"Ques ipsos Custodes custodie"

Saladin Bolivar

Ahdjiia D'Tinya-Bolivar

Saladin sat quietly at a terminal reading the text report from Senator Omar.

His china cup clinked back and he leaned back, his head aching and he whispered a curse under his breath. Tal Shiar assasins on the Galaxy... he would see to it that they didn't arrive.

His mind began to whirl on the problem as he watched the screen. One of the spiders in their quarters had noticed that slight change in body language from Saladin, only really noticeable since they lived with him day in and out now. It scurried off to get Ahdjiia who silently stepped into the room, her offduty caftan and mantilla billowing behind her as she simply walked over and started to massage Saladin's temples and not looking at his terminal.

"May the fates protect us from stupid Romulans...." Saladin muttered. Then murmured happily at her massage, "That feels heavenly."

"Why do I think it is better for me not to ask?", she said softly still gently massaging his temples.

"No my love, this affects you too." He reached up for her hand, "It directly affects ship's security."

"What is it?"

"Senator Omar is bringing a new bodyguard on board, I have received a report that the bodyguard is a Tal Shair assassin." A soft hiss escaped Ahdjiia's lips.

"Again with that man.", she said, "He gives Romulans a bad name." Unconciously he let his fingers interlace with hers.

"He does love, Romulans are normally smarter then this buffoon." Then he exhaled and leaned back to kiss her lips. "I need your mind in this one... it is one of the reasons I married you."

"And I am here for what you need.", she said with a soft smile.

He kissed her gently again, "How could we keep the assassin off the ship?"

"Standard declairation of all weapons being brought aboard. An Alpha level scan should bring up anything hidden, along with the usual questioning any *clearance only* blackouts of thier file. I would imagine a Tal Shi'ar would be violating both, and I doubt concidering the set back they suffered during the Dominion War they would still be as skillful as they were before."

Saladin nodded, "I am also going to discuss this with my assistant chief, he seems to be a smart, capable officer. But Security increase, and I will see what I can do for favors for outside sources." He took her hand in his, "The Nietzchean prides still offer letters of marquis and reprisal to pirates..."

"Having read your assistant's file, I would certainly agree.", she said, "I will see what can be done with Security. Has my Chief been informed?"

"I was just informed myself. We will inform your chief together. Something like this is a danger to the ship." Then a part of his mind kicked in, the political animal that would always find out a way to use this for their advantage... "Unless you wanted to use it to get rid of the senator..."

Ahdjiia mulled it over. This Ambassador was far more trouble than he was worth as he was doing more damage to the Romulan image than if the old hostilities were in place, "It would be good to see him off the ship and replaced with someone more appropriate."

Saladin's devilish side popped in and he grinned, "Like a trained chimp?"

"A Klingon targ or warrigul with the shakes would do better.", she chuckled back. Saladin chuckled, "though Lt Corgan should be immediately informed in the intelligence office, the only risk is, if we go directly to the ambassador he will know we somehow can intercept his communications, and this is something that should remain silent."

"We should go directly to Lt. Corgan, and see what he says from there.", she suggested, "He would know how to handle the situation with discretion."

Saladin nodded then caressed his wife's cheek, "I knew there was another reason I married you besides your incredible beauty..."

"And what would that be?", she smiled softly.

"Your incredible mind..." He lifted her mantilla and kissed her tenderly, "though, I do find you incredibly beautiful...." Ahdjiia returned the kiss.

"And I believe our lovemaking does fit in there somewhere.", she teased. He raised an eyebrow with a smile "We...do...manage to fit it in from time to time, though it has been a while..."

"Then we should rectify that after we deal with this situation.", she smiled.

He nodded, duty did after all come first in situations like this, and as much as he enjoyed making love with his wife, they had to deal with this, "Contact Lt Corgan, tell him we will meet him in the intelligence offices. I will clear him for access."

She nodded and tapped the commpanel. "Lt. D'Tinya-Bolivar to Lt. Corgan.", she said, "A matter requiring your attention has occured, Major Bolivar and I will await your presence in the Intelligence offices."

"Suspicions"

Sub-Commander Savar ir-Aihai tr'Khellian

USS Galaxy
Deck 1
Bridge

USS Pallas Athena, another one of those refitted Excelsior-class Starships, had been assigned to a patrol along the Romulan border for a little under a month. According to the information in the Starfleet database, part of the main sensor array on the Pallas Athena had been replaced with an experimental long-distance sensor array. Admiral William Valerian had been assigned to the vessel, to 'co-ordinate' the 'patrol' of the border. Reading this information with a sour expression, Sub-Commander tr'Khellian was under no illusions as to what the vessel's true mission was. Espionage. Clearly, the starship had been tasked with snooping along the border and probing as far into the Empire as possible - farther than ever before.

Savar scowled as he dismissed the screen bearing this information and read onwards. Whilst he valued peace with the Federation he could still not bring himself to believe that the Senate had authorised the dissolution of the Neutral Zone. For centuries this narrow belt of independent space, no more than fifty light years across at its broadest, had provided an essential buffer zone, keeping prying eyes away from the secrets of the Rihannsu Stellar Empire, keeping Starfleet's curiosity curbed and providing an early warning against any sneak attacks being launched by the Federation.

The Rihannsu people are often perceived as a secretive and even paranoid people, mistrusting and deceitful for no good reason, and Savar had experienced this patronising attitude and heard countless negative comparisons with the open, warm-heated demeanour of the Federation. Both views were pathetically simplistic. Only a handful of people had ever taken the time to try to understand the Rihannsu people and their world view. In his spare time, Savar had begun to read a by-now-dated piece of anthropological fiction, 'The Romulan Way' by Terise Haleakala-LoBrutto. He had been drawn to the book after searching the ship's library for any mention of his family name, and discovered that this novel had been set in a junior branch of the House tr'Khellian, almost a century ago. The author had taken pains to try to understand the reasons behind Rihannsu behaviour and Savar had been pleased by the approach, though some of the novel was quite fanciful, surely.

Books like this one were few and far between, however. It was easier to revile the paranoiacs from across the border than to realise that the very existence of Rihannsu culture and history was brought about by a wicked, treacherous attack on the Vulcan homeworld which threatened to enslave all its inhabitants. Only cunning and guile had allowed Vulcan to resist the onslaught, and only the survivors had learned the harsh, brutal lesson that trust was never to be given lightly. The lessons of the fight for independence were lost on many Vulcans - and this lead to the fateful Sundering. The wiser survivors took their wisdom to new worlds and new conflicts, eschewing the passive resignation of prevailing Vulcan ideology in favour of embracing the full gamut of life experiences, of living for the rush of blood through one's veins rather than the icy chill of Logic. Throughout their history, the Rihannsu had faced treachery and destruction, violence and malice from many quarters. If this bitter experience had made them less trusting, this could hardly be surprised. Quite aside from anything else, acts such as despatching USS Pallas Athena on a spying mission were succinct justification for the Empire's reluctance to trust outsiders.

Savar continued to peruse the information available on the missing vessel. According to its reports, the patrol along the border had been relatively uneventful. The Captain of the Pallas Athena, Talvar At?Vhandol, had confined his logs to relatively asinine observations about the local population - typically staid and patronising as one would expect. Enigmatic remarks about the effectiveness of the new sensor pod peppered his brief missives, and tr'Khellian's spirit baulked hotly at them, wondering what the alien's eyes had seen. The last report was a two-line affair, simply noting that an automated distress signal had been picked up, emanating from the Lhoranth asteroid field, and that the Pallas Athena was moving to investigate. There was no mention of the nature of the signal, and no word since.

"Captain," Lt Savoie spoke up from the Helm, "we are approaching the Lhoranth asteroid field."

"Thank you, Mr Savoie," Stuart replied primly from her seat at the centre of the bridge. "Slow to one-fifth impulse." She turned to look towards the rear of the Bridge. "Science, what do we know about the field?"

A junior lieutenant looked up from her console. "The field is just over 7.5 astronomical units squared in area. The asteroids range from small debris to several kilometres in length. There are a number of elements within the asteroids themselves which cause interference to ships' sensors."

Stuart gazed at the Science Officer flatly at this reply, which was not wholly what she was after. Her gaze flickered towards the man standing at Tactical, who returned her look with fiery eyes. He held her gaze just long enough to make the silent point that she was relying on him for information, before adding to the scientist's report.

"The field is a haven for local miscreants," tr'Khellian related. "Corsairs are known to operate from it and there is at least one stable outpost where smugglers and thieves unload and trade their wares. There is also a 'junkyard' of sorts, where salvaged ships are traded and criminals go to have their ships repaired." He brought a 3D diagram of the field up onto a corner of the main viewscreen, causing his estimation of the locations of the outpost and the junkyard to glow yellow. "If we enter the field, our sensors will be severely limited, probably to within half a light-year. Long-range communications will be made impossible. This is why the field had been prized by brigands who prey on local merchant shipping. The only reason merchants have not abandoned the area altogether is that several trade routes intersect in the adjacent sector, and they are most lucrative." The routes here were what had made the Neutral Zone a slightly porous buffer zone - goods were legally traded or illegally smuggled via the Neutral Zone, which permitted some economic and cultural exchanges between the Empire and the Federation.

"Is it possible the Pallas Athena has been ambushed?" Captain Stuart asked, eyeing the diagram.

"Quite possibly," tr'Khellian replied smoothly. Vellen's intelligence about the three missing Galae vessels broke the surface of his consciousness yet again, and a desire to defend his compatriots against a non-existent accusation rose within him. This was not the time to reveal intelligence which might be totally unconnected with their mission. The Federation already knew too much. "A distress call, leading a vessel into a trap, is a time-honoured method against unwary and sanctimonious ships' captains," he remarked snidely, betraying his feelings towards Captain At'Vhandol, and issuing a caution as he awaited his next orders.

WARNING! Nudity and sexual content. Viewer's discretion is advised.

“Advice from a Love Slave”

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

Location: Holodeck

Something else was on James Corgan’s mind.

It had dug into his brain for quite some time, and it wouldn’t let him go. A restlessness, symbolized by bored, work laden days and sleepless, bed tossing nights. No longer caught in the grips of his own paranoia or the trauma’s his past life endured, he still found that the restlessness and distress in his heart was rather disturbing. It gripped him, a freezing clamp encasing his heart and his head at the same time, demanding its full attention and sudden relief.

Enough was enough.

For the past month, James couldn’t find the peace he demanded of himself. His heart pounded, his blood boiled and his soul sang a discordant song of yearning. It was well past midnight. A half hour of one-on-one self made satisfaction, then another two hours bringing emotion and lust to life with his guitar brought no respite. What was really on his mind was something he didn’t want to touch, in a place where he didn’t want to go. But it branched off to his restlessness.

He needed escapism. Relief. Whatever he could. The pressures that his mind threw up were no easier to handle when he ignored it, or when he tried to find a way around it. There was only so much he could physically do, and the mental stimuli he felt he needed were almost too much to ask from the people he wanted to confront. Mentally, he wanted love, if he could identify what that love was he wanted. Physically he wanted to express it. Politely, he knew the consequences of what he wanted, and how damaging it could be.

His escape into the holodeck was rushed. Hastily donning his civilian clothes and snatching an isolinear chip from his collection, he then quietly made his way to the nearest holodeck in the small hours of the night. With only graveyard shift crew and minimal lights, he was not disturbed by people whom would risk knowing him.

Confronting the holodeck doors, he though of any excuse he could find to weasel his way out of some temporary amusement. He knew the isolinear chip in his hand was questionable, but it was late into the evening and the holodeck safeties would be switched to NA17 mode. No unsuspecting family would walk in to see sights most normally reserved for adults, that is, if they were actually up. He didn’t use a single holocredit during the month. Though his glances from shoulder to shoulder, like a dirty man buying a playboy at a convenience store counter, were overtly cautious, he couldn’t be too careful. Even in the 24th century, where sexual norms were excessively relaxed and almost anything went, there were some taboos the human race didn’t get around to destroying.

However, the 24th century way of thought on sexuality was if you wanted it, go and get it, as long as others were not hurt physically or mentally. As long as you kept sexual encounters with other sentient beings (the amount of legs and/or arms didn’t matter anymore) and as long as the physical development stages (age was less of a factor) were similar, it was supposed to be acceptable. It blended ‘free love’ with the social norms of not going too far with deviant fetishes.

So, with the copy of ‘Vulcan Love Slave Volume 4’ he procured from their visit to Rigel 7, he decided to forget what was bothering him, and release a little more than some steam.

He entered into a perfume scented world, an atmosphere of gossamer veils and mysterious mists. Its pink hued walls glowed until they were blurry for the eye to see. The middle of his artificial dreamland held itself a bed and a chair somewhere in the centre. Pushing back the translucent cloths, he found the shapes of the furniture nearby. He then took the seat, and waited patiently for what was next.

A silhouette materialized out of the dreamy mists. It was an hourglass figure, perfected with a sculptor’s patience and a programmer’s steamy imagination. James detected the swish and sway of her silken negligee, watched the back and forth motion of her hips as she slowly sauntered forward, glanced at the fine, generous curve of her breasts, and saw the delicate pointed ears peaking out of short cropped, bowl cut hair. As she came closer to the bed, her smooth cut, elven face showed. Serene as a pond in winter, and just as warm. Seductresses never seemed to smile for joy. Her mouth was an emotionless grimace, while her eyes scanned James with an ice-cold intensity. Her negligee covered enough to qualify and being non nude, though her toned calves and ample cleavage showed itself carousingly. Her dress was far from James’ thoughts however. He found himself looking for the cues on her face, the signs from her frozen features that hinted at mutual interest without the pl ayacting. There was nothing but that face. James found it profoundly disappointing.

The program played on. The hologram playing the role of the Vulcan love slave came closer. He could almost taste the exotic scent of desert flora in her perfume. Statuesque in every way, from face to form, James drank in her beauty, and still found himself bored and wanting despite arousal.

“How may I serve you, Commander?” The Vulcan love slave soothed, her voice adding to her crystalline coolness.

James thought carefully what would satisfy him quickly. “I would like very much for you to dance for me, please.”

The Vulcan love slave complied, starting off his command with a sway of her hips. Her tawny dancer’s body flexed with each move. Carefully choosing steps around her bed, the love slave activated a music player on the nightstand. The music played was an erotica ballad from Arnas II, soft, quiet and seductive. As the music pumped from unseen speakers, the Vulcan started to move her arms as if she was embracing herself, while her hips still moved to each beat.

“Does this please you?” The love slave asked.

James found her physically exciting, but nothing else. “Sure.” He lied. “This is ok.”

The dance continued around the bedpost. Her pointed fingernails brushed its mahogany surface, as if scanning the intricately carved cupid and female motifs. Her other arm folded over her breasts, leaving both to move slightly, and tease his sight with crushed cleavage. One exposed leg lifted up, showing a flower pink panty, as it wrapped around the long bedpost. She grabbed hold and spun around the post, her back arched down, her ample breasts proudly in the air. The lights darkened at that cue, her body once again being a shapely shadow.

“Not bad.” James admitted, “You are a good dancer. Keep going. And surprise me when you are ready.”

Her dance went unabated. She crawled slowly onto the beds, using the silk sheets as a teasing cover. She sped up her dance, her legs poking out of the mussed covers. The shoulder band on her negligee slipped, exposing more skin, tantilizingly close to the nipple, pointing erectly through the cloth.

He kept his eye on the Vulcan, but not his mind on the dance. Though the Vulcan was everything James could ask for physically (and he had a weak spot for Vulcan women), there was still something missing in the mindless holowank. The fantasy lacked mental cues. The Vulcan’s personality wasn’t quite right. There was no love in her art, just compliance. And since Vulcans were incapable of love in the sense of many sentient beings, the love slave thereby lacked what James was really looking for.

As he came to that realization, the love slave was out of the bed. Her negligee was barely hanging onto one shoulder, and now one breast was fully exposed. His own body betrayed him, now fully aroused, though he could tell himself that the fantasy didn’t have what he was looking for. She pranced closer, eyes locked onto his like a sexual predator, glancing occasionally at his engorged crotch. It was before he knew what was going on before the love slave was up to his face, until their noses were inches apart. The intensity was stifling. James Corgan’s breath increased to a steady pant, mixing panic with passion.

“Stop.”

The love slave’s lips were a millimetre from his own. His command forced the hologram to pull back. Unsure of his command, she slipped the fallen side of her negligee back on. She asked serenely, “You have shown signs of interest. May I ask why you have halted this activity?”

“Thinking of something else.” James kept his answer simple. “Well, someone else. I was bored and I couldn’t get sex off the brain. But you know, that’s not what I want.”

”You would be surprised to know that I do understand.” Answered the love slave, “I have been programmed with adaptive emotional and cognitive subroutines. I know about the co-relation between physical and emotional aspects of mating. For humans, it is simplistic. However, your species lacks accurate signs to associate which emotions are intended with which physical reactions. For example, your erection…”

James looked down at his crotch sheepishly. “Sorry.”

“…indicates that my body is arousing to you. However, your species disassociates what you call love with mating. In most other cultures, love comes before mating. In humans however, you want to mate before finding emotional compatibility. It is not the same with Vulcans. We mate with the one whom we are arranged with, but even then there is emotional compatibility. There is no confusion of intention and thought this way. But for humans, your intentions and thoughs are more… chaotic.”

“What? Sex and love are different, right?” Corgan argued.

“Not according to you. You would rather associate your desires to mate with your desire to love someone. Correct?” The Vulcan hologram raised an eyebrow.

Impressed, James raised an eyebrow in return. The adaptive protocols in her program were really impressive. “How did you know?”

”Though chaotic, humans can be easily predicted. One can say that a human has his heart on his sleeve.”

Laughing, James responded, “That’s our quote.”

“There’s also a variant on Andoria, though much bloodier.”

”Oh.”

As the pink mist and the perfume settled, the Vulcan concluded, “You call it lust. To desire selfishly. You desire me physically, but know it will not derive satisfaction.”

”I guess you can say that. I kind of feel like it’s cheating on someone, even if it is a hologram.”

Walking off to the side, the love slave opened up a suddenly appearing armoire. She pulled out a pink fur robe, and covered it over his body. “Guilt has discontinued a purely physical activity. I understand. However, may I ask whom your potential mate is?”

“Now herein lies the problem. I don’t know who.” James explained, “I kinda like this one girl. I am friends with another. But I love one girl and just like the other as a friend. Frankly, I don’t know what to do. I could risk screwing up my friendship with both women. But I can’t hold back anymore. I have to tell her soon, or else I’m going to crack here.”

”Then perhaps you should tell her.” The love slave simply responded. “Or you should walk away. You cannot leave yourself to decide forever, or both will move on.”

Though he was still trying to mull over his problem, James knew the woman had a point. The time was now, or he was going to lose it all forever.

“Ironic how I found the answer from a Vulcan Love Slave.” He mused.

“Ironic indeed.” The Vulcan responded.

"Lateral Pass"

Commander Cassius Henderson,
Executive Officer

Lieutenant Corran Rex,
Vanguard Leader

Cass Henderson stared for a moment at the obstruction. He remembered the conversations he'd had with first Heloi and then Rex about the fighter's recon abilities. Now that the switch to the Starfleet Fighter Corps was complete, and their unscheduled distraction from Marine Intelligence was temporarily taken care of, she was free to concentrate on the task at hand. And use the fighters.

"Captain, I have an idea," Cass said, getting the CO's attention. She'd been standing at the command chair, equally engrossed with their navigational issue.

"Go ahead," Eliza replied, watching her XO think.

"Why don't we use the fighters to penetrate the asteroid field. They'll have visual sighting, be harder to see, and have twelve sets of half strength sensors, instead of our one," he suggested.

"Go for it. That sounds better that trying to take Galaxy into a dense asteroid belt," Eliza said, "I'll call Rex up for you."

Corran rubbed the back of his head, marveling at the .. scene... that had just played out with jazz and T'shani. He was still thinking about it as he entered the Observation Lounge, next door to the bridge. "You wanted to see me, Captain?" he asked as he entered, noting the presence of the Galaxy's temporary Commanding Officer. "By the way, Cass - congrats."

"Thanks Corran," Henderson smiled, then went ahead at the Captain's nod, "Everything taken care of with the switchover?"

The pilot nodded. "Idea's going to take some getting used to. For some.. a little more than others."

"Well, at least it's taken care of," Cass replied, remembering how very 'marine' T'Shani A'Akledorian was, "Especially because of what I'm going to say next. How soon can you have your squadron ready to launch for a long range patrol?" "How long you think it'll take me to get back to the fighterbay from here?" Rex replied with a grin. "We can roll soon as you folks give the word. What're we looking for?"

"A missing ship. Sensors tell us that the trail ends here," Henderson said, as Stuart excused herself. No doubt to attend to something else. Routine patrol didn't need both of them. "We think that the USS Pallas Athena, Admiral Valerian's command ship, was investigating something here and got lost. Problem is that this asteroid field negates our sensors, and it lies right on the border."

"And you want us out there, able to pick up visual scanning if needed." Corran filled in. "Makes sense. Our fighters have a modular sensor package that can be installed where the minitorp bays are. If you want the techs to swap those out first, it'll be an hour, maybe two before we can get out there. Your call, XO."

"Well... Anything that'll give you the added edge in there. And that'll give you a few hours to prep the squadron," Henderson considered, "Go ahead and install the packages, then launch. I'll leave your search pattern up to you."

The CO of Vanguard nodded. He turned to head out of the observation lounge, and then stopped, and turned back to face the Executive Officer. "Cass, you mind if I ask you about something. Off the record."

Cassius paused for a moment. His nerves were on end again. A'Akledorian's spy games had him back in Intel mode... Suspicious... And not too good at it after all these years. Now he was jumpy around people who he normally felt comfortable with, "No, not at all."

"I know that something's going on at a higher level with one of my pilots. I ... need to know if it's something I should be concerned about. If it's going to put the rest of my squad at risk."

Cassius forced himself to calm. "Yes. Yes, something is going on. I can't go into a lot of detail, but you are right. It does pose a possible risk. Flight Officer A'Akledorian is involved with one of the intelligence branches. She was recently given orders, but Captain Stuart's managed to put them on hold. Do you think she'll follow the captain's orders?"

"I had a feeling." Corran replied, under his breath. "I think she will. Particularly if she knows there's the threat of being brigged if she disobeys. More than that, though, I don't see her as the type to disobey her Captain. She may be a lot of things, but I don't think she's that."

"Good," Henderson said, "There's a lot going on right now behind the scenes that I'm not terribly sure of. But I think you're okay where T'Shani's concerned, if you're right. Just keep a steady eye on her." A pang of worry for his old handler came back. Every instinct told him to go search for the Hellfire, but he too had his orders.

"Allright then." he said, and gave a small sigh. "I'll go get my squad ready. I'll call up to you bigwigs when we're ready for launch."

"Thank you," the executive officer nodded, "I appreciate it."

The pilot simply gave a nod, and as he left the observation lounge, Henderson could already hear him ordering the techs in the fighterbay to start installing the sensor packages.

Galaxy: The Next Generation ‘Greasy Fingernails’

Colby Elliot
and a very smug operations officer named Hilary

Colby ran a hand though his hair then put the black baseball cap on. The cap was very black and clean, unlike Colby’s hair, and had a silver Nike swoosh sown into the front. His over tunic was dingy and unzipped revealing an equally dirty golden shirt. He pointed into the open hole of the wall and cocked his head to the side, “Do you know what that is?”

The officer that stood opposite Colby in many ways embodied the word opposite. His uniform was cleanly pressed, his hair rigidly perfected in its swoop to the back of his head. “Course I know what that is,” he answered in an arrogant tone that held a note of knowing everything and a lower truer note of not knowing what the hell he was talking about.

“What is it,” Colby asked as he turned his hat backward and leaned into the hole that was actually the hatchway into the maintenance section of the turbo lift. He looked around the black and vacant column that towered above and below him. Colby took out a marker from his pocket and uncapped it with his teeth, the cap remaining in his mouth as he wrote on the piece of Starfleet equipment. The ink in the pen glowed in the darkness and in neon pink letters asked Hilary ‘the fuck am I’?

“I know what that is,” Hilary said, very sure he was a perfect actor and his bluff was foolproof.

“Hilary you can’t lie, you can’t fix things and you can’t lie, I know you don’t know what that is.” Colby said as he stepped back into the corridor. There was oil under his fingernails and he pulled a small pocket knife and began to remove it.

“This is a Federation Starship, it is powered by the combination of matter and antimatter crossing in a field over dylithium and channeled throughout the entire ship. It is the most advance piece of hardware in the galaxy and you manage to get oil under you nails like you are working on Cher’s pre-show make up.” Hilary said, arms crossed over his sunken chest. His color was pale and the black of his uniform slimmed him down to looking well under 90 pounds, without the dark evenness he didn’t look much bigger.

“Forget the nails Hilary, what is that?” Colby asked pointing again to the large metallic pipe inset in the turbo-shaft.

“And that hat isn’t Starfleet issue, you look like a mechanic.”

“I am a mechanic, I am working on all the things that people break because they think it is mechanically sound to force a frozen chicken down it.” He said referring to the previous call. The young officer had tried to freeze an exotic bird and pass it through custom upon returning to earth, when he realized that the animal would not be unfrozen in any living condition he tried to force it down his drain, still frozen.

“I am just saying that I shouldn’t be lectured on what to know about a ship in a service that my lecturer certainly isn’t married to or he wouldn’t be trying to revive the entire grunge culture in his gym socks.” Hilary said, “Further more I know perfectly well what that is,” he said pointing his clean manicured nails toward the piece of equipment whose name and purpose eluded him. “But you don’t and I don’t intend to tell you, if you don’t know what you’re doing maybe you should go back to football, though they do shower after the game I know that sort of thing upsets you.”

“It’s a class D shock absorber, its connected to the D class support struts that support a turbo lift pod if power is lost.” Colby said leaning back against the bulkhead.

“I knew that,” Hilary lied. “I was only testing.”

Colby’s eyes widened and he nodded without saying anything. “Well, Hilary, what are we doing with the class D shock absorber?”

“Running a stress test,” Hilary said and was right in that. But then unless it was hanging into the void of turbo shaft limbo you didn’t do anything with it aside from running a stress test. If it passed then you left it alone, if it failed you found someone to replace it.

“Gold star,” Colby mocked. “Hand me the beta test scanner.”

Hilary reached into the push cart and handed Colby one of various computer pads.

Colby took the pad and looked at it then handed it back, “The beta test scanner, not the holo-vid player.”

Hilary looked down at the vid player, he had totally forgotten to put it back in his pocket. While Colby had been grunting over the frozen bird in the drain Hilary had moved off to a quiet corner to watch his holo-vids that he had purchased from a man on Risa. His blood burned and his jaw clenched as he read the title on the data disk, ‘Lesbian Spank Infeno’ and Colby had seen it, there would be no living with him after this. “What’s this?” Hilary asked taking the player. “Are you watching holo-vids on duty? This is pornographic, this is degrading to women.”

Colby rubbed his eyes, “Its yours Hilary, I saw you stalking off with it when I was working on the chicken. Anyway just give me the beta scanner, you know what that looks like don’t you? Little silvery thing that says Beta on it.”

“Well its not mine, someone must have left it in the cart. And I know what a beta tester looks like. Someone used the cart and left everything out of order, you know I have a system.” Hilary protested, “Someone left their vulgar tapes in here and played havoc with my system.”

“You don’t have a system, you just memorize where everything is so you don’t have to remember what each of them does.” Colby said, “You’re like an overweight depressed woman in the ice cream isle, you know where it all is so why bother looking? You could find the super chocoblast with your eyes closed.”

“Look,” Hilary said thrusting the scanner toward Colby, “This is not my vid player and I DO have a system and it’s so I can find things as I need them, its in order of how often I use them.”

“Whatever Hilary,” Colby said with a sigh as he slapped the tester on the side of the shock absorber. As he waited for the test to be executed he sat with his back against the corridor. “So what kind of man is named Hilary?” he asked looking up to his co-worker.

Hilary’s head pulled back in an expression that made him look both surprised and like a man with three chins. “What do you mean what kind of MAN is named Hilary? It is a commanding name, a masculine name.”

“Hilary is a masculine name?” Colby asked.

“Of course it is, one of Napoleon’s generals was named Hilary.” Hilary informed quite sure that there was a very good possible that it might in fact be true.

“Napoleon’s general was named Hilary?” Colby asked doubtfully, quite sure that Hilary was laying but not really knowing who Napoleon really was outside of the ice cream guy.

“Yes,” Hilary said leaning over looking down at Colby, “He was one of the greats! And how would you know anyway? As far you know Napoleon single handedly ran an army of clones of the horse faced Julian Roberts across the planet conquering it all before flying off to Pluto to fight dinosaurs for all you know.” Hilary said nodding his head from side to side. He had a habit of doing that, slightly jiggling his head from side to side as he spoke. He didn’t always jiggle his when he spoke, only when he felt he was right stressing his superiority. Which was most of the time. He had always felt superior to those around him, he felt it was because he was superior while other people thought it was because he was a total dork.

“You really are hopelessly full of yourself you know that Hilary?” Colby asked as he stood up. He didn’t wait for Hilary’s response, he leaned into the shaft and pulled the scanner from the shock absorber and looked at the reading. “Shit.”

“What?” Hilary asked, sounding worried “What’s wrong?”

“We have to pull it out, this’ll take a while. You ever pulled one of these out? It’s a two day job easily, shit,” Colby muttered as he looked back into the hole, “With this one out we’d drop ten floors before the second would kick in so we can’t use the lift as a platform, we’ll have to suspend.”

“Suspend? We’ll? You mean we are going to have to hang in that void for two days while we fix it?” Hilary asked in disbelief. “I am going to have to hang in a tube that is ten meters wide with a man who thinks that bathing and the summer solstice coincide?” Hilary shook his head and waved his hands, “No, you’ll sit there and watch your holo-vids leaving me to do all the work.”

Colby smiled, Hilary was very scared of two things connected to the proposition of repairing the little piece of hardware in question, heights and work. Colby tossed the pad to Hilary.

Hilary recoiled back as the pad flew toward him. He grimaced as it hit his chest before falling back into the cart of operations equipment. “You know I’ll do this little job then I’ll report you not helping me and I’ll have your little sport as assistant, I disserve it anyway.” Hilary said, his only hope would be that Colby would insist on doing it himself after hearing his bold words. Hilary looked at Colby with disgust then saw the read out on the display. “You bastard.”

Colby smiled, “And everyone thought you were illiterate.”

Hilary’s look of disgust was replaced first by one of total shock then arrogant doubt, “They don’t think I’m illiterate. IF they say that it’s only because they are jealous.” Hilary said matter of factly.

Colby shook his head, “I’m sure that’s it.” Colby said switching the power regulator back to its active status and setting the access door back then set the panel in place. He started down the hall before turning back to face Hilary, “Come on General, I’m sure someone has stuffed some,” Colby sighed and shook his head, “terrible down their drain and needs it pulled.”

“Don’t you order me around, I’m the same rank you are and I have been here longer. I should be giving you the orders.”

“I just wanted you to bring the cart.” Colby said and shook his head as he moved down the corridor.

-A note to the reader…should there be one. This is a back post to when the Galaxy was docked at Wolf Station. I wrote it a while back then lost it and put off re-writing it until now so it is a little old, so, a very BACK post. The character bio isn’t up yet but Ian told me the character was cool so I can’t image it’ll be too much longer. Z

Galaxy: The Next Generation ‘The Stowaway’

Chi,(Shi and Pip)

Chi looked around the room once more, just to make sure it was empty. She had been on the station for a week now and every time she passed this room she checked it, and it had always been empty. That fact aside she didn’t feel comfortable doing this here, or many places for that matter. As there was no choice in the matter she pulled the black leather cat-suit that Shi wore and stuff it into her bag then pulled on the jumpsuit she had stolen. Chi looked around as Shi and pulled at her hair as it fell out in easy strands of orange and black and was replaced by the snow white hair of Chi’s species. The green in her face drifted away and was replaced by pale blue. Now she was truly Chi, Shi had gone from the forefront of her personality to the back of her mind.

“Hey, what are you doing back there?” a voice asked from somewhere behind her.

“Shit,” Chi mumbled as she stuffed the fallen hair into the front pockets of the work suit. ‘Kill him,’ Shi declared from the back of her mind. ‘Don’t kill him, just get out of here’ Pip said, in protest to her darker-sister’s-comments. “Quiet,” Chi said.

“What was that?” the voice asked, it was distinctly male and sounded husky.

“Nothing,” Chi said turning around and smiling at the man, he was husky. The front of her jumpsuit was only zipped part of the way up, partly because of her surprise and partly because she preferred it a little open it helped in certain situations. Chi leaned forward, exposing an open V of soft pale blue skin, the showing area of her breasts like half moons. “I just got lost in this place,” She said softly with pouty sincere eyes. “I was trying to get to the Galaxy, I am part of the maintenance team.” She looked around, “But I got all mixed up.”

The fat man smiled at both her child-like lost girl act and the opening in her suit. “Well nothing wrong there, I get lost sometimes m’self. Let me show you to the Galaxy.”

“Thank you,” Chi said sheepishly.

She waited for him to turn and begin to lead the way before she picked up her back pack. After she had her pack she followed him down the corridor. Moving through the station and to where the Galaxy was docked.

--

She should have had Pip do this, but this wasn’t the sort of thing Pip did. And she couldn’t be counted on, she was too young. It wasn’t about sneaking on, she could sneak into most places with little trouble, it was getting recognized. Not her face but her race, she had only met few like her and she knew they weren’t common, though she didn’t know all the history behind why she did understand that it could get her in trouble. Eventually people spot the black ant in the red hill.

But as it turned out she worried for nothing. After talking to the portly engineer for a time she was able to sneak off and pilfer what she would need. She now moved through level 9 on the USS Galaxy, and the coast looked clear. It was a good day for vacant halls but she couldn’t place too much faith in it staying that way. Chi did a quick glance to both sides before dropping to her knees and pulling out the oversized PADD and connection cables.

‘What’s that?’ Pip asked from the back of Chi’s mind. Chi, Pip and Shi all live together in one head, Chi’s head. Pip and Shi were made up, or at least were in the beginning but now they were very much a part of her. After so many years of acting for them they had stuck and when they spoke to her Chi’s skin would change just slightly, for Shi it started to hue grin like the skin of the Orion-sister- and when it was Pip her skin began to change into that fleshy pink of humans. ‘Quiet, she needs to concentrate,’ Shi said, Chi’s skin greening. “It’s alright,” Chi said aloud, “There is no one here and talking helps me concentrate.” Chi said as she pulled the panel from the wall and connected the cables to the PADD and then to the computer uplink.

“This is an engineering PADD, it is designed to uplink with each ship and obey engineer voice commands.” Chi explained as she connected the last of the cables and brought the PADD online. “Each ship has certain people it will recognize for voice commands, by using these computers they don’t have to upload the voice pattern of each engineer working on a ship only to remove them once the ship returned to space.” Chi’s skin pinkened, ‘How did you learn all this?’ Pip asked.

“I’ve been around honey,” Chi replied. “Computer, bring up level 9 crew quarters map, highlight empty rooms in green.” A moment after her request the mad came online, the images highlighted as she had requested.

‘Hurry up,” Shi urged from the back of Chi’s mind, her skin coming once again to the surface in a flash of green that was gone in a wink. “I’ve got it, don’t worry.” Chi replied. “Computer open indicated room.” Chi said as she clicked the screen. The door to her left slid open effortlessly and Chi smiled broadly. Quickly Chi unhooked the cables and placed the panel back over the computer hub.

The room was a good size and it came furnished, she loved that about the bigger ships they came with so many nice things. Once inside the room Chi pulled a key pad from her pack and set it over the key pad set next to the rooms door. Once she hacked the room that key pad would translate her orders into the inset one and she would be able to tell the room whatever she wanted with her voice being recognized. Chi sat down, pulling several computer components from her pack and laying them out on the floor. Pip remained silent, she was either watching or off in some other dream. Chi went on with her task, she connected the computers to the oversized pad then pulled another panel away from the wall, connecting to the room’s computer uplink. She then stood up and smiled. “Computer, run program Chi 3.” She said happily as she kicked the heavy work boots into the corner. The program was the most important thing she had ever done with her life and one of the few things she kept with her from ship to ship, home to home. It was simple but absolutely necessary. The program would enter itself in the form of a mainframe update to the Galaxy’s computer system. It would tell the computer that this room wasn’t vacant, that would keep people from moving into her room. It would also give the status as converted to storage, this would explain why the room was not given to a registered crew member. Lastly it would leave a bounce program in the system. The bounce would send any supply calls to the other storage locations, that way people wouldn’t show up at her room wanting what the computer said was here.

“I’m a genius,” Chi said around a yawn as she laid on the floor looking up at the ceiling. ‘Yes you are!’ Pip agreed excitedly. ‘You had plenty of help,’ Shi said but didn’t have much push behind her words. Shi after all was just a gun for hire, a ship pilot and pirate. She didn’t know anything about computers. “I think I am going to take a nap,” Chi said. ‘Do you want me to watch?’ Shi asked, the green hue returning ‘No, me, I want to watch, I have been asleep for weeks.’ Pip insisted, her insistence making the pink in Chi’s face very strongly stand out. “Not that kind of sleep,” Chi said to the two other women in her head she had come to call sisters. “I mean I am going to get some real sleep.” ‘What about the program?’ Shi asked. “It’ll run until it has finished then it will clear its tracks and shut down.” Chi explained as she moved for the bedroom. “In the mean time we just have to hope no one comes in.” That had only happened once but it wasn’t fun. Chi had to knock the officer out and send a month in the Jeffries tubes, constantly moving and re-hacking the system to hide her tracks. A month in those tubes before the ship arrived at port and she was able to sneak off. That had been the USS Chicago, she had grown to hate the small ships after that, no space to move or hide. Not like this ship, this ship was like owning a home. She might find a way to make her stay more long term. But that thought could come after she went to sleep.

For some in the kind of position Chi was in sleep, relaxing of any kind for that matter, could come with difficulty. Hard to sleep with one eye open. But not for Chi, she had been doing this for sometime and fell asleep quite confident that her program would run its course and that she would have bought some time on the USS Galaxy. After an hour of sleeping the program had finished and her time on the ship had begun, how it would end she wasn’t sure, Chi rarely planned that far ahead.

NRPG/OOC : Hello everyone, it's great to be back. The Galaxy was always my favorite sim. The name's Noam, but call me Bob :)

"Of troubled sons..."

By Lieutenant Michael Jamson,
Operations Officer
USS Galaxy

Jamson's stomach turned upside down as he walked through the corridors of the USS Galaxy. It's been a long time and he was really excited to be aboard his old ship and home again. By the looks of the Klingon wannabe, you couldn't have noticed he was thrilled, as he kept his facial expressions to himself. Not a single wink nor movement of an eyebrow would indicate of his emotions. As time passed by, he learned to hide his feelings from the surrounding area and his crew mates, doing otherwise wouldn't be 'professional'.

As happy as Michael was to return to the Galaxy, he didn't experience the same feelings as before. Something was missing, he wasn't sure what it was. Maybe it was the exterior and refit of the old ship, the lack of former officers who had served with him before on the original Galaxy, or perhaps...captain Price, by now Admiral. The Admiral, or 'The General' he was nicknamed, was always there for Jamson, saving him more than once from the puny hands of Starfleet Command. Price's injury was a shock to Michael, he couldn't believe it. The loss of using your own legs, for such a great man in particular, must have been terrible. His admiration, respect and loyalty for Admiral Price were so high, that he would gladly sacrifice himself for his old commanding officer at any time. This was also true for his crew members and people who earned his trust, and that was quite hard to achieve.

Passing crew men and women reminded him of old friends, which were now either dead or somewhere else in the milky way galaxy. Gael, Shelby, Rousseau, Shivok, Thomas, Casey, Coe and others, all great names that now echoed throughout the halls of the Galaxy. Some were no longer among the living, the rest are history. But he still had some friends aboard, or at least he thought he had. The one he was really expecting to meet...for some time now, for his surprise, was his worst adversary - Karyn Dallas, the ship's counselor. How he longed for their joint sessions, arguments and quarreling. She was the only counselor who ever took a stand against him, and had the courage to fight back, a brave soul, and a true warrior. Her tenacity and devotion were admirable. Next, was the Chief Engineer, Ethan Suder. Their last adventure together involved the Dominion and Jem'Hadar...how exciting that was. The glory of battle! the smell of rotting enemy corpses, the blood rushing through the warriors' veins. He could almost taste it...he missed the action, and that could only be found on 'worthy' starships, such as the Galaxy.

Memories kept flooding the once executive officer of this vessel. Overhearing several officers discussing a hand to hand combat tournament in holodeck 12, Michael touched a tiny scar under his chin and smiled. This scar reminded him of Holodeck 3, which he single handedly destroyed, then attacking a fellow officer, and causing the entire crew to lose their precious holodecks for a very long time. The General's ready room, the observation lounge, the xo's office, and the chief operation's office - it was all 'his' once. It was tough for him to back as a mere lieutenant....not even a lieutenant commander. The Cardassians were to be blamed for this...they caused it all. It was because of the spoon heads that his entire career was ruined! and those high brass imbeciles at Starfleet Command...what did they know? in the end, it was Michael Jamson against the universe.

The Galaxy was underway to find the USS Pallas Athena, a Nebula Class vessel which disappeared in the Romulan Neutral Zone. All Jamson could think of was 'Romulans...' accompanied by a slight frown of an animal. Treacherous creatures who had no honor whatsoever. He had no respect for the Rihannsu...he never understood their culture, nor he ever wanted to. To make things worse, there was a Romulan onboard! the chief Tactical officer. A big part of Michael's childhood was spent next to Romulan space. He lived in a dusty outpost which some of it's inhabitants were Romulans. His parents and Klingon friends despised them, and that was more than enough for him. That outpost was located in the Romulan neutral zone, the same part of space which was later destroyed by the Borg, prior to the invasion of Earth at Wolf 359.

This not to small portion of space, was not very hospitable. Pirates, rascals, and criminals were roaming the area. It was full of ancient trade ways inside and outside both Federation and Romulan space. Not too 'far' away, was Klingon space. He grew around here, as a rogue merchant and mercenary. Well...he was just child, but his parents and grandfather settled here before the Borg came. Former Federation citizens, they were often involved in things far greater and more dangerous than they could have handled. His grandfather, an ex-starfleet officer, eventually detested the life he built for himself, venturing from one starship to another, so he dropped out of service and vanished soon after.

Romulans...Vulcans....Counselors....Doctors, they were all the same for him. He admired Vulcans for their professionalism, and their abilities to hide their feelings, but Vulcans...were just...Vulcans. As for Counselors and doctors...that was something else.

It was now time for Jamson to report to his Commanding Officer, the Chief of Operations, Lieutenant Curtis Geluf. He was 8 years younger than Michael. Jamson didn't like this one bit, a young officer ordering him around like a dog. But it wasn't a first...on his previous assignments, Michael have encountered plenty of younger commanding officers. The last time he was on the Galaxy...Jupiter Station, and the USS Expedition. This was no different...but the feeling got worse every time. He knew he had to accept his fate, but that wasn't easy. Instead of breaking something, or injuring fellow crew members, he would have to swallow his pride quietly and act like, as the great Karyn Dallas once described him, 'a good little soldier'.



Noam Brosh Aka
"Bob" Aka
Lieutenant Michael Jamson,
Operations Officer
USS Galaxy

"More than Friends"

Ella Grey
Curtis Geluf

*occurs after "Love is in the Air"

*****

Holodeck 3

Ella stood in the center of the stage and looked out upon the empty seats.

It wasn't one of the theaters she'd ever been to, or performed at, but it was close enough to the one she had in mind. She looked down at the worn wooden planks beneath her feet, looked around at the deep red curtains, and pointedly ignored looking backstage.

It was all so ridiculous, Ella thought as she sat down upon the floor. The whole mess between Victor and herself...it was like a bad soap opera or theater production. Maybe that was why she wanted to be here today.

Or maybe it was because she it always came down to what would have happened if not for that night on Copernicus... How she might have been different.

Ella hefted a heavy sigh and then, withought looking,waved her visitor over.

"Now this a quite a nice place." Curtis said as he walked over, admiring the artistry around him. "You know, we didn't have indoor theater houses like this on Kera when I was little. One of the best things about Earth if you ask me." he continued, making his way towards his friend. A look at Ella's face, though, quickly stiffled the mood.

"But you don't want to talk about theater houses, do you Ella?"

Ella shook her head. ~~Tell me about Kera.~~

Curtis decided to indulge the request. "It's a beautiful place. The parts of it I can remember anyway, I haven't been back in so long." Curtis said, bowing his head a "The atmosphere is a lot thicker then Earth's, or most any other planet's for that matter. We Kerelians evolved our super-hearing that way. Most other species' who visit the planet find it very difficult to hear anything that's going on. We've started compensating, of course. The buildings are all outfitted with filters that keep the air from absorbing too much sound."

~~Sounds like an interesting place.~~

"You wouldn't want to visit it right now, though." Curtis sighed, "The civil war was over 15 years ago, but the bad blood is still there. Federation members who DO visit tend to stay around the capital. Too much risk of running into Anti-Federation groups anywhere else."

~~You miss it very much, don't you?~~ Ella asked.

Curtis just nodded his head, and slipped into a state of deep thought.

She was quiet for awhile, looking again out at those empty seats. She had performed in front of a hundreds of people once upon a time. ~~Tell me how you met Kiora.~~ She asked abruptly.

Snapping back to reality, Curtis replied "Actually I was on the Galaxy. Price's Galaxy, before this behemoth of a ship. She was an Engineer like me. We worked the same shift."

~~How did you know she was the one?~~

"A friend on board helped me out there. A counsellor named Brian. I think he's on Miranda now. Anyway, I went to him for advice because he was Betazoid. Kiora is half of course. But I always knew, even if I didn't realize it at first. I slowly began to realize what that feeling was nside. It took a little while, but eventually, I recognized what it was." Curtis said, puzzled about the nature of the question.

Ella nodded slighly, almost to herself. ~~How did you tell her?~~

The Kerelian laughed a bit under his breath.

"I was a huge klutz about it really.  It was the day before the whole Galaxy crew left the ship for the decommissioning. I had already been told of my transfer to the Academy and my promotion. To teach you of course." he added, smiling.

She smiled.

"Anyway, it was while Kiora was helping me pack my things. She found the ring on my nightstand and ran into the next room, where I was cleaning up, and told me yes." Curtis laughed.

~~That's classic.~~ Ella replied.

Curtis nodded, "Yeah, it was a bit of a surprise to me. But why do you ask?"

~~Oh, I dunno. I suppose I wanted to hear a happy ending, that's all.~~

"A happy ending?" Curtis asked, "That sounds a bit gloomy Ella. Something wrong?"

She smiled again but it felt more like straining her face to move. ~~Why should something be wrong? Everything is as it should be.~~

"I know you better than that." he said, concerned.

And that was all it seemed to take. Ella's eyes began to tear up. ~~I think I'm in love, Professor.~~

Deep down, Curtis felt his heart begin to break. He looked at Ella, tears starting to make their way down her face. He didn't want her to cry, she shouldn't HAVE to cry. Not over a man. Though Curtis of course had a good idea who it was.

"Oh Ella." he said, gently, deciding to let her tell him who it was for herself, "Come on now, you're breaking your professor's heart."

He reached and placed his arm around Ella's shoulders.

~~It's so stupid.~~ Ella signed between wiping her eyes. ~~Never would work...even if he wanted to...which...doesn't and I don't know what to...he thought it was just...and I can't....~~ She started to bawl. ~~And I LOOK HORRIBLE WHEN I CRY!~~

"Ella, Ella. Calm down, it's alright. Take your time." Curtis whispered,trying his best to comfort her.

~~Time.~~ Her hand's laughed. She could probably take all the time in the universe and it would still not be enough. Ella cried harder. ~~I've made such a mess of things.~~

"You?" Curtis asked, "You've made a mess of things? Come now, what could you have possibly done that was so horribly bad?"

~~I kissed him. I know I shouldn't have but I wanted to. He doesn't understand, you know? And I've been messing around these last couple of months. More than I used to. And I know he doesn't want a woman like that either.~~

Deciding to take a risk, Curtis answered "Can you be so sure Ella? No one really knows what's going on inside his head. Maybe he's just confused."

She laughed. ~~He thought I was being infected with pheremones like those robotic women had.~~

Curtis' hand instinctively covered the back of his head. He had not forgot the fem-bots, or the effective shoe-to-the-head technique Kiora had employed upon him.

~~I should have hit him with my shoe.~~ Ella replied, not able to help herself from teasing him a bit.

The Kerelian smirked, "Sounds to me like he's just nervous. Which I completely understand, given the type of person he is. If you want to get somewhere, you can't give up on it."

~~I can't be the...one who initiates anything.~~ Ella said. ~~I don't want him to think of me like Angelina.~~

"You and I both know he doesn't think of you like that. If you want this, its going to take some work. I refuse to believe Victor is incapable of those kinds of feelings and I think if he were to feel anything or anyone it would and should be you." Curtis reassured her.

~~You're just a romantic.~~ Ella replied, but not unkindly. ~~But its nice of you to think so.~~

"Maybe so. But why should things be any different for you? You and Victor have something in common, you both think you're outcasts, but you really aren't. The laws of humanity still apply to you, no matter what the circumstances. Victor's just a tougher egg to crack is all. If he were truely a monster, he wouldn't have any friends." he explained.

Ella sniffed. ~~Try convincing him of that. I've been trying for months. The man is impossible. He is....~~ She paused. ~~I never said it was Victor.~~

Busted.

Curtis sighed heavily, "You didn't have to Ella, I know."

Ella pouted out her lower lip. Was it that apparent? "How did you know?"

"Who else could it be?" Curtis said, giving a 'do you have to even ask?' expression, "I see how you flirt with him and who else could we be talking about, extreme stuborness is a Victor only trait."

~~Ain't that the truth.~~ Ella's hands drawled. An idea suddenly dawned on her. ~~Hey, do you think you could sort of...um...ask him about me.~~

Curtis looked up in surprise, "Ask him about you? Well, I do have coffee with him from time to time. But what should I say?"

Ella blushed a bit, embarresed suddenly at the childish nature of the request she was about to ask. ~~Do you think you could, um, ask what he thinks about me. If he could maybe consider me as more than a friend someday.~~

Curtis couldn't help but laugh, "You want me to have him check yes or no while we're at it?"

She slugged him in the arm.

"Alright! Alright!" he cried, then, grinning, he added "I'll just give him a ring and we'll have some coffee and I'll pop the question for you."

~~PROFESSOR!~~ Ella couldnt help but laugh even as she signed in indignation and squeezed the last remainng tears from her eyes.

"Oh! That's not what you had in mind I take it??" Curtis asked with mock seriousness.

~~You're a brat.~~ Ella signed and stuck out her tongue.

"Well, now that's better isn't it?" he said, wiping the last tears from Ella's face, "Much better."

~~Thank you.~~

"Hey, it's why I'm here isn't it?" Curtis asked,"Alright, I'll talk to Victor. We'll see what's going on."

"Lowest Expectations"

By Lieutenant Curtis Geluf,
Chief OPS

And
Lt. Michael Jamson,
Operations Officer
USS Galaxy

"Great Warriors, Tiny Needles"

By
Lieutenant Janelle Reynolds,
CMO
USS Galaxy

And
Lt. Michael Jamson,
Operations Officer
USS Galaxy

The next step on Jamson's list was sick bay and the regular checkup and physical for all newcomers. He disliked sick bay, and doctors. They were almost as bad as counselors. Even though he was a great believer in technology and science, going through a physical, especially with an EMH, was not his favorite experience. All those scanning and equipment, it was similar to the transporter process - you dematerialize on one end, but who knows what would come out on the other? Besides, the place was always crowded with crew members who couldn't help themselves and have been injured through their holographic adventures.

Janelle hadn't made it to sickbay yet. She was running late. She had also made a housecall sort to speak, someone who refused to step in Sickbay unless he was dying.

The doors swished opened and Michael slipped slowly inside. He was right, sickbay was full. Nurses and doctors moving about, treating patients, scanning with their specially enhanced medical tricorders, the usual. He felt like a T'arg locked in a cage, expecting some unpleasant experiments and demise eventually. Perishing in a bloody cage, helpless...there is no honor in that.

"May I help you?" A young Ensign Okuda asked with a smile.

"Yes...I'm due to a physical..." Jamson replied instantly.

"Oh...new on board?" She smiled again

"You could say that..." he glanced around. Sickbay was different from the last time he was here. He remembered the first he came here, as an experienced lieutenant commander. The CMO was Dr. Rousseau, and she was a stunning brilliant officer. Things have definitely changed around here, for the better? who knows, only time would tell. He was now a pitiful lieutenant.

"Nurse!" One of the doctors yelled at the Ensign Okuda. "I'm sorry...I'll have someone take care of your physical right away. In the meantime, hop on that bed over there. Hope to catch you around the ship" she moved away quickly.

Dr. Reynolds ran in just in time to be stopped by the young Ensign. Janelle looked over at her new patient and shook her head, "I'll take care of him myself." She disappeared for a few minutes to go wash her hands.

Minutes passed, as the relentless hot-tempered lieutenant sat on the biobed like a school child waiting for anyone to approach and tell him what to do. There were days when he entered and the entire staff would be on their feet, treating him as if he was a king...of course, back then, he had 4 pips on his collar.

Janelle walked over to him, "Hi, how are you doing? I'm Dr. Janelle Reynolds, the Chief Medical Officer. I understand you need a physical." She could see that he was uncomfortable being there. "Any questions before we start?"

Jamson instantly looked at the Chief Medical Officer's collar. He then raised his left eyebrow, she was only a lieutenant. "Actually Lieutenant, I'm doing fine...there's no need for a checkup. If you could just confirm my fitness by signing on this PADD, I'll be on my way and out of yours" he tried to fake a smile unsuccessfully.

"Now you know that I can't do that. Just cooperate and I will have you out in five to ten minutes." He was starting of on the wrong foot with her.

Jamson frowned "I'm sure most of your patients agree to such terms, but I for once refuse to go through any intrusive procedures...I am not a Talarian laboratory rat." This was a matter of principle, Jamson hated doctors. He felt like a boy refusing to go to the dentist. All those instruments and needles, it was like a Borg assimilation chamber. He would die before letting a doctor touch him, least a lieutenant.

"No, you're not and I won't treat you like one. Can we please begin? The faster you let me, the faster you'll get out of here."

Jamson never trusted doctors, they always tried to hide the unpleasant truth instead of saying it outright. He observed Dr. Reynolds with hesitation, trying to figure out whether she was telling the truth or only trying to achieve her goals. "OK..." he looked around and checked no one was looking "but, do I have your assurance, no hyposprays?" the brave warrior whispered. He pride wouldn't let him admit he needed help.

"Hypospray? I don't know what you heard about my sickbay but hyposprays are only necessary if you aren't up on your required inoculations and you can't even get on a ship without them." Now she was getting irritated with him.

"What is that..." He asked curiously while suspiciously following the instrument in Janelles' hands.

"Geeze, relax, will you? It's a vial for another patient." She shook her head at his attitude.

He felt uneased and uncomfortable, he couldn't hold still. Sick bay was always a tormenting place for him. He lost a lot of friends on those bio beds and officers under his command. All the fights and wars in the universe ended up in one place...sickbay. A corpse strapped to a bed, sometimes with a force field on...the surgical table not too far away.

"You need to hold still so I can finish my scans. If you don't, I'm going to have to hog tie you."

"I am not some sort of a helpless medical experiment!" he grew mad "You cannot expect me to sit here and do nothing while you keep checking me up like a wounded T'arg! I should be out there, among the start with my own vessel, making a difference...engaging some sort of a threat to the Federation in battle!"

Janelle motioned for the nurse to bring her a sedative. His behavior was making her very nervous that he might do bodily harm.

"I was once-" instincts took over as Jamson suddenly turned to grab Ensign Okuda's hand, holding a hypospray, "What do you thinkyou're doing???" he asked. Ensign Okuda looked nervous as Jamson felt the cold press of metal on his neck from the other direction. He fell like brick on the bio bed.

"What set him off?" Lieutenant Reynolds sighed. "Thanks Ensign Okuda". She finished her scans on Jamson and then closed it quickly. "We're done Mr....what was his name?" she turned to Ensign Okuda who immediately took Jamson's PADD "It says Michael Jamson sir. The newest addition to operations".

"He should be completely awake in a bit. Hopefully, his demeanor will have improved." Janelle wanted to play an awful trick on him but was afraid that he'd flip out even more. She waited for him to come too. She had him moved away from the other patients in case he got out of control again. She continued to hold a hypo of sedative for fear that he might hurt her. She would have to report this incident to the Captain.

"Ready When You Are"

Principal Characters:
Lt. Corran Horn
Lt (JG) Victor Krieghoff

****

USS Galaxy
Deck 39
Vanguard Fighter Bay

Corran folded his arms and looked over the fighter bay as techs were running to and from, replacing the minitorpedo launcher modules on the bottom of the hulls with the more efficient sensor packages they'd be needing while looking for the Pallas Athena. It reduced the fighters' offensive capabilities by half, but, theoretically, they weren't going to be shooting anything more than rocks.

"Sergeant." Corran said, looking over at the tech crew chief. "I'm going to take a walk. Notify me with the fighters are ready."

"Sure thing, Lieutenant." came the enlisted man's reply.

The Trill was rather glad that the fighter bays was located on the ship's lower decks. Other than the nearby Security Offices, only the Engineering crews ever came down here, and that was a pretty rare thing. Rex was actually alone with his thoughts.

Or rather, as alone as he could be, in his thoughts.

~Seemin a bit maudlin there, kid.~ came Vorrin's voice in his mind.

~Been wondering where you were, old man. ~ Corran replied. ~You been quiet lately.~

~Been feeling a little more at peace that before. Or feeling my age, mayhap.~ the smuggler replied.

~You're not old, Vorrin, you're dead. There's a difference.~ came the pilot's wry reply.

A wry chuckle echoed through Corran's mind as he saw a solitary figure walking ahead. Strangely, in one of those weirdly coincidental things that made a body believe in a higher power of some sort, that individual was a partial source of Rex's past host's contentment. "Afternoon, Victor." Corran called out, hurrying his pace slightly to catch up to the brooding Security Officer.

Victor looked up at Corran's approach and nodded once in acknowledgement, "Rex." His pace didn't slow, but he did shift to the left before looking back down at the device in his hand, something Corran recognized as a field meter, used to measure the depth and strength of force fields.

The Trill raised an eyebrow. "On a patrol?"

"Checking for distortions in the brig force fields," Victor replied tonelessly. "They're not configured correctly along their anterior sides." He pointed the meter at the ceiling and took a reading. "Better to find out where before we bother someone about it."

"How tediously fun."the pilot replied. "So what's new? Still creeping out ninety-nine percent of the people you meet?" he offered with a wide grin.

Victor shrugged. "Doesn't matter. They won't be dealing with me for long anyway. I'll be someone else's problem."

"You know, that's the second time you've said something like that." the Trill noted. "yet, you're still aboard Galaxy, still going about your business. My dear Mr. Kreighoff, I do believe you've developed something of a complex."

"M'Kantu's already made the decision, Horn. He just hasn't found someone that will take me yet." Victor took another reading. "You transferring to Counseling, now?"

"I don't know. I've been a lot of things, but never a shrink. I wonder what they call that. Fear of Transfer, maybe? Everybody knows about how you turned down your medal. That's a helluva thing. They don't ship heroes off to the Breen Embassy, my friend."

"I'm not afraid of a transfer, Rex." Victor stopped to take another reading and frowned at the meter. "And I'm no hero."

"Then you haven't been paying attention to yourself. You've been as true blue as anyone else in the 'Fleet. Might help if you at least admitted that to yourself." Corran stated.

"I'm just doing my job, Rex, that's all." He looked up, eyes expressionless. "I could be one of the monsters that prey on people, or I can stand between the people and those monsters, those were my only choices. I chose to stand between them. I didn't do it for the medals, or the glory, or to have friends - I did it because this is all I'll ever have."

"You're missing the point." Rex replied, his tone growing serious for the first time in the conversation. "That's the same choice everyone in our line of work faces. And you made the decision to stand between the innocents an the monsters. Don't fool yourself - there's a lot of monsters out there. No matter what else is kicking around in your head, the fact is that the choices you've made have placed you on the side of the angels. And because you didn't do it for the glory - that makes you different from all those gloryhounds out there. I'm a pilot, remember? I've seen plenty of that type. They end up getting themselves and others killed. You're not one of them."

"I'm not like anyone," Victor observed as he looked down to check the readings on the scanner again and then looked back up. "Not even the uncle part of you thought I was."

"Hey, bud. I'm about four and three-quarters of a century older than you. Have some respect for your elders, eh?"

Empty eyes blinked once.

"I'm going to make you laugh. You know that, don't you? Someday, somehow, it's going to happen. Time may stop and the universe may end as a result, but it'll happen. You'll see."

"You don't want to hear me laugh, Rex. No one does."

"Such a doubting man. Tsk tsk." Corran replied, making a little clucking sound with his tongue. He wondered if Victor had any idea of how much fun he actually was to be around - even with his perpetually-dour attitude. For a moment, Corran wondered if the grand amount of difference in their attitudes was why he - and Vorrin in regards to Kreighhoff's Uncle before them - found him so interesting. "So. Any word from your Aunts yet?"

"Yes"

"Aaaannnnnnd...?"

"They'd like to talk to Vorrin."

"Fantastic." Corran replied. Maybe if Vorrin had another little conversation, he'd keep quiet like he had been. As far as Rex's current host was concerned, that was a wonderful thing. "Any idea on when?"

"Whenever I call, they'll be ready." Victor looked at the reader in his hand and checked the time on the display. "They both work the same shift on the Venture. They'll be off in twenty minutes."

The pilot slapped his commbadge. "Rex to Fighter Bay. How long till you're done, Sergeant?"

["About an hour, Lieutenant."] came the gruff voice back over the comm.

"Thanks, sarge. Rex out." he said, and closed the comm. "Ready when you are, Mister Kreighoff."

"If you have something to do later," Victor observed, "today's a bad day."

"Forty minutes should be long enough then, shouldn't it?"

"They'll want more than an hour. It'll take that long just to get everyone introduced and let them finish the usual questions." His expression didn't change, but the words had just enough tone to reveal that he wasn't looking forward to the questions, whatever they were.

"Hmm." Corran hummphed, trying to draw on Vorrin's few memories of the Andorian sisters. "You know, my dear Mister Kreighoff, I think you may be right."

“When It All Comes Down To A Decision”

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

Location: Various decks of the ship.

NRPG: This is it. A turning point for many characters and a catalyst for what could be a major plotline. This is a must read. I hope I did well. Enjoy!

James Corgan was confused.

The general urgency in which he left the holodeck, and the chaotic mind making inside his head didn’t leave him much time to think out where exactly he was going to go. But he did know that he wanted to go somewhere, and try to resolve the issues at hand.

Two girls. One heart. Who was going to take it? It was not up to the girls to decide, for both already made up their minds, as far as James Corgan was concerned.

One was the ever bright Rose Isis MacAllen. Cheerful when James could not be, introspective to the core. Ever so affectionate and free with her feelings as most Betazoids tended to be. Understanding of people’s faults and suspicions, and trusting. She was the side of good which James could only hope to emulate someday. He could love her so, and may very well since she was clear on her intentions before. And for that sunshine that James could accept from her heart, why not state his love? Was she not caring enough, and generous enough with her emotions to satiate that longing? However, her trusting nature led her down dark paths. A former lover abused her before. Another was taken away. This led to her greatest fear, the fear of not being in love forever. Like a child, she hugged at whatever she could come across, and James felt he was the unfortunate victim, the man whom must have set off such a tripwire trap by saying or doing the right thing, as he was so habitual to do wi th women who’s hearts were harmed.

Then there was Rebecca Von Ernst. James whistfully thought about the elfin like redhead fondly. She was far from perfect as well, like any human. Shy to a fault, hard to understand and know, and unlearned in most human rituals and responses. She was the bookworm and the headcase everyone would taunt in their junior years, and look over their shoulder to avoid during their adult life. Used by anyone who admired her brains and tactical knowledge more than her soul, she carefully constructed walls of ice around her, meant to keep any affection (real or fake) away from her. Though frightened like a turtle, it was the most beautiful thing, in James; opinion, whenever she smiled, laughed, or began to converse with him away from her confining shells. She didn’t know it herself, but the sun shone brighter and the day was warmer whenever she let herself go and enjoy life, and enjoy other’s company. When out of her shell, she was a fascinating and lively person, and James couldn’t ge t enough of that cute exterior.

And now he had to make a choice.

The gentle breeze that was Rose.

Or the glowing sun that was Rebecca.

~“F**k, if only all that poetry made my decision that much easier!”~ Groused the chief of security, as he rode the turbolift deeper into the shift.

By coincidence, the Liason’s quarters and the First Officer’s quarters were very close by. On the same deck, as a matter of fact, close to his own. The turbolift was uncommonly swift and well maintained, therefore he had little time to make his decision.

Whatever decision he made, it had to be quick and decisive.

Which girl.

~”Why me, huh?”~ He wondered aloud, cursing what he had to do, ~”I mean, dammit, why those two, and why me? I make one wrong move, and I could make a bad situation worse. I mean, what’s Rebecca going to say? What’s Rose going to say? About either decision?……………. What the hell am I going to do?!?! Who am I going to do this with?! Dammit! F**k! Dammit! Why?!?”

“Come on, you know who you want already.”

Much sooner than James could undignified that with a ‘What the f**k?’, he saw the image of his exasperating mind made realistic appear beside him in the turbolift. Much like himself, but female. Shapely in hips and crest, and wearing the form fitting Starfleet Uniform standard on all females on the ship, his subconscious representative came only during crisis; to taunt, tease, or even help.

“Reason.” James greeted through gritted teeth.

“James.” She bowed mockingly, “Haven’t heard from you in awhile. Have you gone normal on me all the sudden?”

He choked an answer. “Something like that. Haven’t heard from you either.”

“Hey.” She shrugged with a smirk, “It happens. The mind gets too preoccupied with other things, such as your work, normal life’s difficulties… love… that sometimes looking into yourself to lament your pains or solve them takes a backseat. Ergo, I wasn’t there because your conscience wasn’t obsessing over some personal dilemma. But you know it was going to be soon when we meet again, hon. Eventually, borg attack traumas, Dominion War memories, guilt and matters of the heart always catch up to you.”

“I’ll have you know that I’m seeing a counsellor for all that.” James growled.

“Good for you, Broken Head. A doctor a day keeps Reason away!” She sang, then shot back to being serious, “You never told your counsellor about this, though.”

”Sure I have. Karyn Dallas. I talked to her quite awhile back.”

”And what did that get you?”

He had to dig deep to get to the answer. “She told me to wait before I made a decision.”

”Oh… wait she told you?” She paced around him, her hand thoughtfully on her chin, pondering the problem. “And you waited… waited… waited… and waited, driving both women mad with your indecisiveness. Jimmy, you put off the decision for way too long. But you know what? I think you actually already decided, and you couldn’t get yourself to think about the consequences thereafter. Now James, think. What would happen if you made the decision you wanted to make?”

Pausing for what felt like the longest minute of his life, James went to his deepest thoughts to dredge up the decision. How he amazed himself! How could James bury his head in the sand for so long, screaming at the top of his eardrums, while banging pots, pans, and setting off photon grenades a mere meter away trying to avoid coming to terms with what he wanted.

Supposed he made the decision. One girl could go for him. If he proposed to such a woman, rejection could be the result. But James was confident enough to believe in fate, and believed he would not be denied. He would ask the woman, and ask her firmly and surely, what he wanted in their relationship. Friendship was the first step, and that prerequisite was already filled. There was the next step, the serious step, that would test their heart’s bond to the limits, before making that final decision into a permanent bonding. James didn’t want to ask for a date, he wanted a whole relationship, and for the most part he felt the girl would agree.

But what of the other? He already knew how she felt, and so therefore she was a sure bet in case one woman rejected him. But with the way James felt, he couldn’t bear to go into the other relationship with false pretences. Being rejected by one woman, and to ask another smacked of dishonesty. How would she feel if she was the consolation prize? How would it damage her confidence, knowing that she wasn’t the first and foremost in his heart?

He knew that answer. It would nearly kill her, inside and out.

“Ahhh…” Reason hummed, “That’s it. Can’t stand to hurt the other girl, can’t you?”

“Yes.” Admitted Corgan. “I don’t want to hurt her. She’s a very sweet woman, and she’s gone through so much. If I did this, she would be devastated.”

“Then devastate her.”

Shocked and appalled, James snapped at his alter ego. “What the hell for? She doesn’t deserve to be rejected like that!”

“Oh cut the noble crap!” Reason argued back, “How the hell are you going to face her otherwise? You have to be honest with those you love, even when you know you can’t love some people in the way they want to be loved. Unfortunately, you can only have one. Once you make that decision, it’s all over. You can’t go back to the other. How will she feel when she knows? Like she’s worth that much less. And if you stay quiet about it, she’ll suspect and resent you for it, whether you take your consolation prize or not. Now what do you say about that?”

Momentarily crunching out the scenario, James replied, “I think I don’t like it. I don’t want to break her heart.”

”Well love’s like that. Some lose during that contest. But eventually, everyone will win. Don’t worry about her. She’ll be sad, and feel sorry for herself, but eventually she’ll get it through her pretty little skull that losing you isn’t the end of her world. Some guy will come by, sweep her away, and she’ll forget why she even had any feelings for you. Heck, you’ll be a fond memory for her, as she will for you. And you’ll both be happy eventually.”

”I know her. She doesn’t let these things go easily.”

“I know. Could take longer than most for her. You’ll have to have a heart to heart with her. She’s going to crash hard, just like you did before. She needs to know that everything will be ok.”

”But how do I tell her?”

”Ad lib it.”

The voice in his head, his conscience in a sense, had perfect clarity. It seemed so easy, though the human cost would be so high.

“And if I lose both?” He whispered.

“Then you lose both. Hey, you recovered from Lexa, right?” Reason smiled.

James nodded his head, humming. “Suppose I did. I really loved her too. Could have married her if we didn’t hit those snags. But I moved on, and so did she. Hell, I still get a communiqué from her every few months. It ended well, didn’t it?”

”It sure did, tiger. Now, do what you have to do. Remember who you’re going for, and don’t worry. They’ll both be ok.”

“Right!” The turbolift swooshed open, beckoning his last steps forward. He looked outside, then back to Reason, and found the figment of his sub-conscious gone. Recovering from the moment of surprise, he stepped out, and thought a moment which way to turn.

He spun his heels towards the left, and looked to the right as he walked away, feeling the pangs of guilt for not being able to walk that other path. Walk to that other woman’s door. Leaving her for someone else he cared about, but loved that much further.

A step later, he was in front of that very woman’s door, ringing her bell. One chirrup. And silence. He stopped for that awkward wait.

Nothing happened. There was no answer at the door.

He rang the bell again, holding it down to relay an audio message.

“Rebecca…. It’s me.” Trembling terribly, he forced himself to wait.

And wait he did.

For three whole minutes.

James tried the bell again. “Rebecca. It’s James. We need to talk. Please respond.”

And another three minutes he waited, anxious for a reply. There was nothing. Silence pervaded the hall. He knew he wouldn’t get this kind of response from Rose! Perhaps Rebecca already knew his intention, and was scared off?

Or she could be gone as well, he thought. “Computer, where is Commander Rebecca Von Ernst.”

=/\=”Commander Rebecca Von Ernst is not onboard.”=/\= The computer replied. It might as well been a stone spear to his heart, as cold as the message was. He didn’t remember Rebecca mentioning any trips off the ship, or about meetings, or away missions. Fact was, she preferred to be on board! A fact that struck this revelation as quite strange indeed.

“Computer, Security override on Commander Von Ernst’s quarters. Authorization…” James stopped himself ~”Sh*t! What will Rebecca say? She’ll think I’m being a stalker or something, pulling a stunt like this! I can’t barge into her quarters and root around like this! Gone or not, this could be a mistake…. But I have to know.”~ He continued reciting the code with added urgency, “Authorization Corgan gamma tau ceti ebon.”

The doors parted noisily, and James was hit with the slight perfumed scent of peppermint. But what he saw was quite more startling.

“Oh… god…” He gasped. Commander Von Ernst’s quarters were devoid of her passing. Not a sign of her habitation remained.

“The Message”

*Back Post Takes place while the Galaxy is docked at Wolf 359*

Lieutenant Commander Ethan Suder
Chief Engineer

&
NPC Chandrakala Lakshmi Eshe
Engineer from the Klingon Bird of Pray - T’kengra.

The sweat dripped down Ethan’s head like a small waterfall. His vest was the same, the light and small fabric absorbing what it could. He continued to pound the big bag in front of him, without missing a heartbeat, ~punch punch~. He looked at the tape wrapped around his wrists for a moment and continued punching the bag. The sound of the bag being hit seemed to echo throughout the large gym. It had been empty for at least an hour now.

[Commander Suder, incoming message.]

~PUNCH~ He almost growled as the computer interrupted his chain of thoughts. “Computer, put the message through.” He strolled over to the computer console on the wall nearest him and pressed a button.

The screen lit up although the picture was dark and distorted. [“Commander Suder?”] a broken voice asked.

“That would be me.” He replied rubbing his wrists.

[“I r…. your ……”] the reply came through, more distorted than the picture.

Ethan for the first time looked up at the screen and gave it a confused look. Tapping a few buttons and accessing the communications system, he made an attempt to clear up the message. “You’re breaking up, please repeat.”

A grating sound came over the comm line followed by a loud thud. The picture cleared up somewhat, but blurred still as the person moved. [“Dam Klingon junk. All it needs is a good punch! Can you hear me now?”] As she sat down and became still her face cleared up, Dhanishta’s face!

Ethan stopped rubbing his wrists and for some reason looked around him. “Why would Dhani be contacting him in this way, and with Klingon equipment? Why not just use a communicator? “It’s a lot clearer yes. What can I do for you?”

[“As I said, I received your message. What’s the problem, with Dhani?”] She asked her piercing green eyes staring at him. She looked somewhat annoyed as she flicked her fiery red hair over her shoulder.

Ethan’s eyes for a moment shot wide open. He was finally catching on. “Well, she’s not feeling herself. I mean, she’s not well. Nothing serious, I don’t think. Not yet anyway. I’ve tried helping her, but she won’t have any of it. She needs help from someone, I figure that you would be the best person to do just that.”

Turning so sharply that the screen blurred she screamed something out in Klingon. When the screen finally cleared up she was no where to be seen. A few moments later something flew across the screen, making the screen crackle and jump. It was another five minutes before she sat back down in-front of the screen. [“What exactly is the problem?”] she asked looking somewhat fraught.

“It’s a… sensitive issue. A Starfleet issue. She’s got a mental problem as it were. I think it’s degrading. I don’t know what’s going to happen if it gets worse. More than that, I don’t see how she’s going to get better without help. As long as she’s like this, unpredictable, volatile… I need you to help her.” he explained honestly.

Her face wrinkled into a frown, [“This line is breaking up at my end. Dam Klingon sh….”] The line went and the screen blackened.

“Computer, re-establish the link.” He ordered.

“Unable to comply.” Came the dull and predictable response.

“Figures.” He began tapping away at the screen, explaining some of Dhani’s symptoms to her sister. And also offered to help improve the systems on whatever ship that ‘Kala might be on. Just a friendly offer of help.

He returned to the bag and began punching it again. “Computer, send message.”

“Message sent.” It reported after a few seconds delay.

“Klingons…” he muttered. He loved working on repairing and upgrading Klingon ship systems. Hopefully she was on a Klingon ship and he would get a chance to take a look at it. That was of course if Dhani’s sister did in fact show up to help. He hoped that she wasn’t as stubborn as the Engineer on this ship. ~Punch~ He frowned at the thought. Two women, looking pretty much identical, with the same stubborn-factor. That would be worth seeing ~PUNCH~.

***Two days later***

The doors of Engineering opened and a young Trill swept in. She was dressed in a Klingon uniform, a strange sight to see. Engineering seemed to stop as all eyes turned to look. She walked right up to the Chiefs office and right in. After a few moments she came back out and turned to the first person she saw, “Where is the Commander?” she demanded.

“Er, er, er. In his office.” The young ensign replied.

“If he was in his office do you really think I would be out here asking you where he was?” she replied harshly. “Never mind.” She sighed at him, “Move along!” she snapped at him as he lingered with a vacant expression.

“Computer,” she called out as the ensign slowly walked away looking disgruntled, “locate Commander Ethan Suder.”

“Lieutenant Commander Suder is in his quarters.”

******

Ethan flicked through the pages of a book he had spent the last few weeks reading. With his feet up on the couch, he was kind of relaxed. On the table near by, there was a glass, half empty. Occasionally he would pick it up and drink a little, his eyes never leaving the book. There was a thud at his door that caught his attention. He could sense something, something odd. Then a chime echoed through his dark quarters.

Resting the glass on the table slowly, but not taking his fingers off of it, he called out, “Enter.”

She swept into his quarters, just like she had when she walked into engineering. It was like she owned everything in the room, she stood tall, her demeanour spoke power. She glanced around his quarters looking vaguely interested and then her head snapped towards Ethan.

“Welcome aboard.” He said raising his glass. “Well, I suppose you’re not one for waiting around, so I’ll take you straight to her.” he said standing up and looking at her for the first time. Even he had to admit that she was little stunning. He wished that Jiiles was there. They could really hit it off! He shrugged the thoughts out of his head and looked at the Klingon outfit. “You take Halloween seriously huh?” he asked, expecting his joke to be brushed straight off.

She tilted her head at his comment and looked him up and down slowly. A smile crept across her face, her lips parted and she let out a hearty mock laugh, right from the belly. As abruptly as her laugh started it stopped, but the smile remained turning slightly smug.

“I’ve had one hell of a day. Mind if I get a drink?” she asked.

Ethan stopped in his tracks and turned away slightly. He hadn’t been expecting that reaction. “Here or some where a little more public?” he asked.

“I don’t mind either way, as long as there is alcohol involved, and I mean the real stuff!” she said giving him a wink.

He silently sighed and strolled over to his desk. Grabbing a bottle and two glasses from under it, he strolled over to the couch and placed the glasses on the table. “Have a seat.” He offered. He opened the bottle and poured the strong liquid out into the two glasses.

Picking up the glass she held it up to what little light there was in Ethans quarters and looked at the blue liquid as it swirled gently in the glass. Next she held it to her nose and sniffed it, relishing the smell, and then brought it to her lips slowly sipping it, “Mmmmm.” She murmured as it caressed her tongue, slipping its way down her oesophagus, “That’s the best drink I’ve had in years.” She commented.

Ethan swallowed a large mouthful of the substance and placed the glass on the table. Filling it up again, he offered to top-up her drink. “Forgive my rushing of things, for some reason, I thought you’d be like Dhani, wanting to get on with things straight away, not a second to waste. I’m Ethan Suder, which you already know.” he raised his glass in honour of his guest and introduction.

She mimicked his gesture with her own glass, “Chandrakala Lakshmi Eshe Engineer of the T’kengra.” She sat down and leaned back into the chair, boy was it comfy. She let out a sigh of relief as she felt several knots loosen in her shoulders. Shifting them from side to side, feeling her muscles tense and relax she looked over at Ethan, “For starters I’m nothing like my sister. Except the face.” She gestured. “I actually have a sense of humour. And a personality. Not that Dhani doesn’t have those qualities,” she back peddled some, “it’s just you gotta look quite hard to find them. Once you break through that Vulcanised exterior. Perseverance is the word.”

“Cheers.” Ethan replied raising his glass again. “Interesting to see how different you both you are, but then I guess all brothers and sisters are different, even if they’re twins.” He explained sitting back down and putting his feet up on the table.

She gave him a sideways glance. She could sense his emotions, she wasn’t a telepath just an empath, but still his emotions flowed out through every word he spoke. And she was quite adept at reading between the lines.

“I never had a brother.” She stated, “But I do live on a ship surrounded by men I would risk my life for. Granted they all smell and find head butting to be a great past time, but I’m sure that the same with-in any male on male relationship?” She spoke like she really believed the comparison she was making. She sipped her drink whilst waiting for Ethan to reply.

“I had a brother. Not much like me… Like Dhani’s not much like you. But I’d be there for him in a heartbeat, if I could have been.” He looked into his glass as took another sip.

“What happened?” Kala asked automatically. It wasn’t that she was a nosy person, she just knew when people needed to talk. Looking around she guessed that he didn’t often get to talk about himself. Something about the room told her that he was alone a lot, maybe it was the low level lighting, the meticulous cleanliness of the place, the half read book resting on the table or the stack of data padds on the desk. Or maybe it was her Betazoid senses, ah, who cares, she thought. She returned her momentary diverted eyes back to Suder and studied his posture, reading his body language more than his aura.

Ethan remained still and continued to look at the glass for a while. Then he finally cleared his throat and looked at Kala. “He died. A few years back. Long story really. Suffice to say he was on the other side of the galaxy and there was no way that I could have gotten there.” He raised the glass to his lips and drank some more. He then looked over at Kala. Something seemed a bit too odd. He got the impression that she wasn’t everything that the showed herself off to be. Like Dhani, he expected there to be a whole other world under her outside personality. She was certainly more than the eye would normally see. But he refrained from asking any questions that may have been personal. He stood up and strolled over to his desk. Finishing off his drink, he placed the glass next to the data padds, computer and picture and turned around.

Kala followed Ethan’s movement with her eyes until he moved out of her line of sight. She took a moment to let what he had said sink in before asking her next question. Swivelling in the chair she turned to him, “How did it happen?” she asked with a hint of caution in her voice, she didn’t want to over step her mark, after all they didn’t know each other well and she was worried that she may be asking a too private question.

Ethan glanced at the objects on his table and slowly turned around. Leaning back and raising a leg, he half sat on it and interlocked his fingers together. “A Federation Starship was dragged across the galaxy. At one point, their ship was overrun by an enemy force. The crew were set down on a planet, while the intruders left, planning to use the Starfleet technology to their own advantage.” He drew in another deep breath as he continued the story. “My brother had been confined to quarters but managed to escape detection when the intruders boarded the ship. He, along with the Medical Hologram managed to take back the ship. He was killed in the process.” For a moment he gazed at Kala’s expressions and body language. Then he half smiled. “You must see a lot of combat, being on a Klingon ship and all. You’ve no doubt seen people die. So whether their family or friends, it doesn’t make a difference. You’ve seen one death, you’ve seen them all, until the next one come! s along…” he muttered, wondering if he made any sense.

She gave him a sorrowful look, “It’s different every time.” she said, “Living and working with Klingons has made me come to regard death in a different light. It’s just another step in the journey.” she concluded, “Although with Klingons the circumstances matter. I can’t tell you how many missions I have been on to get someone into Stovakor. But I don’t see that it matters, it happens, doesn’t matter how.” She returned Suders gaze and smiled slightly, one of regret, for him, and understanding at how he must have felt and probably still did, “But if your brother was a Klingon I think he would have made it.”

Ethan chuckled. “Perhaps… It’s possible his final burst of courage and actions may have been, retribution….” Ethan paused and moved back towards the chair. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but if you go on more than a few missions to get Klingons into their heaven, I suppose many of those of which you work with are, how can I put this, without honour?”

“Dying because a plasma conduit explodes in your face, isn’t an honourable death.” She explained slightly clipped. She took a moment and sighed, “Sorry. We got caught in an iron storm. The ship got, well, fucked!” she explained, “We lost one engineer and the Chief is not doing too good. Which is why I have been bumped up to Chief!” she gave him a quick half smile and shrugged her shoulders.

Ethan forced a smile. Obviously one thing ran through the family, Engineering! “Ah, of course. Honourable death in combat.” Ethan reminded himself. “It’s not for everyone, I don’t think. Klingons, yes, it’s a way of life for them… But for everyone else, it’s interesting seeing how most people, most species run away from it, afraid.”

“Yeah.” She agreed. She took a long swig of her drink. Setting it down on the table she looked at him, “You forgot the eating of your enemy’s heart!” she gave him a rueful smile.

“Not really my idea of a good time.” He replied with another smile. “So Chief Engineer on a Klingon ship, huh? How exciting. You know, if I left Starfleet, my first choice, wait, my second choice of something to do would be to prove myself and work on a Klingon ship. It’s a shame the Federation don’t employ Bird of Prey vessels, they’re a lot more effective than most of our ships.”

“Yeah, I do like their style but I soooo miss federation comforts. And I’m only a Chief temporarily.” She added, “I’m only a Lieutenant, and a junior grade at that.”

“We’ve all been there.” Ethan said with a smile remembering when he used to be a Lieutenant. A few years back, everything seemed to be so much simpler. “Although I never got the chance to act as Chief Engineer of a Klingon vessel. I remember serving temporarily on one during the Dominion war. Was a lot of fun, working on the ship that is. The war sucked!” He grabbed the bottle again and topped up his glass, and then Kala’s. “Working with a different species outside of the Federation will do your career good… I wish I had the chance to do that again.” He said feeling a little regret.

“Well if your looking for a transfer all you need to do is kill So’han!” she joked.

Before Ethan had chance to reply the door opened suddenly. A tall Klingon female walked in, her leather creaking with every step she took. Her dark crimped, rebellious hair framed her face which had a less than pleased expression on it.

Kala jumped to her feet and glared at the woman, “I told you I did not want to be disturbed.” She said coldly.

The intruder looked from Kala to Suder, “I’m sorry to disturb you, you look extremely busy.” She said sarcastically.

Kala did not respond, just continued to look at her with contempt.

With a slightly amused expression she continued, “There is a problem with the modifications you requested.”

Again Kala did not say anything just stood there waiting.

The Klingon grunted and then produced a data padd from her waist band holding it out for Kala to take.

Kala slowly walked forward and took the padd from her. The atmosphere between them was thick enough to be cut with a knife. The contempt they had for each other was more than noticeable.

All Kala wanted to do was wipe the smug look off Rohana’s face, preferably with a knife, and a big one at that. Rohana stood oozing victory over Kala, and she wasn’t ashamed to show it.

Ethan frowned at the Klingon woman who had arrived uninvited. He didn’t like people just showing up, unless of course he knew them, like people on the ship. But for someone to just show up, full of attitude, that left a lot to be desired. He raised the glass once again and took a long sip.

After scanning the information on the padd Kala looked back up at Rohana with raised eyebrows, as if to say ‘is that it?’ She waited a few moments for Rohana to explain herself, the problem was quite simple a first year cadet could fix it, but when no response came she sighed. “Is there anything else Rohana?” she asked curtly.

“No ma’am.” Came the increasingly sarcastic reply.

“And you thought this to be a big enough problem that you came all the way over here to tell me?” Kala asked.

Rohana did not reply, she just continued to feel more and more happy with herself.

Kala pursed her lips and licked her teeth as she put the data padd on the table, “Very well.” She muttered as she sat back down on the couch.

Rohana stared at Kala in disbelief, “Well?” she questioned gesturing to the door, a frown creeping across her face.

“I’ll be there when I have finished with Lieutenant Commander Suder.” Kala replied taking a sip of her drink.

“But,” Rohana began.

Kala shot her a look that shut her up quicker than if she’d cut her vocal chords. Disgruntled, Rohana left without another word. After the door closed Kala waited a few minutes before turning to Suder, “I’m sorry about that.” She said.

“She’s not the first person to drop by with attitude.” Ethan replied with a smile. “Tough break, having to work with someone who doesn’t like you, or by the looks of it respect you. Have a similar problem myself with my Assistant Chief, she… Has issues with me. Can’t imagine why.” He explained sarcastically.

Kala smiled but it faded quickly. It seemed other things were on her mind. Picking up the data padd she tapped it on the table, “If there was one person I wished dead I wish it was her.” she smiled and tried to palm it off as a joke but the underlying truth was just that, she wanted her dead, or at least seriously hurt, maimed, the list went on. “She’s our latest recruit,” Kala explained, “joined about four months ago. Within her first week she managed to bed the entire senior staff. Most of them are good friends of mine.”

Ethan sensed she was not so much joking and nodded as his first reply. “I don’t have any feelings like that with my Assistant Chief, although I think she might.” He joked. “How much longer are supposed to be working with the Klingons?” he asked, changing the subject a little.

Kala shrugged, “Not much longer if I don’t get these repairs sorted.” She stood up, “I’m sorry but I really should see to these.” She said waving the padd in the air.

Half way towards the door she stopped and turned back, “Hey you wanna come? I’ll even give you the grand tour.” She said sweetening the deal.

Ethan’s eyes shot open and for the first time that day, he felt really awake. He finished the drink his glass and stood up. “Nothing but honour.” He said lowering his head slightly in sign of respect. He hadn’t seen a Bird of Prey for a long time, this was going to be great! “Lead the way.” He said following her out of her quarters.

“The Grand Tour”

*Back Post Takes place while the Galaxy is docked at Wolf 359*

Lieutenant Commander Ethan Suder
Chief Engineer of the Galaxy
&
NPC Lieutenant (Jg) Chandrakala Lakshmi Eshe
Engineer from the Klingon Bird of Pray - T’kengra.

“And finally,” Kala said as they walked down the dimly lit corridor of the T’kengra, “wait for it,” she gave Suder a playful smile. She hadn’t seen anyone so excited about a tour before, it was exhilarating to show Ethan round, “….. Engineering!”

Ethan looked around. It wasn’t in the best state. But then these were hard times… Wait, they weren’t. Odd. He brushed his hand across one of the consoles and silently drew in a deep breath. The Klingon atmosphere was heart racing. “So, what happened, run-in with some pirates, an ion-storm?” he asked turning back to look at Kala.

She smiled at his enthusiasm and imagination, “Something like that.” She turned to a consol and began to bring up schematics for the deflector array. “Our shield generators are unable to compensate for the modifications and keep fluctuating when activated.” She told Suder.

Suder stood next to her and browsed through the information. “Hmmm…” he said as he continued to scroll through the information with her. Although the specs were very different to that of a Federation Starship, things were beginning to fall into place. “We should run a diagnostic, but I think there’s too much power being routed through the deflector. The power’s not being channelled correctly and is overloading, that’s your fluctuation.” He suggested. He turned and gave her a short smile. Of course it was only a theory, but then that’s why he was Chief, or so he imagined… After years of crawling through conduits, fixing everything from a replicator to the warp core and running more diagnostics than he could think of, he could see the problem quite quickly. Perhaps after he was finished here, he should give Kala a tour of the Galaxy and see if she could bring any new light to the Quick Virus that was beginning to make a permanent residence as a thorn in Ethan’s leg. “S! hall we get to work?” he asked looking around again.

She smiled at him, “My thoughts exactly.” She said, ~ Now why didn’t Rohana think of that? ~ she wondered as she began to tap away at the console.

Ethan grabbed a tool that looked as old as him. Opening a panel on the wall, he browsed over the circuitry and control boards inside. He activated the tool and waved it over the boards. “So really, what happened here? Haven’t seen a Klingon ship in this state since the war… But then, I haven’t seen one since the war so it kind of makes sense.” He mumbled to himself.

“We haven’t been to a Starbase in about 8 months and about 10 before that, haven’t had the time to get her fixed. I have a feeling that they are planning to decommission her anyway so they are not too bothered.” She said as her fingers skipped over the panel bringing up a different display, “So’ Han’s had his work cut out for him, I think he intentionally got himself hurt to get a few days off!” she joked about her Chief.

Ethan raised an eyebrow and looked around again. Decommission? He repeated in his head. “Well, I hate to see a ship like this go to waste… I have a lot of free time at the moment, why don’t we turn this ship inside out, in a manner of speaking. Let the honour shine off the walls once again?” He activated the tool again. “Could change the Council’s mind, maybe keep her in service for a few more years yet. I’m game if you are?”

“Sounds fine t…..” her words were cut short when the doors opened and a Klingon male entered. He scanned the room quickly, locking on to Kala he strode towards her sneering. She didn’t even know he was there until she was spun round hard. She was so shocked that she didn’t have time to block the incoming hand as it belted her across her face. The shock combined with the strength of the Klingon was enough to knock her off balance and she crashed to the floor banging into the consol on her decent.

Ethan deactivated the tool and placed it on the floor. Standing up, he straightened his uniform and looked down at Kala. A large part of him wanted to help her right there and beat whatever crap he could out of the Klingon guy that just struck her, after all, she was a Starfleet officer. But then this was a Klingon ship, with Klingon rules. Respect and honour meant more within these walls than Starfleet rules and regs of conduct. He frowned and glared at the Klingon.

His nostrils flared as he shouted something at her in a language unfamiliar to Ethan. Kala stayed on the floor till her vision cleared up and then she stood up slowly. She didn’t look at the Klingon, her body language was dismissive, her eyes diverted. Wiping the blood from her split lip on the back of her hand she gave Suder a quick glance, “Commander Suder this is K’vol, the First Officer, and my partner. K’vol this is the Chief of engineering from the Galaxy.” She turned to Suder again, “Please excuse us a moment.” She turned and walked into the Engineering office. K’vol noted Suders presents with a grunt before following Kala.

Ethan just glared at the First Officer until he was out of sight. Then he had an idea. It actually brought a smile to his face. He picked up the tool he had been using earlier and continued running it over the exposed conduit. He continued to grin as he wondered what this K’vol and Kala might be talking about.

“There’s no point trying to understand them,” a husky voice told him, “they are speaking in *her* language so that none of us know that they are having a lovers tiff.”

Ethan’s smile instantly faded away. He frowned again as his head slowly turned, expecting to find another Klingon.

“I am Teresa from the House of Dukross.” She was small for a Klingon not much more 5ft 9 inc. She had long black hair that covered her shoulders and fell either side of her breasts, which were on show, a distinctive trait with Klingon clothing. She smiled at him and laughed, “Their only problem is that neither of them know the language to its full extent, so they have to find a privet corner to shout at each other in.” As if on queue there voices rose from the other room, followed by a loud thud.

Ethan wondered for a moment what the thud was and continued with his task in the conduit. “Sounds like their having fun.” He commented. “I’m Suder by the way, Chief Engineer, Starship Galaxy. I’m glad to not have to be fighting for respect from every Klingon on the ship.” He explained, hoping that Teresa wasn’t picking up on what he was doing.

Teresa nodded at him. She turned sharply as K’vol marched out of the office and pretended to be doing something as he glanced around engineering. She watched him leave from the corner of her eye. For a moment it looked like she was going to tell or ask Suder something, but thought better of it and walked away to continue with her duties.

Ethan stood up and once again straightened his duty jacket and quickly left Engineering. Down the hall, he could see the Klingon. “K’vol!” he snapped storming after the larger Klingon.

K’vol stopped and turned slowly.

“Do you have a moment? I wanted to ask you something?” Without missing a heart beat, he punched out at the Klingon. Making solid contact with his jaw, he frowned and looked at his fist. Already, it had turned a little red. That was a hell of a jaw! He slowly, began stepping backwards, towards Engineering. “Are all Klingons as soft you?”

K’vol didn’t even flinch he merely looked down at the small man before him and glared. After a moment of deliberation he concluded that this puny thing wasn’t worth his time. With one hand he lashed out at him swatting Suder like he was a bug, splat against the wall.

Ethan grunted and dropped to one knee. He felt a sharp tingle shoot through his back. The collision with the bulkhead was harsh and causing damage to his already injured back. Part of his jaw had gone numb and the right corner of his lip had been split wide open, unleashing his blood on to the deck below. Spitting a little, he quickly charged the Klingon, diving into his stomach. They both fell back into Engineering. Suder quickly got back to his feet and kicked the Klingon. The Klingon looked to be younger than Ethan, he wondered if K’vol had seen as much combat as he did. Funny question for a Klingon.

K’vol got to his feet quickly, he was not impressed. Grabbing Suder by his collar he picked him clean up off the floor and brought him close so that their noses were touching, “You are making your own grave, Hew-mon, if you think you can challenge me and win.” He lifted his arm more, the distance between Suder and the floor grew at an alarming rate. With his arm fully extended he looked up at Suder and almost smiled before letting him go, dropping him to the floor. With out further a due he barked at his crew to get back to work and then left, not even a last glance to Suder who lay broken on the floor.

Ethan grabbed his tricorder as he lay on the floor and smiled as he opened it. Pressing a button, he could hear an overload run through several of the console in Engineering. Then an explosion tore out of the conduit he had previously been working on, knocking the Klingon to the floor. Suder picked himself off the floor and wiped some of the large amount of blood leaking from his lip. “I’m not challenging you for anything.” He said looking down at the Klingon. “Just looking for respect, and maybe the chance to serve on this ship every now and again. I figured that cleaning the place up and making it look and run like a brand new ship wouldn’t quite get me the honour, so… What do you say?” he asked respectfully.

K’vol grunted as he pushed himself off the floor and to his feet, “I suggest that you pay your respects to Lieutenant Eshe, and get the hell off my ship! And you better hope that you and I don’t meet any time soon.”

Ethan said nothing as K’vol walked off. Turning around, he hunched over a console a little and took in a deep breath. Boy did his jaw hurt, not to mention his back. He unzipped his duty jacket and rubbed his ribs a little as he strolled through the small Engine room towards the office where Kala was last seen.

After the impact with the wall Kala was a little dazed to say the least, she wasn’t sure but she though that Klingon bastard might have broken a rib. She winced with pain as she crawled across the floor to her desk. Pulling herself up into the chair she fought the urge to cry. She sat there facing the wall as the pain flooded through her chest and head. She hated the taste of blood especially when it was her own.

Ethan frowned as he entered the office. He pointed behind him and raised his eyebrows, “So you’re in love with that guy?”

Kala didn’t even turn the chair round; she just continued to look at the wall, “Your help would be appreciated in Engineering, if you have the time.” She said in a neutral tone, “You mentioned some modifications in your last communication. Whatever you have in mind I’m sure would be fine.”

Ethan gave a nod. “You ok? Need a hand with anything?”

“I’m fine.” She lied, “And as I said your help in engineering would be appreciated.” She continued with business talk, hoping that he would get the message. She reached out behind her to the desk without turning and grabbed the nearest data padd, “I have some paperwork to finish up here. When I’m done I will go and see Dhanishta. If you have any problems you can reach me over the comm.” She looked at her face in the reflection of the padd, no matter how hard she tried she couldn’t stop the tears that were falling from her eyes. Her face was already beginning to swell and her ribcage felt like it was on fire and no matter how much she shifted in her chair it didn’t make it any more comfortable.

Ethan walked out of her office and tapped his communicator. “Suder to Jackson.”

=/\= Jackson here =/\=

“Assemble a small team and transport over to the *****, we have some work to do, more of a clean up operation…. And be discrete.”

=/\= Yes, Sir. =/\= came the reply.

Ethan got to work on cleaning up Engineering, after that, the rest of the ship. He wasn’t lying when he mentioned that he wanted the ship to glow with the honour that it no doubt had.

"Intelligence Reports"

Maj Saladin Bolivar

Ensign Paulo DiMillo

Romulan fleet movements and data were pretty tough things to get a hold of in the best of times.

The information sharing with the Federation had expired when the instrument of surrender had been signed by the dominion.

All they had to go on was what they could get by sensor....

Paulo walked down the hall heading the the main intelligence area. He still hadn't met Major Bolivar, and he needed to do that. He walked in and looked around.

Saladin looked up, it was ensign DiMillo, he knew every person who came in to his department, because he approved every person who was cleared for the office, and each room. The only person who didn't have need to know who was admitted was Ahdjiia, and that was because there was no way he was going to be telling his wife that she was not allowed in his office. That and he did like it when she dropped by.

"In here Mr. DiMillo."

Paulo looked and followed the voice to its location. "Ensign Paulo DiMillo reporting for duty," Paulo replied. He took a second to familiarize himself with his new CO and the room he was in. The room was laid out in a pretty much standard intelligence room, with a large monitor on one wall, and many control surfaces all around, with access to communications, engineering, and all sensor data.

His desk was austere, efficient, no personal effects at all except a picture taken of him and Ahdjiia. And the only reason he had it on his desk was it was expected, and he wanted to remind himself of her.

Silently he watched his assistant. Then he slid a padd across from him.

"What do you make of this Ensign?"

Paulo looked over the the PADD. "To me it looks like a small build up for some reason. He kept reading over the PADD. "From previous reports on this sector there are at least a half a dozen more ships they usual. There are massive special distortions making it look like there may be some cloaked ships in the area, though if they are clocked ships these are new signatures to me. It almost looks like they are setting something or someone up for something."

"You think there is something more afoot then our sensor show... and how would you prove it?"

"A low yield photon torpedo. About the power of throwing a rock at a ship, just enough to show that we know they are around."

Saladin raised an eyebrow at that. He was impressed with the aggressiveness the young man showed, "An interesting concept, I will discuss it with the captain. We do need a threat analysis on the Romulans."

"I can start on that right now. Though the problem is that a lot of information stopped coming our way after the end of the way, so the data may not be correct."

"Excellent." Saladin nodded, "I will not hang you out to dry for being more liberal with your assessments, I would rather be more careful then necessary then not. 'it is better to be judged by 12 then carried by 6."

"Good point sir."

"Get me a good assessment ensign It's all I ask."

"Will do," Paulo said as he turned and left, heading for a workspace.

"Devotion to Duty" - Part One

By Legate Kylar Curran,
Chief Liaison Officer

Sub-Commander Savar ir-Aihai tr'Khellian
Acting Chief Tactical Officer

Lieutenant Commander James Lionel Corgan
Chief Security Officer

Appearances by:
Saladin Bolivar,
Chief Intelligence Officer

Ahdjiia D'Tinya,
Security Officer

*****

Random Location
USS Galaxy

*****

Having dispensed with the bureaucracy of discussing the situation with Captain Stuart of Ramir Omar's unauthorized transmission off the ship and subsequent discovery of an impending arrival of Tal Shi'ar, the Kelvan was granted broad powers in dealing with the situation.

This far out in space, inside the Rihannsu border, gave no assistance from Starfleet in this matter. Legate Curran was the law on board the starship, therefore this was his jurisdiction.

Having sent the particulars to Major Bolivar, the Kelvan's next stop would be to intercept Sub-Commander tr'Khellian. The Romulan would be able to shed some light on an otherwise tangled situation, he hoped, so that this could be dealt with in as efficient and mutually beneficial manner. The fact of a direct threat on his life had no bearing on Curran relinquishing the information, nor the fact that unauthorized transmissions were monitored, potentially forfeiting a clear advantage.

No, he and Savar had dispensed with pleasantries soon after Quentin and arrived at an uneasy truce. They were both outcasts from their respective cultures. The knowledge of the Kelvan's abilities to decrypt certain levels of code were not widely known, and the risk was enough. If they intercepted this Tal Shi'ar officer, the opportunity for information was great, but the greater import of maintaining the relations with ch'Rihan were greater. Savar's death would serve no purpose except a spark of a flame that may burn the already stoked embers of the treaty the Rihannsu had signed with the Federation.

The decision was difficult to arrive to, but the assistance Savar could offer would only strengthen his standing on board the Galaxy in the end. Kylar did not envy Savar's position in this juncture.

Tr'Khellian himself, ignorant of these duplicitious events, was feeling more upbeat and confident. His temporary promotion to the post of Chief Tactical Officer had smoothed over some of the cracks in his shattered ego, even as Henderson's continued suspicion had remade some of the fractures. Whilst the Tactical staff might not like him, they had been forced to acknowledge his expertise and cunning, and whilst not a 'cuddly' chief like many Starfleet officers who seemed to want, above all else, to be best of friends with their subordinates, he treated them with courtesy and respect, as became a Rihana gentleman. Being back on 'home territory', as the Humans called it, was energising. No more strange stars, unfamiliar systems and uncouth, mysterious races - this was space he knew intimately, from his first lessons in stellar cartography to his first tour of duty upon graduation from the Imperial War College. Moreover, for the first time onboard the Galaxy, he felt needed. Though he knew this would only last for the duration of this one mission, he relished in the crew's dependency, and saw this as an excellent opportunity to prove his resourcefulness and increase his standing - to finally force others to give him the respect he deserved.

The polite request he had received to attend upon Legate Curran had been seen by Savar in that context. The Kelvan had hinted long in advance of this mission that his knowledge would be needed, and in this respect it seemed Curran had links giving him prior knowledge of events, before even the Captain knew. As tr'Khellian made his way to the designated meeting point, he reflected on the last time they had met. Whilst a thorny encounter, it was not without promise, and alliances of convenience could prove just as fertile as genuine bonds of friendship. The Federation Legate would require his help, and this was therefore an excellent opportunity to cement that alliance.

*****

Deck 8
Stardrive Section
Intelligence Offices

*****

Intelligence and Tactical worked hand-in-hand; a starship of the size of Galaxy required it. The former incarnation of the Galaxy, under its final command of Captain Price - now promoted to Admiral and command of sector forces in the Alpha Quadrant, had no need for Intelligence offices. It was an Explorer of the stars, a journey to herald the contact of new life, to add to the conglomerate of peace built up by the Federation over the past 200 years.

But since the Dominion War, and Project ArchAngel's agenda, all starships were now in process of being converted to a more offensive stance. Of course, the reasons given were to 'defend ourselves', but with no enemy on the horizon or near future, it still made one wonder why they progressed with the militaristic overtures.

Not that it bothered Curran any. This Federation needed strict guidelines to follow, and definitely needed to establish a strength in firepower and numbers. They were not about to let themselves be caught unawares any longer.

This Galaxy, upon its refit and re-commissioning under its first Captain, John Brhode, had bee gutted and converted in many ways, including an Intelligence office that worked in tandem with Tactical and Strategics.

So, it was here the Kelvan entered, to find the Rihannsu Exchange Officer in tense discussion with the Nietsczhean, Saladin Bolivar.

Lieutenant Commander Corgan was on his own, hiding himself in a corner of the room, next to the food replicator. Nursing a steaming cup of coffee, the Chief of Security wore a serious, hawklike look on his face. He was clearly agitated, as if his grave was being stepped on. Security usually was kept in the dark about anything the intelligence and tactical officers were privvy to, unless it directly concerned the ship's safety. Therefore, it was rather unusual to be summoned to the intelligence office; much less twice in one day.

"Good day, Curran." James greeted grimly, raising his mug in a weak salute. Corgan didn't quite trust the Kelvan, always feeling as if Kylar Curran had a superiority complex, and felt looked down upon every time Kylar came by. So naturally, James kept his greeting curt, polite, but very guarded.

Kylar nodded curtly to the Chief Security Officer. All were accounted for. Beckoning the occupants, he led the group into an adjoining module to the offices, of which was a mirror image of the main observation lounge above, only smaller and darker.

"We have a problem." It was most proper to get down to business. No time for Terran pleasantries or diplomacy.

Saladin and Ahdjiia approached quietly at the Kelvan's announcement to bring the meeting to order. Ahdjiia had arrived soon after Bolivar's private discussion with the Romulan exchange officer, tr'Khellian. The Major intercepted the Security officer as she entered and walked with her to the group, "Gentlemen."

"Major Bolivar, Sub-Commander, Commander Corgan. Have you all received the documentation on our potential problem? With the exception of the Sub-Commander of course."

"I have," Ahdjiia said simply.

Tr'Khellian's head snapped towards the Chrysalian, and his eyes narrowed, looking around at the others. What was it they knew, and he did not? Why was he here, at this sort of disadvantage, and what was this about? His mind raced with the possibilities, feeling suddenly exposed. This was not quite the encounter he had forseen.

"Excellent, then there is no need to waste time." Kylar turned sharply to the Rihannsu Exchange Officer, of whom it could not be determined his thoughts of under the wary eyes.

"It is good that you are now Chief Tactical Officer, tr'Khellian. It makes you privy to certain aspects of the situation that would otherwise be potentially criminal due to the sensitivity of the information."

Saladin nodded. Savar had only made the approved list because of his appointment as chief tactical and if that changes he will find himself back on the outside. "I will be restricting information to the Senator....immediately."

Savar scowled, his head turning to eye the Intelligence Officer at this comment which did not make syntaxic sense to the alien's ears. "This is something to do with Ambassador Omar?" he demanded.

Curran went smoothly onwards. "What is stated in this room is for our knowledge only, as well as the First Officer and Captain's. We have been granted broad measures in dealing with this situation, of which Sub-Commander tr'Khellian can fill in particulars in Rihannsu etiquette. Is it understood that no information will leave this chamber?"

Ahdjiia nodded. Saladin nodded as well. It was ridiculous to explain this to the chief of intelligence but they had to. Savar leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his expansive chest, inclining his head in the tiniest of acquiescent gestures. His curiosity was now piqued, especially if all this were to be at the expense of the arrogant Ambassador, but his spine still tingled with the suspicion of something entangling him also, and the defensive body language he was using betrayed something of that.

"Very good." The four key figures in the operation encircled Bolivar's 'war-room' conference table. D'Tinya took up station at the doors entrance to prevent any uninvited occupants from intruding. Being that the Battle Bridge was on the same deck, this room operated as the Commanding Officer's Observation Lounge as above on Deck 1.

The Liaison Officer depressed a series of keys on the terminal at the head of the table to release the textual transcript of Ramir Omar's message to his father. Kylar watched the others expressions for any reading on their thoughts.

He was most interested in Savar's responses to the contents.

"From the Shadows, Part III"

Primary Charachters:
Captain Eliza Stuart
Lieutenant Commander Cassius Henderson
1st Lieutenant T'Shani A'Akledorian

----------

**Immediately after "From the Shadows, Part II" and before "Toe The Line"**

=^= Deck 1: Main Observation Lounge =^=

... "Is that is? What does that have to do with us in the here and now?" Stuart asked.

T'Shani swiveled in her chair, holding Stuart's eyes. "Everything, Captain... everything..."

"Care to go into detail?" Cass asked. The briefing had him intrigued, though T'Shani's way of avoiding the point continued to be a little bit annoying. She obviously enjoyed playing the game. ~She's an artist,~ he though, remembering a treatise on common types of operatives, ~The type that's driven to be the best agent ever, and the most well known as well.~

T'Shani spun back to the center of the conference table, tapping at the control pad in front of her. The paused presentation from before was quickly replaced with two pictures--side-by-side--with Starfleet Personnel files scrolling beneath each.

Cassius Henderson found himself drawing in breath all too sharply, his impassive mask dropping. He read slowly, his voice low, "*Captain* Brenna Worthman, Betazoid, SFI. Missing. Marine Captain Korman Blackar, Caitian, Red Division. Deceased." He frowned, and cut off Captain Stuart, surprising her, before she could respond, "T'Shani, I'm going to give some very simple orders, and you are going to follow them. Otherwise, I'm going to start giving other orders that you won't like as much." He paused and turned to Stuart. "With your permission, of course, ma'am."

Tish merely flicked her right antenna in mild amusement/annoyance, staring at Henderson, waiting for him to continue...

Eliza, who'd been watching, nodded, "Yes, that should be fine, 'Commander." Something in one of those files had bothered her new XO, and she was curious as to what it was. But she wasn't about to ask him what it was, not in the prescense of a subordinate.

"Thank you," he said, "Lieutenant, tell me what happened to Korman Blackar and Brenna Worthman. Then tell me what the Tholian device has to do with that. Then tell me what both of those situations have to do with this ship in the here and now. Begin." Any friendliness that had remained in his voice was gone. Admittedly, Brenna had known the risks, but she had been his direct superior, his handler, and if this had taken an agent like Brenna Worthman... It wasn't good. And T'Shani had been dancing around the point for far too long.

Tish barely contained a chuckle. *Now* 'Commander Henderson was acting like a *real* officer...or at least a real *Andorian* officer: no fooling around... ~maybe I've been around Pinkskins too long~ she thought. ~I'm beginning to act too much like them, myself...~

"Very well, Sir. Captain Blackar was killed--and Captain Worthman declared 'Missing'--during an attack on Starbase 51, one week ago."

"Stabase 51 was destroyed years ago. Over 100 years ago. It no longer exists," Stuart was far from confused. No doubt this was another SFI designation. "I haven't heard of a Starbase 51 that would have been in operation a week ago."

"No one has, Sir," was all that T'Shani was allowed to say. She wasn't surprised. It really wasn't more than a hollowed-out asteroid, in the Beta Androlinous belt, near the Federation/Rihannsu border. Before Stuart could add another question, she continued...

"The 'Deep Shadow' Crystal--as it is called by Red Division--was being studied and experimented upon at this starbase,"...a sector map flashed onto the holoscreen..., " The advance team was successful in adapting required systems to and activating the artifact, creating a stable, 11-dimensional 'bubble'. Phase two--which, coincidentally was scheduled to be completed last week--was to fit this system to the U.S.S. Hellfire..." T'Shani turned back to the screen as another schematic appeared on the screen...

Henderson watched as the Deep Shadow systems were overlain onto the standard Defiant-Class spaceframe of the USS Hellfire, NX-98700. ~An apt name for the ship, if Lieutenant Black's logs are anywhere near accurate.~ Henderson thought grimly, remembering the descriptions of the USS Defiant, returned form a Hell-Dimension. If this crystal had anything to do with it... then Red Division had made a critical error.

...she continued on: "An hour before Phase Two was to be tested, the base was attacked by a..." she paused, a look of disgust on her face as she spat out the next word, "*Romulan* garrison. Captain Blackar and his team attempted to secure the Hellfire, but were repelled--resulting in his aforementioned death." She stopped, momentarily. Having been in many firefights with Blackar, and growing to respect him...his death had been a close-blow to Tish...

"So let me get this straight, Lieutenant? Red Division has allowed a trans-space capable, Defiant-class starship to fall into the hands of the Rihannsu, who are in fact our allies," Henderson said, "And in the meantime, Brenna Worthman is missing."

T'Shani drew in a deep breath, let it out, and cleared her mind--for the time being. ~What was the old Terran story...Wolves in Sheeps' Clothing?~ "Sir, I am not authorized to divulge SFI's findings in the matter..."

"Did you not understand that you have no authority on this ship, Lieutenant? As I recall it, when your application to join the crew was accepted, it was as a Delta Two, Fighter Pilot. If you think that..." A'Akledorian cut him off with an icy glare. Henderson could feel his temper rising, but reminded himself where he was. ~Insolent...~

T'Shani switched her gaze to Stuart, while keeping an antenna on Henderson. "*However*," she stressed, "I *am* authorized to tell you that Captain Worthman was in command of the Hellfire when it was stolen..."

Stuart sat in her seat. She had long ago decided to allow Henderson to handle this. It all meant too little to her. She understood the dangers of the Rihannsu having a ship with those capabilities, but not the intricacies of the games Henderson and A'Akledorian were playing. But Henderson obviously realized the implications...

"Now you come out with it..." Henderson nodded, "Now you finally start talking sense. Captain Worthman has been captured by the Rihannsu. You see, this is at least half of why I no longer work for Pavel Illyanovitch. Because you Intelligence types don't seem to get that you're dealing in lives and secrets that cost lives. You all conveniently ignore the human factor. Now then, my rant's over. Full explanation."

"No, Sir," T'Shani stated bluntly. "During the attack, sensor records show that not *one* Romulan boarded the starship. In fact, *only* Captain Worthman, Commander Ateles'kes (the Chief Engineer), and Lieutenant-Commander Lemmes (the flight-controller) were on board. With the Captain's liason to Romulan Naval Intel..." Tish let the thought trail as the two other bios--one of a Deltan female in a gold uniform, and the other of a young Tellarite male in a red uniform--flashed onto the screen, with 'Missing In Action' under their pictures.

Henderson was finally silenced. It did fit. The Brenna Worthman he knew had never seemed to be the sort to work with Red Division. She'd handled officers who'd worked against Red Division in the days before Pavel Illyanovitch had become director of SFI. This could be her way of continuing the fight. It would be just like her. "And this involves the Galaxy how?" he said through gritted teeth.

"As for the Galaxy is concerned, Sir, it just happens to be in the right place at the right time..." Tish said, looking at Stuart, "but, no involvement is necessary," she paused, again, "...for now."

"Then what is needed?"

T'Shani tapped a password into the pad in front of her. The images on the holoscreen were replaced with scrolling text...

Turning back to the other two officers: "By order of General Houghton--and with the approval of Commodore Illyanovitch--tactical retrieval...or destruction...of the U.S.S. Hellfire is to be carried-out by a Marine Recon Team, organized by myself," she stated matter-of-factly.

Stuart raised her hand to silence Cassius Henderson, who'd been about to say something sharp again. His blood was up, and he was no longer in intelligence. He didn't seem to feel a need to stay calm now, with his friend on the line. Toeing the line... There was that concept again.

"I'm sorry, Lieutenant. Until I recieve orders corresponding to these from somebody in my own chain of command, I can't act on them," she raised her hand again, this time to silence T'Shani, "I have my own orders and protocols to follow. Another thing that will stand in your way is that we're out of communication right now, and I'm not turning the ship around to recieve orders from somebody outside my chain of command."

"I understand how you feel, Sir...but the orders *are* standing: I have been given retrieval-command verification from the Joint Chiefs, themselves..." she let that sink in, as well.

"I don't care if they come from Jehovah," Eliza repeated, noting that Cassius had collected himself, and seemed to be thinking again, "You will not leave this ship. That is a direct order. I can't follow orders that I haven't been given, and you don't have the command authority to give them to me directly. I need command confirmation from the Admiralty. Which we can't get. Also, you might want to speak to Lieutenant Rex. He has some orders that he recieved just before we left range that pertain to Vanguard Squadron. They're somewhat relevent, chain-of-commandwise."

Tish just sighed and rolled her left antenna slightly. Tanner had warned her that this very thing would probably happen. At least the *mission* wasn't actually scheduled yet; damned SFI hadn't been able to track their own tracking devices on the Hellfire!

Tish absently tapped her left index finger on the black table top. Part of her told her to say 'fuck-off' to Stuart...but the more *reasonable* side of Tish--rare, indeed--said: 'maaaayyyybeeee.....'

"Very well, Sir," the difficulty in respecting Stuart's *command* evident in Tish's voice. "I will comply with your requests, for the time being."

~I love how protocol just softens things like that,~ Henderson said. A'Akledorian had backed down... for now. He'd be keeping an eye on her.

"However, *Captain*," Tish leaned forward, antennas arched to the front, yellow-gold eyes wide and menacing, "When you recieve your *confirmations* from the *Chain-of-Command*, you will be informed that--at that time--I will no-longer work for you." Tish bit back the urge to get on the edge of her seat, facing Stuart.

"Very well, Lieutenant. Go see Lieutenant Rex. Dismissed," Stuart said, folding her hands in front of her.

"Aye-Sir!" Tish said--in true Marine fashion--as she quickly stood to full attention. Pushing the chair back, and with a quick snap of her boots, she turned to her left and quickly exited the briefing room.

"Let the games begin..." she said to herself on the way out.

"That was... unpleasant at best," Stuart said to Henderson, "What do you think."

"I want a runabout, to go out and find the Hellfire now. While A'Akledorian and her marines are held up here," Cass said sitting upright in his chair. "Red Division is an organization that has worked with Section 31, operates along similar lines. She's working for people who I've opposed, either in the field to a small extent, or idealogically."

Stuart sighed, "Were you not listening? I need everyone here to complete this mission. It doesn't matter who she works for. We have a job to do. You and T'Shani can cross swords after we rescue the crew of the Pallas Athena. In the meantime, keep an eye on her. I don't want to be caught with our pants down. Right now she's divided, which makes her a threat."

"Aye, ma'am. I understand," he said, nodding to her as he stood. ~Bad to worse.~

“The Chair Match”

*Back Post Takes place while the Galaxy is docked at Wolf 359*

Lieutenant (Jg) Dhanishta Eshe
Engineer
&
Lieutenant (Jg) Chandrakala Lakshmi Eshe
Engineer of the Klingon Bird of Pray T’kengra.

Chandrakala sat on one of the many uncomfortable chairs of the stadium in Holodeck 12. She’d figured that Dhani would be here, fighting. But so far she hadn’t seen her or heard anyone mention her. It was strange, Dhani rarely missed a competition like this, but then this wasn’t as honourable as the Bat’leth competitions that they usually entered. Dhani would have won the last one she had been in if it wasn’t for her. Kala felt a little guilty about that, but at the same time she and a lot of others would have died if Dhani hadn’t risked her own life to save them all. She began to wonder what happened to the bloke Dhani had saved, he hadn’t seemed appreciative enough and Kala had called him a jerk, after which he had a go at her. Lucky for him that they were both talking telepathically or K’vol would have probably killed him if he had heard the way he spoke to her. Besides she was talking to Dhani telepathically, he shouldn’t have been listening in, jerk!

Returning her focus to the current match she winced as she watched a Vulcan beat the hell out of some guy, she was ruthless. Okay strike that Kala thought as she watched the woman grab a chair and precede to smack him with it, upgraded to vicious. She liked her already, tapping away at her datapadd she brought up the woman’s file; Vulcan-Human hybrid name; 8-Ball. Kala needed to get herself an introduction. She stood up sharply and frowned as pain rippled across her abdomen, pain killers wearing off, bugger!

Carefully she walked down the steps holding her ribs tenderly. By the time she reached the bottom 8-Ball was nowhere to be seen, and bugger again, thought Kala. She scanned the area again in search for 8-Ball and Dhani, sighing and wincing a little she turned to the exit.

As she walked out into the hall she smiled, Dhani! It was like she could smell her or something, must be a twin thing.

Dhanishta was on her usual stomp round the ship, she had decided to confront all the demons in the halls. Each day she tackled a new deck. Every room she explored, every nook and cranny she delved into brought her closer to piecing the flash backs together. As she turned the next corner she paused, she hated this part, lifting her head she scanned the corridor. The living and the dead walked hand in had, the wrecked hall superimposed on the pristine hall faded in and out. Looking around she tried not to stare at the walking corpses, there was no wonder as to why she hadn’t eaten in the last week, but something in the hall stood out, something that had never been there.

“Dhanishta!” Kala exclaimed ecstatic.

Dhani just stared for a moment, her face remained expressionless as she tried to work out if this was flash back, reality or fantasy.

Kalas face lit up. Even though it hurt to smile she did so anyway. Her swollen face ached and her ribs throbbed but still she ran up to her sister grabbing her round the waist she lifted her clean off the floor and spun her round, laughing and giggling like a school girl.

After the third spin Dhani began to smile, the rest of the hall faded away in a blur of colours and light, all she saw was her sister smiling at her. Such comfort Dhani drew from that embrace. Kalas smile was infectious her warmth penetrated Dhanis icy exterior just as it always had, Kalas light enveloped Dhani and began to emanate from Dhani too. As Kala placed Dhani back on the deck more was said in the ten minuet silence that could ever be expressed with words.

“Hey,” Kala said picking up the datapadd she had discarded to the floor, “do you know this chick?” she brought up 8-Balls profile on the padd.

Dhani looked at the picture, “No.” she concluded, “Why?”

“I was just watching her fight.” Kala explained, “I liked what I saw, was hoping for an introduction.” She said a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

“You mean an opponent?” Dhani asked.

“Well, yeah, that too!” Kala smiled. “She fought well, I liked her style. She took a chair to some guy. Wouldn’t mind a match up with her. Hey why weren’t you in there, I thought maybe you and I could have a go?”

“Looks like you already have.” Dhani commented on her bruised face.

“Oh this?” Kala pointed, “Nah, this was K’vol. I was waiting for you.”

“K’vol did that? Why?” Dhani asked as she took her sisters arm and began to walk down the hall.

Kala sighed deeply, “Well in a nut shell…” she paused, “he accused me of sleeping with So’han.”

“And did you?” Dhani asked.

“No.” Kala replied truthfully.

“So why did he swat you like a fly?”

“I told him that I had.” She replied flatly.

“Why would you do that?” Dhani asked frowning.

“Because I wanted him to hurt,” She stopped in the hall and turned to her sister, “he slept with Rohana” she explained.

“Ah.” Dhani exclaimed finally understanding, “So you told him that you had slept with So’han because he slept with Rohana and you wanted pay back.”

“Yeah,” Kala sighed, “I know it was a stupid thing to do but he hurt me and I wanted revenge.”

They began to walk down the hall away from the holo deck.

“And what happens when he confronts So’han?” Dhani asked her mind already playing out the consequences of Kalas actions.

Kala shrugged her shoulder and scrunched up her face, a ‘who knows’ gesture.

Dhani couldn’t help but smile at her sisters naivety, shaking her head they stepped into a turbo lift. As the doors closed the subject changed. By the time that they reached Ten forward, a hundred topics and more had been covered. Being with Kala was like having a face work out, all the laughing and smiling, made Dhanis face ach.

Grabbing a drink they sat down under the large window. Both of them sat cross legged on their chairs facing each other, their hands flying wildly in the air as they illustrated their anecdotes. The air around them crackled with telepathic energy as they talked double speed, verbally and telepathically.

The hours passed, the lights in Ten Forward changed from day to night and day again. The drinks were refilled, and still they chatted, smiling and laughing as if they had never been apart.

“Hey, hey, hey,” Kala slurred as her head rested on the table, “whatever happened to that bloke, you know the one you saved?” The glass in her hand tilted dangerously as she flung it around in her hand gesturing fanatically, totally drunk.

Dhani giggled for ten minutes before she replied, “Which one?” she asked still giggling, “I’ve saved sooo many!”

“Nah, nah, nah…” Kala babbled again. Taking a sip of her drink she frowned when nothing came out. Turning the glass upside down she shook it, “Bugger I’m empty, you want another?” She grabbed Dhanis glass before she replied slipping out of her chair she wobbled up to the bar.

“Another!” the bar tender gave her an amused look whilst he pored out another drink for the both of them.

Returning to the table she sat down hard and slid the glass across the table. Even though Dhani caught it some of the liquid spilled out over her hand. She mumbled a grumble and held out her hand, “Lick it!” she told Kala.

Kala laughed brushing Dhanis hand away, to which Dhani proceeded to wipe her hand on Kalas leg.

“Last time we saw each other there was this bloke. Remember? You saved his life and he was all like ‘well gee thanks’.” She mimicked a deep man voice.

“Yeah.” Dhani murmured still trying to wipe the substance off her hand which was now turning sticky, “What about him?”

“Ah nothing I was just thinking about him before, wondered what happened to him, the jerk! But we’ll never know I suppose.”

“Why don’t you just ask him?” Dhani responded, frowning at her hand, “he’s right over there.” She pointed.

“What?” Kala exclaimed surprised. Turning in her chair she looked across at the bar, she saw Suder standing in the shadows, apart from him there was no one standing at the bar. There were however several people milling around, “Which one?” she asked turning back.

“Standing at the bar.” Dhani pointed again, flicking her hand in the air in a futile attempt to rid her hand of the split drink. “Suder, he’s the chief of Engineering.”

Kalas eyes almost popped out, “What!” she stared at him for a moment, “That’s the Jerk you beat at the tournament?” She kept glancing back at Suder in disbelief. She had spent all day with him, or rather the day before. And he hadn’t even mentioned that!

“He’s not a jerk.” Dhani replied still totally preoccupied with her hand.

“But, but..” Kala began to stammer, he never, arg, jerk! She rambled in her head.

“I’m going to wash this off.” Dhani said finally accepting that waving her hand around was not going to clean it!

Kala nodded and as Dhani left the table she grabbed her drink and wondered up to the bar, pausing to regain her balance on every other chair. When she got to the bar she leaned on it heavily and slid along her elbows towards Suder, “Hey you jerk!” she called out gulping some of her drink.

“The Jerk”

*Back Post Takes place while the Galaxy is docked at Wolf 359*

Lieutenant Commander Ethan Suder
Chief Engineer of the Galaxy
&
NPC Chandrakala Lakshmi Eshe
Engineer from the Klingon Bird of Pray - T’kengra.
&
Lieutenant (Jg) Dhanishta Eshe
Engineer

Suder raised his eyebrows and slowly turned. Standing up straight he looked down at Dhanishta….. No, it was Kala. He didn’t say anything, just looked at her. At first he thought it was someone who was going to complain about a replicator that had broken and no one had fixed it yet, but then it turned out to be her. And she was calling him a jerk. What was that about?

She punched him on the shoulder with a playful smile across her lips, “You never told me that we met before” her speech slightly slurred by the drink. “You JERK.” She began to laugh.

Ethan felt a smile creep out at the corner of his lips as he turned away and drank some more. He then looked back at her. “We did?” he asked.

“Yeah,” she said, “I was surprised too!” she giggled over her glass.

“When?” he asked looking confused.

Throwing her head back she laughed loudly, “And here I thought that I left a lasting impression.”

Ethan thought for a moment. “The tournament?” he asked. It had to have been. Sure he’d seen a lot of people come and go, but it was his best guess thus far.

She giggled again, must be the drink! “Never mind,” she said, “I’m just glad to see that you’re happy to be alive.”

“Happy?” Ethan asked turning back to finish off the drink in his glass. “That’s a question.”

“Sure it is, but I didn’t ask you that!” Kala replied whilst ordering a refill.

“But I seem happy to be alive?” He placed one elbow on the bar and gestured to the barmen for another drink.

Kala yawned and stretched, sitting down on the bar stool she rested her head on the bar, “Yeah,” she mumbled, “Dhani saved your life and you didn’t seem too chuffed about it at the time, she also kicked your butt, won the tournament. But I suppose you forgot about that too.” she yawned again. “Take me to bed.” She requested.

Ethan chuckled. “Yeah, she won the tournament.” He repeated thinking back to the incident. “But you neglect to mention she wanted a rematch because I was… Distracted. And I’m not going to be the one to take you to your bed.”

“She was talking to me.” A voice from behind him spoke.

Ethan turned around, already knowing that it was Dhanishta that had spoken. He gave her a nod and looked passed her for a few seconds before turning back to the bar. “Maybe a good idea, she’s looks kind of tired.”

“She’s drunk.” Dhani stated coldly, she and Suder hadn’t spoken in three days, this was probably the closest they had got since he locked her in her own quarters with him, and she was still pissed at him. Strange feeling to be angry with anyone for a period of time, she wasn’t used to it. But then lately she was angry at everyone. She slipped under Kalas arm and slipped her hand round Kalas waist, gently lifting her off the chair and to her feet. She frowned at Suder for a moment till Kala got her balance.

“Have a nice evening.” He said to Kala with a wink.

“Don’t.” Dhani said sharply if looks could freeze a man Dhanis would have. She didn’t like the way he acted round her sister, or more to a point she didn’t like the way Kala was acting. Or maybe she just couldn’t stand him! Kala on the other hand gave him a drunken smile as she rested her head on her sisters shoulder.

“Excuse me?” Ethan said turning to face Dhani fully. “What? Don’t what?” he said frowning.

Dhani scowled at him. Without another word she turned and walked away, Kala stumbling to keep up, her drunken feet getting tangled.

Ethan continued to frown, as if doing that was pushing Dhani out quicker. He really hadn’t got her at all. First they met at a tournament, it had gone up and down and at one point, she stopped him from being sucked through a bulkhead when there was a hull breach. Perhaps a mistake on her part. Then she gets a transfer to the Galaxy, things go well for a while, but then all hell breaks loose! She treats Ethan and everyone with no respect, she walks around like she owns the ship…. Ethan didn’t care, what he did care about, no, the second thing he cared about was Engineering. That was his turf, his back yard. And the moment that some little puppy was going to start messing around in there, he would be the first to deal with it. What the hell had happened to her. A promising Engineer with a good career ahead of her, to this, a woman with some harsh looks and some mental problems? He really didn’t get her. He wished that she, Like Ella Grey would just spit it out. S! ort out their problem, whatever they had to do, he wished that the dust would just settle. But as every day went on, the situation between them all just got worse.

“A steaming mug of Lies and Secrets”

*Back Post Takes place while the Galaxy is docked at Wolf 359*

Lieutenant Commander Ethan Suder
Chief Engineer of the Galaxy
&
NPC Lieutenant (Jg) Chandrakala Lakshmi Eshe
Engineer from the Klingon Bird of Pray - T’kengra.

**** Mess Hall, 0900 hrs. ****

Kala sat in front of a mug of hot strong coffee, she had forgotten that Dhani could drink her under the table and then some. Her head throbbed, and she still hadn’t been to sick bay to get her face and ribs fixed. That would be her next point of call, as soon as she had her morning coffee. She groaned with a mixture of pain and pleasure as she brought the mug to her lips. The steam swirled around her face as she took a sip, ahh, heaven!

Ethan walked in with a couple of data padds. He had never really visited the mess hall before and now for some reason seemed like a good time. Standing in the middle of the room, he looked around. There weren’t any tables free and he didn’t feel like sharing one. Seeing Kala at a table nearby, he bit his bottom lip and turned to leave. He probably shouldn’t be there, it would just lead to them talking and Dhani for some reason, would hate that. Hey turned to leave.

~“hey jerk”~ Kala called out to him with her mind, shouting would have just made her head hurt even more, ~ “wanna seat?” ~ she pushed the chair out with her foot, wincing a little at the noise that went right through her head.

Ethan’s first instinct was to say ‘thanks, but I need to get to Engineering’ or something like that. But he frowned at his own decision and gave a simple nod. Sitting down, he looked at the data padd in his hand. It was the holodeck program he had been working on. The recreation of the dream that he had over and over again. “I never understood why people drink to the point where their going to be ill, and feel like hammered shit the next day.” He said looking up at her.

“As long as I don’t look like hammered shit then its okay!” she smiled a little, “I wasn’t intending to get drunk. I should remember that when catching up with my sister I shouldn’t try to keep up with her! You think I would have learned that by now huh? But I just don’t see how she does it, I mean I work and live with the biggest drinkers in the galaxy. I can keep up with them okay, but not her. I swear that she could drink any Klingon under the table!”

“She doesn’t drink that much, I mean, she can’t drink that much. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve heard and read bits and pieces, forget it.”

Kala frowned at him, “Look I know I have a hangover but still, I’m sure that that made no sense. Can I have a repeat, the full version?”

“No.” he replied plainly. “I didn’t come here to talk about your sister. I don’t want to talk to your sister. I’m not going to stand here and pretend everything is ok and let you be the messenger caught in the middle of crap. She talks to you about me, I talk to you about her, she doesn’t like me talking to you for some reason, so forget it. I’m not going to talk about Her! I don’t want to!” he snapped. He once again looked down at the data padd, his expression, not a frown, but slight sadness.

Kala took a moment to digest. His snappish remark got her annoyed, “Look Ethan,” she started harshly, “I pulled in a lot of favours to get here. You called me and told me that something was wrong with my sister. Now either you start talking or I start walking and you can deal with what comes next.” She spoke like she knew what was to come, she actually felt a little afraid for her sister, and them. An ugly memory reared its head but she pushed it away. Her eyes levelled with Suders.

“Your right. I did.” He shot back. “There’s something wrong with Dhani. I don’t know what. The Doctors don’t know and the freakin Counsellor doesn’t know! She won’t let anyone in. She won’t accept help. I’ve tried my best as a friend and a superior officer to help her, but every time, I get a slap in the face and a crap load of attitude. I invited you here to help her, talk to her, I figured that she would talk to you, more chance of you rather than someone else. Have you talked to her yet, because I thought last night, you might have done, but you were busy getting drunk. That’s helping your sister. Now walk if you want, leave and go play Klingon with someone who beats you up for the wrong reasons because your too scared and little to look at the big picture, go on!” Ethan said raising his voice a little. “If your willing to not help your sister because I don’t want to talk to her just this second, fine! I was hoping we talk this afternoon, but why talk to me, ! I’ve told you what I know, you should be talking to her!”

Kala sat still for a few seconds, she wanted to smack him in the face, no one talked to her like that. But this wasn’t her ship and she was *in* the Federation, so punching another officer would probably look really bad on her record. But it would sure as hell feel great! She brushed her anger aside and took a long look at Suder coupled with a long sip of her drink. “Firstly Ethan, I would appreciate it if you did not comment on my personal life. My business is just that *mine*. You have no right to make judgment on a situation that you know nothing about.” She stayed calm for a change. With anyone else she, well they wouldn’t be talking, they would have been on the floor, unconscious. At least she hadn’t forgotten how to interact with Starfleet personal. “And for your information I have spoken with my sister on a great many topics. And I have yet to understand why you have requested my presence. She seams to be coping with her death quite well. I understand that she has been slightly erratic but then you have to understand the circumstances. Insomnia is not easily cured, Suder.”

“Huh!” Ethan breathed heavily. “I thought I was the only one who didn’t sleep. And your business is associated with my business. You’re a Starfleet Officer! And you don’t know why I called you here. If she’s coping really well and doing as great as you say, then why isn’t she working yet? Why won’t she stick around sickbay for a while and get checked out, why won’t she talk to a freakin Counsellor just so that they can confirm what you just told me, why can’t she sleep? Is it the fact that she died. Come on, she’s not the only one that’s died before, people deal with it, but the way she’s handled thus far, it’s not that impressive!” he again, almost shouted. He stood up and gestured with a nod for Kala to follow him.

Together they left the Mess Hall and continued down the hall.

“I’ve died before. I remember ever second of it. I remember trying my hardest to save the ship and prolong a warp core breach!” he explained. “I remember being the only one on the ship trying to save it, after everyone had abandoned it! In the end, transporters were down and time was up. I had to overload the core myself and destroy the ship to save everybody who managed to escape on the saucer section. I remember what it was like, knowing there was nothing I could do but be quite happy with the fact that maybe, just maybe, I get what I wanted, eternal rest. And if that wasn’t enough, spending thirty years alone, well, not literally, but I have the memory of being alone for decades! I got over it, I dealt with it and carried on with my life, just like everything else, I’ve lost friends, I’ve lost my whole family, I’ve not been able to do anything to help any of them, I lost the one person who I care about the most, but here I am, like I said, getting on with my life.! You think everything is fine with her, I think you should reconsider your opinion. I called you here because there’s a small chance, no matter how small, that something might happen to her. No one can help her because she won’t let them. So she’s playing all fine and normal because you’re here, well it’s bollocks!! I was hoping that if I can’t do anything again, then perhaps someone else could. Your family, you can help her, so help her, or leave. 0 And I’ll keep you informed of whatever happens as it happens. Hell, maybe you’re right, maybe she’s fine, but isn’t it worth the time to at least look into it for a while longer. Tell me, what would it be like if I ended up sending you a message to let you know of her death?” he asked, his hands clenched into fists.

Kala stopped and grabbed his arm hard, “What would have been nice is if someone told me that she had died in the first fucking place.” She didn’t hold back her anger this time, “Have you any idea how it felt to hear that she had died, even if it was for just an instant…” she broke off, realising that he did know. Their conversation from the previous night replayed just to spite her. Shaking her head she looked down at the floor ‘foot in mouth’ didn’t really cover it. Relinquishing her hold of his arm she took a step back to let some others pass. She sighed and looked back up at him, “I’m sorry. That was insensitive of me.” She leaned against the wall, “Look, I don’t have all the answers, okay? You need to ask her, and I have a feeling that she doesn’t have all the answers either. And that’s not something to be angry at her about. Everybody handles things in different ways, you of all people should know that. She isn’t going to open up to you unless she trusts you. And locking her in her quarters isn’t the way of gaining anyone’s trust. Dhani has more mental training than I think anyone should, and there’s a dammed good reason for that. I don’t mean to offend you but I don’t think you know any mental trick that she doesn’t already know, on the other hand you could show me a few tricks!” she said trying to lighten the mood.

Seeing as the expression on his face stayed the same she continued, “Maybe she is just acting fine because I’m around, I can’t answer that. Dhani has more fire walls than the central computer. And I’m not telepathic, well not like you and her. I can talk to you both but I can’t read your minds, I’m just an empath. To be truthful I don’t really know what you expect me to do. I can’t push her for information, Ethan.”

Ethan’s teeth began to hurt from the tension in his jaw. He turned away and tried to speak, but his jaw would not unclench. Her outburst had brought back so much, his brother, Lon Suder, his parents, Adrianna, Worthington, Sama… He could feel the blood boiling in his veins. He felt really warm inside. His hands and knuckles were white from the pressure of fists that he had made. Of course he wasn’t going to unleash anything on her, he never would, he never could, but he wanted to release something. For the first time in years, he wanted to let it all out, for once and for all. Everything, his friends deaths, his families death and sudden disappearances, the one person he loved more than anything in this universe, everything! But he couldn’t. If he did, he felt that he couldn’t stop. Tears welled up in his eyes as he continued walking slowly, taking deep breathes. He was beginning to lose it. With each step that he took, he felt like there was something strapped ar! ound his chest that prevented him from taking the breathes that he needed. For a long moment, he didn’t say anything. He looked up at one of the doors he was about to pass. The Holodeck. He looked down at the data padd in his hand and frowned harder. He then looked up at Kala. “She never did trust me. Like so many others before, is it because I’m Betazoid, because I’m me?? I don’t know. I did what I could to get her to trust me, to show her that I wasn’t just a Chief, that I was a friend. As time went on, I had to take more drastic measures, try and get her to let go of what she was holding inside. But she wouldn’t. Like so many others before her.” he stopped taking deep breaths again as he continued to look at the Holodeck. “I can understand. To have something, to know something, something that no one else knows…” His eyes seemed to penetrate the doors of the Holodeck, and what he saw was like something out of a dream. It was as if the program he was working on was active and running. He could see the fields, the sun setting, the house… “Something so big, so intense, that sometimes… Maybe words aren’t enough to explain…” He trailed off again and watched as the children, his children suddenly became noticeable, playing catch in the fields. Their mother stood near the house, watching them with a smile. “She died. Self inflicted. Her quarters were trashed, I found that out after she started a fight with me! , whilst drunk. So I have to ask, what could have driven her to the state of insanity that could drive someone to do such a thing? I can think of a few reasons, can you?” he asked turning and looking at Kala with tears in his eyes.

Kala felt heat ripple through her as he spoke, his feelings maybe. But no, they were hers, Dhani hadn’t told her how she had died. And hearing it from him was upsetting to say the least. “Why do you think she did it Ethan?” Kala asked quietly, taking everything in. She could feel his pain and tried to block it out. She had never realised until now how intense he was.

He pushed a button on the wall panel and the Holodeck doors slid open. And as he thought, the program he had been working on was in fact active and running. But he hadn’t activated it. It had been dormant for the last few weeks! Quick Virus, he thought. For some reason, various Holodeck programs had just activated for no reason. He began walking through the fields. He found breathing a lot easier, yet he still seemed a little lost in it all. “Why would she have done it?” Ethan asked himself. “She gets transferred here, the chance of a life time, she’s happy. And then everything goes out the freakin airlock. She can’t sleep, probably having trouble eating too. Love perhaps… No! Something else. Do I know why? No, because I don’t know what’s going on any more than you. Have I read her thoughts, no!” He remembered the last time that his mind had been opened to someone elses. Years ago. He hadn’t probed at all since then. And all because of an accident. He co! uld, but he wouldn’t. He continued walking down the hill towards the house where the children were playing near.

Kala stood and watched him for a few seconds, she had to talk to Dhani. Why hadn’t she told her any of this? Why hadn’t Ethan told her any of this? Why did everyone leave things to the last minute? “You know what Ethan?” she asked him, “This would all have been easier if you had told me this before.” Her anger rose, her ship was due to leave today and now he tells her. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me all this?” she shouted at him, “Why the fuck does everything have to be cloak and dagger with you?”

Ethan turned suddenly and looked down at Kala, his eyes seeming to pierce her soul. “Me!” he snapped back, his jaw clenched again. “You were the one who was with Dhani yesterday, you were the one who had drinks with her all night, you were the one who talked to her about a great many topics, she didn’t tell you and you didn’t find out. So before you start pointing the finger at me like I’m the one with the problem and the secrets, think about who you’re really angry with!”

“You know something else? I think you’re the one who needs help.” She shot back at him, “I can sense your feelings a mile off. You think that you dealt with all your pain, you think that you’re better than everyone else. But you’re not. You buried your feelings, you haven’t dealt with anything, just pushed it all aside. And here you stand dissing Dhani because she is having trouble dealing with her problems. You make me sick. And once more you judged me. How dare you! You know nothing about me, or Dhani for that matter. You have no idea what she is capable of. And before you ever think about bitching about how someone else deals with things take a dammed good look in the fuckin mirror and sort your self out first, you fuckin hypocrite.” She screamed at him.

Ethan stepped closer and almost growled at her, but remaining still and silent for a short while added to the tension. His eyes narrowed on the Trill in front of him. “My pain is what keeps me going from day to day. You don’t know the first thing about it. And I’m not ‘dissing’ Dhani. I respect her, consider her a friend… And I never said that I was better than everyone else, so don’t go putting words in my mouth.” He shouted back. He leaned in a little closer, his teeth showing and his black eyes widening, shooting straight through Kala. “And I don’t know anything about you? I think I know enough. In fact, I’m thinking that my original statement about you was wrong. You’re very similar to you sister. If it wasn’t for your freakin language and hair colour, hell, I’d probably mistake you for her!”

Kala snapped and slapped him across his face, leaving a nice red hand print. “Don’t you ever talk to me like that again.” She growled at him, “You think that you’re intimidating me? I work with Klingons you prick! You don’t scare me. Your no friend of Dhani’s.” she shook her head as she looked him up and down with disgust. “You don’t respect her. You haven’t taken the time out to get to know her. And I think I know why. You’re afraid of getting to close to someone, anyone for that matter. You have a huge superiority complex and I think you need counselling, that and your ego deflating. I’m going to tell you this once, leave my sister alone. Get it? Stay away from her.” she glared at him.

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