Star Trek: Erin

Part 10: Evidence

     My steps slowed as I neared Sprite. I need to decide how to handle this. The time-lock is probably almost gone. Five or so minutes probably. I rubbed my face. If Marple heard that conversation with Glasgow, I might have someone who believes the insanity that just happened. Besides Sprite. I turned off my communicator. The link had been established but no response came from Marple. I sighed heavily.

     "Cobos."

     I whirled and wrapped my arms around Nowak's shoulders. "Why'd I have to rescue you so damn soon?"

     He slowly returned the hug before stepping back. "Thank you, but you should not have. Glasgow was our only proof."

     Normally I would be offended, but Nowak never meant to offend. I gestured vaguely down the hall. "People like him are unpredictable. I didn't want to risk him killing you anyway. At least you lived this way."

     He clasped my shoulder. "Thank you for saving my life." He glanced towards Munitions. "So, the visit to Engines was... eventful."

    Right. He knows now. "Sprite killed Lieutenant Tetra when he found out she was the Section 31 traitor. I—I don't know what to do." Part of me was glad to have someone to confide in.

     Nowak nodded thoughtfully, but he seemed a bit paler than usual. "I thought at much. He will be court-martialled."

     "Except there's no evidence. It would be my word against his." I ran a hand through my hair and winced as my nails scraped dry blood. "And the fact that no one will be able to find Tetra."

    "What is Sprite's attitude towards his actions?"

     "Doesn't give a damn."

     "Ah. Messy."

     I sighed. "You're telling me. I guess the choice is turn him in or say nothing."

     "We will be disgraced for losing the bomb, so I doubt we will be believed." Nowak's shoulders dropped. "It would be easy to do nothing."

     I wanted to scream. "It's not right."

    "Justice will find him one day. Trust in that."

     I tilted my head. Life is often poetic. We're in a corner with no proof but the moral high ground. Can I trust, just this once, that one day Sprite will learn this was wrong? It went against everything I'd done since I decided to join Starfleet. I'd been making my own destiny since Day fucking One. I'll never condone murder, and I'll never forgive Sprite. "I can't do nothing, Nowak."

     He dipped his head. "I know."

     We resumed walking and quickly reached Munitions. Sprite wasn't there.

     Marple was. "Get in here now." He turned on his heel and disappeared into the depot. I exchanged a look with Nowak. We followed. Our supervising officer was standing by the empty cradle, one foot tapping. "You both left your post, munitions were stolen, and now I receive half a cryptic conversation. Explain why I shouldn't court-martial you."

     "Because we're nice?" Nowak elbowed me. Oh, right. I snapped to attention. "Sir. There was a localized temporal disturbance created by an organization calling itself—" The lights flickered. Not on and off, but from their usual warm glow to a brighter fluorescent, then back. "Did you see that?"

     Marple's scowl deepened. "Quit stalling, ensign."

     Nowak's hand went to my shoulder. "I did."

     The lights flickered again, and in their briefly different light, I saw the munitions depot was much more stocked. "What the hell?"

     Marple's eyes widened. He'd finally realized we weren't joking. "Describe what's happening, ensigns."

     "We're seeing another version of this room, sir. Different lights, more munitions."

     "And you are not in it, sir."

     The lights flickered again, and I saw it too. Marple wasn't there, but Nowak was in my peripheral. "Confirmed, sir." I kept my voice steady. Whatever's happening, I'm sure it's Section 31. "Your orders?"

     Marple looked very unsure. "I'll call it in, and we'll work from—"

     I reflexively shielded my eyes as the lights blazed into cold fluorescence. And stayed that way. Nowak's hand left my shoulder. I swore. "Looks like Section 31 shut us up."