"Analytical Data"
by Ensign Thomas

*** Planet Surface ***

Ensign Thomas had been one of the several officers and crew personal that were helping with the construction of building for the acheologist. Though he spent most of his time working with the holo system that had been developed. Henry Schle was proving to be a vaulable asset his skill where most inpressive one of the archeologist had comminted. Though Chris was really more interested in the data that was being gathered for the testing. He was impressed the system was working better than expected, though operating time had been cut to 3 1/2 hours instead four due to some unusual enviormental considtion, but that was expected. He was happy that the test and project itself had been so succesfull. With a fully autonoumus holo-gram working among them it made something easier to do without fear of damaging the artifacts that were here.

He figured that it was going to weeks to fully understand the advantages and disandvatges that this new system offered. He also decided that the project need a name or some sort abveration to make it easier to work with. He had settled upon Auto Holo for now, though he knew that even that name would have to be eventually changed.

The captain had from the sound of it enjoyed his discussion with General Lee, for he had requested for security reasons the second AHE remain onboard the ship. Chiron had reprogrammed the second one to generate Dr. Richard Galen a noted archeologist. He remained on the ship helping to cordinate with the archeologist on the planets surface. Things were taking shape on the planets surface.

*** 2 hours later ***

"Ensign Thomas how things going?" Commander Coe inquired.

"I am almost finished with the new communications setup." Chris responded. Lt. Casey and company had put together an excellent primary communication system. He was impressed with there work and doubt there would be any problems they were installing the backup today. Chris had recommend an emergency communication be installed as he was using some of the knowledge that he had learned while in S.I. and with starfleet along with some data that he had a while back.

"Good, I some they will be most happy to hear that they have a third way of getting help if they need it, though I don't see what problem they could run into out here." Commander Coe said as he looked at the configuration. "One question what happens if this thing breaks down who's going to repair it?"

"I have made sure to provide with the everything they need, if something fails." Chris said he had made sure that spare parts were availble and had even provide them with ways to bypass almost any failure of the system.

With that the commander left Chris to his work, and moved on to his next stop. He had plenty of people to check with to ensure that everything was working properly and meant the archeoloist requires. For not really doing any actual working, he was having to do more work than just about anyone else who was helping. First Officers do more work before a most people get up to start a new day.

Chris finished up his work and prepared to beam back to the ship he needed to check in on Colby and Dev who was looking after him, most of the day. He also needed to eat and relax some before he retuned to the planet surface. Only a handful of people were coming and going as much as he was. His main responsiblity was the AHE and system, which was his final stop before going back to the ship. The AHE had been there waiting for his arrival, two minutes earlier Chris thought to himself.

*** USS Galaxy ***

Chris transported back to the ship as soon as the next window had come up, which he timed just about to prefection, with some help. He beamed onboard, and then headed for Dev's quaters, she had been part of the first away team. Now she was spending part of her time watching after Colby.

His first stop was to check in with AHE Richard Galen who was working in one the ship's science labs. He made it a point to check in, regardless of readings showing everything was operating as specified. He was dedicated to his work and his new friendship with his fellow crewmates and Dev who had become a big part of his life recently.

*** Counselor Dev's Quarters ***

Chris pressed the buzzer and waited patiently, this had become a daily routine and he was beginning to feel as he was coming home for work to spend time with his family. He stood there are realized that he and Dev had become good friends, but he wanted something more, even though he deinied it, he spent time talking with her, but it more personaly any more than professional. Prehaps he had finally found some peace and happiness. He wasn't alone anymore, then the door opened and he saw Gwyen and a family that should've been.

"Hello Dev," Chris said as she invited him in. How long can I keep denying that I have fallen in love with her, even though this wasn't suppose to happen. He had made a commitment to Gwyen, and she meant everything to him. If this would've happened any soon he'd probably walked from everything.

"Do you know what this could mean?" Dev asked.

"Well it sounds like its a warning to get off the planet. Like there’s something here that could hurt you if you stayed. I wouldn’t want to be the scientists staying here, it’s kind of creepy... scarreeee," Casey said, trying to spook Devlynn, she sensed no real fear from him.

Despite her upbringing, she felt herself slightly unnerved and she couldn't shake the feeling. Not having any official afilliation with the construction going on in the compound, she flitted between the crews. Conversing and checking on the progress.

After a long while, she found herself back at the stop where they found the curse. She stared at it for long moments. There was some truth to the curse, she felt it on the back of her neck and down her spine. It was a awesome feeling for her, to be surrounded by this much history. She let it envelope her. Surround her very core. In short, she fainted.

She was awakened by her communicator pin chirping. It was Chris. "Salshyar here." She answered shaking her head.

"Dev, I have business on the surface, would you be able to come back to the ship to care for Colby?" Chris asked, she could tell he was in a pinch.

"Of course Chris." She said. "I'll be up in the next window." She walked toward the transport sight. There were two crew members there, "going up." She said with a smile. They cocked their heads slightly, mostly everyone was coming down.

She was transported back to the ship as Chris was beamed down. She met Colby in the transporter room and they adjourned to her quarters. She looked forward to getting back to the surface, she had so many questions. She jotted them down, so that she would remember.

Chris wasn't gone for long. He had only to attend to some of the Holo Emittors on the surface. He was working in tandem with Lt. Chiron. It was good for the both of them, she thought.

As she was thinking about Chris, her thoughts rose to another tier. She realized that she really liked being around Chris and Colby. They were becoming a surrogate family for her. If it weren't for the strong commitment Chris held for his first wife, she would have considered a relationship. She refused to coerce him into betraying his feelings.

She was drifting to sleep watching Colby play with the white telepathic bird when Chris pushed the buzzer outside her room. "Come in, Chris," Colby said quietly. The bird repeated him.

"Hello Dev," Chris said as he entered the room. "Hello, Colby, how was your afternoon?" Dev sensed that Chris was in a state of inner turmoil, over what she couldn't tell. Her ability to read him was severely dampened due to her personal feelings, as well his training with SI enabled him with a slight ability to block her telepathy. But not the birds.

"Love's in the air." The bird sang out. It squawked like a parrot. "Love's in the air." This made both Devlynn and Chris feel uncomfortable, though neither knew the effect it had on the other. Dev smiled despite herself.

"Shut up bird!" It mimicked her. She grinned.

"Dalarm, now is not the time. Go into the bedroom." She said, watching Chris' reaction. "Colby, if you wish to go with him, you may. Chris, please sit down."

Chris sat and Colby walked Dalarm into the bedroom. "Can I offer you something?" She asked. Chris shook his head.

"No thank you." He smiled.

"Chris, I want to talk to you. Colby and I had a discussion this afternoon, about school. He is still very hesitant, and there is only one week until it begins again. He is very resistant to go to the Civilian Gym, I told him that there would be other there." She could see the concern on Chris' face.

"Colby doesn't want to go to school. That's understandable, no young boy does. And if he has trouble, he can get special help, can he not?" Chris asked.

"Yes, he can get special help, but Chris, there are 148 children on this ship and only 6 full-time teachers. That doesn't afford them much free time." She smiled. "Nor myself. I have to deal with the problem children. I don't have time for that as it is. This year might be easier on me, because I have two new member on my staff, but it will still be tough."

Chris sympathized. "Yes, I can see where this would be time consuming. Especially with your other duties as Bridge Counselor." She nodded.

"Colby has no problem with academics. His problems lay in relating. He was tied for first place on the ship in the aptitude tests that he took for me. He didn't like being tied." She could tell than Chris understood that.

"He is going to be in Theta class next term. He will be able to cross over with the Sigma room too, for the special projects that they do, there will be two other students on the same schedule as he has, we should get them together next week, to acquant themselves before the term begins. Sharia and Tengal know each other and I hope that Colby will make a welcome third party." She stood. "But right now, I have to send those crew aptitude tests to Starfleet Headquarters. I will see you and Colby later, I trust."

"Of course." Chris smiled. He walked to the bedroom to collect Colby, "Colby, it's time to go."

Devlynn heard Colby tell the bird good-bye and the reply aswell. "Dalarm, come." Dev said when Colby walked from the bedroom.

"Good evening Chris, Colby. I have enjoyed our visit Colby." She said, cheerfully.

"Yeah." Was all he said. She sighed as they left.

She picked the bird up off her shoulder and set him on the couch. "What am I going to do with you?" She asked the large white creature.

"Love me!" Was the reply.

Lt. Devlynn Salshyar (Dev)
Chief Counselor, USS Galaxy - NCC-70637

"Team of eight"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price

A day and a half had past since the USS Galaxy first pulled into low planetary orbit about Sigma II. Several transports of personnel and materials had been transported from the Galaxy every hour when the Starship past over the small, twenty minute, window that allowed communications signals to penetrate the planet's heavily ionized atmosphere.

Doctor Marie Currie, renown Archeologist has been enthusiastically showing the Galaxy officers various parts of her discovery, an ancient Egyptian like city that predates anything on Earth.

"What is this Doctor Currie?" asked Lieutenant MacGregor, assistant Chief Medical Officer from the USS Galaxy.

Doctor Currie's eyes lit up. "This is a holographic scale model of this city Doctor. We began making it to get a better idea on our progress as we continue uncovering parts of the city." Marie turned slightly so Scott and the two officers with him, Ensign Mercury and Lieutenant Mitchell, could see. "Notice the unusual shape and layout of the outer walls, and the labyrinth like way they snake back and forth until they merge at the inner city center."

"It's shaped like a triangle." Ensign Mercury noted as he pointed to the perimeter of the outer walls.

"Yes. You will find that shape is predominant in most of the architecture of the city. Though in reality, the pyramid type shape is more noticeable." Currie commented. You could tell she loved talking and sharing her work with others who were interested.

"The center looks, circular. The patterns on the walls change." Doctor MacGregor added.

"Yes. That is what we are calling the city center. We are theorizing that the very center is where the heart of the city resides. Sort of the 'City Hall' of ancient times."

"Have you uncovered this much of the city Doctor Currie?" Lieutenant Mitchell asked.

"Oh no. That's why you'll notice the detail is rather sparse over these areas of the model. We have just barely entered and uncovered this small area right here by one of the tips of the city. Notice how much more detailed the model is there? We scan in data from the tricorders and the model displays them for us."

"Why do you suppose they shaped the city like a triangle?" Ensign Mercury asked.

"We are not sure. That shape, and the pyramid seems to be a sacred symbol to these people. There are also indications that this entire city is some sort of an elaborate education or training facility."

James' eyebrow shot up slightly. "A training ground? What makes you say that Doctor?"

"The inscriptions and riddles we keep uncovering on the various walls. They pose questions and it is theorized that they were used to educate the people in the ways of their culture." Doctor Currie explained enthusiastically. She appeared happy to go into detail about her finding with those that showed a genuine interest.

"That is fascinating Doctor." Lieutenant Mitchell commented. "So these inscriptions have some sort of cultural significance?"

"Oh yes, And not just cultural but historical significance as well. We believe these questions would be asked to the students who would then have to answer them correctly before they would be allowed to move on deeper into the city. Answering a question incorrectly would lead the person down the wrong passage. Only by correctly answering the questions, and demonstrating one's mastered knowledge of the culture and history could a student advance to the heart of the city here." Doctor Currie leaned over the holographic model of the city, pointing at the center most part, in the middle of the circular portion of the labyrinth. "We believe that it is here, at the very core of the city where the biggest discovery will be found. A modern control center thousands of years earlier than even the existence of the Egyptian settlements on Earth."

Ensign Mercury looked at Doctor Currie. "If that is true, we will have to rethink our own beliefs about our earliest history..."

Marie nodded as she straightened up and whisked a tuff of her hair back behind her hair. "Exactly. Unfortunately it will be months before we can clear away that part of the city. It's buried the deepest. Even with the excavation equipment we have that cleared all of this section out, it will be a long time before we get to the heart of the city."

Lieutenant Mitchell held his chin with one of his hands as he thought. "Humm, I wonder if we could use the Galaxy's transporter to beam a small team directly into the center of the city."

Marie's eyes lit up when the Chief Science Officer made the suggestion. "Is that possible? To transport through solid rock?"

"Yes Doctor. The Galaxy's transporters are capable to beaming matter through many miles of various natural minerals and soil. Judging from what I have seen so far, I don't think it should pose too much of a problem, even given the planet's unusually high atmospheric ionization."

"That would be fantastic! When can we go Lieutenant?" Doctor Currie said in an excited tone.

"Woe Doctor..." James said, raising up his palms. "not so fast. We need to

find out if the Galaxy can detect a safe area to beam into first. We also need to clear it with the Captain."

"Well let's find out Lieutenant. If your transporters can get us to the city center safely, it will save us months of hard work!"

"I'll see what I can do Doctor." Lieutenant Mitchell said with a smile. "The Galaxy should be coming up on the next communication window in about fifteen minutes."

"Great, I'll go tell the others. They will want to prepare their things..." Doctor Currie said as she trotted away with a huge smile on her face.

*********

*** Bridge, USS Galaxy ***

"Incoming transmission from the surface Sir. It's Lieutenant Mitchell."

Captain Price pivoted around to face the tactical station. "Put it on screen 'mate."

Ensign McKenzie tapped the controls and the image of the Galaxy's Chief Science Officer appeared bigger than life.

"G'day Lieutenant. What can the Galaxy do for you?"

James smiled. ["Hello Captain. Actually, I was hoping that Lieutenant Casey could run a few scans of the planet and see if the transporter could beam a team of people into the center part of the city. It's still buried under hundreds of meters of rock and debris."]

Lee smiled. "Doctor Currie looking for short cuts 'ey?"

["Actually, I suggested it Captain. From what I have seen, the city is covered by simple debris. Mostly sand and soil, with some rocks and boulders. If the Galaxy can detect a safe pocket through the ruins, I think transporting in should be no problem. But Lieutenant Casey can tell for sure once he scans the coordinates sir."]

Captain Price glances at Deiran. "How about it 'mate?"

Lieutenant Casey was already working his console. "I'm scanning now Captain. The very center of the city you said?"

["That's right Deiran. Doctor Currie calls it 'the heart' of the city."] Lieutenant Mitchell explains while Casey runs the scans.

"Did you know that the city is shaped like a perfect triangle?" Deiran asks as he takes notice of his readings.

["Yes we saw that. Doctor Currie thinks triangles and pyramids are treated as sacred shapes to this culture. The center is a ..."]

"A perfect circle. Wow, this is incredible. How old did you say these ruins are Lieutenant?"

["Doctor Currie thinks they predate the Egypt we know on Earth by several thousand years. Why do you ask?"]

"Sir, I'm not only detecting a under ground cavern at the 'heart' of the city suitable for beaming down, but also a minimal power source."

Lee's eyebrow shot up. "Power source? What kind of power source Lieutenant?"

Deiran shakes his head while looking at the readings. "It's difficult to say Captain. Possibly some sort of capacitance battery packs, or possibly a very old style geo-thermal electric conversion reactor... There's really too much debris to get an accurate scan."

"Battery packs? Geo-thermal reactor? Both of those technologies should be far beyond this civilization, shouldn't they?" Captain Price asked Mitchell.

["One would think so, but Doctor Currie seems to have been expecting something like this. So maybe not sir. Deiran, do you think we can beam a small team into the center of the city?"]

Casey nods. "Ya. Not a problem Lieutenant. I'm picking up a minimal type M atmosphere as well. I can transport up to eight of you into there with no problem."

["Captain. I'd like to ..."] Mitchell started.

"Transport an away team into the 'heart' of the city and check it out 'mate?" Captain Price interrupted finishing the Bajoran Science officer's sentence.

["Excellent idea Captain. I am sure Doctor Currie will be pleased."] James retorted.

Lee smiled. "Very well. Take Lieutenant Commander Sterner and a couple of security officers with you. Until we know exactly what the origin of that power source is, we should be careful 'mate."

["As you wish Captain. Lieutenant Hutchcraft should probably come as well to evaluate the power source."]

"Sounds like a plan. Do it 'mate." The Captain said with a confirming nod.

["Yes Sir. I'll contact you when we are ready for transport."] Mitchell replied.

"Make it soon James." Lieutenant Casey interrupted, "The Galaxy will be at the apex of the transportation window in just five minutes."

["Understood Lieutenant. Mitchell out."]

The channel closed as the Chief Science Officer's image was again replaced with the breath taking view of the planet below them, entirely filling the view screen because of the low planetary orbit the ship was forced to maintain to avoid the atmospheric interference of the planet.

"Everything is set Captain. We just need to wait for Lieutenant Mitchell's signal to initiate the transport." Casey explained from the Ops console.

"Very good Lieutenant. I'm sure Doctor Currie will be pleased." Lee said leaning back in his chair, wondering about the mysterious power readings and their possible origins.

*********

*** Planet side, Sigma II ***

"What do you mean only three of us can go?" Doctor Currie exclaimed in an outraged tone. "We are the whole reason anyone is here in the first place!"

Lieutenant Mitchell involuntarily rolls his eyes up as he double checks his tricorder. "We are wasting time Doctor. The Galaxy will be in optimal position for transport in less than a minute..."

"Look, I need all of my people Lieutenant. If only eight people can transport then it should be the five of us and three of you, not visa versa!" Marie's tone was showing signs of frustration and anger.

Glancing at his tricorder, Lieutenant Mitchell calmly explained, "Forty seconds Doctor..."

"UMPH!" Doctor Currie sighed in a huff. Looking at her long time comrades, she had to decide who would go, and who would stay. For a long few seconds, she looked at their hopeful faces.

"Doctor..." James reminded, still glancing at his tricorder.

"Oh all right. Professor Hallmark, Engineer Fitzpatrick, you come with me. Sorry Doctor Goldstein, Doctor Turner."

The expressions on the other two Archeologists face were apparent. Goldstein immediately removed his spectacles and began to nervously polish the tiny lenses as he walked away with Doctor Turner, both of their heads hung low."

The argument finally settled, Doctor Currie, Professor Hallmark and Engineer Fitzpatrick grabbed their supplies and stood in position for the transport besides Lieutenant Commander Sterner, Lieutenant Mitchell, Lieutenant Hutchcraft, Ensign Enquist and Ensign Kolra. Joerg nodded to Lieutenant Mitchell, acknowledging that he was cleared to signal the Galaxy.

Lieutenant Mitchell tapped his comm badge. "Lieutenant Mitchell to the USS Galaxy. We are in position Lieutenant Casey. Transport when ready."

["It's about time James,... Geesh! Nothing like cutting it to the last moment!"] Casey responded jokingly. He then added, ["Standby for transport..."]

While the team of eight stood there waiting for Casey to engage the transporter beam, Commander Coe stood by with a few of the others, back clear from the beam out area.

"You be careful in there people." JT said with a touch of concern. "Lieutenant Mitchell is in charge of the mission unless 'Commander Sterner deems the situation too dangerous. I want you all back in one piece you hear me?"

Both the Chief of Security and the Chief Science officer exchanged glances and nodded reassuringly. Commander Coe gave a slight grin.

"What's taking so long?" an impatient but very enthusiastic Doctor Currie inquired.

Before Lieutenant Mitchell had a chance to respond, Deiran's voice could be heard on the communicator for all to hear.

["We are ready Lieutenant."]

A quick glance at the party's alignment in the beam out area, then Lieutenant Mitchell gave the order. "Energize Lieutenant."

In a shimmer of blue and white, the team of eight dematerialized from the dig site, being transported deep within the buried 'heart' of the ancient ruins.

"The Black Heart"
by Lt. Ronni Morris
Asst. Chief of Science, USS Galaxy

Ronni opened her eyes and thought she must have gone blind. To her left she heard someone moving. Turning over, she grabbed her tricorder and turned it on. The moving someone was Ensign K'van.

"So, this is a fine mess we've gotten ourselves into Ensign." she said lightly.

"Obviously." said the Vulcan. Even in the dark she could almost hear his eyebrow go up.

"Well, let's see if we can get ourselves out of here. Does your comm badge work?" said the Delphinian Science officer. "I seem to have lost mine."

K'van tapped his comm badge but only got the sound of no connection. Scanning the walls, he said, "The walls composition seems to inhibit communication. But I did just pick up what looks like a transporter signal. It's inside this structure, but I can't seem to pin point the location."

Ronni stood up and brushing herself off said, "Well, let's head that direction as best we can. I've set my tricorder to send out a radio pulse with a distress code. Anyone in the building who can pick up the radio waves should be able to find us too."

Unfortunately, Ronni was right, it the worst possible way. In the darkness, a presence stirred to life after more than a millennia of sleep.

"Research"
Ensign Mercury

************** Sigma II **************

The away team of eight just beamed down to the center of the labyrinth. David was left with the remaining away team. David started to analyze the Doctor's observations about the labyrinth. Without a background of what this Egyptian culture was about any conclusion would be hard to come by. David also was a little stumped by this new found power supply. David checked the time, he had thirty-five minutes before the transport window would pass. "Just enough time to beam to the ship and download some information on Earth's Egpytian culutre and get back. Mercury to Galaxy, one to beam up."

*******************Mercury's Quarters***************

"Computer download all information on ancient Egyptian culture." David personally believed that maybe some answers to the questions presented on the planet could be answered with some information from history.

[Wadell to Mercury]

"Go ahead Ensign."

[Mercury, Chiron needs your assistance in Main Engineering]

"On my way." David grabbed his PADD with the Egyptian background and left for Engineering.

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

As David walked into Engineering, Chiron handed him a PADD.

PADD >>[David, sorry to inconvenience you I know that you are needed on the planet, but I need some help with the Regulators that you repaired the other day. They seem to be acting up again.]

David's responsed on the PADD >>[Chiron, no problem we had some trouble the other day with the repairs, it seems that the Regulators are being a little stubborn. Hopefully we can finally get these things back to normal again.]

After a half an hour of work they finally got the Regulators back to normal. David realizing the time excused himself from Engineering and hurried to the transporter room. Just as he entered the transporter room he saw the away team dematerialize. Disappointment covered his face. David would have to wait until the next window before he could continue his research on the planet. Realizing his misfortune David thought that his presense could be used in engineering while he waits unitl he is able to beam down.

"Oh, My..."
By Lt. James Mitchell Chief of Science

The blue shimmer of the transporter beam faded around Mitchell and the rest of the away team, but not before they each caught a quick glimpse of what lay around them in the dimly-lit chamber.

The sheen sent tendrils of blue light out a dozen foot radius around the Away Team, illuminating a chamber of composing of several large blocks of sandstone. Carvings and symbols were spotted on the walls, but the beam faded before anyone could see them clearly.

James took a deep breath at the expanse and wonders of the room as he activated his mini-lamp and panned it around the chamber.

The dank, putrid air gagged him, forcing him to double over where he grabbed his stomach. Someone got physically ill somewhere to his left.

"Hack! Hack!" James pulled his shirt up to cover his mouth and focussed his light on the others as he pushed down the bile in his throat. Beams of light were bouncing everywhere, exposing the mist of dust that had arisen by the arrival of the eight members. The air in the chamber hadn't been touched in over a thousand years, to say the least. It was bound to be harsh.

Lt. Commander Sterner was helping Doctor Currie regain her composure. She had gotten overly excited at finally getting to the heart of her city, that she had run headlong into the chamber at the moment of dematerialization. Her lungs had taken in a great quantity of the bad air and now she was retching.

Enquist and Kolra had their shirts over their mouths, coughing in fits. Lt. Hutchcraft was with Hallmark and Fitzpatrick, who had fallen faint at the arresting odor. Mitchell moved over to them.

"Everyone over here. Lets not get separated! We have no idea what kind of surprises this civilization have left us. If they truly are related to the ancient Egyptians of Earth, then they would have traps set in the case of graverobbers or thieves." The lamp beams moved together in sync, slightly jostled by their owners as they coughed their way over to the Lt.

"Everyone here?" He played the light over the dust-filled faces of the others. Hutchcraft coughed and blinked. Sterner had torn a part of his uniform off and wrapped it tightly around his mouth and nose. His dusty visage as stoic as ever. Not a cough escaped his lips. Enquist and Kolra's sweating faces appeared in view, the dust thickening with each passing moment. Doctor Currie was leaning on Sterner, the older lady's beauty marred by the dust continually falling in her hair and face. She was still coughing harshly, but her physical illness had stopped, even though it was visible that her stomach still pumped, but was held in check.

Hallmark had been playing his lamp over the walls of the chamber, eyes wide in fascination. It was quite obvious he wanted to examine them right away. Fitzpatrick was in a heap on the floor, awake and retching. Currie staggered over to him to assist him.

"Okay, now that we are here..." James voice was muffled by the shirt covering his mouth and nose. He was beginning to sweat. "Commander Sterner, take your men around and make sure there aren't any surprises waiting for us. Be sure to stay close together. Lt. Hutchcraft, you stay with Hallmark and Fitzpatrick. Doctor Currie, you're with me. Lets have a looksee around us."

Sterner took Kolra and Enquist aside where they had a conference and moved off together. Hutchcraft went over to talk with Hallmark and Fitzpatrick, probably to be brought up to speed on what to expect. They moved off to examine several carvings and what appeared to be consoles nearby. Currie and Mitchell stayed put. Currie glanced in her team's direction, anxious to share the experience with them. She had waited a long time for this, she didn't want to miss a beat.

James tapped his commbadge.

"Lt. Mitchell to Commander Coe. We've made it to the heart and we are now scouting the chamber out."

[Good, Lt. What have you found out so far? Your voice sounds muffled. Is there a problem with the transmission?]

"No, Commander, the chamber certainly shows that it hasn't been touched in a thousand years. The air is stale and there is a putrid odor in the air. It's also incredibly hot in here. When the Galaxy comes in for another pass through the window in 5 minutes, I'm going to request some air filters for the team."

Currie was watching the team of Hallmark, Fitzpatrick and Hutchcraft in earnest. Hallmark was chattering up a storm with the Lt. and hesturing at the inscriptions on the wall. Fitzpatrick had been coughing fitfully and leaned up against a console.

[What do you see so far? Doctor Currie's team are anxious to know what's going on.] A smile could be heard in the Commander's voice. Voices clamoured in the background.

Mitchell played his light over the various consoles and contraptions. Currie was looking over one of them nearby and gestured James to come over.

Approaching Currie, Mitchell came around into view of the console. "Don't touch anything, Doctor."

"Commander, this is amazing! These consoles look quite modern." He blew some dust off the panel and noticed a system of lights blinking in unison then go solid. "Your power supply is here. This panel I'm looking at seems to be powering up...."

[What's happening?! The Galaxy is co..ing...n.o...he ..w.nd..w...I...beam...]

"Commander! Your transmission is breaking up! Please relay your message back." James awaited the Commander's response, but nothing came back. The commbadge's signal was as dead as the air in the chamber. "The Galaxy should be in range now." Currie wasn't paying attention. The panel she was looking at was slowly coming to life.

"Lt.!" She looked closely at the panel. For some reason, it was getting clearer to see. She played her lamp over the console. The dust was slowly rising off it! The cobwebs were blowing in a breeze....

"Mitchell to Galaxy! Come in, please!" He expected a response, but none came forth. He repeated his tap. Again nothing.

"Mitchell to Coe! Come in!" His commbadge was dead.

"Mitchell to Sterner. Can you hear me?" His expression was one of hope. He prayed this attempt worked.

"Sterner here." The gruff Commander's voice came through the air. James sighed in relief. Currie sighed as well then went back to interpreting the Hieroglyphics on the console.

"Communications with the dig site and the Galaxy are out, Commander. At least inter-team transmissions still work. What have you found out?"

"Hmm....you've been through several chambers already? How big is this place? Keep me informed. Mitchell out."

[Aye, Lt. Sterner out]

"Is it just me or is it cooler in here all of a sudden?" James had stopped sweating and felt a cool breeze touch his cheek. He played his lamp over the chamber he was in. The dust was swirling upwards!

"What the...." Suddenly, the room flared into a bright, blinding light. He shielded his eyes and in his reaction, his shirt slipped off over his face and he took a deep breath of air.

His eyes adjusted when he realized that his filter had disappeared. The air was cleaner...he breathed deeply. The wretched, foul odor that had permeated the air had been filtered out.

The 'Chamber' was in the form of some kind of hub. Portals, surrounded by what looked like more ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs were entrenched at 2 foot intervals encircling the vastness of the room. Some were closed, some were open. Those that were closed appeared to have no seals. Only more inscriptions. Consoles were placed in assymetrical positions near the walls, meshed to the sandstone floor. The ceiling of the chamber yawned up, beams criss-crossing over each other. Some of them had huge blocks of stone resting on them. How they were held, was beyond anyone's knowledge in the chamber. Even Hallmark, the resident Egyptologist, was agape.

Inscriptions, in giant 2 feet tall symbols, travelled along the base of the walls to meet up with the smaller hieroglyphs encircling the portals, where they flowed over the entryways and down to start all over again. The walls above the symbols were etched with carvings of what looked like pharaohs and other images of Egypt. Pyramids and even a Sphinx could be seen. Firey plumes of colour roiled upwards into the expanse of space above them.

"Amazing...." Doctor Currie whispered in awe behind him. "The trapped air in here preserved all the original colours. Not a trace of fade...."

The floor was a meshwork of pattern. Each tile had a different image and, as James moved forward to look at them more closely, hieroglyphs became more apparent underneath the layered ceramics.

"Those resemble dates in Ancient Egyptian culture." Professor Hallmark had snuck up beside James. "I'd hazard a guess that these were leaders and their reigns..." The aging man got down on one knee and examined them. He jumped up a tile. "Yes! I'm not sure what dates they actually are, considering the dates here were most likely way different than ours on earth were, but based on the hieroglyphs in Egypt, the symbols for numbers were very much different from letters and these..." He took off his glasses and pointed at them. "These are extremely, and scaringly, alike." He put on his glasses and traced the symbols out. Mitchell left him to his gains and glanced to the center of the room.

"Then if things are so old here, how do you explain that?" He pointed to the center of the room.

A giant core of energy glowed in a pulsing rhythm not unlike a warp core. It's girth was hidden by 4 gigantic pillars of sandstone, set at directional points of origin. North, south, east and west. It's soft green glow expanded upwards and down through an unending chasm. As James got closer to it, a tingling sensation could be felt through his body. He pulled out his tricorder.

"Andrew, come over here! What do you make of this?" Lt. Hutchcraft strolled over. He like everyone else, was completely awestruck by their predicament.

Lt. James Mitchell
Chief Science Officer
USS Galaxy

"Good Things Come......"
by Ensign Hunter McKenzie

Hunter smiled as the last book slid into its place on the shelf. "Finally." he thought. He'd been posted on the 'Galaxy' for 4 weeks and his personal belongings finally arrived two days ago. Finally, after 9 years, Mac had received his dream of being posted to a 'Galaxy ' class Starship; not only a Galaxy class, but the 'Galaxy'. "Serving under the 'General' no less" he thought, referring to the nickname that Captain Price was know n by in the fleet. Standing back from the bookshelf he looked around his quarters; a small grin forming. "It felt good to be here..." he thought, "...after all these years." His first weeks onboard the 'Galaxy' had been hectic with inprocessing and all, as such he had barely been able to catch his breath. Now, four weeks later he finally felt at home. Mementos of his life lay scattered around his room. Things that he really had no use for, like his ceremonial bagpipes that he had promised his uncle he'd learn to play or the Orion Slave girl manacles, he had picked up on Saelrius IV and then there were the things that he couldn't imagine being without, like the worn copy of Sun Tzu's book 'The Art of War' that lay at the table beside the bed or the plaque on the wall, for being All Academy boxing champion. These things were finally making his quarters feel like home. Feeling the first twinge of hunger, he turned and walked to the replicater. "Nope, not tonight" he said aloud as he considered his choices. He only knew two other people on the ship. One was his fellow Tac officer K'trall and the other was the Bajoran doctor, Kahn. Both had arrived with him from the 'Excaliber'. "Computer" he asked "locate Ensigns Kahn and K'trall." After a brief moment the generic voice of the Starfleet computers responded, "Ensign K'trall is in Holodeck 4 and Ensign Kahn is in the Ten-Forward lounge." Smiling, he strode out the door, making his way to toward 'Ten Forward'.

After a few stops along the way to ask directions, Mac arrived at 'Ten Forward' and quickly entered, stopping just inside the doors. Scanning the crowd, he quickly spotted Ensign Kahn and started toward the table where she sat next to one of the large viewing windows. He was stopped a few feet from the table when his communicator went off. "Ensign McKenzie" came an unfamiliar voice. "McKenzie here" he repeated, shaking his head, as he tapped his lapel. "Ensign, this is LT Blair, Could you meet me in Tactical Operations?" said the voice. "Yes, sir. On my way." stated Mac, cursing his luck as he turned on his heel and headed back out of Ten Forward. Mac arrived outside of TacOps a few minutes later. Smoothing his uniform, he entered the room.

Behind the operations console sat Lt. Blair. Mac had heard plenty about Blair while in the Academy, especially when one of Mac's unorthodox tactics caused the instructors to stop and scratch their collective heads muttering about similarities to Blairs' tactics. Stopping just short of the desk, Mac stood at attention and reported. "Ensign McKenzie, reporting as ordered. sir." Mac stood rigidly as Blair continued working for a few more seconds before standing and offering his hand. As Mac shook hands, Blair motioned to a chair. "Please have a seat, Ensign." he said as he returned to his own. "I've been looking over your Bio. Pretty impressive." he sa id matter-a-factly as he laid down the PADD he was studying "I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to welcome you yet. I hope you are settled in okay." Blair stated as he looked at Mac impassively. "Yes sir, I am. nothing to complain about." stated Mac hoarsely not sure how to respond. Blair leaned back in his chair, eyeing Mac uncomfortably, not saying anything. Taking a deep breath, Blair stood and walked around the desk stopping in front of Mac. "The 'Galaxy' is the best ship in the fleet and is expected to have the best crew. That is especially true of MY officers." he stopped. His eyes seeming to peer through Mac. "Is that understood, Ensign?" he asked. "Yes Sir. You can count on me, sir" repeated Mac, for lack of anything else to say. "Good" said Blair, "I've assigned you to a rotating shift, starting with Alpha shift in the morning. Look over the SOP and let me know if you have any questions. Okay?" said Blair with a smile. "Will do, Sir." Mac said as he stood and made his way to the door. "By the way" Blair called out before Mac opened the door. Stopping, Mac turned toward Blair, looking at the LT. quizzically. "Welcome to the 'Galaxy'." said Blair with a smile. "At last" said Mac, grinning as he exited the door.

"Do you believe in magic?"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price

Captain Price was relaxing in his ready room just after the Galaxy had left the transmission window above the archeological dig site where eight members we transported deep into the heart of the city. Five of them were Starfleet officers.

Sitting back in his chair and enjoying a Bajoran coffee with cream, extra sweet, Lee glanced over at the small portable holo-emitter that Ensign Thomas had left for him to evaluate. It contained the programmed image and mannerisms of General Robert E. Lee. One of the most famous Generals from the Civil war of what was once called "America". The young Ensign had made a mistake when he assumed the Captain was a Civil War buff. Having grown up with a name as long as Robert Edward Lee Price, or people calling him "The General" or "General Lee" since grade school, his name was something of a burden for him. The Captain preferred to be called "Lee Price" or simply, "Captain". It was his father that had to audacity to name him after a dead war hero. Lee swore if he ever had children, that he would never be that cruel.

Still, it was a clever piece of engineering and programming. Lee activated the emitter and once again the image of General Lee greeted the Captain, asking "Which way sir, to the battle field might I ask?"

The Captain smiled slightly, before deactivating the emitter, dissolving the hologram. Taking his coffee mug, and the emitter, Lee walks out of his ready room and onto the bridge.

Things looked normal as he sat down. "The newly weds", as everyone had started calling Deiran and Miran, were quietly talking at their consoles in the front section of the bridge. Quiet chit chat. Too quiet to hear from where the Captain was sitting. Looking at the emitter, Lee takes a sip of his coffee. There was normal activity going on at the science station. A young engineer, Ensign Samara was quietly working at the engineering station. She seemed intent on finishing her duties before her shift ended, as she was constantly glancing at the chronometer at her station. Captain Price smiled at her, just as the turbolift doors opened and Lieutenant Blair and the two new tactical officers, McKenzie and K'Trall stepped onto the bridge.

"G'day Captain." Lieutenant Blair greeted, not realizing that he was beginning to sound like the Captain with each passing day.

"G'day yourself 'mate. I see you have a couple of your new staff members with you. Time to get to the practical training is it?" the Captain said with a smile.

"That's right sir. I know both Ensign McKenzie and Ensign K'Trall are familiar with the tactical station from the Academy, but I wanted to be sure I showed them everything myself, just to be certain they are familiar with the Galaxy."

"Sounds like a bonzer idea 'mate. Carry on."

Captain Price turned back around and saw Casey and Ti still chatting and smiling. They looked very happy together. Taking another sip from his cup, Lee thought how great it was to have a nice, peaceful mission for a change. Little did he know that all hell was about to break loose.

**********

*** Sigma II, City Center ***

The team of eight crew members and archeologists had begun to get some relief from the stagnant air that occupied the central chambers. After realizing that this 'control room' contained sophisticated electronic equipment, the consoles began to power themselves up. Lieutenant Mitchell scrambled to realize that for some reason, communications with the rest of the landing party on the surface of the planet had been cut off. Likewise, the Galaxy was unreachable as well. The cool breeze washing over the Bajoran's face confirmed that besides these control panels, covered with ancient Egyptian writing, there appeared to be some sort of environmental filtering. Not something one expects to find in an ancient, ruined city, thousands of years old. Along with the build up of power, came a increase in room level illumination. Lieutenant Mitchell, Doctor Currie, Lieutenant Hutchcraft and the others began to get a real feel for the scope and size of this 'modern day' control center from thousands of years earlier than their own technology. Hutchcraft let out a whistle as he started looking around at the intricacies of the complex. And though they didn't think they were in any real danger, Lieutenant Commander Sterner and the other two security officers were going to be certain that the complex was secure.

********

*** Bridge, USS Galaxy ***

"So I told her that it looked fine on her and she should wear the two piece suit."

Deiran grinned at Miran. "So what did she say then? Did she take your advice?"

Ti smiled. "Well, she made a comment about how Delphinian much rather prefer swimming in the nude, and suggested that rather than her wearing a swim suit, *we* should not wear ours."

Deiran was almost in tears from the thought. He had to fight to keep from laughing out loud. "Ronni said that? Heh, we should make her stick to that. Would serve her right!"

Miran made a fist and punched Deiran in the arm.

"Yow! What was that for?" he said, rubbing his shoulder with the opposite hand.

"I better not catch you skinny dipping with ANY other woman. Terran, Delphinian, Vulcan or whatever!"

Lee couldn't help but laugh slightly at the two officers carrying on. He must of gotten their attention, as Ti and Casey both glanced back. They then realized that everyone was listening in on them. Miran smiled widely, but Deiran started to turn bright red with embarrassment. He had forgotten that anyone but Miran was there. She was so captivating...

Casey soon recovered when a warning light on his console began to beep.

"What is it 'mate?" The Captain asked as he placed his empty coffee mug down on the arm of his chair.

"Some kind of massive power build up at the city Captain. This is incredible sir. They have more power down there right now than we do! And it's building."

"Can you hail them Lieutenant Blair?" Lee asked, looking back at Troy and his two new crewmen at the tactical station.

Troy tapped a few controls. "No Captain, our low planetary orbit has taken us out of range. We will have to wait until our next orbit to reestablish contact."

Lee nodded at Troy when he finished while looking directly at him over his shoulder. "Very well. I suppose we just sit tight and wait until..."

The Captain never got to finish his sentence before he saw Lieutenant Troy Blair, the Galaxy's Chief Tactical officer, become enveloped in a rapid, expanding pulse of redish-pink energy. It started at the center, much like a transporter beam and rapidly expanded and enlarged, growing solid in color and no longer translucent. Only the outline of Troy's body could be seen as the blindingly bright energy field faded away, taking Lieutenant Blair with it.

"...what the. SHIELDS!" Captain Price practically screamed to Lieutenant Casey.

Deiran's hands blurred as he complied with the order. Pivoting, he says, "Shields are raised Captain, operating at 100%..."

With disbelief Deiran watched as Engineer Samara likewise disappeared in the exact same fashion as Blair had. Even with the shields raised! The pattern continued on the Bridge, and in other sections of the ship.

In Ten Forward, Liam Sketcher was pouring a drink when he was whisked away. In sickbay, Doctor Rousseau was restocking medical supplies into trauma kits when she disappeared. On the Holodeck, the crew members that were enjoying themselves were suddenly torn away from their recreation. On the lower decks, Colby Camaron Torwyn, the young eight year old recently adopted by Ensign Thomas, was playing 'Hide and Seek' with Counselor Salshyar who was using her Betazoid abilities to 'cheat' in finding the young boy (who likewise cheated). Just before she was about to surprise him by jumping in front of his hiding place, the energy beam caused him to disappear like all of the others. Stumped by her own mental certainty that Colby was there, Dev scratches her head before she too is whisked away by the energy beam.

And the story goes on.

One by one, crew member by crew member are subjected to the beam, and disappear. Captain Price watches in horror as Lieutenant's Casey and Ti look into each others eyes with a scared uncertainty of the unknown. McKenzie then K'Trall disappear. Then the security officer on the bridge. Miran quickly taps a few controls on the Galaxy's Helm console just when Deiran reaches for her hand. Their fingers barely touch when Deiran is ripped away by the beam.

"NO!" the Bajoran screams. Her eyes filled with tears. Just a moment later she is likewise taken.

"What in the name of God is going on here!" Captain Price demands of no one. He the only officer left on the bridge before he too is surrounded by the mysterious beam. He struggles to maintain his consciousness, but it is no use. Everything simply goes black as he and every living soul on board the great Starship are taken away, leaving the ship totally abandoned.

*********

*** Sigma II, excavation site ***

Commander Coe had just been communicating with Lieutenant Mitchell's team when there was suddenly an unexplained static on all frequencies, blocking transmissions.

"Lieutenant Mitchell. Lieutenant, come in. " JT repeated, but it was no use. Only a high pitched hiss would be returned to his hail.

Reaching over, the Commander tapped his comm badge a second time. He knew the Captain would want to know about this immediately. "Commander Coe to the USS Galaxy."

JT waited for a long moment then glanced at the sky. "Damn. They must be past the communication's window." He cursed. "That means we have about forty minutes until they are back in range again."

Looking around, the Commander thought of what, if anything, they could do to help Lieutenant Mitchell's team until that time.

"Ensign Boudreau, have you seen Lieutenant Morris around?"

Mélissa put down the small pick and archeological brush and brushed her hands together as she got up and walked to the Commander. "No sir. I think she and Ensign K'van went exploring the dig site. Why do you ask sir?"

"We've lost communications with Lieutenant Mitchell's team. I was hoping Ronni could take a look at the communicators and, I don't know, boost the signal or something. She's a Practical Sciences Officer."

"I see sir. Well, I am not a Practical Science Officer, but I do know a little about communications devices. May I give it a try?" Mélissa said with a smile.

JT nodded. Under other circumstances the Commander would have made an effort to be more sociable, but right now, he had a very bad feeling about all of this. A bad feeling and a lot of responsibility riding on his shoulders. "Certainly. Keep me informed of your progress. Let's give this top priority for now until the Galaxy comes around for another orbit in about forty minutes. Maybe then we can get some answers."

"Yes Sir." Ensign Boudreau responded before turning to get some tools. As she walked she wondered what *had* happened to her friendly Delphinian partner.

********

*** Sigma II, some hole some place ***

After accidentally loosing their footing and sliding into a rather deep, underground cavern, Lieutenant Morris and Ensign K'van exchanged a few witty remarks before the ranking Practical Science Officer decided it was time to get serious.

Ronni stood up and brushing herself off said, "Well, let's head that direction as best we can. I've set my tricorder to send out a radio pulse with a distress code. Anyone in the building who can pick up the radio waves should be able to find us too."

Unfortunately, Ronni was right, in the worst possible way. In the darkness, a presence stirred to life after more than a millennia of sleep.

"Look there." K'van said flatly in a Vulcan tone.

"I see it." Lieutenant Morris replied.

They both walked towards what appeared to be a giant three sided monolith. It stood a good two meters tall and appeared to be made out of solid granite. On what appeared to be the 'front' were more Egyptian inscriptions. A recessed portion of the stone surface looked almost like a control pad where one would key in commands.

"That's ridiculous." Ronni thought to herself. "They couldn't of had that kind of technology thousands of years ago."

While Lieutenant Morris was pondering over the front of the monolith, Ensign K'van walked around the other two sides. They were both perfectly smooth. Extracting a tricorder, the Ensign began recording the inscriptions on the surfaces of the monolith.

"Will you be able to translate those markings Ensign?" Ronni asked while K'van continued recording.

"Some of them. I will know more when we cross reference the ship's computer banks, however if I am not mistaken, these writings here are something of an instruction set."

"Really?" Ronni said in a surprised tone, "What does it say?"

"My interpretation could be inaccurate, but from what I recall, and I usually recall quite well..., I believe it says the following:

"Thy advice goes unheeded, mistake or spite? Adventurers at heart, seek the question then return to answer it right."

"Another riddle." Lieutenant Morris commented. "It seems this culture is based on riddles, puzzles and questions."

"And answers. There is also a certain Rhyming quality to the writing. One can conclude that they were also artistic."

Ronni stepped nearer to the monolith and reached out a hand to touch the granite surface. "I wonder what the rhyme is supposed to mean..."

Before K'van could stop her, the Delphinian had touched her hand to the monolith.

"Lieutenant don't touch that... panel."

A burst of redish-pink energy rapidly enveloped both officers as they faded away, leaving the cavern dark once again.

**********

*** Somewhere in the past ***

Captain Price slowly opened his eyes. He could see a vivid blue sky littered with white, puffy clouds that were moving with the wind. Lee blinked once before taking leave of his senses. He inhaled deeply, as one would when they first awoke from a restful nap. His nostrils stung as he took in the aroma of something he recognized from his youth. A burnt smell, sharp. The smell of black powder, like the type his father would use in his civil war reenactments. Sitting up, Lee noticed a giant monolith a few meters from his feet.

The Captain got up and stood. He looked around and could see they were in the middle of a great countryside. In the distance, plumes of smoke rose in the air along with the occasional sound of giant guns being fired. It was exactly like one of his father's reenactments of ancient wars. Near to the monolith, the Captain saw the bodies of a couple of his crewmen. Walking over, he could see that Doctor Rousseau was beginning to awaken. To her right, he recognized one of the new Tactical officers that had just come on board the Galaxy, Ensign K'Trall.

"Careful 'mate. You'll probably have a bit o' dizziness when you first try to stand up."

Jacqueline looked at Captain Price and shook her head. "What happened Captain? I was making up some replacement trauma kits..." she glanced down to her hands. They still held onto the partially stocked kit. "...when suddenly there was this bright beam of light."

"Not really sure." Lee said. He too was still holding the portable holo-emitter Ensign Thomas had given him. "We detected a power build up on Sigma II and then people just started disappearing on the Galaxy."

Lee suddenly realized that there could be a major problem. Reaching, he taps his comm badge. "Captain Price to USS Galaxy. Come in Galaxy.... Talk to me 'mates. Anyone?"

Lee tapped his badge again to deactivate it. The look of concern deeply etched onto his face.

"Are they out of range Captain?" The Doctor asked in a hopeful tone.

Lee shook his head. "I hope so Doctor. Because if everyone has been transported off the ship, it won't be too long before her orbit starts to decay."

Realizing the significance of that result, Jacqueline asks, "How long before that happens Captain?"

Lee shakes his head. "I don't even want to think about it. We were in a low planetary orbit. A few days maybe. Six days tops without altitude corrections. Then... fhisssssssstttttttttttt Kerbloom!" Lee made a motion with his finger showing the Galaxy burning up in an imaginary explosion upon reentry with the planet's lower atmosphere.

The Doctor turned her attention to Ensign K'Trall. "Are you all right Ensign?"

K'Trall shook his head slightly. "I'm fine. Where are we Captain?"

"Not really sure 'mate. But there appears to be some activity over that way." Lee points.

While the Captain and Ensign K'Trall are speaking, Doctor Rousseau begins scanning the monolith with her own tricorder.

"That sounds like a battle of some sort." K'Trall declares, his Klingon side coming to life at the thought of battle.

"Yes it does 'mate. We will take a closer look after we check out the monolith. What do you see Doctor?"

Jacqueline frowns as she closes her tricorder. "A big rock with carvings on it. No power source. There appear to be inscriptions on it."

"Yes Doctor, they match those found at the city." The Captain commented, then with a smile added, "I don't suppose you studied ancient Egyptian while you were in the Academy Doctor?"

"Afraid not. Latin was bad enough. I've recorded the symbols. The Tricorder does have some translation ability, but mine is a medical tricorder. So it doesn't have the full programs that some of the others would have for universal language translations."

"We will just have to make due Doctor. Come on, lets hike up that foot hill and see if we can discover what this battle is all about."

"Yes Sir!" Ensign K'Trall said with authority. Doctor Rousseau adjusted her things and began to follow the Captain and K'Trall up the gradual, rolling hillside.

" An Exploration! "
By Commander Coe

**** Sigma II Surface ****

It was fascinating! As Coe and the rest of the away team were escorted around the ancient city by Dr Currie, Coe took time to marvel at the inscriptons and buildings. Pondering the meanings of the Egyptian like writing and awestruck by the size and perfectness of the milleniums old buildings.

The group past under a column that had collapsed and emerged in a clearing area. Coe noted that even the tiles on which they walked were exquisitely decorated with intricate designs and interesting patterns.

In the clearing the group stopped. DR Currie began speaking to Coe.

" Commander, this area is big enough, and is the only suitable space for the residences and communication complexes. While your team begins construction, myself and the rest of the archaeologists, are eager to continue our work and Im sure your science team are also eager to learn more about this glorious planet!" Coe smiled and nodded.

"Im sure they are." Coe turned around to address the group of officers who were engaged in excited conversation. " Okay everyone, listen up." The conversation died quickly and Coe continued.

" Engineering, this is where the complexes will be established. Ops, your in charge of the technical details. Making the power work etc. The Science team and all other personnel are to begin scans of the area. Lets help Dr Currie and her team by mapping out this site and placing our tricorder readings into the computer. Regular report ins are to be made with me to inform myself of progress made. Re-assemble back here at... 19:00 hours. Dismissed."

The group broke up and headed their separate ways. Coe headed over to the temporary command tent which was situated on the edge of the clearing. The area seemed to be the only open space on the site. Huge walls scaled the sides of the clearing. Blocking sunlight and keeping the temperatures cool.

Coe ducked his head as he slipped under the low curtain that was the entry to the tent. No one else was inside and only a small wooden desk and a few microscopes could be seen in the room. One thing caught Coe's attention. A small holographic device was situated in the corner on a bookshelf. Coe picked it up and examined it closely. The inscription on the bottom read:

STARFLEET ARCHEALOGICAL SOCIETY............

Coe placed it on the wooden desk and switched it on. Almost instantly a large rush of green light erupted from a tiny hole on the tip of the device and sharpened to form a triangular shape. Coe realized what he was looking at instantly. A changed the view before switching it of and placing it back on the bookshelf and moved around the desk. Sitting in the uncomfortable chair that was provided. He activated the laptop and established a link with the galaxy. Captain Price's face filled the small screen of the desktop terminal.

" Commander! Your report." General Lee got right to the point. Well enough, Coe noted. As the galaxy would pass over the window in 3 minutes.

" Captain. The engineering teams have begun developing of the complexes that are to be built. The science teams are, as we speak, scanning the area and probing for information on this site. "

" Very well Commander. We will speak again in 40 minutes. Galaxy out." The captains face was replaced by the starfleet emblem. Coe stood from the chair and walked out of the tent into the warm humid air. On his way to inspect the building site.

**** 40 mins later ****

After inspecting and supervising the construction for the last 40 minutes, Coe was now sweating and had returned to the command tent to report in with the Captain. Coe rounded a corner and came into view of the command tent. Outside, he saw Lt Mitchell deep in conversation with Dr Currie. Coe quickly got a drink and approached the grou

p. As soon as he was noticed, Lt Mitchell began to outline his plan with Coe. A select group of 8 would beam into the centre of the city. Saving months of tiring excavating.

**** 20 mins later ****

"You be careful in there people." JT said as he backed well clear of the beamout area. "Lieutenant Mitchell is in charge of the mission unless 'Commander Sterner deems the situation too dangerous. I want you all back in one piece you hear me?" Coe finished his sentenced turned casually to face the away group head on, nodded his head and began to walk away as the group dematerialized into thin air.

"Exploring"
by Lieutenant Commander Joerg Sterner
Chief of Security, USS Galaxy

After the away team had been beamed into the 'heart' of the city, as Dr. Currie had called it, Joerg and his security officers had to make sure the whole place was safe for a close inspection for the scientists.

While the rest of the team was busily discussion their current situation and the possible discoveries they'll make, Joerg spoke with his men.

"Ok, listen everyone. The first objective here is to analyse the complex to find and eliminate possible threats. This may include any kind of trap that is hidden somewhere in the walls. This should be the most important part of our job here. The second thing we should do is to map the whole complex. While we'll use our tricorders to search for hidden things, we'll also have the data to provide a detailed map for our scientists." he explained the situation to Enquist and Kolra.

They both nodded to him in acknowledgment and all three of them took out their tricorders and started to scan the surrounding area. The lamps that were attached to their right hand showed them the way, while they were holding the tricorder in the left hand checking for unusual readings. They all stayed together to collect as much data as possible.

However as hard as they tried, they were not able to find any hidden trap and surprise of any kind. 'Looks like whoever built this thing thought this to be so secure that no kind of protection was necessary' Joerg thought while scanning the surrounding area.

While the three of them walked on from chamber to chamber, still scanning all the time, Joerg started to feel deep respect for the creators of those chambers. According to the Information Dr. Currie gave them, this whole city was built very, very long ago.

While he was still thinking about how old the structure could be, suddenly the stale air started to be cleaned by some hidden mechanism. Some moments later Joerg's comm badge came to life.

[Mitchell to Sterner. Can you hear me?]

"Sterner here." he replied, uncertain why he shouldn't hear him.

[Communications with the dig site and the Galaxy are out, Commander. At least inter-team transmissions still work. What have you found out?]

"We have scanned and analysed several chambers. It seems that whoever built this thing didn't care much for security measures." he said, with a bitter smile on his face.

[Hmm....you've been through several chambers already? How big is this place?]

Thinking that the Lieutenant didn't really expect an answer on his last question, Joerg continued with his report. "On the other hand, we have detected several other chambers with much technical equipment, but haven't found out their use yet."

[Don't touch any of the equipment Commander!] he said with a serious tone in his voice.

[We don't know yet what all those panels are for.]

"Ok, we'll continue with our search."

[Keep me informed. Mitchell out.]

"Aye, Lt. Sterner out." he just replied.

After that he turned to his men again and they continued with their work.

After a very long walk and countless chambers later, Joerg and his team returned to the point, where they all started. The rest of the away team was busily studying the panels and hieroglyphs. Joerg spotted Lieutenant Mitchell and report back to him.

"Everything we found out is in these tricorders Lieutenant." he said and handed him the three devices.

"I assume you found nothing of any immediate danger to us?" Mitchell asked.

"No, at least if there is something somewhere in one of those chambers, it must be very well hidden, somewhere in the hieroglyphs or something like that. The tricorders were not able to detect any such threat." he concluded his report.

"Very well Commander. And thanks for the data you collected about the complex, this is some valuable data for us to evaluate." Mitchell said, smiling friendly at Joerg.

After that Joerg and his men started to take a closer look at the panels and the inscriptions.

"Spring Air? More like a Manure Farm"
by Lieutenant Andrew Hutchcraft

First opinions almost always go straight to either extreme. Whether it be the positive extreme, or the negative, is the pick of the draw. For Hutchcraft, he's new mission was certainly the latter of the two.

So what *if* he was the Chief Engineer - what did *that* matter! It still didn't mean he'd have to endure the new horror he was facing.

"Jesus christ, man, you guys really know how to find a smell, don't you ..." Hutchcraft blared out, trying to get the Professor and the Engineer back on their feet "... you could have at least stayed up ... I have a nose to cover, y'know ..."

Hutchcraft slapped his face in order to stay awake, the consuming odour playing tricks on his eyes and ears. He could barely sense anything, just to putrid smell that had encompassed him.

"Everyone over here. Lets not get separated! We have no idea what kind of surprises this civilization have left us. If they truly are related to the ancient Egyptians of Earth, then they would have traps set in the case of graverobbers or thieves." came a yell from behind. Hutchcraft turned around to see Lieutenant Mitchell, the Chief Science Officer. Getting Hallmark and Fitzpatrick on their feet, Hutchcraft made his way towards the Half-Bajoran.

As they did, Fitzpatrick once again was overcome by the odour. "C'mon, Engineer, stop doing this ..." Hutchcraft muttered as he approached the civilian. As he did, Doctor Currie motioned towards the two.

"Let me help, Lieutenant" the elderly, yet fairly attractive doctor called as she helped Fitzpatrick on his feet.

Hutchcraft smirked "He usually like this, Doctor?"

"Not always, but sometimes. It certainly isn't a walk in a fresh spring, is it?" Currie replied to the Engineer's comment. Hutchcraft nodded, smiling, as he struggled to keep Fitzpatrick up. He almost didn't hear Mitchell call out his orders.

"... Lt. Hutchcraft, you stay with Hallmark and Fitzpatrick. Doctor Currie, you're with me. Lets have a looksee around us." Hutchcraft nodded to Mitchell, as the Doctor and the Scientist began to make their way out. The Doctor left Fitzpatrick in Hutchcraft's hands, with Professor Hallmark coming into help straight after.

Hallmark looked like he could go down as well, but stayed up simply because there was too much fascinating things around him "Y'know, Lieutenant, this control room is a real find, who knows what we will discover ..."

"I'm hoping we'll discover some ancient air-freshener myself ... god damnit I bet it's really pleasant in the other rooms ..." Hutchcraft grumbled, placing Fitzpatrick on a wall. "... and what was that about booby traps?"

Hallmark smiled "Not a historian are you, Mister Hutchcraft"

"You could say that, Professor ... though this culture had some interesting lil doodles ..." Andrew pointed to some symbols on the sandstone wall that Fitzpatrick was resting on.

"Not just symbols, Lieutenant, a language in itself." Hallmark proudly noted, with the Chief Engineer not particularly noting down what the professor was saying.

The smell was now something Andrew was getting used to. Fitzpatrick was still dizzy with sickness, but had slumped on one of the interesting looking consoles in the control room.

"What do you make of all this, then, Lieutenant?" Hallmark noted as he looked to the console. "Fascinating, don't you think?"

"I'd rather see a Starfleet console ..." Hutchcraft replied, as he looked over at the console. It was like nothing he had seen before. He dared not tap at the console for fear of what might happen. For all he knew, a touch of a button could crumble the room around them. "... but I agree, it is ... interesting, I suppose"

Hallmark hrmphed at the reply, and went to study some of the other consoles. Hutchcraft simply waited around, looking at the pretty symbols on the ways. Not exactly revolutionary, but attractive in a nice sort of way. A nice, but simple, decorative addition to the room. Unlike the smell.

Fortunetly, the smell did not last. The room was gripped in a sudden blast of light, the temperature cooled and what was once a foul, dense, choking ordour was now a fresh one.

"Looks like you got your wish" muttered Fitzpatrick, feeling slightly better and ready to move about. He got up from where he was resting ...

Hutchcraft looked to Hallmark "Did you touch something?"

"No ..." Hallmark replied, looking even more fascinated with what was going on "... but once again I think we should keep well alone from these consoles, for whoever made these ruins may cast their wrath upon us"

"Agreed" replied Hutchcraft, despite the old man's jibberish, and Fitzpatrick nodded at the suggestion also. As he did, the team made their way, cautiously, to the position held by Mitchell and Currie. The area was totally fascinating, the simples and inscriptions becoming more readable and the colours shining beautifully.

Mitchell yelled as the group entered their position "Andrew, come over here! What do you make of this?" Lt. Hutchcraft strolled over. He like everyone else, was completely awestruck by their predicament.

It was a huge sight. A greener warp-core like object stood within four pillars of sandstone. Hutchcraft stared into the green glow, still trying to make it out.

Mitchell looked at the shocked Engineer. He knew that Hutchcraft was rarely enthralled with anything that was not either musical or original. The beautiful object in front of them could be described as both.

"Hutchcraft?" Mitchell repeated, looking at the Engineer.

Hutchcraft suddenly turned to Mitchell "oh ... sorry ... erm, yeah ... wow, it's incredible ...."

"Care to be more scientific?" Mitchell replied.

Hutchcraft was almost lost for words "It's scientifically incredible ..."

Mitchell laughed, but it was incredible, in so many ways. He shared the Chief Engineers awe, and if it wasn't for the current predicament of the party, he would be overjoyed at the discovery. But being stuck, isolated from the rest of the crew, was not a situation that inspired celebration.

"This must be the power-source, obviously ..." further commented Hutchcraft, smiling sweetly at the sight "Think I could take it home as a souvenir, Mitchell?"

"Why don't you ask the Doctor ..." Mitchell smirked back.

Doctor Currie frowned at both gentlemen, before putting her own two cents into the discussion "More than just a power source, this is probably one of the greatest scientific finds since ...."

"Since never, Doctor" finished Hutchcraft. He wanted to touch the glowing object, but dared not. He just stood there frozen. "Where's Lt. Commander Sterner, he has to see this ..."

"Sterner is gathering information elsewhere in the complex, but he'll be back here ..." Mitchell replied

Hutchcraft nodded "What have you got on this thing?"

"I can't get much on it, I was hoping you could give me an evaluation..." Mitchell replied, looking on at the readouts his tri-corder was making.

Hutchcraft, still in awe, found it difficult to sum anything into words "What do you want me to say about it? Your the scientist"

"Your supposed to understand power-sources like this ..."

"Mitchell, this is more than just a power-source. This is a work of art, a massive historical find ... and your trying to get my professional opinion? Okay, it could probably do more than just this lil area ..."

"Such as?"

"Don't do that ..."

"Do what?"

"That such as stuff ... I can't give you anymore information without looking deeper into what makes this baby tick ... I suggest we take a deeper look at these console, maybe open one up ..." Hutchcraft finally gave Mitchell something worth going on, and Mitchell nodded.

"That would be an unwise thing to do, Lieutenant" Hallmark criticized.

Hutchcraft noted the old-man's comment "Do you want to find something out about this place Hallmark? Then let me do my job, thank you"

The Professor hrmphed, and walked off in another direction.

Hutchraft peered arounn the area. With Fitzpatrick by his side, he became to investigate the electronic console nearest to the 'warp-core', whilst the others continued with their studies.

James Donovan - Captain Riel Elitia - Renta-Villian Manager
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Dimension/7963/rentavillian.html
Lt Hutchcraft, Chief Engineer, USS Galaxy FSG Email Division Newsletter Editor

First Time
By: Ensign Mélissa Marie Boudreau

Mélissa woke up to a plain day, same as any other... or so she thought at first. She was a little tired from her holodeck activities the night before. Eventually she reported for Alpha shift duty in engineering. Repairs were almost complete all over the ship. Finally, it was time to report to the transporter room for her very first away mission.

She was rather nervous about going on an alien planet for the first time. She had been to Mars once of course but that was far from being alien to her. It was still close to home. Mélissa tried to plan for every possibility as she was preparing her pack. Her extra engineering tools and a little food to snack on.

As she entered the transporter room, she was very nervous. She saw all the other people assigned to this particular team. Ensign Hewson seemed to be leading a good laugh.

"What's so funny boys?" She said as she placed her equipment on the transporter.

"Oh, I was just telling Streb a story from my Academy days, Mélissa. How are you doing?"

"Couldn't be better. I'm just really anxious to get down there!" Her voice was full of excitement, with a slight hint of nervousness.

"I guess this is your first away mission. Don't worry, you'll do fine. Besides, I'll be there to watch out for you." A big grin formed on his face as he awaited her response.

"Oh that makes me feel ssooo much better. Don't worry about me Mr. Hewson, I can take care of myself."

"Just remember, Ms. Boudreau, big girls don't cry." They exchanged smiles.

A few minutes later, they beamed down just before Ensign Mercury could reach them. Mélissa giggled to herself. He would just have to catch the next transport. After a few introductions, she set up some of her equipment. The planet was very pretty. Nearby there were large walls surrounding some kind of city.

Civil engineering wasn't her best area. Neither was mechanical to tell the truth. Mélissa had always preferred electrical and computer engineering. Building facilities required all these disciplines and more. After a long day of work, bringing back things she had learned a few years before and almost forgotten, she returned to the ship.

Mélissa returned to her quarters. After all, she had a first date to prepare for.

"First Date"
Ensign Mercury Ensign Boudreau

**************About 1700 in Ensign Mercury's Quarters*****

"Remember what the Counselor said, "just relax, think positively, and be yourself," David says to himself as he gets ready for his date. A smile has been plastered to his face ever since Melis

sa said yes. "Oh I almost forgot, Computer a bouquet of roses, three red, two pink and one white. My mom always used to say, it never hurts to impress a woman on the first date." David adjusted his shirt and looked in the mirror to make sure everything was perfect, and suddenly his facial expression turned to depression. On the outside David looks as ordinary as the next, but for the first time since boarding the ship he felt out of place, different. "What am I thinking who would be interested in a man that is half machine. STAY POSITIVE! Just remember what the Counselor said. O.K. I'm ready, I'm relax and I am going to go and have a good time with a beautiful woman."

In her quarters, Melissa was almost done getting ready. She had butterflies in her stomach. "Why am I doing this to myself?? I hate first dates." She tried to reassure herself. From what she remembered David was a very nice person. She added the last touch to her outfit: a pair of small, real sapphire earrings.

David left his quarters at 1645, he had been pacing in his room for about an hour, too nervous to do anything. While he waited for the turbolift to arrive, Lieutenant HutchCraft walked by.

"Evening Ensign," Hutch said as he passed. Hutch noticed the bouquet that David was holding. "Good luck tonight!" Hutch said with a smile.

"Thanks sir, see you tomorrow."

************Ten Forward (1655)**************

David walked into the surprisingly empty Ten Forward. He found a nice table looking out at Sigma II. The planet seemed very peaceful from up here. He hears the doors open and he turns to look at who walked in. It was Ensign Boudreau wearing a light blue dress that fell losely down to her knees. She looked radiant. David stood up to let her know where he was. She spotted him by the window and smiled back. As she got closer she noticed the flowers that David was holding. Those are beautiful she thought, when was the last time someone gave me flowers.

"You look beautiful tonight, here these are for you Melissa," David said as he handed her the flowers and pull her chair out from under the table.

"Thank you, these are beautiful, and I must say you like very handsome yourself," Melissa seemed almost overwhelmed by all the attention David was showing her. "The flowers are so beautiful, you really didn't have to."

"My pleasure, So are you glad that these last couple of days are finally over, you have been very busy." David walked back to his seat and sat down. "Yeah, Hutch had me running all over the place, with all the repairs, then there was the planet today, and then I had to go see the Counselor to take that test, I hate tests!"

"I know what you mean, the Lieutenant assigned me to work with Chiron on the Warp Core. It was pretty tedious. I guess I'm glad the work on Sigma II is a little different. Would you like some Aldorian ale to help you relax a little bit?"

"That sounds great, would you care to have some home cooking for dinner. My mother makes a great Tourtiere. It's French Canadian. I have it programmed into the replicators."

"Sounds... interesting." The bartender came over and took the order. Then David started to engage Melissa in a little small talk. "So, tell me about yourself."

"Oh, well... there's not much to say, really." Melissa always had a little trouble talking about herself. "I had always lived in Quebec City until I went to the Academy. Since then, everyday brings something new. This is the farthest I've ever been away from Earth." She tried to redirect the topic, "So why did you become an engineer?"

After dinner, David and Melissa continued to talk for a couple of hours. The atmosphere seemed very comfortable, they both were enjoying each other's company.

"I hate to cut the evening short but I have to go on duty soon," David said.

"No problem, I understand, I need to get some rest before my I have to go back to the planet anyway," replied Melissa.

"Would you mind if I walked you back to your quarters?"

"I would like that," Melissa said as a smile came across her face.

*****************Ensign Boudreau's Quarters******************

"David, I had a wonderful night, I was hoping that we could do this again sometime... soon. :)"

"I would love to, have a good night Melissa I will speak to you later," David said as he leaned over and kissed her on the check.

"Good night David," Melissa replied blushing a little bit.

Amélie Aka: Ensign Mélissa Marie Boudreau
Engineering Officer USS Galaxy NCC-70637

Return to the Planet
By: Ensign Mélissa Marie Boudreau

Mélissa walked to the transporter room, excited to be returning to the planet. She loved her work and this was just another interesting way to do it. And the archeology that went with was pretty interesting as well.

Once she was on the planet with everyone else, she got straight to work. About half way through the day, as she was uncovering some stone, Commander Coe approached. She still didn't know him very well.

"Ensign Boudreau, have you seen Lieutenant Morris around?"

Mélissa put down the small pick and archeological brush and brushed her hands together as she got up and walked to the Commander. "No sir. I think she and Ensign K'van went exploring the dig site. Why do you ask sir?"

"We've lost communications with Lieutenant Mitchell's team. I was hoping Ronni could take a look at the communicators and, I don't know, boost the signal or something. She's a Practical Sciences Officer."

"I see sir. Well, I am not a Practical Science Officer, but I do know a little about communications devices. May I give it a try?" Mélissa said with a smile.

He looked very serious. "Certainly. Keep me informed of your progress. Let's give this top priority for now until the Galaxy comes around for another orbit in about forty minutes. Maybe then we can get some answers."

"Yes Sir." Ensign Boudreau responded before turning to get some tools. As she walked she wondered what *had* happened to her friendly Delphinian partner.

She took off her communicator and took it apart. She had always wanted to do that. Mélissa wondered where the other engineers were. Perhaps they had some ideas to help her. She gathered some of the the small extra tools she had brought down and got to work.

Chiron was just relaxing in Ten-Forward, sipping the remains of his second Sunset Drink. He looked at the planet, and the starfield beyond. His gaze wandered to a small, seemingly insignificant star. Chiron always seemed to be able to find his home star, no matter where he went, so he never really felt alone.

The Tamarian sipped at his drink a bit more, then stood up, slowly. Emanating from a point on the planet was a bright pink-orange light. It seemed to get larger and larger as is approached the ship. Suddenly, everything in Ten-Forward seemed ensconsed in the light.

He swung around. People were disappearing one-by-one. Chiron opened his mind. 200 people were left.... no.... 125.... now 50.... now 3... 2.... alone... FLASH!

***A Rolling Green Hillside***

Chiron sat up on the ground, and looked around. He could sense three other crew members nearby, and set out to find them. They had a better chance facing their situation together than apart.

[ The Schizoid Man ]

Counselor Salshyar felt two hands on her shoulders, she was being shaken. Her eyes flew open, she was startled. "What happened," she asked as she looked around.

Colby was staring into her face. "I don't know, but I don't like it." He pulled Dev to her feet and they looked around.

"I was just about to find you, and then, you weren't there." Devlynn said. "Where are we?!" She was confused. Colby began to get frightened.

"I don't know, but I we're not on the Galaxy anymore." He shuddered.

Suddenly Dev sensed a presence behind her. "Hey there!" Called the voice. She spun around, not knowing what to expect. It was Chris, in full uniform (Dev was off duty and so was dressed in casual wear). Colby and Dev smiled. This was reassuring.

"What happened?" They asked together. None of them knew. Chris related the tale of the officers disappearing on the ship. But he had no more information than that.

Devlynn looked toward the sky. "Well," she said, "I don't know where we are, but I do know that if we don't move, we'll be wet." She smiled slightly. "There is a town this way." She pointed west. "It shouldn't be too long a walk."

Chris didn't understand how she knew that, as first, until he remembered her abilities.

By the time they arrived at the small town the weather had cleared somewhat, it seemed the weather had decided to pass over them. They walked into town, being greeted by strange glances and hushed comments. The town was unlike anything that exsisted inthe 24th century. It was more likely drawn out of a story book.

Devlynn listened intently to the peoples thoughts. They were very easy to read. "They are afraid about something, not of us, I don't think, but there is apprehension in their ways." She paused, "you uniform causes them grief."

Chris hadn't considered it before. "Computer, arch." He said to the air.

Nothing happened in reponse to Chris' command. "Chris, I don't think that this is the holodeck. I don't know what it is, but these people are REAL..."

As they continued to stride through town, they came upon a large building, painted white and marked with bright symbols. On the top of the building, carved into a sign, was the name of the building. "Salem Courthouse" it read. Chris and Devlynn stood agape for long moments.

Devlynn turned on her heal. She approached one of the larger men in the sqaure. Chances are men would safer to approach than women. "What year is it, kind stranger." She asked.

"It is the Sixteen Hundredth Ninety Second year of our Lord." He said. "Why dost thou ask this of me, my lady?"

Devlynn thought quickly and thanked heaven for her improv lessons in highschool. "I and my companions have travelled far, and long days ago we lost track of the tides." She smiled inwardly, he soaked up the whole thing.

"Good lady, do come in and share mine hospitality with my family. Though, for such long travel as you do speak, you look well-weathered."

"Thank you my good man, we would be most happy to ablidge you, but wehave business to do. We thank you for the offer and may collect should it still stand." This was her dream, she was acting, but for a real live audience.

The large man nodded and turned back to his cart. She quickly crossed the square and stood beside Chris. "We've got a problem," she began. "Are you familiar with Earth history?" She asked.

"Some, but not this town."

"This is Salem, 1692. The year of the Witch Hunts." She said. Chris turned to face her. She could read his thoughts. "Yes, you're right. We stick out here. We need to get better clothes." They slipped from sight in to the bushed surrounding the sqaure, they needed a plan. A good one.

"Where do you suppose the others are?" He asked. Devlynn had forgotten Chris' mention of the other disappearing officers. She was worried.

NRPG: Should anyone else think that Salem, during the witch trials is an AWESOME part of history, you are welcome to join myself and Ensign Thomas. Just don't call me Counselor, I don't want to get burned!!

Lt. Devlynn Salshyar (Dev)
Chief Counselor, USS Galaxy - NCC-70637

"Pour Me One More?"
By Ensign Alan Hewson

History is recorded in many forms, be it the rings of a tree, data entered on a PADD, or in the soil. In this case, it was in the form of the remains of an ancient civilization whose kingdom and people and long since turned to dust. The structures that these ancient people had built still remained, and they surrounded Ensign Alan Hewson everywhere he turned, a circumstance he did not at all enjoy.

He had never found history to be of any use to him, except to learn from the many mistakes that is forefathers committed. If the universe was created with a "big boom" or placed here by a god was of no concern to him. All he knew was that he had to finish installing the power grid for the new buildings before he could beam back up to the ship.

The EPS conduits had been replaced earlier on by Lt. Casey, which saved Alan a few hours of work. But every time he turned the main generator on, all the back-up generators would go off-line and visa versa. All the systems checked out, but they just wouldn't all work at once. It was almost as if something was preventing them from operating properly.

After hours of work on a project that should have only taken about one or two, he finally got all the generators to stay on-line at the same time. The efficiency of the system had dropped 10% with all the re-routing of power through the modifications that Alan had made, but at least it was all working. He beamed back up to the Galaxy right before the window was about to close.

*******Ten-Forward (18:47) *******

After taking a nap for a few hours, Alan headed down to Ten-Forward to have a few drinks. He had gotten to know the Bartender, Liam Sketcher, since he frequently visited Ten-Forward. About a third of Alan's collection of drinks had been moved down to Ten-Forward for convenience. Of course these drinks weren't distributed without Alan's permission.

A quick scan of the lounge revealed that it was down on its usual attendance. He spotted Ensign Boudreau and Ensign Mercury from engineering having dinner at a table near the large window that covered an entire wall. He started towards them when he noticed a bouquet of roses resting on the table next to Mèlissa. They were talking to each other, and David took a quick glance at him. Alan gave him an encouraging wink, and turned and headed for the bar.

He was glad to see Ensign Mercury having a good time. David seemed very shy to Alan, especially when it came to talking to a woman.

"Mr. Hewson, how's it going on the planet?" Liam asked as Alan sat down on the fifth stool from the right, his usual seat.

"Well, Liam, to be honest it is really boring down there. It is to me anyway. I've never been interested in hieroglyphics or archeology or stuff like that. I spent my whole day working on a power grid that just wouldn't do what I wanted. But that's behind me now, pour me a glass of Abarion Wine would you?" As Liam put the glass on the counter, Mèlissa and David got up and walked out together.

"It's good to see those two on a date, don't you think?" Liam asked as Alan picked up the now full glass of wine.

"Yeah, it is. I'm sure it's good for both of them. They're pretty young, and it's always good to have company on your first ship assignment. Hey, why is it so empty in here?"

"I don't really know. I guess people just have a lot to do because of all the work going on down on the planet. You want me to fill that glass again?"

"Yeah, I guess so." Alan looked down at the counter as Liam began to pour more wine into the glass. Suddenly, a bright flash appeared and Alan heard the bottle shatter as it hit the floor.

"What the heck? Liam, what are you…" Alan was cut off in mid-sentence as he too was consumed by a bright flash.

Owen B. = TheFly@why.net

Ensign Mercury
"Back to Sigma II"

David had just left from Melissa's quarters, he was in a great mood. "I think that went well," David thought as he walked down the corridor to the turbolift. "Main Engineering"

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

David was due back at the surface when his shift was over. For the first time since the Co-Op, Engineering seemed almost normal. Everyone was performing regular duties and nobody was out repairing anything. David took this time to prepare himself for what lies ahead on the planet. He reviewed his PADD on Egyptian culture and started making some notes of his own. He was so engulfed that time just seemed to fly by. Before he knew it his shift was over. He noticed the Alpha shift starting to report for duty. He then realized that he had to get down to the planet before the window passes again. David walked over to the storage room next to the Warp Core. He found the tools he need and loaded them up in a small engineering tool kit. David then proceeded to the transporter room, he was not going to miss opportunity to beam down to the planet again.

****************** Sigma II *************************

"Commander, Ensign Mercury reporting for duty," David said as he scoped the planets surface.

"Ensign, I know you were already down on the planet before with Hutch, did you have any communication problems then?" JT replied.

"No sir, may I ask why?"

"It appears that we have lost contact with Galaxy."

"I just beamed down no more then fifteen minutes ago, how is that possible."

"I am not sure, I have assigned Ensign Boudreau to the problem, I was hoping that maybe you can help with the team struggling to figure out the first riddle we discovered." Jt said as he pointed towards the team huddle around a slap of rock.

"Yes sir"

"Considering that we lost contact with Galaxy I want everyone reporting in every hour just to be safe."

"Yes sir, I will spread the word."

*************************************
Ensign Mercury Dan Josephs

Away....
by Ensign Jurelle Tash.

Jurelle had been stunned that the captain had chosen her to accompany the away team down to the planets surface. She had made sure she had a full med kit and her tricorder was in full working order. Then she was down on the surface of the planet with Commander Coe, Counsellor Dev and the rest of the away team. Being really an engineering away team there wasn't a lot for Jurelle to do. She appreciated being on the planets surface getting fresh air though. It had been many months since she'd had the chance to breathe non-filtered air. She walked around making attentive noises about the architecture and egyptian writing but essentially she was bored. Jurelle had never had a lot of interest in egyptian writing or building so she felt pretty useless. Then it was time to go back to the Galaxy and let the engineers get on with their work.

Jurelle made it back to the ship just in time, nearly missing the window and having to spend another forty minutes on the planet. She couldn't quite shake the uneasy feeling of being out of contact with the ship for such a long period. She stepped off the transporter pad with a sigh of relief and wandered back to her quarters to change.

A short while later she was off to the holodeck to meet Ensigns Harris and Mulich, for what she wasn't sure. She walked into the holodeck to find herself in the greenest of green fields with a huge picnic table set up under a tree. A quaint little farmhouse or maybe it was a stable was over to one side. Jurelle thought she even saw sheep grazing on a hill off to the left. She saw Harris and Mulich she supposed and walked over to join them.

Ensign Jurelle Tash, Medical officer, USS Galaxy.

"Chicken of the Sea - Part 1"
by Lt. Ronni Morris
Asst. Chief of Science, USS Galaxy

Ronni clutched her tool bag as she plunged toward the water. Twisting around, she hit the water feet first. For safety reasons, she stayed under the water looking around. Where was she? How did she get here? Last thing she remembered was touching the Monolith. Ensign K'van was nowhere nearby. A quick search proved he wasn't in the vicinity.

The water was blue and warm. Very warm. The water was saltty and clean. It felt like home. Except for the yellow, not red, sun up above. She pulled some of the seaweed away from her her face, but it was tangled in there. Swimming to the surface, she decided to remove her uniform and put it in her bag. The bag was water tight, to protect her tools, and it was too had to swim with the uniform on. At the surface, she could see some land about 8 km. to the South. Putting the bag over her shoulder, she dove under the water and started swimming toward land.

About a kilometer from land, she spied a small boat, almost medival in it's design. Earth, 900 B.C. she would have to guess from the design. Earth. Why Earth? She swam toward the boat. There were five men on the boat. The older man, at the bow, was apparently the Captain. As she approached, she called out, "Hello! Hello there. Do you know what land mass that is?"

The old man nearly fell off of his boat. The other four men turned toward her and were yelling at her and each other. Ronni didn't inderstand a word of it. He comm badge with the universal translator fell off when they fell into the Pyramid. One of the young men looked at her swimming there and he got a look that Ronni recognized. He dove off the boat and swam hungrily toward her. With a quick flip, she dove under water and continued her swim toward shore.

Shortly, she reached the rocks just off the shore. She climbed up there and opened her bag. Prying off the case of her PADD, she quickly re-programmed, and re-wired from parts in her bag, the PADD, into a device she could wear around her wrist that would act like a universal translator.

A pair of fishing boats came around the bend of the coastline and saw the beautiful, naked, woman with blue skin and seaweed in her hair. Both ships steered right toward her. She called out, "Stay back!! Your ships will crash on the rocks!" But they didn't pay any attention, and sure enough, both ships crashed on the rocks. Ronni dived in and saved six of the sailors, but at least four more drown before she could get to them. Im the process, she lost her bag.

One of the sailors yelled, "Viens la! Vien la! Je te veux, fille de la mer! Donne-moi la bendiction de Neptune!!" Ronni tapped the self made translator to get the translation, but she didn't need the translator to know what he said. She quickly turned and ran inland.

"Tough Decisions"
by Ensign Thomas

*** Salem, MA 1692 ***

Chris was changing out of his uniform into something less eye catching, as he changed he began to slip into the role of an inflantator or a spy. Though he knew little about the time other than what Dev had told him, his instincts and training kicked into high gear. They were for all intense and purposes trapped in Salem Massachusetts in the year 1692, almost 700 hundred years in the past. They had to find a way home if one could be found, not exactly how he planned on spending his time, or having dinner with the counselor.

The last he had remembered before appearing was heading for the transporter room to beam down to the surface. He still had his comm badge (useless at the moment). a tricorder, the new AHEv1.2 and his type I personal phaser. Which at least gave them some tools to work with, though they'd have to be extremely careful about using them. He placed them into pockets and made sure they were will hidden before stepping out to join Dev and Colby. He knew that with the tricorder and sometime he could adjust some minor details about the holo subject that he had generated. Though using the AHEv1.2 was an choose that they could use if they need the help, but first the clothes on the AHEv1.2 would have to be changed first.

Chris walked out to join Dev and Colby after having stored his uniform in a satchel. They had another problem that he just realized and that was money. They were going to need some, because according to what he knew about these times in Earth's history money was needed. He had one item that he could likely sell if and when they needed money, but only if they had too. Even with this problem was small compared to the need for answers and they would have to arrive at them as fast as they could, or something unfortunate might happen.

"Dev we need to talk in private and a walk should do us some good." Chris said, taking Colby's hand.

"Of course," Dev answered, then turned to the man that had helped them out, "thank you for your hospitality." They had nothing to offer except their thanks.

*** A short distance outside of town ***

They stopped and set down on the grass, so they could comfortable talk. Chris had consider all the implications of what he was about to propose and its effect. He could see no other choice at the present time.

"Dev we do have some problems besides being stuck in the past. We don't know how real this is in terms of the space/time continuum and then we have the question of what happened to the others onboard the Galaxy." he paused for a moment considering his next words carefully, "Dev we do have some minor things at all disposal, a tricorder, type I phaser and a AHEv1.2, but all have limited usage do to the lack of a recharge source for them in this time period." He stopped for a moment to allow her to respond.

"This is true, but not surprising." Dev said, she could tell he wasn't done with his analysis of the situation, but she was having a hard time reading him, because of their confusion.

"I believe that the solution to our dilemma may have something to do with that curse that I keep hearing about, every since the first away team beamed to the planets surface. With that in mind then perhaps this situation is similar to one I read about. James T. Kirk captain of the original Enterprise found a place that is referred to as "The City on the Edge of Forever." This city had a guardian that guarded a gateway, that could allow people to travel back into Earth's past. Stepping into the past could eliminate the known future, point we must be careful were we tread while we are here." Chris stopped a took another breath he had reached the toughest part of where he was going with this story. "Dev given the current condition I would like to propose a mind meld, with your permission of course." Chris would need sometime to prepare if she agreed to the procedure. He disliked using the technique because of the drain and the sharing of private secrets to some extent. He only used it when it was absolutely necessary and this was one of those times.

"I'll need sometime to think about it Chris, what you are proposing is interesting, but also scary." Dev finally said after a long moment of silence.

"I understand it is not something I have decided on a whim, the choose to perform or participate in a mindmeld is a difficult decision. I only brought up, because of the seriousness of our situation and no telling how many others may be depending on us or vise verse." Chris said as he went to play with Colby leaving the Dev to think about her answer.

USS Galaxy
Lt. Deiran Casey
"Yorktown"

"Pick him up, man!" a voice shouted.

"General, what are these strange clothes he’s wearing?" the man holding one side of Deiran’s unconscious body asked.

"Yeah, he looks like a seal with gray on it’s shoulders!" the other man holding Deiran up laughed.

"Well at least he’s got red on!" the other retorted in play.

"Enough! Wake the young gentleman up!" the General commanded.

Deiran was dizzy as he came to. Everything was green or brown and bright red, his eyes weren’t open completely. He could only make out colors and not the objects his eyes beheld before him.

Then as if illumination shined itself upon him, he could see. The dizziness left him and he stood on his own. He was staring up at a man in a bright red costume, the men who had been holding him up were also wearing red uniforms, they looked like costumes that would be worn in the Colonial years of early America.

"What is your name sir?" the General asked, a refined, unmistakable gentlemanly quality about him as he spoke. He also had a strong English accent.

"My name is Deiran Casey, sir. I’m lost. Pray tell, where am I?"

"You are just outside Yorktown, Virginia."

"May I ask your name General?" Deiran asked with respect.

"General Charles Cornwallis, Mr. Casey. Are you Irish lad?" the General asked.

"Yes, sir, neutral in the War sir. I was heading to Richmond. And got lost in this forest."

"What happened to your horse?" General Cornwallis asked.

"I was robbed last night as I slept, sir." Deiran’s lies kept growing. He was happy that he had a knowledge of Earth history and was good at remembering dates. He had to ask the General one question.

"How is the war going sir? If I may ask?" Deiran said, using a bit of an Irish accent.

"The Americans have won their Independence lad, the war is over." With those words the man trotted off on his white horse. His army, dejected and demoralized, followed him. Soon it was just Deiran standing on a lonely dirt road, about five miles from Yorktown, Virginia. The year had to be 1781.

"How in the world did I get here?" he asked himself.

He started toward the city. As he walked he thought about his love, Miran. Where was she? Was she okay? He missed her already, as if someone had ripped his heart out. He needed her, he knew she needed him. He had to find out where he was, how he got here and how he was going to get back on the Galaxy.

Several hours later, Deiran entered the outskirts of the city of Yorktown. He had no money, no horse, no clothes from the time period and he was standing out like a polka- dotted bikini on a nude beach. Needless to say, he wasn’t happy with the experience. The townspeople thought he was crazy, or insane for some reason, guessing by the way they were looking at him. He acted like it was a holodeck and ignored them.

If you wanted news in this day, and the town was small, you went to the tavern. So, Deiran asked for directions and found the tavern.

He entered and his nose met with a moldy, stale aroma combined with sweat and alcohol, with just a touch of perfume. There were two women waiting on customers to Casey’s left. The room was dark, just a few candles at the tables where customers were sitting and two behind the bar, there was also a small light fixture behind the bar, where most of the tavern’s light was coming from. It was a medium sized room full of tables, chairs and drunk men. Casey walked up to the bar.

"Tell me sir, is the Continental Army nearby?" Casey asked.

"Tis on its way through town lad, why do ye ask?" the bartender asked, he looked and sounded like a pirate, he had a patch over his eye, a scraggly beard and breath that would kill a lion with one whiff.

"I have a family member who’s in the army and would like t’see him." Casey started his Irish accent again.

"General Washington and his staff will be staying at the Inn across the street. You can wait here until they arrive if ye like? What can I get ye to drink?" the man wanted to make a buck, there was a gleam in his eye at the thought of selling another cup of foul alcohol.

"Thank you sir, but I have no money. I was robbed last night in the forest about ten miles outside of town."

"Well, then ye dirty lubber, if ye don’t buy a drink, ye don’t waste space in this here tavern. Get on with ye, leave!" the man shouted at him. It drew attention to them both and everyone watched as Deiran left the tavern.

Why was he here? What purpose does it serve to be here. What was that pink energy beam that separated him from Miran. As always Casey would find the answer one way or another. Whether he was in the 18th Century or the 24th it didn’t

matter.

"Of All Times"
by Ensign Soushonn Arcas

* * * Sometime After Ti and Casey's Wedding... * * *

Soushonn was glad that the week was finally over. It'd been fairly tough for him... All through his on and off-duty time, he had found himself either being gawked at for the level of skill he had displayed in the battle against the holo-opponent at the medieval party (or for his clumsy loss after all of the work by those who weren't impressed) or for his apparent difficulties and subsequent evasion of the vocal computer interface.

He had been so irritated by the constant sardonic commentary of the less considerate members of the crew that he'd pretty much spent all of his off-duty time in his quarters practicing his hand at Klingon cuisine or reading from his small private library. He regretted not having attended the recent wedding where two of the Galaxy's finest and most well-loved officer had joined in holy matrimony, but he had personal reasons for avoiding weddings as well, so the regret didn't weigh all that heavily on his thoughts. He had spent the entire week living as if enclosed in a box... But all that was over...

Now, with everyone's minds on other things and the computer voice recognition program file for him wiped clean, he could kick back and relax in his off-duty time. Or so he thought...

In the middle of a recording session in his quarters, Soushonn's original rhythm guitar-work was disrupted by a pounding on the starboard wall of his quarters... In a senior officer's quarters, the walls were soundproof; his were not. He slung the antique Fender Strat back onto its stand and sighed...

"Computer, discontinue recording... Master recorded selection to... 64 seconds and overdub with "Blast", excerpted from time index 3.24... Decrease playback volume by 80%. Begin playback."

He listened to his newest and most pleasing work, but almost felt like kicking something as the distinct THUMP THUMP THUMP of the wall ruined the last fifteen seconds of recording... He'd have to redo the rhythm guitar choral section yet again...

"Why can't everyone get their own deck for crying out loud?" he spoke to himself. Of course he didn't think every officer should get their own deck, but it felt nice to just say it and not have to worry about it.

Just as he was about to go over and obnoxiously pound on the wall in an equally ignorant return gesture, the visual interface on his worktable lit up. The Federation Crest appeared with the characteristically pointy letters of all LCARS visual interfaces spelling out INCOMING PERSONAL TRANSMISSION overtop of the magnificently designed symbol along with about twenty other smaller, less legible bits of information...

"There is an incoming personal transmission from Commander James Silva aboard the USS Trieste"

He hit the acknowledgement button and sat down.

"Sousey Baby!!!!!!!!"

"Fountain Boy! Comment ça va, mon bon ami? Comment allez-vous?"

"Good, 'Shonn, I'm good. I'm calling in an old favour, buddy."

Soushonn frowned slightly as he noticed the hint of maliciousness in Silva's face... Purely for show, Soushonn's frown drew Silva's countenance into one of near exaltation... They liked to bait each other until an argument would erupt at the climax of which both officers would burst out laughing... But Silva obviously had something more in mind...

"What could a lowly Ensign possible offer you?" stressed Soushonn, knowing full well Silva was going to tease him about his rank if he didn't bring it up first...

"Well, a lot, actually... Remember when you pawned Marveilleux off on me when you accepted the Sigma Alpha assignment? She had cubs." spoke Silva, his intonations on the last sentence sounding like a commercial jingle he had heard aboard Deep Space Nine long ago...

"No... No!" flared Ensign Arcas as Silva burst into laughter, "I can't take the family back with these quarters! Do you realize I have barely enough room in my room to..."

"Relax, I'll keep Marveilleux here. I'm really quite fond of her, you know. Anyhow, Deena likes her too, so the mommy can stay... But I can't take care of three of them at once. The Fearless will be dropping the cubs off at Starbase 304 where you can pick them up in a few days."

"Wait a second, James! How in blazes did 'Yeux get pregnant in the first place!? Who's Deena!? When are you going to pay me back for the peregrine class scout of mine that you crashed!? James!!!"

"'Shonn, your transmission is breaking up, buddy! I can't hear you... What? Remember, Starbase 304... They'll be there by Tuesday."

"SILVAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The screen flicked back to the Federation Crest and poor Soushonn let his head thud off of the table in a gesture of exhausted frustration. He could just picture ol' 'Fountain Boy' laughing his smug face off over this for the next few weeks... What was he going to do with the cubs? Where would they live? How would he keep them without wrecking the place if he couldn't even convince someone to install a water source for his washroom? They were going to need a holo-environment to live in and at current, that was better than he could offer.

"For the love of all France, why can't a Commander find room for two measly cubs in his quarters!? I'm sure he could find someone to take them in other than me!" he hissed rhetorically...

"That cuts it, I'm going to have to see the Captain about getting larger quarters... Ugh, in the morning..." he resolved, already yawning in the familiar anticipation of sleep...

* * * The Morning After * * *

Soushonn stood at the mirror, dressed in only a towel as he was completing his morning shave. He looked sidelong at each of his sideburns in turn and trimmed the left one into a concise point once more, the decades-old fashion of all StarFleet officers with facial hair... As he brought the blade up near his right he blinked for a fraction of a second. And when he opened them, the mirror was gone...

His quarters were gone.

Everything except himself, his razor and his towel were gone...

In place of his former environment, Soushonn looked about to see himself standing in the middle of a wheat field underneath a dark and cloudy sky... Obviously a Class-M planet with sufficient carbon dioxide, hydrogen and oxygen to sustain wheat... Terran wheat.

"Computer, end program" he spoke, his arms now hanging loosely at his sides.

"Computer, arch!"

"Computer, terminate simulation... "

He looked around in apprehension... Either a Federation colony or Earth itself, he deduced, but why would anyone want to play a prank on him by beginning a simulation in such a place? He contemplated the possible interaction of Q, whom he had had the displeasure of meeting during his stint as a pilot...

"Very funny! I'm ready to back to my washroom now!" he spoke loudly, as if someone were hiding in the simulation laughing at him...

But a simulation it was not...

A sudden gust of wind disshevelled Soushonn's hair and gave him reason to reknot his towel... He straightened his stance and pushed the auburn and gold locks out of his face. Focusing his thoughts, he closed his eyes, trying to sense the thoughts of anyone who might be causing the situation he was in...

And he felt the minds of two small children, though they had no malice in them.

He spun around to see two human children dressed in clothing similar to that of the Quakers and Mennonites of North America standing about thirty feet away from him nearly hidden among the wheat stalks... They stared blankly at him. He closed his fist on the blade, hiding it from view.

"Bonjour! Could you tell me where I am, please?" he asked with his obvious francophone accent picking up the warm tone he offered only to children and those who seemed in need of gentileness...

The children laughed and pointed at him.

"That's not very nice." he retorted.

The laughter drew the attention of a nearby farmer, who turned, and bringing his scythe with him, approached Soushonn. Obviously the owner of the farm, the farmer took a moment to take in the sight before him before bursting into wheezing fits of laughter.

"Well I think you laugh strangely! Hahahahahahahaha" laughed Soushonn, feeling a little less embarassed as he seemed to be on a conversational level superior to them.

"Look, papa! He's running around in a washcloth! Hahahahahahaha!" giggled the young boy, again scratching at Soushonn's pride.

They laughed more as he raised a single eyebrow at their antics and continued to do so until a gust of wind tossed the Half-Rigellan's hair up over his left ear... His left pointed ear...

"Warlock!" the group shouted in unison. "Warlock! Warlock! He's going to eat you up! Run!" warned the father...

Soushonn came to the conclusion he had somehow stumbled into a part of Terran history when the common people were easily amused idiots.

"Get help in the Town Square! I'll chase him off!" yelled the farmer as he took the scythe in both hands and dashed towards Soushonn.

"Yipe!" he yelled, and began to run while clutching his towel about the knot. If this was indeed's Earth's past, he'd have to be ultra-careful to avoid disturbing the timeline if he wanted to ever return to his familiar future. Even if it meant fleeing from a wimpy farmer while wearing a silly damp towel.

After about a mile's worth of breakneck speed, he stopped to look back. The farmer was gone...

Soushonn groaned, having no pocket to place his razor in and no clothes to replace his towel... He again looked at his surroundings... Immediately ahead of him laid a forest while to his right laid a simple mud-road heading both into the woods and out towards hilly land which blotted out the horizon.

"Perhaps I'd better just keep to the woods until I can get some clothes." he spoke to himself.

Over the course of a few hours, he searched out an adequate meal of edible Terran plants in the forest and camped out near the mud road to wait for civilization to make itself known to him. As he ate, he tore off a piece of the towel and made a headband to cover his ears... He'd read at the academy that Ambassador Spock had done the same once in a similar time-displacement predicament. It worked as far as he could tell... Now whether or not his violet eyes would strike the commonfolk as odd he didn't know, but he guessed that nobody would much notice with the ears out of the public eye...

Chewing on a particularly tasteless alfalfa sprout, Soushonn's keen hearing picked up movement about a quarter of the mile up the road...

"Good... Now to figure out how I'm going to convince this person (or these people as the case may be) to get me some clothing..."

He looked down at the towel, still his only garment.

"Of all times to be transported back in time, why couldn't it just happen when I was wearing something decent!?"

The wind picked up and he groaned...

He pictured what Silva would say to him at a time like this...

"Feelin' Breezy, Sousey guy?"

He flushed a shade of red and rewrapped his towel again...

"Shut up, brain, or I'll stab you with a twig!" he mumbled to himself

And then he was silent as the sounds grew nearer...

Crouching...

Waiting...

"Where am I?"
Lieutenant Troy Blair
Chief Tactical Officer, USS Galaxy

Troy awoke to find himself lying in a dark, damp, foul smelling alley in the middle of the night. Slowly he got to his feet , still feeling a little dizzy from whatever it was that engulfed him. As he walked down the alley, millions of questions ran through his mind, where am I? where's everybody else? how did I get here? how will I get back? After walking several meters Troy decided he should find a place to lay low in, until he could figure out what was going on. That's when off to one side, he spotted a flight of stairs leading down to a shadowy doorway. An apparent basement. As he approached the door, he looked around to make sure no one had seen him, then he reached for the knob. However it was useless, for the door was locked. Pounding his fist on the door in frustration, the young tactical officer began to retrace his steps. Before he could reach the first step a small slot, about eye-level, on the door flew open and a pair of intense eyes stared out.

"Password?" a muffled voice called out

"I'm sorry...I thought this place was empty." Troy replied, placing his hand on the handrail of the steps. The slot slammed shut, then the entire door opened. A large man, wearing a black pin stripe suit, with glossy black and white shoes, and his hair slicked back motioned for Troy to enter.

"Welcome to Exotic Nights, where we treat our customers like kings." The man smiled. Judging that this would be the best place to find some answers, Troy entered. He walked into a room full of smoke, laughter, loud talking, flashy suites, gambling tables, music, drinks, and of course beautiful women. At any other time, Troy would be happy to be in this kind of place, but considering the circumstances he kept his 'bridge attitude'. Spotting the bar, Troy walked over to it and took a seat.

"What'll it be kid?" a middle aged, starting to bald bartender asked, while he was wiping off the bar with a towel.

Out of habit, Troy answered "Vulcan tea."

"I ain't ever heard of a drink called that. You ain't some kind of cop are ya? Cause we don't take to kindly to those kind of people" The man gave Troy an evil eye.

"Cop? No, I'm from San Francisco." Troy shot back, hoping the man believed him

"California eh? Well that explains the funny looking clothes. I heard the people out there were kinda weird, but I never met one of 'em in person" The bartender laughed, then produced a tiny glass from underneath the bar, and poured a drink, "Tell ya what kid, this ones one me. But after that, ya gotta pay."

"Thanks" Blair said, as he took the glass and smelled the liquid, it was whisky. He personally had never tried it, but he remembered the little bottle that was involved in the 'Movie night', that he and Lieutenant Shtik hosted. "Say, how come there's a bar in a basement?" Troy was dying to find out this information, the second he stepped foot in the place.

"What's the matter kind, haven't ya heard of a speakeasy before? Geez, you people out in Cali must have some strict enforcement of the Prohibition laws." laughed the bartender, then left to help another customer. Judging by what he saw, and from what the barkeep said, Troy figured out that he had traveled back in time. But unfortunately, to an era he knew hardly anything about.

After quickly gulping down his drink, Troy visually scanned the room in hopes of learning a little more about the culture of the time. Everywhere he turned, people were drinking and gam

bling and almost every guy had a scantily dressed woman sitting on his lap. It almost looked like a Ferengi owned bar, but of course without a holosuite. As he studied the room some more, a high pitched, squeaky female voice broke his concentration.

"Hey cutie, never seen you in here before. You new to town?" Troy turned to face a beautiful young lady, about his age, with very short red hair, and piercing emerald green eyes. And like the rest of the women in the room she had reviling clothing on. Except for her voice, she was exceptionally attractive.

"Uh..you could say that." replied Troy, as he adjusted his uniform tunic.

"I like it when someone new comes in here. These other guys get boring." the girl said, as she transferred from her stool to Troy's lap. But he still kept his 'bridge attitude', the situation called for it. "Oh, by the way my name is Denise, but everyone calls me Cherry. You gotta name stranger?"

"Bond......James Bond" Troy figured he shouldn't give his real name, so he used the first one that popped in his mind. Of course his interest in 20th century movies aided in the quick decision, plus he always wanted to say that to someone.

"Well James, you certainly are quite an exciting man." after she finished her phrase, she draped her arms around his neck. Once again, Troy kept his composure. "So........tell me baby, how much you got?"

"Huh?" Troy gave Cherry a look of puzzlement. He felt that his limited knowledge was starting to show.

"I don't give it away for free.....Though I desperately wish I could make an exception in your case. Cause I really like you" she said, then began to kiss on his neck.

After some thought, Troy finally figured out what Cherry was referring to. It was something that he could never do, thus he declined "I apologize Cherry, but I respect women way too much, to let them sell themselves to me"

"Oh and a gentleman too....I think I'm for o