<html><head><title>Star Trek: Resistance</title></head>
<body background="../images/tile">
<center><h3>Star Trek: The Next Generation<br>
The Return of Mudd</h3>
<p>
<h4>by Adam Collings</h4><br>
<img src="../images/starship"></center>
<p>
                                   Prologue<br>
<br>
                                 Stardate: 3920.3<br>
                                The Quarnis Sector
<br>
  The Starship Enterprise hung motionless in space.   Fluttering <br>
around it were small shuttlecraft.  Some circled the Enterprise while <br>
others came and went.  In the distance stars twinkled.  Stars that the <br>
Enterprise would soon be flying past.<br>
  Harry Mudd was miserable.  He hated all prisons but this was one <br>
of the worst.  He was inside the brig of a very familiar Starship.  There <br>
was nothing really wrong with this brig.  It was comfortable and warm.  <br>
Harry had seen much worse.  The thing that he hated about this prison <br>
was its location.   Harry was a captive on the Enterprise.  This meant <br>
that he had once again been defeated by his old "friend", James T. <br>
Kirk.<br>
  Personally, Harry had nothing against Jim Kirk.  He thought that <br>
Kirk was a very good captain and in other circumstances the two of <br>
them could have been great friends.  Unfortunately this wasn't <br>
possible.  Harry Mudd was a criminal and Kirk did not like criminals, <br>
to put it mildly.  Harry was a cheat and a liar.  He was an excellent <br>
conn artist.<br>
  This time Kirk had caught him trying to sell Starfleet secrets to the <br>
Klingons.  Kirk had been sent to investigate and had nearly failed.  If it <br>
hadn't been for that pointy-eared freak, Spock, Harry would have got <br>
away with it.  Sadly, Spock's logic had solved the case and caused <br>
Mudd to be sitting in the brig.<br>
Harry jumped as the door slip open.  Kirk and Spock entered.<br>
  "Well Harry, it looks like I've finally got you where I want you."<br>
  "So you have Kirk."<br>
  "What would your wife Stella think Harry?"<br>
  "Don't mention that name Kirk. I can't believe that you did that to <br>
me!"<br>
  "Did what?"<br>
  "Left me on that planet with all of those android replicas of my <br>
annoying wife."  <br>
  Kirk remembered the incident well.  It seemed a lifetime ago but it <br>
was in fact less than a year since the incident.<br>
Just then a red-shirted security officer entered the room.  Kirk <br>
turned to speak to him.<br>
  "Ensign, please escort Mr. Mudd to the shuttle."<br>
  "Aye sir."<br>
  The young officer pulled out a phaser and turned off the energy field <br>
at the entrance to the brig.  Harry stepped out.  <br>
  "This way please Mr. Mu..." began the officer.<br>
  "It's all right Ensign.  I know the way."  Harry strolled out into the <br>
corridor.  He was escorted through the ship to the shuttle bay at the <br>
back of the secondary hull.  Harry felt humiliated.  He entered the bay <br>
and saw his transport to Earth.  The long range shuttle had a warp <br>
engine.  These were fairly new.<br>
  Harry stepped into the shuttle where he was led into a small brig.  <br>
At the front of the shuttle a Starfleet officer sat ready at the controls.<br>
  "Are you ready to leave Lieutenant Grey?" asked Kirk who had just <br>
stuck his head inside the doorway.<br>
  "Yes sir."<br>
  "All right then.  Be careful.  Mudd may be a pain but he can <br>
sometimes be dangerous."<br>
  "Yes sir."<br>
  Kirk stepped out of the shuttle bay and watched through the window <br>
as the room decompressed and the bay doors opened.  The shuttle <br>
slowly lifted off the floor and moved forward, out into space.<br>
  Once it was clear of the Enterprise, the shuttle shot off like a bullet <br>
leaving a rainbow trail behind it.  It was in warp speed.<br>
<br>
  On the bridge of the Enterprise Kirk watched the stars twinkle.  <br>
Knowing that Harcord Fenton Mudd was now on his way to prison.  <br>
He would probably end up in the rehabilitation facility in Aukland, <br>
New Zealand.<br>
  He turned to Spock who was sitting at his science station.<br>
  "Well Spock, do you think we have finally seen the end of Harry <br>
Mudd?" Spock considered this.<br>
  "Judging from his past record I would seriously doubt it Captain."<br>
Ensign Checkov, who was seated at the navigation station turned <br>
around to speak.<br>
  "I sincerely hope you are wrong Mr. Spock."<br>
  "So do I," replied the Vulcan.<br>
<br>
<br>
  Harry Mudd was bored.  They had been travelling for half an hour <br>
and the pilot was not very talkative.<br>
  "Wouldn't you like to put some music on Lieutenant?" he asked in an <br>
annoyed voice.<br>
  "Sorry Mr Mudd.  It will not improve the efficiency of my piloting <br>
so I see no reason to do so."  Harry let out an exasperated sigh.  This <br>
guy was worse than a Vulcan!  Then again, maybe Lt. Grey was a <br>
Vulcan.  Harry couldn't see the man's ears from this angle.  <br>
All of a sudden there was a loud beep.<br>
  "What was that?" demanded Mudd.<br>
  "Oh dear," came the reply.<br>
  "What is it?" Mudd demanded again. <br>
Before the pilot could reply Harry got his answer.  On the <br>
viewscreen he saw a Romulan Warbird decloak.  The ship was large <br>
and menacing and its weapons were armed.  Immediately the Romulan <br>
began firing its disruptors.  The shuttle shook violently.  Lieutenant <br>
Grey fought at the controls, trying to stabilise the ship.  Their shields <br>
were no match for the Romulan's weapons.  He glanced at his controls <br>
and readouts, looking for an alternative.  There was one planet in this <br>
system and they were nearly in transporter range.  The shields were <br>
down to 10%.<br>
  "I'm taking us near this planet.  We're going to have to use the <br>
emergency transporter.<br>
  "For goodness sake, let me out of here!" shouted Mudd.<br>
Lieutenant Grey was now standing at the transporter controls.<br>
  "There is a lot of magnetic interference but I think we can beam <br>
through it."  The Lieutenant ran to the brig controls and released Harry.<br>
  "Go and stand on the transporter pad.  Hurry!"<br>
Harry did as he was told.  The Lieutenant activated the transporter <br>
delay and ran to the pad.  They were both engulfed in bright light and <br>
just as the hull of the shuttle began to tear apart.
<br>
                                   Chapter 1<br>
<br>
                         Approximately 100 years later...<br>
                                Stardate 48355.6<br>
                                     Earth<br>
<br>
  Captain Jean-Luc Picard was restless.  He had been waiting for <br>
several hours now.  He considered going back to the holodeck for a <br>
horse ride or perhaps a game of golf when his communicator badge <br>
beeped.<br>
  "Captain Picard, please come into my office."<br>
Jean-Luc gave a sigh of relief and stood up.  He disliked meetings <br>
with admirals.  He hesitated for a second and then walked through the <br>
door.  The office was similar to his own.  There was a desk at one end <br>
and a food replicator close and handy.  Across from the desk was a <br>
window overlooking the city skyline of San Fransico.  Jean-Luc <br>
preferred the view from his own window.  He enjoyed watching the <br>
stars float by.<br>
  "Please take a seat captain," said Admiral Jeremy Vome.<br>
  Captain Picard sat down opposite the admiral.<br>
  "I have called you hear to discuss a very important mission Jean-<br>
Luc," The admiral began.  He stood up and walked over the replicator.  <br>
"Would you like something?"<br>
  Jean-Luc hesitated.  It was always a bad sign when an admiral <br>
offered you refreshments before telling you about an important mission.<br>
  "Tea, Earl Grey." The admiral nodded.<br>
  "Computer, one hot strong black coffee and one hot Earl Grey tea."  <br>
The replicator made a whirring sound and two cups materialised.  <br>
Admiral Vome took them and handed one to Jean-Luc.<br>
  "This mission involves Federation Security so we are very <br>
concerned.  We believe that a body of some type is stealing Starfleet <br>
tactical secrets and selling them to the Dominion."<br>
A look of concern came over Jean-Luc's face.  "The Dominion?"<br>
The Dominion was a force that operated in the Gamma Quadrant.  <br>
They had been discovered late last year, about the same time that Jean-<br>
Luc had the unusual experience of travelling between three different <br>
time periods due to a superbeing named Q.  The Domion was founded <br>
by a group of shapeshifting aliens and they liked to get their own way.  <br>
They forced order with the use of a military group known as the Jem' <br>
Hadar.<br>
  "As you can see we have a real problem here.  The Dominion have <br>
certainly not shown themselves to be trustworthy.  We still haven't <br>
decided how big a threat they represent."<br>
  "From what I understand, they represent an extremely large threat," <br>
replied Captain Picard.<br>
  "That's right Jean-Luc.  That's why we chose you."<br>
  "I see," replied Picard.  <br>
  "We want you to investigate this and find out who is behind the plot.  <br>
This mission must be very secret.  We cannot allow it to become public <br>
knowledge that the security of the Federation may have been <br>
compromised.  Only you, your first officer, your security chief, and any <br>
other trusted members of you senior staff may know the real reason of <br>
your mission."<br>
  Picard nodded and sipped his tea which was too weak.<br>
  "Your investigation will probably take you many places, perhaps <br>
even into the Gamma Quadrant, so you have clearance to travel through <br>
the wormhole.  We will inform Commander Sisko."<br>
Picard nodded again.  Something made him think that this would be <br>
a long afternoon.<br>
<br>
<br>
  Data looked around.  Everything was quiet.  Everything was dark.  <br>
Occasionally the hoot of an owl would pierce the silence.  The moon <br>
was almost completely covered by black clouds.  Data was on the <br>
holodeck of the Enterprise running a simulation.  He was standing in a <br>
thick forest.  <br>
  A small rodent came scurrying out of the scrub, ran past him and <br>
then disappeared again.  Data crept forward through the dense <br>
vegetation.  He knew it would be coming soon but he had no idea <br>
when.  They were out here somewhere.  Klingon Braghks.  Very <br>
vicious creatures.  They killed with their long fangs.  They were <br>
particularly deadly because of their ability to silently approach their <br>
prey and attack when it is least suspected.<br>
  Data was in no real danger of course.  The holodeck safety program <br>
was active but he tried to forget about that.  An almost impossible task <br>
for an android.  He couldn't just forget something.  It was all stored in <br>
his posotronic network.<br>
  Suddenly there was a deafening roar.  Data swung around to see the <br>
menacing creature behind him ready to strike.  The created leapt into <br>
the air and pushed Data to the ground.   It then began to maul at Data's <br>
throat.  Immediately  time stopped.  Data heard the computer voice <br>
interrupt.<br>
  "Program halted due to holodeck safety program."  Data sighed in <br>
despair.  He hadn't been frightened.  He hadn't experienced terror.  He <br>
climbed to his feet.<br>
  Ever since Data had been reading horror stories he had tried to <br>
experience the emotion of fear.  He believed it would help him to <br>
appreciate the story more.  He had been very unsuccessful.  Fear was <br>
an emotion and Data was incapable of all emotion.<br>
  "Computer, increase the size of the Braghks by 20% and restart <br>
program."<br>
  "Warning, unrealistic parameters have been specified.  Do you wish <br>
to continue?" inquired the computer.<br>
  "Yes," Data replied.  Instantly the animal vanished and Data found <br>
himself standing alone in the forest again.  He was hopeful that this <br>
time he would get a positive response to his test but logically he knew <br>
that he would not.<br>
  Suddenly his Comm. badge beeped.  He tapped it.<br>
  "Data here."<br>
  "Data, this is Riker.  Please report to the bridge."<br>
  "Aye sir.  Computer, exit program."<br>
  Immediately the forest disappeared and was replaced by the striped <br>
walls of the holodeck.  The large doors slid open and Data stepped out <br>
onto the corridor.<br>
<br>
<br>
  Harry Mudd woke with a start and realised that he had been <br>
dreaming.  It was a dream that he had regularly.  It was of a time in his <br>
past.  Almost a year ago.  It was the time when he had experienced "the <br>
change" as he called it.  It was the time when he had travelled forward <br>
through time and had escaped imprisonment.<br>
  Harry's dream always started on the shuttle.  He saw the Romulan <br>
Warbird decloak and begin firing its disruptors.  The shuttle shook <br>
violently.  He stepped onto the transporter pad and beamed down just <br>
before the shuttle exploded.  He remembered the strange contrast that <br>
he had felt just as he beamed down.  He felt the incredible heat of the <br>
exploding ship and then the icy air of the planet below.  The first thing <br>
he had seen was the strange faces of the yellow skinned aliens.  A race <br>
he came to know as Cardassians a short time later.<br>
  The Cardassians took him prisoner.  They accused him of crossing <br>
the de-militarised zone, whatever that meant.  At this time, Harry did <br>
not realise that he had arrived in the future.  He assumed it was still the <br>
twenty third century.  He had never really worked out how it happened.  <br>
Harry always assumed that the magnetic interference had caused a rift <br>
in time and that he and Lieutenant Grey had beamed through it.  Sadly, <br>
he never got to ask the lieutenant about his theory because he died <br>
shortly after in a Cardassian concentration camp.<br>
  Mudd had been treated less severely because he was a civilian.  He <br>
had been taken to a prison where he lived for about a month.  Things <br>
had not looked good.  He had escaped the comfortable prison on Earth <br>
only to end up in a nightmare that the Cardassians called a luxury cell.<br>
After one month the prison had been raided by a group known as the <br>
Maquis.  They had come to rescue some of their captured members but <br>
they took Harry since he was human.  He talked them into letting him <br>
join their organisation with his usual skill.  It turned out that the <br>
Maquis were renegade Federation citizens who were now living in <br>
Cardassian space but were not prepared to accept Cardassian law.  It <br>
was during his time with the Maquis that Mudd learned he was now in <br>
the twenty-fourth century.<br>
  Harry Mudd had not been expecting to work in the Maquis for very <br>
long.  He was only using them to get to freedom.  It worked.  He went <br>
with one of them on a mission into Federation space.  Before leaving, <br>
he sabotaged the ship.  Then when they were dead in space he <br>
blackmailed the Maquis officer into letting him go.  This hadn't <br>
worked the way he wanted it to.  He ended up having to kill the man <br>
with a phaser.  Harry didn't particularly like killing.  He was not a <br>
murderer.  A cheat, a liar, a thief, and a traitor maybe, but not a <br>
murderer.  After a short time he had ended up making contact with a <br>
race known as the Ferengi.  He like these people.  They reminded him <br>
of himself.  They lived for one reason alone, to gain as much profit as <br>
possible.  That was Harry's dream.<br>
  Now Harry was wide awake.  He was still working with the <br>
Ferengi.  He climbed out of bed and ordered breakfast at the replicator.  <br>
He had to get moving.  He had a job to do.<br>
<br>
<br>
                                 <br>
                                 Chapter 2<br>
<br>
<br>
  Picard had just finished explaining the situation to his senior <br>
officers.  He was in the conference lounge.  With him was Commander <br>
Riker, his first officer, Lieutenant Worf, his chief of security, Lieutenant <br>
Commander Data and Counsellor Troi.<br>
  "As you can see we have a very deadly situation.  We all need to <br>
work hard.  Commander Riker and I will divide the problem up into <br>
tasks which will be assigned to each of you.  Dismissed."<br>
Everybody stood up to leave.  Data strolled over to counsellor Troi <br>
who was heading for the back entrance.<br>
  "Counsellor, could I please speak to you?"<br>
  "Of course Data, what is it?"<br>
  "I have been running a series of experiments in the holodeck.  <br>
Attempting to experience fear.  I have used many different simulations <br>
but I cannot seem to understand the concept of being frightened.  Troi <br>
considered this for a moment.<br>
  "This is not an easy task that you have chosen Data.  Fear is an <br>
emotion.  An emotion that you are physically not designed to <br>
experience."  Data sighed.<br>
  "Yes counsellor.  That is my biggest problem.  I have experienced <br>
fear in the past, when my brother Lore transmitted feelings from his <br>
emotion chip into my posotronic matrix.  I know that I had the <br>
experience but I cannot remember the feeling itself.  I have forgotten <br>
what it is to be scared."<br>
  "You still have Lore's emotion chip don't you?"<br>
  "Yes counsellor.  I have been hesitant to use it because of how I <br>
acted when Lore was feeding me with his emotions.  I do not want to <br>
put my friendship with Geordi at risk."<br>
  "I seriously doubt that will happen Data.  You were confused and <br>
addicted when that happened.  You were being controlled by Lore.  <br>
They were his emotions, not yours."  Data was silent for a moment.<br>
  "I also believe that the emotion chip may overload my posotronic <br>
network."<br>
  "Well that's a technical problem outside my area of expertise."<br>
  "Yes, well I believe the use of the emotion chip is not an option at <br>
the moment.  I am simply not ready.  But I would still like to <br>
experience fear.  I am wondering if it is possible without the emotion <br>
chip."<br>
  "Maybe your going about it the wrong way Data.  You are treating <br>
this like a scientific experiment.  Fear can't be treated analytically.  <br>
You just have to feel it.  Let me help you."<br>
  "How?"<br>
  "Trust me Data."  and with that she strolled out of the room.<br>
Data made a confused noise and then walked out onto the bridge.<br>
<br>
<br>
  Geordi LaForge was exasperated.  He couldn't get the equations to <br>
compute.  If he could just make this work then the Enterprise's engines <br>
would run at 10% extra efficiency.  He was nearly there.  Just then <br>
Geordi was saved from exploding.  Data walked in.<br>
  "Ah, just the artificial lifeform I wanted to see," he said cheerfully, <br>
glad to see his friend.  "I am in serious need of you assistance."<br>
  "Certainly," replied Data.  "What is the problem?"<br>
  "Well I've got these equations which in theory will improve the <br>
engines a lot, but in practice they just won't work."<br>
  "All right.  I'll take a look at it."  Data stepped up to a terminal and <br>
began touching the screen.<br>
  "So what went up there in the conference lounge anyway?  Have we <br>
got a mission?"<br>
  "Unfortunately I am not permitted to discuss this with you Geordi."<br>
Geordi thought about this.<br>
  "Oh.  Okay.  Must be something pretty important."  He went back to <br>
his equations.<br>
  Geordi felt uneasy about the idea of secret missions.  He was a <br>
senior officer on this ship.  It was very rarely that the Enterprise went <br>
on a mission that Geordi knew nothing about.  He was slightly relaxed <br>
by the understanding that whatever it was, Captain Picard and the <br>
others would handle it.   Geordi had complete confidence in every <br>
crew member of this ship.  If the Captain asked for his services he <br>
would gladly give them, otherwise he would keep clear of the situation <br>
and give the others room to move.<br>
<br>
<br>
  They were all seated in the conference lounge again.  Picard began <br>
to speak.<br>
  "Commander Riker and I have divided up the individual tasks.  Mr <br>
Data, you will analyse the computers for signs of tampering.  Mr Worf, <br>
you will investigate any security breaches or intrusions at Starfleet.  <br>
Counsellor,  I want you to look into the people who have access to the <br>
information being stolen.  See if any of then have a reason to betray <br>
Starfleet."<br>
  Picard stopped and looked around to room, giving his officers a <br>
chance to ask questions.<br>
  "Captain," Worf began, "Where do you wish me to concentrate my <br>
search?"<br>
  "Starfleet central and possibly Starbase 1.  They seem to be the <br>
most obvious places."<br>
  "Aye sir."  The Captain waited but nobody else spoke up.<br>
  "All right.  If there are no other questions or suggestions, you are <br>
dismissed, and good luck."<br>
<br>
<br>
  Harry Mudd entered the room.  Sitting at the desk was an aging <br>
Ferengi.  He looked up.<br>
  "You're late, Harry."<br>
  "Forget that, let's get down to business."<br>
The Ferengi nodded and pulled out a portable computer terminal.  <br>
Harry handed him a small isolinear rod which he placed into the <br>
terminal.  The two of them looked at the screen as line after line of text <br>
scrolled past.<br>
  "Most of this is useless," commented the Ferengi.  Harry nodded <br>
silently in agreement.   Then all of a sudden the Ferengi let out a high <br>
pitched squeal.  Harry jumped back in surprise.<br>
  "Look at this Harry!"  Harry stepped back up and looked at the <br>
screen.<br>
  "This is very important!  I'm sure that the Ferengi government and <br>
many others would be interested in purchasing this information as <br>
well."<br>
  "But our main customer is still the Dominion?"<br>
  "Of course Mr Mudd.  We are going to be rolling in latinum from <br>
this deal!"<br>
<br>
<br>
  Data sat at a computer terminal in an unused computer lab.  He was <br>
scanning various computer designs and looking at Starfleet's system in <br>
detail.  There was not much of use.  Nothing that indicated an area <br>
where security could be breached.  The entire system seemed perfectly <br>
secure.<br>
  Unlike a human, Data could do this work for hours and not get <br>
frustrated.  He though of it as a fortunate gift.  He continued on <br>
scrolling through screen after screen. Suddenly he heard a voice behind <br>
him.<br>
  "Stop right there."  Data turned to see a Cardassian Gul holding a <br>
large phaser.  The phaser was pointing directly at Data.<br>
  "I am going to kill you Lieutenant Commander," informed the <br>
smiling creature, and then it disappeared.  The Cardassian simply <br>
vanished.  Data was confused.  Then he saw Counsellor Troi walk <br>
around the corner holding a holographic projector.<br>
  "Hello Data."<br>
  "Counsellor, am I to understand that you caused that image of a <br>
Cardassian?"<br>
  "That's right.  Were you scared?"  Data considered this.<br>
  "No.  But I was surprised."<br>
  "Oh," Troi said, slightly disappointed.<br>
  "I thought if I caught you off guard I might have some success.  It <br>
appears that you are simply incapable of fear."<br>
  "That is most unfortunate."  Troi watched Data's face change.  It <br>
almost showed signs of disappointment.<br>
  "You are disappointed aren't you Data?"<br>
  "You forget Counsellor.  I am not capable of emotion."<br>
  "I know that, but I also know how important it is for you to fit in, <br>
you want to become more human, to experience emotion."<br>
  "Yes."<br>
  "So, have you found anything?" she asked, changing the subject.<br>
  "Nothing useful.  I believe the only way that this breach of security <br>
could have occurred is if a physical data capture device was attached <br>
somewhere in the isolinear connections."<br>
  "Well keep working.  Good luck."<br>
<br>
<br>
  Worf was walking  through the corridors of Starfleet headquarters.  <br>
He was talking to a local security guard about several recent <br>
intrusions.  <br>
  "We still can't figure it out sir.  They seem to be able to get through <br>
all of our security.  We have some rooms that are on bioscan access <br>
only.  The computer scans their DNA as they approach the doorway <br>
and they can't get in unless their biological pattern has been <br>
registered," explained the officer.<br>
  "What about transporters?" asked Worf.<br>
  "The rooms are surrounded by an advanced magnetic shield.  There <br>
is no way any type of matter/energy transporter could get through it."<br>
  "And yet there were definitely intruders?"<br>
  "Yes.  Several isolinear rods containing vital information have been <br>
stolen.  We actually have a visual log of one of the intrusions into the <br>
security briefing room.  Bus all of this is nothing compared to what we <br>
think they are really after."<br>
  "And what is that?"<br>
  "Vital Starfleet information.  The exact technical makeup of our best <br>
ships, Starfleet tactical information, frequency algorithms used in our <br>
shields and other information that is classified beyond my level."<br>
Worf let out a sigh.  This certainly was serious.  If there was even a <br>
chance that this information was falling into the hands of the Jem' <br>
Hadar then they had to do all they could to prevent it.<br>
  "I would like to view the visual log of the intrusion," declared <br>
Worf.<br>
  "Aye sir, we can do that in my office."<br>
They walked through a doorway into an office.  The security officer <br>
turned the computer terminal on the desk around so they could both see <br>
it.<br>
  "Computer, display visual log deck 35 section 4 room 54B on <br>
Stardate 48294.6," he commanded.  The computer loaded the log and a <br>
video image appear on the screen.<br>
Worf watched closely.  He could see an empty room.  Suddenly a <br>
humanoid walked into the room from outside the range of the screen.  <br>
The man walked up to a cabinet, opened it and took out an isolinear <br>
rod.  He then walked back off the screen."<br>
  "Computer, end," commanded the security officer.  He turned to <br>
Worf.<br>
  "Where did that man come from?"<br>
  "I don't know sir.  That security recording covers the entire room.  <br>
It's as if the guy walked straight through a wall."<br>
  "All right.  I've seen enough.  I'll copy this recording onto the <br>
Enterprise's computer.  Let's keep moving."  The two of them left the <br>
room.<br>
  They came around a corner just as a man in Starfleet uniform <br>
walked out of a high security computer room.<br>
  "That's him!" shouted the security guard.  "That's one of the <br>
intruders."<br>
  The man began to run.  Worf drew his phaser and aimed.<br>
  "Stop, Starfleet security!"<br>
  The man pulled out a hypospray and plunged it against his arm.  <br>
Instantly he fell to the ground.  Worf ran up to him and felt for a pulse.  <br>
He turned slowly to the security officer.<br>
  "He is dead."<br>
<br>
  Dr Beverly Crusher stood near a biobed holding a tricorder and a <br>
data padd.    She was examining a medical report.<br>
On the bed was the body of the intruder.  Dr Crusher did not know <br>
what this was about but she didn't care.  Her job was to find out what <br>
had caused the death of this man and that was it.<br>
  "Well?" asked Captain Picard, who was standing nearby.<br>
  "He died from an injection of Cromonine, a fast working suicide <br>
drug.  It is about ten times faster working than cyanide.  He had a data <br>
chip hidden in his shirt.  You may want Data to have a look at it."<br>
  "Yes thankyou,"  Picard took the chip.  "This man was obviously <br>
following orders but whose?  Who would give him such fear that he <br>
would inject himself with Cromonine?"<br>
  "I don't know Jean-Luc.  That isn't my area of expertise."<br>
  "Thankyou Doctor."  Picard walked out of Sickbay.<br>
<br>
<br>
  Harry Mudd was still delighted at his good fortune.  He found it <br>
hard to believe that he had stumbled upon something so significant.  <br>
The Jem' Hadar would pay anything for this.  As would many others.  <br>
It was the complete plans for the USS Defiant, as well as the set of <br>
algorithms and equations used to continually modify the shield <br>
frequency of all Starfleet vessels.   The Defiant was the most powerful <br>
ship in the fleet.  These plans showed everything.  How the weapons <br>
worked.  How power was allocated through the warp systems.  The <br>
exact configuration of the ship's computer and all of the ship's <br>
weaknesses.  The Jem' Hadar had captured the Defiant once but there <br>
was still a lot of information they didn't have, plus with these <br>
equations they could fire through the shields of almost any Starfleet <br>
vessel.<br>
  Suddenly Harry felt a tinge of guilt.  What he was doing was treason <br>
to Earth and the entire Federation.  How many people would die <br>
because of his actions.  He quickly threw off these feelings.  He had <br>
never really worried about that type of thing.  When people made <br>
money others sometimes got hurt.  Nothing could change that.  Feeling <br>
guilt over this was foolish.  It was no different than selling Federation <br>
secrets to the Klingons back in the twenty-third century where he had <br>
come from.  Things had turned out well from that.  The Federation was <br>
now at peace with the Klingons.  <br>
  Harry felt slightly annoyed that the one who had initiated the peace <br>
with Chancellor Gorkon of the Klingon High Council was his old <br>
friend Spock.  It was as if Spock was teasing him, saying "you may <br>
have made a little money selling to the Klingons but it just got you <br>
killed and it didn't do the Klingons any good either."  This was crazy <br>
of course.  Harry wasn't dead.  He was just as alive as he was the day <br>
he got caught by Captain James T. Kirk.<br>
  Then another thought popped into Harry's mind.  What if the Jem' <br>
Hadar defeat the Federation and enslave its people.  What if you get <br>
killed because of this!  This was a very troubling thought.  Harry <br>
suddenly wished that he had never started thinking about it.  It was a <br>
serious threat.  Then he looked at the screen.  He saw the plans of the <br>
Defiant and began to think once again about how much money he would <br>
get out of it.  He comforted himself by saying, "Its worth a little risk for <br>
all this money."<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
                                   Chapter 3<br>
<br>
     "Captain's Log.  Stardate 48355.7.  Recorded under security lock.  <br>
   We are in orbit of Earth, working on our investigation of the stolen <br>
   Starfleet secrets.  So far we have found some mysterious information <br>
   but no solid evidence about what is going on.  We will continue to <br>
   search."<br>
<br>
  Several members of the senior crew were sitting in the conference <br>
lounge, Picard, Riker, Troi, Data and Worf.  They were reviewing <br>
progress on their mission.  Picard began the talking.<br>
  "Mister Data, have you had a chance to examine the data chip that <br>
the intruder was carrying?"<br>
  "Yes sir.  There is a lot of information about Starfleet tactics but <br>
nothing that would be valuable for trade.  This information is not <br>
heavily classified and most of our enemies would already know <br>
everything on it."<br>
  "So it was useless to him."<br>
  "Apparently so Captain."<br>
  "So somebody has such control over people that they will commit <br>
suicide over a chip they haven't properly examined, that may be <br>
useless to them anyway," began Counsellor Troi.<br>
  "Yes Counsellor.  There have been many people in history who have <br>
had extreme control over people, Gvot of the Romulan Empire, Hitler <br>
of Earth, Kromon of the Klingons, Frell of the Quarnians..."<br>
  "Yes, thankyou Data, I think we get the picture," interrupted Picard.  <br>
  "The question is who is it that has control over these people, how are <br>
they getting through our security and where are they now?"<br>
  "Captain," said Worf, "I have run a security check on the intruder.  <br>
He was a trader called James Pool.  Known as a criminal by many <br>
species in the alpha quadrant but never convicted of anything.  <br>
Certainly not the person who would try to commit such an enormous <br>
crime."<br>
  "Unless he was offered a lot of money by somebody," put in Riker.<br>
  "Yes Commander.  He was obviously hired by somebody else."<br>
  "Mister Worf, What have you found out about the visual log of the <br>
intruder?" asked Picard.<br>
  "I have run a security check on him as well, his name is Brian Scott.  <br>
I found the same, a slightly corrupted trader who would not have the <br>
ability or the courage to plan something like this.  I still don't know <br>
how he got into the building."<br>
  "So we have somebody hiring all of the traders with a bad name <br>
trying to get as much information about Starfleet as possible."<br>
Picard sat and thought about what had been found so far.<br>
  "Are there any other questions or comments?"<br>
Picard was answered by silence.<br>
  "All right then, keep working.  Dismissed."<br>
<br>
<br>
  The Ferengi ship travelled smoothly through space.  The stars <br>
whooshing past at such speed on the viewscreen reminded Harry Mudd <br>
of the Enterprise.  The ship he had captured twice, once to sell wives <br>
to miners on a distant planet, and once to offer the crew to a race of <br>
androids in exchange for his freedom.  Finally the ship came out of <br>
warp and Harry saw the most unusual Federation Starbase he'd ever <br>
seen.  It had a central spiral which was surrounded by a large <br>
habitation ring.  At three equally spaced positions around the ring were <br>
tall pylons.  Harry walked over to one of the Ferengi at the helm.<br>
  "This is a strange looking Federation Starbase."<br>
  "This is Deep Space Nine.  It isn't really a Federation base.  It <br>
belongs to the Bajorans.  The Federation just run it."<br>
  "These Bajorans have a strange sense of architecture."<br>
  "Actually it was built by the Cardassians."<br>
  The name sent a slight shiver up Harry's spine.  His previous <br>
experience with the Cardassians had not been a pleasant one.  He <br>
looked once more at Deep Space Nine.  Now that it had been <br>
mentioned, he could see a distinct Cardassian Style in the station.  <br>
Before he had thought it looked strange but pleasant.  Now that he <br>
knew who built it he simply thought it was ugly.<br>
  "We are preparing to dock now, I suggest you proceed to the air <br>
lock Mr. Mudd."<br>
  Harry nodded.  It was his mission to secure transport to the Gamma <br>
Quadrant.  The wormhole was not available for general use at the <br>
moment due to the threat from the Dominion.  The crew of Deep Space <br>
Nine had been taking the USS Defiant into the Gamma Quadrant for <br>
exploration missions but a Ferengi Trader would never be cleared.  It <br>
was not going to be an easy task but Harry was a skilful man.<br>
  Harry Mudd proceeded through the hallways of the ship and into the <br>
airlock room.  When the ship was safely docked a beep emanated from <br>
the intercom.  Harry entered the airlock and then stepped out into Deep <br>
Space Nine.<br>
  A man in a brown uniform walked over to Harry.  He had a very <br>
unusual nose and no eyebrows.  The man began to speak.<br>
  "Hello, I am Odo, chief of security on DS9.  What is the purpose of <br>
your visit here?"<br>
  "My name is Harry Mudd.  I am conducting business in this fine <br>
station."<br>
  "Business.  That is why you are travelling with Ferengi is it?"<br>
  "Yes.  I don't particularly like them.  They are prepared to break the <br>
law just for profit.  They do however provide very reasonable <br>
transport."<br>
  "I see.  Well make sure you business here is legal and you will not <br>
have any trouble."  With that Odo turned around and walked away.<br>
Harry silently wondered whether it had been a mistake to give his <br>
name.  He quickly decided that it didn't matter.  He was living almost <br>
one hundred years in the future.  Nobody would have heard of him or <br>
of his reputation.  He proceeded onto the promenade to look for the <br>
location of his first contact.  A bar named Quark's.<br>
<br>
<br>
  The Enterprise shook violently.  Geordi raced to the controls near <br>
the Warp Core.  They were being attacked by a Jem' Hadar warfleet.  <br>
The ship was constantly being hit by torpedos.   The intercom beeped <br>
and the voice of Jean-Luc Picard came over.<br>
  "Mr LaForge, we need more power to the shields.  What can you <br>
give us?"<br>
Geordi looked over his controls in desperation.  Searching for an <br>
alternative.  Data came rushing over to assist him.<br>
  "Captain, I think we can re-route a little power from the lower <br>
decks and divert it into the shields.  But we're not going to be able to <br>
hold out for much longer."<br>
  "Do your best Geordi."<br>
Geordi and Data worked quickly at the controls.  They brought up a <br>
schematic of the ship and began to re-route the power.  The ship was <br>
suddenly shook by an enormous torpedo blast.  Sirens began blaring in <br>
engineering.  Geordi raced over to another panel and began pressing <br>
the controls on the touch screens.<br>
  "Data, the main power relays are down.  The power grid is <br>
becoming fragmented.  We must realign it or the entire ship will be <br>
powerless."  Geordi slapped his Comm badge.<br>
  "Engineering to bridge.  I am diverting all power to shields except <br>
minimum life support."<br>
  "What about weapons Geordi?" came the voice of Picard.<br>
  "In our present state they're going to be useless anyway Captain."<br>
Suddenly there was a large explosion and a cloud of white gas <br>
erupted from the warp core.  The computer began to speak.<br>
  "Warning, warp core breach.  Evacuate ship."<br>
The voice of Jean-Luc Picard came over the entire ship through the <br>
intercom.<br>
  "This is the Captain, evacuate the ship immediately."<br>
Suddenly the engineering room was filled with light as ten Jem' <br>
Hadar soldiers beamed aboard holding huge weapons.  They began <br>
shooting at people.  One of them said,<br>
  "You are not getting off this ship.  We will all die together.  Geordi <br>
shouted back at the man<br>
  "You fool, you are going to die!"  The Jem' Hadar simply smiled.<br>
  "Exactly!"<br>
  Geordi just stood there.  He was powerless to stop it.  After several <br>
seconds it began.<br>
  The entire ship began to shake, and then it exploded.  They all got a <br>
wonderful view.  They saw the hull of the Enterprise shatter around <br>
them only to be replaced by the emptiness of space.<br>
  "Computer, end program," commanded Geordi.<br>
Immediately the stars were replaced by the walls of the holodeck.  <br>
Geordi smiled.<br>
  "If this doesn't scare Data then nothing will."<br>
<br>
  Odo sat in his office.  He had a bad feeling about the man that had <br>
just arrived on the station.  Anybody who travelled with Ferengi was <br>
asking for trouble.  He often paid visits on Quark both in person and on <br>
his security viewscreens.  He decided to test a suspicion.<br>
  "Computer, show me Quadrant 17, Quark's"<br>
  An image of the bar appeared on Odo's viewscreen.  He saw Quark <br>
serving customers.  And then he saw what he expected.  He saw Harry <br>
Mudd enter.<br>
<br>
  Quark's was quite full.  There was a large group huddled around the <br>
Dabo tables.  A teenage Ferengi was controlling  the game from one of <br>
the tables.  Harry Mudd scanned the area.  He saw a Ferengi standing <br>
behind the bar.  He assumed that it was Quark.  It was time to make <br>
contact.<br>
  He sat down on a barstool and waited for the bartender to approach.  <br>
He did.<br>
  "Hello, my name is Hacord Fenton Mudd but all of my friends and <br>
enemies call me Harry.  I'm looking for Quark."<br>
  "I am Quark." replied the Ferengi bartender.<br>
  "Ah good.  I am interested in purchasing some holosuite programs.  <br>
Famous tourist sites of the Gamma Quadrant and things like that.  I was <br>
told that you sell these."<br>
  "Yes I do.  Come with me and I'll give you a demonstration of some <br>
of the programs I have."  Quark turned to a Ferengi with a tall thin <br>
face.<br>
  "Rom, take the Bar."<br>
Harry and Quark proceeded into one of the holosuites.<br>
  "All right, it's safe to talk in here.  Odo won't be monitoring.  What <br>
do you need."<br>
  "All  I need from you is transport to the Gamma Quadrant."<br>
  "Well that won't be easy."<br>
  "There will be a lot of latinum in it for you."<br>
  "I'm all ears."<br>
  Harry looked at the huge ears on Quark's head.<br>
  "Yes, you are aren't you."  Quark ignored the insult.<br>
  "I'll go to work on the computer.  I'll give you a security rod and <br>
then set up a program.  I'll call it Mudd One.  Got it?"<br>
  "Yes, I've got it.  The latinum will be beamed to you by my friends <br>
once I am safety in the Gamma Quadrant."<br>
<br>
  Geordi LaForge stood in the room scanning with his tricorder.  He <br>
was glad to be included in the investigation but he doubted that he <br>
would be of much use.  Starfleet security had already had this area <br>
thoroughly scanned.  They had found nothing unusual.    He was in the <br>
room at Starfleet Headquarters where the intruder had appeared.  <br>
  Geordi had been concentrating his search on the wall beneath the <br>
visual log recorder.  The area where the intruder had appeared.  He <br>
had found nothing but a residual energy trace.  Just like that left after a <br>
transporter had beamed somebody into the area.  This was nothing <br>
new.  He had already read about this in Starfleet's report.<br>
There were two strange things about this residual trace.  One: it was <br>
impossible that the intruder had beamed in.  The sensors would have <br>
shown it, plus the fact that the entire room was surrounded by a <br>
magnetic shield making beaming impossible.  Two: the residual trace <br>
usually dissipates quite quickly, it certainly wouldn't still be there after <br>
several days.  Geordi had no explanation for any of this.<br>
  Then Geordi tried something that Starfleet central hadn't done, he <br>
scanned the other walls of the building.  Geordi always liked to be <br>
thorough.  He didn't like to leave any stone unturned, and he certainly <br>
didn't like to be beaten by a problem.  When the obvious course of <br>
action failed to produce answers Geordi liked to try the unexpected <br>
approach.  Any other person would simply scan the wall that contained <br>
the anomaly and not give a thought to the other walls.  What would be <br>
the point?  But Geordi LaForge liked to test every possibility.  He <br>
wasn't disappointed.<br>
  After scanning the other walls he noticed something significant.  The <br>
physical makeup of the other three walls was slightly different to the <br>
one where the intruder appeared from.  Their mineral content was very <br>
slightly different.  Why would that be?  Of course walls around the <br>
Federation would be different, the walls on the Enterprise would have <br>
a slightly different makeup to those here on the base, but different <br>
mineral contents in the same room?  This was unusual.  One thing was <br>
certain, this required more than a quick glance over with a tricorder.  <br>
Geordi tapped his comm badge.<br>
  "LaForge to Engineering.  Get ready to beam down a small team <br>
with a full array of sensor equipment."<br>
<br>
  Worf sat at the console.  He was examining the records of the two <br>
intruders that had been caught in Starfleet Headquarters.  There were <br>
several things that just didn't make sense.  They had been too careless.  <br>
The first few intrusions had been very professional.  There had been no <br>
sign of them ever being there.  The second last intruder, James Pool, <br>
had been captured on a visual log recorder.  If he had gone to so much <br>
trouble to get into the room almost magically then certainly he could <br>
have shut off the log recorder.  Why had he been so disorganised <br>
compared to the previous intruders.  And Brian Scott had been even <br>
less professional.  He had actually been caught in person, with an <br>
isolinear chip in his possession.  Why had these last two been so <br>
sloppy?  What was different about them.  Worf had to find the <br>
connection.<br>
  The door slid open and Commander Riker strolled in.<br>
  "How's it going Worf?"<br>
  "Not good sir, I am unable to find what I am looking for."<br>
  "What are you looking for?"<br>
  "A connection between the last two intruders, James Pool and Brian <br>
Scott.<br>
  "Maybe you should take a break."  Worf turned, the look on his face <br>
showed that he was genuinely insulted.<br>
  "You mean give up?  Klingons do not give up."<br>
  "No," defended Riker, "I simply meant have a rest, drink a little <br>
Klingon wine, go to the holodeck, and then try again later when your <br>
head has had time to clear."<br>
  "There is nothing wrong with my head Commander."<br>
Riker let out an exasperated sigh.  Why was Worf being so difficult?  <br>
He looked very frustrated.<br>
  "Take a break, that's an order Lieutenant," commanded Riker.  Worf <br>
stood slowly and then strode out of the room without saying a word.<br>
Riker sighed again.  Maybe he had been too hard on Worf.  He had <br>
to admit that he was getting frustrated by this whole business as well.  <br>
He decided to take his own advice and head for Ten Forward.<br>
<br>
  The entire senior crew except Doctor Crusher were in the <br>
conference lounge.  Jean-Luc Picard hated having to exclude members <br>
of his senior staff from important business but so far he had found no <br>
reason to involve Beverly in this mission.  Picard turned to begin the <br>
meeting.<br>
  "Mr Worf, are there any developments?"<br>
  "Yes Captain, I have found a link between our two recent intruders.  <br>
It appears that both James Pool and Brian Scott have been hired <br>
several times in the past by the same person, Daimon Burlt, a Ferengi."<br>
  "Has he ever been convicted of any crimes?" inquired Picard.<br>
  "No sir, like his two employees there has never been enough <br>
evidence linking him to any crimes."<br>
  "What type of things has Burlt tried in the past?"<br>
  "Never anything this big Captain, but we believe he has smuggled <br>
several Romulan spies into Federation Space."<br>
  "Then he obviously doesn't mind making money at the Federation's <br>
expense," put in Riker.  Picard now turned to the other side of the <br>
table.<br>
  "Mr LaForge, have you found anything yet?"<br>
  "Yes captain I have.  I've been examining those walls in the room <br>
where the intruder appeared.  I have found something very interesting.  <br>
The wall where he appeared has a different physical makeup to the <br>
others.  When I examined it more closely I discovered that it actually <br>
had micro fragments of organic matter in it."<br>
  "What type of organic matter?"<br>
  "Human skin mostly.  That made me start investigating in a new <br>
direction and I think I've come up with the answer.  That man didn't <br>
beam into the room using a normal transporter, he simply walked in."  <br>
Picard raised his eyebrow in confusion.<br>
  "Walked in?"<br>
  "Yes Captain, through the wall.  Do you remember that damaged <br>
Romulan ship we encountered several years ago?  They were working <br>
on an experimental cloaking device.  One that not only made the ship <br>
invisible but realigned its structure so that it could pass through matter, <br>
it was a phasing device."  Picard remembered the incident well.  They <br>
had all thought that Geordi and Ensign Ro were dead, but in fact they <br>
were just cloaked and phased.<br>
  "Yes Geordi, I remember."<br>
  Riker's face became a little red with embarrassment as he <br>
remembered an incident when he had been an ensign on the USS <br>
Pegasus and a similar device had been developed by his shipmates.<br>
  "Well Captain, I think that a similar thing has been used here.  A <br>
conventional transporter converts matter into energy, moves it to a new <br>
place, and then converts it back into matter again.  In this case a <br>
transporter wouldn't work because of the magnetic shield.  I think that <br>
the intruder used a phasing transporter.  One that phased the matter of <br>
his body so that it could pass through the wall and then converted back <br>
into it's natural state."<br>
  Picard wasn't sure whether to be pleased or depressed.  They were <br>
finally getting somewhere with the investigation but it looked like they <br>
were up against some advanced technology.<br>
  "This would explain the long life of the residual trace and also the <br>
human skin inside the wall. "<br>
  "Yes," added Data, "human skin is continually flaking off, it <br>
constitutes much of what is commonly called dust.  When the fragments <br>
were un-phased they became lodged in the wall."<br>
  "Thankyou Data." said Picard.  "Is there anything further?"<br>
He was answered with silence and blank looks.<br>
  "All right then.  I think it is time we went for a visit to see Daimon <br>
Burlt.<br>
<br>
<br>
     <br>
                                  Chapter 4<br>
<br>
       "Captain's Log supplemental.  We are travelling at warp 9 toward <br>
      the Jeron sector where Daimon Burlt is conducting some business <br>
      with the local creatures.  The trip will be a short one."<br>
<br>
<br>
  Geordi walked along the corridor of the Enterprise.  He whistled as <br>
he progressed through the decks following the directions of the <br>
computer.<br>
  "Lieutenant-Commander Data is in the corridor to your left," <br>
explained the computer in a business-like tone.  Geordi walked around <br>
the corner and saw Data walking towards him just as the computer had <br>
said.<br>
  "Hey Data, I've got something to show you.  You've gotta see it."<br>
  "What is it Geordi?"<br>
  "A holodeck program.  Come and see."<br>
  Data  followed Geordi along the passageway.<br>
They passed several rooms before they came to a holodeck.  Geordi <br>
walked up to the panel near the door and keyed in several commands.<br>
  "Computer, load program LaForge-5."<br>
  "Program complete, you may enter when ready."<br>
  "Enter."<br>
  The large mechanical doors slid open revealing a perfect replica of <br>
engineering.  Data followed Geordi in.  <br>
  "Okay data,  take your post."<br>
  "Geordi, may I inquire what we are doing here, is this a training <br>
exercise?"<br>
  "No Data, I've got a little surprise for you."<br>
  The doors shut behind then and disappeared to be replaced by a <br>
huge schematic diagram of the Enterprise.<br>
  The intercom beeped and the voice of Jean-Luc Picard came over.<br>
  "Picard to engineering, we are under attack, several Jem' Hadar <br>
warships have opened fire."<br>
  Data immediately turn to leave.<br>
  "Data no, it's part of the simulation.  Now take your post."<br>
Data obeyed.<br>
  "Okay Data, prepare to be scared."<br>
  Data looked at Geordi curiously.  "Computer, pause program."  <br>
  Geordi looked over towards Data.<br>
  "What is it?"<br>
  "Geordi, have you created this simulation to try and help me to <br>
experience fear?"<br>
  "Yeah Data, it's good.  Trust me."<br>
  "I am sorry Geordi but it will not work.  I have tried and failed to <br>
experience fear but without the emotion chip it is simply impossible."  <br>
Geordi looked slightly annoyed.<br>
  "Well couldn't you at least try it?"<br>
  "I could but that time would be better spent preparing for our <br>
encounter with Daimon Burlt.  Geordi sighed.<br>
  "I spose you must be disappointed huh?"<br>
  "No Geordi, disappointment is an emotion as well.  I am incapable <br>
of that."  But Geordi wasn't so sure.<br>
<br>
  The transporter chief looked up from his controls.  He nodded to <br>
Commander Riker who turned to face the rest of the team, Worf, Data <br>
and two security guards.<br>
  "Phasers on stun, lets go."<br>
  They all stepped onto the transporter pads and turned to face the <br>
control panel.<br>
  "Energise."  The transporter chief slid his fingers across the panel <br>
and the away team were engulfed in blue light.  The strange looking <br>
matter stream was quickly replaced by the dingy looking interior of the <br>
Ferengi ship.  <br>
  "All right lets split up.  Worf you take you team that way, Data and I <br>
will take the other direction."<br>
Worf nodded and motioned for the guards to follow him.  They <br>
proceeded through several corridors.  They all looked the same.  Then <br>
they came to a dead end.  There was a locked door to the right.  Worf <br>
aimed his phaser and fired, melting the lock.  He then slid the door <br>
open with his strong arms.  He entered the room first, closely followed <br>
by the other two.<br>
  The room was empty.  There were unusual artefacts around the <br>
room.  A Vulcan ceremonial robe hung on a model.  A carved African <br>
mask.  Worf scowled when he saw a Klingon Bat'leth leaning against <br>
the wall rather than being hung up in the traditional ceremonious <br>
fashion.<br>
  Suddenly a door at the other end of the room opened and a Ferengi <br>
strolled in.  He stopped when he saw Worf and the others.  <br>
  "What are you doing in here?" he demanded as he pulled out his <br>
phaser.<br>
  Worf aimed and fired.  A blast of orange energy erupted from the <br>
Klingon's phaser and hit the Ferengi's hand, knocking his weapon to <br>
the floor.<br>
  "Daimon Burlt?"<br>
  "Yes that's me, and you're trespassing."<br>
  "I am Lieutenant Worf from the Starship Enterprise and I would like <br>
to ask you some questions."<br>
  "about what?"<br>
  "About you stealing classified secrets from the Federation and <br>
selling them to the Dominion."<br>
  The Ferengi laughed.  Worf's comm badge beeped.<br>
  "Riker to Worf, we've found something."<br>
<br>
  Worf looked down at the floor.  A body was sprawled out in an un-<br>
natural position.  Worf turned to Burlt who had the look of innocence <br>
on his face.<br>
  "I don't know anything about that!"<br>
  "I'm sure," said Worf.<br>
He looked back at the body on the floor and then recognised who it <br>
was, James Pool, the intruder that had phased into the room at Starfleet <br>
Headquarters.<br>
<br>
  Harry Mudd looked around the shuttle bay.  He was surprised at <br>
how easy It had been so far.  the runabout was just over the other side <br>
of the bay.  He strolled over toward it.  He was reminded of the phaser <br>
he had smuggled into the station and he hoped he wouldn't have to use <br>
it.<br>
  Harry reached the door of the runabout and spoke to the computer.<br>
  "Execute program Mudd One."  The program that Quark had <br>
provided worked perfectly. The computer responded.<br>
  "Acknowledged.  Shutting down security systems."<br>
The door to the runabout opened.  Just as it did Harry heard a <br>
slurping sound.  He turned around and saw a river of red slime <br>
emanating from a crack in the wall.  Harry watched in terror as the <br>
slime landed in a puddle on the floor and then started to rise and take <br>
human form.  Finally the morph was complete, it was Odo.<br>
  "Stop right there Mr Mudd," demanded the shapeshifter.  Harry <br>
wasted no time in pulling out his phaser and firing.  Odo ducked out of <br>
the way of the beam.  Harry fired in frustration.  One of the beams hit <br>
Odo by fluke alone and left the security chief stunned for several <br>
seconds.  Harry took his chance and entered the runabout.  He closed <br>
the door and took the helm.<br>
  Odo looked up and hit his comm badge.  "Odo to security team 1, <br>
get down to shuttle bay 3 immediately.  Odo to O'Brien.  Shut down the <br>
shuttle bay doors and get ready to tractor any runabouts that escape."<br>
The voice of Chief O'Brien came over the system.  "I can't Odo, <br>
somebody has interfered with the systems.  I'll try to override it."  The <br>
runabout began to lift.<br>
  Harry Started to open the bay doors.  It seemed to take an eternity.  <br>
He engaged the thrusters as they were halfway open and just managed <br>
to slip through the partially opened doors.<br>
  "Computer, set a course for the wormhole."  The computer <br>
immediately took over and the ship moved away from the station.  <br>
There was a bright flash as the wormhole opened in a huge spiral and <br>
Harry zoomed out into the safety of the Gamma Quadrant.<br>
<br>
<br>
  Worf sat in the interrogation room facing Daimon Burlt.  There was <br>
a menacing look on the Klingon's face and the Ferengi was clearly <br>
intimidated.  Worf was becoming impatient.<br>
  "So you still deny being involved in this," growled the Klingon.<br>
  "Of course," Burlt defended himself, "even if I was guilty I <br>
wouldn't admit to it."<br>
  "But we have found the dead body of James Pool on your ship, <br>
along with several isolinear chips containing stolen Federation secrets.  <br>
How can you deny it?"<br>
  "Because it is the truth," the Ferengi screamed.   Worf grimaced at <br>
the high pitched sound.  He turned to Counsellor Troi who was sitting <br>
beside him.  Her face showed no emotion.<br>
  "I think we should take a break now," began Worf.  "Ensign, take the <br>
prisoner back to the brig," he ordered a security officer.  When Burlt <br>
and the ensign had left Worf turned back to Troi.<br>
  "Worf, I must admit that I think he's telling the truth.  He seems to be <br>
totally confused about all of this.  I think he may be innocent."<br>
  "I thought Betazoids couldn't read Ferengi emotions."<br>
  "That's right but I still have that feeling."<br>
  "Well, so do I.  I don't think this pathetic Ferengi has the ability to <br>
do something like this.  He may be being framed by somebody else."<br>
  The intercom beeped.  <br>
  "Picard to all senior staff,  report to the conference lounge."<br>
<br>
<br>
  Picard had just finished briefing Dr Crusher on the situation so far.  <br>
He had decided that she should be included in the mission now that <br>
they were heading for hostile territory.  When everybody was seated <br>
Picard began.  <br>
  "There has been a new development in this case.  Starfleet <br>
command just sent us an update, we are ordered to go to the Gamma <br>
Quadrant.  Several hours ago, a runabout was stolen from Deep Space <br>
Nine.  The man that took it went straight through the wormhole."<br>
  "Do we know who this person is?" asked Riker.<br>
  "Yes.  His name is Harcord Fenton Mudd, commonly referred to as <br>
Harry.  He was a particularly devious conn artist from the late twenty-<br>
third century.  He was thought to have been killed on Stardate 3920 <br>
when the ship transporting him to trial on Earth was shot by <br>
Romulans."<br>
  "Somebody from the twenty-third century?  How can we be sure its <br>
him?  Maybe it's his grandson or something."<br>
  "Security chief Odo on DS9 performed a full biological scan.  He <br>
compared the man's DNA with the criminal record from the twenty-<br>
third century."<br>
  "This is all very interesting but why were we called in?" asked <br>
Worf.<br>
  "Well for a start it does seem a bit of a coincidence that this man <br>
goes to the Gamma Quadrant when we are investigating the sale of <br>
Federation secrets to the Dominion.  But that isn't all.  Starfleet <br>
believes that Mr. Mudd is closely involved in this."<br>
  "Why?"<br>
  "When Harry Mudd was thought to be killed he was on his way to <br>
Earth to stand trial.  He had been caught selling Federation secrets to <br>
the Klingons by Captain James T. Kirk.  Starfleet believes that <br>
somehow he must have found his way into this century.  They have <br>
record of him serving in the Maquis."<br>
  "Just found his way into this century?"  said Riker sceptically.<br>
  "Well Number One, this is not the first time something like that has <br>
happened.  What about Captain Montgommery Scott?  He was the chief <br>
engineer on Kirk's Enterprise but he is now living in this century."<br>
  "Yes captain, but it isn't the sort of thing that happens every day."<br>
  "No, but I don't have any other explanations, do you?"<br>
  "No captain."<br>
  "All right then, lets get busy."<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
  Harry Mudd knew that the crew from Deep Space Nine would be <br>
tracking him.  He had to keep to indirect routes, flying through nebulas <br>
as often as he could.  If they brought the Defiant out after him they <br>
would easily catch up.  The runabout was not particularly fast.<br>
He was scheduled to meet with the Jem' Hadar warship in one hour.  <br>
The information on the isolinear rod had been coded using a very <br>
advanced encryption algorithm.  He would not give  the code to the <br>
Jam' Hadar until they payed him.  He was looking forward to when it <br>
would be over.<br>
  He thought about what he was doing and again he felt a tinge of <br>
guilt.  He quickly threw it out of his mind.  He would not allow his <br>
guilt to get in the way of this job.<br>
  "Computer, load a random track from the computer library under <br>
Earth music."  The computer picked a song and began to play it.  Harry <br>
relaxed and listened to the sound.  It would take away those foolish <br>
feelings of guilt.<br>
<br>
       "Captain's Log.  Supplemental.  We have arrived in the Gamma <br>
       Quadrant and are proceeding toward the coordinates that Deep <br>
       Space Nine tracked Mr Mudd's runabout to."<br>
<br>
<br>
  The Enterprise glided effortlessly through the stars.  Picard sat in <br>
his ready room sipping his tea.  He was prepared for a confrontation.  <br>
The Jem' Hadar were not very easy to get along with.  They could be <br>
very unpredictable.  They would soon be at their destination so Jean-<br>
Luc had little time to get ready. <br>
  This didn't really matter because there was not a lot that the captain <br>
could do to prepare himself for the meeting with his enemy.  Suddenly <br>
the intercom sounded.<br>
  "Riker to Picard. Sir  we are approaching a Jem' Hadar warship."<br>
  "Understood Number One, on my way."<br>
Captain Picard stood and strolled out onto the bridge.<br>
  "Onscreen."<br>
  The viewscreen shifted to show a menacing looking vessel.  It was <br>
faced away from the enterprise.<br>
  "Drop out of warp.  Raise shields."<br>
  The Enterprise slowed down to impulse speed and Worf engaged <br>
the shields.<br>
  "Hail the Jem' Hadar Lieutenant."<br>
  "Aye sir."<br>
  Suddenly the ship on the viewscreen engaged its impulse engines <br>
and began to turn towards the Enterprise.<br>
  "They are arming weapons," exclaimed Worf, his Klingon Battle <br>
instinct causing surges of adrenilin in his body.<br>
  "Red alert," called Commander Riker.<br>
  "Arm our weapons Mr. Worf and lock on," commanded the captain.  <br>
He turned to his first officer.<br>
  "It appears we caught them by surprise Number One."<br>
The Jem' Hadar ship began to fire energy weapons at the <br>
Enterprise.  The bridge shook throwing Picard to the floor.<br>
  "Worf, patch me through to their ship and divert more power to the <br>
shields."  Worf complied.<br>
  "This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Starship <br>
Enterprise.  We do not wish a hostile encounter with you.  Please <br>
disarm your weapons so we can talk peacefully."<br>
The other ship let off another round of blasts and the Enterprise <br>
shook even more violently.<br>
  "Worf, fire torpedos."  Three torpedos erupted from the Enterprise <br>
and sailed on towards the enemy ship.  <br>
  "Minimal damage to Jem' Hadar ship sir."<br>
The Jem' Hadar fired a rapid burst of energy pulses at the <br>
Enterprise.  The front shields glowed bright blue at the impact.<br>
  "Forward shields down to 60% Captain."<br>
  "Picard to engineering, we need more power to the shields."<br>
  "Aye sir," came the voice of Geordi LaForge over the intercom.<br>
  "Worf, lock phasers and fire, full strength."<br>
  The Enterprise fired several long bursts of energy at the Jem' Hadar <br>
ship.  It prepared to return fire once again.<br>
  "Evasive manoeuvres Ensign," Picard said with urgency to the <br>
helmsman.  The Enterprise slid aside narrowly missing the Jem' <br>
Hadar's shot."<br>
  "Fire phasers and torpedos."  The Enterprise fired again causing <br>
damage to the enemy.  Riker turned to Picard.<br>
  "We are damaging them slowly but we're already in bad shape <br>
ourselves.  We'll be lucky to beat this one."  Suddenly a second Jem' <br>
Hadar ship came out of warp, its weapons immediately blazing.  <br>
Picard looked back at Riker, his face showing genuine concern.  Worf <br>
then spoke up.<br>
  "Captain, there is a ship decloaking."<br>
Picard immediately felt a slight shiver of fear run up his spine, if the <br>
Jem' Hadar had cloaking technology then they were in serious trouble.<br>
  "Captain," said Worf, "It is the Defiant."  Picard was immediately <br>
relieved.<br>
  The Defiant let a huge round of torpedos go at the first Jem' Hadar <br>
ship.  It shook with serious damage.  Picard looked at the second Jem' <br>
Hadar vessel.  With renewed confidence he said,<br>
  "This one is ours.  Helm, prepare to initiate the Picard Manoeuvre.<br>
<br>
  The captain of the Jem' Hadar ship looked on.  He had arrived just <br>
in time to help attack the Federation vessel.  He ordered his weapon's <br>
officer to lock and fire with a smug voice.  That ship was damaged, it <br>
didn't stand a chance.<br>
  Suddenly the Federation ship engaged its warp engines and split in <br>
two.  The captain was confused.  There were now two Enterprises on <br>
his screen, which was the real one, which should he attack?<br>
While he was still trapped in his confused thoughts, the closest <br>
Enterprise opened fire.<br>
<br>
  On the bridge of the Enterprise Picard held tightly to the sides of his <br>
chair.  When the debris had settled he said to no one in particular, <br>
  "report."<br>
  "Sir, we have destroyed the Jem' Hadar vessel.  The Defiant has <br>
disabled the first."<br>
  "Convey our thanks to Commander Sisko Mr. Worf."<br>
  "Take us down to yellow alert."<br>
  Worf sent the message and the USS. Defiant turned in the direction <br>
of the wormhole and left into warp speed.<br>
  "Captain, the Jem' Hadar ship is hailing us."<br>
  "Ah, so they finally want to talk.  Onscreen."<br>
The screen changed to show a Jem Hadar.  Beside him was Harry <br>
Mudd.<br>
  "Captain Picard, the man you see here is our hostage.  We will kill <br>
him if you do not surrender immediately."  Picard smiled.<br>
  "I'm not that stupid Captain, I know that Mr. Mudd is working with <br>
you.  He is providing you with classified Federation Tactical files.  I <br>
would ask you to return them."<br>
  "I do not think of you as stupid Picard, but don't think of me that <br>
way either.  You are correct, Mr. Mudd has provided us with <br>
information which we will be happy to use but we still don't mind <br>
killing him.  You have one minute."<br>
The screen changed to show the outside of the Jem' Hadar ship <br>
again.<br>
<br>
     <br>
                                  Chapter 5<br>
<br>
  Picard closed the connection with Starfleet Command.  They had <br>
sent a probe into the wormhole so they could temporarily communicate <br>
with the Alpha Quadrant.<br>
  Picard had explained what had happened and had received orders.  <br>
They were to rescue Harry Mudd.  He was a Federation Citizen so <br>
Federation Law required them to help him, even if he was a criminal <br>
and traitor.  There was also the fact of information.  Harry Mudd knew <br>
a lot about the Federation, in particular about the Federation of the <br>
Twenty-Third century.  Starfleet could not allow the Jem' Hadar to <br>
have him as a hostage who would probably tell all without even being <br>
tortured.<br>
  He strolled back onto the bridge.<br>
  "Status of their shields Mr. Worf."<br>
  "The Jem' Hadar Shields have failed."  Picard tapped his Comm <br>
badge.<br>
  "Mr LaForge, can we beam in a away team undetected?"<br>
  "Yes sir, I can arrange that."<br>
  "Number one, Worf.  Proceed to transporter room 1."<br>
Riker nodded.  The two of them left the bridge.<br>
<br>
<br>
  The Jem' Hadar looked at the pitiful human seated in the cell.<br>
"We have cracked that primitive encryption you put on the data Mr <br>
Mudd.  The Federation secrets are now ours so there is no reason to let <br>
you live."<br>
  "You'll never get away with this.  The crew of the Enterprise will <br>
not allow it," said Harry with very little determination.<br>
  "Don't count on it human.  This isn't your old friend, James T. <br>
Kirk."  Harry looked up in surprise.<br>
  "How do you know about Kirk?  How do you know I knew him?"  <br>
The Jem' Hadar smiled.<br>
  "There are a lot of things that the Dominion knows about the <br>
Federation Harry."<br>
<br>
  Riker and Worf rematerialised in an empty room on the Jem' Hadar <br>
ship.  Riker opened his tricorder and began scanning for human life <br>
signs.  Worf kept guard with his phaser set ready to strike.<br>
  "He's this way.  Let's go Worf."<br>
The two of them began to move but then they both froze.  There was <br>
no explanation for it.  They were frozen with fear.<br>
Riker couldn't scream although he wanted to.  His entire body was <br>
paralysed with fear.  He tried to reach for his Comm badge but he <br>
couldn't.<br>
<br>
  Picard sat in his seat.  Counsellor Troi was beside him.  He tapped <br>
his Comm badge.<br>
  "Picard to Riker, report Number One."<br>
Suddenly Troi gasped.  She felt overwhelmed by emotion.  It was <br>
fear.  He let out a terrified scream.  Picard turned.<br>
  "Captain. bring them out of there.  The fear will kill them."<br>
Picard had no idea what Troi meant but he had learnt to trust the <br>
ship's counsellor.<br>
  "Picard to transporter room 1.  Bring the away team back."<br>
<br>
  The transporter beam faded and they were back on the Enterprise.  <br>
Worf felt more ashamed than he had ever been.  He was a Klingon <br>
warrior.  Fear had no meaning to him.  And yet he had been so <br>
frightened he could not even move.<br>
  Picard and Troi rushed into the transporter room.<br>
  "Are you all right?" they both asked together.<br>
  "Riker nodded."<br>
  "What happened down there Number One?"<br>
  "I don't know sir.  We were just frozen with intense fear."<br>
The intercom sounded.<br>
  "Data to Picard.  Captain I believe I know what has happened.  I <br>
scanned the Jem' Hadar ship and found an unusual device.  I believe it <br>
is a weapon.  It sends out special waves that are interpreted by the <br>
brain.  It seems to induce fear."<br>
  "That could cause serious problems.  Is there any way to neutralise <br>
it?"<br>
  "No Captain, but I do have a suggestion."<br>
  "What is it?"<br>
  "I wish to conduct the rescue alone."<br>
  "No Data, it's too risky."<br>
  "Captain, I am incapable of experiencing fear.  My recent attempts <br>
in the holodeck have proved that.  The device will have no effect on <br>
me."<br>
  Picard considered this.  He didn't like it but he knew it was logical.<br>
  "All right Mr. Data.  Come down here."<br>
<br>
  Data appeared in the same empty room.  He scanned with his <br>
tricorder as Riker had done and then proceeded in the direction that it <br>
indicated.<br>
  He got about two thirds of the way before he encountered the first <br>
Jem' Hadar.  Before he could alert more guards with his communicator <br>
Data aimed and fired.  The phaser beam hit the Jem' Hadar who <br>
collapsed on the floor.<br>
  Data continued.  Suddenly a voice behind him shouted, "Over <br>
there!"<br>
  Data spun with incredible speed and fired.  His reflexes and <br>
coordination were much better that any humanoid.  He hit his target and <br>
sent the guard to the floor.  He fired again and stunned two more <br>
guards.<br>
  Another three guards came around the corner weapons blazing.  <br>
Several beams hit Data.  Sparks flew from Data's arm but he was still <br>
able to function.  He returned fire and stunned the group of guards.<br>
Data began to run toward his destination.  Mudd's signal was now <br>
moving through one of the corridors.  Data came around a corner and <br>
saw Harry Mudd surrounded by three soldiers.<br>
  He wasted no time in opening fire with his phaser.  The soldiers <br>
crumpled to the ground.  More guards came around the corridor firing <br>
wildly.  Data grabbed hold of Harry Mudd, tapped his Comm badge <br>
and shouted, "ENERGISE."<br>
<br>
  The Jem' Hadar captain appeared once more on the viewscreen of <br>
the Enterprise.<br>
  "Your time is up Picard.  Will you surrender?"<br>
  Picard looked back sternly.<br>
  "No.  I will not."<br>
Then screen changed to show the enemy ship.<br>
  "They are powering up their remaining weapons," informed Worf.<br>
The intercom beeped.<br>
  "Data to Picard, we are bac...."<br>
  "Fire torpedos," bellowed Picard.<br>
  The Enterprise fired and the Jem' Hadar ship erupted into a ball of <br>
fire.<br>
<br>
  Picard and Worf faced Harry Mudd in the interrogation room.  Worf <br>
had not recovered from the shame he had felt on the enemy ship and he <br>
was taking it out on Harry Mudd.  Picard had decided not to stop the <br>
Klingon unless he started to get violent.<br>
  "Tell us who helped you betray your own people you dishonourable <br>
lump of slime!"  Harry no longer cared about protecting his business <br>
partners or his fortune.  He had finally realised the seriousness of what <br>
he had been doing.<br>
  "I have been working with a Ferengi named Lurlop."  Picard turned <br>
to Worf.<br>
  "Not Burlt."<br>
  "Burlt?" echoed Harry, "we framed him to keep you off our track.  It <br>
obviously didn't work."<br>
  "Even with the help of the Ferengi, you could not have got your <br>
hands on this information without inside help."<br>
  "Well, we did have an ex-Starfleet engineer working with us.  He <br>
helped us develop a phasing transporter.  His name is Gavok."  Picard <br>
spoke up.<br>
  "But you must have had some inside help.  Somebody in the upper <br>
ranks."<br>
  Harry Mudd sighed.  He had been caught.  There was no use <br>
stopping now, he may as well tell everything he knew.<br>
  "Our employer was Admiral Jeremy Vome."<br>
  Picard looked back in stunned silence.  Jeremy Vome, the very man <br>
who had given Picard the mission.  He was certainly the last person <br>
that the captain suspected.  He looked over to Counsellor Troi for <br>
confirmation.  She nodded.<br>
  The captain tapped his Comm badge.<br>
  "Picard to Enterprise, set a course for Earth and engage at warp 9."<br>
<br>
<br>
  Jeremy Vome sat in his office.  He stared out the window watching <br>
vessels fly around the city.  Over the river he could see Starfleet <br>
Academy.  He had good memories of his times at the academy.  He had <br>
been young and ready for action.  He had wanted to learn to be a <br>
warrior.  The academy had different ideas however.  They wanted to <br>
train him to be a diplomat.<br>
  Jeremy Vome had risen through the ranks because of his great skills.  <br>
He had been a very competent captain during the Cardassian war.  As <br>
his rank changed he saw Starfleet change as well.  The fleet had grown <br>
soft.  It was supposed to be the organisation that protected the <br>
Federation from invasion but they seemed frightened of war.  They <br>
would do anything to prevent a fight.  Jeremy Vome saw this as <br>
weakness.  He identified more with the Klingons than the people that <br>
ran Starfleet.<br>
  Eventually he decided that Starfleet was not what he really wanted, <br>
so he felt no guilt at betraying it.  He thought that he was helping the <br>
Federation by giving information to the Dominion.  By creating a <br>
powerful enemy he was forcing Starfleet to fight for itself.<br>
He smiled.  The best thing was that nobody had any idea what he <br>
was up to.  Not even that fool Picard.  Suddenly his door chimed.<br>
  "Come in," he called out cheerily, taking his seat.<br>
The door opened and in walked Jean-Luc Picard followed by <br>
Commander William Riker.<br>
  "Ah Captain, have you come to give me a progress report on the <br>
investigation?"<br>
  "Yes sir.  I have good news.  We have identified the traitor."<br>
  "Wonderful Jean-Luc."<br>
  "Admiral Jeremy Vome, you are under arrest for treason."<br>
Vome looked back and laughed.<br>
  "Is this some kind of joke Picard?"<br>
  "No sir.  Please come with us peacefully."<br>
  Jeremy Vome considered his options and decided that there was <br>
only one choice available to him, he ran.  Jeremy Vome disappeared <br>
through the back door of his office.  Several seconds later he returned <br>
backwards with his hands up.  He was followed by Worf, phaser in <br>
hand."<br>
  Jeremy Vome looked back at Picard.  A vicious scowl on his face.<br>
<br>
  Picard sat in his ready room sipping a cup of tea.  His door chimed.<br>
  "Come."<br>
  The door opened and Riker entered.<br>
  "Sir, we have been cleared to leave orbit."<br>
  "Good.  Take a seat Number One."  Riker sat down opposite the <br>
captain.<br>
  "Mr Mudd has been sentenced to spend twenty years at the Criminal <br>
Rehabilitation Centre in Aukland."<br>
  "Quite a generous sentence considering his action sir,  since the <br>
  Klingons typically give traitors a dishonourable death sentence."<br>
  "Yes, and the Romulans also give a death sentence but they at least <br>
allow a little more honour to the traitor."<br>
  "What about Admiral Vome?"<br>
  "Well he is in a high security prison.  I don't think we will be seeing <br>
him for a while."<br>
  "I have been reading Harry Mudd's file.  James T. Kirk wrote quite <br>
a lot about him.  Do you think he will cause any more trouble?"<br>
  "I honestly don't think so Number One.  I have also been reading.  <br>
Last Century, Ambassador Spock said that he didn't believe Harry <br>
Mudd would ever change.  He said that judging from his past it would <br>
illogical to assume he could ever be kept honest but I'm not so sure.  I <br>
think this latest experience has really made Harry think twice about his <br>
life.  I think if Spock saw him now he would say that Harry was a <br>
changed man."<br>
  "It will be interesting to see what sort of a person he turns out to be <br>
once he is released."<br>
  "It certainly will Number One."<br>
  Riker strolled out onto the bridge and Picard stood to follow him.  <br>
He hesitated for a moment.<br>
  He wondered if he had indeed seen the last of Harcord Fenton <br>
Mudd.<br>
<br>
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