"The Business of Heroes"

8-ball Hunter

The next couple of days were a little bit of a blur for 8-ball.

During the attack on the ship, 8-ball had managed to stagger into Sickbay with Azra in her arms and Kaden walking slowly by her side. There was nothing anyone could do for Azra and she knew it, but she couldn't just leave her body in the hallway. There was something that was definitely wrong with that, although at the time 8-ball couldn't have said exactly what. Her head had felt light and strange, and she wasn't sure if it was more shock or concussion.

The doc treated her injuries, gave her a clean bill of health. Everything was fine.

The battle ended. The Galaxy came out on top, alive, with mostly everyone okay. There were, of course, some casualties, but that was almost to be expected in a fight. The sabetour was discovered too, and 8-ball didn't know what to think about him. Zeke Wikkins. She didn't really know him. Big guy. Big on God and happiness and peace. There was something cruely ironic about all of that, but for some reason 8-ball couldn't find herself appreciating as much as normal.

The authorities on Trill were understandably less than pleased about Azra's death. The Galaxy was expected to be safe haven for the children, a place to mentally and emotionally recoup, and instead one of them was dead. There were a few questions asked but nobody was blamed or really investigated. It was just considered another devestating tragedy for the people of Trill. At least, most people considered it to be that way. The counselor who had advised that the two children accompany 8-ball on the Galaxy had decided to take some time off. Her peers tried to console her that she wasn't responsible, but she felt that way. She told 8-ball this as well, that what happened wasn't 8-ball's fault, that it was her own. For some reason, this pissed 8-ball off. She was sick of people saying that she wasn't at fault. She was sick of people's condolences. 8-ball told the counselor that she was right; it was the counselor's fault. Later, when she was back on the Galaxy, 8-ball thought that might have been the most unforgivable thing she had ever done, but she didn't try to fix it because apologies were just like condolences, just like recriminations, just like declarations of love. Apologies were just words. They didn't really mean anything.

Kaden's uncle was finally found. 8-ball never saw him; she separated from Kaden as soon as possible. The little boy knew his mother and sister had been taken away from him but didn't understand why. He kept crying, "Where's Mother? Where's Azra?" It had been enough to make 8-ball want to get drunk as soon as humanly possible and pass out. She decided against it. Ultimately, booze was supposed to be about recreation, and she didn't want to twist it into something she needed. Becoming an alcoholic was not on her to-do list.

Somebody warned 8-ball that she might have nightmares. She didn't, at least, not so far. This didn't surprise her. 8-ball's nightmares rarely had to do with reality. Sleep was a comfort for her. It was a place she didn't have to think.

And besides, if 8-ball had nightmares, that might mean that 8-ball had lost someone close to her, someone that she loved. That wasn't true, and 8-ball wouldn't paint that picture, the heroine who had tragically lost somebody important to her. 8-ball and Azra hadn't been family; they hadn't even liked each other that much. It would be monstrous to pretend that they had. It would be even more unforgivable than blaming that counselor. 8-ball didn't deserve to grieve about what had happened. That would imply some kind of deep connection, and Azra must have known dying that there wasn't one. Azra must have known that she was going to die in the arms of someone who didn't care much about her at all.

The days passed, and 8-ball found herself thinking less about Azra than she had before. Azra was still there, very present in her thoughts, but after awhile almost faded to a comfortable, sad presence. 8-ball told herself that this was good. She was getting better from a depression she didn't deserve to have in the first place.

People made jokes and she laughed. She made jokes, inappropriate as ever, and some people laughed and other people glared. Life went on like it usually did.

But every now and then 8-ball remembered that if she hadn't tried playing the hero, if she hadn't brought Azra and Kaden into her lives, they'd probably both still be alive. She should have known better. She should have left the business of heroes to people better suited for it.

And mostly she was okay, but sometimes 8-ball remembered that it was her fault Azra was dead.

"This is what the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy says about food fights, Part One"

Principal Characters:

8-ball Hunter
Samantha Widdlestein

****

The booth was set up somewhere in the middle of deck ten.

Its occupant pondered over a rather large book with the words 'Don't Panic' inscribed on it as crewmembers passed by. So far no one had stopped yet but that didn't worry Samantha Widdlestein. Someone was bound to be in need of psychiatric help and she was charging a fair price for that aid.

Entirely oblivious to her surroundings, 8-ball walked through the deck, wondering what to do. She had just finished her shift working on an anthropology report and now was feeling particularly aimless and bored. She supposed she could go and do some heavy brooding about recent events, but that wasn't as fun as it sounded, and apparantly only broody men were hot. Broody women just looked like they were PMS-ing. So instead of doing this, 8-ball wandered around the ship, hoping to find something exciting to do. Had she been paying any attention at all, she would have immediately steered clear of the far too eager looking girl in the booth set up for psychiatric help, but unfortunately for her, 8-ball had let her mind and body drift far too close to where the girl sat, waiting to ensnare.

"Hey you there!" Samantha suddenly yelled. "You look down, friend. Wanna talk about it?"

8-ball looked up and finally noticed Samantha. Whether it was divine intervention or just plain good luck, 8-ball had never run into her before. "Not so much, no."  She glanced up and down the little booth with a raised eyebrow. "You're running a booth to give out loads of headshrinker advice? Sweet Jesus, whatever happened to lemonade?"

Samantha smiled sweetly. "It's for a good cause. A young girl, down on her luck, low on faith, sad of spirit... did I mention she only has one leg?"

"Well, if she's got a set of tits, she can milk it even better than you can," 8-ball said with a receiving sweet smile. "Now, you'll have to forgive me but I think I'll have to go pass on the shrink talk, thanks. I've been on the ship for a good while now and I've still managed to never land myself in detention with a counselor. I'd rather not break my record by getting love advice from teenage girls. So, you know, good luck and all. You might want to make your cause have, like, leprosy or something. Give it a little spice."

Samantha crossed her arms. "Look Lady, I want a good birthday present this year. Can't you at least spare something? Hey, don't walk away when someone is talking to you. That's SO RUDE!"

Sam jumped up, switched her sign over to closed and followed after the woman.

"SHE STOLE ALL MY LUNCH MONEY!" Samantha declared loudly. Several people looked at 8-ball with disgust.

"Oh, for God's sake," 8-ball said. "What would I possibly do with her lunch money? Stop being so gullible and believing every little brat in the world."

Calling the people gullible didn't seem to endear any of them to 8-ball's side, to which she rolled her eyes and ignored them.

"AND SHE HIT ME TOO!" Sam wailed and showed off her elbow, which did not appear bruised or bloodied in the slightest. "WHY? WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?"

8-ball had had enough. If this little demon child was going to play dirty, 8-ball could to.

"Well, I wasn't the one stealing from the ORPHANS!" 8-ball shrieked loudly, making herself start to cry to look just as pitiful as her short counterpart. "SHE said she was raising money to help out poor, indigent children all over the galaxy, and WHAT was she doing? She was saving the money to buy herself DRUGS! She was STEALING FROM THE POOR TO SUPPORT HER CRACK HABIT! CRACK ADDICT! CRACK ADDICT!"

Samantha had a rather comical moment of dropping her mouth open in astonishment before smiling to herself, rubbing her mental hands in anticipation of a mudslinging fight, and feigning a look of horror.

"OH STARFLEET HAS SNUCK TO NEW LEVELS OF DEPRAVITY." Samantha cried. "LOOK AT THIS OBVIOUS MENTAL CHARITY.. WHY, ACCUSING A CHILD OF DOING DRUGS. SEEMS THE PSYCH EVALS THAT THE ACADEMY HAS NEED TO BE RE-THOUGHT AGAIN. "

"A CHILD?" 8-ball yelled at the other people in the corridor, who were slowing down to watch the two. "This is no CHILD! Look at the little wench! She's obviously a teenager, and I think we all know what teenagers can be like. She PRETENDS to be a child, sweet and innocent, and the moment your back is turned, she'll STAB you like the little DEMONSPAWN she is!"

"At least I can fit into my uniform" Samantha shrieked, annoyed at being called on being older than she pretended. "Just a clue, Ma'am, super tight doesn't always mean sexy and not when your cellulite shows."

Oh.

That.

Was.

It.

"Yeah?" 8-ball shrieked, unable now to think of any really intelligent insults. "Well, your mother looks like a RAVENOUS BUGBLATTER BEAST OF TRAAL!"

"DONT CALL MY MOTHER FAT!" Sam screamed.

By now the verbal fight, and its growing crowd, had somehow managed to walk its way over to the mess hall. Samantha marveled for a moment as she took in her location and then took use of the tools around her and flung a scoop of blue goop at her opponent.

8-ball gasped as the blue goop flung in her hair. Then her eyes narrowed.

"You're going down," 8-ball said, and threw a large scoop of mashed potatoes and gravy (or what passed for that, anyway) at Sam's face.

And then it was over because both 8-Ball and Sam found the chocolate pudding at the same time.

And then everyone else, either for fun or because they had inadvertently been smacked in the face by flying food, joined in.

(tbc)

"This is what the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy has to say about food fights, part two"

Captain Daren M'Kantu
Ensign 8-ball Hunter
Samantha Widdlestein

****

USS Galaxy
Deck One
Captain’s Ready Room

Samantha and 8-ball were sitting before the Captain, trying their best to look humble.

Which was really hard to do when you were covered from head to toe in food and you were sending covert glares in the direction of your enemy.

Daren eyed the besmeared pair for a moment longer before he sighed once. ”Jean-Luc Picard once told me that he thought children had no place on a starship,” he said with a frown. “At moments like this, I tend to agree with him.” He regarded the pair a moment longer. “In turn now, each of you is going to explain this – without interrupting the other. When you’re done, I’ll have a few things to say to both of you. Ms. Hunter, you begin.”

On the time that she had worked on the Galaxy, 8-ball had maybe been had to talk to M'Kantu twice. Now she got to explain how she ended up in a food fight with a teenage smurf in the Captain's quarters.

Yeah, her day was looking up.

"Um, well, sir," 8-ball began. "I was walking along the corridor, innocently, mind you, and I was chased down by this little. . ." It took all of 8-ball's learning, patience, and survival skills to not call Sam a psychotic, evil-eyed shrimp. ". . .this young woman who was freakishly angry that I wasn't interested in her 'psychiatric services'. Anyway, then she started lying to the other crewmembers around, trying to start a little riot, and I argued with her, and in the, ah, heat of the argument we ended up in the mess and she started assaulting me with food. Then everybody got into it, 'cause once someone starts a food fight, it kind of doesn't end until everyone in the room has been attacked by flying jello. Or chocolate pudding."

"I was annoyed that she so callously rejected all the time and effort I put into that booth, Captain." Sam said, as serene as a monk on Prozac. "I did follow her but I was going to let the matter drop, UNTIL she called my mother names."

8-ball glared at the little brat. There she went AGAIN. "I did not!"

"You soooo did." Sam said.

"I did not! I wouldn't bother insulting your mother, the poor woman. I feel nothing but sympathy and despair for such a person that had to deal with something like YOU as a child!" 8-ball gave up on any form of decorum in front of the Captain. It would never have been believable, anyway. "Dear God, you're annoying!"

"I know you are but what am I!" Sam countered

"Pure insanity," 8-ball said flatly. "Encapsulated in the form of a little teenage monster! Were you BORN with the intention to do evil, or did you have to patiently learn to be as irritating as possible?"

“That is enough.” Daren snapped, and then paused, suddenly struck that he hadn’t used that tone of voice since his daughter was ten. Maybe Picard was right. “Thank you Ms. Hunter.” He turned to Samantha. “Your turn Ms. Widdlestein.”

"I was just trying to make people happy." Sam said in a small voice which then suddenly got louder. "AND THEN SHE RUINED EVERYTHING! She's a hateful person, you shoulda heard some of the things she said, Captain, and she called my mother names!"

"I did not!" 8-ball said and then clenched her fists together and shut her mouth. Her teeth gritted against each other in what she considered to be a supreme effort to not interrupt the little evil turnip anymore. She wondered if prison was worth tossing the little demon off into space. Maybe the bridge officers could use her as target practice.

“How, exactly, were you trying to make people… happy… Ms. Widdlestein?” Daren wondered if he were being set up as part of some elaborate practical joke by one of his friends. Jii perhaps – this looked like the sort of thing he’d do. Strangely, he found himself hoping that was the case; that way he could preserve the delusion that his crew really didn’t act like this.

"By addressing their psychological needs."

"Isn't that what counselors are for?" 8-ball asked.

"No one trusts shrinks!" Sam scoffed. "Bunch of wack-jobs that can't even deal with their own problems. I'm trustworthy, Captain."

8-ball looked at her. "You know, you had me sold there for a minute, about the whole counselors are wack-jobs thing. I could get into that. Right up until the part where you claim to be trustworthy. That part of the sales pitch I think needs a little work."

"What is it you do again?" The girl sneered. "Couldn’t cut it in a real department, eh?"

“That’s enough,” Daren repeated with a frown. This was worse than watching a bunch of new admirals argue over who got to sit where at a conference table. “While I expect that Ms. Hunter understands exactly what can happen if I lose patience with the two of you, I think that I might need to remind her – and you, Ms. Widdlestein. If you become, in my opinion, a detriment to the smooth operation of the ship, I will have you transferred off. In Ms. Hunter’s case, I admit, not so traumatic an event, as there is just the one of her. In yours, however, Ms. Widdlestein, it becomes a bit more of an issue. If I transfer you off-ship, I will also be transferring your parents and interrupting their careers – something that your abilities with the ship’s computer will not be able to stop – and ensuring that your plans for appointment to the Academy are, at best, delayed.” He pressed his hands down on the desk. “Do you both understand me?”

8-ball had little interest in being transferred off the ship. She was just finally sort of liking it here, or at least some of the time. "Yes, sir," she said.

"Yes, Sir." Samantha said in a tiny voice that, for once, wasn't faked.

“Then perhaps you both will act like it.” Daren looked from one to the other. “I will not repeat myself again, so both of you need to listen closely: this issue is over. I do not care who started what or why – I am finishing it. If I hear of a repetition of the incident – for whatever reason – then there will be considerable bag-packing going on very soon thereafter. Do you both understood?”

“Yes, sir,” 8-ball repeated, looking downward. She dared not look anywhere else. If she looked up at the captain, she was in danger of crying, and if she looked at Samantha, she was in danger of throttling the little brat, which wouldn’t help matters. “I understand."

Samantha nodded, already scheming on ways to make it up to the Captain and get even with Hunter. A ‘Happy M'Kantu Day’ was already forming in her devious mind, as well as getting someone to put flesh-eating tribbles in 8-Ball's quarters. She might have to rethink the latter. Those were hard to come by.

“All right then.” Daren looked at the two for a moment as he thought. “Ms. Hunter, having raised a daughter of my own,” Daren was proud of the fact that he managed to say that without a break in his voice, “I understand that even the most beloved child can become a millstone of annoyance around the neck of those around it. As ordering you to become a parent is outside of my powers, I’m going to do the next best thing. You are assigned to sixty hours of work with the Primary Education Department for the dependents aboard. Successful completion of this assignment, with a good review from the teachers you work with, and this incident will not be entered into your permanent record. Do you understand?”

8-ball looked at him in horror. She kept herself from saying, ‘You’re fucking KIDDING me?’ but only barely. Instead, what she said was a meek, “Yes, sir,” and swallowed hard.

The Primary Education Department.

60 hours.

60 HOURS!!!!

This was a disaster. This was a nightmare. This was fucking Armageddon.

8-ball kept her gaze on the floor. Before she had been slightly worried about throttling Samantha. Now she was sure she’d do it if she looked up. 60 hours of torment with kids AND IT WAS ALL HER FAULT!!!

“Good.” He turned to Samantha. “Ms. Widdlestein. I am perfectly capable of looking up your biological age in the records, so your attempts to subtract a decade from it with that look are not going to succeed. You are intelligent, highly so, but you lack discipline, something that you will need at the Academy, and you appear to have far too much free time. Since you have expressed such an interest in the Counseling Department, I’m going to help you work on all three of those items. You are hereby assigned Lt. Branwen London, the Marine Counselor aboard the Galaxy, as your mentor. You will train with Lt. London, follow her orders, and complete such projects as she assigns you to familiarize yourself with the duties and responsibilities of the Counseling Department. You will *not* deploy with the Marines for any reason whatsoever. If I find you in anything resembling a combat zone - and I will be the judge of what that means - assuming that you survive, the next thing you see will be the inside of the shuttlecraft that transports you and you family off this ship. Am I understood?”

Samantha looked at the Captain in horror. Sure, she liked to spout off things that she had read in her advanced classes (she was at a higher level than most children onboard) but of all the departments he could have stuck her in, real counseling was probably one of her least favorites. Why couldn't he have placed her in a department that was more suitable to her intelligence?

Arel had always said her brains were going to get her into trouble.

She glared at the other woman but told the Captain that she understood, albeit in a grumpy voice.

“Excellent.” Daren doubted that was true in either of the two individuals before him’s case, but, as captain, he had the luxury of pretending otherwise. “Now that we have that settled, is there anything else we need to address?” Besides the necessity of cleaning his carpet that is.

8-ball felt herself swallowing again. How the HELL had this happened to her anyway? She desperately did not want to work with children. In normal circumstances, it would have been a serious pain in the ass because 8-ball didn't really like kids and kids didn't really like her. The only ones that sort of did apparently died or lost almost all of their living family members anyway, so 8-ball didn't mind so much if children didn't like her. But now, now with Azra dead and Trill not really that far behind them, 8-ball didn't think she was ready for thirty odd little monsters to terrorize her life. Godammit, she didn't want this!

But the only way that 8-ball could think of to get out of it was to admit that Azra's death was having more of an effect on 8-ball than she'd like. M'Kantu might not want to hand over 8-ball to the lions den of Primary Education then, but he sure as hell would hand her over to counseling, and everybody, sane or otherwise, did their best to avoid counseling. If she had to choose the lesser of two evils. . .

"No, Captain," 8-ball said.

"No, Captain." Sam said as well.

"Dismissed."

OOC:

And now, for your reading enjoyment, it's time to meet some of the members of the SFMC 188th's Furies Detachment, assigned to the USS Galaxy! -- MJ

"Rumor Mill"

2Lt. Branwen London
Chief Psychologist, Furies CO ad-temp

2Lt. Jebidiah Baile
Recon Specialist

MGSgt. Carl Johnson (APC, M. Miller)
Master Guns

Sgt. Doug Berry (APC, W. Pierce-MacBeth)
Sniper/Recon Specialist

TechSgt. Carol Rowley (NPC, W. Pierce-MacBeth)
Unit Transport Pilot

Cpl. Vosak (APC, M. Miller)
Combat Specialist/Scout

Pvt. Doungal O'Malley (APC, Jonas)
Unit Chaplain/Trooper

Pvt. Franklin D. Donut (NPC, W. Pierce-MacBeth)
Trooper/ARC (Advanced Recon Commando)

== 1225 Hours: Marine Mess Hall, USS Galaxy ==

Branwen was still shocked that Lieutenant Hayes had left. Actually without a word to anybody. She didn't understand it, they had gotten along fine, and now this. Nobody knew who the new CO would be, or when he or she would be arriving. Or, for that matter, who was in control now.

She entered the mess hall, straight away Branwen noticed the tense atmosphere amongst the soldiers. They didn't like not knowing what was going on, either.

Vosak, as usual was sitting alone by himself. Ever since he had transferred aboard to this new unit, he hadn't had much success in "falling-in" with the rest of the Furies. At first, he thought it was because he appeared to be a Vulcan. He was well aware of other species thoughts toward his species. Or maybe it was because he was half-Romulan. Either way, he just sat there, staring at his Plomeek soup.

Three members of the lower section of the Galaxy's Marine detachment entered the mess hall for the Marines aboard the Galaxy. Two of them, Rowley and Berry, were members of Blue Team while Donut was a member of Red Team. The three moved to the replicators and got their food before they went to sit down at their usual table in the mess.

Rowley ran a hand through her short hair as she looked at the Plomeek soup before her with a worried look. Donut caught the look as he took a bite of his cornbread, and chewed for a second before speaking.

"What's wrong, Carol? Your soup not looking the right shade of orange for you?" Donut asked with a slight smirk. Carol shook her head.

"No, I ordered curry, and I got this," she said, gesturing to the Plomeek soup in front of her, bringing a raised eyebrow from Donut. Berry simply handed her the pepper shaker, which brought on the raising of the other eyebrow from the oddly-named Marine.

"If you cut it with pepper, it gains flavor," Berry explained as he slid a padd out of his uniform and set it on the table.

"Well, from all looks and appearances, it seems that Salu is leaving us to join the regular Navy as an Intel Op, which means that someone is going to have to be the new medic for the unit. Plus, we lost Tempus during the whole shit with Thomas and his little fucktard rebellion," Berry explained as he went through the padd's contents while the three ate.

"But, we also lost a Mister Hayes who, aparrently, didn't feel that we should be blessed anymore and promptly quit the ship's detachment," Berry finished, reading the padd's contents.

"Yeah, but if you think about it for a minute guys, I did notice one thing, and that's we've aparrently gained a new CS trooper, and that newbie just happens to be sitting right over there," Donut said as he chewed some more on his cornbread, then gestured with said item at Vosak, who was sitting by himself, eating. "I think that the kid needs not to be sitting alone. Grace does that and she'll never make it to being a grandmother, you dig?" Donut asked as he got up and walked over to where Vosak was sitting, and coughed to get his attention.

Vosak could sense Donut's presence approaching him from behind, even before the Private announced his presence with the surreptitious cough. It wasn't due to any advanced Vulcan psychic powers, or anything. Merely, the man could be heard from several meters away, smacking his lips loudly while eating his cornbread.

When the Vulcan looked up, Donut simply said, "So, are you going to sit over here all by your lonesome, or are you going to eat with the others in your detachment, 'Nyen ching duh'?" Then, he took another bite of his cornbread.

Vosak tilted his head to one side, while raising his left eyebrow in the most-famous of perplexed Vulcan facial gestures. Eyeing the Marine's collar device, he couldn't believe that a Private had addressed him, a Corporal, in such an offhanded - and without protocol - manner.

"I prefer to eat alone, *Private*," Vosak said, his calm basso voice stressing the other man's inferior rank. "I also request that you speak to me in either Standard, Golic Vulcan, or Rihanna Narv'u, as those are the three languages I am familiar with."

Branwen quietly sat by herself, as well. She was an officer, and it was not forbidden for her to be here. Yet, in the mess the rank system worked just a little bit different. So, she quietly listened to the conversations.

Master Gunnery Sergeant Carl Johnson was having - what he lovingly referred to as - a "Fucktard Day from Hell". Yes, he was in a foul mood. The Non-Coms, being the highly trained pea-shooters that they were, could at least figure out that it was wisest to clear away from the Master Gun's path, unless they wanted to be cleaning the bunkhouse for the rest of the afternoon.

Quickly, he grabbed a tray, slapped it into the replicator, punched in the code for his lunch (rigatone with marinara today), and errantly rapped his fingers on the control housing while waiting for his meal to appear. Yanking the tray from the receptacle, Johnson marched toward a quite, empty table in the "No-Man's Land" that seemed to unofficially seperate the officer's and NCO's seating. It was fitting, really. As Master Guns, he did act as the go-between for the NCOs and command officers, anyways.

Setting down the tray with one hand, Carl pulled his chair out with the other. He sat down, rubbed his eyes, and pulled out the data padd that had caused his day to go to shit, in the first place. For whatever reasons, only the good Lord Jesus knowing, Lieutenant Hayes - recent CO of the Furies - decided that her sweet little ass (and, in Johnson's opinion, her's *was* a fine little ass) hadn't been good enough for the Furies. So, without telling anyone at all, she quietly had gone to Colonel Gessekensett, put in for immediate transfer, and hopped the next transport that had been able to dock with the Galaxy.

Now, not only were they without a CO, but HQ hadn't named a replacement, either. Johnson grimaced at that thought, as he tried to swallow down a bite of the rigatone. Instead, he half-coughed/choked it down.

~Goddammit, I've got to look into getting a real mess crew assigned to this boat,~ he thought. Every other Company in the Corps had a real cooking crew, except for here. The heartburn induced by replicated food was a constant reminder to Johnson of that fact.

Pushing the tray of food away, Sergeant Johnson tried, instead, to focus on what he did know. If Hayes was gone, that meant...

~Oh, sweet Lord Almighty, no.~

London was in charge.

Johnson dropped the padd, not caring that it clattered loudly onto the tabletop. ~Shit.~

He didn't hate Second Lieutenant Branwen London, as most of his Sergeants accused. It was merely hard for him, an eighteen year vetran NCO of the Starfleet Marine Corps to accept a twenty-three year old, just-out-of-academy, wet-behind-the-ears kid as the Commanding Officer, even ad-temp.

He had been down on Trill watching as Branwen whined to Lieutenant Baile about how they had to be so damned "careful" and touchy-feely with the people of Leran Manev, when a fucking Prometheus-class starship had crashed into the major part of the city!

Luckily, Lieutenant Baile had taken charge. Normally, Carl would frown on that; wresting command from the XO. But in truth - in a firefight - he knew he'd rather be depending on Baile to get his black ass out of a sling, than Branwen.

~Stop being such a horse's ass, Carl,~ he chided himself. ~Maybe she's got the stuff, afterall, but just needs a chance to show it,~ he reasoned, while rubbing at his eyes, again. ~Yeah, fucking right. Just like I need a photon grenade shoved up my ass.~

"Mind if I join you guys?" Branwen asked. "I guess everybody heard by now that Lieutenant Hayes has left."

"Of course not," a rumbling voice assured her. The voice belonged to a contradiction of a man, Chaplain O'Malley.

The man could be, at best, described as weary and thin, blessed with an endurance that put a Klingon to shame, but with a voice that seemed to fit better with a bear. Deep, rumbling, and most of the time, preaching. We'd be delighted if you'd join us, Lieutenant. Wouldn't we?" he asked while he sat down at the table.

He waved his hand over the food on the plate. "So with what kind of tempting delights does Starfleet plan to poison us today?" O'Malley smelled it and smiled, content. "Not bad. A man could die happy after this."

"Thank you, Rev." Branwen said smiling and sat down.

Back at Vosak's now table, Donut started one of his rants. "Eh, you ought to feel honored that I even made noise coming up behind you, kid. Normally I'm quieter than a Vulcan Sehlat when it's hunting. But, eh, you have to understand that us Marines are not your normal run-of-the-mill Fleeties. Instead, we are the badasses that does the shit that the 'Fleet can't. And for that, can I get an Amen?!"

Vosak merely raised his eyebrows again, deciding that this Private Donut was quite insane, and noisier than any Sehlat that roamed the Vulcan Forge.

Carol was laughing her ass off hard as Berry, normally very tactful and reflective said, "Amen. Now sit down, Donut before you get yourself hurt...AGAIN!" Berry said as he grabbed the younger Marine and shoved him back towards the table where Carol was trying to breathe, while laughing.

Berry turned to regard Vosak. "You have to forgive Donut, Corporal Vosak. Even though he's been through the entire Klingon and Dominion wars with us, he still acts like a rookie. But I guess we all deal with our war trauma in our own ways, true?" Berry said in a very calm, polite manner even though he outranked Vosak by at least a couple of grades.

~Ah,~Vosak reasoned in his mind. ~That would explain the Private's current mental state.~

"Quite true, Sergeant," Vosak simply agreed.

Carl had been watching the entire Donut/Vosak exchange with amused interest. Everyone in the Furies knew that Franklin Donut was - as Sergeant Stacker put it - "Fucking nuttier than a coked-up red squirrel." The Gunney would have felt alot better if it had been *Donut* that had mysteriously disappeared, instead of Hayes. But then again, as off-kilter as Donut was, he was the best Recon man they had.

Carl was impressed at Vosak's reserve and poise under Donut's barrage, however. For whatever reasons, Donut seemed to forget that Vosak (who, obviously had a Vulcan bloodline) was probably twice as strong as Donut, not to mention was three pay-grades above him, as well.

Johnson also was proud of Berry's handling of the situation. Out of the Master Gun's four squad Sergeants, Berry was - by far - the most level-headed and orderly. Stacker was good, too, but a lot more hot-headed.

After making sure that Donut got back to his seat and squared away, Berry walked over towards where Carl was sitting and he called from two tables away. "Gunney, permission to come over to No-Man's Land, Sir!"

<TBC>

Back post 2381, December

“Disassociation”

(This is set while the Galaxy is undergoing the refit, after “Enigma”)

Lieutenant (Jg) Dhanishta Eshe

Dhani watched herself stand up. It was almost like she was five seconds behind herself. Watching her own body get up off the floor, standing in the middle of the room. But then she was standing in the middle of the room too.

As her counterpart moved Dhani followed like a shadow,

“Who are you?” she questioned the figure before her.

“Me.” she replied plainly walking towards the door.

Confusion crossed Dhanis face, “Oh.” she replied. She glanced around the room; everything was dark, the small amount of light that there was illuminated the fog which seemed to encase the entire room. It wasn’t thick like smoke, but just enough to make everything seem fuzzy, like looking at the world through thick glass.

Her counterpart stood for a moment her fingers dancing over the door panel. Dhani watched her but she couldn’t see exactly what she was doing. All the while her counter part had her back to Dhani. ~Maybe I am a shadow~ Dhani thought. Shrugging her shoulders she watched her counter part as she opened the doors and cautiously checked the halls, scanning them for any sign of life. Dhani’s brow furrowed as she followed herself into the corridor.

“Where am I going?” she asked herself.

There was no reply. Dhani looked around the corridor; it was dark out here too. ~When did it turn into night? ~

“Look,” Dhani questioned again, “Where are we.. me… I, you going?” she asked again using every tense she could think of.

Again there was no reply. Her counterpart kept on walking down the dimly lit hall.

“Hey!” Dhani shouted; she had just about enough of this. What the hell was going on? Why was she sneaking around, why was it night and… just what the hell was going on!!?

She grabbed her counterparts arm to swing her round to face her, but as she did she felt someone grip her arm.

The sensation sent a hot flush over her body, whirling round she started at the empty space.

There was no one there.

Dhani turned slowly back to her counterpart. But she was already at the other end of the hall, she could just make her out in the distance turning the corner.

“HEY!” Dhani shouted after herself, “WAIT.” She tried to run down the hall, but her feet didn’t seem to move as quickly as normal. Had she been drugged? The momentum finally gathered and she began to run.

The hall seemed to go on forever. She was sure it wasn’t this long…..

The closed doors streamed past her in a blur.

Finally she reached the end, breathlessly she scanned both avenues.

There was no one there.

Bent over she rested her hands on her knees and panted. What was this?

And then she saw it; an access panel lay on the floor about five yards in front of her.

“That’s strange” Dhani said standing up, “who would have….” She answered her own question before even finishing it.

She hotfooted to the panel and looked down the tube, “Hey…..ME” she shouted not knowing what to call herself. Sitting on her haunches she strained to hear something, anything. She hesitated before calling out,

“Dhanishta…..?” it was weird for her to call out her own name, to hear it echo down the tube.

She waited a while contemplating following herself. Begrudgingly she crawled into the tube.

Slowly she crawled on her hands and knees along the tube; it wasn’t long until she could feel it closing in on her, like a noose tightening round her neck, suffocating her. But she kept going. Little beads of sweat began to appear along her forehead she could feel them collect and gather into one place before tumbling down her skin and off her nose, dropping on to the deck beneath her. The memory of the explosion still haunted her as the tube faded in and out of view, she could feel her nose running, but still she kept going.

She concentrated so hard on crawling and not flipping out as the tube became narrower and narrower that she hadn’t noticed how far she had come. Or how many twists and turns she had taken. As the tube opened up before her she began to crawl faster to reach it. Like an Oasis in the middle of the desert.

The tube opened up onto a shaft that ran vertical through the ship connecting several hundred intersections and levels; a long way to fall! But the freedom of movment it gave was wonderful when you’d been in the Jefferies tubes as long as she had.

~ Humm ~ Dhani thought ~How long have I been in here? ~

She sat in the intersection and let her legs dangle down the shaft. It was so pleasurable to be in a different position, she arched her back and stretched, a slight moan escaping from her lips as she did so. Pulling up her trouser leg she examined her knees; they were red and sore as were her hands. Sighing she slid her trouser leg back down, wincing a little as they snagged on her broken skin.

As she sat pondering her next move she felt a tremor, turning around she saw herself sitting cross legged a few meters away. Suddenly she was sitting behind her counterpart watching herself as the conduit blew up. Shrapnel showered down upon her and her counterpart but this time Dhani didn’t flinch….. it wasn’t her anymore.

And then she was lying there, she could smell the burning flesh, feel the ferocity of the fire that encased the conduit. Sitting up slowly she turned and examined the broken body beneath her. The uniform was black and charred, the skin mottled, red and burned. But the face, it wasn’t hers. As she stared into it trying desperately to distinguish it, it faded away.

The smoke filled the tube and now Dhani couldn’t see anything. Her eyes began to water and her chest tightened. She began to cough as the density of the smoke increased, she tugged desperately at her collar trying to steal a breath as her lungs filled with more and more smoke. Gradually the tubes faded out of view.

Back Post 2381 December

“Full circle”

(Set straight after Dissociation, whilst the Galaxy is undergoing the refit, after “Disassociation”)

“Dhanishta? Dhanishta can you hear me?”

Dhanis eye lids fluttered.

“I think she’s waking up.” Jiiles said leaning over her, “Dhani?” he questioned.

Dhani opened an eye and squinted,

“What’s going on?” she croaked out. Her throat felt dry and hoarse.

“Your in sick bay.” The doctor stated moving closer and taking Jiiles’ position by Dhanis bed. “Do you remember what happened?” he questioned as he scanned her for the millionth time with a tricorder.

Dhani shook her head. She rolled on to her side and tried to sit up.

“Hey easy there.” Another voice instructed her pushing down her shoulder.

Dhani waved them off and sat up on the bed swinging her legs round, she was thinking of hopping off the bed.

Like a mind reader Jiiles stood in front of her blocking her way,

“How do you feel?” he questioned with nothing but concern on his face.

Dhani looked up into his eyes, “I have a little headache but other than that I’m fine.” She replied. What was weirder was that she was telling the truth.

The doctor injected her with another hypo, “That should fix the headache.” He told her.

Dhani sighed, she was beginning to feel a little tired of waking up in sick bay. It was almost like a weekly event. But this time she didn’t actually know why she was here.

“What happened?” she asked looking at the doctor.

He looked over at Jiiles and then back at Dhani, “We’re not actually sure.” he said with a definite hint of irritation in his voice; he hated it when test after test was inconclusive.

Dhani looked up at Jiiles her expression questioning.

Jiiles smiled down at her, tucking a piece of stray hair behind her ear, “I found you in your quarters. You were having trouble breathing.” he explained.

“It was lucky the lieutenant found you when he did.” the doctor added turning back to the science station and sitting down,

“According to our scans you were suffering from smoke inhalation.” He said as he input the data into the computer, “But there was nothing burning in your quarters. Do you have any idea what happened?” he asked spinning back round on his stool.

Dhani looked at Jiiles and then at the doctor, “Not a clue.” she said shaking her head.

The doctor frowned and looked over the data once more. As he began his technical babble Dhani looked back at Jiiles, she gave him a warm smile, one of gratitude. As she looked at him she saw someone behind him. She turned her face to focus fully on the figure.

But it was almost as if the figure was standing out of focus. No matter how hard Dhani tried she could only make out the figures silhouette. It was clear that it was a woman, her blond hair glinted in the subtle lighting of sick bay but her face was blurred.

“Who’s that?” Dhani asked standing up. She turned back to face Jiiles and the doctor but they were gone. Frowning she turned back to the doorway where she had seen the woman, but she was gone also.

Turning full circle Dhani found herself standing in the doorway of sick bay. The scene unfolded before her. The woman she had seen was lying on a bio bed. Slowly and cautiously Dhani walked up to it. Still the woman looked out of place, her face was a blur. As Dhani looked harder she realised it wasn’t blurred, it was burnt!

She could see the doctor talking to another man, their lips moved but nothing came out, it was like watching a silent movie. Dhani began to shout but still nothing changed. As the man turned back to the woman on the bio bed Dhani recognised him. He was the captain. But not the captain she knew. The doors opened and she watched Suder as he stood motionless the colour draining from his face.

“Jiiles we need you back in engineering” Suder said as he approached.

Dhani blinked several times.

“Will you be alright?” Jiiles questioned.

Dhani looked at him, and then Suder and finally the doctor. Whipping her head round she peeked at the bio bed behind her. It lay empty.

“I’ll be fine.” She replied turning back to them.

Jiiles nodded to the doctor and Suder before leaving.

“How is she doc?” Suder asked.

“According to these reading she’s absolutely fine.” He replied.

Suder frowned, “The report said that…”

The doctor broke in, “I know what the report said, I wrote it. But I can’t explain it.” He looked back at Dhani, “She is fine, a picture of health. Half an hour ago she was asphyxiating on smoke. None existent smoke.” He shrugged and looked back at Suder.

Suder looked somewhat confused, as did Dhani. “So,” he said “can she return to work?”

The doctor shook his head, “I’d like to keep her here for a little while longer to run some more tests. I don’t like not having an answer. I want to get to the bottom of this.”

Dhani sighed and hopped back on to the bed, gonna be a long night!

“But I can talk to her right?” Suder asked.

Dhani was beginning to feel like she wasn’t even there.

“Sure.” The doctor replied.

Suder turned back to Dhani and waited till the doctor left, “So back in sick bay!” he said, it always seemed like he was making inappropriate humour!

“Yeah.” Dhani replied, “Do you think I could get my own room, paint it pink? The colours here are so dull.”

Suder smiled slightly. “So how’s your progress coming on the EEH?” he asked switching to work mode.

“Well all my research is back in my quarters. There is a problem, the EEH seems to be corrupted. We believe it has something to do with the Quick virus. I believe that we are taking the wrong approach to the virus. So I have sent some information to Tanson, he agrees with me and is taking a fresh approach from a scientist perspective.”

“Who’s Tanson?” Suder asked.

“My father.” Dhani replied, “He should be sending me his findings, might take a day or too, he’s on an exploration mission at the moment. I have also booked some time in the holo lab, we are going to make another EEH based on the first one.”

Suder nodded, “Well it sounds like you have it under control.”

“That means you’re gonna leave me here to be a lab rat doesn’t it?” she said pouting.

“Yup!” Suder said, “Have fun.” Turning he left. Dhani sighed and lay down on the bio bed and stared up at the ceiling. Joy of joys!

"Rumor Mill, Part II"

2Lt. Branwen London Chief Psychologist,
Furies CO ad-temp

2Lt. Jebidiah Baile
Recon Specialist

MGSgt. Carl Johnson (APC, M. Miller)
Master Guns

Sgt. Doug Berry (APC, W. Pierce-MacBeth)
Sniper/Recon Specialist

TechSgt. Carol Rowley (NPC, W. Pierce-MacBeth)
Unit Transport Pilot

Cpl. Vosak (APC, M. Miller)
Combat Specialist/Scout

Pvt. Doungal O'Malley (APC, Jonas)
Unit Chaplain/Trooper

Pvt. Franklin D. Donut (NPC, W. Pierce-MacBeth)
Trooper/ARC (Advanced Recon Commando)

== 1235 Hours: Marine Mess Hall, USS Galaxy ==

<Continued from "Rumor Mill, Part I">

After making sure that Donut got back to his seat and squared away, Berry walked over towards where Carl was sitting and he called from two tables away.

"Gunney, permission to come over to No-Man's Land, sir!"

Looking once to his uneaten tray of rigatoni, then to the padd that he no-longer wished to read, Carl decided to join the rest of the Marines, now seated at Vosak's table. Stuffing the data padd back under his uniform breast while leaving the food tray, Carl walked toward Berry.

"Permission denied, Sarge," Johnson said, mock-seriously. "I might as well help you babysit." He smiled as he and Berry returned to the table, sighing a little inside as he saw Lieutenant London sitting beside Rowley.

Sitting down opposite the Corporal, he leaned one elbow on the table, while eying Donut, who was sitting at the far end, near "Preacher" O'Malley. "So, what's the rumor mill grindin' at, today, apes?" Master Guns asked.

"Donut, I trust you said Grace before starting to stuff yourself?" Everyone knew he hadn't, but it never stopped the Chaplain from asking. It was sort of a daily ritual.

Everyone chuckled at Preacher's daily question for Donut. Even though it was the same, every day, it was always funny how the Chaplain tried his best (usually, to no avail) to set Private Donut on the Straight and Narrow way.

"Good day, Gunney, how fares it this day, then?" O'Malley was a good soldier, and had, more or less on his own accord, taken on the roll to keep morale up. He wasn't the most experienced in the detachment, but certainly one of the most educated. Yates, Shakespeare, Hammerling, Aristotle and Perimedes were all among the great writers and philosophers whom he admired.

"The food is shit, our CO is AWOL, and Stacker insists we all try out his new 'training seminar' on the holodeck," the Master Guns groused. "Sweet Mother of Jesus," he grumbled under his breath.

"Now, now temper," O'Malley replied with his typical Irish accent. "But, me does agree a wee bit...with food like this, who needs enemies?"

Carl sighed, in good-nature. "Well, if the Breen try anything, we can always ditch the BR55s and just throw this slop at them."

It hadn't taken long to notice people were pissed-off at Hayes' leaving. During the transport back, the debriefing, re-stocking the supplies and, up until now, it had been a constant companion and topic between some of the Marines.

Baile, on the other hand, couldn't care less. Shit happened. People jumped ship. Even cookie-cutter Marines. Grabbing a tray, he helped himself to dinner and frowned when he saw what was being served. Fuck, C-rations was a bloody feast in comparison.

Almost tossing the tray on an empty table he sat down - tattoos and muscles on display - and started eating in silence. A strange emptiness always filled him when a job was done, almost like being out of sync with the rest of the world for a while.

The Chaplain glanced at the newcomer as he wiped his mouth. "So, Lieutenant London, what did you think of our little field trip?"

"it was tough, I will not deny that. Yet I learned a lot." She looked around the table, and again was almost angry at Hayes for leaving. She did not have the experience to lead these guys. And it was not fair that it fell to her now.

"Let's cut bullshit, boys and girls. I know how you feel about me, 'wet behind the ears' and also shrink. Couldn't be worse. Totally unfit to be in command," she smiled.

This caught the Master Guns off-guard, though he did his best to conceal it. As much as he held reservations about Branwen, he had to admire her 'balls' - if you will - in broaching the subject of her temporary command.

"You know what, at this moment you guys are right. That's why I don't think HQ will hesitate to send a replacement for Lieutenant Hayes. And you are wrong about one thing about me, I am used hardship, and I am tough as nails. Also, I am willing to learn. In fact, I learned a great deal down on the planet. I learned to listen to those with experience. And in the future, I am willing to listen to those with experience, not to say I will always follow it."

She smiled again. "You guys know that is a lot more than most young officers do. So now you all have to make up your minds if you're going to give me a chance or not. It's up to you."

Quietly she resumed eating.

Although Vosak was the newest soldier in the Detachment, he felt moved to say something. "Lieutenant, I speak for myself - and others, I am sure - when I say, 'screw what the others think'. As the executive officer, you are in command, until Headquarters assigns a new commanding officer."

Carl was a little humbled by the Corporal's remarks. In the midst of his inner complaints about Lieutenant London, he had forgotten one of the four "Rules of Respect" that he always drilled into his Marines: Follow the orders of the Commanding Officer, and never talk bad about him behind his back. Vosak had duly reminded him, and the rest of the troopers seated here of that most-fundamental of operating principles.

"All I can say, Ma'am," Carl started, looking Branwen straight in the eye, "is that I'm sure HQ will get things squared away soon."

Of course, there was more that he wanted to say, like how he didn't trust a pshrink to be the XO, much less the CO. But, he also realize that he had to, at the very least, let her have enough 'rope', so to speak; either she would do well with it, or find a way to hang herself on it.

Back Post 2381, December

“Unintentional Violation, Part 1 of 2”

Lieutenant (Jg) Dhanishta Eshe – Engineer

&

NPC Lieutenant Jiiles - Engineer

Dhanishta rolled over and pulled the duvet tighter around her. Covered in sweat from head to toe she scanned the room from under the ripples of her duvet. What was infuriating were the nightmares; she couldn’t understand them. Broken images of bio beds and white coats, distorted pictures of memories she never knew existed, mixed with the fire in the EPS conduits. The deafening sound of the panel blowing up, the smell as the fire surrounded her and ate her skin. She shivered and tried to shake the memory off.

Jiiles stirred by her side, rolling over he tugged the duvet to cover himself. Dhani released her grip and let him have it. She hadn’t shared her bed with anyone in years. It was strange. Tossing the corner she now had aside she sat up and slowly and manoeuvred herself out of the bed, cautiously as so not to wake him.

Padding through her living room in bare feet she ordered a glass of water and sat on the couch staring into space. She sighed. For the past two years she had been plagued by insomnia. She had managed to survive by daily meditating and now here she was unable to. And the sleep that she so desperately wanted contained nightmares. The shear unfairness made her fume with anger, and cry like a child.

Placing the glass on to the coffee table she stroked her sleeping cat; who lay curled beside her.

“Nishta?”

Dhani looked up and scanned the room. She could feel her skin pricking as the name pummelled through her. No one called her that. Not since…

“Nishta.”

There it was again,

“Whose there?” she questioned. Gee Dhani how stupid can you be? She asked herself, if someone’s in your quarters it’s unlikely that there gonna tell you. She shook her head, must be hearing things, she told herself.

“NISHTA.”

Nope, defiantly someone there. A movement from the shadows made Dhani really sit up and take notice. Slowly she stood up, she was about to grab something, anything to use as a weapon but there was nothing to use!

“Computer, lights.” She whispered.

The lights in her quarters shimmered on, blinding her for a second. As her vision cleared she checked the room.

There was no one there.

Feeling a little silly Dhani sat back on the couch. She wasn’t afraid of the dark. She shook her head and went into her bathroom. Turning on her shower she undressed and stepped into it.

This was all a little weird. The EPS conduit, the woman in sick bay, Dhani hadn’t told the counsellor about that yet. She wondered if it had something to do with the empathic echo. But something made her keep her mouth shut, probably the fear of being found totally insane. As she stood in the shower the water cascading down all around her she felt something, it was an emotion induced by a memory. But she couldn’t remember what it was. The feeling of fear, pure unbridled fear. But it wasn’t directed at anyone but herself. Was she afraid of herself? Shrugging her shoulders she turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. Grabbing a towel she began to dry herself.

The condensation dribbled down the mirror. Leaning over the sink, Dhani wiped it with her towel, wrapping the towel round her body she tucked the ends in to keep it secure and turned back to the sink. She stopped and stared, there were two people in the mirror. Dhanis heart leapt into her mouth, she could hear her heart beat increase as she stood gawping into the mirror. It was her… the woman from sick bay…..

Dhani spun round.

But the room was empty.

“This is getting ridiculous!” she screamed out into the waning steam.

“Dhani, what’s wrong” Jiiles asked appearing in the door way, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

Dhani spun round, her whole body vibrating with fear and anger. Seeing Jiiles her lip began to waver, tears welling up in her eyes. They began to fall from her eyes down her pail face and on to the crisp white towel.

Jiiles frowned, “Hey, hey now.” He said pulling her close, “What’s wrong?”

Dhani felt even more stupid as she cried harder into Jiiles chest. She couldn’t stop and she couldn’t explain. She just didn’t know how.

“It’s okay.” He hushed her. “Let’s go back to bed, okay?” he asked.

Dhani nodded and followed him.

As they slipped under the covers, Jiiles pulled Dhani close. She lay there in his arms feeling his heart beat through her back. It was regular and comforting. She could hear him breath, feel it across her skin, soothing and soft. He began to run his hand through her hair, stroking it. She murmured slightly as she began to relax. For a moment her eyes darted open as she remembered how Chang used to do just that. Her body tensed at the memory. For a second she felt a twinge of guilt. But it was stupid to feel guilt; Chang had left her years ago. She hadn’t been with anyone since, almost as if she was holding out; saving herself for him. But she had to remind herself, yet again, that he had gone, and was never coming back for her. Slowly she began to relax and drift. Memories of Chang played out in her mind…..

~

The old rust covered iron gate opened with a squeak, Dhanishta looked down at it as she stepped through and closed it, she really should give it an oiling. Walking down the gravel stone path she paused at the front door and sieved through her bag for her keys.

It was nice to have a house off campus, but at times, like these; walking home alone in the dark… it made more sense to have a room on site. But then you had the annoying roommates!

Pulling out a set of jangling keys Dhani unlocked the door, kicking it open with the toe of her boot she set her bag on the floor by the door, closing it she leaned against it and sighed.

She felt as if her brain had been fried. She had just sat through a four hour lecture on the nature of temporal mechanics. She rubbed her head as she dropped her keys into the dish on the hall table. That lecture was preceded by two hours of combat training, a three hour competency exam in engineering and *then* an hour of command theory.

She was so glad to be home. She didn’t mind the work, it was what she had singed up for, what she thrived for, but the ten hour days took her away from Chang. His schedule was jam packed too, he was in training to be an intelligence officer, and they didn’t get to spend that much time together. Sometimes she wondered if they would ever get the time to get married!

Pulling off her boots she placed them neatly by the front door and walked into the kitchen. This old farm hose was her parents’ home. They had bought it when they had moved to Earth several years ago. Dhani sometimes wondered if they preferred it on Qo’noS. They had spent seven years on the Klingon home world, and they had appeared to enjoy their time there. Earth seemed pale in comparison. Qo’noS was always alive, there was always something happening. It was rich in culture and prided itself on honour and discipline. In a way it was strict and stifling, but Dhani loved the competition and the way the Klingons mind worked. She studied it in their movements and actions. Truth be told she missed the hectic environment, Earth was slow and soft in comparison. Incredibly laid back and pacifist. But she was no stranger to that. Vulcan was quiet, steeped in control, order and logic, never a bad word said or an emotion displayed. All about control. That was similar to the Klingons too in some ways; Klingons liked to have control. But the similarities ended there.

Dhani stood staring into the refrigerator, she had no idea what she wanted. Closing it up she walked back out into the hall and only then noticed the light from the study shining from under the door.

Dhani shared her house with her parents, but they were away on a mission till the end of the month. Her sister came and went, but lately she was staying in the Halls at the Academy; she liked the night life. Dhanishta smiled as she realised who it was.

Stepping up she rapped her knuckles on the door and opened it.

Chang looked up from behind the desk, the light from the computer he was working on lit up his face in shades of purple and blue.

“Nishta!” he exclaimed smiling from ear to ear.

“You’re working late.” Dhani remarked as she took off her jacket and laid it on the couch by the door.

Chang moaned in agreement and stretched in the padded leather chair, “Yeah.” He replied, “Got a paper due tomorrow, just doing a few modifications.” He looked back down at the computer with a less than happy look. Tapping a few buttons he frowned at it, “So how was your day?” he questioned still staring at the computer.

Dhani walked up to the desk and paused, “It was interesting.” She concluded.

“Is that it?” Chang asked closing the lid of the computer and staring at her.

“Temporal mechanics.” Dhani said looking down at him.

Chang made a face of pain as he reached out and took her hand. Pulling her around to his side of the desk he motioned for her to sit on it.

“That sounds like a day and a half!” he said chuckling.

Dhanishta hadn’t quite got used to all the human phrases, this one puzzled her, but the pun she understood. Although she was confused her face showed no sign of it. She sat on the desk and looked into her fiancés eyes.

Even though they had been together so long he was still amazed at her beauty and mannerisms, “Some day I will remove that Vulcan chip inside your brain and teach you to be illogical.” he said.

“Is that so?” Dhanishta questioned her face remaining neutral.

Chang grabbed her and pulled her on to his lap, kissing her passionately, “Yeah.” he said coming up for air. He took the computer and put it on the floor. Then he swept his had across the table brushing everything on to the floor, and lay Dhani on it.

Slowly he undid her trousers and slid them off her legs. Moving his hands up to her inner thigh he began to tease her…

At some point the two of them rolled off the desk and crashed on to the floor, but neither of them really noticed the change in scenery or positions as Dhani now straddled Chang. Their hands explored each other as their bodies moved...

As they lay, their breathing heavily, Chang absently stroked Dhanis hair as Dhani ran her fingers across his chest; their exhausted bodies intertwined with each others. Chang rolled over and leaned in to kiss Dhani once more. But then he pulled away sharply, Dhani opened her eyes and stared into his.

The colour ran from Dhanis face. She could feel her skin chilling. A knot formed in her stomach and her mouth dried out,

“Ethan?” she questioned her voice coming out as a whisper.

Back Post 2381, December

“Unintentional Violation, Part 2 of 2”

Lieutenant (Jg) Dhanishta Eshe – Engineer

Lieutenant Commander Ethan Suder- Chief Engineer

&

NPC Lieutenant Jiiles - Engineer

“Dhani.” Suder said. His voice had the same questioning tone.

Dhanishta stared at Ethan. She watched as he scanned the room, as if he was searching for someone. His uniform was strewn across the floor. He grabbed his trousers and yanked them on. He didn’t say anything. As he slipped on his duty jacked he looked down at her and covered his mouth with his hand.

Dhani didn’t move; she just lay there paralysed. It wasn’t until he left that she realised she was naked.

She looked around the room and grabbed the only piece of material that was on the floor and covered herself. It took a while of sitting on the cold mettle for her to realise where she was. Her eyes glazed over as she looked around the room at the scattered datapadds.

Skittering back into a corner she began to shake. She was having trouble comprehending why she was on the floor in Suders office. She was in bed with Jiiles, right?

Hearing a noise outside Dhani began to panic. She looked down at the cloth that barley covered her and tried to work out what it was. Realising that it was a night shirt she pulled it on and stood up; it barley covered her arse!

The door to the office opened and Dhanis heart leapt into her mouth. She ran behind the desk and crouched. ~ What the hell…? This isn’t gonna work, whoever is coming in here is going to use the desk and see me under it! ~

She scanned the room quickly and saw an air vent. Her mind quickly worked over the mental map in her head of the ships schematics. She could get to the jefferies tubes from the ventilation system and then to her quarters…. It was a log ass route but the only escape.

Quickly Dhani crawled over to the vent and began to prise it open. She kept checking the door way, but it seemed that whoever was coming in was having a full blown discussion about the warp core... something to do with its installation and the refit, and they weren’t happy about it, that much Dhani could tell.

Dhani scolded herself and turned her attention back to the vent. Finally she pulled it off, chipping a nail in the process. But that didn’t matter. As she crawled into it she spied her trousers under the desk.

Jolting forward she grabbed them and pulled them. They snagged on the corner of the desk and ripped. Dhani cursed but pulled them over anyway. Throwing them into the tube behind her she pulled the panel closed.

As the doors opened she heard footsteps. Her heart beat pounded in her ears and she tried in vein to conceal her heavy breathing. For a while she sat in the tube waiting for the person to leave so she could crawl away unnoticed.

The minutes ticked by. She had no idea how long she had sat there motionless, her joints were beginning to lock. She knew that she had to get out of there and back to her quarters pronto. Slowly and quietly she cultured herself and pulled on her trousers. Carefully she manoeuvred herself into a position to crawl down the tubes.

It seemed to take forever to get back to her quarters. But finally she was swinging down from the ceiling and landing in the middle of her living room. For a while she gazed up at the panel above her wondering how to close it.

As the door chimed, Dhani groaned. She had to close the panel first. Pulling the chair out from behind her desk she stood on it. Reaching up she closed the panel as the door chime rang again.

Sliding the chair across the room back towards her desk she turned and walked over to her door. Pressing the realise button it hissed open.

Dhani hadn’t had the time to fully realise what had happened, she had been too focused on getting back to her quarters without being noticed. But as Jiiles stood in the door way, holding a bunch of flowers, she began to remember.

Little bits n pieces flashed through her mind. The memory of Chang had been replaced, and ruined, with the sordid imagery of herself and Suder going at it on his desk. Dhani heaved.

Before Jiiles could say hello Dhani rushed into her bathroom.

He watched her run across the room with her frayed trouser leg flapping behind her. Shrugging his shoulders he walked in and put the flowers down on the table.

“I missed you this morning.” He called out as he bent down to stroke Salem. As there was no reply he walked over to the replicator and ordered a mug of coffee. Sitting down on the couch he kicked off his shoes and pulled out a datapadd and began to read.

Dhanishta rested her head on the toilet seat. How much more could she throw up? It felt like everything she had ever eaten was now in the toilet bowl. She sat for a moment and rested. She was beginning to feel light headed. She started to get up but her stomach had other ideas, turning sharply back to the toilet she threw up again, this was ridicules, her throat began to burn as all that was left was bile.

“Dhani,” Jiiles called out, “are you alright in there?”

“Yeah.” She croaked out in-between heaving, “I’ll be….out…..in a minuet!”

Jiiles put down the padd he was reading as the bathroom door opened. His face wrinkled in concern as he watched Dhani walk shakily across the room. She ordered a glass of water from the replication and began to sip it.

“Are you alright?” he asked, “You look dreadful!”

Dhani tried to smile but it was no use, even the muscles in her face were starting to hurt. She walked over to him and sat down,

“I’m not feeling too great.” She admitted, “I think I’ll just go back to bed.”

Jiiles touched her forehead, “You don’t appear to have a temperature. Though I’m not a doctor. But you do look awful.” He said with concern, “You should go down to sick bay.”

Dhani shook her head, “I’ll be fine in a couple of hours, I just need to rest.” She replied.

“I’ll let Suder know that your sick.” He said placing his hand on her knee.

Dhani nodded, but the touch sparked a flash back. Sitting on the desk she watched as Suder ran his had up her leg to her thigh…Dhani shot up spilling her drink across the floor. She smacked Jiiles’ hand away and backed off. She stood staring at him for a moment, as the memory gripped her.

“Dhani?” Jiiles questioned standing up, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I’m fine.” Dhani replied taking a step back. She wanted to tell him what happened, but she didn’t really know what happened. She couldn’t explain it to herself so how could she to him? She saw the look on his face; that hurt puppy dog look, she couldn’t bare it. A lump formed in her throat. She couldn’t tell him, she couldn’t hurt him like that.

“I’m gonna go now.” She said at last her voice vague and detached. Placing the glass on the table she walked into her bedroom, hoping that Jiiles wouldn’t follow her.

Curling up on her bed she waited to hear the door close before she let herself go. It was the sadness that came first, with the uncontrollable crying. The memories floated in-between. As she pieced it all together she became angry. How did Suder know what she was dreaming? Didn’t he know it was her? Why did he…? She couldn’t answer the questions and that infuriated her even more. As the flash backs increased Dhanishta found herself in the bathroom once again. And then the guilt came. How could she ever tell Jiiles? Was it her fault? It must have been her fault…

Back Post 2381, December

“All for Blood, Part 1 of 2"

(This is set whilst the Galaxy is undergoing the refit, after “Unintentional Violation Part 2 of 2”)

Lieutenant Commander Ethan Suder – Chief of engineering (written by Dru)

Lieutenant (Jg) Dhanishta Eshe –Engineer

Ensign Naranda Sol Roswell – Engineer

NPC – Thomas Jensen (written by Jeremy Reynolds)

Second lieutenant Greg A. Ward, Starfleet Marine corps (written by Marcus)

(NOTE: I, Dru, would like to take a moment to make a special thanks to all those who participated in writing this, and the ones that followed. It meant a lot to me and I won’t be able to thank you all enough, ever! Or truly explain the ‘why’! But again thank you all.)

LOCATION: Main Engineering

Nara yawned. Why she volunteered for the night shift, she'll never know. She really had to get a more social life on this ship so she wouldn't be tempted to volunteer like this. Besides, they were docked. Not much could happen while docked. In essence, Nara was bored out of her mind.

Thomas Jensen was up late working on the transporter buffer systems and diagnostics. This one was a big doozey too. He needed to diagnose and troubleshoot ALL transporters, something he could only do from Main Engineering to make the whole process not take a whole week. He didn't mind working late, Engineering was pretty subdued at this time on the clock.

Suder strode in, his face like thunder. He scanned engineering, spotting Nara he grabbed a data padd and made b line towards her, "Ensign are we keeping you up?" he asked his tone a little less than civil.

Jensen perked up, thinking that Suder was talking to him. He wasn't, so he continued on his work but kept an ear open as to what was going on.

Nara gave him an irritated look. Oh yea. She was seeing if working without this bitter, grumpy man around would be worth working this time of day. "No sir. I volunteered." She looked back down at her console hoping he would walk on by. "Aren't you only in charge of the day shift?"

You could've heard a pin drop in engineering. It was almost as if the entire section went quiet all at once, save for the gentle humming and pulsing of the warp core. Various Engineers, Jensen included, paused in their work to see what the hub-bub was about.

Ethan bit his tongue, the temptation to haul her up for insubordination was immense. Does being the Chief mean nothing these days? He scanned the padd in his hands pondering. Though his thoughts were consumed by Dhani; what they had done, it didn't even bare thinking about. Subconsciously his hand formed a fist and his grip tightened on the datapadd.

Nara winced. That didn't come out like she thought. It was just curiosity. "No offence sir. I was just curious."

The silence of engineering was yet again disturbed as Dhani entered. Her face was pale, her uniform hung on her like a coat rack. She searched engineering with her eyes, seeing Suder her face fell. Taking a deep breath she walked up to him. She wasn't concerned that she was interrupting him, though she knew Nara would be glad of it. Her hands shook at her sides as she walked over.

Nara watched Dhani enter and frowned, "Are you ok?"

She nodded to Nara as she approached and smiled slightly, "Suder," she said her tone flat, "we need to talk."

Suder didn't even turn to face her. Though his face showed signs of disgust he ignored her and looked back at Nara, "Ensign..." he started.

Dhani grabbed his arm, "Now." she said. Her tone was firm but there was a slight waver in her voice.

Nara raised an eyebrow looking at Suder. "I really am sorry sir. With all due respect..."

Pulling his arm away from her, he brushed his sleeve as if wiping her off him. His eyes glowed with fury, how dare she... slowly he turned from Nara, "My office." he hissed through clenched teeth, his eyes never making contact.

Dhani glanced at Nara as she turned to follow Suder. Her expression was unreadable; her eyes were dark, slightly red and puffy. Her skin was dry and haggard looking. As she smiled her skin tightened around her face, she looked thinner than she ever had before.

Nara watched Dhani worried, "Careful. He's in a REAL bad mood...and I indivertibly made it worse."

As the doors to Suders office hissed closed; silence enfolded around engineering. Slowly everyone returned to their work. Occasionally a raised voice could be heard from the chiefs' office before the hush enveloped them. But no one batted an eyelid.

The strip lighting on his ceiling blinded him as his body flew through the air. His back hit the window first, followed by his head. He heard the window crack and felt it shatter all around him as he crashed through it. Each cube-like shard surrounded him, cascaded down around him as he hit the deck. His body actually bounced off the ground as he landed, moaning loudly he tried to move. Everything felt stiff and slow, the pain didn't kick in, it never really had time to.

Hearing a sudden crash, Nara looked over. Her eyes grew wide seeing Suder's body being flung like a heavy rag through the glass. The glass that isn't normally easily broken. She walked over toward them to see if Suder was ok, but stopped as someone appeared at the craggy hole that was a window.

Dhani appeared in the broken window-pain. Like a rabid dog she jumped up into it, her top lip curled and a hearty growl erupted from her oesophagus. The serrated edges of the window-pain easily cut her gripping hands. Her blood slowly dripped down her wrists and stained the window frame. Lunging forwards she pounced on him. Her blood covered hands gripped his throat and began to squeeze.

Nara gasped, but kept her distance. "Dhani!" Nara would had just jumped in and pulled her away, but the woman had gone mad. She reached up and tapped her commbadge. "Security to Main Engineering!"

A figure ran around the corner towards the chief engineers office in the standard duty uniform of a marine who pulled Dhani off of Suder but when Suder tried to get to his feet and say something, the marine slammed his right elbow hard into Suder's forehead as he tried to keep Dhani from getting to Suder again. A couple of members from security appeared a few minutes later and one of the security officer said "Sergeant Ward, what's happening?"

"I don't know, I got the call at the same time that you did. Get Suder the Hell out of here!" Greg Ward said in a stern voice as he tried to keep Dhani from hurting herself or anyone else while the two security officers moved to get Suder out of the room.

Nara looked at the men confused. From her perspective, it was clear who was hurting who. "Sirs, I'm not sure Suder is the one you should be apprehending." She looked at Dhani worried and sorry that she couldn't say otherwise. "From the look of things, Eshe was the one attacking."

Frantically Suder fought off the security guard. Standing up he turned to face Dhani once more.

She could feel her blood boiling, there was no rhyme or reason to it. As Greg tried desperately to keep a hold on her bucking form her anger rose. Something switched in Dhani's brain, she could feel it yet she had no recognition of it happening. Her eyes focused upward and all that could be seen was the white of her eyes as the trance took over. Her body stopped bucking and she stood still in Greg's arms; a little unnerving. As her eyes centred, they appeared to darken. Throwing her head back she broke Greg's nose. Spinning round she grabbed his arm and tossed him aside.

She growled once more as she turned back to face Suder. As the security guards ran forwards to flatten the two once again, Dhani threw her hands up, subconsciously creating an invisible bubble around her and Suder. In mid-movement everyone stopped. Not one officer in engineering could move, or stop the Chief and the Lieutenant as they began to encircle each other.

Nara tried to move to do something. Before she could realize whether she was running for a phaser or jumping at Dhani, she realized she was frozen. Something creepy. Oh this is defiantly it. She'd rather work with the grumpy Suder than deal with the Twilight Zone of the Night Shift.

Like two tigers stalking each other their eyes locked, their heart beats vibrated through the metal floor and slowly they encircled one another preparing themselves.

The normal etiquette of battle went out of the window; this fight was for blood, for life.

Dhani moved to punch him. Anticipating her attack he blocked with his left fore-arm, and jabbed her in her ribs with his right. But she did not go down, it barely winded her, and still they circled.

It was a strange sensation, that only one thought consumed Suder's thoughts; end this. He wouldn't usually use such a move so soon in a fight, but he did not want this to last long. He began to jump from side to side increasing the flow of blood to his muscles. And then he stopped, slapping his heel down on the floor, sending tremors through the decking, he took two steps forward, raised his foot to hit her between her face and her neck.

But this wasn't the first time Dhani had fought Suder. She knew his moves.

Catching his foot she used it as leverage. Jumping up she kicked him in the head with both feet as she spun in the air over his raised leg.

Suder staggered backwards, he had clearly not expected that. Shaking his head, he regained his composure, as she landed gracefully on the floor.

Quickly Suder dropped to the deck and thrust his leg out, sweeping it across the floor.

Dhani didn't have time to jump, as his legs caught behind her knees she went down, smashing her head on the side of a consol. The broken skin on her forehead began to ooze small droplets of blood, standing up she shook it off, and turned to face Suder once more.

Nara sighed. Pretty much all she could do. Whatever had her stuck was really ticking her off. ~If I had wanted to watch wild animals fight, I would just gone to a Klingon Boar Arena.~

Ethan lunged at Dhani this time, seeing an opportunity to keep her down. As his fist met her cheek she felt it crack, blood flew from her mouth as her head whipped to one side from the impact.

As he moved to strike her again she blocked. Punching him hard in his chest, she felt his ribs crack around her hand. He doubled over. Grabbing hold of her arm, for her hand was lost somewhere in his stomach, he stared up at her, his eyes locking on to hers; his expression of shock etched in her mind. She didn't dwell on his pain for long though. Throwing her head back she head-butted him, their foreheads colliding with a loud thud. She watched as he fell backwards onto a consol with such momentum that the panel shattered as he hit it.

Sparks rained down around him as he pushed himself off the panel and fell in a heap on the floor.

Nara had enough of this. She remembered something. She couldn't speak, but she had her mind. Cernu just taught her how to use her telepathy and moments like this it seemed useful. She focused on Dhani and hoped she knew what she was doing. ~Dhani, what the FRELL are you doing?~

Nara heard her mind-voice echoing back to her as if she were in a tunnel. Dhani was mad. Her wrath soaked her being. Nara caught a glimpse of something. The thing that fed Dhani's anger. Nara closed her eyes and shut the link to Dhani. The memory repressed for so many years, and resurfaced not more than 2 or 3 months ago hit her fresh again. With it, the same reaction to Marks that she before couldn't explain, she felt the same reaction in Dhani to Suder. Except Dhani was well aware of what happened and was out for revenge. Nara held her eyes closed as she didn't think she'd stop Dhani if she could now. She didn't want to watch though. The sounds were enough.

Dhani knelt down next to him, "Are you done?" she questioned in a sultry tone.

Back Post 2381, December

“All for Blood, Part 2 of 2"

(This is set whilst the Galaxy is undergoing the refit, after “All For Blood, Part 1 of 2”)

Lieutenant Commander Ethan Suder – Chief of engineering (written by Dru)

Lieutenant (Jg) Dhanishta Eshe –Engineer

Ensign Naranda Sol Roswell – Engineer

NPC – Thomas Jensen (written by Jeremy Reynolds)

Second lieutenant Greg A. Ward, Starfleet Marine corps (written by Marcus)

Suder pushed himself up slightly and moved his head to face her. His face had already begun to swell slightly, small purple dots mottled his skin as the bruises started to form. He spat out a mouthful of phlegm, "No!" he croaked out.

Grabbing her around her throat he pulled her towards him. Using her as a counter-weight to role himself on to his back, he lifted his legs and planted his feet on her stomach and then catapulted her across the room.

Dhani twisted as she flew threw the air; hitting the wall upside-down, she slid down it and landed on her head. For a moment or two it seemed like her legs were going to stay in the vertical position. Kicking the wall Dhani returned to lie flat on her back. Her vision blurred for a moment or two as she pushed herself up on her elbows and rested her throbbing head against the wall that now harboured an imprint of her body. She could feel her nose dripping and her eyes welling up slightly from the collision. Tugging her sleeve she gathered the excess and wiped her nose with it. The blood flowed freely into the dark fibres.

As he came closer she spied the ladder to the second level. Scrabbling to her feet she sprinted towards it. Grabbing a rung she began to climb it, but he was already beneath her. She tried to kick him away, but he grabbed her foot. With one hand clasped around her ankle he tore her from the ladder and threw her across the room.

Dhani's body cracked as she hit the wall. In her mind she watched herself get up and like a spectator she saw herself charge across the room and exchange more blows with Suder. Block, hit, block, block, hit, hit, hit, block. And then she was back, feeling her jaw shatter as Suder's foot hit her face. She fell to the ground but the adrenalin flowed like Niagara Falls, and she was back on her feet.

As Suder lunged towards her, she held up her hands. He stopped almost as if turned to stone, held by some invisible force. Pushing her hands away from her, she sent Suder crashing into the wall at the other side of the room.

As she stood staring at what she had just done she felt herself rising. Looking down with a bird's eye view perspective she watched as they went for each other again.

Suder grabbed Dhani, one arm around her throat the other behind her head, slowly asphyxiating her. She watched herself as she manoeuvred her shattered jaw and take in a mouthful of Suder's flesh, biting hard. She saw his expression as her teeth punctured his skin. Releasing her, he back handed her across her face and then examined his bleeding arm.

Kick after kick, punch after punch, one broken consol after another broken consol, they kept going, neither one prepared to stop until the other was beaten.

As Dhanis round-house kick landed squarely on Suders temple she turned and sprinted to the ladder once more. Hauling herself up to the second level with Suder hot on her heels, she turned to punch him.

Once again she felt her self pulled from the battle. Watching herself on what looked like a huge oval view screen. Beneath her feet the sand pored into her shoes, she could see main engineering, with its shattered consoles and broken wall panels. Smoke poured from broken vents and blood smeared the decking. She scanned the faces of her fellow officers, all transfixed and motionless, their expressions of shock and horror. She followed their gaze and saw herself and Suder locked in combat on the upper level. They tumbled against the railings, and then over the railings.

Turning away Dhani followed the sand path to the dunes. Crawling into a hiding place she began to brick it up. She could still see herself scratching Suder in mid-air, but bit by bit the image became smaller as Dhani bricked up the entrance to her hovel

As the last brick slotted into place Dhani's broken body hit the floor, her eyes wide open, staring up at the ceiling.

Suder landed on yet another consol his eye lids flittered for a moment before closing.

Nara nearly fell forward as she rushed to Suder and felt his neck. She hit her commbadge again, "Medical to Engineering." She paused a moment and looked around. "And some janitors."

She looked over to Dhani. As the security guards moved, Nara made sure she got to Dhani first. She looked at her eyes in confusion. "Are you actually INSANE?" Nara shook her head. "You're a warrior. But what the heck is the war about?" Nara knew why Dhani felt the need to hurt Suder. But there seemed to be more. She tried to link to her again, but if it were to be seen, it was nothing but black. It was void of anything. It was as if the vacuum of space dwelled in her mind.

Nara was new to the whole mind-reading thing, but this didn't seem right. She wasn't sure what to do. She called out to Dhani in her mind, but no answer. She wanted Medical to hurry.

One of the security crewmen helped Greg to his feet which Greg accepted and the marine walked over to where Dhani and Suder was, not caring about his nose or the fact that it was bleeding. With a critical eye he looked over the two officers and shook his head sadly as he motioned for the two security officers to come to him.

"I want both of them under guard in sickbay. Also call the commanding officer of the ship and inform him of the situation between his officers." Greg said and he walked over to Nara and gently placed a hand on her left shoulder to get her attention.

"Miss, you need to step back, the medics are here." Greg said quietly as a medical team showed up to help Dhani and Suder.

Nara backed away. Definitely the last time she volunteers for the night shift.

The doors to engineering opened up once more as Jiiles walked in. Upon seeing Dhani he dropped his tool kit,

“Dhani!” he shouted running to her side.

Nara watched the man. She was plain irritated and rushed beside the man, "And who the heck are you?"

The bolian didn’t answer just stared on at Dhani.

Greg held a hand up to block Jiiles from going past him and with his free hand he tapped his own comm-badge.

"This is Second Lieutenant Greg Ward to Command, I am requesting a level two security alert on the USS Galaxy's engineering bay. We just had a conflict between two people with enhanced physical abilities fighting each other. As ranking security officer currently on ship, I am requesting that personnel from Starfleet Special Services arrive and evaluate the two personnel. The two people are apparently a lieutenant junior grade who was identified as a "Dhani" and a Lieutenant Commander Ethan Suder, both of the engineering department. Over?" Greg said into the channel. While he was waiting for a reply, he turned to face Nara and though his nose was bleeding still from Dhani's blow, Greg came to attention and said promptly.

"Second lieutenant Greg A. Ward, Starfleet Marine corps. Ma'am, I'm currently acting security head of the Galaxy's marines until Lieutenant A'Akledoria arrives." he said as one of the security officers helped to keep Jiiles back.

~How nice for you.~ Nara thought wondering why he felt the need to identify himself. "They're both out cold. What else is there to secure?"

Jiiles put up his hands to signal his compliance. The security man lessened his grip on him. Jiiles turned to the man who identified himself as Lieutenant Ward,

“Dhanishta.” He said his face contorted in emotional pain, “Her name is Dhanishta Eshe.”

He turned to Nara as a medical team lifted Dhani on to a stretcher,

“What happened?” he asked, tears welling in his eyes as he looked down at the woman he loved. Her face was covered in blood, swollen and bruised. His stomach turned and he felt violently sick as he realised her eyes were wide open.

His hands began to shake and he moved towards her, “Is she…..” he whispered, “dead?” he turned back to Nara and Ward,

“Is she dead?” he shouted his whole body vibrating with shock.

Nara shook her head, "No." She hoped she wasn't lying. "She's hanging on, but..." She wasn't sure how to phrase it.

"I don't think so, sir. Apparently there was some kind of conflict between the two of them." Greg said to Jiiles as he put a comforting hand on the shorter man's shoulder for a second before turning back to Nara.

“The two of them?” Jiiles repeated quietly. He frowned and scanned the room. Engineering was a mess, blood everywhere. They were lucky that they were undergoing a refit… he could have hit himself. How dare he think such thoughts when the woman he loved was lying there broken.

"The reason why they have to be secured is a standard and long standing security issue reaching back to starfleet's first incident with Doctor Airk Soong's augments and cold station twelve, ma'am. Anyone that's listed or shown using anything above what is considered to be the normal for their race which includes the klingons, vulcans, and andorians is to be viewed by special services as a possible augment." Greg said in a rather official tone but then he leaned in to Nara and said quietly out of ear shot of the security and medical teams as well as the other engineers.

"To tell the truth, having to act like I got a stick up my arse isn't the best way to meet new and interesting people, but them's the breaks, yes?" he said quietly before moving back into a full standing position and he turned to the medics. "I want those two to be treated not like their going to be sent directly to the brig but I'm sure that their captain will want to know what happened here." Greg sand in a official tone.

Nara arched at eyebrow at the odd man. "You outrank me. Do whatever you want. With all due respect." She looked back at Jiiles, "You going to be ok?"

Jiiles could feel his own temper rising as he watched the medics take Dhani away, “Who did this to my…” he stopped himself as his body shook, threatening to break down into a fit of tears.

He stared at the floor for a moment before daring to look back at Nara and Ward. And then he saw him, “Chief?” he whispered. Pushing past Nara and the lieutenant he crossed Engineering to where the medics were prising Suder out of a consol.

He stared down at him, his jaw resting on the blood stained deck beneath him.

Nara frowned. She asked no one in particular, "Is it always like this on the night shift or do demons normally come out to torture people, but I'm here on what happens to be their bowling night?"

Greg looked at Nara and smiled at her and nod. "I've seen worse, trust me on this one." Greg said and two marines entered main engineering. "Lieutenant Ward, Commodore Slayton requests your presence in his office to explain why the need for special services sir." the marine wearing the rank insignia of a captain said to which Greg could only nod then turned to face Nara.

"If you will excuse me, paper work calls to me in the form of flag officer." Greg said and then gently took Nara's hand in his, kissed the back of it for a brief second like a gentleman and then followed the two marines out of main engineering.

Jiiles turned back to look at Nara. A stream of tears flowed down his cheeks. It must have been the first time that he had cried in years. A lump caught in his throat as his chin wobbled slightly.

“Dhani was, is,” he corrected himself, “my girlfriend and Ethan is one of my oldest friends.” he informed her, “This isn’t no dammed bowling night.” He said through clenched teeth. He tried to keep his composure but the anger and pain caught him off guard. He finally was with the person that he loved and now the world felt like it had just ended. And he didn’t even have a friend to turn too.

Nara frowned, "I'm sorry. I'm just not sure what happened, and I tend to..." She sighed, "I'm sure she'll be fine. They both will."

Lieutenant Jason stepped out from the shadows. He grabbed the bolians shoulder and gave him a reassuring squeeze. Turning to Nara he patted her arm,

“He didn’t mean it.” He said his face as pail as Nara’s,

“He’s just in shock. Come on big guy,” he said turning back to Jiiles, “let’s get out of here. I’m sure the doctors will let you see her soon.”

Nara rolled her eyes. She wanted to rip the arm out. She didn't need reassuring.

He escorted Jiiles out of engineering and down the hall towards the turbo lift.

Nara sighed and walked back over to her console, wiping it off and looked at whatever damage the two caused. She cursed under her breath and did some of the work from the console. Cutting off power to exposed panels and so forth.

Back Post 2381, December

“Interrogation”

Lieutenant Commander Ethan Suder, Chief of Engineering,

Second Lieutenant Greg Ward, Starfleet Marine Corps

(Written by Dru and Will)

(Set bout three/four days after “All For Blood” whilst the Galaxy is undergoing the refit.)

Ethan sat at the table in the interrogation room. He sighed and rubbed his head.

Second Lieutenant Greg A. Ward, the current acting head of the marines on the Galaxy, entered the room with a PADD. He seemed to be entering something on it. Putting it down on the table in-front of him he then crossed his arms over his chest.

Suder leant back in the chair and studied the man before him.

“In case you are wondering, Mister Suder. My name is Greg Ward, Starfleet Marine Corps and currently the man in charge of security for your little...incident with Miss Eshe. Oh, and before you think about trying anything. There is a full squad of marines outside with phasers on heavy stun. If it seems like I'm becoming "buddy buddy" with you all of a sudden, they get to shoot you with said items. So, don't get any funny ideas.”

Suder took a deep breath, “Why would I want to try anything?” he asked his face devoid of anything but fatigue.

Greg smirked and crossed his arms over his chest. "You see, Mister Suder. I want to know why Miss Eshe attacked you four days ago now. No bullshit or else, I might have to be…persuasive." he commented.

Suder almost chuckled at the persuasive talk.

“And where’s the ‘good cop’?” he asked sarcastically.

Greg shook his head for a second and then looked at Suder again. "I'm both in this instance. You see, you attacked a woman who right now is laying in a coma and I can name five or six people standing right outside that want your head on a platter for that but I'm a fair person. So, I'm going to give you a choice-tell me what the frak happened or I'll do to you what I've done to a lot of the wrong kind of people in the past, and no...that's not a threat." Greg said in a tone devoid of any emotion.

Suder clenched his shoulder blades and then relaxed them. He took a moment or two to reflect on what he was saying. Shaking his head he frowned,

“I really don’t remember much of it.” He stated.

"Well, what would you say if I told you that I didn't believe you, Mister Suder. Let me say this, I don't like you. You are a bad choice of an engineering officer for this ship and Starfleet in general." Greg said looking at Suder dead in the eyes. "Now, I want you to think hard and try to remember or else, I'll be forced to bring in a member of the psionics department." Greg said as he sat down in the chair opposite of Suder.

“I don’t care what you believe.” Ethan replied with nothing but contempt. “Don’t you think this is a little bias?” he asked, “You don’t like me. So you’re obviously not going to believe anything I say. In your eyes I’m already guilty.”

"Actually Mister Suder, I don't care either way. The point is that I have two officers of the Galaxy's engineering department fighting each other, using psionic talents as far as special services can tell. Hence, I must treat you as the hostile party as Miss Eshe is currently in a coma."

“Well aren’t I the lucky one?” Suder commented.

"Yes you are, so mister Suder. I want you to start from the beginning and tell me everything." Greg said as he activated the PADD's recording feature.

Suder sighed, “I was telling the truth I don’t remember much just snippets of the fight. She came into engineering I was talking with Ensign Roswell and we went into my office. We were….. talking…. Then.” He broke off and shifted in his chair, “then she threw me through a window.” He concluded.

Greg leaned back in his chair and looked at Suder with a critical eye. "Sir, according to at least four eye witnesses as well as what I say myself, you seemed to be in full control of your facilities during that fight." Greg said as he worked on the PADD

“Oh and Eshe wasn’t I suppose? The fact that she has been trained by Vulcans and Kilngons escapes your attention does it?” His voice rose as he became more agitated. He hadn’t done anything wrong, it should have been him killing her after what she did.

“She tried to kill me! Do you have that written on that padd of yours?” he half shouted slamming his hands down on the table.

Greg raised an eyebrow as he pressed a button on the padd and set it down on the table. "Allow me to explain something, Mister Suder. Miss Eshe is currently in a coma, the fact that she was put there mostly as a mental reflex of having to defend herself mentally as well as the trauma that you caused to her head. The fact that she's been trained by the Klingons and the Vulcans doesn't matter, what matters is that we have one person in a coma as a direct cause of something that you apparently did. Things are not looking good in mudville for you, mister Suder." Greg said. Suddenly he slammed his hand hard down on the table, not as an attempt to make Suder jump or anything but to prove a point. "And I can also throw a temper tantrum. So I suggest that you conduct yourself better, *Mister* Suder" Greg said as he placed his hand on the table evenly.

Suder glared at him. His jaw set and he took on a serious expression, “*Miss Eshe*,” he started his tone flat, “entered engineering, the exact time I do not recall. She approached me whilst I was in conversation with Ensign Roswell. We proceeded to my office where we talked. She then attacked me. I defended myself. End of story.” He folded his arms and stared numbly at Ward.

"Oh, now you're glaring at me. I'm scared." Greg said in a slightly mocking tone as he entered a few things on the PADD. He then put it on the table in front of him. "Not the end of the story, I'm afraid. The JAG has decided that you've got one too many strikes on your tab, Mister Suder but to what end that brings, I honestly don't know. What I do want to know is that is that your first confrontation with Miss Eshe?" Greg asked while inputting a code into the PADD.

Suder looked down at the table, “No.” he confessed. He sighed and shifted in his chair again.

"You know, when people lie to me, it tends to make me a bit..not happy." Greg said in an honest tone. "So, I'm going to ask again. Have you had any other confrontations with Miss Eshe?"

“Yes.” Suder replied a little confused, didn’t he just say that they had had a confrontation before? “It was a long time ago.” he said, “And no, I didn’t report it.”

"Why didn't you report it, Mister Suder? Is it because you did something that would be considered by many as unlawful?" Greg said, standing up and walking around to behind Suder.

“No!” Suder replied surprised by the question. He followed Ward as he circled behind him. Turning around to face him he frowned, “Just what is it you think I’ve done?” he questioned.

"I don't know, that's why I'm asking. You know what they say don't you?" Greg said as he gave Suder a nasty smile. "Marines do the dying, fleet just does the flying." he said as he continued his circuit around the table and Suder.

Suder didn’t understand. This little man was beginning to irritate him beyond belief. “Look,” Suder started, “I don’t know what it is you think I have done. Charge me with something or let me go. Eshe attacked me. I defended myself. I have been in Sick bay unconscious for three days. It wasn’t pleasant. I’m sorry for Dhani I really am, she was a good engineer and a friend. But will you just stop with the insinuation and get to the point? I have better things to do than sit here trading jibes with you.”

"Alright then, Mister Suder. Enough games." Greg said, his tone changing from that of a respectable person to that of a full investigator. "Mister Suder, I'm charging that you've attempted unlawful actions against Miss Eshe. I don't know what they are or what you've done but after this, I doubt you'll be the chief engineer of this ship anymore. What I believe is that you are the lowest type of creature, lower than the gagh that Klingons eat for food and that's pretty damn low." Greg said in a hard voice. "But if you think that being in sick bay was unpleasant, just remember this. I'm going to be keeping an eye on you and if you so much as step out of line on my watch again...well, I won't be responsible for what happens. That, you can take to the bank." Greg said as he went over to the front of the PADD and picked it up.

“That bullshit!” Suder shouted standing up and squaring up to Ward, “I have done nothing wrong. You can’t charge me with a bias, bigoted, opinion just because *you* have a chip on your shoulder. If you think I have done something wrong *prove* it. Where is your evidence Mr Ward? Where is the ethic of INNOCENT until proven guilty? You wear the uniform but you don’t act like any Starfleet officer I’ve ever met.” Spittle flew from his mouth as he enunciated each word.

"Mister Suder, I'm going to say this once. Get out of my face or you might not like what the response is." Greg said calmly and quietly

Suder swelled slightly as he took a deep breath. He turned and sat down. Taking another deep breath he continued, “Now you can ask me any questions you like and I will answer them truthfully and honestly.” he said in a low voice, his eyes centring on the data padd in the middle of the table, “But don’t you dare accuse me of doing anything based on your perverted opinion.” He added looking Ward right in the eye.

"Mister Suder, I will touch on your thoughts about my wearing of this uniform in a minute. But for now I want you to explain your interactions with Miss Eshe and please, don't leave anything out." Greg said

“Very well.” Suder replied. “I met Eshe in combat. We were both competing in a batleth tournament on LanJep about two years ago.” He glanced up at Ward wondering if this was the sort of stuff he was looking for, but continued any way without approval. “Eshe won the tournament but declared a rematch. During the rematch she ran off, eliminating herself from the competition. I followed her to one of the cargo bays where her sisters ship crashed. I didn’t know who she was until she showed up on the ship several weeks later. She transferred from Earth. She was a little shocked to see me too.” He added. Sighing slightly he rubbed his head and pondered. Sitting forward in his chair he continued,

“I found her one evening in the bar, she was drunk. I escorted her back to her quarters on the way we had a little scuffle, she tried to punch me. Ended up hitting the wall and shattered her hand in the process. I took her back to my quarters and patched her up. She then left. I didn’t see any reason to report that incident. She was drunk and not in control. To be honest I think she has a mental problem. I told her sister so, and she came to visit several months later. Fat lot of good that did though.” He muttered more to himself than Ward.

“Dhani has been in and out of Sick bay since she joined this ship Mr Ward. She is not playing with a full deck. I tried to help her but she didn’t want my help. What else can I do?”

"First off, are you certified psychologist, or is your comment that she's "not playing with a full deck" your own opinion and do you know what brought on that attack in engineering?" Greg asked.

Suder tried not to show his irritation, “No, Sir,” he said, “I am not a psychologist. I am an engineer. I am also a betazoid.” He stated, “So I think my observations of the officers under my command carry a little truth to them.” He replied.

"umm..hmm." Greg said while typing on the padd. "Please answer the question about why Miss Eshe attacked you." Greg said.

Suder took a moment. He could see her in his mind; sitting on the desk before him. Her blond hair curled around her chin. As she smiled her nose wrinkled and the little ridges on her forehead raised. He smiled up at her. He went to speak and then remembered where he was, “No.” his voice came out a barley audible whisper.

Greg crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back. "I sense that's not entirely the truth, but I'm here as an investigator so I'll let it slide..this time. Are you sure, Mister Suder because according to the witnesses she came into engineering on a mission." Greg said.

Suder looked up at him, “A mission?” he questioned.

"Yes, according to the testimony she came into main engineering and went after you specifically. Now, I'm curious as to what you and she talked about that caused your head to go through the window." Greg said

“I don’t remember.” Suder replied. He paused knowing that that wouldn’t satisfy Ward. “She came in, I remember that. We went into my office, but I don’t remember anything much after that.” He replied dejectedly.

"You're just saying that to make me feel special, I don't know if I should feel honoured or insulted. Now let's try this again, what did the two of you talk about?" Greg said, his eyes locked onto Suder's

“I don’t remember dam it!” he shouted across the table.

Ethan could see the fields, the house, the sun setting, the red skies. He could feel the soft breeze still brushing over his skin gently.

“Kay,” he muttered under his breath, “I’m so sorry.” He hung his head as the tears welled. He didn’t want Ward to see him this way, he didn’t want anyone to see him this way. As the vision took over he felt his heart tear in his chest,

“I didn’t know……” he trailed off.

"Didn't know what, Mister Suder?” Greg said in a calm voice and no emotion crossing his face.

Suder didn’t reply, he didn’t even look up at him. In fact he had stopped caring who else was in the room.

He closed his eyes as his hand reached up to meet hers. Her skin was so soft. Feeling that was more relaxing than anything. She slid from the desk and into his arms. Their lips touching. He could feel himself floating in ecstasy as he embraced her. With one arm wrapped around her he lifted her up and on to the desk. Pulling away he looked deep into her eyes. Those eyes he had memorised, every curve of her face, every wrinkle on her nose, every ridge on her forehead, the way her golden hair flowed around her face, all of her. He stroked her face, such smooth skin.

There for one moment he had her. It was beautiful. Overwhelming. Amazing. He looked back up at Ward, a tear slipped silently down his cheek.

“I…” he tried to speak but the words failed him.

The image consumed him. Standing up he turned from Ward and faced the wall. The guilt ate him, it burned inside him threatening to overtake him.

"Mister Suder, is there anything that you wish to say?" Greg said calmly

“No.” Suder said shaking his head. He placed one hand against the wall and leaned heavily on it. He couldn’t escape the memory that overtook his mind.

Rolling from the desk they crashed to the floor locked in a passionate embrace. They moved with each other, like they had never done anything but that. His hands squeezed her rib cage as she moved above him. He shook his head frantically trying to remove the image.

"Perhaps you need a little bit of a reminder about what you've done to Miss Eshe?" Greg said as he used the PADD to activate a wall screen. It showed a list of the injuries that Dhani had.

"Let's see, two almost severed typhonic arteries in her wrists, three broken ribs and two cracked, her jaw broken in two places, a cracked sarcillpa, cracked left forearm, not to mention the fact that she may have minor to major brain damage from your choking her." Greg said, reading off the list. "And that's just the short form."

A smile wider than any Cheshire cat crossed Ethan’s face. He rolled to one side and stroked Kay’s cheek, brushing her hair away from her face. Leaning in to kiss her he stopped, the shock in his face was mirrored in hers.

“Ethan?” Dhani whispered.

The blood drained from Ethan’s face, “Dhani?” he croaked out. He looked around his office searching for Kay. His uniform was strewn across the floor, as was hers. He grabbed his trousers and yanked them on. He couldn’t say anything. Couldn’t even look at her. Grabbing his duty jacket he slipped it on. He turned back and looked at the floor in front of Dhani. He couldn’t understand it, he was with Kay, and…..no! His stomach turned at the thought, not Dhani, no way….. covering his mouth with his hand he left his office.

Suder turned and smashed his fist into the wall, “What I did to her?” he shouted across the room. He pulled his hand free from the hole he had made and shook off the debris,

“What about what *she* did to me?” He began to advance on Ward, his eyes aflame, “Does that matter? Do you even care? Or is it just because that she is a woman you think she is not capable of harming anyone? She violated me!” he screamed.

“There, I said it. Are you happy now?” his voice was shrill and full of rage. He had Ward’s back against the wall.

Greg steepled his fingers together and looked at Suder in a way that a cardassian "investigator" looks at his "subject". He did not look happy but what he did look like was not happy, not happy at all.

"No, I'm not "happy" as you say Mister Suder. I'm actually ashamed that I have to call you a fellow officer of the fleet. You see, I want to know why she attacked you but there are how many different theories running around right now the ship's rumour mill? You cheated on her, you tried to have her transferred off the Galaxy under false pretences and so forth. What I want is the truth, not your emotions, mister Suder." Greg said in a toneless and rather dead sounding voice

Suder was astounded, “Did you not hear what I said?” he questioned. He really didn’t want to have to say it again.

"No, I heard what you said, mister Suder. What I want you to do right now is sit down before I am forced to do you physical harm." Greg said calmly

“You want to beat me, is that it?” Suder screamed at him. “Go right ahead.” He was almost nose to nose with Ward now. “You think that will help? You think that Dhani is some innocent little girl who needs your protection? You think that because she is lying in a coma and I’m not that I’m the bad guy? Oh that’s rich,” he said gesturing emphatically, “She violates me, crawls into *my* mind and rapes *my* thoughts. *Then* she tries to kill me and I’m the bad guy?”

Greg suddenly was in movement before Suder could see him move and Suder was hitting the ground hard and Greg's left knee was across his chest with his right arm in a lock with intense pain on him.

"Please note Mister Suder, I did ask you nicely to sit down did I not?" Greg asked in the same toneless voice that he had been using the last few minutes

Ethan’s voice was muffled as the wind was knocked out of him. He groaned and nodded slightly.

"Now, I didn't want to hurt you but you started screaming at me and so forth. I don't like being violent but please note that in this military, hurting people is my speciality." Greg said calmly.

Greg applied just a little bit more pressure to Suder's arm to ensure that this point was made. "Now if I let you up, do you promise to behave?"

Ethan grinded his teeth and forced a smile, “Yes.” he replied through clenched teeth.

"If you don't feel like smiling, then don't do so, but I want your word that you'll behave, alright?" Greg said

"Yes. Sir!" Suder replied obviously irritated.

Greg released the hold and moved away from Suder. "There, see not all jarheads are uncooperative" Greg said

Suder flashed another false smile and sat down at the desk.

"Would you like me to omit your little shouting bit from the record, Mister Suder?" Greg said, picking up his padd.

“Fine.” He replied with contempt.

"Ohh, you hate me. Big frelling surprise there." Greg said while omitting the shouting from the main part but he saved the audio.

Suder sighed. What a great interrogation the thought. Defiantly done with compassion, sensitivity and of course protocol! He sighed,

“What now?” he asked.

"Now I pass this onto the JAG officer who's in charge of your case, Mister Suder. But I will omit any hostile actions against me." Greg said

“I guess you’ll be omitting your hostile actions against me too?” he muttered.

"It's only fair, Mister Suder." Greg said in the same toneless voice. "But I will have to include it to my superior officer in the core in case that he feels that he needs to take any disciplinary actions against me." Greg added with a nod.

“So can I go back to work now?” he questioned.

"Actually Mister Suder, you are on suspended duties until your CO says otherwise. It's nothing against you or any attempt of discipline but the simple fact that you've suffered type six mental damage from a mental attack." Greg said

"A what?" he replied.

"A type six, meaning that you were attacked by defensive mental attributes. Commonly known as a "Conflict responsive psionic reflex" by Starfleet Psionic's division." Greg said without even looking at the PADD

Suder raised an eyebrow, “I feel perfectly fine. And when was, did…. That happen?” he asked.

"Apparently during your fight with Miss Eshe." Greg explained, "type six is pretty tame but it's enough to cause a Vulcan to become emotional for several days afterwards" he explained.

“Huh.” Was all that Ethan could manage.

"It causes an imbalance in the logic centres of the brain essentially" Greg said

“I see.” Suder replied.

"Mister Suder, you are on restrictive duties until the CMO says otherwise which should be another day or two." Greg said as he stood up and tugged down his uniform jacket. "I hope that you make it through this in one piece, mister Suder." Greg said.

Suder nodded as Greg left the room. He stayed sat down for a time before he was motioned to leave. He still wasn’t sure what was supposed to happen next.

Back Post - 2381, December

“Blood Bond”

Lieutenant (Jg) Chandrakala Eshe – Engineer (serving on the Kilngon Bird of Pray T’Kengra)

&

Ensign Naranda Sol Roswell - Engineer

(Set approximately one week after “All For Blood” whilst the Galaxy is undergoing the refit.)

As the T’Kengra came in to dock with the Starbase Kala was already in the docking bay. As was K'vol, her partner. Vor'Kall, Torlak and So'han were also with her. The doors opened with a loud clatter. It seamed that everything on the Klingon ship just had to be loud.

Kala hadn’t heard from her sister since Ethan Suder, Dhanis commanding officer, had called her to rendezvous with them about a year earlier. She had spent about a week with her sister, it was nice. Kinda like old times. She and Suder hadn’t seen eye to eye on her sisters’ health, but she left without any doubts.

But something had happened. She knew it. She felt it. And no one had contacted her. And she was fuming.

Kala stepped out of the docking bay and into the hall. Checking the corridor both ways to assess her bearings, Kala turned left and strode down the docking ring.

It wasn’t difficult for K’vol and the others to keep up, they were after all Klingons. The walk was in silence. K’vol didn’t understand Kala’s link with her sister but he had learned not to question it. Kala was a strong woman and when her mind was set she was a stubborn vicious thing. He had to remind himself that she was a Trill hybrid and not a Klingon woman. He turned to look at her as they walked towards the Galaxy. She held herself high, always walked with a purpose. And it always seemed like she had eyes in the back of her head. Something he should maybe learn himself, seeing as to advance in ranks you had to kill your superior officer, and as the first officer he was in the hot seat!

As they boarded the Galaxy Kala and the rest of her little band received some interesting looks. But Kala didn’t even make eye contact with any of them. In fact she hadn’t even asked permission to come aboard she just walked on.

*Main Engineering*

Jason and Jiiles were lent over the master systems display consol in main engineering.

“So how is Eshe doing now?” Jason asked sipping his coffee.

Jiiles sighed as he thumbed his datapadd, “Her situation is deteriorating.” he said, “The doctors haven’t got a clue how to help her. Of course they won’t say that they just tell me that they are working on it and as soon as her situation changes they will let me know. But it’s been a week now and ….” He trailed off and stared back down at the padd.

Jason sighed and nodded. “What about her folks?” he asked.

“What about them?” Jiiles replied.

“Well did you tell them?”

“Suder said he would but I don’t know if he did. Besides wouldn’t medical take care of that?”

“I suppose.” Jason replied.

Jiiles turned back to the station he was working at and stared numbly at it. He didn’t feel justified in the concern that people showed him. After all he and Dhani had only been together for a week. They hadn’t even slept with each other, so nothing serious right? But at the same time he was crushed. He really loved Dhani and she was just lying in sick bay, and there was nothing that he could do about it.

The doors to engineering opened and Kala strode in. She stopped just three meters and waited for K'vol, Vor'Kall, Torlak and So'han to join her. The four Klingons pulled up beside her, flanking her; one each side and one behind.

Nara had been working just like every other day. No night shifts. One was enough. She heard loud feet come in and looked up wondering who on earth. The first thing that caught her attention was the Klingons. She liked Klingons. They were a bit fanatic about honour, but she liked them nonetheless. Yet, did they belong there? Then her eyes turned on a woman she swore looked like the woman who was, as far as she knew, laying in Sickbay in a coma.

Kala’s greed eyes flashed round the room. Her fiery read hair flowed freely across her shoulders, crimped, just like that of the Klingon men that stood by her side. The leather Klingon uniform that she wore branded a Starfleet comm. Badge.

“Check the office.” She told Vor’Kall. Nodding he stepped forward and proceeded to the chiefs office.

“You two, check the upper level.” She said without turning to them. Torlack and So’han didn’t waste any time, they were up the ladders searching through the faces of the staff with in seconds. And they weren’t gentle about it, grabbing people from their stations they turned them round and looked at them before shoving them back to their posts and continuing to the next.

Kala proceeded to the jobs board that was up in main engineering and scanned it. For a while she just stared at the buttons, it had been a while since she had used Starfleet equipment and she was a little rusty. After a few minuets of re-orientation she pressed the key pad and brought up the duty roster. Her mind was too full to really compute the data, he head felt like it had been stuffed with cotton wool and it was expanding inside, pushing against her skull. The names she was looking for were not on the board, in frustration she kicked the wall and turned back round to see Vor’Kal approach from the office, his daktarg in his hand.

Nara walked up to her, "What do you think you're doing. Who are you?" Nara went straight to curt. She knew Klingons.

"He's not in there." He said caressing his blade, "But when I find him.."

Nara looked at him and the blade. "Do I need to call Security?"

Kala glared at him, "Have you forgotten where you are? Put that away!" she hissed.

Vor'Kal slid up to her, "It's a present for Mr Suder." He whispered.

Kala wasn't amused, she turned quickly and punched him in the face. Vor'kal hit the deck, his daktarg flying from his hand; he was not expecting the blow. As he pushed himself up he wiped the blood off his cut lip. Roars of laughter erupted from the other three Klingons who rendezvoused at their position.

Nara moaned inwardly. Now the insanity spread to the day shift. Nara picked up the daktarg, holding it correctly as trained by her childhood friend, a Klingon.

Kala knelt beside him, "*This* is a federation ship. *You* are allies with the federation. And Suder is a federation officer, as am *I*, or did you forget that too?" standing up she kicked him gently with her foot, "You will not be gutting anyone today! Now get up." She retrieved his knife and as he stood she passed it to him. Their eyes locked on to each others for a moment before she released her grip on the blade.

Nara was getting irritated with the intrusion and no one else seemed to care. "You know. I would REALLY like an explanation. Now, for the last time. Who are you and why are you here? We can be diplomatic and I can help you as I can, or find someone who can, OR I can call security." Nara was going to say kick their butts out, but she was trying really hard to keep to Engineering and not get in any fights.

Kala sighed at the protesting engineer, without even looking at her she said, “You are not significant…..” she glanced up at her from the corner of her eye, turning fully to face the young engineer as if mesmerised she stopped mid sentence.

Kala sighed at the protesting engineer, without even looking at her she said, "You are not significant..." she glanced up at her from the corner of her eye, turning fully to face the young engineer as if mesmerised she stopped mid sentence.

Nara raised an eyebrow half smiling. "How self righteous of you to say so."

"It wasn't a dream.." she mumbled to herself, "It really happened." For a moment Kala just stared at the engineer, she knew that face, she had seen that face.

Nara's smile faded to confusion. ~What the?~

Slowly her eyes trailed from Nara to engineering. She scanned the consoles, the image of fresh new ones was replaced by the vision of broken consoles smeared with blood. Her eyes came to a stop at the second level railings, and, as if she was following something, finally came to rest in the middle of engineering.

Kala felt nauseous, she covered her mouth with her hand and fought the urge to throw up. Taking a deep breath she turned back to Nara. Gesturing towards the Klingons she pointed in turn,

"K'vol, first officer of the Klingon Bird of Prey T'Kengra. Vor'Kall, tactical officer, So' Han, Chief Engineer and Torlak, science officer."

She looked back to Nara, "Lieutenant Junior Grade Chandrakala Lakshmi Eshe." she looked into Nara's eyes, "But then you knew who I was when I walked in through the door. And you know why I'm here." she said plainly.

Nara crossed her arms, "Oh really? All I know is you look like Dhani. Who, and I'm guessing that's who you're here for, is in sickbay in a coma."

Kala’s face fell, “Coma?” she repeated. For a few minuets she just stared numbly at the ground. Turning her head to one side and looked over at K’vol,

“We’re too late!” she said.

K’vol and the other Klingons lowered their heads.

“How did it happen?” Kala asked quietly. Her features softened as tears gathered in her eyes.

Wow. She didn't think Klingons were such pessimists, "For one thing, being dead would be too late. And as far as I know, she got some head trauma from a fight with Suder." Nara looked at them. She smiled, "She beat the crap outa him. It would make any Klingon proud."

Kala smiled slightly, “You don’t understand.” she said. Rubbing her head she pushed herself away from the wall and looked back at K’vol.

“Lets go.”

“Do you think she knew about Sark?” K’vol asked as Kala approached him.

Kala shook her head, “No. She couldn’t have known about him. I got the message from Vulcan after the message from Dhani. And if she is in the state I think she is, then there is no hope.” She turned back and looked at Nara. She went to say something but instead turned and walked out.

Back Post 2381, December

“Family, Part 1 of 2”

(This is set after “Blood Bond” whilst the Galaxy is undergoing the refit.)

Lieutenant (Jg) Dhanishta Eshe – Engineer

Lieutenant (Jg) Chandrakala Eshe – Engineer (Serving on the Klingon Bird of Pray T’Kengra)

Ensign Naranda Sol Roswell – Engineer

Second lieutenant Greg Ward – Marines corps

As Kala marched down the halls of the Galaxy her anger resumed. She was angry that she had found out from an insignificant engineer that her sister was lying in a coma. She was angry that she hadn't been able to get to her in time and angry that her sister had called for her help with such force that she was going to be feeling its effects for a month.

As she rounded the corner the doors of sick bay loomed up before her, sliding open Kala entered and looked around.

"Can I help you Miss." A nurse asked turning from a wall station. It was only after she spoke she saw what the woman was wearing and raised an eyebrow.

"Eshe." Was all Kala said, she didn't even look at the nurse, nor did she stop. Her homing beacon led her to her sister; she didn't even need to ask, she was just being polite.

"Oh she is over there." the nurse pointed.

Behind Kala K'vol stepped in. The nurse took a step backwards, gaping at his stature. She was about to say something when Vor'Kall entered followed by So'Han and Torlack. She watched them pass her, following the Trill woman, "I'm sorry but only family can visit." she called out after them.

"We are family." So'Han turned and hissed at her.

Three people, wearing the standard issue uniforms of the Starfleet Hazard team, along with two members of the Starfleet Marine Corps, also in combat armour, plus a lithe blonde woman, wearing the standard issue Starfleet uniform with the black departmental shirt; marking her as a member of Starfleet intelligence, stood around Dhanis bed. All of them were armed and the two marines were looking edgy as it was. The woman from intelligence was apparently doing scans of Dhani while one of the hazard team members, with red markings of command on the armour, watched over Dhani as well; with a look of concern on his face.

One of the Hazard Team officers, a man with short red hair and electric blue eyes looked Kala dead in the eyes, but kept his grip tight and steady on his mark 4 phaser rifle, as he held up a hand. "Ma'am, you might want to stop there. This is a restricted area by order of Starfleet." the man said in an even voice.

Kala's eyes flashed at him, "And you might want to step aside." She said her renewed anger bubbling to the surface. She took several steps towards her sisters’ bed and looked past the man to the woman who held a tricorder over her sisters’ body.

"And you!" she called out, "Desists. Stop your god dammed tests. I want her complete medical record and a list of the treatments you have given her. I want a doctor here NOW!"

The two marines, and the other hazard team members, moved closer to block the Klingons advancement towards Dhani's bed with a ready stance to bring their weapons to bear on the Klingons. The blonde woman looked at Kala with an almost Vulcan-like raised eyebrow and moved like she was going to step forward when a man in a standard issue Starfleet uniform wearing the rank insignia of a 2nd Lieutenant bar stepped up to Kala and looked her in the eyes.

"I am Greg Ward, if you want to get to Miss Eshe and make numerous demands, then I suggest that you do one of two things. Try asking or at least we can go out into the hallway for a fight." Greg said, his eyes boring into the Klingon's.

Nara rushed in catching her breath.

She had stood in Engineering staring at the closed door fighting if she should follow or not. Curiosity and some odd compassion, forced her out the door. She didn't know Eshe that well so she didn't know why she cared. Yet there was some tying similarity between them she was yet to understand.

Now she encountered a group of people, some holding weapons. Of course.

Greg gestured at the blonde woman. "Lieutenant Ardeen there is trying to stabilize Miss Eshe's mental condition as well as making sure her vitals don't fade into a dangerous level also. So if you don't mind, if you want to start something then you might want to at least let her do her job so that Dhani doesn't die." Greg said with a tone of finalization.

Before Kala could open her mouth to reply the doors opened and Suder ran in followed by Jiiles.

Nara turned to see two men rush in. They seemed to ignore her, which she could understand. Sickbay was getting kind of crowded though.

"Kala!" Suder cried out. He stopped several feet away and panted, it was obvious that he had run down to sick bay.

K'vol grabbed Suder by his duty jacket and raised his clear off the ground. Torlak brandished his knife and advanced towards him.

Nara gasped, "Hey! Ok you Klingons! Remember things are handled differently here! If you wanna fight, then ask! I'll be more than happy to spar!"

"K'vol!" Kala shouted, "Put him down NOW! Torlak, if I have to tell you again I will shove that dktarg down your friggen throat!" she screamed at him. Her hands shook at her side, in fact all of her was shaking. As K'vol released Suder Kala pulled out a hypo spray and injected herself. Slowly her shaking stopped.

Turning her attention to Suder she watched as he glared at K'vol and straightened his duty jacket. And then he turned to Kala, "I see you have already met Mr Ward." He said in an even tone. His eyes flashed towards him for a second before retuning to Kala.

Kala looked back at Ward, "You mean this guy. Yeah, we were just getting acquainted." She smiled at Ward and turned back to Suder. She walked towards him, her hips swaying slightly; she knew how to use her feminine wiles on Suder.

"What the hell did you do to my sister?" she whispered in his ear.

Nara stood glaring at the Klingons. They really were impulsive creatures.

Suder took a step back, the situation was getting tense. The Klingons looked ready to kill him, the marines looked ready to kill the Klingons, and Kala seemed like she was about to take on everyone. And where was the concern for Dhani in all this? And why was it still his fault?

"Did you get my message?" he asked changing the subject slightly.

"No." Kala said staring at him, it was almost like she could smell something. Her green eyes flashed as she realised what had happened. Without warning she decked Suder.

He fell to the floor. Rolling on to his back he looked up at her startled,

"What the hell was that for?" he asked.

Nara rolled her eyes, "Of for the love of...if people don't stop..." She was cut short.

"You slept with my sister!?" Kala half shrieked.

Nara shut her mouth. Yea, he deserved it this time.

Suder didn't say a word, he just stared up at her in disbelief, "How .?"

Kala turned her attention to the bolian, "And who the heck are you?"

Jiiles looked down at Suder, and then back at the tiny woman who had just flattened his friend. And then at the numerous guards,

"I'm Ji, Ji, Jilles." He stammered.

"Well Ji, Ji, Jiiles get the hell out! And take *that* with you."

Jiiles bent down and helped Suder to his feet. Suder waved him away and stood up.

Greg snapped his fingers once and a female form detached it's self from a small alcove behind Suder and tapped him on the shoulder with something pointed. The female form whispered softly into his right ear,

"Remember mister Suder, you must be on your best behaviour no matter what at this time and place. You are in the commodore's house right now so you'd better go." the female form said and then mockingly patted Suder on the head. She then walked over to where Greg was and handed him a klingon d'tak dagger which he then replaced in a sheath which was built into his uniform. Greg then nodded to Kala once but didn't move from his place.

"If you want to hear my side of the story, you know where to find me." Suder said turning away he rubbed his jaw and left.

Back Post 2381, December

“Family, Part 2 of 2”

Lieutenant (Jg) Dhanishta Eshe – Engineer

Lieutenant (Jg) Chandrakala Eshe – Engineer (Serving on the Klingon Bird of Pray T’Kengra)

Ensign Naranda Sol Roswell – Engineer

Second lieutenant Greg Ward – Marines corps

Kala stared at Jiiles her eyebrows raised. Slowly he too turned and left. Kala turned back to Greg.

Nara looked at Kala, "That blue man claims to be Dhani's boyfriend. He shouldn't have heard about that, that way." She looked at Dhani on the table. "What do you plan to do once you get to her?"

Kala turned back to the infuriating little engineer. Her temper was beginning to rise to the point of no return. She was ready to scream at them to get out, all of them. The Klingons, her life long friends the engineer the stupid Greg person all the god dammed marines…….

Kala whipped back and stared at the marines, noticing that they were marines for the first time. Why the hell were there marines? Kala looked at Dhani and then at the door where Suder had just been. She felt a knot in her stomach tighten and grow warm, this was not a good sensation. This was not a good situation. What had she missed?

“I want to play the flute and make daisy chains.” She said sarcastically, “What do you think I want to do?”

One of the marines snickered at Nara's comment which drew a look from Greg which caused the marine to quickly go quiet again. Greg then turned to face Kala again, his right hand resting gently on his d'tak dagger's hilt.

"Let me get this straight, you're Miss Eshe's sister, was it? You're probably wondering why members of my unit is here. We're keeping an eye on Miss Eshe here in case someone attempts to do something… rude to Dhani again." Greg said with a pointed look at where Suder had been standing, and then knocked to the ground. He then looked at Kala again for a second and locked his gaze with hers before turning to face the assembled marines and hazard team members.

"Squad, dismissed with the expectation of Lieutenant Ardeen." Greg said in his best commanding voice and the assembled security squad left the room, with the expectation of Lieutenant Ardeen and a black haired man wearing the gold colour of a security officer. When he refused to move from where he was, Greg's eyes narrowed.

Kala changed her stance. She became slightly edgy as the squad team passed her. Once they were out of her way she walked up to her sisters bed side. She looked down at her sisters’ lifeless body and gasped slightly. Tears welled in her eyes.

“Hey there baby.” She stroked Dhanis hair and ran her hand across her face and forehead. The tears began to run more freely as she looked over her sister.

She chuckled slightly, “At least you’re not throwing me across the room, like last time.” She jumped slightly as Greg’s voice boomed out. She turned to look at them for a moment as she wiped the blood that ran from her nose.

"Ensign Krinn, what are you doing there still? I thought you heard me say dismissed!" Greg barked out like a drill sergeant, but Krinn didn't move.

"I'm sorry sir, but if it's alright with Miss Eshe's family there," Krinn said while gesturing to Kala and her fellow klingons, "I would like to stay and make sure she's okay if they don't mind." he finished and then Greg looked to Ardeen who merely nodded her approval then he turned to face the Klingons and Kala.

"Do you mind if mister Krinn stays here and watches over Miss Eshe also?" he asked.

Kala shrugged her shoulders as she gathered her sleeve to wipe her nose again,

“Doesn’t bother me.” She replied. Her tone and stature had changed a lot in the last five minutes. Her features softened and although the marines made her edgy, now that she was with Dhani she seemed calmer.

Nara looked at Dhani and spoke softly to Kala, "I entered her mind before she was brought here to see what was wrong. Just thought I'd let you know."

Kala turned to face Nara, her lip was smeared slightly with blood from her nose. She didn’t really know what to say to that, “Oh?”

"I didn't see anything." She stated simply, partly also to avoid the woman's wrath.

Kala raised an eyebrow and looked Nara up and down, “That’s because you weren’t looking hard enough.” she replied in a scathing tone. Her eyes seemed to flame for a second and her face harden. And then it fell as a wave of pain crescendo through her mind, her face scrunched up and she let out a hiss as she sucked air in through her teeth. Breathing out slowly she looked down at Dhani, a droplet of blood splashed on to the covers.

Nara raised and eyebrow back, "Do you WANT me to look harder? I didn't want to do too much without asking."

Kala leaned heavily against the bed. “She would squash you like a bug.” she said turning to her, “Do you think I’m normally bleeding from the nose and swaying like a monkey on acid?”

Nara looked at her, "I don't understand." Then she looked at Dhani. "You are both telepathic? Being twins..." Nara's mind wrapped around what Kala was being vague at, yet expected her to automatically know.

Kalas head began to throb, “K’vol?” she called out.

“I’m here.” He said standing behind her. He wrapped his arms around her and held her for a moment. Kala’s body relaxed in his arms,

“If you take any more, you will overdose.” He whispered in her ear.

Kala nodded. Rubbing her temple she glanced at Nara, “Dhani and I are identical in facial features. Except eye and hair colour we are the same. Height, weight, measurements… well most of the time.” she had noticed how thin her sister was looking. “I am an empath.” she continued, “Dhanishta, however is a full telepath.” she explained.

Nara wasn't sure what was going on. "So am I. How can I help?"

Kala looked at her again, this girl clearly didn’t understand. Dhani had assaulted her mind from light years away, and this mere child expected to do what exactly? Jump in there and have a look around Dhanis head. Did she *have* to explain everything…? Cause she was beginning to feel the strain.

Nara looked at her, "I'm not a novice. I know what I'm doing." She added, mumbling, "Even if I hadn't exactly done it before."

Kala sighed, “Miss….” She didn’t even know this woman’s name!!

“I was not informed of my sisters’ condition by anyone. Dhani called me telepathically. I have been like this ever since. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”

Nara sighed. She had to get a point across. She mind spoke, ~Do you understand what I'm telling you? Let me help.~

Kala heard Nara and returned the gesture.

The pain she was under was decreased by the drugs she was taking to counter the effects. Opening her mind just a little she let Nara feel what she was feeling; sever pain!

Nara winced at the sudden hit, but regained her balance mentally. She blinked and looked at Dhani. She left Kala and went to Dhani and let out a tired breath after a few minutes. "She's blocked up worse than ... well never mind." She looked at Kala, "Can you ask her to let me in? See if I can help?"

“She is home.” Kala said, “Just not answering the door.” She wiped the blood from her nose again and shook her head.

“I’m not strong enough to go in. And to be honest I don’t think you are either.” She looked up at Nara. “I don’t doubt your abilities, I just know hers. Last time this happened it took an advanced Vulcan to bring her back. He was the best in his field. There is no one else as powerful as him. Except Dhani.” She said.

Nara looked at Dhani a moment. If only she could ask Cernu to come. "What about combined abilities. There are several telepaths here."

Kala shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know.” She said leaning forward on the chair she rested her head between her knees and began to breathe deeply.

Nara went back into Kala's mind and put up a sort of shield to ease some of the pain.

Lieutenant Imra Ardeen was a child of betazed blood born on the planet Titan in the Sol system but as such and mostly due to her great-grandmother being vulcan, her psionic skills was a little bit stronger than Kala and Nara's and she gently stretched out her mind and used her own talents to gently re-enforce there's. She could feel a number of things including something from Ensign Pol Krinn oddly enough. The transfer from the USS Constitution was radiating concern for Dhani like nothing else, but Imra pushed past that and focused on what was important and that was to ensure that the three women would make it out of this with nothing more than Dhani being in better health both mentally and physically as well nothing major as mentally damaging than a really *bad* hangover..

Nara looked at Imra sensing where the new presence came from. She tensed physically and mentally a bit. Then she realized what she was doing and loosened, but keeping a weary "eye" on where Imra would go in her mind.

Pol Krinn had only been on the starbase long enough to get pulled from the ship that he was usually on in the old USS Constitution or "Old Ironsides" as she was otherwise known as due to the fact that the Constitution was the last Constitution class heavy cruiser still in service and that was for stuff around this sector of space. His older brother Rokk told him about Lieutenant Ardeen's talents and how they helped her in the field as a member of Area 51 of Starfleet Intelligence but he didn't know what he was doing and he gently took Eshe's hand into one of his and tried to support what ever was going on with the three women of higher rank by trying to be an "anchor" or something and give moral support to Dhani.

Nara felt another presence. Her heart beat feeling so many people within in mind. It frightened her a bit, but she calmed down. She looked at Kala and mind-spoke, ~See. Several people.~ Nara wondered if they should call for Suder to come back. She was pretty sure Kala would kill him before allowing him into her or Dhani's mind. After getting used to the other people in her mind, she concentrated back at the task at hand.

Kala was too tired to concentrate, she felt the others and appreciated what they were trying to do. Slowly she raised her head and smiled meekly up at K’vol.

“You need to get some rest.” he said quietly to her.

Kala nodded and looked around for Greg.

“Where is that doctor I asked for?” she said, her voice was hoarse and she looked fatigued.

A doctor sauntered in. Clearly male, but the way he walked....and then his voice, "Ok lovely's what's the situation?" He put his hands on his hips and looked at them. "My, what a pickle!"

Kala’s eyebrows raised as the man spoke. She frowned and looked at K’vol; who just stared in utter disbelief at the doctor.

“I need to know what,” Kala sighed, already knowing the answer, “Just tell me how it is doc.” she said.

Doctor Mulan paced the room, shifting from hip to hip biting his nails, "Well dear, you see...That little piece of her mind that talks to other people....well...it's kinda gone haywire...if we don't fix it, her whole brain..." he threw his hands out "KapooT!"

Seeing the seething look on the woman's face, he sat on a chair, crossed his legs and tapped his chin thinking of how to word it. "Oh fiddle with it!" He stood and walked over and knelt down holding her hand, "Hun, it don't look good. The telepathy part of her brain needs to be stabilized. Otherwise I give her a month. I'm sorry."

Kala broke in, "She has one month left to live if she makes it through the week, blar blar blar. Yeah I heard this all before." She stood up and rubbed her head. She looked at Nara and smiled her thanks. Turning to K'vol she nodded. He stood and took her arm as she made her way to the door.

Doc put his hands up in a surrender type stance, "Well EXCUUUUSE Me!" With that he wiggled his hips as he angrily left the room.

The other Klingons followed them out except So'Han who lingered by Dhanis bed.

Nara stayed where she was and tried to keep the mental connection. "She's been through this before?" She asked quietly to the Klingon who stayed by Dhani.

So’Han looked across the bed at Nara and shrugged his shoulders, “I don’t know.” He replied.

“If she has then it was before we met. Chandrakala and Dhanishta didn’t talk about their past much back then. They still don’t.” his eyes took on a soulful expression as he gazed down at Dhani, “She’s a fighter you know?” he said.

“She always has been. She…” he trailed off as if he had a knot in his throat. Perching on the side of the bed he clasped her, stroking it with his thumb as he began to run his fingers through her hair.

"I know." If Nara already didn't know a Klingon personally, the softness she saw would had shocked her. That's what drew them as friends for most people she supposed. Their strength and their inner tenderness. A question burned in her mind wondering if he was an affectionate 'brother' or a lover. "She's special to you."

So’Han nodded, it choked him up to see Dhani like this. He turned and smiled at Nara,

“You’re a good friend.” He told her, “Kala is a little…..” he searched for the word, “abrupt. But I know she is grateful for all that you’re doing. And Dhanishta too.”

Nara smiled back, "Kala doesn't bother me. If anything, I admire her. It takes a special person to dwell with Klingons." She liked Klingons. If she were partial to any species outside her own, it would be that. She didn't agree with the extravagant code of honour, but they were emotional puzzles that intrigued her. Few people saw their soft side and it was beautiful to see. It reminded her of an old Earth story of Beauty and the Beast. She could spend time with Klingons, but she didn't think she'd enjoy living with them and following those honour codes. Any human or species close to the emotional culture of humans-like Betazoids, Trill and the like-that could have a tough enough outer shell to live with them intrigued her as well.

So’Han turned up to look at Nara, “Are we perceived to be difficult to live with then?” a hint of a grin danced across his lips.

"Well, I just wouldn't want to be on the bad side of a Klingon." She looked down remembering K'Erin. "My best friend was Klingon and the only person outside my parents I can say I truly trusted."

So’Han nodded his fingers still idly twiddling Dhanis hair. He looked back down at her and went to speak, but stopped himself. He couldn’t talk to her, not like he wanted, not like he needed to, with another person around. He never really found the right time to tell Dhani the things he wanted, the things he felt.

Nara got the feeling it was time to leave them alone, but decided to ask something, "Did you ever give her a ring?"

So’Han frowned, “What kind of ring?” he asked.

"I remember her saying it was an engagement ring." Nara didn't want to give anymore impression that she knew Dhani more than she did, "We were working on something and it fell out of a box when she was getting something."

So’Han looked back down at Dhani, “No, that wasn’t me.” he replied with a hint of dismay in his voice.

“She was engaged.” He continued, “To a man named Chang.” He looked back at Nara, “They were at the Academy together.” He stroked Dhanis cheek,

“He was killed during the Breen attack on Earth.”

Nara watched him a few moments wondering how she got caught up in this woman's life and why she was getting so curious to know more. "Does she know how you feel?"

So’Han looked shocked by the question, almost as if he was embarrassed. He went to speak but stopped himself, he really wasn’t quite sure how to answer that. Or even if he should. And what was this woman, a betazoid? Knowing Dhani she probably was. And there was no use hiding it,

“No.” he replied simply, “And she never will.” He gave Nara a stern look for a second before his face returned its slight softness.

Nara frowned, "Understood." Nara wanted to know why. But she slightly sighed and stepped a little away, "Then tell her now when she can't hear you."

So’Han’s brow knitted together as he frowned. He wanted to but, there was always a but! He looked at Nara and realised that he should, even if it was the advice of an emotional human. It was good advice.

She turned, "I'll leave so you can."

He nodded his thanks as she left and then turned back to Dhani, “I don’t know where to start…..” he began.

"I'm in one piece.. so are you"

Lt. Commander Brianna "Anna" O'Shea
Chief Engineer / SEC Liaison

Ensign Marcus Slayton
Engineer Officer

::: Starts out in Sickbay, ends in O'Shea's Quarters::

Anna was returned to ship and soon had several medical doctors working on her. While one worked on her leg to set it and began grafting the bone, another worked on her arm to do the same. While the third doctor worked on regenerating the large open wound in her side that was packed to keep it from bleeding. Once they all finished, give her some replicated blood then had to give her sedative to force her to sleep some since she found out the ship had been attacked. It was her first priority, then before she could ask about her people and Marcus, she had slipped into sleep and was placed in private area in medical ward to rest some.

Marcus entered sickbay and looked around for a few seconds before stopping a nurse and asking her where Anna was. Once he was directed to where she was resting, Marcus found a chair and moved it over to where Anna was laying before she sat down in the chair and gently took on of her hands into his then leaned down and gently kissed her on the forehead softly and whispered "Don't worry Anna, I'm here."

Feeling something brush her face, Anna turned her head and slowly opened her eyes having been sleeping for a little while. "The ship.." She said, trying to sit up only to feel Marc's hand on her to stop her.

"The ship is fine, you need to heal before anything though. You gave everyone a scare, hell you even had Grace wanting to rip the brig apart to get a hold of Commander Thomas if that means anything." he said gently to her.

"Thomas? What did he do?" Anna asked, having not heard anything since she was mostly unconsciousness when they brought her in.

"Commander Thomas was the one responsible for the Akula crashing on Trill and the sabotaging of the Galaxy, apparently one of the security department in a Lieutenant Zeke Williams not only betrayed Starfleet but also is Commander Thomas' son. Commander Thomas also had command of the USS DIIS which is an Akira class heavy cruiser and several squadrons of Breen fighters" Marcus explained as he gently ran a hand through her hair soothingly.

"I'll kill him myself.." She said, now sitting up. You could hurt her, bitch at her, but no one attacked her ship and lived.

"No Anna, you're behind me on that one. He almost took you from me and besides, we're both kind of low on the totem pole on that one since Captain Brhode saved all of our asses" Marcus explained with a look of deep concern on his face as she sat up.

"My head hurts.." Anna whispered as she lowered her head and looked down, the light was bothering her eyes. "What did the doctor say about me, more important... what's the condition of the ship?" Anna asked.

"The repair teams are working over time getting the systems back up and running, we had a couple of really bad injuries including myself but we only had one person die. As for you however, you had alot of people scared that you weren't going to make it, Anna. They had two trauma teams working on you from the moment you hit sickbay till the moment that you were out of danger." Marcus said.

"I'm fine..." She said, then lifted her head and looked at him. "You.. you alright?" Anna then asked, realizing she'd not asked about him yet. She regretted that deeply.

"Yeah, I was working in main deflector control and the station blew up in my face. I broke my arm, got a really nasty cut on the right side of my face and had some head trauma but I was able to get the shields back up before I collapsed. I couldn't let you or the ship down." Marcus said as he gently took one of her hands and lead it to the side of his jaw where it was still bandage from where it was cut.

"You should let them regenerate it... then you wouldn't have to wear that bandage." Anna said, tiredly. She then stood up, holding her side it was healed but still very tender.

Marcus shook his head, "Nope, I'm thinking that the scars will make me look more..distinguish, what do you think?" he said with a smile on his face as he moved just enough so that he could support her if she needed him. There was a look of unspoken fear on his face, namely his eyes as she was standing. He'd just gotten her back after all these years and was afraid of loosing her again.

"Maybe..." She said, then grinned faintly. "I'm going to my quarters... hate being in sickbay..." Anna said, as she took a sharp breath as she took a step and limped slightly her leg was still tender as well.

Marcus gently slipped one of her arms over his shoulders and moved her so that he could support her weight. It wasn't an excuse to have her close to him right now than a need to help her get to her quarters.

"I know you want to walk on your own, dear, but I don't want you winding back up in here so please let me help." Marcus said quietly to her with a worried look in his eyes.

Anna wasn't going to complain, she was working to hard not to burst into tears from the pain on her leg, arm and side. She'd not asked for pain injection, thinking she needed to be alert. Each step, she just about cried. Brianna needed rest, she'd not sleep eight straight hours since the beginning of all this, she just prayed to get to her quarters before anyone saw how much she was struggling not to give in to the pain.

Marcus helped Anna to her quarters as quickly and quietly as he could. When they got there, he helped her onto her bed and had her stretch out while he went to the replicator and quickly got a cold gel-pack from it, then he returned to her side with the pack. "Anna, I want you to take off your shirt now, okay?" he said quietly.

"Just let me lay here... my arm aches... my leg hurts Marc and my side is pulling." Anna said, as she closed her eyes and tears ran from her eyes the pain was hard for her to deal with any other way. No doubt the medical staff would be upset she left without their say so or input.

Marcus saw Anna's tears and helped her out of the top part of her uniform but left her bra on as he applied the gel-pack to her still healing injury. As he held the injury there with one hand, he gently leaned up and wiped her tears away with his free hand before kissing her gently on the lips for a second. It wasn't a kind of kiss that one gave someone to start the slow slide into passion or anything, but the kind that one lover gave another to show a support of strength and to remind Anna that he was there and not going to leave her.

Sliding over she kicked off her boots and let him lay down beside her on the bed. "Don't leave me tonight... Marcus... don't leave here." She said, as she took a soft breath and wiped her eyes with her free hand.

Marcus took his own boots off and laid down next to her but he was leaning up just enough so that he could make sure that the gel-pack didn't leave her side. With his free hand, he gently wiped the tears away and brushed a few strands of hair from her face as well and he let a small chuckle escape. "Sorry, it's just I didn't think my first night back in your bed was going to be holding a cold gel-pack against your ribs you know?" he said explaining it to her when she gave him a weird look.

Anna smiled, but didn't laugh. Only when she felt the familiar vibration on the bed and the feeling of Peckerwood walking up between them and waging his stump of a tail and happy to see Anna and the man there. "I think he thinks your in his spot." Anna said,t hen grinned as she saw the Scottish Terrier trying to get between them to lay down.

Marcus gently held out a free hand for the terrier to sniff to make sure that he was okay as he moved just enough to let the small dog lay down between them if it wanted to.

"He likes you.. usually he hates men." Anna said, as the dog laid down, resting his black fur covered head on Marc's arm, just as Anna had done. "Sorry.. he gets jealous." She said then looked over at Marc.

"It's okay Anna, I actually feel kind of honored that he likes me you know?" Marcus said as he smiled down at Peckerwood as the small dog's eyes looked up at him as he moved the hand that was holding gel pack long enough to pat the dog's head for a second and give it a good scratch behind his ears before moving his hand back up to the gel-pack. "I got told that I had to take some time off, apparently I've been not taking some of my shore leaves days for a couple of years now and I was thinking about visiting my home planet again..and I was wondering that if you have any time coming off that you'd want to share it...with me?" Marcus said with the last parts being a bit more quietly.

"Really want me to go?" Anna asked. "God knows I've always had to be forced into taking shore leave.... so, yeah... I'd like to go." Anna said, getting tried once again.

"Okay, but I want to make sure that you know one thing okay? I'm going to make your first trip to Rhodes Colony a memorable one, okay?" he said as he gently stroked her hair.

"I'm sure that it will be very lovely, Marc. You always were one to take out all stops on something." Anna reminded him, as she laid there. She then took a breath, her side easing off since the cool gel pack was against it.

"We can even bring the little one here if you want to, Anna." Marcus said as he gestured with his eyes at Peckerwood.

Peckerwood looked up, he always knew when he was being talked about. "You sure about that? I mean, he has a mind of his own... they say a pet takes on the personality of his owner... so sure you can handle me and him?" Anna asked, slightly grinning now as she tried to stay awake.

"Yes I'm sure, you rest now okay Anna? You had a hell of a trip planeside." Marcus said quietly as he leaned in and gently kissed her on the lips.

Anna nodded and smiled, feeling his kiss. Soon she closed her eyes and felt herself resting again. Now that the pain was dying down, the sedative was still there and forcing her to rest. With a deep sigh, she slipped into a good rest, laying there, snuggled next to Marc, with only room between them for the small dog she owned.

Marcus' held her to him or at least as close as the small dog being there would let him and he watched her drift off into sleep, watching her chest rise and fall as she fell into a hopefully peaceful slumber. "I love you Anna and I promise you that your birthday this year will be a memorable one." he said quietly as he stroke her hair as she slept.

"Revelations"

Lt. Commander Brianna "Anna" O'Shea
Chief Engineer/ SEC Liaison

Ensign Paulo DiMillo
Intelligence Officer

Ensign Ab Gar It Novitz
Intelligence Officer, (NPC)

:: Main Engineering, USS Galaxy::

Paulo sat at the center station looking over some new report's that had just surfaced about an incident involving their Chief Engineer and Romulans. It was interesting to say the least. Paulo looked up, "Novitz, you have that information I asked for yet?"

Looking up the Ornaran male nodded. "Yes," Ensign Ab Gar It Novitz replied, as he stood up and picked up the padd to hand to his superior. "Seems the 'Commander was quiet busy on Romulas." He said, handing him the padd.

Paulo took the padd and looked it over. "Yes she was," Paulo said reading the incident report from both the Romulans and SFI.

"Do believe what it says, sir?" Novitz asked, as he placed his hand behind him. "Do you think she's a infiltrator?" He asked, then looked down. "I've also included background history of her family and medical records... her family has comprised many fine engineers."

"At this stage I really don't know," Paulo replied to Novitz. "If she is we need to be able to prove without a doubt that she is an infiltrator." Paulo then noticed something, the father's name William O'Shea. "Is this all the information we have on the father?" Paulo asked. "The name looks really familiar."

Novitz turned to his small desk and looked over the data padds. "No." He replied, picking up the another padd on the desk and turned. "While he might be a highly respected engineer.. the man has had a very excessive life and lovers." The Onarnan stated with a dry humor as he handed Paulo the data padd. "No doubt he tried to hide his extra martial affairs, but one can't hide from Starfleet Intelligence." He said.

Paulo looked at the padd that Novitz handed him. What he saw shocked him. Paulo stood up and started heading out of the intelligence offices. "Novitz, lock all that information up, standard procedures. I have something I need to look into," Paulo said, just taking the padd about her father with him. Paulo turned down the hall. "Computer, located 'Commander O'Shea."

["'Commander O'Shea is located in main engineering."] As the computer replied.

Paulo walked into a turboloft. "Main engineering," Paulo ordered. A few minutes later, and some decks traveled Paulo arrived in main engineering. He then found O'Shea, working at her primary station. Paulo walked over and set the padd down in front of her.

Novitz looked over at him and wondered what was going on with Paulo, but said nothing but did as he ordered and began to secure the information he had on hand.

In engineering, Anna wasn't working really. She had just been released from medical and wanted to check on the ship since it was attacked. When Ensign DiMillo walked in, and slid the padd down in front of her she looked at it and then looked at him. "What is this?" She asked, "Where did you get this?" Anna asked, as she looked back down at the padd, holding her side which was still tender.

"Read it, and I am an intelligence officer," Paulo simply replied.

Using a cane, she steadied herself and looked down leaning back against the console as she read it. Once she got so far she paused. "In my office, Ensign." She said, as she limped toward her office with him.

Paulo picked up the padd and followed her in, not saying anything.

Turning to him she read enough. "This accurate?" She asked, "Who is the woman?" She asked as she leaned back against her desk. Trying to take the strain off her leg as much as she could.

"It's accurate," Paulo replied. "SFI likes to keep track of all high promising Engineers, to see who they can draft in for tech, and those that they have to watch just incase. This woman is my mother."

"So why show this to me now..." She trailed off as she looked at how far it went back, nearly her entire life time. She then looked at him and wondered if it could be possible that he was her half brother. "Oh my god..." She said having to turn away.

"You better sit down," Paulo suggested. "I already had my shock," he said trying to make a joke, but not really succeeding. "As far as I can tell this happened just before my mom and 'dad' met and shortly their after married. As far as I can figure, to cover up her shame she gave me her husband's last name to me and he treated me like his own. Your father then went back home and pretended like nothing had happened, and most likely never knowing that I had been conceived that night. This is most likely one reason why my mother didn't like the idea of me going into intelligence. I guess she was afraid that I could find out."

"So you have confirmed it?" Anna asked, turning to look at him. "You've checked it all out and confirmed it?" She asked him as she looked over his face. "You are my half brother?"

"Without a DNA test, yes," he replied. "And your my half sister." Paulo then paused for a few seconds. "Even though I have done it before, I didn't want to steal your DNA to do the test. I felt you should know."

She looked at him and nodded. "Sorry, just a lot to take in." She said as she paused for a moment. Anna then looked back at him. "What kind of DNA do you need?" Anna asked, as she relaxed some from her defensive posture.

"Blood, hair, it doesn't matter. My DNA is already in the computer, just need to load yours up and let the computer run a comparison." Paulo paused a second. He was suddenly hit by the full reality of it. What was he doing all those years then, searching for what he thought was his full biological sister. Not that it would have made a difference, he loved of them so much and missed them every day. How would he break the news to his mother? What would her... his biological father think? Paulo sat down in the chair hard as it all rushed at him at once.

"Mine should be in the computer, I was injured down on the planet.. should be in my file. Just cross reference it with yours." Anna said, seeing that it hit him as well. "You weren't expecting to find a sister, I have to wonder why you were checking me out and my family for that matter."

Paulo looked up at her. "Romulans," Paulo replied. "Sorry, but it's pretty much standard procedure."

"Computer, cross reference DiMillo's and O'Shea's DNA patterns. I am looking for a match of 50% of DNA that would result in heritage."

["Standby]

Anna said nothing as the computer worked. She looked at Paulo and wondered what his life was like, wondered if he even wanted sister in his life. She could only hope that he wondered if he would be like her other brothers, protective and sheltering.

"Complete." Computer replied.

"What is the results for DNA match?" Anna asked.

"Ensign Paulo DiMillo and Lt. Commander Brianna O'Shea have a match in DNA strand. Genetic match at 99.9% in parental birth DNA." The computer replied.

Anna turned her head and looked at Paulo, he was her brother.

Paulo looked up, she was his sister. All these questions started to surface, what was she like, what about her past, what was that like? How would he tell his mother? Would she ever forgive him for looking into her affairs on Romulus?

"Not sure what to say." Anna said, "Maybe to tell you have four brothers." She said then shrugged.

Paulo smiled a little. "I had a brother and sister once," Paulo said, "before today. I guess I do again."

"How do you feel about that?" Anna asked, not sure what to do now. She felt strange, wondered how he wanted it handled. If he wanted it kept secret or if he wanted people to know.

Paulo thought a few seconds. It had been so long since he had any siblings. "I don't know," Paulo replied. "I do know that I want to get to know you and to learn about the part of my past I don't know about. The part that was hidden from me. I do know that you may not like everything about me. I haven't been the perfect or idle officer."

Anna nodded. "No doubt you've heard that I'm a fanatic about how engineering operates. Some say I expect to much from those working under me. I need you to know I'm a fair person, and just because of my professional life doesn't mean I'm that way in my personal life."

Paulo smiled. He really had nothing to say at this point. "How about we meet for dinner or something and we can trade stories. You can tell me some about my father and brothers and yourself and I will tell you about my past."

"Sounds good... tonight in tenforward?" Anna asked, as she unfolded her arms and offered a smile in return.

Paulo smiled back, "1900? I need to talk with Cora about moving me off the investigation and then I have to update whoever takes my spot, and I need to talk with my mom."

"Yeah... I'm free." Anna said. "I'll bring some pictures. Might want to see them." She said then moved over to him and extended her hand to shake his hand. She wondered if it seemed to cold toward him, part of it she wasn't sure how he wanted her to be.

Paulo stood up and took her hand and shook it. He was nervous as all get out, more then he was back at his Senior Ball.

"Well.. until tonight." Anna said, as she give a nod to him.

Paulo nodded and turned and started heading out before stopping and turning back. he walked back to her and gave her a hug.

Taken back a little, she then put her arms around him and returned the hug. "Sorry for what my dad did." She whispered to him, then hugged him once more before letting him go.

"There is plenty of time to be sorry," Paulo started, "but for now lets just learn about each other."

She nodded in agreement. "To the future." He said, then smiled looked at him. "everyone else will just have to look out for us... with your skills, my mouth.. hell raisers for sure." She said then grinned.

Paulo let out a laugh, a real laugh. "Let the galaxy be warned," he said with a smile.

"I'll see you tonight." Anna said, she said then smiled before picking up his padd to hand back to him.

Paulo took the padd, "till tonight." He then turned and walked out of her office.

Anna smiled and then turned to sit down at her desk. Mind wasn't on working, but on the realization she had another brother. She decided to keep it quiet until she knew how Paulo wanted to handle it, not wanting to make his life any harder then it had to be right now.

"Welcome to Hell"

8-ball Hunter

When she stepped into the room, 8-ball realized she had walked into a den of beasts.

There were tons of them, too many for the eye to count. Little ones scurrying around the ground, screeching sounds that would take the antennas off an Andorian. Bigger ones, running around and creating havoc and mayhem in their wakes. It was a room of demons, a cavern of little, two legged monsters, all with fingerpaint stains or peanut butter and jelly smears on their cheeks.

The only adult presently noticable in 8-ball's newfound Hell walked up to her. "You must be T'Pol," the woman said.

"8-ball," 8-ball said, her eyes still a little too wide and staring at the creatures that were running around. How did this woman WORK here? Could she possibly be a saint? Gandhi reincarnated? The only person in the world who could stand around these children and not lose their sanity?

The woman frowned. She was somewhere in her mid thirties, with mousy brown hair and the fussy look of someone who reads Jane Austen for fun. "Well, that won't do," she said. "I don't think 8-ball is a suitable name for children to address an elder with."

"Well, T'Pol ain't suitable for anybody," 8-ball said flatly and slowly moved her eyes away from the crawling minions of Satan. She looked at the fussy looking woman. "Look, I don't associate with that name,okay?. If 8-ball won't work, you can have the monst. . .ah, the kids. . .call me Ensign Hunter. All right?"

Just as the frowning woman started to nod, one of the monsters ran up to the her. She had messy, long blonde hair and was crying her little blue eyes out. "Mrs. Edelstein!" she wailed. "Tommy's making fun of me again!"

"Well, what did Tommy say?" Mrs. Edelstein asked, kneeling over and speaking in that so-called sincere, condescending tone that adults reserved for most children. 8-ball literally cringed.

"He. . .he. . .told me I was a baby because I had an accident!" And 8-ball noticed the little creature's pants were not entirely dry in a very conspicious place.

"Well, I will talk to Tommy," Mrs. Edelstein said. "And I want you to meet a very new, special friend for our class." And to 8-ball's horror, Mrs. Edelstein turned to her. "This is Ensign Hunter, Molly. She's going to be spending some time with us, and she'll take care of your accident."

The little blonde thing looked up at 8-ball. 8-ball tried not to back away and stared at Mrs. Edelstein, who winked in a very un-Jane Austen manner. Perhaps she wasn't Gandhi after all.

"Welcome to Kindergarten," Mrs. Edelstein said and left 8-ball standing alone with the little blonde child.

"Forced Revelations"

Ensign Paulo DiMillo,
Intelligence Officer, USS Galaxy

Paulo's Mother, Earth (written partly by Trey)

Paulo sat in his quarters. He had just finished with Cora and she had agreed that it would be a conflict of interest if he continued on the investigation. She handed over to one of the newer people in the intelligence office. He had already sent a message back home and was waiting for his mother to reply.

["Ensign DiMillo, you have a message coming in from earth."]

'Finally,' Paulo thought. "Route it to my quarters please." A few seconds later Paulo's mom's face appeared. She looked up from what she was doing. ["Paulo!" She said excitedly. "It has been so long since your last letter, I was starting to wonder if everything was okay. Is your return to Starfleet treating you okay?"]

"Yes mother," Paulo replied as he sat down at his desk. "Everything is going fine. Cora has had to beat down a few people, but other then that everything is fine." He looked at his mother who looked worried. "Mom, it was a joke, she really hasn't. I have just had a problem with one of the members of the intelligence team, but we are slowly starting to be able to tolerate each other. The other members have already come to terms that they are going to have to deal with me and shut up."

["Well that is good," she replied. "So, what is the special occasion for your calling? It's no ones birthday, no one has died, and those usually the only times you ever call."]

Paulo decided to be straight forward. "Mom, who is my biological father?"

On the screen a worried look came across her face. ["What are you talking about? You know who he is, it's your father, my husband, the person who raised you."]

"Mom, no he isn't, and you know it. There isn't a trace of his DNA in my system. I look nothing like him."

["I don't know what you are talking about Paulo." Paulo then held up a picture of William O'Shea. He could see the color leave her face. "Ho..... how...."]

"How did I find out? I was doing an investigation on the Galaxy's chief engineer and I was looking into her past, her family, everything. My biological father is William O'Shea of the O'Shea clan, and one hell-of-a engineer at that," Paulo said. "He has one daughter who happens to be the chief engineer of the Galaxy. I ran a DNA check and found out that she is my half-sister making her father my biological father."

Paulo's mom didn't say anything, she just sat there for a few seconds.

["I didn't want you to find out like this. I hoped, always hoped that your father was your father. I don't know what say, want to be there and explain it in person, but I can't. What we had was.... was something special. He needed something and I needed something. It all started cause I wanted to make your father jealous.. so I went out on a date with William. He made me feel alive, I'd not felt that way in a while. You know how your dad is, emotions isn't his strong point."]

Paulo sat back taking in what she just said. "It didn't even occur to you to run some simple tests?" Paulo asked. "I grew up thinking he was my father when he wasn't."

["Would it have changed anything? He loves you as if he is your father, Paulo. I don't know if he knows or not. I know he loves you as if you were his. William isn't your father, just a man who was in my life briefly." she said then paused. "If you knew the truth, what would have become of it? It would only cause hurt for everyone. William already had kids, and a wife. You were and are loved, Paulo."]

"I know mom, but its the fact that you left this pivotal information out of my life and let me live a lie. Yes, he loved me as any father would love their own children, but I still would have liked to know. I have a sister and brothers I never knew about. Yes, they can never fill the gape that Imari and Chris left, but it would have made it a little easier." Paulo paused a second. There was so much emotion involved, and he hadn't shown this kind of emotion for year.

["I made the only decision I knew to make... your ashamed of me now aren't you?"]

"Your my mother, I could never be ashamed of you."

["I'm sorry for the lies. After a few years I honestly began to believe that your father was the man that got me pregnant." The Paulo's mother replied then paused. "You said you have a sister, how... what is she like?"]

"Well, we really haven't talked yet," Paulo replied. "She was busy and I am working on an investigation that led me to this."

["I see the excitement in your eyes though, my son."] She said then smiled.

Paulo smiled back. "She could never replace the twins, but maybe it could help."

["You said there was brothers, how many?"]

"A total of four of them."

["Oh my goodness." she replied. "Well do what you want, son. Your father and I will always love you, and will back you up whatever you do. You know that."]

Paulo smiled. "I know, though I need to do this."

["Very well.. I'll sit your father down tonight and tell him the truth. Hope and pray this woman is what you need to help you, my son."]

Paulo smiled. "Me to mom."

["Keep in contact with me, Paulo. You are the best thing I've ever done."] She told him, then touched the screen.

Paulo nodded as the screen went black and returned to the Federation logo. Paulo leaned back in his chair feeling a little better for getting that off his chest. Paulo looked over at the clock on his wall and decided it was about time to head to ten forward.

“Just a little bit more”

Location: Trill, Leran Manev View Hospital.

Chandrakala Lakshmi Eshe (Dhanishta’s twin sister)

Kala awoke with a start. Crawling out from under the covers of her makeshift bed she darted across the room to her sisters’ bedside. Her eyes quickly scanned the multitude of monitors that were attached to her sisters’ frail form.

She breathed a sigh of relief as each one seemed to be working with out fault. Slowly she crossed the room and looked down at her bed. Well it wasn’t really a bed, just an old mattress strewn on the floor. She had been sleeping there and living in the hospital for three months. She turned back to look at her sister. She couldn’t cry anymore for her. There was just nothing left inside. It pained her so much to see a part of her lying motionless, without consciousness, without life. But Dhani had one thing left, love. And hope. Albeit Kala’s love and hope. Every day she prayed that her sister would wake and return to her old self. And every day Dhani died just a little bit more.

The doctors had given her a month, and she had surpassed that. But only with the help of machines; she was fed by them, her heart beat regulated by them, her lungs pumped full of air by them. In essence there was nothing that worked in Dhanis body anymore, even her brain was beginning to fail.

Kala crawled back onto the mattress, the space where she had been was still warm. Lying down she stared up at the ceiling until sleep overtook her.

A bright flash of light erupted through the window. The floor vibrated beneath her. Kala sat bolt up right. The ceiling above her rattled, in fact everything rattled with such force that Kala lost her balance. Scrabbling to her feet she opened the door to the hall and too a look. The nurses on duty doing their rounds grabbed hold of the wall as another tremor took hold.

Kala sprinted to the window and watched as the early dawns sky erupted in smoke and flames.

“Mia!” Kala shouted, “Come look at this.”

Mia entered the room, she grabbed hold of the door frame and waited out the following tremor,

“What is it?” she replied, half shouting above the noise of items crashing to the floor.

“I really don’t know.” Kala replied as she watched the smoke cloud rise and take over the sky, blotting out the sun.

Mia finally joined her at the window, she was panting hard. Her jaw dropped as she stared out of the window.

“That’s Leran Manev over there.” She said, “The capital. What the hell….?” she broke off as the monitors behind her beeped loudly. Turning she watched in horror as the lights on every machine that kept Dhanishta alive blinked out.

“Oh no!” she cried running to the door she opened it and looked out. Whirling back to face Kala, she turned a worrying shade of white, “The powers gone out!” she said.

Kala’s eyes widened with terror. She looked at her sister and then at the oxygen machine. It had stopped. Hotfooting it to her sisters’ bedside she ripped out the connecting tube to the machine and began to blow down it, straight into Dhanis lungs. Straddling her body she began heart compressions,

“Isn’t there a back up power generator?” she shouted out to Mia.

Mia stood horrified, “I d, don’t know.” She stammered.

“Well go find out.” Kala shouted as she leaned over Dhani, taking a deep breath she continued mouth to mouth.

It felt like years before Mia came back. Kala was beginning to tire, beads of sweat rolled across her forehead.

Mia rolled in, she was panting heavily her stout matronly figure unable to handle the callisthenics, “Kala,” she puffed, “the backup generator isn’t working.” She rested against the door frame.

“Kala, the entire hospital has lost power.” she said her voice full of anguish, “I don’t know what we are going to do.” she confessed, her eyes begging.

Kala was beginning to feel light headed. Motioning Mia to her she sat back up and continued with the heart massage.

“Take over here and I will take a look at the generator.” she said.

As Kala de-straddled herself from Dhani she wondered for a moment how the fat middle aged woman was going to mount her sister to continue her life saving heart massage.

If the mood had been les sombre Kala might have laughed as Mia scrabbled up onto the bed and began compressions. As it was there was no humour to the situation. Begrudgingly Kala left her sister in Mias’ care praying that the woman wouldn’t falter, and proceeded down the pitch-black corridor to the main waiting area.

“Hey Bernzie.” She called out as she entered, “I need a flash light and clearance to the basement.”

“Wh…? Who’s that.” The old man replied in a gruff voice.

“Bernzie, it’s me Kala Eshe.” She replied.

“Oh. Sorry I can’t make out a thing in this darkness.” He told her.

She could hear him as he searched under the main desk for a light of any description. She liked this little man. He had worked in the hospital for nigh on fifty years and made it his solemn duty to tell everyone who entered just that. He though himself to be a bit of a security guard, truth be told he wasn’t anything. He had been there so long no one had the heart to get rid of him. He manned the main desk and occasionally did perimeter sweeps, he also bossed the janitors around to make himself feel pompous. No one really minded much. He was a sweet old man with no family. And besides Leran Manev View Hospital wouldn’t be the same without him.

A light flashed on and danced around the waiting room. As it was early morning there was no one except Bernzie in the waiting room which made things a little easier. At least they didn’t have visitors to worry about, falling over in the dark and such.

“I’ll come with you.” He said coming out from behind the desk, “We only have the one flash light.” He told her, “Oh! Do you think we should leave a note just in-case anyone comes?” he asked.

Kala wasn’t always sure how to take Bernzie, he was either loosing his marbles or had one very strange sense of humour.

He waddled over to her and nudged her with his elbow, “This way Missy.”

Kala followed him down the hall and let herself chuckle at the old man for a minuet. She hadn’t laughed or chuckled in a long time, it felt nice. But as soon as the memory of Dhani entered her head she felt guilty. She sped up to catch up with the old man. She needed to sort this out quickly, without the power Dhani and so many others could die.

The enormity of her task suddenly hit her. Aw crap!

She tried desperately to hurry the little man along without actually saying ‘what the hell are you doing? If we don’t get there *today* we are gonna have a hell of a lot of dead people in here. Move your arse *now*!!!’

~Oh no!~ Kala gasped, ~what about the operating theatres?~

~Okay~ she told herself ~calm down, don’t panic. None of the operations take place before 8am, and it’s like 6am or something. Everything is fine, just fine.~

Following Bernzie down into the basement Kala took the light from him and fixed it to the ceiling above the generator, right time to work.

After about ten minutes Kala was about ready to dismantle the dammed thing and sell it for scrap mettle. Several of the main lines were fused.

“When was the last time someone took a look at this thing?” Kala shouted to Bernzie.

“I’m not sure Miss Eshe.” He replied.

“How many times have I told you to call me Kala?” she said as she removed a panel covering the main circuitry.

“I’m not sure Miss Eshe.” He replied.

Kala scratched her head and sighed. Opening the tool box she cringed at what tools she had to work with. Looking back up at the circuit board she groaned, “Okay,” she muttered, “improvisation…. Yeah I can do that.”

Another ten minutes passed and Kala finally lost her temper, crabbing the nearest thing she whacked the generator several times, “Work you piece of shit!”

“Awww Crap!” she cursed as she heard something fall to the floor and crack.

“Everything alright Miss Eshe?” Bernzie called out.

“Yeah.” Kala replied with a note of dismay, “I need to remember that this isn’t any part of the T’Kengra.”

“Say what now?” Bernzie asked his white eyebrows raised.

Kala reached up and took down the torch, “The ship I used to work on.” She explained, “It responded well to violence…. And this doesn’t.”

Another five minutes passed in relative silence as Kala poked and prodded the inner working of the hospitals only backup generator.

Bernzie began to twiddle his thumbs in the dark. He jumped as Kala exclaimed loudly;

“A-Ha.”

“That’s it!” she exclaimed. Crawling out she closed down the panel, screwing it into place.

Bernzie looked over at her. “Is it fixed?”

“Yup.” She replied.

“But there’s no light on in here.” He exclaimed.

“Is there ever?” Kala questioned. Gee she had been here three months and knew that there wasn’t a light in the basement; that probably explained why no-one ad ever looked at it.

Kala handed Bernzie the torch, “Here you go, I’ll go on ahead, want to make sure Dhani is okay.” She bolted up the stairs and down the hall. As she passed the staff room an arm grabbed her.

“What!” Kala asked as she recognised the nurse who was manhandling her.

Marina did say a word, just pointed to the visual display and gaped.

“Shock”

Location: Trill, Leran Manev View Hospital.

Chandrakala Lakshmi Eshe (Dhanishta’s twin sister)

A Federation news broadcast was being transmitted on the view screen.

Kala and the rest of the hospital staff watched with their hearts in their mouths as the scene unfolded.

The cameras were focused upon an enormous black cloud that was rolling through the crystal blue sky, nearly as high as the mountain in the distant background. What once appeared to have been buildings now looked to be nothing more than flaming heaps of rubble. Bodies lay scattered in the thick ash that covered streets like freshly fallen snow, partially covered by brick and stone. In the distance could be seen a woman clutching the lifeless form of what may have been her brother, father or son. As the camera panned the landscape, rescue workers could be seen dragging burning bodies from several buildings. The reporter, who's voice had only moments ago broken into sobs, now had regained his composure, and began to speak once more. "Again....if you are just joining us... tragedy is unfolding. We have unconfirmed reports that a starship has crashed into the planet Trill. What you are seeing now is the capital city of Leran Manev, home to vast libraries, museums and some of the most beautiful architecture on the planet. Now, devastation is as far as the eye can see. Entire city blocks have been laid to waste. Flames are spreading. There are countless injuries as many are still trapped beneath collapsed structures. Casualties are being estimated in the thousands. No word yet from the Symbiote Commission or President Durghan. We're going to go live to Kal Sigg who is actually at the scene..Kal..." The screen switched to a scratchy and grainy video of a man holding a microphone, covered in dust and soot. He looked over his shoulder and cupped his ear. "Can you hear me? Can you hear me? My ears are still ringing. I can still feel the impact of the ship hitting the planet. The debris is making it hard to breath...Jesus, I have never seen such hell. There are people crying for help...sirens..." A sudden explosion to the reporter's left toppled a wall. The camera could just make out Kal throwing his hands up in the air before the image went black.

Kala stared numbly at the screen as did the rest of the night staff. Slowly they all turned to face each other. Each face as white as the next.

Bernzie strode in behind them, “What are you all standing round for?” he questioned, “Powers back on, you should be checking up on your patients.”

Maria started crying her whole body shook.

“What did I say?” Bernzie asked bewildered.

Kala just couldn’t believe it. She ran out past Bernzie and down the hall to the main entrance. It seemed like several others had the same idea. They collected on the lawn outside the hospital and stared into the cloud that covered the city. They were only fifteen miles away from Leran Manev, and they could see the devastation as the early morning light increased.

Kala shook her head, how could this happen? In silence she and the other nurses walked back into the hospital and gathered in the foyer.

“What are we going to do?” Heilie asked rubbing her hands down her apron.

“I have to go!” Maria said, “My children are there, my husband, I have to find them. The children were on a school trip to the museum…” she broke down in tears again and Sara wrapped an arm around her.

Kala slopped off and returned to her sisters’ bedside. The machines were working and it appeared that no damage had been done. Kala just couldn’t believe how selfish she could be. Her sisters’ life was all she had been concerned about, and in the last few hours so many of her people were dead, and still all she cared about was her sister. She stroked Dhanis hair.

Another thought entered her head, dad!

“Oh my god!” she exclaimed out loud, “Dad’s in the city!”

Grabbing her clothes Kala dressed quickly, “Dhani,” she started as she hunted around for a pair of shoes, “I have to go and find him. Please don’t think less of me. You’ll be okay here the nurses will look after you. I love you, hold on.” She bent down and kissed her sisters forehead and left the room.

As she walked back into the main lobby she was shocked as she saw the entire team of the hospital in near fit status. The shouting pierced her ear drums, that and the whaling. So many people were screaming at each other,

“I have to find my children.”

“What are we going to do?”

They were the only two questions that Kala made out above all the noise. Next to her the hospitals Assistant Director stood. His face was ashen and he looked somewhat harassed. He tried franticly to calm everyone but his word fell on deaf ears. He turned to Kala his expression pleading.

“What’s going on?” Kala asked pulling him aside and away from the din.

“Everyone’s leaving for the city.” he told her.

“But they can’t.” Kala protested, “There are patients here.”

“I know, but they won’t listen to me.” He replied. He was a young man only in his late twenties. He had been promoted recently, and only covered the evenings when the Director wasn’t around.

Kala moved forward to leave the hospital when Si grabbed her arm,

“Please, Kala, do something!” he begged.

Kala felt torn, she had to find her father. As she scanned the room again she realised that that was exactly what everyone wanted to do; find their loved ones and make sure they were alright. But they had a job to do, they couldn’t just abandon their posts….

Kala broke free of Si’s grip and pushed her way through the masses of hospital staff to the main desk. Grabbing the microphone from the tannoy she stood up on the chair and then onto the desk. By the door she could see Bernzie as he tried in vain to keep everyone from leaving, at least he understood duty, she thought.

“Hey, everyone listen up.” She began. But the noise level increased.

“OI, SHUT UP!” her voice boomed through the mic. Slowly the staff turned to face her, “Have you lost your senses?” Kala questioned, “I want you all to take a look at each other and tell me what you see.”

There were several mumbles from the crowd.

“Uniforms.” Kala told them her eyes widening, “Each one of you is wearing a uniform. And that means something. Each one of you took on a role, a duty and an oath; to help people. There are hundreds of patients in this hospital that need you. You can’t just up and abandon them!”

“But what about our families, our children? They are out there and they need us.” Maria said, her face tear struck. Moving to the front of the crowd she looked up at Kala, “My babies out there. I *have* to find them.” She broke down again.

“Who are you to tell us what to do?” doctor Stile shouted up at her. “You’re not a doctor, you don’t even work here….” He turned to a colleague, “We don’t have to listen to her. She holds no authority over us, she’s not even joined.” The others began nodding along.

“I am Lieutenant Commander Eshe of the united Federation of Planets. I may not work here and I may not be your elder. But I know what it means to ware a uniform, to take an oath and to make a promise. And no sir I am not a doctor, but *you* are.” She stared down at him her eyes aflame, “Are you all that selfish that you would rather leave than help your fellow man?”

“My children!” Maria exclaimed.

Kala turned to her and screamed “We all have families out their. There is not one person in this room who doesn’t care about them and wants desperately to find them and make sure their okay. But the fact of the matter is there are thousands of injured people out there. And if you all don’t stop your petty selfish whining they are all gonna die, cause the doctors and nurses were too stupid to realise that they were the only ones who could save them!”

The room fell deftly silent.

Si took a step forwards and cleared his throat, “What do we do, Commander?” he asked.

Kala could swing for him. He was the director in this hospital, not her. She stepped down off the table and walked up to him. Switching off the mic she leaned into him and whispered in his ear,

“You are going to do your job and tell your staff what to do.”

He shook his head franticly, his bottom lip wavered for a moment and Kala could swear that he was about to cry.

Sighing she faced the rest of the room.

“Bernzie, get hold of a communications device and lock in on the emergence services wave band. Tell them that we are ready for disaster victims. Erm, we need someone to call up all the hospital staff and get them here pronto.”

“I’ll do that.” Si mumbled from behind her.

“Okay great.” Kala replied, “Doctors you have ten minutes to prepare your emergency rooms for patients.” She stared at them all. “Erm, now!” she said gesturing for them to hurry.

For a second or two they all looked at each other and then back at Kala. Nodding in unison they left.

Kala turned to the nurses, “I need you all to separate all the critical patients and move them to a single ward.”

“None of them know what’s happened.” Tria, one of the male nurses said.

“I’ll sort that don’t worry. We will need every available bed. So go find them. Prep your medical supplies and we will need a box of surgical gloves out here.”

Grabbing the tannoy she changed its setting to broadcast throughout the entire hospital.

“Will every patient who is able-bodied please report to the main lobby immediately. This is not a joke. I repeat will EVERY patient who is able-bodied report to the main lobby immediately.” She turned back and smiled slightly at Tria.

“That’s one way to clear a hospital!” he replied a slight grin on his face.

Kala smiled slightly. “We will need a team on the door.” She said.

“What for?” asked Tria.

“To control the amount of injured coming in.” she replied.

Tria looked confused. As did the rest of the staff.

Kala’s face fell slightly, “You are all professionals,” she began, “you know that sometimes patients die. There are going to be a lot of injured people. Some of them are going to be too far gone to save. And we, you,” she paused and swallowed hard, sometimes she wished she had her sisters capabilities to switch off her emotions, “You need to save your resources.” she concluded.

The rest of the nurses gave each other worried looks. Almost as if none of them understood.

“I would do it my self.” Kala said, “But I’m not qualified.”

Tria nodded, “I’ll do it.” He said saving the rest of them from this gruesome task.

“You sure?” Kala asked.

“Yeah.” He replied shrugging his shoulders, “Why not?”

Kala nodded, “Very well. You know the drill.” She had spent many evenings with the young blond haired nurse. Even though he was five years younger than her he was also older than her by like a hundred years.

“Hosts first.” He replied. He knew her opinion on the Trill relationship with the symboints; she couldn’t care less about them. He watched her face for her response.

“Hosts first.” she agreed.

He smiled at her and nodded. She may not understand her own people’s relationship and culture but at least she respected them. And he now respected her. Kitting himself up he nodded at her and took his position.

Maria turned to leave with the rest of the nurses, passing Kala she mouthed, “I’m sorry.”

Kala nodded.

“Stepping up, at last”

Location: Trill, Leran Manev View Hospital.

Chandrakala Lakshmi Eshe (Dhanishta’s twin sister)

As the nurses left the patients rolled in. All dressed in gowns and carrying their meds. Kala sighed and turned to find Si, but he had gone. Looking back at the patients she swallowed hard. And mentally prepared herself to tell them what had happened.

“My name is Chandrakala Eshe.” she began sitting down on the desk. Kala felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned round to see Si, “What is it?” she questioned.

Si leaned forward and lowered his head to whisper in her ear, “I can’t get hold of anyone.” He told her, “Most of the staff lived in Leran Manev.”

Kalas eyes widened at the news she turned to face him fully, “What about the Director?” she asked him.

“Him too.” Si replied sombrely.

Kala searched his face. She could feel his fear. It was immense, the fear of failing and humiliation consumed him. Why would anyone chose such an insecure man for this job? There was no doubt that he was a brilliant doctor but as the head of the hospital, he was useless.

Si puffed air out of his mouth, it rippled through his mousy brown hair, “And they told me nothing ever happened on the night shift.” He shot her a half smile.

Kala took on a serious look, “You need to take charge of these people. Everyone here looks up to you.” That was a slight fabrication of the truth but never-mind.

“No they don’t.” he replied frowning, “They all know that I’m useless, and so do you.” His face showed slight sings of pain, not physical but emotional. He stood up and brushed down his jacket.

“Look,” Kala said grabbing his arm, “you were chosen for this job for a reason.”

He averted his eyes from her. “I lied.” He confessed, “I don’t have a clue how to do this job, I just can’t do it. I should have never gone for it. I don’t have a clue how to deal with a situation like this. I’m sorry!”

Kala stared at him as he walked off. She turned back to the patients and took a deep breath,

“Early this morning a starship crashed into the capital………”

**

At the back of the room Tria cornered Si,

“That woman is doing your job.” He told him in a stern voice.

“Yes.” Si replied, “I know. And I know what you think of me. But she is used to handling situations for this, she a commander in Starfleet for crying out loud. How can I compete with that?”

Tria shook his head, he hated people on a pity dive. He wasn’t good at the pep talks, never had been. He took Si’s arm,

“She isn’t a commander. She’s an Ensign.” He told him. He was lying, but then so had Kala when she told them that she was a Lieutenant Commander! So seeing as she had promoted herself, he guessed she wouldn’t mind if he demoted her a little!

Si stared at Tria.

Tria smiled and walked away, “Just something to think about huh!” he said.

Si looked back at Kala and watched her as she explained to the patients what had happened. She showed them clips from the report that they had all watched just moments ago. He observed her compassion and her resolve. How could this woman be just an ensign? Folding his arms a tear rolled down his cheek.

**

“I understand that what I have told you and you have just seen is distressing. But I need to know how many of you have medical experience.” Kala said, “We are expecting relief, but until help arrives, and with them more medical staff, we need all the hands we can get. We also need to keep tabs on who enters the hospital so I need people to volunteer to keep a record. I’ll load an uplink to the Symbosis commissions records, to help facilitate the identification process.” She waited for people to volunteer, and smiled at their unison,

“I must warn you that what is about to come through that door is going to be the most horrifying sight you will ever see. According to the limited reports we have we can expect crush damage, burns, and serious trauma. There will be a lot of people badly injured, some will already be dead. There *will* be women and children.” Kala watched the expressions change as she told them what to expect. She wasn’t going to lie to them, she wasn’t going to tie a pretty pink bow around this disaster and pretend that everything would be alright. And they all needed to know what to expect.

“Everyone who is still up for helping after Miss Eshe’s graphic explanation, follow me.” Si said.

Kala looked up as the rest of the rooms occupants turned to the sound of the voice. Alright! She smiled, he’s taking charge!

“Those of you who don’t feel up to this please don’t feel bad about it. There are other things that you can help with. You will also have use of the staff room. Everyone here has undergone some sort of surgery, do not strain yourselves. If you need a break take one and if you feel unwell please do not hesitate to tell a doctor.” Si said in a serious tone.

It was less than five minutes later when the doors opened and the living dead rolled in. And it was Si who greeted them. Kala watched as he barked orders at his staff. As he looked over the multitude of gurneys he caught her eyes, one look conveyed more than words ever could.

Kala smiled and looked down at the next patient, “What’s your name little one?” she asked the small child.

“Lea Maiile.” The child replied her eyes wide with terror.

“Its okay sweetheart,” Kala told her, “Everything’s gonna be alright.”

“From inside the Coma, Part 1 of 2”

Location Trill, Leran Manev View Hospital.

Room 8 Intensive Care Ward

Lieutenant (Jg) Dhanishta Eshe

The wind rustled the leaves in the trees, as she sat in a stream of dwindling sun light. The floor boards creaked as she rocked back and forth in her chair; a ginger cat sat purring in her lap. Her long dark hair glistened as the dappled light caught it.

Hearing footsteps on the old oak stairs she looked up, her eyes peering out from under the brim of her frayed wicker hat. Her dark eyes followed the man as he sat on the top step, and leaned against the railings of the porch.

Their greeting was a silent one, a recognition that went unspoken. She watched his gaze turn from her, and out towards the open plains and the fields.

The breeze caught a laughter and sent it to them with the warmth of the sun.

As he heard the sound, his face took on a saddened expression. His eyes fell from the fields and focused on the dirt ground before him,

“Do you remember how you got here?” he asked toeing an embedded stone with his shoe.

“Does anyone?” she replied stroking the soft fur on the top of the cats head.

“Suppose not.” he said picking up the stone and tossing it down the dirt gravel path.

She studied him for all but a moment. She could feel the uneasiness her answer gave him. But there was more to it than that, there always was.

“It is really important to you.” she stated rather than questioned.

He turned to face her, “Isn’t it to you?” he asked.

She smiled warmly at him. He didn’t understand yet. It was going to be difficult for him to. But they had time, just enough time.

“It doesn’t matter when your gone.” she explained, “All that you were and did, and were going to do; all that leaves, and its okay. You just have to learn to let go.” She leaned forward and touched his arm to reassure him.

He frowned, “But you’re not gone.” he pulled away and stood up, “You’re still here and you have things to finish.” he almost shouted at her.

She shook her head and let out a sigh. As the light faded and the night took over, the chill crept in. Pulling her shawl tighter around her body she stared out across the darkening fields.

As a silence grew between them he took out a carton of cigarettes from the inside pocket of his leather jacket. He tapped it against the carton several times before placing it between his lips, and stuffing the packet back in his pocket. Leaning against the railings by the bottom step he took out a lighter, rolling down the flint the flame sparked into existence, taking on a life of its own as the wind blew. Placing the tip of the cigarette into the flame he drew in a breath, and watched as it began to glow cherry red.

“Come.” he said the smoke curling out of his nostrils, “Show me how you got here.” He held out his hand for her to take.

The ginger cat stretched out a paw and yawned. Opening one sleepy eye he looked up at the woman who’s warm lap had become his bed for an afternoon nap. She tickled his chin and stroked his head.

“Will it help you understand?” she asked.

Dropping his hand he looked back at her, “Yes.” he replied with conviction in his voice. “I don’t even know how I got here, and I want to find my way home too.” he added.

She rose slowly shifting the cat into the place she had been. Readjusting her shawl she made her way across the porch and lit a petroleum lamp that hung from the roof. The flame burned unbridled until she lowered its wick, lessening its ferocity. Placing the glass casing around it she turned to face him,

“You still have a long way to travel.” she told him as the light danced across her face.

“I know.” He replied in a slightly annoyed tone.

Gathering her skirts she hitched them up and descended the stairs,

“I don’t think you do.” she said as she passed him leading the way out into the night.

He frowned and took another drag on his cigarette before flicking the butt to the ground. He followed in her wake; the silence between them was filled by the sounds of the insects and animals in the hedgerows and the tall grasses.

As they walked the vegetation decreased until all that surrounded them was sand. The air grew nippy and the winds strengthened, making his long coat flap around his ankles as he walked. The sand became finer and harder to walk on, and he could swear that more sand was in his boots than on the ground around him.

The sky was a beautiful shade of blue with just a hint of purple flowing through like a snake across the clouds. At the far most edge the sun still picked out the highlights as it crept out of view to brighten someone else’ day.

The moon looked pale in comparison to the stars; it was waiting for the stage hogger to leave before it gave its solo performance. But the stars themselves were already dancing. She could remember a time when she was with them, was one of them. It was more of a familiarity, a knowing, than a memory. The feeling that she was there with them; she was everywhere. And the comfort that brought. She turned and looked back at him. Somehow she had to explain all that to him, there was time enough for that. But there wasn’t the time for him to understand it, there would never be enough time for that. He would have so many questions and yet not know which one to ask first; and she knew the first would be the last.

The ginger cat followed like a little puppy dog, pausing occasionally to sniff the sand and try to scent-mark it with his chin; as if he hadn’t learned from the first pile of collapsed sand.

“We are here.” She told him plainly.

He looked out upon the huge crater she had led him to, “This it?” he asked with a slightly disgusted look on his face.

“What were you expecting?” she asked as she sat down on the chilling sand.

“I don’t know,” he replied dejectedly picking up a stone, “Just more than a huge crater in the desert.” he said lobbing the stone into it.

“Look closer.” she told him.

He squinted as the sand swirled before him, rising and falling into place to create an image. He recognised the place, Engineering, on the Galaxy……

~~

The normal etiquette of battle went out of the window; this fight was for blood, for life.

Dhani moved to punch him. Anticipating her attack he blocked with his left fore-arm, and jabbed her in her ribs with his right. But she did not go down, it barely winded her, and still they circled.

It was a strange sensation, that only one thought consumed Suder's thoughts; end this. He wouldn't usually use such a move so soon in a fight, but he did not want this to last long. He began to jump from side to side increasing the flow of blood to his muscles. And then he stopped, slapping his heel down on the floor, sending tremors through the decking, he took two steps forward, raised his foot to hit her between her face and her neck.

But this wasn't the first time Dhani had fought Suder. She knew his moves.

Catching his foot she used it as leverage. Jumping up she kicked him in the head with both feet as she spun in the air over his raised leg.

Suder staggered backwards, he had clearly not expected that. Shaking his head, he regained his composure, as she landed gracefully on the floor.

Quickly Suder dropped to the deck and thrust his leg out, sweeping it across the floor.

Dhani didn't have time to jump, as his legs caught behind her knees she went down, smashing her head on the side of a consol. The broken skin on her forehead began to ooze small droplets of blood, standing up she shook it off, and turned to face Suder once more.

~~

As the two of them sat on the ridge watching the battle he turned and looked at her. Her face remained neutral as she watched the fight below, it was hard to fathom that the woman next to him and the crazed one below were one in the same person. He turned his attention back to the fight.

~~

Once again she felt her self pulled from the battle. Watching herself on what looked like a huge oval view screen. Beneath her feet the sand pored into her shoes, she could see main engineering, with its shattered consoles and broken wall panels. Smoke poured from broken vents and blood smeared the decking. She scanned the faces of her fellow officers, all transfixed and motionless, their expressions of shock and horror. She followed their gaze and saw herself and Suder locked in combat on the upper level. They tumbled against the railings, and then over the railings.

Turning away Dhani followed the sand path to the dunes. Crawling into a hiding place she began to brick it up. She could still see herself scratching Suder in mid-air, but bit by bit the image became smaller as Dhani bricked up the entrance to her hovel

As the last brick slotted into place Dhani's broken body hit the floor, her eyes wide open, staring up at the ceiling.

Suder landed on yet another consol his eye lids flittered for a moment before closing.

~~

He frowned and stood up, “Can we rewind this?” he asked.

The woman turned to him, “It’s not just my mind.” she replied.

He walked forward and then paused, he turned back hoping to catch a glimpse of the house, but all that surrounded them was a sea of sand. With a slight heaviness in his chest he turned back and continued down the ridge and into the image before him.

“Right there.” He said pointing,

~~

As she stood staring at what she had just done she felt herself rising. Looking down with a bird's eye view perspective she watched as they went for each other again.

~~

“That’s when you, she…” he frowned not sure what verb to use, “That’s when you came here.” He said. As his mind processed what he had seen and heard himself say he turned to her, “You were already here?” he asked.

The woman rose and nodded, a small smile danced on her lips; he was beginning to understand. Carefully walking, half sliding down the sand, she joined him and stood beside him in the frozen image.

He stood for a moment, thinking. She was already there….. but that still didn’t explain *how* she got there. And why it was this place…

“I still don’t understand.” He concluded. He felt quite pathetic, not being able to comprehend this place. Things weren’t where they should be. And he couldn’t quite remember everything. It was almost as if his memory had been covered in tracing paper, they were still there but difficult to see.

“I know.” She replied simply. For a moment she looked down at the broken body at her feet, the staring eyes sent a chill through her. But that was all. There was no feeling towards the image, no regret or sorrow or pain.

He, on the other hand, could not dismiss the images before him. He knelt down next to the man who lay across the broken consol. The broken skin and lacerations, the bruising and the swelling; he could still feel it. It was haunting to feel something so powerful and yet at the same time feel so totally disconnected from it. He reached out to touch the face before him. The sound of her voice made him jump slightly.

“Are you coming?” she questioned.

His fingers hovered above the bruised face, almost touching. Pulling away he stood and walked towards the door. He glanced up at her as she stood hallowed in the light from the hall. Stepping out he took one last glace as the doors closed, sealing that image forever.

“So where are we going to now?” he questioned as he quickened his pace to catch up with hers.

“I’m not exactly sure.” she replied, “I guess wherever the halls take us.”

“You guess?” he said biting on his anger. Guessing is not good enough he wanted to shout. But it seemed there was no point. The halls were just like those back on the ship, red carpet down the centre, grey walls, the lighting strip that ran across the top of the walls…. Only one word to describe it; dull!

Their walk continued in silence, as neither one of them could find any small talk to use… they couldn’t talk about their previous day or things in their life as neither one could remember such events ever taking place. It was disorienting to say the least.

He stared at his feet the whole way down the corridor, as if mesmerised by them. As the red carpet changed to mettle floor he frowned and looked up,

“Erm, didn’t we just leave this place.” He asked looking around at the familiar wall displays and consoles. He could hear the ever familiar sound of the warp core pulsing, see the blue hue it emanated on to its surrounding surfaces.

“Yes.” she stated simply. She was not bothered by her surroundings, or with the lack of memory. She had been here too long for it to bother her any more, and she couldn’t even remember a time when it did. She noticed his confusion and watched it with curiosity and milled annoyance.

As there was nothing to see here she continued to the office, it made sense to her to just follow her nose until it took her to a place of interest. But that conception was lost on her companion it seemed. He was confused, and apparently the empty room caught his interest as he stood and stared at everything.

She waited by the door patiently; he had a lot to deal with and to try to understand, so she could forgive his dawdling. Finally he joined her and together they walked into the office.

Standing in the doorway he cringed as the scene played out before him.

~~

He closed his eyes as his hand reached up to meet hers. Her skin was so soft. Feeling that was more relaxing than anything.

Chang grabbed her and pulled her on to his lap, kissing her passionately, “Yeah.” he said coming up for air. He took the computer and put it on the floor. Then he swept his had across the table brushing everything on to the floor, and lay Dhani on it.

Their lips touching. He could feel himself floating in ecstasy as he embraced her. With one arm wrapped around her he lifted her up and on to the desk. Pulling away he looked deep into her eyes. Those eyes he had memorised, every curve of her face, every wrinkle on her nose, every ridge on her forehead, the way her golden hair flowed around her face, all of her. He stroked her face, such smooth skin.

There for one moment he had her. It was beautiful. Overwhelming. Amazing.

Slowly he undid her trousers and slid them off her legs. Moving his hands up to her inner thigh he began to tease her…

Rolling from the desk they crashed to the floor locked in a passionate embrace. They moved with each other, like they had never done anything but that. His hands squeezed her rib cage as she moved above him.

As they lay, their breathing heavily, Chang absently stroked Dhanis hair as Dhani ran her fingers across his chest; their exhausted bodies intertwined with each others.

A smile wider than any Cheshire cat crossed Ethan’s face.

Chang rolled over and leaned in to kiss Dhani once more. He stopped, the shock in his face was mirrored in hers.

She could feel her skin chilling. A knot formed in her stomach and her mouth dried out,

“Ethan?” she questioned her voice coming out as a whisper.

The blood drained from Ethan’s face, “Dhani?” he croaked out. He looked around his office searching for Kay.

~~

The sensation of guilt washed over him as he watched. This image affected him more than the other. He felt as if he had betrayed Kay, even though she never knew his feelings for her. Still, he had saved himself for her. And now he was tainted. It was a dirt that covered his skin, and no matter how much he washed he just couldn’t get it off. It ran into his veins and coursed through his blood. He turned away and left the room.

She followed him out. Neither one of them spoke for some time.

Slowly the image began to disintegrate, the walls and consoles dappled as the grains of sand parted. Swirling all around them in a cloud of sand and dust they finally settled.

As the winds died down he took a handful of sand and poured it into the other,

“I’m sorry.” He mumbled.

Raising an eyebrow she looked over to him, “For what?” she asked trailing a small stick across the sand for the cat to pounce on.

“I didn’t know.” He gestured towards the image that had just collapsed around them.

“You were dreaming of her.” She said, “And she was dreaming of him.”

He looked up at her, wondering how she knew what he was talking about.

“Lost love.” She said plainly.

“Yeah.” He agreed. He understood a little better, at least he knew why they had been fighting. But it still didn’t explain this place.

“I still don’t know how you got here.” He said. It felt like the fog was beginning to lift. He began to realise who he was and his part in all this, but there was still a piece of the puzzle missing.

“You came here during the fight.” He began, “But I remember we found you in your mind…. You were a little girl, but we did find you… in a garden…. Someone said that you had hidden there before….” He trailed off the memory too distant to completely recall.

“You still don’t understand.” She said quietly, “And I can’t piece it all together for you. I am not the woman you knew. The woman you have been watching.”

“Then who are you?” he questioned frowning.

“I am but a shadow of her. One of many” She said as the cat caught his claw in her shawl.

“I don’t get it.” He said feeling frustrated.

“I can only show you what there is to be seen. Time is of the essence.” Although her words implied urgency she showed no sign that it was, her voice remained on an even keel as she spoke, slightly detached and preoccupied.

“Dam you!” he shouted standing up. “This doesn’t make any sense. If time is urgent then show me how you got here.” He screamed at her.

She didn’t bat an eyelid. Casually she looked over at him, “I already have.” She said.

“No you haven’t. I still don’t understand.” His hands formed fists at his side.

“Then you are not asking the right questions.”

He began to pace. The anger bubbling inside him, “What am I supposed to do?” he asked.

She remained silent.

Suddenly as if lightening struck he turned to her, “Why here?” he said, “How did you know of the house? This was my place, not yours.”

She stood up slowly and looked him straight in the eyes.

He frowned “Well?” he half screamed.

Her face remained neutral.

“From inside the Coma, Part 2 of 2”

Location Trill, Leran Manev View Hospital.

Room 8 Intensive Care Ward

Lieutenant (Jg) Dhanishta Eshe

He found himself sitting on the top step of the porch looking up at her as she rocked back and forth in the chair.

The sun rose over the sandy hills behind the house, in the distance he could see a cloud of sand forming on the brow.

“What’s that?” he questioned, all the anger from before leaving his body as he stared at the formation.

She looked over her shoulder,

“That is time.” She said turning back to him. “My time.”

He felt his stomach lurch. “That means your going?” he asked. He already knew the answer. And now things were finally dawning on him, she was dying.

She smiled at him, “It’s okay.” She said. “I’m not afraid.”

“But, but you can’t. I need to know how to fix this. You have so much still to do, you can’t go yet Dhani, please.”

Standing up she picked up the ginger cant and stroked his head. Walking over to Suder she placed him in his lap.

“They miss him.” She told Suder.

“What?” he asked confused. Taking the cat from her he stood up.

“It’s time for you to go inside now. To be with them.” She said.

“Dhani I don’t…” as he heard the laughter form inside the house he stopped. He had heard that laughter so many times in his dreams, no matter if he was awake or asleep. And that face… he missed her. His chest tightened as he thought of Kay.

“She’s waiting.” Dhanishta said smiling.

Walking to the door he turned, “Will I ever see you again?” he asked as his hand resting on the wooden door.

Leaning forward she kissed his cheek, “You must hurry.” She whispered in his ear.

He didn’t want to leave her, they had so much left to say. He had so many questions still. But the laughter brought him closer to the door. He pushed it open and stepped inside.

Opening his eyes Suder found himself staring into the bottom of his glass. He rubbed his eyes and blinked several times. How much had he had to drink?

Scanning the room he took a few moments to re-orientate himself with his surrounding. He began to remember. He had been drinking since it happened.

~~

Giving the appearance of a general visit, Daren made his way to the Chief Engineer, nodding to those who saluted him as he and the counselor strolled onwards.

"Commander Suder, you've been a difficult man to locate." The Betazoid hesitated momentarily to acknowledge the presence of the Captain and Counselor, whom he registered with a blank stare, as if seeing through her. Dark rings had formed around the sockets.

"I've been busy. Lt. O'Shea has been running my teams ragged, rewriting my system diagnostics, and virtually rebuilding my department. I don't have any spare time for chatting about anything, Captain. Once I've gotten her fiddlings cleaned out of the system, I'll have more time to discuss whatever it is you need." He depressed a series of buttons, at which the warp core thrummed. A diagram shimmered into existence on the panel display, and then fell apart. Suder's fist clenched.

"I want that woman out of my Engineering, Captain. She's a menace to the systems! I'm at my wit's edge. Disrespecting my authority, re-assigning my crews... ordering ME to perform mundane tasks like changing out the dilithium crystals?? Who does she think she is?"

Ammanalyn raised an eyebrow as she examined the large engineer standing only just in front of her. He wasn't as tall as many, but he was solidly built, his dark brown Betazoid eyes tired and angry, displaying his gruffness. But she felt for him; she understood engineers on an odd level, she'd worked with more than a few over the years and discovered the dedicated were very possessive of their engine rooms and often considered the ship "theirs" before they considered it the Captain's or otherwise. She knew very little about the situation, but it was obvious Suder felt an intrusion on his turf. His body language displayed that remarkably well. Sadly, the captain -- who Ammanalyn had become quite convinced had his own unique set of adjustment issues -- took Suder's tired indignation in a different light.

"Commander!" M'Kantu had had enough. Suder's attitude was disgraceful. "She is *your* commanding officer during the warp trials. Do you have a problem with my assertion of that very fact?"

"Yes, sir, I do." The man's face seethed. M'Kantu had never seen such emotion come from the Betazoid. "I know these systems inside and out. She comes swaggering in here, barking orders, criticizing my methods, calling me a slacker-"

"I ne'er said no such thing, Commander." The three of them turned about at the sound of Brianna O'Shea's Irish lilt. She appeared somewhat haggard, a twin to Suder's look. She brushed back a lock of fiery red hair. "I said yer systems are heavily outdated, and falling behind on upgrades. Thar's a stockpile of parts due fer integration in minor systems gathering dust in systems storage." She crossed her arms, signifying a stand of defiance.

"Yer crews are disorganized, ineffectual fro' scant leadership, untrained on new procedures, and completely unawar' o' the latest bio-neural gelpa' specifications. The systems were redesigned by the SCE to take advantage o' the new systems. It's naw me fault fer your inadequacy in training yerself on them."

"See what I mean, Captain? Miss all high and mighty thinks she's all that and then some. I won't put up her attitude any longer."

"Fine. You are relieved, Commander." Suder's jaw dropped at the announcement from M'Kantu.

"Your attitude has been simmering for some time now, Commander. Lieutenant O'Shea is only performing the duties ordered her by Starfleet Command and the Federation. She has the most current and up-to-date training and credentials with the new systems. Her arrival only brought your issues to the surface. There have been numerous reports of lack of cohesion in Engineering, disappearances, temper flares, and failure to meet deadlines. You are free to pursue legal avenues with the liaison offices on board, but until then, I am left with no reproach but to relieve you of your command and reduce your rank to Lieutenant for the time being."

Suder's blood pounded in his ears. What the hell? This was hardly enough to relieve him. What did this Captain have against him? His mind arrayed itself with a plethora of insults and arguments against the illogic of the whole thing. For the first time, he recognized the sciences blue woman who had accompanied the Captain here. With a pet of all things!

"Take Suder off duty rotation for the next several days, Ms. O'Shea." The dark captain's voice was hollow in his ears. "I would suggest you take the opportunity to schedule an appointment with Counsellor Llywhyn here. It would only serve your best interests if you did."

~~

He downed the drink in his hands and topped it back up again. After leaving the Galaxy he had boarded a freighter to Earth. He was going to reassess things there. Take a vacation or something. He almost chuckled as he remembered the vacation he was going to take; the one to Qo’noS.

He rubbed the stubble on his chin and thought for a moment. Mind sharing with Dhani, he wasn’t sure if it had been a dream or …. Something else.

Taking another sip of his drink he stood up and wandered over to the window. He remembered what Kala had said before he left, that it was his fault; he was killing Dhani.

Sure she had been upset but it still hurt, and part of him believed it. But if he was, how could he stop?

He remembered Dhanis first day…

~~

“We also have a new Engineer joining us today. Ensign Dhanishta Eshe.” He introduced once again looking up to see if she was there. As he looked around quickly, his gazed finally centred on the half Trill, half Betazoid female stood on the other side of the console. He then glanced down at the data padd, a little lost for words.

At the mention of her name Dhani stepped forward to the front of the crowd, she looked up to see who her new boss was, if she had been a cartoon character her jaw would have been on the floor and her eyes bouncing out of her scull on little springs, you’ve GOT to be kidding, she thought.

“She will start today on Alpha shift and then as of tomorrow will be on Delta shift. The usual routine, show her the ropes people.” He said as he looked at her. “I assume you’ve looked at the ships schematics and procedures?” he asked.

Dhanishta just stared into space her mind returning to the moment in the Lounge when she looked at him; those feelings came flooding back to her, and the sudden feeling of nausea. She covered her mouth with her hand and leaned slightly on the console in front of her for balance.

Ethan watched as Dhanishta leaned against the console. “All right everyone, let’s get to work.” He said enthusiastically. He walked around the console over to Dhanishta who was continuing to stand still. “Ensign?” he called out.

Dhanishta fought off the urge to throw up, slowly but surely engineering remerged around her.

Suder gave her a few seconds to get over whatever it was that was going through her head. It felt odd that he be introducing new Engineers and welcoming them onboard, but it still felt out of place. Sure he’d welcomed others onboard, but he wasn’t use to doing it, he was use to his former boss being the one to welcome them onboard, right before throwing a data padd around in her office. He almost chuckled at the memory and then returned his attention to the present. “Ensign, my office.” He said as he strolled towards “his” office. Strange, after all this time, all these years, it still felt odd for it to be “his” office. As he made his way to the Chief’s office, Suder thought back to the tournament where he had faced the same woman who had just been assigned to the Galaxy. Small world he thought.

~~

It suddenly dawned on him that there was something wrong… he hadn’t noticed it before but looking back…

Dhani had seemed vague from that moment, but when he had first met her at the tournament she had seemed confident and complete...

And then it hit… the bar!

~~

"Hey." He said quietly. "You did a good job yesterday. From what I hear, I owe you my thanks for being thrown into another console." He paused. "And for saving my life too." He added with a sigh. Not often that he thanked anyone, was kind of hard for him. He gave her a nod of appreciation. As he was about to leave, something caught his eye several meters away. The woman he had seen yesterday at the match in the crowd. She had blonde hair flowing down passed her shoulders. He could just about see her face. His eyes were wide open as his attention fell upon this one woman ahead of him. Ethan felt the barriers around his heart and soul collapse.

As she looked into his eyes she was overwhelmed. A black hole of pain and sorrow that flowed like a river; ran hand in hand, with a love that felt just as deep, yet raged like a tornado. A conscience torn by duty, and a need of the heart. A soul tormented by regret. She felt isolation and the loneliness which followed desertion.

~~

That was it, the connection. And she had told him that, in a beat about the bush kinda way.

‘She’s waiting’, Dhanis voice echoed through his mind. She must have been talking about Kay….. she could feel everything that he felt about her from that one lapse he had made. How stupid of him! To let his boundaries down.

‘You must hurry’

All of this had been about him. From the very beginning. How stupid he had been not to realise! Not to know, not to be able to sense it to feel it.

He knew now what he had to do.

He still had time!

“Killing Dhani”

Location: Leran Manev View Hospital.

Room 8 Intensive care ward

(This is set some time after the disaster on Trill)

Characters: Dhanishta, Chandrakala, Kerenza and Tanson Eshe.

It was a relativity calm afternoon in the Leran Manev View hospital. Kala sat in the window seat in her sisters’ room, reading a book.

So many awful things had happened there, just weeks before. But somehow, things were getting back to normal. It was a testament to the Trill spirit and courage. Everyone had taken a stand and pulled together. The joined and the un-joined stood side by side in the dirt, in the rubble, in the ashes. They gathered, and joined as one unifying force to save what had been so harshly taken from them.

Kala stared at her reflection in the window for a moment. She saw the markings that ran down her face. Trill spots. She remembered a time when she didn’t care about her people. She had lived and worked with Klingons for so long that she had forgotten what her people were about.

The ship crashed into the capital of her planet, into its heart; but she didn’t feel it. She heard that it held the best art galleries and museums, but she had never seen them. It was the oldest part of the city, but she had never been sight seeing. The Simbosis commission was located there, but she had never even been scanned as a possible Host. The Symboint pools were down the road, but she had never taken the time to dwell with the mud loving slugs.

*Those slugs* had dominated her society for years. *Those slugs* that half the population wanted badly, that Dhani wanted badly….. *Those slugs* had made over half of the population of Trill inferior.

Made *her* inferior.

Yeah… she hadn’t cared about them.

But Dhani had.

Dhani *did*.

But now things were changing. She had seen small miracles in the heart of chaos. Those who claimed to be experienced, those who claimed to be wise, those who claimed to know everything were just as lost as the rest of them when the ship hit and the lights went out.

So many lights went out that day, and the days that followed; creative sparks that never had the time to shine.

Dhani had been one of those sparks. She was intelligent, courageous, beautiful, talented, she was all those things and more, much, much more; she was her sister.

*But* in the aftermath so many more lights sparkled, even through the clouds of dust and debris, wearing their hearts on their sleeves, the old and the young, the scared and the terrified held each other and pulled together. Every distinguishing feature was hidden, covered with a mask of dirt and ash. Each expression the same, hollow filled tear stricken eyes, searching endlessly through a sea of numbness; and it didn’t matter how many lives you had led any more, how many times you had experienced motherhood, that first touchdown, that first royal rollicking in the mess hall, that first fight, or if you were one of the very first and could remember back to a time before warp speed, before the dawn of time itself.

Those things became inferior and *everyone else* became significant.

And Kala finally felt proud to be a Trill.

The world had changed. The political structure had changed. The city itself had changed. Relations between fellow Trill’s had changed.

And Dhani had missed it.

Dhani had been oblivious to the quake that shook the hospital. Oblivious to the deafly silence that encapsulated the hospital staff, as they watched the Federation News Broadcast. Oblivious to the screaming masses of broken Trills that flooded the hospital. Oblivious to the pain and disruption.

Oblivion seemed like a wondrous thing in comparison to this reality.

Kalas eyes returned to the page. But she didn’t read, just stared at the words. She wondered what shapes they would form if she just stared at them, let her vision double, and let the words jump out at her.

Hearing a rapping at the door Kala looked up, glad for the distraction, “Come in.” she said. Placing her book down on the window ledge, with the pages down to mark her place, she stood up and turned towards the door.

Kerenza poked her head around the door and smiled as she saw Kala. She slid in-between the door and pushed it to behind her. She stood and looked at her daughter for a second. She was so glad to see that she was in one piece, physically at least.

She had seen the city on the flight over and couldn’t believe the destruction. It wasn’t like it was on the news; everything was detached, unreal and cold. Even though she knew her family was on Trill, the enormity of what had happened didn’t kick in till she actually saw it with her own two eyes.

“Mom!” Kala exclaimed. Her face lit up as she half skipped across the room.

“Kala!” she replied with open arms. Wrapping her arms tightly around her daughter, feeling Kala in her arms, was a huge relief. The knots in her shoulders finally unwinding.

For a moment, lost in her mothers embrace the whole world fell away. She felt safe here, and she knew that everything would be okay. A tear slipped down her cheek and onto her mothers’ blouse. Pulling away Kala dried her eyes and half chuckled at herself, “I don’t know why!” she said indicating the tears that splashed down her face.

Kerenza smiled and pulled Kala to her again, “It’s okay baby.” she said stroking Kalas hair,

“Its okay.” she repeated, whispering, in Kalas tousled hair, mainly for her own benefit.

As they parted Kerenza pulled out a tissue, ones that mothers always seemed to have in supply up their sleeves, and wiped Kala’s face.

“I came as soon as I could.” She said dabbing Kalas face with the fraying tissue.

Confusion crossed Kalas face. For a moment she had forgotten the awful tragedy that happen just weeks before, “Oh, yeah.” she mumbled.

“Are you alright?” Kerenza asked looking into Kalas eyes and taking hold of her hands to capture her daughters’ attention, and gain the true answer to her question.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I was here the whole time.” Kala replied, “I was worried about dad though. I heard that he was in the city. He sent me a message to let me know he was okay but I haven’t seen him.” She frowned and looked back to the door, “Is he with you?” she asked hopefully.

Kerenza nodded, “Yes, he will be, in a moment.”

As if on que the door opened and Tanson stepped in. He looked somewhat harassed. He paused in the doorway and looked back out into the hall,

“About ten minutes.” He said quietly to whoever was standing outside.

His mousy brown hair was ruffled, almost as if he had just got out of bed. The wrinkles on his face seemed more apparent, really showing his age. And Kala could swear that there was a white stand or two poking through the brown.

She smiled as she saw him, “Dad!” she exclaimed crossing the room to greet him. She threw her arms around him; she had been so worried and helpless to do anything. His message had been reassuring but seeing him, holding him, finally alleviated her anguish.

But as quickly as the tension left her body it returned. She could feel that her father was worried; he even seemed a little scared. She searched his face as she withdrew from the hug.

“What is it?” she asked.

Tanson cast an uncomfortable glance at Dhani and then at Kerenza. Kala followed his gaze and stared first at Dhani and then at her mother, concern knitting her brow.

Kerenza took a deep breath, “Kala…” she looked around the room, “Is there somewhere we can sit?” she asked, creature comforts always a priority at a time like this.

Kala frowned and turned, back towards the window, “Over there.” She gestured vaguely waving her hand towards the window seat.

Kerenzas’ slender figure sauntered across the room, her hips swayed as she walked. Kala had never noticed how her mother was such a sexual creature. Her dark ringlets bobbed as she walked, flicking them over her shoulder she turned back to Kala and patted the seat beside her, motioning her to follow.

“What’s going on?” Kala asked getting a little paranoid. She crossed the room slowly and stood next to her mother.

Tanson raked his hand through his hair and followed the girls across the room. He paused at the end of Dhanis bed and looked down at her. His eyes welled up. He choked back the lump in his throat,

“Kala, we have been speaking with the doctors…” he started leaning against the bed.

“Yeah?” Kala replied slowly. *She* spoke with them every day, so what’s new?

Kerenza took Kala’s hand, “Sit down darling.” She said.

Kala sat down next to her mother; she wasn’t liking the atmosphere one lil bit, “Mom?” she questioned.

Kerenza looked up at Tanson, he had lost the power of speech, or so it seemed.

“Kala, darling. We have been talking to the doctors and we have come to a decision about Dhanis condition.” She said calmly.

Kalas eyes darted between the two of them. She was not liking their tone at all. She felt a pang in her stomach. She could feel her hands chilling and a prickling sensation all over her skin.

“Kala,” Tanson said, turning to her he got straight to the point, “we are going to switch off the ventilator.” His voice shook as he spoke.

Kala frowned, “But she cant breath with out it.” She stated confused.

“We know that.” Kerenza replied squeezing Kala’s hand.

“She will die without it.” Kala said slowly as if she was talking to the thickest people in the world.

Tanson nodded and stared at the floor.

Kala turned to face her mother, “I don’t understand. If you turn off the machine, Dhani will die.” she said again.

“We know honey.” Kerenza said reaching up and stroking a stray strand of Kala’s hair back into place.

Kala stared at her mother, searching her face. She stood up sharply pulling her hand away from her mothers. Their words finally sinking in, “YOU’RE GOING TO KILL HER?” she said in disbelief.

“No, Kala it’s not like that.” Kerenza replied. She was hurt by her daughters’ outburst, but she had expected it so she controlled herself.

“Then what is it like?” Kala half shouted.

“Dhanis’ brain activity ceased a week ago.” Tanson said, trying to justify his decision, “She has already gone.”

“NO!” Kala cried out, “NO she hasn’t. I can still *feel* her!” she said pleading for her sisters’ life. She began to shake, she could feel her butt wobbling beneath her trousers like a plate of jelly.

“I know this is difficult for you baby.” Kerenza said standing up and putting an arm around Kala, “It is for all of us.”

“Difficult? Hell yeah!” Kala said pulling free from her mother. She stared into Kerenzas black eyes, “Your about to murder my sister, your own daughter, your own flesh and blood.” Her mother just stood there, taking it all in her stride it seemed. Her makeup was flawless, not a single tear streak marked her porcelain skin.

For a moment it felt like her mother wasn’t home. Like she didn’t seem too bothered about it. She turned back to her father, “Dad why are you letting her do this?”

Tanson looked up from the floor. Huge black rings surrounded his wrinkled tired eyes, “It’s not just her decision Kala, its mine too.”

“WHY?” Kala shouted.

Tansons blue eyes flashed. Kala didn’t understand that this was hard on them too, it wasn’t as if he didn’t care. His hunched shoulders snapped back into place. He stood up and leaned forward, “I can’t stand to see her like this.” he shouted back tears running down his cheeks, “Do you think this is what she would have wanted?” he shouted pointing back to the bed where his daughter lie,

He took a step forward and held Kala by her shoulders, “She’s gone Kala,” he said looking into her eyes, “Her body has given up and her brain has shut down, its time to let her go.”

“You cant, you just can’t.” Kala protested tears streaming, her whole body began to shake as adrenaline rushed through her. “Dad please listen to me, she is going to make it through. And I’m here to look after her. You don’t have to see her if you don’t want to.”

Kerenza stepped forward “When are you going to let her go Kala?” she looked at her right in the eyes, taking her hands and pulling her from her father she tried to soothe her daughter, “It’s been six months. Are you gonna take care of her for the next six?” she said holding her in her arms and stroking her hair.

“Yes. If I have to.” Kala replied, hoping and praying that her parents were seeing sense.

“What about in a year, or ten years? What then?” Kerenza said her tone even.

“She is going to wake up.” Kala said pulling away and staring into her mothers eyes. Why wouldn’t they believe her?

“Kala, all that is keeping her alive are the machines. There is nothing else left. You have spoken to the doctors…you know this.” Tanson said reaching out and squeezing her shoulder.

“NO. They are wrong.” She batted his hand away, “You can’t do this, I won’t let you. How can you kill your own child?” Kala screamed at them both. She couldn’t understand why were they doing this? She backed away from them as if they were poison itself.

“Dam it Kala she is my little girl.” Tanson shouted his words vibrated with his anger, “Don’t you think this hurts me too? A parent should NEVER out live their child. But we have to let her go now, she has suffered enough.”

“MOM?” Kala shouted. This was like a nightmare, she was sure that she would wake up soon…

“Let her go with love, Kala.” Kerenza said her dark eyes penetrating her.

Kala stared in utter shock at her mother. This truly was a nightmare. The door opened again and a nurse stepped in. Kala watched as the man walked across the room to Dhanis bed side. He didn’t even look up at her.

“What, what are you doing?” Kala shouted at him, “NO!” she screamed as she watched him flick the switch. She lunged towards the nurse but Tanson stepped in and grabbed her.

“Let her go Kala.” He whispered shaking as the tears flowed down his cheeks.

“NO!” Kala screamed out as her father pulled her into a tight embrace. Kala reached out for her sister, just like she had done as a child, screaming out her name,

“Nishta, Nishta!” she struggled in her fathers arms trying desperately to reach out to the nurse, to the bed, anything! She had to turn the machine back on.

“No don’t do this, don’t kill her. Please! She is my sister. She’s my *twin*. She’s my other half. She’s not gone yet.” She screamed out as fits of tears took hold of her.

Tanson manoeuvred her towards the door, pushing her back.

“I’ll die without her.” Kala shouted but the nurse took no notice. She watched in horror as the nurse carefully tilted Dhanis head back and gently pulled out the breathing tube from Dhanis throat; cutting off her oxygen. He displayed no emotion as he stood back and stared, eyes front, into the empty space above Dhanis body.

“Daddy please!” Kala begged her tears dripping onto his shoulder. But he kept on pushing her towards the door. As her sister became a blur through the tears she screamed,

“Dhani! DHANI…”

Two security guards appeared behind her grabbing her arms and pulling her free from her fathers grip. They raised her from the floor, kicking and screaming.

As she felt a hypo push into her neck she concentrated with all her might,

~Dhani hold on, don’t go. If you die, I die. Do you hear me? Find your way back home, find your way back ho….~

The sedatives flowed into her blood stream and the last thing she saw as her body stilled was the door to her sisters’ room closing.

Tanson collapsed in the hallway. Covering his face with his hands he cried harder than he ever had in his life. A nurse rushed to his side, as another two ran down the hall with a stretcher and helped the security guards lift Kala onto it.

"Ochlophobia"

By

Lieutenant Michael Jamson, Operations Officer

Lieutenant JG Tarin Iniara, Operations Chief

USS Galaxy

Darkness ruled the basement, just below the ground. The old structure was filled with old furniture and a large scaly ceiling, resembling a wooden dungeon from medieval times. The yellowish rays of the pale sun could barely penetrate the tiny rotting hatches which separated the cellar from the upper level. At one of the corners, a humanoid creature, aged yet with long curly hair, his stench fitted in well with the local foul odors of passed time.

Torn rugged clothes covered his tired body which nervously and unsuccessfully tried to relax on a creaking chair. "I am a rop IoD...I am a naS IoD" the creature said in Klingon. He raised his head, and presented a badly deformed and impaired face, illuminated by the natural light.

"Computer...stop." Jamson stepped forward from the darkness with a padd in his hands. "Change the Klingon language into Human English and play, audio only". The computer beeped in acceptance and replayed the audio phrase, this time in Terran English. "I am a sick man....I am a wicked man".

Jamson approached the Klingon character, and looked straight into his frozen eyes. "Computer. Add more depth to the voice and play scene 122 from the beginning." The Klingon said the same phrase, inches away from Jamson's probing eyes. Something was missing, but he couldn't tell quite what it was, exactly. This was the trouble with holonovels; you could never reconstruct nor restore one's true imagination from a book. There could have been dozens and hundreds of different versions of the same story.

The computer chimed abruptly, acknowledging someone was outside Holodeck 3, and by doing so, interrupted Jamson's line of thoughts.

"Damn it..." Jamson muttered and looked at the computer console which appeared out of the blue. "Computer. Open doors." The doors opened slowly accompanied by their familiar distinctive sound.

"Hello Michael." Lt. Tarin moved quickly inside. "I was wondering if you had some time to look over the data I'd sent you yesterday."

Jamson frowned. "To be honest, I did pass over the data, but as you surely know Tarin, I've scheduled this Holodeck session over a week ago, and I'm almost out of time...so-"

"Actually, you're already out of time," she stated.

"None the less, you could have contacted my through the comm system instead of coming here," he replied with annoyance.

"Well, this is my scheduled Holodeck time." She grinned and started to glance around with interest. "And besides, when I checked to see where you were, the computer located you here."

"Thanks." Jamson crossed his hands.

"So, what are you doing?" Iniara asked curiously and moved towards the Klingon character.

Jamson sighed. "It's a...personal...project of mine".

"Looks interesting." She touched the Klingon's long hair. "Exploring the Klingon way of the warrior? Social interaction? A mating ritual perhaps?"

Iniara moved around the Klingon figure, examining him closely. "I sincerely hope he's not related to you Mike...look at this face." She snorted, then moved her hand in front of his aging old face and eyes several times, trying to get a reaction.

"Nothing of that sort." Michael grumbled and started punching some keys on the data padd he carried.

"You know...I've never understood why Klingons were so proud of their forehead ridges..." She touched the scarred ridges on the Klingon's brow and moved down to his nose. "I never saw the point of so many ridges. Even my own feel like a bit much sometimes.”

Jamson hoped to stop this intrusion into his privacy, which he protected fanatically by letting Tarin know, gently with the stroke of a button, she was crossing the line.

"Damn! A biter!” Iniara exclaimed, yanking her hand from the holocharacter’s mouth.

"Never make fun of a Klingon's forehead." Jamson smiled with delight.

"You think that's funny, don't you?" she replied, giving Jamson a nasty look. Turning back to the Klingon, she flicked at the tip of his long beard. She then grasped the ragged hair, tugging on it with a good amount of force.

“This is supposed to be a sign of manhood, right?” She tugged on the beard harder, causing the Klingon to shift to the side and finally topple out of the chair. “Hmph.”

Jamson was not amused. "This is not a Cardassian lieutenant..." She was mocking a warrior by pulling his beard, what a disgrace. He wondered how she would react if he would have done the same to a Kai, monk or a simple Bajoran elder. He moved to pick the holographic character up and place it on the chair, but he was unsuccessful, as the Klingon character dropped to the floor again like a sack of Klabnian sour potatoes.

Jamson stared at Iniara. "Happy?"

“Look.” Iniara sighed. “We can either bicker like this all day, or one of us can get something useful done. Now I can either kick you out of my Holodeck time, or I can stay here and observe...well, whatever it is you have planned for this guy.”

She placed her hands on her hips. “Your choice.”

Jamson turned to look at the fallen warrior once again "Well. I guess I don't have a choice, do I?"

Tarin simply shrugged.

"Ever heard of classic novel Crime and Punishment?" Jamson tapped the padd.

"Sounds vaguely familiar," she replied.

The Klingon holocharacter disappeared and so did the setting of the old cellar. Instead, a white spot light illuminated the floor in the pitch black room and onto it stepped out of nowhere, a graybearded man, adorned with old 19th century clothes. "I guess you've skipped 'Classic 200'?, 'Selected Topics in Classical Literature' at the Academy...?" Jamson moved towards the spot light.

Iniara shook her head. "Wasn't part of the Officer Integration Program."

"My Professor was Richard Derosiers, but there were two others, one Vulcan I believe. Chairman was Professor Athans. Imagine...a Vulcan Professor teaching Human literature".

"That's an interesting field for a Vulcan to choose. So what exactly did this class encompass? Modern literature, or..."

"No...we had ancient literature, like the Terran Bible, Qu'ran, works of Homer, the Teachings of Surak, Do'Pra'Sol, K'Ratak's The Dream of Fire, including the legends of Kahless" Michael sighed "Even languages, like pre-Surak Vulcan, which included of course, grammar, vocabulary in comparison to moden Vulcan. I loved that class; I have nothing but good memories from that class".

"I see. It's a shame I missed it then."

"Enough about the Academy. May I present, Fyodor Dostoevsky." Jamson made a gesture.

Iniara looked at the holographic figure. "Dos... Dosto..." After a moment she gave up. "So who is he?"

Jamson smiled. "Back on Earth, he was a 19th century novelist". As Jamson continued to describe the figure standing before them, they found themselves standing at the beautiful streets of the 19th century artistic city of St. Petersburg. "One of the most important writers in Earth's history..."

"If you say so."

"Seriously? You’ve never heard of the 'House of the Dead’?" Jamson asked as he led Tarin through the old buildings and narrow alleys.

Iniara shook her head. "My experiences with Terran culture are rather limited."

"What about 'The Idiot', or 'The Possessed'?" he continued to inquire.

"'The Possessed'? 'Shaidha Liridon, the Possessed'?" Seeing his confusion, she continued. "Sorry, it's an old Betazoid story. Has to do with some long-dead ancestor of mine."

"Anyway." She shrugged. "So tell me about this Dosto...whatever."

"He wrote about the Human soul through Psychological pervasion and by doing so influenced the 20th century novel." The two officers stepped into an old monastery. "The Klingon holocharacter and the dark room you saw earlier were my interpretation of a book written by Dostoevsky. It's called 'Notes from Underground'. It is one of his latest works, followed by some of the books I told you of. The poor man was arrested and sent to exile - later on, he wrote 3 master pieces of prison life.”

"Is it getting cold, or am I imagining things?" Iniara commented as she looked around the room.

"Oh...sorry about that." Jamson raised his personal padd. "Adjusting temperature..."

"Better."

"Come on...I have something special to show you," Jamson pleaded Iniara.

Walking through the streets of the ancient yet remarkable city, Tarin noticed there were no people. It seemed like Michael put a considerable amount of time and effort in his project. Every building and sidewalk were created with tremendous detail. But one thing caught Iniara's eyes, and it was related to the scenery: where were all the local men and women?

"You forgot something, Michael..." she began after a moment.

"What?" Michael halted. What could he possibly forget? He had spent the last couple of months getting enough 'holocredit' or holotime, changing shifts with others so he could work on his beloved interpretation of Dostoevsky's play, and now he forgot something?

"Um...the people?" She stared at him in disbelief.

"Oh...that-insignificant!" Michael stated and swallowed his pride.

"Yeah. Insignificant." Sarcasm crept into her voice. "Let me guess-- you got caught up in designing the city and completely forgot to populate it."

"Not true...I have characters standing by, I just need to finish some of their behavioral pattern sub routines, and..."

Iniara shook her head slowly. "Not buying it."

"Alright...alright! I haven't made any characters yet, I don't have the time!" Michael frowned again.

As both officers argued along the way, they entered an old monastery and the loud bickering was replaced by an echo which eventually gave away their position.

"This is beautiful." Iniara stared at the church mosaic stained glasses. She moved closer, passing through the austere wooden benches and candles. It was certainly much different than what she had grown up with on Betazed. Stepping further into the open room, she noticed a large stone statue looming above them.

"Kahless?" she exclaimed, turning to Jamson.

"I had some problems finding historic Terran religious symbols and emblems...so I've used what I know." Jamson smirked.

"Whatever works, I suppose," she remarked, continuing to stare at the statue.

"I'm not completely sure what you're going for, but my roommate might be able to help. She grew up on Earth, and practices the Roman Catholic religion. You should look her up."

"Roman Catholic Religion? Christianity...exactly what this place needs. I might even add some, ancient religion music, like 'choir' music I believe they call it?"

"Sounds good. Now, about these missing people..."

NRPG OOC: Okay, I know someone's gonna raise a fit for my use of Stalansky, but I thought, "Hey, maybe I can work something between these two old-school Non-Coms, eh?" -- MJ

"...And Your Band of Merry Men, Part I"

MGSgt. Carl Johnson (APC, M. Miller)
Command NCO, Furies Dtc. Close Quarters Combat (CQC) Expert

CMSgt. Carl Stalansky (NPC, M. Miller)
Command NCO, Vanguard Sqdr. Squadron Crew Chief

== Deck 3: Main Shuttlebay Flight Ops, Overlooking the Flight Deck ==

"What's that, Carl, your fifth cuppa Joe today?" a rough voice called from behind the Master Guns as he looked through the transluminum window pane, down at his Marines below. He smiled to himself, instantly recognizing the no-nonsense drawl of Carl Stalansky, the Vanguard's Chief NCO.

Johnson had known the Chief Master Sergeant for more than fifteen years now. They were close friends, always having maintained a friendly rivalry between them, constantly debating the virtues of the 'Corps versus the Starfighters and vica-versa. It was Stalansky that had been there for Johnson when Johnson's wife and daughter were killed.

Turning around to Stalansky, Johnson tried his best to keep a serious face. "No, it's my sixth, Chief. The only reason I can drink this much is because it's Marine brew, not like that pisswater your Spacers make."

Stalansky chuckled, realizing he should have known better. "True, but if it wasn'a for my guys, who'd drive you Jar Heads to work and back, huh? I don't think you want one of the bus drivers flyin' your Pelicans, do ya?"

"Hell, no!" Johnson exclaimed, a wide smile breaking his ruse of seriousness. That was *one* thing they could agree on: any Starfighter pilot was much preferred to some 'Fleeter pilot - or "bus driver" - as they were known by the Marines.

"Beside," the Chief continued, "Your new CO? She was one of Rex's before, anyway."

"Yeah, yeah. I know, Carl," Johnson retorted. "Nothin' like pourin' salt in the wounds, huh?" he smiled again, while taking another swig of his straight-black coffee. Actually, he didn't mind the new CO's service pedigree. Maybe she could help Foehammer teach some of the new drivers a thing or two with the Pelicans. He swore to the Mighty God Above that Lance Corporal Loomis was trying to kill him in that thing.

"Yeah, but the salt tenderizes the meat mighty fine, Master Guns," Stalansky teased back.

"Oh, shove it, Chief," Carl bantered back.

Stalansky laughed again before walking up to the window, next to Johnson. "So, where's the ship's command rep, Carl?" the Chief asked while scanning the flight deck. It was accepted, though not standard, practice for either the Captain or his Exec to be present for the changing of a Marine Unit's CO, as well.

Johnson sighed, then downed the rest of his Joe. "From what I hear, M'Kantu's still in never-ending meetings with Admiral Price and what's left of the government in Lehran Manev. The XO is currently running around like a chicken with his head cut off, trying to coordinate everything between our starships and the ground."

"Ah, I see," Stalansky said while rubbing at the stubble forming under his chin. He could understand the situation, everyone (including the Starfighters) were pulling extra shifts as they coordinated emergency supply drops and protection duties between the Galaxy and the other three Federation starships that had arrived last week: the Challenger, Independence, and Rappahannock.

Stalansky hoped that with the presence of a total of four capitol ships would deter any more crazed lunatics from trying to take advantage of the current situation. While mulling the situation, Stalansky noticed that Johnson had become very quite, all of the sudden.

"My God, Carl, they're just kids," Johnson whispered while staring blankly down at the Marines milling about below. Although he was a hard-ass motherfucker when he had to be, he considered every one of those boys and girls his own children. *Even* Donut.

Stalansky recognized the look on the Master Guns face, and knew that Johnson was reliving the horrors of that damned battle.

Slowly, gingerly, the Chief rested his hand on Johnson's shoulder, squeezing a little bit to show his support. "That, they are Carl. That they are. But, they're also Marines, too. An' you're their daddy, ya know?"

Then, quietly, "You're thinkin' o' Carly, ain't ya?"

Master Guns blinked a couple of times. ~Goddammit! I'm not gonna break down now. Suck it up, Carl!~ Inhaling deeply, he nodded slowly. "Yeah, Chief. I see her in each of their faces, every day."

"I'm sure she'd be so proud of her Daddy now, Carl. Just look at you: Mister 'Master Gunnery Sergeant' of the finest specialists' detachment in the Corps. You do you're job for her, every day, and you'll make us all proud, okay?"

It was times like this that Johnson was glad to have the older man as a friend, as someone who knew exactly what he was going through. The Master Guns opened his mouth to reply, but was cut short by the chirp of his commbadge.

[Valentine to Sergeant Johnson.]

Carl sighed, then slapped at the delta on his chest. "What is it, Staff Sergeant?"

[Gunney, the Colonel's shuttle is on final approach, now. ETA, five minutes.]

Straightening a little, Carl set his coffee mug on the adjacent control panel, then pulled at the hem of his Class-A Dress Blacks before replying. "Very good, Sergeant. Have the unit form up, I'm on my way down."

[Aye, Gunney.] Valentine replied before cutting the transmission.

Turning to Stalansky while donning his black beret, Carl sighed once more. "Time for the 'Dog and Pony' show, Chief. How do I look," he asked jokingly.

"Beautiful, Dear," Stalansky mocked back. "But you bettah get you're black ass down there, unless you wanna be late for the party."

Johnson grunted. "Yeah, that would smooth things over with the new CO, real nice. I'm the only good lookin' one out of that bunch of apes. Without me there, she might think she got assigned the 'Ugly Squad', by mistake," a wide, toothy grin broke Carl's face again.

"She'll think that anyway," Stalansky called after him as Johnson exited. "You and your band of Merry Men."

"Marines are *not* Merry Men, Chief," Johnson shot back over his shoulder as the doors swished behind him. He smiled, glad to keep the score even as always: he always got the last word.

((OOC: I felt the need to dust off an old PCC, so here he is. Back and larger than life - Emmett Bregman, the Galaxy's favorite a**hole :) I'm always open for JPs with either Emmett or Jasmine, so please just speak up if you're interested! - Laurel)) ---

"Chocolate Covered Mushrooms"

by Emmett Bregman (PCC)
Star Reporter, Documentary Director, and all around lovable guy (really)

----

Life is like a box of chocolates. Someone generally takes all the really good candies and leaves behind the ones that not even the hungriest child in the universe would dare touch. Admittedly that is a rather bitter comment, but this has been the month of bitterness for me. Not only did that chump from the Times beat me to one of the biggest stories to hit the presses since Section 31 but he managed to out scoop me. *Me.* Emmett Bregman. God's gift to women, journalism, and the universe in general. Bastard. Sure, I was sent out to the trenches to make a documentary  which is going rather well, thank you, and is being edited now  but journalism is still my bread and butter. If there's a story out here, I'll find it. Except, of course, when the Times out scoops me. I think I've been stuck with the chocolate covered mushroom out of the chocolate box of life.

----

It was bright. It was the color of neon yellow spandex dragged through a Crayola  factory. The tissue paper that was so artfully arranged around it was, thankfully, a subdued black. He didn't think he'd still have color vision had it been any other shade.

What was it, you ask? It was a tie. A particularly horrid colored tie, but a tie all the same. Emmett's lips stretched across his lips in a parody of a smile as he said, "Thank you, Julia. It's verynice."

"You don't like it," Julia pouted as she toyed with her glass. Julia McDermit was one of his latest conquests, er girlfriends. She was one of those self-styled 'weather girls.' She told the people of Trill what their weather would be like for the following week and that was the summation of her job. He was starting to wonder why he had ever asked her out  then again, she was rather easy on the eyes.

"Now, I didn't say that," Emmett corrected as he pushed the colored travesty to the side of the table. A dark spotted waitress walked past their table and he watched her go with open admiration. Now there was an idea. How far down did those spots go? He blinked once and realized that Julia was talking to him, "Huh? Sorry? What?"

"I *said,*" Julia repeated with every indication of being what his second wife termed 'royally pissed,' "That if you can't pay attention to me, I've had enough. Have a nice life, Emmett." The petite blonde threw her napkin down on the table and strode out of the restaurant in a huff.

Bregman sighed as he dropped a few credits on the table. For a moment the world looked bleak, then the waitress walked up to take the bill and everything brightened again. "Excuse me, but I was wondering. Do those spots on the back of your neck go all the way down?" he asked with his patented lady-killer smile.

After a few moments he added thoughtfully, "If you're not sure, I'd be glad to help you check."

***

FNN,
Trill Branch Office
Next Day

"Emmett, my boy! You look wonderful!" boomed Darek Winters, Bureau Chief for the Trill division of FNN. Darek was, to put it kindly, a large man who never spoke in anything less than a shout. One of his favorite sayings was 'why whisper when, damnit, people deserve to know!' Emmett was already regretting having put in an appearance on the planet surface.

"Good to see you, Darek," Emmett replied with as much false cheeriness as he could muster. Which wasn't much, but Darek being Darek didn't notice.

"Yes, yes, it always is," Darek grinned, resting his hands on his ample girth, "Don't tell me why you're here, my boy, I can guess! You have a story to share with me, something to get the blood pumping! Being on the inside like you are generally helps! I can't tell you how many of my reporters envy you, my boy!"

If he called him 'my boy' one more time no jury would convict him of homicide. It was self defense, plain and simple. Emmett suppressed the sigh that was working its way up from his toes as he pulled out the PADD that contained his stories, "I have five stories for you, Darek. Comm lines are tied up on the Galaxy, so I can't get these submitted to the bureau."

"Wonderful! Wonderful!" Darek replied as he accepted the PADD, "Can't tell you how glad I am to see this! Ever since the Times beat us with the background story on the Diis and Cmdr. Thomas" his voice trailed off as he shook his head sadly in what was, for him, a mere whisper.

Emmett winced. Of course Darek had to remind him of that fiasco. *He* had the story written, of course, but Rundell (damn the PR officer anyway) had kept him tied up with being sequestered in the civilian shelter (they had wizened up about him, damnit) or restricting his comm access. Then in sweeps Golden Child Harry White and snatches the story away from him. "I have more information on the Diis and Commander Thomas, plus on the actions of the Galaxy crew. I know White hasn't picked up this information yet."

"Great!" Darek boomed in his usual voice, "Then I'll just go through these and select the stories for tomorrow's news. Chocolate?" he offered Emmett a piece of candy from his ever present candy dish. When Bregman shook his head, Winters continued, "You're much too thin, my boy! Are you sure I can't convince you to have a piece?"

"I'm sure," Emmett replied, sensing his appointment was over, "I'll let you get back to whatever you were doing."

"Thanks, my boy! It's always good to see you! Stop by the next time you're in the neighborhood! And next time, beat the Times with the stories!"

“Devil Went Down To Jhorjah” Part 7

[Backpost]

(Takes place immediately after ‘Part 6’ – two months before ‘Disaster’)

Principal Characters

Lt (JG) Victor Krieghoff

Imperial Attendant K’vala Mahask

Secondary Characters

V’kala (K’vala’s evil twin. No, really.)

****

Jhorjah
Dahnyehl City
V’kala’s Warehouse

Victor stepped back and looked at the blinking lights on the panel in front of him and frowned. They still weren’t sequencing correctly, despite three attempts on his part. Perhaps he really ought to have taken another series of demolitions and bomb disposal classes past the basic orientation course he’d done several years back. Of course that would have required that he know in advance that he’d need to know how to wire a Romulan system interdiction plasma mine left over from the Dominion War to detonate inside a planetary atmosphere in contravention of its programming – not the sort of thing that he would have deemed likely if he’d been asked.

Behind him, one of the Klingon twins stirred and made a soft sound, like a child about to awaken – the same sort of sound that he knew from sharing a room and bed with the Attendant that she always made as she was on the path to wakefulness in the mornings. Victor frowned and looked back, but was too late to see which one of the sisters it had been. He supposed that would have been too easy, in any case.

The sisters were still lying on the table next to each other where he’d left them after he’d stunned them with the holdout phaser clipped inside his belt ten minutes back. He’d thought about doing what he’d threatened and killing them both, had even taken the compressed tetryon beam pistol out to end the issue then and there - but couldn’t. As much as V’kala might deserve to die for supplying the weapons she’d sold to terrorist groups throughout the Federation and beyond, and as much as the Attendant represented a clear and real threat to his life with her plans to kill him when he was no longer useful, he couldn’t kill them both like that – not without knowing which one was the woman he’d accepted as a partner so he could spare her.

K’vala might want him dead, but that was nothing unusual, lots of people wanted that, from his shipmates on up. The galaxy – ship and geographic location both – would be a deserted wasteland if he killed everyone who wanted him dead. If that happened, then he’d be both the monster he was thought to be and alone in a way no one had really been before – neither option was one he cared to contemplate. Even hatred and fear – deserved or not – was better than being alone.

Besides, you didn’t kill your partner. It was just one of the rules.

So he’d put the tetryon beam pistol away and stunned them instead. It had been less painful for them than continuing to knock their heads together and easier for him since he’d not had to divide his attention and watch them while he worked on the mine as well. A sensible precaution and plan, except that it looked like the stun effect was about to wear off and he wasn’t finished with the mine yet. That too, he supposed, would have been too easy.

There was nothing for it, then, but to stop working on the mine and deal with his other problem: somehow, he had to sort out which one of the women were his partner and which her sister so he knew who to kill. Victor turned and moved to where he could watch the two women as they came to, as he tried to think of something that separated the two, something that he could use to tell them apart that wouldn’t give away more than he was willing to about his background. There was always the chance that there was some kind of transmitter or recorder going – he’d have set things up that way, and if he’d do it, then he had to assume V’kala had – and he wasn’t going to take the risk that the information would be transmitted somewhere and survive the warehouse’s destruction.

He thought about the comlink then and started to move closer and look for it when the sister on the left opened her eyes and sat up abruptly, one hand going for the mekleth he’d taken from her when he disarmed the two women after they’d been stunned. “It isn’t there,” he offered evenly, the tetryon beamer back in his hand abruptly.

The Klingon woman blinked, hissed, and reached for a sleeve knife.

“That isn’t there, either,” Victor observed. “Neither are any of the other weapons you had on you. We want our little family reunion to be nice and polite.” He gestured with the pistol. “Just sit right there and wait for your sister to come to, and then we’ll have a little chat, just the three of us – husband, wife, and sister-in-law.” He hoped that if this was K’vala she’d understand and take the hint.

“You don’t need that,” she said with a slow, sultry smile and a nod at the pistol in his hand. “Just tell me what you want and I’ll do it for you – just like always, husband.”

“”Oddly enough, I don’t seem to recall the ‘obey’ part being in there when we exchanged vows,” Victor countered. “I’m sure it was just an oversight on your part, of course, but for right now why don’t you pretend that it was and just sit there and wait for a bit. Then, when this is all over, if you’re my wife you can stick a few knives into me and we’ll call it even. Okay?”

“Okay,” she agreed with a smile that suggested she was torn between the idea of doing just that, and doing something else entirely.

“I,” her sister announced without opening her eyes, “am going to vomit. How can you sit there and talk to this bitch like she was me? Has all the time we’ve been together taught you nothing?” She sat up and glared at him. “You have to know I’m the one you married, not this fat targ-cow here.”

Victor decided that pointing out there was absolutely no distinguishable visual difference between the two sisters would get him nothing but trouble no matter if his choice was ultimately correct or not. “I get to talk to you two any way I want,” he suggested with a smile, “because I have the weapon, neither of you do, and you’re too far away from me to prevent my killing you both if one of you makes a move for me. Nicht so?” Victor suppressed a wince. If he was talking in German he was more tired than he’d thought.

The sisters looked at him for a moment, and then, one after the other, slowly nodded.

“You see?” Victor smiled, noting the fact that both sisters shivered at the expression. That meant his inner self was much too close o the surface for everyone’s safety – he hadn’t meant that particular smile to be terrifying. “Just one big happy family.”

“Only until you kill her,” the right-hand sister answered. “Then it will just be the two of us – like we’re supposed to be.”

“I cannot believe we share the same genetic code,” the other interjected, voice dripping with disdain. “That was so pitiful an attempt to influence my husband that I’m ashamed for you. You cannot really be related to me – you’re a Chameliod, right? You must have replaced my sister on that penal asteroid. How did you hide the body? Did you eat her? If so, the best part of her obviously went down the waste processing chute when you were done.”

“Stoppen Sie das im Augenblick,” Victor interrupted, cutting off a response from the other as they both looked at him blankly. He frowned and concentrated on speaking in Federation Standard. “That will be enough, ladies. Next one that starts slinging verbal jabs will earn herself a trip to the penalty box and a hole in some painful part of her anatomy, verstehen Sie?”

Even with the German inclusion at the end, the Klingon women got the gist of what he meant and nodded their assent.

“Sehr gut.” Victor surrendered. The fight with Hraask had obviously taken more out of him than he’d thought. He just hoped that he managed to keep enough Standard in his speech to let K’vala understand him. “Since you’re both going to answer if I use the name K’vala, you,” he pointed to the sister on the right, “are now ‘Richtig’ – Right,” he amended, “and you,” he pointed to the other, “are Left. Nod if you understand.”

They both nodded.

“Das ist gut. Right, entfernen Sie Ihr…” he paused as she looked at him blankly. “Take off your jacket,” he said slowly.

“Of course, husband,” she murmured. “Is that all you want me to take off?

“Yes,” he nodded. “Für jetzt… for now.”

Right slipped out of the jacket, exposing a somewhat revealing tear in her shirt made during the fight with her sister. “What now, husband?” she asked.

“Throw it there,” Victor pointed at a spot to his side.

The jacket hit the floor exactly where he had pointed.

He picked it up, examined it for the comm that should have been there, found nothing, and dropped it. “Very well. Left, take off your jacket and werfen Sie es dort,” he pointed to his other side.

Left complied silently. Her shirt had no rip, but several of the buttons were missing and it gaped open slightly more than Victor believed actually necessary. Upon examination, her jacket too, had no comm.

Victor spent a few seconds trying to decide what it would be like to live a life where the Divine didn’t hate him with a passion undreamt of by most men.

No comm., no other way to tell… no. There was another way. The kiss the Attendant had given him on their way to the club had felt like the first kiss they’d exchanged back on the Galaxy in that dark corridor had - but the one V’kala had given him in the alleyway, while arousing had lacked the almost literal spark of K’vala’s. He’d been preoccupied then, hadn’t noticed – but now that he thought about it, the difference was plain. He could… he could pray that no one ever knew that this was what he was reduced to in order to tell them apart. Not that they’d believe it, but…

“Stand up when I tell you. You first,” he pointed to Left, “dann Sie,” he pointed to Right. “Tun Sie es jetzt.”

The sisters hesitated, glanced at each other, and then Left slowly slid to the edge of the table and stood up. Her sister followed a moment later when no shooting ensued.

“Schritt auseinander,” Victor spread his hands apart to indicate he wanted them to open the distance between them. “Slowly.”

They sisters complied warily.

Victor waited until they were three meters apart and then halted them with a gesture. “Stand still,” he ordered them both. He drew the Type 1 phaser from his belt and dialed it to the ‘Kill’ range before he approached Right, one weapon covering her and the other her sister. Her eyes widened as he kept walking into her until their lips almost touched. “Küssen Sie mich,” he ordered, then repeated it in Standard, “Kiss me,” when she looked at him blankly.

Right blinked in surprise, hesitated only a second, and then grabbed the back of his neck to pull him forward into a kiss, careful to not touch his arms and force him to start firing.

After a moment he drew back and looked at her expressionlessly. “Stand still. Do nothing,” he ordered as he backed up and moved to her sister.

Left needed no instructions.

A moment later, he withdrew from her and returned to his former position across the room. “Go,” he instructed Right. “I’ll catch up later – at Tcharlee’s.”

Right smiled, ran forward and scooped up her jacket and stopped to give him a lingering kiss before laughing once, mockingly, at her sister and dashing away.

Victor watched her go, turned back to Left and nodded. “Get your weapons, Attendant – they’re on the floor behind you to your right.”

The Attendant stared at him, eyes wide with fury. “You fool! Why didn’t you… You let her… You…” Her entire body literally shook with rage as she stopped speaking, her face almost as dark as Hraask’s had been in the bar earlier in the evening.

“Get your weapons,” Victor repeated. “Wir haben nicht viel Zeit.” He turned away and moved back to the interdiction mine.

There was silence behind him for a minute, and then the Attendant screamed in a release of rage and charged him. Her feet touched the floor once, twice, he started to turn – and then the shock of her body crashing into his threw him into the mine controls hard enough to make him see stars.

He managed to get his hands up, and kept the Attendant from getting a grip on his throat as she ground him back into the controls like a steamroller. His ribs, which had only ached after Hraask slammed them through the wall at Tcharlee’s now screamed in pain as K’vala started to batter him with powerful blows that made up in power what they lacked in control or skill as she screamed inarticulate growls into his ear.

As it had before, on Denobula and in other places, Victor felt the tide of red inside him swell up, forming a wave that would wash the shell of his outer self away and leave nothing but his inner, true self in its wake. Part of him welcomed it, welcomed the chance to be what he truly was again, but the rest fought it, pushed back against the tide in the hope that he could free himself and not let the thing that lived inside him out to kill the attendant. Victor shoved her back once, almost regained his footing, and then lost it again as she drove forward again, still screaming in rage, and crushed him against the controls once more.

This time, her hands found his throat and started to constrict. His breath was cut off and his pulse thundered in his ears as his vision started to go black – and then turned red as the wave he’d fought to keep at bay came ashore and drowned him.

"You're Evil You Know!"

Lt. (jg) Naranda Sol Roswell, Engineer

Ensign Mei Sime, Engineer (NPC)

LOCATION: Main Engineering

Nara walked into Engineering, seeing a few surprised faces, but went straight to Mei who had a look of coldness on her face. Nara had never seen Mei angry, so she now supposed she showed anger by silent treatments.

Nara stood beside her, logged into the console and after a few moments, spoke softly, "Mei?"

Mei purposely turned her head the other way acting as if reading something on the wall. Though the wall was too far away to read anything.

Nara sighed looking up seeing Kastanza stare at her. She grinned mischievously and mouthed, "BOO!" Which caused the sleaze to slightly jump, give her a glare and look back down at his console. Well maybe now he'd leave her alone. She looked back at Mei, "I'm sorry. I'll explain later, but I had to do it or I'd really be dead."

Mei looked up at her and hissed, "You left me alone out there! With Emma!"

Nara winced. Emma was the worst to leave anyone with. The woman had little to no compassion. "I really am sorry. I wouldn't had if I didn't have to. But admit it. You grew having to work alone."

Mei smiled and then frowned looking back down, "It didn't feel good."

"Growing never does feel good."

Mei smiled again, "By the way, congratulations on the promotion and I really am glad you're alive."

Nara smiled, "I'm really glad Emma is on a different shift."

They laughed a moment before getting back to work.

"The Ride Home"

Lieutenant J.G. Naranda Sol Roswell, Engineer

Lieutenant J.G. Saul Bental, Intelligence Officer

Saia (NPC)

LOCATION: Trill

Nara and Saia walked in silence. Well sort of. Saia kept piping in, "Are we there yet?" Nara knew the little girl was really asking can she speak out loud yet. Finally Nara bent down, "Yes! We're here, now, shh!"

Saia pouted, but was silent as Nara scanned with her eyes. Then saw a hovercraft in the distance.

This time, he did not need to hide.

Saul Bental drove a small Anti-Grav hovercraft through the abandoned streets of Laren Manev, his eyes keenly inspecting the terrain in front of him. The vessel maintained a decent distance of half a meter above the street's filth, and the ride was much smoother than the dozens of kilometers he covered with Lieutenant Xil's roofless land vessel.

In the back of the vessel rested a container, the size of a small cabinet.

Saul just picked it up from an Operations officer - Jamson was the name, he thought - and now brought it back to one of the industrial Transporter sites. It contained the remnants of a Neural Jellpack, the one that remained most intact after the crash from those the salvage and rescue parties found, and thus Starfleet Intelligence's best hope of solving the biggest remaining mystery :

How, for the love of Pakled, could a madman single-handedly infiltrate a Starfleet ship, deviate it from its course, and crash it into the planet of Trill unnoticed?

Saul has asked the computer to read to him out loud some of the preliminary reports as he drove. At any rate, now that Thomas was stopped, there would be plenty of time for investigations later. Right now he had something better to do - to pick up a hitchhiker.

Nara smiled seeing Saul and knew it must be good news if was in something not very good at sneaking with.

He stopped the hovercraft on the rendezvous points, and allowed it to land softly on the ground in a satisfied hum. Then, he brought both of his hands next to his mouth, as though trying to amplify his shout.

"Princess! Come out, the limousine is waiting!"

Saia frowned, "Why does he call you that?"

Nara's smile broadened and without looking away from the craft, "I'll tell you later." She stood and ran to the craft looking at Saul. Saia slowly followed.

Nara looked at the cabinet a moment but looked at Saul asking, "You don't seem to be making a big deal of sneaking."

Saul offered her his arm. "Climb up, we're bringing you home. I just got a message from your father through the middleman, and they caught the man who sent the assassin."

Nara took his arm getting in and then helped Saia enter the vehicle as well.

"It was a man named Tekoue. Are you familiar with him?" Said asked, once both Naranda and Saia positioned themselves on both sides of the hovercraft.

"He's an adviser. Why would he? I mean what did he have to gain?"

"You mean he was on your side?" Saul's brow rose, "Well, in that case my best guess would be that he had an interest in continuing the fighting. Perhaps it was profitable for him - like, if he was invested in the weapons manufacturing business. Or perhaps it suited his political agenda. Never trust a politician."

Nara heard Saul and she was greatly confused and hurt, but she sighed shaking her head, "I'll deal with that later. Can I take this thing off now?" She was speaking of the cloak that had become an annoying second skin.

"Sure thing. You're safe now."

Nara smiled and lowered the cloak feeling of her now frizzy, braided hair. She looked at Saia, "This is me."

Saia just tilted her head a bit. "Hi."

Nara laughed, removing the rest of the cloak, leaving it beside her and revealing her similarly brown colored tunic and trousers. She then took the pips and put them back on her collar. She figured she'd be demoted once Brianna got news of this and she'd better enjoy the Lt. Junior Grade pip while she could.

The hovercraft turned left and entered a broad avenue. In the middle of the avenue was a row of trees, most of them naked of leaves or fruit. The cloud of dust that rose from the crash sites was disastrous for the trees and bushes of the city.

"Have you heard who was behind the crash?"

Nara opened her mouth but was interrupted by Saia. Saia leaned forward toward Saul, "It was some crazy guy in Star Fleet!"

Nara looked at Saul, "As says the rumor."

"It gets worse." Saul scowled, "It was a crazy guy who was once the executive officer of the USS Galaxy. He used the Akula as a way to attract the Galaxy, in some sort of twisted revenge."

Nara shook her head, "How'd those people even get command on a ship anyway? A flagship at that!"

"He was probably promoted by the same people who voted Arnold Schwarzenegger for governor."

Nara looked at him, "Who?"

"Never mind...", Saul smirked. "At any rate, from a Trill's outlook, a mad Human crashed a ship into their capital and there's nothing the other Humans or their friends can do to compensate. I do believe the collateral damage - the loss of trust the Trill will have in Starfleet - might be worse than the physical damage."

He glanced at Saia.

"What do you think?"

Saia gave him a look as she wondered what collateral meant. "I trust Nara."

The Intelligence officer smiled broadly. "That's a pretty good choice if you ask me."

He glanced again, this time at Nara. "So what are your plans now that you're back among the living?"

Nara winced at the thought. "I hadn't really thought about it aside from the possible demotion." She felt the pip. She sighed going through the people who she'd need to talk to. "Write a note to my parents. Klaus, Miramon...Mei. I can't imagine how she reacted." She suddenly worried, "Did you happen to see her?"

"The Chinese Ensign, right? Yes, I saw her. Actually she contacted me, wanted to let me know. It seemed that she knows we're... connected. She and half the ship."

Nara looked at him, "Connected?" Nara sighed. "We can discuss what that means later."

"And we probably will..." Saul said grimly as he brushed aside a loose hair that insisted to block his view. That was one conversation with Nara he was NOT looking forward to. As always, he used his prime method for avoiding a tough issue - switching the subject.

"Anyway, as for me, I intend to remain here on Trill until the Galaxy leaves. I have some unfinished personal business, and other than that I see it as my duty to lend a hand with the relief efforts. After all, if Starfleet Intelligence would've done its job properly, Leran Manev would've been spared."

Personal business? He always had personal business. Nara simply nodded. She had kind of hoped he would return with her. Help her explain things to people, but the second reason was enough to keep her quiet. She nodded, "Just don't get stranded here. Believe me, it's not fun."

Saia pouted as tears welled in her eyes, "It used to be fun."

Nara frowned and grabbed Saia holding her as her own eyes blinked sleepily. Something about feeling the breeze outside the cloak, being with Saul and feeling safe, and the hum of the craft made her drowsy. Well, also days on end without much sleep.

"And it will be fun again.", She heard Saul tell Saia. "But I enjoy myself then most up there, so I don't intend to remain behind when the Galaxy takes off."

Nara nodded as she closed her eyes for a moment feeling relaxed since what seemed ages and knowing it would be even more hectic once she returned to the Galaxy. She asked Saia, "Would you mind living on the Galaxy until we can find someone to take care of you here?"

Saia was still weeping, but squeezed Nara's arm, giving an answer. Nara wasn't sure what she could or would do, but she wanted Saia where she knew she would be safe.

The Hovercraft turned once more, and the trio found themselves on the edge of a broad, open plaza, surrounded by beautiful purple-bricked buildings that somehow remained intact despite the crash. In the middle of the plaza towered five Industrial transporters, which constantly beamed people and equipment in and out of the plaza. A devoted mix of Trills and 'aliens' in Starfleet uniforms operated the transported very effectively. It was quite a scene to watch.

"Final stop! All passengers are asked to leave the train. You can beam up to the Galaxy from here." Saul said, smiling wearily.

Nara opened her eyes and looked at Saul and then the transport. She dreaded going back, but sighed getting out and helping Saia. She looked at Saul, "I may need you to help explain things when you come back."

Saul furrowed his forehead. He thought of several cover stories, but decided that it was better to leave it to Nara. If she will tell a story that she invented, it would probably be easier for her to make it sound believable.

"What did you think to tell them about your disappearance?"

Nara looked at him, "The truth. Someone wanted to kill me and you helped me fake my death."

The wrinkle on Saul's forehead grew deeper. "You do realize that it will get us both in trouble. The sentence 'Why didn't you come to us instead' comes in mind... I don't want to ask you to lie, but do think about it and let me know when you decide what to do so that we 'coordinate our versions'."

Nara put a hand on Saia's shoulder signaling her to stay put. After weeks of having to communicate with Saia without words, it was easy to do so now and Saia obeyed.

Nara walked closer to Saul, "What is there to say, Saul? That I just ran off during a crisis!? That won't work either! Besides we have to handle this now. Security is likely going to inform O'Shea the moment my name crosses the transportation list. My butt's gonna be chewed up and spit out as it is. Not to mention I could get demoted before anyone sees this new pip. Or who knows what else. The truth always comes out eventually, and I will not pay those consequences. Nor will I live with the constant fear of being found out."

"I understand." Saul said simply. He took the possibility of Nara telling the truth under consideration, and it was still better than the other possibilities. He also knew Nara good enough not to try and persuade her, since it would probably make her even more stubborn and less easy to compromise on the issue.

Nara stepped back taking a breath from her rant and a thought crossed her mind, "I get in trouble either way." She looked at him realizing something, "But the truth gets you in trouble too." Nara shook her head and shrugged, "I'll say I did it myself. I don't like that idea either, knowing I'll get in trouble for covering for you. Better than a full out lie though." She crossed her arms waiting for his reply.

Saul nodded once again. The bet was successful. As for Nara's ass being chewed... as much as he cared for her (And he inwardly admitted that he did), the princess was a big girl and could take care of herself.

"It's settled then. I'll see you upstairs once the Galaxy will start preparing for departure."

He flashed a smile at Saia, "And until then, I'm definitely going to try the Red Fish restaurant you told me about yesterday."

Nara gave Saul a look promising more words later. Saia wasn't quite sure what to think. She didn't smile back, but wasn't sure where Nara's sudden anger came from.

Nara took Saia's hand and walked down to the transporter forming in her head why she was out of uniform, which she would simply say something happened and she had to change into something, but there were no spare uniforms on the surface. She would also have to explain that Saia was an orphan and she needed to be somewhere safe until some arrangements were made. She was sure that meant some paperwork to be done before they could leave. That was alright.

"Watta Shock"

Nara & Bran

LOCATION: Corridor outside Nara & Bran's quarters

Nara felt weird walking on the ship again. A few people did double takes, but no one really knew her well enough to know about the situation or knew she was even gone.

Branwen was in the living room of her quarters. She hadn't looked for a new roommate yet, in fact she had not even removed Nara's things yet. It had been too painful.

Nara hoped her code for the door hadn't been deleted. She hoped people were too busy on Trill to deal with such menial nothingness. The code worked and the swooshed as she walked in.

Only a minute ago Bran had finally stood up and was making the beginning at putting Nara's stuff together. She would put it in storage and then try to find the next of kin and contact them.

Bran was so concentrated that she did not look up on the door opened.

Nara saw Bran putting some of her stuff in a box. She smiled thinking of the perfect opening line, "Don't forget to put cushioning around that. It's kinda fragile." She held a big smile hoping Bran would be happy and not mad like she'd think some others would be.

The little statue fell to the ground as Bran dropped it. She turned around shaking. "Are you... are you a ghost?" She squeaked.

Nara almost gasped seeing the statue almost fall. It was replicable, but a gift. She frowned seeing a arm break off. She sighed knowing she pretty much deserved it. She was about to play off the ghost part, but decided that would be mean. She'd do it to Kastanza maybe. Yea, that'd be too fun.

Instead she smiled shaking her head, "No. Really me."

"They said... they said you were dead. Nara..." Branwen hurried over to her friend and embraced her. Saying nothing for a little while.

Nara hugged her back, "Well, that's a long story. How are you, though?"

"I am fine. But that is not important, tell me what happened to you."

Branwen could still hardly believe her eyes.

"Someone wanted to kill me. I had planned a fake death."

"You are back!" They hugged again. Nara frowned hating not to mention Saul had anything to do with it to the girl who thought herself as her girlfriend.

Nara walked into her room and came back out holding a comb. She had her hair in a braid for who knows how long. She hadn't touched her hair for as long as she had to keep that stupid cloak on. She unbraided and combed her hair, which would take a while with all the tangles formed.

"Let me help with your hair." Bran said taking the brush.

Nara didn't refuse, but she felt weird about another woman other than her mother comb her hair.

"By the way, how rough has it been for you, the last couple of weeks?" Bran said while brushing as gently as she could.

Nara though over the past weeks, "Not very bad. I snuck into a Med camp and helped out without anyone finding out who I was. Darned cloak was cumbersome though."

"Cloak?"

Nara realized how that sounded. Cloak was a word used more for the technology than the clothing. "I had to wear this hooded cape. I had to make sure no one could see me. I didn't talk either."

"I understand. It is so good to have you back." Branwen was a little bit over the shock now. "Does everybody know you are back yet?"

"Not really. I'm going to go see Dr. Feinberg before my next shift. Security I'm sure will contact my superior."

"What about counseling? You might want to talk with one of the naval shrinks about what happened."

Nara turned to look at her with a look close to smiling, but also confusion, "Why? I've seen war zones before. Maybe nothing as horrible as that, but it's something we deal with. It's life. We help and we feel sad and we move on. If you mean faking my death, there was no psychological consequences. I've had to hide and sneak around before." Nara put a hand on Bran's shoulder smiling, "What happened on Trill wasn't too far from what I've dealt with during the Sakarian Civil War. I'm fine, but thanks for the concern."

"Okay, you know best. But I will be keeping an eye on you." Branwen grinned at her.

Nara nodded, "I know. As you can see, I need to freshen up. My shift starts soon." Nara walked into the sonic shower. She wished for a water one, but didn't have time. After putting on the uniform and placing the single pip, pocketing the other, she stepped back to the mirror arranging her hair. She was exhausted. She hadn't really slept in weeks. She hadn't really eaten in weeks. Just enough of both to function. Now that she was back, she would have to wait even longer for a break.

While her roommate was gone Branwen sat down. She needed a little time to come to terms with this. 99,9 percent of her was so happy to have her friend back.

Nara needed to take care of one last thing before she left.

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

TO: Gary & Allas Roswell

FROM: Naranda Roswell

SUBJECT: I'm Alive

Dear Mom and Dad,

I'm back on the Galaxy. Just wanted to let you know.

Sorry for the short note, but there are people to deal with here. Maybe we can arrange a live communications link sometime later.

Love,

Nara

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

Nara hit send and sat back. Now she needed to go to work. This would be interesting.

"Hey, Look, I'm Not Dead!"

Lt. (jg) Naranda Sol Roswell, Engineering

Lt. Dr. Klaus Fienberg, Chief Medical Officer

LOCATION: Sickbay

Nara lived with Bran so she was the first she dealt with. She had to meet with O'Shea and she worked with Mei. There were two other people she felt she needed to see to be welcomed back and yelled at, in whatever order they chose.

She walked into sickbay and smiled to a nurse, "I'm here to see Dr. Feinberg."

The Nurse nodded. "Just go into his office, I'm sure he's not busy."

Klaus heard that. "Do you mind NOT sending people into my office without informing me! I might be busy with stacks of padds or something."

"You're not busy right now, though, are you?"

"No. Send our visitor in."

Nara stepped inside his office, only far enough for the doors to shut. "Hi."

Klaus was indeed reading a PaDD, his reading glasses on. He looked over them at his visitor, and dropped the PaDD in shock.

"Nara? NARA?" He was filled with an immense sense of joy. "They said you were dead! What the hell happened?!"

Nara held back laughing at the reaction. She had found the perfect practical joke. She had never seen so many people shocked at her appearance. She forced herself to be serious, "I had to fake my death. I was hiding on Trill."

"Wait a moment..." His eyes seemed to flare. "You were WHERE?! *AND YOU DIDN'T TELL ME!?*"

Nara smiled, "Right under your nose." Seeing his anger she cleared her throat and looked at him apologetically, "I couldn't tell anyone. I'm sorry. If it's any consolation, you're the first person I've sought out to let know I'm not dead." She knew it was lame and it would not be consolation. She hoped saying it was any consolation would be consolation.

Klaus was still angry, and her lie was a good one, but transparent. "Common sense and logic tells me that your room mate was the first."

Nara shrugged casually, "Well considering I live with her."

He calmed down. "So there was an attempt on your life? You missed Mr. Savoie having... well, an interesting life experience." He smiled again. "I'm glad to see you're out of that scrape."

Nara looked at him, "Mr. Savoie? Was that who was with you in the Med tent? I saw you talking to some man. Saia kept goin on about symbionts in humans, pretty much freaking out till I got her to calm down. Without speaking, mind you."

"Who? What? You were in the medical tent during a delicate surgical procedure?! And you brought an audience?!!"

Nara stepped closer, "No! Saia got in there somehow. I came looking for her when the place was about to shake down. I took her away before you guys even cut anything."

"Well, Just remember that if you happen to have similar circumstances again, don't tell me. It is definitely a smart idea, even though it can stress friendships."

Nara smiled, "Stress just strengthens friendships."

"You know, eventually your troubles will come to a head, are you are ready?"

Nara frowned as she sat down in the chair on the other side of his desk. She looked down running her fingers along the edge of the desk absentmindedly , "O'Shea's gonna be rough on me, I'm sure."

"Because she cares about her subordinates. She cares about the people she trusts. Just like how I care about those under me. She wouldn't be able to do her job without you to do yours. It's a Symbiotic relationship. So just take your licks and be happy you're not actually dead."

Nara smiled, "Oh I'm glad to be alive." She looked up and her face turned serious and her arms crossed on the desk as she leaned forward, "Speaking of symbiotic relationships. Did you really put a symbiont in a human?"

"Necessity often breeds unorthodox extreme measures. The only way host and symbiont could survive was to be separated. The host was stabilized, but the symbiont needed to be implanted immediately to have any chance. I'm glad that Mr. Savoie saw the need, and I'm sure he's at least learned something from his experience."

"Judging from Saia's reaction, the Trills won't be too happy about it."

"Well. I didn't want to do it either, but when you have a lump of flesh on the table, dying, and you refuse the only treatment that will save it, what kind of doctor does that make you? Hmm?"

Nara smiled, "Unconventional means. No doctor am I. But Saia better not hear you call a beloved symbiont a lump of flesh."

"Heh heh. I'm just glad I can laugh after all of that... I'm not dulled to the sights I saw. I'd seen things similar, but nothing on a scale like that... so much pain and death. All because of the insane imbecile wanting this god forsaken ship. I'm not hardened to the sight of death anymore. I've somehow lost it..."

Nara looked down again solemnly, "I've seen it too. I don't think it's something anyone can be hardened to. On the surface maybe, but deep down they're crying. You have no idea the sickly ironic this felt to me."

"Enough about that though. How are you doing? I've been wondering. I mean in general."

Nara let out a laugh, "Aside from having to go around apologizing for lying, I'm fine. I'm glad to be back here, even if that stupid DIIS messed up stuff we have to clean up now. I think things are getting back to normal. Whatever normal is."

"It feels normal to me. And that's all that matters."

She sighed and smiled at him, "Well, you're obviously busy. I just wanted you to know I was here." She stood, "We'll talk again sometime. Besides I've yet to meet your wife. If we're friends, I would feel better having met her."

"No. If you want to stay and uh...what's the term I once heard someone say, 'Shoot the... Shit' is it? That's fine. This was just a follow up letter from Dr. Julian Bashir."

Nara laughed and sat back down, "Or chew the fat, blow the breeze. There's all kinds of terms for it."

"Yes, of Course."

Nara stayed a few more moments before she headed to Engineering to deal with the bee's nest waiting for her.

"Devil Went Down To Jhorjah" Part 8

[Backpost]

(Takes place immediately after 'Part 7' - two months before 'Disaster')

Principal Characters

Lt (JG) Victor Krieghoff
Imperial Attendant K'vala Mahask

****

Jhorjah
Dahnyehl City
V'kala's Warehouse

Victor blinked.

For a moment - just an instant - the world was no longer red and roaring in his ears, it was sharp, and color, and full of colors and sounds. The Attendant was in mid-air in front of him, her head snapped back as if something had struck her hard enough to knock her back and off her feet, a thin trickle of blood trailing from her lip like a thread that would unravel her if he reached out and pulled at it.

Blink.

He was across the room, a table flying away from him as if he'd thrown it aside casually. Ahead of him, the Attendant was backing away, the thread of blood at her lip now long enough to reach her shirt and start to trace designs on the cinnamon skin exposed by the torn buttons there. Her hands were up in a defensive posture and she appeared to be saying something, though he heard no sounds.

Blink.

The Attendant was closer this time, almost within arm's reach. There was something wrong with her eye now, as if she'd been struck there and it had started to swell, and her lip no longer trailed a thread of blood, but a sting, thicker and longer. She was still trying to say something, but she now held a knife, one of the ceramic blades that he'd taken from her earlier when he had disarmed her and her sister.

Blink.

The view was different this time, out of kilter somehow, as if he saw things sideways. A booted foot filled part of his field of vision, and he saw that someone had marred the finish, scuffed it. There was a hand near it, about to grasp it at the ankle. In the distance he thought he heard the faintest of whispers, like a spider web brushed against silk.

Blink.

He was looking down at the floor, where the Attendant lay in a sprawled heap on her back. She still held the knife - the tip now red with blood - but she seemed stunned, as if she'd fallen from a great height. Her hair was spread out in a black halo on the floor around her head, and the blood from her lip was making a trail down her cheek to fall to the floor. The whisper was louder this time, perhaps as loud as a tiger's footfall in the jungle loam, and there was something about it that made him want to pay attention to it.

Blink.

He'd seen this image before, he knew that, he just didn't recall where: the Attendant was in front of him, a chair held in one hand like a shield, her knife in her other hand. Her shirt was torn now, exposing still more cinnamon skin and almost baring one breast, something he realized wasn't part of the image he remembered. The whisper was louder still now, the Attendant's voice now identifiable as the source. She wanted someone to do something, someone named... 'usband?'

Blink.

The Attendant's face was suddenly close to his, as if she meant to kiss him. Her eyes were dark with anger, but tinted with fear and something he didn't recognize. There was a pain in his side, like a hot pencil of fire had burned into him there, and he was aware suddenly that he had the Attendant's arm and throat in his hands. Now, this close, he heard the whisper clearly for the first time. "Stop it, husband. Stop. Don't make me hurt you again. Come back to me."

Blink.

He'd moved again. He stood a meter away from the Attendant now, head cocked to the side as he looked at her, and he was Victor again. Or still. It didn't matter after all, since he was the monster inside him, and it was he. She no longer held her knife, and her shirt was still torn, but she was standing still, eyes on him intently. Behind him, somewhere, several things were beeping in concert.

"You've torn your shirt," Victor observed quietly. She would never have let it remain that way if she'd noticed it - he knew she didn't like for others to see her in that way, she'd always made him turn the lights out before he came to bed. "You should get your jacket and cover up.

The words, incongruous as they were, seemed to pull all the tension from her and she relaxed. "You are...?"

"Who I've always been," Victor answered, only now realizing that there was something the matter with his voice, a rasping, bubbly quality that shouldn't be there. He frowned, took a breath, and felt the pencil of fire in his side again. "What I've always been, as long as you've known me... wife."

She sighed in what sounded like either irritation or relief - Victor couldn't tell which - and took a step forward, one hand raised. "Don't move; I'll need to find a medical kit."

"Medical kit?" He looked down and saw not a flaming pencil but the hilt of her knife pressed against his left side, the blade still lodged inside him. "Ah." He pressed his left hand to his chest. "I never liked that lung much, anyway."

"I said not to move," she snapped. "Your joke is not funny!"

"It wasn't a joke," Victor replied quietly. "I lost the original in the War - this was a cloned-tissue replacement. It worked, but I was always aware of it, like I knew it was there but not really a part of me."

"I said stop talking!" she snapped, louder this time. "You're bleeding into that lung and the more you talk, the more you speed things up."

Victor smiled, not caring that she flinched. "I know, wife." It was odd to be talking to her like this, like they were really married, when she'd just killed him.

"Then stop it!" Her voice was almost a bellow now. "Stop it or I'll..."

"Kill me?" he asked quietly as he took a single careful step forward. "You've already done that, you know. Not much of a threat now."

"Stop it!" She was suddenly there, hands reaching to support him. ""stop talking, stop moving, and let me get the kit - you know this isn't fatal unless you make it so."

Victor leaned into her for a moment, let her support him in an odd parody of the embraces they'd shared as part of their masquerade. "I know death, wife," he said quietly. "Better than almost anyone - you know that." His eyes moved past her shoulder to the source of the beeps and something inside him went cold.

"This is not a fatal wound," she insisted, "not if you let me treat it."

"It isn't," he agreed. "But I'm dead all the same."

"Why?" her voice was an angry hiss.

Victor started to reply, choked, and coughed a spray of crimson onto her hair. "Because," he got out after a moment, "my plan won't work now."

"Plan?" Her voice was abruptly quieter. "What plan?"

"I was going to set the mine to blow," Victor whispered. Whispering was easier, it hurt less, and he didn't sound like a Benzite high on methane when he did it. "Then go to meet your sister. She'd be there..." he paused to cough again. The Attendant was going to be mad when she saw the mess he was making on her shoulder. "...because she had to have me to make her victory over you complete... then I'd get her outside, you'd kill her, and we could leave..."

"I..." The Attendant's voice was laced with frustration. "I didn't... I thought..."

"You didn't think," Victor corrected. "You reacted. You need to work on that. Think, and then fight. I'm not going to be around to do it for you any more."

"Yes, you are," she hissed.

"No," Victor corrected. "I have to stay here now."

"Why?"

"Because one of us has to make sure no one comes in and stops the mines from detonating," he said softly.

"Mines? What?" she turned, still supporting him carefully.

There, behind her, were the man-high cylinders of the four Romulan Kordak-class system interdiction mines, all of them now beeping in unison, their panels displaying identical countdowns.

K'vala whispered an oath in Klingon. "How....?"

"You knocked me into them," Victor whispered, the rest of what he had intended to say lost in another bout of coughing.

"No one stays," the Attendant replied after a moment. "We both go."

"I won't make it to... the shuttle," Victor admonished. It was growing more and more difficult to speak as his left lung filled with blood. "You know... that."

"I..." She stopped. "Yes. Not now." Her voice seemed odd, a bit distant.

"Then go." Victor slowly pushed himself back. "You know... who did... this. No weapons... no business. Once mines detonate... if no one... stops them...it's... done." He took a step, wavered, frowned, and then took another, more firmly this time. "Deal... satisfied?"

She stared at him for a long moment. "Yes."

Victor reached the remaining upright table and sat down on it slowly. "Go. Be well... wife." He looked up and smiled again, not noticing that this time she didn't flinch away. "I don't... regret... marrying... you. Verstehen... sie?"

"Nor I," she whispered back. She looked at him for a moment, nodded once, and then turned to leave without a word.

Victor watched her go and closed his eyes and let himself rest. Time passed, a minute, an hour - it didn't matter - and then he started and shook his head as he coughed up more blood as his lung tried to clear itself. It was odd, he reflected, an eternity later, dying alone. Not that he'd expected less, but he always thought that it would take less time, that his killer would be there to see it. Not that he'd be left alone.

Something stirred inside him and he smiled a bloodstained grin. Of course. He wasn't alone. He'd never been alone. With a sudden sense of relief he loosed the chains that he bound his inner self with and let it free. For a long moment he sat there, wracked by the occasional cough, and then slowly, carefully, he stood up.

Death looked about the room and smiled, his footfalls more sure than Victor's had been as he moved to stand next to the matte black metal cylinder closest to him and stroked it once with a bloody hand. "Beautiful," it whispered, the words leaving a mist of bloody droplets on the metal.

With a slow turn, it spun about to take in the whole warehouse, all the corpses and weapons scattered about, the hundreds of crates and cases of devices designed for only one purpose... and laughed a single, delighted, bloody sound.

The hum of a transporter sounded then and took him away before the blood had finished falling to the floor.

****

ICV Shabradnigdo
Deck 1
Bridge

K'vala leaned back from the controls as the small freighter started to pull out of orbit and frowned warily at the figure there, the one that had insisted on being brought to the Bridge after she'd beamed it aboard, expecting one person and getting another thing entirely. Bloody, her knife still buried to the hilt in it's chest, the thing that lived inside Victor had pushed her away and staggered from the Transporter to the lift, a blood-red trail of handprints and patterns on the walls all the way here.

It stood now at the viewports, watching the planet below as they started to pull away, seemingly immune to the loss of blood that was turning Victor's flesh pale.

She flicked the controls over and called up the planet on the main screen.

It looked as it always had: a dusty, brown world with oceans of a yellowish color. Nothing remarkable. Nothing special.

And then the fire came.

A single spear of plasma flame lanced up into the atmosphere, as if some alien god had flung it there, the color as red as that of the blood on the walls and floor of the ship. The impact point swelled, as if the planet were bleeding, and lines of molten blood spread out from it, making a delicate pattern around the wound, like a growing snowflake, on the surface.

The lines spread slowly, although that was an illusion created by the scale of the event. They widened, more of the world's life-blood welling up as it trembled and shook - and then stilled, as if its heart had stopped.

Without warning it split, the crust of the world cracking open to let the pressurized core escape in a gout of molten lithic blood that climbed out of the atmosphere, seeming to carry so much substance that the world was withering behind it, drained of it's inner substance. Another gout erupted, and then another, and then, in a final eruption, the world collapsed in on itself - and then blasted outward as it surrendered and returned it's substance to the stars that had given it birth billions of years before.

Then, and only then, did she become aware that the thing - no, she knew it's name, even if she knew not how or why it chose to dwell within the man on the other side of the console - that Death, was, and had been, watching with an terrible expression of simple, childlike wonder and whispering to itself in a language that she didn't know. It turned, looked at her, and smiled its terrible smile once more - and then collapsed to the floor as even it's ability to force Victor's body to keep standing failed.

It was only hours later, after she had Victor in Sickbay with straps holding him down and tubes and devices plugged into every part of him that she could reach, with the ship in Warp to a place where better medical attention was available, that she played the tapes from the Bridge recorder back and had the computer translate the musical words he'd repeated over and over again.

They were from a holy book, one native to a people from Earth, and they chilled her in away that she was unable to articulate properly. Why would anyone have such a thing in their holy writings? Why would even humans do such a thing? Why had any people felt the need to write down the words spoken on the Bridge?

"I am created Shiva, the Destroyer; Death, the shatterer of worlds."

"Persuasion."

Lt. jg. Airaul Taern,
Chief Tactical Officer

Airaul let out a long steadying breath as he watched the empty chair on the screen. Few things set his nerve ends tingling with anxiousness anymore. A fight? No, that was anticipation, not anxiousness. A battle...no, adrenaline fired his blood. No... nervousness was now reserved for one thing only. A little girl.

Well, not so little anymore, he realised as she finally slipped into the chair. She'd grown since the last time he'd seen her. She had to be, what...fourteen years in age? Her long, fair hair was allowed loose over her shoulders rather than confined to the braids of young children, and her blue eyes shone with something deeper of life. He smiled weakly as he watched her face, seeing the likeness all too easily. She may have been his bastard child, but there was no denying he was her father.

She just stared at him turn, her curious eyes studying him whilst she had the chance. He had never been a real father to her...he hadn't even known she'd existed until a few years ago...but they had kept in contact, with letters and communications like this. Her mother had talked a lot of him...of how he had been one of Lord Sylaen's generals, and that was why he couldn't be with her. "Hello."

Airaul couldn't help but give a small smile to the simple greeting, watching her intently. The sight of the girl made him yearn for home. "How are you, Ayra."

"Well, thank you, General..." she used his old title with a voice soft with respect and just a touch of awe.

"I have already told you, you should call me Airaul," he replied gently...or as gently as his voice got.

She glanced down to her gloved hands, her lips puckered thoughtfully in a near pout. "Your room looks bare..."

Airaul glanced around himself with mild surprise, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yes, I suppose it is rather...sterile."

"And dark," she frowned, meeting his eyes with a strange intensity.

"It's all artificial up here," Airaul replied with a weak smile, his fingers weaving tensely together as he shifted in his seat. Not for the first time with her he felt awkward.

"Laelor would disapprove..." she replied seriously, watching him with something close to worry.

Airaul blinked with surprise before smiling with approval at her taking the gods and her religious teaching seriously. Her choice of Laelor, the god of life and festivity warmed him; Laelor was his appointed god when he had trained for priesthood at the temple. "I hope he will understand that I serve my Emperor Sylaen," he replied smoothly, loyalty to Sylaen being another lesson he wanted her to learn well.

"You should come home..." she suddenly said quietly, watching him with earnest, blue eyes.

"Why?" Airaul leant forward to watch her with concern. "Is something wrong, Ayra? Is your mother well?"

"That man you don't like..." she bit her lip, glancing up to him almost shyly, yet with resolute determination to say her piece. "He says you have gone because you are disloyal..."

A surge of anger pushed up inside of Airaul. He knew perfectly well who she spoke of...Drako. The Emperor's so called trusted aide...Airaul still had no idea why he trusted him. He forced a laugh for the girl. "I am here out of loyalty to the Emperor, Ayra, so do not believe anything different."

"Sylaen speaks often of you," she replied with a gentle smile that held just a touch of pride.

Airaul's features softened at hearing her using the Emperor's name so casually...it meant they were getting on well in his absence, and that Sylaen was keeping his word to keep an eye on her. "How is he?" He couldn't help but ask after his closest friend.

"Well enough..." she replied with a sudden grin, her eyes shining.

"Well enough?" Airaul laughed warmly as the words, watching her closely. "You got that from your mother..."

Ayra blushed gently as she looked down with a shy smile, as she often did when he talked about her mother. She was old enough to know how she was created, and the idea that Airaul and her mother had once done *that* made her wrinkle her nose in a grimace, or giggle, depending on her mood...even if she was also old enough to understand that it had been a single night. A mistake. She knew she was a mistake...the product of two friends who had drunk and said too much on a difficult night. It had been difficult at first to take in, feeling almost rejected or unimportant...nothing more than a nuisance. She'd realised better as she grew old enough to understand a little more. "Mother wants me to study for politics...she says I could eventually win a place on the Sylaen Islands' Council if I work really hard..."

"No doubt you could, especially with her training..." he winked, grinning to the girl as he leant forward to watch her properly, eager to hear. "Your mother is a sharp wit...her advice and knowledge was highly prized," he pointed out with a small smile as he took a sip of his drink.

Ayra nodded with a warm smile. "I know..." the smile faltered as she looked away, lifting her chin almost stubbornly, ready for what she was about to say. "But...I think I should join the army...become a soldier, and the first female general..."

Airaul nearly choked on his drink, coughing with wide eyes as he thumped his chest hard. "Excuse me?"

"I think I shall be a soldier, and be a general..." she said again, a little more slowly though, as if speaking to a child.

"That's just...absurd, Ayra," he shook his head with a frown, watching her with disbelief.

"No it's not...you did it," she replied pointedly, shrugging as she watched him with a satisfied smile, her true tenacious and energetic spirit starting to leak past the shy politeness.

"Yes, well, that's different..." Airaul pointed a finger at her, meeting her eyes with a frown.

"How?" she arched an expectant eyebrow at him.

He licked his lips, keeping the finger held in the air as he watched her. Good question. "You're..."

"A girl?" she interjected quickly with a small, almost sly smile.

"Clever," he corrected, shaking his head with a weak chuckle, rubbing his jaw as he thought. "You're too clever to waste your time in the army. Sylaen, and when he has an heir he also, will need all the intelligent advisors he can get. Someone like you. Don't waste it..."

"But *you* were a soldier..."

"Exactly..." he smiled, letting out a breath. "I became a soldier because Sylaen needed a guard...the rest just...happened. You have your mother's bright mind. Why would you want to join the army?"

"Sylaen need's soldiers for the war too..." she pointed out, stubbornness starting to creep into her tone.

"It's no fun, you know...spend all day with a group of grubby, suspect men..." Airaul frowned as he heard his own words. "Ayra, you're *definitely* not joining the army..."

"You're as bad as mother...I thought you of all people would understand..." she looked away, a frown coming to her features as her shoulders slumped.

"Don't look like that, you're too pretty to look that sad, it breaks my heart..." Airaul said softly, hardly realising he was saying it before it was out of his mouth. He looked down to his hands with a slight frown, confused. That was the kind of thing a real father said. He swallowed, shaking his head as he took a breath and looked back to her. "Is this really what you want? Your mother seems to think you are meant for other things also..."

"You were training to be a Priest when you changed your mind and became a soldier instead," she shook her head firmly. "Just because you have one path picked for you, it doesn't mean that there aren't others you can try..."

Airaul sighed, a hand motioning with his words. "It's not as...glorious as the songs and stories say, you know..."

"Oh, Airaul, I'm not five years old. It's not a game..." she replied impatiently, watching him with a frown.

Airaul met her eyes uncomfortably for a long moment, his body completely still. He realised that she was right...she wasn't a little girl anymore, she was growing up. So, it was only fair that he talked to her accordingly. "Ayra, do you really think that you will help Sylaen win back his throne by being injured or killed in battle?"

Her frown deepened at the words, her expression changing to slight uncertainty as to where this was going. "Plenty of soldiers survive..."

"And more don't," he said, his voice suddenly firm and authoritative as he met her eyes. "Things happen in war that you don't even think of yet. You are young and idealistic...the truth is different."

"The truth is that we cannot win the war without soldiers..." she replied, watching him carefully.

"Ayra, the war has been fuming for over 150 years, do you really think that just because you become a soldier that we will suddenly win?" he sighed, knowing his words were deeply unfair, but he also saw that brutal honesty would be the only way to get through to what he now recognised to be a young woman. A woman much like her determined mother, and with no small amount of his own stubbornness. "This war is brutal and vicious, and if you are not hurt, then you will have to hurt others...that is no easy task, Ayra. You are not fighting an unknown enemy, or evil creatures...you are fighting kin, your own blood, your own people, who are no different from yourself apart from having been raised in the east or the west instead of the south. Do you really think you could kill a person just for that crime? Just for being born in another part of the world?"

"I..." her mouth was dry as she looked down, but there was moisture at her eyes. She was suddenly unsure. Unsure of her certainness on what the right thing to do was...and that made her unsure on everything.

"Ayra..." Airaul said softly with pain at seeing her tears. He found himself wishing they were in the same room so he could put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Ayra, look at me..."

It took a few moments, but she finally lifted her gaze back to him, taking a breath. "I just want to do the right thing...be useful."

He smiled weakly, leaning closer to the screen. "I know...but Ayra, you have something far more valuable. You have the ability to study well and become a good advisor. Even win a seat on the Council, like your mother said. There, you can do everything in your power to find a way to end this war once and for all...and that's far more valuable than you becoming a soldier."

"You really think so?" she asked quietly, watching him with trusting eyes.

"Yes, I do," he smiled warmly, nodding. "I think your mother's right, I think that you could do a good job...just don't tell her I said she was right..." he winked.

Ayra finally gave a smile to that, nodding gently as her shoulders lifted again. "Promise."

"Besides, you have lots of time to think about all of this...you don't have to decide anything yet," Airaul smiled brightly, shrugging.

"Yes, that's true..." she agreed readily before suddenly turning her head to look over her shoulder and away at a female voice calling. She turned quickly back to the screen smiling weakly. "I have to go, Airaul...I have lessons soon."

"Then you had better not be late," he said with a fond smile, gently wringing his fingers.

She nodded, getting ready to stand up and brush down the dark blue dress she wore.

"Ayra..." he said quietly, a confused frown on his features as he watched.

"Yes?" she asked with a warm smile, lifting her eyes back to watch him.

"You will keep in contact...won't you?" he asked with a slight frown, not wanting to show weakness or vulnerability, but not quite able to hold back the fear that she wouldn't.

Ayra laughed at the words, shaking her head with a bright smile. "You are silly, Airaul, of course I will."

He gave a warm smile to her, nodding as he relaxed back into his chair at the assurance. "Thank you. Keep safe, do you hear?"

"Yes..." she rolled her eyes, smiling as she leant forward to the screen. She kissed two fingertips and let the hand push forward to him in an affectionate gesture before the screen went blank.

Airaul smiled weakly, slumping in his seat tiredly and another wave of loneliness washing over him as he returned the gesture to the black screen and empty room.

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