The Runaway

ACTION

BRIDGE - USS PALADIN

The main viewscreen beheld the sun rising over Earth’s horizon, filling the bridge with morning sunlight. Captain Roberts marveled at the sight, even more so that for a career in space, he saw too few of these.
[Lyson to Roberts.]
“Go ahead Commander,” said Roberts.
[There seems to be some activity going on down here, but we need an overhead view. Can you give us a report of what…on…. fi….*] The communication faded, then cut off. “Mr. Sokolov, what happened?” Roberts asked. The man said, “I don’t know sir. Wait! Somebody could be jamming us!” Sokolov and Roberts looked at each other for a split second. “Red Alert! All hands to battle stations!” Roberts ordered. The klaxon sounded throughout the Paladin, and the ship was filled with red lights and running crewmembers. “Mr. Sokolov, recall all shuttle craft and perform a sensor sweep of the area. Find that Romulan ship!”
“Captain! Shields are not responding!” said the helmsman. Captain Roberts stood up from his chair. “Why not?” he demanded.
Captain, I’ve found the Romulan ship! A distortion pattern. It’s ahead, and I believe they’re moving towards the surface!” said Sokolov.
Sulek turned to the captain. “They are obviously making their move, Captain. It is possible that they have sabotaged some of our systems. I recommend that security sweep the ship immediately, Sir,” he said.
[Engineering to Bridge]
“Roberts here. What the hell is happening, Mr. Kelso?” Roberts said. But before he got an answer, the bridge was plunged into total darkness. Every system, every light, every single electrical component shut down at the same moment plunging the bridge into silence as well as pitch-blackness.
“Mr. Kelso?” There was no answer from engineering. In total darkness, Roberts tried to feel his way back to his chair. Then, the emergency lights came on, only dimly. The bridge crew, in front of dark instrument panels, all turned to the Captain, looking for direction.
[Hello?]
“This is the Captain! Who is this?” Roberts demanded. [Sorry we never met, Captain.] replied the calm voice. [My name is Brian Newman. And I just thought you’d like to know, I’m going to destroy this ship.]


BELGIUM – EDGE OF THE FOREST

“Paladin? Come in. I’m not receiving you,” said Lyson. He sighed, then turned to the rest of his team. “For some reason, we’ve lost contact. Ok, that’s means we take care of this on…” He was interrupted.
[Schmidt to Commander Lyson]
“Go ahead”
[Sir, I was on final approach to the Paladin, but something’s happened. My landing beacon went dead, and then it was as if the whole ship powered down.]
“Roger that, we lost communications as well. Can you see any reason why they powered down?” Lyson asked. [No sir. But there’s something else. I’m may be wrong, but I think the Romulan ship is heading down to the surface]
Lyson froze for a moment. Things started to piece themselves together. “They must have some kind of energy-depletion weapon. Are you affected at all?” he asked.
[I don’t think so sir.]
“The high-tail it back down here and pick us up. Fast Schmidt, fast!” he said. Renfro, the medic said, “Commander, how come they never used that weapon before?”
“I don’t know Renfro. Questions like that have to come later.” Lyson started to gather up his men and gear. “Our priority is getting to that spy before his ship picks him up. Let’s get ready to move.”
“Can’t they just beam their man aboard?” asked a security officer. “Why come down to the surface?”
“For the same reason we need the shuttle. We have the transponder, and we have to get close to the Romulan to lock on to him,” said Lyson.
The shuttlecraft flew down to the surface as quickly as it could, with consideration to reentry friction, and leveled out over the away team. One by one, the team members, five of them, were crammed into the shuttle. “Sir? I think I was spotted on the way down. I was being trailed by what looked like military aircraft,” said Schmidt. Lyson sat in the co-pilots seat next to the young man. “Nothing we can do about it right now,” he said. He studied the panel readout to try and follow the chase that was occurring on the ground. The shuttle’s sensors detected a possible Romulan biosign coming from the lead vehicle. The morning sun was well over the horizon now, making their options limited. Thmulamulan scout could practically land in the middle of a town, and no one would know while it was cloaked. “There’s an atmospheric distortion in the sky above us,” said Lyson. “At least it will be easier to track them for a while.” What could he do? The Paladin was immobile, he couldn’t bring the shuttle out in broad daylight in front of military forces, and he couldn’t intercept the Romulan scout craft. As far as options, Lyson couldn’t think of any.


ROMULAN SCOUT SHIP

The Romulan ship sped down through Earth’s atmosphere towards the spot where they had last detected their man’s signal. It was silent now, and he had missed several reports. They could only assume that he was in trouble. They spent hours easing up towards the area in orbit where the Starfleet ship was, hoping to avoid detection. Then as soon as they noticed the slightest activity in the ship, it went silent for some reason. It was totally blind and defenseless, making a tempting target for even a small scout ship. But the possibility was that it was a trap, to lure them out of their cloak. The Romulan commander decided to proceed down to the surface to retrieve their agent. If the Federation ship were still quiet when they returned, then they would most certainly finish the job.

USS PALADIN - 9 HOURS EARLIER

Before Brian Newman had a stranglehold on the ship, tenuous though it was, his perspective on his situation had changed yet again. Before that, his theories about it were varied, but he never once considered that this was real. The holodeck changed that.

Earlier that evening, Judy Li had taken him to the simulator, and he expected something like the pilots used to fly commercial jets. Instead, he entered a room that was, well, outside. They were in an African plain, complete with the sounds and smells of that scene. Looking back, the door had closed and he was totally immersed somewhere else. He tried not to look concerned or overwhelmed, but instead tried to act with slight amusement. “This is really amg,” g,” he told Li. “How does it work?”
“Well, I’m no expert, but it has to do with converting energy to matter on the molecular level,” she said. Newman performed a small experiment, just to see if they could anticipate his requests. They very well could be located in Africa, and have told him that he was on a ship. “Could this ‘holodeck’ generate a…purple unicorn?” he asked. “Sure. Just ask the computer. Say, ‘Computer…’ and then state your request,” she said, clearly thinking that Brian was enjoying himself. Newman looked up towards the ceiling and said, “Computer, place a purple unicorn in front of me.”
And it was there.
“Neat,” he said.
*My God,* he thought.
The strange animal, completely out of place on an African plain, or anywhere else for that matter, changed the situation dramatically.
After looking around and listening to Judy’s explanation of different scenario simulations, he politely told her that he was tired and wanted to get some rest, which was actually true, but there would be no sleep tonight. She walked him back to his quarters, with two security men in tow, and thanked her for her help. “I’m sorry you can’t stay Brian, but I’m sure you want to get home soon,” she said. Already, Newman could tell she was starting to like him, to sympathize with him and falsely read the persona he was displaying. Now she was easier to manipulate. “Thanks,” he said, smiling and looking into her eyes. He had thought about trying to make romantic overtures to her, to get Judy Li to become attracted to him. But given the time he had, it wasn’t practical. Besides, it would either happen, or it wouldn’t. It was really up to Judy. He took her hand, and looked solemnly at her. “Thanks for the talks. They really meant a lot to me, Judy,” he said. “It was my pleasure Brian,” she said, and she squeezed his hand every so slightly. *No, the pleasure was all mine,* he thought slyly.


After he was alone in his quarters, he started to modify his escape plan. He had to, as he looked out the window and for the first time saw the faint outline of the Earth as the sun barley illuminated the far horizon into a dark red line. It was hard not to stare and be struck by the wonder and beauty of it, but there was work to be done. He started by getting something to eat, and then said “Computer…explain the purpose of this ship.” The feminine voice responded, and it went from there. For the next 6 hours, Newman talked to the computer. What kind of weaponry was on board? What was the crew compliment? Who was in command? The officer’s profile, Judy Li’s profile, the Romulans and so on. What was the main power source? Where was it located? He would continue, always until he hit a wall.
[That information is restricted]
Newman would then back up, and try rephrasing the questions, trying not to be too specific, but to garner information about sensitive areas of the ship. He would experiment, asking the computer different questions relating to the same things. For hours, even in the bathroom, he continued. After a couple of hours of interrogation, he finally had at least the beginnings of a plan. Then he started to ask more specific questions, all that would help him carry out that plan. Eventually, exhausted, Brian fell asleep. After a couple of hours, the morning sunlight started to creep in his window and he awoke, more refreshed than he expected. The reason was that he was excited. He was going to work again.
He checked to make sure that the computer and the programs he created were still ready. It was amazing that he had access to this sort of technology. They must have all taken it for granted. “Computer,” he said. “Run program Archangel”
[Acknowledged]

USS PALADIN - OUTSIDE VIP QUARTERS

As luck would have it (at least it was lucky for Newman), the guards were still 30 minutes from changing shifts outside the VIP quarters. That meant that they were tired, bored and thinking about everything else except Newman. [Excuse me, guys?] One of the guards turned and pressed the intercom beside the door. “What is it?” she said.
[Is there supposed to be a yellow gas coming from the air vents?]
The two guards looked at each other, and the one that answered the call, an ensign, said “Hold on a moment.” She looked at her partner, who was yawning. “I’ll check it out. You call it in, just to be one the safe side.” The other man acknowledged and tapped his comm badge as the woman entered the room. She looked around, but did not see any yellow gas anywhere, nor did she see the man who was in here. “Sir?” she called. There was no answer. She placed a hand on her phaser and went deeper into the quarters. “Mr. Newman, please come out where I can see you,” she said. Still, there was no answer. She began to search around the room, eventually heading into the bathroom area. The shower was running, steam from the hot water filling the room. “Mr. Newman? Are you in here? It’s ensign Levalle. I got your report,” Still nothing. She withdrew her phaser now, and checked the charge. She thought she could see someone in the shower, but it was hard to tell. Readying herself, she opened the shower door. There was a bunch of towels hanging inside, but Mr. Newman wasn’t there. She turned to leave the room and report this, and as she turned around, there was a man standing in front of her wearing nothing but a towel. She jumped back, startled a little. “What going on?” said Newman. “I was just going to take a shower.”
Levalle ld a d a little embarrassed, but lowered her phaser. “Where were you? I was calling…” At that moment, Newman dropped his towel, leaving him as naked as the day he was born. Levalle couldn’t help but staring, looking even more embarrassed, and started to turn her head away. That moment’s hesitation was all that Brian needed. He brought his right leg out, slightly behind her right leg and at the same time pushed her to his left with both hands, tripping her over his stretched leg. Levalle fell, and as she did Newman took the phaser easily from her hand as she reflexively brought her arms out to stabilize herself. Taking it in his hand, he clubbed her on the side of her temple, knocking her out. The whole thing took less than 10 seconds.
Newman stripped her down, and placed her in a closet. He tried to put on her uniform, but it was too small. Her comm badge chirped as he held her uniform. [Levalle, what’s your situation?] Newman ran out of the bathroom and over to the front door, tapping the badge and replying. “You’d better come in here,” he coughed, sounding like he was choking on something. The young man entered the room, and Newman, who was standing right beside the door, grabbed him by the back of the neck and rolled him onto the floor. He followed by a kick to the face, and another knock to his temple with the phaser. Newman took this man’s uniform, and although it looked a little too small the fabric seemed to stretch to conform to his size. He made sure both bodies were secure and hidden, and then said “Computer, initiate Phantom program.”
[Acknowledged.]
The Emergency Medical Hologram appeared beside him, but instead of the doctor, it was Brian Newman. Newman, in his computer inquisition, had found a way to copy the hologram and give it his personality and appearance. “Now stay here and be a good boy,” said one Newman. “Ok. Good luck,” the other replied, and then strode over to the couch and picked up a book. Now it was time to go.
This plan was enormously complicated, filled with the potential for capture or even death. He could just make his way to a transporter pad, then set down anywhere. But he had to make sure that no one came looking for him again. He didn’t know about this Federation, and the whole back-story, but Brian Newman was fed up. Fed up with secret missions, fed up with Russians, fed up with Americans, fed up with being a prisoner. He was tired of it all. It was going to end today. He would get to a transporter all right, but not long after, this ship would be history.

Dressed in a red uniform with one gold, and one black circle on his collar, he went out into the hallway. He didn’t know if he had to salute anyone with more rank than he had, but he could figure that out as he went. Brian knew exactly where to go first. As he passed down the hall, no one even gave him a single glance. He had cleaned up before he left, and to everyone else he appeared to be just another security officer. He entered the turbolift and said “Engineering.” Sine there were now ‘two’ of him, they wouldn’t be looking for him, so he had all the time he wanted.
When the doors shut, he said, “Computer, initiate command override ‘Purple Unicorn’”
[Acknowledged]
The plan was for Newman to generate his own computer access codes. These codes essentially gave him control of the ship, at least for a little while. It took most of the night to talk to the computer, but it had been possible. He was able to have the computer generate voice patters of the Chief Operations officer, and then simply used that pattern to command the computer to give him the new codes. They were basic, but he eventually was able to build up access until he had total control. He was surprised that some computer engineer hadn’t counted on that possibility, but then no one probably had theiencience to talk to a computer for 8 hours non-stop. Too bad for them.
When the Purple Unicorn program initiated, the computer would recognize only Brian Newman as the ‘real’ crewmember of the Paladin, and everyone else would be an intruder. All he had to do was walk into Engineering, start to take control. As soon as someone called for security, they would see it was him. Then there would be the few moments of confusion, but eventually, they would call for the computer to initiate counter-intruder programs. Which, of course, would counter everyone else but Newman.
The turbolift stopped and Newman walked out into the main engineering deck. It was quite impressive, and he saw his obj objective glowing in the center. The waore.ore. “Can I help you Lieutenant?” Kelso said behind him. Newman turned casually, and noticed that the man had 3 circles, probably the Chief Engineer. “Maybe sir,” Newman said. “We had a report that a Romulan spy might try to beam aboard. I though I would come down here and make sure everything was all right. Have you seen anything unusual?” Newman decided to act aggressively and put the people he met on the defensive. Then they were less likely to be suspicious. Act like you know what you’re talking about, and that’s exactly what people think. Kelso thought for a moment. “No, everything’s fine. No one has told me about that report. Where did it come from?” Kelso asked. Newman shrugged. “I don’t know sir. I fol follow orders. Mind if I take a quick look around?”
“Sure. Go ahead,” said Kelso. Then he walked back towards an office, and Newman started a leisurely patrol around engineering.