"Blitzkrieg"

by Legate Kylar Curran,
Chief Federation Officer

***Chief Liaison Officer's Quarters, Deck 3***

*** Some time later, unknown ***

By Ensign Dhanishta Eshe -
Engineering

How many Fem Bots can you fit into a sonic shower?

Dhanishtas quarters were still full of cargo crates and bags; she hadn’t unpacked yet. The uncanny familiarity of the ship left her feeling unsettled.

She walked down the halls of the Galaxy trailing her fingers along the walls. She headed for Engineering her shift was due to start soon, and after the appalling ‘second’ impression she’d made on her first shift, she wanted to make sure her third impression went a LOT better!

Dhani wasn’t used to sleeping through the day; it was difficult to sleep whilst the sun’s rays danced around the room. She thought that would all change here, after all there was no sun. But she hadn’t been able to sleep, maybe her body clock was still in the day/night routine, but she found that hard to believe; she usually adapted quickly to her new environment. Puzzled and confused Dhani walked lethargically down the hall and entered Engineering.

She looked at the jobs list and selected a few. She managed to refrain from yawning till she was back out in the hall, outside Engineering.

First up were the replicators in the Mess Hall. She made her way there. As she entered she glanced around; all seemed quiet, she paid no attention to the other officers who were chatting to each other, looking like they were having a good time, and went straight to work.

Dhani was stood deep in thought at the last replicator; it appeared that this one was not going to be as easy as the other four had been. She began to take it apart, and then in a few moments began to reassemble it in a new order. Behind her came a noise, Dhani was too busy at first to recognise the noise but as she tuned back into her surroundings the noise became familiar. She looked behind her; two male officers were beginning to get physical with each other. A crowd had gathered around them; all of which were female, to Dhanis surprise, and all of them were dressed in revealing clothing. They were all quite attractive and seemed to be cheering the men on, egging them to fight. Dhani reached for her com badge. The doors of the Mess Hall swished open and three security guards piled in.

Dhanishta watched as the security guards pulled the men apart, and transported all the women away. Dhani was puzzled, it wasn’t usual routine to just transport people, then it clicked; fem bots. Dhani hadn’t encountered any of these androids yet but had heard a lot about them in the two days that she’d been aboard. She turned back to the replicator and continued to fix and test it; totally ignoring the scene that was unfolding behind her.

**** Later that same shift. ****

Dhanishta paused in the hall way and smoothed a few loose strands of hair back into place. Her shift was just about over. She looked down at the data pad she was carrying, her last job before her shift finished; fix sonic shower in quarters 36, deck 4.

She made her way there, no 34….. 35…… 36. She rang the chime; there was no response but the door slid open. “Hello,” she called, “Ensign Eshe, engineering, here to fix your sonic shower.” There was no reply. She took the lack of response to mean that no one was in and went straight to the bathroom.

Dhani was engulfed by steam as she entered; she waved her hand around trying to clear her vision. She located the sink and turned off the hot tap which was poring out boiling hot water.

A hand appeared in front of her, grabbed her, and yanked her into the sonic shower. Hands pawed her clothed body, many hands; how many people are in here she thought. Someone’s lips pressed up against hers, their tongue roaming her mouth, she was forced up against a wall. She pushed the person away, and reached out; trying to find the exit, her hand grabbed hold of something. After a second she realised it was something she’d rather not be taking hold of; and let go.

In between waves of steam she saw at least three sets of perky breasts before her. Dhani turned round and saw a hand coming toward her from the opposite direction. She took hold of the incoming hand and redirected it to the nearest body that wasn’t hers.

She edged her way round the outside of the shower cubical; still trying to find the exit. Her foot slipped on the floor and she tumbled down landing next to, what she could now see was a human male. He rolled over and kissed the Fem bot lying on the other side of him, then in turn leaned over and kissed Dhani. His hands began to roam her body losing her clothing. Dhani looked up; one of the many fem bots was advancing. Dhani grabbed the guy’s hands and placed them on the breasts of the fem bot which was now straddling him, riding him like a pony. Dhani got up and fell out of the shower; thank god she thought. She grabbed her tool kit and data pad and left as quickly as she could, zipping up her jacket as she left the quarters.

"Solutions"

Bvt Maj Saladin Bolivar NALDC Liason
Lt. JG Dr. Klaus Feinberg

Klaus was overlooking his notes. "My little brew worked on him and the test animals, but for some reason it's as if the flow was cut off before a negliable ammount was released."

It was late and he wanted to stop by Kay's but the problem puzzled him. He began typing into his notes. "Perhaps.....I will need to cut off the fem-bot's control from another source. I beleive I know how now, but this problem puzzles me. I shall pursue it."

He reviewed his notes and results several more times. He came to one conclusion. Sabotage. "Computer, access Life Suppost system control. Authorization Feinberg Gamma."

"Access Denied. That authorization is invalid."

Just as he thought. "Computer, display list of those who have authorization to deny access to life support from myself. Now display a list of crew that have access life support control within the last 24 hours."

The two lists were displayed. "Now Cross results."

One name lit up red on both lists. "Mjr. Saladin Bolivar."

He decided that it was time to confront the man who would willingly put him at the fury of Malgin. He needed to resolve the problem quickly though.

Klaus tapped his combadge. "Mjr. Bolivar, This Dr. Feinberg. If you are not busy I humbly request that you speak to me in Sickbay."

Without hesitating Saladin looked at the ceiling, Feinburg was a moron, and that was being charitable to morons. "No doctor. I will not meet you in sickbay, I will however meet you in my office 30 minutes."

Klaus frowned slightly, and thought to himself. I sense contempt and arrogance in your voice. Not desirable traits.

"If you wish Major. It is not my place to request a superior officer to come to me. But I must inform you. My actions to eliminate the Fem-bot's effect were somewhat pressured." He cut the connection and continued to work on an alternative and marked down his appointment.

Then his combadge chirped again, "Doctor if it's that important you better report here immediately."

"It directly involves our little problem aboard ship, So I humbly say that yes, it is important."

Location: Office of Chief Intell officer.

Klaus is not an angry man under normal circumstances, but the overcompensation of testosterone tends to piss most people off. Controlling himself, he made an inquiry while pointing his finger. "I de--er--would like to know why my serum was removed from life support and my access was cut off."

Eyeing him like a snake examining a tasty dinner he looked at the doctor.

"Because your serum would have killed 30% of the male crew on the ship. In males testosterone is used for regulation of function of essential processes. In addition depriving the male of testosterone may render him infertile, and maybe even turn him in to a eunuch. Now was it your day to use the brain of Malgin's?"

"Nobody's perfect, and fear is a powerful tool Major."

"I admit, It was a stupid idea. I even pointed that out after I first mentioned it. All that matters is that the mistake is in the past and I have developed another serum. After studying the pheremone further, I found a defect. A very small one I might add, found by accident. The serum is a simple harmless compound, and it tested to lock into the pheremone and disable it. I have already informed Malgin and all I need now is access to life support. And I thank you for--stopping my own stupidity----this damn pheremone affects the way the mind works."

"Exactly." Bolivar handed him a padd, "and this serum is used to contradict it, I did that by reverse engineering the pheremones themselves. Now I know the big words and shiny things distract you doctor Feinburg, Malgin is a fool, and you are a bigger fool for not standing up to him."

Dok(OOC: Might as well start using his nickname), had an insulted look on his face, but he had forgotten to whom he was speaking. He took the PADD and spoke as he looked it over. "It's not a big help if you are very fond of the warmth and the threat of being sent to the icy hell of Breen looms over you if you make a mistake." He paused as he looked it over. "Hmmm....I should have thought of before-----It seems to have the same basic effect as my own creation. So------am I to assume that we will just use use your's due to my-----'Imperfections.'" A Wily smirk came across his face, something he wouldn't dare do with Malgin. And the overabundance of testosterone had also made him bold.....yet his fear of his boss somehow contained it.

"Your imperfections are of your own doing. To sit there with a silly grin expecting me to be endeared is ridiculous. You failed because you acted less as a physician and more a lackey to that buffoon that Starfleet appointed to the job, and you continue to act like a puppy seeking my approval." His gaze locked on the doctor, "you are a medical professional, for some reason, act like it."

Klaus was not surprised. "With all due respect Major, I was not seeking your approval, merely predicting you actions. Since I am the Medical Professional, I will choose the course of action we will take." He handed to PADD back. "Both serums cause the Pheremone to become Inert, therefore, since I am the medical authority, we shall use mine. Now, with that matter cleared up, I require clearance to life support to be returned to me."

"No." Bolivar dropped that word like a death sentance. "I will not return life support. Your serum is as flawed as your reasoning. Your serum will do nothing to the pheremones because you lacked the basic knowledge of the pheremone."

A sneer came to the doctops face, but he conceded. "You win this round Bolivar." The Doctor walked out in defeat. He would cool off later of a nice cup of coffee.

"Have a good day doctor." He chuckled, if Feinburg had one ounce of conviction or had stood up for his idea he might have respected him more. But he didn't.

"Computer release Serum Bolivar echo three in to the life support ducts untill the concentration is 50 parts per million."

OOC: There we go folks, we have a solution to the pheremone problems, if you are currently with a lustbot, this drug will break the pheremone's hold on you. Do with it what you wish.

"Hands"

Lt JG Ella Grey

Wish I had rethought the whole chocolate war thing, Ella thought sourly as she moved to avoid another pair of grabbing hands.

Apparently, being covered in chocolate, made some of the men on Galaxy automatically assume that you were a fembot. And being a fembot made them automatically assume...

She just wanted to get back to her quarters, was that too much to ask? Someone from Engineering had told her that a cure had been found. Ella had grunted over the comm as someone tried to grab her upper thigh. Well, why weren't the using it?

Almost there...

Just a couple feet more...

Hey, HEY! her brain wanted to shriek as she felt hands appear from out of nowhere.

Ella spun around and, because her temper was high, she threw her hand out to smack his away. It landed mostly on his nose and cheek, hard, and she was not particularly sorry.

The man came out of his hormone-induced stupor long enough to blink at her.

"Arel?" the man asked.

Ella shook her head in confusion and annoyance. "Who?" she mouthed.

But he had already lost focus and had begun to slowly drift away down the deck towards the scent of fembots.

Ella threw her hands up in defeat and continued toward her quarters.

OOC: Title is taken from the song 'That's Life' written by D. Kay/K. Gordon and sung by Frank Sinatra. For the lyrics, see http://www.extractando.com/entretenimiento/musica/Sinatra_ThatsLife_I.htm

"That's Life - Part I"

Lieutenant Commander Ethan Suder
Chief Engineer

Lieutenant (jg) Michael McDowell
Engineer

Ethan sat at his desk trying to go through a data padd. The thought crossed his mind that he may have been overloading himself with work. A good sign of a good, keen and busy Chief Engineer, but a bad sign of someone troubled. He raised a hand to his face and pinched the ridge of his nose between his eyes. He just couldn't focus. He was a little tired and too focused on the past few nights where dreams had come haunting him. He threw the data padd on the desk, got up and strolled over to the replicator. As he ordered a Betazoid beverage, he removed his jacked and threw it on the couch.

Ethan grabbed the thick blue beverage that he had all the time and was on his way to the couch when the door chime rang. He turned when he reached the couch and as he sat down, called out "Enter by all means."

~Not a real enthusiastic welcome. Doesn't bode well.~ The thought popped up while Michael entered Ethan's quarters. "You don't sound too happy. How come? Still short on sleep?"

Ethan strolled over to Michael and shook his hand. "Welcome to my humble quarters." Ethan welcomed. "And to answer your question, sleeping is, getting better." he said telling the truth. He couldn't lie to Michael about anything anymore. After seeing his best friend again, the barriers had disappeared. He walked over to the replicator and ordered two drinks. Two bottles of beer appeared. One of them he gave to Michael. "So, what have you been up to over the last several years?" he asked. "I don't want to pry, but I have the feeling this was a truth or dare visit." he joked with a slight smile as he sat down on the couch and took a sip of his beer. He gestured for Michael to have a seat.

Michael smiled a bit uncomfortable. Had it been so long that Ethan had forgotten that he usually didn't drink beer? "Uhm...first, what about the beer. Please, don't tell me you forgot."

"Sorry." Ethan said sighing. He took the beer back to the replicator and turned to face Michael again. "Can I get you, anything?" he asked.

"It's alright. A hot cup of coffee will do fine." Michael replied. "A strong one please."

Ethan ordered the coffee and took it over to Michael. Sitting down again he looked at his friend and then down at the table. "So how are you doing, really?" he asked.

"Heh,...good question." Michael drank some of his coffee and thought what to say next. "Sometimes I even don't know myself 'how I am doing'. Sound strange, doesn't it? And how about you?"

"Same. Haven't been able to ask myself that for some time." he said quietly. "Isn't this amazing. Two people, unsure of how they're feeling. It's not a hard question but..." he stopped himself from going on.

Michael pursed his lips. "I think it depends how you look at it. To me it's one I can hardly answer. One moment I'm doing fine, the next moment.... Well, you get the point."

"All too well." Ethan nodded along. "Can I be really direct with you?" he asked.

Looking up Michael nodded. "Of course, go ahead. I'm all ears."

Ethan took a moment before asking his question. "I understand if you don't want to talk about it, but I was wondering, as a worried friend, what happened with yourself and Karyn?"

This was the kind of question Michael knew Ethan would ask sometime. It was just inevitable. But still, it caught him by surprise and for a moment he kept his breath. Then he looked down at the ground, not knowing how to react. "I..., I haven't talk to her since my transfer to the Windsor. All what we had...it all ended when I left the Galaxy."

"But your back now, I'm not going to ask if you've thought about talking to her," Ethan paused. "Are you going to?"

"Are you kidding me? I just can't go to her after all what's happened." Michael said. He truly had no idea how to approach Karyn if he would see her again. 'Till now he'd been able to avoid that situation by just avoiding places like Ten-Forward. "You know, you're just like Shinta, my former Counselor. She asked the same thing. I agreed I would contact Karyn via subspace, but that's totally different then looking her up here. And how to explain this?" At the last words Michael pointed to the two pips on his collar, thereby reminding Ethan of his demotion.

"I don't believe you could be guilty of something that would cost you a demotion. What's the story?" Ethan asked as a concerned friend. He knew Michael well, and knew that there is nothing he could do to loose his old rank, something wasn't right.

"I half expected you knew about it by now. Most of what happened can be found in my record. Just look it up." Michael warmed his hands on the hot cup of coffee. "They wrote it all down there Ethan! My career....gone. This assignment to the Galaxy is sheer luck if you ask me or some mysterious do-gooder must've pulled some strings at Starfleet Command."

"I read the file. Just wanted to hear the truth, that's all. Quite frankly while your here, we're going to do everything we can to make sure your career gets back to the way it is. I don't care what we have to do or who we have to shoot in Starfleet, we'll get you there. The one thing I am curious about, Starfleet didn't seem to be too bothered with the whole thing, one look at everything and they had their decision? Doesn't sound like them." Ethan stated as he drunk some of his beer.

Michael stood up and walked towards the large window located behind the couch where Ethan sat on. "I've asked that myself countless times. It could be because the whole investigation took place on Starbase 86, one of the most remote outposts of the Federation. 'Hear no evil, see no evil'? Or something like that? I don't know."

"Still, anyone would have to admit that normal Starfleet protocol wasn't used." Ethan said taking another sip of beer. "I'd say lets go on a hunt for the people responsible, but then we'd probably have to wait a few years." Ethan plainly joked recalling on his own experience when himself, Michael and Karyn went to find the Admiral responsible for moving Ethan off Earth and demoting him. "Is it my imagination, or have things gotten worse in life over the years?" Ethan asked.

"Life certainly didn't get better if you ask me. Just compare the universe we are in now with the one, say, four of five years ago." Michael paused and looked at the tiny specks outside in the blackness of space, contemplating on the direction this conversation was going. "You know, maybe we are being too negative here. Shouldn't we be looking at the bright side of life?"

Suder once again took a swig of the bottle of beer. "Maybe, if there is one." Ethan said then realized just how depressing he must have sounded. "You're right, we should be more positive." he commented with another sip of his beer.

Turning around Michael said, "What do you mean with 'if there is one'." Maybe he missed something while he was staring outside the window. Every time he did that he got easily lost in thought.

"Times are hard. Usually are. That's life." Ethan said as he made his way to a crate near the replicator. "Who knows what's in store for us. Maybe there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe things will start looking up. We'll good to bed at night hoping the next day will bring us good positive feelings, something to look forward to. But right now, it's quite the obvious. You know?" he asked as he got a bottle from the crate and made his way back to the couch. "Not that sleeping is easy anyway, just don't really look forward to the next day. Because the next day just leads to more work. Nothing more, nothing less." he said as he slumped back on to the couch. Undoing the lid of the bottle, he offered some to Michael. "I doubt you'll have some, just feels rude not to offer." he said waiting for Michael's reply.

Michael shook his head. "Thanks for offering, but I just can't get the taste of it. You know, I would only drink that if I'm on shore leave on some planet where the temperature is unbearable - like on Vulcan." Deciding that it was time another subject Michael continued with a well thought question. "Anyway, have you spoken yet to the Assistant Chief, Lieutenant' Grey?"

Ethan hesitated. "No, not yet, I plan to meet her tomorrow. With any luck, things have been kind of busy lately, still getting things together." Ethan explained. "Should be interesting though, I've read her file." Ethan sipped some of the Betazoid fluid in the bottle. "Most of the time, it's good to be back here. Pretty much the same quarters, the same bed, the same Engineering, more or less the same people." Ethan commented.

"And the same ship." Michael added. "Like I said to Lieutenant' Grey, her appearance may have been changed but that's all. Everything else has stayed the same."

"Indeed." Ethan agreed. "Engineering doesn't feel any different, from when I first came onboard to when I was first, promoted... to Chief." he continued. Ethan thought about that day. The day his former boss left without saying a word, without warning. ~You prat~ Ethan thought to himself. ~Your fault she left~. He shook the thoughts out of his head and had some more his drink.

Michael watched Ethan for a few moments. He seemed to be suddenly lost in thought. "Something wrong?"

Ethan sighed. "Just thinking of the old days." Ethan said. The thoughts continued to race through his mind of that day and for a few seconds he turned away from Michael and closed his eyes. He held back the feelings trying to fight their way to the surface. He grinded his teeth and placed the bottle of Betazoid alcohol on the table deciding that now was not the time to get drunk. He sat back in the couch and looked at the floor in front of Michael, afraid that if he looked at his friend, he might show everything he had bottled up for years now. He took a deep breath. "Good old days." he said plainly.

"It's not like you to reflect back on the past. At least, not in the way you're doing now. What is troubling you?" Michael said. He walked back to the chair opposite of Ethan and sat down again. "Care to talk about it? It helps sometimes you know."

To be continued...

"That's Life - Part II"

Lieutenant Commander Ethan Suder
Chief Engineer

Lieutenant (jg) Michael McDowell
Engineer

*** Suder's Quarters, after Gamma shift ***

"Stardate 49903.21. That day was so clear in my head. Just another exciting day in Engineering. Helping the Chief with repairs." Ethan explained as his eyes were glued on the wall. "I remember feeling cold. But I didn't pick anything up on the sensors. Everything was ok, so I gave the go ahead sign." Ethan paused as the words got lost in his throat. "Then the EPS power grid overloaded." Ethan paused again, unable to carry on. "So cold." he whispered.

Michael said nothing. He just listened intently to Ethan as he explained what troubled him so much. The situation he described sounded familiar to Michael but he only remembered it vaguely. Michael tried hard to recall the events,...and suddenly it hit him. " 'Commander Samara... This is about her, am I right?" Michael spoke with a compassionate voice. It had to be difficult for Ethan talking about Samara.

Ethan gave a nod and looked at the floor again. "It didn't take long for her to leave after the accident. Was it my fault because I missed something?" Ethan asked. "But then I keep asking myself what would happen if there was no accident, if she was still here on the ship. Would I still be here, sat in the dark, reading, wasting time?" Ethan took a moment. "Probably" he answered his own question. Ethan looked lost, in a whole different dimension. His eyes had formed a dam for water. But he had trouble keeping it in. He remained silent, feeling stupid and really small. He had just explained some stuff to his best friend... and he had to admit, hearing it outloud himself really did make it seem stupid. After all these years anyway! He couldn't help what he felt, even after all this time.

"I didn't know..." Michael started, but he didn't really know what to say next. He was surprised to find his friend in this emotional state. Although

Ethan was a Betazoid, Michael always thought of him being firmly in control of his feelings. "Ethan, it wasn't your fault. Everyone knows that. We analyzed everything,...extensively! You must not blame yourself for it."

"Your probably right, but I can't help but think what if." Ethan said. "But this is stupid. I mean, you and Karyn, and I'm sorry to bring it up, you two were involved in something. You two did stuff, you both knew each other. What about me? I never so much as held her hand, brushed her hair. Yet the feelings..." Ethan said quietly as he closed his eyes. "I can't get over any of it. She was.... the one person I'd been waiting for my whole life. And I did nothing. Now she's probably still on the Klingon home world. I'm stuck here. And even if she knew about my feelings, what could I possibly expect to happen?" he asked. He sighed and shook his head as his eyes welled up. "Any normal person or counselor would say get over it, it just takes time to move on. Normally I'd agree, but it's been years now, I've tried keeping myself busy, but I can't get her out of my head. I feel like I'm going crazy and that part of me is on fire, burning with the hope that I might see her again one day, or at least talk to her. But again, what would happen?..... Nothing." he said. "She was never interested and probably wouldn't be today." Ethan said again with a sigh.

Although Michael did want to help Ethan in any way possible, he just didn't know how. He sure didn't know what to say now. A Counselor was much better at this and probably the best person Ethan could talk to right now. However, Michael was hesitant in giving Ethan that advice. How would he react on that? It was just a guess, but Michael didn't think Ethan would go to a Counselor out of his own free will. And so Michael just sat there, looking at his friend and commanding officer, waiting for him to tell more...if there was more to tell. Just listening could sometimes be enough. Karyn told him that once.

"It's all dark and cold now. Was when she left. I remember hearing about the accident and rushing down to Sickbay. Never got to say anything to her. Then I heard she was leaving. I rushed down to the transporter room, but she was gone. It was futile anyway I guess. I mean, what would I have said when I got there. 'Oh sorry to bother you, but before you go, just wanted to say I love you... Bye!'. I don't know." Ethan finished. Doesn't make sense anymore." Ethan glanced at Michael for a second and then stood up quickly. He didn't realize that he'd rambled on so much. "I'm sorry." he said quickly, but quietly. He walked over to the window and glanced out at the stars as Michael had earlier. "Sorry." he whispered. "You probably think I should see a Counselor, that someone in the area of expertise would be better equipped to handle this situation, tell me the usual stuff. 'It just takes time to get over something like this, you shouldn't blame yourself'." Ethan quoted. "I tried talking to a couple of counselors before I left, one of those Karyn, but I couldn't. I've told myself to get over it, that it just takes time. What more could a Counselor tell me?" he asked realizing that he was still rambling.

"Maybe nothing, maybe something you never thought about." Michael replied. His words sounded kind of empty to himself. "But Counselors do have a nag for fixing emotional problems,...and I ought to know."

Ethan glared out of the window for a short while before he raised his hands to his face. Rubbing his eyes and head, he turned and looked at Michael with a sigh. He strolled back over to the couch and cleared his throat. "So," he began changing the subject, "no encounters with these... Fembots?"

"No..., not yet, and I count myself very lucky. I'm trying to avoid them at all cost and, until now, with success." Michael said. "What I do is go straight to Engineering as fast as I can, all the while watching my back." A cold chill went down his spine. "Heard the stories that go around? How embarrassing! It's like those men were completely incapable to control their body."

"I think that's the case. The fembots, well, there's no getting away from them. I've spent most of my time in Engineering, obviously, seen no sign of them there. Engineering is sealed to duty officers only. I count myself, lucky too I guess." Ethan remarked.

Michael got up from the chair with the intention to leave for his own quarters again. He placed the now empty cup on the table before him. "Hope I can stay out of the way of those man-eaters. Think that's possible? I really don't want to hear stories about me later on when this chaos is all over."

Ethan got up and straightened his uniform. "Well if anything does happen, I won't tell if you don't. But should something happen, my office could be made available if you wanted some privacy." he joked.

Unsure on how to react Michael only smiled slightly. "I sure hope it won't come to that." He did see the humor in it, but when Michael pictured the scene before him, and the inevitable consequences later, his smile disappeared. "Just the thought...." He turned to Ethan and banned the thought out of his mind. "I think I'll head back to my own quarters now. See if I can catch some sleep. Came straight over to you after my shift was over, so I'm kind of tired."

Ethan gave a nod. "Sure. See you tomorrow?" Ethan asked as he got his feet to see his friend out.

"Of course. Besides, we still have to discuss that Quick virus and the various strategies on how we can catch it. Same time, same place?" Michael replied. He yawned. Only now Michael began to feel how tired he really was. "I'm sorry..."

"No worries." Ethan said. "I guess it is a little late." he admitted. "And sure, same place, same time. I'll try not to fry your brain on work related issues."

Michael laughed. "Thanks. That's very considered of you. I'll see you tomorrow then."

Ethan gave a nod as Michael left his quarters. Returning back to his couch, he thought about the things they had talked about. The things that bothered both of them. This could be the first of many evenings spent, dwelling over past events. He glanced out at the stars for a short while whilst thinking of the future. What did the Galaxy have install for himself and Michael McDowell?

OOC: This is the first of a series of investigations posts. I did, however have to change the name of Lieutenant Stevens due to RL issues. It's not a big deal, and has been taken care of. Now then...

"Dancing On The Razor"

Rear Admiral Leigh Deidre Whitman, Ciutric Sector JAG
Official Fleet Captain John Q. Bhrode, Commanding Officer, USS Galaxy
Lieutenant Taryn Ehlanna Benedor, Chief Of Staff (RA Whitman)

-Main Conference Room-

Lieutenant Taryn Benedor, Chief Of Staff to Rear Admiral Leigh Whitman, went about her duties with her typical efficiency and fervor.  Captain Sutherland and Captain O'Ryan had been given lists of officers to interview, leaving the ones most directly involved to be interviewed by Admiral Whitman and herself.  To facilitate this, Taryn quietly commandeered the Main Conference Room and summoned the required officers, most specifically Captain John Q. Bhrode.

As commanding officer of the USS Galaxy, Bhrode had a certain responcibility to his crew and the Federation to work for the resolution of a crisis situation.  Instead, as rumor had it, he had retreated to his ready room with no explanation.  But Taryn wasn't one to believe rumors alone.

So she preped the conference room.  one table, with two chairs on one side, one each for herself and Admiral Whitman.  On the other side, a chair for Captain Bhrode.  Then she called the Admiral from her guest quarters.

"Thank you for your usual good work, Taryn," Leigh Whitman said, seating herself in her assigned chair.  She had come to rely on and trust the young Lieutenant over the year that they'd known each other.  "If you could replicate a pitcher of ice cold water and three glasses, that would be good, Lieutenant."

"Of course, Leigh," she replied, and did as was requested, "Should I call in Captain Bhrode, ma'am?"  They shared a knowing smile.  Captain Bhrode had a certain... 'reputation' among JAG officers, of which Taryn was not one, but which she had worked for a while.  Whitman nodded with a grin and Taryn pressed a button on her PADD, "Captain Bhrode to Conference Room 1."

"What?!  Why do you want to talk to me?  I don't give a damn what you do with those  robots," came the reply.

"Yes, Captain Bhrode, but you probably care about what the review thinks of your handling of the situation," Whitman said patiently.  He had insulted her once.  Once she would let slide.

There was a very audible sigh over the intercom, and then Bhrode complied, "Fine.  Give me a minute."

A few moments later, HE arrived.

"I'm here," Bhrode announced as he entered the conference room, "Can we get this over with, now?  I'm a busy man, I have work to do."

"Captain Bhrode, though I am a guest aboard your ship, I am also your superior officer.  You will treat me and my flag lieutenant with the respect due our positions.  As of this moment, you're under oath  or testimony to be used during the review board for this situation.  And personally, just between you and me, Captain, I thought Commodore Esterhauss raised you better than that.  Now sit down."

It could be said that Leigh Whitman could match steel with the best of them, and her knowledge was second to very few, so she had long ago decided that she would not tolerate being insulted twice.  "Now then, Captain, if you'd care to detail your role?"

The left side of Bhrode's mouth slowly curled into a satisfied smile.  "Very well, Admiral," he said as he sat down.

"This is what happened:  The Galaxy arrived to this planet, Eta Rigel II, in response to a distress signal.  When we established contact with the source, it was discovered that the signal was sent by the criminal Harry Mudd.  He requested asylum, which I immediately denied.  The Galaxy was preparing to leave orbit, and I was about to notify Starfleet Mudd's location when my ship was attacked by Orion pirates.  I ordered Mudd be brought aboard, assuming, correctly, that he knew what was going on.  The Galaxy, of course, was victorious in the battle - the Orion captain currently resides in my brig.

"Apparently," Bhrode continued, as he leaned back in his chair and brought his right leg up to rest on his knee, "Mudd had agreed to sell these androids of his, but when they didn't behave like the Orions wanted, they came back to express their complaints and Mudd cried out for our help."

"Go on," Lieutenant Benedor said, making a mental note to have the Orion Captain brought up for questioning, then returning her attention to the Captain.

"That's it," Bhrode said.  "I contacted Starfleet, and we've been waiting for you to show up and decide what to do.  I'm no lawyer, Admiral, and I hate getting involved in politics.  I did nothing to the androids that would have violated their rights, if they have any."

"Captain, I was under the impression that it was your duty as the commanding officer of this vessel to maintain order onboard, as well as to act as the direct representative of the Federation when one is not available," Taryn said, arcing an eyebrown at Captain Bhrode, who so far didn't seem nearly as bad as he had sounded.  Of course, Leigh really had stepped on him, "Retiring to your ready room certainly doesn't seem to have helped things much."

"Well, if you hadn't taken your sweet time to get here, then maybe the androids wouldn't have gotten so far out of hand!" he accused.  "When it was discovered that they emit some sort of chemical that affects men, I sealed myself away and ordered the female crewmembers to take charge while all the little boys Starfleet stuck me with got their jollies off."

"Captain Bhrode, that will be quite enough..." Admiral Whitman looked up sharply, indicating that her Lieutenant should not reply at this point. It was her turn.

-Several Hours Later-

"Captain, I just want to make sure you understand how thin of a razor's edge you're dancing on. Sooner or later you will fall off if you continue on this path," she said, "I'm not going to say anything about this incident at this time, but you should do well to remember that I am out there."

"Yes ma'am," the Captain said through gritted teeth.

"Dismissed, Captain Bhrode," Whitman said, and he spun on his heal and left.

"A Proud People"

Rear Admiral Leigh Deidre Whitman, Ciutric Sector JAG
Official Lieutenant Taryn Ehlanna Benedor, Chief Of Staff
Legate Kylar Curran, Chief Liaison Officer

-Conference Room 1-

After Captain Bhrode had left, Rear Admiral Whitman turned to Taryn Benedor and nodded, "Bring in their liaison officer, Legate Curran. I think he might have an interesting perspective on this one. Oh, and Taryn, have 'Commanders Malgin and Corgan, as well as Major Bolivar ready when he's finished, in that order."

"Yes, ma'am," the slim brunette said, then pressed her little finger onto the required communications button. "Legate Kylar Curran, if you'll report to Conference Room 1, Rear Admiral Whitman would like to speak to you."

His stomach churned.

The butterflies swirled.

And it wasn't because he was nervous. Kelvans don't get nervous.

That damned transporter.

His biology didn't support antimatter streaming. Didn't they know that?

Of course they did. Damned humans.

Bile rose in his throat, but he fought it down. This isn't the best place and time to get sick and vomit on her Chief of Staff's spit polished boots. What would that do for his reputation?

Damn it to hell.  He slid himself off his waiting area seat, and gripped his stomach.  His head swam, and he fought to keep balance.  This was going to be extremely difficult, to say the least.

The double-doors swung open, not betraying the occupants or reasons within. All had been shrouded in mystery on his beam-down. Either way, he ducked into the room with the waiting arm without casting a glance at the others waiting.

"Legate Curran? Are you all right?" the young woman asked, offering a hand to help him into his seat, "If you'd like we can postpone this meeting until you're feeling better." Taryn glanced back at Rear Admiral Whitman to see if she had been right to offer, but the JAG official nodded her agreement.

He waved aside any help, and winced as he guided himself into the hotseat.

"No, thank you, sirs. Ma'am. Just a bit of a mishap along the way." No sense letting them in on a Kelvan weakness.

"I am ready for whatever punishment you have deemed fit for my actions."

"Punishment, Mr. Curran?" Whitman asked curiously, "Not all review boards have made their decision before entering the room. And besides, you're not under review here."

Taryn laughed. So many officers shuddered before Rear Admiral Whitman that it was amusing. It seemed so strange to her that people didn't seem to understand that Admirals and review boards did not usually equal a torpedoed career and a demotion. That was for courts-martial.

The Kelvan did not laugh, for he was too busy absorbing and analyzing the reasons he was here. Had Brhode finally fallen? Had his reports finally fallen on someone who wanted to act? Who hadn't been seduced by Hoth or his puppeteers?

"Then what, may I ask, have you called me here for? Has a crime been committed on the Galaxy?"

"In a sense, yes, Mr. Curran. We're here investigating the presence of Mr. Harcourt Mudd and the androids currently onboard, and the legality of his possession of these androids," Rear Admiral Whitman said, "Now then, we will be recording this to use as testimony in the review board that will be convened in a few days. If you could please state your name and service number for the record, then give us a summary of your experiences with Mr. Mudd and the androids."

He felt a chill scurry down his spine. The androids. He didn't even want to go back on what happened earlier with them. He shivered.

"Legate Kylar Curran, Service number Alpha-Charlie-One-One-Zero." He winced as his head swam again. Not unlike the haze he had endured the night previous with the fembot who'd caught him unawares. Such a fantastic weapon they would make.... if their chemical attractants could be curbed when it came to the Kelvan biological processes.

"I have had no contact with Harcourt Mudd, sirs. He had remained under heavy guard during his stay on the Galaxy, and I saw no need for my services to him. I am a Diplomat and Liaison Officer, not a Security Officer. They had it under control."

"As to the androids...." He gulped inwardly. "What kind of experiences are you inquiring about?"

"Unfortunately," Taryn winced, "Any and all.  We need to have a complete picture of what happened onboard, so unfortunately, any... uhm... sexual experiences will be required to be reported, though certainly not in graphic detail.  We're more concerned with how they affected you."

"I have had... limited exposure to the androids."  He'd be damned if he was going to expose a crack in his armour to these fools.  "Their very presence was disruptive to my tasks and duties.  Having them nearby was extremely discomforting and preventative in allowing me to pursue my obligations to the Federation."  A sudden flash of their 'distraction' entered his framed order of events, and a cloud crossed his features.  Evidently, their influence hadn't been removed.  He flushed.

"They make one forget themselves.  They would make a formidable opponent if used under the right conditions."  He shook away his careless thoughts of sexual prowess.  He felt dirty, invaded, and confounded.  So many tests have been thrown his way, but the evening past had been the toughest one of all. He still couldn't decide if he'd won or lost the round.  Or two.  Or three...

The emotional impact of his inability to save himself was compounded even more so by the fact he was liberated by the one person he could not come to grips with as being anything but a liability.  One person's access to his psyche was enough.  It may have something to do with his nausea as well.

"So I take it you found yourself under the influence of the android's pheremones.  I don't envy you that.  Can you comment on how you believe the crew and captain responded to first the Orion attack and then the 'fembot' crisis, since that is your role as a liaison officer, to evaluate." Whitman continued.

"My first experience as it refers to the Orions is when the Galaxy broke warp to intercept Mudd's craft.  At first glance upon the freighter, I had assumed it was one of the many in need of assistance, and did not believe my services were needed.  It was not a first contact or high priority requirement.  I believed the Bridge personnel could have handled the situation readily."

He shifted in his seat.  Anything to take his mind off of the personal issues that plagued him.  He wanted this done and over with.  He couldn't delay in his next actions after the hearing.

"The Orion attack was sudden and forthright.  I am unclear as to what Captain Brhode activities were in repelling the Orion boarding parties, as I was busy preventing the uninvited guests from pilfering my own quarters. With the able assistance of Lt. Henderson, we were able to defeat the Orions with little effort."

"As to the fembots...."  Why the hell were they called fembots?  Cold machines, unfeeling of their own morals, programmed for one use. "They are an abomination.  A desecration to all that is sacred. Prostitutes of a new era.  Sickening."

"Very well.  One last question, Legate.  As the Liaison on this vessel, your duty is to monitor the crew and ensure that regulations are held too. Therefore, in that role, how do you believe the crew, specifically Captain Bhrode and his command staff, handled the situation," Taryn said.  This would be interesting, if she had the Legate pegged correctly.

"My interaction with the crew has been extremely limited since the Orion and Harcourt Mudd's visitations to the USS Galaxy.  From what little observation I have had, the Security Department, and those few outside of the assigned defense forces that I have witnessed have reacted as they have been expected to.  Since the moment of first contact to the time I beamed," he gulped as his stomach remembered, and lurched.  Thankfully he had purged most of its contents the night previous.  "Down to these hearings, I have not seen nor heard Captain Brhode.  He made no announcements over the shipwide intercoms, no calls of any sort within earshot of my own network.  He was silent throughout the incident from my perspective."

"Never did a single thing?" Benedor asked, leaning forward and arcing her eye questioningly.  He had not seen Bhrode leave, so she felt safe in moving things along like this.

"Not to my awareness.  It is not my responsibility to ensure the Captain is following standard on-board procedures.  My protocols are clear-cut.  To ensure the safety and well-being of the Federation in extending influences. Localized issues are Starfleet jurisdiction unless brought before an onboard jury deliberation or formal charges.  Are you here representing Starfleet or Federation interests, if I may ask, Ma'am's?"  Hit bit back the emotion that almost charged to the surface.  He was having troubles sustaining his demeanour since it was so devastated and rampaged on earlier.  DUTY.  Focus on the DUTY.

"There is no difference, Legate. That's one of the things that people need to learn to remember. No, on the contrary, we are only here to find out what everyone's role was," Whitman said, "She just found it hard to believe that the Captain Bhrode didn't do a thing, though certainly he was found unprepared and male in a time when only females were physiologically capable of retaining their minds. I have nothing but praise currently for both yourself and Captain Bhrode, considering the circumstances."

"I belive we have no more for you, Legate," Taryn smiled, her line of questioning finished. They had what they needed. The Legate's and the Captain's testimony wouldn't be too useful in all likelihood, since they both had been mostly incapacitated during the fight. But who could blame them. They were men, and the pheremones had been able to affect them.

Curran nodded and stagger carefully from the room. Taryn looked over from her place to where Rear Admiral Whitman sat, "Isn't he Kelvan? Didn't he beam over to Hawkwing to bring us aboard? Ooh..."

She too had come to that conclusion. "Let him have his pride, Taryn. They're a proud race, and he's under a lot of pressure no doubt as a Kelvan among humans. Don't worry. Someday you'll outgrow your hotheadedness yourself. When you're my age, you'll understand." Whitman smiled, then began reviewing the transcript of the two meetings. They break for lunch, then begin with the intelligence officer and the doctor.

NRPG: Takes place just before a currently untitled JP between Robert and I. ~Lori

"Finished? Not likely."

Captain William Sutherland
Commander Karyn Dallas, RN

Captain William Sutherland, a Starfleet JAG officer based out of Starbase 212, paused a moment in the briefing lounge, after he two associates had already left. It was, actually, his first time on a starship of the Galaxy-Class, though he had to admit he was impressed. He glanced momentarily around, a slightly wistful feeling rising.

Sutherland himself, despite his rank, had never commanded a starship. He'd very seldom even served on one, having risen to his rank as a "Desk Officer." He was a competent administrator, and an exceptional lawyer, but not very good at all the other things that line officers had to be good at, just to survive out here.

He shook his head, casting off such feelings, and headed off to meet his first interviewee.

-----

Dallas fidgeted in her hoverchair while waiting in her office for her 'interviewer' to arrive. After her meetings with Victor and the time spent cooped up in her quarters, the last thing she had wanted to do was sit and wait in the confined spaces of familiar territory. But, she had been told Sutherland was already on his way to see her and she figured the sooner this was over with, the better. Up to that moment she was still not sure how she was going to respond to the man's questions. These fembots were not her concern. Her crew, however, was. So far, she was not impressed by Mudd or his ladies, and she hadn't even met them.

Sutherland pressed the chime on the Counselor's office, and waited patiently.

"Come in!" Karyn called. The doors swished open to reveal a crimson clad officer whom she presumed to be the JAG captain. "Captain Sutherland," Karyn greeted with a slight nod, "please come in and make yourself comfortable."

"Thank you, Counselor." William stated. "I'm sure you're aware, Starfleet has sent myself and my fellows to determine the fate of these androids located by one Harcourt Fenton Mudd. I would appreciate anything you could tell me about what's been going on this ship."

Karyn nodded and moved over to her reception area where Sutherland could take a seat in the plush chair before her. "I am aware of your purpose here, yes, although I'm not sure how much assistance I'm going to be to you as I was ill in my quarters during Mr. Mudd's arrival and his present shenanigans. Fortunately, I was never given the opportunity to interact with him or his fembots personally, so what I can tell you is based solely on the reports I've read and the conversations I've had with crewmembers subsequent to my recovery."

"Fair enough, Commander Dallas. What about this, though. Do you think that they are sentient?" the JAG officer asked pointedly.

Dallas paused, trying to frame her responses carefully. "Are they sentient? I have no idea. Quite frankly, sir, from what I can tell, they aren't much for conversation if you get my drift. Do I want to see these fembots sold to the Orions or the highest bidder? Absolutely not, and not for the reasons you might think. I'm all for the freedoms given to us as members of the Federation, to include the freedom of choosing sexual partners, even if they are artificial ones. I don't agree with all that goes in the name of the modern sexual revolution, as I believe there's something to be said for true love and monogamy. What I do support, Captain, is choice."

"Something I believe very few people would disagree with you on. It's been proposed that their .. lack of conversational skill is merely a programmed trait, and can possibly be overcome."

She met his gaze, her blue eyes piercing his own. Given her childhood, she was quite passionate about the ethics and moral issues surrounding sexual behavior. Karyn did her best to keep from smirking at the notion that history did indeed repeat itself. Could a being that was 'wired' to commit sexual offenses possibly be rehabilitated? Pro- nature debaters and centuries worth of research suggested rehabilitation was highly unlikely. Was Karyn going to put her faith in that hope given what she and her crew had already gone through? She thought not.

"We can wax philosophical all day long about whether these *individuals* are sentient or have what one would consider a soul. As a woman, my gut reaction is one of disgust. We're perpetuating this notion that we can create people in our own images simply to satisfy our own carnal needs, without a thought to what it means to share that kind of intimacy, but as a counselor, I know better than to make suppositions as to what they could become. I leave those answers to the engineers and philosophers. While aboard this ship and while interacting with my crew, these fembots and their pheromones have completely snowed the males aboard this ship, raising questions regarding free will and consent everywhere. The truth is, these fembots emit the equivalent of a drug which totally eradicates one's ability to control or consent to sexual acts, and to let them be sold to the Orions or to anyone else is opening the door for a host of criminal acts. Do I trust that the Federation is capable of regulating the sale and distribution of these fembots to free and consenting individuals? With all due respect to you and Starfleet, sir, my experience tells me the answer to that is unequivocally hell no."

"I personally share your opinions, Counselor. Were Starfleet to decide to grant these.. " 'fembots' " the rights of a sentient species, my recommendation will be to deactivate their pheromone abilities, and educate them so that they may lead real lives." Sutherland remarked, suprised at himself for revealing his own thoughts to one of the interveiwees. "If you have nothing else to add, Counselor, I believe we may be finished."

"No sir, I believe we covered it."

Sutherland gave her a nod. "Thank you for your time, Commander."

Karyn offered Sutherland a wan smile, then watched him go, the doors swished closed behind him.

"You may be finished, Captain, but I'm sure as hell not." Karyn said to no one in particular.

"A Scientist's View"

Captain William Sutherland
Lieutenant Cutter Ka'ranin

Captain Sutherland looked briefly around the small briefing room he'd managed to secure from the Operations department. The young Trill who'd assigned the room and showed it to him - the vessel's Assistant Operations Manager, he believed, had behaved quite strangely. The room was, however, satisfactory, and a much simpler setup than tracking all of these people down and interviewing them.

He looked at his list, and moved to the first name, following his interview with Counselor Dallas. Sutherland tapped his commbadge, instructing the officer to report immediately. ----- Cutter lounged on the large sofa in his quarters. He was bored for a while when all the fembots had been gathered and transported down to the planet for the trial of their sentience. He had spent so much of the last week or so with Stella in his bedroom that he forgot there were other things to do besides sex. But, ever the Fruna'lin, he recovered and quickly found something else to occupy his interest.

Curtis Geluf had caught him in the hallway as they both were heading to their quarters the other day. Curtis essentially shoved a book into his hands and ordered him to read it. "Player Piano," by Kurt Vonnegut. It was a rather insane book, and very outdated. The world in which it was set, some historic future vision of Earth, was being taken over by machines. Everyone was out of a job, no one needed to cook, or wash clothes, or play checkers, because there was a machine to do it for them. But, despite its farfetchedness (all these complicated machines ran only off of vacuum tubes), Cutter was quite interested in the novel.

["Sutherland to Lieutenant Ka'ranin, please report to Briefing Lounge 12"] came the voice over the Fru'na'lin Science Officer's commbadge.

But, Cutter ignored it. Eventually the call came again, with a little more urgency. ["Sutherland to Ka'ranin. Lieutenant, please respond."]

Cutter sighed, placing his book down, and calling out a response. "Fine I'll be there in a couple of minutes."

["Thank you, Lieutenant. I'll see you here shortly."]

---------

William held his reaction down as the officer entered the room. The Frun'al'in's wingspan was... impressive. " Good afternoon, Lieutenant. I'm sure you're aware, Starfleet has sent myself and my fellows to determine the fate of these androids located by one Harcourt Fenton Mudd. I would appreciate anything you could tell me about what's been going on this ship."

"Sem, I'm aware," Cutter stated, walking to the other side of the table and taking a seat. "I can't speak to you about the ship or anyone else. I spent most of my time over the past week or so in my quarters with one of the androids."

"Any of your personal observations you can share would be helpful, Lieutenant." the JAG officer prodded.

"The only one I had contact with was named Stella. She was blonde. Blue eyes. Legs - ka, what do you humans say? 'All the way to the ground?'" Cutter laughed. "But, she was more than beautiful. She was funny and effervescent and ... sexy. She was clearly intelligent, she knew so much about other species. Did you know Scalosian orgasms last only two seconds, but due to their hyperacceleration, they seem to last for two hours? And creative, she had amazing creativity."

Sutherland looked thoughtful for a moment. "So you beleive they are sentient, then?"

Cutter looked confused momentarily. He leaned back in his chair and looked at Captain Sutherland, studied him like a scientist would, like he was something abnormal. "Sem. Ka sem! Of course they're sentient."

William noticed the reaction (Hell, a blind man would have, he thought), and noted that as well. The trend so far had been that the more science minded types had had this sort of reaction. Others... somewhat less generous. "I see. What do you think of the effects these" he paused, looking at a PADD" 'fembots' have on the males of various species?"

"I don't think they have any affect," Cutter said, "beyond that of releasing one's inhibitions." He still sat and stared at the JAG officer, trying to figure him out. Then, something lit up. It was barely noticeable, Cutter's face had not changed, but rather there was a new light in his eyes. Some sense of understanding. "You're afraid," he stated, leaning forward on the table, "You humans have so many taboos, so many sexual taboos. You're so conservative. That's why there's such a big deal over these androids, isn't it? What they believe in goes against what you're taught is right, and the fact that they can unleash your true desires frightens you."

"To an extent, Lieutenant, that is true." Sutherland replied. "For most humans, sexual proclivites are a very personal matter."

"There would be no concern if these androids were on Fruna. What they do would not be frowned upon there," Cutter added, after a pause.

"Nor in certain human societies." Sutherland replied, before addressing his next point. 'So you don't beleive that function should be disabled, if - and I'm speaking hypothetically - our reveiw decides to uphold Data Vs. Maddox?"

"No. Should your ability to hear be removed in order to be viewed as accepted? Or, no, this is better - should your ability to feel be removed in order for you to have rights on Vulcan? Why would any natural ability of these androids be restricted in order for them to be treated the same as us?"

"The question becomes, Mr. Ka'ranin, whether or not this is a natural or induced ability we're talking about." William replied with a soft smile. He'd greatly enjoyed this particular interview, and it showed. "I see, Lieutenant. Thank you for your report, and your opinions. You've been most helpful." Captain Sutherland replied, entering a final notation onto his PADD.

"I hope so. For their sake, I hope so," Cutter said as he stood and left the room.

"A Doctor's View"

Captain William Sutherland
Lieutenant JG Klaus Feinberg

Captain Sutherland looked at his list, and rubbed his forehead a moment. Lord, these ships had an awful lot of people one them. He sighes, and moved to the next name. Then he tapped his commbadge, instructing the Doctor to report immediately. ----- ["Sutherland to Lieutenant Feinburg, please report to Briefing Lounge 12"] came the voice over the Medical Officer's commbadge.

Klaus was in sickbay after releasing the serum into the ships atmosphere. "Aye Kapitän."

["Thank you, Lieutenant. I'll see you here shortly."]

The Lieutenant was still bugged and messed up by the serum he released into the life support systems to counteract the pheremone.

---------

" Good afternoon, Doctor. I'm sure you're aware, Starfleet has sent myself and my fellows to determine the fate of these androids located by one Harcourt Fenton Mudd. I would appreciate anything you could tell me about what's been going on this ship." he said, eyeing the somewhat dissheveled Starfleet Medical Officer who'd entered a moment ago.

Klaus, having to contain his rampant emotions replied quickly. "Well sir, I will brief you on the havoc these abom--er--androids have been causing. They appear to have the purpose of pleasuring male sexual humanoids. As far as I've seen Kapitän, they are nothing more than machines. They release a pheremone that drive male humanoids, especially human males, mad with lust. It is almost as if they can grab a man and control him by , how would one word this, by the balls. My CO, Leutnant Kommandant Vladimir Malgin and I have released a serum into the ships atmosphere that should......stop the effects of the pheremone. Now returning to the activitys of the androids, they show signs only of servatude. I have never seen them make any of their own descisions. Although they are definitely signs of master programming, They show no signs of sentience. They are nothing more than automatons by my observation."

"Interesting." Captain Sutherland replied, tapping his stylus against his PADD. "Doctor, for the record, could I ask you to define sentience?"

Klaus went into deep thought, his little brew to stop the androids was wearing off since Bolivar cut it off without his knowledge. "Well.....sentience is an extended knowledge of self, advanced thought, and free will. While it may seem these androids have these traits, this is programmed into them. They simply Simulate Sentience."

"Thank you, Doctor. That will be all."

"My pleasure sir."

"Sentience is Fleeting"

Lt. (jg) Ella Grey
Lt. Curtis Geluf, Chief of Operations
Lt. (jg) Kiora Eastman-Geluf (APC)
and an Android

Ella stretched out on her couch, deciding that it was the most comfortable couch in the world. Even if it was lumpy. And had misshapen pillows. And had stains from all of Indigo's art projects.

But she could lay down and it was quiet and, most importantly, there were no god-damned fembots anywhere in sight.

Ella never thought she would hate a machine as much as she hated the fembots. She, who loved machines, loved tinkering with parts, seing how things worked.

Right now she couldn't care less how they worked. She just wanted them off the ship. It wasnt enough that they were having the department running around like crazy or that her social life had come to a screeching halt. They had gotten to Cassius, almost gotten to Victor...It made her want to grind her teeth. Those were her boys, Ella thought, even though she knew that she held no such claim over them. What next? Pretty soon the fembots would be after...

Ella sat straight up. ~~Curtis!~~

****

The doors parted to display what would probably be a very comical scene, under different circumstances. Curtis Geluf was in the center of the room, curled up in a little ball, as Kiora Geluf proceeded to beat him over the head with what looked like a shoe. A partially dressed fembot sat watching with some interest. Probably thought it was some mating ritual she could learn from.

Oh dear, Ella thought.

She walked over the couple and tried to drag Kiora away. The woman resisted, however, and Ella sighed and then grabbed a handful of her hair. She pulled hard. Kiora yelped and moved back and Ella quickly stepped in between woman and fembot.

~~Its not what you think~~ Ella told the woman before remembering that Kiora couldnt read sign. She sighed again and got out her PADD. *HE'S UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE ANDROIDS PHEREMONES. ALL THE MEN ON GALAXY ARE.*

"Pheremones?! She's been DRUGGING him?!?!?!" Kiora huffed, looking in the direction of the bot. Then, taking yet another shoe in hand, she lept at the home-wrecker in a fit of rage, shouting words that neither Ella nor Curtis had ever heard Kiora say before. Blow after blow fell upon the hapless bot, as Kiora now had TWO shoes, a deadly turn of events indeed. Wonder-Wife.

Ella watched in amazement then remebered that she had to keep the fembot intact. Reluctantly, she broke up the fight again, this time getting a sharp smack on her hand for her trouble.

Curtis, now out of his ball and sprawled out on the floor, looked up toward the ruckus in dazed confusion. Deciding that it didn't involve him, and still smarting from Kiora's lightning attack of doom, he dropped his head to the ground.

Ella shook her head and then stamped her foot to get his attention.

~~Oh no you dont, Professor. Tell Kiora to go to her room and then get yourself to the bathroom. You're a little bit...disheveled. I don't want you near the fembot.~~

"Hmm? Oh, yeah, sure Ella." Curtis nodded, picking himself up. A quick look around the room, however, had him locking eyes with the fem-bot.

Ella stomped again. ~~No!~~

"Right.....going now...." Curtis stammered. "Kiora...Ella says you should leave too..."

At that, the couple exited the room: one in a tizzy and the other in a trance.

Ella turned back to the bot. ~~Don't you have any shame?~~ she signed, knowing that the bot could understand her.

The robot looked puzzled. "What is shamefull about wanting to please a man?"

Ella frowned. ~~When his wife is in the next room!~~She scanned the fembot and was not surprised to find the pheremone present. Ella put the tricorder away and then, realizing she couldnt hold it in anymore, unleashed a signing frenzy at the android. ~~You make me sick! Always trying to please them! They're just using you and you...you dumb machine, you enjoy it! It's disgusting!~~

She blinked. Where had that come from?

"Oh we don't enjoy it." the fembot said.

Ella blinked again. ~~What?~~

"Your statement was in error. We do not enjoy ourselves."

~~B..but why?~~ Ella's fingers stuttered.

"We are programmed to please. It is our nature. Enjoyment is not something we are capable of."

~~But if you are aware of the fact that you are not pleased, then surely you are...you're sentient?~~

"We are not pleased or displeased by it. We have no feeling one way or the other."

Dont say that, Ella thought. It makes it worse. ~~I'd like to seriously hurt your creator.~~ she told the android

"Why? We are what we are. Violence will not solve anything."

~~You could be more. But you don't want that, do you?~~ Ella signed frustrated.

"We are what we are."

Ella glared at the robot.~~And what are you?~~

There was a slight pause this time before the response, "We are what we are."

Ella tilted her head. ~~What are you?~~

Again the slight pause, and again the same answer, "We are what we are."

She ground her teeth. ~~You and your friends have annoyed me to no end this past week. Now Im not leaving until you answer me. Its a simple question, *What* are you?~~

This time, a slight nod before the same tune, "We are what we are."

Ella clenched her hands a bit before sighing and relaxing them. Program is looping, she thought.She looked at it sadly. ~~You don't have the intelligence to answer me, do you? You're not sentient.~~

She shut the machine off as it began to repeat its phrase.

Ella waited beside the machine until some engineers came by to pick the fembot up. Then she sqaured her shoulders, said a brief goodbye to the Gelufs, and returned to her quarters.

"In Need Of Help"

By:
Lt. Commander Rose Isis MacAllen, Chief of Archology
Lt. Commander James Lionel Corgan, Chief of Security

And numerous male members of the crew

Location: 'The Drunk Tank', Security Office.

"Stupid T'lan... Stupid O'Rourke..." James Corgan grumbled, twisting a lock of his hair agitatively in his right fingers.

Alot had happened while he was being 'pre-occupied' by the androids. Security's female staff was quick to address the problem by taking care of the male members of the crew. They were assisting medical and science staff in handing out an anti-pheremone antidote to help combat the instant lust syndrome being spread around the ship like a plague.

James commended their quick and hasty efforts.

What he didn't like was the fact that he was considered a critical case, and was so doped up on pheremones that T'lan and O'Rourke decided James needed to dry out in the ship's main holding cell.

Dubbed 'The Drunk Tank', after the common sight seen in every police precinct since the 20th century, it was a low security cell meant for temporary incarceration. The Orions were cleared out and put in the higher security suites that were improvised in one of the Galaxy's cargo bays, leaving the drunk tank for those other terminal cases of the love bug.

"Oh god, when's this stuff going to kick in?" James muttered. It was going to be one hell of a wait. And since he was on the verge of a relationship crisis, James didn't want to think about it. And sitting around only brought boredom and thinking.

It was going to be a long wait. He just knew it.

**Close to the drunk tank**

Rose was very pissed off after hearing about James ending up drunk and having sex with some fembot she wanted to kill right about now.

The young woman walked in with an smile to the other officers who knew her so well, and some feeling the aftereffects of the pheremones.

"Hey Boys!"

The voices of a dozen hung over, dreary men replied, "Hi, Missus MacA..."

A slender, serious Vulcan female approched the wraithful Betazoid. The Vulcan already knew what Missus MacA came for. "Commander Corgan is currently in our main holding cell with the other terminal cases. He should be physically able to perform his duties in one hour, twenty four minutes, sixteen seconds."

"Very well may I see him, T'lan."

"Right this way." T'lan motioned to the Drunk Tank, curious about her emotional volatility.

The young Betazoid waved to the boys with an smile and walked along side with the young female Vulcan, they walked down an few hallway when they come to the drunk tank.

James saw the wraithful Rose, and his blood turned ice cold.

"Hey, James I came to visit." the young Betazoid said in an toneless voice holding her big stomach that is not entering her seven month.

~"AKKK! No she didn't!"~ James recoiled in fear, ~"Jesus f**king Christ, she's got me cornered, and she looks p*ssed off! Oh no, oh god no, please no... awwww man..."~

The burning in her eyes told James everything. He didn't need to hear it from her to know what she was thinking. He just knew. The fact that she was Betazoid, and already most liking given a glimpse into his panicking psyche, added to his alarm. He just knew... she knew about the androids and that one wild night.

Her affection for the security chief was no secret, and that was what James was afraid of. He was growing fond of the young woman, and he didn't want to ruin a friendship over one silly night out. But then again, he always thought it was unhealthy for her to keep a friendship over some sort of longing. Though he tried to deny it, he couldn't help but acknowledge Rose's affections.

But now with what could be perceived as a strange infidelity, where none would normally exist, James had to treat the situation like a minefield. Step very, very carefully.

"Dear god, I never thought i'd be on the other end of the force field." James muttered darkly.

"That makes the rest of us, Missus MacA." Lieutenant E'xch, the Denobulan security specialist, grumbled. The rest of the Drunk Tank's occupants begrudgingly nodded their heads, agreeing, as James and the others braced for Rose's vengeance.

Rose turns towards the Vulcan, "Shut down the forcefield and let me in."

The young Vulcan woman nodded and shut down the forcefield, the young Betaziod officer walked in while the forcefield when back up and the Vulcan stood there.

"I know what you did and I forgive...all of you belived or not, can anybody help me sit down for an few minutes please. It won't be long until I have leave because of this babies."

"YES MISSUS MACA!" A half dozen young voices croaked, as they eased Rose MacAllen into one of the brig's benches.

James didn't get up to help. Still smarting from the shame, and half believing all she said, he stayed still on the bench, not approaching her, but not shying away either.

"Rose? Why are you here? Are you here to bail us out?" James ventured.

"I told you I heared what happen and I want to see you and the guys, as for bailing you guys out it won't be long for that. If you want I can leave you alone and talk to you later if you like James." the young Betazoid said while one of the Ensigns was touching her stomach feeling the babies moving around.

"Yes boys that little James and little Diana in there."

James contemplated his given options, "Tell you the truth, Rose, I don't feel that great right now. I would like to be left alone." The fire in her eyes extinguished his bravery, "Maybe we can talk later, when my head isn't aching and when this whole android situation is under control. But... I could use your help on one thing."

"What is it James?"

"Its the androids themselves." James said, "I want any data pertaining to their function. I heard your department and intelligence has data on the androids, and as soon as i'm out, I'm going to test some theories. Maybe then my department can stop all the rampant... activities going on out there."

"Come to my Science Lab when you have an change." the young Science Officer replied while walking towards the brig door slowly, the young Vulcan female nods and put the forcefield back up after Rose steped out of the brig.

"By the way." James interjected, "Do you know if Asimov's Law of Robotics applies to these androids?"

"No, why?"

"It's a theory. Technically, the first law of robotics says that a robot cannot harm another human, or allow harm to come to a human. Therefore, if the laws of robotics apply, then they are disrupting activity on this ship, and harming us. I'll need to talk to Lily and Renee, they're the androids in my room. Who knows... this may work!"

"Well bring them by my lab and I will help you in anyway I can." the young Betazoid told him while hiding her pain from inside her stomach, it won't be too long before the babies comes.

"Alright! I just may be able to save them after all!" James cheered, then ordered, "T'lan, let me out."

T'lan looked at James blankly, "Not now. You have one hour, twenty minutes remaining."

"Crap! Rose... get to the lab. I'll have to keep you waiting for a little while longer." James said.

"No problem I will get my team ready to help you just come and get me out of my office when you get there." Rose replied with an gentle smile to him and the boys and walked back towards her office.

"I'm So Sorry"

By: Lt. Commander Rose Isis MacAllen, Chief of Archology, USS Galaxy
Commander James Mitchell, Chief Science Officer, USS Miranda

**Rose's Office**

After a visit to sickbay to see how her twins were doing, she got another message from a friend of her own past. While sitting back behind her desk trying to relax a bit, the young woman turned on her computer.

[Hi Rose, I thought I call and express my condolences for your loss of your husband.] The screen had shimmered into a recorded message from the USS Miranda, where the newly promoted Commander James Mitchell was seated in his quarters.

[When you get in, message me. I'm off-duty for the day. The advantages of rank.] He smiled warmly then reached over and ended the recording.

She sighed while sitting back down, Rose felt bad. Every one of her friends either had a happy life or a new rank. Something the young Betazoid herself didn't have.

"Computer send this message to the USS Miranda." Rose ordered. She tried to look all happy but knew James would know that something would be wrong.

["Hey James, how are you... you handsome Bajoran, you?"]

***USS Miranda, Chief Science Officer's Quarters***

The console flickered to life in James' quarters. [You have an incoming trransmission from Rose MacAllen, USS Galaxy]

The Bajoran put aside the report he was filling out, and touched his eye. The bruise was still tender where Commander Jordan had connected with it, and hoped the shadows would hide it somewhat.

"Rose! How are you? Is everything okay?" The memories of the former Science Officer who worked under him came to the surface. From the appearance she presented him on the screen, he could tell something more was wrong. Her smile didn't seem genuine, for her eyes weren't bright. They were flat and opaque. Not like the usual Rose who had gone off and gotten married.

But then again, her husband had recently died, from what he heard. He didn't know the details; death was always difficult.

***USS Galaxy, Rose's Quarters***

"I've been better, how about you?" she replied trying to hide her huge, pregnant stomach.

The figure on the screen shrugged, and grinned. A slight wince, but kept it hidden.

[Not too bad. We're in the middle of a pretty rough mission right now that is truly testing the limits of our patience, but I can't go into it. Classified. You know the drill.]

He took a deep breath.

[I can't talk long. I'm just about to go on duty. I just wanted tell you how sorry I am for your loss. I wish I'd gotten to know Rashid a little better.]

"It is the will of the Gods, I guess I was never meant for love or marriage even now that I fixing to have twins and my daughter Karyn is about to turn 3."

[Oh, come now, Rose, don't be saying that. You've had some rough spills, but nothing you can't beat. You're a strong woman. You have a family that loves you unconditionally. All the adversity you face will come about full circle and you'll find true happiness. You'll see.] Off in the distance a warble could be heard, and James glanced at something off-monitor.

[That's my queue, Rose. I have to go now. Drop me a line again sometime, and we'll talk. Bye for now.]

["Bye old friend] Rose replied and shut off her computer thinking about how lucky she have friends like James and Shinta even though there light years of part.

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