Captain Price was pleased at the way things were turning out with the away team. They had already transported many refugees from the USS Hydden and although Commander Shelby had been injured, it didn't appear that his injuries were life threatening.

As activity on the bridge of the USS Galaxy carried on at a busy pace, Captain Price noted that they were running out of time. They had to leave and set course to the Trill home world if they wanted to save the symbiot Gael.

Across the bridge, at science station #1, Lieutenant jg T'Nevin had just returned to his station when the amber - orange indicator on the tachyon emitter panel begins flashing.

"Captain! Tachyon emitters are detecting a distortion in space just ahead of us!"

Price looked up at the view screen, as did everyone on the bridge. It seemed as if everything was moving in slow motion as their eyes all focused on the screen at the same instant.

That moment, a giant Romulan Warbird decloaked, just 100,000 kilometers in front of the USS Galaxy. The Hydden directly in the middle. The Warbird just hovered there.

"Shields!" the Captain finally was able to get out.

Lt. Coe quickly raised the Galaxy's defenses. Noting that while the shields are up, they would not be able to transport the away team home.

"I am detecting raised shields, fully charged disruptors, and loaded photon torpedoes Captain. However...." T'Nevin's voice trailed off once again as he peered into the scanners visor and made adjustments. It was a habit that was beginning to annoy the Captain.

"However what Lieutenant?!"

T'Nevin finished his scans and stood up to address the Captain. "However the Romulan's weapons are trained on the USS Hydden, not us sir."

The Captain stood up quickly from his chair, eyes wide as he realized what the Romulan's were about to do. And the away team was still on board the Hydden! "Coe! Divert warp power to shields and extend the field around the Hydden!"

Lt. Coe tapped the controls on the tactical arch with the speed of a concert pianist, quickly carrying out the Captain's orders. "Shield's extended Captain, but now operating at a lower efficiency rating."

The Captain, as well as the rest of the bridge crew watched in anticipation. By stretching the shields to envelope the USS Hydden, the shield strength had been effectively lowered. The ship was currently on red alert.

The crew watched for a very long minute, as the massive Warbird hovered in space. At this range, even 100,000 kilometers behind the USS Hydden, the Warbird filled the entire view screen. It dwarfed the Galaxy class ship. But currently, it's guns were trained on the Hydden. The silence was broken when the tones of the computer rang out from Lt. Coe's tactical arch.

"We are being hailed Captain."

Price was still standing. "On screen Lieutenant."

The image of the Warbird and the Hydden was quickly replaced by the image of a short hared, blonde, Romulan woman wearing a Commander's uniform.

"I am Commander Sela. The USS Hydden has broken out of Romulan Quarantine. It must be destroyed. You will disengage at once! Or suffer the consequences."

Captain Price took a long look at the Commander. He could vaguely recall only one blonde Warbird Commander. The one Lt.Commander Data had exposed many years ago on board the Sutherland. Allegedly, Tasha Yar's daughter from another timeline.

"You have some nerve Commander! Violating the Neutral Zone and then making demands to destroy a Federation Starship. You will disengage at once and return to the Neutral Zone."

Sela smiled. "You are hardly in a position to dictate terms Captain..." She glanced down, presumably to a computer monitor. "Price. The Neutral Zone does not apply to cases of disease and quarantine. The USS Hydden is infected with dangerous parasitic life forms. It must be destroyed! Now move aside and let me finish my job." Sela seemed very confident, and determined to do as she said.

Captain Price turned to Lt. Coe and motioned with his hand to mute the audio.

"Mute." Lt. Coe replied.

"I want the away team beamed back immediately. Use all transporters if you have to."

T'Nevin nodded to the Captain. "As you wish Captain."

Price then signaled for Coe to remove the mute mode.

"I can not allow you to destroy a Federation ship Commander. No matter what your reasons are."

Sela became furious. "Are you an idiot!? You must know what those parasites are by now. I have to destroy the Hydden. Not one of those creatures must be allowed to escape. They have caused chaos in the Empire already. They must be exterminated at all costs." Sela paused for a moment to regain her Romulan composure. "If you continue to protect the Hydden, I will have no choice but to destroy you too."

Captain Price glanced over to T'Nevin. The part Romulan, part Vulcan chief science officer shook his head 'no', indicating that the away team had still not been fully extracted.

"Commander Sela. It is obvious that you do not want to attack the USS Galaxy, or you would have all ready done so. I stand on what I have said. As a Starfleet officer, I can not allow you to destroy a Federation ship. However, I am a reasonable man. If you agree to withdraw from Federation space, I will destroy the USS Hydden for you." The bridge crew all gave the Captain a quick glance, then realized he was serious.

Commander Sela sat in silence for a moment looking deeply into Captain Price's eyes. She found something there she hadn't expected to find in a new Starship Captain. Compassion.

"I will accept your terms Captain Price. And thank you. You have no idea what trouble these creatures have caused in the Empire."

Price nodded. "Believe me Commander, I can imagine." The Captain glanced over to T'Nevin who smiled and gave him the "thumbs up" sign. The Captain had to suppress a smile at the gesture from his pointed eared officer.

"Ensign T'Lein, reverse course. One quarter impulse. Back us out to 280,000 kilometers from the USS Hydden."

"Aye Sir."

"Lieutenant Coe. Load forward torpedo tubes with Quantum torpedoes."

Lieutenant Coe looked at the Captain strangely. "Sir? The USS Hydden has no shields. Phasers alone could destroy her. Why use the Quantum torpedoes?"

The Captain nodded to the Lieutenant as he took his seat. "That is very true Lieutenant Coe. But this is more of a show of force. A demonstration if you will 'mate."

The Lieutenant nodded. He understood what the Captain was doing. In his own way, the Captain wanted to send a message to Commander Sela. He wanted to let her know that the Galaxy could have stood toe to toe against her massive Warbird.

"Holding position at 280,000 kilometers Captain." T'Lein said in his usual Vulcan tone.

"Mr. Coe. Fire Quantum torpedoes."

"Torpedoes away!"

The blue-green glow of the torpedoes streaked to the USS Hydden and impacted mid ship. The massive explosion resulting from the Quantum torpedoes coiled out from the center, sending a mild shock wave back through space. Rocking the USS Galaxy, and, in the distance, Commander Sela's Warbird, slightly.

A few moments later, the Romulan Warbird turned and began traveling back into the Neutral Zone as it engaged it's cloaking device and faded away into invisibility.

"Ensign T'Lein. Plot a course for the Trill home world."

"Course plotted and laid in Sir."

"Do it 'mate. Maximum warp."

The warp engines of the USS Galaxy came to life, streaking her off into the distance as she breaks the sub-light barrier into warp speeds with a clash of energy.

"T’Nevin . . ."

Which suddenly reminded her of a conversation she needed to have with the Lieutenant.

All of these thoughts were, at the moment, completely useless. Jacqueline had been sent to rest, effectively, although quietly, temporarily relieved of duty. She yawned as she approached the bathroom, then climbed lazily into the shower.

She emerged not long afterwards, dressed for long hours of sleep. Her eyelids began to feel heavy as she entered the bedroom.

‘I’m so sleepy . . . I wasn’t a few minutes ago.’

She pulled down the covers and plopped into her bed, asleep before her head hit the pillow.

Lt.Coe slowly moved his eyes across the bridge, bringing them to rest on Captain Price as he sat in his chair. Although Coe was only a fairly new member of the crew, he felt like he had know his shipmates for years. The Captain looked fairly pleased with the way things had turned out, the evacuation of the Hydden was succesful and now only the away team remained aboard the Hydden, ready to return to the Galaxy on the Captains command. Coe glanced down at his consol and noticed something on the scanners. Suddenly his brain began to kick into gear just when he heard the voice of Lt jg. T'Nevin boam across the bridge.

"Captain! Tachyon emitters are detecting a distortion in space just ahead of us!"

" Romulan warbird decloaking directly ahead," Coe added as his fingers began to move quickly over his console.

He paused his movements for a brief moment before slowly raising his eyes up to the viewscreen and watched as the Warbird decloaked 100,000 metres from the Galaxy. He looked in awe at the ship before regaining himself and continuing with his actions.

"Shields!" the Captain finally was able to get out.

Coe raised the Galaxy shields and activated the ships defensive systems. The systems were already on standby and so they kicked in quickly and efficiently.

"I am detecting raised shields, fully charged disruptors, and loaded photon torpedoes Captain. However...." T'Nevin's voice trailed off.

"However what Lieutenant?!" the Captain seemed annoyed.

T'Nevin finished his scans and stood up to address the Captain. "However the Romulan's weapons are trained on the USS Hydden, not us sir."

The Captain pulled himself from his Chair and took a few brief steps toward the viewscreen before turning to look at Coe, a looked of realisation on his face, and with a sense of urgency he began issueing orders.

"Coe! Divert warp power to shields and extend the field around the Hydden!" Eyes wide as he said so. The away team was still aboard the Hydden and the Captain was not about to let them die.

"Shield's extended Captain, but now operating at a lower efficiency rating."

Coe looked back up at the viewscreen, as did the rest of the bridge crew. The outcome of this confrontation was now in the hands of the romulan Captain. Thier was nothing more the Galaxy could do but watch, and wait.

After what seemed like an eternity of anticipation, Coe heard the soft beep originating from his consol, indicating there was an incoming hail.

"We are being hailed Captain."

Price was still standing. "On screen Lieutenant."

Coe punched a button on his consol before once again looking up at the viewscreen, Coe was shocked to see an attractive human female looking at the Captain, and yet although Coe was shocked, the Captain seemed undisturbed by the events. Obviously the Captain knew something Coe did not.

"I am Commander Sela. The USS Hydden has broken out of Romulan Quarantine. It must be destroyed. You will disengage at once! Or suffer the consequences."

Coe was even more suprised by what the Commander said and anger began to boil inside him but he tried contain his feelings.

"You have some nerve Commander! Violating the Neutral Zone and then making demands to destroy a Federation Starship. You will disengage at once and return to Romulan Space immediatly...Or YOU will suffer the consequences." The Captain adressed Sela.

Commander Sela added something but Coe was busy feeding Quantum torpedo dispersal patterns into the ships tactical computer.

After Sela had finished Captain Price turned to look at Coe once more and made a cutting gesture across his throat. Coe knew what this meant and pushed the mute button on his console.

" Mute" Coe added.

Captain price continued to address Lt. T'Nevin before once again signalling Coe.

"I can not allow you to destroy a Federation ship Commander. No matter what your reasons are."

Sela became furious. "Are you an idiot!? You must know what those parasites are by now. I have to destroy the Hydden. Not one of those creatures must be allowed to escape. They have caused chaos in the Empire already. They must be exterminated at all costs." Sela paused for a moment to regain her Romulan composure. "If you continue to protect the Hydden, I will have no choice but to destroy you too."

Captain Price glanced over at T'Nevin before looking back at Sela.

"Commander Sela. It is obvious that you do not want to attack the USS Galaxy, or you would have all ready done so. I stand on what I have said. As a Starfleet officer, I can not allow you to destroy a Federation ship. However, I am a reasonable man. If you agree to withdraw from Federation space, I will destroy the USS Hydden for you." Coe looked at the Captain, realising he was serious.

Commander Sela paused looking doubtful before glancing back at the Captain.

"I will accept your terms Captain Price. And thank you. You have no idea what trouble these creatures have caused in the Empire."

The Sela's face was replaced by the Romulan Warbird which slowly began to back away from the Hydden. This had been a victory for the Galaxy and with a look of Pride on his face, Captain price returned to his chair and issued Ensign T'Lien the order to back the Galaxy away from the Hydden.

"Lieutenant Coe. Load forward torpedo tubes with Quantum torpedoes."

Coe was puzzled at first before realising what the Captain was doing, and with complete agreement Coe targeted the Hydden and with one last look at the sickend ship on the viewscreen, Fired the Galaxy's weapons at the Hydden. The weapons sped from the Ship, thier trails glowing as they sped toward the Hydden. With an explosion that rocked the Galaxy, the Hydden ceased to exist. " Just like that" Coe mumbled to himself. "Just like that."

**Lt. jg T'Nevin's quarters**

T'Nevin walks into his quarters. It feels empty. He searches the whole place slowly with his eyes and ears before advancing. In the bedroom, he finds no one. A PADD rested on the nightstand next to his bed. He accessed the one message stored inside.

T'Nevin:

I have gone back to my own quarters and will be returning to duty very shortly. I'm fine now. Thank you.

XOXOX
Mai

P.S. Meet me at the social observatory later. Maybe we can pick up on dinner...bye.

T'Nevin placed the pad back on the desk and left without a single thought passing through his mind. He headed back to the science lab to make his extractions before he returned to the bridge.

**Science lab, deck 12**

T'Nevin walks through the doors and heads straight for the science observatory. It is empty except for Ensign K'saol.

"Lieutenant. The preparation took a much shorter time than I anticipated, so I took the liberty to make the extractions myself."

"Initiative...I like that." T'Nevin picks up one of the vials containing the female hormone suspension and looks through it. He places it back into the rack. There are 6 vials. "Ensign, I see 6 vials here. I assume you extracted some from..."

"Yes. From myself and Ensign Vo stopped by while you were gone. She dropped off a bit herself. She looks great, by the way."

T'Nevin is pleased, but does not show it. "All right. We should be on our way to Trill very soon, and we can continue our investigation there. I have an acquaintance there, Dr. Loren Omer, a Trill scientist who I spent most of my research time with on the Tauratoz. He should be of some help. Get some rest, Ensign. I'll be on the bridge if anyone needs me."

**Main Bridge**

T'Nevin takes his spot at science 1. No sooner that the second he got there, the tachyon emitter begins its detection sequence.

"Captain! Tachyon emitters are detecting a distortion in space just ahead of us!"

Lt. jg T'Nevin, acting CSO
USS Galaxy NCC 70637

As T'Lein sat at his station he could not believe what had happened since the time of arrival at the USS Hydden...he finally got to experience adventure. He longed for the kind of excitement previously experienced.

As the USS Galaxy glided to the Trill homeworld at maximum warp speed, he briefly thought about what he would do in the couple of days there while the Galaxy orbited the planet...he had logically concluded, after very little thought, that there would be very little or no excitement or adventure on Trill. He had previous knowledge that the Galaxy was en route to the planet because of the delivery of the symbiot "Gael".

T'Lein had never been to the Trill homeworld. He remembered stories told of the planet and its inhabitants...he especially remembered his mother mentioning that the planet had very interesting archeological sites that would be worth visiting and, as well as ancient Trill artifacts that were recently discovered and displayed in museums. T'Lein concluded that, after arrival at Trill, he would ask the captain for some to time visit the planet's surface and look around.

Ensign Stovok T'Lein
USS Galaxy NCC-70637

"Do it 'mate. Maximum warp."

And the ship entered warp on it's way to the trill homeworld.

Coe stepped away from his consol and tried to digest everything that had happened. This had been his first real chance to think about what had happened, he had been to busy during it and so now he began to think about everything that had gone on. After a minutes thought he paused and looked up, the bridge crew all seemed to be leaving and the secondary shift was beginning to take over. He looked at the time and realised that he had not slept in over 17 hours, and yet, he was not tired. He turned to his left just as Ensign Zak Baker stepped out of the turbolift.

" Ensign you have tactical. " Coe stated to the approaching Ensign.

"Yes Sir."

"Ensign I want a full diagnostic of all the ships system's, make sure that everything is running smoothly." Coe looked the Ensign in the eye as he said it.

"Yes sir."

"Good," Coe said this as he headed toward the turbolift. He stepped inside and exhaled briefly, it had been a long day.

"Ten-foward," Coe stated to the invisible listener. The lift began to hum as it desended to it's destination.

*******Deck 10******

The lift doors opened and Coe stepped out and began to head toward the pair of sliding doors a small way down the hallway. He agknowledged an Ensign's nod as they passed in the hallway and then continued on to the lounge doors. They opened up and Coe was immediatly suprised by how little people there were. In one corner of the room sat an attractive female specialist staring out the window into space and in the other sat a young vulcan engineer reading from a PADD. Although Coe respected vulcans at the highest level, he did not think they had terribly good social skills, therefore he orderd a synthenol from the bar tender and took it over to the table with the specialist.

"Excuse me." Coe stated politly as he paused next to her table. the young specialist looked up and realising Coe was a Lt, she quickly stood.

"I'm sorry Lt. I was...well."

" Dont be silly sit down I was just wondering if you would like some company?" Coe smiled his most charming smile as he said it.

" I would, thankyou." Coe sat in the seat opposite her and took a quick sip of his drink before leaning back in his chair and briefly looking at the ceiling before lowering his gaze to look at the girl again. Once again she was staring into space, looking through the window to the right of her. She seemed preocupied with her own thoughts and so Coe was happy to sit and enjoy the pleasent atmosphere that he felt whenever he was in 10-foward. After a while Coe looked back at the girl.

" I dont believe I ever got your name." The young specialist broke her gaze and looked at Coe.

" Oh....Um.. I'm sorry Lt, I'm medical specialist Smith." She blurted out.

" Please..call me JT, we are off duty. What is your first name?"

" Crystal" She seemed to calm down a bit after what Coe had said and seemed to become more relaxed.

"Bad day at the office?" Coe asked.

" Yes.....this was my first assignment...I'm straight out of Starfleet and......I've never been in a real life situation.....only holodeck simulations....we lost some people...." The young specialist seemed quite distressed and so Coe left it at that. He tried to think of something to say but couldnt, he began to think back to his first encounter, he remembered the best thing to do at this stage was to try not to think about it. He tried to think up a topic to take her mind of her day and finally came up with something. It was weak, but it just might work.

" So what do you plan on doing once we get to Trill? Going to have some time off?....I bet you have never been to a true Klingon restaurant? I know of a really great one on the Trill homeworld, actually it's run by a friend of mine, Klingon of course..........." Coe kept on talking and the girl looked up at his eyes and smiled. Coe was pleased but didn't let it show. He just kept on talking.

After the away team returned to the Galaxy and Lieutenant Commander Jameson dismissed them, Ensign Sterner returned to his quarters.

Arriving there, his first action was to take off his clothes and go into the bathroom to take a shower. After this refreshment he put on fresh clothes and ordered a cold orange juice from the computer. The replicator slowly hummed and the ordered item appeared. Joerg took the glass and started to nip. He looked around his quarters and started to decorate it in his mind. He imagined how his medieval weapons would fit on the walls.

But first he sat down at the desk and checked his computer. He read through his mails and found that nothing really important has arrived since he last checked them. His thoughts still with his weaponry he suddenly remembered his superior officer, Lieutenant Commander Shelby, and that he didn't know anything about his status since they have beamed him back aboard the Galaxy. He quickly tapped his communicator.

"Ensign Sterner to Sickbay."

[Nurse Opel here.]

"Excuse me, but I have a question. How is Lieutenant Commander Shelby? Will he be all right?"

[Yes Ensign. He is fine for now. He had some bad head injuries, but Doctor Rousseau thinks he will recover soon.]

"Thank you very much. Sterner out."

Being relieved that his commanding officer will soon be back on duty, Joerg remembered another thing he wanted to do. He quickly pushed some buttons and entered some commands in the computer. Some moments later he was finished. Now his favorite holodeck programs where on the Galaxy's database and he couldn't wait any long to test one of them. After drinking the rest of his orange juice and leaving the glass behind, he left his quarters.

"Computer, which holodeck is currently available?" he asked while walking to the turbolift.

"Holodecks 2 and 3 are currently available." the computer answered quickly.

Ok, then it will be holodeck 2, he said to himself and entered the lift.

"Deck 11." he ordered.

After a short ride in the lift he left it and went to holodeck 2. Once there he pushed some buttons and the computer answered him. "Program Sterner3 complete. Enter when ready."

Filled with joy he entered the holodeck.

The surrounding was familiar to him. It was one of his favorite programs, the escape from a medieval castle. The start point was in one of the prison cells of the castle. He looked around and smiled.

"Computer. Difficulty level 4. Record time and number of enemies I will overcome, so that I can analyse them later. Start program now."

After he spoke the words, the scene went from the frozen image of a prison cell to a real cell. The torch light, that could be seen through the window in the door, flickered and some water dripping down could be heard. Joerg relaxed and started to plan his escape. In the beginning the program was always the same, he waited till the warden brought him his food, he fought the warden and could leave his cell. After that it was always a new experience, because the program calculated a new dungeon and castle structure each time the program was started. The program would only be over, once he reaches and opens the castle's front gate.

He started his search and kept on knocking out the guards for at least 20 minutes. He already reached the ground floor of the castle and kept going. This time the front gate of the castle was guarded by two strong guard with battleaxes, so he decided to lure them away from their post in order to leave through the main gate. He strategy was successful and he could leave the castle at last.

"Program terminated." the computer just said and the holodeck returned to it's original state.

"Please save the statistics about my adventure, so that I can look at them later." Joerg ordered the computer.

"Data saved." the computer replied.

Without saying anything else, Joerg left the holodeck and returned to his quarters. Next time I'll try the next difficulty level, he thought when he was going to bed. Shortly after that he fell asleep tired from both his duty and the holodeck adventure he just completed.

Ensign Sterner
USS Galaxy NCC-70637

Jamson was on his way to Ten-Forward,he needed something to eat or drink after what happened on the Hydden and of course...before returning to duty.

****Ten-Forward****

"One gagh and a beer please." Jamson said and sat down near a table at the corner of Ten-Forward. He could see some of the Senior Staff that was seating and enjoying near the bar but he was not in the mood for that. Not now. There are to many things to worry about. Like Shelby and Commander Gael and what will happen to them? Will they be ok? who knows... To many things were running in Jamson's head,not even the food or the drink could help him forget everything. So after finishing his "dinner" he was on his way to the Holodeck "Maybe the Holodeck could help forget things" he thought to himself but on his way his comm badge beeped so he pressed it,

"Jamson here" he said with a clear strong voice.

"Ensign Freeman here Sir, I am sorry, but I need you to replace me right now. I just got a call from Earth about personal matters"

"Of course Ensign, I'm on my way." Jamson replied and headed toward the nearest turbolift.

Noam Brosh aka Lt.CMD Michael Jamson
OPS
USS Galaxy

"Price here."

"Sir, The U.S.S Nebula will meet with us in three hours. Permission to leave for my shore leave. I will be back in four days, by then you will just be leaving the Trill homeworld."

"Sure, but be back in time 'mate."

Capizzi smiled thinking to himself "I love the way he says that."

"Energize."

"Lt. JG Capizzi?" asks an Ensign.

"Yup, thats me."

"I am here to escort you to your quarters."

"What's your name?"

"I am Ensign Paul Smith."

{Walking to Capizzi's temperary quarters}

Capizzi and Smith are laughing "So I was reprograming the generator for more power and, I swear it wasn't my fault, every reactor and generator on the outpost blew out and had to be replaced."

They laughed and then paul said "Your quarters are here. This is deck 9. The computer will help you with anything you need."

There is a small wimper. They both look down at Mason.

"Say," Paul says,"I get off duty at 1930 hours, if you want we could go to the holodeck or ten-forward."

"Sure replies Capizzi."

Steve settles in his new quarters and programs three programs into the computer. "Computer, dogfood." The replicator hums and dogfood appears on the replicator pad with a knife and fork."Computer, take away the utensils." The replicator hums. Steve takes the food and puts it down on the ground and Mason comes up happily. Steve steps outside."Computer, which floors have vacant holodecks." The computer cheerfully replies"Decks 2 through 4.

Steve is on his way when he walks by a man in a command uniform with three pips, Commander. "Well, well, well look who it isn't."he says.

"Get lost Herold."

"Thats Commander Herold Thompson to you. Did the outpost ever get back on-line or did you completely screw it up, like your life? Ha ha ha ha ha......"

THUMP!!! Herold hits the ground, a faint impression of Steve's fist in his face.

Steve heads off to the holodeck. People are staring. "Computer run program steve32."

"Enter when ready" the computer cheerfully says. When Steve Enters there is a a compleat scuba suit and equipment. Steve Gets ready and dives into the water.

--Steve Capizzi
Chief of Engineering
U.S.S. Galaxy

"Commander Shelby. How are you feeling?"

Commander Shelby had been reading the most recent reports from the Hydden away team. He looked up and smiled at Cote.

"Fine. I just feel a little lightheaded, but Dr. Rousseau said that was to be expected."

"Yes. Quite common."

Cote looked up at his readouts briefly, then looked down at the padd he held to make some notes.

"Well, if everything goes normally from here on out, you should be free to go right about the time we arrive at Trill."

He didn't notice, at first, when Shelby didn't answer. He looked up from his notes.

Shelby's head had flopped over, his eyes had closed.

"Commander?" He tried to wake him up, but nothing short of slapping him seemed to be working. Cote's medical training kicked in.

'Brain Trauma . . .'

He scanned Shelby, only to have his fears confirmed. His brain was swelling, and if they didn't act fast, he was going to die.

"I need a trauma team in here, NOW!!"

They moved the commander to a biobed and outfitted it with scanners and medical devices of every known configuration. It was a fight to keep him alive.

"Run a resonance tissue scan. I want to rule ou any possibility of an infection. Give him ten cc Ryetalin to stop the inflation."

The results from another scan came in just after Cote finished his sentence. "His brain is filled with fluid. We have to drain it. Get the Surgical Transporter in here."

Crystal Smith, the Medical Technicin on duty, wheeled the huge device into the room. They place it over Shelby's still form and activated it.

"Initiating bio-trace . . .I have the protein code of the fluid."

"Drain it."

A soft hum, then a shimmer of light, and a light, yellowish fluid appeared in the transporter unit.

"That's it people . . . swelling has gone down, all readouts returning to normal. Keep those scanners running, though. I want to know every possible explaination for this is ruled out before we make an official report on this."

Cote finally backed up, then tapped his communicator.

"Frisk to Rousseau."

A few seconds passed before a slightly slurred "Go ahead" came through.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you, Doctor, but . . ."

Cote trailed off as a low moan sounded from the biobed. It was Commander Shelby.

"Cote? What's happening?"

The second officer's eyes slowly opened, and when they did, they went wide.

"Where am I!!!???"

"Commander, calm down. You're in sickbay, remember?"

"Sickbay? Commander!? What . . ."

"Dr. Frisk, REPORT!"

Cote jumped at Jacqueline's tone.

"It's Commander Shelby, Doctor. His brain swelled up. You need to get down here."

"On my way."

It was no more than a minute later that Jacqueline came running through the doors. Shelby was still taking in his surroundings, looking much like a lost puppy. He shrinked away a little as Jacqueline approached him.

"Who are you? Why am I here?"

Jacqueline frowned at this. "I'm Dr. Jacqueline Rousseau. You were hit on the head while on an away mission . . ."

She stopped when she saw the confused expression creep over his face. She tried another approach.

"Name, Rank!"

He looked down. "I . . . I don't . . ."

She stared at her crewmate. "You don't remember any of this, do you?"

Shelby slowly shook his head. "No."

Commander Jacqueline E. Rousseau, M.D.,br. Chief Medical Officer, U.S.S. Galaxy

Captain's Log: Supplemental:

The USS Galaxy is presently on route to the Trill home world at maximum warp. Chief Medical Officer, Doctor Jacqueline Rousseau, has requested our presence on Trill in order to save the life of the Symbiot Gael. Carla, the Trill host of the joined Commander Carla Gael, my First Officer, was killed during the surprise attack by the Alien creatures from the USS Hydden.

Let the record show that Commander Carla Gael gave her life in the line of duty, and had she not, I would not be making this log entry.

In total, the attack by the USS Hydden resulted in 67 casualties, and 14 fatalities. See the Medical log for a detailed manifest. Most notably, the loss of Commander Carla Gael, First Officer, as well as the disabling injury to Lieutenant Commander Christopher Shelby, Second Officer.

The Parasitic creatures encountered on the USS Hydden appear to be the same creatures encountered many years ago by the crew of the USS Enterprise D. I have Lieutenant T'Nevin conducting tests on the sample creatures, trying to find out more about them, and possibly discover a plausible treatment for those infested with the creatures.

The appearance of Commander Sela's Romulan Warbird, as well as statements made about a Romulan quarantine confirm Mr. Shivok's prediction that the Romulan Empire has also been invaded by these creatures. I can only hope that Commander Sela is successful at cleansing these aliens from their society. For I fear of what the repercussions will be if she fails.

Please note, for the record the following field promotions:

Doctor Jacqueline Rousseau, Chief Medical Officer, promoted from Lieutenant Commander to Full Commander. Doctor Rousseau has assembled an excellent medical staff that really came through in a crisis situation.

Mr. Shivok, Chief of Counseling, promoted from Lieutenant to Lieutenant Commander. Counselor Shivok's years of experience and professionalism is a huge asset to such a young crew. I find that at times, he is the 'glue' that keeps the inexperienced officers together.

T'Nevin, acting Chief Science Officer, promoted from Ensign to Lieutenant junior grade and assigned as permanent Chief Science Officer. Lieutenant T'Nevin has performed his duties admirably and has put together a fine staff of science officers.

Steve Capizzi, acting Chief of Engineering, promoted from Ensign to Lieutenant junior grade and assigned as permanent Chief of Engineering. Lieutenant Capizzi shows great promise as Chief Engineer. His dedication to duty is exemplary.

Joerg Sterner, security officer, promoted from Ensign to Lieutenant junior grade and assigned as Chief of Security. Lieutenant Sterner performed extraordinarily on the away team mission to evacuate the survivors of the USS Hydden. With the injury to Lieutenant Commander Shelby, Sterner is the next logical choice for Chief of Security. I am sure he will fill the role nicely.

Michael Jamson, Chief Operations Officer, promoted from Lieutenant Commander to full Commander and assigned as Executive Officer. Commander Jamson will be leaving his duties at Ops and assuming the role as First Officer on board the USS Galaxy. He is a fine officer and should work out nicely, if he can control his temper.

Stovok T'Lein, Chief Helmsman, promoted from Ensign to Lieutenant junior grade and assigned as Chief Operations Officer. Lieutenant T'Lein is moving over from the Conn station to the Operations Management station. His performance, particularly under stress conditions has been out standing. I am sure he is up to the new challenges that this assignment will provide him.

"Computer. Close Log." The computer responded with the usual acknowledgment tones. Captain Price leaned back in his chair and sighed. This had been a long and difficult ordeal. Now that it was over, the Captain was finally able to relax.

"Computer. Estimated time to arrival at Trill?"

"30 hours, 21 minutes." The computer responded.

The Captain looked out the observation window at the streaking stars. "We are going to make it." He thought, "We will arrive at Trill on time to save Gael, and keep my promise to the Doctor."

While gazing at the stars, the Captain's stomach made a slight rumble, and he realized that in all of the excitement, he had not eaten. Getting up and zipping the bottom of his duty jacket, Captain Price exited his quarters and headed to 10 forward.

T'Lein walked down the corridor heading to Ten Forward...as he walked through the two huge doors he glanced around the unusually calm room. The room was nearly empty with only a few members of the crew sitting and going over reports, staring out into space at the streaks of light passing over the Galaxy, conversating with crewmates, or just relaxing in some way or another. T'Lein's gaze caught LT. Coe sitting with a young woman (he came to the conclusion that she was in the sciences because of her blue uniform) and it looked like they were in a somewhat humerous conversation, because the young woman was laughing abundantly.

T'Lein walked over to the bar, took a stool, and asked for tonic. He felt so much at ease and less tense since he came into Ten Forward.

Enough time had passed in order for the young ensign to drink two glasses of tonic. A short time after finishing his second glass, one of his aquaintances entered Ten Forward and spotted T'Lein at the bar. He walked over to T'Lein and said congratulations. T'Lein looked bewildered at the remark and asked, "Thank you for that remark, but what am I being congratulated on?" The young man sitting opposite T'Lein said, "You haven't heard yet? You've been promoted to Lt.jg and have been assigned as chief operations officer."

T'Lein recalled speaking earlier with Captain Price about taking over at Ops, but not about being promoted. The news came, partly, as a surprice to the new Lt.jg, but he felt honored to have been promoted.

After the news, the two crewmates sat and relaxed as they both ordered more drinks to enjoy.

Lt.jg T'Lein
Chief Operations Officer
USS Galaxy NCC-70637

Coe said gruffly to the computer. By now he was exhausted and he wanted to make this quick entry to his log before he collapsed on to his bed. The computer made the acknowledgement sound that indicated it was recording and Coe started up.

" The events of the previous 24 hours have been swift yet shocking. The loss of 14 fellow crew mates including the First Officer Commander Carla Gael, have left the crew in utter dissary and shock. " Coe paused for a minute before rubbing his eyes and starting up again.

" Presently we are enroute to the trill homeworld where only there will the symbiont Gael be able to survive. I only hope we can make it in time.....Myself, and Im sure the rest of the crew, are looking forward to some well earned shore leave, Lt. JG Capizzi has already disembarked the Galaxy when we rendezvoused with the USS Nebula several hours ago. He will rejoin the Galaxy before our next mission begins.

I received notification today via sub space communication from starfleet command, informing me that once the Galaxy arrives on the trill homeworld, the Galaxy will briefly rendezvous with the USS Melbourne( My former ship) Where 2 young Ensign's, fresh out of Starfleet will transfer with the Galaxy to become members of the Galaxy crew. Filling in as Tactical officers on board this vessel. I am looking forward to having some new recruits under my wing and being able to show them the ropes of Starfleet. The transfers names are:

Ensign: Anna Hannley ( Human) (21 years old) (Female)
Ensign: John Cole ( Bajoran ) (25 years old) (Male)

And I am particularly looking forward to seeing my former ship, and former crewmates!"

"Computer, end log." Coe lifted himself from his couch and his gaze out of his windows off into space ceased. He got up slowly, straining as his muscles politely informed him he needed rest. He had a quick shower and and got out. Ordering a hot chocolate from his rooms replicator he quickly consumed it before placing himself in bed.

He lay in bed and decided to think about the previous days events but hadn't even got up to the intruder alert before he was fast asleep. Dreaming pleasant dreams.

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

"Lt. JG Capizzi is in holodeck 5 on deck 2."

Paul leaves engineering and goes to deck 2. Paul goes into his quarters.

"Computer, describe the program Capizzi is running."

"LT JG Capizzi is running a diving program."

Paul heads off to holodeck 5.

"Computer, create new diving equipment."

Paul suits up and dives in.

Paul finds Steve at 230 feet in a ship wreak. Paul scribbles on a dive pad.

[I guess you found the holodecks alright]

[yea, too bad we can't end the program here, I wanted to go to ten-forward]

[Lets begin ascent]

{At the surface}

"Computer, end program"

"Working"

The holodeck hums and the beach scene dissapears.

{At Ten-Forward}

"You know," Paul mentions, "I got some free time coming up soon, I could ...."

"Sure" Steve replies.

Harold walks through the door and goes to the table where Steve and Paul are sitting. "Sorry about before, you got better grades than me at the acadamy and you hardly studied and I studied like crazy and now I felt since I was a higher rank that..."

"It's alright, how's your nose?"

"Fine, I got duty now so I'll see you later."

"Bye, I never knew."

A man walks in who looks out of place. He goes to a table, says something and walks to another table, says something then comes to Steve's table. "You Lt JG Capizzi."

"Yea"

"The Captain wanted you to know we will be orbiting Earth in one hour."

"Thanks"

He walks away.

"Get packed Paul."

They both get up and walk out.