New Orders Pending "
By: Keighlee Alexi, Engineer NPC , [NPC]

Stardate: 58209.20 1100

Keighlee was staring out the viewport of TR-35 once again. Her mind was replaying the conversations from several days ago about earth and other planets that seemed to be paradise.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Lieutenant Thorp who called to her from the bridge, one flight of stairs up. "Starfleet Command is hailing you."

Keighlee felt as if her blood had just cooled a dozen kelvins.

Without a word she somberly walked up the steps and stood before the main display, "on screen."

A high ranking woman appeared and gave Keighlee a curt smile, "New orders Lieutenant."

Keighlee nodded.

"A repair barge will dock in 3 hours. Commodore Barretts is onboard. He will be personally overseeing final repairs to TR-35 and TR-36. When the repairs are completed he has requested that you join him in tomorrow's technology review and present your handiwork to the committee."

Speechless, Keighlee stammered, "I-I'd rather just stay and finish my shift on TR-35 Ma'am."

"You're too modest, dear. Never the less, those are your orders. Command out."

Wide-eyed and terrified, Keighlee covered her mouth and slumped into the chair.

"You okay?" asked Thorp.

Keighlee didn't answer, she just shook her head, 'no.'

Thorp knelt down beside the chair, "Keighlee, its okay, stay focused."

"Th-three hours. Th-they'll be here in three hours. I absolutely don't know what to do."

Thorp took a deep breath, hoping she would do the same. Knowing very little about the specifics of Keighlee's mission, he drew on his Ops training.

"Okay," he said, "we can't compromise our mission. We need them to believe that everything is normal. Can we still do that,"

Keighlee shook her head again, "no," she said, "they'll see the matrix is being reflected and not processed. I'd have to restore the matrix to its original specifications."

"Can you do it?"

"Yes, but then the Zion won't be able to escape without detection."

"Understood. We'll have to cross that bridge when we get there."

"I don't want to go with them."

Thorp shook his head, "It will be alright, we'll find you."

The look on his face betrayed him. Keighlee knew such assurances could not be guaranteed and that Thorp was only trying help her.

"Okay." said Keighlee bravely, "I have a lot of work to do. I could use your help."

***

Keighlee looked at the chronometer. There was less than 45 minutes to go. She had succeeded in overlaying the real matrix and without interruption, started streaming the matrix into the processor. She had left her enhancements in place, removing them might be suspicious.

She carefully packed Max's equipment into her gear bag and looked around. Everything was nearly as normal as it should be.

Now, all she could do was wait.