[some time ago]
The cell leaders of the Venasian Liberation Front never met each other in person, as it was far too dangerous. Being a telepathic species and possessing the ability to detect things in others by physiological changes in pheromone signatures, there were far too many ways for secrets to get out. Instead, they had to recognize each other and pass messages by increasingly difficult routes. More than a few general members of the VLF had lost their lives so far getting messages to the leaders.
VLF communication had been more active lately, which made the situation more dangerous than normal. Secret A'amon agents hunted and tracked down VLF members, trying to discover the leaders - primarily, the head of the VLF, known only so far as Theran, which only meant "Top" in Venasian. Elusive references to Theran had been found; so far, no trace of the actual person.
A message arrived at a VLF cell hiding on Vulcan, encoded in a protein sequence found in the fingerprints of the Vulcan prayer master who delivered the water. "Centanni cell found and destroyed by A'amon. A'amon moving towards Earth to meet with humans, plans to use weapon. 15."
The next message went on to the Boerner cell on Endor. "Cells being destroyed. Colonies systematically eradicated. 4697" read the water puzzle solution.
A code flew dangerously aboard a refugee vessel tucked into the prosthetic eye of a little Venasian girl who had lost her eyes when her colony was attacked by A'amon's forces. "House D'amondra in danger. A'amon using water torture to extract information. Plans to use new weapon during Earth visit. 46."
"531. A'amon killing members of House D'amondra and minor houses. New weapon almost online," said another message, written in appallingly simple lemon juice and delivered to the cell on Earth.
The final messenger arrived to give Theran, the leader of the VLF his message, verbally. "All cells have been notified. We move in two weeks. Dr. Ryan on Earth sends word that Admiral Garibaldi wishes to meet with you. D'amondra T'remea is regaining consciousness."
Theran nodded. "Good. It's time he and I met. He will have to be prepared. Make arrangements."
[some time later, on Earth]
A nondescript nurse, assigned to Spacedock's sickbay for several years, laid Admiral Garibaldi's meal next to him. Some generally bland, noninteresting stuff, including the ubiquitous green jello. "Make sure you eat all of it," she ordered sternly, "especially the cornbread."
She moved his monitor - the one he could watch movies and shows on - close to him. "I thought you might want this. I'll be back in exactly 46 minutes and 23 seconds to check on you."
Embedded in the cornbread is a movie crystal. If he were to play the movie, there is one microframe at precisely 46 minutes and 23 seconds into the movie which deliver a message to him, specifiying a time and place to meet. In the right-hand corner is a tiny logo signature "VLF."
-S
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