So, it's possible Starfleet knew something was going on with the Changelings?” Bree crossed his arms. “That seems like an important fact to leave out of a briefing.”

“It would be logical to assume that the commanders of the Fourth Fleet had suspicions about something, considering the nature of the warning.”  T'Keu offered. “Perhaps the Admiralty of the fleet itself is unaware?”

“Or Starfleet is compromised,” Alex said, glancing around the circle of officers. “It would help explain why we haven't been rescued yet; Starfleet just doesn't shrug their shoulders and go ‘Oh well, guess they got lost somewhere.’”

Demar arched an eyebrow. “That seems like a rather extreme assumption.”

Myers held up a hand. “Assumptions get us nowhere. We focus on the here and now and the fact is we have a loose changeling. Let's run through the options.”

T'Keu was the first to speak up. “In theory, we could attempt to stun the entire crew and whoever can resist the stun effect would be the changeling. However, that would be a rather extreme solution.”

The rest of the senior staff eyed the Vulcan wearily.

“Yes, it would be." Demar said with a slight tone of exasperation. “Do we have access to any of the security systems?”

Broheth twisted his torso slightly and opened up a computer panel. “Limited. Very limited. I could trigger a fire emergency, which would seal all the doors in the room and I could, in theory, pop up a weak forcefield around an area to 'contain' a fire.”

“That's better than nothing if we can't figure out who it is. The crew is starting to reach their breaking point already; we can't keep them locked up in this room.” Demar glanced out across the crowd. The tension and fatigue were visible on their faces.

“Agreed.” Said Myers. “Instead of having a buddy system we'll have everyone triple up, armed at all times, and we get more aggressive in fixing this. We'll start blowing open doors if we have to. Hopefully, Ensign Erith will be able to find help but if there is something larger going on we can't count…..”

A shrill scream from the back of the room interpreted Myers; the senior staff whipping their heads towards the sound.

A man in a gold uniform that Myers didn't quite recognize had one arm around Petty Officer Lugh's neck and the other hand had a phaser pointed at her head. Myers immediately walked toward the back of the room, the crew moving to each side as she walked forward; the rest of the senior staff stayed still except for Broheth as he typed commands into the console.

“Release her. Immediately."

The Changeling let out a barking laugh. “Arrogant as always. You solids are always predictable.”

Clara placed her arms behind her back. "We may yet to surprise you; we've picked up a few new tricks since the last time your kind paid us a visit."

It smirked. “We've been here far longer than you think and solids have changed very little. You perpetuate chaos and destruction and try to just ignore the consequences when it all goes wrong. The greatest failure of my people was our inability to bring order to this quadrant.”

Myers stiffened slightly but did her best to hide it. Here for far longer? Just how long and how many? “Your version of order was unacceptable; freedom tends to be preferable to control.”

The smirk changed to a sneer. “How has your version of order worked out? One of the planets in your home system still burns. An empire shattered as hundreds of thousands died after you turned your back on them. How many colonies on the outer rim of your mighty Federation have fallen prey to raiders and pirates because you're too scared to even attempt to control your empire? The Dominion at least took care of its subservient races; you can't even manage that.”

Myers narrowed her eyes. “Your definition of ‘taking care’ of those under your control involved terror and the Jem'Hadar. We've never controlled through terror or fear; the last decade may changed our priorities but it has not changed who we are.”

“Oh, Captain, my brethren and I will happily discuss what you solids are truly like. It's a tale I think you'll love considering the torture you've put my people through.”

“This discussion is getting us nowhere.” Myers quickly turned her head back towards the front of the room, taking a few steps back. “Broheth, now!”

The Bolian twisted his torso around and slammed his hand down on the control panel. In milliseconds a loud, ear piercing, klaxon sounded as the doors locked shut. The Changeling, having so expertly recreated a human body, winced as well. It was just enough. Lugh's foot rose in the air before slamming down onto the Changling's foot, providing her with just a few seconds to get free.

She moved away quickly enough to avoid the Changeling grabbing her again and to avoid the small forcefield coming down from the ceiling as the system tried to contain the ‘fire’.

The klaxon shut off as Myers took a step forward, a smile on her face. “As I said, we have a few tricks up our sleeves.”

The Changeling glowered at Myers, tapping the side of the forcefield that contained it. “This doesn't matter. I don't matter. After today, everything changes.”

Myers took another step forward, anger bubbling up. She'd had enough of this. Few front-line officers remembered the Dominion War; most were behind a desk at this point. She could recall nearly every battle she'd taken place in. She remembered, with a clarity she hated, the first time she had to reach out to a family after the first officer under her brand new command had died. 

“Enough!” She barked. “I know your people love to speak in riddles but I don't have the time or patience to indulge you any further.” She reached over, grabbing a phaser rifle from the security officer next to her. “We've been stuck on this damn planet for weeks now all because you all decided to rear your heads after more than a decade of peace. What the hell is the point of all this?”

“I owe you no explanation.” the Changeling spat out. “Today marks the end of your precious Federation. Today she emerges from the shadows. You can not stop what has begun. As we speak, Earth is under assault and will so be ours.”

Clara's thumb pressed on the power control of the phaser rifle, the small indicator screen shifting from green to yellow, to a deep red. “This is your final warning Changeling. Why are you here?”

The Changeling let out an almost giggle. “For such an evolved people it doesn't take much to turn you into the monsters you claim we are. I'm answering none of your questions. You don't frighten me. Soon her song will reach even here and there will be nothing you can do."

Clara opened her mouth to answer but before she could speak the hum of one of the two remaining shuttlecraft reached her ears. The crew turned to look out the large bay window on the west side of the building to see the shuttle's nacelles glow blue as it began to rise before accelerating.

The entire time the Changeling has been giggling softly. “Did you think there was only one of us? Thank you for indulging me in this conversation so that the others could depart and fulfill their mission.”

Clara turned back to the Changeling, fire in her eyes that slowly drifted to horror as she watched the 'skin' of the Changeling begin to bubble, its sick giggle continuing. The creature lost cohesion as it reverted to its gelatinous form except it continued to bubble and turn a dark ashen color as it disintegrated. 

“Alex?” Clara called out. It only took moments for the science officer to reach her.

The Tricorder chirped loudly as it scanned over what was left. “It's dead, or close to it anyway. That's a new trick though; I don't remember the Academy teaching us about that.”

At this point the rest of the senior staff has walked down, joining the Captain and Chief Science Officer. The rest of the crew stared ahead at the dead Changeling, some whispering among themselves.

Brex was the first to speak up. “What do we do now?”

Clara lowered the phaser rifle, handing it back to the security officer. “We're getting off this damn planet.” She turned and faced the crew. “I understand that the last few weeks have been challenging. Nerves are fraying. We've been trapped in this small corner of the colony, held back by an ancient computer program we barely understand, with no contact with the outside world. You all have performed admirably under the conditions but we can no longer follow the proper protocol and tip-toe around this. If what this Changeling said is true, Starfleet and the Federation are facing a grave threat. It is our duty to respond to that threat. We can't do that if we're stuck here, waiting for a rescue that will likely not come on its own. Take 30 minutes to breathe. Collect yourself. Once you have, report to your department heads.”

She turned to Demar. “I want a way off the planet in the next 36 hours. I don't care if it's the cargo hold of a Pakled freighter; get access to the computer and find someone. Break up the crew into groups with each sensor staff member leading the groups. I don't care if you have to overload phasers to blow up doors. Do what needs to be done.”

“Aye, ma'am.” Demar nodded and turned to the rest of the senior staff. “You heard the Captain, let's get ready and get the job done.”