[BACKPOST]

Archiver's note: In cleaning out some old folders in my mail client, I found this post in the wrong folder. Being that it is a character development post about Captain M'Kantu as wel as sets the sociopolitical tone of the Federation, I added it here. It's set during the 'Quid Pro Quo' episode of last year.

"The Dance"

Principal Characters

Capt. Daren R. M'Kantu
Dr. June Ellis

****

USS Galaxy-A
Deck 1
Captain's Ready Room

Daren was not a man who often wasted time on regret.

Regret was the leisure of a man who had too much time on his hands, and Daren, as the captain of a Federation Starship and as a man known for his diplomatic skills, had little time or patience for such a holiday.

Still, there were times when his heart and mind lingered in that direction, whether or not he wanted them to. Stressful days when he cursed the first M'Kantu for ever leaving the mines of Dar-es-salaam, regular days when he dwelled upon the happy memories with his ex-wife, June.

But more often than not, his regret ran in the direction of his daughter, Bahiyah. About how he could have done so wrong as a father that she could have ended up in the situation she was in now. About how maybe the only thing that he had done right as a father had been to help her run away. He'd broken his oath to the Federation to do so, broken it without a second thought, as though it hadn't been the guiding post of his life for almost half a century. Whatever his failings as a father had been, he'd been determined that just once, just one time, he would be there for his daughter when she needed him.

So he'd falsified records, added Bahiyah's name to the list of those that had died in the attack her ill-chosen lover had used her to help arrange, and arranged for a new identity for her. He'd quietly sold off items that he'd collected over the years he'd been in Starfleet to provide her with the money to start over again, someplace where no one would know her, held his daughter just once the way that he now knew he should have been holding her all her life... and let her go again.

June didn't know what he'd done, he'd never found the words to tell her. Secretly, he hoped that she'd approve, that she'd understand that he'd finally put his family first, but that didn't help when he was looking at her and the words telling her what he'd done failed to come. Perhaps if they met in person, he reflected, perhaps then he could say what he needed to say to her, but that was unlikely.

Even though they talked more now than they had in years, he still harbored a secret fear that she'd hate him. Not for saving their daughter, but for letting her think that Bahiyah was dead for these past months. If that happened, if he lost her too... he didn't like to think about what life would be like then.

But he would always have Starfleet. The institution was his life, his religion, his anchor. Still, there were problems inherent in the system, for one thing the ever-growing Hawk faction and their militaristic plans for an overly-aggressive defense. Starfleet just didn't hold out on the ideals that it once had. Maybe that was why some of his younger crew, officers like Corgan, Grey, and McAllen seemed so jaded, or why officers like Murphy and Hunter felt like they could get away with anything.

Then again the Dove faction could be too idealistic at times. The Federation had too many enemies to just sit on its hands and hope for the good of the universe and its inhabitants to prevail. Much as he might wish it to be so, the rest of the galaxy did not adhere to the principles of enlightened self-interest that the Federation held so dear, and expecting them to was like walking up to a bull rhinoceros and kicking it in the rear and expecting it not to turn on you.

All of which led to the reason he was sitting at his desk, looking out the window while his coffee got cold - the Tanzanian coffee his replicator finally produced correctly - and trying to decide, for the thousandth time, if he'd made a mistake in accepting the command of the Galaxy. It had been offered to him not for his ability, not as a reward, but because he was, finally, the candidate that had offended the Hawk and Dove factions the least when his name came up.

His war record and stance on a strong defense had satisfied the Hawks, and his diplomatic successes had encouraged the Doves, so they'd been left with nothing to fight over when the list worked its way down to his name. Not the most sterling of recommendations that Fleet could have given him, but at least his name *had* been on the list.

He'd never asked how far down though. There were some illusions he'd like to keep.

With a sigh he reached down and picked up his almost-cold coffee and took a drink, and then stood up to walk over to his window and look out at the Gryphon asteroid belt around them. Billions of tons of rock whirling and moving in a coordinated dance orchestrated by Allah's hand, more delicately-balanced than any flower atop a stem, and more dangerous than.... than even Victor Krieghoff in Security. Beautiful, mesmerizing, dangerous and enticing, the dance was all of those and more... and watching it, he felt small and insignificant... and alone.

He finished off the cold coffee, settled the mug in the replicator and recycled it, only to call up another cup and turn to the wall screen. He only knew one cure for the loneliness he felt right now. "Computer. Person to person call to Dr. June Ellis. ASDB Facility, Jupiter, Terran System."

A few minutes later and he was connected. June's face appeared onscreen and she smiled warmly at her ex-husband. Years together, years apart, and these last months in mourning for her daughter, nothing had ever completely destroyed their connection.

"To what do I owe the honor, Captain?" June asked with a slight smirk. The passage of time had been kind to her face and only faint wrinkles remained from years of smiling.

"Nothing special," Daren admitted, wondering for the millionth time why Allah had seen fit to include the Borg in his design for the universe, and why the confrontation with them at Wolf 359 had been destined to happen within his lifetime, to place a wedge between him and the woman he'd never stopped loving. "I was just feeling... small."

"Ah, well as your father would have told you," June replied with mock seriousness. "The universe overshadows us all." She gave her ex-husband a contemplative look then. "You look like you could use a vacation, Dar."

"I could," he agreed. "But I can't take one right now." He smiled sadly. "An all-to familiar refrain, I suppose." He shook his head. "I'm really not certain that I should have done this, June. I think that I may have been happier back on the Vel'dna for another five."

"And you would have been kicking yourself the entire time you were there for missing out on the opportunity of Galaxy." June replied calmly. "I *know* you, Daren."

"Today, I'm not so sure I know myself, June." Daren sighed and looked down at his coffee. "This isn't like it was on the Vel'dna, or the Valdemar, or even the Susquehanna. The rules changed somewhere, and I didn't get the memo telling me what the new ones were. And my crew...." He sighed again and shook his head. "I don't know, dear, I just don't know." He realized what he'd said only after he'd finished and looked down, embarrassed. "Sorry about that, old habits I'm afraid."

She had been taken back a bit by the endearment but then found it didn't bother her. "That's all right." June coughed slightly to cover the awkward moment and then replied. "Anytime you need to talk, you know you can talk to me."

"Good," Daren said softly, "because I need that very much right now." He looked up, still touched by embarrassment at his tired slip. "How much time do you have?"

(OOC: Set during the attack of the USS DIIS upon the USS Galaxy, ten minutes have gone by at this point and Vanguard Squadron has started their dog fight with the Breen Fighters and happens shortly during the latter half of "Apocalypse Rising" part 1)

The Vastru Encounter

Featuring:

Ensign Marcus A. Slayton
Enigneering Officer of the USS Galaxy

Ensign Richard R. Langly
Computer Systems Engineer of the USS Galaxy (NPC)

Lieutenant Pindar Danna
Tactical Systems Chief of the USS Galaxy (NPC)

Also appearing:

Lance Corporal Grace Waldron
Starfleet Marine Corps/Armed Force Recon-USS Galaxy (NPC)

Private Michael J. Caboose
Starfleet Marine Corps-USS Galaxy (NPC)

Corporal Dexter Grif
Starfleet Marine Corps/Demolitionist & Combat Engineer-USS Galaxy (NPC)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Location: Phaser Cannon Maintence, Deck 15-USS Galaxy's Stardrive section

Theme: "Peacekeeper Ambush" from Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars soundtrack

Marcus and Langly was still at their stations at Phaser Cannon Maintence, they had managed to route the last of the power conversion issues and then Marcus smiled with victory as the systmes purged themselves and the phaser cannon became active again. Marcus quickly slapped his comm-badge

"Bridge, this is Ensign Slayton. We have control of the phaser cannon again and we should have access to the tactical routines very shortly as well!" he said and he didn't wait for a reply but simply went back to his work and turned around to look at the situation monitor behind him, about then he noticed that the shields was still not coming up and the ship shuddered every so often from a lucky shot from the larger capital ship or it's smaller fighters. He took his glasses off and wiped them clean before putting them back on when a thought came to him then turned to where Langly was fighting with the computer systems.

"Langly, where is the main deflector subsystems?" Marcus said over the din of the alert and the occasional sounds of explosions.

"They're on deck thirty five of the stardrive but you can't head there, Lieutenant Danna gave us orders to stay here and ensure that the PCM stays up." Langly replied but he still had that tone of worry in his voice.

"Don't worry, I'm leaving you in charge of getting the phaser cannon back up to full along with the other tactical systems. Stay right there for a second." Marcus explained quickly and then headed to where the marines was standing and grabbed Grace's uniform.

"Grace, I need a favor. I need someone to stay here and help Langly get the tactical systems up to full while someone comes with me to deflector control!" he said and Grace looked over at the shorter of her collegues, got his and Caboose's attentions and shouted at him. "Grif, get into PCM and help Ensign Langly get the tactical systems while Caboose goes with Marcus to main deflector control. Understood?" Grace said and the two marines nodded, then Grif went into PCM while Marcus and Caboose hit a run for the nearest turbolift while Marcus tagged his comm-badge again.

"This is Ensign Slayton to Lieutenant Danna. Sir, myself and a marine is heading down to main deflector control. I have a hunch and I have confidence that mister Langly will be able to get or at least help to get the rest of the tactical systems up and running, sir." Marcus said, explaining to one of his superior's while he and Caboose entered a turbolift and Caboose said "Deck 35".

"Alright, we're getting tactical control back slowly but also Lieutenant Gray is helping the senior staff with getting the shields back up among some of the other things while chief O'shea is still planetside helping to keep the Akula's self-destruct from happening." Danna said and Marcus, not caring if he looked stupid, nodded to the thin air as the doors opened and the two made a dead run for where the Main Deflector Subsystems was located. When they got there, he noticed various technicans trying to get the shields back up and running. A medical officer dressed in a hazard team uniform was helping an injured engineer while Marcus headed towards one of the primary stations while Caboose stood nearby, his rifle scanning the room for any signs of trouble. He brought up the shield schematics and noticed that there was somekind of command level protocol up and blocking him from using any of the usual methods that any engineer would know normally. He tried hacking into the! command protocols in order to rush the system to allow the shields to be raised but he wasn't able to do anything as the code was somewhat complex. He reached up an activated the inter-ship comm-system.

"This is Deflector Control to the bridge, there is somekind of command level code going through the system that we can't get past at the moment but we are working hard on it. Deflector control out." Marcus said and he went back to work, trying to figure out what the frak was happening. Caboose walked around Marcus' back to the otherside of the terminal to gently reassure a security crewman who was looking a little bit worried but nodded at the older marine when Caboose's reassuring hand patted him on the shoulder. "So, what do you think is happening, Marcus?" Caboose asked to which Marcus muttered something in Andorian that Caboose knew only a little of and that little that Caboose knew meant that he knew exactly what his friend said.

"Hey, Marcus?" Caboose asked as he kept his phaser rifle at the ready just in case anyone from the attacking ship tried to come aboard and start shooting at things, Caboose was more than ready having fought Jem'Hadar during the war in hand to hand combat at times which meant one of the very scant few times that his heavy-gravity world heritage came into a positive affect rather than a negative one. Marcus looked over at his friend with a curious look. "Missed me?" Caboose said with a slight smirk on his face to which Marcus could only reply with "Just like old times, eh?!" and then he went back to his duties of trying to get the shields back up...

"Silhouettes in the Rain"

Lieutenant J.G. Naranda Sol Roswell
Engineering Officer, presumed dead

Lieutenant J.G. Saul Bental
Intelligence Officer, presumed legit

A light shower, not unlike the spring rains in the Netherlands so many lightyears away, washed some of the filth off the pavement. It wasn't a clear rain, it was a rain mixed with dust, formed in the clouds contaminated by the ash and smoke which rose from the city of Leran Manev like a regiment of weary infantry.

Saul Bental crept through the alley, using every trick in the unwritten street-boy's-guide-to-the-urban-life in order to avoid detection and to throw off any possible stalkers.

He couldn't possibly allow anyone to see the person he planned to meet, since that person no longer existed.

If the hooded cape was ever most annoying, it was now. It's fibers soaked with water and clung to her. She had left the medical tent to do some business of her own. Some business she much welcomed. Saia was listening to some story with the other children when she quietly stepped into the rain.

What she didn't know, was Saia kept an eye on her friend to be sure of where she was. To anyone, it would seem odd to trust a mysterious stranger, but Saia did. She played with the other children and listened to the stories the nurses sometimes told, but she always felt safe when her silent friend was around. When she saw her leave the tent, she watched the tent opening for awhile, but she didn't come back. Saia stood and went to peek through to find her friend walking briskly away.

Without even considering why or what dangers, Saia trudged out following.

Now she hid around a corner and watched the silent stranger in the now soaked cloak enter an alley.

The stranger was then approached by another figure. It was raining, but Saia was pretty sure the man did not have spots, which meant that he wasn't from Trill.

'An alien!', she thought.

Saul took a step forward, unsure if the person three meters away from him was Naranda or not. The fingers of his right hand made contact with the phaser hidden beneath the black coat as he took a hesitating step forward.

"Princess?", He asked, using the Sakarian word.

Saia watched wondering what she should do if the alien proved to be dangerous. She wouldn't let him hurt her friend.

Nara looked toward him and smiled, "Yes." Her voice felt strange to use after so many days.

Saia gasped. Did she just speak! She never spoke before!

Saul allowed a smile to break. A genuine one. "Until now I wasn't sure whether I was able to pull that trick or not. How are you doing?"

"What trick?" She was sure she was supposed to know what he meant, but she never seemed to catch on.

"The trick where I blow up an entire art gallery over your head.", Saul smirked.

"Oh, THAT trick. Well, I'm alright considering. Made myself useful at one of the med tents. Don't worry. No one knows who or what I am. This little girl has been basically my constant companion, but I haven't spoken to even her. Sometimes I wish I could."

Saia watched the two. She wondered if her friend was an alien too. She watched, not sure what to think or do.

Nara wanted to take the hood off, but didn't in case someone was watching they couldn't see. "How long do we have to keep this going?"

"I still haven't heard anything from your father... I am sure that he would contact my middleman as soon as he finds out who is behind this." Saul told her.

"He'll find him." Nara smiled thinking of her father's cunningness.

"I count on it. Until then I--"

Saia was listening, leaning on a wall. Somehow her hand lost grip of the corner as she leaned in to hear and she quickly grabbed the wall again. With the water and the harsh way to slapped the wall, it was enough to make Nara turn to look. She saw Saia move behind the wall. Nara turned, "It's the little girl I was telling you about." She turned back to the wall and called, "You can come out."

Saia slowly walked into view with a worried look that turned to anger as she crossed her arms. "You're not even Trill are you?"

"Naienn!", Saul cursed in Dutch, hoping the girl's universal translator is unfamiliar with the language. Then, he scowled at the girl.

"I did not know it was considered polite on Trill to eavesdrop to other people's chats."

Saia pouted, "You're not supposed to be putting Symbionts in humans either."

"We're not... what?", The Intelligence officer demanded, confused. Saia ignored him and kept her eyes on Nara.

Saul flashed a sour grin toward Saia, then brought his mouth near Nara's ear. "I was going to ask you for help but right now your main concern should be keeping her close to you, VERY close. We can't take risks of your identity being exposed."

Nara walked a little toward Saia and bent down, "Saia, come here please."

Saia took a few steps to her, "Why didn't you talk before?"

"I have to hide to save my life."

Saia tilted her head. It was her turn to be confused. "There are aliens all around. Why would we kill you?"

Nara smiled at her assumption, "That's not what I meant. People assuming I'm Trill has helped, but I just don't want them knowing I'm someone more specific."

Saia looked at Saul suspiciously, "What about him."

"He's a friend. He helped me. But you have to promise not to tell anyone."

Saia leaned in to Nara, "Will he hurt me if I do?"

"If he does, I'll hurt him. We're friends, right? We protect each other."

Saia nodded still giving Saul an untrusting glare.

"Looks like you can find ways to keep yourself safe without my assistance, princess," said Saul, ignoring Nara's threat,. "So let's meet here again in eighteen hours and I'll let you know if there's any news. Your friend can come too if she wants, no sneaking this time."

Nara looked at Saia and smiled. Saia's face softened a little, but she was still confused by the whole thing.

"One more thing," said Saul. He looked like someone who suddenly recalled that he needed to take care of something super important - yesterday. "I brought you a gift. Could you close your eyes please? I promise it won't hurt."

Nara gave him a strange look, but closed her eyes as she said, "Everytime it's your idea to meet, you've got a gift or something that knocks my world off axis."

"At least you can't say this suitor come empty-handed. Now just give me a moment..."

Nara nearly jerked back feeling his hands at her neck, but felt him work her collar.

Eventually, Saul took a step away, examining his handiwork. "Congratulations, Lieutenant. You've earned it."

Nara opened her eyes as it dawned on her. "When did I get promoted?"

Saul chuckled. The two rank pips looked on Nara's outfit like two lost Pakleds in the middle of the desert. "The same time they promoted me, only that O'Shea didn't manage to hand it to you before you perished. She tried to pretend that she's pissed at you, but inside she's very sad. I hope we'll make her glad soon."

"Well, we did cross the line at making me appear foolish. Of course, by my pre-StarFleet record, I'm sure it wasn't a surprise." She shook her head.

Saia watched all this with more confusion. Not a scared confusion, but more of a this-is-getting-boring-now confusion.

Saul turned toward her, and an idea came in mind, as they always do.

"Before I go, little secret agent - what's your name again?"

Saia frowned and looked at Nara.

Nara smiled, "He won't hurt you."

She looked at Saul again, "Saia."

"I'm Saul.", he replied, seeing no need to think of a secret identity since Nara already spoke his name. "Is there a famous restaurant here in this city specializing in red-colored fish?"

"Of course." Saia answered as if he would know. "But they don't taste very good." She scrunched her face.

"Do they have a name?"

Saia pouted. "Mex and Xin's Shuriburi."

Saul lowered his eyes and grinned as though he just recalled an old joke. Which he did.

"Thank you agent Saia. You just spared one busy doctor a world of trouble. And princess, we'll be in touch."

Saia looked at him. She understood his words, but he didn't make any sense to her.

He reached again for her collar, touching a loose curl for a moment, then pulled his hand as patting her was some sort of horrible mistake that is going to cost him tons of credits. Then, he spun on his heels and began to make his way out of the alley.

Nara's breath caught for a moment as he touched the hair that had somehow escaped her hood. "Saul." The rain began to come down harder in the moments she spoke to him.

The Intelligence officer stopped, his head turning so that she could see his profile.

Nara smiled and kissed his cheek causing the wet fabric of her cloak to touch his face. "Thank you."

"if you can make it here..."

or "a DIIS in the hand is worth two in the bush"

Featuring:

Ensign Marcus Slayton
Engineering Officer, USS Galaxy

Private Michael J. Caboose
Starfleet Marine Corps, USS Galaxy (NPC)

Secondary:

Petty Officer 3rd Class Stevens
Hazard Team Medic, USS Galaxy (NPC)

Location: Main Deflector Subsystems/Deck 35-USS Galaxy

Theme: "Blow me Away" by Breaking Benjamin (Halo 2 Soundtrack)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

As the USS DIIS under the command of "Commodore" Christopher Thomas fired it's pulse phasers at the left side of the stardrive of the USS Galaxy, Captain Darren M'Kantu commanding. In the Main Deflector Sub-systems center of the Galaxy, Ensign Marcus Slayton was alternating between being extremely pissed off and annoyed to being somewhat amused. The annoyed-pissed feeling was coming from the fact that on his first day on the Galaxy, some fool decided start shooting up his ship while the amused part came from the intense pleasure that it wasn't anyone on the ship that the fool who was in command of the DIIS had to worry about than the engineering department of the Galaxy who had the displeasure of being a bunch of evil geniuses when the need arose.

"Marcus, remember the time back on the Hiroshima when Grace tried to use her female charms on captain Stewart during a poker game?" Caboose asked hoping to keep the mood light. Caboose was a good man, a little dense at times but a fine marine even though he tried to bring humor at the worst of times during combat, but it had the affect none the less as Marcus started snickering.

"Yeah, I've never seen Captain Rex "Ironsides" Stewart jaw drop any further than when Grace did the whole leaning thing that she did then. This code lockout is beginning to really getting to me. I don't..." Marcus was about to say when suddenly the station that he was working at exploded, throwing him back and over a work table. Caboose kept his rifle at the ready while he went over to check on Marcus. Caboose noted that the colonial officer was nursing a bad arm and a gash on the left side of his jawline. Marcus slowly got to his feet, holding his right arm against his body but then he got a strange look on his face and went back down on one knee. "Caboose, get the medic!" Marcus said and Caboose called the medic over and she ran her tricorder over his arm and head, then frowned at the results.

"Sir, we need to get your to engineering. You have four fractures in your right arm with most of them being primarly in your right forearm and you have a type two energy burn which might have seared the nerves shut in a portion of your hand. But the biggest worry is that you have a concussion from the explosion." the medic said which Marcus merely shook his head and tried to stand up, but the room started to spin and Marcus made his way over to another station and tried to work through the pain in order to get the shields up. {I can't let Anna down, I *WON'T* let Anna down} Marcus was thinking to himself but the pain was bad. The medic came over and tried to get him to goto sickbay by placing a hand on his uninjuried elbow but Marcus pulled his arm away but Marcus looked at her. "Can you give me something for the pain so that I can help get the shields up?" Marcus asked and the medic was about to comment but Caboose merely looked at Marcus and nodded.

"Alright, but after this crisis is over I need you to goto sickbay alright, sir?" the medic said to which Marcus only nodded and gave him a shot of Ventor 34, a painkiller agent which nulls the pain for a while. After doing that and Marcus turned back to his duties did the medic pulled Caboose to the side.

"Private, after this crisis is over I want you to personally escort the ensign to the sickbay. I admire his dedication to his duties but that is no excuse to increase the threat of a permenant injury, no matter what." the medic said to Caboose who merely looked over at Marcus who suddenly let out a shout of joy.

"Computer, this is Ensign Slayton. What is the reboot command for the entire deflector system?" Marcus asked and the computer responded with "Reboot protocol requires personal prefix code of Chief Engineer." and that made Marcus close his eyes and lean against the monitor for a second and then he said to the air,

"Computer, Primary Deflector Shield reboot program code zero four dash twenty two dash twenty three seventy three authorize." Marcus said and Caboose walked over to his friend and started to check on him when he noticed a small trickle of blood that slowly started to come out of his noise.

"Code recognized, beginning main deflector shield rebooting. Estimated time till full reboot is three minutes, four seconds." the computer came back and Marcus tapped his comm-badge. "Bridge, this is Ensign Slayton. I've got the shield's computers rebooting and it'll be less than three minutes till you can have them back in full. Slayton out." was all that Marcus was able to say before he pitched forward and was caught by Caboose. The medic activated her comm-badge as she ran her tricorder over Marcus.

"This is Petty Officer Stevens in Deflector Control, Ensign Slayton is down with a head injury and possible internal bleeding. I'm bringing him down to sickbay now." PO Stevens said as she nodded to Caboose who slung his rifle and helped Stevens get Slayton up between them and they started their way to sick bay.

<to be continued in "Hangover Hotel">

BACK POST (october)

"Honey-Pot of fire Part 6 of 6"

Lieutenant (Jg) Dhanishta Eshe - Engineering
Lieutenant Commander Ethan Suder - Chief of Engineering
Commander Karyn Dallas - Chief Counsellor

(This takes place while the Galaxy is undergoing the refit)

Ethan turned away so that only half of him was facing them. He was still staring at the wall, his jaw clenched and eyes watering ever so slightly. His blood was beginning to boil as he fought back his own demons and emotions. He swallowed hard and looked at Karyn. He took a deep breath, discretely and kept very still. "Yeah." He managed to say, more of a whisper. He turned around and looked at the wall for a moment, gathering his thoughts and sorting himself out as it were. He then turned back around, jaw unclenched. "She was in the exact same place, doing the same thing.." He trailed off and straightened his uniform. "I've been down there a hundred times though, never seen anything, never. Felt anything!" he almost snapped. He tried his hardest to make out why this would be happening to Dhani. Why wouldn't it happen to all Betazoids or telepaths, why just her?? It should have been him!

Dhani remained silent. She didn't know what they were talking about, but she was finding the corner of the desk far more fascinating. If she looked at it long enough she was sure that she would wake up. Somewhere on Earth perhaps, the transfer, the Galaxy, it was all just a dream, she was at home on Earth all tucked up in a nice warm bed having the most peculiar dream. She would wake up soon, really she would...

Karyn could empathize with Ethan, but she was also trying to keep an eye on Dhani. The very last thing she wanted was for her to run off again, to feel frightened, pushed out, an anomaly any more then she already did. "Maybe you aren't able to." Karyn suggested. She placed a hand on Dhani's forearm. "But we will get to the bottom of this, and everything will be ok. I want you to stay here and relax. I'm going to have the doctor monitor your vitals and I'll come by to check on you every few hours. Now, how are you feeling?" The tendency was to treat the problem and not the patient.

Ethan stood up and turned away, too thankful that the conversation had altered. He faced a wall panel and made it look like maybe he was reading something on it. But his eyes fell to just below the panel, to the wall. He drew in another deep breath and lowered his head. He hated feeling this way, yet at the same time he accepted it, maybe he was being punished for something. Dealing with it was one thing, talking about situations similar to it, involving Samara was not something he could handle. He wasn't ready for it and something told him he never would. No one on the ship ever mentioned her and part of him thought that was good. But every now and again, he wouldn't mind being reminded of something she might have said or done, just to hear it from another persons perspective. He clenched his fists and turned back around to face Dhani and Karyn.

Dhanis eyes flittered from the corner of the desk momentarily, nothing had changed she was still here with Suder and Dallas.

"I'm alright." Came her automated response. It was a lie, she really didn't know how she felt, physically, mentally, take your pick; she couldn't. Grabbing hold of the arms of the chair she stood up, "I would just like to get back to work." She told them.

She saw the look that transpired between Suder and Dallas, she didn't like it. She new what was coming, they were going to sign her off duty, again!

Ethan raised a hand and gave a nod. "All right." He whispered. He turned around and looked at the wall panel again. After a few seconds, he turned back and looked at Karyn for a few seconds before turning and looking at Dhani.

"I've got some work that you can do. Nothing heavy, but." he trailed off. The work he wanted her to do made him think of Samara again. Damn! His mind shouted out. Everything and anything just reminded him of her. Engineering, work, people, he couldn't do anything to get away from it all. He had tried when he was on Earth, but still.. You would have thought that after so many years, someone would have gotten over it by now. He stepped over to his desk and grabbed one of the many data padds. Walking over to Dhani, he hesitated before handing the padd to her.

"It's kind of important to me." The padd contained all information regarding the emergency Engineering Program, the Quick Virus and some other technical data. "The program has been offline for a long time now, I've been trying to get it back online, but I've had no luck yet. So if you want some work, this should keep you busy for a while." He stepped back and slid his hand along his desk as he moved around it.

Taking the padd from him she felt numb still. Could she really concentrate on work at the moment, she had expected them to reject. But Dallas hadn't said anything yet. She looked at her waiting for her response.

"Dhani, are you sure this is what you want? I don't want to make you feel like a prisoner or a lab rat, but I'd completely understand if you're using work to avoid facing this. If you'd like to just rest for a bit and talk to me later, that's really just fine. If you're going to work for a bit, I'd ask that you be paired with someone else in case you start feeling ill again."

"I would rather be alone counsellor." She said. She felt like she was running on automated pilot, just saying anything to get away. But she knew that she couldn't run, she had to show that she wasn't crazy. In truth she was using work to avoid the situation. But something told her that she had to get away, she just had to.

"Is it alright if I work on this from my quarters?" she asked Suder.

Ethan turned to Karyn and cleared his throat. "If she's being monitored from Sickbay, then we'll know if something happens. Let's just give her some space, some time." He suggested. He was no Counsellor, but he could see it from Dhani's point of view. He would want to work as well and he wouldn't want to be locked up in Sickbay. He turned to Dhani. "You can work on it from your quarters, just check in often." He looked at Karyn with a raised eyebrow hoping she would agree.

Dallas sighed. "That's fine with me. Sickbay will keep us informed of any changes, but I'd like you two to let me know if you need anything. Don't hesitate to call if you need me." She turned to Eshe. "I know you're not crazy, Dhani. We will figure this out together and I will help you any way I can. Try to relax as much as possible."

Dhani nodded to the counsellor and then to Suder before walking out as quickly as possible. 

"Objective In View"

(APCs and NPCs)

LOCATION: Sakaria

Gary walked down the road at a fast pace. He knew who he was going after now. Someone from the Rebels. He didn't know who, but from sources and piecing together clues, he narrowed it down to them. It was his suspicion anyway. Why they chose his daughter, who wasn't even allowed to fight when she was in Star Fleet, was beyond his understanding. Until he made them explain that it.

And he would make them tell him. He'd use the tactics they used on their POWs. One of which was Nara. The shape she was in after she and several others were rescued was abysmal. It took two weeks for them to recover. They lost an elder. He wasn't really a leader, but people in that village came to him for wisdom. The rebels weren't Sakarians. They were down and dirty cruel people as far as Gary was concerned and they should be exiled to the Klingon Empire where they would understand REAL pain and battle.

It was night and everyone was sleeping. He walked into the small tent and saw Allas on the mat on the floor. He cleaned himself and laid beside Allas and put his lips to her cheek, causing her to stir toward him. She opened her eyes looking at him, "Welcome home, Imzadi."

He smiled, enjoying the moment with her. He sat up followed by her and he looked at her, "I need your help."

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

Hours later, Allas sat in a room and looked at Gary. "I still don't understand."

Gary hushed her with a kiss, "Trust me. Just let their thoughts.well you know how to do it."

Allas gave him a look. "I know how, but I'd also like to know why."

Gary sighed. He knew she didn't like using her telepathy, "Do you like hearing me say trust me?"

Allas smiled, "I'd rather hear I love you."

"I love you." He kissed her again and turned to the door.

He then walked out of the building and met the Ruyel on the path to the building. "I'm glad you came."

The Ruyel shook his head, "You have something up your sleeve Commodore."

"Don't I always?" Gary joked.

Both faces turned stern as they entered the building. They had to put on the act of Commodore and Ruyel. Friendship was left at the door.

"Did He Just Say.?"

Lt. (jg) Naranda Sol Roswell, Engineering
Saia (APC)

LOCATION: Trill

After seeing Saul leave, Nara turned to her little friend. She bent down, holding Saia by the shoulder and spoke softly, "You can't call me by name ok?"

Saia frowned, "What can I call you?"

Nara laughed, "We've been fine so far without me having a name or speaking." Her voice got solemn again. "Which, after we leave here, I can't talk again. And." Nara frowned as she removed the pips Saul just placed on her collar. "These have to go somewhere else." She wasn't sure how much a clue the pips would be, but she wouldn't take the risk. She pinned them toward the back of her inner shirt.

Saia watched her, "Congratulations." Saia wasn't sure what a lieutenant was or why it was a big deal, but that man and Nara seemed happy about it.

Nara smiled, "Thanks. We better get going now." Nara stood and started walking, but seeing Saia not follow, she swept her hand toward herself as a signal for Saia to follow.

Saia pouted, "Can't we just stay here where you can talk?"

Nara frowned, "I probably shouldn't be talking now." Something hit Nara. She bent down and Saia went to her, "You're people aren't telepathic are they?"

Saia gave her a look, "Tel a what?"

Nara shook her head and sighed, "Never mind. It was just an idea. Until I realized we have telepaths from the Galaxy here." Saia's look demanded an explanation. Nara smiled, "Later. I promise when all this is sorted out, you'll see my face and we can really talk. For now, there are people who need our help."

Saia nodded and they walked in silence on the way to the tent. After leaving the alleys they weren't so secretive. She smiled watching Saia. The little one was an orphan, had just learned her trusted friend wasn't who she thought she was, but here she was acting like a kid, picking up a stone here or there and jumping over twigs and splashing in puddles for no reason other than to play.

Nara's mind wandered back to the encounter with Saul. She let her feelings emerge. Warmth came to her in that moment she talked with him. A look crossed her face as a word caught in her mind. "Suitor." Saul had said "this suitor never came empty handed." Was he referring to himself as her suitor? It was an old fashioned term, but it always held the same meaning: A man who liked a woman and was trying to get her to like him. ~Well,~ Nara thought, ~It wouldn't take much.~ But Branwen. Weren't they dating? She was about to get furious at him all over, when Saia started running.

Nara looked at her and realized why. They were almost there. The big tent was in view. Nara sighed. She placed all that drama in the back of her mind as she bent to pick up a stone and threw it a few feet to the side of Saia. Saia turned and looked at her. Nara held her palm up for Saia to wait.

Saia frowned, "Well hurry!"

~You better be glad I can't talk, you little squirt.~ Nara grinned as she intentionally slowed her steps, but seeing that Saia wasn't finding it funny, hurried on to the tent and wait about eighteen hours for time to see Saul again. She would save the stuff about suiting for when they were back on board and she could properly bash his head in. After a few weeks. He deserved a few weeks of peace for saving her life.

"Unwanted Karma"

(takes place directly after 'Unsanity in the Stars')

Ensign 8-ball Hunter

"This isn't happening. This isn't happening."

"You keep saying that," Azra said. Her voice was high pitched, obviously scared, but not frightened enough to not be annoying. That seemed to be her best quality. "It won't change anything."

"Oh, REALLY?" 8-ball said sarcastically. She knew that since she was the adult she should be acting better than this but it was too much. Being stuck with these orphaned kids. . .not having any words of wisdom. . .trying not to kill them for being children. . .somehow being appointed their temporary legal guardian. . .and now the fucking SHIP was being attacked? Who had she pissed off in her last life? What kind of shit could she have done to stir up this much unwanted karma?

"I hadn't realized that the sound of my voice wasn't the all time fucking power of God," 8-ball continued, unable to keep quiet. She was chatty when she was nervous; she was also irritable, jumpy, and likely to give any Tourette's patient a run for their money in colorful vocabulary. "If I had realized that, I wouldn't have been so annoyed when I asked out loud for ten tons of latinum only to find that none had magically appeared around me. God, I've been so blind."

Azra opened her mouth to retort but Kaden's tears turned into loud wailing. "Please don't fight," he cried. Azra shut her mouth and glared at 8-ball.

8-ball closed her eyes for a moment and then opened them, because when you're running down a corridor with two orphan Trill children and pieces of bulkhead falling down around you, your success in not dying is severely limited with closed eyes. "Look," she said. "I'm sorry." Her voice didn't sound very sorry but she was trying here. "I didn't mean to snap at you. I shouldn't have. I just want to get you two somewhere safe. Okay?"

Azra continued to glare at 8-ball while she ran for a minute and then finally lowered her eyes to the floor. She stopped moving for a minute and 8-ball, with Kaden by her side, stopped so suddenly she almost fell over. "Azra, we have to keep moving."

"I know," Azra said. "I just wanted to, you know, say sorry for being so, um, well. . ."

"Azra, we can say all of our sappy little apologies and heartfelt grievances to each other later, when the ship isn't being attacked and when everything's safe again, okay? Let's get moving."

Azra nodded once, closed her eyes, and opened them again, purposefully not looking at 8-ball. Tears were starting to stream down her cheeks. 8-ball felt like a heel. She also felt impatient because she did not have time for this.

8-ball took a step towards her. "Look, Azra," she said. "I know I'm not very good at this; I'm not very good with, I mean, I'm just. . .Azra, it's----"

Another blast rocked the ship and the conduit on the wall exploded. 8-ball flew forwards, conscious only of Kaden's hand in her own, pushing him under her body to keep him safe from any falling pieces of ship. She collapsed on the floor and didn't move for a minute. Everything seemed to be moving around her, swaying violently as if the Galaxy was on a space roller coaster ride. When her dizziness passed, 8-ball got slowly to her knees and lifted up Kaden. He was still crying but didn't seem too hurt.

"Are you okay?" she asked him. He nodded, crying too hard for tears. 8-ball turned around to ask Azra about injuries when she saw the Trill girl lying on the floor, unmoving.

"Azra!" 8-ball crawled frantically over to where the girl lay face down and rolled her gently on her back. Azra's eyes were closed. There were blood trickling down her mouth into her hair, and burn marks all down the side of her face and body. 8-ball blinked, almost too shocked for thought. The only thing that went through her mind was detached, cold. ~The burns are too extensive. They're too much~

8-ball blinked and snapped out of her reverie. She shook the girl, first gently, and then harder, as if she could somehow shake her awake and healthy and unburned. The logic was bad, even for her. Disturbed mothers probably thought that way when they shook their infants around and dropped them on their skulls. It was the best thing for them; they were only trying to help.

8-ball shook her head, trying to clear it of the strange thoughts. She felt a little dizzy again, and her head hurt pretty bad where she had hit it on the floor. Along with the shock and just being unreliable and weird in general, she probably had a small concussion. None of that mattered. 8-ball shook Azra again.

Azra's eyes fluttered open once, and then closed again. 8-ball shook her again, more gently this time. "Azra," she said. "Azra, it's me. It's 8-ball. Wake up. Wake up."

Azra's eyes opened again. This time they stayed open and attempted to focus on 8-ball's face. "Hey," 8-ball said. "It's me. It's 8-ball. You remember? You remember me?"

"Of course I remember you," Azra said weakly, her voice not much louder than a whisper. "I'm not dumb."

8-ball started to laugh. It was only then she realized that she was crying. The tears were falling fast and landing on Azra's burned shirt. Behind them, Kaden sat staring, almost unable to move, it seemed.

"No," 8-ball said. "No, you're definitely not dumb." She could feel herself starting to hyperventalite and silently told her lungs to shut up. "Okay," she said. "Okay. This is what we're going to do. I'm going to help you get up, and we're going to get to sickbay, okay? We're going to get you all better." 8-ball got to her feet, brushed back the moment of intense dizziness, and pulled Azra's hands. Azra cried out, lifted slightly, and fell back down. 8-ball's dizziness came back and she found herself on her ass without realizing that she had fallen.

Azra was curling up slowly, her body trying to move itself into a fetal position. "I can't," she whispered. "I can't get up. I can't move."

"Of course you can," 8-ball snapped at her and got back on her feet again. "Come on. I'll pick you up and carry you." She swayed on her feet again.

Azra's tears slid down her burned cheeks, and she started to cry so hard she was having trouble breathing. "You. . .you can't. . ." Azra managed to say. "You can . . .barely. . .stand." She tried to push herself up again and whimpered. "I can't. I can't. I'm so scared."

8-ball got down to her knees, closed her eyes, and scooped Azra up in her arms. She stood up, slowly, and didn't move for a few minutes, letting the ship move around her in quick, erratic circles. She opened her eyes, almost hoping that when she did Azra would not be hurt, that the ship wouldn't be under attack, that everything was back to normal and nobody was depending on her. She looked down at Azra's burned body and knew it was a dumb hope. Nothing went back to the way it was. That was the ultimate, unwanted karma.

"I'm so scared," Azra whispered again. "I don't want to die."

8-ball swallowed, took a couple steps forward, stopped, and took a few more. Kaden walked slowly beside her, his eyes too wide for his face, terrified and alone. 8-ball worked her throat a couple of times and said, "You aren't going to die. You're going to be fine. I'm going to get you to Sick Bay and you'll. . .you'll be fine."

8-ball knew as she said it that she was lying. It sounded like a lie, lousy and frightened. She wanted to be able to lie better, to strengthen her voice, to make everything really sound like it was all going to be okay, like happy endings really happened and these dark moments in life were just that. . .moments, things you get through because you live through them. No one ever dies in times like these; they're just moments to be overcome. 8-ball wanted to be able to say this but she knew better, and ultimately, she just didn't lie that well. And Azra knew it too. Azra could see through the lie. She didn't ask 8-ball to tell her the truth. She didn't want to truth. She wanted to believe the lie. Any lie. A lie that she was going to get better, or a lie that when she died, she'd make it to some beautiful place where her mother was waiting for her, some place where they could be happy and safe for all of eternity. Any lie at all would do, as long as it sounded real.

But 8-ball couldn't do it. She just couldn't make her voice sound strong. She wasn't strong at all.

"You're going to be fine," 8-ball said again, and it was just as unconvincing as before.

And none of it helped Azra's fear or pain before she died.

"family bonds"

by Turan Trelar, Quentite "Ambassador"
Meena - old age Trill woman

Trill, planet surface. A ruin near ground zero ...

Meena wiped the sweat of her temple. The dust covered sleeve of her tunic left tracks of sand gray mud. Meena didn't mind. She was too tired to care about. There was so much work waiting in front her. Somewhere beyond her feet covered by a giant pile of rubble, her grandchild was waiting for her. Probably her Button-nose was dead - she didn't even dare to think about.. Probably the little girl was injured - severely injured, unconscious or frighteningly waiting for help, for her grandma to take her, comfort her, smile at her. Thinking at her sweetheart made her gain new power. She was strong - for an old Trill woman. After eight hours of digging and removing large pieces of bricks, concrete or furniture there was not much energy left. Even a well trained young man would have been exhausted, would allow himself a rest. Meena didn't - not before Saia was found. Meena took another piece of concrete, tried to lift it up. It was heavier than it looked. Or perhaps she was weaker than she thought. The old age woman lost her balance and fell. With shivering arms, she tried to get up. Her left knee was bleeding - she didn't cared. The giant alien next to her dropped the stone he was lifting. Carefully he took her by her elbow and supported her.. Meena looked up at him with sad but thankful eyes. "Come on, Ma'am, allow yourself a rest" recommended Turan. The elderly woman shook her head. "I can't. I know she isn't dead. She is alive. I ... I ... I can't leave. Don't send me away." She replied with a broken and fading voice.

"OK, ma'am. " agreed Turan. Even without any experience in counseling Trills, Turan knew that any attempt to keep the old woman from searching would be futile. He offered her a bottle of clean water. "Have a sip of water then let us go back to work. Probably you want to tell me who we are searching for."

The Trill grandma took the bottle, opened it to drink. Turan turned around and glanced at the tricorder. There was still a single life sign - less than five meters away. The life sign was fading. Whoever was buried under the rubble wasn't in a good condition. Turan decided not to tell the old woman about.

ROGUE: "You trecherous son of a b*tch!"

A RARE JP WITH:

Lieutenant Commander James Lionel Corgan

Chief of Security, USS Galaxy

AND

Ensign Zeke Wikkins

Security, USS Galaxy

Location: Shield Generator Unit 5-B, USS Galaxy

Coming inside one of the many shield generator stations on the Galaxy, James was introduced into a world of clanging, beeping, and poor lights.

The ship was flickering after the unshielded hit minutes before, and the Galaxy was still smarting from the sucker punch. Power in this section was held on by gossamer thin threads of technological fortitude, and it did not include the lights. Flicker, flicker, buzz. That repeated pattern of noise with the clang of machinery and crackling of burnt circuitry, added with the etherial ghost calls of energy circulation. A room like this could be its own dark hell in a pitched fight. James did not want to be here.

But here was where his quarry would most likely be. T'lan joined James, short of breath after checking the other shield generator rooms. They both had no backup but each other. The rest of security was fanned out thinly among the rest of the crew or planetside on the humanitarian mission. They were alone and that was how it would stay.

"Sir..." T'lan whispered breathlessly, caught in a cool Vulcan awe at what they were seeing, "There is more to this than a single torpedo hit. Look at the panels..."

T'lan was correct. Vulcan observation, and Corgan's practiced eye, could see burned out panels caused by phaser fire.

"Saboteur." Corgan agreed. "Where the hell are the engineers?"

"Surprised, most likely. They would not expect an attack from within. One of our own... a security officer. Logic would dictate that one with access to major systems, the armory, and yet still have a low enough rank to be overlooked would be ideal."

Corgan nodded, "Someone on the patrols. Did they find out who set that trap in security?"

"Unknown, sir." T'lan advanced first into the generator room, tiptoeing without a sound. Corgan than followed, covering the upper deck while T'lan led the way. "No prints. No DNA residue."

"It was too crude." James shook his head in disbelief, "Our cameras would have picked up someone at the armory drawer leaving the tricorder and the phaser. This was purely a shock and awe tactic. A quick disruption, a last ditch effort before escaping. Anything from the sensors and cameras?"

"Not yet, sir. We are understaffed. Nobody has been able to check the computer banks yet."

"Dammit." Corgan muttered a curse under his breath. They needed more personnel now! But with the ship on alert and in a battle, there was no chance to bring re-enforcements. What they had already counted as a skeleton detatchment; not nearly enough for his liking to sweep the ship.

As they advanced forward, Corgan saw beside a thoroughly destroyed console the bodies of two engineers. He signalled T'lan to cover him; and as she did so James scrabbled to the corpses. Two human engineers in jumpsuits, a male and a female that he didn't know, were dead from phaser wounds. The charred halo of flesh from the phaser strikes were directly at their chests.

"Dead." Corgan waved T'lan off, speaking to her in a hushed whisper, "Keep looking around. I don't want to break up, but we don't have time. Take the left area, i'll take the right. Watch yourself. The saboteur is one of us."

"Aye, sir." T'lan confirmed. Her flashlight aimed to the left, blocked off by once thrumming shield coils that now laid dormant. She disappeared into the dark, a Vulcan shadow without a sound.

James went his direction without a noise. A ghost himself, he used eyes and ears where his tricorder could not be reliable. The chaos of the ship in its pain spasms was background noise, like all his other battles on board ship, like everywhere else. Background noise, while small details amplified.

He wanted to catch the saboteur for personal reasons. A traitor during his watch was unacceptable, and the fault being his own as much as the traitors, demanded that it be corrected. For his pride. For the safety of the crew. For the lives it could save and the vengeance of others who were too late to spare. Commander Thomas mocked him, the ship, the crew while the Galaxy was helpless in space. Thomas dredged up his only sparse memories of Corgan, of the days where he was a soldier and nothing else.

Thomas wasn't privy to the days where James improved himself. The days that saw him earn his accredidations, the day where James earned his Lieutenant Commander's pips. The days where he lost much, but gained so much more. His confidence, his ability to lead, the trials he had to endure to grow wiser happened on M'Kantu and Brhode's watch. Though he was far from perfect and made mistakes, James could say with authority that he had grown.

He wanted, more than anything, to prove Commander Thomas not only was he far from the manic depressive sociopath from the past. If anything, Thomas' behavior shown that James was the one sporting better temperment.

James vowed that by the time this was over, he was going to show the traitor off to Thomas like a war trophy, and let it say what he felt.

A beep. Small and tinny, but it was there, from one of the consoles. From its distance, a command and control console. One that could access other ships systems.

He crept to the console, peeking fromt he corner to not be seen.

The console was flickering, but still alive. Beside it was the body of a security Ensign. Jamie Macaroy, one of the few left to patrol the ship.

Ensign Macaroy had a partner. It was standard procedure. James knew who he was. He was the one that organized the patrol schedules.

"Oh my god..." Corgan shivered, "You did this... oh Christ... oh Jesus f**king Christ..." He reached for his badge, talking in a harsh, hurried whisper, "Corgan to T'lan, it's..."

It was then that James heard a phaser discharge. A second later, T'lan grunted, her weight bumping the walls and scraping the grilles.

"Sh*t!" Corgan bolted towards the phaser fight, "You trecherous son of a b*tch!"

Zeke Wikkins reached down and snapped off the Vulcan's flashlight. He had taken the woman by suprise and was fairly certain she would not keep him from getting to the nearest escape pod, but with a Vulcan, one never knew if they were unconscious, dead, or in the grip of some sort of healing trance.

He remembered Thomas' orders.

:: Take no chances. If they are in your way, kill them. Except for that Streely fellow. He was always a pain in the ass, but he was entertaining. ::

He pointed his phaser at the Vulcan's head, his thumb on the trigger...

...And heard the whine of a powering up phaser from behind.

"That's quite enough, Mr. Wikkens. Hold it right there." Corgan commanded with the conviction of an order from God, grim as death. Wikkens froze, not dropping a shadow covered item in one hamlike fist, the other holding a phaser trained at a slumped over T'lan.

Corgan's Vulcan deputy snapped out of unlife, her breath raspy and choked, her face knit in pain that tested all of her dicipline. Even in the shadows, T'lan was clearly wounded, above the breast and below the collarbone laid a cauterized phaser wound that stunk of burnt flesh and leaked blood the shade of an unripe tomato. She was looking up at the mountain of a man known as Zeke; at his mercy was it not for James holding the same razor thin hold on his life were he to vanquish the Vulcan.

"I am... alive... sir." T'lan gasped, a spasm of pain wracking her body.

Corgan answered angrily "You better be T'lan, or i'd have to kill this son of a b*tch right here and now, I swear to God."

"Brother Corgan, this is the Will of the Most High. I do not expect thee to understand, however I ask that thee stand aside. I harbor no ill will towards thee." Wikkins rumbled, not moving one muscle in his body.

"Cut the self righteous crap, traitor. Come along peaceably, let me show you to that goat shagging son of a f**k Thomas, and we'll send you to a nice penal colony to be... rehabilitated. If not..." Paused James, his finger flicking on the higher settings of his phaser, "Well... you killed fellow officers. You just shot an officer in your own department, killed your patrol partner! You earned MY ill will, and only conventions on prisoner treatment are preventing me fron doing anything about it!"

The mammoth Security officer frowned deeply.

"It is unwise for thee to hurl such sinful accusations at my father." he revealed. "He has never to my knowladge admitted to any consorting with farm animals. Besides, a sheep would have been a more appropriate choice for your blasphemy.

~"Father?"~ Thought the security chief, his guard slowly lowered. Zeke looked nothing like Commander Thomas, like comparing a powderpuff to a slab of concrete. Corgan didn't know the Commander well, but knew he was incapable mentally of fathering anything. A man of his maturity... impossible! The thought couldn't formulate into a plausible explanation.

"Bullshit!" Corgan silenced Wikkens with a gutteral hiss, "Commander Thomas was rejected every week. I know, I had a direct tap on the grapevine when he was our first officer. No way he could have..." The thought violated every cell in James' body, "...mated...with another... woman. Ehhhhhhuhhuhuuhuu."

"It is possible. My father was once upon shore leave attending what he called a "male bonding festival" with a man named Churchill. My mother, sinful jezebelle that she was, was some sort of camera woman. She was impressed with the way my father looked in his, what did she call them, "Arabian Goggles". She said she wanted to get him to "play for the other team." and got pregnant from thier efforts. She sent me to live on Earth with my new family. She never mentioned my father. I never knew the man until recently when he came looking for me. He showed me the Way. I must honor my father. It is my God's path." he said.

"Honour thy father and thy mother." Corgan quoted.

"Correct." Wikkens said

"Does 'thou shalt not kill' mean anything to you as well?" Corgan trained his phaser to the direction of Zeke's head, "You helped kill thousands, and directly killed three officers, and you're putting us all in danger. It's as much hypocricy as... a man from a pacifist religious sect joining Starfleet? No matter, you're done for, Mr. Wikkens. You'll have to answer not only to your god, but to your peers as well. Are you ready for that?"

"I forgive you, Brother." Zeke said - sounding somewhat genuine. "May thee bask in the glory and light of the Most Holy."

His right hand then opened and a flash grenade tumbled to the floor, exploding with a blinding burst of light nearly instantly.

The hulking Amish officer moved with a speed and grace that he had yet shown and buried his shoulder into Corgan's midsection at full speed, sending both men sprawling onto the floor.

Feeling the rush of air forcibly removed from his lungs, James also felt the rush of pain as Wikkens shoulder punched into him as they impacted into the ground. Their bodies tangled together, but James lost to momentum. Zeke's arms grappled with his body; with James arms barely prepared for a resistance. His phaser spun out of his reach. He tried kicking but wasn't connecting anywhere. Zeke had James in an efficient wrestling hold, his biceps crushing out more strength, until James ears flooded with a liquid sound and Zeke's muscles pulled tight like ropes.

T'lan tried to move despite her wounds, standing up and coming towards combat.

"T'lan... no..." Corgan gasped and coughed, "...The shields... hurry!"

It was then that James head reared back, catching Zeke by the bridge of his nose. Zeke's grip relaxed and James wormed out of it. T'lan dragged herself to the consoles.

"Mr Wikkens... you goddamn bastard..." Panted James as he slowly picked himself up.

Zeke charged again, recovering faster than James. Corgan meet the charge by ducking down, lashing his foot out faster than a mongoose. His legs scissored Zeke, sending the brute and all his massive bulk into the wall. By the time Zeke pushed himself up, Corgan was already in a fighting stance, his eyes set in a cold blue glow.

"Your father has a very low opinion about me." Corgan growled, feigning an attack, "What he doesn't know is that I'm better at what I do now than I ever was when he was aboard."

"He was disappointed in thee. He said it stemmed from thy not wanting to blow up a space station some time ago. He couldn't concieve how anyone would object to abuse of a corpse. Plus, thee never invited him to any of thy holodeck music gatherings. He likes thy hair, especially now, but he says thy are nothing more than an unstable weapon. Useless without the proper master."

"No..." Said James, impassionately, "I'm a soldier. Back then I was a damn good killer. Ironically, I became much better during peacetime. You can surrender... better chance of living."

"I will rage on you with the fire of my wrath and I will deliver you into the hand of brutal men, skilled in destruction." Wikkins quoted, "Ezekial 21, verse 31.The Lord has spoken through my father not unlike Abraham. I am the hand of the Most High. I must not fail in my mission. I regret that there is no other way."

Resigned, Corgan sighed, "So be it."

Screaming out a hell bourne battlecry, Corgan ran after his opponent, catching Zeke off guard in the process. He swung his fist expertly, a straight punch that twisted at the last foot, powering into Zeke's abs. The giant gasped as a trickle of blood escaped his lips. Corgan followed up with a palm strike to the jaw, followed by a backhanded knuckle scrape that sounded like a firecracker to the head of Zeke. As Zeke stepped back, feeling the stinging of his face and the blood on his tongue, James and and succeeded a powerful snap kick to Zeke's chest, right at the breastbone, sending Zeke slamming into the wall again.

But Zeke didn't stay down for long. Before James could hit again, Zeke pushed off the wall and caught James' throat, forcing James into the next wall and slamming him repeatedly. The chief of security's fingers dug into Zeke's arms, but his grip didn't lessen. James punched his jaw again, but Zeke did not let go. James clawed and raked... Zeke did not let go.

Corgan kicked Zeke in the stomach, and he did let go. Coughing for breath, James scrabbled along the wall and towards his weapon.

Wikkins grabbed him by the hair and the back of his uniform and hurled him in a great arc into the bulk head. The Security chief, still dazed spun and was able to land a quick kick to Zeke's groin. He followed that up with 2 quick punches to the face.

The blows didn't have much behind them with James on his back, but they were enough to stagger the bigger man and allow Corgan to get back on his feet.

He darted to the left as Zeke charged wildly with a clothsline and landed a sharp blow to the back of Wikkins' head that dropped the man to his knees.

Corgan moved in with a powerful soccer kick in mind but the massive officer caught his leg deep under his left arm and then hammered James' chest with thunderous right hands.

Trapped this close to the much stronger man, James could feel himself begin to black out as Zeke relentlessly hammered at his chest and head.

His vision grew hazy as the Amish officer pulled back for one more punch only to see a short phaser blast slice through the dim light and clip Wikkins in his chest, ruining his combadge and rendering his right arm useless.

James sprawled on the floor, to catch his bearings and he could see the Vulcan, T'lan had managed to crawl over to her phaser and fire at the bigger man.

"I told you..." Corgan hacked a trickle of blood, "...the shields..."

"Done, sir." T'lan holstered her phaser, in favour of cradling her wound, "We are safe."

"Not for long. Macaroy had neural restraints. Get them. I'll take care of Wikkins."

Wikkins could sense the end was near so he raced down the hallway to a comm unit and keyed in the access codes he had memorized. He fell to his knees, clutching the keyboard for balance as the screen came to life and Commander Chris Thomas ghasped when he saw the condition Zeke was in.

"My son?!?! What has happened to you?!?" he cried out.

"Father....help..thy son." Wikkins gasped.

*****

Meanwhile on the DIIS...

"Zeke... son?"

Commander Thomas was in the middle of a gleeful cacklefest, swatting aside the Trill defenses while toying with his former ship with a reckless abandon, the proverbial cat with a hunted mouse. So long he waited for revenge that the pleasure of his little hunt was an overload for his already unbalanced synapses.

But then he saw his son begging for help.

"It's ok my boy." Commander Thomas soothed, as the brute of a man on the other ship leaned on his console, his face dwarfing everything else on the viewscreen as there was nothing but darkness and spark showers to illuminate, "Help is coming... we'll be right there. Hold on."

"No father... the shields... are up."

A pit formed in Commander Thomas' stomach, and it threatened to crawl up to his throat, grappling hook and all. He glared at his first officer.

"Our shields are up, Commodore." First Officer Patun replied with his usual blank look upon hi sface.

Commodore Thomas wanted to explode. Had to explode! The urge was overpowering. Destroy Trill, destroy the Galaxy, destroy even his own failure of a son! It bubbled up on him like a red hot hate, until his eyes saw red and his fist became sore from hammering his captain's chair.

"Father... help..." Zeke pleaded.

"My son..." Thomas wept.

Zeke's face disappeared in the darkness as his head was grabbed by a shadow. Then it reappeared again...

And again...

Into the communication screen.

The audio device picked up every minute scratch and snap as Zeke's head was repeatedly slammed into the screen, adding the wail of an out of focus microphone jarring every listening ear on the bridge. The screen shook at every hit, cracking until every bridge member flinched, fully believing Zeke's larger than life head would come crashing through the rapidly spiderwebbing glass at the last hit. Blood trickled the screen, Zeke bellowed in pain, and another grunted as he tried to keep a desperate Zeke under control.

The man in the shadows then threw Zeke into the console, making it crack one final time, sending a final squeal of interference and a momentary blurb of static.

The man in the shadows came closer, side by side, head to head of a glassy eyed Zeke, his hand holding a fistful of Zeke's hair to keep him upright, and within view of the screen.

"Mr. Thomas..." Grumbled the deathly, bloodstained visage of James Corgan.

Thomas gasped, jumping back from his captain's chair with a quiver. He was looking at James Corgan, the officer he mocked, thought little of before...

Staring back at him with baleful, wintery eyes that promised so much he didn't like.

James Corgan spoke, "I found your miracle. Without him you're f**ked. But I don't care about him now. What I care about is you... the man who knows so much about me, yet the same person I didn't give two sh*ts about when you were the first officer. Pathetic..."

"He served his purpose, and besides that, he reminds me of that drunken whore of a mother of his. They were both built the same. Keep the little bastard.He did what I wanted and as a bonus he made a monkey's ass out of you. Tell me Lt Commander Monkey's Ass, do you really thing I give a good god damn about anything you have to say? You who..."

"Be quiet." Corgan said dispassionately, looking down upon Commander Thomas like he was lower than dirt, "If I were you, I would leave and never come back. Pray you never see me again, and upon failing that... pray for death. It will be the easy way out."

Corgan nodded his head in shame, "Goodbye, Mr. Thomas. I now know who the better man is."

And with a harrumph of disgust, James shut down the communications channel with Zeke's head, letting out another ear splitting wail and permanent static on the DIIS' viewscreen.

Back aboard the DIIS, Thomas fumed. He turned to Patun who was absentmindedly scratching himself.

"Guess who's Coming to the Dogfight?"

Part 1 of 3

Yet another damn fine Joe Ammo post (in 3 parts), featuring MYSTERY GUESTS AND WRITERS (yes more than ONE!)

*First person to guess the MYSTERY WRITERS gets a Leo Streely Action Doll. (anatomically correct!)

Time: Moments after "Revenge of the toilet paper!" by me.

Location: Space, above the planet Trill

The Breen fighters swooped towards the USS GALAXY. As soon as the last one of the rapacious looking, deadly fighters cleared the hangar bay, the DIIS brought up full shields. She slowly peeled out to starboard, as the threat indicators on the GALAXY's bridge screamed alarms.

"Evasive Maneauvers!" the Captain ordered.

"Oh shit!" exclaimed LT Anna Nonomus from behind the Tactical Arch.

"Lieutennant, report!" barked out M'Kantu.

"WEAPONS ARE NOW OFFLINE! INTELL DATABASE STILL SHOWS US AS A THREAT FORCE! SHIELDS ARE STILL OFFLINE!!!" screamed Nonomus, as the Threat Board literally exploded into a red glow bathing her in a crimson glare, her average looking face now flushed an unbecoming red and looking like an Irish Fishwife.

"ENGINEERING, I need shields yesterday!" demanded M'Kantu.

=/\= "Bridge, this is Ensign Slayton. I've got the shield's computers rebooting and it'll be less than three minutes till you can have them back in full. Slayton out." =/\=

"Helm, hard turn to port!" M'Kantu barked. The hapless officer in the Helm seat let their fingers fly across the board. The Graceful lines of the GALAXY turned slowly on her maneuvering thrusters, impulse engines groaning with the demands being put on them, as she slid slowly.... to Starboard.

"It's not my fault!" wailed the Helm officer. "I put in Port! PORT!"

"It's almost like... Thomas has jinxed the Galaxy somehow!" mused K'lod, the portly Bolian Engineering officer, from behind the Tactical arch.

"Silence! Thomas has not jinxed the Galaxy somehow!" barked out M'Kantu, his mind racing through all available possibilities, until it hit him.

"Remember Kirk and Khan!" barked M'Kantu, "Computer! This is Darren M'Kantu! Serial number 1-900-123-4567. Commence with computer override of USS DIIS' computer, authorization code Alpha-Omega-Seventeen-Hike! Lower her shields. Let's see if we can't take control of her without even firing a shot!"

==Unable to comply== responded the flat monotone of the computer.

"Why not?" demanded the Captain. "This is the USS Galaxy, the finest piece of hardware in Starfleet!"

==Dude...== moaned the computer.

"What the smegging hell is that thing talking about? Why can't we re-gain control of the Galaxy, force the DIIS to lower it's shields and blow it all to hell? " Lt. Nonomus whispered from the Tactical Arch.

"Smegging? Is that even a word?" asked K'lod.

"I found it all through the old Tactical Logs. It seemed like some older members of the crew were unable to make a log entry without using it seven or eight times." Nonomus responded.

The comm screen shimmered back into life. Commodore Thomas gloated from his command chair, smirking like a cat who has been eating all the cream. The smugness was almost tangible.

"Oh, did you find one of my little surprises? You little precious ship not obeying your every whim?" the Commodore smirked. "Of course I thought you might take the fracking OBVIOUS ploy of aping that painfully repressed fellow James Tiberius Kirk! Fools like you are so predictable, I bet you never ever even considered learning the Vulcan Death Pinch, like I can do!"

Thomas reached towards the screen with bent fingers, then pulled back at the last moment.

"-That- is how predictable you are! You won't find the Remote Access codes for the DIIS anymore. Now as far as the Galaxy is concerned, it would be dreadfully tacky of me to use that tired and hackneyed ploy to defeat you! Or... would it? Fire." he yawned.

Phaser strips flickered into life on the DIIS and shot across space to savage the hull of GALAXY. The ship rocked under the assault. Lt. Nonomous fell backwards and hit her head. Bosco, the Catain tactical officer slipped into her place.

The Federation and Breen fighters were locked into a fierce dogfight, and two of the GALAXY's defenders were vaporized in the barrage.

"Sir! Major Blockage and Lieutenant Grade, Jr. from Alpha Squadron are gone!" snapped the Flight Ops officer.

"Oh my Gawd! You killed Kenny Blockage! Damn you!" said a groggy Lt. Nonomous from the floor before she passed out completely.

"Thomas, how did you gain access to the USS Galaxy's computer!" M'Kantu demanded peevishly.

"Well, let me see. Oh yes...hold on. Fire." Thomas stifled another yawn and brushed imaginary lint from his uniform, as yet more phaser fire raked the hull of Galaxy.

"YOU BASTARRRRRRRRRD!" hissed Bosco.

"No, I'm pretty sure my father knew my mother." countered Thomas. "You want to know how I captured the computer of your pretty little piece of shit? It's simple, I thought even you fools MIGHT have possibly glimpsed the solution to your yammering questions. Maybe I overestimated you dolts?"

"You slipped a pawn into the crew! Some stooge to do your nefarious bidding!" The Captain replied.

"True, I did and you'll never find him... but I also had an ace in my hole." Thomas admitted. "I kidnapped someone you all know and love, and I forced him to help me. Who better to help me gain control of the computer of USS Galaxy than..."

Pregnant seconds ticked by.

"Who?" demanded the entire Bridge Crew of USS GALAXY

"Oh wow, was , that like my cue?" demanded a voice off-screen, to Thomas' right. A vaguely familiar, shaggy head of hair loomed into the picture. Strapped to the head was a pasta colander, festooned with odd bits of wire and biochips, a sonic screwdriver attached to a hypersonic spanner and pieces obviously from a quadcorder and what looked suspiciously like a pocket sized nuclear fusion accelerometer clamped to the top.

"Hi. Hey like, you're not the same guy I met before, are you? Totally bitching hair though. " the stranger said to M'Kantu. "Whoa! You look just like Morgan Freeman! That dude in the Matrix? Or was it Willi Wonka? I get 'em confused."

"Who the hell is that?" demanded M'Kantu.

The stranger peered at Commodore Thomas. "Him? Wow... like ...are your neural pathways all scrambled or something? That is so cool! Listen, I know you're confused, what with your scrambled Neural net and all, but I heard him tell you he was Commodore Christopher Kell Thomas! If your neural pathways are all scrambled with, like totally bogus amounts of streptomycin, can I interest you in, like my injecting you with these totally rad little nanobots I invented last week? No wait, it was the week before, because it was right before I solved the question 'Do trees think?" Which was like, totally heavy man. Because there are these crazy trees on Mytus Seven that DO think, and which like, totally threw my hypothesis out the window! Anyway, because if like, your brain is all messed up and stuff, my Nanobots can like, totally unscramble them for you. Trust me, it doesn't hurt a bit. Okay, that' s lie because it hurts a lot! But wow, what a rush when they're done!"

"WHAT IS HE TALKING ABOUT?" bellowed M'Kantu, his patience finally frayed.

"I dunno, He told you he was Commodore Thomas, and then he was ranting a lot of stuff...I dunno dude. Frankly he harshed my buzz and I tuned out. I have a lot of stuff going on and a lot of things I'm worried about. Hey, got any plankton chips? I have the worst case of the munchies..." the stranger rambled on.

"Don't you recognize...DR JEBEDIAH QUICK?" screamed Thomas. "He single-handedly designed the re-fit of that piece of crap starship, and got thoroughly underfoot during your last upgrade when you ditched the PPC cannon. Bad move by the way. It was his genius that allowed me to seize control of your computer, and make you dance before me like the monkeys you really are!"

"Never heard of him." admitted M'Kantu.

"Dr. Quick? Where? That guy is totally cool!" enthused Dr. Quick, leaning in to peer around the Galaxy Bridge, onscreen aboard the DIIS.

"Why do I bother taunting you jackasses. BREEN FIGHTERS! KILL THEM ALL!" screamed Thomas.

"Heavy and harsh! Dude." added Quick, before the screen blanked out again.

OOC: OH NO! DR. QUICK KIDNAPPED AND FORCED TO HELP THOMAS IN HIS NEFARIOUS SCHEME!!! BOSCO BACK AT THE TACTICAL ARCH! WILL OUR HEROES BE ABLE TO THWART THOMAS MAD PLAN?

"Guess who's Coming to the Dogfight?"

Part 2 of 3

The near CLIMAX of our little tale! Featuring still MORE thrills, chills, and guest stars!!!

Time: Moments after "Guess who's coming to the dogfight? Part 1"

Location: Space, above the planet Trill

The DIIS sat there, smugly bloated like some sort of carnivorous toad as the pinpoints of energy floated serenely away from her forward launcher.The last two torpedoes slipped past the frantic fighters, and bracketed themselves on the defenseless USS Galaxy. Like the avenging hand of some deity, they sped implacably towards the hapless ship.

The GALAXY's hailing channels cackled for a moment, some sort of interference affecting the relay. A blurry image sputtered onto the Main Viewer, clearly Commodore Thomas on the bridge of the USS DIIS, but some sort of interference was jamming the signal. Various bands of interference sputtered and distorted the image, and it finally popped and crackled it's way into semi-coherence.

:::::Is this thing on? Dammit, I told you peons that I wanted to say something to them before my big moment! Oh, they can hear me now? Dammit Quick, whatever you're doing to that console, stop! Hello USS Galaxy, you load of useless douche bags! This is Commodore Christopher Kell Thomas talking to you, from inside your pitiful little heads. I have a message for you. DIE YOU BASTARDS, DIE! You'll go to hell with the name of Christopher Kell Thomas emblazoned on your stinking souls!:::::, the voice of the madman sputtered out of control as flecks of spittle and foam flew from his oddly distorted mouth.

"I don't have to listen to..." M'Kantu began to reply.

Implacably, unrelenting the photon torpedoes drifted past the last fighter chasing them in vain pursuit, closer to the USS Galaxy.

"Torrrrpedos arrrrre still hot." Bosco called out.

"Helm..." M'Kantu started.

"Evasive maneauvers. I'm already on it." Savoie called out from the helm chair.

Back on the DIIS, Dr. Quick was scratching his head.

"Umm.. like, their ship will never withstand that barrage. Dude, you didn't like, tell me you were going to use them on the ship! I know GALAXY wasn't like, my best work. Hell, I designed the re-fit more to piss off people than thinking they would build it! I mean, I looked into the Stardock and was all like whoa! Jumping Jeohosphat! Holey-Mooley!" So like, if we blow it up, that would like, suck. Sort of. Hey! Can I build something else from the wreckage? Because I remember this totally rad door on Ten Forward which would look sweet in my lab. Blow it up!" commented Quick.

"I know!" gloated Thomas, over the shifting subspace band.

"Dude, why is your subspace all funky like that?" demanded Quick.

"Funky? I don't know the meaning of the word Funky! I thought you did something to it!" sneered Thomas.

'Wow, it's almost like...as if someone was in a ship with an illegal Dolman cloak nearby and the ion flux regulators were like, messing with our subspace. Or if a bunch of Pakleds were doing your maintanence! Hey, why haven't those torpedoes blown them up yet?" Quick mused.

"What? That's impossible! I thought you said you had modified those torpedoes to run faster and explode harder! Why is this taking so long" Thomas shrieked.

"I did! At least I think I did! Hey, did you see the shift in the subspace interference? That was so cool! I wonder what did that? Look at the pretty colors! You'd need a pretty big ship to run that kind of power generator...OH! Unless there's a sun going supernova nearby! What are the odds, that a sun goes supernova the EXACT second we're here nearby? This is so cool!" Quick meandered.

"WHY IS THAT PIECE OF CRAP STILL THERE?" Thomas shrieked, pointing at the USS GALAXY.

The torpedoes were zeroing in on the still moving USS GALAXY... like they were about to deliver the long-delayed deathblow to the old Girl. Despite the decades of use and the heroics the ship had seen...despite the myriad cast of crew who had strode her hallowed halls... it looked as if the GALAXY was about to be blown into pieces.

The torpedoes sailed nearer. Time seemed to stand still, as the eternal light of the cosmos blazed down on the tableau. After countless light-years, USS GALAXY was being put to sleep. Like an old, overtired racehorse, the ship's well-deserved, long rest was finally here.

M'Kantu looked around at his Bridge crew and sighed. They looked so young, so hopeful, so innocent. Even the veterans, those who had served under Price and Bhrode, they looked like children. He was so tired, so worn from his admittedly brief stint as Commander of this ship, he had no idea how Bhrode and Price had borne it for so long.

The last sounds they heard was Christopher Thomas' cackling laughter, as the torpedoes seemingly struck empty space rather than the hull of USS Galaxy. The torpedos exploded upon impact in two cascading trails of light and then faded into nothingness leaving the USS GALAXY unharmed.

"umm, that was like, totally not supposed to happen. Or ...was it? " Dr Quick mused out loud, three seconds after the impact and explosion of the torpedoes.

"Weapons and shields will be back online in minutes, and we will have norrrrrrmal operrrrrating status." reported Lt. Bosco from the Tactical Arch, as he straddled Anna's crumpled body.

"Stop rubbing on her like that!" commanded M'Kantu, grimacing at Bosco's antics in the last few moments of life. "Someone tell me what happened!"

Meanwhile, aboard the DIIS, Thomas was in a blind rage.

"WHY ARE YOU STILL THERE? GAAAAAAAALLLAAAAAAAXXYYYYYYYYYYYY AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!" screamed Thomas, as he shoved his face right at the video input.

Then, a new voice interrupted the comm. linkage.

It was a voice that hinted of naked steel.

Raspy and as deadly sounding as a nicked and well-used blade being drawn across a whetstone, it seemed to ooze out and hang there as deadly as a threat.

=/\= "They are still there, you pissant, because no one was dumb enough to trust your ignorant assed, slipshod plan. This turd of a plan was the biggest piece of crap I've ever seen come out of your filthy, distended rectum." =/\=

"Who dares..??" sputtered Thomas.

A shimmer occurred in the space-field before of the USS DIIS. It was a shimmer that the DIIS' first officer, the Breen known as Patun knew quite well, having seen it before.

"Klingons!" Patun shouted, wishing he would have been able to fight -someone- before being blown to space dust.

"SHUT UP, FOOL!!!. When I want your opinion, I'll beat it out of you." Thomas cried.

Slowly, the form of a PROMETHEUS class battleship materialized into view, as the comm. screen split and a grizzled face appeared on the GALAXY's screen.

It was a face the Galaxy crew had seen before, usually in countless nightmares

=/\= "This is John Q. Bhrode here, and yet again, I have to drop what I am doing to come here and save your asses, so you folks can scamper home to mommy and have some hugger-time!" =/\=

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH FIRE ALL TORPEDOES! BLOW THEM BOTH UP!" screamed Thomas.

Patun mashed the keys on the tactical display then reported: "Weapons won't fire! And the shields are down!"

"WHAT?!?!?! THEY CAN'T DO THAT!! THAT WAS MY PLAN!!! MY MOVE!!!" Thomas whined.

The USS ZEUS just sat there, looming over the DISS, now as helpless as her former prey, the USS GALAXY.

=/\= "Well, well, well. COMMODORE Thomas. You naughty little fart knocker. Did you really think your ship was going to do your dirty work?" Bhrode purred. =/\=

"What...who..how...?" Thomas sputtered ineffectually.

=/\= "Look, you eunuch. Starfleet Intelligence knew that you'd hang your fool self, given enough rope. It wasn't until after that confusing mess with the USS AKULA went down, that we put two and two together and found a dingle berry named Thomas dangling at the ass end of it all." Bhrode barked. =/\=

"But... the information I got from Quick.." Thomas whined, his beady eyes darting from side to side.

=/\= "Quick? Dr. Jebediah Quick?" Bhrode snarled. "Number One, Number Two, do either of you know a Jebediah Quick?"

"Errr.... Number One chose this moment to smegging well go Number One." Lysander quipped, to Bhrode's right as he lounged in the USS ZEUS' XO's chair, one leg draped negligently over the leg.

"Seeing Thomas again make me want to evacuate my bowels, especially when a dolt like him gets the better of a Starfleet officer." snarled Bhrode, eying M'Kantu and Thomas with equal distaste. =/\=

"You!" screamed a hysterical Thomas, stabbing a finger at Lysander VanderPuls-Hawksley.

=/\= "Hello! Long time no smegging see! Hey, when did you get promoted?" drawled Lysander, as he fingered his Commodore's bar self-consciously, "Captain, shall I have Major Log prepare a boarding party?" =/\=

"You can't get Marines on my ship! Dr Quick do something to my shields! I am invincible!" Thomas ranted, his face bulbous and florid.

=/\= "Whoa! Like, wow! This is so cool! What shall I do to your ship? I have like a list of things that would realine that things chi in shuch a positive way!" =/\= Dr Quick asked, from the the seat on USS ZEUS opposite Lysander.

"You made the shields... they...shields...you...you... hey!" Thomas sputtered, clearly confused, looking at the Dr Quick on the USS ZEUS and the Dr. Quick seated to his left on DIIS. Both were identical, right down to the colanders on their oddly shaggy heads.

=/\= "Oh, did I mention that Colonel Saladin Bolivar from Intelligence has kept us appraised of your every neurotic twitch, aside from sabotaging your little plan every chance he got?" Bhrode drawled. "Pretty sneaky of him to switch places with the good doctor here. I believe it was when you were in the male bathhouse with your scurvy carcas wrapped in..what was it again Colonel?" =/\=

"Kelp, sir. Beruvian, I believe. And it was my pleasure." Bolivar smirked, dropping the 'Dr Quick' act he'd been forced to assume for this period of time. On DIIS, the 'Dr Quick' pointed a concealed phaser at Thomas and smirked even harder. "Please twitch, I've been dying to do this to you for weeks now." Bolivar purred.

=/\= "Transporter room, would you please be so kind as to beam Colonal Bolivar and that rumpled piece of foreskin next to him aboard this majestic ship? Foreskin can be deposited directly into the friendly confines of CELL 4 in our spascious brig." =/\=

As Thomas felt the familiar tingle of the transporter begin to take effect, he shouted final instructions to Patun.

"PATUN! ATLANTIS!!! ATLANTIS!!! KILL THEM ALL!!!"

"Guess who's Coming to the Dogfight?"

Part 3 of 3

The GRAND CLIMAX of our little tale! Featuring still MORE thrills, chills, and guest stars!!!

Time: Moments after "Guess who's coming to the dogfight? Part 2"

Location: Space, above the planet Trill

*( Also included are exerpts from Pat's "Wrong planet, asshole!")

"PATUN! ATLANTIS!!! ATLANTIS!!! KILL THEM ALL!!!" Thomas had screamed hoarsely as he was being forcibly taken from his ship.

Thomas had drilled many of the details of his plan into his lackey. One of the facets he covered was what to do in the event of an emergency. The former First Officer of the USS GALAXY had called it ATLANTIS. The emergency protocol to be instituted in the event his plans didnt work out.

With the GALAXY still operational, Junior captured, and Thomas in the hands of Bhrode, things really had not worked out.

And so it was that Patun hopped in Captain..excuse me...Commodore Thomas' chair and called out the Commodore's final order....

...and the DIIS began to move.

MEANWHILE...

The Breen fighters were taking heavy losses against the Galaxy's Vanguards, who were clearly the superior pilots in the match. Of course, from the way they flew, they certainly weren't Breen. Breen had much more of a groupsense than these pilots did. it looked like someone had taken a dozen academy dropouts and put them at the conn of those craft. Of the original squadron, only five remained.

The orbital defense satellites were firing relentlessly at the now moving Diis, phaser beams and torpedoes flying at the nimble Akira-Class starship from all angles.

As the USS GALAXY worked to rapair themselves, the Vanguards came up on the Akira-Class starship, their strafing run bouncing shots of the DIIS' weakened shields. She was

starting to take a real pounding from the defense nets.

Her point defense phasers lanced out, striking Vanguard Three and knocking it's shields out.

One Flight and Three Flight came in one after another, their pulse phaser battering the ship's dorsal shields, eventually lowering them in the target area.

A small string of explosions ripped across Diis' hull. She surged forward, firing once again

on the Galaxy for a moment, and then ceasing, it's sudden change of coarse was now evident.

It was on a course for the USS GALAXY.

ABOARD THE USS GALAXY...

=/\= "M'Kantu, I am fully aware that I am no longer Captain of your ship, and far be it from me to tell you what to do..but if I were you - something I thank my dear sainted Mother every day for not being a reality - I would crawl up my engineering staff's asses and get the hell out of that flying shithouse's way even if it meant making someone get out and push." =/\= Bhrode said.

"Im not going to get out and push. That is forrrrrrr surrrrrre." Bosco said with a shrug.

The GALAXY Captain, more than a little annoyed, ignored the old man and the Catain. He opened a channel to the Vanguards.

"This is the Captain. The DIIS must be stopped. I'm wide open to suggestions and miracles."

=/\= "Rodger, Galaxy." =/\= Corran Rex's voice could be heard.

The Trill pilot could be seen maneauvering his fighter into a new attack position.

"Engineering to Bridge, Shields up in 60 seconds."

"We may not have 60 seconds." M"Kantu said."Give me everything you have."

ABOARD THE USS ZEUS....

On the bridge of the USS ZEUS, Brhode watched as the small fighter arced through space and took an obvoiuus kamakazee coarse towards the brige of the Diss.

He chuckled and then turned to Lysander.

"Number Two, it appears that someone has grown a pair of testicals on that ship. A small bud, but a set of testiocals nonetheless. And as loathe to say it as I may be, I never saw this coming from any of them. It is moves like this that seperate warriors from whiners. When that man is sitting around his fireside with his snot nosed pants pissing grand kids bouncing on his artheritic knees, when they ask him what he did on the almighty Galaxy, he won't have to say he shoveled shit in the waste replimats. He can say he kicked some ass."

Lysander bowed his head slightly.

"You should concider recording that, sir. I found it somewhat inspirational."

"I do not keep you aboard to state the obvious, Number Two." Bhrode chastized as the fighter plowed into the bridge of the DIIS in a brilliant explosion.

BACK ABOARD THE USS GALAXY...

"My god..." K'lod breathed as the Akira-Class ship lost all power, plasma fires burning on the decks that had been exposed to space. Engineers everywhere all seemed to mourn the passing of a starship. Maybe it was because they spent more time with the ship then they did with actual people. Perhaps it was because they appreciated the work it took to have so many parts come together and work in unison.

Whatever the case, his reaction to the destruction was one being shared by many on the bridge.

The ship would be salvageable, maybe. After that part of it's primary hull was rebuilt.

It would no doubt have to be towed to some spacedock.

Corran had just transported aboard the bridge of the GALAXY in time to not only see the brilliant explosion scattering across space, but also the aftereffect of his labors.

"Shields up. Phaserrrrrrrrrs active again. All systems online." Bosco reported.

M'Kantu nodded. Apparently the demise of the DIIS also wiped out the "Quick Virus" that had been loaded aboard the ship via Ensign Wikkins. With the Galaxy once again operational, the Captain felt conciderablly more at ease.

"Mr. Henderson, have our fighters take a position around the DIIS' hanger bay. I want them to detain any escaping craft. Beam the pilots directly into the brig. Use the tractor beams to reel in any life pods."

"Aye sir." the Galaxy's first officer replied, snapping to work.

"M'Kantu to transporter room, I want all survivors beamed off the DIIS and directly into the brig. Coordinate with LT Commander Corgan and Sickbay if need be." the Captain ordered, pauseing when he saw a few quizzical looks on the faces of some of the crew.

"We are Starfleet. We save lives. Those men were simply following the orders of a mad man. This battle is over. We now tend to the wounded." he said then turned his attention to Corran Rex.

"Probibly not something one learns at the Acadamy, was it?"

"I was running out of options, Sir." the Trill pilot replied.

"Effective, nonetheless. Good work. Go ahead and get cleaned up. Mr Bosco, please inform the USS ZEUS of our status. Also, let this...Bhrode...know that we would like to transfer prisoners as soon as possible."

NEXT: The EPILOGUE post!!!

OOC: This officially wraps up the mission. The last post . the epilogue, will be posted late Monday Evening.

Enyone with anything out should try to start wrapping them up. As a heads up, we will be laying over at Trill for a month of game time (per Ian) so don't feel as though you need to rush anything. You can always work on stuff during the free write period.

RPG OOC:

Although this *is* a backpost, it is legit (as I understand Ian's memo on the matter), since Tish is not on board the Galaxy at this time.

BTW, if you listen to this song (see the song info at the bottom), you'll get a feel of the 'energy' that is fueling T'Shani at this juncture in her life. Powerful, man.

-- MJ

" Phoenix , Part V"

T'Shani Akledorian

--

Now we are dying,
dying the slowest death!

No more condemnation,
we fight for one last breath!

And it begins anew,
the burning we endure

As we seek the strength,
strength to break the bonds

Break the bonds!

Break the bonds!

== Stardate 48905.14 (Sixteen years ago): Raath Mountains , Seltax VII ==

She was fighting.

~Why am I fighting?~ a piece of her mind questioned. ~What purpose is there in it? Why not let it be done?~ it simply asked, as the cold and the darkness crept in. In a sense, it was right, perhaps. Why *not* just let it all be done? The pain--physical and spiritual--was almost too much for a twelve year-old girl to handle.

~They're gone,~ it whispered to the rest of her mind, like a madman screaming at the masses on a street corner, trying to convince the world that the End Had Come. ~They're gone, and there's NOTHING you can do!~

As if to prove it's point, it opened the memories of her brief life, flashing through them slowly: the smile of her Khiib-mother, her Thuub'a's gentle yet firm hands...getting faster...climbing the large Zhek tree in the middle of her clan house's compound, wrestling with her six brothers...faster...swimming in the cool waters of the stream that ran behind the compound, lying under the stars...faster!...running off with Tron to see the G'huna late at night, the terrifying sound of aerial disruptor blasts punctuated by the green explosions of energy, watching her Khiib'a being raped and tortured as her Thuub'a was helplessly forced to watch before being savagely killed by the Greenbloods...faster!!...her own rape, through terrified eyes, the attack on the Romulan encampment, escape, fighting the Romulan over the waterfall...FASTER!!!...and...and...and...

~What? Where am I?~

~Give up, it's done!~

~Thuub'a, Khiib'a? Where are you?~

~NO! They're dead!~

~What?! NO!~

~It is done; be done with it! Let go~

Immediately, her senses returned to her small, broken body: a jolt of coldness, a heaviness binding her chest, aching and numbness at her extremities...where *was* she?

~Dying, dying...you are dying the slowest death,~ it teased at her, knowing she was near helplessness.

But not yet...

~Tinis!~ her mind snapped back, recognizing the voice of her father, her beloved Thuub'a. ~Tinis al sharith Shani, FIGHT! Fight for your life, for our memory, for A'Akledor!~

"Thuu--" she tried to form the words, but as she opened her mouth to call out to her father, it was filled with something heavy, cold, and...wet. Water! She was under water! This realization immediately reactivated the repressed senses of her body, as if someone started turning on the circuit-breakers in her brain.

~NO! GIVE UP!~

~Shut the Fuck up!~ her mind screamed back at the dissenting voice. She wasn't going to die, not now, not ever!

~Fight, Tinis: FIGHT!~

She tried to move her arms and legs, tried to command them to do *something* to get her out of her current predicament, but they were uselessly numb from the water's cold.

~I *can't*,~ she wailed plaintively in her mind, the small frightened girl starting to overcome the inner strength she had just tapped into.

~Yes, you can. You are reborn, here and now. You will carry-on, my little one. You are not alone; never alone.~

For a brief moment, she could have sworn that she could actually feel her Thuub'a's strong arms hugging around her, lifting her up. She craned her neck, as best she could, to look up, seeing a bright light beginning to grow above her head, the refraction from the water giving it an almost heavenly halo-look.

"Breathe life; you are not alone, my little one."

== Stardate 50503.04 (The present): Undisclosed Location ==

A blond-haired orderly peeked her head into the waiting room. "She's coming out of it, now. Doctor Kleiner says you can see her, momentarily," she reported to the two men seated.

"Very well," the older one said, dismissing the nurse. Rising to his feet, he stretched his arms above his head, stifling a yawn in the process. "Mister Daniels, care to join me?" he asked the younger man.

Daniels, looking up from the holopad floating in front of him, nodded once, switched off the device, and rose to follow the other man.

"Mister Seven--"

The older man waved his left had dismissively, as they rounded the corridor. "Please, just Gary ."

"Gary, are you sure that this is a wise course of action? What if the Aegis..."

Gary stopped in the hallway and turned to face the Daniels. Again, he was taken by the future-man's interesting features. More and more, he was suspecting that "Agent" Daniels was not entirely human. He quickly shook the suspicion from his mind, focusing on the present situation. In an almost fatherly manner, he clasped his left hand onto Daniels shoulder.

"My benefactors, if you remember, are not known. Not at this time. You would be careful to keep mention of them to a minimum, if at all, Agent Daniels."

"Yes, yes, of course," he replied, realizing his mistake. He had forgotten that they were still unknown in this century.

Gary continued, "Don't worry, if she is the one--as you suspect--your little crisis will be negated early on, correct?"

Daniels sighed, then nodded. "Yes, of course."

Gary smiled a tired, understanding smile. It had certainly been a busy couple of days for the two, regarding their new agent. "I think we should give our newest recruit a visit, don't you agree?"

Daniels nodded, straightened, and once again followed Gary into T'Shani's private recovery room. Inside, a nurse was checking the overhead vitals monitor, while Doctor Kleiner--the chief neurologist recruited for the purpose--placed two small silver disks on either side of the Andorian woman's head, right above the temples. He briefly looked up as Gary and Daniels entered the room. A moment later, the nurse finished her rounds in the room, leaving the three men standing over T'Shani's bed.

Gary tried not to look at her. There was just something that didn't sit right with him; and every time he looked at the young woman lying there, he somehow felt guilty, as if it was *his* personal fault that she was there.

Daniels, quite the opposite, quietly surveyed her face. She looked peaceful, at rest. Eyes closed, mouth slightly parted, antennas drooped over the sides of her face.

"Gentlemen, the procedure is a success. She will make a full recovery, and be ready for duty by tomorrow morning."

"Why is she still unconscious?" Gary asked. If she truly was recovered, why was she not awake?

"To preserve plausibility, Gary . We decided it was best that she have no memory of her stay here," he motioned to the disks on her face. Gary came to the realization that they must be some sort of neuralizers.

"And you couldn't just erase that, too?" Gary asked, almost sarcastically.

Doctor Kleiner stepped forward, stemming what he thought might be the beginnings of an ethics debate between the two agents. Clearly, Seven still had reservations about the operation. Though Kleiner could sympathize, it wasn't his concern. He had performed the operation without flaw, and without endangering the woman's health, either. "Gary, we only modified what was needed. Over the last few days, her mind has been--in effect--healing itself, re-cataloging memories, emotions, and--in some cases--reliving them totally. This is normal, as the brain acclimates itself to the CNI implants. We felt that a simpler, *less* invasive procedure, using the neuralizing probes, would be a better alternative."

Tiredly, Gary nodded. He hadn't meant to snap. Besides being tired, he had been genuinely worried for the woman's health, and the stress was beginning to show. He *was* too old for this game. "Very well. Agent Daniels, do what you have to."

"I will, Gary ."

Turning to leave, Gary stopped as the door swished open. Slowly turning back into the darkened room. "Keep her safe, Daniels. She's our only hope."

"I know."

<TBC>

--

From dust you were born,
into the ashes you return

From dust you were born,
into the ashes you return

Breathe life,
for you are not alone

Breathe life,
inside your heart of stone

--

Lyrics from "Breathe Life"

Performed by Killswitch Engage

From the album "The End of Heartache"

Back Post – 2381 December

“Selection Number Nine”

Lieutenant (Jg) Dhanishta Eshe

(Set straight after Honey Pot Of Fire Pt 6 of 6)

**Crew quarters level 8 USS Galaxy**

Dhani walked into her quarters. Her mind was still numb, not processing a single thought. She looked down at the data padd that Suder had given her. Hoping that the distraction would make everything go away. As she stared at the padd her eyes glazed over, not even they wished to process data.

Tossing the padd on to the glass table Dhani took a pew on the couch. Salem trotted out from under her desk and reappeared quickly at her feet, brushing up against them, showing her his support; she barley noticed him!

Sitting on the couch Dhani stared into space. Trying so hard not to remember yet her brain was still trying to rationalise what she saw and felt. And the information that it didn’t happen.

~Why me?~ Dhani question herself, ~First Quinnten and now this…..!~ Her only consolation over the Quinten incident was that it did happen, she corrected the temporal incursion so everything returned to how it was, how it should have been. But at least everyone else remembered, not just her.

But now she was stuck, remembering events she could swear blind happened; she was in the EPS conduits, she *was* everyone knew that. She was modifying the EPS grid, again everyone knew that, it was on the job board. Suder ordered her to do it! He talked to her all the way through….. And then it blew, the entire section she was working in blew up!

It did!

She felt the blast wave, it burned her….

But then there were no marks. The medical report confirmed that she was in severe shock but there were no physical injuries…..

But why would she be in shock if nothing happened?

Something did.

She could still feel her skin crawling as the fire enveloped her, still smell her burning flesh, hear and feel the conduit explode.

Dhanis entire body shook vibrating the couch; she held her hands over her face as the tears pored down her cheeks. Her shoulders jerked and she let out the occasional wail. All the while Salem pawed at her, trying to show some comfort.

After what seamed like hours, Dhanis exhausted body slanted to one side, half lying on the couch. She hitched up her knees and curled up into a foetal ball, all the while sobbing. Her red puffy eyes stared up at the ceiling, glazed over.

Quite unexpectedly the door chime ran; Dhani sat up on the couch startled. The room was dark only a faint glow from the stars illuminated it. Standing up she walked over to her door as the chime rang again. Tapping the release button it opened with a quiet hiss.

She stared dumfounded at the figure before her. Her breath caught in her throat and she was unable to speak. For a while that was how they stood, in complete silence.

She could feel her knees shaking and feel her heart pounding in her chest,

“Wha…..how…?” she questioned, “I…..you….” was all she managed as the figure took a tender step towards her.

She threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly, “I, I, I….!” she stammered half sobbing against his chest

Her heart felt like it was swelling in her chest, she thought that it would burst but she didn’t let go, didn’t come up for air, just buried her self deeper into his chest, hoping that this moment would never end.

“You came back to me….” She finally compiled half a sentence.

Suddenly Dhani felt herself shaking. Opening her eyes she quickly raised an arm to shield her self from the light. Salem who was curled up next to her raised his head and yawned. Dhanis right arm was wrapped around a cushion so tightly if it was a person it would surely be suffocating.

“Lieutenant?” a voice said louder shaking her gently, “are you all right?”

Dhani didn’t answer.

“Lieutenant?” the voice said again with more urgency.

She squinted trying to see who it was, and then she recognised him. It was one of the nurses. What was he doing here, and where was …..? What was going on? Sitting up she looked around her eyes adjusting to the brightness of the room.

“Lieutenant Eshe?” the man said again.

“What?” she croaked out, “What are you doing here?” she asked.

“You missed your check up.” He stated. “Are you alright?” he asked again.

Dhani nodded, still somewhat fazed, “Was I asleep?” she questioned.

“Why are you asking me that?” he replied as he produced a tricorder.

“Because I haven’t slept in a year.” She replied getting slightly annoyed ~and I don’t remember what it’s like~ she wanted to add. If she had been sleeping then he had just woken her up, how inconsiderate to wake an insomniac!

He sighed and began to scan her. ~Patients are so over dramatic.~ he thought ~haven’t slept in a year, pfh! That just means they have had a bad week!~

“Do you know how many patients claim to have not slept in over a year?” he asked her.

Dhani gave him a hard look as he continued to scan her.

“What?” he questioned his tone rising slightly, “want me to give you some sleeping tablets or something?” he said with a hint of sarcasm.

Clearly this man had met far too many hypochondriacs in his short time Dhani thought. “Do you have a copy of my medical file?” she asked him in a civil tone.

“Yeah.” He replied.

“With you?” she questioned.

“Yeah” he said in the same slightly peeved tone.

“Read it.” Dhani said trying hard not to bare her teeth.

He paused from scanning her to look up at her. His mind now ticking over the ‘why?’

Slowly he pulled a data padd from his pocket and began to read it.

It was interesting to watch him read her file. At first the expression on his face was one of annoyance, then it turned into a slight interest… her file must have had some highlights. And then came the ‘oh shit’ expression that Dhani was waiting for, followed by the back tracking… she could see his eyes clearly as he went back a few lines and read the same part over and over. The next part was the most amusing. The contemplation that crossed his face as he considered whether to apologise, pretend nothing happened, or to just get the hell out. Those professionals would have taken the time to apologise and to begin a rapport with their patients, this one was obviously too young and inexperienced to do such a thing. It would dent his ‘hard man’ image.

She watched him take a peek at the tricorder readings and then snap it shut. He didn’t make any eye contact as he pocketed both the padd and the tricorder. Standing up he mumbled some ‘all clear’ message and quickly left.

Dhani sat for a while just staring at the closed door, hoping that it bit his arse as he left.

Sighing slowly she stood up and wandered over to her desk. She wrote out a small, to the point, letter to sick bay and sent it. Not so much a complaint, more like a ‘send that p***k again and he wont be healing the sick for much longer’.

Rubbing her face and her eyes she walked over to her replicator,

“Coffee; white, hot, double sweet. And Cat food, selection number….” She looked down at Salem, “Which one boy?” she asked him, “number five?......No? Okay.” Turning back to the replicator, “Cat food selection number nine.” She ordered.

Grabbing the food she picked up Salem off the couch. Taking them both to the glass-top dining table by the window, she dumped them down. Returning for her coffee she stood and watched Salem for a few minutes as he ate, and then slowly crossed the room to sit at the table with him. She stared at the data padd that she had left there earlier, “I suppose I should start work on that hey Salem?” she asked him tickling his head.

“Slide it over then.” She said taking a swig of her sugar packed coffee. Picking up the padd she began to read.

Back Post 2381 December

“The EEH”

(Set straight after “Selection Number Nine”)

Lieutenant (Jg) Dhanishta Eshe

**Deck 8, crew quarters - USS Galaxy**

Emergency Engineering Hologram. Or the EEH as some of the techno’s liked to call it.

Basically those technical people who knew everything always liked to use the abbreviations. But then you had those who got all tongue twisted trying to say Emergency Engineering Hologram so stuck to saying EEH so they didn’t look stupid. And then you had the people who just abbreviated everything because they wanted to look and sound technical; wanted to talk in code to sound cool!

Yeah those geeks really pissed Dhani off.

That was about as far as she got before dropping the padd and resting her head on the table, just for a minute.

Dhani put the panel back in place and sat back on her haunches and sighed, turned and began to crawl towards the exit.

The deck vibrated beneath her; the tremors rose through her hands into her shoulders and through her whole being. She glanced behind and saw a section of the conduit blow up into shrapnel.

Her heart pounded through her rib cage, she began to crawl as fast as she could. The pain in her knees was suppressed by the adrenaline which erupted through her blood stream.

The fire flashed behind her. She could feel its heat and ferocity as she cried out; "Computer, local EPS grid shut." her words were cut short as the blast enveloped her, forcing her down the tube.

She felt as if she were floating, sensations ran through her body rippling her skin. Her throat and mouth dried out like a sponge on Vulcan. She was still crawling fast. Though her vision was blurred she could see that the exit was near. She pummelled the access panel till it opened and fell out in a heap on the floor. Her breathing was fast and she couldn't slow it down her skin prickled with heat and her throat and nostrils felt like the inside of a furnace. She curled up on the floor holding her knees up to her chest, her body began to shake and her eyes welled up. She couldn't contain it anymore; she wailed and sobbed, tears gushing down her cheeks. Her stomach hurt with every sob that tensed her muscles, increasing her agony.

“Lieutenant!!!”

Dhani could feel someone shove something on her face, she didn’t know who it was or where she was. Her body lurched as she tried to fight.

“Eshe….It’s okay help is here. Calm down.” A voice said through the darkness.

In fact the lights were on full. But for Dhani the nightmare still gripped her. The memory still etched in her mind like the writing on a tomb stone continued to surround her in its bleakness. Through her sobbing and the protesting of the voice she came too, or rather woke up.

Cold and sobbing, wet through from the sweat, she sat shaking in a corner of her quarters. She felt a familiar sensation run through her body, and recognised the sound of a hypo being injected into her. She relaxed slightly though the terror of the nightmare/memory still filled her body with adrenalin.

“Can you stand?” the voice questioned.

Dhani wasn’t sure if she could, the sobs still wracked her body making her shake like a babies rattle. She did anyway leaning on the wall for support.

“Com on, we’re going to sick bay.”

“N, n, n, no.” Dhani stammered out through her sobbing, “I can’t… I don’t want to…please…” she begged as her knees buckled making her slide to the floor.

“You’re in no state to stay here.”

“Plllllleeeeeaaasse!!” Dhani cried harder.

“Okay.” The woman said sympathetically. Half lifting and half dragging, the nurse took Dhani to the couch and sat her down. She scanned her fully with her tricorder and then proceeded to find a blanket.

“Where are you going?” Dhani croaked out tear struck and trembling.

“It’s okay Dhanishta I’m not going far.” The nurse replied.

She was true to her word. On the back of the couch was a blanket. Pulling it down she wrapped it round the shaking engineer and then grabbed her a warm drink from the replicator.

“Can you tell me what happened?” She asked kneeling in front of Dhani, squeezing her shoulder for support.

Dhani nodded slightly, “I’m not sure.” She replied her voice wavering as she tried to stem the tears, “I was reading a report and then I was there…” her voice rose slightly as she recalled the details, “I was there…” she said again, “burning…” she broke of crying and spilling her tea every which way.

The nurse quickly dodged the hot liquid and took the mug from Dhani. A bit too soon for the warm soothing drink she told herself.

“Its okay.” she told Dhani, “What you experienced was a flash back. It’s totally normal.” Her voice was soft and soothing.

Dhani tried to reply but she was still too overwhelmed to say anything. She thought that she was over the worst. But that was obviously not quite right. Here she was blubbering like an idiot.

“I think you really need to come with me to sick bay, Dhani.” The nurse coxed in her sweetest voice, “I will be able to check up on you better form there.”

“No.” Dhani replied shaking her head, her face scrunched up tightly, threatening to explode into another fountain of tears. She held it in, well tried to. Tear after tear streaked her reddened cheeks.

“Okay.” The nurse gave in. She stood contemplating for a moment, and then sat next to Dhani and gave her a reassuring hug, rubbing her hand up and down Dhanis right arm trying to keep her warm. There was a fine line between a doctor patient relationship and she knew that her actions at this moment were most likely beyond that line. But still, sometimes a patient needed that maternal hug. That tactical contact, sometimes that alone was better than a hypo full of needless drugs.

She sat with Dhani for almost a half hour, watching the young engineer as she tried to drink her tea without spilling it all over herself. Slowly it seemed like Dhani was grasping her own senses again. The nurse stood up to leave.

“No!” Dhani almost shouted.

“What?” the nurse asked totally surprised.

“I don’t want to be alone!” Dhani howled tugging at her own clothing totally distort. Not knowing what to do, but still knowing she didn’t want to go to sick bay. The very though of it filled her with anguish. She wasn’t sure why. Yet at the same time she didn’t want to be alone; she trembled at the mere thought.

The nurse desperately wanting to avoid another half hour fit sat back down and hugged Dhani again.

“Okay Dhanishta. I will stay with you for a while. But I will have to go soon.”

Dhani nodded and picked the bobbles off the blanket.

For a while the nurse just sat with Dhani in silence. Wondering what to do, what to say. “Hey!” she exclaimed, “Weren’t you reading a report?” she asked. She needed to get Dhanishta back into some sort of coherent normality. Talking about a report, any interest would be a good start. Keep the patient talking… always a first rule.

Dhani nodded, “Yeah.” She said meekly.

“What is it about?”

“The EEH” Dhani replied.

“The what?” the nurse questioned confused, she hated technical babble, epically when she didn’t understand it.

“Emergency engineering hologram.” Dhani replied simply.

“Oh like the EMH?” the nurse prodded further.

“Yes”

The nurse inwardly sighed, she felt like she was trying to draw blood from a stone,

“I dint know that the Galaxy had one.” She commented.

“We don’t.” Dhani replied.

“Then wha…” the nurse questioned. Maybe this wasn’t the way to go. Maybe she should have started with something like ‘what did you do today?’ instead.

“The Chief wants me to try and get it working. The Quick virus has been rife throughout most of the ships systems. It’s affected the EEH as well, which is why he has asked me to have a look at it.” Dhani finally elaborated.

“I see. Is this a side project then?” the nurse continued realising that this line of questioning might not be so fruitless.

“No. He…. I…” Dhani paused trying to work out events. She turned to the woman next to her, “he assigned the project to me so I could continue working. I didn’t want to stay in engineering after what happened. So he said I could work on it form here.”

“Oh.” The nurse said, “So you’re still on duty?”

“Sort of.” Dhani replied.

The nurse gave her arm a squeeze, “Well then I should get going so you can get back to work.”

Dhani shook her head again, “I don’t want….” She trailed off. She felt so stupid, like a kid who needed the light on to go to sleep.

The nurse however was understanding, “I’ll contact Commander Suder and see if he can team you up with someone.”

Dhani wanted to cry again, her bottom lip wavered.

“Hey, hey,” the nurse squeezed Dhanis arm again, “what’s wrong?”

“I feel so stupid!” Dhani blurted out as she began to cry again, gee she was really a child after all. All the emotional training she got from Sark was all for nothing!

“Don’t.” the nurse said simply, “You have just been through a traumatic experience. Of course you don’t want to be alone. It’s totally understandable. I’m surprised that they didn’t insist that you be teamed with someone in the first place.” She rubbed Dhanis arm again and smiled. “I’m going to go and sort some things out. Will you be alright on your own for a while?”

Now Dhani really felt like a kid. She was half tempted to ask the nurse to make her a sandwich and cut off the crusts!

She nodded and watched the nurse leave, still feeling incredibly stupid and childish. Grabbing a couch cushion she propped it on her lap and hugged it. It was good for soaking up tears!

Back Post 2381 December

"EEH Mark 2"

(Set after “The EEH”)

Lieutenant (Jg) Dhanishta Eshe - engineer
And Ensign Naranda Sol Roswell - engineer

Dhani was slumped over her glass-top dining table in the corner of the room. Her left hand resting in a puddle of cold coffee, her outstretched fingers still half grasping the mug. She had a data padd propped between her thumb and for finger which she quickly dropped as Nara entered to pull her blanket tighter around her,

"Kalla, close the window. I'm cold." She mumbled in her half asleep state.

Nara saw the sight before her. It was pitiful. If it were one of her soldiers she would had yelled at him to get himself together. But she wasn't on a battlefield. This was a traumatized young woman. Nara sighed as she answered, "I'm Nara and you're nowhere where an open window would cause a breeze. We can adjust the climate control if you wish."

Nara walked over to the table and picked the cup up and put it back in the replicator looking for a rag to wipe up the spill.

Dhani jerked awake. She sat up and rubbed her face and then looked round to see some strange woman in her quarters,

"Wha... who."

But then there had been many strange people just wandering into her quarters of late. Brushing her hand through her hair she stood up, leaning heavily on the table. All she could offer this strange woman was a week smile.

"Hi." She strained out through her dry sore throat. If there was a tree and a noose Dhani would happily hang her self at this moment. She looked and felt pathetic. What a Starfleet officer she turned out to be. She really hated herself at this moment. Felt so ashamed to be seen in such a weakened and pathetic state. Dhanishta Eshe, a warrior honoured by the inclusion to several Klingon houses, branded by the finest. And now look at her. She was a disgrace. If she was a true Klingon she would have sacrificed her self to save her families honour. ~shoot me, please someone anyone, shoot me~ she begged silently.

Nara nodded at her, "Hello." She spotted a rag and picked it up sensing something and looked at Eshe curiously. She shook her head as she bent to wipe the coffee up. "You can sit if you need to. I'm just here to work with you on the EEH."

Nara wondered if what they really needed was the EMH.

Dhani nodded slowly, "I'm sorry." She mumbled as she walked shakily to the replicator. Rubbing her eyes she ordered some more coffee, promising herself that she would actually drink this one.

"Would you like anything?" she asked. Realising that in a weird way she was a host and therefore why was this woman wiping her table? She shrugged inwardly and starred into the space of the replicator as her coffee materialised.

"No thank you." Nara wasn't sure quite what to do. Her first thing was to ask about the EEH, but she decided to be somewhat compassionate. "Are you alright?"

Dhani looked across her plain undecorated room and right into her eyes. After a few seconds she broke eye contact and her eyes wandered over the glass table Nara had just finished cleaning, to the cargo crates that lined the wall behind the couch, the living area that consisted of a couch and an arm chair, across the room to her desk and finally resting on the circle of stones and candles that littered her floor. The question was not easy to answer. Was she alright? Not even she knew the answer to that. Nodding slowly she walked over to her desk and grabbed several data padds. Returning to the table she sat down and gestured for her guest to sit.

The moment Dhani looked in her eyes, Nara knew the answer. It may had been more intuition than actual telepathy that told her this. Nara took a seat next to her hoping that getting engrossed in work would do good for her. She wasn't sure she could play counsellor. That's something she didn't get from her mother.

"Have you...." Dhani cleared her throat and then continued, "have you ever worked on an EEH before?" she asked sieving through the padds on the table.

Nara thought back. She thought she remembered something. "I believe I was working with one of my bosses and she showed me one she had installed in the USS Derian. I never really worked on one though."

Dhani nodded again, "Have you heard of the Quick virus?" was her next more important question.

Nara scowled, "It's an annoying little bugger."

Dhani half laughed, "That's a yes if ever I heard one." She picked up a data padd and slid it across the table, "That's the primary report on the EEH. Suder has been tinkering away on it for a long time. The Quick virus has affected it too. Which is why he has been unable to get it on line." She paused for a moment, "I was thinking or trying to re-create the program with new unaffected components. We have had several highly skilled engineers working on the Quick virus with no results." She trailed off remembering Michael. It was times like theses that she whished he was back here. Wished that he hadn't left. She could really use a friend about now. Just to sit with him, to talk with him… She shook her head and looked back up at her fellow engineer.

Nara looked at Eshe again. There was definite pain there. She took the PADD and concentrated on that. Her face grew tense as she focused on the information.

Dhani watched her for a moment, "You might want to get a little bit more comfortable reading that." she said pointing to the couch, "Ethan has a habit of giving as much information as he can. That's a good thing but it does make for heavy reading." She stood up and grabbed the padds. Dumping them in the arm chair she looked back over to Nara, "You sure I can't get you anything? There is a reason that I'm drinking coffee!" she smiled slightly.

Nara glanced at her slightly annoyed. It wasn't a character trait she was proud of. She hated being interrupted as she concentrated, but she fought it. She smiled and stood. "No, thank you." She started to pace looking over the information again.

Dhani noted the annoyance and left Nara to pace for a while. She looked around thinking of how to fix the EEH. They could start by trying to fix the problem; the Quick virus. But then others had tried and failed. She looked across at the latest addition to engineering and pondered. Maybe they could pull it off. Maybe, just maybe, they could finally eradicate the quick virus. And fix the EEH at the same time.

As she watched Nara pace her quarters, occasionally stumbling over candles she had another brain wave... it they could make a new EEH.... maybe the new EEH could fix the Quick virus......

She looked up at Nara, waiting for any kind of response.

Nara whispered to the cat, "Don't worry. I won't tell the rest of the cats you're in it for anything other than kingship." Nara stood still as the thought formed. "But then sometimes they die." Nara didn't mean to bring up such a sad thought, but it led to her question. "What would you do if he was unable to perform his duties as a cat?"

"In what respect?" Dhani asked slightly baffled by the question.

Nara looked at him. "If he got really sick and sat around like a lump likely in pain, you would probably put him to sleep. As painful as it is." Nara petted the cat again just in case it could understand her. "It's just an example." She stood and looked at the PADD again.

"The EEH is sick. We've tried and tried to make him better, but it's just not getting us anywhere." She put the PADD down. "We can't put him to sleep per say, but we can let it go. Some people get a new pet if they lost one." Nara smiled and raised an eyebrow wondering if she would get her drift.

"Firstly in Salem's case I would ask him." She replied. "But I do understand what you're saying. The EEH is damaged, sick in a way, affected by a virus we can't cure. If it were a humanoid we would keep it comfortable till it passed away. Doctors would study the virus and attempt to find a cure. In the case of a pet it would be put to sleep and most would replace it." She paused, "So we have three choices. One, we try to find a 'cure' for the virus. This in the long run would be the most advantageous course of action, seeing as it affects most ships systems. Two, we continue to treat the 'patient' and hopefully restore her as best we can or Three, create a new 'pet'." Dhani smiled, Nara wasn't far off her wave length.

Dhani turned quickly back to Nara her eyes wide, "You know we have been treating the Quick virus from an engineer's point of view. Yet we give this technical problem a medical term. Logically we should be attempting to study it from a medical point of view. If in fact its nature is like that of a virus. Mutating and multiplying. Creating in each patient, system, new and different symptoms... It's just like the common cold!" she exclaimed slightly excited

Nara thought of asking how she would ask a cat, but the question quickly left as she got caught up in Dhani's idea.

"Why not all three? Create a new one. We need something with the ongoing war. We could also continue research and healing the old one. Just so long we isolate the programs so the new one is not infected. Or better yet, keep it on a chip we can press and it materialize. The EEH is contained in something NOT plugged into the ship."

Dhani nodded along, she was liking these ideas. Boy they were gonna have a lot of work to do. She couldn't wait.

Nara kept thinking about talking to a cat, "And how would you ask the cat?"

"A portable EEH would be great for away missions as well."

Dhani chuckled at the multiple questions.

"Well in regards to Salem.." She paused wondering how to explain, "I'm an advanced telepath. In a way." she back tracked slightly. She hated talking telepathy but in this case that was what it was, no use trying to fudge the situation. Non the less she hated talking about her abilities, and she also restrained from using them as much as she could.

"While I was at the Vulcan Monastery me and Salem had a sort of mind melding experience. Sort of like a joint meditation. I morphed into a cat and we went trekking on the astral plains..." she decide that was enough explaining as she wasn't doing a very good job of it, "Basically in a nut shell I would ask him what he wanted. Using telepathy." She concluded. She wondered if Nara had read up her bio. She had read Naras just before the battle and remembered the highlights, she spoke Kilngon and she was a leader from Sakeria and she was half betazoid, just like Dhani. A half Betazoid, they are usually empaths. Dhani broke the mould and didn't like that one bit.

"Any way." she quickly changed back to work mode, "a portable EEH is not a bad idea." She took a swig of her coffee, "Do you realise how much work we have set up for ourselves?" she asked over her mug.

Nara looked at her, "You're a telepath." Nara thought about it. Someone else to go to when she had questions about her newly acquired skills.

Dhani cringed; she was really hoping that she would focus on that part of the conversation.

"Yes." She replied with a sigh.

Nara looked up at the mention of work, "Oh yes." She thought about what needed to be done. "We need to get a module to put the EEH in first. Need to start from scratch there. How much space does the original EEH take? I can figure out what size module we need."

Dhani nodded towards the padd that was still in Naras hand, "All the info on the original is in there! Oh, I have a couple of mobile holo emitters. They are kind of old but they might be a good start." Dhani said putting her mug down and scanning the shelves, "We will most likely have to work on this in the lab." She said grabbing a chair and standing on it, "Once we have something to work with we can move over into the holo labs, once they are back on line." She added.

Nara scrolled down on the PADD and found the information she needed. "A holoemitter would be a good start, but we'll definitely have to come up with something bigger later."

Her shelves were surprisingly covered with a lot of dust. She should really think about unpacking and maybe decorating her quarters, she had been here for a year! Reaching up she grabbed a box and began to pull it down. As she did so she shoved another box to one side quite harder than she had expected to. The wooden box fell off the shelf and landed on the floor with a loud clatter.

"Dam!" Dhani cursed as she recognised the box. Several items spilled out of the box and on to the floor. She heard something like a penny pinging across the floor. It rolled towards Nara, bouncing off her shoe.

Nara looked at Dhani hearing the commotion and before she could say anything saw a ring roll at her shoe and she bent to pick it up. She examined it.

Dhani was still standing on the chair like a plum holding the box that she had actually intended to pull out.

"Beautiful." Nara walked over to Dhani and handed it to her.

Dhani stepped off the chair and placed the box on her desk. Turning she took the ring from Nara and stared at it.

"Why don't you wear it? I mean you're not in Engineering, so you can't be scolded." Nara said remembering the rule of no jewellery while on duty.

"It was an engagement ring." Dhani mumbled still staring at it.

"Oh." Was all Nara said. She looked at Dhani wondering if she wanted to talk about it.

For a few minutes Dhani just looked at the ring remembering. And then she just placed it on the desk.

"Mobile emitters." She said opening the box with a smile.

Back Post 2381 December

“Stolen in the Candlelight”

(This takes place while the Galaxy is undergoing the refit, after “EEH Mark 2”)

Lieutenant (Jg) Dhanishta Eshe - Engineer

& NPC Lieutenant Jiiles

Dhani sighed and opened her eyes. As she breathed out the candle flame flickered casting her demoralised silhouette across the wall. She looked across the room towards Salem who was sleeping peacefully in the armchair and then stared numbly at the crystals before her.

~ Why wasn’t it working? ~ she questioned herself, as if she had the answer. Shaking her head she took a deep breath and tried again.

~ Right, ~ she began to instruct herself, ~ relax and breath. Slowly …. Now clear your mind……..~ she sat for another hour trying desperately to reach that plain of tranquillity.

Eventually she stood up. Gave up! What was wrong with her? Why couldn’t she meditate? She was a pro! She could snap her fingers and go into a trance, why not now?

She paced the room for a bit as Salem stretched awake, yawning loudly. She could feel her body aching, she knew it needed time to heal, she needed time to heal. But what it needed most of all was sleep; the one thing she couldn’t give it. But her substitute for sleep didn’t seem to be working either. Salem lazily began to wash himself, his rough tongue smoothing the hair on his paws. Dhani could hear every little noise he made, as his mouth opened and his tongue darted out, the sound of saliva as he moved back and forth across his body.

Dhani stopped pacing, she turned and looked at her precious pet and scowled,

“SHUT UP!” she screamed. The anger seemed to spring from no where but it took a firm hold as she stomped up to her cat screaming, her hands outstretched ready to ring its neck. Salem, somewhat startled, looked up, his ears flattened against his head before he darted away to hide.

Dhani sat down heavily in the chair. Her body still shaking with anger. Her hands for need of something to grab and squeeze took hold of her hair and started pulling.

She wasn’t aware of what she was doing till she looked down at her hands: long dark strands of hair trailed around her fingertips.

She stared for a while, lost herself in a moment of reflection, though what she saw she didn’t like. This wasn’t right, but then when had anything ever been right? Since she had joined the ship nothing had been right. Life was strange and now this. Uncurling her fingers she stood up and watched her hair float to the floor.

“Salem?” she called out, “Salem I’m sorry.” tears tumbled from her eyes as she searched her quarters for her cat. Crawling across the floor looking under the chairs and the tables she even checked behind the sofa. At last she found him, in the room that she never used; perched in the small gap between her closet and the ceiling, hiding. After five minutes of cooing; holding her hand out rubbing her fingertips together in front of Salem, stretched on tiptoes, Dhani gave up and coaxed him out with food. Sitting on the bed that she had never slept in she stroked his soft fur, trying desperately to make it up to him, crying all the while.

“I’m so sorry. Salem will you forgive me? I just don’t know what’s wrong, I don’t understand anything anymore.” She confessed pulling him close, her tears soaking into his fur. As if on cue the door chime rang.

Dhani wiped her eyes, drying them with the back of her hand, “Enter.” She called out with a sniff.

Jiiles lingered in the doorway,

“Erm, hello?” he called out to the darkened empty room.

Dhani scoped Salem into her arms and returned to the living room to meet her guest.

“Hey,” Jiiles began as Dhani emerged from her room, “I have brought you some…” stopping mid sentence Jiiles hotfooted to Dhanis side, “you look awful, what happened? Are you okay?” he questioned dropping the datapads he carried on her table and escorting her to the couch.

“Nothing, I’m just…”

“Don’t lie to me.” He said cutting her off. It pained him to see her so upset. He could tell that she had been crying, she wasn’t that good at hiding her feelings.

“Here sit down. I’ll get you a drink.” He moved swiftly across her quarters to the replicator and ordered two drinks. Turning slowly with the steaming mugs in his hands he paused, leaning slightly against the wall. Frowning a little at his own thoughts he cleared his throat to speak but instead he just stood there his eyes staring past the mugs to the floor.

Slowly he looked up across the room at Dhani. She was so beautiful. He remembered the first time that he saw her, standing in engineering round the master systems display console. It was her first shift on the Galaxy, she looked somewhat distracted that day. In fact thinking about it she never really seemed like she was all there. It wasn’t until later that they had actually met, but then that never happened so it wasn’t until she broke into his quarters…… his face contorted as he tried to work it out. Stupid temporal science he concluded.

He remembered bits of that awful day. There was a huge explosion that caught the ship. He remembered only a small part of that, like a clip from a dream. Standing in one of the corridors, flames all around them and this beautiful girl ripping up her vest and tying it round his bleeding arm. They barley exchanged words during that conflict. That dream. But still he remembered. The way the fire light danced across her face, the tenderness in her eyes, the strength that filled her with confident glow. But yet there was always something else. Something that kept her distracted. He was fascinated by her. Wanted so much to reach out and……

His eyes fell from her face and darted to the window. The stars were as always beautiful, but they had long since lost there attraction. They were always there, in the back ground….. He looked back at her. Her dark chestnut hair fell so gracefully around her tear stricken face. It wasn’t the first time he had seen her cry. All he wanted to do was hold her tight, tell her everything was going to be alright, like before….. But his feet wouldn’t move, he couldn’t move. These feelings that she had sparked that day he found her in his room, and he couldn’t act on them. He wanted to but something held him back. She never spoke of that night and he never brought it up, though he thought about it all the time.

“Look Dhani,” he started, staring into the mugs. He wanted to tell her how he felt about her so much. But now that he had the chance he was all tongue tied. Shaking his head he walked across the room and handed her a mug.

Dhani looked up at him as she took the mug from him. She could tell that he was deep in thought but then anyone could tell that. She sighed slightly as she sipped the drink. Wondering what Jiiles wanted to tell her. She kept an eye on him as she drank, watching him through a Vail of steam as he sat in a chair across from her. Salem shifted in her arms, making himself comfortable.

By now the silence had crept in, Jiiles was kicking himself. Why the hell couldn’t he just tell her how he felt? This was so frustrating! Shaking his head, as if to clear out the mocking laughter that threatened to revert him back to a timid, frightened, teenager cowering in a corner he cleared his throat once more and took a deep breath,

“I heard about what happened…… in the jefferies tube. And I wanted to make sure that you were alright. An, an, an….. and you know that you can talk to me, if, if, if you want to.” he almost slapped himself for stuttering.

Dhani smiled,

“Thanks Jiiles. But I’m okay I have spoken to Counsellor Dallas about it. She’s been really good about it all.” Dhani replied.

“Oh!” Jiiles replied tapping his fingernails against the mug. He nodded slowly to himself, answering the question that floated through his mind: should I leave now?

“I brought you some …er… datapadds.” He gestured vaguely to the table where he had dropped them earlier.

“Oh thanks.” Dhani placed Salem on the couch and stood up, “What are they about?” she asked strolling over to the table.

“I’m, I’m not sure.” Jiiles replied looking into the empty mug in his hands, “Suder asked me to drop them off.”

“Oh.” Dhani replied. Placing the unread padss down she turned and half sat on the table. For some reason a weird uncomfortable silence creped in between them. All Dhani could muster was a weak half nervous smile, and the occasional raised eyebrow or two.

Jiiles returned the look with a similar nervous smile. He was actually wondering when the feeling would return to his legs!

Dhani just stood, eyes scanning the floor and her fingers lightly rapping the table top.

“I should go.” Jiiles said finally standing up.

“Yeah, sure.” Dhani nodded jumping to her feet quickly as if she were a ‘jack in the box’, “Thank’s for stopping by.”

Setting the mug down Jiiles couldn’t even manage eye contact as he walked to the door, “Erm… yeah…. No problem…” he mumbled as he left.

Outside Jiiles paced by her door, just go in there and tell her you fool, he commanded himself. He turned from his pacing and walked up to her door, his hand lingered over the door chime…. He pulled away. It was almost like he was in a boxing ring, ready to whack his opponent, bobbing, diving, taking that step, teasing himself with the prospect of being hit, more like rejected. But then with Dhani you were more likely to get punched!!! He swallowed hard.

Dhani returned to her perch on the table and stared at the closed door for a few minutes before turning to Salem,

“Well that’s a weird one.” She commented as she began collecting the datapadss up.

The door chime rang throughout her quarters. Dhani looked at Salem with a slight frown and a shrug. Placing the padds back on the desk she walked to her door and opened it.

Dhani stood rooted to the spot. Her face contorted into a frown, her hands grew cold within a second and her heart began to beat faster. She could feel her pulse rise up into her throat, beating through her airways. Chang?

Jiiles stood in the open doorway, he was nervous but bold, ~just do it man~ he told himself. Taking a step forward he slipped his right arm round Dhanis waist and pulled her towards him. His left hand traced her jaw line ever so softly, his fingertips grazing her skin, till they worked there way up past her ear to her hair. It was something so simple, so small, the feel of her hair between his fingers yet it sent chills down his spine. He leaned in closer never taking his eyes off hers until their lips met. His kiss was gentle at first….

Dhani was bewildered, and startled. Her hands hung by her side as Chang kissed her. At first she just stood not responding, not believing that he was actually there, how was it possible…..?

She pulled away, her lips made no attempt to reciprocate, Jiiles’ heart sank. He didn’t want to let go of her, didn’t want to stop kissing her…. Maybe he shouldn’t have in the first place. Opening his eyes he began to release her. Unsure of what she was going to do, would she slap him? Report him? What? But she made no move. She had pulled back but she had stopped. His eyes searched her face.

Dhani blinked several times, she was still confused. This couldn’t be Chang, could it? She looked deep into his dark eyes, touched his face.

Her fingertips delicately caressed his cheek, the mere touch made Jiiles’ breath catch in his throat. He moved in closer, she didn’t pull away this time. He moved his hand, still wrapped around her hair holding her head, towards him, drawing her in to his kiss. And she responded! She kissed him back! He held her tighter, kissing her deeply. And she returned his kiss with a passion.

As her hands interlaced around his neck he moved his hands to her waist, and slowly walked her backwards into her quarters, kissing her all the while. The door closed behind them.

As he reached the table he opened one eye, to look where he was about to put Dhani. The data padds littered the table, he pushed them off with one sweep of his arm. As they fell to the floor Dhani jumped. Jiiles let go of her pulling back to make sure she was alright, his breathing was heavy as was hers.

Dhani double tacked,

“J, J, Ji, Jiiles,” she stammered out. Her eyes searched her quarters, what the hell was going on? What was he, she, they doing? This was Jiiles….. right?

Jiiles nodded, “I’m, I, er….. I don’t know what to say but….” Jiiles was lost, kissing one minuet and not the next! He just wanted to keep kissing. He took a step towards her.

“No,” Dhani said breathlessly as she side stepped round the table putting an obstacle between them, “we shouldn’t we…. I ….. you …. Me..” Dhani was stuck too now not knowing what the hell was going on.

“Dhani, I love you.” Jiiles blurted out. As the words tumbled from his mouth he knew he shouldn’t have said them. If he could only kick himself in the head. He watched as she backed away from the table. Her face fell and it took on a serious expression. One of disbelief maybe, shock? It wasn’t horror was it? Was she repulsed by him? He could feel his heart beating like a drum, thump, thump, thump. It vibrated through his whole body. His eyes desperately searched her face, trying to find an answer to the question that he hadn’t asked, the question that stuck in his throat. His hands shook slightly and his breathing shallowed, as if the sound of it would interfere with her decision.

Dhani backed stepped till she hit the wall. She heard the words, she wished that he had never said them. A huge pain welled up in her chest, it felt tight. The room became smaller, and the air stuffy, hot and heavy.

The silence surrounded them, the tension filled every space of her apartment, neither on of them dared to move a muscle.

TBC…….

Back Post 2381 December

“The Air Between Them”

(Set after “Stolen In The Candlelight” While the Galaxy is undergoing the refit)

Lieutenant (Jg) Dhanishta Eshe

& NPC Lieutenant Jiiles

The air between them felt stale. Dhani could hear his breath low and slow. The uncomfort grew and still neither one of them spoke.

Jiiles felt the muscles contract in his hands making his fingers twitch. How could everything change with just one word? But it was the truth, she had to realise that surely? He took a small step towards her,

“Dhani….” He started.

“Don’t.” Dhani said her hands slightly raised in the ‘back off’ gesture.

Jiiles frowned, “Don’t what?” he question moving round the table slowly, “Don’t love you, don’t talk, don’t come closer? What?” he asked confused.

Dhanis eyes flashed up at him. As he advanced, she moved away. It was like a duel with words instead of swords, one in slow motion. One of caution and fear.

Dhani remained silent. She was sure that Chang had been in the room, in her arms, but it wasn’t it was Jiiles….. She had kissed him. Kissed Jiiles! Did she kiss him or he her? How did it happen? Where did Chang go? Was he ever there?

~ Don’t be so stupid Dhani, ~ she chided, ~ of course it wasn’t Chang. He is supposed to be dead, it’s not like he is about to break his cover to come and see you! What do you take him for? If he loved you in the first place he would never have left. Pull yourself together! ~ Her inner voice was always this kind, comforting and gentle. It was like a drill Sergeant inside her mind. And she thought Naut was bad…..!!!!!

“Dhani?” Jiiles questioned breaking the silence once more.

“I think you should leave now.” Dhani said her eyes never leaving the table that stood between them. She was still trying to work out what was going on.

Jiiles’ face contorted into one of pain and confusion. Her words, a blow to his very core. He shook his head, no I’m not going he decided. Not walking away from this, from her. This had to be resolved. He didn’t want to have awkward moments in the hall ways, not sure what to say or to do. He could just imagine them now.

“Dhani I’m not lying to you. I do love you. I have loved….”

“Don’t.” Dhani almost shouted trying to shut him up.

“Loved you from the moment I saw you.” Jiiles concluded raising his voice a little to hammer home his point. He walked towards her boldly. Hell bent on making her ‘deal’ with him now.

Dhani dodged him, “Leave!” she demanded pointing towards the door. Her hand shook slightly as the emotions and confusion and maybe even adrenaline flowed through her.

“I know I should.” He replied, “But I’m not going to. You can’t just….” He paused unable to find the words to express himself,

“I need to know Dhani. I’ve held my tongue for so long.”

“Pft, you call that holding your tongue?” Dhani said her tone stiffening, accusing. Her eyes locked on to his form. As her hands gestured to what had just transpired between them.

“Hey, hey,” Jiiles replied defensively, “we’re friends Dhani, there’s no need to…”

“You’re right, we are ‘friends’” Dhani stressed, “Just ‘friend’s’.”

Jiiles shook his head, “I don’t believe that.” He said stepping towards her.

“Believe what you want,” Dhani’s voice raised another decibel, “just get out.”

“No.” Jiiles shouted back.

“Fine.” Dhani said making her way to the door.

“Where are you going?”

“If you won’t leave then I will.” She hissed back at him.

Jiiles turned quickly almost slipping on the discarded datapadds. Tumbling slightly he regained his balance as she reached the door.

“Dhani, don’t.” he shouted after her, grabbing the door frame for support.

She ignored him and stomped down the hall.

Jiiles ran after her, catching up he grabbed her arm, “Dhani!” he protested.

She pulled her arm free of his grip, “No. Don’t, I don’t want to hear it.” She said continuing down the hall.

Jiiles paused a moment before bolting after her. Grabbing her arm he spun her round and took hold of both her shoulders.

“Don’t run away from this.” He said trying to establish eye contact.

“I’ve watched you run from everything Dhani, don’t do it to me as well.”

“What makes you think that there’s anything here for me to run from Jiiles?” Dhani replied coldly slapping his arms off her shoulders.

Jiiles didn’t reply just stared at her. Her posture had changed. There was this outer shell that had appeared around her one of hostility and anger. He couldn’t understand why. Why was him loving her such a bad thing, didn’t every girl want to hear that someone loved her?

“Well?” Dhani demanded.

The expression of pain and confusion swept across Jiiles’ face once more. He stood motionless. He couldn’t understand her. One minuet she was nice as pie the next…..? Her mood changed as often as he breathed.

Dhani gave him an icy glare before turning away.

Jiiles watched her walk his heart sinking with every step she took. He was sure that there was something between them, something more than just friendship, how could he be so wrong. He felt the corners of his eyes welling slightly,

“What about,” his voice came out a hoarse whisper, “What about that time you came to me?” he shouted down the hall after her.

Dhani paused. Pursing her lips she scowled and turned back to him,

“What?” she shouted back.

“That time,” he repeated, not quite sure what else to call it, “when the ship, the ship crashed.” he frowned trying to explain, “The cargo bay.” he blurted out. “You came to me you were in my quarters. You were…. Upset about the crash the ship and the temporal incursion, you told me about Naut and the crash….” He concluded.

She turned to face him with a menacing look in her eyes, “I turn to a friend for help and you automatically assume that I’m coming on to you?” If looks could kill…..!

“No I didn’t say that.” Jiiles replied, his voice was croaky. He felt like he had just dry swallowed a pill.

She raised a questioning eyebrow as she folded her arms.

“Look,” he said pulling her aside, “you came to me, you chose me I thought…. I thought,” he sighed, “I thought that….. Dhani I don’t know but there was something, more there than…….”

Dhani stared into his eyes, “Lust?” She concluded.

“No.” Jiiles shot back, “It wasn’t. It isn’t. If it was then I would have just… you know….?

“Grabbed me and kissed me?” She asked scathingly.

“Can’t we just talk about this?” he begged.

“And what is it we’re doing now? Ice skating?” she mocked.

Jiiles half glared at her, “Dhani. Please. Let’s just talk.” He took her arm lightly and turned back towards her quarters, pulling her gently.

Reluctantly Dhani followed, pulling her arm free from Jiiles’ grip. She sighed as the doors opened. Jiiles escorted her to the couch when he sat her down and grabbed some more drinks. Dhani leaned back against the cushions and stared at him as he made his way across her quarters. This had to be a weird moment, how on earth had he got her to calm down and actually talk was beyond her. How he had escaped without a beating was also a surprise. As he returned from the replicator with two glasses of wine she looked up into his face. There was something there, something that she had never seen before. Its not like she didn’t know bout his feelings for her, she just ignored them. She didn’t want to deal with relationships, not after…..

“Dhani,” Jiiles sighed slowly, “I’m sorry that I kissed you,” he said as he sat down opposite her, “I just had to do something about how I felt. And obviously I didn’t handle it the right way.”

Dhani nodded slowly as he passed the glass to her, “Its okay.” she said sipping it, “Don’t worry about it.”

Jiiles grinned cheekily, “Does that mean I can do it again?”

Dhani shot him a distasteful look.

He sat back in his chair. A slight silence crept in between them but this time it wasn’t uncomfortable. He watched her for a while as she drank her wine. Maybe one day…… he wondered. Clearing his throat he brought himself out of the fantasy, “I can’t believe that you never knew.” he said, “Everyone else knew.” he saw her puzzled expression and elaborated, “That I liked you.” He half chuckled, “Was it a good shock or….?” he enquired nervously.

Dhani smiled to herself, “No.” she replied.

Jiiles took another sip, “Huh.” He said over his glass. He looked a little dismayed.

Dhani smiled leaning forward she touched Jiiles forearm reassuringly, “It wasn’t a shock.” She told him. “I already knew.” She confessed.

The spark returned in Jiiles eyes, “You knew?” he probed, fidgeting excitedly in his chair.

Dhani just grinned at him, “More wine?” she asked standing up.

Back Post 2381 December

“Love me…..love my cat!”

(Set whilst the Galaxy is undergoing the refit, after “The Air Between Them”)

Lieutenant (Jg) Dhanishta Eshe

NPC Lieutenant Jiiles

& Salem (the cat)

It was dark this side of the room. Neither of them could see him as he crawled under the desk. His dark eyes surveying them, watching with great curiosity this new person that had entered ‘his’ space. For a while he just sat and stared his ear twitching occasionally. Slowly he emerged and trotted through the dim living room of his masters’ quarters, pausing to sniff an empty wine bottle or two. He watched from the shadows as the blue thing made its way across the room to the food machine, continuing to reproduce more of the intoxicating fluid and feed it to his master. He could smell its intent as strong as the smell of crushed grapes that lingered in the air, thick as smoke.

It was interesting to watch this courting ritual. He had never seen his master with another, not like this any way. Her face showed no sign of pain, for a while at least, as her laughter echoed throughout the room. He could still feel it still on the cusp of his senses though. And this thing, this blue thing…. It concerned him. He had managed what no other ever had; he made her smile, and not just any smile…. In the short space of time he had been in the room he had made her forget, forget the pain, the torment, the overwhelming emotions that coursed through her like blood. But how long would this false contentment last? Would he run when the mask came off? Would he hide when the dam broke, and the flood gates opened? Had he ever seen her true face? ..... No, he hadn’t. Salem had, he had lived with her for all his existence. He had seen what this place had done to her.

The hours ticked by and Salem yawned and thought back to how his master had been. She was different back then. So very different. Cocking his head to one side he looked at her from across the room, her features were the same, except her eyes; they had changed. Her demeanour had too and the way she spoke, he could almost see her thought patterns like lemmings falling off a cliff one after the other, so structured and naïve. Each thought, each action following the other in an organised manor, never faltering from the way she had been taught to think.

But now, here…. He saw the chaos of her mind like an abstract painting. Each thought tripping on the other, the emotions tangling till neither was sure which was which. He liked his master better this way, but he was still waiting. Waiting for the real face to come out, she was still hiding even in all this clutter the true Dhanishta had never spoken. He could feel her rising ever so gradually, the feelings sent his hackles up.

Lost in his own train of thought Salem looked up, his master and the blue creature lay on their backs, side by side on the floor before him, heads stretched back looking up at the stars out the window.

Salem made his way cautiously across the room to his masters’ side, climbing on to her stomach he set up a permanent residence. As he got comfortable he shot Jiiles a look of discontent. Not that he didn’t like the blue lump; it was just his way of saying, hands off, someone had to step in and chaperone!

Back Post 2381 December

“Enigma”

(Set after “Love me ……. Love my cat” whilst the Galaxy is undergoing the refit)

Lieutenant (jg) Dhanishta Eshe

& NPC Lieutenant Jiiles

Jiiles stirred first, opening his eyes he looked up at the unfamiliar ceiling. The disorientation didn’t last long as the nights events surfaced. He rolled on to his side and looked at Dhani. The light from the stars illuminated her face in a pale blue hue. Her right hand still cupped a half empty wine glass. He smiled softly and reached out stroking her face with the back of his hand.

Dhani murmured slightly at the gentle touch. Her discorded dreams fading away. In that moment between awake and asleep Dhani realised that she had slept, the shock made her wake with a start. Jolting she spilt her lukewarm wine across the floor. Her hand jutted out and grabbed Jiiles’ wrist, hard. Her head snapped to one side and her dark eyes fixed on Jiiles’. Her look transformed from shock to anger and then to one of puzzlement.

“Mornin’, jumpy.” Jiiles said as his hand turned a darker shade of blue.

Confusion crossed Dhanis face, her mouth formed the shape of the words that floated through her mind yet she failed to speak.

“You can let go now.” Jiiles said nodding towards his hand.

“Wha…” Dhani stared on, “Oh!” she exclaimed dropping his hand.

“Is that how you greet everyone first thing in the morning?” Jiiles asked sitting up, flexing his fingers, feeling the blood rush back to his digits.

“Morning?” Dhani questioned her brow furrowing.

“Yeah,” he replied smiling at her, “It’s morning. How did you sleep?”

Dhani grinned wildly, “I slept.” She replied sitting up.

“I wonder if I could do it again.” she said grabbing a cushion and tossing it at Jiiles. Scrambling to her feet she ran giggling into her bedroom.

Jiiles removed the cushion from his face and stared on in disbelief. He contemplated for a moment; a childish grin crossed his face, jumping to his feet he followed Dhani into her bedroom to find her bouncing on her bed.

Grabbing a pillow he hit her across her legs with it. She fell flat on the bed, rolling over she seized the other pillow and whacked it round Jiiles’ head. Feathers spilled out across the floor as a wicked pillow fight ensued. Before long the two of them were lying on the mussed bed covers breathing heavily with fluffy downy feathers raining down around them.

Jiiles rolled on to his side and stared at Dhani; she was pre occupied blowing the feathers up in the air that floated down around them. After a while she turned to face him, “What is it?” she questioned.

He shook his head and stared into her eyes, “Nothing.” he replied. Reaching out he pushed her hair back from her face. It was an unconscious act, as soon as he realised what he was doing he moved his hand and picked out a stray feather from her hair. Withdrawing his hand he examined it. With a half masking laugh he reached out again, “You’re covered in them.” he said.

As his hand passed her face she took hold of it. Pressing it flat against her cheek,

“So are you.” She whispered.

His thumb stroked her cheek as her fingers clasped his.

“Tell me.” She said her eyes locking on to his.

Jiiles turned from her to look up at the ceiling, his hand falling from her face, “I don’t know how.”

“Yes you do.” She said taking hold of his chin and pulling him to face her once more.

“I don’t know if you’ll understand.”

“Try me.” She said simply.

Jiiles closed his eyes and took a long slow breath. “Dhani I think your amazing. I do, but I just don’t understand you.” he turned to look at her, “You’re an enigma. And that…” he sighed not knowing how to finish. The real problem is he knew what he wanted to say but just didn’t know what the reception would be. Dhani ran like water, hot and cold and just as fast.

“What?” Dhani asked.

“You scare me a little.” He confessed wincing a little with embarrassment.

Dhanis eyebrows raised, “I scare you?” she questioned raising herself on to her elbows.

Jiiles inched away slightly, “Only a little, Jason is more scared of you than I am!” he said defending himself, and dragging Jason into the fray.

Dhani sat up, “Don’t bring Jason into this!” She frowned, “I scare you?” she questioned again.

Jiiles sat up. He shrugged his shoulders. He should have learned by now that telling the truth to Dhani was not always the best thing.

“You broke Turans nose. And you were his wife!” he said, “What do you expect?”

Dhani let out an exaggerated huff.

Jiiles smirked. “Well?” he asked.

Dhani pouted and extended a finger, “Just this,” she poked him in the ribs, “chicken!”

“Hey!” Jiiles exclaimed, rubbing his side.

Dhani gave him a smug look and poked him again.

“Oi!” Jiiles said wriggling out of reach.

Dhani continued her attack pulling out all, or rather both stops!

“Quit it!” Jiiles half shouted through his laughter.

“Make me. Chicken!” Dhani shouted back as she half mounted Jiiles pinning him down so she could tickle him mercilessly.

Jiiles pushed her off and grabbed her wrists. Dhani rose to her knees and pulled a wrist free and continued to tickle Jiiles. After a bit of struggling and wriggling Jiiles managed to grab Dhanis free hand and pinned her on the bed. As he pushed her down a pile of feathers flew into the air around them.

“Now what you gonna do?” he questioned as he lay on top of her, her hands pinned above her head.

Dhani squirmed under him and giggle slightly, “I could get out of this if I wanted to!” she replied.

“But you don’t want to, do you?” Jiiles whispered in a sing song tone leaning closer. He changed his grip on her wrists, holding them both with one hand.

“Not that.” She replied flinching as he poked her ribs.

“What then?” he replied tickling her under the arm, such sweet retribution.

“I just don’t want to hurt you.” Dhani replied trying to hold a straight face.

“Is that so?” Jiiles questioned smiling smugly. He repositioned himself wriggling down her body, still grasping her hands. Pushing up her shirt with his free hand he put his face close to her stomach and blew…producing a raspberry.

Dhani lurched up, startled. Her arms ripped from Jiiles grip she pushed him off, her eyes wide open, “What the hell was that?”

Jiiles grinned, “A raspberry!” he replied laughing.

“A what?” Dhani asked puzzled rubbing her stomach.

“Don’t tell me you’ve never had a raspberry?” Jiiles questioned still grinning.

“No!” Dhani said her pitched raised slightly for punctuation.

Jiiles laughed and shook his head, his face took on a serious look “Really?” he asked again his brow furrowing.

Dhani shook her head her face a picture of bewilderment.

“I’ll do it again then.” He said, “Just to show you!”

“No stop!” Dhani shouted laughing hysterically curling up with Jiiles’ face attached to her stomach.

Pulling away he looked down at her writhing form and smiled as Dhani gasped for breath in-between giggle fits.

“What are you so smug about?” she asked breathlessly.

“First time I have seen you really laugh.” He replied. He had a small feeling of pride welling. He had made her smile and laugh. It was nice to see this softer side of her. He had seen so many faces of Dhani, never knew which one was coming next.

Dhani returned his smile, “It’s all your fault!” she replied in a playful tone. As Jiiles stared down at her Dhani felt her breath shorten. Her mind was suddenly full of voices…. ~Why not? Why not go with Jiiles? He was nice and kind and he obviously cares about you… but ….. there isn’t really a but! Chang.~ The name made Dhanis chest tighten. ~He’s gone,~ she told her inner voices, ~he went a long time ago, why hold out for the impossible? Why not be with someone, with Jiiles? What possible reason was there not to?~ “None.” Dhani said under her breath.

As Jiiles came closer Dhani raised her self slightly, reciprocating. She looked deep into his eyes. The little creases of skin at the corners of his eyes as he smiled, the way his eyes themselves seemed to sparkle, she memorised the shape of his face, the shape of his nose the way his cheeks curved…. She felt quite overwhelmed, not sure whether to kiss him and never stop or simply cry!

Jiiles could feel her breath on his skin, sending tingles down his spine. He leaned in closer searching her eyes for any sign of resistance… he was getting confused with the mixed signals. He wanted her but she hadn’t told him if she wanted him… he wondered. But then he knew if she wasn’t interested he wouldn’t be here… would he?

> [“Engineering to Lieutenant Jiiles”] <

His thoughts were interrupted. Jiiles almost froze. He looked down at Dhani and then stared down at his communicator. His eyes slowly returned to Dhanis. She smiled back at him. No doubt she was thinking ‘perfect timing’. Bloody awful timing as far as he was concerned but maybe it was for the best. Sighing he sat up and tapped his badge,

“Jiiles here, go ahead.”

> [“Lieutenant what’s the hold up?”] <

Jiiles frowned, “What?” he replied. Dhani cast him a worried glance as she too sat up.

> [“Lieutenant, your shift started 15 minuets ago.”] <

Jiiles eyes winded. He stood up and scanned the room, “Why don’t you have a clock in here?” he asked Dhani in a mock accusing manor.

“I’m never in here!” Dhani replied defensively shrugging her shoulders.

> [“I’m sorry I didn’t get that Sir.”] <

~Shit~ he said to himself, “Nevermind, sorry, I’ll be right there.” Closing the channel he turned to Dhani,

“I’ll see you later?” he half questioned.

“Of course.” Dhani said standing up and dusting herself down.

Jiiles sat on the bed a little longer before he stood up and brushed the feathers off his uniform. He realised that he must smell! He hadn’t been back to his quarters all night and he didn’t take a shower. It will have to wait he concluded standing up.

Dhani walked him to the door.

Jiiles hesitated, “Hey,” he said turning in the door way to face her, “you fancy dinner later?” Dinner couldn’t hurt surly, friends had dinner.

A melancholy expression crossed Dhanis face as she remembered Michael. She used to have dinner all the time with him. A pang washed over her, and she almost sighed, tears welling up a little. She smiled at the memory pushing the pain aside she smiled at Jiiles, “Yeah that would be nice.” she concluded.

Jiiles tried to conceal his grin, “I’ll come round 1900 hours?”

Dhani nodded.

“Great!” Jiiles exclaimed. He leaned in and kissed her cheek goodbye.

Dhani lingered by the door after it closed and sighed. Looking down she found Salem rubbing up her legs.

“Well hey you.” She said picking him up, “You hungry?”

Jiiles couldn’t help but laugh as he walked down the corridor to the turbo lift. He was almost giddy.

“Jiiles!”

Jiiles looked up at the sound of his name, turning he saw Suder, “Hey Chief, sorry I’m late for my shift. I didn’t notice the time.” He replied.

Suder gave him a pat on the shoulder, “That’s not like you.” he commented frowning. He looked down the corridor from where Jiiles had just come, “You just come from Dhanis?” Suder asked fitting the pieces together.

Jiiles visibly squirmed with excitement and trepidation. He didn’t want to say anything, he still wasn’t sure, “Erm….” he looked down at the floor and smiled looking back at Suder he nodded.

“Get in there!” Suder congratulated him. “So are you two official or what?”

“No just…… friends…. Sir.” Jiiles replied as he stepped into the turbo lift.

Suder watched Jiiles’ smile broaden as the lift doors closed.

“Friends my arse…” he muttered as he continued down the hall to Dhanis quarters.

"Showdown at Sakaria" - Part II

Commodore Gareth Chandler Roswell

& Various Sakarian NPCs (Portrayed by Oded)

"Perhaps I should have let them destroy you. If only I'd know what kind of people you'd turn out to be."

Commodore Gary Roswell, a member of Starfleet and an acclaimed hero of the planet Sakaria, feigned the tired warrior act on suggestion by his wife Allas. They would see him falter and then one final insult that would possibly erupt everyone's thoughts.

This hiss of advisor Tekoue, the Sakarian ruler's first counselor, pierced the sudden silence. "I can't believe you are going to surrender to them after they murdered your only child, Commodore Roswell."

Gary looked up. Confusion crossed his face as a smirk filled his mind. "I wasn't aware you were so interested in Federation news, being that you despise them so. Are you implying that a Rebel was flying the USS Akula? I'm sure the Federation would appreciate the information since they're looking nowhere near Sakaria."

The advisor's skin color gained a darker shade for a moment, but then he regained his composure. It took three more seconds before he replied.

In the back room, Allas stood up wide eyed. The emotions that came from the advisor was something she did not expect.

"No, I meant that the Federation, which these rebel skum support, have allowed your child to walk into an unsafe building which eventually collapsed and ended her life. The same recklesness could be directed toward Sakaria, which will be in the Federation's eyes no better than a 'neglible ensign'. When the time comes, I want our Sakaria to have the ability to say: 'I will not go into that building'. That's what our freedom is all about."

Gary wanted to laugh. He wondered if the others were taking him seriously. "Neglible ensign you say? Where did you hear that?"

"No offense, Commodore Roswell," Tekoue continued, "But if the ship's Captain was the one in question, Starfleet would never send him into that building. And if a war erupts again, Sakaria will be put on the line much before Earth. By allying with the Federation in any form, we make ourselves weak."

Gary rolled his eyes, "No one sent her into the building. Officers are there by their own choice, they know the risks. It's admirable. She, and in fact, the Federation was there assisting people in need. If a war erupts again, we are stronger by adding to our forces the skill and technology of Earth, Trill, and many other planets." He looked Tekoue dead in the eye, "And why are you so concerned about her death?" He locked his eyes on the man.

"What kind of a bizarre question coming from the poor soul's father," The advisor shot back.

"Could you continue this later?", General Ekiem inquired casually, "Although it's quite amusing to see how unified the so-called legitimate rule of Sakaria is."

"Let them keep on fighting; It's funny.", Nai insisted. The third rebel, Menoue, was busy examining his nails.

"All of you leave now." Gary nodded to the Ruyel, "With all due respect, you as well sir." He turned back to Tekoue and smiled menacly, "We have something to discuss."

The Ruyel nodded and got up to leave. His entourage awaited at the door and escorted him to the hover.

The rebel representatives were obviously unhappy with Gary's tone, but they stood up as well. Ekiem left last. "Me and my leader will expect to hear from you soon about the compromise's details.", he told Gary as he went past the Commodore and out of the door.

Gary went to the door and made sure it was shut and locked. He turned to face Tekoue. "What did you think it would accomplish?"

"Excuse me?", The advisor demanded. He stood up to leave as well, but Gary stood between him and the door.

Gary growled out the order, "SIT!"

The advisor remained standing, but he did not move.

Gary stood over the man, "Star Fleet didn't release HOW she died. Most people here on Sakaria don't keep up with what Star Fleet does give out. How would you know about it unless you had something to do with it?" He put his hands on the table and got in the man's face. It was becoming his favorite stance. "Who is working for you?"

"No one does," the advisor replied, "You have NO right to make these accusations! If you have some aggressions you want to release, release them on the people who just left the room!"

Gary shook his head smiling, "You gave yourself away."

The advisor opened his mouth to unleash yet another sharp, calculated response when Allas stormed into the room.

"I saw it! You... you... you killed my baby!"

Gary put his hand on his wife's shoulder, restraining her. He still did not tell her that Nara was alive, but now the moment when truths will be revealed to the light was closer than ever.

The advisor narrowed his eyes. He was still not ready to frame himself, but he already admitted inwardly that his cause was lost, whether he was lost with it or not.

"I will make it simple. If compromise is allowed, and cease fire is accepted with the price of Sakaria being admitted into the Federation, then within decaded - no, years - the Sakaria you know and cherish will be no more. Look at other planets. Who are their leaders? Those who support the Federation, and cancel themselves in front of the Federation's ideals. Our highness, the Ruyel? Soon, people will call him a monarch, will demand a democracy. The little cultural uniqueness we still have will vanish under the weight of the galactic civilization. To preserve our individuality, our government, we cannot allow to slow down. Peace might be the smartest thing today, but war is the smartest thing if we want to have a real tomorrow."

He then looked at Allas in the eye. "And what is the life of one person, be it you, me, or someone we care about, when compared to the life of an entire nation?"

Allas' eyes were red with anger and tears and in one of the rare moments she was far from gentle, she lunged at the man only to be caught by Gary who held her. He whispered in her ear, "He'll pay, my love...He'll pay."

Then, finally after days of tension and torment, a grin broke on the face of the resurrected hero of Sakaria.

"You tried to make me angered, to make me abandon my attempts for a cease fire, but you failed. Completely. You see, advisor Tekoue, my daughter is very much alive on Trill, and if you want to see another Sakarian sunrise you better call off any assassin that you sent after her."

Check and mate. The advisor half sat, half collapsed onto a nearby chair. Gary spun toward his wife, expecting a well deserved slap.

Imagine his surprise when instead, Allas embraced her husband and drowned herself in his arms.

"Showdown at Sakaria" - Part Ihttp://rantega.audioshot.net/overclock.jpg

Commodore Gareth Chandler Roswell

& Various Sakarian NPCs (Portrayed by Oded)

Gary opened the door and looked around the room with a scowl on his face. He paced as he spoke, "This war isn't good for any of us and certainly not for the civilians. We have got to find a way to end this! I'll suggest a compromise, but I doubt any of you care enough for Sakaria to bend even a fraction of an inch." He was almost grinding his teeth to keep from yelling.

He stopped and looked each man and woman in the eyes, "Are you willing to have open minds?"

The two parties in the conference room glared at the resurrected hero of Sakaria with equal irritation.

On one side there were his men in his late 30s. About a decade or more younger than the man speaking. He was getting tired of Gary thrusting his muscle and influence around. There was also Tekoue, the Ruyel's political advisor and a man who was perhaps the brightest political mind on Sakaria, and while Gary didn't always like his methods or his judgment, the advisor has served Sakaria no less than the 'resurrected hero' himself.

On the other side were the representatives of the rebels. Gary made sure he invited the people which were most likely to slay Nara just to persuade him to take a more extreme line of actions.

There was Ekiem, the rebels' second in command and the mastermind behind the guerilla troops which were the backbone of the rebel forces. As a baron of a northern province, he proved himself a ruthless political leader which considered every men and woman on Sakaria to be his pawns in the ongoing campaign against the legitimate rule of Sakaria.

There was also Menoue, a tall ex-Starfleet officer - one of the few Sakarians to enter Starfleet throughout the years - who made his goal in life to make Sakaria a Federation member, even if it meant abandoning every novel principle the Federation stood for - liberty, peace, the prime directive among other things.

And finally there was Nai, a woman which should've been born a Klingon. In the past, Gary would sooner trial her for war crimes or shoot her where she stood rather than sit with her on the same table. Now, with the life of his child at hand, he had no choice but to sit next to her. She smirked at him, a smirk that said 'Don't be surprised if you find a knife in your kidney within the next couple of minutes'.

And in the head of the table, on the opposite side of Gary, sat the legitimate ruler of Sakaria. The Ruyel looked sadly at Gary. He kept his mouth shut, letting Gary lead the meeting.

"We've had open minds ever since this war began, OFFWORLDER.", General Ekiem broke the silence. "But your obsolete government continued to try and keep Sakaria in the middle ages. We'll hear your offer, but I am sure it'll be as rotten as the previous ones."

Gary gave the man look that would make another man cry, but in this room were the most stubborn, hard-hearted people on Sakaria. Most of them probably lacked tear ducts. He put his hands on the table to lean into Ekiem, "If you recall, the Ruyel asked me to lead those troops. I did not volunteer. I only helped because I saw a planet about to be destroyed and didn't know how to defend itself!"

Gary's face softened feeling the Ruyel's eyes on him. He knew what the man was thinking. He would had told Gary he didn't have to defend himself. Ekiem was known for knowing what buttons to push. Gary growled, "There are many who would kill you if you had your way and I was gone." He looked at Ekiem for a moment for a reaction.

"They would have to try first, offworlder. And many did try. But the resistance stands strong, and shall not rest until we overthrow the dictator." He gestured at the Ruyel, "And Sakaria takes the form and shape it was meant to be. Or perhaps you would rather shape it after yourself, OFFWORLDER?"

Gary spoke loud and clear for all to hear, "You dishonor the Ruyel in your speech. I simply lead some troops to fight. At the moment fight a war that shouldn't be happening."

Gary stood to face the table, still with the angry look. "Sakarians are a strong people. Together we won a war, but separated as we are, we only bring destruction to the planet I like to hope we all love."

"Some times, a sick man has to shed bad blood in order to heal.", Nai retorted, her eyes gleaming as she said the word 'blood'.

"Enough!"

Everyone turned to see the Ruyel speak. General Ekiem seemed mildly interested in what the legitimate ruler had to say, whereas both Menoue - and Tekoue too, to Gary's mild surprise - seemed disinterested and even irritated at the interjection.

The Ruyel was normally a soft-spoken man. He had much fighter as any Sakarian, but was also old enough to know to keep that inside until needed. As it was now. "Commodore Roswell is more Sakarian than most of you! You will quiet your bashings and hear him out!" He looked at Gary, "And Commodore, I would implore you to get to the point." The look in the Ruyel's eyes held sternness, but also Gary saw a look one would give a dear friend.

Gary nodded. He leveled his voice and spoke. "The compromise I propose is to join the Federation." He could tell without looking how his fellow purists would react. He continued, "IF you sign a peace treaty. No more attacking for purpose of ruling. We will ask the Federation for stipulations."

He looked at them, "Though, if anyone had any plots against the Federation, or anyone in their space...or worse yet, in their Star Fleet, it would likely be a longer process."

Hidden in a small chamber just behind the Ruyel's seat, Allas Roswell was struck by a mixture of strong emotions from everyone in the briefing room. She tried to deflect the emotions of Gary, which her attention was instinctively drawn to. The others felt surprise, satisfaction, relief and anger. Slowly, she began to concentrate on each person and isolate his or her feelings toward what her husband just said.

"Finally!", Menoue spoke first, clapping his hands once. "That's all that I ask. The rest will come on itself.". The Ex-Starfleet Officer slanted his eyes toward the Ruyel. "Your lordness, I ask you to support this compromise."

The Ruyel slowly smiled, "It is not for you to know what I support. Except I support whatever is best for Sakaria. All I ask is that we stop fighting among ourselves. If that means joining the Federation to give you your way, so be it."

"Stop.", General Ekiem placed a sturdy hand on Menoue's shoulder. He, too, was eyeing the Ruyel. "Finally, you fold. I would like to see the details and I demand that my faction will be fully involved in the process, as well as maintain possession of the territories in our rule until a permanent agreement can be reached... but if those two conditions will be accepted, then surely my leader will agree that we finally have something to talk about."

Before the Ruyel or Gary could speak, someone stood sharply. It was advisor Tekoue. "Are you listening to them? To yourself?! This is outright surrendering to the demands of terrorists!"

"Frrreedom fighters.", Nai corrected, rolling the 'R' on her tounge.

"Butchers.", The advisor insisted, then addressed the Ruyel. "Your highness, surely we can't give up just because the rebels increased their pressure. Sakaria does not surrender to violence!"

The Ruyel held a hand up fully knowing Gary had a headful of things to mouth off. "What they ask is not so terrible. We will ask the Federation for a condition. We will not assist any other planets in battles and we will not ask for assistance to fight our own. Is it so much to ask that we make a few places suitable for their officers to come and enjoy some of our planet while on shore leave? That is all we offer for the prospect of peace on Sakaria."

"We also need a fully commercial and scientific alliance if we want to progress.", General Ekiem protested, but his tone said 'There's nothing a good negotiation can't solve'.

"I am not so sure they will go for the name only membership. The Federation is about alliances. Banding together and fighting against something. We'll be fighting other's wars."

"And you...", The advisor Tekoue turned toward Gary, "Even though you bled for Sakaria, you still have no right to decide for us whether we join the Federation or not. In the end, you ARE of the Federation as much as you are of Sakaria, Commodore. This is an unthinkable hypocracy!"

"I am NOT deciding. I am putting it on the table. We have a chance for peace! You hold such closed minds about the Federation. They have their flaws, but I rather join them and join fights for other planets than have our planet at constant war because we are so stubborn! Do I need to remind you that WE are a strong people, but it took an outsider to show you the strength you own. Outside help is not bad. And to offer help is ..."

Gary sighed. He was tired of this. Tired of proving himself. Tired of war. He sat down and spoke sadly. "Perhaps I should have let them destroy you. If only I'd know what kind of people you'd turn out to be."

He feigned the tired warrior act on suggestion by Allas. They would see him falter and then one final insult that would possibly erupt everyone's thoughts.

Advisor Tekoue's hiss pierced the sudden silence. "I can't believe you are going to surrender to them after they murdered your only child, Commodore Roswell."

"The Escapee"

The wet, black nose sniffed the carpet. The place on the other side of the door didn't make sense to him. It looked like outside, but something told him it wasn't outside at all. The silver wolf wandered on down the hallway.

The horse stopped with a huff and Running Tree sniffed the air. He smiled feeling the holographic sun on his face. The Native American from Earth missed his planet today. Having Timber with him helped some. It helped having a connection to his planet by his side. His brother. The computer beeped informing him that his time was up. He sighed and called to Timber. The wolf didn't show up as predicted. ~He must had found a rabbit to chase.~ He dismounted. "Computer, end program."

When the room returned to the default hologrid, Running turned, but no wolf. He looked at the door. He didn't check the door sensor to make sure anything under 5 feet couldn't leave. He ran out into the hall and looked down both corridors. No Timber. Maybe Mashia was right. His wife said they needed to get a homing implant in Timber. Well, he'd find Timber and get it implanted. No need to let Mashia know she was right.

Meanwhile a curious gray wolf roams the corridors of the USS Galaxy. Occasionally even entering a turbolift, making his master's search even more difficult.

"The Savage Vs. The Hunter"

Commodore Alberion S. Savage
Commanding Officer, Starbase K7,
And head of Federation-Kless Monarchy Relations

Dr. Gunther Engleman
The Hunter

Location: Starbase K7 Docking Bay

"There you are. The Hunstman was due here 3 weeks ago..."

The hooded man removed his hood, revealing his identity as Gunther Engleman. The gaurds had been alerted to his identity. The Gold collars pulled put their type twos as Dr. Engleman pulled out his own weapon. A disruptor of unknown origin.

Al knew immediatly something was up, as he dived to the side while one of the gaurds shouted. "Commodore! Get down!"

A phaser beam cut a hole in Engleman's cloak while the second hit his chest.....Doing nothing but lighting up what appeared to be personal shield. Dr. Engleman shot the gaurd at his leisure as they continued to fire at him.

"Oh Commodore! Please come and speak with me!"

Savage had made it to a small unused security depot near the docking bay. Even thought the old K-7 facility was wholey intact, the newer Shipyard facilities were far more populated than the old station.

He fumbled through the racks, looking for a charged phaser.

"Oh Come now Commodore. I just want to commend you for your cleverness!"

He finally found one and rushed out, looking for the nearest turbolift. ["Security! This is Savage. I want the entire lower level completely locked down, and I want security teams down here ASAP. Intruder Alert!"] Without missing a beat, he switched channels. ["Command, this is Savage. Commander, Watch out for the Huntsman, and go on full tactical alert. They may try to come pick up their boss."] The station's operatining commander, Anton Malkar, Immediately replied. ["Engleman is here? On the station?"] Savage didn't have time for this. ["JUST GET TO WORK YOU BONEHEAD!"]

Savage never did know the station very well. A few small corridors and he was back in the docking bay, with Engleman staring him down. Both had their weapons fixed on the enemy. The standoff lasted for a few moments. Engleman was still protected by his shield, but figured that Savage might have a trick up his sleeve.

"Commodore. You know you're outmatched. Just throw me the weapon and your death will be painless."

"Ha...Sure. I'll do that, after I go skinny dipping in hard vacuum. Now drop your gun and surrender."

"Why? I can take a hit from your phaser. Do you like my shield? It's a Jem'Hadar prototype from the Dominion War. It was developed quite late in the conflict, so it was never fielded."

"Nice toy. But it looks a little big on ya kiddo."

Engleman looked away for a moment, annoyed, not noticing Savage pushing butttons on the phaser. "You really are quite a difficult man, Commodore. I continue to warn you. Try to deter you away from helping that...*MAN* I am entitled to avenge myself upon! But You CONTINUE to Defy me! But at very least you are clever." Gunther pulled something out of his pocket and tossed it to Savage. It was the severd blue hand of an Andorian.

"Gah.....That's Nasty...Oh, And you're a bastard." Savage was horrified about this.

"He was a good spy. I knew nothing until he tried to kill me, under YOUR orders I might add."

"My orders... I never told him to kill you. At least not yet. But I know the truth about what you're really up to, and I know that the people in charge of you are angry that you're taking so long."

"Nevermind them! But perhaps you should consider who is controlling *you.* You've been getting information from annonynmous sources, strange orders from superior officers. You new position as the head of diplomatic relations with an Alien Civilization that may be considered a thread in the near future? You've never been the best negotiater have you. But you *are* a brilliant military commander. Tell me. Why would they put a brilliant tactician in charge of diplomatic relations that would probably need the delicate touch of the diplomatic corps?"

---------

Meanwhile, Outside

["S.S. Huntsman. Stand Down immediately. This is your final warning."]

["Understood, K-7. We are complying."]

A Saber-class frigate, the USS Stanhope, hovered near the large Miradorn ship.

The science officer on duty turned to Commander Malkar. "Sir. I can't tell if his weapons are active or not. Theres some sort of dampening field around them."

["HUNTSMAN. DISENGAGE YOUR DAMPENING FIELD IMMEDIATLY."]

["We apologize. We are suffering from Technicaly difficulties."]

"Damn...Disable their weapons systems."

The tactical officer on duty turned to Commander Malkar. "Sir. I can't directly target them. I could destroy them accidentally, and that's the last thing we want to do."

Malkar sighed. "Damn, Remain on standby."

---------

Savage was distraught at the realization, but used the moment to strike. "Fine. I surrender." He tossed the phaser to Engleman.

The madman picked it up not realizing his mistake until the very last minute. "Enjoy!" It had been set to a slow overload, and had now reached critical.

"Ha ha ha!" Savage bolted away, as Gunther fired at him, the blue disruptor bolt screaming through the air hitting the Commodore in the right thigh. At that very moment the phaser exploded in Engleman's hand, throwing him several feet. The injured Commodore looked back at the madman, noticing him get up. "Man, I gotta get me one of *THOSE!*"

"FINE, COMMODORE! HAVE IT YOUR WAY." Security officers finally rushed in brandashing phaser rifles and started firing at Engleman as he boarded the small shuttle. "PALOOKA! NOW!" The small shuttle quickly bolted out to the Huntsman, which was waiting outside.

The Security officers tended to Commodore Savage as he tapped his combadge. ["MALKAR! I Don't care if you blow him straight to hell! Open Fire!"]

Several phaser's fired blind at the Huntsman and it's shuttle. Unfortunately the shuttle spun out of control and exploded, with the Huntsman descending to the shuttle docking bay, and firing from inside K-7's shield bubble. The forcefield protecting the bay from hard vacuum was knocked out and the blast doors were closing, but the sudden loss of containment, sucked out a hapless goldcollar with Savage clutching the wall for dear life. Almost all of the air in the bay was sucked out before the security teams and Commodore Savage got a forcefield up in the hall.

---------

Later Starbase K-7, Sickbay

The Station's CMO cleaned the wound before pulling out a dermal regenerator. "You're lucky, Commodore."

"What? That little scrape? That was nothing."

"No, You're lucky you didn't get brain damage from oxygen depravation, or worse, sucked into space."

"I'm not an easy guy to kill......" Savage had known the men who had died in the docking bay, and the one that died outside it. He paused for a long time. "Has Lt. Rask's body been recovered yet?"

"Aye sir, It's being prepared for burial, which will be left to the Stanhope. His next of kin on Bajor have been informed."

"What about Ensign Tilly, and Petty Officer Carlson."

"Their families have already been contacted."

All Savage could do was agonize over what had happened.

~How could things go so wrong... 4 men. 4 excellent Starfleet men died today because of me, and that man...~

"He must be stopped... too much has happened because of that monster."

"Loose Ends, Part 1"

By Various NPC's

************ Leran Manev, Trill, Three Days Later ************

"How did it go?" So asked Grail, dressed in a black uniform and matching trenchcoat and sunglasses, to his equally dressed compatriot, in the ruins of what was once an office tower inside Leran Manev's industrial district. He brushed his spiked blonde hair, feeling Trill's alien winds chill his scalp, and sympathized for his partner. He was without the blonde man's athletic bulk that moved with ease despite his musclebound size. His partner was a skeletal man, thin and dry looking like a husk left too long under the Vulcan sun, and if he was bereft of his sunglasses, he would also expose eyes that were as chilly as the grave. His partner had a strip of dark hair along the sides and the back; a result of natural baldness he let go instead of cured with superior 24th century technology, serving instead to enhance his already 'skeletal' look. The skeletal man wore lighter clothes, and served Grail to wonder how the skeletal man wasn't bothered by Trill weather. What brought more apprehension was the fact that the skeletal man wasn't armed, while he had Type X multi-phas pistol hugging his hip.

Cocky, for a field operative, but the Skeletal Man was one of the best. If he felt no need of a weapon, he was most likely right.

Grail had a hint of apprehension in his voice nonetheless, like they duo didn't belong here, shouldn't be here. For the most part, he was right. Being here risked exposure, and not only to himself. There was also the risk to his partner; a much more important member of their organization.

But the Skeletal Man was still in control, impassive as he looked down from their perch. The abandoned office tower, its windows blasted out by the Akula's supersonic descent, looked years abandoned. It wasn't a good place to stay hidden, but it was a perfect vantage point.

The Skeletal Man answered his protégé, "Brhode was not very punctual for this rendezvous. We almost lost the USS Galaxy. It would have been a grievous setback."

"Oh?" Grail raised an eyebrow. "How so?" "An exemplary ship. Losing such a fine vessel would affect the outcome of a dozen sectors. The crew alone has the potential to guide universal events. Past talent has come from this vessel. The Atlantis' first officer used to be on this ship, and he is one of the finest tactical minds in the Federation, second only to one of Admiral Hoth's missing weapons."

"Here we go…" Grail rolled his eyes.

"There is also a security chief on board. A fine officer… could be one of us if the proper doors are opened to him. He has a multitude of potentials." Grail interrupted with a sceptical laugh, "So did that Doctor, and Hoth's weapon, and that Vulcan on the USS Tokyo. I've seen this man's profile as well. He's no agent. At best, we can use him as a hitman, and that's if we can give him the moral motivation. He's no good to us. Forget it." "I would not dismiss our potential comrade so easily." Soothed the Skeletal Man, "If I may say so, I can judge potential when I see it. We just need to… pave the road in front of him." Grail dismissed the idea outright, "Hah… he smashed that road himself. His affair with the Tal'Shiar agent did that."

"Not really… you should hear from our other operative. She witnessed it herself. The man risked his very life, a noble and grand gesture if I ever did see one, to prevent twelve people from being buried alive. Then he captured a saboteur onboard the Galaxy, and made an example of him to his own father." The Skeletal Man cracked a rare grin, "You should have seen the communications intercepts. Acts like that can… overcome any career obstacles."

"Right place at the right time. Nothing special."

"No… potential, my good man. Being able to act when he could have executed a more cautious approach. I value that in a man."

"I still say he's nothing more than a killer." "Look on the bright side Grail… if he doesn't work out at least we will have a killer."

Grail took a moment to ponder the Skeletal Man's wisdom, nodding his approval as it processed, "I see."

"I am glad you do, my friend. Forget him for a moment. He is my concern and not yours. Let us turn our attention…" He waved his hand over to the rubble strewn streets below, "To the last segment of our assignment."

"Which would be…" "Loose ends, my good man. Watch."

Grail brushed off a square of floor, sitting cross legged while the Skeletal Man dangled his feet out the remains of the office.

"What are we watching?" Asked Grail. The Skeletal Man replied, "The hired help taking care of the rest. Just watch, and then we will leave. We will have no choice. By the time our hired help does her job, we will have to vacate before the authorities descend upon the area."

"Oh…" Grail sighed in realization, "That kind of hired help." "Shhh… watch, dear Grail."

The Skeletal Man pointed north, towards the wreckage of the Akula, towards the smoke from the crash site and the Symbiosis Committee Tower. Closer than those landsites was a Starfleet Officer, bloodied and exhausted, scrabbling in the dust with a desperation of a man being chased by a predator. Further still was that predator, another one in black….

In the suit of a Catholic nun.

"Watch." The Skeletal Man beckoned, and both men impassively observed what transpired.

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

Ensign Wellsy ran from that sadistic, man woman who gave chase. When his tired and torn legs couldn't run, he crawled over cobblestone, rubble and dirt, scraping hands and knees as he tried to keep another meter between himself and his pursuer. His breath raspy and tainted with coppery blood, Wellsy faltered as his palms became slick with blood.

The woman in black came closer. She flicked a wrist.

Wellsy could tell, and it wasn't by looking back. He felt it, knew its actions as he felt another tearing slash across his calf. He yelped in pain, stumbling flat onto the ground. The pain from that, and a multitude of other slashes from her damnable weapons all along his torso, arms and legs overwhelmed him. Wellsy tried to pick himself up, but his cut achilles tendons could no longer support his weight.

What he could do was roll over. He wanted to see who was attacking him, allow himself the dignity of dying face up to the sun, not to the dirt like a common rat.

He thought he deserved that much as he rolled over. What he saw was something else.

Eclipsing the sun was the woman in black. Her dress was a combination of black with white trim and manteau, now slit by each calf, an act she inflicted herself before she attacked Wellsy. Her coif hid the majority, but not all, of her jet black hair. Brown eyes and olive skin, an impassive face that hid unknown passions, and a gleaming silver cross, and he had to woman who tortured him before his eyes.

Her hands held the disks that stung, cut and tormented him, first severing his thumb as he tried to use his phaser, then his wrist to disarm him of his weapon. What surprised him the most was that they returned to her hand, these coin sized ceramic disks. They disappeared into the folds of her sleeves.

"Please…" Wellsy begged pathetically, the tears from his eyes mingling with the blood of a forehead cut. He wimpered and trembled below the lady in black, "Don't kill me… please…" Unemotionally, the nun looked down upon the bloodied officer. She said as cold and impassively as Andorian ice, "I am Paretti. I was sent to kill a traitor. You are that traitor. I must kill you."

"NO! DON'T!" Wellsy flinched, shielding Paretti with his blood stained arms, wimpering before her withering, looming sight, "Please, it was McCauley! He put me up to it! He owed lots of money… and Thomas promised to pay his debt if he sabotaged the ship. He threatened me to do it! He'd kill me if I didn't!"

Paretti fingered her silver cross, which gave an artificial chirp. "An accomplice?" "He's dead, man! They offed him! Made me do it! I swear… they'd kill me if I didn't… please don't… please…"

The nun snatched up her crucifix, snapping off the bottom end and flicking both pieces into into her fist. She snapped the wrist, a cruel glittering arc like amber threads fluttering in the air, literally cutting the sky as it crackled.

Then that thread swept down on his arm, leaving a cauterized, steaming stump and his arm, from fingertip to elbow, severed and sizzling.

His howl of pain split the sounds of fleeing birds as much as Paretti's weapon cut the sky.

Wellsy gritted his teeth as pain washed over him in sickening waves. His sobbing and groaning prevented him from saying more, the overwhelming agony his only focus as the horror of the sight of his gory stump the only thing he saw. His mind was too overwhelmed to save himself.

"Monomolecular lash." Paretti explained, watching Wellsy writhe, "A dangerous weapon if not wielded right. Can cause more harm to your surroundings than your target."

Paretti brought the lash down on Wellsy's leg, splitting it in the middle from foot to kneecap.

"We have confirmed Mr. McCauley's death. What we haven't confirmed…" She flickered her amber, crackling strand over her head. It whirled and twisted in intricate loops, narrowly missing herself and scorching the ground as it whirled around, kicking up a spiral of dust around her feet. And as unemotional as a Vulcan, she snapped the lash upwards….

Then send it down in a sweeping, crescent moon arc.

Wellsy saw the lash nearly phasing through his neck, felt the final burst of pain, and then felt no more. His eyes were still wide open, but saw nothing. His head peeled off the corpse, making a sticky sound as it slid off and rolled.

Paretti's monomolecular lash reeled itself. A snap and the crucifix were back together, silencing the effect of burning air. She slung the cross back on her neck, reached into the folds of her nun's uniform, and pulled out a vial of clear fluid. Nonchalantly, she flicked the vial at Wellsy's body, and watched as the fluid turned to mist, immolating his body until the molecules dissipated.

"Amen." Paretti turned her back on the battle scene, and walked back to her church.

"The long distance bill from heck"

Featuring:
Ensign Marcus A. Slayton
Engineering Officer, USS Galaxy (NCC-70637/Galaxy III-class Heavy Explorer)

Captain Jacob H. Caine
Commanding Officer, USS Jason Bourne
(NX-07010/Insigna-class Cruiser)
--NPC

Also Featuring:
Commander Luornu Durgo
Executive Officer, USS Jason Bourne
(NX-07010/Insigna-class Cruiser)
--NPC

Theme: "Sin City" from the Sin City Official Soundtrack

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Location: the quarters of Ensign M.A. Slayton, USS Galaxy

Marcus was sitting in his quarters, waiting for word about the away team that went into the Akula but for the most part he was concerned about Anna, the two of them had just gotten back together and already he was worrying about her. Marcus then got a look on his face and walked over to the desk and activated the ship's computer.

"I want to activate a channel to the USS Jason Bourne, NX zero seven zero one zero. Namely Captain Jacob Caine, the Bourne's commanding officer." Marcus said and the insigna of Starfleet Communications appeared for a moment and then a few minutes later it faded into a view of attractive burnette with a relaxed look.

"This is Commander Durgo, first officer of the USS Jason Bourne. The captain is currently unavabile at the moment, may I ask who's trying to contact him?"
the woman asked which made Marcus' eyes roll slightly.

"Tell him that Marcus Slayton of the USS Galaxy is calling and tell him also "Checkmate" as well if you can." Marcus said with a slight smirk and the woman nodded and it went to a "please hold" screen for about two minutes before it faded into the bearded and smirking face of Jacob Caine.

"Marcus, how's one of my oldest friends doing and doing aboard the Galaxy no less." Captain Caine said with the smirk never leaving his face to which made Marcus roll his eyes.

"Nothing much, H. Look, I was wondering if you still had that place out by Oasis by any chance that your family owns?" Marcus asked and Jacob this question made Jacob raised an eyebrow. "Why, are you finally planning on taking some of your shore leave after two and a half years, Marc?" Jacob said as he leaned back on his end of the channel. Marcus merely nodded.

"Yeah, me and Anna are back together again and I was wanting to give her a vacation for her to remember you know? I want to make up what Aya took away from me and her you know. Especially with that one thing that I told you that I was going to try and do during the Gala, H." Marcus explained which brought a large smile to his face.

"Marcus, I knew the two of you during your time at the academy and hell man, I grew up with you but nothing does my heart good as hearing that man. I wish you two the best of luck. But on a lighter note, so when are you going to sign on with the Bourne? I mean seriously, you know that you're not cut out for standard fleet duty and specops is the place to be!"
Jacob said with a huge smile on his face.

Chuckling, Marcus replied with "I'll think about it.
So, is it cool for me and Anna to hijack your place at Oasis or not?" and that made Jacob nod. "Yes, of course it's cool man. However, I think that I may have something for you, I'll send it via transport in the next day or two. But I've got to go, Marc. I've got a senior staff meeting in four that can't be avoided you know?" Jacob said and the two friends exchanged good byes and the screen went black. Marcus then leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes for a few seconds when suddenly there was a beeping at his comm-badge and he quickly tabbed it while still rubbing his eyes.

"Slayton, go." Marcus said and very quickly a young female voice came back. "Mister Slayton, this is Ensign Kenni in Operations. The away team from the surface of Trill has returned and I think that you might want to head for sickbay quickly." the young man's voice said and this caused Marcus to quickly tab his comm-badge off as he grabbed his uniform jacket and he headed out of the door to sickbay.

"Bitch Session"

Major Corran Rex
Lieutenant Ella Grey
Lieutenant Jasmine Heloi

After things had calmed down a bit, Corran had finally left the bridge and returned to his office. He had a spare uniform there, which he grabbed before hitting the shower room. He thought of taking a sonic shower, but after a day like this, decided to indulge in an actual Water one.

After dressing, he entered his office to find not one, but two apparently angry females awaiting him - Lieutenants Ella Grey, and Jasmine Heloi.

"Ladies.." he greeted, a bit tentatively.

Ella was the first to speak. The list of people that she truly cared about was short so when one of them did something stupid, she felt the need to remind them. Her fingers flicked angry words and although she wasn't sure if Rex was advanced enough to understand all of it she was sure he got the meaning.

Rex had enough experience to certainly recognize the .. vehemence of some of Ella's signing. She was going very fast, though. "Ella - Ella! Slow down! I can't read your hands that fast!" he interrupted, palms out.

Grey stopped her angry signing a moment, which, of course, was when Jazz started in.

"I'm starting to believe that you happen to have a death wish, Corran," Jasmine said, no less angry than Ella, though her voice was calm. Indeed, it was almost frightening how calm her voice was especially given her acting training.  She tended to be a little more demonstrative of her emotions as a result.  If she was angry, you knew it. If she was sad, happy, etcetera.  There was never any doubt.

"Of all the damn fool things to do...you turn yourself into a kamikaze warrior. What if your transporter malfunctioned?  What if something had gone run in your chicken run against the Diis?  You could have died, Corran!  Died.  Dead.  There is no coming back from that.  And you didn't even *tell* me you were planning on doing something that stupid.

No, you just said 'damn the torpedoes' and away you went. Damnit, Corran, I'm your XO.  There were options besides turning kamikaze!  But you didn't stop to think, did you?   You just went ahead and did it.  I don't want your command, Corran!  Not like that!  And not because you decided to turn suicidal on me!"  She held her arms crossed across her chest - mostly because she was afraid that she might punch him. Yelling at him was one thing, but she'd be damned if she hit him.

Corran ran his hand over his face for a moment. "I'm not.. I'm not suicidal, Jazz. I really don't want to die. The idea doesn't appeal to me."

He paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts. "But you're right - I did have a 'damn the torpedoes' bit of attitude. Thomas caused enough damage. I wasn't going to let him cause more, and I wasn't going to let him get away with it.  Leran Manev was.. Is.. A place of beauty. And he took that away from my people. No way does he walk away from that. No way."

Ella's fingers flicked clipped words at him in a pantomine of slowing down for him. Leran Manev could have never exsisted for all she cared.~~That. Was. Incredibly. Stupid. Beyond Belief. Stupid. And. If . You. EVER. Do. Something. Like. That. Again. I'm. Going. To. Find. A. Way. To. Tear. Off. All. Your. Spots. Can. You. Hear. Me.Now?~~

"Yes, Grey," the pilot sighed. Looking frankly at two of his closest friends, he continued. "I hear you. Look, If my transporter failed, and I died bringing him to justice.. Well.. I'd consider that a fair shake."

"You might, but I sure as hell don't," Jasmine said flatly, her eyes narrowing, "Being heroic is all well and good but not when it comes at the cost of reckless behavior.  Do you realize that I had about five different junior pilots come up to me after that stunt to ask me if That was what was expected of them?  There were other choices, other options that did not involve your destroying a perfectly good fighter in the process.  But.  You.  Did. Not. Ask.   You just did.  Without more thought than 'you will pay.'  What kind of example does that set, Corran?  I'd really like to know."  The Betazoid's finger pointed accusingly at her friend and commander as she emphasized her words.  

"You're right, Jasmine. I just did." he replied, not backing down. Instead, he pointed at the gold maple leaf on his collar, the device that signaled his rank of 'Major' in the Starfleet Starfighter Corps. "Because of this, right here. I don't have to ask permission. And I'm sorry it bothers you, Jazz, but I made what was, to me, the right choice at the right time. Diis was going to collide with the Galaxy. There's twelve hundred people on this ship - if it takes my life to save theirs, then so be it. I'm five hundred years old, for the Creator's sake. I've had my time, and I'm not about to let a ship full of chil - of capable people be wiped out well before their admittedly brief time. I'm not going to let that happen if I can stop it. I won't now, and I won't ever."

Perhaps because Ella could understand vigilante justice, although she recognized her own actions of the past as pure revenge, she let her fingers relax and her tone soften. ~~You really scared us.~~

"I'm sorry." Corran offered, easily as softly, loosing some of his steam. "For what it's worth, I'm glad to report that the emergency transporters function as well in a combat scenario as they do in testing.'

The Betazoid's lips quirked slightly as she brushed back an errant strand of hair.  Her posture relaxed, all but communicating that the anger had disappated to nothing, "That is what I had hoped you would say, Corran.  Not the apology, though that's accepted, but your reasoning.  I worried that revenge was your true motive.  I'm glad to see that that worry was unfounded.  Though..." her lips stretched into a teasing smile, "Warn me next time before you plan on taking a few years off my life!" 

~~Or if you need some help in your vengence.~~ Ella added dryly.

"It wasn't about revenge." Corran started, and then stopped. "Well, not entirely. Maybe just a little bit."

Jasmine smiled, "And if revenge wasn't in the mix somewhere I would have been surprised.  But it was not your primary reason, that's what matters.  That is what makes you mortal."

Corran returned his fellow pilot's smile with a wry grin. "I fully and categorically deny any allegations about my mortality." he replied.

Ella rolled her eyes.

"Devil Went Down To Jhorjah" Part 6

[Backpost]

(Takes place instantly after 'Part 5' – and 2 months before the start of ‘Disaster')

Principal Characters

Lt (JG) Victor Krieghoff

Imperial Attendant K'vala Mahask

Secondary Characters

V'kala (K'vala's evil twin. No, really.)
Sevok (VIM Weapons Buyer)
T'sel (Leader of VIM Weapons Buying Team)
Geerik (Acquaintance of V'kala's duped by K'vala)

****

Jhorjah

Dahnyehl City

V'kala's Warehouse

"Well, Captain?" T'sel prompted. Her phaser lifted slightly.

The idea that there was a story that would make what had just happened seem reasonable and not make Victor look like a lying fool was so absurd that the mere thought almost made him laugh hysterically - or at least as close as Victor came to such things. Instead, Victor, as he always did in moments like this, just told the truth, and let the Vulcans draw their own conclusions.

"One of them is V'kala," he said with a frown as he tried to keep track of which one of the battling twins was which as they rolled under another table and upended it. "The other is her twin sister, K'vala. They hate each other."

"Undisputedly," T'sel agreed as the Klingon women rolled back into view, Klingon curses and unintelligible animal sounds coming from both of them. "Is this another... marital issue?"

"No." Victor shook his head. "It goes back to before I entered into things. They have, I believe, hated each other since childhood."

"So there's no need for concern, then?" T'sel started to lower her phaser.

Much as Victor would have liked to agree, he knew that sooner or later one of the sisters would say something that would make it into a lie. Better to stick to the truth. "No, there's a reason to be concerned," he informed the Vulcan woman. "K'vala is a Klingon Intelligence operative."

T'sel's hand brought the phaser back up in a smooth motion. "She's a...?" she asked, carefully.

"You heard me. K'vala is an operative for Klingon Intelligence."

"Why is she here?"

On behalf of the Vulcan government and peace-loving Vulcans everywhere, Victor hoped that T'sel was made the head of the VIM very soon. "K'vala is, obviously, pretending to be V'kala to infiltrate the operation here." He surrendered in the attempt to keep track of the two women and looked up from the battling siblings. "K'vala would never come here alone, she would have back-up nearby." Perhaps he could get the Vulcans to either leave or....

If a Vulcan could look unhappy, T'sel was the poster-child for the expression. "How near?"

"Very. She wouldn't be in here if she didn't have back-up that could reach her if something went wrong. Inside the warehouse if she could arrange it." Victor tilted his head to the side. "As you'd say, it wouldn't be logical - or safe - to assume otherwise."

"Inside the warehouse," T'sel repeated, eyes narrowed.

Victor glanced up at the Nausicaans on the catwalk, guns tracking him, and smiled. "There are," he said quietly with an almost imperceptible inclination of his head, "a few too many Nausicaans in here... Look out!" He reached out and pushed her aside and sprang back, the sudden movement, as he'd hoped, drawing a shot from one of the aliens on the catwalk.

The Nausicaan's blaster scorched a mark into the floor near T'sel as she was thrown backwards by Victor's shove, and the others on the catwalk opened fire a second later, their blaster bolts cutting through tables, sparking off of crates, and demonstrating that V'kala had not felt the need to ensure her Nausicaan mercenaries understood concepts like 'fire control' or 'aimed fire.' The only individuals hit were Geerik, who dropped like a stone after a stray shot caught him square in the face as he stood there, still stunned, and one of the Nausicaan mercenaries on the floor of the warehouse, who'd charged back into the display area when the shooting started.

The Vulcans scattered in an orderly fashion to positions of cover and began to return fire, their phasers picking Nausicaans off the catwalk with slow, measured precision. More of the mercenary aliens appeared, blasters firing, and Victor was forced to dive for cover himself as the crates nearest him began to shudder and fall apart under the barrage.

At least, Victor mused, as he worked his way to a position where he could see the two Klingon women battling again, the Nausicaans were making his hinted-at story about K'vala subverting them look better and better with each shot. He paused to pick off a Nausicaan that had taken aim at T'sel, the green bolt of his compressed tetryon beam pistol a contrast to the red-orange of the Nausicaan's blasters and the blue-white of the Vulcan's phasers.

The Vulcan woman turned and looked in his direction as the Nausicaan dropped to her left, nodded in thanks, and then resumed firing.

The two Klingon women were oblivious to anything and everything around them except each other when he reached them. He made one attempt to separate them, drew back a hand with a bloody gouge missing from it, and, with a grim smile, decided that more drastic measures were needed. As the twins rolled away from him, perhaps aware on some level that he intended to separate them, he stood, shot a pair of Nausicaans in the back casually as they drew beads on one of the VIM buyers, and then turned his weapon towards the women.

The green bolt from the pistol slashed across the space separating them and sliced open the side of a barrel marked 'Decontamination Wash' on one of the stacks of crates directly above the two Klingons. A shower of noxious fluid poured down in a reeking mauve river, drenching the two and bringing a momentary halt to their battle.

Ignoring the blaster bolts that still zipped through the air, Victor walked across the open space between them as he holstered the compressed tetryon beam weapon his Denoubulan friend had included in the shipment of weapons traded for the divorce Victor had given him. "That," he said firmly as he reached down and grabbed each of the sodden and stinking Klingon women by their shirt and jacket collars and dragged them up to eye level, "is enough."

"Pffaagh!" One of the women - Victor couldn't tell which - snapped as she spat a mouthful of the decontaminant into his face. The other woman echoed the wordless cry and twisted to reach for her sister.

'I said," Victor repeated, "that was enough." He emphasized the words by slamming the two women's heads together forcefully to punctuate each word. He paused after the last impact, studied the two women, and slammed them together once more to make his point.

"Understood?"

First one, and then the other, nodded silently as they regained their ability to focus on their surroundings.

"Good." Victor looked at them for a moment, the true difficulty of his situation apparent to him. The women were identical in appearance, were dressed and armed in an identical fashion, and now smelled identically foul from their decontaminant drenching. He had no way of knowing which of them was which, no way to know who to set free and who to kill.

From the slowly dawning looks in their eyes, the Klingon sisters were coming to the same conclusion as he had. Well, that was good - it meant he didn't have to explain things to them. That never worked out well.

"I really should kill the both of you," he observed. "It's the smart way to handle this - it guarantees that I'll kill the one of you that has to die with no possibility of error."

"Yes," the sister on the left gurgled. "Kill us both!"

"Pathetic bitch," the other sneered unsteadily. "Trying to convince him you're me with that weak offer."

Victor slammed their heads together again before anything further was said. "I can keep this up all day," he assured them as a blaster bolt seared into the boxes next to them. "Speak when I tell you to, not before, or someone's brains are going to be oozing out their ears." He smiled so they'd know he was serious.

Both women flinched and fell silent.

"As I was saying..." he began, only to be cut off as the warehouse suddenly fell silent around them. "Be silent," Victor cautioned in a low voice. "We want to keep this... in the family... don't we?"

The women both nodded almost imperceptibly.

"Are you undamaged, T'sel?" he asked as he turned, the sisters stumbling to keep on their feet as he dragged them around roughly.

"I am." The Vulcan woman replied from behind a crate marked with several blaster burns. "I believe the Nausicaans are all dead - I am afraid that we were forced to kill any that were loyal to you as well as the ones the Klingon agent brought with her for lack of a way to tell them apart, Captain Todeshändler."

"I understand," Victor assured her. "I'd have had to do the same in your place."

The Vulcan woman gestured to Sevok, who produced a tricorder and scanned the warehouse. "All clear," he pronounced after a few seconds.

"Well then," T'sel continued as she stood up. "We have a problem, or rather you do. You appear to have one too many wives. How do you propose to deal with that, Captain?"

"More than one," Victor corrected.

"More than one wife?" T'sel frowned. "Did I not say that?"

"Not wives, T'sel - problems. K'vala isn't stupid. She'll have a back-up plan that will take effect if she doesn't report back in within a set time. When that happens, this place will be crawling with Klingon security teams."

"Ah. I see." Despite her words, T'sel apparently didn't, as her next words proved. "But we are within the Triangle, they have no authority here."

"The only power they'll need will come from the business end of a disruptor cannon. She wouldn't be here if they weren't prepared to intervene to stop the flow of weapons."

This time, T'sel appeared to understand the issue Victor was discussing. "Then they will..."

"They will de-cloak their vessels, destroy the orbiting stations, land troops, and systematically pull this warehouse apart with evidence scanners molecule by molecule until they've identified everyone that's been inside it for the last ten years from genetic traces. Then they will take that data and share it with every power that they can to ensure that everyone involved in this operation - buyer or seller - is hunted down and killed." Victor smiled, knowing that it wasted on the Vulcans and not caring. "I'd say that's a bit more of an issue than how many wives I have at the moment, wouldn't you?"

Even though her expression never changed, Victor could tell that T'sel was definitely not a happy Vulcan as she processed that and nodded slowly. "Yes." She regarded him for a moment. "How may this be avoided?"

"Simple. No warehouse, no genetic traces, no problem."

T'sel looked around the crate-filled expanse. "You would destroy this?"

The sister on the right twitched at the words and Victor slammed the women's heads together again without looking down, this time with enough force that the two hung limply in his grasp, dazed. "Yes. It's the only way to be sure."

The Vulcan woman looked at him for a moment, as if assessing his willingness to do what he said. "And the women, what of them?

"Two wives is one too many." Unless, of course, they were like Rexa and Ar'resh and came as a pair.

"You can tell them apart?"

"Given time, yes." Victor hoped that was true, anyway.

"And if there is no time?"

Victor thought that the conclusion he wanted her to reach was obvious, but if T'sel needed to hear him say it, so be it. "Then I'll have *no* wives." Since he had no wife now, no matter what happened that would be true.

"Acceptable," she nodded after a second, as she studied him intently. "Logical, even; more so than I'd expected from a human."

"Glad you approve," Victor returned emotionlessly. He really didn't care whether she approved or not, but it was pointless to provoke a fight he wasn't going to win. "You need to leave now. Maybe we can do business another time." The sooner she and the other VIM members left, the sooner he could do what he had to do.

"Perhaps so," T'sel nodded. She raised a hand in the traditional spread-fingered Vulcan salute. "Live long, and prosper, Captain."

"'Die and be forgotten' is much more likely," Victor countered, "but thank you for the thought." He looked down at the women in his hands, only now starting to regain their senses after his last head-knocking. "I'd get off-planet as quickly as possible if I were you. No sense being here when the Klingons move in." And especially when V'kala and K'vala came to and start yelling things he couldn't explain away.

"Wise advice, Captain," the Vulcan woman nodded. T'sel hesitated a moment, looked down at the sisters hanging limply in his hands, and then added, "And... good luck with your... wife."

That, at least, Victor could answer easily. "I don't believe in luck - nothing good just happens to you for no reason. If you don't make it happen, then it isn't real. I'll make it happen or not, the Universe isn't going to do it for me."

"An interesting philosophy, Captain," T'sel answered, one eyebrow raised. "Perhaps we can debate it when we meet again." She waved her companions ahead to the door. "Farewell."

Victor didn't respond to that with anything more than a nod, but watched as the Vulcans left and the doors closed behind them before he looked down at the two groggy Klingon women in his grasp. Both lethal, both willing to kill him to get what they wanted, but only one truly deserving death at his hands - with no way to tell them apart quickly, and no time to do it and other way. "Nothing for it, I guess," he sighed as he dropped the women and reached for his belt. "We'll have to do it the hard way."

2382