Breaking the Code - Part 3

Posted on 09 Oct 2026 @ 10:37am by Commodore Jasmine Somers & Master Chief Petty Officer Alexi Michelle

1,773 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: General Sim Postings
Location: SB51 Private Quarters of MCPO Michelle
Timeline: After Tomcat has docked with the Starbase

[ON]

Sitting in the confines of her quarters on SB51 in the early hours of the morning, Alexi took a deep breath. The first of the data crystals she’d decrypted and analysed had given up valuable information on the location of the Terran base that had already been passed on to command. Sometimes she had a hard time keeping what she was reading in these core dumps separate in her mind from the people she knew. Notes on advancement of crew immediately following announcements of the demise of the last person to hold that higher position had not made her sleep very restful the last few days. But that wasn’t what she needed to find.

What she did find was even more terrifying. The incursion of the Terran Empire into Federation Space was twofold. First, they were building bases in various locations from which they would ship various items, mostly Dilithium and Deuterium. There was something they had called ‘Tribertonium’. Alexi had found a description of this compound, but it was way too scientific for her understanding. What concerned her most was that the two bases for the collection and shipping were both heavily fortified, even more so than the first base they’d discovered.

When Dodd had first handed her a couple of data crystals, she would never have imagined what she would find. Then Somers passing over even more crystals had turned what she’d thought would be a fairly simple task into a project of epic proportions and potentially dire consequences for the Federation and the crew of the Tomcat.

Even though the data crystals seemed to be from different facilities, the fact that several key pieces of information, as well as names of Terran leaders, were mentioned frequently in both had the hair on the back of her neck rising. Names of covert operatives that had successfully made their way to Federation locations, reports from some of those same operatives on the damage or destruction of vessels and mining facilities were the last section of data she’d decrypted.

This was information that couldn’t wait. She opened a subspace message and began:

****URGENT COMMUNIQUE****

TO: Commanding Officer, USS Tomcat, Fleet Captain J. Somers
FROM: SF Security Investigative Officer; MCPO Alexi Michelle

MESSAGE:

Pursuant to your orders, I have been working on decrypting data from a series of Core Dumps and Data Crystals retrieved from Terran systems. I have attached a detailed report of those findings. During the completion of this task, I have discovered several items that, if not dealt with immediately, could have dire consequences for the Federation’s survival.

To note:

Names of saboteurs have been listed, along with the facilities or vessels subject to their attacks. As I have not heard anything about these, they may still be in the planning phase, though that is not certain.

There is a chemical model of something the Terrans are calling “Tribertonium”. According to a report attached to the model, this could increase the yield from current fuel sources by as much as 30%. Our own Dilithium and Deuterium resources being rerouted to hidden Terran facilities is cause for great concern. The location of two such facilities used to process said resources has also been identified within the decrypted data.

I strongly recommend swift action be taken to protect the Federation from these Terran infiltrators as soon as possible.

Respectfully Submitted: Michelle, Alexi, MCPO, SF SI

****END TRANSMISSION****

MCPO ALEXI MICHELLE, SI
TDY SB51

- Personal Quarters SB51 -

Jasmine read this report, filed it, opened a Communications channel and added a high-security encryption cypher to it =/\= Somers to Michelle, report to my personal quarters on the Starbase =/\= she said.

Alexi answered immediately, =/\= On my way, Ma'am=/\=
The Master Chief wasn't surprised by the call, but she was surprised to be called to FCpt Somers' quarters. Alexi threw on her uniform quickly since pajamas were just not the right thing to wear for this kind of meeting.


=/\= Acknowledged, Somers out =/\= she closed the link.

While she waited, she looked down. "I suppose I'd better get dressed, would be unsightly for me to be seen by a subordinate in my underwear," she said to herself, put on some sweatpants and a hoodie, put her hair up in a ponytail and sat at her desk.

Some time after the door buzzer sounded, "ENTER, Chief," She said and in walked her Security Investigations Officer. She looked up and smiled "Please come in and have a seat, Alexi. Can I get you a drink?" She asked.

Alexi had brought her PADDs with the full decrypted information. She would not trust her memory to provide any details the CO might ask for. She stood at the door, giving a quick tug of her uniform before pressing the chime. Once permitted to enter she walked through the door, stopping briefly, almost standing at attention before she was directed to a chair. "Thank you, Ma'am," She said as she made her way and sat down. "I wouldn't say no to a coffee, Captain."

Jasmine stood, walked over to the replicator, and looked over to Michelle "Milk, and sweetener or black?" Jasmine asked.

"Light and sweet, please," replied the petty officer as she relaxed into the chair, settling the PADDs onto her lap. She accepted the coffee as soon as it was done and took a few sips to wake herself up. Looking over at Jasmine, she took a breath. "As you know, I have decrypted and decoded the four data crystals. Much of the information was innocuous, on duty shifts and regular maintenance and just the day-to-day information from normal operations. While not terribly vital to our security, it could prove valuable in other ways." She said as she tapped a finger on the PADDs in her lap. "But I'm guessing it's this new substance that I am sure you wish to discuss."

Nodding, "One hot coffee, light and sweet and one tea, standard NATO with two sugars," she said, and the replicator produced two steaming mugs of hot liquid. She picked them up and walked back to the seats, handed Michelle her drink and sat near her with her mug of tea.

Pausing mid-sip, "New substance! I thought it was just Dilithium and Deuterium and general spy information they wanted?" Somers asked.

Michelle took a sip of her coffee before she continued, "Those are all mentioned in the core dump, as well as this other substance. They are also building processing bases here." Alexi looked at the PADD in her hand. "I have a feeling this Tribertonium is not very stable. There is information here about one of the locations suffering a catastrophic incident." Alexi held out the PADD with the additional information: "There wasn't much more than a mention, but it does not look good, even if it can increase the yield of the others."

Jamsine took it and looked at the PADD. "Interesting, I want you to investigate this Tribertonium business. Take your time and be careful; the Mirror Universe denizens are not to be underestimated," she said and added something to it, signed it and handed the PADD back to Alexi "I have just authorised you to bring another in, and requisition needed resources for the investigation," she said and sat back and took a sip of her drink.

Michelle looked at the PADD in her hand and back to Somers, "Did you have someone in mind or am I to find someone?" She knew that to really find out about this new substance, she might have to go to where the Mirror Terran base was processing the minerals. She would need someone who was good in a fight, although she really hoped that would not be needed.

"It will be up to you, Chief, to find someone who can help, now that we are docked at the Starbase. Lieutenant Commander Smithson or Lieutenant Karyn Somers might be able to assist if you need them, or you could try Lieutenant Benson, the CoS, but the final option is up to you, Chief," Somers responded.

"As for this substance, speak to Lieutenant Lee; she is the newly appointed head of Science for the Tomcat. As for accessing the Terran base, it self-destructed a couple of days ago, so there is nothing left to examine," she added.

The SI Officer nodded as she looked at the PADD, "I will see what areas of expertise I might need and find someone accordingly, Ma'am." She made a mental note of the names suggested, keeping her face from showing any emotion about one, Karyn Somers. "The main base may be gone, but there is a chance the others still exist. I would like to get started on this immediately."

Jasmine studied Alexi, and there was that subconscious nerve twitch when she said Karyn's surname oO I wonder! Oo She said to herself.

"Lieutenant Karyn Somers is your new Commanding Officer's little sister, a former Marine like her Sister; now she is Security on SB51. In case you are wondering about the surname of Somers I mentioned, we all have little telltale reactions to certain words, Chief. You subtly reacted unconsciously, I think, when I said, Karyn Somers. After eighteen years commanding a combat ship on the frontier, I have picked up the knack of spotting the slightest of details; it can actually be quite annoying at times," she said with a little giggle.

Alexi nodded as Jasmine gave her the information. "I was curious about the name. I guess I will have to work on that poker face, Ma'am." Glancing from Jasmine to the PADD, she continued, "I will contact the lieutenant and form a team as soon as possible". She was already thinking about who she wanted on this team. She stood slowly, giving the hand holding the PADD a small shake as she spoke. "If there is nothing else, I believe I have some work to do."

"No, there is nothing else, Chief. You are dismissed and free to carry out your tasks, but do not forget to bring your new CO up to date when you have sufficient information," Jasmine responded.

Alexi nodded, "Understood, Ma'am." She turned to exit, her mind already working on what she would need as her feet carried her out the door.

The Captain watched her leave, then returned to gathering her stuff up

[OFF]

 

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