V: "Riot!"

Lt. Seles was at her post in Ops when Cmdr. Morris came bursting out of her office.

"Lt. Pescadeiro, Yellow Alert. Restrict Ops to Starfleet Personnel Only. We are having a rather large disturbance on the Promenade and I'm going down there. Lt. Seles, you're in charge up here. Try to lock off access to vital areas, and coordinate your activities with Chief Dawner and myself."

"Aye, Commander."

"Lt. what do you think of erecting temporary force fields to cut off the vital areas? Freeing up the security for the problem on the promenade," asked Ramone.

Katarina nodded. "Do it. The main priorities are Ops and Engineering. The second priorities are decks with major systems. Coordinate with Chief Winston in locking down the shuttle bays and docking bays. No one leaves this station without permission."

Calls from promenade vendors and civilians came flooding in to Ops. Lt. Clay was overloaded so Seles took a few.

[Latinum King to Ops. I have a mob scene here!] Katarina could hear bottles being thrown against a wall in the background.

"Standby. We will send Security. Ops out."

"Ops to Security. We need a team in the Latinum Palace on the double."

As soon as Katarina closed the channel another call came in. [Romulan Embassy to Ops. We had an explosion here! Someone threw a pipe bomb through the window!]

"Acknowledged. Standby for Security and Medical personnel. Ops out."

Katarina looked through her duty roster for Security and tapped the comm button on her panel. "Ops to Lt. K'arta. We need some assistance. Please send some personnel to the Romulan Embassy. If you can spare any staff, please post guards in Ops and Engineering."

Katarina turned to her OPS console making sure that vital areas were being secured. The last thing they needed was someone storming Ops or sabotaging the power core. This would also be a perfect time for the Void Cooperative to attack the station...

"Ramone! Keep your eye on the external sensors for hostile ships."

Lt. Seles, Chief Operations Officer Station Beta Two

After Lieutenant Sterner had allowed him to voice his thoughts, Lt. Paran headed down off duty for a few hours. The USS Galaxy was due to depart for the Void Cooperative and he wanted to be awake when they arrived. After arriving back in his quarters, he prepared for bed.

He awoke several hours later, nearer Gamma shift, and changed into his uniform. Heading down to security, he found it rather more deserted. Lt. Mohler was the only one in security at that time, with the other officers guarding the ship, or back at the station. He greeted Lt. Mohler and asked if all was well.

"Everything is fine, lieutenant." he said. "I've got a fair bit of work to do, due to Lieutenant K'arta being off the ship, but I'm managing."

"Right, then. I'll take over for Gamma shift then." answered Chanor.

Lieutenant Mohler moved off, and Chanor took over in security for that shift. He was about 2 hours in when a call came from the Bridge. It was Captain Price.

"Price to security."

"Lieutenant Paran here sir."

"Lieutenant, could you send a security officer to escort Ambassador Kale to Ten Forward? Make sure he gets there without wandering into other parts of the ship by accident."

Chanor looked around security. Only Lieutenant Quall was on duty as well. Everyone else was assigned around the ship. He answered back.

"Yes sir. I'll be there shortly."

"Excellent 'mate."

Chanor nodded to Quall, who took over in security, as he headed for the bridge for the first time in his career on this ship. He arrived to find quiet a bit going on in the Bridge. Captain Price, Commander Coe, Lieutenant Mitchell and Lieutenant Ti where a few he recognised. There were several others from the Station as well. He assumed one of them was Captain Zahn.

The Captain turned to him and blinked, before starting.

"Lieutenant Paran?"

"Yes sir." he replied swiftly.

"Ahh, good. Escort Ambassador Kale here to Ten Forward could you 'mate?"

"Yes sir.", he turned to the Ambassador and entered the turbolift. On the way to Ten Forward, the Ambassador tried to get information from him about his duties on board ship. His replies where short and blunt. He got his name, and his shift, but nothing else. When they got to Ten Forward, he stood in a corner, watching the Ambassador, whilst he had taken a window seat, and drunk from a flask he had.

He stared into space for quiet a while, and Lieutenant Paran, shifting his position slightly, noticed that his lips almost seemed to be moving between sips of his drink. He made a mental note and started over. As he reached him, the Ambassador turned back.

"I feel much better now you may return me to the bridge" he said.

Chanor escorted him back to the bridge, then headed straight to security and started performing a comm scan over that time period. He was unable to find anything that indicated a signal to ten forward. Routine traffic only. He thought about extending his search, but that might be premeture, and maybe he only 'thought' he saw the Ambassador's lips moving. Nonetheless, he informed Lieutenant Quall about it, and waited until Alpha shift arrived and informed Lieutenant Sterner as he walked in with Ensign Mulich.

"Good morning Lieutenant," started Sterner. "Everything alright?"

"Yes sir, fairly uneventful night. However, about 2 hours in, the Romulan Ambassador was escorted to ten forward by myself sir. I wasn't sure, but I think he may have been muttering something. I haven't found any comm traffic over that time period, so either I was imagining things; the Ambassador was talking to himself or the signal was very well hidden."

"Okay, thanks Lieutenant. I may look into it. Anything else?" Sterner said slowly.

"No sir." answered Chanor.

"Then get some rest. I'll deal with anything that might arise." he finished.

Chanor then headed down to his quarters to get some sleep as the USS Galaxy approached the Void Cooperative.

Lt. JG Paran Chanor USS Galaxy.

"The SH*T'S hit the fan"
by Lt. Jg. Ramone Pescadeiro
Assistant Chief Operations Officer Beta 2 Station

"Lt. what do you think of erecting temporary force fields to cut off the vital areas? Freeing up the security for the problem on the promenade," asked Ramone.

Katarina nodded. "Do it. The main priorities are Ops and Engineering. The second priorities are decks with major systems. Coordinate with Chief Winston in locking down the shuttle bays and docking bays. No one leaves this station without permission."

Ramone started erecting the fields outside of engineering, and Ops. He opened a channel to Chief Winston.

"Chief, we have a problem that we're getting under control. Evacuate all non-essential personel from the docking and shuttle bays; they're about to be locked out."

[Understood, give me two minutes then lock them up tight.]

"Thanks chief, will do."

He closed the channel and waited the two minutes, then he lock out the doors to all shuttle bays and docking bays. On a quick thought, he locked out auxiliary Ops and erected fields at every entry point on deck 74 where main life support was located. He also locked out all but emergency transporters.

"Ramone! Keep your eye on the external sensors for hostile ships."

He hit a few commands and brought up the external sensors on his stations main screen. On one of the side monitors, he brought up a internal schematic of the station that showed all the force fields, lock-outs, and security team positions as well as the hot spots where most of the trouble seemed to be centered. Primarily it was on the promenade, but groups were beginning to break out of the promenade, heading who knows where.

He started coordinating with the different security teams. Getting them to hot spots as fast as possible to diffuse the situation. The last thing he wanted was damage to the station if it could be prevented. Ramone also kept close watch on the external sensors, but so far everything was clear, at least for the moment.

He looked at Lt. Seles for a moment before he spoke. Sizing her up so to speak.

"Katarina, I have an idea that will solve this problem, but I need a few things from my quarters. I can get them and be back in two minutes, may I have permission?"

[What are talking about, we're getting it under control.....slowly.]

"Lt. it would take too long to explain, I know it will work."

It seemed that she way'd his answer for a moment before answering. [Okay, do it!]

Ramone stood up, looking towards Katarina, "You won't be sorry."

"Computer, recognize Ramone Pescadeiro, Lt. Jg."

[Voice print verified.] came the computers voice.

"Command override, authorization alpha-omega-niner-niner-zulu."

[Authorization verified, awaiting command.]

"Disengage security program Pescadeiro-125 on deck 22 section baker 2"

[Security disengaged.]

"Computer, emergency site to site transport to deck 22 section baker 2."

A moment later Ramone was standing in his quarters. Quickly he walked into his bedroom where he kept his "Idea Box" that he worked on in his off hours. Opening it, he searched for a specific PADD with the program he needed. Grabbing the pad, he went back into the main room of his quaters.

"Computer, emergency site to site transport to Main Ops"

A moment later he appeared exactly where he had been a few minutes before. Sitting at his station, he plugged the PADD into the terminal and uploaded the program. He noticed Lt. Seles peering over his shoulder, trying to figure out what he was doing. Ramone's hands seemed to dance over the terminal. Then they stopped.

"Lt. Seles, please have all security teams and Cmdr Morris vacate the main Promenade. And let me know when they're off those decks."

Lt. Seles was about to say something then thought better of it. Instead she went over to her terminal and opened a channel to Cmdr Morris and all the security teams.

[Ops to Cmdr Morris and all security teams, Lt Pescadeiro has come up with a way to diffuse the riot. He has asked that you vacate the three promenade decks."]

Cmdr Morris was first to respond, [Acknowledged, but this better work.]

Ramone watched the internal sensors monitoring their progress. He could feel the tension start to build in him. It didn't help that Seles was standing right behind him. Wondering what would happen next. He spoke over his shoulder as he refined his program for a selected area. "Lt, what I'm gonna do is use hypersonic waves to induce unconsciousness. It will leave the people with a headache, but the riot will be over and security can get in there and stop anything more from happening when they wake up. They'll be unconscious for about ten minutes. It's safer than using ultrasonic waves in that it will not cause permanent damage."

He checked the internal sensors, just as Cmdr Morris reported they pulled out of the promenade and were waiting.

Ramone brought up visuals of the three decks that made up the promenade. He watched for a moment the chaos that was happening down there.

[They're ready, Lt.] Seles said quietly.

Ramone tapped into the communication relays on the promenade and started his program. He carefully watched the frequency and amplitude of the waves he sent. For a moment nothing seemed to change. Then slowly, the people causing the riot started to drop unconscious. It only took a few moments, once his program was calibrated. It seemed that the biggest part of the riot was over. He switched off his program and signalled the okay to re-enter the promenade.

V: "Riot - Part 2"

"Lt, what I'm gonna do is use hypersonic waves to induce unconsciousness. It will leave the people with a headache, but the riot will be over and security can get in there and stop anything more from happening when they wake up. They'll be unconscious for about ten minutes. It's safer than using ultrasonic waves in that it will not cause permanent damage."

What?!? Katarina nearly shoved Ramone away from his terminal. But instead she stepped in front of him blocking access to his StratOps terminal. "How do you know this is safe?" Without waiting for an answer, she tapped her comm button. "Seles to Dr. Salvine. What do you think of using hypersonic waves to knock everyone unconscious on the Promenade?"

[Give me a few minutes and I will get back to you.]

Katarina turned back to Ramone. "You haven't given our security teams enough time to get the situation under control. And you just can't...GAS people without giving them plenty of warnings. They are just frightened civilians and they do have civil rights."

Katarina looked over to Lt. Clay at the Comm Station. "Send out a station wide announcement as follows. 'All off duty personnel and civilians are to report immediately to their quarters and are to remain there until further notice.' Keep repeating this message for ten minutes."

Martial law wasn't much better than gassing people, but at least they would have some warning about what was to come.

"Ops to Security. I need a status report."

Katarina turned back to Ramone and looked at him sharply. "And lastly, you need permission from Cmdr. Morris or myself before you do something like this." She tapped her comm button once again and said, "Seles to Cmdr. Morris. Permission to render the crowds unconscious by using hypersonic waves, sir."

Lt. Seles, Chief Operations Officer Station Beta Two

"Arrival"
Lieutenant Troy Blair
Chief Tactical Officer, USS Galaxy

The rest of the trip to the fortress was peaceful, atleast to Troy it was since he didn't have an Ambassador looking over his shoulder. The Romulan was now by Op's, just as interested as he was with tactical. Troy laughed to himself, now Deiran would get to have an 'intriguing' conversation with tr'Herrian. As he watched the two interacting, his console beeped indicating it was picking up the fortress. Looking down, Troy saw an enormous mass displayed on his screen. "This can't be right" he thought to himself. The only explanation he could think of was a sensor malfunction, but the last he heard sensors were working properly. He got Ronni's attention by waving his hand at her, and then motioned for her to come to tactical.

"What is it Troy?" she asked

"Sensors are normal correct?"

"Yes, why do you ask?

"Well I'm getting this large mass, and I thought sensor may have malfunctioned again." Ronni looked at the display, her eyes widened as she saw the mass.

"Oh my...." she muttered

"Well, I better inform the Captain" he whispered, "Sir, the Void fortress is in visual range!" Captain Price turned to face Troy.

"On screen 'mate" The Australian replied

"Aye, sir." with the push of a button the screen lit up.

Once Troy saw the fortress with his own eyes, he knew the sensors were not lying. The mass was indeed large, it appeared to be made up of many stations and large vessels all melded together. As the three vessels got closer to the mass, a small door opened and the Void shuttle along with the Yiridian ship passed through the opening. Seconds later, a larger door opened just infront of the Galaxy, then a blue beam of light emitted from somewhere inside the opening and engulfed the ship. The Galaxy thrusted forward as the light hit the hull.

"They've got us in a tractor beam!" someone yelled.

"Helm! All stop....let them bring us in" Captain Price ordered

"Aye, sir!" came the reply. After coasting in, the Galaxy was soon docked with the mighty fortress.

*** Ten Minutes Later ***

Troy was at the airlock, along with a majority of the senior staff and some security officers, waiting to board the fortress. Shortly after Zahn joined the group, the airlock doors opened to reveal some of the residents of the station. One man introduced himself, Troy did not listen to him, instead he inspected the man and some of his company. Something about the party that stood at the entrance to the airlock bo

thered Troy, but what it exactly was he did not know. After the introductions were made, the Starfleet officers were invited into the bastion.

The inside of the fortress was more amazing than the outside, hundreds of different species, some recognizable and some never seen before, working together as one. This Cooperative had a very productive life, their 'home' was proof enough of that.

"Look at this place, it's like a whole other universe." Troy whispered to Derian

"I know, I couldn't imagine living life on this place, never able to set foot on a planet again" was Deiran's reply

"You got that right." Troy agreed as the group continued through the corridors of the station.

"Unsafe Haven"
Written by Captain Joseph Zahn
Commanding Officer, Station Beta Two

Froom briskly entered Club Spectrum with his latest report. Many civilians had taken cover from the riot in Electra's establishment. "They've totally destroyed the Vulcan art gallery and gift shop in the Latinum Palace. They're moving this way," the bulky Orion said walking behind the bar. Electra nodded with a frightful look in her eye. Everything she gained could be destroyed by a group of no-brain civilians in a matter of minutes.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Club Spectrum is closed for business! Please return to your quarters immediantly! The Security Officers will assist you," Electra yelled to her patrons.

The group of people hurridly exited the club with a security detachment. Electra and Froom stood at the large openway and made sure everyone made their way out of the club. She noticed Captain Roentgen Levask was still sitting at the bar. "Come on Levask! We need to clear this place out!" Froom yelled.

A loud clanking sound grew outside of the club. Electra glared at Froom with a fearful look. "They're coming," she said quietly. Suddenly three drunken Benzites ran in front of the club holding a long table. It looked like it was from Fast Eddie's Cafeteria. They yelled and heaved the table toward Club Spectrum. Electra turned around and smashed her hand into the panel next to the interior entrance. Suddenly very large double doors slammed into each other, crushing the table, and closing off the only Promenade enterance to Club Spectrum.

The Benzites knocked on the emergency double doors for a few minutes before moving back to the Main Promenade to loot. The club had an advantage being in the very corner of the lower Promenade. Electra sighed and moved back to the bar with Froom and Captain Levask. "It looks like we're going to be here for awhile." Froom walked back into the kitchen area. "I wouldn't have been able to make it back to my ship. The turbolift is offline," Roentgen said.

Electra poured herself a glass of Spring Water and sat at the bar next to Roentgen. "I can't believe this is happening. First we are trapped in this senseless void and now a senseless riot breaks out. To top it it all off I found out some life changing news this morning," Electra said. The Flaxian just sat silently listening to the Orion woman. He knew nothing he could say could improve their situation. But he was tempted in asking her what the so-called life changing news was.

Just then Froom walked back in from the kitchen. "The kitchen and storage room is clear. The rest of the staff made it out in time," he said brusquely. Froom stood behind the bar and noticed how down Electra looked. He assumed the riot and the void was really getting to her. She had gulped down the entire glass of water.

"Electra, you do not look so well. I'm sure they would transport you to your quarters or the infirmary if you needed," Levask said politely.

Froom quickly nodded in agreement, "Yes."

"I think I do need to go to the Infirmary. I think I'm pregnant."

Expok moved to the replicator still holding the data PADD. Outside the Void still remained. Things where taking place that he was not allowed to know but could see it in the eyes of the security chief, Joreg Sterner. "Milk, chilled" he barked. The glass filled with the creamy white liquid appeared and he grabbed the glass and took a sip. The station Beta 2 was out in the void as well and could be seen through the window. Expok went to his table and typed some more words into his PADD. His alarm made a buzzing noise letting Expok know that his shift was about to start.

Expok made it to deck 15 just as his shift started. He was to make rounds through out the ship. Deck 15 took him ten minutes and then he moved to Deck 16. For the rest of his ship he made rounds of Decks 15 through Deck 22. When his shift ended Expok went to ten forward.

The Ten-Forward doors swooshed open as Expok steped up to them. He ordered a bowl of Ice-Cream from the bar and then went to a table in the back. "Then see how tough I am" a young ensign shouted form another table. The Ensgin shoved the table into another Ensign just as Expok stood and made his way to the table. He grabbed the Ensign that shoved the table and lifted him off the ground. "You will come with me" Expok statted gruffly. With that he hauled the young man to the brig.

Expok went straight to the brig and put the Ensign in there then he activated the forcefield and went to his quarters to file a report and contact the security chief.

Russ looks around, seeing that Dr Salvine hasn't showed up yet. "Now, where's that doctor?" Russ then gets up and heads to the Doc's office. "Doc, what're you waiting for? Ash needs that antibodiotic given to her."

Dr. Salvine looks up at Russ. "Hold on, there's a riot out there and I'm checking on a way to neutralize them. Just a minute."

Russ's eyes turn to slits as he glares at Dr. Salvine.

Katarina looked through her duty roster for Security and tapped the comm button on her panel. "Ops to Lt. K'arta. We need some assistance. Please send some personnel to the Romulan Embassy. If you can spare any staff, please post guards in Ops and Engineering."

Eighty decks below Lt. Seles and OPS, Lt. Cmdr. Tom Hanson stood worriedly in Main Engineering. Commander Morris and Katarina were right about the danger; this area of the station was an absolute bonanza for any militant civilians who happened to think of it. Anti-Matter storage, the Shield Generators, the backup Computer Grid, and Main Engineering Itself were all of primary concern.

Interrupting Tom's musing, two Ensigns clothed in Security Red rushed in, looking furtively around themselves for any signs of trouble. Tom quickly re-assured them that everything in Main Engineering itself was just fine; after a few more glances, the two Security officers nodded and made their way back out the doors, splitting two different ways; one man was onm his way to guard the Anti-Matter Storage area, while the other Ensign stood watchful outside the Main Engineering entrance.

Hanson nodded with satisfaction, and returned to his panel, continuing the task of watchdogging for any signs of power fluctuations. None so far, he noted with some relief; maybe this Riot wouldn't blow all out of control . . .

In Expoks mind visions of home flashed in his mind. His mother on earth his friends on other starships his father. A gruff klingon standing almost seven feet. Expok awoke drenched in sweat as his comm line chirped. "Display message, audio only" Expok told the computer. "Ensign Expok report to my office" Security chief Sterner ordered. "On my way" Expok replied. He put on a clean uniform and walked out the door.

When Expok arrived in Security, Lieutenant Sterner put away a data PADD and told Expok to take a seat. Expok sat and Lieutenat Sterner asked him if he knew how to reconfigure phasers to get more firing power. "I can get them even more powerfull than the kill setting" Expok informed the Security chief. "Do that then Ensign, dissmissed" was all that was said. Expok went to the weapons room and grabbed crates with phaser riffles and pistols and took them to his quarters. He got power chips and began installing them into the phasers. Now the phasers could burn through a forcefield with one shot. Expok continued to work making the phasers so powerfull that the starfleet officers using these would seem undefeatable with there new weapons.

"After The Kill Setting-Pt.2"
Ensign Expok, Security Officer, USS Galaxy

After the phasers where made more powerfull they where handed out to all officers. Expok walked his shift with a phaser riffle slung over his shoulder. For the moment the phasers where set on stun but with the push of one button whould go beyon the kill setting. As Expok made his rounds on deck 8 the red alert siren sounded. Expok ran around the deck and held his phaser ready.

In sick bay medical kits where loaded though no one knew why. The whole ship was ready to fight, recive casualties and fight to the end when the red alert siren stoped. It had been a drill and life returned to simi normal for the moment.

On deck 8 Expok relaxed the phaser and started making his rounds of the deck. When Expok arrived at his quarters he started a personal log. "Red Alert was sounded but was just a drill. I'm feeling very tense inside the forttress and the Void. I hope we get home soon." Expok made that simple entry before going to sleep.

A noise awoke Expok a few hours later. He grabbed a phaser and turned on the lights. There was no one there. "Computer how many people are in this room?" Expok asked. "One lifeform" the computer replied. "Lights off" he stated. The lights dimmed and Expok set the phaser down on the small table at the side of his bed and went back to sleep. When he awoke the next morning the phaser was gone.

Lt. (jg) James Mitchell
Chief Science Officer USS Galaxy
"A Meeting of the Minds"

"Maybe if we prepped a class one probe..." Mitchell mused while Captains Zahn and Price returned to the command chairs.

Lt Cmdr Varin Reix seemed to ponder this a moment.

"I'm not sure that will work. The last probe Beta 2 sent was lost, if you'll remember correctly. The guidance systems rely on navigational maps and star patterns. There aren't any aren't any around to work from." Reix sat back in thought. Mitchell slunk back in his chair and scratched his chin, straining to think of a solution.

Lt. Morris suddenly piped up from behind them.

"What about aligning the lateral sensor array? We could set up jump points using the navigational beacons as a guidance system. It is possible to reprogram the probe's sensors into utilizing them for navigational purposes instead." Reix and Mitchell stopped what they were doing and stared at the blue-skinned Delphinian.

"It could work...." Mitchell said as he glanced at Reix sideways.

"Hmm..." Reix punched up a simulation on the science console after inputting the hypothetical data. The probe ejected from the Galaxy, passed the first navigational marker and proceeded. Suddenly, it veered off course and flew off into deep, 'true' space, for it was a dark, lost universe they were in.

Reix punched up a diagnostic from the simulation as Morris and Mitchell looked on in consternation. After several moments, the answer appeared on the console.

"Damn!" Mitchell blurted out. "The distance between the beacons is too great for the Probe to triangulate on! The transmission rate is too slow from the beacons to reach the probe in time. The data would appear to get there too late."

"Kind of like a backlog...." Morris murmered.

"What if we had an intermediary between the probes?" Reix wondered out loud.

"What was that?" Mitchell was deep in his own thoughts of a solution.

"I mean, what if we had something that travelled with the probe and fed it data from the beacons?" Reix rolled the words off his tongue as he re-programmed the simulator. "You see," he hammered out the info faster as he further gained a grasp on what he was saying, "the beacons are stationary, and the Probe travels at Warp 9. That means that the Probe reaches the beacons before the data reaches the Probe, right?" Mitchell and Morris shook their heads hesitantly, nodding. "In all fairness if we sent out something ahead of the Probe, the data would reach it faster, AND it would be able to navigate, since there was a navigational point in between the beacons. All we have to do is set it at warp 7, and the intermediary would move at maximum warp."

Mitchell and Morris looked at each other. James' eyes furrowed as it appeared that they came to the same conclusion.

"It would appear that we would have to send out either a class 2 probe with limited sensor abilities first and follow it up with the class 1 probe." Morris suggested.

"No...." Mitchell thought ahead on it, "The class 9 probe would overtake it with its greater velocity and distance. The other option we have is much more dangerous..."

Reix's and Morris' looked at Mitchell and read in his eyes what his idea was.

"No way! It's much too dangerous! If ANYTHING went wrong....."

Mitchell looked at Morris in response to her query and then at a neutrally composed Reix.

"The only way to match the Probe's speed is by aligning a shuttle to match its speed and transmit the beacons signal as your jump-point, Varin.....It's the only way....."

Lt. (jg) James Mitchell Chief Science Officer USS Galaxy

"Journey to the Void Fortress"
by Lieutenant Andrew Hutchcraft

After departing from the company of Lt.Cmdr Hanson, Lieutenant Hutchcraft agreed to himself to call it a night. He had spent quite a while working on the Shuttle Bay doors, and the young officer was starting to feel the way he did during a long Security Shift - ready to spend the same amount of time in his bed.

Hutchcraft arrived in his quarters, and walked towards his bed. He looked briefly at it, before collapsing on to the soft piece of furniture.

----------------

After waking up, Hutchcraft had a few hours left before he was needed in Main Engineering. Lieutenant Chiron would be handling any duties there until Alpha shift arrived. When Hutchcraft was working in Security, this would be his shift. It felt slightly strange, still, working the Alpha Shift.

He looked outside, and was saddened to see nothing, not even the familiar stars he had previously neglected. It was then that he realised how he missed the universe they were no longer in. Hutchcraft picked up the beautiful red acoustic guitar that sat neatly next to his bed, and began to play to himself.

Instead of the odd melodies that Andrew usually played, this time he kept to simply arpeggios, slowly played to strengthen the meaning of each note. He kept the chords he used in a rather dark key - chilling, cold, and despairing.

As he played, Hutchcraft thought about what was going on. Was the crew of the USS Galaxy, and his fellow Starfleet officers on the Station going to become members of this 'Co-operative'?

If that were to happen, then everything Hutchcraft had remembered from his homelands would be just memories. His experiences as a child, his time at the academy, every rough time he had gone through to get where he was. He would be far away from his parents, his relatives, his remaining friends on Earth.

The melody he was playing becoming darker, slower, deepening in depth. The beautiful acoustic was not just beautiful visually, but sounded as clear as the most fresh spring water. The sound echoed through the large quarters, as Hutchcraft lost himself in his thoughts.

----------------

Lieutenant Hutchcraft left his quarters for Engineering early. He figured that he could spend some time getting to know his crew better, understand their needs and concerns with better accuracy.

Engineering was certainly a lot busier than Security had been, and it was a larger area. Instead of simply being a set of Brigs and Offices, Engineering was a whole area devoted to the Warp Core, ship read-outs, panels, controls. Hutchcraft smiled as he remembered that he was in command of all this. Suddenly the thoughts of the Void took second place, as he walked around, observing his officers do their jobs.

As he looked around, a voice appeared in his head -- Greetings, Lieutenant --

'Chiron' Hutchcraft immediately thought to himself. The Tamarian nodded. The Chief Engineer could not properly telepathically communicate with his Assistant Chief, but he could recieve messages from him. He wasn't sure what sort of level of communication Chiron recieved back, but he guessed that it would be quite faint.

The Junior-Grade Lieutenant continued about his business, as Hutchcraft looked around Engineering, watching his officer work. They went about their work well, it was a wonderful sight.

Finally, Alpha shift came, and with it arrived another selection of Engineers to replace the officers going off-duty. Hutchcraft stopped merely observing and began to work himself. First off, he needed to write a report on the Shuttle-Bay Doors that had just been repaired.

----------------

As Hutchcraft finished a detailed evaluation on the recent repairs, and began to organize the new duty-roster, news came in on the Galaxy's current whereabouts. They had reached the Void Co-Operative's Fortress. Andrew decided that he should be on the bridge ... he handed command to one of his highest-ranking Engineers, and made his way to the bridge.

The Bridge was full of officers. Captain Price was joined by Zahn, the Commanding Officer of Station Beta 2. The strong-looking Orexian stood watching a Romulan Ambassador. Lieutenant Hutchcraft felt unsure about both characters. He acknowledged that Dawner was probably a fine Security Chief, but he had no desire to be searching in his department, certainly.

As for the Romulan, Hutchcraft barely knew the species. However, what he did know about the race was that they were well known for being xenophobic, and untrustworthy. He could certainly understood the obvious concern about him. Hutchcraft moved towards the Engineering Console on the bridge, and watched as events unfolded ...

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Captain Elitia, CO of the USS Sovereign Sim
Http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Cavern/7432
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Lt. Hutchcraft, Chief Engineer, USS Galaxy
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"The truth is in here somewhere!"
by Lieutenant Joerg Sterner
Chief of Security, USS Galaxy

The Galaxy was still on her way to the fortress of the Void Cooperative when Joerg returned to his office at the beginning of the Alpha shift. Upon entering his office, Lieutenant Paran filled him in on the recent events.

"Good morning Lieutenant." Joerg started. "Everything alright?"

"Yes sir, fairly uneventful night. However, about 2 hours in, the Romulan Ambassador was escorted to ten forward by myself sir. I wasn't sure, but I think he may have been muttering something. I haven't found any comm traffic over that time period, so either I was imagining things; the Ambassador was talking to himself or the signal was very well hidden." Paran answered him.

"Okay, thanks Lieutenant. I may look into it. Anything else?" Sterner said slowly.

"No sir." answered Chanor.

"Then get some rest. I'll deal with anything that might arise." he finished and the Lieutenant left for his quarters.

Joerg's mind immediately started to fill with questions, as Chanor told him about the Romulan Ambassador. 'With whom did he talk?', 'What are his intentions?', 'Where is the person he spoke to?' and many more thoughts came to his mind. He didn't believe for a second, that Chanor was dreaming this thing.

While he thought about the Ambassador, Ensign Expok entered his office.

"I have made the adjustments to the weapons as you ordered, sir." he said, when Joerg looked up from his terminal.

"I also have handed out the reconfigured phasers to all active security personal." he added.

"Very good Ensign." Joerg answered, pleased to see so much enthusiasm.

"Do you have made a diagnosis ..."

"... of the improvements? Yes, sir. Here it is." Expok handed him a PADD.

Joerg took it and read it carefully.

"Excellent job Ensign." he said and put the PADD aside.

"Thank you sir."

"If that's all, you're dismissed." Joerg said, smiling friendly while the Ensign left for his security inspection of the ship.

Joerg turned his attention back to his terminal, when he saw a new message had just arrived. It was from the Commander, about Ensign O'Lindey.

To: Lt Sterner
From: Commander Coe

Subject: Ensign O'Lindey

Lt Sterner, Ensign O'Lindey is to be relieved of duty for the meantime and is to report to my office at 09:00 hours monday morning.

Commander Coe.

Joerg forwarded a copy of this message to the Ensign to inform him about Commander Coe's decision.

After that he turned his attention back to the Romulan Ambassador. He also checked the appropriate time, but came up with nothing new. Then he thought the whole thing over again.

'If the Ambassador had spoke with someone, this someone had to be either on board the Galaxy or nearby in a, perhaps cloaked, ship.' he thought.

Joerg tested some of his theories with the help of the computer, but found nothing that could help him find the truth about what happened in Ten Forward.

Later that day the Galaxy arrived at the fortress. Joerg took Ensigns Mulich and Franklin with him to the docking bay. Some of the senior officers already waited for them. After everyone was present the door was opened and the welcome team from the fortress approached them.

"I am Sir Therio. I want to be the first to welcome you to The Void Cooperative Fortress. I know you will enjoy it here," he said holding out his hand to Captain Zahn.

'That's yet to see.' Joerg just thought while the Captains shook hands with the welcome team.

Russ woke up from his dream with a start. He got up from the chair and headed into the doctor's office. "Doc, I know what's wrong with Ash. Look at the base of her neck, and there will be an entry point were a poison-tipped dart went in. That's what's wrong with her! She was poisoned!" The doctor turns and eyes Russ suspiciously.

"And how do you know this?"

"I just know, okay? Will you just look at her?"

"No. First you tell me how you know. Then I'll take a look."

Russ rolls his eyes, getting annoyed. "Alright, fine. I'll tell you. But, you won't believe me."

"Just tell me."

"Alright. Everytime I go to sleep near Ash, she comes to me in my dreams. As a real person, not someone I made up. She tells me things that will make her better, and other items of interest. That's how I knew about the poison dart. Now, go take a look at her." Sa;vine eyed him warily but at this point he needed to try any lead that he had, there was not time to waste especially since he had no idea what was wrong with this woman and what exactly was in that antidote.

Arriving at her bed he whipped out his tricorder and scanned the indicated area, finding exactly what he was told. That didn't really prove anything but it was a start.

Walking back to his office he found the young man sitting in one of the chair's across from his.

"Well?" he asked.

"I found what you told me but I am......." his statement was interrupted by the frantic call of one of the nurses.

Salvine and Russ rush out to the ICU to found Ash writing in a seizure and their is nothing that either the docotro or the nurse could do.

"Her heart's failing Dr. That's all I know." Nurse Rager told him apolgetically. He placed his hand on her shoulder to try to reassure her and then took a hypospray from the tray next to her bed. Injecting her with it, the seizure immedialtey stopped and her heart returned to normal although she remained in unconciousness.

Salvine turned to face Russ. "I only did that because it was my only option. I hope for her sake you were right."

Leaving the man with his thoughts Salvine returns to his office. "Computer do I have any messages?" He questions.

"One."

On screen came the text message from Dr.Rousseau explaining that they would have to postpone their meeting. It was probably better that way, Salvine was not much in the mood for a meeting.

"Morris to Salvine"

"Salvine here" came the reply.

"Doctor, we may injuries. There is some trouble on the Promenade. You'll want to prepare the staff." she said briskly.

"We'll be ready! Commander. Salvine out."

Salvine immediatley gathered the staff together for a briefing, they would all need to be prepared for this.

"All right people here is the situation. It appears that some sort of riot is developing on the Promenade and thus we need to be prepared for any injury, anything could happen so just be ready."

All of the medical staff nodded and went to get everything ready for the influx of patients that was about to come in.

The doors whised open and Salvine thought that maybe it had begun already but instead was greeted by the face of a Romulan.

"What can I do for you?" Salvine questioned, now was not the time for coughs to come to the Infirmary and now was especially not the time for him to be manipulated by some Romulan.

"I am Yhea, the medical officer for the Romulan embassy and I came here to offer my assistance. I figured I would get here during the early stages of the riot before things got out of hand."

Salvine was almost blown away, this Romulan seemed quite nice and personable. The exact opposite of what he thought of Romulans.

Yhea smiled, he could see the reaction on the Dr.'s face. "I am not the typical Romulan."

"You can say that again. Anyway, your help would be greatly appreciated. Nurse Rager is in Ward 3, she'll give you the basics and then you can dive right in."

Yhea nodded and headed back to Nurse Rager when a stabbing victim came rushing in.

"Dr.....please...." he fell to the floor, blood gushing everywhere. ~More damn knives~ Salvine thought to himself as he knelt down to treat the man. Moving him could cause more damage, so the best thing would be to leave him where he was.

Running the tricorder over him revealed that the wound was deep and he was losing a lot of blood but his injuries were not anymore serious then that. Sealing up the wound, he was lifted onto the nearest bio-bed....he would need a lot of rest.

. "Seles to Dr. Salvine. What do you think of using hypersonic waves to knock everyone unconscious on the Promenade?"

Salvine knew the answer to that question immediatley. "No way Lt. Different people react differently to hypersonic waves plus the frequencies would need to be set to various degress to knock out everyone on the Promenade. This plan could result in fatalities. I can't let you do it."

V: “In the Middle”
by Ensign Tatalia Connor
Security section Alpha-One leader, Beta 2

Tatalia approached the security office. Tim and Tolan were waiting. They were holding type III phaser rifles and had their type II phasers holstered. When Tatalia arrived, Tim handed her a phaser rifle. She slung it over her shoulder and the trio headed to the affected areas of the Promenade.

“Stay within visual range of the team,” Tatalia instructed. Tim and Tolan nodded.

The trio split up slightly to maximize their range but stay close enough to help one another. Tatalia headed to the left and spotted a man getting ready to throw rocks at a store. She grabbed his wrist with the rocks. In one swift move the man spun around and hit her in the jaw. Her head was pushed to the side with the force but she kept her grip on his wrist. Recovering quickly, Tatalia twisted his arm backwards. The man yelped in pain as he bent over. She hit him on the back of his neck and he slumped unconscious. Turning around quickly she made a quick visual search for her team.

Tim was talking to two women who looked as if they had been fighting. Tolan was trying to reason with a violent man. Tatalia thought it looked like trouble and moved to help but before she made much progress, Tolan gave the man the Vulcan nerve-pinch.

Satisfied that her team was all right she started towards the next violent looking conflict. Before she got two steps Lt. Grigg’s voice came over her communicator, “Alpha-One report to Latinum Place.”

“On our way,” Tatalia answered. She moved to the Latinum Palace and Tim and Tolan joined her at the entrance.

The entire bar looked like one big bar fight. Chairs, bottles and fists being flung at anything that moved. The trio proceeded into the bar carefully.

“Break it up,” she yelled.

“That’s what their doing!” Latinum King screamed from his hiding place behind the bar. “Take care of them.”

“Stick to procedure, these are civilian,” Tatalia reminded. The trio started in to the middle of the fight each going in a different direction.

Tatalia stepped in-between two men fighting. “Knock it off,” she said pushing them apart. The men stopped for a minute and sized her and each other up. Tatalia glared at each of them. The men backed down.

‘Now what?’ she thought. ‘I can’t take them to jail and I can’t let them go.’

She hesitated for only a second, “Both of you get out of here and turn yourselves in at the security office,” she ordered. The men ran out of the bar. Tatalia smiled because even if they didn’t turn themselves in they couldn’t leave the Promenade either.

She turned to the next small section of the conflict. Tim and Tolan were getting people out of the establishment. After the trio had diffused most of the brawlers, the rest left without much trouble.

Turning to Latinum King she said, “Don’t leave the establishment.” Latinum King nodded. The trio walked out of Latinum Palace. Tatalia heard Latinum King lock the doors’ behind them.

The rioters had made their way down the Promenade. Behind them was a path of destruction. The rioters group was losing numbers as the security forces got to them.

Tatalia turned to her team, “Follow me.” She ran up the nearest stairs to the top level of the Promenade. It had been completely cleared of the rioters and blocked off by security officers. Alpha-One ran down the Promenade to get in front of the rioters. They proceeded back down the stairs to the bottom level. Some of the shop owners in front of the riot wave were standing in their doorways ready to defend their stores.

“Get inside and lock up your shops now,” Tatalia yelled. Most of the shop owners obeyed immediately. Others were a little more hesitant but complied.

The trio ran to the front wave of the rioters. Their were security officers mixed in with the rioters. The trio set up the best perimeter in front of the rioters as they could. They were determined not to let the rioters advance any more on the Promenade. Most of the security officers caught on and joined the trio.

Tatalia shifted her phaser rifle off her shoulder and held it in her hands. The other security forces followed her action. She hoped that the sight of the phaser rifle might get their attention. The crowd kept moving and more security officers were joining the barricade.

Tatalia had enough with these people. She glanced up and wished that she could fire her phaser at the ceiling. That would get the rioters attention.

“Connor to Ops,” she tapped her communicator. “I have a security perimeter set up on the Promenade in front of the rioters to impede their advance. Permission to fire my phaser at the ceiling?” Connor asked. She waited for the answer.

"Free Time"
Ensign Expok,Security Officer, USS Galaxy

Expok walked into the holodeck loading a program where he could play football. He was set to go the computer needed only one more thing. "Computer set opponet skill level to difficulty level 3." Expok ordered "Done" Simulation ready. "Begin simulation" Expok said. The game started and Expok took up the QB position. He played hard and beat the team. He still had an hour before his shift so he went back to his quarters took a shower changed and went to ten-forward with twentey minuets to spare. He ordered a Coffee and began reviewing a piece of

music he had been writing. While he was on starbase 123 waiting for the Galaxy another Ensign from the starbase had played the guitar for the other officers one night. Expok had wanted to play since then and had since started learing to play,write,and read music. He finished the last note on the chord when his shift started. He left the unfinished coffee and went off to do his job.

V: "Riot - Part 3"

***Main Operations***

Lieutenants Seles and Pescadeiro were having a standoff in Ops over the use of hypersonic waves to control the riot. Ramone was glaring at her while the calls from the Promenade kept flooding in.

[Dr. Salvine to Lt. Seles. No way Lt. Different people react differently to hypersonic waves plus the frequencies would need to be set to various degress to knock out everyone on the Promenade. This plan could result in fatalities. I can't let you do it.]

Katarina looked at Ramone. "Work with Dr. Salvine in coming up with another solution."

[Connor to Ops. I have a security perimeter set up on the Promenade in front of the rioters to impede their advance. Permission to fire my phaser at the ceiling?]

It must be bad down there. "Seles to Connor. Permission denied. Do not fire your weapons unless fired upon. Keep me posted."

Katarina yelled over to Lt. Clay. "Send out another announcement. Audio and visual. Full volume. The message is as follows. 'All civilians and off duty personnel are to report immediately to your quarters. You are to remain in your quarters until further notice. The Promenade is off limits to non Starfleet personnel.' Keep repeating this message for five minutes."

[Security to Ops. Main Engineering is secured.]

"Acknowledged. Ops out." At that moment the turbolift doors opened to Ops and two Security officers took their stations around the command center.

[Hello Ops? Hello?]

Katarina snapped, "Identify yourself. This channel is for station business only."

[This is Froom at Club Spectrum. We are trapped in the club and we need assistance.]

"Standby for Security personnel. Ops..."

Froom interrupted her. [No! I need an emergency transport to Sickbay. It's for Electra. She's pregnant.]

Oh. "Ops to Transporter Room 2. I need an emergency site to site transport from Club Spectrum to Sickbay."

Katarina wondered if this day would ever end...

Lt. Seles, Chief Operations Officer Station Beta Two

"Unexplored Territory"
by Lt. Matthew Cohen
Strategic Operations Officer Station Beta Two

Cohen was keeping his posture as relaxed as he possibly could, standing in his duty uniform behind Captain Zahn and the party from the Station. A quick glance off to the side verified that Chief Dawner was just as ready as he, and further over by the party from the Galaxy, Chief Sterner and shipboard security. Good. At least if this went the way he foresaw it, there would be plenty of muscle on his own side of the firefight.

Gloved hands pulled the rifle off his shoulder, setting it to a medium stun setting, and then to a burst fire mode. The skin beneath tingled with the movements, still not quite fully healed, though he'd prefer not to see a doctor about it. Just another excuse to get him out of the chain of command, and likely out of the action where he belonged.

The group moved from the Starfleet ship into more unfamiliar territory, the welcoming party from the Cooperative waiting. The fact that it was seemed like an organized welcome did not weigh well on the former soldier, putting him still more at unease about the entire tour. Had this been a normal first-contact situation, safely in known space, he'd have been at his station in Ops, or in his office, doing the strategic planning against an invasion or against an attack at the very least... and he sighed. Great. Just... great.

"I am Sir Therio. I want to be the first to welcome you to The Void Cooperative Fortress. I know you will enjoy it here," he said holding out his hand to the Captains. With a reluctant sigh, Matthew transfered the rifle back to his shoulder, leaving the safety off. It was too late already to worry about what had already gone wrong, and time to worry about future eventualities. Looking as hostile as he felt would only make matters go from bad to worse.

"Reflections"
by Lieutenant JG Eryk Grant Chandler
Ship's Counsellor, USS Galaxy

Eryk sat back on the comfortable couch which just seemed to be one of the perks of landing a Senior Officers position straight out of the Academy. Not many people had done that, and in retrospect he felt quite proud of his accomplishment.

He had been quite busy the last few weeks getting the Counselling department adjusted to his liking, and dealing with the problem he was getting from Lieutenant Semanka, the Counsellor assigned to the Security Compliment of the ship. It was a pretty high stress job, and Eryk had made note that it might be getting to the Lieutenant.

Eryk had come aboard at Starbase 123 about two weeks ago, but as yet had not had much interaction with any of the rest of the senior staff. He had had a very brief meeting with the Captain, and had been spending the rest of his time organizing his department.

Lieutenant Pointier was a great help in getting the Educational wing of the department ready for Captain's inspection should it ever happen.

There were two young ladies whose work Eryk was impressed with as well, Lieutenants JG T'Leira and Taryn Rose, a Vulcan and a Bajoran assigned to Sciences and Engineering personnel.

The Counsellor set the PADD down. This void they found themselves in felt pretty disheartening, and Eryk had begun to notice that in the crew's spirits. He looked at the time, and realized that he wasn't accomplishing anything here anyway, so he picked up his uniform jacket off the back of the chair, and secured it on. He picked up the PADD unit, and headed to the turbo-lift.

He smiled as he walked into the turbo-lift. A few days earlier, just before they had arrived at Station Beta Two he had briefly met the Ship's Chief Medical Officer on his way between decks. He'd always had a thing about older women and when they looked as good as the Doctor... He shook his head clearing the daydream, as the turbolift deposited him onto the bridge.

Chandler calmly and quietly walked to his position near the Captain's chair, and looked to the watch officer.

Jono Ends
a.k.a Lieutenant JG Eryk Grant Chandler

The screams of pain and death, the sounds of phaser fire, and the blast from concussion grenades invaded the mind of Dr. (Lt.jg.) Scott F. MacGregor. He remembered saying, "Mom, what's going on?" He remembered his parents looking at him weird. He remembered the reponse that he got, "I love you Scott. Take care of you sisters for us." He remembered that his father amazingly crying. He remembered the hypospray. He remembered tumbling into darkness as the screams continued. That was Setlik III.

*****

The screams continued as Scott woke up in a cold sweat. However, these screams weren't echoes of his nightmares; they were coming from the other side of the MacGregor quarters on the USS Galaxy. With reality snapping to and the dream world rapidly fading, Scott jumped out of bed and headed to his sisters' room.

"Donovan, Kennedy, Mackenzie, what the hell are you girls screaming over?"

Kennedy rushed over to Scott and hurridly said, "Scott, Mackenzie took my maroon uniform. She says its hers, but its really mine. Remember the one that I got at the spaceport when we went camping at Yellowstone Planetary Reserve Park?"

Donovan butted in, "Kennedy took my black boots..."

Mackenzie added, "Scott, Donovan has my..."

The cacophany of the three carbon copy girls grew louder and louder. Scott just stood their with his hand on his hips and shook his head. (Why bother saying anything when I can't even get a word in edge wise?) thought Scott. He let the girls verbally duke it out until he had enought. Fed up with this bickering, Scott, in the tradition of his late grandfather, Major General Duncan MacGregor, barked, "ATTEN HUT!!!"

All three girls snapped to attention.

"I just amazes me how you girls can arugue over nothing," said Scott. Continuing his speech he said, "Even if the Galaxy is in this Void, you girls still have school at 0800, don't you?" All three girls nodded. "Well then get a move on!"

As all three girls got dressed and had breakfast, Scott went to his terminal on his desk. As he sipped his morning coffee, Scott skimmed through the logs of the previous night. (Hmmm, we're still stuck in the void,) he thought to himself.

After his sisters had left their quartes, Scott got into the shower. Once done, Scott suited himself up in his Starfleet uniform. Looking at the Void through the window in his room, Scott caught a glace of his reflection on the window. Noticing that his pips were skewed, Scott straightened them out. As he did, he reflected, (Two weeks in my new rank, my new position, and my new assignment and we're already hip deep in trouble.)

Shaking his head, Scott picked up his blue doctor's coat off of the rack near the door. Heading out of his quarters, Scott proceeded down to Sickbay.

Dr. (Lt.jg.) Scott F. MacGregor
USS Galaxy Assistant Chief Medical Officer

Harvard P. Winston quickly ordered the remaining two shuttles to be clamped. Transfer over the shuttle bay doors had been conferred to ops and Lt Seles was monitoring the continued activity on the promenade. Winston turned uneasily watching his crewmen scattering accross the deck of shuttle bay 2.

He could see a detail of two security men, having checked the bay, open the doors and move to cover the entrance to the shuttlebay area. Winston pulled out his phaser, quickly checking the settings and the power level, before placing it back at his belt. He moved towards the shuttle, checking the crewman's work as they completed the first of the two shuttles. Heavy chains and clamps secured the shuttle to the floor of the shuttle bay. He could hear movement inside the shuttle as security codes were activated. It would do no good to have anyone taking the shuttles for little joyrides.

Winston heard the door to the shuttlebay area open and babble of voices echo through the bay. He turned quickly, and to his horror saw a motley bunch of angry faces yelling in almost hysteria. Winston also noticed that amongst them was the tightly grasped pair of security fellows Winston had seen earlier. One, a young crewman, no more than a lad, was looking at Winston with a terrified expression, through his one eye that was not covered with the blood from the cut on his forehead. The other man, a petty officer, hung limply, his face slack. More importantly, the weapons which the men had held earlier were grasped tightly in the clutches of several rogue crewmembers and the civilian crowd backing them up had clutched in their hands, bottles and so forth.

The crewman facing Winston stared wild eyed and screamed something incomprehensible. The man's head was covered in sweat and he was obviously frantic if not delerious. One of Winston's crewman, a man called Connolly reached for his phaser that had been broken out from the weapons locker an hour previously for such instances as this and was gunned down mercilessly. Winston put a hand out to indicate that the other crewmembers should surrender their arms.

The burly man leading the crowd screamed at his cohorts to get into the remaining shuttle that had not yet been secured. People poured over to the shuttle pushing and shoving, trying to force a place on the shuttle that would take them to salvation.

Others of the crowd, sought to arm themselves with the weapons carried by the crewmen in the bay and more than one crewmember was thrown hard to the ground and searched.

Winston had seen crowds as this before. Ordinary, quite normal people became ravening maniacs capable of any horror. And horror was what Winston could see was coming. Some of the crowd were taking the opportunity to take back some of the control they felt they had lost to starfleet. More than one face was lined with evil intent. Winston could see out of the corner of his eye a beautiful young lady. Her name was Prenzler. She was an excellent mechanic, also an artist, but a very timid lass, perhaps because of her size. Her long blonde hair, tied back, was nonetheless attracting attention but what Winston noticed was that her hand was moving to smooth her hair out over her shoulder. He turned slightly and began to speak to the man smoothly, his white moustache twitching slightly as he tried to disguise his intentions.

"Look here, good fellow, that shuttle is useless to you. Only operations has access to the shuttlebay doors. There is no way out of this bay." As he spoke, he moved intentionally to cover young Prenzler as she reached for her Com badge.

The man snarled at him. "Give me your badge...." Winston detached his badge and tossed it to the man who dropped it and ground his heel on it.

"All of you! Hand over your badges!" . Prenzler whispered quickly, "Ops! Emergency transport from shuttlebay 2, all personell". The man gave a cry of rage and fired the phaser at the young mechanic just as Winston intercepted. He caught the blast in his shoulder and fell back.

The other crewmen pulled phasers and as the blue transporter light engulfed his crew Winston saw two of them fall under the fire. The two security officers were thrown to the floor next to Winston who gasped in pain as he drew breath. He was bleeding heavily so that he was now lying, body on elbow in a pool of his own blood. The man advanced pointing the phaser rifle at him and said "I want to get out of here...now!"

to be continued.......

CPO H.P.Winston

"Sales pitch"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price

Captain Price looked on in awe at the patchwork of stations and ships that made up the Void Cooroperative Fortress, even as the tractor beam locked onto the ship. After ordering the Helm to shut down the Galaxy's impulse engines, the ship was guided gently into one of the Fortress' docking bays. Before long, they were on board the massive meld of stations and ships.

"Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the Void Cooroperative. If you'll follow me, I'll escort you to a reception area where you can ask questions and tour our facility before you 'prepare to join the Void'."

It was a pleasant looking fellow. Short, dark skinned, very slim. He wore what looked like ceremonial robes that Price thought would make him some sort of dignitary, or diplomat. His attention was diverted slightly when he noticed Captain Zahn become suddenly apprehensive at the mans words.

"You okay 'mate?" Lee asked quietly.

Zahn shook his head. He looked slightly pale and some what spooked, as if a ghost had just walked across his grave. "I just have a very uneasy feeling about all of this." Joseph thought of telling Lee of his dream earlier, but decided against it. He didn't want to appear foolish, and besides, he figured his uneasiness was attributed to being away from the Station, in unknown and uncharted space.

Price nodded. As the crew members from both the Galaxy and Station Beta Two walked through the Fortress, they looked on at all of the different and varied technologies that formed this 'Island' in space. Looking closely, I would appear as a rag tag ensemble of ships and stations, but looking at it from a larger perspective, the Fortress took on an artistic quality. Lee likened it to a quilt, sewn out of many various fabrics. All different in color, texture, and mesh, yet still beautiful when looked at together with all the other pieces.

"This way folks." Came the voice of the guide. The Federation entourage followed, still noticing the technology and sites offered in their brief walk through, on route to the assembly area. Both Captain Zahn and Captain Price give a slight nod and smile to people standing by as they walked pass. Everyone seemed to be just as curious about the Away team as they were about the Cooroperative. Lee smiled at tall bearded gentleman standing next to a bald woman wearing a yellow and while robe. A rim of bone protruded from her bald head, looking almost like a crown. She smiled and bowed slightly, hooking the pinkies of her hands together in an opened hand gesture of peace or greetings. The Captain noticed her fingers were long and bony as well, and there were six on a hand as he smiled at her. He knew better than to try and mimic the gesture. Having had trouble mastering the Vulcan greeting, this one was much more complicated. The Federation had soon walked past.

"Did you sense anything Sierra?" the black-goateed man asked, turning to the woman as he watches the away team walk down the corridor.

With a dignified nod she replies. "Yes Rueger. They do not trust us. Particularly the Captain wearing spectacles. They are a stubborn culture. It will be difficult getting them to abandon their hope of returning to their homes."

"Yes..." Rueger begins as he rubs his dark, neatly trimmed beard in one hand and thinks. "But we have dealt with stubborn cultures before my lady. We will take them by force if need be. Their technology level is no match for our own."

Sierra raises a hand, putting her aide in his place. "Let's not be hasty Rueger. Sir Therio can be quite persuasive. If a battle can be avoided, it would be best for the Cooroperative."

Yielding to his priestess' wisdom, "Of course my lady. More resources for the Cooroperative that way."

Sierra smiled. "Exactly." Her eyes narrowed momentarily as the last of the away team walked out of sights range traveling on the incredibly long central corridor deeper and deeper into the core of the Fortress. Come, we must go and report our finding to Vyrissla."

"As you wish my lady. As you wish."

**********

*** Reception room, Void Cooroperative Fortress ***

"So you can see what a tremendous benefit it is to be part of our great Cooroperative." Sir Therio concluded.

Vyrissla smiled. Her beautiful feather head covering puffing up some what seductively as she spoke. "By working together through mutual cooperation and trust we ensure peace and harmony here on the Fortress. Though we all were brought to this Void against our free will, we have worked long and hard to make it a virtual paradise."

Captain Price glanced back at the holographic imaging system once again. Sir Therio explained that with the system, their party could more quickly get a better grasp of what the Fortress is like in the many different areas. The facilities shear size making an actual 'walk through' tour of the entire complex impossible with any degree of thoroughness. Looking over, Lee could see Joseph was still not comfortable with the entire prospect. Captain Price could hardly blame him. The idea of giving up on finding a way home, let alone turn over the USS Galaxy to become part of this Fortress was not very appealing to Lee either. Besides, Sir Therio's presentation had sounded an awful lot like a high pressured sales pitch. The job would of been perfect for a Ferengi.

"You 'ave a very impressive facility here ma'am. Thank you for taking the time to show it to us." Lee glanced over to Captain Zahn.

"Yes. You've opened our eyes to a number of advantages in joining with your Cooroperative... Of course, we will need to discuss it with our colleges back at Station Beta Two."

Vyrissla glanced over to Sir Therio.

"You are welcome to remain here Captain, as our guests. We can send word back to your Station that you'll be staying. It is my understanding that your Yridian colleges are already having their ship integrated with the Fortress as we speak. Already they are enjoying the full benefits our Cooroperative has to offer. Perhaps you would care to speak to your friends, ask them their thoughts of the Cooroperative?"

Zahn's expression soured noticeably at the mention of Jarlok and the Shek. "That is a gracious offer, however we need to get back to our own people. We will discuss your proposal with our crews, and then let you know what is decided."

Captain Price nodded his agreement to Zahn's words. Sir Therio relaxed his hand slightly as he made a slight gesture. "Very well Captain Zahn. I will have Sabastion escort you and your party back to your ship. When you have decided, you may contact us so we can make preparations for your acceptance."

Lee couldn't help but grin. Sir Therio was an optimist to the last. Therio stood and offered his hand to Captain Zahn. Joseph stood and shook it. Then so did Lee.

"I look forward to receiving your transmission and making arrangements for your admission into the Cooroperative gentlemen. Until then, be well."

"G'day Sir Therio." Captain Price managed with a smile. Zahn just nodded and began to make way for the exit, following 'Sabastion' their short guide.

When the Federation away team exited the reception room, Sir Therio, Vyrissla, Rueger and Sierra gathered together.

"We should attack them now." Rueger said mercilessly. "Their ship is practically taken as it is."

"Silence fool!" Vyrissla snapped. "The ship is nothing compared to the Station. With patients, we may get both." The feather headed woman glanced over to the priestess. "What were their leader's thoughts my lady?"

The bald woman closed her eyes, clearing her mind for a moment. "They wish to return to their homes. The one with the spectacles will never trust us. The other one has his doubts but will do what his people mandate of him."

"See! We waist time. I say attack now!" Rueger hisses.

"Infidel!" Vyrissla shouts as she slaps the goateed man across the face with the back of her hand. "Do you forget your place in the Cooroperative?!"

Rueger grabs the side of his jaw. Anger flares in his eyes, but he quickly bows his head after glancing at priestess Sierra. "No my lady."

Vyrissla's eyes tear through with a searing glance at Rueger before she looks back at the priestess. "What else can you tell us Sierra? What do you see?"

Again she closes her eyes. As she concentrates, the bony protrusions on the top of her head begin to glow ever so softly.

"I see attempts being made to escape the void. I see chaos already unfolding among their people. I see deceptions, and fear blurring their judgment..." The priestess opens her eyes as the glow fades. "That is all, the vision has past."

"Will they be joining the Void Priestess?" Sir Therio asks solemnly.

"I can not say yes. Just as I can not say no. The pool is too disrupted with ripples to tell. They may join of their own accord."

"Then we should wait until we learn of their decision my lady." Sir Therio states.

"And if they decide not to join the Cooroperative? Then what my lady?" Rueger asks in an almost spiteful tone.

Vyrissla looks at the Holo screen at an image of the USS Galaxy as she floats in one of their space docks. Next to it, an image of Station Beta Two and it's surrounding ships. "Then we dispatch all flights and hunt for our food." The bird woman licks her lips seductively before adding, "Dismissed."

The group quickly breaks up, vacating the reception room.

"First Meetings"
by CPO Jalal Dawner
Chief of Security Station Beta Two

Watching all the activity on the bridge Jalal tries to stay out of everyone's way. He catches Cohen giving him a quick glance. Yes, I believe that you and I are thinking about the same thing. This could get interesting very quickly and just maybe deadly. Jalal thinks to himself as he looks out the viewscreen. That's the largest station that I think I've ever seen.

As the tractor beam grabs ahold of the Galaxy, Jalal rocks slightly back onto his heels. Well, I've had softer landings then that before. What did that hooman poem go? Ours not to wonder why, ours only to do and die. I hope that we get off this station again Jalal thinks as the group heads for the alien station. Following the Captain, Jalal carefully remains within arm's reach.

I will never understand these Fedies. Both captains in a small area controlled by an unknown people. One grenade, we're leaderless and trapped in their station. Just the way I Would have a first meeting. I like this Cohen better all the time. At least he has a rifle just in case. Jalal watches very carefully as the Coop people walk up to the group.

"I am Sir Therio. I want to be the first to welcome you to The Void Cooperative Fortress. I know you will enjoy it here." Fortress? Now why would they need a fortress in the middle of this Void. What's there to protect themselves from. Morelike a way to control any resources coming into this Void. He thinks to himself while keeping a close watch on the Coop people nearest to the Captains.

“Screaming”
Ensign Expok, Security Officer, USS Galaxy

Ensign Floyd sat with Ensign Expok in ten forward. Floyd from the counseling department had quickly made friends with Expok. The two had met on starbase 123 when they waited for the Galaxy to arrive and take them aboard. The two had spent time on the holodeck and even played hockey together.They finished talking and went to the holodeck. They loaded Expoks rock climbing program and started up.“Like this?” Expok asked. “Always” Floyd replied. The two where almost to the top when Floyd slipped and plunged down. It was a seventy five foot drop there was no way Floyd would survive. Expoks eyes flashed and he looked down. Floyd was still falling Screaming all the way. The last thing Expok saw of Floyd the man had his mouth wide open Screaming. Then Floyd hit the bottom and just stayed there.

"Possible Solution to the Riot"
by Lt. Jg. Ramone Pescadeiro
Assistant Chief Operations Officer Beta 2 Station

Ramone glared at Seles for a moment as he was pushed aside from his station. Understandible reaction from a Klingon though. He let it pass without a word. Instead he started thinking.......an idea began to form in his mind.

"Lt. Seles, I have another idea, but it will take a little time for it to work. There is a common betazoid sleep inducing drug called Tamazine SL10. Normally it is given in hyposprays, but in a concentrated form can be delivered by a micro-dart with the same effect. It works in 5-10 seconds. If Dr Salvine can get enough micro-darts coated with the SL10 drug, I and one other person whom I know can deliver it. And we can do it without causing anymore confusion than there already is. This drug has no ill effects other than rendering the person unconscious in a dreamless state for about 8 hrs. What do you think?"

Ramone waited for her reply.

"Her heart's failing Dr. That's all I know." Nurse Rager told him apolgetically. He placed his hand on her shoulder to try to reassure her and then took a hypospray from the tray next to her bed. Injecting her with it, the seizure immedialtey stopped and her heart returned to normal although she remained in unconciousness.

Salvine turned to face Russ. "I only did that because it was my only option. I hope for her sake you were right."

Both men watched incredibly as Ash's form was transported before their eyes.

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

Ash rose with a monster headache.

"Hello Ash...."

She turned her head to see ghost.

"The Tour"
by Romulan Ambassador Kale tr'Herrian

The party was led on a wondering tour of the station, no staion was two small a word Fortress was better, the curiouse stares of a hundred diffrent races greeted them as they passed. Kale hung around near the back of the group were the ever cautiouse Jalal was keeping a watch. The guide and the passers by largly ignoreded Kale and kept a closer watch of the obviously dominant human contingent. Which suited kale fine, he prefered to work unobseved, keeping a close eye on his surroundings looking were they were led and more importantly were not led.

There was something about this place that seemed wrong, out of place, a fierce oppresson weighed down on him and Kale felt a deep unease that he had never felt befor. Making it hard to focus, at one point he could even swear he saw a human out among the croweds of aliens, a female who looked remarkably like that Ash Terra individule whom he had seen in sick bay, but we he turned to look closer. she was gone. He sighed an wiped his brow.

"Is there some thing wrong Kale?"

"Its this place Jalal its getting to me I fear"

" This fortress?" the accent on the word made Kale look up clearly his friend found that phrase as ominouse as he.

"This whole void actualy"

" I take it its more than just the lack of stars that getting you down" Kale sighed he felt slightly embarresed trying to explain himself

"Romulan religion exalts the spirit of the elements and the life force of universe, this void by our standards is a blasphomy or prehaps a hell all to itself, to witness people actualy willing to live with out hope or desire of escape just seem wrong to me" Kale looked up to were the captains and guide were standing demonstrating some holographic decive It appeard there tour was nearly over. A discrete tap of the wrist com to signal the Ghost it was time to go.

The guide was giving a final exhortaion on the virtues of the void, but Kale had already made up his mind find a way out and a way home by himself if neccesary.

"Adjusting"
Ensign Expok,Security Officer,USS Galaxy

Ensign Expoks personal Log Stardate,49705.25, I have slowly adjusted to my new life aboard the Galaxy. I serve in Gamma shift and I think my new posting is the one if been looking for. It's everything I wanted in an assignment. Exploring the unknown and we are becuase we are currently stuck in some kind of Void. I have the confidence that if everyone does better then what there supposed to do we can get home. We will get home. A starship this great should not be stranded form home forever. No this ship will go on to be one of the greatest starfleet has ever seen. As for right now we can only deal with what we face and do everything in our power to get ourselfs home.

Expok ended the log and went over to the replicator ordering himself dinner, a steak,mashed potatos,corn,and salad toped with a dressing called ranch. He ate and enjoyed his meal. When he was done he took of the jacket leaveing just the shirt and went to sleep. His shift started in three hours.

"Out of Time"
by Lt. (Jg.) Ronni Morris
Asst. Chief of Sciences, USS Galaxy

"Look at these readings." said the Delphinian Science officer. "You're right, Lt. Mitchell, these people aren't from different universes, they're from different times!"

Lt. Mitchell was double checking his reading while the Trill Science officer from the Station was checking on the method that the Void Collective used to incorporate the Yridian ship into the massive space station.

Ronni looked at Lt. Mitchell's WARP shell model and was very impressed. "How long do you think it would take to this up?"

Distractedly he said, "Uhm, well, if we can incorporate Beta Station Two's generators to our own and can modify the field coils of both the ship and the Station to work together at the exact frequency and modulate the Naicell emitters, it should only take about 48 hours. Of course, if anything happens it'll probably destroy both the ship and the station and it won't really matter anymore......"

Ronni just looked at him and said, "If you're going to talk like that, let me present the idea to the Captains." she said jokingly.

"The First Duty..."
By Lt. Matthew Cohen Strat
Ops Officer Station Beta Two

Darkness. Silence save for the ambient sounds of a starship on patrol. Reflected light glinted off the side of a metallic mug, the mocha within having long since grown cool. Not far off, on the desktop, sat a compressed phase rifle, humming softly with the

safety on. Beyond the windows of the borrowed quarters, there was nothing, save for the Void.

"Evaluation completed." The uncaring female voice of the Galaxy's computer floated down from on high. "Technology as described does not match any in the Starfleet database." A sigh was heard, and a shadow shifted near the windows, pushing himself up from his ruminations of the world beyond the viewport.

Cohen always thought better in the dark. It had been that way since New Caladon, and even before, with just the stars glistening at him. It calmed him, soothed him... and at least gave him the sense he was being watched over by someone around one of those points of light, for those times when the Holy One (Blessed be He!) had his infinite attention elsewhere.

"/*Makh'shevah.*/" The deep male voice paused, waiting for the answer that wasn't coming, before a bit of frustration crept in. "Computer."

"Working."

"Secure quarters. Authorization Cohen, Aleph-6-1-3." There was no response. There didn't have to be. A small red light appeared near the door, and from experience, he knew that likewise, one appeared on the keypad outside. Hopefully, that would deter any visitors. "Open secure connection to ship's starboard computer core, section 5-3-Daled-4, authorization Cohen Bet-Daled-7-9. Decode sequence 5-9-3-Gimel-4-1-1-Samekh."

"Secure connection enabled." This time, a distinctively male voice responded, in lieu of the normal. "Access to Starfleet Strategic Operations threat database enabled. Your last login to the database was three months, two days, seventeen hours ago." The chair by the desk sighed as Matthew settled into it, looking at the viewscreen. Strategic Operations officers were privy to large amounts of intelligence information and long-range planning not generally available to others, and such knowledge came with a great price - a requirement for silence. By accessing the database without clear necessity for the use of that information, he was violating any number of regulations.

But... the sinking feeling wasn't going away. He simply had his fears about the members of the Void Cooperative, and.... the certainty. The sheer forcefulness of their assuredness that the Starfleet crews would remain bothered him. Couple that with the unwillingness of the inhabitants of this... Creation.. to give any sort of information regarding the space, he could only see two roads ahead - submisison or resistance. And so, during the time it had taken for the Galaxy to begin the voyage back to the station, Matthew had come to the decision to bring some of his power to bear.

"Computer, quietly summon Security Chief Jalal Dawner of Station Beta Two, and Lieutenants Joerg Sterner and Troy Blair of the Galaxy. It's time." He waited a second for the command to process, and then sat back to take a sip of the cold coffee.

"/*Al shloshah d'varim l'olam omed.*/" whispered Cohen into the darkness. On three things the world stands... Truth, Justice and Peace. Protection of those was the first duty of a Starfleet officer. It was time to do his duty.

"For Want of Information"
by Cmdr. Kra'lana Morris
Executive Officer, Beta Station Two

Kra'lana swore again as she hit her head again. She had had to climb out of the turbolift when the power cut out on it. Then she had had to climb down five decks to get to the Promenade's level. As she was trying to open the doors manually, she had leaned in too far and the doors closed in on her head.

The Promenade was chaos. People of all races and genders were yelling, fighting, and breaking things. The turbolift she had exited was the one right near Club Spectrum. Through the now barred window, she could she Electra, Froom, and several of the Club's staff. Kra'lana tapped at the window and indicated she would go to the front. Nobody was standing right at the door way so the staff quickly open the door and allowed Kra'lana to enter in. They just as quickly closed the door.

Froom came up to her, "Commander, we need to get Electra to the sickbay. She's pregnant and isn't feeling well! We tried to teleport her, but somebody had damaged and EPS conduit next to us and they can't get a transporter lock on her!!"

Kra'lana was shocked by the news but kept her businesslike demeanor. "Well then, we'll have to get her there ourselves." she said.

"But what about the rioters?!" he whined.

"We'll just have to be careful." she said matter-of-factly. She pulled out her phaser and said, "Open the door."

Taking Electra gently by the arm, Kra'lana entered the Promenade. A group ran toward the Club, hoping to get in, but the door closed to quickly, unfortunately, that left Kra'lana and Electra outside the doors.

A large Caxtonian, with the usual lack of decency ran up ready to bash them. Kra'lana calmly held up her phaser to his face and said "Stop now. I don't want to kill you and you don't want to be dead!" The Caxtonian stopped dead in his tracks. The others around him stopped also as the phaser swung their way.

"Listen," she said as loud and as authoritatively as possible, "I understand what's happening is unnerving and you have the right to feel afraid and not in control. We're all in the same situation."

An Andorian woman shouted, "But what about the visitors. I hear they are working with the Borg to assimilate us into their Cooperative."

"I hear that they are the one's responsible for bringing us here!" said a tiny Ardwanian.

Kra'lana shook her head.

"Listen." Kra'lana yelled. "First of all, we are not going to be assimilated by anybody. These people are NOT the Borg and have probably never heard of them. Second of all, they were trapped here the same as we were. They don't have the capability to return home. Right now, we are studying different methods to return home, it's just not easy to move an entire space station . . . . "

A thousand questions came pouring out. Kra'lana held up her hand and said, "Wait a minute. I have to get this woman to sickbay." Pointing to the Caxtonian she said, "I want to accompany me there. For the rest of you, return to your quarters. At 1600 hours, we'll have a meeting here on the Promenade explaining what we know and what we are doing. Please people, all your venting here is only destroying the lives of the people you know and deal with. Return home or to the shelters and then please return at 1600 hours." People mumbled, but they started returning to their quarters.

Kra'lana and the Caxtonian led Electra to a working turbolift and led Electra to the sickbay. By the time they got there Kra'lana was almost carrying her. When they arrived the Caxtonian appointed himself as a fellow guard to sickbay. Kra'lana scooped Electra up carried her inside and put her on a biobed.

Dr. Salvine came over and quickly scanned his patient and Kra'lana did the same. When she realized what she was doing, she folded her tricorder and said, "Sorry, old habits die hard." Dr. Salvine just smiled.

Kra'lana said, "Electra, you're in good hands until Joseph's return. Verin, keep me updated on her progress and try to keep her here until the Captain returns."

The Doctor just smiled and said, "Aye, aye Commander."

Kra'lana smiled and shook her head and returned to Ops. When she got there she said, "Lt. Seles, status report please."

The Klingon woman snapped to attention and said, "People seem to be returning to their quarters. There are still a few bad spots, but Security is dealing with them."

Commander Kra'lana Morris said, "Very good. Now Lieutenant, I've got a job for you. How do you like speaking in front of crowds. . . . ."

V: “In the Middle-Part 2”
by Ensign Tatalia Connor
Security section Alpha-One leader, Beta 2

“Seles to Connor. Permission denied. Do not fire your weapons unless fired upon. Keep me posted” Lt. Seles said over the comm.

“Understood,” Tatalia said closing the link. She looked out at the crowd. They hadn’t lost any steam.

‘I wasn’t going to hurt anyone. Just get their attention.’ Tatalia thought. The rioters were standing right in front of the security officers now.

A turbolift door was pried open and Commander Morris stepped out. Tatalia watched, Froom ran up to her and they were talking. Commander Morris headed to the Club Spectrum.

A rioter in the back spotted the Commander and shouted to the rest of the group. People started rushing towards the Commander.

Tatalia immediately rushed towards the Commander. The first rule is to protect senior officers. When Tatalia got closer, she saw Commander Morris supporting Electra with a phaser pointed at a Caxtonian.

"Listen," Commander Morris said as loud and as authoritatively as possible, "I understand what's happening is unnerving and you have the right to feel afraid and not in control. We're all in the same situation."

An Andorian woman shouted, "But what about the visitors. I hear they are working with the Borg to assimilate us into their Cooperative."

"I hear that they are the one's responsible for bringing us here!" said a tiny Ardwanian.

Commander Morris shook her head. "Listen." she yelled. "First of all, we are not going to be assimilated by anybody. These people are NOT the Borg and have probably never heard of them. Second of all, they were trapped here the same as we were. They don't have the capability to return home. Right now, we are studying different methods to return home, it's just not easy to move an entire space station . . . . "

A thousand questions came pouring out. Kra'lana held up her hand and said, "Wait a minute. I have to get this woman to sickbay." Pointing to the Caxtonian she said, "I want to accompany me there. For the rest of you, return to your quarters. At 1600 hours, we'll have a meeting here on the Promenade explaining what we know and what we are doing. Please people, all your venting here is only destroying the lives of the people you know and deal with. Return home or to the shelters and then please return at 1600 hours." People mumbled, but they started returning to their quarters.

Commander Morris and the Caxtonian led Electra to a working turbolift. Tatalia let a small smile slip out as she listens to Commander Morris. The security officers started making sure that people were leaving the Promenade. Shop owners exited their shops and started to clean up the mess.

Tatalia, Tim, and Tolan all met in front of Club Spectrum. The trio walked down the Promenade to make sure that everyone was off and search for wounded. They found only shop owners cleaning up.

Tatalia turned to her team, “Meet here a 15:30 to get ready for the public announcement.” Tim and Tolan nodded. The trio all headed back to their quarters for some rest.

**********

Tatalia entered her quarters. She walked over to a mirror and took a look. There was going to be a bruise where that guy had decked her.

Walking over to the replicator she ordered, “3 ice cubes.” The cubes materialized and Tatalia took them out. “Oh cold.” She ran over and grabbed a handkerchief and wrapped the ice cubes up in it. She laid down and placed the ice cubes on her jaw.

“I’ll go to sickbay later,” she said as she drifted off to sleep.

V: "Riot - Part 4"

***Main Operations***

"Lt. Seles, I have another idea, but it will take a little time for it to work. There is a common betazoid sleep inducing drug called Tamazine SL10. Normally it is given in hyposprays, but in a concentrated form can be delivered by a micro-dart with the same effect. It works in 5-10 seconds. If Dr Salvine can get enough micro-darts coated with the SL10 drug, I and one other person whom I know can deliver it. And we can do it without causing anymore confusion than there already is. This drug has no ill effects other than rendering the person unconscious in a dreamless state for about 8 hrs. What do you think?"

Katarina looked over to Ramone. "If Dr. Salvine approves of it and has time to replicate the darts, then proceed. Do NOT use it until we get the OK from Cmdr. Morris though. Understood?"

Katarina turned back to her OPS console. All systems were functioning normally. No one had attempted to sabotage the station yet and most of the disturbances were limited to the Promenade.

[Security to Ops. The Promenade has been secured.]

"Acknowledged. Ops out."

A few minutes later, Commander Morris returned to Ops. After giving her a status report, the XO asked Katarina, "How do you like speaking in front of crowds. . . . ."

Katarina looked a little puzzled and replied, "Commander?"

"I want you to address the civilians on the Promenade. Tell them about our situation and what we are doing about it. They need reassurance."

Me? Katarina didn't think that she would be too effective. After all, her messages had been broadcasting all over the station for the past fifteen minutes and no one had paid any attention to them. And Klingons weren't exactly known for their compassion and understanding. She could lead soldiers in battle but...diplomacy? Katarina could probably get people to listen to her if she had a bat'leth in her hand, but she didn't think that the civilians needed to feel threatened anymore. "Uh, Commander, perhaps you or Commander Hanson would be better suited for the job..."

[BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.] Katarina pressed some buttons on her console. "We have phaser fire down in...Shuttle Bay Two! Qu'vatlh!" She hoped that the universal translator couldn't decipher her last word.

"Ops to Chief Winston."

"Ops to Chief Winston," she repeated.

Qu'vatlh. "Ops to Security. Any available personnel are to report to Shuttle Bay Two."

"Someone's trying to override the lockout on the shuttle bay!"

Lt. Seles, Chief Operations Officer Station Beta Two

V: “In the Middle-Part 2”
by Ensign Tatalia Connor
Security section Alpha-One leader, Beta 2

“Seles to Connor. Permission denied. Do not fire your weapons unless fired upon. Keep me posted” Lt. Seles said over the comm.

“Understood,” Tatalia said closing the link. She looked out at the crowd. They hadn’t lost any steam.

‘I wasn’t going to hurt anyone. Just get their attention.’ Tatalia thought. The rioters were standing right in front of the security officers now.

A turbolift door was pried open and Commander Morris stepped out. Tatalia watched, Froom ran up to her and they were talking. Commander Morris headed to the Club Spectrum.

A rioter in the back spotted the Commander and shouted to the rest of the group. People started rushing towards the Commander.

Tatalia immediately rushed towards the Commander. The first rule is to protect senior officers. When Tatalia got closer, she saw Commander Morris supporting Electra with a phaser pointed at a Caxtonian.

"Listen," Commander Morris said as loud and as authoritatively as possible, "I understand what's happening is unnerving and you have the right to feel afraid and not in control. We're all in the same situation."

An Andorian woman shouted, "But what about the visitors. I hear they are working with the Borg to assimilate us into their Cooperative."

"I hear that they are the one's responsible for bringing us here!" said a tiny Ardwanian.

Commander Morris shook her head. "Listen." she yelled. "First of all, we are not going to be assimilated by anybody. These people are NOT the Borg and have probably never heard of them. Second of all, they were trapped here the same as we were. They don't have the capability to return home. Right now, we are studying different methods to return home, it's just not easy to move an entire space station . . . . "

A thousand questions came pouring out. Kra'lana held up her hand and said, "Wait a minute. I have to get this woman to sickbay." Pointing to the Caxtonian she said, "I want to accompany me there. For the rest of you, return to your quarters. At 1600 hours, we'll have a meeting here on the Promenade explaining what we know and what we are doing. Please people, all your venting here is only

destroying the lives of the people you know and deal with. Return home or to the shelters and then please return at 1600 hours." People mumbled, but they started returning to their quarters.

Commander Morris and the Caxtonian led Electra to a working turbolift. Tatalia let a small smile slip out as she listens to Commander Morris. The security officers started making sure that people were leaving the Promenade. Shop owners exited their shops and started to clean up the mess.

Tatalia, Tim, and Tolan all met in front of Club Spectrum. The trio walked down the Promenade to make sure that everyone was off and search for wounded. They found only shop owners cleaning up.

Tatalia turned to her team, “Meet here a 15:30 to get ready for the public announcement.” Tim and Tolan nodded. The trio all headed back to their quarters for some rest.

*********

Tatalia entered her quarters. She walked over to a mirror and took a look. There was going to be a bruise where that guy had decked her.

Walking over to the replicator she ordered, “3 ice cubes.” The cubes materialized and Tatalia took them out. “Oh cold.” She ran over and grabbed a handkerchief and wrapped the ice cubes up in it. She laid down and placed the ice cubes on her jaw.

“I’ll go to sickbay later,” she said as she drifted off to sleep.

" Tour of the facility "
By Commander Coe

**** USS Galaxy, Bridge ****

Coe watched in awe as the huge space mass approached the ship. The huge gathering of space stations and ships all yielded together produced a beautiful effect. The soft glow of the space mass appeared to eminate from every direction. All eyes were fixed to the screen, most never even imaginating that something this size could possibly exist. Suddenly, the shiped rocked slightly as a blue beam was produced from the station. Captain Price, who sat motionless on the command chair was quick to react.

" Full stop Lt Ti, let them take us in..." Price motioned cautiously.

The Galaxy continued to move toward the mass and Coe noticed a slight flinch in the centre, soon huge hangar doors slid open revealing a large interior where other ships were present, apparently being repaired. For what, Coe was not sure......

**** On board the mass ****

" Welcome, I am Sir Therio. If you will follow me, I will take you on a brief tour of our station." The group of officers followed the small tour guide, on their way, noticing the people that lined the hallways. Curious to grab a glimpse of the new arrivals.

Coe was impressed as he noticed the technology. It appeared that this void cooperative were more advanced than the federation, something that worried Coe. The tour came to an end and Coe met up with Captain Price as he escorted him back to the Galaxy.

" Hi Mate!" Captain Price smiled. It always amazed Coe how Price could always smile a gently, warm smile, even in times of uncertainty and danger.

" Morning Captain."

" So, what do you think we should do."

" Keep looking..." Coe said simply. He continued, " I dont trust them, something tells me... a gut feeling mayby... But Im just not sure about all this... It does'nt feel right." Coe emphasized his last few words.

" I know what you mean Commander. I think everyone feels that way, but unless we get some answers soon, we may not have a choice. " Price said as the duo contined to walk.

" I know that Captain, and I will accept it if it comes to that. But I dont want to give up hope just yet. I want to see my family again...." Coe sad softly. The Captain nodded his head.

" We all do........."

Chris N AKA: .Commander Johnathon Thomas Coe First Officer, USS Galaxy Email Sim NCC-70637 Indentification: Foxtrot delta 769

"Small talk"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price

Captain's Log: Stardate 49706.3

Captain Zahn, myself and members of our senior staff have just met with members of this 'Void Cooroperative'. Their Fortress is quite impressive, however I must admit I feel very much as Joseph does that joining this government and giving up hope of returning to our galaxy would be a mistake. For now, Zahn and myself would prefer to trust our scientists, engineers and operations personnel at discovering a way out of this Void, and back to more familiar territory.

"Computer, close log."

The computer sang out it's acknowledgment tone. Captain Price stood from his desk and exited his ready room, stepping onto the bridge.

"Lieutenant Ti, what is our ETA back to Station Beta Two?"

Miran checked her instruments. "Just over six hours Captain. Six hours and twelve minutes at present speed."

Lee nodded. "Thank you Lieutenant." Turning, the Captain's eyes found Commander Coe's. "Commander, you have the Conn. I'll be meeting with Captain Zahn in Ten Forward if I am needed."

"Aye sir." Coe said from the command chair. Price gave a nod, then exited the bridge.

********

*** Ten Forward ***

"What can I get you Captain?" Liam asked cheerfully.

Lee glanced over and saw Captain Zahn sitting near one of the observation windows, staring out at the blankness of the Void.

"What is Zahn drinking?"

Liam looks over at Joseph as he dries a glass. "Captain Zahn is drinking a Rackajino. I can get you one if you like Captain?"

Lee shook his head. "Klingon coffee? No 'mate. I'll have the usual."

Liam smiled. "Yes sir. One Bajoran coffee with cream, extra sweet coming right up!" The bartender walked over to the replicator and began programming it for the Captain's order. "Having any luck with that holo-program Captain Rixx gave you Captain?"

Price looked at Liam. "The Polo simulation? No. Still beats me every time. I am getting better though."

Liam hands him the glass mug. "Here you go Captain. Don't worry, you'll figure it out in the end. If it was easy, it wouldn't be any fun!"

"Thank you Liam. Yes, you are probably right. G'day 'mate."

Liam smiled as Captain Price walked away to join Captain Zahn near the observation window.

"Okay if I join you 'mate?" Lee said with a smile.

Joseph nodded. "Of course Captain. Have a seat." Zahn motioned to the opposite chair with his hand.

"Thanks, but we really need to drop this 'Captain', stuff, at least when the crew's not around." Lee said with a grin as he took a seat and placed his coffee down and began to stir it.

Joseph smiled. "Fair enough. I figured I'd come here and relax a bit while we travel back to the Station. Normally gazing out of an observation window calms the mind. Somehow, this Void is not the same."

Lee takes a sip of his coffee. "I know what you mean 'mate. It's rather lonely to look at. So what did you think of Sir Therio?"

"I thought he was part Ferengi." Joseph says with a grin.

Lee smiles. "That was my impression too. Maybe he was just eager to have us join, or excited to have new people to speak too."

"Maybe..." Zahn starts, "but he seemed a little too eager. Almost pleading. I don't know.. maybe it's just me. I just have a creepy feeling about all of this."

"So I take it you think we should hold off from joining this Cooroperative?" Price asked.

Joseph nodded. "Yes. I'm not ready to give up hope of finding a way back home just yet."

Lee smiled. "Glad to hear that. Neither am I. We have a cleaver group of officers under our command. If there's a way out of this Void, I'm sure they will find it eventually."

"I understand Reix, and your Lieutenant Mitchell are working on a plan to investigate the gravitational field they discovered."

"Aye. I'm still waiting on their report. Last I checked they were considering launching a couple of modified probes, possible a shuttle craft also to monitor them." Lee stated.

Joseph took a sip of his Rackajino. "I hope they find out something useful. This Void is beginning to get on my nerves. I can only wonder how long it will be before the rest of the population begin to get restless."

"I don't think that should be a problem Joseph. They're Starfleet officers. They've been trained for situations like this."

Zahn smiled slightly. "Not on Station Beta Two. We have a large civilian population as well. They are the ones I'm worried about."

"I see." Price began. After a pause, "I'm sure everything is fine. Nothing Commander Morris can't handle 'mate."

Zahn cradled his cup in his hands. "I hope so Lee. I'd hate to return to a riot or something."

Price laughed. "I doubt that. If Kra'lana is anything like Rr'lonii, a party would be more likely..."

Zahn smiled at the thought. "Maybe you're right."

The two Captains sat, drinking their beverages and enjoying each others company for nearly an hour before returning to the bridge.

"Data pick up "
by Ambassador Kale tr'Herrian

Kale walked into ten-foward, the federation officer who was his escort saw him to the door and took a seat Kale noticed the two federation captains deep in debate. He moved over to the table near them. Where he had sat previously, as he had expected, the disquiting view of the void had dissueded people from sitting here, he had ordered a glass and poured some Ale for himself, as he drained the glass he reached undere the table there lightly adhered to the underside was a datachip, the ghost had come through. He quickly pocketed it, his guard was less observent than the last one had been and noticed nothing, neither it seemed did any one else. He allowed him self to relax he would read the chip at beta 2.

"Summons" By CPO Jalal Dawner Chief of Security Beta 2

If my father could see this ship, he'd never leave. I can just picture the chief of engineering being driven crazy by my father. Father I will come home, somehow. His thoughts are interuped by his com-badge beeping. Reachingup he taps it.

"Security Chief Jalal Dawner please report to room 112-A."

Realizing it's a computer voice Jalal heads for the lift wondering. As the doors close he glances at a diagram of the ship locating room 112-A. After telling the computer the level he wants he leans back again the wall.

I wonder what this is all about. My bet is something to do with the fortress. someone else must be feeling like I am. Those coop people made every hair I had stand on end. We might need that plan that has be bouncing around in my head the last little bit.

As the lift stops Jalal steps out heading for this room 112-A. Walking upto it he pushes the chime button and waits.

"Inebriated Officer"
by Lieutenant Troy Blair
Chief Tactical Officer, USS Galaxy

*** Ten Forward ***

Troy sat at the bar drinking his usual Vulcan Tea. A lot was going through his mind since they had visited the fortress. He couldn't help but think that there was something else that the cooperative wanted, besides them joining the 'nation'.

"Sumthin' on ye mind sir?" came the voice (with the slight odor of liquor) of Winston Groom, acting Assistant Chief Tactical Officer.

"Not really just thinking about the cooperative" Troy answered

" 'ell if there's un thin' tha' ca' help ye problems..it's talkn' 'bout 'em" Troy always had a hard time completely understanding what Lieutenant JG Groom said through his thick Scottish accent, but he managed a little.

"It just seems there's more to their offer than what they're saying. That's all"

" 'lways sumthin' more.... eh laddie!" Winston nudged Troy with his elbow.

"I'm serious..... If we don't join them they'll probably come after us." Troy looked at Winston with a serious look.

" 'ell let the bloody savages come after us! Ol' Winston 'ill fight 'em all meself!" he yelled, trusting his fist in the air.

"You're drunk Winston... You better go to your quarters before security picks you up."

"I ain' drunk. Lemme tell ye laddie... I ca' out drink any man on thes here ship!" People were beginning to stare at the two officers.

"I mean it Winston....get out of here before security comes."

"Aw! They ain' gonna do nuthin'. They prob'ly doun in the 'olodecks pretendin' ta be William Wallice er sumthin!"

"What am I going to do with you. You're older than me, yet you don't know when to stop drinking. Even I know when to stop!"

"Ya sayin' I don't know ha' ta drink? I ought ta belt ya on yer bloody chin fer talkin' ta someone older than yaself tha' way! Says I can't drink...I'll show ya laddie! Bar keep! Gimme me an' muh friend here two scotch!" A loud thud echoed through the lounge as Winston's head hit the bar after he passed out. Shaking his head, Troy began to drag the drunken Scotsman back to his quarters.

"I'm telling you one of these days security will find you and throw you in the brig." People stopped and stared as Troy drug Winston through the corridors.

"securi....muh fru hre som.....Five Dollars?!?" mumbled the incapacitated tactical officer.

After several minutes of dragging, and having to duck out of sight from security patrols, Troy finally got to Winston's quarters and put him in his bed.

"Get some rest.... and don't let me see you back in the lounge later." Troy said

"mmmmmmm" was all he replied

He exited the Lieutenant's quarters and made his way back to his own. About half way there his comm badge beeped.

{Computer to Chief Tactical Officer Blair}

"Go ahead computer"

{Your presence is requested in Lieutenant Cohen's quarters}

With a quick change in direction Troy was on his way.

V: "Sweet XO"
Written by Captain Joseph Zahn
Commanding Officer, Station Beta Two

"Well sir," Kra'lana said mumbling over the transmission, "A small riot has broken out on the Main Promenade."

"A what?" Joseph Zahn said stepping closer to the main viewer on the Bridge of the USS Galaxy. He was in shock and disbelief.

"There is no need to worry sir. We have it pretty much under control right now. What we do need to worry about is Shuttle Bay Two," she continued.

Captain Zahn covered his forehead with his hand. "What is it this time? Please don't tell me the Sycthe is back," he paused before continuing with a sigh, "again."

Commander Morris cracked a smile, "No sir. Someone is attempting to steal a shuttle. We have all security teams detached. Everything should be fine when you and the Galaxy return. How was the tour?"

"I wouldn't exactly call it a tour. As Captain Price said, it was more like a sales pitch. The meeting with Therio and his cronies just reaffirmed my belief that we need to find a way back to the Alpha Quadrant. We'll be arriving at the station in two hours. I hope the situation is under control then." Zahn said.

Morris nodded, "I hope so too sir. Oh and congratulations Captain."

Joseph arched his brow. "Congratulations?" he questioned.

Kra'lana bit her tounge before she spoke another word. She assumed Electra hadn't informed the Captain of her pregnancy or the Captain wasn't the father. Either way Commander Morris wasn't going to push the envelope. She would let Electra break the news to him.

"Congratulations on a great away mission sir," Kra'lana said ducking out of that situation.

Joseph arched his brow again. "Thanks Commander. Galaxy out."

The transmission ended and was replaced with a view of the black void. Captain Joseph Zahn turned around and went back to where he was standing in the back of the Bridge. Captain Price nodded to Zahn was he walked by. "Sweet XO," he said with a playful grin.

Lieutenant Paran had spent the last few hours training. He was getting quiet worried about all the Void Cooperative talk that was circling the ship. Not that he'd ever let it show. He was glad Ensign Expok had retuned the phasers. They were now operating at 150% of their normal capacity. He'd spent several hours down in the holodeck, trying them out. They felt good.

He started the next Gamma shift and assigned Lieutenant Quall to watch the Romulan ambassador this time. He asked him to keep his eyes open, especially if he went into Ten Forward. Ensign Expok also arrived and he started to talk to him.

"So Ensign, how are you finding life on board the Galaxy?" he asked.

"I'm adjusting well sir. I hope we can get out of this Void, and I believe we have the officers to do so." Expok replied, glancing quickly at Chanor.

"Hmmm. Excellent job with the phasers by the way. I've been trying them on the holodeck. Much more powerful. Did you think we'd need them this powerful though?"

"Perhaps sir. We have to be ready in case this Void Cooperative strike. A show of force may dissuade them."

Chanor did not reply to this, only nodding. He agreed, and could not think of anything further to say. He turned back to his screen when Lieutenant Quall walked back in.

"Anything happen Ryan?"

"No. The ambassador went down to Ten Forward, had a drink and left. I didn't see anything unusual."

"Right. Okay thanks."

He wasn't sure what to think now. Quall didn't seem to be lying, why should he, but he was sure the Ambassador had attempted something last time. He turned back.

"Ryan, could you tell Lieutenant Sterner what you saw when he arrives for Alpha ahift?"

"Well, okay, but I really didn't see anything." he replied.

"I know, it's just for the records. Thanks."

Chanor turned back, as Ryan sighed and they both resumed their work.

Lt. JG Paran Chanor USS Galaxy

"Idle Musings" by Ensign Shanika

It seemed like the longest duty shift on the entire ship. Being moved to Alpha shift would definitely take some adjustments, she thought, but WHY did she have to be switched right in the middle of this ridiculous joyride throughout The Void? As well as having to stare at the sneering visage of tr'Herrian all day. Well, at least when he was on the bridge. The rest of the time, Shanika was willing to bet he was hanging around trying to pick up as much information as possible. Why didn't someone notice and take him somewhere where he couldn't do any harm? Shanika figured he was planting bugs all around the ship, probably transmitting their tactical schematics to the whole Romulan empire. Then, of course, at a weak moment they could attack the Federation and adjust their disruptors to the exact phase-modulation of the ship's shields..... and kaboom, there goes the whole Starfleet.

Shanika turned her attention back to the conn's readouts. Her active imagination was running on overdrive like it always did in times of stress. Of course, total interstellar war did sound like a rather interesting prospective. Somehow, it seemed rather better than spending the rest of their lives imprisoned in a starless universe.

Reix thought more about Mitchell's proposed using of the shuttle to gather data. The risks were high that they would just disappear, and not be able to find the station, however...

He cursed his scientific mind's insatiable need to know. A chance to possibly witness one of the greatest events in history... The event that BEGAN history... He ran a diagnostic over the 'stars' that he and his crew from Beta 2 had seeded throughout the Void, exploring all possibilities.

Kra'lana's sister was talking about some way to return the station and the ship back to normal space... no, normal time... but more than likely, the power systems would just feedback, and they wouldn't have to worry about the Cooperative anymore.

Suddenly, he stopped. 'James, Rr'lonni, come here.' The Science officers from the Galaxy strode over, and peered over the Trill's shoulder. They were as puzzled as he as to why he called them by their first names, but he figured it would serve to ease a little tension in the situation. 'I think we may be able to leave a trail of Verteron particles behind the shuttle... a trail of breadcrumbs if you will... Since there are no stellar bodies to worry about, the particle trail would remain intact unless scattered artificially. That would increase the chances of us returning safely... not to mention the chances of getting the captains to let us go in the first place.'

He folded his arms, and looked at the rest of his staff.

[ The Schizoid Man ]

Chiron had to concentrate as hard as he could. The addition of having to screen out the thoughts and emotions of the members of the Collective was quite a project.

After being relieved in Engineering by Lt. Hutchcraft, he buried himself in his quarters and meditated, trying to keep sanity. He remembered that the Galaxy had taken on a new counselor at Starbase 123. He rubbed his temples, and then reached for his PADD. He sent a text message to Ensign Salshyar.

-----------------------
To: Ensign Salshyar
From: Lt. JG. Chiron
Subject: Counseling Session

I need to confer with another telepath. My telepathic abilities have recently been amplified, and I need assistance on how to block out part of the influx of new infomation.

The fact that you are a counselor could help, too.

I am deaf, so contact me by text when you've made your decision.

Thank you.
-----------------------

[ The Schizoid Man ]

"Security Alert"
by Lt. (jg) K'arta
Assistant Security Chief, USS Galaxy

Shortly after K'arta, Paran and Sterner agreed on who to send to the station, she contacted her team.

"Lt. K'arta to Ensigns Sobra, Chandler, Sanchez, Taylor, Aaron, and Cadet Campbell." she said, tapping her communicator. All responded quickly.

"I'd like to schedule a meeting in the security office in half an hour. Are there any objections?" K'arta asked her team. Everyone gave their approval.

Half an hour later, K'arta informed the officers of their mission to protect Station Beta Two. She gave them two hours to get their things together before they had to be on the station.

Once the team was on the station and settled in K'arta coordinated with Lt. Griggs the shifts. Not too long after arrival, security got a call from ops concerning a riot on the promenade.

[Ops to Lt. K'arta. We need some assistance. Please send some personnel to the Romulan Embassy. If you can spare any staff, please post guards in Ops and Engineering.]

"Understood, K'arta out." She replied and turned to the security officers assembled before her. "Campbell, Chandler, Sobra. You three with come with me to the promenade along with the teams assembled from the station's security officers. Aaron and Taylor, report to Ops. Sanchez will coordinate with Lt. Griggs in Engineering." the Klingon ordered. "Let's do it, people."

The Galaxy security officers armed themselves with phaser rifles along with the standard hand phaser and headed for the Promenade. Her team arrived just in time to prevent some major damage to one of the shops. The first dilimma the group encountered was trying to get to the Romulan Embassy. They finally got through to the entrance after fighting off several angry civilians.

"Can't you do anything?" a Romulan shouted at the team. The two half-Klingons on the team turned and glared at the man until he shrunk back.

"Close and lock your doors, and maybe you wouldn't have as much of a problem." K'arta snarled at him. The Romulan quickly obeyed. She then turned on the crowd, backed by her officers. The four formed a barricade of sorts to force the people back from the embassy. Confronted with two angry Klingons, a Caitan and a human they slowly backed off. As the crowd retreated, the team of security officers spread out to take care of other problems. The slowly made their way down the row of shops forcing the looters and rioters out and telling the shopkeepers to lock up to prevent any more damage. As they were turned away, the rioters formed a sort of wave with the security officers caught up in the middle. K'arta and her team were trying to turn the crowd away from the various shops and bars. Soon the crowd came to a halt. K'arta tried to see why, and saw three of the station's security officers in front of the wave. She caught on to what they were trying to do and signaled her officers. They proceeded to the edges of the crowd and set up a barricade.

K'arta saw Commander Morris leaving the area with several others, including a pregnant woman. K'arta nodded to her as she passed. The crowd of looters and rioters were getting frustrated and testy when an announcement came over the station's speakers. The same officer that had sent K'arta's team to the promenade was ordering the people to return to their quarters. They began to disburse and the security officers began to relax.

[Ops to Security. Any available personnel are to report to Shuttle Bay Two.] The voice came again.

K'arta tapped her communicator to make sure all her personnel heard the new orders.

"K'arta to security team. Let's go take care of this problem." she stated and headed for a turbolift. She entered and turned, Chandler was the next officer in the lift, then Sobra. K'arta was a little concerned when she didn't see Cadet Campbell on his way.

"Ensigns, have you seen Campbell?" she asked her two officers.

"I thought he was behind me." Chandler replied. Sobra nodded in agreement.

K'arta just stepped out of the lift when she saw the cadet emerge from the crowd. She smiled and stepped back in. Campbell entered slightly out of breath and murmured an apology.

"I got caught up in something." he tried to explain.

"Understood, Cadet. First time in a riot situation?" K'arta asked the young man.

"Yes, sir." he replied quickly.

"Lt. I don't want to be called 'sir'." she smiled at him. The cadet visibly relaxed.

The team arrived at the shuttle bay and were quickly joined by another team. They entered the bay to find a crowd of angry people in one of the shuttles and another crowd trying to get onto the shuttle. They were all screaming to leave the station and the Void. K'arta turned to the security officers to give them instructions.

"First, we need to get these people away from the shuttle. Second, we need to get the other group out of the shuttle. Sobra and Chandler: you take the starboard side of the shuttle. Campbell and I will clear the port side. All other officers will push the rioters toward the doors. Any questions?" she ordered.

"The Return Trip" Lt Ti Miran

"Lieutenant Ti, what is our ETA back to Station Beta Two?"

Miran checked her instruments. "Just over six hours Captain. Six hours and twelve minutes at present speed." She could wait to get back to the station- the one familiar part of the void. This whole void thing was disturbing. The were away from everything they knew and away from Miran's beloved stars.

Miran watched the view screen as well as her control panel. It was strange not to see her beloved stars streak by as they traveled the void. She wished she could take a shuttle to a remote system and fly her hearts desire with no one to stop her. She missed flying real craft as often as she did at the academy- the holodeck was grand but its just not the same.

Miran couldn't wait for some free time she could spend with Deiran. She was anxious to start preparing for their wedding. She wasn't going to have another long engagement planned. Well, Robert's and her engagement wasn't long though with what happened.

She would also need to get Deiran to accept Bobbie. He didn't like the little creature and she wasn't going to give her up for him either. Bobbie could be a little rascal but she was dear to Miran's heart. That would probably be the hardest, well second hardest, thing she would have to achieve. The biggest would be all the people at the wedding. Just her adopted family and Deiran's family would be a large crowd if all the Stephins could come. She couldn't imagine what growing up with eleven siblings would be like.

***

Finally she was back at her quarters, Shanika relieving her. Deiran would be there as soon as he changed out of uniform. She asked the replicator for cold Pyrellian Ginger tea. She sipped the tea and got back into the novel she was reading while she waited for Deiran.

Miran felt a little bad about not working at all but everyone needed time to relax and there was probably a crowd in Ten-Forward like usual after a shift change. Deiran came in when she was in the part where the bad guys raid the Kingdom of Daia and the main characters have to go to their firend's aid.

" Hi, sweetie," Miran greeted him. SHortly thereafter they started their plans.

"Shuttle Bay Lock-Out"
By Lt. Jg. Ramone Pescadeiro
Assistant Chief Operations Officer Beta 2 Station

"Ops to Chief Winston." Lt. Seles tried to reach the shuttle bay.

"Ops to Chief Winston," she repeated.

Qu'vatlh. "Ops to Security. Any available personnel are to report to Shuttle Bay Two."

"Someone's trying to override the lockout on the shuttle bay!"

As soon as Ramone heard that, he was at his console. He checked the security protocols of the lock-out on shuttle bay two. They were intact at the moment, but someone was trying to circumvent the lock-out.

Ramone continued to monitor the perpetrator as they tried different things to unlock the Main Shuttle Bay doors. Every time they got close, Ramone would change something to thwart them.

"Lt. Seles, permission to disable the console that's being used to open the doors?"

[Go ahead.]

Ramone sent the disabling code to that console in the shuttle bay, with no effect. The perpetrator had somehow disabled certain commands. {Damn who ever that is, they're good} Ramone thought. So he sent a power surge to that console to burn it out, rendering it useless.

"Lt. Seles, the shuttle bay doors are secured as best as can be hoped for from here. I had to burn out the control panel that operates the main doors. So they aren't going anywhere unless they blow the doors.

Ramone got up and had an ensign take over his console. He headed to the turbolift. Turning to Seles, "Get a transporter lock on me when I let you know." With that he entered the turbolift.

On route to his quarters, he tapped his comm badge.

"Lt. Pescadeiro to Dr. Salvine."

[Salvine here.]

"Dr., please prepare 50 micro darts coated with Tamazine SL10, I'll be there shortly."

[Acknowledged.]

Once in his quarters, Ramone quickly changed into his Martial Arts uniform. Grabing his dart gun, and a few assorted defensive weapons that he hid in his outfit, he made sure his mask was secured properly. Then he headed for Sickbay and the darts.

Entering Main Sickbay, Ramone startled a nurse who screamed. Dr Salvine came around a corner, face to face with a person dressed from head to foot in black.

"Dr. do you have the darts prepared?"

[Yes, they're right over here.] He led the dark figure to a table upon which the darts rested in their holders. The dark figure picked up one set of 10 darts and loaded them into the gun. Taking the other 4 sets, they quickly disappeared into some hidden pocket of his outfit.

"Thank you, Dr., I'll see you soon with the remaining darts."

With that the man in black left sickbay.

Ramone headed down to Deck 65. He pulled out a tricorder and pulled up a mini-map of the shuttle bay and all the entrances and exits. Going into the nearest jefferies tube, he followed his map to a