She looked at her report, going over it one last time, forming an abridged version in her head.

‘Okay, results of the first autopsy, the scans from the charbroiled parasite, the condition of the other intruder, and the first encounter with these things and how it was handled.’

She also made a mental note to remind the captain that they needed to get to Trill, ASAP.

Jacqueline settled into her seat and waited for everyone left to arrive and the meeting to start.

The doors opened and Coe led himself inside. Seated at the table was Dr. Rousseau and Ensign T'Lein. Coe gave them both a polite nod before seating himself at the far end of the table. Soon all the senior officers had gathered at the table waiting expectantly for the Captain. Within minutes Captain Price walked through the doors.

The soft chater in the room ended abruptly as the Captain walked towards his chair at the far end of the table. He sat down slowly, exhaling as he shut his eyes briefly with relaxation. Captain Price re-opened his eyes and looked toward the empty seat on his right with a sorrowful expression. Within seconds he seemed to regain himself and looked toward Lt. Commander Shelby.

"Mr. Shelby your report," saying this he leaned back in his chair preparing himself for the imformation that was about to come.

Shelby turned to face the Captain handing him an LAPD as he did so. "The ship has been secured on all decks, casualties are as of yet undetermined and our guests are being held in the brigg."

Captain Price put the LAPD down and looked up at Shelby "Okay mate." After saying this Captain Price shifted his gaze to Coe.

"Lieutenant, it is unfortunate that you had to join the crew under such conditions, but nonetheless Welcome aboard."

Although the Captain and Lt. Coe had already met, this was the first chance for Coe to be formally introduced to the senior officers. "Thankyou sir," Coe noded his head briefly as he said it.

" And now Lieutenant, your report."

Coe handed the Captain an LAPD with his written report and then continued. " I have initiated a full scan of all known frequencies, attempting to isolate the frequency being used by the parasites to communicate with the hydden. As of yet we have had limited sucess, however I have Ensign Baker working on the problem as we speak. Apart from that all the ships defensive systems are functioning within normal parameters."

Captain Price smiled slightly, sensing the nervousness in Coe voice. "Very well Lieutenant keep me informed." After saying this Captain Price shifted his gaze once more and Lieutenant Johnathon Thomas Coe, Chief Tactical Officer on board the USS Galaxy, current flagship of the Federation, relaxed back in his seat once more.

--
Chris N. Chief Tactical Officer
USS Galaxy.
\\//

Captain Price listened to what Lt. Coe had said. After taking a look at his PADD, the Captain then looked up and over to Doctor Jacqueline Rousseau, the ship's Chief Medical Officer.

"Doctor Rousseau, what have you found out about these creatures?"

Jacqueline looked at the captain. "They are a form of parasite that attach themselves to the spinal cord, allowing them to not only take over motor control but the mind of the individual in which it resides.

"The scans we ran on the intruders also revealed that the parasites also affect the endocrine system, especially the adrenaline glands. The hyperactivity of these glands is what causes the humanoid’s increased strength."

The Captain interjected at this point. "Doctor, we have some of the intruders in the brig. Is it possible to separate the parasites from the humanoids without killing either the person or the parasite?"

Jacqueline thought about it. "I believe there was a procedure like that performed once before, on Admiral Quinn, I believe. I can probably pull up those files and work from there. The gathered data on both of the intruders in sickbay may help to further that research."

"And what is the current status in sickbay?"

She let out a sigh. "Still busy, although slowing down. Our friend from the battle bridge is stabilized and recovering. Gael is still alive, though we do need to head for the Trill homeworld or we may lose it." The last part of her statement was delivered in an almost pleading voice. She knew they had to finish here, but Gael was running out of time . . .

The captain nodded. "I expect you to start looking into that procedure as soon as possible, Doctor."

She gave her own nod, then added a quick, "Aye, sir."

Captain Price turned away from the doctor, and looked down the table at the young half-vulcan sitting calmly in his seat. "Mr. T’Nevin, your report?"

T'Nevin stands as his report is called for. "Upon examining the intruders, I have also found the same as Dr. Rousseau. They definitely operate out of the nervous system via the spinal nerve column. However, I have only made a general observation of the victimized host body, and have not actually seen the parasites. They exit the host bodies by releasing a chemical acid that decomposes the tissue surrounding its own body and that is all the information I have currently gathered."

"So that's it?" Captain Price shifts uncomfortably in his chair.

"No, sir. I have made some other general observations that have led me to hypotheses."

"Well, let's hear them."

"For starters, I have collected samples of the host bodies affected skin from the parasite's exit point, and collected healthy skin samples from the same individual. I will attempt to grow a culture of his healthy skin and compare it to that of the affected skin to pinpoint exactly what chemicals are being added to the skin by the parasite to start the decay process. If I can find the toxic elements and find out how they work to destroy the skin, I will then be able to make an antitoxin injectible into the bloodstream that would negate the effects of the parasitic toxin. That way, the parasites will not be able to freely exit their hosts. And the doctor and I will be able to study the parasite while it is in operation inside the intruder's body.

"Maybe find out what it is actually doing," the doctor adds.

"It's a start." T'Nevin continues. "The second observation that I have noticed is that all the intruders are males of the same species. Well, to rephrase that, I have not seen a female intruder among them, so it is quite possible that these parasites operate on a higher level of testosterone or some other male element not readily found in females."

"Or maybe they infiltrate the males to avoid some element found in females that they are weak to." Dr. Rousseau adds again.

"Correct." T'Nevin drops his head for a moment, and takes a deep breath before continuing. "And the last observation that I have made was purely speculation. One of my science officers was attacked by an intruder. I'm sure you all know Ensign Mai Vo. She is very proficient in the oriental martial arts, giving her the ability to disable and kill her assailant with physical force, only sustaining a few bruises and a dislocated wrist in the process."

"Which means...?" The captain interjects.

"Which means that this particular intruder has a parasite that did not affect the adrenaline level. So that may indicate that we may be looking at a variation of the parasite. In other words, there are more than one type of the parasite, but each type having his own function. Sort of like a terran wasp or ant colony. I assume the ones that affect the adrenaline level of the intruder may be the soldiers because they provide for the strength aspect of the operation. And the one that does not affect adrenaline levels, the kind that attacked Ensign Vo, has some other purpose yet to be discovered. And it is too soon to assume that these two are the only variations." The senior staff stare in a slight amazement. "All these hypotheses must be tested somehow, which will take quite a bit of time."

The room stands quiet as T'Nevin takes his seat.

Captain Price sat back in his chair as he thought for a moment about everything his staff had talked about. A long period of total, uncomfortable, silence fell over the room as the Captain stared out the observation windows into space. Everyone could guess that the Captain was thinking of the lives they had lost from the surprise attack. But they would have been wrong.

"Okay 'mates. This is the plan. Lieutenant T'Nevin, our sensors are unable to penetrate the USS Hydden's hull because of the traces of the Romulan nebula clinging to her hull?"

T'Nevin looked at the Captain. "The Kai'Yasha Nebula. That is Correct Captain."

"Let's rectify that situation. Can you use the Galaxy's main deflector dish to bombard the Hydden with Barium particles Lieutenant?"

T'Nevin thought about it for a second and his face lit up in realization. "Use the Barium stream to wash away the Kai'Yasha Nebula particles? Excellent idea Captain! Yes, yes I can have that ready in no time at all."

The Captain smiled at the newly promoted Chief Science Officer. "Then do it 'mate. We need it done yesterday."

Practically before he said it, T'Nevin was half way through the door with a trailing "Aye Sir." Echoing down the corridor.

The Captain turned to the rest of his senior staff. "Once T'Nevin has cleaned the Hydden's hull, we will be able to beam over as well as beam back. I will instruct the Transporter Chief to keep a constant lock on each member of the away team." Captain Price looked at each member of his staff to confirm he had their attention and that they understood his instructions before continuing.

"I want Commander Shelby to lead the away team. Lt.Commander Jamson, Ensigns Waugh and Sterner will also be accompanying you. Counselor Shivok and Doctor Rousseau, I think it would be best if you remained here." Turning to face Chief Engineer Steve Capizzi, the Captain adds, "Lieutenant Capizzi, it might be a good idea to have an engineer along. Either you can go, or you can assign someone."

Steve smiled. "I'll go Captain. Lieutenant Kane can take care of Engineering until I get back."

Price nodded. "Okay then. Your mission is very specific. Locate and extract the hostages on board the Hydden. Once we have our sensors back, we should be able to beam you in close to where they are being held. We will be maintaining a constant transporter lock on each member of the Away team. At the first sign of trouble, I want you out of there. Is that under stood?"

Around the table "Aye Sir." Was mumbled.

"That's it then. You each have your assignments, so let's do it 'mates." Everyone got up from the table and began exiting the Observation Lounge to take their assignments. Everyone except for Doctor Rousseau.

"Captain, could I have a word with you?"

Price nodded to the others as they exited before sitting back down. "Of course Doctor."

"Captain, the Symbiot Gael is currently stable, but will begin to deteriorate rapidly if not released from cryrostasis and transplanted into a host Trill body in under 38 hours." The Captain could hear the concern in the Doctor's voice. It was her last chance to save what was left of the dead First Officer, Carla Gael.

"I understand that Doctor. I had T'Lein calculate the time it will take to reach the Trill home world at maximum warp speed. From our current location that will take 36 hours."

The Doctor frowned. She understood the importance of this current assignment better than anyone on board the ship. She could vividly recount the tales Doctor Beverly Crusher told her while stationed at Starfleet medical so many years ago. "That's cutting things a little close isn't it Captain?"

"Unfortunately, Yes. We only get one shot at this rescue attempt. I wish we had more time, but I promise Doctor, I'll get us to Trill on time." The Captained stood up and gazed out the view port and sighed. "I owe Commander Gael that much."

The Doctor walked over to the Captain and placed her hand on his shoulder. After exchanging understanding glances, Doctor Rousseau turned and left the Observation Lounge to leave the Captain alone with his thoughts, and regrets.

*****Outside Observation Room*****

The senior officers flooded out of the room, eager to get to their destinations and continue with the intended plan. As Coe came out of the observation lounge he could see Lt.Cmr Shelby ahead of him, walking quickly down the corridor toward the turbolift. Coe ran to catch up. Shelby pushed the call button and the lift doors opened. "deck 6," As the doors were about to close, Coe yelled "Hold," The lift doors paused before Coe stepped into the lift slightly out of breath. "deck 8." Coe said the words turning to face Lt.Cmr Shelby as he did so. Although he had only known Shelby a brief while he already held a high regard of respect for the man particularly after seeing him in action over the previous days. The lift hummed slightly as it sped to its destination and Coe looked at Shelby and smiled. "Take care over there Cmr." Shelby grinned slightly before adding "thanks JT." The lift came to a stop and with a final farewell Shelby exited the turbolift and disappeared down the hallway. Coe watched him go before the lift doors closed and began to descend to deck 8. " Computer override current destination, proceed to main bridge." The computer acknowledged the request and changed direction.

********Main Bridge********

The turbolift doors swung open and Coe stepped out on to the main bridge. The bridge was busy as personnel walked from one area to another preparing to initiate a bombardment of the Hydden with Barium particles in the hope of penetrating the Hydden's hull and scan the inside of the ship. Coe walked over to the tactical arch, looking down at the Captain as he did. "Mr Capizzi, how long until the modifications to the main deflector dish are completed?" Captain price said this as he tilted his head toward Capizzi who was at the engineering station on the bridge, but never looked away from the viewscreen as he said it.

" They should be completed within a few minutes." Capizzi said this as he swivelled round in his chair to face the captain.

"Very well keep me informed of the situation," saying this he went back to studying the PADD that occupied his left hand. Coe relieved Ensign Baker of Tactical, and began to initiate a full level 5 systems diagnostic. It was during one of these scans on the photon torpedo bays that a small error showed in one of the sensor reading. Searching for more information Coe proceeded to run a level4 diagnostic on the torpedo bays. With the information displayed in front of him still being inconclusive Coe tapped his comm badge and hailed the officer in charge down in main engineering. "Coe to Kane."

After a few seconds a slightly suprised voice answered the hail. " Kane here."

"I've just run a Level 5 diagnostic on the Photon Torpedoes, and the diagnostic returned an error. I then proceeded to run a Level 4 diagnostic, and the diagnostic said that Photon Torpedo bay 2 was not responding to the diagnostic. I think that there is something wrong with the torpedo bay."

After processing the information, Lt.Kane replied " Okay I'll check it out. Standby."

Coe tapped his comm badge on his chest and the conversation ended. He looked over at the Captain.

"Captain there is a problem with one of the sensors on torpedo bay 2. Engineering are working on it now but I would like to go down there and see if I can help them out."

" Granted, just make sure you are back on the bridge before we initiate the Barium bombardment. Okay Mate?"

" Yes sir." coe smiled slightly, he enjoyed the way Captain Price referred to his crew as his "mates" and after looking up the word, Coe had discovered it was an ancient traditional greeting from Australia. Coe entered the turbolift and headed toward Main engineering.

*******Main Engineering********

The doors to engineering opened and Coe stepped inside. He paused for a moment and studied his surroundings. Engineering was a hype of activity as the modifications to the main deflector dish continued. A young petty officer walked by and Coe held him up for a second. " Officer, where is Lt. Kane?"

"Over there sir." The young Vulcan pointed in the direction of the warp core controls where a man stood puching keys into the computer.

"Thanks." Coe moved over toward Lt. Kane and was just about to tap his shoulder when kane turned around and bumped into him.

" I'm sorry Lt.Coe I wasn't expecting you down here."

"That's all right."

"I ran a Level 4 diagnostic, and found out that two sensors in the bay are disagreeing about whether a torpedo is in the bay or not. I'm going to run a Level 3 diagnostic, and hopefully rectify the problem."

"Tell me where to start"

"You should be on the bridge. I can manage this by myself."

"No, I'll help you. Just tell me where to start."

"You can start by going back to the bridge, where you belong. Within 10 minutes, I should know exactly what the problem is. I'll get back to you when I know."

Coe smiled he knew it was no good arguing and in many ways Lt. Kane was right he did belong on the bridge right now.

" Okay Lt. Keep me informed of the situation." Saying this Coe turned around and began to make his way to the bridge.

Chris N.
Aka Lt. Coe
Chief Tactical Officer
USS Galaxy.
\\//

"Excuse me," T'Nevin bends down and shuffles up the papers in haste, all the while not looking in the face of his 'victim.' He raises with the neatly stacked papers. "I apologize, for I am in a hurry to..." He stops as he recognizes the woman before him. "Ensign Darma."

"Well. Ensign T'Nevin...or should I say, Lieutenant T'Nevin." She looks at the one-and-a-half pips on his collar. "Congratulations. Maybe this calls for a...celebration...later." She smiles.

"Ensign. I feel this is hardly the time. Now if you will excuse me..." T'Nevin begins to walk towards the turbolift again, only to be stopped by a hand grasping hold of his shoulder. Ensign Darma spins him around to face her once more.

"Don't forget, Lieutenant, that you do owe me lunch." Susan smiles again.

"I remember, Miss Darma." T'Nevin, this time, waits for a response, because he knows what she is about to say.

"Please. Call me Susan."

"Susan. Now if you will excuse me."

"Certainly." Ensign Darma steps aside to let T'Nevin pass.

***On the turbolift en route to main bridge***

T'Nevin's thoughts***

The bombardment should work. Electromagnetism should set the particles in kinetic motion, shooting them light-years apart from one another. Mai should be alive and well by now...I will check my quarters after my duty is finished on the bridge. I will also need a female test subject for the testing of my hypothesis. I need blood and tissue samples from her. Ensign K'saol can initiate the development of the intruder's tissue samples in the hyper-growth medium. I'll check on that later.

T'Nevin's thoughts take a dramatic pause.

"And I fear the worst for Ensign Darma's emotions towards me. It seems as though she displays some sort of affinity for me." He steps off the turbolift.

**Main Bridge**

T'Nevin quickly supplies the necessary conversions for the start of the bombardment. It only takes him 2 minutes and 48 seconds. 3 seconds faster than his record. Then he stands in a comfortable position at the science station, awaiting his order to commence bombardment. He pulls out his PADD and begins to write up a notice.

Lieutenant T'Nevin, acting CSO
USS Galaxy NCC-70637

CALL FOR NON-SURGICALLY GATHERED TEST SAMPLES
Stardate: 49610.2
Time: 17:35:54

ALL CREW MEMBERS:

Attention...

There is a small need for any and all test samples from which tissue cells and blood samples will be collected. Details of their full use will be facilitated to any donor-potential, once they have expressed an interest.

The only requirement for donorship will be that one must be female of his own respective species.

Any questions should be directed to:

Lieutenant T'Nevin, CSO
USS Galaxy NCC-70637
Starfleet Science Corps

Thank you for your cooperation.

When Lt. JG Capizzi would leave with the away team, he would leave Lt. JG Kane in charge of engineering. Of course there were a few things Kane still had to think over. This was the first time he would actually be in command of an Engineering section of a Starship, let alone the Premier Galaxy Class Starship. He just hoped that nothing would go wrong.

When he had arrived on the U.S.S. Galaxy, courtesy of a Priority 1 runabout, he had specifically requested to Captain Price NOT to inform the crew of his arrival. His childhood instincts had taken over. He didn't want any bad impressions on his first shift. Instead, he had quietly slipped into the crew, informing only Captain Price, Lt. JG Capizzi and crucial Engineering staff that he was starting his first shift.

Shortly after arriving for his shift, Kane's communicator squeeled. The computer provided the voice: "Coe to Kane". He didn't know how, but the Chief Tactical Officer knew he was onboard. Though somewhat surprised, he knew he had to answer. He tapped his communicator and replied "Kane here".

"I've just run a Level 5 diagnostic on the Photon Torpedoes, and the diagnostic returned an error. I then proceeded to run a Level 4 diagnostic, and the diagnostic said that Photon Torpedo bay 2 was not responding to the diagnostic. I think that there is something wrong with the torpedo bay."

"OK" Kane responded, "I'll check it out". Kane immediately walked over to an engineering station and requested a Level 4 diagnostic on the torpedo bays. After 25 seconds of waiting, the computer responded that, while one sensor detected a torpedo in the bay, another thought the bay was empty, and was so trying to load another torpedo. Kane quickly decided that a Level 3 diagnostic was in order. Kane got up from the console, and no sooner had he turned around then he ran into someone. He glanced at the person's collar insignia and saw that he was a full Lieutenant. It could only be Lieutenant Coe.

Kane stepped back appologetically. "I'm sorry, Lieutenant Coe, but I wasn't expecting you down here!"

"That's all right."

"I ran a Level 4 diagnostic, and found out that two sensors in the bay are disagreeing about whether a torpedo is in the bay or not. I'm going to run a Level 3 diagnostic, and hopefully rectify the problem."

"Tell me where to start"

"You should be on the bridge. I can manage this by myself."

"No, I'll help you. Just tell me where to start."

"You can start by going back to the bridge, where you belong. Within 10 minutes, I should know exactly what the problem is. I'll get back to you when I know."

Already, Kane was getting to like Lieutenant Coe. He then realised that he should have been withdrawn -- he didn't like making friends, for fear of making a mistake. However this time, something had told him that he would need Coe as a friend later.

Julian King
A.K.A Lieutenant JG Kane
king@fl.net.au

"Welcome aboard the USS Galaxy. My name is Mark Mulich." the security officer greeted him.

"Thank you for your welcome, I'm Ensign Joerg Sterner. This is my first assignment on a starship. Could you please show me around? But first tell me what happened here? We are currently on red alert. Why?"

Showing him the way to his charters on deck 7, Mulich quickly briefs Ensign Sterner with the current situation on the ship. Finally both reach Sterner's cabin.

"I think you should ready yourself for action." Mulich said to his new colleague. "We propably will try again to beam over to the USS Hydden. Perhaps this is your lucky day and you'll be in the away team!"

"We'll see." Ensign Sterner answered. "Thanks for you help and the informations. I'll leave my luggage here and do a little training on the holodeck first. By the way, on which deck are the holodecks?"

"They are on deck 11. I have to go now, we certainly will meet again later." Mulich said and left Sterner's quarters.

After storing his packs in his room (actually just droping them), Ensign Sterner also left his quarters and headed for the turbo lift.

"Deck 11."

The lift started to move and soon arrived at the eleventh deck. Quickly he was able to spot one of the holodeck doors near the elevator door. Pushing some buttons he finally found a program which suited him. "Later I'll enter some of my programs, but for now this should also do it." he thought. Just as he was about to enter the holodeck his communicator came to life.

"Shelby to Sterner."

"Ensign Sterner here."

"Ensign, I understand Mr. Mulich already informed you on our current situation?"

"Yes sir."

"Good, I'll lead the next away team that will try to rescue possible hostages aboard the USS Hydden. You are with me on this mission. Report to transporter room 3 immediately. Understood?"

"Yes sir!"

"Shelby out."

Realizing the possibility to prove himself, he quickly ran to the nearest turbo lift. "Transporter room 3." he told the computer after he entered the lift.

Ensign Sterner
USS Galaxy NCC-70637

She turned back to her office, stopping as she passed by the still figure of the first officer lying in the first isolation room. Jacqueline looked toward space, then turned her attention back in, and checked the monitors.

Gael was fine, for now. And the captain had promised to get them to Trill on time.

Jacqueline drew in a deep breath before turning back to her office. She walked in and tiredly dropped herself into her chair. She wished there was time to *sleep,* but she would have to do without that a little longer. She had work to do.

Reaching over to turn her terminal on, her hand brushed against a padd that she didn’t remember leaving out.

"UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS

REPORT OF MAJOR SURGICAL EVENTS TIME: 14:23:35

Medical Commanding Officer:

Attention..."

She picked it up and read, and as she did, her eyes narrowed and her temper flared.

"It is to my knowledge, Ensign Susan Darma, R.N., that major surgical procedures, in the general form of an autopsy, has been performed by the below acclaimed individual:

Ensign T'Nevin, acting CSO
Identification: Foxtrot 639
USS Galaxy, NCC 70637
Starfleet Science Corps

"And the named individual was witnessed performing such acts as well as received gainful cooperation from the below acclaimed individual:

Ensign Susan Darma, R.N.
Identification: Delta 254
USS Galaxy NCC 70637
Starfleet Medical Corps

"Be advised that Ensign T'Nevin has opted to take full responsibility for any consequences arising from this action. It is also to Ensign T'Nevin's advice that the other remaining specimens not be examined until a conclusion can be attached to the autopsied body pending lab reports.

Ensign Susan Darma, R.N.
USS Galaxy, NCC 70637"

‘An autopsy . . . without *my* authorization, in *my* sickbay?!’ Jacqueline was furious. She reached for her commbadge . . .

‘No,’ she commanded herself, ‘calm down first. Your temper can only get you into trouble, Jac. Besides, T’Nevin is busy, on the bridge no less. . .’

She made a mental note to call T’Nevin in after he was done with his setup. Some ground rules among the departments apparently needed to be reviewed.

After the Senior staff meeting Jamson was already on his way to Sickbay to check if Ensign Fallows is ok.

"Jamson,are you coming?" Lt.Cmd Shelby asked Jamson.

"i'll meet you in the transporter room in couple of minutes,Sir" Jamson responded and entered the turbolift.

****Sickbay****

Jamson could see that there still a mess with all the people in Sickbay. "Nurse?" Jamson shouted to one of the Nurses

"Yes?" the one of the nurses responded.

"I need some information about one of the wounded crewmen" Jamson said.

"of course Sir,what is the name?"

"Ensign Fallows"

"ok...wait a second Sir" the nurse said and tapped a few buttons in her padd. "She is still unconscious,but she will be ok" the nurse added.

"Thank you" Jamson said and went out of the sickbay.

As Jamson entred the turbolift a message came threw his comm badge : "Jamson where are you?" Shelby asked. "on my way Sir" Jasmon said.

****Transporter room****

Ensign Capizzi,Ensign Waugh and Lt.Commander Shelby and a few more security guards was in the room when Lt.Commander Jamson entered the room.

"Good, you're here" said Shelby and smiled.

"Ok listen all" Shelby sad as everyone in the room became quiet.

"As soon as the bombardment ends we will beam up to the USS Hydden,into the engineering section.our mission is to save any cremen or civilians that are not in the control of the parasites.we will split into 2 groups : team A and team B.

Team A : Shelby,Waugh and a few security guards.
Team B : Jamson,Capizzi and the other security guards.
I will lead team A and Jamson will lead Team B, I want radio silence unless you have something important to say. So set your phasers on kill and get ready."

Shelby pressed his comm badge and said : "Shelby to Captain Price, we are ready in here."

"Very good Commander."

****Bridge****

"Well Lt.T'Nevin?" the Captain looked at the Lieutenant.

"Sir,the bombardment is... ready!"

"Good! start the bombardment" the Captain ordered.

"Starting now Sir." T'Nevin confirmed.

Captain Price watched the screen as the bombardment started and pressed his comm badge "Away team, get ready."

"Sir, the Barium bombardment is over" T'Nevin said and looked toward the Captain.

"Commander Shleby, now!" the Captain added.

****Transporter room****

"Well? You heard him" Shelby said to the transporter chief and added : "Energize"

The away team beamed over to the USS Hydden.

****USS Hydden****

The away team beamed inside a room in Engineering,as they all were ready Ensign Capizzi noticed a few men in a dark corner.

"Sir! look!" he said pointing the dark corner and pulling his phaser out.

Shelby moved toward the corner as Jamson covering him from the side.

"Don't come any closer!!!!we are armed!!!!" a voice came out from the dark.

"Calm down! We are not from the Hydden! we are from the USS Galaxy." Shelby shouted to the men.

"Thank god!" said the voice and a few men came out from the dark corner,all of them hurt and wounded.

"What happened to you?" Ensign Waugh asked them.

"It was the Romulan ship...." said a man "we were attacked by a Romulan ship..."

"Where is the rest of the crew?" Jamson asked.

"We don't know...." said another man.

"Well, it doesn't matter now. You're all safe." said Shelby and added "let's go! Jamson, I want you and your team to do a first sweep in the corridor and report in 2 minutes. We will stay in here and find out more information from the men."

"Understood Sir" Jamson replied and walked toward the door pulling his phaser out.

"Capizzi, follow me." Jamson said to Ensign Capizzi and opened the door to the corridor.

"Yes Sir." Capizzi said and watched Jamson enters the corridor.

Jamson walked over the corridor looking at every corner. The corridor suffered a lot of damage from the attack.

Capizzi and another 2 security men followed Jamson as he reached a sealed door in the middle of the corridor.

"The door is sealed Sir." Capizzi said to Jamson.

"I know Ensign. Is there any way we can open it?" Jamson asked Capizzi.

"Yes Sir, there must be a way" Capizzi replied.

"Ok, think of a way. One security guard will stay with you, the other one will come with me." Jamson said and moved toward the room at the end of the corridor.

Jamson entered the room at the end of the corridor.he checked the room twice and found nothing.it was the Warp nacelle access room.

Jamson walked back to Shelby in the first room and reported : "Sir,i found the Warp nacelle access room at the end of the corridor,and a sealed door to the main corridor.everything is secured."

"Ok Jamson,can we open the door?" Shelby asked.

"Capizzi is working on it now Sir." Jamson answered.

"Good. The two of you will stay in here with the hurted men. Waugh come with me. Let's go."

"Well, did you find a way to open the door?" Shelby asked Capizzi.

"Yes Sir, I can open the door right now." Capizzi smiled.

"Ok, open it." Shelby ordered.

Capizzi tapped a few buttons and the door opened...and a few shots of phasers almost hit the away team.

"Everyone down!" Jamson shouted and everyone was on the floor.

"Where are they? I can't see anything!" Capizzi shouted.

"It must be a gauntlet!" Shelby and tried to move back but then a big phaser shot passed near him, he got away but the shot went right into the ceiling.

"Sir!!! look out!" Jamson shouted to Shleby as many debris fell from the ceiling on Shelby's head knocking him out.

Jamson crawled over to Shelby. Capizzi, Waugh and the 2 security guards were still firing toward the gauntlet.

"He's unconscious!" Jamson shouted to Capizzi and Waugh as he pressed his comm badge : "Jamson to USS Galaxy! We are under fire! I repeat! We are under fire! Commander Shelby has been hit! He is unconscious! Emergency transport for Commander Shelby!"

Lt.Commander Jamson (Noam Brosh)
OPS
USS Galaxy

Captain Price stared at the main view screen at the drifting USS Hydden as Jamson's message was transmitted. The away team was under phaser fire and Lt.Commander Shelby had been injured.

"I'm going to beam you out of there right now!" The Captain shouted. He'd already lost his First officer, he didn't want to loose any one else.

"No Captain, wait!" Lt.Commander Jamson countered. Lieutenant Capizzi managed to reverse the polarity on the pressure doors, and once again the main corridor was sealed as Commander Jamson dragged Commander Shelby out of the way. "We are all right Captain, Capizzi has sealed the environmental doors. Shelby's unconscious. He was hit by falling debris. I think he could have a concussion. You should beam him back to medical sir."

Captain Price hesitated. Counselor Shivok could sense the Captain's gut feeling told him to bring his men home now. But Price decides to trust his crews judgment. "Okay Commander, I will have the transporter beam him over. You have command of the away team Jamson. Get everyone out you can. And bring 'em home in one piece 'mate."

"Aye Sir. Jamson out."

"Ensign T'Nevin, initiate the bombardment!," Captain Price's voice boomed over the silent bridge.

"Away team standby."

" The bombardment is complete," Ensign T'Nevin stated as he addressed the captain.

"Lt. Coe lower the shields, Away team NOW!" Coe noted that Captain Price's voice was tense but not panicked, a sign of a seasoned warrior. After the away team had beamed off the ship there was little anyone on the bridge could do. And so the bridge remained silent as the minutes ticked by.

" Ensign Freeman, are you picking up anything?" The Ensign turned around from the ops station to look at the Captain, clearly a frustrated look on his face.

"Captain, I AM picking up lifesigns but the Barium bombartment was not completly succesful, And at this time thats all I can give you sir!"

"DAMM, Okay Ensign keep trying." the Captain then tilted his head but did'nt take his eyes of the viewscreen.

"Lt. Coe are you picking up ANYTHING unusual?" Coe had another glance down at his consol before replying.

" No Sir." " Aside from a few speratic energy fluctuations, there's nothing on the scanners that is unusual for a ship in this condition."

" Good!" The Captain seemed to relax a bit when suddenly Lt. Cmr Jamson's voice came over the intercom. The sound of Phaser fire audioable in the background.

" Jamson to Galaxy." "Request immediate beamout for Lt.Cmr Shelby, he has been hit and is unconscious!"

Chris N
AKA: Lt. Johnathon Thomas Coe
Chief Tactical Officer USS Galaxy

"Sir, I can now bring up the ships schematic and some data logs."

Jamson looks away from the frightened people and comes to see the computer screen.

A fuzzy picture of a man comes up on the screen.

"Captain's log stardate zzzz. We zzzz and have found a romulan shzzzzle with five crew members and they claimed they were on a peace mission.zzzz had somekind of, what looks like a thorn, poking out of their necks zzzz and zzzz. Half of my crew is infzzzzted. If zzzz log has been discovered I pray you are not infected with thosedamn things zzzz. I have a code that if entered into the schmazzzzc I left here. The code is 234354256."

"Well..." says Capizzi

"Can you bring up that schematic now?" asks Jamson.

"Sure"

"Verify User Code" flashes on the screen. The schematic comes up with the last button entered. Then a new schematic comes down on top of the first. There is more shafts and jefferies tubes. Capizzi pulls out his tricorder and saves the information.

"We can go through here and come out around a main security area. Sir, If we can create a hologram of us and put it in the main brig we can trap a good number of these suckers."

"I'll consider that." says Jamson.

One of the men comes toward Jamson and Capizzi. "Which one of you is the engineer?" he says.

"I am" replies Capizzi. Jamson walks back to the others.

"My name is John DeLandon, I found a file in the computer, about the parasites, they don't like being without a host. When we tried rigging the bio-filter to screen the parasites out of the Romulans we had problems with the pattern buffers and something happened with O'Breen, the transport chief, and the force field was lowered and hell broke out all over the ship."