"I dunno.", Quall replied to Ensign Mitchell's question about the Tholians. With a smile, "They don't tell us Ensign's everything you know!"

Feeling the shadows of sleep creeping around him, Quall decided it was time to hit the hay. "Goodnight.... er morning."

"See you tomorrow partner"

"Bye Quall. Nice meeting you" called Mitchell.

Quall waved goodbye as he strolled through the doors of Ten forward.

**** Ensign Quall's quarters ****

"Computer. Check messages."

~chrip~ Hmm. A message. Quall wondered who it was from... and about what.

"Retrieve message... audio playback."

Quall listened to the computer telling him that sickbay was requesting another physical within the next couple of days. He sighed as he tried to count the number of physicals he had been through. Ah well... I can put it off.

"Computer. Lights off."

Quall settled in for a nice quiet sleep, because gamma shift didn't start for another fifteen hours or so...

Ensign Quall
Security Officer

Casey was walking down the corridor of deck 10 and pondering possible causes for the strange readings that Ensign Shtik had detected the night before during the Captain’s warp experiment. Casey had a PADD in his hand and was accessing the ship’s scientific logs. No matter how he input the information, the computer just couldn’t figure out a cause for such strange ionic particle readings. Casey knew he’d have to make another slight adjustment to the ionic field pulse or the cloaked ship would explode when it came in contact with the ionic particles. He reprogrammed the commands to the computer’s sensor’s and emitter array matrix. But, he wanted to know what was causing these readings. Well, the computer wasn’t helping so he figured out some possible explanations for this type of anomaly. He typed the following on the PADD:

Possible solutions to the ion particle readings radiating from the ‘echo’ at an abrupt 45 degree angle, they disappear when the ships narrow beam is out of range:

1.neodilithium power surge.
2.graviton containment field.
3.dilithium overtion.
4.amnion power fluctuation.
5.chroniton emissions.
6.A De Broglie wave.
7.deuterium leakage.

Now, if the crew needed to access this information it was in the computer’s main dB. Casey then found himself at the door of Ten Forward and by a strange coincidence he almost ran into Ensign Ti, he looked up just in time.

"Excuse me Ti, would you like to have breakfast with me and Lt. Bellen?" Casey asked the gorgeous blonde.

Ti turned red as she always did around strangers. She didn’t want to be rude so she accepted. Casey couldn’t believe how well things were going for him, hopefully he’d left the shyness around women- thing behind. Everyone ordered breakfast, just when they picked up their silverware to eat, the comm. came on, "Ensign Ti and Ensign Casey, please report to the bridge," Commander Jamson’s voice resonated in their ears. Casey and Ti looked at each other, Ti rolled her eyes, Casey just frowned. "On our way sir," Casey replied.

Ti and Casey were now in the turbolift on their way to the Bridge. Casey couldn’t think of anything to say to Ti, and Ti was to shy to say anything…it was real quiet. A few federation botanists entered the turbolift, Casey said a casual hello, as did Ti. That broke the silence, "I was thinking Ti, maybe you and I could fly a 20th century jet on the holodeck when we get the chance?" Ti looked at Casey, amazement on her face, "You fly jets?" Casey smiled back at her, "My father wouldn’t have it any other way. I had to be able to fly anything and everything before my father would even let me fill out a Starfleet Academy app." They didn’t get a chance to finish their conversation.

The turbolift doors opened, revealing the Bridge. Ti took her station at the helm, Casey stood on the ramp, "Ensign Casey reporting as ordered sir," Casey stood at attention. "At ease Ensign please take your station at Ops." "Aye, sir." Casey walked down the ramp and sat at Ops, Lt. T’Lein was already out of the seat and standing behind tactical. Casey glanced over at Ti just for a second and smiled.

"Ensign, are you ready?" Captain Price asked in his buried Aussie accent.

"Program loaded sir," Casey had loaded the program into Ops after he finished programming it a day ago, he ran a level 5 diagnostic on the sensors and the emitter array. Two and a half seconds later everything was ready.

Casey wasn’t worried at all, he knew it would work. He wasn’t sweating or nervous in any way, completely calm and confident. It showed on Casey’s face, he knew exactly how to look in times like this, he’d seen his father portray it many times.

"Ensign, have you adjusted your program for the ion particle readings we received last night?" the Captain asked Casey.

"Yes, sir; awaiting your command sir."

When Casey said that, everyone on the Bridge seemed to grow quiet, all the anticipation, the anxiety, the curiosity would finally be satisfied. All eyes were on the Captain.

Some of the officers have begun reporting for their physicals early, most of them the type to "get it over with". Most of the others have not reported, but most have responded with an acknowledgement and a promise to report sometime soon.

And then there's Ensign Casey. He effectively blew me off, with a message stating that he didn't NEED a physical. And, based on a note on his medical record, it doesn't look like ths is going to be easy. Lieutenant Bellen is trying to hunt him and the other stragglers down, but I have a feeling I'm going to regret the day I ever mentioned the words "physical examination" to Deiran Casey.

"End log."

The computer gave a chirp as it followed instructions. Physicals. Probably her least favorite things next to death certificates, autopsies, and her mother. In fact, that note on Casey's medical record, for medical officers only, was made by her mother.

"Beware of this one, Jacqueline. I had to LITERALLY chase him down a few years ago."

"Sounds like the first time you tried to get me to take MINE, Mom," she said to the window. What was it going to take to haul Casey in this time around?

Rising from his bed, T'Lein felt that the day would be very long...

T'Lein, after showering and dressing, left his quarters a few minutes before Alpha shift was set to begin. As he walked down the corridor, he wondered if any thing *strange* may have occurred through the night...he started to raise his hand to contact Lt. Coe, but decided to wait until he arrived on the bridge.

***Main Bridge***

T'Lein stepped off the turbolift, took a quick glance around, and walked over to Lt. Coe, who was positioned at the tactical console, and asked about the night shift.

Lt. Coe: "Captain Price showed up around 02:00 hours. I guess he had a little trouble sleeping. We decided to initiate that little experiment I proposed...the one using the gravametric distortion scanners in order to detect a subspace distortion from any pursuing vessel."

Lt. T'Lein: "What was the resulting data?"

Lt. Coe: "The experiment went very well, without any problems or complications whatsoever. Ensign Shtik collected all data collected by the scanners. He should be finishing up his report for the captain any time now."

Lt. T'Lein: "I gather, after the results from the data have been carefully examined, the Galaxy will initiate the pulse Ensign Casey has prepared?"

Lt. Coe: "Right, T'Lein."

Lt. T'Lein: "I suggest we have Ensign Casey present when we begin...after all, it was his idea."

Lt. Coe: "The captain agrees."

T'Lein turns away and, as he walks down the bridge slope heading for the Ops console to relieve Ensign Chen, he raises his right hand to his comm badge.

: [ Lt. T'Lein to Ensign Casey] It took some time before the young ensign's voice came through T'Lein's comm badge.

- [Ensign Casey here, sir.]

: [Are you awake ensign?]

- [I am now, sir.]

: [Report to the bridge immediately. Your assistance is needed.]

With a slight groan... - [Aye, sir. On my way.]

Lt. Stovok T'Lein
Chief Ops Manager
USS Galaxy NCC-70637

As Ensign Quall turned to leave, Mitchell took the cue, deciding he should just get some things over with.

"Well, Heather, can I call you that?" He said with a glint in his eye.

"Sure....I don't see why not, we are off duty, after all." She says with a slight flush in her cheeks.

"As I was saying, why don't we take a walk? You could show me around the ship. I do have to find Sickbay eventually, and I wouldn't mind meeting some of the other crew. It'll give us a chance to get to know each other better, anyhow."

"Alright. I might as well get my physical over with, too." And with that the two got up and made their way out.

"Thanks for the breakfast, Barkeep!"

"No problem, Ensign, come again!"

"Computer."

[beep]

"Begin recording"

"Ensign Wadell, I read you bio after our conversation in front of the holodeck and was wondering if you felt like having a fencing student. Bellen. End recording."

[beep]

"Send message to Ensign Wadell."

[Message sent]

********

Ensign Casey, Lt.jg Chiron and Lt.jg Bellen sat in ten-forward, eating their breakfast as usual.

"Oh, I nearly forgot, Deiran," Said Bellen right before biting into an oversized glazed donut, "Dr. Rousseau told me to tell you that the physicals are mandatory and you have to get one even though you are in perfect health." She looked at him. He had absolutely no intention of going.

Chiron added "The stubbornness in humans astounds me at times." They both laughed while Deiran sat looking erked then he, as well, joined in. Ensign Casey sighed as he finished the last of his breakfast.

"I better report for duty."

"Ahhh, the Tholian mystery. They were examining the infirmary a few days ago. Curious people. Good luck." Bellen said.

Lt.jg Bellen

Coe sat comfortably in the command chair and observed the quiet bridge and it's occupants. Coe had been assigned to take command of the ship during the Gamma shift on the ship and was pleased that finally, he had a steady leadership opportunity on the Galaxy. Although the ships most senior officers and the majority of the crew where asleep or not on shift, Coe still felt more than comfortable with the fact that if an emergency was to arise, the current bridge crew could handle the situation.

A little over an hour ago, Captain Price had visited the bridge, obviously he couldn't sleep and Coe was quite suprised to see the Captain on the bridge, let alone awake at such an hour. The Captain had requested that Coe's detection theory be put to work and after doing the required speed changes and gathering of sensor information, Ensign Shitik at science station 1 had been working on the filtering of sensor information for the past hour.

Coe looked around the bridge. Ensign Wadell was over at the bridges engineering section, deep in conversation with Lt. Chiron, Ensign Shitik was at science, Ensign Kopitz was at the galaxy's helm, the newly arrived Ensign Chen was at Ops, and Ensign Hanley was at tactical.

Coe stood from the Command Chair and walked over to science station 1.

" Ensign Shitik, what have you found?"

" Sir, I believe you will find this quite interesting! Sir, there is a definite fluctuation in the 'sensor echo' when the ship changes speeds. If we speed up.. it falls behind slightly. If we slow down.. it gains slightly until it again matches our course and speed. However sir, there are two anomolous readings which I can not understand. The first time the USS Galaxy sped up to warp 6, the 'echo fell behind slightly. But the sensors also detected for a brief moment when two high concentrations of ion particles appeared to radiate away from the 'echo' reading at abrupt 45 degree angle until they were no longer in the field of the sensors narrow beam. I can make little sense of these readings I have not been able to detect any further traces of these....Ion particles." Coe listened quietly and passively as the young Ensign spoke of his findings.

" Okay, Good work Ensign! I will inform the Captain as soon as he arrives on the bridge, But I want you to keep looking out for those Ion particles."

" Understood sir." With that Coe left the science station and began to have a leisurely stroll around the bridge.

*****2 hours later, 06:30 hours*****

Coe was going over the sensor readings when Captain Price stepped on to the bridge. Coe moved forward to greet him.

" Lt. Coe, anything interesting show up following your experiment?"

" Yes Sir." Coe smiled as he said it. " I believe we have our ship." The Captain nodded seriously, attempting to digest the enormity of the situation. Coe too felt tense, what if it was a Romulan Warbird following the Galaxy?

" Show me the readings mate." Coe led the Captain over to science station one where Ensign Shitik was still making sense of the readings. The Ensign looked up and stood at the approach of the captain.

" Ensign Shitik." Coe stated in a firm voice. " Please show the Captain our findings.

" Yes Sir." Shitik handed the Captain a padd to study as he recited what he had already told Coe. By the end Captain Price and Coe both felt sure, that another ship was following the Galaxy.

" Lt Coe, once the Alpha shift begins, we will initiate Ensign Casey's scan. I want you to double check that everything is ready for the it." The Captain looked at his watch. " We will begin scan at 07:30 hours. Understood mate?"

" Yes Sir, however there is one last issue, Starfleet protocol states that when an unidentified vessel..." The Captain held up his hand to interrupt Coe.

" I know Lt, bring us to yellow alert."

" Yes Sir." Coe walked over to the tactical station and punched the required keys, the bridge darkening and the yellow lights began to illuminate the ship.

The Captain took the con and soon, the ships senior officers, being woken by the yellow alert, began to file on to the bridge looking weary eyed and sleepy.

****45 Mins later, beginning of Alpha shift****

The bridge was a flurry of activity as the ships senior officers, took command of the ships systems. Lt T'Lein manned the Ops, T'Nevin the science, Ensign Ti Miran, the helm, Coe took tactical and Captain Price and Commander Jamson both took their respective places on the bridge.

" Captain, the final modifications to the sensor array are complete." Lt T'Nevin voice was calm as he said it.

" Very well." The Captain tapped his comm badge as he said it.

" Bridge to engineering."

" Lt Capizzi here Sir."

" Lt, activate the scan"

" Yes Sir" The bridge crew waited, nervously and tensely until Lt. T'Lein's voice broke the erry silence.

" Captain, sensor Information is coming through.........."

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

Alpha shift starts. I receive my timings when I briefly report to Lt Sterner. Moved to Beta shift. So there's yet another eight hours before a Major-cum-lowly Ensign can even try to be useful. After the Commander departs, I sit in Ten-Forward for a bit, no one coming forward to chat. I bet I look like I could kick a hole through the hull. I just find it hard to give up, to accept that I've finally really lost a battle, one for my soul. I'm sure that when I resign myself to the inevitable, that I've really lost my rank, my wife and my friends, I might even be tolerable, eventually...

In the meantime, I check back in my shack, hoping for a message from someone, knowing there'll be none. To my surprise, I find one, but disappointingly it's only for a physical. My spirits lift a bit as this may be chance to meet that good-looking Chief Sawbones. Then again, I'm probably just another piece of meat, maybe in better shape physically,but a mess emotionally. I have no idea if her checkup covers emotional condition. If so, I may be in trouble. For a moment, I regret leaving all my scars on, instead of having the scar tissue removed and healed. I remember saying once that it was a reminder of my friends that got it much worse, the ones I left behind.

So, after taking a deep breath, wondering just how I got myself in so much trouble, I stand and depart for Sickbay. Once there, the place seems hectic. The Doctor's there, working in her office, and a couple of nurses are checking out the few people trying to get their exams over with. Lt Sterner's there, chatting up a nurse. So, breaking the rules as usual and not waiting my turn, I stroll over to the CMO's office, and stand at attention in front of her desk, in my best imitation of a Marine, and report.

"Sir or Ma'am. Major Tinian Jeppo reporting as ordered for my examination." She puts down a PADD and looks at me like I'm an insect. O boy, this should be interesting, if nothing else.

"Thank you for inviting me to breakfast."

"No problem, Chiron." Bellen Smiles.

"I seem to have made some friends, correct?"

(Laughs all around)

"Correct, Chiron. See ya later." Said Casey.

As Chiron arrives at Engineering, everyone is buzzing around like bees in a hive.

"What is happening, Skye?"

"Haven't you heard? After they tried the Warp Shift, they analyzed the data and we're gettin' ready ta figure out who our friendly cloaked neighbor is out there."

"Ah, I had better get to work..." Chiron said as the Yellow Alert lights shimmered to life...

Lt. JG. Chiron
Lake Nebagamon, WI
'May the Great Bird of the Galaxy guide you'

" Lieutenant Capizzi, I'm having difficulties with transportor room two.....has someone in engineering been running tests on the transporters."

"No Chief......We have other problems that we have to deal with."

"UH sir....Just to report to you...when I came in here all the transporters systems safety mechanisms were off."

"Chief.......I'm sure that you can fix that, also run a level three diagnostics on the transportor systems. When your tests are done please report to me"

"Aye Sir"

Jensen wondered if there was something else going on within the ship. He knew that all the senior oficers were not in the best of moods lately. "Oh Well" he said out loud and started to run the tests. He then walked over to the pad and got up onto it. Here he was just about to open the side casing, when he heard an emergency beeping coming from the Transportor Console.

"shoot" he yelled.....because he knew from the beeping that someone had just disabled the saftey mechanism. He went to jump off the pad, but it was too late. He was caught in the lock. He quickley pressed his Comm badge and shouted:

"Engineering, Emergency in transportor room two"

All Engineering heard was "Engineering, Emergency.............." and the communications broke up.

Capizzi wondered what the heck is going on up there and he quickley responded.

"Chief Jensen...is everything alright up there."

No answer

"Chief Jensen....can you hear me."

Again no answer

"Security to transportor room two......I think we have a problem."

Chief Jensen materialized in an empty room. He didn't know where he was and he couldn't tell just by looking around. There were no controls or life forms.....just an empty room. The Chief tapped his communicator, but nothing happened...There was just complete and utter silence...as if he were the only one in the entire universe.

"I've really done it this time" The Chief thought to himself.

And with that he walked to a corner where he sat down and starred into the blue, thinking about what is going to happen to him next.

Captain Price glanced around the bridge at his senior command crew. He could sense that tensions were high as they all anticipated the outcome of Ensign Cassey's experiment. Cassey stood near Science station one, working closely with Lieutenant T'Nevin and Mr. Shtik who choose to continue working at Science station two. He was still puzzled over the anomalous sensor readings gathered during Gamma shift.

Finally, Captain Price gave the order to Lt. Capizzi in Engineering.

"Lieutenant, activate the scan."

The bridge crew waited, nervously and tensely until the Chief Operations Officer, Lieutenant T'Lein, broke the erry silence with his analytical Vulcan tone, "Captain, sensor information is coming through..." T'Lein adjusted a few controls on his Ops console. His Vulcan eyebrows narrowed into a scowl as he rekeyed the sequence again.

Captain Price noticed the pause. "What is it Lieutenant?"

"Sir. I am rechecking the readings and have run a level 5 Diagnostics on the sensor array. It seems that the 'echo' has vanished." T'Lein adjusted a few more controls. "I am, attempting to widen the sensor field Captain."

Lieutenant Coe is standing at the Tactical Arch. His hands virtually activating the controls as Jamson orders, "Shields!"

"Already activated Sir."

Captain Price stands up and takes the few steps to T'Lein's Ops station. Watching over the Vulcan's shoulder, he can see that sensors appear to be functioning within their proper parameters. As T'Lein continues to adjust the sensor field, Price looks over to Cassey and T'Nevin at Science Station One.

Feeling the Captain's gaze, Ensign Cassey feels compelled to reply. "I don't understand it Captain. The Ion pulse should have worked. We had it configured with a narrow beam width and any cloaked vehicle trailing back there should have been exposed instantly."

Cassey turns back to face the Science station console, activating the communications circuit. "Lieutenant Capizzi, are we emitting an Ion pulse or not?"

The Chief Engineer's voice came over the science station's speaker, "Aye. We are admitting a narrow beam Ion pulse as discussed."

"Maybe we need to widen the beam..." Cassey spoke his thoughts out loud, but they were interrupted as the Starship rocked violently as a barrage of Disrupter fire slams into the USS Galaxy.

"Where is that coming from?!" screamed Jamson as he strained to see anything on the main view screen.

"Evasive maneuvers Ensign Ti!" The Captain ordered.

As the bridge crew all scrambled to fill their duties, Ensign Cassey, now realizing that the enemy ship had closed within weapons range, chose a new tact. "Capizzi, deactivate the narrow beam Ion pulse and reconfigure for a radiant pulse with as much field strength as you can generate!"

The Chief Engineer's voice echoed back through the Comm channel, "That will take a few seconds to reconfigure.. I'm on it!"

More volleys of Disrupter fire rocks the Galaxy, staggering everyone slightly. Captain Price grabs the back of Ensign Ti's chair to steady himself. "Damage report."

Lieutenant Coe checks his tactical console before replying. "Minor hits on deflector shields 3 and 4. No structural damage. Shield strength is stable at 89 percent."

"Look there!" exclaims First Officer Jamson as he points to the main view screen and a faint image of a ship appears momentarily to fire it's disrupters before fading away again. "That looks like a Breen Crusader!"

Captain Price only caught a slight glimpse of the ship before she faded away again. As the ship again rocked as the shields absorbed the Disrupter fire this began to make some sense. In that brief instant, the Captain recalled that the Tholians and the Breen have been involved in some kind of interstellar struggle for the past year. Surely this attack has something to do with the Tholians.

"Lieutenant Coe. Ready the tractor beam. The next time we get a visual on that craft, I want it caught." The Captain made his way back to the Command chair as he spoke. Lieutenant Coe replied as the Captain was facing him.

"Aye Sir. Tractor beam ready."

The valiant crew of the Galaxy did not have to wait very long. In what seemed like too short of a time, the Breen ship had managed to recharge it's Disrupter banks and fire again to the Aft section of the ship.

"Now 'mate! Lock 'em down!" the Captain demands.

Having to manually target the tractor beam because sensors are still not detecting the Breen ship, Lieutenant Coe activates the USS Galaxy's tractor beam, scoring a direct hit on the first try.

"Got him Captain. Tightening the beam and increasing power."

As Coe strengthens the tractor beam that is holding the Breen ship at bay, Chief Engineer Capizzi's voice rings out from the communications console. "We're ready for the radiant pulse. just give the order."

Ensign Cassey didn't hesitate. "Discharge the ion pulse now!"

Many low intensity ion spheres radiate out from the USS Galaxy in every direction. As the pulse reaches the ship being held by the Galaxy's tractor beam, it becomes plainly visible.

"It is the Breen!" exclaims Commander Jamson as he watches on the main view screen. As the rest of the crew watch the ship decloak with every Ion pulse, then the image slowly begins to fade away again until the next pulse hits it, refreshing the image.

"Captain! there's... something you should see, directly in front of us. Collision course!" Ensign Ti sounded surprised and a little frightened.

"On screen Ensign."

The main view screen's displayed the view directly in front of the ship's path. A huge spatial rift begins to open up in front of the USS Galaxy.

"Full reverse Ensign." the Captain ordered.

Ensign Ti taps a few controls on the helm. "It's no good sir, we have too much momentum from our speed and the Breen ship. We will enter the anomaly in three seconds."

Captain Price looked at the view screen. It appeared to be some kind of worm hole, or vortex, but he couldn't be sure. as the Captain was analyzing his thoughts, Lieutenant Coe abruptly interrupted.

"Captain! I am picking up two more Breen Crusaders off our port and starboard stern."

No sooner than the Lieutenant detected the ships, then they began to fire their main Disrupters. More blasts rocked the Galaxy before Coe reported, "Shield strength weakening. Now at 72 percent. Minor damage to decks 14, 23 and 24."

The Lieutenant waited for the Captain's orders. Price stood up and said nothing as he watched the ship enter the rift. His explorer's gaze soon infected the rest of the bridge crew as they turned their attentions to the main view screen as the ship entered the rift.

A myriad of colors radiated past the ship as they traveled through the anomaly. The Breen ship locked in the tractor beam was pulled through also. The other two ships entered as well, still firing their Disrupters at the Galaxy.

Chief Science officer T'Nevin was the first to speak. "Sir. In this anomaly, the Breen cloaking device is non-functional. I have a solid sensor lock on them as we speak."

"I've had enough of their antics anyways. Lieutenant Coe, Fire to disable the Breen's weapon systems."

"Aye sir. I have a solid lock." Coe said. "Firing main phasers. Direct hit."

Lieutenant T'Lein spoke up next. "I'm detecting damage to their forward Disrupter arrays. estimate it will take them several hours to make repairs."

"Excellent shooting Lieutenant Coe." The Captain was pleased with his Tactical officer's performance.

"Sir." Ensign Ti began. "I am detecting the end of this, this.. Whatever it is Sir."

Mr. Shtik, whom had been silent throughout the whole ordeal spoke up to the Chief Helmsman's comment. "I have been recording sensor readings since we entered this corridor. We will be able to examine it and better determine what it was when the opportunity provides itself."

The Captain turned to Mr. Shtik and nodded to acknowledge his fine initiative. As he turns his attention back to the main view screen, the USS Galaxy exits the vortex. Then, just as mysteriously as it emerged, it vanished in a flash of light. Again, similar to a worm hole. "Ensign, take us out of Warp. Hold position here until we can get a baring on out present position."

Ti made the adjustments to her console as she spoke. "Full stop Captain. I have located our position sir. The Rigel system is just ahead."

"Captain... this is odd!" Anytime Lieutenant Coe finds something odd, it deserves the Captain's full attention. Price begins walking over to the Lieutenant's station as he replied. "What is it Lieutenant?"

"Sir, I can't seem to get any response from the Rigel system. I'm not even detecting a Federation beacon."

"That is strange. What are the Breen ships doing?"

"We still have the one ship locked in our tractor beam sir. The other two recloaked when we exited the vortex."

"Hail them Lieutenant."

Coe sent out a hail. "They are responding Sir."

"On Screen." Captain Price and the rest of the bridge crew watched as the image of the Breen Commander appeared before them. The distinctive single eye in the center of his forehead peering out under an angry brow. "This is Captain Lee Price of the Federation Starship Galaxy. Why have you attacked this vehicle?"

The Breen Commander's pupil dilated slightly. "I am Grevek. Leader. We have come for the Tholians. Give them to us, and you are free to go."

The Captain couldn't stop the corner of his mouth from bending upwards slightly in a grin. "He's got some nerve makin' demands while his two escort ships are disabled and I have a tractor beam locked on him." The Captain Thought. "I like that."

The Captain replied to the Breen Leader's answer. "I can not do that Grevek. We are to escort the Tholians to the Rigel system. Any further attacks against this vehicle will not be tolerated. If you force us to defend ourselves, we will destroy you."

The Breen Captain was about to respond when he was interrupted by one of his own crewmen. Captain Price couldn't help but listen in.

"Leader. We have lost contact with the Breen home world. They are not returning our hails."

Lieutenant Coe looked at the Captain. "Sir, they seem to be experiencing the same thing we are... I can't raise anyone from Rigel either."

The Captain nodded at Lieutenant Coe then turned and made a suggestion to the Breen Leader. "Grevek. I couldn't help but over hear what your crewman said about communications. We too are experiencing difficulties communicating with the Rigel system just ahead. This may have something to do with the spatial anomaly we just past through. May I suggest a 'cease fire' be declared until we have time to investigate what is going on here?"

The Breen Leader, Grevek smiled. He was probably thinking the same thing Lieutenant Coe was... that would give them time to repair the disrupter banks on the two damaged ships.

"Agreed Captain Price. No Breen ship will fire upon the USS Galaxy, nor will the USS Galaxy fire upon the Breen ships until we know what our communications problems are. Now If you will demonstrate your 'good faith' intentions by releasing your tractor beam...."

Captain Price smiled as widely as Grevek. Obviously the grins from two men that haven't the slightest trust for the other. "Of course Grevek, as soon as you also agree that your ships will remain uncloaked as well."

Grevek's smile dropped. This Captain was not stupid. "Bach." he said to his crewman. moments later Lieutenant Coe detected the two ships as they uncloaked.

"Captain. The other Breen Crusaders have uncloaked."

"Thank you Lieutenant Coe." the Captain responded over his shoulder without looking away from Grevek on the view screen.

"And Thank you Leader Grevek. Lieutenant, disengage the tractor beam."

"Aye sir." Coe answered then deactivated the beam.

"Now Grevek, if you will order your Crusaders to fall into formation behind the Galaxy, we shall enter the Rigel system together to investigate." The Captain said in a very diplomatic tone that would have made the Chief Counselor proud.

"Bach" the Breen Leader grunted. Moments later they had maneuvered into escort positions behind the USS Galaxy.

"Ensign Ti, plot a course to Rigel 7. 3/4 impulse."

"Aye Aye Sir!" the Ensign responded as she adjusted the controls once again. "Course plotted and laid in sir."

"Do it 'mate. Notify me when we have established standard planetary orbit."

"Aye Captain."

Price turned to the bridge staff. "I want all senior officers to report to the conference room. Ensign Cassey, Good work 'mate. I want you and Mr. Shtik as well. Are you having any luck with the sensor readings you gathered while in the anomaly Ensign?"

Ensign Cassey just beamed a wide smile and slight nod to the Captain. Mr. Shtik pivoted in his chair at Science Station 2 and faced the Captain. "Further analysis is warranted, but my initial findings indicate it was some kind of a warp conduit. However there were temporal fluctuations as well."

Commander Jamson interjected. "Temporal, as in Time travel?"

"That is correct Commander. However I have taken the liberty of using the long range scanners to scan the Korlon nebula we past yesterday. The readings almost exactly match those taken at that time." Mr. Shtik's logical, Vulcan tone made the statement sound 'matter of factly'.

"So we haven't gone anywhere. Then what caused the Temporal fluctuations?" The Commander's question was a good one.

"That's what I hope we can find out in the briefing. Lieutenant T'Lein, assign one of your crew to perform a level 3 diagnostics on the long range communications systems. I want to know if they were damaged when we entered the rift."

"Aye sir." T'Lein replied.

The Captain turned his attention to the Senior Tactical officer. "Feel like pulling a double shift 'mate?"

Coe smiled.

"I want you to take the bridge while I meet with the senior staff. I want your Tactical skills here as long as we have three Breen Crusaders flying with us."

"I understand sir... I don't trust them either." Coe replied.

The Captain just smiled and nodded with his eyes slightly.

"Let's meet in the conference room then." As the Captain said it, most of the senior staff handed their stations over to the relief officers and began walking with the Captain to the conference room.

"Have Capizzi report to the conference room as well." the Captain said to Coe as he walked by. Coe sat down in the command chair as he carried out the Captain's orders, and notified the Chief Engineer.

"Lt. Capizzi! Take a look at this!"

"Yes, Chiron? What is...My Lord!"

"Could this have something to do with the Ion pulse?"

"It's possible..."

"I'm reading Temporal Fluctuations....But other than that, it looks like an ordinary wormhole."

"Hmm. Yes, But this seems to indicate that the time hasn't changed."

"There is only one explanation..."

They both reached the same conclusion...

"The Mirror Universe...."

Lt. JG. Chiron
Lake Nebagamon, WI
'May the Great Bird of the Galaxy guide you'

Ensign Mitchell and Sanchez, were walking down the corridor, just chatting away like old classmates when they came upon the main entrance to sickbay.

"Well, we're here now." Mitchell says while looking at Sanchez with some trepidation. He holds out his arm and says, "Care to join me?"

"Why, no I wouldn't." Sanchez gives Mitchell a cold glare, but there was a hint of a smile creeping to the edges of her mouth. It looked like she was trying to hide it, but didn't have much luck.

"What?" Mitchell says with mock shock.

"I'm just kidding. I don't like physical workouts unless it is willing and in the company of certain individuals, if you get my drift..."

Mitchell's jaw drops.

"Whats the matter, James? I am talking about taking our check-ups together, what are you thinking about?" With a twinkle in her eye.

Mitchell's mouth opens and closes as if about to say something, but can't seem to decide just what. At any rate, as his cheeks start to turn a nice shade of red, Sanchez just winks and walks into Sickbay.

"You coming, or are you just going to stand out there looking foolish?"

She stands impatiently. "I would like this to finish up as soon as possible, you know."

As Ensign Mitchell starts to gather his wits back, Dr. Rousseau enters. "Well, Ensign, do you have a fever, today, or are you normally this red?"

Dr. Rousseau, standing in her blue medical jacket, just stood there, with a wide grin, acting impatient.

"Well, lets get on with it, I am pretty busy, you know." With that, she swings her arm wide, showing off the vast Sickbay she commands that has absolutely no one in it but her and her assistant, another ensign.

"Take a bed, any bed, if you please, my assistant will take care of you, Ensign Mitchell. Ensign Sanchez, come with me." And the two women went off to one of the other sections of Sickbay, all the while, whispering to each other and giving an occasional glance back.

"Come with me please, Ensign. I'm Nurse OPel, Can you take your shirt off please?"

As Mitchell started to remove his shirt, an explosion rocked the ship, knocking him off his feet and sending objects flying all about the room.

"After the shock subsided, Mitchell ran over to Dr. Rousseau and helped her and Sanchez up.

"What the hell was that!"

"I don't know, said Sanchez, but I'm going to my station, to figure out what is going on! I'll catch you later, James!" And with that she ran out the door.

"I guess there's no time like the present to report to Mr. Shtik for my first assignment!"

[Ensign Mitchell to Lt. Shtik]

[Shtik, here, Ensign] Mitchell could barely hear him over all the activity on the bridge, as booms rocked the ship again and again.

[It's a little busy up here, what is it?]

[I know I don't report for duty until Gamma Shift, but I'm offering a hand. Where do you need me, sir?]

Coe once again took Command of the ship as the senior officers filed out into the conference room to discuss the Galaxy's situation. Coe looked at his watch and noticed he had not left the bridge for 13 hours, and yet, he was not tired.

" Ensign Hanley." Coe hailed the stand-in tactical officer by tilting his head in her direction.

" Yes Sir." the young Ensign looking up from the control panel as she said it.

" Ensign, bring up the specs for the Breen ships on the main viewer, Lets see what the' they've got."

" Yes Sir." After a moment the Breen ships specs came up on the main viewer as Coe concentrated on their weapons and defensive systems. He noticed that although their weapons where inferior to the Galaxy's, three of these ships could possible destroy the Galaxy. Coe decided that the Breen ships must not be allowed to fully repair themselves as long as the threat of hostilities was still immanent. He looked over at the young Ensign seated at the operations station.

" Ensign Williams, estimated time until the Breen ships will be fully functional?" The young ensign looked slightly suprised and his answer was nervous.

" Um..." He looked blanked eyed at Coe before quickly looking at his console and answering more smartly.

" One of the ships has been damaged only slightly, it will be fully functional within the hour, however the other two ships have sustained moderate damage to their weapon systems, they should be fully operational in around 3-4 hours, Sir." Coe smiled at the young Ensign, obviously it was his first Post, and his first time on the bridge.

" Very well, keep me informed of any developments." Although one ship would be repaired within the hour, that one ship did not pose a serious threat to the Galaxy, only the the three ships together could do any serious damage.

Coe stood from the command chair and began to pace slowly, meaningfully around the bridge. The red lights still flickered on and off and the normal bridge lights had been dimmed, leaving a darkened environment in which the crew could function. The read alert siren wailed in the background as Coe approached the helm of the ship.

" Ensign Jiron, estimated time to arrival in the Rigel system?"

" At present course and speed," She punched a few keys before answering, " 32 minutes." Coe nodded his head and continued across to the command chair where once again he sat and pondered on what the hell was going on! He was woken from his thoughts by the chirp of his comm badge indicating an incoming hail.

" Security to bridge." Coe was suprised by the hail , especially at a time like this. He recognised the voice belonged to Lt Sterner.

" Lt Coe here Sterner, what is it?"

" Sir, we have a problem." Coe was even more suprised by what Sterner had to say.

" Yes." Coe said slowly, as if indicating Sterner to continue.

" Chief Jensen... Is missing."

" What do you mean Lt.?"

" Well Sir, he is not on the ship." Coe sat upright in his chair violently. And began to pay very close attention to what Sterner had to say.

" Well where is he Lt? " Coe was beginning to get a little annoyed with having to ask Lt Sterner trivial questions.

" Im not sure Sir but." Sterners voice paused again.

" YES LT. WHAT!!" Coe didn't yell the words but the annoyance in his voice could be clearly heard.

" It appears he has somehow been transported off the ship from transporter room two."

" He transported himself off the ship?" Coe asked in amazement? He knew no one else on the ship could do it without the Captain authorisation except Chief Jensen.

" No Sir, the rooms sensors indicate that whilst making some sort of repairs to the transporter pad, an automatic sequence kick in and beamed him to an unknown location. "

" Who programmed this."

" Im not sure Sir but......" Coe stopped him.

" Yes I know, the Tholians. Lt I thought you had them guarded 24 hours a day?"

" We did Sir, however we did not place them under tight security and it is possible that they could have sneaked away undetected."

" Okay, send a security squad to the delegations quarters, and hold them unofficially under a " House arrest" understood?"

" Yes Sir."

" Good, also I want you to send one of your most experienced men to transporter room two to find out what happened, in detail, I will send an engineering personnel to help with the technical side of things."

" Yes Sir."

" Okay well, make it so." Coe smiled as he remembered the phrase his old captain from the Melbourne used to say, apparently he had picked it up from Jean Luc Picard, the Captain of the Enterprise."

" Oh and one other thing Lt." Coe paused to make sure that he had Sterners attention.

" Yes Sir."

" I want Major Jeppo to head the security squad, I believe he feels, a little hard done by and this can be his chance to prove himself."

" Already done Sir."

" Good, report to the bridge if anything occurs."

" Yes Sir."

" Coe out." Coe tapped his comm badge to end the conversation with the head of security. Before speaking loudly so the computer would hear him.

" Bridge to engineering."

" Lt Kane here."

" Lt. A situation has arisen in transporter room two concerning Chief Jensen, I want you to send a technical specialist to help in the investigation, your man will be briefed by the security personnel already there apon his arrival to transporter room two. Understood?"

" Yes Sir." Before signing off Coe inquired about the state of repairs.

" Well sir, the ship should be fully operational within the next 40-50 minutes."

" Okay, Coe out."

Coe stared at the viewscreen and could now clearly make out the Rigel system dead ahead. Another issue formed in Coe's mind and he began to address it.

" Lt Hanley, have we established contact with any federation vessel or outpost?"

" No Sir"

" Have we established communication with anyone?" Coe inquired with a sickening feeling forming in his gut, he knew something was wrong.

" No Sir."

" Ensign, perform a level 4 diagnostic on the communications systems." Ensign Hanley pushed a few buttons on her console and 30 seconds later the reply came.

" The communications systems are functioning normally." Coe didn't have the time to initiate a higher , more intense diagnostic on the systems so he came up with some of his own ideas of what could be wrong.

" Ensign, could the optical data network have been damaged during the battle? And it is not registering on the sensors?"

" Checking.....No sir." Coe began to get frustrated.

" Ensign is their a problem with the sensors for damm sake."

" Checking.....no Sir."

" Damm"! Ensign work on the problem, he looked at the padd in his on his arm rest to see who was vacant, " and request Ensign Mitchell come up here to give you a hand."

" Yes Sir."

Coe relaxed back in the command chair briefly before sitting upright again. Coe looked at his watch, The Captain would be finished his conference soon and so Coe began to prepare his report with which he would present to the Captain concerning the current situation of the Galaxy. And he knew, there was alot to write up.

Chris N
AKA: Lt. Johnathon Thomas Coe
Chief Tactical Officer USS Galaxy
NCC-70637
Indentification: Foxtrot delta 769

The pulse was fired. He watched for the reflection, he personally was hoping that the differintating frequences of the reflection would help show how they where cloaking. With that in hand he might be able to find a way look through it. If it was the Romulans, then he wouldn't learn much, they had centuries of war to perfect there systems. But if it was a simple method of sending back false sensor readings, that shouldn't be to hard.

But nothing came back. Suddenly he felt the ship rocked by explosions, and heard one of the Lab Techs scream. Which tended to mess up intresting sensor (explosions, not screaming Lab Techs) with readings with readings of explosions. Not to mention that now most of the sensors where being used to look for the enemy ship. Oh well.

He watched as the wide area ion pulse was tried, (and wondered why that hadn't do it in the first place, oh well, they where command, he was a brain. Do and die) Suddenly, the anomaly became a major focus of the sensors.

Tachion burst, low nuetreno levels, space-time looking like it had been in a blender, dis-proportionate levels of gavimeteric ions and a total lack of mass, other than the 4 ships (where did those other two come from?) In short, a worm hole, except for those nuetreno levels... and they where out, and the anomaly disapeared. Now the sensors where looking at the other ship and the Rigel system. At least the worm hole got them where they wanted to go. With nothing intresting poring in, he started going back over the sensor readings, noticing for the first time the temporal distortions.

--Cam

TO: Ensign Wadell
FROM: Ti Miran

SUBJECT: Dog fight

Okay, I'll fight. After Alpha Shift. How about Russia, Earth 1942. I'll fly the Russian Yak-1. You fly the German Messerschmitt Bf-109. Agree?

Ti Miran

She also sent a message asking the doctor when was a good time to come in for her physical.

Ti arrived for Alpha shift 30 minutes in advance. She was ready to go when Alpha shift started. They were to implament Ensign Casey's plan today.

Ti Miran
Chief Helmsman

Lt. JG Kane was busy monitoring the modified sensor sweep of the "echo" when suddenly the deck lurched under his feet. Kane's mind automatically knew that they had been hit. The deck lurched again.

Kane immediately steadied himself and began to check for any damage. This was far from routine, and it was the first time Kane had been in a battle situation. Then the deck threw him the other way.

It was going to be a long shift.

Julian King
king@fl.net.au

Joerg left sickbay relieved. His physical examination didn't take as long as he expected it to. Since he had now some unplanned time and he was head of the security department he decided to take a refreshing drink at Ten Forward.

He entered the establishment and went straight to the bar. A young man behind the bar addressed him.

"What do you take?" he asked.

"A glass of orange juice please." Joerg answered.

"I'm Joerg Sterner." he shortly introduced himself to the barkeep.

"Nice to meet you, my name is Liam Sketcher." the man behind the counter friendly replied while handing him the glass.

"You wear yellow? Are you an engineer or security?" he asked Joerg curiously.

"Security." Joerg answered quickly before taking a gulp from the glass.

"You guys are very busy at the moment, with all the delegates wandering around the ship?" Liam kept asking.

"They are looking up every detail of the ship, that's right." Joerg answered, feeling that the barkeeper knew his business.

After a short conversation between the two, Joerg emptied his glass, said farewell to the bartender and left Ten Forward. On his way back to his office his communicator suddenly came to life.

[Franklin to Sterner.]

"Sterner here. What is it Ensign?" he answered while entering his office.

[Sir, we have a problem in transporter room two. Chief Jensen disappeared on the transport pad a few minutes ago.]

"Investigate at the transporter room and try to find out as much as possible. Send me the report once you're done. Sterner out" he quickly ended communications.

As he spoke the last words suddenly an alarm sounded. Yellow alert, he thought. His next thought was about the Tholian delegation. Looking at his escort schedule he tapped his communicator.

************* Corridor somewhere on the ship *************

[Sterner to Mulich and O'Lindey]

"O'Lindey here." the security officer answered the call.

[Where are the delegates at the moment?]

"We are on our way to their quarters, sir"

[Well, since we are now on yellow alert I want you and Ensign Mulich to escort them there as quickly as possible and guard their quarters. Until further notice they shouldn't do any more visits in their own interest. Understood?]

"Yes, sir."

[Sterner out.]

Quite unhappy with his job to explain the Tholians that they are not allowed to leave their quarters, Ensign O'Lindey turned to face the delegates.

"I'm afraid to inform you, but we are currently in an emergency situation. We must proceed to your quarters at once." O'Lindey say and tried to be as kind as he could be.

"What kind of emergency situation?" one of the Tholians, who is addressed as Yurquib by the others, asked while they didn't increase their speed.

Ensign O'Lindey was just about to answer him, as suddenly the whole ship rocked. Seconds after that another sound was heard, Red Alert. Understanding the situation as it was Ensign Mulich was the first to react.

"Please come with me at once." he ordered the delegates.

"Who dares to attack us." Yurquib asked, but no one was able to answer that question. The group quickly arrived at the guest quarters, since the V.I.P.s had decided it was in their best interest.

************* Security office *************

Joerg was just reading some reports, when the ship rocked for the first time. An attack, he quickly thought, but who? He quickly tapped his communicator, even before the alarm for Red Alert sounded.

He ordered his security personal to help with the evacuation of the "unsafe" portions of the ship. He himself also left his office to do his best.

************* some time later *************

Shortly after returning to his office and sitting down on his chair, Joerg's comm badge chirped. He was informed about the current situation with the Breen and ordered to participate in the upcoming senior staff meeting. He left his office and was on his way to the conference room at once.

Lieutenant junior grade Joerg Sterner
Chief of Security -- USS Galaxy NCC-70637

Ryan got his uniform on as fast as he could, and started down to the Security office to see if he was needed.

Ensign Quall
Security Officer

Captain Price ordered a tractor beam on the attacking ship. They were hit a few more times.

As Ti focused on her job, something formed directly in front of them. "Captain! There is something you should see. It is directly in front of us. Collision course, sir." She fought to keep the panic from her voice. It was no time to show her emotions.

"Full reverse!"

"No Good, sir. We have too much momentum from our velocity and the Breen ship. Sir, we will enter the anomoly in three seconds."

They were inside a spatial rift. There were two other Breen ships. They also fired on the Galaxy. Ti kept up the evasive maneuvers trying to dodge what she could. This time the Galaxy could shoot back, the Breen could not cloak.

"Sir, I am detecting the end of this, this.....Whatever it is sir." They exited the anomoly in a flash of light.

"Ensign, take us out of warp and hold position here until we get a baring on our present position."

Ti located their position quickly.

"Full stop, Captain. I have located our position, sir. The Rigel system is just ahead, sir." She was glad that the end of their adventure drew near, or so she thought. They would be able to get help from Rigel.

Ti was glad for the cease fire, uneasy as it was. It was better than being shot at. It was disturbing that they were not getting any reply from Rigel.

"Ensign Ti, plot a course to Rigel 7, three-quarter impulse."

"Yes, sir" She plotted the course. "Course plotted and laid in, sir"

"I want all the senior officers to report to the conference room." Ti did a quick sweep of the helm controls to make sure everything was correct and requested that Ensign Jiron report to the bridge to replace her for the staff meeting.

"Computer send VoiceMail message to Lt. D'Tarna Bellen"

[Ready...]

"D'Tarna, It may not be written on my Pesonnel File, however I have been fascinated by Klingon Weapons, Martial arts, and Language ever since learning about them at the Academy. I took some MoQ'Bara Classes at the Academy, and I also taught myself Bet'leth techniques. I learned Tlhingan Hol from a Klingon Engineer on the Hydden. I would consider it an honor if you would allow me to test my skills in combat against you."

"End Message and send immediately."

[Message sent.]

"Computer send VoiceMail to Liam Sketcher."

[Ready...]

"Liam, I recently read the advertisement for anyone with musical talents to report to you. Captain Price felt it necessary to omit from my biography that I had won several Vocal Music awards at home on Tamaria. I would enjoy greatly to share my culture through my music. I ask no payment except that you NEVER forget how to make a Root Beer."

"End Message and send, Computer."

[Message sent.]

'There,' Thought Chiron, 'Now that I know some people, perhaps I will be able to make some friends.'

But that would have to wait until these Chronometric and Spacial Relationship Readings were taken care of...

Lt. JG. Chiron
Lake Nebagamon, WI
'May the Great Bird of the Galaxy guide you'

"What is going on?" she asked herself. Alarmed, she grabbed for a book that was falling off her nightstand. The ship jolted again. This time she ended up sprawled on the floor. As the ship rocked, she thought, "I've never ridden anything that bucked this much, and it shows."

As she tried to get up to save her pictures, the ship was hit again. The next time she could, she prepared for her shift. While pulling on her security uniform, she checked her messages. There was one from Lt. Sterner. It stated the orders for Beta Shift. She was to escort the Tholians. Ensign Jeppo and Lt. Sterner would be on an away team mission. She sighed and checked the time. Soon her shift would start.

Ensign K'arta
Security Officer
USS Galaxy

"Get the equipment out of the storage bins."

Bellen nodded and jogged over to get the standard equipment. She handed a medical tricorder to Dr. Rousseau and kept one for herself. They both stood, ready for the worst. 'One thing bad about being a doctor,' she thought. 'You always seem to be the last to hear what happened.' They were soon busy with wounds from broken arms to severe radiation burns. By the time everyone was taken care of, Bellen was tired but Dr. Rousseau looked exhausted.

"I'm just going to be in my office writing some reports."

Bellen smiled "Of course, doctor."

Soon after, the Doctor was asleep in her chair. Everything was silent in the Medlab.

"Computer."

[beep]

"Check messages."

[You have one audio message.]

"Playback."

["D'Tarna, It may not be written on my Pesonnel File, however I have been fascinated by Klingon Weapons, Martial arts, and Language ever since learning about them at the Academy. I took some MoQ'Bara Classes at the Academy, and I also taught myself Bet'leth techniques. I learned Tlhingan Hol from a Klingon Engineer on the Hydden. I would consider it an honor if you would allow me to test my skills in combat against you."]

It was from Lt. Chiron.

"Computer."

[beep]

"begin recording."

[ready...]

"Lt. Chiron, I'd love to join you for a fight in the holodeck. Shall we say next Beta shift? End recording and send immediately to Lt.jg Chiron."

[message sent.]

"Computer."

[beep]

"Begin recording"

[ready...]

"Mr. Sketcher, I was wondering if you have concidered my request to join the band. I spoke to Deiran about it in Ten-Forward a few days ago. End recording and send message to Liam Sketcher."

[Message sent.]

Just then, one of the Tholians was carried in, unconcious, by two of the ships security team.

"He hit his head during the battle." One of the officers said.

"Put him on the biobed." Bellen ran into Dr. Rousseau's office and shook her violently to wake her up.

"Dr. One of the Tholians was just brought in unconcious."

Lt.jg Bellen
USS Galaxy

Kelea removed a small holographic picture from her not-yet-unpacked duffle bag, and set it on her desk, flicking a tiny switch envoking a short recording. The message was from q'voQ, ghraq, and q'toQ, a farewell gift on her departure from Qo'noS. She smiled approvingly, and turned to reach for another picture.

At that moment, the ship was rocked by a heavy artillery blast. Kelea, unprepared for the jolt, was knocked to the ground. She quickly got to her feet as another round of fire bombarded the Galaxy. As the red alert sirens sounded, Kelea hurriedly changed into her duty uniform, and, exiting her quarters, headed down the corridor, hoping to find some clue as to what was going on.

Lt.JG Kelea
Engineer, U.S.S. Galaxy

"I have been recording sensor readings since we entered this corridor. We will be able to examine it and better determine what it was when the opportunity provides itself." The captain turned to give him a quick nod of acknowlegement. Shtik returned to his scanning.

When the ship calmed down, Shtik heard his name mentioned and turned around. He was being called to a senior officer's briefing. Stunned, he began his report immediately. Revealing his discovery of temporal fluctuations as well as his analysis of the surrounding space caused immediate speculation.

"That's what I hope we can find out in the briefing." The Captain stated as the officer's began to file into the briefing room. Shtik and Casey exchanged glances as they entered with their superiors. They took seats at the far end of the table as the others took chairs which they were obviously accustomed to.

"Ens. Shtik, let's start with your report." the Captain stated. Shtik stood and look out over the group. He didn't have the time to put his findings together in any sort of dramatic order. All he could do was present the raw information. He thought about everything he knew about public speaking and how to make dry exposition more interesting, he thought about opening with a joke...but looking out at the faces before him, he decided against it.

"I have found in our library computer a phenomemon similar to the one we just experienced. Recent Borg activity has included technology which generates a Warp Conduit similar to what we just encountered." This brought uncomfortable shuffles from everyone in the room.

"You think the Borg are involved in this?" Dr. Rousseau exclamed.

"No, actually, it is my believe that Ens Casey's radiant ionic pulses somehow accidently activated the conduit. The temporal anomolies I detected seem to have originated outside of the conduit we were in, the conduit then shielded us from their effects. Comparing planetary movements in nearby systems, I have calculated that four days have passed during our 1 minute 45 seconds in the conduit."

"Wait a minute." Lt. Coe exclamed, "Okay, I see how we may have accidentally opened this warp conduit thing, but how would that cause a temporal anomaly?"

"As coincidental as it may seem, I do not believe that the two events are interrelated." Shtik responded.

"Then what did cause the temporal anomaly?" Captain Price asked.

"I don't have enough data to determine that at this time." Shtik tried not to sound apologetic.

"So could we be in some alternate dimension?" Lt. jg Capizzi asked.

"No, sir. I did run quantum signature analysis' on ourselves, the breen ships and the nearby stellar objects and found they do match. This is our universe."

"Thank you, Ensign." The captain sighed. "Mr. T'Lein, what have you found?"

"Computer, One Root Beer"

"That beverage has not been programmed into the computer. Please provide a molecular structure."

Chiron grinned and wondered what he would do if he wasn't an engineer as he attacked the Food Replicator panel with all ten fingers...

*****Five Minutes later*****

"Alright, let's try this again...Computer, one root beer."

The Replicator whirred and provided Chiron with the root beer in a small glass."

"Thank you, Computer."

"Computer, List VoiceMail for Lt. Chiron, this station."

The computer panel flashed to life only showing one message. It was from Lt. Bellen.

"Lt. Chiron, I'd love to join you for a fight in the holodeck. Shall we say next Beta shift?"

Perfect! Chiron just hoped that he wouldn't have to work another double shift as was becoming common practice for the young engineer.

"Computer, send VoiceMail to Lt. Bellen."

[ready...]

"I accept your challenge. Holodeck 3, 1730 hours. Be there, and bring your weapon."

"Computer, End message."

Although Chiron was excellent with the MeQ'leth and the DaQ'tagh, He loved the fluidity, control, and power of the Bet'leth. That would be his weapon of choice...

Lt. JG. Chiron
Lake Nebagamon, WI
'May the Great Bird of the Galaxy guide you'

I'm about to call Engineering when a bizarre feeling washes over me, a terrible feeling I felt a couple times a long time ago, when I left this universe, not expecting to come back. I looked into the face of Evil.

I give my head a shake. 'Snap out of it, Tin-Man, you're just imagining things.' After all, I did come back to meet the woman I married. It's just some sort of, well, I dunno what it was. A spatial something or other.

My mindless wanderings are briefly interrupted by the downward movement of the turbolift. I sense some apprehension, not even just now, but when I was walking through the corridors, like some of the crew knew something's up, but not saying. I just long for an old-fashioned firefight, somethiing small, something these people aren't trained for, anything that'll make me feel the least bit useful here.

Finally I near the security office, hearing voices coming from the L.T.'s office. Not expecting to even have my presence acknowledged, I enter the room and stand at the door, waiting for ANYTHING to happen.

Chief Jensen sat alone in the corner of his new "home". He couldn't do anything but sit and wait. He had already tried to escape, but it was imposible. The walls were solid and very very smooth. He had something to eat because when he woke up from his "nap", there was food just sitting there on the floor, and it wasn't that bad. In fact, Jensen thought that it was quite good, but that only made him wonder more on what he was doing trapped in a cell. All he could do now was sit and wait. There was no other option.....he had tried them all.

Chief Jensen

Casey sat in the Conference Room, he could hear everything being said, but didn’t utter a word. He was ashamed of himself for causing the ship to be pulled into the warp conduit and then into the temporal anomaly. It should not have happened that way. Casey didn’t like making mistakes, but he wasn’t exactly a perfectionist. He also knew that if that hadn’t have happened they could’ve been affected by an alternate timeline, but it was no comfort to Casey. His experiments and hypothesis were correct and under normal circumstances the ion field pulse would’ve worked. But in deep space your circumstances aren’t always normal. Casey learned that the hard way, a lesson he would never forget. His father taught him long ago, when something like this happens chalk it up to a lesson learned and then put it in the back of your mind as experience.

Now the task at hand was figuring out where the Galaxy was, study the readings with Ensign Shtick and come out of this experience looking like a champion. Casey’s mind was racing; what caused the ion field pulse to do that, how could he improve on it, and how could he help the Galaxy get back to normal? Casey wouldn’t allow anything to stop him from helping the crew survive, even if it meant sacrificing his own life, whatever he had to do to make up for his mistake he would gladly do.

He listened to the words being spoken in the meeting, his name hadn’t come up yet.

Casey’s mind was mulling over every possible solution to why the ion field pulse did what it did, and finally came up with the reason. But, until it was needed, he’d keep his mouth shut.

Once Deiran knew the solution to the aforementioned problem, his mind began to wander. He couldn’t take his eyes off of Miran, her hair, her eyes. He shook that off and thought of other things, his dinner with D’tarna tonight, and an idea of maybe asking Dr. Rousseau to a play on the holodeck, she was working too hard and it might take her mind off of physical exams. He would leave messages for them when he had a chance.

He picked up a PADD and accessed everything the computer had on Spatial anomalies. The computer gave the results almost instantly. He cross-checked his idea with the computer, he was right. He new the solution, the cause, anytime the Captain needed the info he’d give it. But, he still didn’t have the readings from the spatial rift, and that was what he needed to be useful to the Captain.

Casey could keep his attention focused on many things at a time, they teach it at the Academy, but he learned it way before then. He knew what everyone was saying, but decided to just sit on his laurels and keep cool. He’d helped the crew enough for one day.

But, man, he just couldn’t take his eyes off of Miran’s beauty.

As Ensign Mitchell was speaking to Ensign Shtik, an announcement came through the ship.

[Attention, senior officers. Report to the Captain's Ready Room immediately!]

[I'm sorry, Ensign, but I will have to leave you now to attend to my duties. Why don't you help out down there for now and report back in at Beta shift. Shtik out]

And with that his communicator beeped, notifying Mitchell that contact had been cut off.

Dr. Rousseau swung around from speaking with Nurse Opel when the call came through.

"I have to leave now, Ensign, but I am going to need some help down here, at least until the relief shift arrive. I'm sure you will have your hands full in a few minutes." And with that the Doctor pivoted on her fet and ran through the doors before James could say a word.

Mitchell just stood there agape, staring at Nurse Opel. "What do we do now?"

Just as he finished speaking, Doctor Bellen came running throught the dorrs. "Everybody get their medkits ready, we got wounded coming in!"

Everyone had turned to look at her. She blushed bright red. "Rigel has one of the few remaining functional old Earth airstrip in the quadrant."

Captain Price smiled and nodded at her. "Commander, your report."

Sir, Ensign Freeman conducted a level 3 diagnostic and reported to me a while ago. I conclude that there are no malfuntions or damage to any of the communications arrays...we are transmitting and receiving short range communiques to and from the Breen vessels. I cannot fully understand why our hails to Starfleet have not been answered, but I have come to two conclusions; either Starfleet hears our hails and are unable to respond or, for some unknown reason(s), the Galaxy is not transmitting long range communiques. Sir I would deduct Starfleet being the source of the problem.

Captain Price asks, "Lt., could there be some sort of connection with the communications problems and the temporal anomaly?"

T'Lein states, "There is a possibility sir. But, I cannot begin to speculate on the matter until I converse further with Lt. T'Nevin, Ensign Shtik, Ensign Casey, and Lt. Capizzi..."

Lt. Stovok T'Lein
Chief Ops Manager
USS Galaxy NCC-70637

Everyone had turned to look at her. She blushed bright red. "Rigel has one of the few remaining functional old Earth airstrip in the quadrant." Captain Price smiled and nodded at her. "Commander, your report."

"Well Sir, I would like to assemble an away team to beam down and check the planet surface." Jamson said to the Captain.

"Very well Commander, begin assembling an away team" Price ordered Jamson.

"Sir I have already assembled an away team and the officers I want in the away team are :

Lt.Sterner
Major Jeppo
Doctor Rousseau
Ensign Ti
Ensign Wadell
Ensign Mitchell
Lt.Capizzi
Ensign Quall
Ensign Aaron

I want the team to be as small as possible" Jamson finished his words.

Commander Jamson(Noam)
FO/XO
USS Galaxy

Ensign Quall
Security Officer

Almost immediately after Doctor Bellen came in, the first of the injured had come in.

"Hurry up people, get your medkits together and start attending to these injured!" Belleln ordered. She slapped her communicator, " Emergency staff to Sickbay immediately!"

As Mitchell started getting the beds ready for the injured, his communicator beeped.

[Jamson to Mitchell]

[Mitchell here]

[Report to assembly area for away team]

"Alright!" Ensign Mitchell thought to himself. [On my way sir!]

[Thank you ensign. Jamson out]

"Doctor! I've just been ordered to an away team, do you have things together enough?"

"Go ahead Mitchell, I've got emergency staff coming, so don't worry about it." and with that Bellen turned back to her patients.

Mitchell hustled himself out the door and made his way to the assembly area.

Jensen resumed his pace of the cell walls, whistling a work tune he had learned as a kid in school and imagining about his past...................

Skye stood at the bridge main engineering panel as the yellow alert klaxon sounded throughout the GALAXY. His blood flow picked up to peak flow as he began to monitor the conditions of the modified systems involved in Casey’s plan. Lt. Capizzi had wanted to remain in engineering for the procedure just in case the results ended in battle. He wanted to be able to dispatch his repair crews instantly, should the need arise. The air on the bridge was thick with adrenaline, mixed in with a good measure of fear, all normal reactions at times of high anticipation, such as this.

Captain Price surveyed his bridge crew with a critical-eye, making sure that all personnel were in place and ready for the scan. " Lieutenant, activate the scan," Price ordered Lt. Capizzi the moment he was sure that all stations were ready.

Skye watched his panel as the emitter transmitted the ion pulse scan, noting that all systems were functioning normally. Suddenly, his attention was interrupted as he heard Lt. T’Lein tell the Captain that Casey’s Shadow had disappeared. Immediately Skye called up the weapons systems status board and checked their level of preparedness, with the weapons verified he checked the shields just as Commander Jamson ordered their implementation .

As Casey and Capizzi discuss the widening of the ion beam the GALAXY rocks and shudders from a direct hit from what appears to be a disrupter style weapon. Skye struggles to maintain his upright position at the engineering console by grabbing the edges of the console. The Captain orders Ti’Miran to begin evasive maneuvers and the star field on the forward viewer begins to change positions as Ti directs the ship to avoid any further attacks by their unseen assailant. But, disrupter fire continues to find its mark. The shields continue to hold as Jamson calls attention to the forward view-screen, as a small ship becomes visible as it fires another volley at the GALAXY. Captain Price calls for the tractor beam as the ship reappears to fire another blast. The tractor beam grabs the invisible ship as Capizzi informs the bridge that the ion pulse is ready and the order is given to discharge the pulse immediately.

As the small Breen ship becomes visible two more Breen ships materialize and begin to fire on the GALAXY. Decks 14, 23, and 24 begin to call in their damage reports and Skye quietly informs Capizzi down in Engineering who dispatches repair crews immediately. Things were happening so fast that Skye could barely keep up with the changes on his panel and the action going on around him. Suddenly he hears the call for full reverse, he reacts quickly to modulate the tractor beam holding the Breen ship. If he had not done so, the GALAXY would have backed right over the smaller ship.

Having traversed the worm-hole safely the Captain convinces the Breen commander to cooperate in solving the present dilemma they all seem to find themselves in. He then calls for a meeting in the conference-room. " That includes you too Wadell," calls Captain Price over his shoulder. Skye acknowledges the order and follows Ti’Miran into the conference.

As Lt. Capizzi finished his report, Ti broke in "Sir, I know the area. A year and a half ago I attended an Aviation exhibit there. I flew some of the aircraft."

Everyone had turned to look at her. She blushed bright red. "Rigel has one of the few remaining functional old earth-style airstrip in the quadrant."

" I’ll be dammed," exclaimed Skye. "I was at that shin-dig myself. I flew an old P-51 and then..." he noticed the Captain and Lt. Capizzi giving him the evil -eye and closed his mouth in mid sentence. Then offered his apologies, " Sorry Sir, I just get excited when the topic of discussion turns to aircraft," then Skye slides down in his chair.

Captain Price frowns at Skye, smiles at Ti and address’s Commander Jamson. "Commander, your report please.

Jacqueline came around as quickly as possible. She looked up into D'Tarna's face and abruptly realized she'd fallen asleep.

In Sickbay.

She kept her annoyance over that to herself and followed Bellen to the injured Tholian. She ran a tricorder over the prone form.

"A concussion. 2cc's amenaprovaline." A young nurse handed the hypospray to Jacqueline, and she sent it into the Tholian's system.

A few seconds later, the Tholian opened his eyes. He looked curiously at Jacqueline, then D'Tarna.

"Where am I. Who are the two of you?"

'Nice to see you again too,' she thought. But then, she couldn't tell the difference between them either.

"I'm Dr. Rousseau. This is Dr. Bellen. You were injured when the ship was attacked, and you sustained a concussion--this is not serious," she said before the Tholian could ask. "All it means is that we have to monitor you for a few hours, and then, if everything is okay, you'll be discharged."

His face showed a recognition, then a rage. "Who would dare fire on us?!?! What grepoth would be so stupid?"

Jacqueline shook her head. "Down here in sickbay, we're normally the last people to hear about something. I'm sorry, but I don't know."

Ens. Chen was walking her dog on the holodeck when the ship was hit by disrupter fire. Then the red alert came on.

"Computer, end program." It was one of Geisha’s favorites. It was a recreation of Fort Funston in San Francisco. There are sand dunes for the dogs to run around on and you can take a winding trail down to the beach. But there was no time for that now and Stephanie wanted to check in with Lt. T’Lein even though she wasn’t on duty until gamma shift.

"Ens. Chen to Lt. T’Lein."

[T’Lein here.]

"Is there anything I can help you with sir?"

[No, Ens. Casey and I are in a staff meeting and Ens. Freeman is on the bridge.]

"Very well, Ens. Chen out."

Stephanie returned to her quarters and tried to sleep but couldn’t. She wanted to make herself useful so she headed for the Science Lab to find a free computer. Maybe she could check the sensors and get up to speed on what was going on without getting in everyone’s way.

Ens. Chen, Operations Officer
USS Galaxy

I'm about to contact the other security officers when I get another summons: report to the transporter room. Apparently a landing party's being assembled there for transport to Rigel 7. I give my head a shake: does this Captain even have the first clue as to what's going on? We're under attack, we've travelled through some sort of spatial anomaly, and he's sending an away team out?

Heading rapidly down the hall, the repair and medical personnel are oblivious to me as I make my way first to my quarters. Looking through the still unpacked duffels on the floor, I pull out an ancient trench knife from one of Earth's old wars. It slips easily into my boot. Since I'm just an 'observer' I doubt I'll even be trusted with a phaser.

Heading to the transporter room, there's already a couple of people I haven't met yet. They're talking to one side, ignoring me. Striding to the console, I casually lean up against it on one elbow and wait further instructions. Meantime, I take another futile stab at socialization.

"So guys, we're going for a stroll, huh? Bring your sunshades?"

"This means one of two things." He says to himself. "We may be either looking at the Rigel system before it's affiliation with the Federation, or it could be after..."

"Sir," T'Nevin addresses the Captain. "I would like to immediately begin testing on our current time."

"Consisting of?" the Captain blinks at him.

"That would include testing the atmosphere for vintage and presence of space dwelling microorganisms. Living organisms can be type-dated according to species and variety. Dead organisms can be yttrium radiated to find out how long they have been decaying. It may give us a grasp on what time or maybe even what era we are existing in." T'Nevin steps away from the science console, confident that the captain will approve.

"Do it, 'mate."

T'Nevin walks towards the bridge's exit. He taps his comm badge.

"T'Nevin to Ensign Mitchell."

"Mitchell here"

"Ensign. Open the atmospheric portals and gather about 5 samples of the atmosphere using no mesh screening. We need all the particles we can get. Be sure to use quinoine ray traced glass tubes. Afterwards, meet me in the science conference room."

"Aye sir."

T'Nevin boards the turbolift. "Deck 12." He says to the computer. Inside the turbolift, he taps his comm badge again. "Computer, announce to all science deck officers to meet in the science conference room on deck 12." The computer replies with a series of beeps, and the message begins:

ALL SCIENCE DECK OFFICERS REPORT TO DECK 12 SCIENCE CONFERENCE ROOM.

And the message repeats 3 times.

Lt. jg T'Nevin
Chief Science Officer
USS Galaxy NCC 70637

Ensign Mitchell was having a very hectic day. His first 24 hours on the Galaxy and he was being called to every corner of the ship it seemed.

"Wow!" He thought to himself, "I knew it was going to be a rough day when I woke up. I'm glad I had my wheaties this morning! First I get temporarily assigned to Sickbay, then get called for an away mission, then Lt. T'Nevin calls me to the Science Conference room! Well, I'd better get those atmospheric particles before I get in trouble on my first day."

Ensign Mitchell raced his way to the closest turbolift.

"Deck 6, Beta Science Lab"

**Beta lab**

Mitchell entered Beta Lab, to find a young ensign working on a computer console. As he came in, the ensign jumped up out of his chair.

"Oh, my, you scared me sir. My name is Larry Langman. I' believe I would be your Specialist in spacial anomalies for the duration of this assignment, sir."

"Good to meet you Langman, I'm Emsign James Mitchell, and I'm in a hurry...so if you could find me some Quinine ray traced glass tubes, I need to get some atmospheric samples for Lt. T'Nevin."

"Right away, sir." As Specialist Langman got up to locate some tubes, Mitchell surveyed his surroundings.

At first glance, the lab appeared as any other lab. Various computer consoles, worktables, and instruments for random test readings, but on a closer look, there was a large console that appeared as if it were a giant lump sitting in the center of the room. Mitchell walked over to it, and looking it over, noticed that the power wasn't on.

"Oh, I see you've noticed our newest contraption, sir?"

Looking over the piece of machinery, Mitchell asked, "What is it?" Langman approached with the glass tubes in hand, and handing them to Mitchell, he leaned over and pressed a few buttons, and the machine came to life.

"This is our version of the central computer core, sir, except that this is the newest in scientific experimentation and extrapolation. it could make our jobs obselete, except that it has no arms. Watch."

Langman walked around to the other side of the machine and Mitchell followed. He took the vials and placed them into five small holes just above a small panel. The vials just sucked them in with a Whoosh! and the panel came to life.

"Oh, My! Would you look at that!" Langman said with a sense of awe.

"Holy @#$$!" Ensign Mitchell cried out loud. "Would you take a look at that! Whats going on here? These readings are off the scale! Look at those gravemetric readings? Can those be right? And the lack of organic decay...this machine is amazing! UV readings off the scale...nothing is normal with these readings! What have we got on our hands?"

"It would appear sir, that we are going to need shielding for these samples." He punched a series of controls on the panel and a force field blinked over the vial chutes.

"Give me those samples and I want a full report sent to the Science Conference Room as soon as its ready, got it?"

"Yes sir, right away sir!" Langman punched the panel again and the vials rose out of their chutes.

"How am I supposed to carry those now, Specialist?" gesturing at the vials just lying on their sleeves.

"Easy. Check this out." Langman moves to the next panel. "This is the dangerous materials transportation panel."

He pressed a series of buttons, watching the read-outs start to come up on the monitor. Next thing Mitchell knew, the vials were gone from their chutes and sitting in a vial tray next to him on the workstation.

"Wow, thats pretty cool, Specialist. But I'll have to check this out later. Send that report up before I get there?"

"You bet, sir. Let me know what happens."

"Don't worry, you're next in line." And with that, Mitchell turned on his heel and hustled out the door.

[Mitchell to T'Lein]

[T'Lein here, Ensign. Do you have the samples?]

[Yes, sir, and you might not believe what you are going to see. i'm on my way down to the Conference Room, and the report should be on its way there]

[Very good, Ensign. T'lein out]

His comm badge beeped, signalling the end of transmission.

After Commander Jamson finished his report Joerg began his own.

"We have some security problems to deal with right now. First there is the Tholian delegation. I ordered them to remain in their quarters for their on safety until this whole thing about the attack is completely understood. However I was informed one of the delegates has been injured during the attack and is now in sickbay. I have posted guards both before the guest quarters and in sickbay." he paused for a moment and started his next security report.

"Another strange thing happened in transporter room two. Chief Jensen somehow transported off the ship. It appears to be an accident, but I've sent Ensign Jeppo to investigate the matter. I'll have his report before we beam down to the surface." he paused again to take some breath and hoped someone would ask something, but all waited for his report to be continued.

"The last security problem is about the Breen and the Rigel system. The Breen still are repairing their weapons systems. As long as they do so they pose no threat against us. However once all three ships are fully operational again we could be in trouble. I suggest we maintain red alert until the whole matter about the Breen and Tholians has been cleared. For the away mission I suggest that the transporter officer should keep an constant transport lock on all members of the away team, since we don't know what's down there, on one hand, but the Breen also could try to investigate the planet on their own, on the other hand." with that Lieutenant Sterner concluded his report on the current security situation.

Lieutenant junior grade Joerg Sterner
Chief of Security -- USS Galaxy NCC-70637

The senior officers had been in the conference room for over 30 minutes and Coe had been doing his best to bring the ship up to speed whilst the Captain was away.

" Coe to Jeppo." After a moment, a slightly unenthusiastic voice got on the comunications link. Coe could only smiled when he heard what Jeppo had to say.

" Yeah, I mean, yes Sir?"

" Major, this is Lt Coe on the bridge, have you had any luck with your investigation?"

" Somewhat Lt. it has become obvious that Chief Jensen did not beam himself off the ship however we are still working on details."

" Okay keep the bridge informed."

" Yes Sir." With that Coe stodd from the command chair and took a few brief steps toward the ensign Kopitz, who was seated at the helm. Placing his hand on the back of the chair for support.

" sir, we are approaching Rigel 7."

" Very well ensign. Slow to one-quarter impulse, standard orbit."

" Yes Sir. slowly to one-quarter impulse."

" Ensign, are you picking up any communications?" The question was directed to Ensign hanley who was at the tactical station.

" None Sir."

Coe retook his seat in the command chair once more, beginning to issue more orders, waiting for the Captain to return.

Chris N
AKA: Lt. Johnathon Thomas Coe
Chief Tactical Officer USS Galaxy
NCC-70637
Indentification: Foxtrot delta 769

" Skye I want you to go get what ever you’ll need for the away-team and then to report back to your duty station on the bridge until the landing party is told to report," instructs Lt. Capizzi.

"Aye Sir, on my way," replies Wadell. Heading for the lift he runs into Ensign Ti’Miran.

" Ti’Miran, I want to introduce myself since we haven’t officially met yet," says Skye as he extends his hand.

" Good to meet you, did you get my message about our impending aerial combat," asks Ti.

" No, I haven’t had time to check the messages. Did you accept ?"

" Yes I did, but looks like it will have to be after we get back. Well, if we need to get back to where ever we are supposed to be after the away team," answers Ti.

" It’s amazing we didn’t run into each other on Rigel 7 . What did you fly while you were there?"

" I’ll have to tell you later , right now we have to get ready for the away mission," says Ti.

Among the clothes he found a small holocube. He sighed as he picked it up and placed it back on it's proper place on the shelf. Ens. Schnieder had teased him about being "Sentimental for his 'Sweety'" but Shtik merely pointed out the characteristics of jeolousy using several references to Freud, Jung and Stolk. This had sent Schnieder grumbling away to ten-forward. Schnieder did not understand the sublties of vulcan romance. The appreciation of beauty is only logical Shtik thought as he looked again at the picture in the cube.

Shtik sighed as he turned away from the cube. Perhaps it was illogical to continue displaying the cube. She had left him while he was away at outpost 21. When he had returned she was gone with no forwarding address or message of anykind. He had no idea where she even was.

He knelt down on his meditation mat, infront of his Buster Keaton poster and began to breath into his meditative trance. Just then his terminal beeped with a priority message.

ALL SCIENCE DECK OFFICERS REPORT TO DECK 12 SCIENCE CONFERENCE ROOM

With another sigh, Shtik got up put his uniform back on and left for deck 12.

Captain Price looked at Lieutenant Sterner as he finished his report. "I believe that the Breen Leader, Grevek will want to send some of his men down with the landing party as well. You may wish to take additional security if that is the case, just to be safe. We have declared a cease fire, but..."

The Chief of Security nodded an the Captain.

The Captain then turned to address the rest of the senior staff. "Judging on the preliminary information that Mr. Shtik has gathered, it would appear that we can rule out an alternate universe or dimension. We have lost 4 days, but other than that we appear to be exactly where we should be." Price glanced around the table at each of his crewmen. "At this point we can only speculate as to what caused the Temporal anomaly. Perhaps what we discover on Rigel 7 will give us a clue."

The ship's communications channel beeps out interrupting the Captain's summary. "Lieutenant Coe here Captain. We have established standard planetary orbit around Rigel 7 Sir. And I think there is something you should know."

"What is it Lieutenant?"

"We ran a sensor scan of the surface. Sir, there doesn't appear to be anything down there. No people, no cities, nothing. We have scanned vast areas of the planet where there should be major cities but have found nothing."

Ensign Ti interjects, "What about Capitol City?" Suddenly realizing she just cut off the Captain, Ti blushes slightly as she adds "It's the oldest city on the planet..."

Price smiles partially at the Ensign as he asks, "Did you hear that Lieutenant Coe? How about it? Did you find anything at Capitol City?"

"Hold on Captain, we should be passing over that area with our sensors now."

Price and the rest of the senior staff waited quietly for Coe to relay what he had found out with the orbital sensors.

"Sir we are picking up something. Strange, intermittent energy readings, but no life signs. They still are not responding to our Hails either Captain."

"Understood Lieutenant. We are finished here anyway. Commander Jamson will be assembling his away team in the transporter room. Any word from the Breen?"

"Yes Captain. Grevek wants to beam down three of his own men to investigate as well."

"Understood. Tell the Breen Leader, Grevek that he should beam his men down to Capitol City in ten minutes. They can meet our away team there. Price out."

The Captain again looked at his staff. "We have a mystery to solve here. Commander Jamson, assemble your team and transport down to the surface. Try to determine what has happened here at Rigel, and hopefully, what has happened to us in general."

After one more quick glance around the table, Price closes with "Then let's do it 'mates. We only have ten minutes before the Breen will be expecting Commander Jamson's landing party on the surface. Dismissed."

Each of the officers filed out of the briefing room. Captain Price made his way back to the Bridge. He saw Lieutenant Coe was standing near science station one.

"Any new information 'mate?"

Coe turned and faced the Captain. "It's odd Sir. Almost looks like someone just scooped up Capitol City right out of the ground. And the other city sites appear as if they never existed at all. Totally undeveloped."

"Well, perhaps Commander Jamson's landing party will be able to provide further insights." The Captain paused for a moment as he looked at the Lieutenant. "You must be tired. Why don't you fill me in and then take a break 'mate?"

"Counselor Shivok to Captain."

[Mr. Shivok, we're waiting for you!]

"I know Sir, I heard your order too, but I fear my presence is inevitable to solve another problem here. The Tholians are getting ... emotionaly aroused. Lt. Sterners decision to set them under observation was a diplomatic faux-pas, although absolutley legitime from his point of view and totally in line with Star Fleet protocols. I'm on my way to ease the tides."

[Understood, and good luck, Counselor. We can't afford a failure in this mission, it took us too long to get that far. Try to keep them calm, until we have solved our other problems and try also to get more information about their relationship with the Breens.]

"Understood, Sir. I have got another question: was there any recent change in the crew? Is anybody reported dead or missing?"

[Yes, Chief Jensen is missing, why do you ask?]

"Just curiosity, Shivok out."

*** Observation lounge ***

Capt. Price frowned his forehead. 'Mr. Shivok and curiosity?' But he soon was kept busy by other thoughts as the meeting continued ...

*** Shivoks Quarter, some time later ***

"Computer record." ... Chirp ...

"Counselor Shivoks Personal Log: Stardate 49613.01

I have followed Dr. Rousseaus advice and spent an hour in the gym to do some physical exercises, and as usual her analyzes were correct. I feel better this evening than I have felt the last weeks. The jumps, stretches, hops and breath exercises, accompanied by rythmical music, is definitly a good change to my normal, rather static life style. I will continue to participate at these Airobic courses, for more it is a good possibility to learn more about the Terrans, since Airobic is one of their few traditional cultural goods, which has survived from the 20'th century.

I will not participate with the orchestra, which has been formed by the initiative of a crew member. Although I would like to exchange my music with others, I don't believe we share the same idea of music. My flute playing is not made for an audiance searching for distraction.

Although it is illogical to have such thoughts, I felt proud, when I could report, that the crew of the Galaxy is very well organized and functioning, even in the extreme situations we had recently. The mood is generally good and confident. There exists mistrust towards the Tholians, but this is not unusual, considering the fact, they were our enemies for more than 130 years.

I was able to calm the Tholians down for the moment, the fast help of Doctor Rousseau and the immediate reassembly helped me to build up again a more trustfull relationship. They were not very talkative about the Breens, but from what they did NOT say, I have the feeling, that these representants have more in mind than they have revealed to us yet. My Betazoid senses are not able to penetrate their minds, and the time has not yet arrived to perform a mind melting to find out the truth.

End Log."

Shivok deactivated the computer, went to his board and took the flute. He sat down in front of a burning candle. The lights were dim, and after a short time of mental preparation he opened his mind and let his ear listen to the crews tune, as he often did. Every member on board has a different mental melody, which Shivok was able to hear. With more than 1000 melodies onboard one could think it must be a galactic towuhabowu, but it isn't. As all the atoms in the same universe have a common ibration frequency, so have all the melodies the same basic rythm. And as individuals and relationships develop, so do the melodies, until they become a common tune. Shivok often let his mind wander and pick up the one or the other and replayed it with his flute.

The more he listened the better he could differentiate the single tunes. Now he was looking for Jensens tune, but he couldn't find it. He played the tune from his memory and expanded his mind. He reached the Breens ship, but could not find it. He expanded further and reached the planet, although the connection was very faint and he still didn't find it. And just before he wanted to give up, he picked it up, Jensens tune.

But it was not on the Planet, it was on the Galaxy, only the wrong time!

"Computer lights!"

The lights went on and Shivok stood up. He pressed his Commbadge:

"Shivok to T'Lein!"

[T'Lein here, what's up?]

"I probably know, where we could find Chief Jensen. Is it true, that he was manipulating a transporter during the time, the Galaxy flew through the wormhole?"

[Correct.]

"Could he or anything else set off a transport cycle, during the time, he was on the pod?"

[Yes, he mentioned something about 'security settings' and wanted to fix it. Soon after we lost contact.]

"Now, what would happen, from your point of view, when a point-to-point transport on the same pod is done during a period of temporal instability?"

[You mean...]

"Exactly, I strongly believe Chief Jensen is still onboard, but in a different timeline. I suggest we should concentrate our investigation on the transporter room, if we want to bring him back."

Stephane, aka
Counselor Shivok
USS Galaxy

"You are on the USS GALAXY" The Computer replied in its monotone voice.

"Well...I'll be darned. I sitting here right on the galaxy. Computer locate Chief Petty Officer Thomas Jensen."

"Chief Petty Officer Thomas Jensen is currently in the solitary confinement chambers."

"Computer, open up solitary confinement chambers.....Authorization code alpha two beta six."

"Access Code denied"

"Darn it! Computer... this is Chief Petty Officer Thomas Jensen....Initiate Emergency transport to Transportor Room 2 authorization code Delta five two eight one"

"Authorization code accepted.......Emergency tansport in four....three....two....one."

At that Chief Jensen beamed into Transportor Room two. He immediately asked:

"Computer....Whose on this ship"

"The USS GALAXY currently has one humanoid lifeform."

"Identify that Lifeform"

"Chief Petty Officer Thomas Jensen"

When Jensen heard this, he was completely amazed. In fact he fell to the floor in horror.......thinking to himself....."Where is everybody else"

Chief Jensen

After the conference meeting Jamson and some of the away team members were on their way to Trarnsporter room1. "Lt.Sterner,assemble the away team and meet me in Transporter room1 in 5 minutes, I have something to do" Jamson said to Sterner.

"Yes Sir" Sterner replied and entered the Turbolift.

Jamson headed to his quarters,on his way ehe thought about his last away mission with Commander Shelby aboard the Hydden.in that mission he didn't take his d'k tahg (klingon knife), that d'k tahg was a personal gift from one of Jamson's old Klingon friends who died. Jamson carried that d'k tahg in every combat situation,but in his last away mission he didn't...

****Transporter room1****

Carrying his d'k tahg with Honor, Jamson entered the room.

There was silence as all the crew looked at the Commander, everyone was there waiting.

"Lt.Sterner, is everyone here?" Jamson asked Sterner.

"Yes,Sir" Sterner said.

"Good..." Jamson said to himself and continued "Listen up everyone! as you all know we scanned the area down there and found nothing, no life signs, no cities, nothing... except for some energy readings. So we are beaming down to the Capitol city to check the surface and discover whatever we can."

Jamson looked at Lt.Sterner and continued : "Lt.Sterner, you will handle the security with Major Jeppo, I want you also to keep an eye on Grevek's men."

"Doctor" Jamson looked at Rousseau "keep an eye for any life signs, we don't know what happened down there."

"Lt.Capizzi" Jamson turned his look to Capizzi "You will be incharge of Engineering AND Science, I want you to scan everything down there and try to find out what happened."

"Ensign Ti and Ensign Wadell" Jamson looked at Ti and then at Wadell "You know the area better than us, so you're going to lead us"

"Any questions?" he asked and waited.

"Ok, let's go" Jamson said and pressed his comm badge "Captain,we are ready to beam down"

Commander Jamson
FO/XO
USS Galaxy

"Lt. Bellen to Lt. Chiron"

[Go ahead Bellen]

"Are you still free for our match?"

[I wouldn't miss it for all of the root beers in the world!]

"Just checking." She smiled, "Bellen out." She turned to Nurse Opel. "I'll be in holodeck 3 if you need me." Bellen grabbed her Bet'leth out of the Doctor's office. Her previous host, Keron, had fought many battles with this. He lived on the Klingon home world...reason enough for anyone. She made her way to holodeck 3 noticing that the hallways were rather empty. Chiron was nowhere in sight when she arrived.

"Computer."

[beep]

"Load program Bellen One."

[Program loaded. Enter when ready.]

They doors opened to reveal a dark cave of the Klingon homeworld. Smoke curled around the jagged brown boulders making it slightly harder to see. There was the slight scent of death in the air.

"Perfect." She smiled contentedly.

Bellen sat on a nearby rock and began to meditate. A farmiliar image entered her mind. It hurt to look. His dark brown hair, pointy ears...she shook her head and squeezed her eyes. Ever since she was stationed on the Galaxy the images came much more frequently. It was the past, she reminded herself, He's dead. Meditation on this ship is as hard as getting a coke out of the replicators, she thought.

Lt.jg Bellen

As soon as we materialize, my heart overdrives into high gear, a result of the adrenaline rush of fear from the transporter. Always had a mortal fear of those things.

Shock numbs me into silence and absolute immobility as my brain finally registers that my eyes are seeing. In fact, the whole landing party stands where we materialized.

Before us is horror and devastation like no one could ever have inagined. As far as we can see, nothing living exists. Plain dirt extends from our location into the distance, a dark, dusty gray. Hillsides miles away reflect the same drab, depressing color. But the horror only increases as our minds try to cope with what's in front of us.

A crater, no, a dark, yawning abyss extends for miles. The other side is blurred by distance, unknown kilometers away. We're a few yards from the edge, and gingerly people shuffle near the precipice, leaning forward to peer over the edge, as if some unknown giant hand might reach up at any time and scoop us in. Phasers are half-raised against the fearful unknown, as if to hold it back.

There's only silence as our minds feebly grasp the enormous scope of the devastation. A cold breeze cuts like a sub-zero chill at our backs, increasing the feeling of foreboding.

Someone whispers nearby: "Oh my God...". Somewhere else, a "HOLY SH--" is mumbled, as if we're staring directly into the face of pure Evil.

Slowly, our emotions shut down and our minds numb in order to cope with the scene. Some of the people, including the Doctor, start showing signs of life again, initiating scans for life, and the source of all this. The only tricorder I know how to use is a combat tricorder with built-in motion detectors. Nothing like the fancy gadgetry we're using.

I shuffle my way around, keeping one eye on the chasm, the other eyes on everyone else, making sure no one strays or vanishes. Visions of a monsterous Bogeyman scooping people up like cake decorations come to mind, and I give my head a shake to try clear the visions. No problem though, no one is in any mood to wander and risk getting separated here.

But this was just a little bit different. There didn't appear to be a bottom to this thing.

She noticed Major Jeppo looking around at the group. *No doubt thinking we're all a bunch of Katarian hens. He's probably right, too.*

She took two steps back, then started scanning for life signs again.

He reached the holodeck to see that a program was already in progress. He grinned and said 'Computer enter'. The large doors opened to reveal a dark, dank, and smelly cave. As he stepped through the arch, his senses automatically flashed to attention, and he was aware of another Bat'telh slicing through the air on its way to his head. His reflexes awakened, and he blocked the blow. The sword came again, and as the swords clashed, he saw the face of his attacker. Bellen had already started the program and had begun the battle the moment that he stepped throught the door! 'Very good, Chiron,' She said,'You didn't allow yourself the luxury of getting used to the environment.' 'A true warrior is always alert.' Chiron replied, and with a burst of strength, he knocked her back onto the floor. He brought the blade up, and plunged it down, but D'Tarna rolled out of the way, and as he was bent over, she knocked his feet out from under him, and brought the sword to his neck. 'You have won this round, Bellen... but I have always been a... what was it?... sore loser?'

D'Tarna laughed and said 'O.K., Chiron, let's have another go at it.'

Lt. JG. Chiron
Lake Nebagamon, WI
'May the Great Bird of the Galaxy guide you'

The away team materialized in some kind of a desert. Jamson and the away team were standing and looking around,there was...nothing there...all sand...a desert...everyone was standing and...trying to understand what could have caused this...The Capitol city just...vanished.

"My god" Ensign Mitchell said.

Jamson couldn't believe what he saw,nothing but plain dirt..."Lt.Capizzi...where exactly are we?" he asked Capizzi.

Capizzi tapped a few buttons in his tricorder and said : "Sir...we are in the coordinates of the Capitol city..."

"It can't be..." Ensign Ti said.

Suddenly, 3 tall figures materialized near the away team.

"It must be the Grevek's men" Lt.Sterner said.

Jamson approached the Breen men "Greetings" Jamson said and nodded toward the Breen men "I'm Commander Jamson, from the Federation Starship USS Galaxy"

One tall figure stepped toward Jamson and said "Greetings, I am Sub-leader Tevek" but before Jamson was able to say another word the Breen leader continued, "Have you discovered anything?"

Jamson looked at the tall Breen "Well...no, not yet... All we know is that the Capitol city is gone..."

One of the Breen men stepped forward and approached Jamson "Sir!" Lt.Sterner shouted to Jamson.

Commander Michael Jamson
FO/XO
USS Galaxy

Skye felt a little woosey as the transporter effect drained slowly from his body. This uneaasy feeling however, was replaced by gripping fear as the yawning crater in front of him took shaape. He looked at Ti and she looked back with wide empty eyes.

"This doesn't seem real,"he said as he flipped open his tricorder and began analyzing the air, turf, and most of all the pit.

After a few minutes of this he realized the readings weren't making any sense,"Ti, the airstrip was, or should be over that eastern ridge should it not," asked Skye?

" Yes, that's right, why what do you have in mind ?"

" Lets go," said Skye as he stepped off towards the distant hill.

" Hey, you knucklehead, where do you think you're going," shouted Major Jeppo.

One of the Breen caught up with Skye and Ti and fell into step with them. Skye gave him a dirty look, but the Breen said, "This is a joint operation, is it not?"

Subject: USS Galaxy

Quall was stunned after being materialized. The vast amount of... lifelessness had left him in an shocked state. Quall had heard someone say that Regil was "a beautiful planet", but he could not see any resemblance to anything that he would call "beautiful".

Quall mentally forced himself back to the tasks at hand. He was supposed to keep the area secure and patrol for possible Threats to the away teams safety.

Quall looked down at the phaser in his hand, and double checked that it was set on stun. The readout on the phaser indicated that it was at the proper settings. He then opened his tricorder, which was specialized for security.

Making a sweep with the tricorder, Quall found that there was no weapons or hostile threats in the immediate area, and so he closed his tricorder.

Quall looked up and surveyed the team, noticing Sterner, the Cheif of Security. Ryan walked up to Sterner to get his orders.

"Sir?"

Sterner looked over at Quall. To him it appeared that Sterner was disturbed with the devastated world. `Why shouldn't he be? He's a person too', Quall thought. "Ah, Quall. Stay with the main portion of the team. I am going to stick near the Commander." With that, Sterner turned and walked in the direction of Commander Jamson.

After receiving his orders, Quall again looked over the team. Just what I need, to guard some sci's against nothing. He saw an area where there was no security officer, and decided to keep to that area.

As the scientists were busy collecting data, Quall noticed the Major and some other crew members part from the main group and head off, with a member of the Breen's away team. Quall opened his tricorder and noted the direction in which they were traveling, as per standard procedure on an unknown planet with a possible Threat force in the area.

As he was putting his tricorder away, he heard a shout. Without thinking, Quall reached over and cluthed his phaser, still kept it holstered. Ryan became tense as his eyes scanned for movements which would indicate a possible Threat. A fast moving person caught Quall's eye. It was Lt. Sterner, and he was runnning towards the commander.

T'Nevin walks in to the conference room to see Ensign Vo already seated at the table.

"You've rearranged my deck assignment. Why is that?" she stares at him coldly.

"There were some new recruits and they seemed fit to fill the positions. I also felt that our science department needed some restructuring." T'Nevin took his seat at the head of the table, accessing the data for the atmospheric particles.

"This doesn't have anything to do with the other day, or your new girlfriend, does it?" she still stares blankly. T'Nevin does not raise his head.

"I think that you may find..." T'Nevin's words were cut off by Ensign Mitchell's entry into the conference room. He seemed a bit rushed.

T'Nevin stands and holds his hand at Ensign Mitchell as if to say, 'Come no further.' "You are on the away team, Ensign. I just received word. I have the data from your particle gathering. You are dismissed from the meeting. Thank you. Bring us up to speed, Ensign, upon your return."

"Aye, sir." Mitchell spins on his heel and heads for the door just as Ensign Shtik and Ensign Chalmers enter. They take their respective places at the table.

"Ara, minna itta yo?" Everyone looks at T'Nevin with a troubled, side glance.

"Sir?" Ensign Chalmers mutters. "You okay?"

"Apologies, Ensign." T'Nevin knew that he was having difficulties concentrating, but was not about to admit that to his science staff. "We...need to find the current time. Brain storming may begin now. But as for this moment, I would like Ensign Chalmers to investigate all information on the Rigel system. Everything from past to present, as well as alternate time lines. Put special emphasis on discovery and galactic placement. Ecology and evolution records may show a match to the planet's current surface. The atmospheric samples that were gathered upon entry into the system will need to be yttrium radiated and type-matched with all space dwelling microorganisms. The general separation and type-matching was not extensive enough and must be done manually. I will leave that up to Ensigns Vo and Shtik. I myself will accumulate the data recorded by the away team and begin its analyzation, and maybe then we can get a handle on where we are." T'Nevin pauses long enough to give his science officers a chance to absorb his little science chat. "Thank you."

"You mean, 'dismissed,' Ensign Chalmers says, standing with a smile.

"Yes. Dismissed. I still have to get used to that." The rest of the science officers leave the conference room. T'Nevin stops Ensign Vo.

"Mai. We need to talk."

She looks at him with a cold, piercing stare. "I have work to do. Maybe some other time." And she walks out of the room, leaving T'Nevin with his thoughts...

Sakura, Sakura.
Lt. jg T'Nevin
Chief Science Officer
USS Galaxy NCC 70637

As it turned out, he was on time for his beam down. Major Jeppo was there, making small talk to other officers. A beatiful young Bajoran woman was there. Maybe she knew my family. The big, shy one Ensign Quall was there as well. Dr. Rousseau and others I didn't know. It's funny...I expexted Chief Jensen to be here for this. Come to think of it...I haven't seen him around for awhile. Anyhow, Jamson walked in soon afterward and we beamed down promptly.

**Rigel 7**

**Holy sh@#!" The words only came out as a whispered hiss, but with the moment of Materialization, we all came to in a visage of shock and horor when we realized what exactly it was we were looking at...

All across the landscape, with what used to be teemeing with the hustle and bustle of life, there lay a vast expanse of a barren and rocky plateau.

Someone had called up to the ship and I that was heard was the faint surprise of the officer stating that Capitol City had stood here. But then another choked scream cut the still air. We had thought the city lay on the plains, but we had never checked behind us. What lay there was the most shocking thing anybody had ever seen. A sense of fear and trepidation grasped us as we stared at the huge crater that stretched through to the horizon.

"My God..."someone said.

"Our father..." another prayed.

***Rigel 7--Capitol City***

As the initial shock wore off, people started getting to work. Some broke out tricorders and started scanning for whtever was assigned to them. Just as we started getting our concentration and focus back, the piercing hum a a multi-transport beam cut the air.

As the patterns started to materialize, we came to the conclusion that is was our Breen "comrades". Some of us had never seen a Breen before, but they managed to keep at least one eye on their work, and the other on the Breen company.

I was just getting the first readings from soil samples at the rim of the crater when a yell broke up, jolting all of us out of our reverie and almost knocking me over the edge of the crater. As the dust cloud went up over my eys from my fall, the last thing I saw was Commander Jamson walking toward the Breen comander.

"Look, I don't know what your personal motives are, but if you're going to wander off, tell someone, okay?" I almost added, ..."wander off to get lucky...", but for once I'm not in the mood to joke around.

Skye steps up and looks me square in the eye. Wonderful, he's not starting a pissing match, is he? But perhaps to save face in front of Ti, he simply speaks with a quiet, calm voice. "No problem, Major." At that he t