Trapped inside
Right behind the Romulans there was Cpt. Kostavos. “Kostavos”, I shouted, “what’s that all about?” With a silent buzzing sound something like a camouflage-device gave up its work and revealed the true heritage of Cpt. Kostavos. “My name is Commander Jarun.” Then he turned to his crewmen. “Take him to the interrogation chamber.”
Meanwhile back on the U.S.S. Orion
Cmdr. MacKinnon was sitting in the big chair, when Lt. Lantrys spoke up: “The Romulan ship is hailing us.” - “Put them on the view screen.” The picture cleared up and Cpt. Kostavos came into view. “Captain Kostavos. What can we do for you? Is everything alright?” - “I am afraid not everything is alright, Commander. We offered your Captain a little snack, which obviously was not to his likings. He is currently in our medical bay, where our doctor is treating him. There is no need to be concerned.” - “Can I speak to him?” - “Oh, I am sorry, but that won’t be possible right now. He is, ah, how shall I put it, … choking his guts out. I will let you know, when his condition is back to normal. Vex’ra out.”
That was not what Jade had anticipated. “Lieutenant Lantrys!”, she called, “would you please check the starfleet record on that Captain Kostavos?” - “Right away, sir.” A few moments later, Alexa had found the record: “Commander. Captain Kostavos was reported missing four months ago. His ship was on patrol near the romulan neutral zone, when their sensors picked up an unusual signal. Captain Kostavos was leading the away team to investigate, when he was beamed off the shuttle, by a cloaked vessel. His crew conducted an extensive search of the area…” - “Are you saying, that he was abducted by the Romulans?” - “I guess it comes to that, if you put one and one together.” - “So either Kostavos was turned around by the Romulans, or it’s an impostor, that just looks like Kostavos, or maybe we are being tricked another way.” She reflected for a few moments, on how the issue could be resolved, and then suddenly called out: “Get me Kostavos on the screen, or whoever he might be!” - “The Vex’ra is not responding to our hails, Commander.” - “Open a channel! This is Commander MacKinnon of the Federation star ship Orion. I demand to speak to Captain Martin immediately!” - “You have nothing to demand female”, came a voice out of the speakers. Then the Warbird had gone to warp and had activated its cloaking device.