Galaxy Garrision HQ:
"Now let us see here.." Zarkon said as he sat at Amalgamus' 'desk' or rather 'workspace.' There was the standard Garrison computer recessed into the desk, although technically, Amalgamus, being the most highly evolved in machine technology, really didn't need the set-up. However, his various assistants did, and Zarkon, being Amalgamus' right hand man, certainly had need of it this day.
"Ah, here it is.." Zarkon smiled slightly. "Ship's log of the Victorious..now lets see what little secrets you can give out, hm?"
Zarkon typed in some keywords.
Clearance priority One- Access PIN code?
Zarkon smirked. Child's play! He entered in Amalgamus' pin code.
-Access approved- Welcome Amalgamus.-
Welcome indeed. Zarkon typed in a few more codes and he was able to access the on-board ship's cam. He saw the interior bridge of the Victorious and of course the various Garrison personnel.
"Sir! Her ship is powering up."
"Fire on her bow - careful not to hit those engines! Collins, they may be trying to warp. Get the code if you can. Omega Squadron! Continue to fire upon the ship! Disable it!" The captain barked the orders quickly. It was plain that he was nervous.
"Aye, aye, sir." Various voices replied in answer.
Zarkon watched and listened closely.
"Her ship is not responding, sir - wait! She's punched in code.."
"Well GET it already!" The captain had been quite agitated by that time. All this trouble for an idealistic princess.
"Dammit, say it already.." Zarkon grumbled under his breath.
"Sir?" A voice said. Zarkon nearly reached for his sidearm. Zarkon looked up and saw that it was one of the lower level assistants. He quickly put the screen on sleep mode and pasted a smile on his face.
"Yes? May I help you, Taitia?" Zarkon folded his hands on the desk.
"Um, I'm looking for Amalgamus. I have some important hardcopy that require his signature."
"Ah, well, he is in a meeting I believe, with the Quaarlean Ambassador. Something about some missing lazon. Nasty business." Zarkon made a face of disapproval. "However, I can see that he receives the hardcopy to sign."
Taitia looked a little unsure.
"If you are a little distrustful, I don't blame you, my dear." Zarkon got up from the desk.
"Oh no, no, not that." Taitia stammered. She didn't want it to seem that she wasn't giving Zarkon a fair chance. After all, he was on their side now and he was openly for the peace process and all that.
"I know. We shall just place these in his secure data files. Would that suit you?" Zarkon asked.
Taitia looked relieved. That would work. Data files were only accessible to those with high priority clearances.
"Yes, I think that will be fine." Taitia smiled.
"Good, my dear. I'll just take those.." He deftly plucked the hard copy from her hands, walked to a panel and placed the copies in the slot. A moment later, the hard copy data was turned into e-data, which would then be processed and 'signed' by Amalgamus.
"Thank you very much." Taitia said. "Well, I must get back to work now." She didn't admit it, but Zarkon made her a little nervous. He was still quite fearsome looking.
"Of course you do, my dear. We all must work for the betterment of everyone!" Zarkon led her out of the office. "And thank YOU for bringing those by."
"Sure!" Taitia smiled and then quickly went down the hall. Zarkon watched her go with relief. He hoped for no more distractions this day, but he wasn't about to lock Amalgamus' office - it would look too obvious. He would of course take a look at that important data he recieved. Depending on what it was, he could alter it and then Amalgamus would sign the documents. Zarkon smiled. Already Amalgamus had signed quite a few documents that were diverting electronic funds to various 'projects' of Zarkon's. A fleet cost much to build, and he wasn't about to touch the hidden riches he still had from Doom. In fact, he had just located just where the Castle of Doom was - just outside the Azure nebula, hidden in a black hole which he suspected was Hagar's doing.
Speaking of the old witch, she had been in hiding too long. Soon he would need to bring her out but that would be when his plans were in full swing and not before. No, he needed to establish himself as more than Amalgamus' lackey. Already he was slowly but surely becoming indespensable to Amalgamus and to the higher ups in Garrison. Some were already clamoring for him to run for the office of Minister of Peace - which of course he was politely turning down in his most modest and humble fashion. Only when the clamor became a roar would he accept the challenge and when that time came, he would make sure that he would win.
But back to the business at hand. He went back to the desk and reactivated the screen from sleep mode. It had paused the action on the screen, so Zarkon entered in a command and it started at the just before it cut off before. Although punching in the command was a bit old fashioned, he did not care to use the speech feature - less for prying ears to hear.
"Sir, I have the code..but it makes no sense.."
"What IS it!" The captain was VERY agitated now.
"Vector 4.500...C - i - e - Dammit! It's scrambling up sir!"
Zarkon slammed his fist on the desk in frustration. Vector 4.500 was clear on the other side of the galaxy, actually closer to the quadrant where Planet Doom lay. Zarkon's eyes suddenly widened and he replayed the loop again. After that, he covered up his inquiry by feeding the computer a set of commands that would erase all records of the inquiry or log in. He did the same to the office cam, making it look like all Zarkon did was deposit some hard copy on Amalgamus' desk instead. Zarkon had to admit he had learned much about tampering e-devices since coming to work for the Garrison.
But he had the feeling that the answer of where his son and the princess was at the very tip of his memory. He just needed to think upon it.
Blind Faith - Chapter Twenty-three
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