The Scarman Enigma

[|Scarecrow|]

Fleet Admiral Merlow strode angrily onto the bridge, the warning siren blurting out of the wall speakers.
Shut that damn thing off, He yelled at the operating Ensign, Wheres the fire?
Weapons discharge sir, The Ensign said as he manipulated the controls of his console. Deck eight.
Where on deck eight? Merlow said, dropping angrily into the command chair.
Guests quarters sir, The Ensign said, turning around to look at Robert.
****, Merlow cursed, Get me Captain Wade,

She isnt responding, Admiral Scarman entered the bridge, followed by General Serov. Ive tried her commlink several times now.
Oh dear, we may have a situation here. Get me the datastream from the security strips at Senator Scarmans quarters.
The Senators sir? The young Ensign asked in puzzlement.
Just do it will you,
Aye sir,

The feed from the sensor strip appeared on the main screen, showing an empty hallway and an open door. One Sadukar unit lay prone on the floor whilst another stumbled out of the Senators quarters, looking dazed.
Oh, hell, general security alert, get a response team down there fast. Lock down that entire deck. Merlow ordered.
I cant sir, that whole sections command protocols have been scrambled.
Ill go down there, Serov said, turning to leave.
Ill come with him, Admiral Scarman turned and followed Serov towards the exit.

Marcus wait, Merlow called after him. Maybe you shouldnt.
Sir, with all due respect, this man is holding Captain Wade hostage, and we all knew wed have to face him sooner or later.
Then you understand what you are going up against, Merlow looked concerned.
This man has most likely killed Senator Scarman, hell, probably the entire Scarman family. He needs to know what hes going up against. With that, Marcus exited the bridge.

Merlow turned back around to face the main screen. Rewind the sensor strip by ten minutes,
The Sadukar Soldier stood in the entry to the Senators quarters disappeared as the footage sped up in reverse. Soon, three more figures appeared on the screen.
Hold, Merlow held up his hand, Play.
The screen showed Tyrant Scarmans horrific assault on Captain Wade and the terrified form of Heather Scarman cowering in the corner. Merlows heart sank as it pleaded. Oh God no, he didnt, he couldnt

He didnt. The rifle came down once, knocking the young girl senseless. Tyrant Scarman then hauled the two unconscious bodies over his shoulders and disappeared out of the sensor feed.
Why did he take them with him, why not just kill them? Merlow sat, puzzled for a moment. Then he remembered.
The Tyrant of the Black Flag Corsairs had had some sort of infatuation with Fleet Admiral Wade, the alternate version of Captain Wade who had been in charge of the Freedom Fighters back in the dimension he had previously left. The sick bastard probably saw this as a second coming.

With a bitter hatred, Robert Merlow turned to the Ensign.
Shut it off,
The screen went blank.
Organize a team of reinforcements for that area; I want a fully equipped unit of Sadukar Soldiers down on deck eight in under five minutes. Tell my personal HiME agents to meet me by the Senators quarters.
Aye sir,
With that, Merlow stormed from the bridge, heading towards deck ones armory to gather his wargear.

---

| S C A R E C R O W |

"See you space cowboy..."