Proteau found Dana and Anda standing guard outside the door of a storage area on Deck 9. He motioned them to step aside, then reached up and opened the hatch. Dr. Egan sprang
through the opening portal and into the arms of Mr. Proteau. The security officer dropped him unceremoniously to the floor, his expression dark as he regarded Egan from above.
"We need to have a conversation, Doctor.", Proteau said menacingly, motioning for the twin security drones to take control of the prisoner.
Dana and Anda stepped forward on either side of the doctor, grasping his upper arms, and lifting him off the ground. As one, they followed Proteau down through the corridors, stopping outside of the detention
unit. Proteau opened the door and motioned them inside.
"Have a seat, Doctor.", the security officer said motioning to a chair adorned with clamps and buckles.
"I'll stand.", Egan offered meekly.
Proteau smiled. "Oh, but I insist."
The androids placed Egan in the chair, securing his hands and feet despite the doctor's meager struggles. Egan's fear took form as rage as he bucked in the chair, pulling at his restraints. "I won't
tell you anything", he screamed, "no matter what you do, you bastards!!"
The security officer seemed confused for a moment, continued past the doctor to the table behind him, and began stirring the coffee that Anda had just prepared for him.
"That's a very wise move, Doctor.", Proteau observed. He sipped at his drink, then picked up a chair and positioned it in front of Egan.
"What information did you need the Commander to access for you?" Egan squirmed under Proteau's intense glare. "I was just...just..."
"You were just what, Dr. Egan", Proteau pressed, "trying to get Space Fleet launch codes for your Wyzenhymer financiers?!?"
Egan looked genuinely shocked. "N-no...nothing like that."
Proteau's brow furrowed in thought. "If you weren't after launch codes", he continued, "then what were you looking for?"
"It's kind of embarrassing.", Egan began quietly.
"So is a court marshal, doctor.", Proteau remarked blandly.
Egan hesitated. "I just wanted access to some personnel files."
"Which files specifically?", Proteau queried.
Again Egan paused before answering. "Nurse Yahbo's.", he muttered quietly.
Proteau was growing tired of pulling information from the doctor. "Tell me why you wanted her particular file", he ordered, "and leave nothing out."
Egan looked at the security officer, then at the cyber-twins, then back at Proteau.
"Well, I was curious in regards to her social life, you see", he began, "her likes and dislikes. That type of the thing."
"And why?", Proteau prompted.
"I was planning on asking her out."
Proteau was stunned. "So you hatched this diabolical plan, tried to murder your commanding officer, and risked the security of this ship and possibly Space Fleet for a woman?!?"
Egan nodded. "She is quite attractive.", Egan added in his own defense.
Proteau stood and walked briskly for the door. "Lock him up.", he called to the androids as he left the room. He keyed his com-link as he strode down the hallway.
"Commander", he called into the device.
Reed replied quickly. "Go, Mr. Proteau."
"I have just completed my interview with the good doctor."
"And...", Reed prompted.
Proteau breathed a frustrated sigh. "He's not our mole."
