Fatal Containment

Fatal Containment - Chapter 5

Chapter 5

"Come in, Mr. Connor," Captain Cantrell said as the chime sounded in his day cabin. It wasn't particularly spacious, but it served his needs. Connor knew the captain needed to spend some time away from the bridge so he could review reports, read communications, and approve rosters. Besides, from his command terminal the captain always had access to an executive summary of what the bridge saw. It wasn't essential that he remain on the bridge while the ship was between stars; his officers took care of all of the routine matters and could summon him back at a moment's notice.

Connor walked in with a frown on his face. He didn't want to risk other personnel overhearing the news of the dead scientist before he told his captain. He waited for Cantrell to finish a report he was reviewing before the older man waved him to the seat in front of his small work desk. Connor advanced but did not sit down.

"Yes, Mr. Connor, what is it?" the captain said, not looking up from his terminal.

"Sir, we found Maxim van Helm dead in the high-vac lab moments ago."

"What?" Cantrell exclaimed, looking up from the desk to face Connor. "How did it happen?"

"We found him inside vacuum chamber number two in the lab. The chamber atmosphere had been evacuated. Security is posted and I have Lt. Kinson beginning the investigation."

"I see. Stay on top of this, Connor. If the emperor finds out we let this team die without delivering the technology to Mutara, he will have my scalp. Your first task is to secure the technology, using any means necessary."

"Understood, sir," Connor said. "Captain, we have reason to believe van Helm was murdered."

"Murdered? What makes you think that?"

"We need Dr. Spinoza to confirm the cause of death, but he could not have put himself in the high vacuum chamber and operated the controls," Connor provided.

Cantrell seemed to think about that for a moment. "Let's not rule out the possibility of human error until you have conclusive proof, Commander. In the meantime, have the science officer continue with the investigation and report your findings directly to me."

"Understood, sir. I'd also like to place security on alert condition two in the event one of the scientists killed van Helm."

The captain met his gaze levelly. "I think that is premature Mr. Leary. Keep me posted. That is all."

With that, Owen Cantrell turned and resumed his position at his desk. Connor knew he had been dismissed, but he was concerned that the captain was not taking this matter seriously enough. It was one thing to keep this on a low profile to prevent spooking the crew, but to not take precautions that bordered on incompetence.

Connor thought about the captain's reaction for a moment. Perhaps he was just too close to what had just happened. After all, he had security personnel in the science lab now. It was also possible that the captain did not want to alert the killer that they were prepared to take the necessary actions to identify him. That might actually be a wise strategy.

"Yes, sir," Connor managed as he turned to leave the cabin.

"Oh, and Mr. Connor," the captain said, looking up. "Please do not take too much of Madison's time. Her primary responsibility is to ensure we have enough Thedrozine converted by the time we reach Mutara."

"Of course, sir," Connor said as Cantrell turned his monitor slightly and resumed his posture of reading reports.

* * *

Connor was acknowledged by the naval sentry as he walked into the biogenics lab. The lab anteroom was laid out in a spherical shape with the various bays jutting off its various spokes. Large monitors and viewports allowed the scientists to monitor various rooms as needed, but he noticed none of them provided a view into the high-vac lab. He walked to a viewport that gave him a view of the lab. It was pristine white as were most of the lab modules. Apparently, someone thought white appeared more sterile which was supposed to be more endearing to people of science.