Heartbeat from Dead "
By: Keighlee Alexi, Engineer , [NPC]

Stardate: 58209.21 0110

Keighlee, who had been taken aboard the Commodore's ship from the tachyon grid generation station where she had infiltrated with other members of the USS Zion's away team, now lived minute by minute in fear that she was only a heart beat way from being dead.

Everything was vivid to her as she work worked feverishly on a computer console, preparing for tomorrow's presentation in front of the Commodore's technology committee. As she worked vainly to figure out how to disguise technology forbidden by the Federation, a voice came from behind.

"Keighlee."

She instinctively turned around. Her reflexes betrayed her.

Facing her, was the Commodore, flanked on both sides by a security team.

The Commodore read from a PADD, "Keighlee Alexia..."

"That's not my name," replied a disembodied voice.

"...Of the USS Zion."

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"We'll find your ship and you'll stand trial with the rest of your traitorous crew."

A paralyzing terror would overcome her body as the Commodore stepped closer drawing his phaser and leveling it at her face.

"On second thought," the Commodore's voice echoed in her head, "why waste time with a trial?"

There was a blinding flash of light.

******

Keighlee pulled the covers of her bedding up close to her chin.

She knew it was just a matter of time before she was discovered. Maybe death would be quick and painless and unexpected, like Alyssa's. More likely, she'd be subjected to torture.

She squeezed her eyes shut tight and drew a deep breath, "oh, God, get me out of here."

Keighlee clambered out of her bunk and sat down at the small desk in her assigned quarters and turned on the computer. At least she had some productive ideas. No doubt the Commodore would do a thorough background check on her. Perhaps she might make it a day or two before his results came back. She decided she needed to make each minute count and went to work on her problems.