USS Galaxy: The Next Generation Sim Log
Stardate: 50311.21 - 50311.27

"A Little Faith..."Markie
By Lieutenant Commander Corgan
And Lieutenant Savoir (authorized in case of an emergency)
Guest starring various galaxy staff (unauthorized, but mostly just dinky stuff)

Location: The shuttle Opaka, Quentite surface.
Soundtrack: "Spirit In The Sky" By Norman Greenbaum (liftoff song)

Sprinting full tilt towards the shuttle, James grunted and strained to keep his body moving. The ground moved below him like a rapid shot of film; a blur of sandstone that blended the sparse vegitation until it was disconcernable. He jumped into the shuttle, grabbed Counselor An'Quinsos's arm, then flung the counselor in. He gave the door mechanism a hearty, hasty slap, closing the door behind him.

"Everyone's accounted for!" James gave the room a quick headcount. Everyone was inside, and it made for one cramped shuttlecraft. He hoped the sheer amount of crewmen aboard wouldn't stop the craft from launching.

It would be most inconvenient when the planet exploded.

"Get us out of here Lieutenant Savoie." Commander Von Ernst ordered, her voice reflecting the urgency and panic as well as a brick of ice.

Savoir was frantically working the Opaka's controls. His voice was distracted, but urgent. "Inertial dampners online. Thrusters active. However, we will have difficulty leaving orbit. Once we leave orbit... if we leave orbit... we will be on minimal power reserves. But it might be enough to get us home."

James shuffled himself through the masses of crewmembers, going elbow to elbow and forcing his way to the cockpit of the shuttle. Breathing a sigh of relief, James took a position on the co-pilot's seat.

"I'm here to help you." James said, and added before Jeremy could protest, "I have my Class 5, don't worry. And I have some insight on how to get the hell out of here intact. In short, you're going to need me."

Savoir doubted whether a security officer would be much of a help when he needed the best pilot he could find, but if James said he could do the job, the Lieutenant couldn't very well argue. Since time was wasting, Savoir gestured to the co-pilot's seat. "Strap yourself in. But be quick. We don't have time to screw up."

"Well, i'm glad we could come to an agreement." James flicked on various controls, "Now listen carefully. Don't ask me how I know, I just do, and if anyone asks... I don't. After all, i'm just a dumb security officer, so we can both plead my ignorance on these matters, and you are the pilot who knows enough to figure out what I say on your own. You get credit for the ingenius way we escaped, and my ass is out of the fire. Ok... now we can get out of here."

Jeremy didn't know if he should believe Commander Corgan's rather strange terms. But when he looked over his shoulder, and saw Rebecca Von Ernst' ice cold stare glaring back at the Lieutenant, as if to confirm what James had said, Savoir had no choice but to agree. "Ok sir, but do you mind telling me why?"

"Thank you, and yes I do mind." James continued explaining to the vexed navigation officer. "Now, in order to set things right, we have to take the same path we came in. There, we will intersect with a temporal anomaly. Hopefully, it'll set things right, but that is not for certain. My source... don't ask, says it should get things back to normal. All you need to worry about is how to get off the planet. By the way, can we get off the planet, much less towards anywhere civilized in the Federation?"

"We should... barring any failures on the way." Jeremy quoted, "We would be low on power, but out of orbit. If the Galaxy isn't in orbit, we would have to travel for several weeks on warp 1 to get to the outpost on Neranda III, which is the nearest habitable planet and Federation presence. This does keep in account the power we need for replicator rations, water and oxygen."

"So if we don't burn up during launch, we'll make it?"

"Yes, but we have no margin for error."

Starfleet had a habit of depending on a plethora of failsafes in any emergency. Without any failsafes to depend on, James felt that the shuttle and its inhabitants were flying naked, more more accurately, being shot out of a cannon without a net. "Well, we have to do it... sir?" He turned to Rebecca.

The redhead didn't change her expression. "Get us out of here, Lieutenant."

"Aye sir!"

At that command, Savoir punched in the command to launch.

Outside, the Opaka's thrusters sputtered to life. Its bright blue and white jet trails lifted the shuttle off the ground, spraying badlands dust all around in a concussive wave of heat and pure thruster force. The Opaka made a ponderous turn, pointing its broad nose at the Quentite atmosphere.

"Thrusters engaged. Course locked in." Savoir's hands worked the controls.

James flew his fingers through the warp engine startup sequence, glad that he didn't lose a step since the Academy. "Ready to engage main engines at your command."

"Ready."

"Then let's launch this motherf...."

As soon as the main engines kicked in, James felt as if he was kicked halfway into his seat. The Quentite atmosphere had a strong grip on the shuttle, and didn't want to let go. The planet spasmed as another earthquake shook it apart. The badlands where the Opaka once was started to crack and crumble away.

The Opaka climbed higher. It shook with the planet, rattling the precariously fastened crew. James found the task of co-piloting the shuttle ever more difficult.

The shuttle climbed higher still. The atmosphere was turning darker, as the shuttle broke cloud cover and rocketed closer to space.

Savoir punched in an adjustment to the course, "Aligning flightpath to our previous route. We are following the same path now. We should intersect with the temporal anomaly."

"Hope to god we do, or we be f**ked!" James called back.

The shuttle broke through the last of Quentin's ionospheric barriers, immersing itself into space. The shaking stopped, and the shuttle's main engines stopped its high pitched humming. The dead stillness of space was a relieving peace, the worse being over.

The Galaxy showed itself a moment later, as well as four other vessels of various sizes. One was obviously alien, belonging to the Quentite exploration team. The second, in the far distance, was the USS Pershing, keeping its distance. The USS Hood, the graceful nacelles of the Excelsior class vessel violently sheared off by phaser fire, drifted to the Galaxy's port. The USS Nimitz, the slender beauty facing off tensely against the savage brute of the Galaxy, had its starboard crumpled by a catastrophic collision.

"Jesus Christ." James whispered to himself. His friends were on board. His goddaughter was on the Galaxy. Civilians were most likely on all the other Federation ships, and definately on the Galaxy. Those were their own ships, as he suspected when he saw the fire from the planet's surface, and they were locked in traitorous combat, uncaring about the people endangered.

James thought of Rose and his godchildren still on board. ~"F**kers will pays if they are hurt..."~ And his sickening hatred of the appearant betrayal occupied his thoughts.

Until a sensor blip caught up Savoir's attention. Curiously, the navigation officer checked his sensor scans.

He couldn't quite explain it, but it was there.

"SIR!" He yelled in alarm, "There's a subspace temporal wave off our stern! Impact in one minute, thirty five seconds!"

Klaxons rang out in the shuttle, as the survey team held on tight. James checked his console display. It was a Class 4 distortion wave, a starship killer if the captain wasn't being careful. The shuttlecraft, in the scheme of things, was a stick in the ocean compared to the wave behind it.

"Can we outdistance it?" James asked.

Savoir checked his readings, "Can't, sir. We don't have enough thrust, and the wave is matching our course. We're pulling it along, and as soon as it consumes us..."

The chief of security realized, "It'll take out the other ships..."

Savoir finished, "And we can't stop it..."

~"The guardian said, he said to do this... what is going wrong?"~ James frantically asked himself, ~"What the hell is going on? We did what he asked..... is this wave all a part of it?"~

"We can't..." James gasped, "We're stuck here. No deflector tricks. No miracle cures. We can't get out of the way..."

"Impact in thirty seconds!" Savoir counted down.

"Let it be."

The navigation chief looked at James, dumbfounded, "What?!?!"

"Unless you have an idea how to stop that wave, we're f**ked!!! Since we don't have a way, we're f**ked!!! Get a clue!!!"

The console flashed a warning. Twenty seconds remained.

"If that's what we should do..."

James let himself have one last smile. "Hey... I don't know about you, but we should have a little faith. I was told we should do this. Let's just do it and let everything else... sort its own deal out."

Unsatisfied with James peaceful acceptance of their dire circumstances, Jeremy asked one last question. "Sir... if we're going to die in..." He stole a glance at the console, "Ten seconds... you might as well tell me how you knew about the temporal anomaly."

The subspace temporal wave rumbled the tiny shuttlecraft as it made its destructive temporal tsunami towards the Federation fleet. James gave it some thought, but then decided to tell Jeremy Savoir at least one last word.

"Nah...."

The time counter on the console ran out as the shuttle was buffeted by a force larger than itself...


OOC: A Very short little post to put me on the shuttle, and a witness to "A Little Faith..." Very minor and showing a slightly important personal story element.

"The Racing Mind"

Lt. jg Dr. Klaus Fienberg
Unauthorised appearance of everyone on the shuttle, primarily Dr. Reynolds.
According to the events of "A little faith." No speaking roles...everything muted by a heartbeat.

Timeframe: During "A Little Faith" and in the same place but not directly involved.

The Mind of Klaus Fienberg.

-So now we must leave this god forsaken place. Good Riddance.-

The Asscension of the shuttle began and the rough clearing of the atmosphere and once free the view came to that of the current predicament in the view of the shuttle window. Very little could be seen from the Klaus' position...but it was enough to send his heart racing.

-What is this?? My God!-

He was completely mute....the others on board the shuttle....he could not actually accertain they're facial expressions....He looked Dr. Reynolds straight in the face....and felt nothing. Her mouth moved....but there was no sound, only his own racing heart. He nodded in acknowledgment....not even knowing what he was nodding too.

He returned his view to the main window of the shuttle....shock and horror flowed through his body. He watched as all of the shuttle's occupants talked...no sound, only the moving of mouths in the silence that only interrupted by the heartbeat.

Thoughts rushed over the shocked man. He was aware of things...but not. He was in the danger with them, but outside.

These recent events....these things he's seen.

Then two names popped into his head as he looked at the Limping Galaxy.

Just under his breath...and not to the attention of the others....."Kay. Eric."

The feeling that the shuttle was no longer in the control of the pilots washed over.


"Clipshow"
Lt. jg. Dr. Klaus Fienberg.....in different parts of his life.
Also starring people he's known through the years of his life.

Soundtrack: Well....it never actually is in the Post.....but the hidden 3 Doors Down song "This Time" fits the most. It's what partly gave me the idea to write this now.

Location: USS Rennville
Timeframe: 2351, June 28th.

NOTE: The Rennville Crew uses the older style of Uniform seen in the late 2280s. The Captain always prefered this uniform style and revived it for the Rennville crew once he took command. The newer Commbadges are still in use though.

"Papa? You're late."

The very young boy Greeted his father. The Old Uniform showed the rank of Lt. Cmdr. on the shoulder....The warm blue collar almost glowed in the light. It was late.....a small accident in science kept the Middle aged doctor late.

"Hello my Boy! Come give your father a hug." Otto Fienberg knealed down to his son.

The blond toddler hugged his father gingerly. Otto stayed knealed afterward. "Has you Mother come home yet?"

"No Pappa..." "The Captain has been keeping us on our toes all week. But soon we'll be out of this station."

Being the Ship's Doctor and a Senior Officer as a result, The Fienberg Family's quarters was a large suite with a view.....a view currently in the view of the Utopia Planetia and Mars. Otto picked up his son and stood. Then walked to the largest window. "You're up late little man. Did the Baby Sitter treat you well?"

"Ja. I wanted to wait you you and mom." Despite being barely 3, Little Klaus was vert smart and very talkative.

The Family used English primarely, but still taught their son their native languages.

The Door opened....and a staggeringly exhausted red haired woman entered. "That bastard. Enough! I'm asking for leave tommorrow. 12 straight hours in that blasted room. All of this new blood getting me overworked. None of them know how to do ANYTHING." The Firery Cheif Engineer.

"He got you too Shannon? A lot of New Nurses and MDs. I lost my assistant. He got promoted and transferred. I didn't even get to say good bye. I went in today and he was gone. Figures that arrogant vulcan wouldn't say a word."

Otto Bounced his son slightly and put him down. "Time for you to sleep now little man." "Ok papa."

The toddler staggered into his room.

=/\=Dr. Fienberg. Please report to shuttlebay one. We've had a minor accident.=/\= "It never ends...." =/\= On my way.=/\=

Shannon followed him.

His mother helped him brush his teeth. She knew that she wanted him to become an Engineer someday....

Shortly afterward he lay in his bed.

"Someday you will be a great man." She tucked in her son......she never knew what was about to happen. Klaus would not see his mother alive again.

Location: Berlin, Earth.
Timeframe: 2360, september 23rd

A Slightly battered and bruised 12 year old Klaus walked in the front door. His eyes filled with rage. The Fienberg home was not only a residence, but a small doctor's office.

Otto charged up to young Klaus, quickly smacking him upside the head. It didn't phase the Boy. "You hotheaded little bastard! You beat up another one! And you know what! They're going to come here.....but nonetheless you need to control you temper! God, you're just like your mother."

"I barely knew my mother....so how can I be like her?"

"Nevermind that.....I don't wish to speak of it....go to your room and stay there until I call for you. That boy will come here soon, and YOU will tend to his injuries." Klaus was still enraged, but not as much. "He was asking for it. He called my a Fleet Brat!"

Otto was even more angry."You let a little insult like that set you off? Go! I will call for you!"

Klaus went to his room and began to sulk....but something new happened.....a feeling of complete and total worthlessness and helplessness came over him.

-Why do I do these things? Why to I make my father angry. What is the point of all of this. I suddenly have pain? Pain in my heart. Pain for my mother. A woman I barely knew. Soon after I came here. All I've had to do since I've been here is fight.....Yet if I beat all of my enemies....more will come. SO theres no point. But then there is a point.... I have gained a reputation, and many will want to fight me.....-

"KLAUS! Come!"

The Depressed state that had come over the boy had disapated temporarily....but it puzzles us all how these events started it.

The Boy was there....and afraid. "I am sorry Han. I will mend you."

Location: Berlin, Earth.
Timeframe: 2366, June 20th.

The Entire Senior class of South Berlin High School was assembled. They were in their Robes .....but the ceremonies were over. They were dispersed on the Soccor Field, caps were strooned around the ground. Otto Fienberg was a definitley older. He had grown bald, and his temples had gone grey. The old good doctor. He was conversing with his son and his son's closer friends. The incredible feeling of pride almost overwhelmed him. Unfortunately......this would be one of the few moments he would have with his son.

In a Month he would be in a coma.....teminally ill. Shortly afterward, His son would be be a cadet in Starfleet Academy. Otto Fienberg would die in his son's arms a year later.


NRPG: Well, Perhaps I should establish something. You don't often think of human in Star Trek as being religious.....I will point out right now that Klaus Fienberg IS a practicing Christian. I dunno, I think it's a tightwalk thing to do.....but I am versed in the religion(I was born a Catholic, and know of ALOT of it, but I can research it, theres at least mor than one testament in this house somewhere.) I DIdn't mention it in the Bio for certain reasons.....but it's important to know this.

"Clipshow" Pt.2Markie
Lt. jg Dr. Klaus Fienberg, at different points and ranks in his life.
Other figured from his past. Primarily Lt. jg Liz Stonewall,
One of The Patton's Engineers, and
Lt. Cmdr. Lacy Trang, Counseller for the USS Sturmovik.
Ensign Vhistan "V" Marratta of Security for the USS Aries.

Location: USS Patton, Excelsior class.
Timeframe: 2373, May 1st.

Small bit of History: The Patton had been assigned to assist in the clean up of Sector 01 following the second Borg Incursion. While the initial Fleet seemed adequate, numerous small fleets had been recalled to assist in the battle. The Patton was amoung them....but didn't arrive until immediately following the destruction of the cube. And thus The Long Cleanup process began, as well as the long medical service.

The Patton's entire crew was strained, and Captain Ashiro Mukai had turned into an evil dictator, and had kept things up and running despite the fact that the ship had gone into refit and the cleanup was long over. The Refit was somewhat major and the ship would be in drydock until most likely September. She had sustained major damage when the torpedo magazine of a wrecked ship exploded in close proximity.

"Here in the bar again I see." The Stern young southern woman confronted the blue collared dirty blond, who by this time was blind drunk. "Not now Liz. That bastard Muka-----"

"NO EXCUSES! You're totally plastered and only have YOURSELF to blame!" Klaus was intoxicated beyond beleif....having had access to the bartender's special stuff....despite the fact that Mukai himself like to get a little stinko and actually allowed for consumption of actual Alchohol, just not in excess. Public Drunkeness in his prescence was severely punished.

"Please Liz....It takes the pain away."

"No, it only drowns it out.....when you wake up....It'll be back.....but I wont. Go ahead and continue to love the one thing you seem to love more than me." Klaus reached out feebly for Liz as she stormed out, and then the arm fell limp. He went and drowned out the new pain the only way he knew how at this point.

Time jump: December 8th, same year.

10 forward was bustling with activity for a late night. Klaus was still here, drinking and crying away his pain. An obviously southern voiced man in civilian clothes approached him. "Dr. Fienberg, you old drunk. Here again? You are really hurting Liz, My Sister, with this sh*t. She wants you back. But you still drive her away."

"She hasn't approached me."

"You've got a powerful booze powered Deflector there boy."

The instigator grabbed Klaus' uniform, and lifted the drunk up."I could just tell the captain of your antics....but I'd rather knock you around, since I have no problem goin back to prison!"

The man forcefully pushed Dr. Fienberg and he nearly stumbled. Klaus stood up, in a defensive posistion. "I don't want to fight...I will not resort to violence."

"Yea, but I will."

The man slugged Klaus straight in the forhead, A little higher that he originally aimed. The good doctor fell straight back on his ass. The Bartender on duty did a silent call for security at this point.

After a few kicks, Klaus had had enough. His eyes filled with rage...and almost became another person. He sprung up giving a jab straight in the abdomen and then a second uppercut straight up on the bottom of the jaw. 2 shots was all it took for Klaus to put the man on the ground. He stood over his opponent. Standing there. Staring at him...only rage shown through the eyes. The man lay there, partly in fear, partly in anger.

Liz had seen it all. "No...." Almost immediately several gold collars sprung in and restrained Klaus, he immediately submitted, reaching out for Liz.....she ran. It was finally and truely over. It would not be easily repaired now.

Far worse was the fact that the next week showed the transfer of Lt. JG Elizabeth Stonewall to the USS Defiant. She remained aboard and was killed when the ship was destroyed at the hands of the Breen. Klaus wouldn't find out until late 2376.

Location: USS Aries, In orbit of Cardassia
Timeframe 2375, December 24th.

The war was over. The horrible war that had plagued the peaceful Federation for so long was finally over.

It was Christmas Eve for the Christianic element of the Aries Crew. But it was no all happiness and merrymaking. Despite being primarily Christmas, this day was declared a general day of celebration for the entire crew. There was a big party, all crew that attended were in dress uniform. Klaus made a resolution not to get drunk on this eve which was so holy to him. For the most part he was buzzed, and a little depressed......but it was better than that outburst 2 years ago.

There were 2 shiny new metals pinned on Klaus' dress uninform. Modified by the way. A Battle of DS9 Medal and a Dominion Cluster. The CMO of the Aries asked that modified versions be given to the medical staff of the ship.....and are only different in this way. They have a simple difference. A hippocratic Symbol in the center......barely noticable. Since the Aries participated in the battle of Cardassia, Klaus was supposed to receive a medal for that......but had only one thing to say. 'NO! No more medals! I'm a Damn Doctor not a career soldier!'

And now he was staring out of the Aries' Ten forward center window. Cardassia Prime on the right, and deep space on the left. He was alone, holding an empty wine glass. An Ensign by the name of Vhistan Marratta, an andorian, approached his friend. "Klaus? Come on! Join the festivities!"

"Why should I V? What did I do?"

"You helped save live my friend, thats far more noble that picking up a phaser and firing it."

"You are a soldier....you've seen horrible things..." V nodded. "...Imagine looking at some of this horrible injuries and then being expect to fix them......sometimes it's too much. So I sit around helping everyone and being scarred with the injuries and scars of others and then having medals pinned on my chest!"

"Klaus, you're really being too hard on yourself my friend. Yes, you have seen some horrible things.....but more of those people are alive now.....and lacking these gaping wounds, severed body parts and such. They are alive because or YOU and the rest of the medical staff, you should be proud....." V had become uncharacteristically angry. "Seeing you like this makes me angry you'd sooner put somebody in front of you and give him the credit for everything good you've done just so you can sit in the corner in the human fetal posisition and just beat yourself up FOR PUTTING YOUR CREDIT ON SOMEONE ELSE!!!" V had lost it.....but he knew that Klaus needed to get yelled at.

Klaus looked at him, studying his friend.....and more importantly.....his subordinate.

"Beings that I am a Lieutnant, and you are an Ensign.......I have seniority. I order you to....join the festivities....I shall come with you!"

V pointed like some guy from NYC might and laughed......but Klaus' face didn't change from the clever smirk, until V started to....lose his constitution and get nevrous.....once that happen, Klaus gave a big toothy smile.

A Rare recovery of the mind from Depression....something that would be much harder in the coming years.....

Location: USS Sturmovik, Klaus Fienberg's Quarters.
Timeframe: 2377 February 15th

The Pain had returned, coming in big dark swarms. Different Pains from his life. The Pain for his mother. The Pain for this Father. The Pain for his loves lost. The Pain for those he lost during duty, on his watch. The Pain for the horrors of war. The Pain for the self Hating misery. The Pain for the Pain. Washed up and pulled him under like the rip tides off of beaches, ripping him out, then under deeper and deeper.

He sat there on his bed staring at his clenched fists. Looking at them.....studying them.

He had been avoiding people all week, trying to make sure that nobody would notice him.....say.....if he had disappeared.....you know....just vanished. His eyes wandered again.......coming to rest on his glass table. His picked up his medical kit and smashed it down as hard as he could.....breaking it.....he picked up a lard shard of the glass.......

Location: Main Counselling Office, USS Sturmovik.
Time: 2377, April 4th

"Hello Dr. Fienberg.......I suppose we'll begin immediately then...."



"Somewhere I Belong, Part 3"Markie

By

Legate Kylar Curran,
Chief Liaison Officer,
USS Galaxy

Unauthorized appearance by Karyn Dallas

**On board the timeship**

"Time to go, Mr. Curran."

Curran snapped awake. He hadn't realized he'd fallen asleep. He angrily looked about the hole he'd been shuffled away in; Karyn Dallas was noticeably absent.

He focused on the voice calling out to him. The lights had been raised once again and now his eyes had fully adjusted.

"You sound rather saddened, Captain. Come to dispose of me? Is the game up?"

"Not at all, Mr. Curran. We've come to send you home. I've come to die."

Curran furrowed his brow has he leveled himself off the biobed as it lowered him at a 45 degree angle to allow him off. All the electronics in his room had been deactivated.

"So, you've had no luck at determining the instigators of this exercise in futility?"

"Unfortunately, no. Our systems took too much of a shock when the time displacement wave caught up to us in our century." He stepped back to show the forcefield was no longer in effect. Curran followed him out.

Sickbay was devoid of any life. No crew, no patients, nothing. It was as quiet as a mausoleum.

"Please follow me, Mr. Curran. We have to go. There is no time left, and your friends are waiting." Dragos took a step forward, placed his hands on the corridor bulkhead trigger, sliding it open. Even the walls had stopped moving.

"They aren't my friends, and where are we going?"

"They will be your friends soon, since we only have enough power to send all of you to one place. Or rather, one time." The walls resonated with chill. Behind Curran, the lights dimmed off in the medical section.

"Stop being so cryptic on this Dragos!" He reached out to clasp the alien's shoulder, spinning him around. He was met without much of a struggle.

"We have another piece of technology that was never revealed to the other incursion subjects picked up by our ships." He shook up Curran's grip in the shadows. Dim lights, possibly a futuristic version of auxiliary backups, cast elongated shadows about them as Dragos pushed forward.

"Our transporter system can send you to specific time periods as well as locations, Legate. Most of my crew have already beamed off into their choices, but this ship cannot remain in the timestream without a crew. It's complicated, but we're only operating on a skeleton crew to make one last effort to save our present. Your future. We have enough power to send you and your team to one location of your choosing. My crew and I will remain to do what we can, before we destroy this ship."

Curran could respect the choice Dragos had made. He would do the same thing. Why come out of space to have your whole life altered without a choice? You might blink out of existence, to never have lived or breathed. That was not a honorable death. To have never been known? No. Curran would rather die in battle himself. Serving his mandates. The Federation it would seem has grown some backbone in the future.

"I take it you are going to beam us back into the timestream and remove the weapon of mass destruction?"

"No, that is too tricky, even for our future technology. We have not been able to determine the point of origin of the weapon. If we beam you in at a guess, you could either merge with your own counterparts, which would kill you with a great amount of pain when you re-materialize, or we would beam you in with the weapon, still killing you."

They stopped before a door.

"What if you went back before the timeslips began? To stop it before it started?"

"Impossible. We would be detected by the four starships in the sector, disrupting the timeline. Also, if we stopped it before it began, you and your crew would never have beamed down, and you would have to stay on board this ship for the remainder of your lives, as your counterparts would be intact in your own timeline."

"Temporal mechanics was never my strong suit. Where have the crew selected as their time and location?"

"We were limited by distance, and of course the further from your own temporal signature, the more impaired you would become." The door parted, and Curran spotted Dallas and Galali conversing. A raised platform pulsed and glimmered behind them.

"We have no choice but to deposit you on Quentin. The temporal displacement waves have made it habitable. The Galaxy and Nimitz can be salvaged to survive." Curran was taken aback.

"I'm not going to that place with her." Dallas threw him a cold glare.

"I feel the same as you, Legate, but for the greater good, I'm getting over it. So should you."

"Yes, you two do make a fine couple." A small smile tugged at Jacen's lips.

"Do you know something we don't? Of course you do, you're time travellers." Curran eyed him warily.

"Yes, well, Temporal Prime Directive. It's been broken enough already today. Have to keep something back." He winked at Dallas. The first sign of good spirits. "Now, if everyone will please take their places?"

Everyone climbed the platform, even Curran with a sour look.

"Stay the hell away from me, Dallas." Dragos' hands descended to the console.

"Good luck. You never know, if we are successful, you might find yourselves back on the Galaxy with the none for the wear."

"Energizing." He placed his hand over the pad to initialize the sequence.



"Somewhere I Belong, Part 4"Markie

By
Legate Kylar Curran,
Chief Liaison Officer,
USS Galaxy

**On board the Timeship**

The ship shuddered, and the power lights danced around them.

The Bridge crew of the Ma'at glanced up from the ovular console in the center of the Bridge. Consoles flared sparks, smoke wafted, the ship groaned. The green mosaic shimmied and twisted on itself, veins erupting along the quarterpanels.

Slowly the reserves kicked in and brought a semblance of life to the dying ship. Someone patted a wall near the science station, whispering to it consolately.

"Captain to the Bridge!"

[What happened? I lost all power down here!]

"Captain!" Kevalos' voice thundered across the bridge from the tactical console at the center table. "Reserves are down to 30% power remaining. Autoamtic failsafes are shutting down all non-essential systems. Transporters are now offline."

[Looks like you'll be staying with us until the end, Mr. Curran] Dragos voice was echoed as he parlayed the news to the group. [You might as well come to the Bridge with me instead of standing around. It's getting a might chill in here. I take it environmental controls are offline as well,
Kevalos?]

"Aye, sir. All power is re-routed to the bridge access control systems only." A creature, the one who had whispered to the wall, anxiously tried to get Kevalos attention. Its wings fluttered behind it in excitement. They were small, thankfully, or the Terran female beside him might have been a bit irritated at getting tail feather in the mouth.

"What is it, Gareth? Have you found something on sensors?"

"I believe so, sir! Come, take a look at the logs...." The female, who'd been taking a scan of Gareth's readings, grew anxious herself and also gestured the Hydran to come over.

*** Further below the ship ***

"We'll need to use the Jeffries tube and access ladders to get to the Bridge." Dragos pried open a bulkhead with the emergency lever, pumping it as it opened.

"Some things never change, I guess. These look exactly the same as the Galaxy accessways, but larger." They each clamoured in. Dallas floated in behind with her hoverchair, ducking down so that her head would clear.

"Yes, the ship has accommodated for Ms. Dallas here."

"The ship has accommodated?" They crawled through, jacking open bulkheads as they went.

"Yes, the ship is a lifeform in itself. You don't much about the Hydrans, do you, Mr. Curran?" He grunted as he pried open another bulkhead.

"There are a lot of species I am unfamiliar with, Captain. I'm a diplomat. I've never had dealings with the Hydrans. They were beaten soundly last century by the Rihannsu. In 2295. We've never heard from them again."

"Then you also don't know why you've never heard from them again, I take it."

"Common knowledge states they simply withdrew."

"That's the Federation talking. They were forgotten about, Legate." With a loud grunt, the last door opened to the Bridge. Dragos climbed out first, to be surrounded by his officers and crew. Curran and company climbed out without fanfare.

"What's the ship's status, Kevalos?"

The huge Hydran, glaring evilly at Curran, continued without hesitation.

"Reserves are holding at 27%. Engineering was severing power to the tunnels behind you to conserve power. There is nowhere else on the ship habitable for life at this time. We are trapped on the Bridge." He snapped upright.

"We are prepared to initiate auto-destruct at your order, sir."

"Very good, Kevalos. Now, what was it you came up with Mr. Gareth?" Dragos purposefully marched to the center console, ignoring those on the upraised dais around them. The bird-man perked up at his Captain's voice, and on his arrival, pointed at various aspects of the display.

"Can I have some power to display this holographically? It is so difficult to think in four dimensions on a two-dimensional display.

Dragos gave a nod to a crewman seated at the console, who initated the hologram. Instantly, a console up on the upper dais winked out. The Terran woman manning it was surprised, but held her cool. She moved down to the center console to stand alongside the others.

Curran approached cautiously. No one tried to stop him.

The blue shadows cast upon the sallow faces. The conversation was not in terms he could understand, but he caught pieces such as 'Galaxy', 'shuttle', 'incursion', which obviously led him to believe that it had something to do with him.

"What is it, Dragos?" He was mesmerized by the azure cubic grid that floated above the console. It rotated and was streaked with beams of light.

"My science officers have detected the temporal incursions your crew made at the focal point. We now know the story of what occurred, for they have repaired it."

"Have you located the alien instigator?"

"We're working backwards on that now. While my science crews are determining that, let us discuss what has occurred. It may be of import to you. It certainly has made out job easier, even if it was for nought."

"Will it affect our negotiations with the Quentite and Quentinshari peoples? Are they even alive?" Jonas Galali, silent for so long, finally spoke up.
He was obviously in denial of the whole thing.

"It will make no difference if we can get you two back into the transporter stream."

"Then what are you waiting for?!" Galali's shell was finally cracking, but what was coming out wasn't coherent as a diplomat.

"Ambassador, I suggest you take a seat just... over... there." He pointed to a dead console. Kevalos strode up to take his Captain's side.

Galali gulped. "Yes, sir." He meekly bowed his head and took a seat, staring around with wide-open eyes.

"A deer caught in lights."

"What?" Curran was confused.

"An old Terran analogy. This whole experience has been too much for him." He pondered for a short several seconds. He nodded at Kevalos.

"Thank you old friend." He took Curran's shoulder. Karyn was wisely remaining silent behind them.

"Let me tell you a most wondrous story of your fellow crew, Mr. Curran. It might change your opinions on the courage and devotion they have."



"Somewhere I Belong, Part 5"Markie

By
Legate Kylar Curran
Chief Liaison Officer
USS Galaxy

Unauthorized use of Karyn Dallas

"The shuttle that came up from the surface of the planet housed most of the crew that initially went down. A few brave souls remained, even if it meant they were to die. The planet was dying, Legate. The temporal waves had disrupted the natural order of time, and moved it onwards towards its impending destruction." He pointed to a streak of light on the display.

"Here is where the incursion that took place that destroyed your Galaxy and the other three ships." He touched a key and it zoomed in to display blip
points with registry numbers.

"The shuttle was carrying a survivor of the crash that had not yet happened in a sense. If they had left the survivor behind, they would have
successfully docked with the Galaxy.

"The shuttle in carrying the out-of-time former Engineer of the USS Galaxy, disrupted the already fragile timeflow and brought a chroniton wave up with it. When it came into visual cue of the vessels, it triggered the causality effect. The wave effectively 'ripped' a hole in space, a rift. The Galaxy saucer section, having separated from the engineering pylon, was drawn into the rift with the Nimitz and Pershing. Hood was destroyed."

"Incredible." The scene replayed itself in numbers and telemetry in front of Curran.

"Yes, but tragic. The shuttle was drawn into it as well. This was where we had initially lost contact, but our Science Officer located the ship signatures in the past."

"How do you do all this?" He was in awe of all going on. It was like there was a third-party observer to the events.

"This is 30th century technology, Legate. And you know it would violate my Directives if I told you. There is hope for you to return, so even in the face of death, I still cannot remit that information to you." He continued on.

"The Nimitz and Galaxy impacted with the planet's surface. The Pershing fell into a degraded orbit. It eventually fell to the planet 24 hours later, causing the temporal malfunctions in the first place.

"You see, there was another Guardian of Forever on the planet's surface. It had been hidden from view under mountain and oceans for eons. When the Galaxy crashed, it unearthed the ruins. When the Pershing crashed, it broke the Guardian. A piece impacted with the device, shearing off the top.

"Strange thing happened though, that is simply amazing to say the least."

"The survivors worked together in the face of disaster?"

"No. There was a survivor, yes. But he was dancing on the scanner logs. He seemed to be daring the Gods. 'Ha! Smeg you all! You can never beat the Lysman'. Then, as the Pershing fell to the planet, a complement of pianos fell to the planet around him. Dozens. He managed to avoid them for the most part. 'I'm too damned important, smeggers! You can't keep this man down! No piano will ever take me!'"

"Lysander." Kylar always thought that man the biggest idiot to put on a Federation uniform.

"Either way, it was almost like the remains of the forward section of Pershing that hadn't broken up in the atmosphere took a physical turn on its way down."

Curran was taken aback. "Last ditch effort to land safely?"

"Possibly, but their trajectory would've landed them safely anyways. Last thing this... Lysander said was 'Shit' as he saw it coming at him. Then the 42 ton fragment dropped on him."

"Looks good on him. What happened next?"

"The shuttle landed and set up triages. They located survivors and hustled them to the caves when the Pershing came down later. The survivor, one Dhanishta Eshe, who had come with them in the previous timeline, encountered her own self, 30 years younger.

"While the others were arguing over what to do, Dhanishta and her twin commandeered their shuttle and flew it into the Guardian at the best possible moment to come out just before the rift opened. They then flew the shuttle into the rift and breached their warp core.

"They closed the rift before the Galaxy could come back, and sealed the incursion. The four ships now sit in orbit about the planet with the Galaxy crew safely on board that arrived in the shuttle. The survivor they had brought disappeared out of existence. They were able to beam up the remaining crew on the surface as they storms had receded enough."

"So now we sit and wait like they do?"

"Not at all. I believe my temporal officer here has located our alien ship. Who are our instigators, Houle?"

"They are as we feared." The blue-skinned humanoid whispered resolutely. "Hydran."

Curran glanced to Kevalos, who sighed, and closed his five eyes heavily. He could see the talons clench the table. Dragos didn't glance over at all. His head was draped.

"What's the matter? Why aren't you doing anything?"

"There are histories already written that this affects, Legate. Without going into detail, we are at odds here. You see, if we interfere with the Hydran ship, it will spark hostilities beyond what even your mind can understand. This ship will not stand against it. Hydrans do not fire on their own. Something the human species have yet to understand.

"We will just have to do what we can outside of it."

"Why not have Kevalos talk to them?"

"Kevalos is from a time and place not of theirs. They do not think the same way. They would never accept his word."

Dragos took a deep breath.

"Tactical, locate the Hydran craft in time window 04A.365. Obtain its transponder code, access the transporter logs and get eh exact reference of the beamout of the weapon."

"Aye, sir."

"Curran, Dallas, Ambassador, your party, please take a stance on the pad over by the Engineering station. We will be beaming you in the moment we come out of timewarp."

"Won't that destroy you, though Jacen?" Karyn and her dollying compassion for life couldn't resist.

"Yes, it will, but we'll be saving trillions of lives at the same time."

"Access logs obtained. Point of transport obtained. Time frame transmitted to temporal analysis. Transport of organic material imminent."

The out-of sync Federation team stood on the cramped pad.

"Thank you." Someone on the team whispered, but they never knew who.

"Energize." The ship dropped out of time. Everything disappeared in a flash of light.


"Somewhere I Belong, Part 6"Markie

By
Legate Kylar Curran,
Chief Liaison Officer
USS Galaxy

*** On board the Ma'at ***

Dragos watched the last of the Galaxy crew shimmer away, then turned his back on them.

The ship was shaking violently. They'd come out of time within weapons range of the Hydran, not that they were able to fire on the living vessel.

"Time displacement waves coming every 3 seconds, sir!" Dragos looked up and without expression, watched as his Bridge transformed itself around him into a myriad of designs. Time was rebuilding his ship.

Other consoles blew out, throwing sparks in a rain of light over another officer.

"Have we got a lock on the Hydran ship?" He screamed over the roar of incoming time. It was a train meeting its fate.

"We have, sir! We have its transponder code!" Another shudder and the crewman disappeared.

"Kevalos! Get over there and lock onto the weapon! Bring it on board! Helm! Keep this ship together!"

The huge Hydran leapt over a rail that disappeared into a lower stairwell as he crossed the Bridge.

"Energizing!" The transporter glittered as the object materialized on the Hydran platform, smoking as it grew bright.....

**** Just beyond Quentin's third moon ****

A brilliant flash of light erupted, blowing a chunk of the moon out into deep space towards the Galaxy, now sitting by itself in orbit.

**** USS Galaxy Main Bridge, a few moments earlier ****

"Thank you, Chief Jensen. We have optimal weather conditions. Enjoy the clear skies, gentlemen. Temperature is 84 Degrees Fahrenheit, humidity is at 87%. Good luck. We'll be monitoring your lifesigns at all times through your transponders. The order is confirmed. Initiate beamdown."

On the viewscreen, the planet rolled lazily below them. Its beautiful blue oceans, swirling around inlets, the lush green jungles and vegetation patching over 75% of the planet. M'Kantu silently wished he were on that team. So much like home Quentin seemed.

"Keep a permanent sensor lock on the Delegation team, Mr. Geluf."

"Sir, sensors have detected an explosion just beyond Quentin's third moon."

"The Horus, Lieutenant?" M'Kantu peered over Geluf's shoulder.

He blinked. Something pricked on the edge of warning for him.

"No, sir. Mass is too large. It took a chunk of the moon off. It's coming our way." He exercised command prerogative and resourced power to the deflector dish.

"Use tractor's to deflect it off into space. Scan the area for a debris field not of organic origin."

Geluf re-routed the power he'd accommodated to the tractor beams, reversed their polarity, and deflected the space debris easily off into deep space.

"Scanning... I'm picking up traces of ionized duranium, some unknown metals... no bodies. Best guess I can hazard at this time is ships of some sort."

"Quentite survey ships?" He had a sudden image of a ship arriving in orbit amidst waves of fighter crews. Strange. He'd never seen one before.

"Possibly. There isn't enough left to do any kind of analysis right now."

"Beam whatever debris you can find to Science Lab 1. I have an odd feeling about this one. Good work, Mr. Geluf."

"Thank you, sir. Incoming transmission from the planet's surface."

"Put it through."

[Curran to Galaxy] The Kelvan's voice came through clear as the days down below.

"M'Kantu here, Mr. Curran. Is everything okay down there?"

[Oh, yes, quite fine. Ambassador Galali was a little shaken, but he's settled in nicely with the Observation team]

"Is there something you need, then?" What was Curran getting at? The odd sensation of deja-vu nagged at him.

[We need to talk, Captain. Galali can take it from here. Dallas and I can beam back up immediately]

"Okay, Legate. Come on back on board."

[Aye, sir] The hum of the transporter beam carried over the comm frequency.

"You have the conn, Mr. Henderson." He nodded to the Terran at Tactical, who moved down around the arch to settle into the center seat. Daren stopped at the turbolift doors and turned. For one brief moment, he saw the planet red with flames. He took a step forward in command repose, but it disappeared just as quickly. He shook it off and stepped into the turbolift.

******

NRPG: The End. Everything has been rewound to the beginning. Hoth would normally be arriving later to take control of the contact situation, but
that won't be written unless someone wants to.


"Memories of mortality"
Maj Saladin Bolivar

Usually his after battle meditations were calming, almost a way to control the power within him to put back on his normal demeanor or to focus for plans and thoughts.

But todays meditations disturbed him.

He was on the bridge of the Galaxy... blood was on the ground... he was bleeding from his face.

He had to get to medical get his head fixed then escape.

He made it to medical, he felt his mind go, he felt his body grow cold.. his life ebbed....

No... he had to fight....

His eyes snapped open and he looked around, the loose Gi he wore was heavier with sweat and his hands had tightened around the blade. He was.. alive..

Damn that felt so real.

Rising slowly he picked up his blade and moved to the door of the holodeck...


"Whoa"Markie
Lt (JG) Corran Rex, Vanguard One

Corran Rex sipped his raktajino as he laid the day's training schedule on his desk. If he recalled correctly, the mission brief had placed their arrival at Quentin this very morning. The Legate and his team would probably be beaming down, just about -

The Trill fighter pilot laid both hands on the desk as he grew dizzy, hearing his own voice as a parade of images passed before his eyes - or was it really happening - this was... Gods....

-------------

"Rex to Vanguard Squadron. All pilots to your stations. Begin preflights as soon as your in your ship, be ready to launch on my order."

"Vanguard One to Vanguard Squadron. Read off when ready for launch."

"Rex here."

"Acknowledged, Tactical. Ahead of you. Vanguard Squadron is ready to launch on your order. What hit us, sub-Commander?"

"Vanguards, we have permission to launch. Once we're out there, orders are for a hemispherical defense field, scanners on full. We don't know what hit us, or if it's gonna do it again, but we're Galaxy's first line of defense. We need to give those folks in Engineering time for this bird to be able to defend herself. Break by wing pairs after launch, and keep an eye one each other. Vanguard One out."

"Can the chatter, Vanguard Five."

"Vanguard Seven, Vanguard Eight. Pack it in. Two hour R&R, stay in the pilot's lounge."

"Vanguard Two. What've you got?"

"Vanguard Three and Four? What about you two?"

"Two, you see that?"

"Allright then. I'm passing this back on to the ship. Vanguard 3, 4, 7, and 8, pull back to a defensive position around the ship. Two and I will check this out some more."

"Allright. Galaxy just sent orders - we're to take them in tow and bring them to the main shuttlebay. You move to the port side and I'll take starboard. Lock your tractor beam at fifty percent strength and let's move in at one-quarter impulse. That shuttle looks like it's been through a lot, let's not break it."

"Allright Two, Lock tractors now."

"Two, get back out there on patrol. I want to check on this."

"Yes, Six, we are. I don't know what's going are any more than you do. I do know, though, that the Nimitz is the flagship of Admiral Hoth. And if it's a difference between doing what the Captain orders me to, and what that blowhard tells me, I'll follow the Captain any day."

"Can it, Mister. We've got our orders. Now every single one of you listen up No one is to make aggressive actions. No one. If you do, I will personally shoot your ass out of the stars. If there's a fight here today, then by all the gods of the Trill, we will not be the ones who start it. Am I understood?"

"Hold position, Five Do not, repeat, DO NOT power up your weapons."

"Goddamnit, Lieutenant, You will hold your position. They're just trying to rattle you. DO NOT MOVE."

"Well, Two, I don't know about you, but I'd rather do that than shoot at Starfleet ships. Now keep the chatter down, clear?"

"Vanguard One to Vanguard Squadron. DO NOT shoot to kill. I repeat, shoot to disable. That is a direct order."

"Two! Watch your six, dammit! Another fucking rookie move like that, and you're going to be atoms, you got me?"

"And stay on my wing, Two. Vanguard One to White Knights One. White Knights One, stand down, dammit! There's no reason for this!"

"Galaxy, this is Vanguard One. I really hope this is important, because we're kind of busy not dying out here."

"Well, see, I'd love to do that sir. But I've just had a little conversation with White Knights Lead -" Corran broke off as he had to put all his attention into evading another minitorp spread. "Sorry about that, Galaxy. Anyways, White Knights Leader doesn't seem inclined to stop shooting at us. If we stop, we're all dead. I'm more than willing to take an alternative to that."

"Sir, you didn't hear his voice. If we power down, they WILL kill us. I can promise you that. This old fool's lived through a few too many battles. I don't think he can stand to give this one up,"

"Galaxy, Vanguard One. Nimitz's fighters are not withdrawing. I repeat, they're not. I've got two more pilots EV out here - they've only got fifteen more minutes before their suits run out of air - and that's only if they don't get hit by some stray weapons fire. We need a rescue runabout to come pick them up."

"Look, Captain - no disrespect intended, but we followed your orders and came out here. Now we're surrounded by hostile forces, even if they are Starfleet, and we can't get out on our own. We can fly fancy all we want, but we're still outnumbered. We need your help, sir, or we're dead."

"Vanguard One to Galaxy. Reinforcement fighters coming from the Hood. Their weapons are trained on us. If you don't - or can't - come in and help us, we're dead, Captain."

"My cockpit's been breached!" Corran yelled, as he sealed his environmental flightsuit. " Galaxy, I've taken shrapnel to the arm. I'm going to need to be tractored in!" He looked out his windows just in time to see the galaxy's Secondary Hull crashing into the Nimitz' saucer - Oh Gods - and then there was a flash and..

------------------------------------

And he was back in his office.

"Whoa."

Closing his eyes against the following dizziness - rooms really shouldn't spin like that, after all, it makes the Starfleet decor blend just a little too much - , and he fell over on the desk. When the dark-haired pilot finally stood, his hands were pressed to both sides of his head. By the caves, he had one hell of a headache. All that - all that hadn't really happened, had it? It was a preposterous notion. Transporters eradicating Quentin's atmosphere. Getting into a dogfight with Starfleet Pilots.

~What in the Nine Bloody Hells was all that, Kid?~ Vorrin's not-unexpected voice piped up in Corran's mind.

~You're asking me? You're the experienced old man.~ he acidly spat back into his own mind.

~Well, I have no fucking idea.~ the old smuggler uncharacteristically replied.

~Will wonders never cease.~ Corran thought, before noticing that there was a dripping sound in his office - was that blood on his desk?

That, of course, was when he noticed the blood was dripping down his own arm and, judging by the pain, from the exact same spot where it had been cut by shrapnel in that , that.. vision? dream? deja vu?

"Well, fuck."Rex said to his selves. "Now I'm not only crazy, but I'm having hallucinations that make me bleed. You know... I'm too old for this shit."


"More Tales of the Insomniac"
Lt. JG Dr. Klaus Fienberg.

Location:Deck 7 Klaus Quarters, the Night following the Mission.
Soundtrack: Suicidal Tendencies - Save your soul and free my mind.

-Another night, staring at the ceiling. 0430 in the ****ing morning. No sleep here. Just all these strange Memories. Memories bouncing around in my head. Memories I never had, but they feel....so real........-

The darkness of the room was uninterrupted. Ren was at his place at Klaus' side. He envied the little dog to the point of anger. He was out cold.

Sleep came in fragment peices. Not enought to warrant any true rest......Malgin would be all over him.....but the problem was beyond his control.....far beyond...nothing could shake the thoughts....the memories.

He had a memory of finding his own body, as well as a memory of the death that resulted in that body. A Paradox......

-What am I thinking. Why am I thinking.-

"WHY CAN'T I SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Ren woke up in terror and stubbled off of the bed.

More Memories Rushed Dr. Fienberg......memories of the Shuttle, feelings of Regret, feelings of pain, feelings of longing.

But he returned to the seen of his death. He didn't realize that he was asleep....in a dream. He got up....he was in Sickbay....but it was cold, barren, dry. The Dead covered the room, but he felt nothing, he felt like he was beyond....then he looked at his own hands....they were party rotted, dead, in the same state as everyone else in the room. His right hand fell off, and broke releasing bits of dust when it hit the ground. But worst of all, he felt nothing. -Why can't I feel the Pain! I should Feel pain!-

He wandered around the room.....coming upon a body.....a body that was not in the Sickbay.....this body was not supposed to be there. He turned it over......the face brought unending sadness.....pain......

Suddenly, Klaus sprung awake, tears began to pour from his eyes. He looked over at the clock, it was 0534. He quickly stopped crying. But the pain remained.....the visions of his own death, and the deaths of his only friends. They would not leave, and worse, they would not let him sleep.

He could only lay there.....awake.......until it was time to go to work....


"The Difference Between Crazy and Insane"Markie
Lieutenant JG Corran Rex, Vanguard One
Lieutenant Curtis Geluf, Ops Manager

Lieutenant' Rex didn't look up as his doors swish-tiddle'd open. He was still busily just trying to figure out why, exactly, his arm was bleeding quite so profusely.

Then he remembered that Lieutenant Geluf was coming by, to discuss.. something or other. It didn't seem particularly important at the moment.
"Oh." he said, finally looking up. "Hey, Lieutenant."

Curtis waved his hand, "Hi there Rex, I'm here about the....holy crescendo what the hell is THAT??" the Kerelian suddenly jumped back at the sight of a large pool of blood on Corran's desk.

"Oh, y'know........just blood." Corran replied, either being deadpan, or going into shock. He wasn't entirely sure which. Judging by the numbness in his right hand, his bet was on shock.

"That much is painfully obvious Rex, but whose blood IS it??" Curtis' ears twitched a bit, he didn't much care for blood in large quantities.

"That would be mine." the Trill replied.

Curtis face contorted from mild alarm to relative shock, "Yours?! Are you still bleeding?? That's a hell of a lot of blood to lose!"

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure that I am. And yes, it is." the fighter pilot replied. "And I think I'm either about to scream, or pass out. I'm not ... entirely certain which."

Curtis sprang towards the desk and, noticing a blood spot on the right arm of Rex's uniform, rolled it up, revealing a very deep cut.

"Damn." Geluf stated in amazement. "This looks really bad Rex...it looks like...like something's in there." Curtis tore a strip of his uniform and wrapped the cut.

"Sickbay, perhaps.... would be the best.. stop." Corran replied, trying desperately to stay awake. "A transporter... would... "

Curtis shot up, "What the hell am I thinking! Computer, prepare site to site transport to Sickbay, authorization Geluf, Curtis, Lieutenant. Alert sickbay of medical emergency." the Kerelian shouted. "Energize!"

The familiar blue sparkles instantly engulfed the two officers - there wasn't even a reply from Transporter Chief Jensen as they vanished and rematerialized in sickbay.

That was the last thing Corran saw, before he passed out.

Ten minutes later, roughly, he was waking up. The Klingon Doctor - Torsag? - was standing over him. "Hmmph. Trills. Loose a little blood and they pass right out." she commented gruffly.

"Like to see how a Klingon does with an injury like that." he muttered under his breath.

"We get worse during mating rituals." was the snarled - though somewhat softer - reply. "How did you get a piece of cockpit shrapnel in your arm, Lieutenant?"

"Shrapnel?" Curtis commented from the side, "That's impossible, his uniform was in perfect condition..."

"And I was just standing in my office." Corran replied, rubbing the itchy synthetic flesh the Klingon Doctor had placed over the wound.

Torsag replied by holding up a clear container that held a small, bloody piece of plasteel inside it. She placed it into the Trill's hand, and Corran frowned as he focused his attention on it. "That's a piece of a cockpit , allright. Doctor, thank you for your help. Curtis - we need to go somewhere and talk."

The Kerelian looked at Rex, "Sure, my office is close by. We can head thataway."

"Allright.' Corran replied, sliding off of the bio bed. The doctor merely 'harrumphed' - if Klingons could be said to harrumph - as the two officer exited Sickbay. Rex remained strangely quiet for the several minutes it took to reach the Operations Manager's office.

"I'm not crazy." Corran began as the doors closed. "Well, wait, yes I am.
But I'm not insane."

Curtis looked at the Trill, "Why would I think you're insane Rex?"

"Because I... heard... saw...something. Mak'ala, I don't know what it was. A memory, a vision, a dream... deja vu.. I don't know. But tell me if any of this sounds familiar." the Trill said, beginning to pace back and forth.

"We beamed down the Legate's Team. When that happened, Quentin's atmosphere was annihilated. We tried to figure out what happened, and then Admiral Hoth showed up with a Task Force. The Captain thought that the Admiral was responsible, and a Squadron off the.... off the Nimitz! It was the White Knights! - they started a fight with the us - with the Vanguards. And there was... there was a warp ship that we were protecting. A Quentin ship. But then Galaxy started fighting with two other ships - the.... the Hood. The Hood and the.. the Pershing."

The words came out in a rush, each memory triggering the next. Corran could almost see it clearly now, almost.. almost like it had really happened. "Curtis, tell me some.. any of that rings a bell."

The Kerelian's face grew longer as he listened to Corran's account, "Something....I went to the planet....it was a wasteland, we found some ruins, the Galaxy...it...it was destroyed...." he fell silent.

"So I'm not crazy."

"Yes, you are. You're just not insane." the Ops officer replied.

"Well... " Rex let out a small laugh. "Well, right, yeah."

"What does all this mean?" Curtis asked, "What's going on?"

"That.... is two excellent questions." the Fighter pilot replied. "We should tell someone about this. The Captain."

"Right." Curtis stated, flatly. "We can't be the only ones..."

"Let's go talk to Captain M'Kantu, then. He should still be on the bridge, right?"

"Should be, yeah. Don't think he knocked off early." Curtis replied.

"Allright then. Let's go." he replied, motioning for Geluf's door. "After you, Lieutenant."


[Backpost]Markie

"One Last Time"

Principal Characters:
Lt. Ella Grey
Lt. (JG) Victor Krieghoff

****

USS Galaxy
Deck 14
The Planetary Surface

What used to be Deck 14 was now almost indistinguishable from the terrain of Quentin. Fiery debris from the Galaxy lay upon the earth, impacted in the earth, interwoven with the earth.

She had crawled from that, Ella thought with some dull sense of amusement which could not override the pain she felt when ever she breathed in the clouded air. By all rights she should have been embedded in the ground like the remains of the ship. She coughed on the next breath of air she forced into her lungs.

Maybe she had been. She shouldn’t have risked the last-minute transport to the saucer section, but it had seemed her only chance.

Everything hurt. She lay there, away from the wreckage and tried to fight the impulse to close her eyes. To rest just for awhile. It was hard, everything hurt so badly....

****

USS Galaxy
Deck 15
Former VIP Reception Area

Victor coughed and decorated the metal spar that ran through his chest with a spray of blood. He was already dead, he knew that. Even if there had been medical personnel available they couldn't have done anything for him. The spar that had run through him was three times the size of Chief Galdo's improvised spear. He thought it had been part of the atmospheric conduit support structure, but he wasn't certain. Reflecting on it, he didn't think it mattered. Dead was dead.

Except this wasn't the way he'd wanted to die.

In combat perhaps, or hunting an animal that was just a bit faster then he was - that was how he should die. Not pinned to a twisted and ruined bulkhead by the equivalent of a dart thrown by a random and uncaring universe. He wasn't supposed to die and be mounted like a butterfly with a pin.

He smiled at the thought, and reached up with one hand to grasp the spar. He frowned and tried to reach up with the other, but nothing would move. He let his head fall to the left to see why.

He was going to miss that arm.

Shock must have closed off the blood vessels he decided. That was why he hadn't bled to death already. That wouldn't last forever, though, Best to do what he was going to do now, before that happened.

Teeth bared in a snarl at the universe, he start to pull, forcing himself down the spar slowly with a wet sucking sound that left little to the imagination as to the damage he was doing to himself. It didn't matter, though. Nothing mattered, not any more. No regrets, no worries. Just the fight. He'd fought all his life, and if Death wanted him, it was going to have to fight for the privilege, just like everyone else.

****

She was walking, how she did not know, but she had done it.

Ella had done a survey of the damage when she had first stood. Something was bleeding but she didn't know what. Flesh had been turned a dark deep purple bordering on black. Her whole body either screamed or was eerily silent. She was probably bleeding internally.

But she made herself walk. She was sure that she had heard something a minute (an hour?) ago and maybe it had been someone else.

She didn't want to die alone.

*****

Victor paused, only a foot away from his goal, his remaining arm trembling with the strain it was under. The pain had ceased to be a problem; he no longer felt it, which wasn't good. When the pain stopped, when life no longer hurt, then it was over - and he wasn't ready for that yet.

He hissed once more and started to pull again. Pain or not, dead or not, he'd never stopped once he set his mind on something, and he wouldn't stop now. He would drag himself off the spar, and then.... He wasn't sure what would happen then, but he knew something would occur to him. It always did.

Seven inches to go. Five. One.

For a few seconds he hung on the tip of the spar, swaying like a droplet of water that struggled against the inevitable pull of gravity – and then he fell the seven feet to the warped hull plating to land with a damp smack and lie there, looking up at the sky. It was the wrong color, all blood red with streaks of black. Or maybe that part was the pain which had returned. It didn't seem to matter.

A choked gasping sound drew his attention, and he forced himself up into a sitting position, his lone hand fumbling for a phaser that wasn't there at his waist. Someone was there, watching him.

Poor soul, she had thought at first. He won’t make it through the night, was her second.

It's Victor, she realized about a heartbeat later.

Somehow, everything became a lot more real in that moment. She made her way to him as he finished separating himself from the metal, stumbling, crying, and finally falling beside him. She tried to be brave for him the first minute but failed. She cried into her hands, each sob seemingly constricting whatever internal damage she had and making the pain a thousand times worse.

Victor winced and pushed himself up some more. He knew that sound, it was from before. Before the pain. Before the crash. Before... Grey. It was Grey. "G... Grey..." he forced out.

She pulled her hands away and they were red. Had she been coughing? Was her face bleeding? She absently wiped them on her clothes before reaching for him. She touched his face lightly, not wanting to cause him any more pain than he was in, and tried to smile. It came out as a hysterical giggle. Ella looked away as she tried to get herself under control, still stroking his cheek lightly.

Victor swam up through the pain, drawn to her touch, to the feeling of contact with another person. It had to be Grey. No one else would touch him, even now, without screaming. "Grey," he rasped out again, his one hand reaching out awkwardly to return the contact. He couldn't die yet; he had something to fight for now. She'd sought him out like she had all those nights before; she needed him one last time to push the monsters away so she could sleep. It didn't matter that it was the last sleep - there were monsters there too, and he'd fight them to the last so she could rest in peace. "I'm... here... Grey."

Ella blinked back tears as she felt her hand connect with his. They locked fingers tightly and she looked at him.

"Me...too." She mouthed.


[Backpost]

"Comfort"

(Occurs seven hours after 'Shuttle ride to... where?'))

Principal Characters:
Lt. Ella Grey
Lt. (JG) Victor Krieghoff

****

USS Galaxy
Deck 7
Victor Krieghoff's quarters

The room was empty.

That simple realization came to him suddenly. In the days that had passed since his meeting with Captain M'Kantu, and Grey's last visit, he'd done nothing but sit here and wait for the word to come when he wasn't on duty - even now, tired from damage control operations, he was doing it still - and in all that time he hadn't noticed, hadn't realized, how empty the room was with what few things he'd let himself set out gone.

He missed the smells from his plants, missed the memories that the few pictures he'd set out had sparked when he saw them, missed even the bits of color that had started to accumulate here and there. A purple stylus Grey had left one night, the green Marine-issue coffee mug that Gunny Goldstein had loaned him and that he'd never had a chance to return.
Signs that he belonged here, that he'd found a place where he could stay.

Signs that were gone, just like he was. Like the people on the planet below them. Like Counselor Dallas and Legate Curran.

M'Kantu didn't seem like a bad man, but he was going to transfer Victor nonetheless. Who could blame him? It wasn't as if every one of his concerns wasn't something that Victor himself accepted as valid. Even if he was hung out to dry over the destruction of Quentin his replacement certainly would. The problem was, Victor didn't want to go. For the first time, even more than at DS9, he didn't want to leave. He belonged here, he'd found a place here... he was home.

He should have known better, he reflected. He should have known that he couldn't stay. He should never have let himself think for a moment that he might, this time, fit in. It wasn't to be. Just like talking to Grey wasn't to be, or talking to the Gunny had been. Whether they left or he did, the result was always the same. Better to stop trying, to just be who and what he was and let things happen the way they would. That was honest, anyway.

He turned in his chair and looked out at the stars as they moved by, just like he'd been doing since the day he'd found out he was going to be left behind again. The stars were always there for him, moving by in their silent river. They, at least wouldn't leave. They would always be there, cool and silent and far, far away.

Far away. Like home. Like the Galaxy.

Ella rubbed her head absently. The medics had fixed her scrape but she still felt as if it were there. Maybe it was exhaustion. They had gotten the ship running, finally, after hours of work. Suder had finally told her to get some rest.

So she had come to Victor's. Without thinking. Without even changing. Hope he didn't mind.

She rang the buzzer even though she knew his alarm system, unless that had been packed along with his things, would alert him to her presence.

Victor didn't bother to turn around - he could see the door in the reflection off the viewport. Besides, what was the point? "Enter."

It was Grey. Tired, dirty, swaying on her feet.

~~Got a couch I can crash on, Tiger?~~ Ella signed with stiff fingers.

Victor closed his eyes for a moment. He didn't want this contact, didn't want her here, didn't want anything that would make leaving worse than it already was. He didn't understand why, but he knew that the more he saw of her, the harder leaving was going to be on him. Friends must not like to leave friends behind.

At the same time, he realized he couldn't send her away. Like Rissa, she needed him to keep her monsters at bay and after the day the ship had had, he knew hers would be back. Friends didn't like to abandon friends either.

"No," he said, his vice harsher than he'd realized from the smoke he'd breathed all day.

A sound of surprise escaped her mouth before she could stop herself. Ella inhaled sharply and tried to process what he was telling her. More distancing, she thought. And she was too tired to deal with it. ~~Fine.~~ she signed, even though he wasn't looking.

"Not like that," he continued, unaware of the look on Grey's face with his eyes still closed. He stood, still not looking her way. "Shower first - I'll get you something to wear."

Ella smiled slightly and shuffled off to the sonic shower. If she had more energy she might have tried to tease him into coming in with her. As it was, she just started systematically removing her clothes, once in the bathroom. The sooner the shower the sooner she could sleep.

Victor turned and opened his eyes to watch her move slowly towards the shared bathroom. ~ Looks like she was beaten with clubs - at least she moves like it. ~ He pushed away the memory of falling to the deck under a hail of blows from Klingon pain sticks and walked into the bedroom to return a moment later with a dark sleeveless shirt and shorts and move to the bathroom. ~Might as well let her use these since she ordered them - I won't need them for my next shore leave.~

Ella stepped in the shower and pushed the button....

....and yelped as scalding water hit her.

She leapt from the shower, her heart pounding, and barely managed to cover herself with the first towel she could find before Victor burst in the room.

~~I wasn't expecting water.~~ Ella signed sheepishly and then moved her hands to make sure the towel was secure.

"Don't like the sonic shower," Victor explained. "Doesn't make me feel clean when I'm done." He set the garments on the edge of the sink. "Clothes to change into." He turned back to her. "No one in the adjoining cabin, you won't be interrupted."

Ella sighed slightly, dropped the towel, and eased back into the shower after he left. The hot water felt surprisingly good and she stayed under longer than usual. She turned off the shower, dried off, and put on the clothes that he had given her. They were large, Ella thought, but she hadn't been sizing them for her when she had bought them. Ella went back out into the living room. ~~Thanks~~

Victor nodded wordlessly from his position back by the viewport. He'd shed the torn and scorched uniform jacket, exposing the mirroring scorch marks and tears on his issue tunic, and the fainter ones below that on his person.

She eyed the replicator, suddenly deciding she was hungry. ~~When was the last time you ate?~~

"Last night." Victor's rasping monotone couldn't disguise how tired he was.

~~Dinner for two then.~~ Ella moved slowly to the replicator to program two turkey sandwiches and then brought them back over. She gave him his and then eased herself onto the couch. Mmmm, she thought. Heaven. She began scarf her food.

Victor looked at the sandwich, looked at her, and then sat down at the desk and slowly took a bite.

She paused in eating, holding her sandwich in one hand and tapping her throat with the other and then pointing at him.

"What?" he said. "My voice?" He shrugged. "Lots of people hurt worse. It'll get better."

Ella set the sandwich down. ~~You should be seen. But you won't of course. I won't bother.~~ She picked up her food again and continued to eat mechanically. Chew, chew, swallow...

"Can't be off duty, Grey." He took a bit of his sandwich again and chewed it. "Too many wounded."

She polished off the rest of her food. ~~Backup officers.~~ Ella managed, not caring about using whole sentences anymore.

"On Gamma shift, maybe. Not on Alpha. No one to replace me."

Ella nodded. She was clean and fed and ready to sleep. But she wanted to make sure he was okay. She waited until he was done eating half of the sandwich, which seemed all he was going to eat, before she pointed at the bathroom. ~~Go shower.~~

Victor looked for a moment like he would protest, then nodded once and stood up, the movement enough unlike his normal way of doing so that Ella understood him to be as tired as she. He moved into the bedroom, returned with clothing in one hand, and crossed the room to the bathroom door, almost running into the edge of the doorframe. After a minute, the sound of the water running began.

She boosted herself off the couch, a bit wobbly, when he returned. ~~Come, sleep.~~

He'd been dreading this. She needed him to help her sleep again, and he didn't want to. He'd almost pushed things away enough that he could deal with being transferred again, he was almost able to deal with this - and this would undo that. If he helped her sleep, he'd be right back where he started again. "Can't - things to do, Grey." That was true enough. There were always things to do if he looked hard enough. "Go on, I'll be there later."

~~Can't work if exhausted, Tiger. Not much good to ship that way.~~

He wasn't any good to the ship as it was - the Captain had made that clear enough. "I'll check on you later."

Ella pouted out her lip and widened her eyes. ~~I don't want to be alone.~~ It was bit over the top, she figured. But she was too tired to try to be subtle. ~~Please.~~

Victor closed his eyes and ignored the slight sway in his stance that developed immediately. He really didn't need to do this. He needed to leave, or make her leave. Anything else was just making things worse. There was no point in being her friend when it was over the moment he transferred. There was no point in...

Ella sighed loudly as she grabbed his hand and started to pull him in the direction of the bedroom. Begging to have someone sleep with me, Ella said to herself. Pretty sad, Ella my dear. She stopped before the bed.

~~I don't care if you're transferred to the Delta Quadrant. You'll still be my friend. So stop being so bloody difficult and get in this bed with me.~~

Victor thought about pulling away, but his hand wouldn't move. He examined the failure and admitted that it was because he didn't *want* to move, because he wanted, needed even, the contact with another person that Grey's hold on his hand provided. ~She's figured it out,~ he conceded. ~Just like Ar'resh and Rexa did. They can get me to agree to any of their bad plans or attempts to set me up with someone as long as they just touch me.~

He nodded once, and moved past the small stack of bags that he was obviously living out of, his open closet and empty drawers revealing that he'd already packed all his things away, to sit on the edge of the bed, facing away from her. His eyes looked out the smaller viewport to the stars flowing by as he listened to Grey move to the other side of the bed and relax onto it with a small sound of relief. ~I'm tired of being left behind.~

Ella rubbed his shoulder lightly in what she hoped was a comforting gesture. He turned away from the stars, his eyes filled with pain. Too tired to completely hold it in, she imagined. ~~Sleep now, sweetie. Worry about it later.~~

He frowned and nodded again, the shoulder under her hand so stiff that it felt like tritanium.

She ruffled his hair a bit and pulled him down so that they were stretched out on the bed. Ella yawned loudly but decided she would wait to sleep until he did.

Victor lay there, his eyes on the ceiling, for over five minutes before he finally closed them. A minute later, perhaps two, and Ella realized that he had relaxed somewhat, nothing like the way he'd been the nights she'd been here before his meeting with the Captain, but enough that he could sleep. His breathing slowed and fell into a rhythm as he finally let go.

And then, finally, Ella could let herself sleep.

****

Victor's eyes opened, his transition from sleep, as always, to wakefulness almost instant. Grey's scent filled his nostrils, hints of his soap and shampoo's smell mingled with hers in a way he wasn't used to. It wasn't unpleasant - just different.

She had rolled into him, with her arm lying across him protectively. Whether she was trying to give comfort or seeking it, he didn't know. Her head rested on his shoulder and one leg had moved to twist with his.

He lay there for a long moment before he looked up and checked the time display on the ceiling. Only six hours had passed, but that was as much as he normally slept. The times she'd stayed over before, Grey had slept for a solid eight hours and he doubted she'd sleep less than that as tired as she'd been.

Which left him, as always, with two hours where he could do nothing but lie there, look at her, and think - or risk waking her. He didn't mind the time to think, at least not normally. It was different now, he was leaving and that made it different. There wouldn't be any more nights where Grey came to have him chase her monsters away, no more mornings where he woke up like a real person, with someone there, touching him. That contact was going to ache with its absence, just like it had when he'd left DS9 and Rissa. Perhaps even worse, he hadn't decided. Grey was a friend, and he and Rissa hadn't been friends, not if what he and Grey were was what that was supposed to be like.

He looked down at her as she lay there against him. She'd been the one to seek him out this time in her sleep it seemed. Usually when he woke, he was the one that had reached out to provide security to her. He wondered why it was different this time, and then discarded the idea. Perhaps he'd just been too tired to move and she'd sought the security she needed the only way she could.

For just a moment he let himself wonder what things would be like if he were different, if he were human, and she were lying here with him, warm and soft, for another reason - and then crushed those thoughts quickly and ruthlessly. He wasn't human, not really, and thoughts like that weren't for him. All that letting himself entertain them would get him was more pain, and he had enough of that for now. More than enough.

He shifted position slightly, felt her stir in her sleep, and moved his arm to hold her still, his hand naturally falling along her hip and sliding back along it to the curve of her rear, supporting her there as he brought his other hand up to her shoulder and pressed her down against him, supporting her. She needed the sleep, and if she moved around too much she'd wake up.

****

Ella awoke slowly, her eyes heavy and refusing to open at first. She rubbed them and then stretched, moving her arm across the bed.

Not the bed, Ella suddenly realized. Victor's chest. Her mouth shaped into an 'o' and she might have jumped up if she hadn't realized that his arms were holding her to him intimately. She sucked in a breath, now terribly awake, and wondered why she did this to herself. Another test of willpower? Ella snorted and then moved her head.

Victor was awake and looking at her.

She felt the blush beginning to pinken her cheeks. Ella sat up slowly, internally wincing at how his arms moved away quickly rather than slide (which would probably have been worse in the long run, she supposed) and popped her knuckles before signing.

~~You're comfortable.~~ She signed with a smile.

"Tired as you were, the outer hull would have been comfortable, Grey." Victor shifted position so he was more sitting up than reclined, the muscles in his arms and chest working briefly. "Feel better?"

She nodded and then pointed at him.

"I slept as much as I always do," he replied, as if that answered the question.

Ella checked the time and found that she had another hour before she was supposed to report in. She scooted back and rested her back against the headboard. ~~Can I stay for awhile or is this where you tell me to leave because it's better that way?~~

"No PT with the Marines this morning," Victor answered. "I don't have anywhere to go." He looked at the ceiling for a time in silence. "You can stay if you want to."

~~I want to.~~ Ella replied before stretching and yawning.

"I hate this," he said suddenly.

Ella dropped her arms. ~~Hate what?~~

"Being helpless like this. Not knowing."

~~The transfer?~~

"No, I mean the planet - what happened there. I hate that. There should be something to do, and there isn't. Just wait. I'm not good at that unless it's waiting for prey."

Ella shrugged. After spending hours upon hours helping to get Galaxy up and running again, as much as she loved tinkering with the ship, she didn't mind waiting. ~~There will be, Tiger. Isn't there always? Personally, I could use the break.~~

Victor looked across the room at the arrangement of shipping containers his possessions were packed in. "Yes, there's always prey - or something that needs to be shown that it's prey." He was silent for a moment. "I still owe you a fight, Grey."

She yawned again as she tilted her head.

"The second one I promised you. The one I lost. I owe that to you before I leave. I haven't forgotten."

Neither had she. ~~I'll admit that I'm curious but I don't think I want to watch another fight like the last one.~~ The memory of watching an impaled Victor still creeped her out. ~~Besides, I'm still waiting to see what happens.~~

"It isn't like the last one. I lose this one." Victor paused. "It's here, on the Galaxy." He looked away again. "I'll run it for you before I go."

Ella rolled her eyes. ~~You seem to be in more of a rush to leave than M'Kantu is to transfer you. Come on, Victor. I'm trying to be optimistic here.~~

"Why?"

~~Because I'm trying to turn over a new leaf~~ Ella's hands signed dryly.

"Why be optimistic? We both know he's transferring me as soon as he gets the chance."

~~Maybe.~~ Ella reminded him.

"Grey," he said quietly. "*I'd* transfer me if I were in his position."

~~Well, I wouldn't.~~ She replied. ~~Let's not talk about it, Tiger. We're never going to agree.~~

"No, we won't." He closed his eyes and leaned back, not speaking for a long time. "I'll miss talking to you, Grey," he said quietly just as Ella thought he'd gone back to sleep.

Me too, Ella thought. She scooted closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder. ~~I've got about twenty minutes left to cat nap~~ She told him when he opened his eyes.

"Go on and sleep then, Grey." He shifted slightly. "I've got to report to Security Main about the same time. I'll wake you."

One side of her mouth tilted upward. ~~One day you'll let me comfort you for a change.~~ She closed her eyes and let herself rest.


[Backpost]

"Faded Dreams" Part 1 of 2Markie

Primary Characters:
Captain Daren M'Kantu
Lieutenant Commander Cassius Henderson
SubCommander Savar tr'Khellian

Secondary Characters:
Lieutenant JG Cameron Bartlett
Lieutenant JG Maggie Pike
Ensign Rima Pennington

Unauthorized mention of Lieutenant JG Ella Grey

****

USS Galaxy
Secondary Hull Deck 8
Battle Bridge

Pennington was still in the command chair. She hadn't been able to stand since the battle had ended, and hadn't spoken to Cassius Henderson since he'd literally carried her over to the command chair of the battle bridge and placed her there to recover and field communications for him. Her mind was confusion. ~Why did I have to turn out to be the good little soldier?... Just like daddy wanted... Ugh.~ she thought cynically.

With the moment at peace, Henderson left tactical and walked down to the executive officer's chair, dropping into it wearily. "So..." he started skeptically. Her victory in combat didn't seem to please her at all. It wasn't that they were Starfleet vessels. He knew better than that. "...

Are you feeling better?"

"I guess. Physically," she said, wishing he would go away. He didn't. He wasn't going to. If there was a realization she had finally come to, it was that one. "I'm just... Ah... having a hard time dealing with the... Starfleet personnel and us fighting them."

"I'll bet you are," he nodded knowingly, "Care to share." He'd string along for a while. This was how Rima worked. He'd found that she went through stages of dealing with him. Stage One was trying to divert his attention. Stage Two was denial. Stage three was yelling, and Stage four was talking.

He'd get in.

"Oh, it's nothing," she stalled.

Meanwhile, the universe was about to move on without them.

****

USS Galaxy
Deck 1
Bridge

"Status on the rescue operations, Sub-Commander?" Daren asked without looking from the main screen and its display of the Nimitz as her crew began the work of towing the Hood back off of the larger ship's secondary hull.

Tr'Khellian looked up wearily from the Tactical arch. His Vulcanoid constitution had held out to prevent any embarrassing collapses like the one Pennington had suffered, but his sharp eyes were beginning to tire and were becoming bloodshot. He had, after all, only just finished an eight-hour duty shift before the crisis erupted and had been on duty constantly, therefore, for.. Elements knew how long. Coupled with the stress of dealing with inane command decisions and being utterly impotent for the first time in many a long year, the Romulan patrician had been brought to the brink of delirium and back. Tempted to ask for leave to get at least fifteen minute's rest, his paranoid mind had balked at the selfishness of the idea: something very deep down told him it was not over yet, and he had watched the Nimitz like the king of all hawks, eyeing the planet with equal suspicion, as tachyon pulses continued to emanate from its murky, ravaged surface.

"Almost complete," he answered M'Kantu's query, in a voice beginning to show the edge of his tiredness. "The runabouts are bringing in the last of the escape pods now. I recommend we withdraw our rescue crews at once and reassign the pilots to repair duties." The implication in his still-haughty suggestion is that if their recent adversaries needed help, the Elements helped those who helped themselves.

Daren's response was cut off by Lieutenant Bartlett speaking up from Operations. "Sir! I'm getting a signal from one of the landing party's shuttles. It's very faint, but I think they're just leaving the atmosphere!"

"Signal the Nimitz, Mr. Bartlett, make certain that they got it. Start trying to raise the shuttle as soon as it clears the atmospheric interference. I want a medical and Sciences team ready to scan the shuttle before it gets in the shuttle bay - if it looks like there's any signs of radiation or other contamination then we can't let it aboard until the wounded are clear of the shuttle bays."

"Aye, sir," Bartlett turned back to his console and started to work.

"M'Kantu to Henderson - I assume you got that?"

****

USS Galaxy
Secondary Hull Deck 8
Battle Bridge

"Aye, sir," Cass stood from where he had been talking to Pennington. Luckily, they hadn't reached the point of shouting at each other. She was too tired, and not used to being on duty for hours on end. Henderson himself was barely beginning to show the wear of the hours, but that was only due to endless hours of intelligence training. Long ops demanded tireless agents.

"Good. I want you to personally handle any information transfer from the shuttle before it docks. Copies to myself and Admiral Hoth only until one of us gives you the word. Understood?"

"I'm on it, sir," Henderson said, "Standard Decontamination proceedures?" They were rushed... M'Kantu might have other thoughts. Turning to Pennington, he whispered, "Man tactical." Grudgingly she got to her feet and went up to the board while he sat down in the command chair and started to receive data.

****

USS Galaxy
Deck 1
Bridge

A chilly noise from the Tactical arch alerted Sub-Commander tr'Khellian to the arrival of a new vessel on sensors. Where a moment ago there had only been radiation and swarming debris, a battered Federation shuttlecraft was now picking its way out of the tortured atmosphere of the planet Quentin. "The shuttle is entering the upper stratosphere, Captain," Savar reported, before being forced to cough to clear his increasingly hoarse throat. He frowned as he ran a full scan over the shuttle. "The shuttle seems to be returning with a partial away team, plus one additional lifeform not registered with the away team," he added, his clipped, pseudo-English accent doing nothing to disguise his bemusement.

"Survivors?" M'Kantu queried, somewhat incredulously.

"Unknown," came the flat response. "One is human. The other...?" The Romulan looked up, a deep frown etched on his features.

The young officer manning Operations spoke up, with an urgent tone.
"Captain, I'm getting some strange readings from the planet."

"Elaborate, Ensign," Daren commanded, turning his attention back to the front of the Bridge.

"Some sort of wavefront is forming," she replied, her hands dabbing at her console nervously. "I.. can't make anything of the readings. High tachyon levels, presence of chroniton particles along the leading edge."

Tr'Khellian was already poring over the data. Though certainly no scientist, he did not trust the young woman at Ops, with her uncertainties and jumpiness, to safeguard this vessel, its security only recently, tentatively secured, and at such a high price. "The wavefront is gathering in concentration and velocity." His hands moved across his console as he tried to get a grasp on the phenomenon. Unfortunately, his exhaustion meant that he was losing grasp of his own station, betrayed by the irritating drag of the little finger of his left hand across the console. He grimaced violently at the tearing pain in the knuckle - an unwanted and uncommon reminder of his prosthetic finger. Though the surgeons had done a remarkable job, when his body was run down, the finger always lost responsivity. And on these fiddly, overburdened Starfleet consoles, that made all the difference.

"On screen," M'Kantu ordered.

A faint, shimmering line was immediately obvious, gathering force and speed in the upper atmosphere of Quentin. Scowling at the display, Savar stabbed at his station to enhance the scanning resolution and exaggerate the chroniton particle display. A thin but unbroken line was immediately visible, linking the wavefront, now beginning to roll outwards from the planet, to the Away Team's shuttlecraft.

"Chroniton particles," Henderson said over the link to the Battle Bridge. As a former intel man, he was all over the data as well, continuing to bring the shuttle in as he spoke, "Chroniton particles are an indicator of a temporal..." He searched for the word, "Of time travel." That wasn't good, and could mean anything about what was about to happen, and what lay on the planet.

"Get me Admiral Hoth," Daren snapped to Bartlett as he turned to Savar. "Time to impact?"

"Three minutes," the Romulan replied, with no hesitation.

"Can we outrun it?"

"No." The reply fell on M'Kantu's ears like lead, the two men's eyes locked.

Having survived the most unlikely encounter in either of their lives, they were still not in the clear. The Romulan's instincts had been right. The Elements did not smile on those who attempted to cheat their destiny; whatever glitter of teeth they might show was the glint of light from a predator's jaw.

"Captain," Henderson spoke up again from down below, "I think we've reached and long passed a point where we can leave the civilians onboard. We have few options regarding evacuation, though they include separating the sections of the ship. Escape pods would be far too risky at this point. They'd all wind up on Quentin. And with that chroniton wave coming up... Who knows what's happening down there."

"I realize that Commander," Daren responded as Jurgen Hoth appeared on the main screen. Without pausing he held up a hand to forestall a comment from Hoth and continued, "Prepare for emergency separation, Commander. Without the saucer's dead weight you may be able to escape the wave before it strikes."

Henderson nodded numbly. It had not occurred to him that he would be the one to escort the civilians to safety, that to save the lives onboard, he would have to turn away from danger and run. He wouldn't find out what was beyond

that rift. So this was what being an executive officer was about. "Yes, sir. Preparing for emergency saucer separation. All non-essential personnel and civilians to shelters." He switched to shipwide after half of the communication.

Daren looked up at Hoth. "You see it?"

"Yes," Hoth replied tiredly.

"We can't outrun it from a cold start. I'm going to separate to give the wounded and civilians their best chance. Maybe without the mass of the saucer the secondary hull can pull free."

Hoth looked at him for only a second before he nodded. "Try it."

"What about your...?"

"No." Hoth shook his head. "Systems are still down from the impact with Hood. We're dead in space."

Daren looked at him in silence for a moment. "Damn." He straightened. "I'll try and meet the wave with the saucer. Maybe we can deflect it enough to give you a chance."

Hoth nodded. "Good luck."

"We certainly haven't had much of that yet today, have we?" Daren smiled sadly. "Maybe we're due. M'Kantu out." As the screen blanked, he straightened up. "Red Alert. Engage Emergency Separation, Commander Henderson. Once you're clear I intend to try and intercept the rift and deflect it."

****

USS Galaxy_A
Secondary Hull Deck 8
Battle Bridge

"Aye sir," Henderson replied, "If this doesn't work... It's been a pleasure serving with you, sir. It's opened my eyes to a number of things." Henderson cut himself off before he started to ramble and turned to Pennington, "Rima, Engage Emergency Seperation."

Pennington looked back at him, her fingers moving without her eyes looking at them. Her expression was a mixture of bewilderment and amusement. So even Cassius Henderson could learn? But then... "On it," he mumbled, jabbing at the keys angrily.

****

USS Galaxy
Deck 1
Bridge

Daren let out a breath he hadn't been aware that he was holding as the secondary hull uncoupled explosively. He thought briefly of his daughter, and the woman that he still loved but was no longer married to and allowed himself a moment for all the regrets that he'd accumulated over his life. He'd done good, he'd saved lives, but at the end of the line all he could see himself as was a father and husband who'd never told the people in his life that needed it most that he'd loved them when he should have.

"All right people," he said, pulling himself back to the moment. "Let's do this." He moved forward to the helm, but stopped short of tapping the young woman there on the shoulder to switch places with her. "Full Emergency Impulse, Lieutenant. Take us into the rift and flare up on my mark to present as wide a front as you can."

"Ay.. aye, sir," she nodded.

The saucer section wheeled over, looping around the injured Nimitz, Hood and Pershing, and started for the rift at increasing speed.

"Ten seconds."

"Eight seconds."

"Five seconds."

"Flare up."

The saucer flipped like a pancake being tossed, presenting its broadest surface area to the rift just as it struck.


[Backpost]

"Faded Dreams" Part 2 of 2 Markie

Primary Characters:
Captain Daren M'Kantu
Lieutenant Commander Cassius Henderson
SubCommander Savar tr'Khellian

Secondary Characters:
Lieutenant JG Cameron Bartlett
Lieutenant JG Maggie Pike
Ensign Rima Pennington

Unauthorized mention of Lieutenant JG Ella Grey

****

USS Galaxy
Deck 8
Battle Bridge

"Bring us about, heading perpendicular away from the wavefront, maximum emergency impulse, Lieutenant Pike," Henderson said, standing up and leaving the command chair. He ran his hands through his sandy hair, tugging at his collar as he did. It was getting hot, and he was in the hottest seat of all now. In his hands, and to an extent, the hands of his command crew, were the lives of the civilians and families on the Galaxy.

He joined Rima Pennington at tactical, no longer needing the command chair.

The expressions on the faces of his officers were grim. Lieutenant JG Bartlett's teeth could be heard to gnash against each other as he struggled with his console to get as much power as he could to the engines. Maggie Pike fretted and pulled at her hair, tuning and firing the engines carefully.

Rima... Then there was Rima. Henderson watched as she fed information to Lieutenant JG Pike. She was no longer hesitating, no longer pausing to question all that was asked of her. Fleet Admiral deMercereau had been right in sending her to him. She might still be rough on the edges, especially in day to day life, but in a pinch... She did what was needed.

"Cass, you'd better look at this," she looked over at him, her face paling, even as the Stardrive section streaked away. Any anger she might have had at him for pushing her into being the soldier and officer she'd always hated was gone. It was replaced by a dull fear, and a knowledge that way too many

lives rested on her for her to not do what was expected. She recognized that as one of Cass' ideas, but...

She was beginning to identify with it.

"Onscreen," Cassius replied grimly, having watched the data streaming over Rima's console. It didn't look good and was about to get much, much worse.

He could only hope and pray. Maybe they would cheat death, but it didn't look like Captain M'Kantu and Admiral Hoth would be so successful.

The saucer flipped like a pancake being tossed, presenting its broadest surface area to the rift just as it struck.

A series of explosions at every contact point along the outer hull destroyed immediately any last ditch hopes that this plan could succeed. The wavefront barely buckled, its shimmering front glowing all the more brightly as the disc of the Galaxy's saucer was hurled ineffectually against it. Too narrow still to swallow this tasty morsel whole, it bit savagely into the already-battered hull, rebuffing the saucer like an angry lover, sending it spinning backwards, trailing flaming debris as two long breaches were opened in its outer hull.

It was a kiss of death. Repulsed, the saucer flipped, spiraling out of all attempts to regain attitude control, as systems began to fail throughout the underpowered saucer section. The gravitational pull exerted by the wavefront

increasing all the time, the prone USS Nimitz was being sucked in, its forward thrusters blazing impotently against fate. Once a glittering jewel in Starfleet's crown, the Nimitz had been almost broken in two by the collision with USS Hood. When the saucer section of the Galaxy smashed with cruel abandon into the support prop of the Nimitz's one remaining nacelle, almost moving too fast for human comprehension, an explosion ripped through the Sovereign-class ship's port side and threw the huge vessel across space, cartwheeling like a ragdoll, tossed away like an ungrateful child. The last anyone knew, she was hurtling towards the scarred, irradiated surface of the planet Quentin.

And still, the wavefront thundered on, as somehow the saucer managed to ride the gravitic waves and try to present its flattened underbelly to the snarling mouth of the time-space rift. It was like trying to halt an avalanche with the lid of a trashcan - pointless, futile, but the human condition demanded it. The air onboard was thick with fear, but also with the electric cry of every mind and soul left onboard that vessel, doomed to die, that so wanted to live. With a snarl of triumph, the wavefront swallowed the saucer whole. USS Pershing, hanging dead in space, was sucked violently in, as the unsatiated rift gobbled in matter with wanton greed. The tiny vessel might have had enough power to escape, had she not been crippled by the Galaxy's cunning assault. As it was, she was powerless, her crew unable to even try to flee as they cowered and cried, and prayed to their Gods.

"Jesus," Cassius uttered briefly, and felt Rima grip his hand, her fingernails digging into his palm. "Ah, Rima. That hurts..." he whispered, and she blushed, the color returning to her face as she released him. "ETA to wave impact, Rima."

"Ah, 34 seconds," she said, he voice cracking. She swallowed and continued, "Hood is trying to engage their engines. Not much luck, and if they push it much farther, we're looking at a warp core breach. Damn fools." She winced as she punched buttons furiously.

"If they don't get moving, they'll be dead anyway," Pike noted as they barreled down on the USS Hood, which was also moving out with as much impulse as they could muster. Pike pulled at her hair again as she adjusted course.

"Good point," Cass said, "Rima, are we going to outrun it?"

"No," she said softly, then louder, "No. It's gaining speed. We're not going to make it on impulse." She looked up to him, wondering what they could possibly do. "Unless... Cass, the Hood! Think, Cass. What can we do that the Hood can't."

Cassius got it instantly, grinning, "Warp. Bridge to Engineering, Ella, are you still there?" In the adrenaline rush of the moment he forgot that Ella Grey didn't speak. He and Rima were thinking alike again, and at this point, it was life or death.

"Uhm, Cass? She says she is. She says not to yell," Rima said, reading him the text at her console. "Type?" Ensign Pennington moved aside and let him back at the console so he could communicate with Lieutenant Grey, resting on hand on his shoulder. She was feeling feint again, but that wasn't why. At this point, Cass needed all the help he needed.

~~ELLA, WILL THE WARP ENGINES TAKE THE STRAIN OF A MICROJUMP FROM THE WAVEFRONT?~~ Cassius typed quickly. Ella was the engineer, and while they'd hardly been talking much lately... She was his last chance. Their ticket to freedom.

~~I THINK SO. I CAN'T MAKE PROMISES. TRY IT.~~ Ella suggested.

Henderson nodded, ~~THANK YOU. I'LL SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE.~~ Turning to Pennington he nodded again, "Send coordinates for a microjump of three light years directly forward to Maggie, then we'll recalculate."

"Already done," Pennington grinned, "Did it while you were talking to Grey.

ETA to wave impact in 12 seconds." ~You'll do fine, Cass. Just give the order.~

"Sir, the wave's pulling us apart," Bartlett shouted, "I don't know how much longer we can take this. If you have something up your sleeve, I'd do it now!"

"Very good, Mr. Bartlett. Are you ready Miss Pike?" Henderson said, folding his arms behind his back. They would only get one shot at this.
Do or die.

His thoughts turned to those he'd know and loved. Taryn Benedor, Rhea Lawrence, his family... The family he hadn't yet had. Pennington. He didn't want to lose her. Or himself. In the end, it all came down to one order. All of that which he was, and that all of the people onboard where.

"ETA to impact, 8 seconds," Pennington shouted, "Do it!"

"Yes, I'm ready," Pike nodded furiously, her finger poised over the firing button for the warp engines. The ship started to creak ominously, and Cassius winced as he felt a console spark and die behind him.

"On my mark, Maggie," he shouted.

"Ready," she repeated.

"ETA 5 seconds!" Pennington called.

"Mark!" Cassius Henderson called out, and Maggie Pike jabbed at the button, missing it once as he finger slipped, then hitting it. Everything seemed toslow for a few seconds as the ship screamed in protest.

"ETA 3 seconds!" Pennington yelled, becoming progressively more frightened.

"Cassius, the Hood!" To port somewhere, the wave struck the Hood, and the noble old starship vaporized, just as the warp engines engaged. Debris battered the Galaxy, and sirens began going off as they were knocked off course.

"Warp Engines Offline!" Maggie Pike shouted, just in time for her console to explode, kicking her to the deck, where she moved no more. Bartlett too was unconscious, unmoving at his console, slumped forward. He was blissfully unaware of what was going on around him. As Cass looked at them, he couldn't help but think that they were the lucky ones.

"Brace for impact!" Rima shouted, grabbing Cassius and spinning him to face her, then wrapping her arms around him. "Sorry, Cass. There has to be a time for everything. And our time's up," she said, looking up, then buried her face in his uniform. She for one did not want to see it coming.

"I know," he replied, as their world exploded around them.

The secondary hull didn't explode all at once, but fragmented into a million

pieces, shattering like the hopes and dreams of those onboard. The civilians and families of the Galaxy crew, huddled in their shelters and stations, never saw it coming. Cassius Henderson closed his eyes in the final moment, and held Rima Pennington tighter. It was all he could do. Fate, it seemed, had won at last.

****

USS Galaxy
Deck 1
Main Bridge

The impact with the Nimitz had thrown those individuals who'd managed to ride the saucer's impact with the wave to the deck, the inertial compensators teetering on the edge of failure as console after console blew around the Bridge. As the saucer was driven onwards, a few individuals struggled to their feet as their unconscious, dead, or simply less determined, companions slid around the room like balls on a pool table after the break.

Daren braced himself against the chair at the Helm console and drew himself up, one leg throbbing from impact with the bridge rail, and looked around. Behind him, Savar was grimly holding on to the Tactical arch, his face set in lines that told that only death would force him to release his grip. To the side, an ensign from Engineering was still at her console, trying to force it to respond, held there by the expedient method of jamming her hand into the console itself through a blown panel to grip an internal support.

Another wave impact buffeted the ship, and Daren almost lost his seat, retaining it only be a slim margin. Grimly determined, he snapped open the covers on the sides of the chair and drew out the emergency harness stored on the right side, unspooling it to fasten on the left and lock him in place.

His position secure, he tried to bring up the controls, failed, tried again, and failed. "Damn," he observed in a conversational tone, as he reached over to try and transfer control to the Operations console.

When that also failed, he rode out the next impact, winced as one of the crew skidded into his injured leg, and drew back a fist to pound on the emergency release for the manual piloting station that Starfleet's engineers insisted in putting on all vessels despite the design board's objections. "It worked for Riker on the Enterprise, maybe it'll work for me," Daren growled as the release finally gave and the piloting control rose up from the console.

"Give me all power we have," he called out over the din of shorting electronics and booming concussions as the wave beat at the saucer section, the viewscreen starting to haze out as they entered the atmosphere.

"Aye, sir," the ensign yelled, working the controls.

Daren took the stick, worked it once to get a feel for it, and then engaged it and started the fight to regain control of the saucer before it nose-dived into a mountain range.

The Galaxy bucked and twisted like a thing alive, the control stick almost jerked from his hand three times in as many seconds before the impulse engines kicked in and the saucer started to level out.

Daren slid the saucer along the front of the wave; his old skills coming back to him as though he were still a young ensign and the intervening years hadn't passed. The haze dissipated as the saucer's angle of approach flattened, and he felt a sudden thrill as the saucer, freed from the secondary hull, responded like a bird to his touch, living up to the grace and potential that a true ship ought to have...

...until the engines blew.

The straining impulse engines surrendered and tore out the back of the saucer in a gout of plasma flame that reached out for half again the length of the saucer. The Engineering console simply vanished in a sympathetic detonation, taking the ensign there with it, and plunging the bridge into darkness as the saucer lost power.

Thrown through the air like a flipped coin, the saucer rotated once, twice, and finally a third time before it crashed into the ground upside down at a shallow angle, digging in and halting with a jerk that tore chairs free from the deck, cracked the ship's spine, and tore her open like a broken toy.

The dust from the impact rose up to blot out the sky as the remains of the Galaxy lay there, broken and bleeding from a dozen wounds, as her life, like the dreams of her crew, guttered and faded into darkness.


"Reunited pt1"

Major Saladin Bolivar,
Chief of Intelligence

Lt. JG Ahdjiia D'Tinya,
Security

Ahdjiia found herself in her quarters, her mind still stunned by what she saw in her head. Her little ones were all around her. She was trembling as she picked up each one, cradling it as if she'd been gone for years, and rather confusing each spider. They weren't going to complain about the attention though.

She rose after each gentle hug and kiss to them all, and laid out the trays of live bloodgrubs that were their favourite treats.

Once they were all happily feeding on the fat pink grubs, she tapped the computer to locate one other.

"Major Bolivar is en route to the holodeck."

Ahdjiia left her quarters to see him...to reassure herself that the visions she saw in her head were just that.

Saladin picked up the katana again as he stepped in to the holodeck. Bringing up Dojo program number 3 he took the first position in his routine and waited...

The holodeck was on when Ahdjiia arrived, but she overrode to enter. She was silent as she watched him take his stance, overcome by seeing him alive.

A Klingon warrior charged and with a sudden blinding speed Saladin's Katana cleared the scabbard and slashed the Klingon in a bloody spray.

Then he paused hearing breathing. "What is wrong Ahdjiia?"

She closed her eyes and breathed deeply at the sound of his voice. "I..I had to see you.", she said softly.

Speedily he sheathed his blade and spoke, "Computer end program." Then he turned, "You had similar visions?"

Her eyes snapped open wide. "You...you had them?", she asked.

"Yes... I died in this damnable ship's medbay and not at the hands of that bufoonish surgeon."

"I saw my Little Ones, and you...long dead.", she said, the words catching in her throat.

He paused and turned to face her, "I had visions of my death...of dying young with no offspring to bear my name. To die because some damned fool of a Federation captain got in to a battle with another damned fool captain, We are not Klingons... a death in battle is not something I seek." He stepped over and let his fingers lace with hers. "If something comes to take the life of Saladin Bolivar out of Bouddica by Charlamagne it will have to be more then some foolish vision."

Ahdjiia hugged him tightly, her eyes closed again, breathing his scent in deeply.

He embraced her back and gently kissed her forehead. "Come along Ahdjiia, I was going to have a drink at my place... would you like to accompany me?"

"yes.", she said softly, not wanting to let him go.

He gently kissed her forehead then smiled, "Well, you will need to let go of me and we will walk there together ok?"

"Okay.", she said with a soft smile, easing up her embrace.

He smiled back and caressed her cheek, "I do love you..." Finally saying what he had been feeling.

"And I love you.", she said as she tilted her head into his caress.

He smiled and let his fingers interlace with hers, "If you would like you may carry my blade."

"Of course.", she said as she carefully took his sheathed sword.

He smiled, "A true sword maiden." Then he took her hand in his, letting their fingers touch, "we have much to discuss anyway."

"We do.", she said as she squeezed his hand.

They walked along holding hands to his quarters. Once inside he wrapped her in an embrace.

"I don't want to let you go.", she said as she rested her head on his chest.

His embrace tightened around her, "It's ok.... Tonight you don't have to."

"You do not mind if I stay the night?", she said softly.

"Not at all."

"Thank you.", she said as she closed her eyes, still holding him tight.

He rocked her gently, "it's ok love... I'm here..."

She was silent as he held her, her eyes watering with joy that he was still here, still alive.

He gently kissed her lips, "You hungry?"

"A little.", she said.

"Why don't we eat, then spend the evening together."

"I would like that.", she smiled.

He kissed her gently and slipped his arms tighter around her waist.

Ahdjiia reached up, gently caressing his face. For so long on the planet she had figured that she would never have the tender moments they shared, so she savoured this like it was a feast.

He unconsciously leaned his cheek in to her hand and kissed her palm, "Love you.." he whispered softly.

"I love you too.", she said just as softly with a hint of a smile on her lips.

He let his fingers caress the smooth skin of her neck as he nipped at her chin, "What did you want to eat?"

"Anything is good.", she smiled.

"What if I said we could make love all night..."

"I do not work tomorrow...", she smirked.

"Neither do I."

"Then we have the night...and the morrow, just for us."

He began to unfasten her jacket slowly as he tenderly kissed her lips.

Ahdjiia's hands moved gracefully to remove his gi as well.

He hung up her jacket then hung his attire. Saladin kissed her again, "I take it dinner waits?"

"Or we could have something we can share while curled up together...", she smiled.

"And what would that be?"

"Perhaps that battered shrimp meal we had before?", she said, "Or something else."

"that battered shrimp was tasty... or was it cleaning the sauce off your breast."

"I think it was both.", she smiled.

"You seemed to approve."

"I did indeed."

He kissed her tenderly, "As did I, then again it was the close contact with bare flesh."

"And you did say I was tasty with the sauce.", she teased.

"You are." He teased her and kissed her gently, "Very tasty... perhaps we should replicate dinner and get ready to eat."

"Very well.", she smiled as she stepped over to his replicator, letting the rest of her top fall away as she moved.

He followed watching her voluptuous body move. Then he removed his top then slipped behind her to let his fingers trace up her breasts.

Ahdjiia sighed softly at his touch, her body responding faster than usual considering recent events.

He traced his fingers up and let his fingers trace along her dusky nipples as he began to nibble on her ear.

She let her hands mesh with his and leaned back into him.

He kissed her lips tenderly and began to knead her full breasts as their fingers moved together. "I've missed you."

"I thought you were gone.", she said as she returned his kiss.

"I am not.... nor will I be."

"You are too stubborn for otherwise.", she smiled.

"When I pass on, it will be many years down the road, children and grandchildren by my side, and my enemies long dead from unexplainable and untraceable accidents."

Ahdjiia chuckled. "I would expect nothing less from you."


"Reunited"

Major Saladin Bolivar,
Chief of Intelligence

Lt. JG Ahdjiia D'Tinya,
Security

*Content Warning for M/F nookie..as if we all didn't know this was coming...LOL*

He grinned, "And perhaps we can discuss you being the mother of those children."

"I am certainly agreeable to the idea.", she smiled.

He kissed her, then paused, "It would be rough with my family... marrying an outsider."

"I will do what I must to make it easier on them."

"Well, you are not some soft betazoid woman so it would take approval of the clan matriarch."

"I am Crysalian, the ones who avoid everything offworld, that would be viewed as worse than a betazoid."

"You would have to prove your worthiness."

"And so I shall."

He kissed her lips tenderly and kicked his boots off, "shall we replicate dinner?"

"Let's.", she said as she ordered the battered shrimp with the smoky spicy sauce they both liked.

He kissed her gently and stepped out of what remained of his clothing as they moved back to his bed. "Ahdjiia.."

Dinner was set on a nightstand while she finished undressing and joined him on the bed.

HE let her snuggle up and kissed her, "Perhaps you would like to move to larger quarters... together."

"Or I could move in here with my Little Ones.", she said, "Your quarters are much larger than mine."

"Comes from being a senior officer." He teased her and placed the food on her belly.

Ahdjiia smiled and draped her arms above her head, a bony elbow making a soft 'clonk' as it struck the headboard. "I would hope so.", she teased.

He kissed her breast gently and dipped a shrimp in to the sauce. "Bring the little ones."

"Tomorrow.", she said, "I will need help bringing them all since it would not be looked on well if we all walked ."

"And the risks are too great."

"Indeed.", she said as she gazed into his eyes.

He kissed her and then fed her a piece of shrimp.

Ahdjiia 'mmm'd' softly as she ate the shrimp, licking her lips afterwards.

He smiled and followed feeding her with a kiss. Then got out a second piece of shrimp.

The little game continued on, Ahdjiia fed Saladin as well, stealing kisses between food bites.

Soon their food was done and a final piece of sauce laden shrimp was offered to her, teasingly, his eyes locked with hers.

Her gaze met his and as the plate was put off to the side, she wrapped her arms around him.

He kissed her tenderly and drew her close for a a passionate makeout session.

There was a noticeable bit of hunger in her attentions this time, but it was understandable considering the recent mission.

He let a finger enter her as he began to nibble on her neck tenderly.

Ahdjiia's arousal was easily felt and she moaned softly, wrapping herself around him.

He kissed her again then slid a second finger inside her and began to caress her womanhood.

Her body writhed slowly beneath him, her want strong in her eyes.

HE guided himself in to her and began to move slowly as he kissed her lips tenderly.

She cried out softly, wrapping herself around him tightly, savouring each motions. This time it was made more precious when held against the belief she had of it never happening again.

Saladin kissed her tenderly as he continued to move his hips in to hers and he let his hands caress her full breasts, his thumbs touching her nipples.

Her cries were soft in his ears as she moved into his motions, feeling the pleasure build.

They shifted in his bed laying side by side as he moved in to her as gently as he could, something about this time was just so... different. The pleasure built within him and he moaned softly.

Ahdjiia's hands roamed his body, savouring the play of his muscles.

He moaned again as he felt himself tense then explode inside her, he cried out softly as the pleasure shot through him in waves.

Her nails dug into his back and she called out his name as she reached the point of no return and joined him in that fiery moment of oneness.

He rested his head on her shoulder and kissed her breast softly as the glow passed over them.

She still held him tightly, savouring his nearness.

He smiled and kissed her again, "I've missed you."

"After I move in tomorrow, you won't miss me again.", she said softly.

"And the little ones too..."

"Of course."

"Must have the little ones." He smiled and caressed her cheek, "Can we have children though is the question.... I guess we'll need to see Medical."

"We can.", she said, "Or try on our own and see what happens."

"I enjoy the trying..."

"As do I.", she smiled, kissing his chin.

"Though... there are other things we do that are quite pleasurable too."

"I agree.", she smiled.

"You do this thing with your tongue... where did you learn that?"

"From one of my intimacies at the Academy.", she said, "She taught me well."

He paused, "she?"

"I have been intimate with members of both genders.", she said matter of factly.

"Interesting.."

"But I am with you now.", she said, "And hopefully until the end of our days when we are both old and grey."

He smiled and kissed her, "I have no objection to intimacies with both genders, I myself have only been intimate with women. But I trust you fully." Then he smiled, "Though.. if you wished to bring another woman in, I would not object." He was teasing her of course.

"We will see what happens in time.", she said.

He rested his head on the pillow next to her and let her fingers lace with his, "I do not expect it."

"Time changes many things.", she said, snuggling up to him, taking care with her bony elbows, "For now, we are satisfied with each other."

He smiled and kissed her, "We are indeed." Then he slipped an arm along her breasts as he leaned to let his lips cares her nipples.

"Hungry again so soon?", she said with a raised eyebrow.

He smiled and kissed her, "And are you?"

"I always find I have appetite around you.", she said with a soft smile.

He smiled, "May we always." His fingers slid below the sheets and he began to tease her nethers.

Her legs parted for him and she sighed softly at his touch.

He kissed her passionately and let his fingers slide inside her, "I've missed you..."

She groaned softly. "As you've said.", she smiled.

"I know but I keep saying it." He kissed her passionately again, Then they rolled so she was atop him and he let his arms slide around her, "Do you want to bring your little ones over tonight?"

"I could.", she said, "I did spoil them with treats before I went to you."

"But first...." His eyes sparkled, "Allow me to ravish your body one more time..."

Ahdjiia smiled and impaled herself upon him.

He moaned softly as she rode him this time. His hips moving up in to hers as she rode him.

Her nails raked his chest lightly as she writhed atop him.

They reached the ultimate release together again and Saladin kissed her softly, "Maybe our first baby is on the way now."

"I would like that.", she said as she laid atop him in afterglow.

He hugged her tightly, "Though I have to say I have not been this... frisky in ages."

"I am not complaining.", she said with a soft smile.

"I would worry if you did." He kissed her. "Though should we start moving your things over?"

"Eventually.", she said, "For now, I just want to lay with you."

He let his hands trace down to her backside, "You would make a wonderful wife...."

"And you would make a fine husband.", she smiled with a bit of a glow to her.

He caressed her cheek and smiled, "Though in my tradition you have to face the Matriarch of my clan first."

"I have said I shall take any challenge she sets for me.", Ahdjiia said as she kissed his palm.

"There is a strict tradition in this to visit my Clansted."

"Prepare me for it.", she said.

"I will, so you will know the ways. If you are deemed not worthy... I will marry you anyway."

"I do not want to cause discord.", she said softly, knowing all too well how that bitter pain of ostracizing was.

"Ahdjiia, my love...when a Nietzchean male chooses a mate it is more of a genetic worthiness then love. I chose you for love... That will be most unusual, that and also you will be.... First wife."

She nodded, knowing that was a thing of import.

"By custom and tradition I am allowed to marry many women, better to ensure the propagation of my family line." He looked at her, "But you are my first wife and as such hold a place of honor in the homestead and in the marital group."

"I will do my utmost.", she said softly.

"You have the right to veto any potential mate, though in a true Nietzchean Marital group, you can be challenged for your worthiness to be first wife, as I can be challenged by any of your other husbands... It is very political."

"I do not see any other as my mate.", she said, "And I would only allow the best to share you."

He interlaced his fingers with hers, "And you may also sever the bond if I displease you, or cannot give you a child."

"I do not see either happening."

He looked at her, "DO you really?"

"We are working on a child...and so far you have not displeased me."

"I am glad Ahdjiia. Tomorrow in the morning, we will perform a ceremonial bonding, then I will make the arrangements for us to travel to Fountainhead to speak to the Matriarch of my pride."

"I will arrange for the care of my Little Ones.", she said, "I think they would be a bit much."

"It would be wise not to travel with the little ones to Fountainhead, there are some on my world who would see them as a threat."

"I guessed as much."

He looked at her and kissed her lips softly, "It is because when we were exiled from Earth there were several wanted to kill us, this paranoia has passed down. It dies a slow death."

"I understand.", she said as she returned his kiss.

He let her fingers lace with his, "Tomorrow then we will speak to the Matriarch Before we bond.... I will inform her of my desire to take you as my wife."

"Do you wish me around when you inform her?"

"Yes...If it goes poorly I will need support if it goes well you will be questioned."

"I will be there.", she said with a soft smile.

He kissed her again and nuzzled her neck, "Now... for tonight what do you wish to do?"

"Just lay here with you.", she said as she snuggled up tight against him.


“Deja… What?”Markie

By Lieutenant Commander James Lionel Corgan
Chief of Security,
USS Galaxy

And Lieutenant jg Eleanor ‘Elli’ Pharrel
LCARS System’s Engineer,
USS Galaxy (in essence, a computer expert)

Location: Security Office, shortly after “Temporal Correction Mission #838302” [source classified])

“Naw…..”

The shaking of the shuttle was becoming unbearable. The Chief of Security felt the hot shower of spark on his cheeks, and heard the explosion of an overloaded EPS to his right. The sparks felt surprisingly solid, until he realized that was not a spark. He felt dozens of tiny shards of plastic hotly pierce his skin and knock himself back.

It was quite an explosion. Knocking Corgan out of his chair, and leaking blood all over his right cheek, he hit the shuttle floor, driving out the remaining air out of his lungs.

Then there was the spinning. It was too much for the gravity controls to fight.

“My goddaughter… my friends…” James thought of the people still in the Galaxy, though vain the selfless thought seemed as the shuttle was quickly being destroyed by the temporal wave, “…no… Rose… I’m sorry…. I should…..”

Reality was stolen from him, as he shot out of a chair and nearly banged his knees on his desk. “No!” His knees stopped short, his head stopped jerking upwards. His body was in mid-stop, keeping balance before his body decided to lurch itself all over his security desk. As soon as the panic and chaos that still registered in his head stopped, he had time to review his surroundings.

His security desk was still there, a bit messy from reports, but not turned into a blown out shell. The old antique Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon poster was still on his wall, trapped behind a pane of glass that protected its fragile condition for nearly four centuries. His Rolling Stones coffee mug, glued together after a fight with his ex-girlfriend, was at his side, filled full with ration pack 38: a chickory/coffee hybrid.

It wasn’t a shuttle that was about to be puffed out of existence like an errant, seed filled dandelion in a fickle wind. It was his office, and he was doing one of his reports.

The stardate on his report read 50308.25.

~”What in the devil is this?”~ James sat up, spinning his chair around so that he could get a better view of office’s porthole. His mind firmly recalled being in a later stardate, approximately stardate 50311. There was desert, a destroyed galaxy, and a Guardian that knew the past and the future. The memories were not fuzzy. In fact, they were more clear than any raving mad mind could possibly recall.

And James knew a thing or two about raving mad, since he came close to that edge before.

Expecting to see a planet consumed by a glowing ruby and black atmosphere, or a sandy wasteland like he remembered on the surface. It was a pristine blue and green agate with wisps of white clouds. The advance away mission was already planetside, and most likely negotiating with the Quentites.

“Why do I remember something different?” James whispered in disbelief, “I was there. I saw the wreckage. I was with the Guardian of Forever. I was in that shuttle. I was there… I was there…”

~”Of course I was there!”~ James forced himself to admit. The memory was too real to pass up. Imagination was more foggy and lacked the vivid details he experienced. Not just image, but emotion as well. He remembered the anxiety he felt when confronting the Guardian about his question on a companion, or the panic he felt when he thought of the MacAllen family back on the ship before the temporal wave swallowed him up. Too real to deny. It did happen.

But what made it happen?

His comm-badge popped his bubble. =/\=”Lieutenant Pharrel to Commander Corgan… are you there?”=/\=

The Chief of Security paused. He remembered that woman, though he had yet to meet her. Another one of those strange, out of place memories, she showed up as an unfortunate victim of a collapsed beam and an oncoming plasma gas cloud, whom he rescued seconds before smoke could do her in. She was a dark brunette, a human (looked and sounded Terra-born), and she wore engineer’s gold. He distinctly remembered her chicklike, film-noir face. It was buried in his tunic, crying.

He warily answered back, “Commander Corgan here. How may I help you?”

Pharrel’s voice picked at the comm.-badge carefully, =/\=”Sir? Do you… remember me?”=/\=

Corgan ventured an answer, “Deck 6? Plasma fire? Bulkhead pinning your legs?”

A pause, then, =/\=”How did you know?”=/\=

He answered, “I was there, remember? I think I was there.”

=/\=”I know… and I remember that too. But… it didn’t happen. Did it?”=/\=

~”Good question.”~ James thought, then said, “I’m almost off my shift. Meet me at Ten Forward after alpha shift. We can discuss it there.”

=/\=”I’ll be there. Pharrel out.”=/\=

As soon as Pharrel’s message chirruped out, James was out of the door. The security personnel in the main security office took some notice, and was somewhat alarmed by James’ quickened step. Lieutenant O’Rourke stopped him in midstep, as if she was in a rush.

”Sir! We were supposed to have a staff meeting! I was just about to call you!” She shouted, alarmed. “And I was thinking… should I prepare security teams in case we get boarded?”

Bewildered, James asked, “What the f**k are you talking about?”

“Sir, I… just thought we should be prepared… you know?” Shelly stuttered, trying to find herself a conventional excuse for what seemed to be an irrational fear, “I have a feeling we would need them and all…”

”Relax, it will be fine.” James patted O’Rourke on the shoulder, “Now I have to go to Ten Forward to meet another officer. Take over the security meeting, I’m sure you’re up to it since it is your security team that needs to be briefed on the first contact procedures. Just keep it short and informative, ok?”

”Buttt… SIR!” James tossed the PADD over his shoulder, and O’Rourke caught it. The PADD contained notes for the meeting that had to take place. She forlornly looked at the notes as James rushed out the door. Watching her commanding officer abandon her to another stressful responsibility, she sadly wimpered, “Not again…. I don’t want to do this…”

****************

Ten Forward bustled with life. The waiters and waitresses served the early Beta/late alpha shift crowd. Drinks clinked, voices talked, and news was passed around. The Quentite contact went well, so rumour was being passed around. People were anticipating a first contact reception, so they took their orders hastily, fearing that they would be cleared out by testy brass and Ten-Forward staff.

Lieutenant Commander Corgan and Lieutenant jg Pharrel were in the corner, taking their time to recall their stories.

“So… you died?” James ventured to ask.

“Well, you did too, didn’t you?” She replied with her own question.

“That I did. I was in the Opaka next to Savoie, and some wave hit us.” He explained his story well, minus the parts about violating the Class 1-A directive. In retrospect, James was sad that he didn’t use the violation to full advantage. He really wanted to know about a pressing question… which he had a monumental time trying to confront.

“I died in the computer core.” She morosely stared down at her chilling coffee, “The ship felt like it was going down. Then a big impact, and I was thrown at the wall. Must have broke my neck when I hit, but I couldn’t tell… since everything went blank after that. I couldn’t deny it, you know. I was thrown pretty fast, head first. I should have died… but I’m here.”

“So should I, but here I am.” James nodded in agreement.

The silence, a moment of retrospect with the estranged memoried, was then cut short. Pharrel said, “Alternate history?”

“Maybe.” Corgan nodded, “But how? I barely passed my temporal studies course at the academy.”

“It depends on who’s theories you’re talking about.” Lieutenant Pharrel answered, “We might be dealing with temporal recall. That means if we really did experience those events, and if someone or something was prevented cause the events we remember, and then we are experiencing a memory echo of the previous timeline. Sometimes, this can be triggered by an event, such as a subspace temporal wave, or a chronoton based explosion.”

Startled, James shot up, “Holy sh*t! We detected a subspace temporal wave from the shuttle.”

Pharrel added, “We detected one following your shuttle.”

“Then what caused the wave?”

The Lieutenant shrugged, “Don’t know. Chronoton displacement, such as a large object from the future, or the fact that your shuttle was displaced in time, and was soaked in Chronoton particles. Could be a number of factors, or it could be coincidence. I’m not sure. The temporal sciences are still theoretical.”

“So… all we have are theories.”

”That’s it.”

The waiter passed a plate of cheesecake to Lieutenant Pharrel. She took a dainty morsel off with her fork, and slid it in her mouth. Her closed eyes and gentle sigh spoke volumes about the derived satisfaction of her dessert.

“Well… at least I’m not crazy again.” James heaved a sigh, “I just wanted to know I wasn’t losing it. I have a psyche record, and if I told this to the Captain or anyone else, I would be written off as a section 8 and sent to New Zealand. Can’t let that happen. It took me a few years to piece myself together and…”

James stopped himself. Too much information to tell a person he just meet, or just barely met under temporally questionable circumstances. He could tell by her blank, surprised stare, and the forkful of cheesecake that hovered between the plate and her chin. Laughing with embarrassment, James shrugged his last comment off. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

”Dominion War vet?” She asked.

His eyebrow raised. “Oh? How do you figure that?”

She dropped her fork down and spoke, “I missed the war by a year, but I know a few friends, if you know what I mean. Some vets weren’t the same after the war with the Dominion and that last Borg incursion. So, you’re one of them…”

She slid her chair back into place, and left the table, after saying, “I don’t mind. James?”

”Yes?”

”Ummm…” She blushed, her flustered cheeks partially covered by dark brown locks of curled hair, “Thanks for saving me, even if it technically may or may not have happened.”

He watched Lieutenant Pharrel weave her way through the crowd, bumping into one officer and apologizing profusely for the infraction of etiquette and motor skills. Though somewhat pretty, her personality seemed too excited, bumbling, and a bit clumsy. An overanxious, awkward girl, not exactly graceful like the hawk she appeared to be.

But pretty, like a film-noir girl.

“No problem.” James sipped his coffee/chickory. His thoughts about the pretty, if disco-ordinated girl were distracted by his dislike for the new temporary ration policy. ~”Wait… how did she get cheesecake when I can’t get a decent cup of coffee?”~


[Backpost]Markie

"Paths"

(Occurs just prior to "A Little Faith")

Principal Characters:
Lt. JG Ahdjiia D'Tinya, Security
Ensign So'ka, Security

****

Quentin
Outside the crashed saucer section

She figured they were done after the science members gleaned whatever they could from the aging saucer section.  Ahdjiia was inwardly glad to leave the ruined bridge and step outside on the blasted world.  Her eyes automatically looked for where everyone was, where they were moving and it appeared as if they were gathering together to leave.

Footsteps crunched on the graveled sand behind her, approaching from around the curve of the crashed saucer to her left. After a moment, a figure she recognized as one of her fellow Security personnel appeared, obviously walking patrol. He moved up to her and stopped, the light from the portable spots that the Science team had set up to illuminate the crashed saucer section casting odd shadows across his face. "Lieutenant," he said with a nod. Do you mind some company for a minute?"

"Not at all," Ahdjiia said, recognizing the ensign from the department, but needing a moment to recall his name. It came to her after a moment: So'ka.

So'ka nodded again and turned to watch the scurrying Science team members run about like ants in silence for a moment. "I do not like it here," he announced suddenly in a quiet voice. "This is a thing that should not be. I can feel the spirits of my friends hovering about me, lost and crying out for assistance and comfort - and I have none to give them. Only once have I been more afraid than seeing this, feeling this, makes me."

"I agree," she said softly. "All I feel is the heavy weight of loss and the pain of being unable to have done something."

So'ka nodded. "Exactly. I am... helpless, and I do not like that feeling. I wish..." He paused as an odd expression moved across his face. "How strange. That is something I would not have expected."

"It is something we do not know until we experience it," she said with a soft sigh, "But it is an experience I could have gone to the end of my days not knowing."

"I found myself wishing that someone were here who cannot be," he explained. "He is dead. He has been all the years the ruins of the Galaxy have been here - I found his remains myself." He frowned. "That was not the odd thing, however. I have wished that many of my friends were here with me since we discovered the crash site. The odd thing is not the wishing, but the who and why of the wish."

His words struck a deep chord in Ahdjiia, causing that first shock of grieving pain to well up from finding her Little Ones, then Saladin.  "I imagine we wish they were here rather than gone.  We would like to hear their words, their thoughts on this, to have them near... they share in our lives and with them gone, they have taken part of us with them."

"That's the oddest part of all," the ensign says slowly. "Because I am not comfortable with the man being near me under most circumstances. I would not think that having him here would be a thing that I would wish for."

"He still is a part of your life, despite your interactions," Ahdjiia said, "May I ask who it was?"

"Who?" So'ka turned to look at her. "Lieutenant Krieghoff. I was wishing that Lieutenant Krieghoff were here." He shook his head. "Of all the people to wish for: O'Rourke, Hanley, Marsh... I chose to wish for him."

Ahdjiia hadn't met the Lieutenant, but had seen him around on the ship so she had a face to put to the name.  "I do miss 'Commander Henderson... and Major Bolivar," she said, "Both meant something to me, be it fascinating discourse or just working beside them."

So'ka was silent for a moment. "Those sound as if they were pleasant memories. I mourn with you the loss of those that gave them to you. But I must ask...did they, Commander Henderson or Major Bolivar, I mean, did they... scare you?"

"No," she said, "But I will admit to Major Bolivar looking intimidating when he first approached me."

"I ask, because Lieutenant Krieghoff scared me," he explained. "Badly. Just by walking in the room." He glanced at Ahdjiia. "You never worked with him, did you?"

"No, I had not," she said as she let her mind roll through what memories she had of her fellow officer, "I had seen him around our department, but that was it.  He did seem to have something about him, even if he was just standing around.  As the humans say, 'it is something I cannot put my finger on.'"

"They are so very good at that, aren't they?" So'ka agreed. "They seem to have a saying for everything - even things that they cannot have encountered before." He looked up at the stars. "I was not like Lieutenant O'Rourke; I did not fear him so much that it threatened to turn to something darker than fear. But I was afraid of him nonetheless, from the first day I encountered him aboard the ship. He was..." he paused, thinking. "I cannot tell you what it was that made me fear him, not in a literal sense. But I watched him have that effect on Terrans, Klingons, Centaurians, and a dozen more races. I even saw a Betazoid injure themselves by running from a room in a blind panic so strong that they fell off the catwalk outside after the Lieutenant did no more than enter the room they were in."

"It sounds like how some animals flee from predators," Ahdjiia said, then shrugged. "But that isn't common to humans, at least that I know of."

"It isn't. Not according to the ones I have asked in any case. Lieutenant Krieghoff used that word - 'predator' - to describe himself once. He said that he was what man had been before he became civilized, what they were before they became sheep, and that the part of their brains that were still primitive animals recognized him for what he was, and that was what terrified people around him. Lieutenant O'Rourke disagreed, and used to say that this was because Lieutenant Krieghoff was not human, that he was, instead, a monster that should be confined someplace far away from other people, if not killed outright." He sighed. "But that was because he showed her his inner face and she was unable to accept it."

Ahdjiia was familiar with the concept of one having an inner face and an outer one. Chrysalians believed that one's inner face only came out when they were deep in sleep, when the cares of the world slipped away and it was only them in their head. But she knew that was only one aspect of it and So'ka could easily mean another. "Inner face?" she asked, wondering on his interpretation of it.

"His inner face?" So'ka thought for a second. "My people believe that each of us have two faces. One that we show to the world that is the self that we wish to be, the one we wish others to know us as. The other... the other is the self that we actually are, the truth that lies at the core of our being. If what we saw looking at Lieutenant Krieghoff was his outer face, the one that was everything best about him that he wished us to see, and it still frightened people the way it did... what then, was his inner face like? The one that revealed him for what he truly was? I cannot say, nor would I wish to have known."

He sighed. "But I still wish he were here. If he were then... Of course, that would explain it." The ensign shook his head. "If he were here, then I would be less afraid. As terrifying as I find him, it is still a comfort to me that he is working with me, that when we are assigned the same detail, he will let nothing happen to me or anyone else unless it comes through him first. And I can conceive of nothing that could do that were he still alive. Not even the demon that inhabited the Defiant could restrain him against his will for long - and he was the one that killed the Defiant in the end."

So'ka looked over at Ahdjiia. "But I am monopolizing the conversation, Lieutenant; rambling on to make myself feel less afraid. I apologize for that. You said that you too had found those that you miss here. Did you..." he looked away for a moment. "I performed the Ceremony for the Lost for those that I found, my people's ritual to help those that have moved on find the path to their next life. Do your people have such a belief?"

"We do have leavetaking prayers that are spoken over those who's shells remain.", Ahdjiia said, "We thank them for the time they shared their lives with ours, for shared moments good and bad, wish them good journey for their next great trip in their new existence. I spoke them over my lost ones, but I did not find the same comfort that I usually do find in it."

"I do not know that I have ever found true comfort in my people's rituals," So'ka admitted. "They have always seemed... inadequate to me on some level. As though they were placebos we had created to keep the greater truths of the universe at bay. But I follow them nonetheless, because a part of me whispers that if I am wrong, that if they are indeed based on truths, then to deny them is to deny myself and those around me the chance at another life after this one."

Ahdjiia nodded. "As the humans say, it is better to err on the side of caution," she said, "But then they have so many sayings for things. Certainly one of the more unique things about them, don't you think?"

So'ka nodded. "I do. I have sometimes wondered how they can produce them, seemingly from the void, without hesitation. Were there some collection of proverbial writings they all quoted from, a part of their religion perhaps, then it would be easier to understand. But they all, seemingly from childhood, appear to have the ability to just... conjure them up, and deliver them in such a way that they sound like aphorisms that have the weight of ages behind them."

A smile crossed her face.  "Indeed.", she said, "When I was at the Academy I did try to find a book of these sayings. The closest I came was an ancient one of matronly wisdom called Momilies. Fascinating work, though a bit dated with antiquated beliefs about the crusts of bread making one's hair get curly or straight when eaten."

"Crusts of bread?" So'ka blinked. "That's one I haven't heard before. All of the ones that I hear in security seem to have been attributed to some early Security Chief named Murphy. He must have served back in Admiral Kirk's days as a captain, or even before."

"I've heard of that person," Ahdjiia said, "He was mentioned quite often on each of my postings and at the Academy. I did try to look up his record, but I couldn't find any that seemed to fit." She shrugged slightly, "But when it comes to looking up old records, there are better ones who can easily sift through to find them."

"I agree - it is not my best field either. T'lan would be the one to..." He stopped and sighed. 'Would have been the one to do it, I should say." He looked over at Ahdjiia. "Perhaps you can tell me - how long does it take to stop thinking of them in the present tense?" 

"I wish I could say.", she said with a soft sigh, "I've seen some go on with a person's passing that day and I've seen some carry on the rest of their lives still thinking of them as if they're still walking." To be honest, So'ka's question was one she was pondering as well. Would it bode well for her if she began to think of her Little Ones or Saladin as forever gone, or in still keeping part of them alive as if they'd only been occupied and were due to return? 

Both struck a chord within her as she knew that when one passed, they went onto the next stage of things. But was it selfish of her to still want to keep them close in whatever manner she could while some would consider that unhealthy if she was assuming that would be the case with any of the counselors? She didn't ever want to let them slip into the past, and damn be any counselor who deemed her unfit for doing so.

"Ah." He seemed disappointed. "I had hoped that your people might know a way to make the passing of their presence in my mind take less time. Mine do not."

"While there is much mystery about my people because they are so reclusive, we are the same as everyone else despite what they think," Ahdjiia said, "It seems we are all left to go through the Great Web as we can and learn from the paths we walk." 

"Great Web?" So'ka frowned. "Is that your people's term for the journey of life? Mine call it simply the Journey."

"My people believe in the Revered Ones, each has their own stance. For me, Anashwaa weaves the Great Web that is the foundation and pattern of All," she said. "Though with this... the pattern confuses me."

"I cannot see my path either," So'ka agreed. "The trail is gone, the guideposts shattered. I fear that I am, if not already, becoming lost." 

Ahdjiia sighed. "Sometimes when one is lost, they find a new path to walk," she said, quoting an old proverb from home.  She only wished it was true.

"We say that if one has lost their path, they must seek the new one that the Pathmakers have laid out for them." So'ka looked up at the dark, starless sky. "But there are no words to tell us what to do when there is no path, and no desire to search for one."

She was silent, not knowing what to do either. "Then we sit and wait for when a path is there for us." 


"Dying To See You"Markie

Primary Characters:
Lieutenant Commander Cassius Henderson
Ensign Rima Pennington

Secondary Characters:
Lieutenant Casey Black
Ensign T'Liera

****

USS Galaxy
Deck 1 (Saucer)
Main Bridge

Cassius Henderson stood at the arch, watching the people around him. As a compulsive watcher of people, their actions all seemed vaguely familiar today. Lieutenant Savoie's hands moving over his console, the pilot's caress, as he'd chosen to think of it. The way Lieutenant Geluf listened to everything. But Cass dismissed that. That was everyday. Something about today was different, as if it had all happened before.

Squeezing his eyes closed, he tried to clear his mind, but it was like memories that were buried were invading his thoughts. Frowning, he stepped back from the console. While they were at Quentin, tactical needed to alert, especially because... He couldn't remember why, only that it involved Legate Curran's contact team. Tapping Lieutenant Black on her shoulder, he allowed his replacement to step in as he tried again to clear his mind.

He allowed Casey to man the arch while they waited for the beam down, and during it. It was at that point that he realized what he'd been trying to
think of. Beaming down... Voices assailed him from his own mind. M'Kantu, Savar, Admiral Hoth, a couple of others... But mostly himself and Rima Pennington.

"Jensen!!! Get them back!!! Get them back, NOW!!!" M'Kantu shouted in his mind, "Damage reports!"

He remembered the explosions on the surface of Quentin. Quentin was burning. Not clearly, simply that they'd happened... as the away team beamed down... and that he'd been injured. He reached up to touch his face where he'd been 'burned'. He was fine. The skin was untouched... They'd just beamed down, his senses registered.

"You're a good assistant, but right now, you need to get your life in order so you can concentrate. Stop being so apathetic and angry about everything. A little sarcasm, sure, but not what I normally get from you. And Rima..."

"Yeah," Rima Pennington said. They were walking together, and he had just been healed.

"Just because there's a new captain and a new assistant, doesn't mean that my interest in you as an individual or you as an officer has ended. Savar can take care of himself. He's had years in the Romulan Empire to prepare him for that. You haven't. So just because you're not my assistant anymore doesn't mean we have to stop working."

"You want to help, sit down and help me with these reports. In fact, I need to make that an order, or I'm never going to get unburied. And send Savar a message and tell him that the three of us need to meet ASAP to discuss the current state of tactical affairs onboard and to bring me up to date as much as possible. I know you've tried, but Savar's been to briefings that you haven't been privy to. Oh, and Rima..."

Rima glared at him, "Yes, Cass."

"Thank you, for everything."

He remembered waking up from his injury. Remembered working for nearly 24 hours with Rima Pennington and Savar tr'Khellian to get himself back up to speed on the situation. It had been ugly, and Rima had hated working with Savar. The memory of being decked by her was much clearer in his mind.

The memories were speeding up now, as the pace of their occurance did.

"Why, Cassius Henderson, do I have to be your errand girl? Security?"

"What exactly is happening, Captain? Why has this task-force arrived in the system?"

"Typical. Especially from Admiral Hoth, though you wouldn't catch me saying that in front of Commander Von Ernst, sir. Savar, give me a status report...."

"I don't like it, but I don't have to like it. The Quentite mission commander's response so far has been fairly firm. They'll keep their weapons systems offline, but armed. At the same time, if they see trouble, you can bet they're going to be turning the targeting systems back on. That's about the best I can do, sir, though I'll keep trying."

"You will realize that redeploying the fighters to directly defend the Quentites' position sets up a confrontational stance between the Galaxy and the Task Force."

"I've bought us some time with the Admiral, but it appears his orders are to clean this up - and than means making certain that whatever they had hidden down there stays that way. Unless I misremember my oath, it refers to 'enemies within and without' the Federation - and anyone that would arrange for something like this to happen to hide a research project is, as far as I'm concerned, in violation of so many legal and moral codes that they qualify as an 'enemy.'"

~Orders? Hoth has orders? Since when did Jurgen Hoth take orders from anyone? So that was how Admiral Hoth had decided to play it off to Captain M'Kantu.~

"Captain, we've had an idea. Well, rather Ensign Pennington has been lead to one through our conversation. We're convinced that we need to take out some of the opposing firepower, should it come to that. Her question is whether we could use the nuclear weapons on the Quentite ship to our advantage? If we can have the transporters working when they fire one, is it possible to transport and detonate it at a precise point to overload the threat vessel's shields?"

"One hour. As we agreed. Hoth out."

"I thought you might like to see something positive. We're all doomed anyway, but at least you've got most of your weapons back."

"So you're going to do it? I never took you for the mass murderer."

"I never did either. I don't think it'll do that though. Probably just overwhelm their sheilds enough for Savar and I to cripple them with the normal weapons. I hope to take out Nimitz with it. One big salvo... I hope. How are you feeling?"

"Just... Stay by me. I'm going to need you for ideas when it all hit's the fan. And it's not a matter of if at this point. Just when."

"Even if they know that their defense is doomed, even if they know that no one will ever know that they made their stand... they do so. I swore my oath to the Federation a lifetime ago, Sub-Commander, but I remember it still. What these men are doing is wrong - it violates the core beliefs that the Federation was founded on do violently, so criminally, that it must be opposed. Even if we can't win. Even if no one will ever know. Because to step aside makes us a part of their crime, makes us like them... and that's too high a price."

"Captain... I've been basically, for all intents and purposes, quiet. But I think you are right. The Federation was based on a core set of beliefs, and all other incidents in the past aside, one of those was that the lives of innocents are sacred. It was our job to protect the civilizations of Quentin, and in that, we failed. We both swore our oaths, Captain, and... as it's been said countless times in the past, I smell a rat. I think, at this point, that for whatever may come, I'm committed to this course. We're not sheep. We have minds of our own, and we can differentiate between right and wrong."

"Then you are willing to send hundreds to their deaths, and commit open mutiny. It is folly."

"Charge the weapons, Sub-Commander."

"One of Nimitz's fighters just fired on ours.  We've lost Vanguard 7. Shit....  It's a mess... They're all firing...  I... Sir, I think it's begun."

"They're lining up for a drive at the Nimitz, sir.  I don't think they intend to survive.  The mission commander isn't in charge over there anymore.  He's lost control to one of the younger officers, who seems intent on going out in a blaze of glory and doing as much damage as he can, hurting as many people as he can."

"No good.  He won't answer to me, sir.  He's done. Recommend we either use them or disable them."

"Stand down your squadron. Repeat: stand down."

"Battle is joined, Captain. We either do, or die."

"Steady, Rima Pennington. You'll do fine. These people are just the same as those pirates in the nebula. You have the mind to help me defeat them. Just concentrate on the moment at hand."

["Look, Captain - no disrespect intended, but we followed your orders and came out here. Now we're surrounded by hostile forces, even if they are Starfleet, and we can't get out on our own. We can fly fancy all we want, but we're still outnumbered. We need your help, sir, or we're dead."]

"The Quentite Warp Prototype is currently out of engagement range, but it's weapons are hot. ETA to firing range on it's current target, USS Nimitz, is 2.23 minutes. It's slower sublight speed is what's accounting for that. Any vessel on the field could kill it in under .37 minutes. They're in the process of fully arming their first missiles."

"I'm getting a lot of communication on the other side. It seems there's still some confusion as to what's happening."

"Now we wait for the away team."

"Some sort of wavefront is forming. I.. can't make anything of the readings. High tachyon levels, presence of chroniton particles along the leading edge."

"Chroniton particles. Chroniton particles are an indicator of a temporal... Of time travel."

"Captain. I think we've reached and long passed a point where we can leave the civilians onboard. We have few options regarding evacuation, though they include separating the sections of the ship. Escape pods would be far too risky at this point. They'd all wind up on Quentin. And with that chroniton wave coming up... Who knows what's happening down there."

"Prepare for emergency separation, Commander. Without the saucer's dead weight you may be able to escape the wave before it strikes."

"Red Alert. Engage Emergency Separation, Commander Henderson. Once you're clear I intend to try and intercept the rift and deflect it."

"Aye sir. If this doesn't work... It's been a pleasure serving with you, sir.  It's opened my eyes to a number of things. Rima, Engage Emergency Seperation."

"Bring us about, heading perpendicular away from the wavefront, maximum emergency impulse, Lieutenant Pike."

~She might still be rough on the edges, especially in day to day life, but in a pinch... She did what was needed.~

"If they don't get moving, they'll be dead anyway."

"Unless... Cass, the Hood!  Think, Cass.  What can we do that the Hood can't."

"Sir, the wave's pulling us apart. I don't know how much longer we can take this.  If you have something up your sleeve, I'd do it now!"

"MARK!"

"Warp Engines Offline!"

He pinched himself. It couldn't be real... He wasn't about to fly to his death. Quentin remained fully populated, and the first contact mission had just gotten underway. He was still alive.

But the memories taunted him with one last offering. One that would trouble him for the next month.

"Sorry, Cass.  There has to be a time for everything.  And our time's up,

"I know."

On the bridge of the USS Galaxy, Cassius Henderson frowned as he watched, as if disembodied and placed above it, what could have been the last few moments of his life. He watched Ensign Pennington grab him, bury her face in his chest, and watched him turn to shield her from the back of the bridge, just as everything sparked and exploded around them. Their time was up.

And it wasn't. Leaving Black on the bridge, he excused himself, siting sickness, and headed for his office to think. Something wasn't right, and he couldn't make heads or tails of it. And, as usual, his unusual relationship with Pennington was complicating it.

****

USS Galaxy
Deck 11 (Stardrive)
Tactical Offices

Rima Pennington cupped her ears and wished that she'd never heard her own voice. What did it mean? Black's taking the console from Cass had made her remember how suddenly she'd lost contact with him... And then... The onslaught of memories. Memories that had never happened, she reminded herself.

It was a nightmare, and it was all Cass Henderson's fault. Or at least, that was what she wanted to believe. And the last bit just confused her. Why would she turn to him for safety, and say those things? She'd decked him not a week ago. He hadn't said much to her since then. ~Probably letting me cool off...~ she realized.

~I won't tell anyone about this. They'll think I'm crazy,~ she thought as she instinctively headed for her office, then realized it wasn't her office. Drawing herself up, she scowled at the thought of the Rihannsu in her job, just when she'd been beginning to get used to it. ~The last thing I need is people thinking I'm crazy.~

Turning to take refuge in Cass' office, she found herself face to face with what she assumed was the source of her problems.

"You!" she stammered, "Don't you have somewhere to be?" She glared at him impatiently, wanting nothing more than to be rid of the man.

Henderson blinked, "No, I left Casey at the arch. She can handle both of our jobs for a while." He indicated the direction of his office door, motioning her inside. "You were going that way anyway."

Ensign T'Liera, who was officer of the day in tactical arched an eyebrow at the strange behavior of her department chief and the ensign who'd been his assistant for a month. ~He is not where he is supposed to be,~ she thought.

"Was I?" Pennington retorted, but preceeded him into the office anyway, "Really, Cass. What are you doing down here. You didn't come here just to make my life miserable?"

"Rima, get over it. I don't care that you punched me," he said, dropping into his chair and locking the door, "You're going to appologize for it soon anyway. Or... You would have."

Rima stopped in her tracks, sinking slowly to her own seat. There was something odd about what he had just said. "I'm going to go out on a limb here. You're hearing things."

"Not just me it seems," he replied. Rima pulled herself up as if to deny it vehemently, then deflated just as quickly. "I thought so. Something very strange is going on. I'm curious as to what the rest of the crew may be experiencing. I think we should put this on PADD and report it to the captain."

"But they'll think I'm..." Rima sighed, "Fine. Fine. You win. According to my memories, you do anyway."

"Rima, we died in my memories," he said, as he pulled out a PADD for her, "I hardly count that as winning. Just because we seemed to come to terms." She didn't reply, only typed at her PADD sullenly. A few hours later they compared notes.

"Oh... They're nearly identical... I climbed jeffries tubes and you didn't," she said, "You were on the bridge for a long time... And we died... Cass, I don't want to talk about this. Can you take the PADDs to Captain M'Kantu. I just want to be alone."

Henderson nodded, "Okay. I'll take care of it. Just be careful with yourself, will you? Sleep on it tonight, then do your hard thinking. It's so much easier after a full night's sleep."

"Right," Rima nodded, brushing her hair clear of her face, "Sure." She dissapeared from his office before he could reply.


Lieutenant Commander Ethan Suder
Chief Engineer

" Hard Times"

Ethan looked around, seeing the gang around, having a good time. Yet they seemed quiet. He smiled as Liuetenant Bailey cracked a joke and began laughing. The others laughed as well and he got sucked in, breaking the brooding exterior and laughing.

Then walked in the one he wasn't expecting to see. But of course, the old gang was here, so why wouldn't she.His attention drifted as she approached them. She smiled at him and greeted the others.

Ethan stood up and gave her a nod and walked towards her. As he reached her, she grabbed his hand and led him away from the group. He thought it odd that she would display such an action, he figured she wouldn't or didn't want the others to know. He touched her hands... So soft, so smooth. Her hair was too also soft. The smell was overwhelming. Her eyes shone into his soul, burning away at the cold and brutalised walls. He felt his heart mealt as she looked at him.

Suder sat up in his bed, his hands shaking a little, some sweat covering his face. His breathing was hard. The moment his eyes had opened, he had been ripped away from that world and torn through the walls of reality. He sighed and pulled hard on the covers, throwing them aside. He turned and sat on the edge of his bed for a few minutes, rubbing his head and eyes. He was so tired. The hardly sleeping was beginning to get to him a little. He hadn't had this much trouble with the issue for a long time. Maybe it was just a one off thing. He stood up and strolled out of his quarters. Grabbing a bottle from behind his desk, he pulled the bottle cap off and took a long swig.

A few seconds later, he frowned and looked at the bottle. He clenched his teeth together and flung the bottle across his quarters. It shattered against the wall and fell to the ground. The blue liquid inside oozed down the wall forming a puddle on the floor.

He made his way to the replicator and ordered another drink. Downing the glass, he sighed with some satisfaction. He was tired of drinking. It wasn't what kept him going, just something to relax with from time to time. He sighed again and went for a shower.

*** A short time later ***

Sliding on his duty jacket, he looked in the mirror. He felt old. And he was beginning to look it as well. Maybe it was just the look of someone who was tired. He completed grooming his hair and rubbed his face. It had been a few days since his last shave. Maybe that added to the complex look of his exterior. That old look.He didn't have time to shave. He wanted to get to Engineering.

He sat on the edge of the bed and slid on his boots. He then raised to his feet again and stood in front of the mirror once more, this time stepping even closer. He looked at himself for a while and then down at his chest as he attached his communicator to his jacket. Reaching to the table next to the mirror, he picked up the Lieutenant Commander pips and looked at them. Another day of working. Another day...

Each day seemed to be getting harder. Perhaps he should just go and build that damned house in the field, next to the river. What were the chances of him living with that damned woman and having two kids?? Not good!

He gazed back up at the mirror at himself. What was he becoming? What had he become already? A few years ago he was just a relatively young guy, working. Just working. Proud and happy to get on with the job, make an impression and maybe one day get to the top. And now here he was, 41 and at the top. He had been Chief Engineer for a while. He had hoped that maybe that move to Starfleet Academy and teaching was the next step up. But he had been thinking then what he was thinking now. What now. Change of department, leave and build that house he always dreamed and fantasised about, or just stay where he was. Was he happy where he was?

He just looked at himself for a while and came to the conclusion that he was. This was what he had wanted from day one of the Academy. Maybe he had gotten this far a little quicker than expected, but nonetheless, he was here. Chief Engineer.

He looked down at his hand again and then back up, staring deep into his own eyes. He raised his hand and began attaching the pips to his uniform.
Fully dressed and ready to return to duty, he frowned once again with a sigh, then turned and walked over to his desk. With no new messages waiting for him, he left his quarters for the nearest turbolift.

The ride was quick as his mind raced off. Snapping out of the thoughts of what his dream had been before being ripped away from it, his view focused.
Everything would be fine. He had left the shift in good hands. Lieutenant's Ella Grey and Dhanishta Eshe would have ensured that the ship be up to specs as quickly just as they had been left. He stepped out of the turbolift and looked around, instantly coming to a halt. "Perhaps not." he muttered to himself. He looked around very carefully at the mess around him and frowned. "What the hell happened?" he mumbled, again to himself...


“The Call to duty”

Back Post

By Lieutenant (Jg) Dhanishta Eshe -
Engineer
And
Lieutenant Commander Ethan Suder –
Chief of Engineering

Hours after the original call to Engineering Dhanishta finally ran through the main doors. On her way from Sickbay she had located another two extinguishers. She had fought through another few decks of fire consumed halls to get there and was slightly singed around the edges.

The extinguishers, which were hitched on to her hips like children, spat out another mouth full of powder as she entered. Standing in the doorway for a few moments she took a look around engineering.

The tank top that she wore hung just below her breasts, torn and bloodied. The part of her stomach that was on show was covered with dried blood. Her kaki coloured shorts had changed to brown from the blood and dirt, and her legs too, streaked like a tie-died shirt.

Ethan, with his sleeves rolled up and duty jacket unzipped refused to budge as a console near the master display unit continued to release sparks of energy. Burning his fingers, he called out, “Try that!” he snapped.

For a few seconds there was no answer, then someone replied. “No effect, Chief!”

Ethan sighed and rolled out of the console. “Why hasn’t someone stopped those fires! And someone get that damned backup system online now! And where the hell is everybody!?” He stormed from one console to another.

“Chief, all personnel are on the way, but-“

“I don’t want to hear excuses, Ensign!” Ethan snapped at the young officer. “I don’t care how they get here, but get them here!” he almost yelled.

Another console overloaded, causing many sparks to spread through Engineering. Ethan stormed over to the console and almost put his fist through the panel. He suddenly froze. A trait he had not expected to pick up. He began tapping in codes and commands and transferred power from one systems to another. The console overloaded again, causing small amounts of the panel to explode. Some of the panel cut his right cheek while the rest just shattered on the floor. He continued working on the console, what was left of it anyway.

Turning to his right, he noticed that Dhani had entered Engineering. “Good afternoon, Lieutenant. Glad you could join us.” Ethan said through clenched teeth as he grabbed a tool from the console. A quarter of his uniform had been burnt when one of the plasma conduits overloaded two hours earlier. His face was bruised, his lip cut and his cheek bleeding.

Dhanishta nodded in his general direction and then began to put out the small fires erupting from the consoles around. Above the noise of the fire extinguishers she asked, “Has Lieutenant Jiiles reported in yet?”

“No.” Ethan snapped. “Like so many others, he’s failed to make it here. Stuck several decks up and enroute.” He replied moving from one console to the next.

“The ships taken heavy damage,” she snapped back, “there are many casualties, Sir! Most of the turbo lifts are down and fires have broken out on many decks. He’s doing his best to get here!” she added.

“The ships taken heavy damage? That explains why there’s only a handful of people here then!” he frowned. “There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s trying to get her as fast as possible, but getting here is his priority! I appreciate him wanting to help people on the way, but if he and every other Engineer doesn’t get to their stations soon, there maybe no one left to help the wounded – oh, because they’ll be dead!” he snapped moving back to the Master Display console.

“We are not under attack Sir. The ship was caught in an explosion.” She stated as she put out the last of the fires in engineering.

“Well then that makes it ok.” He replied moving to another console. “The ships taken more damage than you think. We’re trying to stabilize all major systems to prevent further damage. I know we’re not under attack, but I ordered all Engineers to report here immediately, not go galloping across several decks, make a quick pit stop at Sickbay and then try and get here!” He turned and faced Dhani. “The EPS power relays are shot and the core isn’t in the best mood at the moment. You want to save lives, then get working on them!” he ordered.

She turned on him wanting so badly to bite back, but she couldn’t not here, not now. ~ Geeze she wasn’t even supposed to be on duty~ she snorted to herself as she exchanged her extinguishers for a tool kit. “Being dead isn’t so bad.” She muttered to herself as she made her way out of engineering to start work on the EPS power relays.

Ethan frowned at Dhani as she left. The console he was at once again overloaded for the last time. Another electrical surge shot through Ethan’s hand. He clenched his teeth and bit back the urge to punch the console once more. “Ensign!” he snapped at the closest Engineer. “Find out where the rest of the Engineering staff are get them here or to positions where they can start immediate repairs. I want McDowell and Grey working on the EPS power relays now!” He rubbed his hand a little then got back to work.

**Several hours later**

Dhanishta returned to engineering, looking around she located the Chief at the Master Systems Display.

“Chief.” She called out for his attention as she made her way towards him.

Ethan rubbed the side of his head and after a few seconds, turned to look at Dhanishta.

She handed him a data padd before continuing, “The EPS relays have been fixed, McDowell’s working on the last of them now Sir.” She paused and noticed Jiiles in the corner; she smiled at him before returning her focus to the Chief.

Ethan continued reading the data padd, pretending he hadn’t noticed Dhani’s behaviour towards Jiiles. “Good work.” He congratulated. He turned back to the console and brushed a hand through his hair. “If you’re not busy, the turbolift network needs looking at.” He suggested.

“Sir, may I suggest that we start a clean up operation? There are many more people trapped around the ship.” She paused a moment knowing that he probably wasn’t interested in the wounded; that was medicals department. “I can compile a damage report from every deck.” She added, hoping that would sway him.

Ethan sighed. Technically she wasn’t on duty and wasn’t cleared or fit for duty. “Coordinate your efforts with the Medical Department.” He said simply.

“Chief?” Jiiles called out. “As she said, there are many wounded, perhaps someone should go with-“

“As you were, Lieutenant!” Ethan cut him off. “I need you guys where you are. We’re short staffed as it is, not to mention I’ll be heading off to join the away team in a minute. Once all primary systems have been repaired, I don’t care if ninety percent of the Engineering team helps with Medical, but let’s focus on the job. Fix the systems, and less people will be hurt in any disastrous aftermath.”

Jiiles gave a nod and returned to his station.

Ethan inhaled deeply and stopped what he was doing when he noticed Dhani still standing near him. Turning his head and looking at her, he spoke, “Is there anything else, Lieutenant?”

“Yes Sir,” she paused to look over at Jiiles; his uniform was ripped, singed and stained with blood, her make shift bandage still tied round the wound on his arm. His face was paler than usual and glistened with beads of sweat. “you should send Jiiles to sick bay. He may have radiation poising.” She said as she looked back up at Suder.

“Maybe you should accompany him.” she knew she was probably stepping over the line here by ordering her superior, but hopefully he would understand it was out of concern and not insubordination, “Or there will be no one left to ‘fix the systems.’” She quoted. She didn’t stick around to hear his reply or rather his aggressive and snappish answer, or rather come-back.

Ethan turned his head again and glared at Dhani as she walked off. He fought the temptation to go after her, but he looked back at his station and accessed the latest information. A medical team had been dispatched to Engineering a few minutes ago as expected. He had chased them up the moment Jiiles had reached Engineering. They would soon be able to determine whether or not he had radiation poisoning and whether or not he would be able to get patched up here and now to continue his work. Ethan needed him and everyone else where they were, he needed the best Engineers. If Jiiles or any other Engineer had to go to sickbay, so be it. He’d have to find someone else to carry on with his work.

Dhani tapped her com badge as she walked out of Main Engineering, [“Eshe to Sick Bay”] she started….


‘Kingdom Come and Thine Will Be Done (Fire Crystals, continued)’

Backpost (just after the ‘attack’ on the Galaxy, you know when Quinten blows up!)

By Lieutenant (Jg) Dhanishta Eshe
With NPC Lieutenant Jiiles

“Hey, what about Matilda?” Dhani asked as she carried the small child through the rubble.

“Nooo!” she replied flashing the torch around.

“Katherine, Rebecca, Josephine, Camilla, Betty, Eve?” she continued to list all the names she could think of.

“No!” Replied the girl wrinkling her nose up in disgust.

“Aren’t you at least going to give me a hint?” Dhani asked.

The girl giggled shaking her head.

“Okay then.” Dhani began to bite her lip as she tried to think of more names. It was difficult to entertain the small girl in the current situation, but she needed to keep the child’s attention. Not less than ten yards in front of them Jiiles carried the girls dead mother. And Dhani could not let her know, at least not yet.

The small party continued down the devastated corridor, stopping at each quarters to check for the living. It was a gruesome task, one that was going to take time. Which is just what Dhani didn’t have. She and Jiiles had to get to engineering and find out just what the hell was going on. But first she had to get the girl to Sick bay. Dhani was trying to keep the urgency from showing, but she knew that the girl had been hurt badly, the only reason that she wasn’t wailing in pain was because Dhani had performed an energy transfer to the girl so that she couldn’t feel the pain, but Dhani could. It was gnawing away at the edge of her sub-conscious, and the blood from the child’s leg was dripping down her own.

Carefully manoeuvring around another fallen support beam Dhani continued her line of questioning, “Melissa, Karen, Elizabeth, Morn, Annabel, Angelina, Saris, Annie, Serena?”

The girl remained quiet.

“Well?” Pushed Dhani.

“I’m tired” she replied resting her head on Dhanis shoulder.

“Oh no,” Dhani said trying to sound energetic, “we have a game to finish.”

“Erm…” the girl continued lethargically, “I don’t know. What did you say last?”

Dhani sighed inwardly though she didn’t have time to reply. Up in front she heard shouts of concern. She hurried forward through the crowd.

“What’s going on?” She asked the nearest person.

“Someone’s trapped in the turbo lift up ahead.” He replied. His face showed signs of tension and tiredness. She sympathised with him some, after all she hadn’t slept in months!

“Hey,” she said to the little girl, “I’m gonna have to go see what’s wrong. Stay here okay?”

She nodded.

Dhani set her down gently on the deck, propping her up against the wall, “And I want you to sing for me. Can you do that?”

“Sing what?” the girl questioned her eyes half closing.

“Anything that you can think of. Okay?,” she nudged her to regain her focus, “And I want to hear you, above everyone, ‘kay?”

The child gave a confused look, one as if to say are you serious? But she nodded and began to sing an old Earth nursery rhyme,

“Twinkle, twinkle little star……”

Good Dhani thought to herself. Turning from her she hurried through the small crowd and to the turbo lift, where Jiiles was trying with all his might to prise the door open with his bare hands.

She could see his muscles rippling under his uniform as he strained. The sweat was poring down his face. She didn’t want to break his concentration so waited until he finished, or gave up. Looking around she saw a pole of a sort sticking out from a pile of rubble.

“Hey you!” she called out to the nearest uniformed person, “hand me your phaser.” The woman looked over at Dhani, normally she would think twice before handing her phaser over, especially to non uniformed personal. But here, now, she didn’t think twice.

Dhani took the phaser and fiddled with its settings, like a true engineer, turning what she had into what she needed. Turning on the protruding pole she activated the phaser and watched as the beam cut the pole free from the wreckage. Throwing the phaser back to the woman casually, she wrenched the pole free and turned back to Jiiles.

She watched the strain on his face as he continued to try and prise the doors apart, his unrelenting determination and refusal to give up impressed her, but she tired quickly.

“Jiiles!” she called out, “Can I give you some assistance?”

He exhaled sharply, slightly exaggerated, as he paused from struggling with the door. He didn’t even look at her but she knew what he was thinking ~ “As if!” ~

“Jiiles.” She said testily waving the pole slightly.

His head snapped towards her. The grim expression on his face turned to one of slight amusement. He took the pole from her without a word and reluctantly let her help prise the door open.

“Jiiles,” she said quietly as the doors finally slid open, releasing the relieved occupants, “Annie, the girl, I need to get to sick bay, now” she said adding a touch of urgency to the last word.

He looked at Dhanishta and then over to the small child whose voice was carrying the sweet lullaby over the din, “She seems fine.” He replied, “And I need you here.” He turned away as if the conversation was over.

Grabbing his arm she swung him back, “She may seem fine, Jiiles,” she said keeping her voice low and adding an edge of aggression, hoping that she might get through to him without having to disobey an order from a superior, “but she is not. I need to get her to sick bay *now*” she repeated.

He studied Dhanishta again, trying to work out if she was serious or just looking for a way out. Half heartedly he nodded.

“I’m going to need some help.” She added looking into his eyes.

“Help?” he questioned.

“Yes, taking the rest of these people to sick bay.” She replied gesturing with her hands.

He sighed and looked around leaning against the wall. His tiredness was showing through now. He was frustrated and obviously agitated. They both knew where they should be, and it wasn’t here.

She rested her hand on his arm and squeezed it a little. He looked back at her and nodded.

She turned from him quickly and began to bark orders at the few officers around and the civilians.

Finally they were on their way to sick bay, armed with extinguishers. The strong carrying the wounded, everyone helping each other, civilians and officers alike. And little Annie, in Dhanis arms, still sinning.

“Up above the sky so high,
Like a diamond in the sky…”

And soon they were all singing as they marched through the flames and rubble.

“Twinkle, twinkle, little star…….”

[Previous Week] [Next Episode]