***** Accusations *****
by Dr. Felicia Khatroweena, ISS Galaxy NCC-70637
w/ Commander Christopher Thomas, Chief Interrogation Officer

***** Outside of Security *****

Cat was really down deep in to the dumps. As a rule, she tried to stay out of the politics that went about the ship. She got snagged into it though. She didn't want Greer in trouble and now both of them were in deep.

The closer she got to the Interrogation Section, the more terrified she got. She could not think of a way out of this, but she could not bear the thought of her being agonized for two hours. She had lost most of her confidence. She was crying and becoming a little hysterical.

Her attempts of escape the agonizer booth all failed. Her guards were scared of Sterner and her attempts of bribery from drugs to promises of 'good times' were ignored. When this failed, she tried to escape her escorts; one of the guards supported four long gashes across his face as Cat tried to escape. He was quite happy in activating Cat's agonizer badge for a couple of minutes in retaliation.

***** Security Department *****

As they entered Security, Cat saw the controlled panic within as two prisoners had escaped, they had been transported out. Trying to control the situation and cowering subordinates in front of him was Commander Thomas.

Cat screamed out hysterically, "I know who caused this, I know who wants the Captain dead, help me and I'll tell you. Please, please, please - don't put me in, I'll do anything, just don't put me in." Her escorts had to drag her along.

Chris looked up as Cat grimaced in pain, as a guard pulled an arm behind Cat's back and pushed her to a booth.

"What is she doing here?" commanded the CIO. Frowning he moved over to Cat.

"Orders from Commander Sterner, Kidnapping of Lt. Morris, Two hours at forty percent. The commander will send in a full report later."

"Please, please don't put me in. I'll do anything." Cat was begging not to be agonized, her whole body was shaking with terror.

Chris looked at her escort, "Go, I want to speak with her."

"What about the Commander's orders?"

"Ensign?" the tone in the commander's voice made it obvious that he did not like being questioned.

As the two guards left, Cat relaxed a little, when she saw the look in Chris's eyes, she wasn't sure if this was at all, a good thing.

"You better have a good story. If you're feeding me a line, I will personally make it fours hours at one hundred percent. Am I clear?"

"Please, You have to hurry, Ronnie, uh, Lt Morris created a fake report for Commander Sterner to blackmail Greer..., uh, Lt Erikson to cause the forcefields to fail." As she spoke she silently apologised to Greer. Blackmailed or not, he still allowed a breakout. He was going to spend time in the booth for doing that.

"Any proof for your accusations?" asked Chris.

"In Ronnie's office, her computer would still have records of the report she faked up. Sterner never called for an official medical examination of Casey. Why? because he knows everything about it. Sterner is the one who wants the Captain dead."

"You realise the charges you are making are serious. Accusing a superior officer of assassination is tantamount to suicide, unless it gets proven true."

"I don't want to be put in the booth" begged Cat, she dropped to her knees crying.

"Stand up!" commanded Chris, "Stop your blubbering."

Cat stood up, her body still shaking from her sobbing. She looked at the scowling interrogation officer. "Please don't make me go" she pleaded quietly.

"Doctor, until such time as your accusations can be verified, you will be held in custody." Chris indicated to an ensign to come over. "Ensign, place Doctor Khatroweena under guard."

"Thank you Commander." Cat said softly.

"Don't thank me too quickly Doctor. You're still charged with kidnapping. We will be talk about that and your accusations against Commander Sterner later. Ensign." The ensign escorted Cat to a holding cell.

"In here. Move back Doctor." Cat moved back into the cell and watched as a blue shimmering came across the archway and soon disappeared. She lightly tapped where the field should have been and was rewarded with a small blue flash.

She moved over to the bunk and laid down. Quietly she sobbed to herself and soon was lost in the blackness of sleep.

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

"A Matter of Sight"
by Lt. Alan Hewson

Things were not playing out the way they had in Alan’s mind. It had all seemed so simple: He would free Mary from the brig, Mary would help kill Casey, then Alan and his wife would get off this damn ship for good. He had had no doubts that this would be a simple 1 2 3 operation. Wrong.

Before the escape plan took effect, Alan had visited Mary in her cell. To avoid being monitored during their conversation, he had disabled all of the surveillance devices in the cell. At the time he had felt brave. Now he just felt stupid. His hacking job had been sloppy. To a casual observer, the security record would appear that a slight computer malfunction had caused the erasure of the thirty seconds of video. But of course there were no casual people serving aboard the Galaxy. No matter from what angle the evidence was analyzed, it all led back to him. There had been no charges yet, but Alan knew that would come at any moment.

The second part of the plan had gone even worse. Mary Hewson and K'Eytyanna Samara were able to gain access to Casey’s cabin, but from there the next few moments became fuzzy. After several hours, the two guards who had admitted the women into Casey’s room entered the cabin to see what was going on. They were greeted with a grotesque sight. Blood and flesh were splattered everywhere. Burns marks scarred all the walls. There was no one alive in the room.

The DNA analysis revealed that 90% of the remains were those of Mary. The other 10% belonged to Casey. While Mary’s remains were a mixture of flesh and blood, Casey only left a small amount of blood. It appeared that Casey had been struck, perhaps in a fistfight, in the face or the head, which caused his blood to splatter on the wall and floor. But Mary’s had been caused from a phaser explosion at close range. And there was no trace of Samara. But that didn’t matter to Alan; his wife was dead.

He really wanted to cry for her, to mourn her death. But there was no time for that now. He had to find a way to get off this ship ASAP before everything hit the fan. Alan was hoping to find a ship to escape on since the Galaxy was docked at Starbase 357. Perhaps he could even steal a small shuttle. He threw all of the latinum he had saved up into a small bag and headed out the door. There was no time for a real plan; he would have to make it up as he went along.

Never had a felt so paranoid has he walked down the corridor of Deck 17, his type I phaser charged to the max. He had encountered no one along the way, which gave him a little comfort. But as he rounded the corner to a small hallway, which contained the turbolift entrance, the doors swished open revealing two pissed off looking security guards.

Alan recognized them as Chanor and Mulich from the brig. There was a possibility that they were not after him, but Alan had a real bad feeling about this. He turned on his heels and began heading back down the hall.

“Hewson, we need to talk to you!” One of the men shouted from behind. Alan started into a dead sprint down the hallway. Once again, things were not playing out right. He had no idea where he could run.

"The BlackMail"
By Ensign Johannis O'Hare

Jon, came from the back of quarters after disposing the body of Admiral Ashton he returned back to his living room. He notice that his terminal's light was flashing indicating that he had a message waiting on queue. Jon sat down promptly. "Ahhhhh, finally Wilson, hopefully to tell me she is on her way to make a deal!!" Jon punched in his access codes and the message posted on his screen.

"Jon,
I have recently been made aware of some information that you might find interesting and I am willing to trade. Meet me in Ten Forward at 20:00 hours tomorrow if you are interested."
"End message and send."
"Message sent."

Jon, smirks and leans back in his chair and say's "Huh, Wilson is playing the Hard to Get game, well two can play that game, but I really need to unload all those Phasers"

***** The Next day at 20:00 in Ten-Forward ****

Jon sit's and orders a Rigliean Cluster Bomb and starts looking over his PADD with the Phaser information on it.

Ensign Johannis O'Hare
Chief Computer Officer
ISS Galaxy

"A dark day indeed"
by Commander Joerg Sterner (aka Tiger One)
Executive Officer, ISS Galaxy

Joerg was still checking the terminal in Captain Price's temporary quarters on the Starbase. He found out that the Captain had shown a quite big interest in a topic Joerg was not very familiar with, the Q and the Q continuum.

His mind was full of questions that concerned the Captain and the order he got from the Admiral: 'What was the Captain after?.', 'Did the Admiral know what the Captain was up to, and therefore wanted him dead?', 'Had the Admiral already succeeded himself and the Captain was dead?'.

His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a faint signal from his case. He put the case on the desk and carefully opened it. He put aside the bomb, he wanted to use to get rid of the Captain on the station and quickly grabbed the device that still chirped. He pressed a button on the device and waited for the person on the other end of the line to start.

["Tiger Four to Tiger One."] a voice came from the device.

"Here's Tiger One. Why did you call me on the emergency channel?" Joerg asked astonished.

["We have a problem here sir. Commander Thomas finally got some proof that you were involved in the assassination attempt on the Captain. He relieved you from duty and seized control of the ship."]

"Well, that's bad news indeed. He has released some orders concerning me of course?"

["Yes sir. If you should return to the ship, you are to be arrested and even shot should you resist."]

"It looks like I have to stay a little longer on the Station then." Joerg replied sarcastically.

************** In a small room, back on the ISS Galaxy **************

["... on the Station then."]

Lieutenant Erik Anderson listened to the voice of Commander Sterner.

"It seems that's a wise decision sir. Tigers Two and Five are already on the station. They'll meet with you soon." the Lieutenant informed his superior officer.

["Good, I'll find them. Thanks for the warning and watch your back."]

Erik was just about to reply, when he heard some disturbing noise from outside. It almost was like someone was chopping wood in front of the door. Moments later the doors were manually opened and a pale looking figure entered the dimmed room.

"Who are you? And what do you want here?" Erik asked the figure with the comm link to the Commander still operational.

The pale person, in a Starfleet uniform with the rank of a Lieutenant Commander, said no word and still approached Anderson. Erik himself caught a quick look behind the figure and saw that the two guards, both were members of Sterner's elite squadron 'The Tigers', lie motionless in front of the door, possibly dead.

"What have you done to them?" Anderson asked, drew his phaser and pointed it at the figure.

"They are dead. A condition you will experience first hand soon." the pale man announced.

Before Erik could react, the man took away the phaser from his hand and without effort crushed it with his bare hands.

************ Back on the starbase, in the Captain's cabin ************

["... you will experience first hand soon."] Joerg heard through the device.

"Tiger Four, what's happening?" he shouted into the device.

After he got no answer at once, he tried again.

"Reply, what's going on there?"

Then he heard a cracking sound, followed by a thud. After that there was a small pause of absolute silence on the line, which seemed like hours to Joerg. But then there was a voice again.

["I'm sorry to disappoint you Commander, but here's not Tiger Four."] an unknown voice said.

"What happened to him? And who the hell are you?" Joerg wanted to know.

["Oh, I just killed him. Broke his neck you know, but you'll soon follow him Commander Sterner."] a laughing voice answered.

"You know my name?" Joerg was astonished.

["You would be surprised what else I know about you and your little organization."]

"What kind of freak are you?" Joerg shouted enraged.

["Well, let's just say, there is someone who is not very impressed by your failed attempt on Price. And that someone wants to see you dead, and I'm the one who takes care that the situation is sterilized."] the voice said, followed by a maniac laughter.

'Admiral Qwon!' Joerg thought immediately. 'I'm in much more trouble then I thought.'

["Have you died of a heart attack already Commander?"] a sarcastically voice asked.

"No you bastard, and I'm absolutely certain that it's not me who gets killed, should we two ever meet." Joerg replied, upon regaining some breath.

["Well, then you'd better watch your back very carefully, since you could never know when I'll come for you."] were the last words, before the comm link was terminated by the enraged Commander Sterner.

He knew that he had to act very quickly now. The first thing he had to do was to get rid of his Starfleet uniform and the badge, with which he could be found easily throughout the station. He quickly put back the comm device in the case and took out some clothing. He changed clothes and left his Starfleet uniform back at the office. He was now wearing a kind of brown cloak with a hood like a monk, so that he wasn't immediately recognized by somebody who knew him. With the comm/agonizer badge still in his hand he had something else in mind.

Once he had left the quarters, he quickly looked around and found who he was looking for, Lieutenant Burns. He approached him and immediately gained his attention, as he was waiting for a Starfleet officer to leave the cabin, not some kind of civilian. Burns quickly put his hand on his phaser, just in case.

The hooded figure stopped in front of the Lieutenant, lifted the hood and revealed the face of Commander Sterner to the astonished Lieutenant Burns. Burns quickly drew his phaser, but the moment he was about to press the trigger, he already had the fist of the Commander in his face and was on his way down to the floor, unconscious.

Joerg knew that it must have been Thomas' plan to let Burns watch his every move on the station, but where Joerg was about to go, he needed nobody to follow him. As a parting gift, Joerg also exchanged his comm/agonized badge with the one the unconscious Burns was still wearing. Should Admiral Qwon or one of his goons try to transport Joerg away, they would get Lieutenant Burns instead.

Joerg put his hood back on, waved at the unconscious Lieutenant with an evil grin on his hooded face and was on his way to find Tigers Two and Five. Perhaps with their help, he could find the Captain. He had to find him now, since he obviously knew something that for the Admiral it was worth killing for.

Neg'Puj walked around the halls of the ISS Galaxy, she smiled to herself. So what if her friend was arrested, she'd get her out soon enough. Neg'Puj was let go by the secruty officer thats all that mattered to her.

She slipped into a storage room, "Computer, one universal translater. And one issied uniform." She whispered. The computer hummed and the objects matirlized. Neg'Puj slipped them on. "Computer one ensign rank clip."

'Cannot complay without access code.'

"I knew I was asking for to much." She sighed and turned around.

"What are you doing here?" A ensign asked.

"Hello," Neg'Puj replied, "I'm Ensign Pike, and I lost my clip thing-y, I'm way to embarressed to ask for one. Would you mind getting it for me?"

The ensign smiled, "Sure, hey look it happens to the best of us, my name is Charles, and yours?"

"My name?" Neg'Puj thought, she didn't know any human names, well not much anyway. Although she could rember one, a cute little girl she killed a few years back, "Julie. My name is Julie Pike." The ensign held out his hand, Neg'Puj stared at it.

"Well do you know how to shake, or are you some Klingon?" He asked.

"You have no right to--I mean, yes I shake. I'm sorry, I didn't know what you meant." Neg'Puj grabbed his hand and shook it so hard the ensign thought he would crack.

"So where are you from?" He asked, trying to make conversation.

"What does it matter ensign? Is this part of your job?"

"Um, no I'm a engineer."

"Well thank you for your help," Neg'Puj put the clip on, "Now get back to work ensign."

"Jezz, just trying to make conversation." He mumbled, and walked away.

Neg'Puj couldn't think of anything better then to break his cockass little neck right there. But she couldn't. She was already in enough troble as it was. She walked out of the storage room and bumped right into a Lt. "Ensign, what are you doing?" He asked.

"Sir?"

"Never mind, just get out of my way. Where are you going anyway in such a rush?"

"Brig."

"So your with securty?"

"Um-why yes sir, yes sir I am. The name is Julie Pike, I'm new here on the station, I am still not used to the rules, but I'm learning sir."

"Yeah what ever." He walked away. Neg'Puj shrugged, she could play human for awhile.

Ensign Neg'Puj

“Lies and Betrayal, Part 2”
by Lt. Greer Erikson
Chief Science Officer, ISS Galaxy

*** Deck 8, Room 2133. Under security guard ***

Greer watched as the doors to his quarters closed, the two security guards Commander Thomas placed remaining outside. Although he was tired from his two hours in the agonising booth, he was too tense to sleep, especially with the soothing sound of the engines gone with the order to shut down all non-essential systems. At a starbase, the warp engines were rather non-essential. Sitting silently at his desk he looked out at the interior of the starbase through the windows on the opposite side of the room.

“Computer, access last science department duty report.” he said, trying to remain occupied.

The computer complied and placed a list of the reports he requested on the console screen infront of him. He was fortunate that he still had a job which needed doing, taking his mind off the recent events. Coffee in hand, Greer accessed the last of the displayed series of reports which involved the rescheduling of the science laboratory resources following a dispute between two of his officers.

Beginning to resolve the minor conflict by placing them on different shifts, his mind turned more and more to his own immediate problem. He was merely a minor functionary in a greater plan and not some criminal mastermind.

“OK. Commander Sterner saw Ronnie and at before making the order for my arrest. Sterner and Ronnie seem to know what’s going on at all levels. Ronnie created the data against me. Cat turned against me. So basically I have no supporting witnesses except with regards to Ronnie creative efforts.” he said, thinking out loud. “Not in a very good position. Computer, access personal file Erikson-2369A.” he said before taking a sip of coffee.

[Unable to access file Erikson-2369A. File no longer exists.]

“Computer, what happened to file Erikson-2369A?”

[Personal file Erikson-2369A was deleted by Lieutenant Greer Erikson twelve hourd ago.]

“OK then.” Greer said putting his cup down. “Computer, access personal file Erikson-2373G1.”

[Unable to access file Erikson-2373G1. File no longer exists.]

“Did I delete that file also?”

[Affirmative. File was deleted by Lieutenant Greer Erikson eleven hours fifty-seven minutes ago.]

“Smart girl Ronnie!” he said aloud, not entirely suprised. It appeared that Ronnie, by her own volition or by the order of the executive officer, had accessed his primary personal files and deleted the information he hoped to use for his case with Commander Thomas. He guessed she too had learned something whilst spending so much time around him. As time progressed, it became increasingly clear to him why he was in the position he was now.

“Computer, compare origin of delete command against internal sensor logs. How many matches between point of access and my actual location?”

[No matches found. Origin differs from location of Lieutenant Greer Erikson according to interntal sensor logs.]

“Aha!” Greer exclaimed. “Computer, assuming internal sensor logs are accurate what is the explanation for difference?”

[Personal authorisation codes for Lieutenant Greer Erikson have been compromised. Please restate new authorisation code to ensure prevention of future security breach.]

“I would tend to agree. Computer, new authorisation code: Erikson-2-gamma-4-9-charlie. Voice authorisation only. Enable.”

[Personal security authorisation for Lieutenant Greer Erikson has been changed.]

Even with the new personal security codes, Greer refused to check the backup files which he had created incase of such an emergency. Elaborately hidden within the computer core, Greer's exaggerated level of precaution was perhaps one of the finer qualities of being paranoid. Now it was a waiting game which Greer appeared to have a copius amount of time.

"Securing One's Position"
by Commander/Captain Thomas

* Addressing older post *

Lt. jg Mara Boudreau had come to visit him, though strange it was common for people seek him out for permission to visit prisoners or arrange for private meetings.

He reluctantly gave his permission for her to see Derain Casey. In some respect Thomas admired Derian where it came to women, but then he'd never really thought about seeking them out like Casey did.

* Present *

Chris had spent the past day and half making arrangements to position himself to become the captain of the ship. He had made the adjustment he needed, now he was in a position to acquire some more help. He would first install Lt. Mathew Albercht as his Second Officer, promote him to Commander and make him the new Chief Interrogator Officer.

Chris left the bridge in the capable hands of his chief guardsman, Lt. Ivan Renska. He had installed his people in to places that he needed them at, and this one place as he needed to make a few personal arrangements. His first stop was to meet with Matthew in the CIO office. His one true friend Matthew, had been loyal to him all the time, which made him the prefect candidate for this position.

Several minutes later he arrived at his former office. He was going to miss the place, as he had fond memories of what he'd accomplished while this was his office, but it was time for him to move to a bigger and more powerful office. He found Matthew sitting down.

"Lt. " Chris said, then added, "I need a second officer and head Chief Interrogations officer and that is you, my friend." Thomas said.

** Captain Thomas, now had his first officer Commander Albercht, who would head up the CIO division. Now that this was done, he could move onto a couple of more issues that needed to be address. Namely Geer and Cat, who were in the brig at the moment. They had offered him additional information in exchange for their lives. Cat was severely concerned about being placed in the agony both.

"Commander Albercht see that Geer and Cat are released, on probation. They must turn over what they have and know about Sterner and swear allegiance to me and Captain Price, if he is found. Then begin the process of strengthening our position. Have Sterner's guards rounded up and arrested, if they cooperate transport them of the ship and onto the station, if they don't give kill them as they are traitors." Thomas was being generous because it served his purpose and that was something that always interested him. Stopping to consider the situation more, he decided that he needed someone to search for the captain. Someone that he could trust, "Mathew once you've seen that theses things are complete, no never mind I want you here."

"Sir?"

"Carry out your orders."

"Aye, Sir." Matthew responded.

Chris needed someone that he could trust, but at the same time was expendable. But who could he find that would be willing to take such a risk and was trustworthy enough to carry out his orders, who indeed. He need to find that someone that would provide him with what he needed.

He decided upon the person just moments after thinking about who would be the perfect person(s) to carry out this mission. He would actually need several of them, but he would need some one to lead the group. He quickly went into his old office and pulled a crew manifest and started looking for those people that he felt could be trusted to lead or be involved in this mission. Then his eye settled on one name that he could choose, Lt. (jg) Tebrianne Bancroft who was the ship's helmsman. She would work perfectly, but he needed a few more people that would be able to help out. Lt. Paran Chanor would be useful as well. Then was settled these two along with some well trained security and special personnel would be assigned to search for the captain on the Starbase.

He typed up a quick message to the officers he'd selected.

TO: Lt. (jg) Bancroft and Lt. Chanor
From: Captain Thomas

I have a proposal, I would like you two to lead a mission to find and rescue the captain under the assumption the Captain Price is still alive and on that station somewhere. I will give you five highly trained security personnel to aid you in quest, you may select an additional officer to serve with you. You report your findings and information to the first Officer.

Mission codename: Objective Price
Plan: Find and rescue the captain if he is still alive, if not then to bring back proof of his death.
Secondary objective: Gather information, and avoid contact with Commander Sterner or anyone else that might recognize you.

Lt. (jg) Bancorft
You and your group will board the station, wearing civilian clothing. You will be conducting a covert search of the place and gathering any information that might prove useful as to who wanted the captain out of the way.

Lt. Chanor
You and your group will go as the official investigation group from the Galaxy. I want you to begin with the captain's room, and find Mr. Burns. Find out everything that you can as well and what Sterner might have been up to, while he was there. I am assuming that Sterner has moved a safe distance away from where the captain was staying.

Good luck to both of you. Before you depart check in with me and I will inform you of who I have selected to serve as first officer.

Captain Thomas out.

**

He then decided that he should address a few more messages before moving on to new business that would soon require his attention. One think keep coming back to him and that was Lt. jg Mara Boudreau. She had requested a few days ago to see the now kidnapped Casey.

He had avoided her, since Casey's disappearance from the ship, he figured that it was time to address that mistake and then see what happened. He started writing a message to her, then decided that he needed to write on to Devlynn Salshyar who was the captain's interest. She would need to be informed of the changes and of what had happened. Then there was that chief engineer that he needed to chat with and everyone else on the ship. He stopped himself from continuing on, he would have to deal with each one of them one at a time and in priority of importance. Devlynn he would go and talk with her personally.

TO: Lt. jg Mara Boudreau
From: Captain Thomas

I thought that I should personally contact you and tell you that despite my best efforts someone managed to bypass all everything and transport Lt. Commander Derian Casey of the Galaxy. With what little we know, I must assume that he is most likely dead or won't be heard from every again.

I can only offer up my condolences as I know that you find him interesting. I will mostly likely someday call up that favor you still owe me, but not here and now.

Captain Thomas out.

***

Chris had one other issue to deal with and that was Mr. Hewson who's wife had been arrested, then escaped and was later found in Derian's room. She was now in the bridge. The question that he now faced was what to do with her, and Mr. Hewson. They would be always be troublesome if he allowed them to remain or live, but he had no reason to remove Alan, but his was a different story. The problem was if he killed her, then Alan would be most upset. This was a most delicate situation, unless he could get something out of them that would be useful. He was still gathering evidence to find out what they were up to, then he decided the was something else that needed to be done.

He opened a channel, "Captain Thomas to Commander Albercht, please respond."

Shortly, "Yes, Captain."

"Commander there is another problem that needs to be dealt with, I want you to have teams dispatched to search Commander Sterner's quarters and office, I want his logs everything placed under scrutiny."

"Understood, Sir." Mathew replied.

Now that was done, he could move onto the next step and that was to have a quick chat with the Chief Engineer. A David Mercury, that was his name, something else Captain Thomas was going to have to learn was to be able to remember who and where everyone was assigned on this ship. He had most of their names and positions down, but there was some that where tougher to remember and know than others.

He then decided that something was missing, something that he needed. He was going to need someone to help coordinate everything that was going on, and he need someone with experience. Mathew would make an excellent CIO and second officer, but he needed someone to serve as his First Officer, someone who had been honest predictable and interesting. Lt. Commander Ti Miran she had the experience and rank to serve as his first officer. It was strange that he would select a second officer and someone to replace him at his old position, first then to select his new executive officer. He thought about that for a moment, and concluded that it had to do with the issue of what needed to be done.

He went to find her, after checking with the computer, he found that she was in her quarters. He head of to see her and give her the good news. He wanted her to serve as his first officer, she would also be placed in charge of several things.

* Main Engineering *

He never went anyone on this ship, without his personal guards. He knew all to well the problems of leaving oneself unprotected. He entered main engineering.

Chris Patton
A.K.A Lt. (jg) Christopher Thomas - USS Galaxy

Chanor and Mulich exited their quarters, and it struck Chanor that the quickest way to locate Lt. Hewson would be to ask the computer, hoping that he hadn't removed his comm badge. He asked the computer,

"Computer, where is Lieutenant Hewson?"

"Lt. Hewson is presently on Deck 17." the computer replied. Chanor looked at Mark, and they both headed for the turbolift.

******** Deck 17 ************

The doors opened out to reveal Lt. Hewson walking towards them both! This was perfect, they could capture him without trouble, or so they thought. As they approached, Hewson turned and ran. Mulich called out after him,

“Hewson, we need to talk to you!”, but Hewson seemed in little mood to talk. Mulich pressed his torment field button, to stop Hewson in his tracks, but nothing happened! He looked at Chanor, and Chanor raised his phaser at the retreating figure and fired. Hewson took the shot, and hit the deck, stunned. The two officers ran up to him and looked down at the still form of Lieutenant Hewson. The both grabbed him under the arm and hauled him off down the corridor towards the brig.

********* Deck 38 ************

Arriving at the brig, the two officers threw him into the brig, and left him i

n the capable hands of Lieutenant Sanchez to interrogate him. The two officers, satisfied that Sanchez would soon have the truth from him about his wife and that bitch Samara. If he had anything to do with the escape, there would be hell to pay.

He headed over to the security terminal and began to type out the report, whilst Mulich headed off to investigate a disturbance in Commander Sterner's quarters. He had only just begun typing when he received a message:

"To: Lt. (jg) Bancroft and Lt. Chanor
From: Captain Thomas

I have a proposal, I would like you two to lead a mission to find and rescue the captain under the assumption the Captain Price is still alive and on that station somewhere. I will give you five highly trained security personnel to aid you in quest, you may select an additional officer to serve with you. You report your findings and information to the first Officer.

Mission codename: Objective Price
Plan: Find and rescue the captain if he is still alive, if not then to bring back proof of his death.
Secondary objective: Gather information, and avoid contact with Commander Sterner or anyone else that might recognize you.

Lt. (jg) Bancorft
You and your group will board the station, wearing civilian clothing. You will be conducting a covert search of the place and gathering any information that might prove useful as to who wanted the captain out of the way.

Lt. Chanor
You and your group will go as the official investigation group from the Galaxy. I want you to begin with the captain's room, and find Mr. Burns. Find out everything that you can as well and what Sterner might have been up to, while he was there. I am assuming that Sterner has moved a safe distance away from where the captain was staying.

Good luck to both of you. Before you depart check in with me and I will inform you of who I have selected to serve as first officer.

Captain Thomas out"

Chanor read the message, and looked very shocked indeed. When had Captain Price been relieved, and what was happening with Commander Sterner. He'd always been a good security chief, though he enforced his will with a rod of iron. Chanor could hardly believe that Sterner was behind the attempt on the Captains life. But then, promotion in this business was accomplished in two ways. The official way, and the less official way. Sterner must have tried to get Casey to do the dirty deed for him. Oh well, not his concern anymore, but what was was the finding of the Captain. He started typing his reply to some other officers immediately.

To: Ensign Salt, Ensign McElvogue, Ensign Denning, Ensign Taylor, Ensign Neg'Puj.
From: Liutenant (JG) Paran Chanor
CC: Captain Thomas
Subject:
Please meet me in security as soon as possible. Come armed with a hand phaser, and a reload clip. You are to accompany me to find the Captain on the Starbase.

Lt (JG) Paran

Brief, and to the point. No point letting those grunts know too much about the mission anyway. Whilst he waited, he headed over to Ensign O'Lindey, who was currently working on the problem of the deactivated agonisers, and torment fields.

"Ensign, any progress?" he asked.

"No sir. It seems however, that whoever disable the fields did so from the Starbase. I've assigned the problem to Engineering however sir. They assure me that they'll have them back up within the hour." O'Lindey replied.

"An hour isn't good enough Ensign. Tell them to hurry it up. We've got an intruder lurking around her somewhere, near Commander Sterner's quarters. Without the fields, we have a reduced chance to catch him." Chanor replied sharply.

O'Lindey turned rapidly back to the terminal and began paging Engineering on the situation again, whilst Chanor turned to wait for the five officers to arrive.

Lt (JG) Paran
ISS Galaxy

AND
Lt Paran
USS Galaxy

"Am I Blue?"
by Grixble Flummux Entrepreneur,
Holographic Systems Designer
& Arboretum Manager, ISS Galaxy
and Matthew Albrecht, ACIO
& Keystone Cop, ISS Galaxy

--Arboretum--

Grixble began the afternoon by checking his computer program every thirty seconds. Unfortunately this meant the plants suffered through half-completed waterings, half-pruned leaves, containers of plant food left, unopened mere inches away from desperately hungry roots...and all the other traumas of a highly distracted gardener.

Eventually, just as the plants were about to organize a union and go into full scale revolt, Grixble gave up any pretense of arboretum work and shut himself into his tiny office. The plants sulked. But, inside the office, Grixble was about to discover something exciting.

"Computer, progress report on Grixble program Ally dash O-O-7."

[Program 34% complete.] the computer said.

"Thirty four percent?" Grixble moaned. It would be halfway into next week before he had an answer. By then Captain Price might be dead. By then, everyone might be dead. One big horrible nasty knife fight, right in the middle of the bridge. Grixble moaned again. This was too, too awful.

"Computer," he said, gloom and resignation filling his voice, "Why is this taking so long?"

[Program malfunction in scan of transporter buffer logs]

Grixble bolted up from his slump. "Malfunction!" he demanded. "My programs never malfunction. How dare it malfunction!"

He leaned in and began typing furiously at the console. Information flew across the screen, data from every corner of the ship, until, finally...

"Oh Great Blue One!" Grixble exclaimed, "There's someone trapped in the transporter buffers!" He checked again. "And if they're not rescued in...17.34 minutes, their pattern will start to degrade!"

Grixble leapt to his feet. He grabbed his diagnostic tool kit and a holo emitter and stood tall and proud in the middle of his office. "This," he announced to the air, "is a job for Jack Alaska, Superspy of the Final Frontier!"

And with that, he ran out the door.

--Transporter room 2--

The transporter room was empty when Grixble arrived. He'd bolted down the corridors, twitching and cringing from all the fierce looking officers who'd passed him by, hoping they weren't all out to get him, for some dreadful unknown reason. And now here he was, safe at his destination, eternally thankful for an empty transporter room. The thought of having to explain his actions to a member of the crew terrified him. It was painfully clear that Grixble didn't get out much.

He had intended, at first, to activate his new model EHE ­ the Emergency Holographic Engineer -- for assistance, but then remembered that he had still had some major personality adjustments to do on the program, and the thing would probably be more of an annoying hindrance than any help at all. So instead, Grixble set up his little diagnostic tool kit and began a complete analysis of the transporter's pattern buffer tank.

Someone was definitely in there. In fact, they'd been in there for a remarkable amount of time without any signs of degradation. Odd, Grixble thought to himself, but then he'd heard odd stories of people being trapped in transporter buffers for days, years even. Upon further analysis of the operator's console, it became quite clear to him that this was no accident.

"Oh dear," Grixble said to himself. "Not good, not good at all." Whoever had done this, had rigged the phase transition coils so that the quantum resolution during the materialization process would collapse and the poor victim would probably appear as a small puddle of steaming guck. "Not good at all," Grixble said again.

The only solution he could see at this point was to bypass the phase transition coils completely, but then, how could he do that and still materialize the man. Unless....

"That's it!" Grixble cried. "I can download his pattern into the Molecular Imaging Scanner, adjust the Heisenberg Compensators, realign the Annular Confinement Beam, reroute the entire system past the Targeting Scanners and into the Holomatrix and...Bingo!"

Grixble set up the portable holo emitter, dove into his tool box, and got to work.

Fifteen minutes later, he was all set. The transporter room's operations console had been ripped open and turned into a plate of spaghetti, but never mind. This had to work. Grixble crossed his fingers. "Please let it work," he said. He did not want to be responsible for the death of a fellow crewman. He closed his eyes, and activated the transport mechanism.

The pad glowed, as usual, but instead of a pattern appearing and coalescing into a living sentient being, another shimmer occurred in the corner of the room, next to the holo emitter.

The shimmer became a form. A holographic form, dressed in black tuxedo pants, a white shirt with rolled up sleeves, a flashy gold and silver paisley vest, and a bar apron. "Please state the nature of the libratory emergency," it said.

Immediately after that, an extremely puzzled expression crossed the face of what was normally the suave and sophisticated Emergency Holographic Bartender, and Lt. Matthew Albrecht looked down at his hands and said "Am I blue?"

Grixble did a dance of joy, and trotted across the room to the lieutenant. "Greetings, sir," he said. "I am your rescuer. At least, that is, I hope to be. Your biological pattern is being held inside the holographic template for my newly designed EHB. But don't worry sir, you won't be spouting off drink names or have a personality crisis. This is only the EHB version 1.0-beta. It doesn't actually work yet."

Before Albrecht could get a word in edgewise, Grixble went on. "Well, that's not entirely true. Think of it as my showroom model. It presents the customer with it's introductory message, and then, well the rest is up to his imagination. I actually made quite a lot of sales off of this initial beta version."

Matthew began examining his clothing. He looked around for a mirror.

"Oh you are quite blue," Grixble said. "I design all of my EHs that way." He smiled. "So, tell me, how exactly did you fall into this dire predicament?"

The newly-blue officer said, distractedly, "Oh, subterfuge, betrayal, greed, all the things that make the Imperial Star Fleet great. How long was I in there?" he asked, suddenly very attentive to the Bolian nervously shifting his weight from foot to foot a few feet away.

"Oh, six hours, forty-seven minutes and thirteen seconds, not to put too fine a point on it. Actually you're still in there, after a fashion. But pattern degradation was setting in and I had to act quickly" the blue man with the green thumb rambled on excitedly. "What I've done is bought us a little time to get these phase transition coils recalibrated. If only I knew what the saboteur had done in the first place it would be a start…"

Matthew walked over to the panel Angela Dana had been messing with and reached for the latch, but his hand passed through it, static-like distortions traveling along his forearm like ripples in a pond.

Grixble said, "Interesting, you have to learn to solidify; You’re an EHB now. Funny, I would’ve thought it would be the other way around… oh, never mind. Keep trying." He approached the ACIO, "What are you looking for?"

The lieutenant was amazed by how his hand passed through the panel like it was nothing more than a curtain of water. He was also amazed by how blue he was. This week was getting stranger and stranger. "This is where Angela was when I was trapped. She had this panel open and smiled at me…" he responded, his heart wrenching a little as he recalled her betrayal. With that thought he stepped away from the panel, and bowed his head sadly.

*Now I really am *‘blue’* he thought to himself, and then smiled at the irony. Then he chuckled aloud. Grixble Flummux turned and looked at him quizzically for a moment, then shook his head and mumbled something about engram malfunctions and transporter psychosis.

Looking behind the gray paneling, the Arboretum manager said, "Well, I’m no transporter engineer, but I’d say the culprit bypassed the tertiary sector of the iso-chip array, sending routine transports through the back-up transition coils rather than the primaries. The primary coils are routed…here…then here, and through this board. That seems like it would work fine. Hmmm," he pondered. Momentarily stumped, he said, "You know I am the Arboretum Manager, not an engineer? I’m doing the best I can, but this may be out of my league."

Across the room, Matthew was experimentally trying to pick up a phase adjuster. "So you’re saying I might be a hologram for the rest of my life? The new Emergency Interrogation Hologram--‘Please state the nature of the interrogation emergency’" he joked. The phase adjuster kept falling out of his blue hands about six inches off the floor. His skill at solidifying his body was improving, though slowly. "I wonder what that would do for my chances of promotion."

Emboldened by the Assistant Chief Interrogation Officer’s apparent confidence in his abilities, (or lack of concern for his inabilities), Grixble recommenced his study of the panel. He began pulling iso-chips one at a time and scrutinizing them. "Hmmm, no. Hmmm, no. Hmmm, no. Hmmm…" repeated the gardener as he removed and replaced chip after chip. After a couple of minutes of this, he finally answered the lieutenant’s question, as if he had just heard it, "Actually, I’m not so sure you could live out your entire life in a hologram. Experiments have shown that experiences and ‘memories’ don’t survive well in the algorithms used for emergency holographic personages. It would take a major rewrite to enable the ship’s computers to maintain your personality. I wouldn’t take the risk of putting you on a ship’s computer anyway. No, I think the bet course of action in that case would be to acquire a portable holo emitter, link it to a fifty-terabyte gel-pack array, and a deuterium reactor for power. We’re talking four gold-pressed bars of latinum minimum, and that’s with my discount. Then there’s security measures, we wouldn’t want some ambitious officer to delete you for revenge, would we? WAIT A MINUTE," exclaimed the Bolian.

Matthew looked up from his hands, the phase adjuster falling from his grip to the floor, three feet below. "Damn," mumbled the blue holographic bartender/interrogator.

"This isn’t right," he said, holding up an isolinear chip so that the light shone through it. He grabbed a special Padd-like device and plugged the chip into it. Information scrolled down his screen, the man’s eyes widened as he realized what he was seeing. The chip was an encrypted password! "Oh, no," he said as he yanked it from his Padd and shoved it back into the board. "Are you okay?!" he asked Lt Albrecht.

"Yes, I’m fine. At least as fine as a man can be while inhabiting an Emergency Holographic Bartender after being betrayed by a woman he loves and repeatedly failing to recapture an escaped Tellarite prisoner who would just as soon see him court-martialed. Why?" He was perplexed by the panic tone in the Bolian’s voice. So what had he found?

"Good," began Grixble, "So, the array queries the password to maintain the buffer pattern, that explains the extended flux… That means the controlling circuit is… Here it is!" he said, triumphantly.

***three minutes later***

"There, that should just about do it," Grixble said with an extremely wide blue grin. "You will soon be back to your old solid, albeit somewhat pale and blandly colored self again." He glanced over at Lt Albrecht, who stood with an intense look of concentration on his face, phase converter gripped tightly in his hand.

"Agh," Matthew said as he maintained his grip for another few seconds. He then dropped the converter, and let out an exhausted sigh.

Grixble motioned to the transporter pad. "Now if you'll just move over there..." he began, "and I'll--" He pressed a button.

An annoying beeping sound emanated fro

m the control console. "Oh Blue Hell!" Grixble exclaimed, "What have I done?"

Matthew's holographic self sprinted across the room. The alarm was all too familiar to him. "Security override," he said. "Someone--" He reached the console and began an attempt to enter commands, but unfortunately his blue holographic fingers and the solid reality of the control console were at extreme odds. He turned to Grixble. Press there," he said. "Then there, there, and...there."

Grixble followed the instructions, but with the overwhelming fear that at any moment he'd hit the wrong command and Lt. Albrecht would dissolve into a blue shimmer of nothingness. The annoying beeping continued.

"Someone has implemented an entirely new set of security protocols," Matthew said. "It appears to be ship-wide. This is quite extensive."

"We've been taken over!" Grixble shrieked.

"Possibly..." Matthew said.

"Oh dear," Grixble said. "Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear." His mind raced through all of the terrible catastrophes that could happen with a new captain and a mutinous crew. He could lose control of the arboretum! The plants could all die! "Oh dear," he said again, and then added "Poor Captain Price."

"Possibly," Matthew said. "Or possibly not."

Grixble took a step back, alarm filling his blue face. It hadn't even occurred to him that this Lieutenant might be in league with the mutineers. Possibly even with that dreadful Casey of the fake nose. "Oh dear," he said yet again.

"According to this, Captain Price isn't even aboard the ship," Matthew said, not noticing the blue panic that had taken hold of his companion. "And... the only top level codes in effect right now are his, Commander Thomas' and mine."

"Then--" Grixble began, feeling just a bit less stressed.

But Matthew interrupted before Grixble had the chance to finish that thought. "I've got to get to the bridge," he said, and sprinted his blue holographic self back up onto the waiting transporter pad.

*** five minutes later ***

Chief Purcell entered Transporter Room 2 to do a systems check, logs had shown unusual activity and he had been asked to follow up on it. It took only a moment for him to spot the Operations Console, all ripped apart and looking like linguini. He gasped at the sight. As he approached the panel, he saw that a note had been attached to its face.

The note read "Chief, please fix me" in huge letters. Below that were the words "Lt. Albrecht" and "See report AM4980124-1."

Galaxy "Incomming Message Pt 2"
Written by Kahn Nilani
Empok Nor

I walked around the corner almost hitting one of the stations security guards.

"Dukar where is my ship. Not the one that was following the galaxy the Rotaran!."

["Um ma'am that particular ship is standing by for the attack."]

"Well good. I want to speak to Captain Price, I have read his bio from the Empire and he is acting different."

["Ma'am I will tell the captain personally"]

"Thank you Dukar."

I turned onto the Promanade and walked down to a Window port. Looking in the general direction of where the attack fleet is. I sat down at a table and picked up a padd with the captain's Biography in it.

Talking to my self "Well, well, well. Arn't we the visious one."

Suddenly I felt someone walk up behind me.

["Intendent the regent has arrived at the fleet. He has given you 3 days to keep our secret then we will send 5 ships in to attack. You are to beam over to your ship and head back to the fleet. Once safe we will make Our main attack. You are also to try and convince the Captain to join the empire If he refuses to you are to kill him."]

I turned around to look at the person but I saw nothing. I opened the communicator.

"Dukar I want to see the Captain Now!"

"Starbase Fright Night"
by Lt. Pat Burns

Pat had been watching the Captain's quarters, with Commander Sterner in them, for little over an hour now. Finally the doors opened, but to his astonishment a monk-like figure stepped out of the quarters. The hooded figure left the quarters and quickly looked around until his eyes fell upon Pat. Immediately Pat gained his attention, as he was waiting for a Sterner to leave the cabin, not some kind of civilian. The man approached Pat. He quickly put his hands on his phasers.

The hooded figure stopped in front of the Pat, lifted the hood and revealed the face of Commander Sterner. Pat quickly drew his phasers, "Die you god damn traitor." However, the moment Pat was about to press the trigger, he already had the fist of the Commander in his face and was on his way down to the floor, unconscious.

Pat laid on the floor gaining slight consciousness for a moment as he watched Sterner wave at him and head off in another direction. Pat then slumped back and fell unconscious again.

**********20 mins later***********

Pat awoke with his head in a spin. Sitting up, he opened his eyes, but his vision was quite blurry. He waited for a few moments for his vision to clear before standing up. After he stood up, Pat walked into the Captain's temporary quarters. Looking at the console, which was left on, he saw information about Q. Pat had just started reading about Q a few weeks ago and had been yearning to ask Captain Price about Q, but he had never gotten the opportunity. "I wonder how Q comes into all of this." Pat said aloud to no one. "Well, there is only one way to find out, and that is to find Sterner. Computer, what is the present location of Commander Joerg Sterner."

('Commander Sterner is in the guest quarters assigned to Captain Price of the ISS Galaxy.')

Pat jumped up, drew his two phasers and spun around all at the same time. However no one was there. "Computer can you give me a more precise location." Pat asked quickly.

('Commander Sterner is in the guest quarters assigned to Captain Price of the ISS Galaxy. He is half of a meter from the computer terminal.')

"But that is where I'm standing." Pat said aloud.

('Please restate request.')

Pat thought of something and decided to test it. He took of the badge and placed it about a meter away from the door."Ok. Computer, can you repeat the last request."

('Commander Sterner is in the guest quarters assigned to Captain Price of the ISS Galaxy. He is one point three meters away from the door.')

"That dirty bastard. I can't believe he switched badges with me. I'm going to kick his ass." Pat said furiously. Suddenly the badge that was laying on the floor began to shimmer blue and then disappeared.

"Computer where did Commander Sterner go?"

('Commander Sterner is no longer aboard the Starbase.')

"Where was he transported to?"

"The location is unknown."

"Damn. This is getting even more complicated." Pat departed the quarters and headed for a turbolift.

When Pat arrived on the next floor three men were waiting for him. One grabbed him with unbelievable strength, pinning him in mid air against the wall. "Wait your not Sterner." the unusually pale Lt. Commander said. "Where is he?"

"If I knew sir, I would have killed him already." Pat responded praying for his life. Just when he thought the man...or whatever it was, was about to kill him, he was gently put back on his feet.

"I'm quite sorry Lt. If you find Sterner please exterminate him and I'll make sure you are rewarded."

"Yes sir."

"Dismissed." The pale man said.

Pat walked off, relieved that he was still alive, in search of Sterner and the Captain.

Lt. Pat Burns\Tactical Dept. Interrogation Officer

"Thoughts of an exiled"
by Tiger One
Leader of the Tiger squad

Joerg was strolling on one of the more populated decks of the Starbase, in search of his fellow members of the Tiger squad. He was holding a small device in his hand, which would inform him of the position of his squad's members, should they be into close range.

While he was going there without a destination, he thought his whole situation over again. The Admiral wanted Captain Price dead and offered him a ship of his own, should he succeed. The price for his failure was never mentioned in his little talk with the Admiral, but he knew that in the Imperial Federation death was always the punishment for failure.

He then convinced Deiran Casey to do the dirty job for him, a decision he had regretted by now, but he couldn't change the past. However Casey failed, willingly or unwillingly was out of the question for him now, thus presenting another obstacle for Joerg, he had to ensure that Casey didn't tell anybody about his plans.

Before he dealt with Casey, he re-activated his elite squad from the time he was the Chief of Security on the ISS Galaxy. All his eight followers were specialists in many different ways, thus building a compact unit in case of emergencies and furthermore their loyalty to him was out of the question. He shared the Admiral's wish for the assassination of Price with his group and they planned another attempt after the Galaxy had docked at the station.

After that he wanted to take care of the Casey problem, but he made the mistake again to involve more people. A mistake he would never do again, he sweared that from that time on he would do anything by himself, which was the reason he himself went to the station later, to get rid of the Captain, instead of the Tigers, as it was planned.

As far as Joerg knew, Casey was dead by now, but considering what happened to Joerg the last few days, he wouldn't be surprised that his former accomplice was still very much alive and waiting to take his revenge.

At that very moment Joerg thought about the irony he was in. Casey was doing a job for him, was arrested, but didn't say a word about his connection to him. He was taken care of by someone, or was he. Joerg on the other hand was given a job by the Admiral, but failed to complete his part of the bargain. He was hunted by some goons of the Admiral, but he was also chased by Commander Thomas' people as a traitor. The only thing that was for certain for him right now was that he would be killed immediately should he be caught by either party, although Thomas might want to do a personal interrogation before his execution. When he thought about his situation, he started to understand how Casey must have felt, after his assassination attempt.

His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a blinking dot on his device. It clearly showed that there was somebody approximately three meters in front of him possessing a device used by the Tigers. Joerg was carefully approaching the dot and once he had visual contact, he recognized the face as Lieutenant Ryan Quall aka Tiger Five.

Ryan saw the hooded figure approaching and knew that it either was some fanatic monk or the person he was looking for on the whole station. He tightened his grip on his dagger and waited what was about to happen. To his relief a familiar voice addressed him.

"We need to find a quieter place, where we could talk." the voice of Tiger One said, but it was barely hearable due to the crowd on the deck.

Ryan nodded and was leading them to a dark corner beside some kind of temple. Upon their arrival, Joerg put back his hood and revealed himself to Ryan.

"Have you done everything I ordered?" he just asked.

"Yes sir. Before Tiger Two and myself left the ship, we both have downloaded and afterwards deleted all your personal files as requested. They are in these PADDs now." Quall answered and handed a couple of PADDs to Joerg.

"Where is Tiger Two right now?" Joerg inquired, while putting the PADDs beneath his cloak.

"I don't know sir. We were supposed to meet half an hour ago."

"Damn." Joerg just cursed, thinking about what had happened to the others back on the ship.

"Seems we have to do it all alone. I need you to find some information for me. Hack into the Imperial database, ask people in the bars, bribe them, threaten them, do whatever you like, but I need these information." Joerg was getting enraged again.

"Yes sir, but excuse my stupid asking, what information are you after?" Quall dared to ask.

"Oh sorry, I forgot to tell you. First we need to find Price's whereabouts. I'm very certain that he is still alive and in the hands of the Admiral. The second thing we should concentrate on is finding anything about a group called Q and the Q continuum. Whatever they are, Price was very interested in them, perhaps the initial reason for his disappearance or even the reason why the Admiral wanted him dead." Joerg filled Quall in.

"And the last thing I need to know is how to get to the Admiral." Joerg stated and suddenly noticed a glimpse of a smile on Quall's face.

"What is so funny?"

"I think I have a way of how you could come in contact with the Admiral." Ryan answered, nearly grinning already.

"Yes, yes. I know THAT way too. But I was talking about getting to the Admiral and surviving this encounter." Joerg reminded him.

"Try whatever means are necessary and try to avoid contact with Commander Thomas' men." was Joerg's last advice to him.

"Thomas has announced himself Captain already." Ryan corrected him.

"I very much thought so. And he has promoted his marionette Albrecht to Commander and he filled the position of First Officer, right?" Joerg asked sarcastically.

"He had been promoted yes, but he's only the Second Officer. I haven't had a chance to know who the new First Officer was before I was leaving the ship."

"Never mind, I don't care at all. We'll meet at this place in two hours from now and I'll try to find Tiger Two myself. Good luck Tiger Five." Joerg said, put his hood back on and was soon gone in the crowd.

Ryan at first went in the opposite direction, but soon was also gone in the mass of people near the bar.

"Access Denied"
by Lt. Pat Burns

Pat quickly turned the corner to escape from the Lt. Commander. "I wonder who that guy was and why the hell is he after Sterner?" Pat found an unoccupied quarters and entered them. "Computer, lock door. "

He heard the doors lock and he sat down in front of the computer panel. "Computer, list all Lt. Commanders currently serving aboard Starbase 357. Include picture ID."

A list showed up and Pat began to skim down it looking for the pale face that he met.

********5 mins later************

"So your name is Lt. Commander Lore. Computer access bio for Lt. Commander Lore."

('Access denied. Authorization code required.')

"Burns omega zero-three-three-zero."

('Access denied. Rank of Admiral required to access.')

"Damn, he must be pretty important or something." Pat stood up and then paused in front of the door. "Computer, what is the location of Captain Price. "

('Captain Price is not aboard the Starbase.')

"Is there any information on his whereabouts."

('Captain Price's location is unknown.')

"Damn. Computer unlock the doors."

As the doors opened he saw a cloaked figure rapidly walk by him. Realizing who it was he quickly tapped the nearest console. "Computer establish a communication link with Captain Thomas aboard the ISS Galaxy."

('Access denied. Communication with the ISS Galaxy has been terminated indefinitely.')

"What the hell? Somebody is really pissing me off." Pat turned around and quietly followed behind Sterner, hoping that he would lead him to some information on the Captain's whereabouts or even the Captain himself.

Lt. Pat Burns/Tactical Dept. Interrogation Officer

Heretia shot a withering stare at Sunder. The message was quick, but painfully obvious to someone who knew Heretia as well as Sunder did: I'll get you for this. Sunder's responsive glance was equally brief and meaningful: I can't wait.

Alled the tellarite had no idea what was going on. He'd just been rescued from another abusive episode by these two strange Starfleet of

ficers who now appeared to have their own plans for him. That terran saying Anwar had been so fond of seemed to fit right now. He was back in the fire again.

The terran female adopted a different posture than before. Her hips seemed to shake a bit more as she walked up to Alled. Her eyes narrowed predatorily and hands found his wide shoulders, running them back and forth. Before too long she had draped herself over the poor bewildered tellarite, stroking his whiskers and scratching his snout.

" Dear, dear Alled, " she purred. Her perfumed voice wafting its way in and out of his ears hypnotically. Alled found that he had a strong need to wallow with this female, even though she was not tellarite. But with the male watching, he obviously couldn't reveal the female's effect on him. " We so desperately need your help. You're the only one who can. " She stroked his whiskers for added effect.

Alled was extremely uncomfortable, but couldn't disentangle himself from this woman. Nor did he have the urge to. He'd been stuck on board that freighter for the best duration of his contract and female company had been rare to say the least. He tried to retain some sense of his fragmenting machismo.

" W-who are you? " He managed

" Oh, that's right. " Heretia giggled. Sunder rolled his eyes. When she put her mind to it, Heretia could be downright enticing, but there were limits to an act.

" We haven't introduced ourselves. " I'm Heretia - you can call me Herry. And this is my friend Ursa. We came along just in time to catch that bad man from hurting you, didn't we? " She pouted in a schoolgirlish way. Alled could only nod. Still, throughout the spell Heretia was casting on him, his natural suspicious nature managed to peek through the fog.

" What is it you want of me? " He managed. Heretia dropped her act and stepped backwards. The coquettish attitude had disappeared and Ursa stepped forward.

" Give it up Heretia. He's obviously too smart to fall for that. We need you to pilot this ship. " He said simply.

" But you're Starfleet. Why can't you do it yourself? " Alled asked, half-grateful that he'd interrupted the female's attentions. " You could probably pilot this tub of bolts in and around the space dock better than I could. "

" True... " Sunder admitted. " But we don't have your docking clearance or your pilot's identification. You wouldn't raise anybody's curiousity if you piloted a small freighter around the space-dock instead of two starfleet officers. "

Alled started to put things together. " You mean you want ME to pilot this thing as opposed to US. "

" He thinks quickly. " Heretia observed. " Look Alled, we just helped you then. I think it's only fair that you return the favour. " She reasoned.

Alled's suspicions were still running rampant through his mind. " Since when do Starfleet officers ever require the help of a lowly merchantman? "

" In this case, we do. " Sunder said. " If not, we'll just get security back in here. I'm not in the habit of making up stories Mr. Alled, but I'm quite sure that they'd be interested to know that they have an Alignment sympathizer on the base premises, don't you think? " He asked with a threatening look in his eye.

" But... " Alled stuttered. " I'm not! We got picked up... sure, but they let us go! I've got the log here! " He protested feebly, waving Anwar's precious PADD around him like some sort of protective icon.

Sunder reached over and quickly took the PADD from his grasp. " I'll take that. " He said, easily brushing away Alled's reaching hands. " Now, what was that about you having a log? "

Alled crumpled in front of them with the air of a victim used to abuse. " Fine... fine. You get your way. I'll pilot the freighter. Whatever's left of it. " He added. " But the two of you are coming with me. "

" Good spirit, Mr. Alled. " Sunder announced jovially. " We'll join you, as long as the escape pods are functioning? " He waited for Alled's nod. " Escellent. We don't want you to take her far. Just to the berth next to the Galaxy's. She's only a few kilometres away. The thrusting jets on the Lotus should still be capable of that, shouldn't they? "

Alled turned to walk with them to the docking corridor. He hadn't gotten too far away from the Lotus when the security guards had arrested Anwar. It looked like he was never going to get away from this ship.

" Yeah, they're still intact. " He entered the access code into the access-way console. " It was only the main engines and some of the more sensitive systems on board that got fried when the Ferengi hit us. For whatever he was worth, Anwar was still a good engineer. He could have kept this ship together with a ball of gut-string and lubricant paste. " Alled remarked.

They entered the ship. Alled took the navigator's seat and punched in the coordinates that Sunder listed off to him. Alled looked around nervously.

" Where's the woman? " He inquired.

" I sent her aft. She's got a ... few things to look after. " Sunder said distractedly. " I want you to place the Lotus at this mark here. " He said, pointing to a grid map of the drydock facility within the starbase.

" Yeah sure, " Alled replied, concentrating on his panel. At once he was struck with a sudden wave of anxiety. " Hold off a second. Why there? " He asked, finally realizing where the Lotus was going to lie. " That's half a kilometre away from the nearest habitat junction. We won't be able to get off unless we transport off and our transporters are off-line. " He fixed the over-sized human with a pointed stare. " Why are we moving this close to the Galaxy? By piloting regs, I'm not allowed within a safety margin of two-hundred meters of a ship-of-the-line. If you wanted to avoid suspicion, you're not going to be very successful. "

" Dock central won't suspect you're up to anything if you follow this path. " Sunder said, indicating a route for the freighter to follow on the grid console. " Adopt a crab-like attitude so that they don't think you're up to anything. At the last minute you want to veer off this way, set the helm towards the Galaxy and then join us in the escape module. "

" You mean ram the starship? " The tellarite couldn't be more scared at what the starfleet officer was suggesting.

" Actually no. I don't want you to ram it. I just want it to clear within the 200 metre limit. We checked before coming out and there are no base skiffs in the vicinity. Nobody could tow this thing away before... " He halted.

" Before what? " Alled prodded.

Sunder paused for a while before speaking. " Look Alled. You probably don't want to know more than what you have to. When this is all over, just say that you were forced at phaser-point to help two renegade Starfleet officers. "

" You aren't Starfleet. " Alled said with certainty. " I don't know what you are, but you're not Starfleet. "

" Like I said, you don't want to know more than you need to. "

Alled mustered up whatever courage he had and pushed himself away from the console. " I need to know everything. It's my life you're risking here too. And don't try to kid yourself that if I don't know anything, they'll go easy on me. Like it or not, you've made me an accomplice. "

Sunder exhaled heavily. The tellarite was right. He didn't seem like the sort to resist Starfleet's brand of interrogation. He'd have to come with them.

" Fine. There's a modified 30 kilo-ton photon torpedo warhead filled with magnetically sealed anti-matter in your hold. When the Alignment ship boarded you, your entire cargo was replaced with the antimatter bomb. "

Alled's eyes widened. " How did you know about the Alignment ship? Unless... "

" You're right. We're not Starfleet. We're Alignment operatives. I'm the captain of the ship that boarded you. My name's Ursa Sunder and my mission is to destroy the Galaxy. Now you see why we need to get off this ship! "

Heretia chose that moment to return back to the bridge. She'd heard everything that passed between the two men.

" Great! Now you've jeapordized my cover even more! " She exclaimed loudly, throwing her arms up in the air.

" Oh come off it, Herry. You couldn't hope to go back to Starfleet after this. Besides, we need Alled's cooperation now. " Sunder threw back at her. " Is the explosive primed? " He asked, hoping to change the subject.

" Yeah, it's ready to go. What about the escape pods? " She replied.

" I've just run a diagnostic now. The units are fully operational as are the emergency transporters on board them. They'll jettison away from the freighter, head for the space doors and then we should have enough time for the Shadowfire to surprise the starbase defences. "

She looked at him incredulously. " You can't expect the Shadowfire to take on an entire starbase?!? "

" She doesn't have to. " Sunder clarified. " But one good surprise hit from her disruptor banks will knock out their primary systems for a short while. Just long enough for the emergency transporters on the escape pod to transport us through the space doors and onto the Shadowfire. "

" How long do we have? " Alled asked grimly.

" We're going to time this to the split second." Sunder said. " But we have to have at least 45 seconds. 10 for the freighter to reach its destination, 10 for the escape pod to get distance, 10 for the Shadowfire to de-cloak and fire, and 5 to retrieve us. "

" That's only 35 seconds. " Observed Heretia.

" 10 extra in case anything cocks up. "

" Oh. "

Alled stood up from the console. " She's locked on course. Nothing chould shake her now. " He looked alarmed. " What if they use their phasers? "

Sunder shook his head. " Not able to. It's standard Starfleet policy to eject their phaser coils before docking. That way they can't commit mutinies against entire sector heads. Think about it: the easiest way to advance your career in Starfleet is to kill your commanding officer. Why not take out an entire command network? " Sunder watched Alled digest this. " Besides, targeting anything as small as this freighter under 200 metres? I'm betting that the skeleton crew they've got on board won't be able to react quickly and efficiently as they need to. It's too fine a shot and requires more time to do it well than what time they've got - even if they do have some sort of back-up weapon. " He added.

Alled nodded. " Heads up. " He called. " There she is. "

Before them the throat of the Galaxy loomed before them like the vulnerable jugular of some great beast. Sunder took in the sight appreciatively.

" A deadly lotus for you before you die. " He whispered to himself before they ran to the escape pods.

"Q Theater: Starring . . . ."
by Lt. Ronnie Morris
and Cpt. Lee Price

"Humm." Q says while looking away and crossing his arms. Then, after a minute he turns back and looks at Lieutenant Morris. "Well, since you are here, you may as well do *something* to entertain me."

Captain Price looked at Lieutenant Morris for a moment and then back at Q who looked at them both expectantly. "I'm waiting..."

Ronnie, being use to entertaining men, said, "Q, I have just the thing for you. I will need, " and before she could finish, she and Captain Price were dressed from head to toe in Klingon costume. Off to the left was an eight piece Klingon musical ensemble.

Walking over to the Captain she said, "I know this illegal, but I hope you'll . . . forgive me." Handing him her PADD, she said, "The words and the cues are here. Your part is small, but endearing. I really hope you can read some Klingon."

With that, she positioned Captain Price in front of Q and she turned and faced Captain Price. Then, giving the ensemble their cue, they started. Suddenly, she pulled back her arm and hit Captin Price across the jaw with the back of her fist, and started singing a tale of betrayal by her lover and his attempt to win her back. One of Ronnie's favorite Klingon operas.

Captain Price flew back almost five feet. Sitting up, he shook his head, wiped the blood from his mouth and returned, unsteadily, to his position.

It was hard to tell Q's opinion of the music, but he seemed to enjoy the hits, shoves, and bites that Ronnie gave the poor Captain. As the scene ended, the Captain, barely able to stand there, was amazed to see Q stand up and cheer.

"BRAVO!!! Mon Capitain! Bravo, Mademoiselle." he said, still clapping enthusiastically. "Encore!! Please. Do it again. It was wonderful!"

Ronnie, at least, was pleased.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Lt. R'rlonnie Morris [charles@sykes.com]
2nd Chief Scientist, ISS Galaxy
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

“The Legacy, part III”
by Lt(jg) Hunter McKenzie AKA “The Supplier”
ASST Tactical Officer
ISS Galaxy

Mac stepped back, a look of total amazement on his face. Here was a known terrorist, that had killed with out a conscience, and now she kneeled, open and vulnerable, at his feet. Mac shook his head, trying to knock some sense loose. As he looked at the supine form he couldn’t help but be impressed. The form fitting battle armor seemed as if it barely contained the seething passion that exuded from her body.

Mac suddenly stumbled as if he was going faint. In the past 72 hours his life had changed dramatically. He had lost his son to IFP Privateers, assisted in the release of a wanted felon, and altered data concerning himself and his actions on the Galaxy’s computers. He was now, by no uncertain terms, a wanted criminal. Mac rubbed his chin as he thought about his next move, glancing at the still kneeling form of Samara. The only movement he could sense was the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. She seemed to be responding to the situation, as if he secretly expected something.

Mac moved to stand close to her. He could feel the heat emanating from her body. Reaching forward he lifted her chin, causing her to rise. As she tilted her chin to stare at Mac, he noticed that even in her subservient posture that she still held a burning fire that Mac could only marvel at. She continued to stare deeply into Mac’s own eye’s as Mac stepped forward till their bodies threatened to touch.

"wIj yIn je batlh nob tlhIH. dah K'Eytyanna, toy'wI"a' Hunter McKenzie." {My life and honor, I give you. I am now K'Eytyanna, slave of Hunter McKenzie.} She repeated, breathlessly, her eyes never leaving Mac’ s.

“No.” replied Mac quietly, shaking his head slightly

“ We are each others!” As he pulled her against him and savagely pressed his lips against hers.

----To be Continued----

Lt(jg) Hunter McKenzie. Asst Tactical Officer, USS Galaxy

"Catching Up"
By Matthew Albrecht
Acting Chief Interrogation Officer

As he marched through the passageway to the turbolift, Matthew admired his customized uniform. *Sure beats hell out of the tuxedo getup I had on a moment ago!* he opined, remembering the outfit the Emergency Holographic Bartender wore. He entered the ‘lift with a slight spring in his step; He was glad to be free from that damned Transporter Buffer.

"Bridge," commanded the lieutenant.

"Unable to comply, bridge access is limited to authorized personnel by voice command override only" replied the computer in its stern male voice. He wondered, *Why do all Imperial Fleet computers sound like that?* not for the first time.

"Computer, who initiated this protocol?" he asked, though he already knew the answer.

The ubiquitous voice responded matter-of-factly, "Commander Thomas, acting Captain of the Imperial Starship Galaxy, in executive order number…"

He interrupted, "That will do, computer. Thomas must be very concerned with security," he thought aloud. "That must mean that Sterner’s accomplices haven’t been ferreted out yet." The ACIO followed his train of thought by asking the computer another question, "Computer, what other security protocols are active?"

The computer droned on, listing dozens of Security overrides, protocols, system disabilities and authorizations. He was surprised at the state of shipwide security at such a critical time.

**** later ****

The Acting Chief Interrogation Officer headed to the deck where his offices were located. The security center, usually bustling with activity even in uneventful times, was nearly deserted. Between crew deaths, arrests, shore leave and the necessity of putting trusted operatives in non-security posts, staffing was at an all-time low. To help with the workload and to familiarize himself with the current situation, he stopped at the threat board. As he suspected, the board was clear. While he wanted to believe that there were no threats at present, he decided that it was malfunctioning due to the systems failures that were mysteriously afflicting his department. If he had been a superstitious Terran, he might have thought he was jinxed.

Upon his arrival, he went to his desk, his Assistant CIO desk. He bypassed the Commanders’ desk, assuming that his friend had not had time to clear it and might not appreciate his rushing to take over. Besides, the ACIO did not yet want to accept the captain’s untimely demise. Protecting the captain from harm was a primary duty of the Interrogation department, and the captain’s uncooperative behavior the past two days was no excuse for screwing this up.

What had been wrong with that man, anyway, he wondered. It started with the night of the assassination attempt, that evening the captain had foolishly gone into the turbolift without his escort. Of course, captains frequently leave their bodyguards behind, in an effort to remind them to pay attention, and have them agonized later as punishment for their inattention. But that kind of chance would not be taken by a captain alone in a turbolift with an officer as ambitious as Deiran Casey.

*Never mind,* he reminded himself, *more urgent matters require attention.* The Acting CIO accessed his terminal to update his security codes. Next he looked into the recent wave of security protocols etc.

He shook his head as he saw how many overrides and system shutdowns were plaguing the ship. The Torrent fields were inactive, and his access codes were unable to restore them. Remote agonizer activation was also out. Shipwide intruder tracking systems were off-line, as were the onboard phaser/disrupter discharge detection grids. All the signs pointed to someone planning an assault on the ship. But Matthew had thought that Thomas had taken the ship without bloodshed!

He set to work trying to reset the compromised systems to restore a semblance of safety to this inherently unsafe ship. It took forty-five minutes just to clear overrides and protocols established by paranoid junior officers and Commander Sterner’s cohorts. Someone had made a major breach into ship’s security subroutines that severely hampered all attempts to reset them. The lieutenant continued to furiously fight the worm program that regenerated against his every attack.

His frustrating chess match with the ship’s computer was interrupted by the arrival of his CO, and acting Captain Chris Thomas. Obviously busy and hurried, he didn’t waste time on small talk.

"Commander Albrecht see that Greer and Cat are released, on probation. They must turn over what they have and know about Sterner and swear allegiance to me and Captain Price, if he is found. Then begin the process of strengthening our position. Have Sterner's guards rounded up and arrested, if they cooperate transport them off the ship and onto the station, if they don't give, kill them as they are traitors." Matthew thought the acting captain was being very generous, since the charges against Thomas’s cohorts could be considered mutiny, and therefore punishable by summary execution.

Thomas continued, "Matthew once you've seen that these things are complete… no never mind I want you here." He caught the tone in Thomas’s voice, he had a very important assignment to give, but changed his mind.

"Sir?" asked the confused Interrogation Officer. Did the acting captain doubt his abilities due to his poor handling of the Gakor situation? There was no way to guess, since the man’s features were clouded over with the responsibilities of command.

"Carry out your orders."

"Aye, Sir." he responded. Thomas left immediately to tend to other matters.

Matthew immediately set about determining the location of Cat and Erikson. While downloading official, rubberstamp-type allegiance statements into his security Padd for the two officers to swear to, the comm channel interrupted him. *The two probationers will just have to wait,* decided the CIO.

"Captain Thomas to Commander Albrecht, please respond." He could hear it in Chris’s voice, he had a lot to do and no time to do it in. How well he understood the new captain’s position.

"Yes, Captain," he replied, setting down his Padd and checking his phasers.

Thomas sounded hurried, "Commander there is another problem that needs to be dealt with, I want you to have teams dispatched to search Commander Sterner's quarters and office, I want his logs, everything placed under scrutiny."

"Understood, Sir." Matthew replied. He came up with two names immediately. Opening a Comm channel he barked, "Lieutenant Sanchez, Ensigns Shinjo and Trabuco, report to the Interrogator’s Office immediately!" The two ensigns were probably on the station having fun, but Albrecht’s resources were extremely limited. He then contacted another person whose talents he needed badly. *The two probationers will just have to wait,* decided the CIO, thinking about Greer and Cat and his imminent meetings with both of them.

To pass the time while he waited, the new Chief Interrogation Officer did a little research to find who Sterner’s loyal men and women may have been. Many links showed up from a tri-level comparison scan of the crew’s records. The most promising dozen or so he red-flagged on a Padd.

********

Lt jg Sanchez arrived first. She looked perturbed, a black cloud hung above her head. The junior grade lieutenant held the belief that she was the only reason anything got done in security on a GOOD week. During a week like this one, she had the weight of the world on her shoulders. He sized her up, wanting to appear as if he had not already decided what he would do with her.

"Lieutenant junior grade Sanchez reporting for duty, sir!" she barked, like a marine. Perhaps she had always wanted to be one, he thought. She looked ready to take on the entire Empire.

He spoke in short, official terms, "Lt’ Sanchez, you have performed your duties with exceptional skill and dedication. I would like to reward you in the way you seem to prefer; Added responsibilities and duties. I would like to offer you the position of Acting ACIO until the captain can be found. What do you say?" He stared right into her eyes in the most challenging way he could. This was one officer he read like a book. He really could think of no one he could trust more as his assistant.

She did not smile. What she did do was glare back at him even more challengingly than he had stared at her. She gritted her teeth and responded, "I accept, sir. What is my first duty?" She was smart. She knew what was going on, and knew he wanted something immediately.

He smiled at the eager woman. "What I want you to do is gather up these people," he handed her a Padd, "from whatever duty they have been assigned. These men and women are suspected of being Sterner sympathizers, and are to remain confined until their true allegiance can be determined. I am sure you understand how serious our staffing situation is at this time, therefore, I have marked those I believe are the least threat. Please add any names you legitimately believe should be included on that list. You may determine their loyalty as your first Interrogatory task. Use your judgement, and the appropriate equipment." He watched her inflate with eagerness to tackle the assignment.

He then finished the briefing, "If any of these personnel resist your authority and refuse to enter your custody, kill them. You have the Captain’s authorization. And my full confidence. Do you have any questions?" The young woman thought for a minute.

"Yes, sir, I do. What are Commander Thomas’s intentions, sir?" she didn’t surprise him, such a question would be going through everyone’s mind at this point.

He inhaled, and spoke carefully, with sincerity. "I have known the commander for quite some time. While he has command ambitions, it is obvious to me that his objectives here are very clear. He has done nothing but attempt to return this ship to proper command and seek to return the captain to his chair. Chris Thomas will make an excellent captain one day. I don’t believe that he wants that day to be today. Does that answer your question, lieutenant?"

"Clearly, sir. Permission to be dismissed, sir?" she requested.

He nodded, "Yes, dismissed." She saluted, and turned smartly before leaving.

********

Shinjo and Trabuco had been waiting just outside the door to his office. They entered together. Marla spoke first, "Congratulations, sir. Chief Interrogation Officer suits you" she smiled at him, winking.

Matthew ignored the flirtation, she probably didn’t even realize she was doing it. Such behavior was practically trained at the Academy. "I’m glad you two could change your plans to join me here. I have a special assignment for you both. If you do well, I can guarantee you both an extra half-pip." This sort of situation was a golden opportunity for department heads who could read people.

Both ensigns perked up instantly. Trabuco’s eager attitude, in contrast to his mutinous and homicidal behavior from more recent days, was a gratifying indication of Albrecht’s successful leadership techniques. Simultaneously they responded, "Yes, sir!"

He proceeded to brief them both on their assignments. Shinjo would search Sterner’s quarters, using the same precautions they had employed at Casey’s rooms the previous day. Trabuco would do the same at Sterner’s office. Both would take extra precautions due to the possibility of Sterner’s henchmen lurking about. The operation was to commence in thirty minutes, after the CIO had had time to solve the computer problems in security. He dismissed them to assemble the teams he suggested.

As they left, the last person he had contacted arrived. Lieutenant Cavanaugh strode into the room, glided to his side, and purred, "Computer, lights forty percent." Her hands stroked his chest sultrily.

He stopped her, regretfully, "Computer, lights one hundred percent." He took her hands from his chest, and looked into her eyes. "Maggie, I told you I have a problem I need your help with. It has to do with security codes and the ship’s computers…"

Galaxy "Condition Yellow"
Written By Intendent Kahn
Empok Nor

**** Bridge of Rotaran ****

["I don't like Derian being on my bridge"] the former Co told his former XO

["Well neither do I. I will send a communication to the Intendent."]

["You do that. ::turning to a guard:: Bring my Terran Slave Girl to my quarters"]

["Aye Captain"]

The commander went to the communications station and sent a coded message.

**** Starbase 357, location Promanade ****

Beep Beep!!!

I looked down a pulled my communicator out.

"Kahn here go ahead?"

["Intendent Commander Kalem here. I wish to inform you that your brother has taken control of the ship, what do you want me to do."]

"Well keep an eye on him and tell him to follow the regent's orders to the letter"

["Aye Ma'am. Ma'am you will recive A transmission saying to be ready to beam over to a ship, the attack will soon commence. Rotaran Out"]

**** 10 Light Years Away ****

Somewhere On the bridge a voice shouted out

["Regent on the Bridge"]

The regent stopped and sat down on his chair.

["Open Fleet wide communication?"]

["Channel opened Regent"]

["Very good. Klingon Supercruser D'Kanar to fleet. Warp to sector Az-42 this is the sector 1/2 a light year away from the starbase then exit warp and proced to the station at 1/2 Impulse. We should arrive in 2 days. Once within Range commense the attack Gamma Quadraunt armed ships are to be the front line ship. Bajoran Ships. I want you to attack the station Gamma Quadraunt ships are to beam over personal and try to take the station. I want the Intendent and her personel safe on my ship the have been equiped with personel transporters. When I give the Mark Engage warp Engines. One last thing Cardassian ship are to act as support ships if they launch any of there vessels. Q'pla"]

with that the communication was cut and the massive fleet of over 350 ships went into warp.

"A fool's fool"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price

Captain Price rubbed his jaw. Lieutenant Morris seemed to be having a little too much fun beating on the Captain for Q's entertainment.

"BRAVO!!! Mon Capitain! Bravo, Mademoiselle." Q said, still clapping enthusiastically. "Encore!! Please. Do it again. It was wonderful!"

Lee stood back up and shook his head. "Sorry 'mate. I think once is enough for now." The Captain rubbed his jaw and moved it around to evaluate if he was seriously injured or not.

"Oh you are no fun Price. But you do make the perfect fool." Q mused.

Captain Price finished checking his jaw and glanced over Q and Ronni's head, up past the tall trees that decorated the Arboretum of the Starbase. His eye caught a glimpse of a small flash of light, and for a moment, he though he saw the silhouette of a man between the branches.

"You have room to talk Q. That's akin to the pot calling the kettle black 'mate." Lee said walking away.

The color raced to Q's face when the General turned his back on him. Not understanding the reference, Q looked at Lieutenant Morris, "What is he talking about? Pots and kettles? Is he spinning some sort of riddle?"

Ronni smiled and slowly shook her head to the negative. "No. It's an old earth saying. It means you are calling him a fool, when in fact, you yourself are also a fool."

Q's eyes narrowed, "You are calling ME a fool Price? How dare you! Why I am Q! Greater than your kind will ever inspire to be. Your insult would be like an ant calling you weak! That is what you are compared to a Q Price, a little, helpless insect."

Lee had turned around and was massaging his sore muscles in his arms and looking at the teenager rant on. When Q finally finished and was anticipating a response, the Captain Obliged.

"That very well may be 'mate. But at least I have already figured out that we are all being held prisoner here in this converted shuttle bay. And what's more, we are being watched."

Q's expression softened and almost took on a naïve quality as he glanced around. In a questioning tone, he asked, "What are you talking about Price?"

Lee grinned and took a couple of steps forward, placing his hand upon the young Q's shoulder, "Behind the tree line is where the observation deck and command center for this shuttle bay resides. I saw a figure at the controls and observing us through the branches 'mate. I know I didn't come here of my free will. And I don't believe the Lieutenant did either."

Ronni was close enough to hear the Captain's softly spoken words and shook her head "no".

"I think they are holding us here in order to observe you Q, and study your powers 'mate."

A look of disbelief washed over Q's face. "Why, that can not be. I am Q. There is no way I could of been fooled in this way by mere mortal creatures like yourselves."

Lee's eyebrows shot up, "Really? Think back Q. Didn't your father ever tell you why he finds the human species such fascinating creatures? Hasn't he ever bragged about how resourceful and crafty my kind can be when we apply ourselves?"

Q lowered his head and touched a finger to his chin, "He did seem to hold a high regard for humanity. I never quite understood why. This is absurd Price. I am Q. I can leave here any time I choose to."

"Is that so? Why don't you prove it 'mate? And just so that we can be sure that you don't pull any tricks like turn invisible or something, Lieutenant Morris and myself will come along. You can handle that, can't you 'mate? I mean... I wouldn't want to over tax your powers of anything."

"Price, it will give me great pleasure in seeing you eat your own words." Q sneered then waved his hand transforming his outfit from the Bramuda shorts he was sporting for tanning to a full Imperial Starfleet uniform, ranked at Captain like the General was wearing.

"That's impressive Q. However, we are still in this converted shuttle bay 'mate."

"Just warming up Mon Capitain. It is important that a Q always be dressed appropriately for the places we travel." With another wave of his hand Q prepared to whisk Lieutenant Morris, Captain Price and himself from the Arboretum.

"I'm waiting Q..." Lee said as he crossed his arms and began tapping his foot.

Q began to panic, frantically moving his arm and snapping his finger before looking at his hand, as if it was some how defective. "I.., I..., I don't understand this!" Turning to look at Ronni, Q pleaded, "I swear... this has never happened to me before!"

Ronni crossed her arms and tossed her head backward, "PLEASE! I've heard that one too many times already!" She said in a witty yet seductive tone that went perfectly with her innuendo.

"Price, what does this mean? Help me! I'm powerless...." Q groveled, "They must have done something to vanquish my powers. Make them stop Price, make them stop!"

Lee watched as the youth fell to his knees and clung to his leg like a scared child. His heart went out to him, of course, but it amused him at the same time. "Q, stand up!" The Captain barked in a tone only the Captain of a Starship can muster.

It surprised Lieutenant Morris a little, but it absolutely stunned Q. The boy was on his feet in a moment, but still looked scared and uncertain with his powers gone.

"Stand up straight. You are Q. Act like it." Lee ordered.

The boy straightened up but still stared with uncertain eyes at the Captain.

"Do you remember what your Father told you about this place 'mate?"

Q didn't understand, and began to question, "I don't think I ...."

"DO YOU Q?" Captain Price yelled, shocking the boy into complete attention.

In a some what frightened, but some what angry tone, Q shouted back, "HE TOLD ME I COULDN'T GO HERE!"

Lee's expression softened and a hint of satisfaction turned the corner of his mouth slightly upwards. "Why?"

"What?" Q said in a puzzled tone.

"Why?" Captain Price repeated. Lieutenant Morris had already figured it out, but remained silent for the boy to figure it out.

Finally, the look of realization lit up Q's eyes. "Because something about this universe neutralizes the power of the Q?" Q looked away, almost shocked, "Then he wasn't just trying to be mean or limit my freedom. He was trying to protect me..."

"Just as I said Q. Your father loves you just as any parent, even one from a species as 'primitive' as humanity, loves their child and wishes to protect them from danger and harm."

"I have been so wrong about him Price... How could I of been such a..."

"Fool?" Ronni suggested in her own unique tone.

Both Price and Q looked at the Delphinian, after a moment, Q smiled. "Touché Mademoiselle, touché. Now Price, you must figure out how to get us out of this place so we may return to the Q Continuum."

Lee nodded, "That's why Q sent me. He said something about flying a Starship into the Argonii Star and crossing over the plane of existence to the Q Continuum. He said you could help to strengthen the structural integrity fields of the ship to prevent the gravitational forces from crushing the hull as we near the Star."

"Ah yes. I remember that from when I was a toddler. A simple matter really. But enough of that, let's get going Price. The sooner I am out of this universe, the sooner my powers will return."

"Fair dinkum 'mate. Let's get started. Lieutenant, We can start over there." Lee said pointing before the two officers and Q began walking across the Arboretum, out of view of the camouflaged command deck overlooking the converted shuttle bay.

By Dr. Felicia Khatroweena, ISS Galaxy NCC-70637
w/ Lieutenant Greer Erikson, CSO
and Lieutenant Matthew Albrecht, CIO

***** Brig *****

Cat awoke. She could feel already the cramp in her muscles. Bunks in the cells were not the most comfortable of sleeping arrangements. She stretched out, feeling her muscles stretch and hearing her joints pop. She rose from her bunk and looked out over to the other cells, some with occupants and some without. After spending a few seconds looking over the world outside of her cell, she saw the duty officer sitting at the desk, her feet up on the desk.

"Hey Ensign" Cat called out. "Ensign"

The guard turned her head to look at Cat and then returned to her report on the PADD. After a couple of seconds, she dropped the PADD onto the desk and moved over to the cell. "Yes Doctor, what is it you want?"

"Could you get me something to drink, please. I'm parched." Cat saw the scowl appear on the face of the security guard. "Look, I would get it myself, but I having a little difficulty getting to a replicator." Cat gave a small friendly smile.

The guard just frowned, returned to the security desk and flicked the intercom. Cat watched as she spoke for a few seconds and then turned to face her. "Doctor, something will be here in a couple of minutes."

Before Cat could give her thanks, the guard had her PADD in hand and feet back on the desk, her attention on the report. She was oblivious to the doors opening and to the presence that entered a few minutes after the request, with the water.

When the new CIO entered security, he was not impressed. They had just had three successful escapes in the last day or so. Here was an ensign reading, rather than watching prisoners and being very lax when it came to procedures. He cleared his throat and watched as the guard, nonchalantly, indicated Cat's cell and said "It's for the Doctor over there."

Matthew cleared his throat again. The guard began to turn her head, "You deaf or something? I said it's for... Lieutenant Albrecht, I didn't know it was you." She quickly scrambled to her feet to stand at attention when she finally recognised the identity of the visitor.

"Obviously not. Ensign, we have had three successful attempts of escape because of lack of attention to procedure and inattentiveness. I will give this warning to you just once, if I find you derelict in your duty again, I will throw you in a booth for a couple of hours. Do I make myself clear?" Fire virtually shot from his eyes and burned holes into the ensign's averted eyes.

"Yes Lieutenant." The ensign's voice held a slight quaver as she answered.

"Now, I wish to talk to the prisoner. Do you think you can deactivate the forcefield?" he added to further emphasize his disappointment with her performance.

"Yes Lieutenant." She stretched over the desk to lower the 'field temporarily to allow Matthew entry to the cell.

Cat looked up at Matthew as he entered her cell. "Well, Hello Cat. That what you wanted?" he said as he passed over the glass.

Cat took the glass and took a small sip before responding. "Matthew."

"Not the most flattering position I have seen you in." Cat just looked at him as Matthew spoke. "Well, you should be interested to know, that Captain Thomas has released you from your confinement. But you are on probation for the foreseeable future."

"Captain Thomas?" questioned Cat.

"Until the General returns to the vessel, Captain Thomas is in charge. Before you leave the Brig, you will have to swear allegiance to Captain Thomas and to Captain Price," he concluded. She could hear in his voice that he half expected her to refuse. Or at least try to trick him in some way.

"I have no trouble with that, I like the General." Cat said softly. A thought crossed her mind and a shiver of terror went up her spine. "What about Sterner and Morris? They could come after me?"

"I doubt that Cat, there are orders to arrest him if he is seen trying to come on board, the same for the rest of his people. So now, what information do you have about Sterner and Morris?" He was holding up a Tricorder, with the recording mode activated.

Cat looked down at the floor before she spoke. "Not much when it comes to real proof. I was hoping to convince Ronnie to pass over the information to the Captain. But Sterner rescued her before I had a chance to get any hard information. I've already told Comm... Captain Thomas about the fake report that Morris made up to discredit Greer. Hopefully there would be some information left on her private files. Nothing really more than that."

"The Captain has already gone over Lieutenant Morris' office. It would be better if you had something more than just that." Matthew could see that Cat was unlikely to have any more information. "Cat, I suggest you think more about the situation, you might remember something."

He looked away for a moment, a small but identifiable transformation crossing his features. "One other thing, Cat. How you perform this task could determine how the new Interrogation department treats its newest probationer."

The Caitian's eyes widened as she waited for the other shoe to drop. Was he going to involve her in yet another tangled conspiracy? Horrible ideas flew through her mind as she waited for his demand. "Angela Dana is in protective custody in SickBay, she has suffered some kind of delusional attack and has been relieved of duty. I suspect she is the victim of some kind of mind control," he said as he watched the beautiful cat's face for any reaction. "I know you have a certain expertise in these matters. Restore her to her old self and I will do my best to restore you to your previous... status."

He turned his back on the sensual woman, and demanded, "Hey Ensign, open up the field."

The archway shimmered and then was clear again. "Well Cat, a few formalities and you will be free to go. I have to go talk to Greer," he informed her as he dropped a PADD on her bunk. She input her authorization code to the statement of fealty and left the brig as quickly as a cat.

***** Sickbay *****

As Cat moved into Sickbay, she collected the PADD with Angela's medical notes. She was looking for any foreign compounds that were signatures of hypnotics and suggestion drugs. Yep, there it was. The safest thing was to let the drug be purged by her system. That would take a few days at least.

She moved to personally checkout the Deltan. Angela seemed healthy, quite healthy. Cat considered an accelerant that would allow the body to metabolise the drug quicker. The drug wasn't the real problem, the problem was that Angela would carry out any order that was given to her that didn't go against any previous programming. Who ever did this were not going for subtlety, they wanted fast and effective results, and they got it.

"Angela." Angela turned and smiled as she looked at Cat expectantly. "Do you know what is going on?"

"I am in Sickbay being looked over by you Doctor Cat" she smiled as she replied.

"Do you know why you are here?"

"Because Matthew thinks I am sick. He says I am being mind controlled."

"Do you know who is mind controlling you?" Cat asked.

"Endris, Matthew's former girl."

"Ok Angela, Would you like to do something for me?"

"Oh yes, What would you like me to do?"

"Angela, you are in need of a holiday, only for a few days. During that time, look over all the engineering texts and publications that you haven't had time for. Ok?"

"Ok," Angela said happily.

"Good girl, I want you to stay here, under Doctor's orders, until I say so. I'll talk to you later."

Cat left the Deltan to her own devices. Before leaving Sickbay, she found the duty nurse Kristen Opel. "Dana over there, I want contact with other people kept to a minimum. Unless I have given the OK, only medical staff are to speak with her and then only when required. She is under the effect of a strong suggestion drug. If anything goes wrong, the new Chief Interrogation Officer is going to be on our backs, and I don't think you really want that." As Cat was giving Kristen her orders, Kristen made it obvious she was only half listening, that was until Matthew was mentioned. That was when she started to show some enthusiasm.

As Cat left Sickbay, she knew she had lost a lot of the control she had over people. The nurses were always under her power. Kirsten's display of ignoring Cat just showed how much Cat had lost.

***** Cat Quarters *****

Cat returned to her quarters, she saw Domino, and knew that she had better work on something for that situation. With Matthew's woman in Sickbay she would not have the time and anyway the thrill of it all was gone. Right now she was too busy just to survive the Galaxy. "Ensign Voight, uh, Dianne."

Voight looked over at Cat, surprised at hearing her real name from this bitch and also a little wary. Voight said nothing and waited for Cat to continue.

"Dianne, I am returning you your freedom." Cat moved over and deactivated the modified agonizer and removed it. Cat moved to her terminal and downloaded a number of files to a PADD and passed it to Voight. "You'll find all the information on the virus you have been injected with and my research in destroying it."

"Why are you doing this? Why now?" asked Voight.

"Because I am not the black, evil nasty witch that you think I am."

Dianne was looking over the data on the PADD and scowled. She looked angrily at Cat, "No, you're worse. Even with daily doses of the viral-inhibitant, I've only got half a year. I should kill you now."

Cat moved behind a table to put something between her and the very angry Voight. "Look, the anti-viral agent is almost worked out. It should only take a few weeks to complete it. I'll help!"

"You'd better. You listen to me, if I feel even a finger from you on me, I will break every bone in your body." Voight grabbed her uniform and left for her own quarters.

She needed to talk to Greer, returning Voight would be a good opening move. Cat moved to the intercom and contacted Greer. "Greer, it is Cat."

[Yes Doctor Khatroweena, Please be quick I am busy.] Cat could hear the sneer in his voice.

"I thought you would like to know that I have returned Ensign Voight to her normal duties. I, uh, won't be requiring her."

[Thank you Doctor, Is that all?] Cat was a little taken aback at the hidden hostility in Greer's voice.

"Greer, I want to... Do you want to meet to talk about what happened?"

[No. Erikson Out]

Things had gotten worse, she had no control over them any more. She had no control over anyone on the vessel. Her 'protection' from the goings on, on the Galaxy had gone. She needed friends; by herself, Cat was vulnerable. Maybe she could get in the good graces with Greer. It would be a start.

Cat moved over to her mirror and had a good look at her self. Greer was really pissed off at her. She needed to use all her 'weapons' if she was going to get Greer to trust her again.

'Unless Greer totally hates my guts, the lady in distress look should work.' Cat worked on her clothes and make up to have Greer pity her enough to blunt his hate of her. Final touch, she dropped a couple of drops from a small squeeze bottle into each eye. Her eyes stung a little and by the time she could wipe the tears from her eyes, they were bloodshot and her eyes continually filling with tears. 'Perfect'

***** Chief Science Officer's Office *****

Greer was working on the never-ending reports that ended up on his desk or had to be sent to other officer's desks. Primary alignment coils for the gamma ray telescope were still not calibrated correctly, he was considering taking a bat with him and watch the engineers as they work on it, so many times they said it had been done, with little or any noticeable change.

He heard the door beep, he called out for the person to enter and turned to watch them come through the door. When he saw Cat hesitate before she entered he frowned. She looked bad, what ever had happened had really affected her. But he was going to stay resolute, she had betrayed him and that is something that is not forgiven easily. "What is it Doctor?"

Cat walked in, to Greer the larger than life Cat seemed to have shrunk. Usually she matched his six foot height, and with the heels she wore was even taller. But now, she looked scared and a lot smaller than he pictured her. She continually wiped her eyes and was sniffling, she looked at Greer, "Mind if I sit down?" Indicating a chair.

"No, go ahead, but please be quick with what you want."

"Greer, we really need to talk about what happened."

"Talk about what? I know enough about what happened that I don't need to talk about it." Greer turned his attention to the PADDs on his desk and pointedly ignored Cat.

"I was scared Greer, I can't stand the idea of so much pain, I lost control." Greer continued to ignore her. "I had to say something, I mean it was Sterner's idea and he did blackmail you. I know you would get in trouble for the breakout but now Thomas knows who forced you and why." Cat started to wail, "I was trying to help you, Greer."

Greer looked at her, angry at the 'help' he had got. "Help, was that your help? Well thank you very much! You knew I was likely going to end up in the agonizer, so you told Thomas everything so you could miss out on such fun. Do you really think I like the idea of being agonized? I wasn't going to say much, then I heard how you were ordered by me to kidnap and poison Ronnie. I was a little more than just surprised to hear that. You must use a different dictionary than I do, if that is your definition of help."

Cat sat there, her mouth open in feigned surprise. Seems Sterner passed along her little lie to Thomas. 'Well a little lie to cover another little lie.' Cat wiped tears from her eyes and put enough indignation into her own voice. "Do you really think I would say anything like that. How do you think that Thomas knew about that? I never told him. It came from Sterner, where else would have it come from." By the look Greer gave Cat, she knew he didn't believe her entirely.

"Uhhuh, yeah sure" was all he said.

"Who are you going to believe, me or Thomas?"

"Why would Thomas lie?"

"He didn't, he was going by the 'report' sent in by Sterner. Sterner had every reason to lie, didn't he?"

Greer looked at Cat, she had a point, but it still hurt the last few hours and not just from the agonizer. "Your right, he did."

"Greer, I want to prove to you that I didn't betray you."

"How?"

"Dinner?"

"Hmmph" and Greer returned to his reports. He knew what it meant by when she said dinner, and he really wasn't ready to trust her that far again.

"I mean a real dinner, in Ten-Forward. Neutral territory. Please" begged Cat.

"Alright, Dinner. Nothing more?"

"Nothing more!"

***** Ten - Forward *****

Cat waited for Greer at the table, it was a bad idea to decide to eat here. She felt totally unprotected, so Cat had decided to sit in a corner booth, at least her back was covered by a bulkhead. Deciding that sex was not going to get what she wanted; Cat had dressed in an outfit that was almost decent. She had already ordered the dishes, the only thing now was to wait for Greer.

Cat watched the entrance to Ten-Forward and saw him as he arrived. Cat stood up and waved to gain his attention and to guide him over to the table.

"Hello Greer, I was worried you weren't going to come."

"I almost wasn't" he said seriously.

"Oh, well, I am glad that you have." Cat smiled, trying to reassure Greer.

"You look a lot better than you did earlier?"

"Thank you, before I thought I had lost a good friend, I hope I haven't?"

"We'll see."

Cat indicated to one of the waiting staff to bring out the dishes. The two just sat there looking at each other, not knowing what to say.

As the dishes started to arrive, "They are all your favourite dishes, no surprises" Cat informed Greer.

The both of them started eating and again any conversation was absent. Until Cat asked "So what do you think of the idea of Thomas being captain."

"Lot better than having Sterner as captain."

"Yes. Thomas must have some suspicions on Sterner to move as fast as he did. I mean, Sterner sends me in to be agonized for kidnapping Ronnie, next thing I hear he is to be shot on sight if he resists arrest."

"Uh huh!" Greer grunted with a mouth full of chicken.

Cat didn't know what else to do or say. Greer didn't want to talk and Cat lost a little of her appetite. With out people in position to protect her, the ship started to feel a lot less safe to her. Maybe it was time to return home to Cait and face some of the problems there. Silence yet again fell upon the table.

Greer noticed how Cat seemed to just play with her food and nibble at it and her down expression on her face, her ears even seemed to have drooped a bit. 'She might be sincere, not much chance, but she just might. If I could trust her, it would help a lot.' Greer looked at Cat, "You want to prove yourself to me?"

"Yes Greer, of course." Her ears picked up and her face became a little brighter, "What is it you want me to do?"

"I have some files that, well, I would like a doctor, who I can trust I might add, to look over them and to keep their mouth shut."

"I can do that, what sort of files? What are they about?"

"Later, we will discuss that later, all I'll say is it has something to do with Ronnie! You finish off your meal and we will talk about it later."

Cat felt a lot happier, Greer was asking her for her help. She didn't know what, but it was a start. Maybe things aren't that bad. A different silence blanketed the table this time. As both Greer and Cat considered their next moves.

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

Where, oh where is the Captain? (Part 3 of 3)
By Lt. Cmdr. Jack Lawson

The blue shimmering light dissipated and Jack stood on one of the decks of the starbase. This was the deck above the one that the General was staying on. He didn't want to announce his arrival to any possible threats towards either himself or the General yet. Captain Price's life was in danger, and Jack had to warn him.

The hallway he had beamed into was empty. The dull metallic grey of the walls made the hall seem darker, and with the evenly spaced artificial lights, the hall had an eerie glow about it. Jack started down the hallway, towards the turbolift. He rounded a corner, and pulled back suddenly. There, down the hallway, outside the turbolift, stood four men, actually three men were standing, while the fourth was being held against the wall, his feet not quite touching the floor. The man being held was one of the Galaxy's crew, Jack couldn't remember his name, nor the department he worked for, but he knew that the young man was a member of the crew.

Jack caught a glimpse of the face of the man holding the Galaxy crew member and let out a small sigh of amazement. It was Lieutenant Commander Lore, someone Jack hadn't seen for a long time, a very long time.

Jack saw the Galaxy officer turn to walk away from Jack's location, and so made a hasty retreat back down the hallway, just in case Mister Lore and company decided to walk this way.

**** An Hour Or So Later ****

After checking out the captains quarters, which had been thoroughly 'cleaned' by someone, and finding nothing that could lead Jack to any conclusions about where the captain was, or to what had happened to him, Jack had decided to hack into the starbases computer databanks to see if there was anything that could help find the captain, who Jack now believed to be either dead, or being held against his will somewhere.

The results of the hack into the databanks of Starbase 357 gave Jack very little in the way of information. He was hoping for a record of the conversation between the traitorous Commander Sterner and Admiral Qwon, which he had intercepted, and had been able to decode. Unfortunately the video conversation that had caused him to be caught by Sterner and Casey was not stored there, It was probably stored on some private storage device belonging to the Admiral. However two interesting items of data were retrieved, firstly that Lt. Cmdr. Lore had been assigned to Starbase 357 shortly after an incident at Omega Colony Delta One, an incident that Jack was all to familiar with, and secondly that sensor reports from a short time ago, reported that severe changes to security codes, procedures and other access implementations on the ISS Galaxy had taken place. It didn't say exactly what had taken place, but Jack had a fair idea of what had happened.

The only problem, apart from still not having any information on the captain's whereabouts, was that even though Jack knew what must have happened on the Galaxy, he didn't know WHO now controlled her.

*Where, oh where is the Captain?* Jack thought to himself as he walked down the hallway.

Lt. Cmdr. Jack Lawson
ISS Galaxy

Galaxy "Near Miss"
Written By nearly Ex Kahn Nilani
Empok Nor

I got up from the Table and went to get something I had left on the Galaxy.

"Damn. Damn. I knew I should have check the suitcase."

I told my self off as I headed down one of the corridors. I came to one of the remaining corners when a voice from behind called my name.

["Intendent!!! I am not letting your attack take place?"]

"What attack? I dont know what yoiur talking about."

["So you denie that you know there is over 300 ships heading this way."]

"Yes I do!!! And I would appreciate you leaving it at that."

["Well you see. It's not that easy, I have to kill you. I hope you dont have any objections to that."]

"None at all. But I think the regent would have."

["The regent is a Drunken Klingon who has no honour."]

I heard the noise of the IFP guards running to see what's the problem.

["No any last words Intendent? ::leveling the diruptor pistol:: Goodnight Intendent!"]

As he fired I ducked getting shot in my arm as I landed, I raised my own gun and shot the would be assasin. The guards turned around the corner to see the assasin falling to the ground and me laying on the floor bleeding.

["Intendent are You O.k.!!"]

"I feel like I have just been shot ::Bringing up a smile::"

The Guard pulled out a communicator.

["Security Guard Smith. Medical Emergancy requesting beam out to Sickbay"]

With the closing of the communicator the famillar beam out patter happened and I found my self in front of a Cat looking creature.

'Pod People"

" And she's away! " Sunder shouted as the bolt latch exploded, blowing the escape pod away from the crab-crawling Lazy Lotus. Through the spinning portal Sunder watched the freighter continue its sidling movement towards the ISS Galaxy's underbelly. If the warhead-laden craft could explode underneath the auxilliary reactors, it might cause a feedback reaction that would, at the very least, gut the starship like an open fish.

That was the theory. Still, even an explosion of the warhead's magnitude would cause significant damage to the unshielded and unaware starship. At least six months worth of repair, Sunder figured. That would still be far from sinking the bitch, but at least it would be some sort of moral victory for the Alignment... and at least the Galaxy would be off the major shipping lanes for a good period of time.

" How's the freighter moving? " Alled the tellarite navigator asked Sunder from one of the secure freeholds. Lack of gravity in the pod meant that they all had to anchor themselves to the extruding hand-holds attached to the walls. In order to keep an eye on the freighter, Sunder had to sacrifice this amenity and pryed himself against the porthole wall.

" Like a drunken crab, but still on course. " He cupped his hand against the plasteel aperture. " No-one's noticed her apparently. Looks like we've got 10 seconds before she blows though. "

" We'll get more attention than the freighter will - probably. " Heretia said. She was looking a little green from the weightlessness, which also didn't seem to suit well with her uniform either. The renegade Starfleet officer was trying to retain her dignity while simultaneously fighting off bouts of nausea.

" Well, let's hope so. " Sunder answered, leaving his perch from the window. " Anything to give the Lotus a few extra seconds of time to reach her target. " He pushed himself down to the others' level where he could reach the instrumentation panel. " We're still heading towards the space doors and should reach them within fourty seconds. "

" Ten seconds? " Alled exclaimed nervously. " I thought the Lotus was supposed to explode in fourty-five seconds?! "

Sunder looked grim. " I told you that we were going to have to cut this close. "

" Let's just hope that the people operating your transporters know what they're doing! " The tellarite muttered.

" Actually, let's hope that the Shadowfire's weapons crew know what they're doing. " Heretia muttered back at him.

" No dissension in the ranks please. " Sunder announced. " A blinking light caught his attention. " Damn! " He swore.

" What's the matter? " Heretia asked, pushing herself over to his position.

" It's the emergency transceiver signal. The moment the pod was launched it began broadcasting! Right now the Starbase ops centre is being alerted to our position, our life status, and how many weeks' emergency rations we have! " He twisted his face into a grimace. " Only two. I'd have to eat one of you at some point. "

" Wouldn't doubt you'd have room left over for the other one. " Heretia returned. " But what are we going to do about that signal? "

" Well, there's the attention you were talking about. " Sunder half-replied. " There's not much we can do. We'll just have to ride this one out. Refuse their hails... try to ignore them long enough and distract them away from the freighter. "

" I don't like that answer. " Alled said, fidgeting nervously.

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

The flashing icon on the scanning board seemed to pulsate with an angry, warning radiance. Harken's eye was fixed on it, as if trying to dispel the object with a magical gaze. His head was pounding; he hadn't had a drink in the last 48 hours and he found his body was sorely missing the alcoholic presence it had grown accustomed to.

Just when the butter seemed ready to churn, a fly appeared in the mix. The Shadowfire had managed to reach the starbase under cloak and undetected and was presently maintaining its position outside the space doors waiting for Captain Sunder's signal. As soon as they were in range, the Shadowfire would de-cloak and open fire, targeting the starbase's primary generators. In the confusion, they would simultaneously beam Sunder's escape pod on board and leave the area before the Starbase could react.

That was the plan in theory.

Theory was a word that Harken loathed with a passion. There was an orion poet who claimed that ideas were without substance and were easily blown away by the winds of reality. In this case that certainly applied. Out of the ether, the Klingon supercruiser Harken had earlier wanted to wantonly attack, suddenly de-cloaked and set itself like a menacing hound roaming around the chicken coop.

" We've got no choice. " He said to the 2nd officer. " We'll have to continue with the attack as planned and hope to all the unknown gods that we'll surprise them just as much as the starbase. "

The 2nd officer nodded in agreement. " Agreed... and that they won't pursue. " He added as an after-thought.

" I've given some thought to that. " Harken replied, his temples throbbing with the extra stress. " If the Pah'Tok is still on its diplomatic mission, it probably won't. We still need a back-up plan though. " He turned to the ops station.

" Prepare all shuttles for immediate departure as soon as we de-cloak. I want the shuttles all loaded with three magnetic bottles of anti-matter each. "

The ops officer looked mildly surprised. " All of the shuttles sir? "

" Yes, damn you. And hurry! You've only got fourty seconds to load 12 bottles!!! " He swore.

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

Starbase docking control was a quiet place to work, as IFP installations and ships go. It was fairly routine, informative, and everybody was fairly equal. THe best way to preserve your career in Starfleet was to get it stuck in a safe rut. If you didn't have too much ambition, you could be assured that you had a place of safety. You could also make a tidy bit of cash on the side. All traffic had to be routed through this office, making the docking officers aware of what was coming in the base ... and how much of it they could skim off the surface for themselves.

A blip caught one of the coordinators' eye. He lazily sat up to get a better look. He began to chuckle as soon as he realized what it was.

" Hey Janzen! Get this: some fool activated an emergency escape pod! He's probably floating out there waiting for someone to pick him up! " Janzen didn't smile back. An accident with exploding gel pack had paralyzed a good portion of the muscles in his face, prevent him from changing his facial expressions.

" Where's it from? " He asked Cartier. The taller officer switched seats to get a better look.

" Uhhh... that freighter that just came in. Hey, that's odd... " He observed startled.

" Now what? " Janzen queried.

" That ship's moving closer to the Galaxy. Damn junk-jockies! I told them to move that friggin' scow away from her. Old Lee's going to have their hides if it dents his precious starship. " He opened a comm channel.

" Lazy Lotus... Lazy Lotus. This is Starbase Central. You are ordered to halt your course and reset your vessel back to it's pre-arranged docking berth. " There was no answer.

" Damn your hides, move that ship back to its berth! " He faced Janzen. " They're not stopping! They're going to hit it! "

" What's their speed? " Asked Jansen, already reaching for the skiff alert.

" Not all that fast - only about 180 kPh. No danger of penetration at that velocity; the duranium hull of the Galaxy'll rebound that bugger nicely, but it'll scratch the paint for sure. "

" They're too far away fro the nearest skiff to reach them before then. It'll get there in a minute or so. Better warn the Galaxy about their visitor. I'll get the skiff to pick up the pod. Maybe those folks'll explain why they set their ship to ram the Galaxy. " An evil thought appeared in his head. " We might make something out of this if the skiff were to deliver them to the Galaxy for interrogation. We just have to let our good Captain Lee know when and where they'll be taken by security... "

" Right-o. Good idea, " said Cartier as he shifted channels. " Attention USS Galaxy: this is docking central. Prepare for collision. You have a small freighter about to collide with you at non-lethal speed. Prepare for impact in about 5 seconds. "

He put his feet back on the console. " Let's just watch the show then. eh? "

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

The small craft crabbed its way slowly to the Galaxy, as if mindful of the volatile cargo it carried. There was nothing to stop its progress and eventually it touched hulls with the giant vessel. There was a slight jarring thud that could be heard on all decks of the starship, but nothing seriously alarming.

...Nothing like the deafening explosion that followed a few seconds later...

"Break outs and discoveries"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price

"What are you looking for Price?" an impatient Q asked while accompanying the Captain and Lieutenant Morris as they appeared to be wondering through the foliage and bushes near one of the Arboretum's walls.

"I am looking for an access panel or a power outlet. If this is a shuttle bay as I suspect, there should be something near here..." Lee explained.

"I've found it!" Ronni declared, but then added, "Only it appears to have been removed."

"That's okay. Good work Lieutenant. I wasn't really looking for the outlet anyway."

Q gave the Captain a questioning look, "You are speaking in riddles again Price. If you weren't looking for it, why were you searching at all?"

The Captain dropped down to his hands and knees and began to trace a line from where the outlet was and away from the bulk head by several meters. He remained silent, ignoring Q's question for a moment while he and Lieutenant Morris watched. Finally his fingers began tearing into the top soil. "Don't just stand there 'mates, give me a hand. We need to clear this earth away to access the Jeffrey's tube in the flooring."

Immediately Lieutenant Morris got down and began helping the Captain clear the soil.

"You expect me to get on my hands and knees and dig in the dirt Price? You have got to be kidding! Q do not dig!" The youth waved his hand in an attempt to use his powers, only to realize that he was still suffering from whatever mysterious forces this universe possessed.

"It's up to you 'mate. You can help us dig and get out of here, or you can stay here and live the rest of your life as one of us. Your choice." Lee said with a grin.

"Well, all right, since you put it that way...." Q reluctantly agreed kneeling down to help.

A few minutes later, they had managed to uncover the access cover to the subfloor Jeffrey's tubes. Lee smiled with satisfaction, knowing that they would soon be free and on their way back to the Galaxy and home. "Give me a hand with this 'mates."

Ronni reached over and helped with the heavy floor cover, giving Q a dirty look when he just sat by idly and watched.

"Oh all right." He finally relented and helped slide the cover to one side with the others.

"Right. Bonzer job 'mates. Let's get going and back to the Galaxy. We need to set course for the Argonii system in order to get Q home again."

One by one they each crawled into the Jeffrey's tube and started their long haul through the subflooring of Starbase 357.

*****

"McKenzie, McKenzie, McKenzie. Where are my weapons Mister McKenzie?" Commander Stone mumbled to himself while walking the corridors of Starbase 357 and double checking his chronometer. "I can't wait forever. There is going to be hell to pay for standing me up like this!" the stout Bolian grumbled to himself. Finally, he turned and gave up waiting, turning to walk away from the Starbase promenade point where Hunter was supposed to meet with Stone, and heading back to check up on the prisoners in the Observation Laboratory in the converted shuttle bay.

*****

"Shhhh!" Captain Price whispered back when they came to a Jeffrey's tube exit near the main corridor of Starbase 357.

The subfloor Jeffrey's tube was very cramped, only allowing room for one person to crawl through at a time. Lieutenant Morris was behind Captain Price, followed by the young Q, who was entertaining himself by annoying Ronni.

Lee listened for a moment to make sure the coast was clear before opening the Jeffrey's tube and crawling out. He then double checked the corridor before reaching his hand down to help Ronni and Q out of the tube before closing the access cover.

Rubbing his hands together to clear them of some of the grime from their mini adventure, Lee tugged on his tunic and straightened his red sash before pointing down the corridor. "This way. I know where we are at."

Lieutenant Morris and Q followed the Captain. They didn't get very far before a surprised looking Bolian rounded the corner just a couple of meters from where they were. Lee remembered how the widening whites of the chubby Bolian stood out against his dark blue skin. Quickly, Captain Price closed the distance and struck Commander Stone. Then, grabbing his arms to prevent him from drawing his weapon or activating his communicator, Lee held the Bolian in a double arm lock behind his back, turning him around to face Lieutenant Morris.

"Remember me blue boy?" the Delphinian officer said sarcastically, in an evil tone, before she threw a wheel kick into Stone's gut, doubling him over, followed by a Karate chop to the base of his neck that sent him unconscious to the floor.

"Nice work 'mate." Captain Price complimented.

"How barbaric..." Q observed, "My father was right, you are a savage child race."

Rr'lonii didn't seem to pay any attention to the Captain's compliment or to Q's sarcasm. Instead, she removed Commander Stone's phaser and adjusted the setting to kill before leveling it at the helpless Imperial traitor.

Lee's eyes grew wide when he saw what the Lieutenant was about to do. He moved quickly to stop her.

"What are you doing!" Lee almost shouted when he slapped her hand upward, redirecting her aim from the unconscious Bolian, "There is no need to kill the man!"

Ronni Looked at the General and her eyes narrowed. Quickly she shoved him back against the wall and pointed her phaser at his head. Lee's eyes widened at the surprise from the sudden attack.

"ALL RIGHT. Who exactly are you. The General would never of questioned the execution of a traitor like Stone. Nor shown remorse, or pity, or kindness. Just who the hell are you?"

Q watched at the exchange. No longer being sarcastic over the savagery of humans, now he was more concerned with his own well being and that of Captain Price, the only person he knew that wanted to help him return to the Q continuum and his father.

"What are you doing! You can't harm him! I won't allow it!" Q started waving his hands at Lieutenant Morris violently, "I will turn you into an Argodian Eel..." He continued to motion, a look of concern beginning to form on his face, "...or an Romulan Bull Frog..." more hand gestures, "..or maybe a,.. a..., " Q's tone trailed off with the sad realization that he was powerless to stop Miss Morris from doing anything she wanted to.

"Shut up Q!" Rr'lonii shouted still holding Captain Price pinned against the far corridor wall, "Now, start talking whoever you are, my finger is getting a little itchy."

Lee looked at the phaser and then back at Lieutenant Morris. He wasn't sure if she'd really kill him or not. He knew his own Officer Morris would never harm him, but in this universe, and with these morals, he was unsure. "Okay 'mate. I really am Captain Price, but I am not from this universe. I come from a universe similar to this one. Almost parallel, but in many ways, it is very very different."

Ronni's eyes narrowed. "What have you done with our Captain Price?" she demanded.

Lee relaxed his expression. "I do not know Lieutenant. Q sent me here from my own universe to locate 'Junior' here and bring him back to the Q Continuum."

Lieutenant Morris was about to speak but was cut off by Q.

"JUNIOR!" The color flared in the young man's face. "He called me JUNIOR! How dare him! I am Q! There is nothing 'junior' about that!"

"Sorry 'mate... my mistake. Q never called you 'Junior'. That was my reference. To humans, we often refer to the sons of fathers that share the same name as 'junior'. I meant no disrespect. I apologize if I offended you."

Q turned away in a huff. "Well,... very well then. Since you are trying to help me after all, I suppose I can over look it this time. But don't let it happen again Price!" Q scolded with an extended, shaking finger. He then looked at Lieutenant Morris, "Well, he's telling the truth. So let him go all ready so we can get back to the Q Continuum."

Ronni's eyes narrowed as she thought about what Captain Price had said. Q seemed to agree with his story, and the Captain had been acting oddly over the course of this last day. Still, she wasn't sure what she thought about all of this.

*****

Admiral Qwon, after attending to his duties on board the Starbase, decided to pay a visit to the observation laboratory before retiring to his quarters for the evening. When he arrived, he was shocked to find everyone scrambling around.

"What is going on here?" the Admiral demanded with a slight Oriental accent.

"ADMIRAL!" a shocked crew member reacted, looking surprised, intimidated and scared. "We were not expecting you sir!"

"SILENCE you incompetent fool! I did not ask for what you expected. Where is your agonizer?"

The crewman removed his badge and handed it to Admiral Qwon with a shaky hand. The Admiral took the small device, twisted it to 40 percent and thrust it into the man's chest. He immediately began screaming out in pain. After about ten seconds, the Admiral removed the agonizer and asked again. "What is going on here?"

The crewman rubbed his chest and gasped trying to answer the question, "The prisoners have escaped Admiral. We are trying to determine how they got out of the laboratory and where they might be."

Admiral Qwon became enraged at hearing this news. "And you didn't bother to inform me at once!"

Thrusting the agonizer back into the man's chest, Admiral Qwon stated, "Who decided not to inform me of this?"

The man vibrated in pain under the touch of the torture device, he struggled to speak the name, but the pain was too great, all he could do was stutter and raise a hand to point.

Qwon turned his head, looking at the scientist that the crewman had pointed to. His eyes narrowed so sharply, that his bushy black eye brows took on a very evil slant. Pulling sharply, he removed the agonizer from the lowly crewman that had just ratted out his ranking officer. The crewman fell to the floor in a heap from the pain.

"So you dare to withhold such vital information from the Commanding Officer of this Starbase?!" Qwon began to walk towards the man who had a terrified look in his eyes when Admiral Qwon drew his phaser, "I will not tolerate such incompetence!"

Leveling his phaser, Qwon fired. The beam struck the man and completely disintegrated him. The terrified scream of the scientist could be heard and seemed to linger in the room even after the last of his molecules faded away into non-existence.

"You will locate the prisoners at once!" Admiral Qwon barked. "Inform Commander Stone immediately."

A few moments later, another worried crewman addressed the Admiral. "Sii, sii, sir? Commander Stone is not answering his hails."

Qwon's eyes narrowed further and his eye brows arched even more than before. "Then notify Lieutenant Commander Lore you imbecile! And see to it you find Q and the others at once!"

"Yes Admiral sir!" the crewman replied hurriedly before returning to his station.

"It's getting better"
by Tiger One (Commander Joerg Sterner)
Leader of the Tiger squad
reviewed by Captain Price

Joerg was still walking on the very crowded deck of the station and was still looking for Tiger Two. He had the feeling that somebody was following him, but since he was still alive it neither could be the Admiral's goons nor Thomas' men. So he decided that, despite all precautions, he should continue to look for his remaining team members.

He was again disturbed in his thoughts when a dot appeared again on his searching device. The dot on the display didn't move at all, much to the surprise of Joerg. He cautiously began to walk on in that direction. 'Next time I'd better use more informative beacons.' he thought, because he had no idea which of his team members he would approach.

To his astonishment the dot lead him to a small, dark corner, next to the back door of a bar. He carefully looked around, but saw nobody at all, despite the still blinking dot on his display. With the other hand he took out his tricorder and scanned the area for the source of the beacon. The tricorder picked up what appeared to be a humanoid body hiding behind a crate.

Joerg slowly came closer to the crate and saw somebody sitting behind it. He reached out for the body, but the moment he touched it, the body fell to the other side, revealing the dead face of Lieutenant Quall. Someone or something had broken his neck and left his lifeless body in that corner. It mattered not to Joerg who did this, but he quickly started to search the corpse for anything that could help him.

'Perhaps he had found out something.' he thought. After some time he finished his search, which brought forth only a standard Imperial PADD, which was completely wiped of all information, or was it? 'Perhaps Ryan was able to hide the information deep inside the PADD's core.' Joerg hoped and began busily to work on the PADD.

Some time later, Joerg was sure he had tried anything he knew to, at least partly, restore the saved information. He downloaded everything he was able to get from the PADD, threw it away and left the dark, and unpleasant corner.

Back within the crowd in the better lit parts of the station, Joerg took a closer look at his findings. For anyone passing him by it looked as if the monk was reading prayers from his book, as Joerg was still wearing his hood and was holding the PADD in his hands, but the PADD itself was not plainly visible. He tried to figure out what Tiger Five had found out, when he read:

"... not possible ... Admiral ... too many guard posts ... office ... best way ... dinner for the Int.... Second ... special jobs ...ore ... android, ... human habits. ... find ...ata ... at a bar later. ... people told ... modific.... shuttlebay ... area ... high... secured place since ... without ... approval may enter ..."

Upon thinking about the information he ordered Quall to get, at least some of these parts made some sense to Joerg. The first information was that getting to the Admiral was not possible, except for the upcoming dinner with the Intendant of the Empire. Joerg kept that one in mind, but was hoping to be away from the station until then.

The second phrases seemed to concern his request about the Admiral's men. However he didn't see any clue that would help him right now. The third one was once again perfectly clear to him. It looks like someone, very likely the Admiral himself, had done something to one of the shuttlebays for some purpose. The question right now for him was, which shuttlebay.

He continued his quiet walk for some time, to keep his cover and then was heading for some of the lower decks. But before he could reach one of the lifts, another dot appeared on his device. Glad that he finally found the last remaining squad member alive, he adjusted his direction to match those of the signal.

******************* Somewhere else on the station *******************

Lieutenant Commander Lore's mission was nearly completed. He had found and exterminated each and every person on the Galaxy, who was in contact with Sterner and knew of the conspiracy going on. He knew from the beginning that Sterner would be hiding on the station, since he got warned by some of his men, but Lore could sterilize that situation too, and it would be only a small matter of time until the last witness, Commander Sterner, would be dead too.

With that thought on his mind he continued his search. He had memorized the image of the Commander, like he did many times before with all the images of the rest of that foolish Tiger squad. He also had Sterner's voice pattern recorded, so the moment his sensitive ears or eyes took notice of the Commander, that would be his doom.

Victoriously and already preparing for the resulting promotion for him, Lore rounded corner after corner, scanned the people passing him by and was waiting to finally catch Sterner. He was just about to round another corner, when his concealed comm device chirped.

"Lieutenant Commander Lore here." he quickly answered the call.

******************** Somewhere on the station ********************

Joerg was getting closer to the origin of the signal and was forgetting any precautions he had taken the last times he approached one of his men. 'Another corner and I'll meet Tiger Two.' he thought to himself and was about to go around that corner, when some noise and a familiar voice made him stop immediately. It was the chirping of a comm badge and a strange metallic sound followed by a voice he would never forget his whole life.

"Lieutenant Commander Lore here." he heard from around the corner and second information on Ryan's PADD made clearly sense to him.

'Lieutenant Commander Lore, that's the Admiral's man for the special jobs, he is an android and it was him that I heard on the comm link with Galaxy last time.' he thought.

But giving up the advantage that he knew the whereabouts of his enemy was out of the question for him. So he decided to secretly listen to the conversion.

"What!!!" was the first word Joerg heard.

"They escaped from the laboratory!!!! How was that possible?" Joerg overheard and was very certain that at least one of 'they' was Captain Price, his only chance to get off the station alive.

"I'm coming down to you at once. Tell the Admiral I will be there at once." an angry voice shouted, so that everybody could clearly hear him.

After that Lore said not a single word. Joerg looked at his device and found out that the 'Commander must have taken with him one of the beacons from one of his victims, either as a trophy or to lure Joerg into a trap, which nearly had happened. But right now he could just follow that signal from a relatively safe distance. Perhaps Lore would lead him even directly to the Captain.

It was breath-takingly beautiful.

Shards of duranium exploded in a scintillating array of colours. White fire poured out of the side of the wounded vessel and into the open space of the starbase dockyard. The tiny ship that had been the Lazy Lotus disappeared in the destructive nimbus caused by the photon torpedo warhead that had been carefully hidden on board.

The Galaxy's lower starboard side had been replaced by a savage, gaping hole with dangling girders and various flotsam drifting around it. Emergency force-fields suddenly erecting, preventing more decompressive damage, but it was clear that the ship had been delivered a wound of critical severity.

She listed under the weight of the blow, angling herself to the starboard with her nose slightly down. The ship of a thousand successful pirate attacks and not once had she ever taken damage like this. Within the cloud of debris, the demcompressed bodies of some of her crew could be seen floating aimlessly in space. Around the site, other ships had felt the shockwave of the explosion and had been rocked out of their berths. The smaller vessels, like the skiffs and runabouts had been thrown clear into the walls of the space dock. Without warning and their shields down, they had no hope of withstanding the blast.

It was a horrific sight, but Sunder couldn't help but remain transfixed. The shockwave had struck them too, but luckily, the pod had managed to put enough distance between them and the Galaxy that it added to their velocity and propelled them closer to their destination of nearing the space doors.

As disgusted as he was to have caused such carnage, Sunder also felt a sense of defeat. While crippled for the moment, the Galaxy was still intact. He'd failed his mission to sink the most infamous pirate raider in known space. True, it'd be a while before she'd be attacking Alignment commerce vessels, but eventually she'd be out there again.

" She's still there. " He said without a hint of emotion in his voice. " Got a hole the size of a Klingon shadow-wing in its side, but she's still there. " He sighed and turned away from the portal.

" Now we've just got to get our hides out of here. " He said as he floated down to the others.

"The Search Begins..."
by Lt. jg Tebrianne Bancroft

***

Tebrianne materialized on the promedade of the station. She quickly moved away from her beam in point. Nevarro, her partner in the six person team, followed closely on her left side.

"EchoLeader to Echo three," she said softly. "Report."

"Three here, Leader," a voice replied in the small receiver hidden in her ear. "We're on our way to the habitat ring."

"Good," Tebrianne said. "Proceed. Echo five, report."

"Five here," a different voice said. "We're moving into place at the other end of the promenade now. We should be set up for gathering in just a few minutes."

"Good," Tebrianne said. "Let's find out who's behind this."

Tebrianne and Nevarro pushed deeper into the promenade. Where did they start on this? They had to find out who was responsible for the General's disappearance. Tebrianne stepped out of the way of the monk pushing through the light crowd. She tried to get a peak inside of the hood of his robe, but couldn't get look at the face in the shadowy folds.

She and Nevarro pointed to the bar, and Nevarro nodded. They strolled through the doorway and moved toward the bar.

"Romulan Ale," Tebrianne said as she took a seat on one of the stools at the bar.

"Yeah," the bartender said with a sneer. "Right. I'll just go into the back and dig into my secret stash of highly illegal stock. You'll have to come up with something I can carry without getting spaced."

"Give me a lager then," she said with a saucy tone.

"Tequila," Nevarro said. "And leave the bottle."

Tebrianne shot him a sidelong glance. Nevarro shrugged and waited for the bartender to return with the bottle of tequila. They sat for nearly fifteen minutes drinking and chatting with each other and the bartender when he was close enough to include in the discussion. The Empire and Impirial Federation of Planets were talking...or making appearances. The ISS Galaxy, flagship of the IFP, escorted the Intendent here for the talks. Rumors had been flying for the last hour. Nevarro downed the last of his shot of tequila and looked over at the bartender, who was polishing a glass a few feet away. It was time to ask the question that he had been burning to ask for the last fifteen minutes.

"So, you hear anything about that Impirial Starship captain disappearing?" Nevarro asked the bartender. "Pretty bad when brass start disappearing off an Impirial station."

"Yeah," the bartender said. "Well, I don't know nothin' bout that. I just pay attention to my bar and my customers."

Nevarro slid five strips of latinum across the counter. "Well, Thanks for the drinks," he said with a barely visible smile.

"Yeah," Tebrianne said, getting up from her seat. "That transport was at docking ring three, wasn't it, Nev?"

"Three it was," said her partner.

"My pleasure folks," the bartender called to them as they werewalking out of the bar. "If you're ever back around here, stop back in."

Nevarror and Tebrianne stepped out of the bar and started walking down the promenade again, making their way toward the docking area of the station.

"You get it?" Nevarro asked.

"Of course I did," Tebrianne said. "I haven't been spending three hours every night building up my mental discipline for nothing. There are times that I'm really glad to be part Vulcan."

"And?"

"Sterner's our man," she said. "Bartender overheard a conversation about an hour ago. Two crewmen were talking about it. A little coaxing and a few free drinks and the bartender had everything he needed. Thought he could turn a healthy profit with the information."

She pulled out a PADD and checked out the names she'd plucked out of the bartender's mind. "According to this," she said. "One of them was found dead about thirty minutes ago. Neck snapped. Something doesn't make sense...but, it's all pointing back to Sterner."

"You've never..." Nevarro waved his hand at her head. "...you know. To me?"

"Nah," she said. "I wouldn't want to do that to you Nevarro." They continued walking, rounding a corner at the end of the hallway. "Besides, I really don't want to know about you and Lt. Morris..."

"HEY!!"

Lt.jg Tebrianne Bancroft
USS Galaxy, Acting Chief Helmsman
dodger@hevanet.com
UIN# 2172851

"Reality Check"
By: Ensign Ryak Sullax
Science Officer USS Galaxy

Ryak slowly tried to make his way to the turbo lift to get to Ten-Forward. He started to get a feeling that something was wrong but shrugged it off as an effect of the Ale. As Ryak approached the turbo lift he was stopped by a small group of snails. Ryak could here them talking. He knew that this couldn't be real. He tried to get his mind in order but the snails did not disappear. Ryak started to feel a slight pressure in his chest.

A bright light overcame Ryak and when he was able to see he was on Romulus. Ryak fell to the ground. All of a sudden he was no longer drunk. Ryak started to explore this place he was at. It was all too familiar. He didn't like it at all. In the distance he could here a chime sounding. He was un aware of what it was saying but he could still here it. Ryak started running towards the sound.

AHHHH! Ryak stopped right as the ground in front of him disappeared. To his right a small Ferengi motioned to him to come closer.

Ryak slowly made his way towards the Ferengi. "YOU MAY CROSS THIS PIT IF YOU GIVE ME YOUR HONOUR."

"I do not understand what you are saying?"

"You are not worthy of your honour, cross the pit only with none."

Ryak started getting adjetated. "Listen!!!! I will cross! And you are not getting my Honour!"

"Very well." The Ferengi waved his hand and Ryak was no longer on Romulus but on his porch at home on Earth. He could here the chimes much louder now. They seemed to be coming from his old room. Ryak ran upstairs to his room. He looked around but couldn't find it anywhere.

Ryak started to become very sleepy. He laid down on his bed and slowly started dozing off. All of a sudden he started falling. He tried to look down but couldn't see. He was going faster and faster. He could feel his heart pumping harder and harder.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!" Ryak was in darkness, his heart racing as sweat rolled down his cheek. He let out a deep breath as he realized he was alright.

"The time is 5:30 pm" The computer stated and then it began to chime.

"Lights."

As the lights came on Ryak realized it was only a dream and he was in his quarters aboard the ISS Galaxy.

"Cooperation"
by Captain Thomas and Lt. Commander Ti

Ti finished up cleaning up where she had an enjoyable time with an ensign. His death was painless. He never expected the poisoned lipstick. She was just pulling on a silk robe when the door chime sounded. She ran a hand through her short hair and answered it. Standing there was a Terran male. What was name? She knew it. Oh.. it was Thomas. For some reason she could never remember Terran names. Maybe that was because she didn't want to.

"Commander, the captain is missing and presumed dead, I have assumed command as I have information that connect Commander Sterner to Lt. Commander Casey's attack on the captain."

"So what does that have to do with me?"

"Commander Ti, I need your talents and experience to serve as my first officer." The gears were already turning in her head. This could prove to be a boost to the Circle, the Bajoran movement set to over throwing the Indendants.

"Tell me more," she purred.

Thomas looked at her closely, this wasn't what he had in mind he when decided to select her as his XO, but then he should've expected this. He found his mind wondering off into direction that we're not where it needed to be going. He had to much still to do before he could consider anything else. Every time he tired to refocus his thoughts, there was Ti standing in front of him wearing a silk robe. He closed his eyes for a minute, pretending he had a headache. The returned his focus to why he had come to speak with her.

"Captain Price was abducted from his quarters on the station. I had a loyal crewmember standing guard outside his door on the Station. Commander Sterner paid the captain a visit only to discover that he wasn't there. Which after I had only heard after having acquired some evidence that substantiated my belief that Sterner was behind the attack on the captain." Chris said, then paused he still had to tell Devlyn that Price was missing and presumed dead.

"I see. Continue."

Chris continued his story, "Unfortunately before I could pull Sterner aside for questioning he had already left the ship to see the captain. Under the circumstances I was going to wait until he returned, but I when I learned the captain was missing I had to move quickly. Thus my reason for assuming command and captain, unless captain Price is found." Captain Thomas said trying to remained focused on the subject of selecting her as first officer, not something more alluring.

"A logical move. Clearly Captain Price is not wanted to be found."

Chris cleared his throat. "Thus I want, I would like you to serve as the ship's first officer of the Galaxy." Chris came back to the point of his visit. Though something ran through his mind about how things were going to be different. Everyone under his command already was reprioritizing their personal agenda's but then he would expect nothing less than that on an ISS ship.

"A position that could prove to dangerous, but I think I will take your offer, Captain." She smiled seductively. "Tell me one thing, what happens if Captain Price does make an appearance?"

"Then I will return command of this over to him and all him to return as captain. The General still has some powerful allies out there, and if we play our cards right who knows what may happen." Thomas said thoughtfully, if Captain Price returned he might just be willing to get Thomas is own command, and in Ti's case she might be given the chance to remain here as XO or come with him as his XO. It was a win, win situation for both of them. This was he hoped the beginnings a beautiful friendship between them.

Chris Patton
A.K.A Lt. (jg) Christopher Thomas - USS Galaxy

"Captain, is that you?"
by Lt. Pat Burns

Several security guards sprinted past Pat down the hall. "What the hell is going on?" He thought. Another officer ran by him and Pat began jogging so that he could talk with the Ensign. "What is happening?" Pat asked.

"Captain Price and two other prisoners have escaped." The Ensign responded.

"Captain Price isn't a prisoner, he was kidnapped." Pat said

"No, the Admiral ordered for him to be arrested. However he has now escaped."

"Any clue on what deck he is on?" Pat questioned.

"No, we have to conduct a full search of the station."

"Ok, thanks." Pat came to a stop as he watched the Ensign turn a corner to find the Captain.

"Shit. This is not good. Computer, has communication been restored with the Galaxy."

('Negative')

"Damn. I'll have to find the Captain on my own."

*******30 mins later*********

Pat had been wandering the halls without any luck. The Captain and the other two fugitives were still on the loose.

Pat suddenly stopped as he saw a monk-like figure stop and step inside a doorway just in front of him before the intersection. Apparantly Pat had not been seen and so he followed in suite and hid inside a doorway on the opposite side. He recognized that cloaked man; it was Sterner. Pat then heard that unforgettable voice of Lt. Commander Lore's. Lore must have been talking to someone through the comm system.

Lore's booming voice was then heard by Pat, "I'm coming down to you at once. Tell the Admiral I will be there at once."

He must have turned around and headed in the other direction for Pat did not see Lore. After a few seconds he watched Sterner, in the monk outfit, silently head in the same direction as Lore. Pat then after waiting slightly longer crept after the two men.

He watched Lore step into a turbolift and the doors shut. Sterner then walked up and got on the next turbolift. Pat, after Sterner had entered the turbolift and the doors had shut, approached the turbolift. However, as the doors opened, revealing the empty turbolift, he heard voices from somewhere else on the deck.

He followed the voices and strained to try to understand what was being said. Pat finally stopped when he was at the corner just down the corridor from where the voices were originating. He noticed that one of the voices sounded like the Captain's. He also heard two other voices: one was a unknown male voice and the other was a female voice that sounded familiar, but he wasn't sure where he had heard it before. Pat was sure it was the Captain when he heard the word "mate. "

(To Be Continued...)

Lt. Pat Burns/Tactical Dept. Interrogation Officer

***** Near Miss 2 *****
by Dr. Felicia Khatroweena, ISS Galaxy NCC-70637
w/ Khan Nilani, Intendant of Empok Nor

***** Sickbay *****

Cat had decided to check on Angela after she had finished her meal with Greer. Things were looking up, life didn't look so bleak. 'I might survive this ship after all.' Cat had been talking to Angela, working out the areas that had been covered by the programming. If it had been left to Cat, Angela would have allowed her to come out of the state by herself. But the possibility of psychic trauma caused by the form of control made sure Cat kept a close eye on Angela. Cat was slowly giving Angela back her own free will so as not to cause any undue mental backlash and problems from Matthew.

[Security Guard Smith. Medical Emergency requesting beam out to Sickbay]

Cat looked up and around, a Medical Emergency and beam to Sickbay. Somebody important must have got hurt. Everybody else usually stumbled in to Sickbay. Cat moved over to wait for her 'patient.'

The sparkle pattern of the transporter slowly appeared and a prone human form appeared on the floor. Before the beam in had completed, Cat had already recognised her newest charge. "Great! Wonderful, Nurse, help the Intendant to a bed. Be very careful."

Cat rushed for the intercom, watching as a nurse help the Bajoran Intendant to a biobed "Doctor Khatroweena to the Captain."

[Go ahead Doctor.]

"Captain we have a real emergency. Intendant Khan is in Sickbay. It looks like she's been shot. Wound is not life threatening, but if we got an assassin going after the Intendant, I am going to need all the spare guards you got in Sickbay. If anything were to happen to her."

[Doctor, I will deal with the Security procedures, you make sure the Intendant is treated and is safe until my guards arrive. Thomas out.]

Cat rushed back to the Intendant, a nurse was in the middle of scanning her. "What have you got so far?" asked Cat.

"large Wound to the left arm, caused possibly by a disruptor." Cat reached for the tricorder as the nurse read out the rest of the scan.

"Well Doctor, what exactly does all that mean?" inquired the Intendant. "If it means my arm is hurting like Hell, then I totally agree!"

"I can quite believe that Intendant. You are lucky that there was no more trauma to the arm than there is. What happened?"

"Another of the misguided believed that me having an 'accident' will make the universe a better place."

Cat worked on the injured arm as security guards filled the Sickbay. The sight of them made Cat a little easier. With one assassin about, there would be more.

"How does that feel?" asked Cat as she was nearly completed tending the wound.

"A lot better, Thank you Doctor?"

"Khatroweena, Intendant."

A scuffle ensued at the entrance to Sickbay. "Intendant, Are you all right?" called out Dukar as he tried to enter Sickbay. Two guards got in his way in stopping him entering. "You dare to stop the aide to the Intendant. Let me pass."

"It is allowed, let him pass" ordered the Intendant.

"Intendant, Are you all right?" he asked again.

"I am alive that is the important thing."

"Intendant, I think it is best if we return to your quarters, it would be much safer there than here."

"Maybe, I have a couple things to collect from my quarters here on the Galaxy. Then we shall return to the Station."

"My thanks to you again Doctor Khatroweena." The Intendant slid off the bed and headed with Dukar out. "Damn I am going to have to change my clothes." Suddenly there was a small vacuum as all the guards that filled the Sickbay left to guard the Intendant on her way to her quarters.

Cat watched them leave with pleasure. With the way her life had been going so far, having the Intendant die while under her care would have been the icing on the cake. The diplomatic repercussions of the incident were no longer her concern, someone else can have them. She had enough to worry about. The Intendents Head came around from the corner again.

"Doctor this will not go unforgotten"

The Intendent then walked away.

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

"Empty Handed"
by Matthew Albrecht CIO

He alternately stood and paced, passing the time while Cavanaugh worked her magic on the ship’s security systems. The wait had lasted over thirty minutes now, and Shinjo’s and Trabuco’s teams were waiting impatiently to search their targets. He absently rubbed at the scar on his face while he thought and thought, wondering what else he may have been missing from the laundry list of jobs he had to get done. After the searches of Sterner’s cabin and office, he had to make a trip to the brig to release Cat. Then he had to check on Sanchez’s interrogation of Sterner’s people. He also had to find time to worry out a way to solve the problem with Angela Dana. Perhaps the Doctor would consider a deal…?

Madeleine Cavanaugh leaned back in her seat, laced her fingers together, and stretched out her hands. She looked toward the ceiling with her eyes squeezed shut, letting out a satisfied yawn. She reached out for him, and he came into her arms. She spun the chair around and said, "Lover, you’ve got your primary security systems back online. Now about my salary…" she hinted. Her lips pursed and she stretched her neck up to meet his face. Matthew met her for a short peck, and returned to the business at hand.

He struck the comms control on the console, saying, "Blackbird One, Blackbird Two, come to readiness." He looked again at Angela, "Later, dear, we can talk about compensation. For now, I have some urgent work to do. Besides, I still may need your help." Bringing up schematics on the console, Matthew zeroed in on the energy grid for the sector of the senior officer’s quarters where Sterner had lived. "Can we disable power to this area?"

**** Elsewhere on the ship ****

Gary Trabuco marched with his three people, junior security officers that Sanchez had approved of, toward the senior officers’ quarters. Sterner’s rooms were just ahead, around the curve of the corridor. His communicator chirped, so he activated it, "Trabuco here."

Commander Albrecht’s voice came through the grill of the device, "Ensign, something is wrong with the doors to Commander Sterner’s quarters. What do you see?"

Trabuco responded immediately, "I see it now. It appears the automatic door system was disabled. Perhaps the doors were opened manually. There is a fourteen-or-so inch gap between the panels. Rxxpak, scan that door," he ordered the ensign with the tricorder. The other two ensigns were watching the deserted corridor for any possible attack. "Commander, through the door I can see that his quarters have been turned upside down! Somebody threw a fit in there."

**** Outside the First Officer’s office ****

Marla Shinjo watched as one of her two fellows turned over the body of Ensign Fisher. "Shinjo to Albrecht. Chief, we’ve found the body of Ensign Fisher. The Commander’s office door is broken, and sitting half-opened." The deck around her team was extraordinarily quiet.

He replied, "Ensign, take the precautions we discussed, but it does seem somebody else has already been there. Look for things another searcher may have missed. Things carefully hidden, or left in plain sight. Be aware of possible ‘plants.’"

The ensign activated her tricorder, and scanned the area. The three moved into the office area, each one alert for any suspicious items. A few trophies and plaques decorated the walls of the office, but perhaps most impressive was the surprisingly large viewport. Also, a large and ornate weapons cabinet stood in a corner, with several impressive sharp shooting and combat energy pistols displayed on a lighted shelf. After ensuring that the lavishly appointed room contained no detectable defense systems, she called back, "No threats detected, sir. We are going to phase two now."

**** Trabuco’s team ****

Gary and his team were in Sterner’s living facilities, scanning and up-turning furniture and personal items, searching for any threat, or clue to the events that had occurred here. After a few minutes of fruitless paranoia, he sat down at Joerg’s terminal. "Commander, this area is a mess, but we’ve detected no defense systems. Please restore the commander’s terminal access, sir."

A moment later the CIO said "Go ahead, Trabuco, it’s all yours." He sounded a little worried at the ease of the operation.

**** CIO’s Office ****

"Well, Matthew, we’ve activated all systems in the commander’s rooms, and no defense systems have activated. That seems like good news to me," said Madeleine. She seemed surprised.

He wasn’t at all happy. "It doesn’t matter. Sterner was no fool, he knew that to hurt an intruder you don’t kill him. I’ll bet he hurts his intruders the best way; He destroys what they are looking for." Cavanaugh nodded in understanding of his point. "If the data we want is still in there, I’ll be amazed. The last intruder didn’t appear to have taken any pains to sneak in."

Cavanaugh shook her head this time. "You’re wrong there, mister. Whoever did this is probably the same one who deactivated the security systems. I’ll wager you," she offered. He declined.

"You’re probably looking at the terminal logs right now, aren’t you?" he asked. She just smiled and tapped in a series of commands.

She pointed to the screen, a grin plastered on her freckled Irish features. "You see? The same time/coding stamp on the access. The codes are different every time, but whoever hacked the ship’s systems, the terminal in Sterner’s office, and the terminal in Sterner’s rooms, was an incredibly fast typist. He or she typed in their access codes at one-hundred-seventy-five-words per minute."

He scratched his scar. "So whoever it was has hacked all the files we are looking for. What next?" Of course, he was asking rhetorically.

She ‘hmmmed’ and leaned in closer to her console. A moment later, "Look here, someone accessed the terminals in both rooms just prior to the intruder’s access—and that time files were deleted, overwritten, and deleted again in just the way you would want to destroy sensitive files. Lemme see the access code…"

He leaned in close to see what she had found. She finished, "Ryan Quall. He didn’t even try to hide it. Interesting. No way to tell what it was, though. I think if I cross-search into Sterner’s official logs, and check for multiple file traces, I may be able to find his working gel-pack network and retrieve something from there. That’s how I find the juiciest communiqués, you know!" she giggled.

**** Forty minutes later, in the interrogation facility ****

Matthew walked in to find Lt Sanchez releasing a prisoner. The shaking jg walked out mumbling thank-yous to the new ACIO. The chief asked her, "Did you hear about Fisher?"

She looked tired, but full of an energy she gets from tackling tough assignments. She answered, "Yes, and it doesn’t surprise me. All the most suspicious people on your list are either off the ship on the station, presumably with Sterner, or they are in the ship’s morgue. Somebody came aboard and did a number on Joerg’s people," she added with a little respect.

He smiled a crooked smile. "Yes, they did. Whoever it was also broke into the commander’s rooms and tore them up a bit. We still don’t know what he or she wanted, but Cavanaugh is searching still. Find out anything?" he asked, curious about the interrogations.

She nodded, looking at her PADD. "Well, as you might expect, the lowest members of the Sterner fan club aren’t all that loyal. I got statements of fealty from all of them, along with some interesting statements about little ‘tasks’ they have performed under the first officer’s direct orders. Orders that were not cleared through security and bordered on subversive. Nothing too serious, but stuff to contribute to a prosecution. Also the usual assortment of guilty admissions and ratting on other ensigns." She appeared proud of her accomplishments.

"How soon will we be fully staffed, lieutenant?" asked her chief, pleased at her efficiency and professionalism.

She referred to her PADD again, entering in some data. She stated, "We will be seventy-percent staffed within six hours, assuming we continue to deny shore leave to security personnel. Scheduling extra shifts will bring us up to operating levels, however, we will not be fully staffed until we acquire some new officers from ‘fleet."

He smiled at the young, dark-haired woman. "Good work, I am sad that as soon as the captain is back we will have to end this arrangement. As for the crew staffing situation, why don’t we keep to normal shifts and operate low-staffed while the majority of the crew is on the station. Let our people know that they may visit the station in their off-hours, but they will bunk on the Galaxy."

He grabbed up his PADDS that he had set down. "Lieutenant, have prisoner Dana transferred to sickbay immediately for medical supervision. I have a date in the brig with a certain Cat, and I don’t want to keep her waiting any longer than necessary. Keep up the excellent work."

With that he headed for the brig, tired but happy to be productive again.

Matthew Albrecht
Acting Chief Interrogation Officer
ISS Galaxy, NCC 70637

"Probationary Status."
by Lt. Greer Erikson, Chief Science Officer
Reviewed by Commander Thomas and Lieutenant Morris.

*** Bridge ***

As requested Greer made his way to the Bridge to see Chris Thomas, now acting commanding officer of the ship. It seemed so natural. Captain Price was niether on the ship or the starbase, according to the computer, having disappeared without a trace. Commander Sterner was in a self-imposed exile and the second officer had disappeared.

"You wanted to see me sir." Greer said, announcing his arrival.

Chris was busily working at the console that was incorporated into the command chair. "Yes Lieutenant. I need your assurance that I have your loyalty." he said, looking up.

"Sir, I have always been loyal to the commanding officer of this vessel.

Except for the incident with Commander Sterner, my record here has been nothing short of perfect. I'm sure if you..."

"Yes Lieutenant. I have read your personnel file. As apart of the conditions of your release, I require the information you claim to possess on the traitor Sterner."

"Yes sir. However, I really would prefer to discuss that matter privately in the Ready Room." Greer said looking around to see who on the Bridge could hear him.

*** Captain's Ready Room ***

"Computer, access the file on the genomic sequence for the Caldosian caehnphrotyciae eriksonii from the exobiology database. Authorisation Erikson-2-gamma-4-9-charlie. Enable and route to this console." Greer said, talking at the desktop console on the Ready Room table. "Translate nucleotide sequence from the third reading frame, forward orientation, and replace all non-coding amino acids with a base-three encryption sequence using the geochemical data on the planet Arvarda III." finished, he looked at Thomas. "Let's just say I've been a little more cautious."

The desktop console displayed the information Greer had hidden in the exobiology database. The commanding officer looked at him briefly before looking at the data contained in the file. "Interesting." he simply commented. The acting captain seemed to be a man of few words, however, Greer figured that someone like Thomas was more of a listener. Perhaps upholding the policy of letting the other person tell you more thant you reveal of yourself. Seemed plausible considering his previous position.

"Sir. I would also like permission to have Lieutenant Morris' access codes to all restricted data and priority facilities on the ship suspended indefinitely."

"Considering the testimony from Dr. Khatroweena and yourself, I have already taken care of that." Thomas said, "Now if there's anything else I have to run a ship and find a few people."

"Actually sir. There is something I need to discuss with you." Greer said, "I would like to conduct an investigation into some of Lieutenant Morris' more interesting activities on the ship."

"I don't think that is necessary Lieutenant, afterall, finding both the Captain and Commander Sterner are our highest priorities right now."

"I understand that sir, however, if we can link Morris' to Sterner we might strengthen your case against the Commander once Captain Price returns. I'm sure he'll want a full report sir. If not, I'm sure Starfleet will demand a detailed explaination of the executive's crimes and how you were required to assume command of the ship." Greer looked at him. "I would like some justice in this matter also sir."

"More like revenge wouldn't you say Erikson." the more senior officer commented, direct and to the point.

"Partly. I would be a liar if I said any different." Greer admitted, "However, I always felt that the circumstances around Lieutenant Mitchell's death was a little unusual. During my time confined to quarters I lalso earned that my security codes had been breached. Don't you find a little odd that she would turn down the promotion to chief scientist and allow me to take it? I find it a little coincidental that Ronnie seems to be a common thread in these two events. She had both means and motive."

"These are still only suspicions. What if Commander Sterner or Lieutenant Morris had nothing to do with Mitchell's death? According to Lieutenant Albrecht, nothing in the data we obtained from Morris' quarters would indicate that."

"I'm sure we can find something sir. If not, then perhaps we can convince Ronnie that she should save herself instead of remaining with the proverbial sinking ship. I already have some preliminary data suggesting that she used my personal authorisation codes to excise sensitive material from the ship's computer."

"Very well Lieutenant. Permission granted." Chris said. "I want regular reports of your activities though. I should also remind you that since you are still on a probationary status I want you to remain on the ship."

"Aye sir." Greer replied. "I'll also speak to Lieutenant Albrecht."

"That would be a good idea."

"Making a Deal with a Devil..."
by: Ensign Sirkahn Grump

Sirkahn had not slept well that night, the events from earlier in the day just kept re-playing in his mind and along with thoughts of how to use this information to his advantage. Before turning in for the night Sirkahn had sent a private communication to Ensign Jon O'Hare requesting they meet in Ten Forward the following evening around 20:00 hours. Ensign Grump also wisely did not sign the message in hopes that Jon would think it was from the resident arms dealer. It was also logical that Jon would not be suspicious of this message since he was expecting a contact to which to sell his ill-gotten treasure. It seemed like he had only been in bed for a few minutes when the alarm went off. Hurriedly Sirkahn gets up, takes a sonic shower and prepares for a very busy day off. Most of the ship had been given shore leave; however, Ensign Grump had some experiments to perform in his Science Laboratory and some preparations to make for his meeting later that day with Ensign O'Hare.

The day went by rapidly, as most off-days do, and it was now 30 minutes before the appointed meeting time. All the preparations had been made. A message was set to be sent to the entire command crew as well as StarFleet HQ should either of two scenarios occur. The first scenario was if Sirkahn mysteriously disappeared and was not able to acknowledge the alarm in exactly 2 hours. Second the message was to automatically send if at any time in the next 2 hours Sirkahn did not register as being on the Galaxy. Of course there was always the third option, Sirkahn could send the message manually if Jon decided not to cooperate, but that would be very illogical of Ensign O'Hare. One additional precaution had to be made, using his Vulcan telepathy, Sirkahn contacted his mother and father and told them his plans and told them to report everything to the proper officials if they do not hear from him in the next 6 hours that way if something did happen to him and Ensign O'Hare was able to override his computer based safeties (Jon was very good with computers) Sirkahn had a fail-safe. Satisfied that he had taken every possible precaution, Sirkahn headed to Ten Forward even though he still had about 15 minutes before the meeting.

Sirkahn arrived in Ten Forward and quickly scanned the room, Jon had not arrived yet, in fact the place was pretty deserted. Talking a table in the corner of the room with a clear view of the door Sirkahn orders a drink and waits. Right on time Jon walks into Ten Forward and immediately Sirkahn can tell that his message had worked. Jon enters Ten Forward and scans the room, not seeing who is looking for he takes a seat and orders a drink. Sirkahn gives Jon a few minutes to get his drink then he walks over to the table where Jon is sitting.

"Ensign O'Hare, How are you today?"

"I am fine Ensign Grump, how are you?"

"Great. Please call me Sirkahn. Mind if I join you?" without even waiting for a response Sirkahn takes a seat directly across from Jon, effectively obstructing his view of the door.

"Well actually Sirkahn I was planning on meeting someone here, but they are late."

"I see. Well do you mind if I sit here and talk until your guest gets here? I think we have alot more in common than you think."

By this time Jon has started to get more than a little suspicious of Grump's intentions. "What do you mean, we have alot more in common than I think?"

"Well, it seems that you have been up to some very nasty business lately including tampering with my short term memory. I just thought it would be nice if we got together and talked a little."

Now Jon has no doubt, Ensign Grump had sent him the message and obviously had something up his logical little sleeve. "I think I am beginning to get the picture. However, you can not prove that I have ever suppressed your short term memory and frankly I am a little shocked that you would even suggest it."

"You are incorrect, I can prove that you have been tampering with my short term memory a simple mind meld between me and any other Vulcan would be all that it would take. However, I am willing to overlook that incident." Jon does not know for sure if what Grump is telling him is true or not, as far as he knows memory suppression is very hard to trace but he also is only a student of the Vulcan mind altering arts. "What are you driving at Sirkahn?"

"I think this PADD says it all."

Jon reads the PADD and his face immediately takes on a very disturbed look. "Well it seems as if you have me between a rock and a hard place. I guess a partnership is the best solution. However, I do not believe a 50/50 partnership is called for in this case."

"You are correct I was thinking more like 60% for you and 40% for me, since you did all the work of obtaining the merchandise as well as taking care of the delivery boy."

At this moment Jon realizes that Sirkahn knows more than what is on the PADD, but how he was alone in his quarters with the Admiral when he had murdered him. Further realizing that Sirkahn was giving him a great deal he decides to accept. Sirkahn could easily use this information to take all the weapons and much more.

With their business concluded Ensign Grump returns to his quarters and acknowledges the safety messages. He also contacts his parents and lets them know the results of his deal. He also ells them that he will check in a bout once a week and that if he should miss a week for them to contact the authorities.

Now that his business was all concluded Sirkahn retires for a much needed and well deserved night's rest.

Respectfully Submitted,

Ensign Sirkahn Grump

"Hasty Retreat"
by Lt. Ronnie Morris
2nd Chief Scientist, ISS Galaxy
reviewed by Captain Price

As they came to the main Promenade of the Starbase, the three escapees saw guards everywhere. With a quick duck into a shop, they tried to determine the best way back to the ship.

Ronnie looked around the shop and said, "Hold on. If we're going to make it, we'll need a disguise." Fortunatly they had entered a clothing shop. Within minutes, Ronnie had the three decked out in disguise. She offered her and Captain Price's Klingon costumes as payment to the shop owner, who was at first suspicious of the clothes, but then realized the value of the clothing on the black market.

As they exited the store, the three looked completely different. Captain Price now looked like a rich merchant with his Orion slave girl wearing a decorative leash attached to his wrist. Q was dressed, rather unwillingly, as the Captain's manservant. They only part he liked were the puffy sleeves.

"Oh, the indignacy!" said Q. "I should be the . . . . .OWW!" he yelled as Ronnie stomped down on his foot.

"Listen you whining little godling, I don't like this green makeup and collar any more than you like your get up, but since we all want to live, you'll shut up and get moving!" Ronnie whispered loudly.

Q shut his mouth with a clack. He pouted as they walked as calmly and as quickly as they could. Few people seemed to be looking at them, mostly because they didn't want to be seen themselves.

As they approached the docking bay, Captain Price looked down the corridor. "There's no way we can make it from a direct approach."

Ronnie turned around and went about three meters back down the way they came, she almost chocked on the leash until Captain Price released it.. Opening the access panel, she did a quick, but dirty, jump into the starbase's systems. Set an alarm to sound in two minutes further down the corridor so that the guards would hopefully rush away from the docking bay door. Then, she set the system to erect a force field in two minutes and 15 seconds in the corridor between the docking bay door and the alarm source location.

The trio waited. When the alarm sounded, all three guards rushed down the corridor away from the Captain's location. Ronnie grabbed Q's hand and followed after the Captain as he rushed down the corridor. He deftly opened the doors. As they were opening, Ronnie rushed in and tried to open the inner hatch to the Galaxy. Suddenly alarms sounded from the ship.

Capatin Price looked down the corridor and saw the guards crash into the force field, but what got his attention was the sight of Lt. Cmdr. Lore standing at the end of the corridor.

"Stop those traitors!" Lore ordered while pointing down the corridor at Ronni, Q and the Captain.

Just then, a Starfleet officer leaped out of the adjoining corridor and knocked the Lieutenant Commander over with a hard shoulder tackle. "Hurry General! Run!" Lieutenant Burns called out as he quickly ran down the corridor to join the Captain.

Q started jumping up and down. "What is happening? Let's get going!!" he whined loudly.

Ronnie punched in her code again. "Captain! It's not accepting my codes!!"

"Let me handle it sir!" Lieutenant Burns responded after over hearing Lieutenant Morris' comment to the Captain. He quickly keyed in a security code in the near by key pad on the bulkhead to deactivate the force field and join the General's party. In the distance, several gold sashes were busy helping Lieutenant Commander Lore back to his feet. He shoved one away and grabbed his phaser, leveling it at the Captain and firing, just as Lieutenant Burns reactivated the force field separating them from the Admiral's goons.

Within moments, the General reached the access panel and punched in the codes. The door swooshed open and the four escapees rushed in.

"Freeze!" came a voice from inside. "Lt. Ronnie Morris, you're under arrest for forging information in an attempt on the Captain's life and the murder of Lt. Mitchell."

Captain Price stepped up and said, "Lt. Erikson, not right now! She's under my protection until we can get the current situation under control. Ronnie, take Q to my ready room. Tapping the communicator on the wall he said, "Helm, this is Captain Price. Get us away from this Starbase as quickly as possible. As soon as we are clear of the system, maximum warp to the Arongii star system. Now!"

As Ronnie,Q, and the Captain headed for the turbolift, they walked by the stunned and frustrated Lt. Erikson. As they walked by, Ronnie turned and stuck her tongue at the shocked First Science Officer.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Lt. R'rlonnie Morris [charles@sykes.com]
2nd Chief Scientist, ISS Galaxy
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"All Hell's Breaking Loose"
by Lt. jg Tebrianne Bancroft

***

Tebrianne rushed through the corridors of the Starbase. Someone had ratted them out. She reached into her boot and pulled out the Type-I phaser hidden there.

"Echo Base to Echo Leader," a voice said through Tebrianne's micro-receiver. "We've got him back."

Nevarro ducked away from a phaser blast as the energy blackened the wall behind him. He fired his own phaser back down the hall, it's beam washing over one of the gold-sashed pursuers.

"Echo Leader to Echo Team," Tebrianne said as she started spinting down the corridor, Nevarro at her side. "Return to the Galaxy. The General is safe."

Tebrianne turned around a corridor and nearly ran into a pale faced man in a yellow sash. He stared at her with golden eyes. He sneered as he reached for Teb's throat, his other arm batting Nevarro away like a sack of Romulan taerax't.

Tebrianne's hands tried to pry his steel-like grip away from her throat. She gasped for air as her eyes locked with his.

"It's really no use," he sneered. "Now, are you working for Price or Sterner? Not that it will matter in a moment as I squeeze your life out."

Tebrianne summoned her will, drawing on everything she'd ever learned. She couldn't feel the android's mind...but she could feel something.

"Fah," she gasped.

"What," he asked, loosening his grip a little so she could speak.

"FEAR!" Tebrianne rasped.

Lore's hand snapped open and he began backing away from Tebrianne, a look of stark terror twisting his face. He flattened himself and cowered against the wall as Tebrianne helped Nevarro to his feet and the two began running down the corridor.

***

Tebrianne and Nevarro reached the end of the corridor at a dead run. Teb quickly tapped out her access code and was greeted with a warning. She glanced at Nevarro. He stepped forward and keyed his code into the pad.

The heavy door slid open. "It's good to be a part of Thomas' elite team," he said with a smile.

They slipped through the open door and into the relative safety of the ISS Galaxy.

"Echo Team report," she said into her transmitter.

"Echo Three and Four onboard, Leader." "Echo Five and Six closing Airlock Six now. We're onboard, ma'am," said Echo Six.

"Echo Leader to Echo Base, Echo Team is back on the Galaxy safe and sound," she said. "And, let Captain Thomas know that I have some information for him."

"Affirmative Leader," said the comm officer. "I'll let him know. Captain Price should be resuming command of the ship any moment now."

"Best news I've heard in a long time, matey," Tebrianne said to herself.

"Let's debrief, Nevarro," she said. "I think we did good."

"We did do good, Lieutenant. Now, let's get this over with."

"Bloody, amen to that," Tebrianne said.

Lt.jg Tebrianne Bancroft
USS Galaxy, Acting Chief Helmsman
dodger@hevanet.com
UIN# 2172851

"Surprise"
by Lt. Pat Burns

Suddenly Lore stepped into Pat's view, before Pat had turned the corner. "Stop those traitors!" Lore ordered while pointing down the corridor at the Captain and the other two unknown fugitives.

Pat knew this was his only chance or the Captain would be dead, so he leapt toward Lore. Pat tackled him to the ground and then began to run towards the Captain. "Hurry General! Run!" Pat called out as he whipped out his two phasers and began shooting blind shots behind his back. When he finally joined the Captain he took cover and returned fire at Lore and the security officers.

The unknown male began to jump up and down, "What is happening? Let's get going!!" he whined loudly.

The female that Pat didn't know started punching in her code again. "Captain! It's not accepting my codes!!"

"I'll handle this!" Pat responded after overhearing Lieutenant Morris' comment to the Captain. He quickly keyed in a security code in the near by key pad on the bulkhead to deactivate the force field and join the General's party. In the distance, several gold sashes were busy helping Lieutenant Commander Lore back to his feet. He shoved one away and grabbed his phaser, leveling it at the Captain and firing, just as Pat reactivated the force field separating them from the Admiral's goons. "Sorry Lore, not today." Pat said laughing.

Within moments, the Captain Price reached the access panel and punched in the codes. The door swooshed open and the four escapees rushed in.

"Freeze!" came a voice from inside. "Lt. Ronnie Morris, you're under arrest for forging information in an attempt on the Captain's life and the murder of Lt. Mitchell."

Upon hearing this Pat pulled out his phasers and trained them on the Lt. Captain Price stepped up and said, "Lt. Erikson, not right now! She's under my protection until we can get the current situation under control. Ronnie, take Q to my ready room. Tapping the communicator on the wall he said, "Helm, this is Captain Price. Get us away from this Starbase as quickly as possible. As soon as we are clear of the system, maximum warp to the Arongii star system. Now!"

Pat put his phasers back in his holsters. The Captain looked at Pat, "You always wait to save me at the last possible second don't you?"

"Sorry Captain, it's my job." Pat changed the subject, "What about Sterner, Captain?"

"Don't worry Mr. Burns, Lore will find him, eventually."

"I hope he finds that god damn, no good traitor."

Pat followed the Captain to the Bridge for his own protection.

Lt. Pat Burns/Tactical Dept. Interrogation Officer

Galaxy "Begin Attack"
Written By Intendent Kahn Nilani
Empok Nor.

I had just left the I.S.S. Galaxy when all the power systems came on line. I ran down to the tranporting co-ordinates and pulled out my communicator.

"Intendent Kahn to any Empire ship beam me and my assoicates over imediately??"

The Stations read alert klaxon was going off. All of my associates were in the same room when the room faded out of existance. It was replaced with the transporter room of the Regents personal ship.

"My Lord ::bending down to my knees and then standing up:: I didn't know you were going to fight in the battle."

[::laughing:: "klingon warrior dosn't back down from a fight like this."]

"Yes my lord."

["Follow me to the bridge where we will attack this base and destroy everything"]

I followed the regent onto the bridge. He turned and offered me the seat next to his. I sat down, the regent then turned on his fleet wide communicator.

[Attack!!!! all ships Attack as planned."]

Suddenly all around the Starbase Klingon/Cardassian/Bajoran ship numbering well over 350 ships came out of cloak. I turned to the regent.

"My lord Do not attack the I.S.S. Galaxy I belive she is on our side."

["Very well"]

The great armarda headed towards the Starbase with Full Weapons armed, both the starbase and the ships were out of range but shortly they were no going to be. The ships blocked out the sun and the combined weapons pwer was enough to destroy a moon. The Fleet moved on.

*** There's a hole in my bucket.... ***
By Lt (JG) Paran Chanor

Chanor had just finished sending out all the messages, and badgering engineering to restore power when Ensign Denning arrived, wielding a phaser pistol.

"Reporting for duty sir." he barked.

"Okay Ensign, we're just going to wait for the others to arrive before moving off." Chanor replied.

It took only another 3 minutes for Ensign McElvogue and Taylor to arrive. Taylor looked a little shaken upon seeing Chanor, as it was Taylor who had 'agonised' him. He might hold a grudge, later, but for the moment, he had a job to do. He'd waited a further 3 minutes, before he paged both Ensign Salt and Neg'Puj.

"Lt. Paran to Ensign......" he started, as suddenly a huge explosion rocked the ship, and all three officers where thrown off their feet. Red Alert klaxons began to sound, and the lights all went off. The funny thing was that Chanor was suddenly lifted off his feet towards the back of the security room. He started to wonder what it was when he, and the other security officers in the room hit an emergency forcefield, bouncing back.

Chanor rose immediately, and looked out. The entire starboard lower side of the ship had been ripped out, and he could see several crewmembers decompressed bodies floating outside. He immediately rose to command,

"GET OUT, GET OUT." he bawled, "I don't want to find out that the emergency forcefields won't hold, so get into the upper decks immediately."

The other officers had no trouble rushing for the door, only to find it jammed.

"Ensign Denning, blow it open..." he started, "No, belay that. Scan for atmosphere on the other side. I don't want to find out that we're going to our doom blowing that door open."

Denning immediately grabbed a tricorder, scanned it, and confirmed there was an atmosphere on the other side. He then leveled his phaser and destroyed the door, as the officers headed out up the decks.

"Meet in engineering. We'll set up a new security base there," he shouted. He was about to leave the area, when he remember Ensign Wadell, and Lt. Hewson. He thought for a moment, and ran back. He couldn't leave them here, he supposed, much as he'd like to.

The brig area was still untouched, and he rushed in, to find both officers in a state of panic. He lowered the forcefield immediately and told them to follow him. Neither men seemed to have any problem with that, and he led the way out, towards the jeffreys tubes, and safety. Along the way, he paged the Captain.

"Captain Thomas. I'm afraid I won't be able to find Captain Price afterall. Security has been destroyed by an explosion on the lower decks of the ship. I don't know about any damage yet, but we're heading for engineering to set up a new command centre." he stated rapidly, as Wadell and Hewson both ran past him, not even bothering to stop. He hoped the message got through, as he headed into the jeffreys tube, and up towards deck 36.

Lt (JG) Paran
ISS Galaxy

"Establishing Control"
by Captain Thomas

Captain Thomas' Personal Log: I have spent my time to date working on securing my position as the new captain of the Galaxy. Now that I have more or less secured my position, I have to make room to allow for new challenges.

He needed to continue establishing his control and then looking into other possibilities. He was walking a tight rope, at the moment. He would eventually have to explain how he had come to the conclusion to assume the rank of captain and the captaincy of the ISS Galaxy and why. The things that were the most confusing was whether Commander Sterner had been operating on his own and if not then who had or was supporting his attempt to gain control of the Galaxy. He had accomplished several things, but unfortunately he had learned that most of Sterner's associations had bee murder by someone. Only two had survived and they weren't willing to talk to any about anything. He also had secured the ship more or less, and if Price was alive he would return to his ship that was more loyal to him than before.

I have to cover severely more areas of the ship. I have decided to visit the captain's Political advisor and inform her of what has happened to the general. This will be the most delicate job that I have to do as captain. Telling her that Captain Price is missing and his current status is unknown. Publicly the captain is dead, privately I still hold out hope that he is alive. Which in what I will convey to her and hope that she doesn't blame me. Then there was her son Colby he's a know thief and should learn from his actions, but I will save his punishment until later or attempt to reach some agreement with Devlyn about Colby's continued freedom. However he could and would wait for a later opportunity.

After careful debate he had selected Lt. Commander Ti Miran to fill the position of first officer. She was in his opinion the most qualified person to assume this position. She had also remained more or less neutral in the power struggle. Which made her all that more the prefect candidate. He had talked wither her earlier about becoming the ships first officer. This chat had been most interesting.

End Log

* Main Engineering *

Captain Thomas had just been reminded that Mary Hewson had been dealt with already. Further Lt. Hewson was going to be dealt with since he aided in the escape of prisoners. Even with having been informed of this he still needed to talk with the other engineers and the chief engineer. If he was going to establish his control he needed to have everyone in his pocket. Now he was approaching this issue differently than normal, but at this time different tactics were really called for with this situation.

"Chief we need to talk." Chris said as soon as he saw the chief. They will off to talk, Chris' personal guard in tow. He never left home with out them.

** After the talk with the CEO **

Chris left engineering and set off to find and talk with Devlyn.

"Captain Thomas had a nice ring to it, but there were many things that still could happen. He was preparing for as many possibilities as possible. However some things were tougher than to prepare for in life. Here I was thinking of retiring in another couple of months, but now I have gained something that urges me to stay. I now have new reposniblites that require my attention. Something's that one never expects always seem to happen.

* Devlyn's Quarters *

Chris approached her door with trepidation. He started towards the buzzer, then turned around and started walking away. He wasn't up to this not yet, but when he asked himself would he ever be up to this task. He answered his own question he would never be ready to do this, but then the longer he put it off, the more danger she posed. She would eventually learn and then he would likely regret not telling her. Then he turned around this was something that he had to do whether he liked it or not. She deserved to know what had happened to the captain. Again he approached the door and this time he made it, and went in to talk with her.

** Hours Later **

Chris had returned to the bridge after spending several hours talking with Devlyn about the captains' disappearance. He hoped that the teams he had sent out would get luckily and find the captain, but the longer he was missing the less likely they'd find him.

+++++

Chris Patt

on
A.K.A Lt. (jg) Christopher Thomas - USS Galaxy

" How far now? " The nervous tellarite asked again. It was his third asking in the past two minutes.

" In... 3-2-1... NOW! " Sunder exclaimed and pounded his fist down on the transmitter console. The console lit up as if in angry response, illuminating the tiny cylindrical pod with a orange glow. The signal was set at a pre-arranged frequency with the Shadowfire, in order to let the Alignment vessel know that its team had managed to escape and were ready for transportation.

The massive space doors loomed ahead of them; stern guardians of the massive space station. Sunder's team patiently waited.

... and waited.

After a minute of waiting it was painfully apparent that they hadn't left the pod.

" What the hell's happening? " Heretia demanded. Sunder was equally puzzled.

" More like what the hell's not happening. " He muttered. Suddenly there was a loud clang as the forward momentum of the pod was brought to an abrupt halt. The pod's inhabitants rushed away from the access-way as the wall was covered in a shower of fiery sparks.

" Damn, " was all Sunder could say as they were suddenly greeted by the sight of Starfleet security holding themselves in the doorway.

"Departing insects"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price

The docking hatch to the ISS Galaxy slammed shut with a hiss. Several of the Galaxy's security personnel drew their weapons and tried to take Lieutenant Morris into custody, but the Captain ordered them off.

"We 'ave to get to the bridge 'mates." Lee hissed while he, Q, Lieutenants Morris and Burns pushed past the gold sashes that no longer had the open docking port hatch to guard.

The ship jolted slightly when the docking clamps were deactivated and the ship began moving away from the docking platform of Starbase 357 under the power of the main thrusters.

"Bridge." Captain Price ordered when he and his compatriots entered the turbolift.

Q picked at the dirt still trapped under his fingernails. "I've ruined my manicure Price. I hope you are satisfied?"

Lee gave the young Q a glance and rolled his eyes, not bothering to comment. The lift soon arrived at the Bridge.

"Captain!" declared a surprised but happy Lieutenant Bancroft.

"As you were. Soon as we are able, take us to full impulse. Then take us to maximum warp towards the Argonii system." Captain Price ordered.

"Impulse engines are operational Captain, but Warp is off line from the terrorist bombing on the lower decks sir." Bancroft explained.

"What?!" The General bellowed. He then let his tone return to a more controlled state, "Best speed Lieutenant."

"Aye General." Tebrianne answered punching the commands into her console and taking the ship to full impulse. She then pivoted around in her chair and faced Captain Price. "Sir. 'Captain' Thomas is waiting to see you in... the ready room sir."

Lee's eyes widened slightly, "Captain? Very well. Keep me informed of the situation Lieutenant. I expect Admiral Qwon will be sending ships after us. And let Engineering know that we need the Warp engines back online as soon as possible."

"ASAP, yes sir!" Bancroft replied before turning back to her station.

Captain Price glanced over at Lieutenant Morris and Burns and Q who was still picking at the dirt under his nails while he made himself comfortable in the Captain's chair no less. "You two, keep an eye on 'our guest'. I will be right back." Lee then entered the ready room to have a word with 'Captain' Thomas.

Lee walked into his ready room and saw Thomas sitting with his chair turned and facing the observation window. The General cleared his voice to gain Chris' attention, he appeared to be deep in thought.

Thomas face flashed a faint hint of surprise at seeing the General standing there, but Lee had a feeling that he was a little relieved as well. "Glad to see that you are all right General."

Captain Price removed his d'k tahg and glanced at it for a moment before placing it down in the display stand on his desk. "I trust you've looked after everything while I was away Commander?"

Chris nodded, "Aye Captain. I believe I have gotten the troops in line sir. They are presently working on repairing the damage from a terrorist shuttle bomb that took out several of the lower decks."

"I heard 'mate. Warp drives are off line, they should be the number one priority."

"Understood General." Thomas acknowledged.

"Were is Commander Sterner?" Lee finally asked.

"Unknown sir. He's left the ship about the same time you did Captain. I believe he was behind the whole assassination attempt on your life. I've ordered security to take him into custody and kill him if he resists... should he show his face on board again."

"I'm not sure if the order came from Commander Sterner or even higher up the chain of command 'mate."

"You mean the Admiralty General?" Chris asked.

"Possibly. But right now, we have to get to the Argonii system to get Q back to the continuum before time runs out." Lee explained.

["General, A huge task force of over 300 war ships has appeared in the distance. They are closing on our position."] Bancroft reported over the comm channel.

"On my way Lieutenant." Lee replied, then gave Chris a glance and the two of them exited the ready room to reenter the bridge.

Captain Price gave Q a dirty look while he sat in the command chair. "Move Q, I need this chair."

The young Q gave Captain Price a dirty look, "I was here first Price, find another..." he pointed to the other chairs.

Lee's patience was growing short. Behind him he had a hundred Imperial Starships breaking space dock to follow him on Admiral Qwon's order, and in front of him, some huge Empire strike force preparing to attack anyone that opposes them. Captain Price grabbed Q by his tunic, picking him up off his feet and moving him aside.

"You can't... You didn't... How could you dare to handle a Q in such a fashion?" Q babbled on.

"Communication coming in Captain." Lieutenant Burns explained, "It's from Regent Worf. He's demanding our immediate surrender or his attack fleet will use us for target practice before going on to annihilate the Starbase."

"Raise shields." Lee ordered.

"Shields are off line Captain." Lieutenant Burns relayed.

"Damn! Doesn't anything on this ship work mister?" Lee said in a frustrated tone.

"They are working on it Captain." Pat explained, "The ships will be in weapons range in twenty seconds sir."

"We won't be making it to the Argonii system without shields and no warp engines..." Lee said aloud, "Not with that many ships ahead of us. Take evasive actions Lieutenant Bancroft."

"You can't do that Price!" Q protested. "I must get back to the Q continuum, and must get there at once!"

"I am open for suggestions Q?" Captain Price asked, looking at the young boy.

"Maintain your course Price. The ships before you will not pose a problem. Leave them to me..." Q said with an evil smile.

"Are you sure 'mate? Your powers haven't exactly been very reliable lately..."

"Some things are easier to do than others Price. Observe..."

Q waved his hand and in an instant the massive fleet of 300 plus war ships vanished before their very eyes.

"Sir! The Empire's fleet, they seem to of vanished!" Lieutenant Burns said in amazement.

"Not vanished, I assure you. They are still there. I just needed to remind them how small they really are."

"What have you done Q?! You haven't destroyed all of those ships. Murdered all of those people, have you!"

"Mon Capitain, only humans are so savage as to do something like that. They are all safe. And in time, I'm sure they will return to their normal state."

Lee raised an eye brow, "Normal state? What did you do Q?"

The boy smiled, "Like I said, I reminded them just how small they really are. Now, don't we have some modifications to make to the structural integrity generators before we reach the Argonii Star?"

Lee nodded. "Lieutenant Morris, accompany Q to Engineering to make the required modifications."

"Aye sir. This way Q." Ronni motioned as the two of them exited the bridge.

Lee sat back and wondered what had really happened to the Bajoran Empire's fleet of 350 ships.

*****

*** Empire Flag Ship, commanded by Reagent Worf ***

"We are closing Reagent. The Starbase is scrambling their ships in an attempt to intercept us. They barely have one hundred vessels!"

"They will die like the cowards that they are!" Worf gloated. "This will be a day to long remember. Our ancestors will sing the praises of this great victory for generations to come!"

"A single ship precedes the Imperial Federation counter attack force. It is the ISS Galaxy Reagent."

Worf's eyes narrowed. He knew Intendant Kahn didn't want to have the Galaxy attacked because her baby brother, Deiran Kahn, served aboard that ship. But there was no love lost between the Intendant and Reagent Worf. To defeat the Galaxy would be an added bonus to this great day.

"Send them a message to surrender or they will be used to sharpen our gunners skills before we destroy the pathetic counter force they are attempting to send our way."

"Yes Reagent!" the communications officer replied. "Message sent. There was no reply."

"Arm our weapons. When the Galaxy is within range, fire at will!" Worf declared.

Just a few moments later, everything on the main view screen seemed to grow bigger. Reagent Worf looked around, "what is happening?!" he said in a very small, squeaky voice.

"I do not know Reagent. The Imperial Starships seem to of grown in size by several million times!"

"No fool!" Worf squeaked, "It is we who have changed size! Look at the stars, he have been miniaturized."

"How can that be sir?" the officer asked before checking his monitor again, "The Galaxy is coming in range sir."

"Prepare to open fire!" Worf squeaked again.

"The gravitational forces are too strong sir... our hull integrity is beginning to collapse as the Galaxy grows near."

"What trickery is this! Bah. Plot a course away from the Starbase. The Intendant will have to fight this battle on her own." Worf looked at the crewmen about the bridge and barked in a tiny, but powerful voice, "You heard the order! Signal the retreat!"

Hundreds of microscopic starships turn and head away from the on coming ships, plotting a course back to the Bajoran Empire like a swarm of mosquitoes flying across the sky.

"The Great Purge."
by Lt. Greer Erikson, Chief Science Officer
w/ Dr. Felicia Khatroweena. Contributions made by Lieutenant Albrecht.

*** Chief Scientist's Office ***

Greer had met Cat at dinner in Ten Forward as planned. He had no idea what to expect but her the reasons behind her apparent claims that Greer ordered her to kidnap Ronnie seemed to be unclear at best. He accepted her reasons, afterall, no longer had anything to loose. She has dressed properly for the occasion and he found her more attractive. Very feminine and more lady-like.

Greer sat patiently. Albrecht, now acting Chief interrogator, was busy with many of the unusual activities of the Imperial Starship Galaxy - a dangerous escapee who once belonged to the Tellarite Liberation Army, traitorous officers still loyal to Commander Sterner, not to mention theusual 'run-of-the-mill' duties he was required to perform.

As Greer sipped his cup of tea, the door chime sounded. "Enter"

Into the office came a young junior grade Lieutenant. A woman of Asian descent. "Lieutenant Albrecht asked me to speak with you sir."

"Please take a seat 'Lieutenant." he said, offering her a chair. "I assume you are the liaison Lieutenant Albrecht spoke of."

"Yes sir. 'Lieutenant Marla Shinjo. Lieutenant Albrecht is willing to offer you access to the information recovered from Lieutenant Morris' quarters as well as that from Commander Sterner's. The Lieutenant also asked me to ask you for a favour."

Greer cringed as the word favour came up. The last 'favour' he did for someone got him agonised and almost killed. "What kind of favour?" he asked.

"Considering the events of the last few days, Lieutenant Albrecht feels that it is necessary to sweep the ship's primary and secondary computer cores. He wants to ensure that they are free from further intrusions. He said you of all people should appreciate that."

Greer nodded with some relief. Afterall, his security codes had been breached and it wasn't too much to ask. "Indeed it does 'Lieutenant. Consider it a deal."

"I'll let Lieutenant Albrecht know about our arrangement." Shinjo replied, getting up from her seat. Although Greer was not certain, it appeared that Albrecht trusted Shinjo quite considerably.

*** Sickbay ***

Cat met Greer in the foyer of the Chief Medical Officer's office as planned. Greer had been curious about the death of Lieutenant Mitchell from the beginning, knowing that for some reason he had been promoted, however, it wasn't until now that he had become increasingly suspicious of whom might have been behind it.

"Hello Greer, So where did you want to start?" Cat inquired, as she made herself comfortable in the CMO's chair.

"The autopsy report. I tried to access it earlier but it is restricted to access by active medical personnel only" answered Greer.

"OK. Computer, access autopsy report for Lieutenant James Mitchell." Cat looked at the screen, "Lieutenant James Mitchell. Human, male, 26 years old. Died on Stardate 49711.15. Autopsy report prepared by Dr. Andrew Tan, Medical officer, ISS Galaxy NCC-70637. OK, it includes the details on where and how he was found. ATP levels appear normal, DNA scan revealed no irregularities, serum albumin levels were normal, compliments levels were normal, lactic acid concentration was normal." Cat proceeded down the list of analyses and reports for the deceased former chief scientist.

"Sounds like he was in good condition. What did he die from?"

"According to the this report, he died from a contusion to the base of the skull which broke his neck. His biochemical, genetic, anatomical results appear to confirm this there was... Computer, display the immunopathology results again." Cat looked over the information once again. "Computer, access medical logs for the week prior to Stardate 49711.15."

"What are you looking for?"

Cat held her hand up for silence as she read. "Hmm, I thought so. Something was nagging at me. I was sure I examined Lieutenant Mitchell two days before he died. He came in with a case of Altinese flu."

"I don't understand Cat."

"According to his autopsy report, his immunological system was entirely within normal ranges. Altinese flu runs its course for approximately forty-eight hours. His serum albumin, immunoglobulin, and compliment levels should have been elevated."

"Are you sure about this Cat?"

"Positive. The Human immune system requires forty-eight hours to fight the virus. There is no sign that he had an infection of any kind in this report."

"Do you think Dr. Tan might have been coerced?"

"Highly unlikely. Appears more likely that this report has been used to replaced the original."

"OK, you have a look into the report itself and try and come up with something that proves it is false. If you have time try and find out as much as you can about how it got there."

"Sure thing." Cat smiled at Greer and watched as he left the CMO's Office. Cat returned to the computer and tried to find any evidence of tampering.

*** Three hours later: Primary Computer Core, Deck 10 ***

Greer stood there watching the team work on purging the computer system for unrestricted access, viruses, and other system anomalies. Ensign O'Hare, the ship's computer specialist, was doing a fine job under the supervision of Ensign Grump. Greer still wasn't sure if he could trust O'Hare and Grump seemed the logical choice for overseeing this immense task.

"OK gentlemen, I'll leave you people to do your job."

he said, leaving the room.

*** Sickbay ***

Cat was mentally kicking herself, 'It is really amazing how blind a person can be. I should have checked before.' "Doctor Khatroweena to Lieutenant Erikson, I have some information that you might be interested in."

[Go ahead Cat.]

"I think it might be best if you came to the CMO's office."

[Right, Erikson Out]

Cat waited for Greer to arrive. He was breathing a little fast as he rushed in. "Looks like you need more exercise, Greer. Though I am surprised that a man can be in two places at once needs to exercise."

"Huh?" Greer looked at Cat totally confused.

Cat gave a mischievous smile and passed a PADD to Greer. "Take a look."

Greer began reading and soon realised that the PADD held a copy of the autopsy report of Lieutenant Mitchell. "What about it?"

Cat looked at him, "Take a look at the Report Appendix: alpha dash seven. Anything strange?"

Greer looked through the report. "Look at the author of the report addendum, Greer" Cat said. Greer went to the end and was surprised to see his own name. "I didn't write this."

"I didn't think you did. I think the report was used to allow a modification of the report in its entirety. Well, I did some checking and had some people do a little bit of checking of their own, seems the report was entered in your office. It was entered on your verbal authorisation"

Cat continued, "By the file record, it was entered on 49711.230637. Now from 49711.222257 to 49711.230712, the computer says you were in your quarters. Now which do we believe, or do we have a science officer who can be in two places at once. Comparisons were made with internal sensors and life signs of a human male were also detected at the same time. Obviously you weren't the one to enter the report."

Cat smiled showing her fangs and it looked to Greer that she was going to pounce on her prey. "I took a guess and had the Ronnie's locations pulled up..."

"How did you get these? Only security can access those files."

"Don't ask Greer? Anyway for 14 minutes from 49711.230631, the computer says that one Lieutenant R'lonni Morris was in your office and internal sensors detected a female Delphinian were also detected for the same time frame."

A smile appeared on Greer face. It wasn't enough to convict Ronnie, but it was enough information to have the captain begin to look more seriously into his accusations. "Thank you Cat."

By: "Daniel Woodward"

(This takes place right before the ISS Galaxy leaves space dock)

"Pardon me, Honey"
by Colonel Endris Gakor, escapee

***Overhead conduits, (Near Docking Ports)***

Endris ran from the reception area, glad the inept fools erected a force field so they could not chase her. But they had her pined again, and her bleeding shoulder was leaking slightly through the bandages. As Hoglip's strength wained, she noticed a herd of guards trampling towards the shuttle bay area. *Something must be up*, thought the devious Bacon Lady.

Sure enough, she caught a glimpse of the General, a man in a ruffled shirt, and an Orion slave girl. For the briefest of moments, Gakor thought Electra had located the Captain and was assisting his flight from captivity. However, the woman accompanying the ISS Commander was obviously someone Endris did not know. A sparkling force field blocked the advance of the gold shirts, as the trio was joined by another young officer in an ISS uniform and the quartet ran to the starship.

Watching from a hiding place in the overhead conduits, the Colonel was forced to duck when a super heated stream of plasma erupted from an ignored maintenance hatch. From her shifted position, she could see Mr Lore at the far end of the tunnel. The android's positronic heritage made him a lethal foe.

But the General had resources that her Tellarite Liberation Army desperately needed. Also, if the Butcher were to assist his escape, Gakor might earn a pardon for her earlier antics on the Galaxy. She needed to surprise the son of Soong with something that would muck up his works. At least long enough to reach the retaliative safety of the ship.

***Unoccupied Quarters, SB 357***

Endris pried open a Jefferies Tube and entered some vacant quarters. Zooming to the replicator, she requested a jar of honey. Actually, several jars of honey. She soon had 40 gallons of the substance inside a transport container. Endris surmised the previous occupants must have been engineers, for an anti-grav palet was also in the space. There was also an EVA suit! This would come in handy should she need to resort on her back up plan, so she swiftly chucked her clothes and encapsulated herself in the device.

Gakor knew there were other people chasing her. She was glad the Star Base was antiquated in some ways. The Admiral was obviously so cocky he thought no one would ever outwit him. Failsafes had not been updated for years! Thus, the override codes she memorized on Tellar would work here. She typed several commands into a terminal and set the delay for 90 seconds. Electra had given her valid access codes to make accessing the systems even easier.

***Overhead Conduits***

While Lore was distracted barking orders to functionaries in gold sashes, Endris steered the container of goo in the conduit directly above the android's head. While the volume of his screaming was still at inhuman decibel levels, Endris cracked open the vessel and poured the sticky sweet liquid through the panel. *Even an android can be surprised*, the Colonel thought!

Lore raised an eyebrow, as gravity pulled the nectar on to him faster than he could react. Honey flowed into his ears, apparently shorting out his motor components. No longer able to stand, the android toppled and splashed the sticky coating down the passageway, slowing the advancing guards. However, the android proved more robust than the Colonel's original estimates.

Lore's reflexes had him back on his feet within a few seconds as subroutines adjusted for the unexpected attack. But his pace was significantly slowed by the paste-like residue on the floor. Regaining control of his limbs, the hostile apparatus aimed a phaser at Gakor and fired, just as a last comb of honey obscured his vision. The blast barely missed the Tellarite, who had to duck again when the remaining piece of the loose plasma conduit fractured apart.

At the same time, the delayed commands Endris entered into the computer activated. True to her nature, however, the crafty Tellarite issued a hint at what she was up to. The guards were startled when the computer started to play Brahm's lullaby in the corridor near the just escaped captives. However, they soon discovered the melody was a ruse to cover the hiss of the anestasene gas that took care of the remaining security foes. A wide, unseen grin spread on Gakor's face.

The Colonel was a survivor. She knew if she stayed here, she would eventually be caught and beheaded. It was time to cut some losses. Fortunately, Lore had considerately created an escape route for the Piggy. The exploding pipes had caused a hull breach. It was chef's luck that the base's systems had not sealed the wound. Protected by the EVA suit, Gakor lunged out the hole now pleasantly decorating Star Base 357, and kicked the jet pack in gear.

***Space, the final.....[LOL]***

Albrecht would not be pleased. Gakor was coming back! She thought saw the blue tinge of ion exhaust that often indicated breaking docking clamps. Endris had to rush if she was going to avoid becoming Qwon's latest appetizer! Before momentum carried the Titanic starship away, she gripped the jagged rips in the Galaxy and pulled herself inside, barely missing the unmistakable tingle of a Federation force field.

*Great!* she thought. *Now I'm trapped between the hull and this force field.* At least no one expected Endris to return. Perhaps the radio in this suit could contact Ms. Dana. The former leader of the Tellar Liberation Army paused to consider which options had the fewest risks. Carefully navigating her steps to avoid contacting the energy sealing the hole, Endris began by searching for a better place to hide....

***Hiding***
To be continued....