Entering the command center, Greta scanned the large screen showing blips in a grid pattern surrounding most of the planet. The grid she had no idea was there when she dodged between the various moons surrounding Engari.

"I had no idea you had a satellite net."

"Ah, Captain, you wouldn't have been able to hear them. They were turned off after the last of the lizards died." Commander Qwalto said as more of the tiny blips appeared. "They aren't as close together as it seems here. Their altitudes and orbits vary to account for the various moon orbits as well."

"I would like to introduce you to Admiral Larson, Commander Qwalto."

The massive Engari gave a sharp trumpet-like blast, and she saw her father wince. The entire indigenous crew stood at attention, trunks to their foreheads beside their ears.

Greta wondered if her father realized the honor they bestowed on him.

"At ease."

Everyone relaxed at Admiral Larsen's command.

"You honor, me, sir." He saluted as he faced Qwalto.

"Without your quick-thinking daughter, we would be in a dire situation once more. No doubt the Lazaurians have not forgotten their defeat here. There is much to discuss, including shore leave for your troops, if you wish."

"When is the next sonic storm?"

"This is the issue. We will have to dodge them. I believe the program we gave Engineer and Pilot Rasta Marley will protect the larger ships as well, sir."

Greta stayed listening to their conversation, making notes on her wrist unit. When it pinged a red request she looked up and waited for a break in the proceedings.

"Commander, Admiral, Vice Admiral Acosta requests my presence aboard the Jenny. I suspect she will want to remove me from the planet and take my place."

"And she will claim nepotism on my part if I don't comply. There's a reason she is in command of an exploration and research vessel and not in the military arm of the Federation."

Her father tapped a quick message on his own wrist unit, and hers turned green.

Orders withdrawn. Greta could feel the resentment.

"Your vessel will come aboard the Yeager. I am writing orders to absorb it and your crew into mine," her father informed her. "Aida is ambitious, but she will not use your good fortune for her own nefarious purposes. Her academy record was barely adequate."

Greta saluted her father. "Thank you."

"Well deserved, Captain. Go inform your crew. My chief engineer is already asking questions about your solutions, Commander."

As she went toward the door, Ptrelto arrived with two of the other council members. She returned to her father's side as the towering silvery Engari leader made her way toward Qwalto.

Freddie turned from his station to salute her before the others were aware of her presence.

"As you were." Ptrelto found a seat toward the rear of the command center along with her companions. "I have received a message from Vice Admiral Aida Acosta informing me Greta will be withdrawn as my liaison."

"You will find those orders have been rescinded. She oversteps her authority with me here Ptrelto," Greta's father stated. "If she continues with this behavior, or if she approaches you, be wary. We did not expect an emergency to emerge at this point in our explorations, or she would be on a supply run instead of your space port."

"Understood. Not a problem until she is a problem. Do you have an image?"

"All of you memorize this face," Qwalto ordered as picture of the petite officer was displayed. "This human will not be allowed into our facilities. I've transmitted the image to your security detail as well Ptrelto."

"This isn't the same person I know as my commanding officer, Admiral," Greta said as she studied the officer with a short dark hair cut. "She has never worn her hair like this. She is proud of her heritage and wore her hair woven in a braided coronet. Permission to display my last official ident image from when I came aboard the Jenny."

"I'll retrieve it from our data base," Freddie's clawed hand flew across the keyboard at the science station.

There was no mistaking the images on the command display were two different people. Over six inches in height differences and their skin tones and faces were unique.

"What has happened aboard the Jenny?" Greta asked.

"Let me download the logs," Freddie offered.

"Make it so," Admiral Larsen commanded. "This is an unusual circumstance. We need to understand what transpired.

"There are blocks in place. Captain, we need your skills." Freddie said. "They are hiding something."

"Permission to return to my ship. I need my system there. I have specialized tools I need," Greta requested.

"If you are unsuccessful, my team will aide you," Ptrelto said. "As a cautionary measure we will insist the crew of the Jenny remains aboard until we assess the matter."

Qwalto nodded. "Agreed. Admiral?" His trunk extended toward Greta's father.

"Definitely. There is something wrong aboard the Jenny. We'll get to the bottom of it shortly. Captain Larsen permission to leave. Use your talents expediently."

"Yes sir. I should have your answer within a few hours. I'll update you all on my progress."

Greta saluted and spun on her heel. Aida Acosta was power hungry, and a stickler for using any breach of protocols to her advantage, but she was missing and imposter was at her helm.

Taking the door into the hanger she strode across the floor to her tiny ship. Noting the presence of Zodera, Ptredor, and Zbera in the vast expanse of the shelter, she waved them over to her.

"Has there been anyone in here other than us?" she asked.

"Not that we have seen, ma'am," Zbera answered.

"Check your communications center. There is a human individual who should be detained should you see her. There is a problem aboard the research mother ship," Greta informed them. "I'm about to find a way into their system to answer our questions."

Ptredor ran for the control console and had the image up before she finished speaking. "I'll make sure the intruder alert was issued, Captain. We will be watching for her."

"I'll be back with answers," Greta promised as she lowered the ramp to her ship.

"Lock it up, Ma'am," Zodera called after her.

She did.

Hurrying into her communications office she cracked her knuckles as she sat down. This required the full range of her assets on board, and she began the unique sequence of identifiers which would open the tools for her use.

Time was something she did not have to waste.