"The Vision"
By Ensign Neg'Puj and Ensign Jon O'Hare
As Neg'Puj get's ready for Alpha Shift she starts looking through her closet for a freshly pressed uniform. She pulls the gold and black jump suit from the closet she knew that this shift would be alittle difficult because security would be on alert with Breen aboard. Then she suddenly she became very dizzy and fell to the floor. She heard a voice say "Your not alone in this world" then a image of a woman appeared before her then a feeling as if she had know this woman all of her life came over her. "Who are you asked Neg'Puj?" the woman just stood there not saying a word. Neg'Puj asked "Who's Alive?" the image stated "You must find him and embrace him" "Embrace, embrace and find who" Neg'Puj asked again becoming very confused from this whole ordeal. Never before had she experienced this. It was not a dream but more like a thought a mental message being projected. She was somewhat freighten. Then the woman said something very strange. "Your ties with him are binary in nature" then as quickly as she appeared she disappeared and Neg'Puj felt a cold child run down her back. What did this all mean.
She growled at herself, this was foolish and cowardly. But she looked around the room just in case, "No one is there." She said to herself annoyed. She threw her unifom on and walked outside.
She crashed into another ensign, "Hey watch were your going!"
The young Ensign looked at Neg'Puj trying decern what her problem was he shook his head and continued on his way. Neg'Puj continued down the passageway. She entered the turbolift and said "Security" the lift started whinning toward Security. She thought about what she experienced in her quarters, how this woman is coming to her and who is this person she say's is Alive. There are alot of people alive, is this person significant to her in some way. Just another voice penatrated her mind "The universe is vast but you will find him throughout the galaxy" Neg'Puj stomps her foot in frustration just as the turbolift opens and 3 Lieutenants are standing there waiting for the turbolift looked at Neg as she stomped.
"What the hell are you talking about! Who is he and what does the galaxy have to do with this!" She yelled. The Lieutenants stared at her. "The stress get to the ensigns," one whispered as they entered the turbo lift. Neg'Puj didn't hear him she was to busy trying to see if that annoying voice was going to bother her again......
"I'm going crazy, thats it." she mumbles as she walks off.
Little did Neg know that one of the counselor's aids was listening around the corner from where she made this comment. He thinks to himself "I must report this to Lt Wilson" and he quickly makes his way toward the Chief Counselor's office.
"Study Review"
by Lt. Thomas
Lt. Thomas' personal log. I have been assigned to Alpha shift at ops now. Meaning my schedule once again has changed. Though he was quickly becoming accustomed to his schedule changing on the ship, it still required him to readjust how and when he did things. It usual took him about a week to adjust everything to a change in duty rotation as he had to adjust his habits. This was worth the opportunity to work Alpha shift.
** Near the end of Alpha Shift **
Thomas had been elected to cover to part of the Beta shift watch at ops, nothing new he thought to himself. He had been pulling more time at ops than he normally would under normal operating conditions. However he was finding that keeping himself busy was the best way to move on in his life. Eventually he would be ready to move, remember Dev and the time they spent together, but not let it haunt him. He was already being haunted by his past, his beloved wife Gwyen. He had spent less time worrying about what happened that fateful day and more on remembering the good times they had shared. Some days it seemed as if their time together had been more than a lifetime ago.
Chris spent three additional hours into beta shift at ops, before he was given the chance to depart the bridge. He was looking forward to getting something to eat and a chance to relax from this busy day. There had been an earlier incident where they had to rescue the a Breen ship that had been caught in some sort of vortex. The information about the vortex was still being analyzed and compiled. Chris had submitted his opinion and suggestion to the Chief Operations Manager Lt. Commander Casey.
=/\=
To: Lt. Commander Casey
Sir,
I have finished my report, based upon what information we received from our close proximity to the vortex and continued limited sensor scans. I believe that this maybe some sot of subspace domain vortex that we are seeing. However without further time to study I can't say for certain. I would have recommend trying to send a series of probes in or as near the to vortex as possible for further data collection.
I would personally recommend against sending anyone alive into that thing as we don't know what effect it would have on living organisms. I have already thought about the portable holograms emitters, however without further data to analysis I wouldn't be able to determine if a hologram could remain stable enough to perform any needed task.
My recommendation would be to use a series of probes special configured and sent to investigate further, while the Galaxy remains at a safe distance continuing to analysis the information.
Lt. Thomas
From: Lt. Thomas
Subject: The Vortex discovered today.
=/\=
** Lt. Thomas's quarters **
Chris needed to get some rest first before he did anything else, and that wasn't a joke. He was tired and wore out from all the long shifts and extra work that he had been pulling since the ship had docked at the starbase for repairs and some upgrades to systems. He entered his quarters changed clothes and head for his nice comfortable bed for sleep that was long over due. He almost forget to set an alarm to wake him up after he had the chance to sleep at least a few hours before he decided to get some food.
He spent all of about 10 minutes awake before the desire for sleep over took him.
** 7 hours later **
Chris heard his alarm going off in the distance, trying to cut through his sleep and awake him back to reality. He struggled to wake himself up form his long nap, which took him more than thirty minutes to finally come around. He was hungry now, and after getting some coffee he was more awake. He got dressed and headed off for 10-forward to get something to eat and see what was happening. He hopped that after a few hours there he could return to his quarters and get some more rest before his shift was scheduled to start again. Maybe today would be a routine day that only required him to work on shift and not beyond into another.
Chris Patton
A.K.A. Fleet Captain William Churchill - USS Atlantis
A.K.A Lt. Christopher Thomas - USS Galaxy
A.K.A Lt. Commander John Bruce - Stations Beta 2
Website: http://www.aesim.ml.org/atlantis
By: RCL
"Lieutenant Erikson." the Captain said, turning to the chief science officer, "Report please 'mate."
"Immediately after an electrical discharge which destroyed the Breen vessel the spatial anomaly collapsed by a total of eighty-nine percent. It appears to have stabilized at approximately fourteen kilometers in diameter bu for how long I could not say. We are still reading intense gravimetric forces and distortion which not only affect normal space but reach into subspace also. Overall, these readings appear to have elevated slightly from those we managed to detect earlier."
"Shrinking anomalies. Fluidic space." 'Commander Casey remarked. "I've never really heard anything quite like it before."
"No one has 'Commander. This anomaly appears to have its own unique material properties localized to the region of the vortex and have never been recorded elsewhere in known space." Greer said as he moved over the the display console. "As the 'Commander pointed out, the anomaly appears to be composed of something we are referring to as fluidic space. All we can gather from the fragmented sensor data is that it has a fluid-like property." he described as he called up a computer generated graphic of the anomalous matter. "As you can see from our proposed model of fluidic space, particles appear to be perfectly suspended in the matter whereas in our universe they are separated by space and vacuum. Wavelengths, however, seem to encounter resistance as they travel through it and their ability to travel through a given distance is impeded. I believe that's why we had problems maintaining communications with the Breen vessel and are having problems with the probe and ship sensors."
"I had a look the data I downloaded from the science station Greer." Deiran said, "I think that it would be possible to modify the probes to a frequency that could cut through the interference and give your department some useful information."
"Normally I would agree with you 'Commander, however, Lieutenant' Grump and Lieutenant Morris have already investigated that possibility. They believe that to find one frequency out of several hundred million possibilities, without being able to use the sensors, would be too great." the scientist replied. "They are still trying but we don't hold great hopes of being successful. I believe the most useful means of getting information would be the direct approach and that is to send a shuttle to the vortex." Greer looked at the Captain, waiting for a response. He knew that the commanding officer wanted to know more about the anomaly, but not at the risk of losing an away team. "Being at such a close range, it should be able to cut though most of the interference and we could bring accurate sensor data back to the Galaxy for further analysis."
"I thought you said that the anomaly was capable of distorting both normal space and subspace. A shuttle would be in just as much danger as the Galaxy or the Breen vessel . . . and look what happened to the Breen vessel." Lieutenant Mercury said. "Beside the fact that the shuttle would be in danger, what insures us that getting closer to the anomaly will help cut through the interference? "
"You're right David. We don't have anyway to be absolutely sure." Greer said honestly. "All we know is that the sensor information we send doesn't always come back and the information that does, appears to be distorted by the vortex, making it unreliable. There almost seems to be a kind of skipping pattern to it that we can't yet predict."
"If you're right, the skipping could be the signals hitting the suspended particles." Deiran suggested. Greer looked at him with an apologetic look, trying to convey 'we can only guess at this point'.
"That means you're going to need to do something to shield the shuttle to reduce the risk to it." David added. "Some form of shielding perhaps?"
"Exactly. I've discussed that with Lieutenant Morris and we think we have a solution to that. Several years ago, at the Vulcan Science Academy, I studied a shielding technology which involves using non-propulsive, overlapping, low intensity warp fields as a part of my honors thesis in subspace morphology."
"Metaphasic shielding." Commander Sterner said with his Germanic accent. "I read a report on that a few years ago, but I though that was used for solar shielding?"
Greer nodded. "The metaphasic shield was originally tested for solar shielding. The VSA were fortunate enough to study the prototype and looked into other exploratory applications." Greer continued, using the console to display specifications for the shielding modifications. "Although we were never able to modify it to be stable for extended use on a ship as large as a Galaxy-class starship, we were able to successfully encapsulate a shuttle. I think if we use some of the modifications we should be able to shield the shuttle enough."
"So you would be bringing the shuttle between normal space and subspace?" Lieutenant Mercury asked, studying the shield schematics.
"That's right." Greer replied, moving back to his seat.
"Could the anomaly be artificial? Possibly a weapon of some kind?" Lieutenant Blair suggested. "The electric discharge from the vortex could have hit any point in space, but it hit the Breen vessel."
"I can see your point Lieutenant." Greer replied, "At this point in time we just can only speculate. The electrical discharge that destroyed the Breen vessel may just have been a natural interaction between the failing warp field and the physical properties of the anomaly . . . the result, the electrical discharge. If it's natural then we should find out what we can about why it's there, how it got there, and what are the likely short-term and long-term effects of its presence. If it's artificial then I don't need to tell you why it would be necessary to find out as much as we can."
"Greer, what about the possibility of modifying the shields to the probes?" the chief engineer suggested. "If we send the probe in, we might not be able to track it, but if I understand this anomaly a signal coming from the probe to the Galaxy would have less resistance or interference since it doesn't have to bounce back. I believe that was the problem with our sensors, we sent a signal in and because of the properties of this anomaly the signal never rebounded back to the Galaxy?"
"We've also considered this as a possibility. We could possibly modify probes with metaphasic properties, however, there are two logistical problems we considered. Firstly, they wouldn't be able to counteract any one of a hundred variables they could encounter in the the vortex and from what we've seen, this phenomenon can be unpredictable. This is where a living pilot has the advantage over a computer system or program." Greer explained, his arms crossed. "Secondly, the Breen vessel was unable to establish or maintain reliable communications when they were sending out their distress call. I can't see how this would differ with a probe even with the modifications."
"I don't see any problems modifying a shuttle with the specifications you have here." David added, considering the shielding specs. "It would take an engineering detail about fourteen to fifteen hours to complete modifications."
By: "Selene Stockard"
Counselor Parker was walking to the turbolift to meet Lieutenant Hunter MacKensie for dinner in Ten Forward. She was a little nervous about meeting him. She had only been on the Galaxy for a week and already was having dinner with a man. To say the least, she wasn't use to it. But dinner was dinner, and Erin was hungry.
Erin and Mac were supposed to meet at 2000 hours and the time now was 1940. She was 20 minutes early, but then again, she was always early. He wasn't there yet, so she ordered a drink from the bartender and sat down at a table choosing the seat that let her look on to the stars. She loved just sitting in Ten Forward and watching the stars and planets go by. That was probably the main reason she chose to be on a starship.
Within 5 minutes Mac entered Ten Forward in a rush. His hair was still wet and he had some toothpaste on his lip. Erin just smiled and waved him down over to the table where she was sitting at. He had flowers in his hand and her favorite too, white lilies. They started out talking and laughing. Erin told Mac about the toothpaste and he quickly removed it. As his hair dryed it was right in place the way he usually had it.
Mac told Erin about his career in tactical. Erin told Mac about her family and how she ended up in starfleet and the counseling department.
They finished their dinner and had a few more drinks just laughing and talking. Erin told Mac that she was tired and was going to her quarters since she had a busy day tomorrow. Mac walked Erin back to her quarters. When they arrived at her quarters, Erin gave him a peck on the cheek and said good night. Tomorrow would be another day.
By: Colby Torwyn
Colby turned over on the soft blanket and opened his eyes slowly. He blinked a few times.
Stretching his arms out widely and pointing his feet out, Colby let out a loud yawn. He scratched his stomach for a moment and sat up. His hair in a mess, his body wet from sweat, and his legs sore, Colby looked around and surveyed his territory.
Noting that every cargo box was in its place, every corner was as empty as before, and that the familiar hum of the starship was as constant as it had ever been, Colby sighed and lay back down again. He turned over on his side and curled up into a living ball.
Colby tugged a little on the soft blanket underneath his body and smiled warmly. He knew he had been lucky to have been able to have replicated himself one. There was, as Colby had discovered some weeks ago, a food replicator and a small material items replicator in an officer's break room located conveniently on the same deck as the cargobay. Stumbling across the empty room one day, Colby had made it his safe haven away from the cargobay. It was used only every so often by a patrolling security officer or a various recruit that happened to be walking that way. Most hours of the day, it was empty and at Colby's disposal. There, he had managed to get drinks when he was thirsty, food when he was hungry, and the necessary items that he needed to stay alive and well in the cargobay.
Of course, there was the danger of getting caught. Once, as Colby had just strolled out of the break room, an officer had walked in not a few seconds after his departure. A second's delay and Colby would now be on Betazed living in a government educational facility or with some strange new guardian.
Colby rubbed his cold feet and giggled to himself. He loved to walk around barefoot. And without anyone there to tell him what to do, Colby had tossed off his shoes and socks one day a few weeks ago and hadn't put them back on since. For the past few weeks, he had run around all over the ship barefoot and as happy as could be. His dark brown, almost black hair hadn't been styled in days and was starting to grow a little long. One day, Colby had gotten hot and had run around in the cargobay with nothing on but a pair of boxers.
But through all of his antics, his dark eyes continued to sparkle in the light as they always did. Colby was as content as he figured that he would ever be.
Slowly, Colby stood up and rubbed his eyes again. He looked down at himself and realized he was only wearing his boxers and a small, plain white tee-shirt that he had replicated a few days ago. Colby wrinkled his nose as he walked over to the other side of the spacious cargobay. He heard nothing but the hum of the ship and the quiet pitter-patter of his feet as they hit the floor.
Arriving at a largo cargo box, Colby reached behind it and grabbed a few of his toys that he had managed to keep when he had skipped out on the shuttle to Betazed. They were tiny models of transport ships and small action figures of nameless civilians.
Colby took the four toys and ran back across to his blanket and other belongings. He hopped down on the soft blanket and commenced to playing with his prized possesions.
Suddenly, the doors to the cargobay slid open and two officers stepped in. They walked in and immediately started searching through the first boxes they came to with the apparent intention of finding a particular something.
Colby's eyes grew large and fear instantly caused him to react. He grabbed his blanket, his toys, and his few other belongings and dashed between a large cargo box and the wall. It was a tight fit but it was secure.
Colby started to breath heavier as the officers started to search through all of the boxes, one by one, looking for something. Or someone.
By: "Ens O'Hare"
[I would be off-duty if the Breen incident hadn't happened. How about 20 minutes in Ten Forward?]
K'Eytyanna said sharply.
"That will be fine Lieutenant, O'Hare out"
Jon smiled and waited for the turbo lift to stop on the deck to his quarters. The lift stopped and Jon quick exited and headed straight for his quarters. As he entered he saw Sirkahn sitting at his desk punching in some sequenced codes into his computer terminal.
"Hey Buddy" Jon said as he head for his sleeping quarters. Sirkahn interjected "Aaahhh Jon, I am glad that you are here I have fou.......!" Jon stopped, turned and interrupted the Vulcan "Sorry buddy, I haven't got the time right now. I've got to meet Lieutenant Samara in Ten-Forward in 15mins. I will be back later and we can talk then" and with that Jon quickly ducked into his sleeping quarters. Sirkahn eyebrow lifted in that typical Vulcan manner and turned and continued his work on the computer. Meanwhile as Jon entered his quarters he quickly gathered the PADDS that contained K'Eytyanna's reports, he turned and looked at himself in the mirror and notice that he had a rather large black smuge on across his chest of his Science Uniform.
"Damn, now I have to change" Jon said with fraustration in his voice he quickly grabbed a fresh uniform and commenced to change. Meanwhile out in the main room of there quarters Sirkahn was still doing his research.
"Computer" Sirkahn stated
{Skirlip Bleep}
"Pull up all data on Kom'Pau of Vulcan, input data into file Grump0020 beta two." the computer replied in it's unemotional tone.
{Working....................}
Suddenly Jon burst out of the room and broke Sikhand's concentration, he quickly turned and tried to talk to Jon again "O'Hare I must tal....." again Jon interupted "Sorry Old friend, I am finally going to meet with Lieutenant Samara and I don't want to be late" Jon heads for the door and exits. Sirkahn wanted despartly to share his suspision with Jon but, decided that it was logical to withhold his thought from Jon until he was positive.
**** Engineering, same time *****
K'Eytyanna slid out of the Jeffries Tube and put away her engineering tools. Heading to the nearest terminal, she recorded the repairs she had done and headed out. Stopping in a turbolift, she snapped at it to take her to Ten Forward as she rubbed her head where she expected a lump would appear by tommorrow.
**** Ten-Forward ***** 10mins later Jon entered into Ten-Forward he quickly looked around to see if K'Eytyanna had made it there yet or not. Jon scanned the room and didn't see her anywhere. Jon was 5mins early so he decided to take a seat and place his order. The holographic waiter approached Jon and asked, "May I take your order?" Jon thinks for a moment, smiles and replies, "I would like a bottle of Blood Wine and two glasses" The waiter looks at Jon like he was crazy. Jon noticed the waiter reaction and asked, "Is there something wrong?" the waiter replied
"Aaahhhh No Sir, it's just that I only have Klingons ordering Blood Wine, not humans" Jon chuckled
"Yeah I guess I see your point, but it's ok I have someone joining me who just loves this stuff!" The waiter shruggs his shoulders and walks away.
Jon continued to chuckle and shake his head as he laid his PADDS out on the table top, getting prepared for his meeting with K'Eytyanna.
Just as Jon finished aligning the PADDS he turned to K'Eytyanna approaching the table. He quickly jumped up ran over to the other side of the table and pulled the chair out for her to sit. K'Eytyanna walked up to Jon and gave him a disgusted stare and procausiously took her seat knowing full well his feelings for Klingons.
Jon walked back and sat down. Jon started, "Thanks for meeting with me Lieutenant, I appreciate this. I have been going over your reports that you have submitted and I must say that I am very impressed with your knowledge with the Engineering computer systems, it's quite extensive." Jon paused, "I have taken the liberty in ordering Blood Wine for us to drink while we disscuss the reports, I have been told that it's your favorite" Jon motioned to the bottle sitting on the table.
K'Eytyanna suddenly smirked and took the glass that Jon had just poured her. She watched quietly as Jon poured himself a glass, for as she knew that most spieces could not handle Blood Wine.
Jon looked at K'Eytyanna lifted his glass and said "A Toast to our working relationship, may it be fruitful" and with that he took a big gulp of the beverage as did K'Eytyanna. As soon as Jon took his gulp he immediately turned his head and started to gag and spit out the repulsive stuff.
Putting her drink down, K'Eytyanna laughed, aimed her hand and gave Jon a hard slap on his back. "Next time, I suggest you stick to Terran alcoholic drinks. One of the reasons I know so much about the computer systems is coz I hacked into them when D'Akana came aboard. What did you want to talk about? Call me K'Eytyanna - I'm prefer not to use rank if I can help it. It seems so stuffy to me."
Jon looked at K'Eytyanna with a bitter look on his face and said "I have" cough cough "never tasted Blood Wine before" Jon stood clearing his throat and took a sip of water the waiter had brought earlier. Jon finally cleared his throat again and took his seat. Still trying to get the taste out of his mouth he continued "I guess you have to aquire a taste for it."
K'Eytyanna smirked and again asked "What did you want to talk about?"
Jon replied "Well Lieutenant I...." K'Eytyanna gave Jon a stern look "I mean K'Eytyanna, I wanted discuss your op plan for conducting the upgrades. I want to assign one of my cadets to start going conducting preliminary inspections on key computer stations in Engineering" Jon paused, K'Eytyanna could see that Jon was struggling with something to say. "Aaahh eeerrrr, that wasn't the only reason I wanted to talk to you..."
Jon paused again, by this time K'Eytyanna was getting a little impatient with Jon's studdering and wanted him to get out what he really wanted to say "Out with it" K'Eytyanna snapped.
Jon kinda leaned back and hesitated, K'Eytyanna realized that she had been very edgy the past few days and said "I apologize Jon, I have been real edgy lately I don't mean to take it out on you, please continue."
Jon relax more and continued "Well K'Eytyanna, I have been meaning to talk to you about this before now, but I had to battle with my emotions. I want to tell you how much I appreciate and thankful that you saved my life several months ago in the computer core. If you wouldn't have came along I think that would of been the end of Johannis O'Hare!"
Jon reached under his chair and pulled out a wrapped box with a ribbon on it and passed it to K'Eytyanna and continue "And to show my graditute this is a token of my appreciation and admiration." K'Eytyanna took hold of package.
A memory flashed into her mind of a joke present that had been given to her when she was at the Academy, a joke that had caused the cadet to recieve a two month stay in the infirmary with badly broken limbs plus serious internal injuries and a formal reprimand for racial taunting. She distinctly rembered the lecture that had been given to the cadet for giving a tribble to someone with Klingon DNA.
Sniffing it, she was relieved not to smell tribble and quickly opened the package, wondering what it was.
"Traitor"
Chen barely had time to get out of the way of the blow, ducking and coming up hard, ramming his knee into his opponent’s breadbasket. His opponent fell to his knees, deflated. Chen kicked out at the other one charging after him, catching him flat on the nose and sending him to the ground, bleeding. Chen got out of his defense posture, looking at the beaten enemies before him. Just then, a staff came around and caught him on the back of the head. Chen toppled forward, his head bleeding from the blow.
He heard the quiet, shuffling footsteps and Chen rose to his feet and faced Master Kwan. Or rather, Master Kwan’s holographic image. Kwan looked him up and down and shook his head. "A child could have gotten out of the way of that blow," he said quietly, calmly. Master Kwan in all his infinite patience and wisdom.
Chen shrugged. "I was preoccupied."
Kwan simply smiled. "Very well. Again," he said as he had a dozen times. The only problem with computer programs was that they could never actually contain a true person’s being. His spirit, his heart. Normally, Chen found the interactive image of his friend and mentor comforting. Today, he found it bothersome and more than a little depressing. Chen sighed and shook his head. "Computer, end program." The image of Master Kwan shimmered away and Chen swallowed hard. He had never been able to watch something like that. He always felt like Kwan’s spirit was disappearing forever.
Chen walked to the door, toweling the sweat from his body. He was just to worked up to think about practice. He hated not being able to focus, but that time in the transporter room earlier had bothered him.
He and several other security officers were dispatched to transporter room 2 because they were beaming out some Breen officers from the ship stuck in that strange vortex. Chen was no scientist, but he knew that that thing meant big trouble. But the thing that bothered him the most was one of the Breen officers that beamed aboard. He had been in the first wave, the group that was in the biggest hurry to get off. He had been very large. He was tall and muscled and there was something in the way he carried himself. Very familiar. As a Gong Rei "Shadow Fighter," he had learned to distinguish people from the way they walked and carried themselves. The Breen had concealed whatever it was very well, but there was still something there. He had also brought along a pack of some sort. In the general chaos, nobody had the state of mind to search it, but Chen wasn’t so sure that that particular piece of luggage was completely on the straight and narrow.
Chen shook his head and made his decision. He had to know who it was.
* * * *
Chen showered and put on his uniform. He hadn’t eaten yet, but that could wait. "Computer," he said, "Where are the Breen evacuees staying?"
The computer chirped back immediately. ["The starboard wing of deck nine."]
Chen shook his head. Too big an area. Chen closed his eyes and steadied himself. He calmly remembered that time in the transporter room. He tried to remember if he had seen a name tag of some sort on the Breen, anything to differentiate him from the others. He searched his memory, thinking hard. Nothing. Chen silently cursed and decided it would be best to use the computer. "Computer." The low beep indicated that the computer was listening. "Do a complete sensor sweep of the living quarters assigned to the Breen and tell me if there are any other life forms than Breen there."
The computer listened intently and said, ["Working."] After a brief pause, the computer gave the results. ["There are two life forms other than Breen in the living quarters on that deck."]
Chen smiled. "What are they?"
["One is Vulcan the other human."]
Chen was puzzled. "Who is the Vulcan?"
["Unknown."]
"Who is the human?"
["Ensign Jacob McCauley."]
"Where are they?"
["Deck 9, Room 212."]
"Both of them?"
["Affirmative."]
Chen’s eyes widened in surprise. A traitor aboard the Galaxy!
Aaron Huffman--Ensign Chen
By: Price
Lieutenant Erikson finished his report to the Captain and found his way back to his see. Side conversions started to breakout about the possibility of sending a manned shuttlecraft into the anomaly. David has his own opinions about the situation but thought better to keep them to himself. The Captain turned and looked at David, "Lieutenant, all yours 'mate."
"I guess first thing is first, damage report. While trying to rescue the Breen ship, we pushed the Impulse engines to the limit. During that time one of the driver coils cracked. We have re-routed the path but I would like to have it repaired before we attempt any expedition into the anomaly just in case we run into trouble again."
The Captain interrupted, "This is the first I have heard of this, how come nothing was reported earlier?"
"Well it seems Captain, that the crack was not severe enough to cause a failure of the Impulse drive but a small power drain was reported during the power down of the Impulse engine after the rescue attempt. It wasn't until further investigate of the power drain that we found the problem. The good news is that the repair will only take three hours max." David quickly assured the Captain.
"David, is there anything that we can do to the engines so we can get a little more power out of them next time?" Lieutenant Bancroft asked.
"There are some minor adjustments and configurations that can be done to increase power but not enough to make a difference. Ensign Knight came up with the idea of using the Impulse engines on the saucer section simultaneously with the main Impulse engine. The only problem with this is timing. The timing and power outage has to be identical, even a fraction off can send the Galaxy out of control. But if it works it would increase power by almost 50%. For now I would like to stay away from this idea though, to risky." David looked at his PADD to see what else he had to cover. "If we go ahead with the shuttle modifications I suggest that we attach a neutrino emitter. . ."
"That's perfect! We can communicate." Lieutenant Erikson said as he realized why David would want to attach an emitter. "I would have never thought of that. Good thinking David."
"Can you guys explain this to the rest of us." Captain Lee said a little confused by Greer's reaction. "I thought you said that communication was impossible due to the interference."
"Sorry Captain, let me explain. Just resently Starfleet has been testing using neutrino waves on planets with dense atmosphere. A neutrino emitter located on the planet could send a neutrino pulse that would cut through the atmosphere to a relay station in orbit around the planet. The only problem is that it is still only a pulse no actual communication can be broadcasted. What I was thinking was that we could attach an emitter to the shuttle and have it send a constant pulse at a set frequency to Galaxy, if they got in trouble the would just change the frequency of the pulse to let us know something went wrong and get them out." David took a deep breath and cleared his throat.
"How about this David?" Greer said with a smile on his face. "What if we use an old fashion code from Earth as our communication?"
"I am listening, continue.." Greer had David's full attention.
"Morse code. It is a code system based on short and long pulses. We could regulate the pulse to broadcast in specific intervals." Greer started getting excited.
"I can program the computers on both the shuttle and here on the Galaxy to convert our speech into the correct code for transmission and convert it back to speech once it reachs its destination." David answered. It appeared Greer and David were on the same page.
"Well it seems that Lieutenant Mercury and Greer have a way of establishing communication in the anomaly. Thank you David, I believe Lieutenant Blair is next.
Dan Josephs
By: The Fly
“DAMNIT! I WANT AN ANSWER! WHO TOOK A BOTTLE OF MY BLOOD WINE!” Ten-Forward fell into silence as Alan shouted at the top of his lungs. Since he came aboard the Galaxy as an ensign, Alan had kept a selection of drinks from his personal collection under the bar at Ten-Forward. He left strict instructions that no one was allowed to dip into his personal collection without permission from him. This was the first time he ever had had a problem with people pilfering from his stock.
With his mouth wide open, AC turned to face the crowd. He simply stared at them for a moment, and they stared right back at him.
“Did anyone here take a bottle of blood wine from the bar?” A few people began to talk among themselves quietly, but no one answered him. “YOU!” Alan pointed at an ensign who was trying to hold back his laughter. “Did you take my blood wine?” The young ensign looked around his shoulder then realized that the Lieutenant was talking to him.
“N…no sir! I didn’t take sir!” Alan continued to stare the man down. Slowly, he lifted his gaze from the man’s face and began scanning the room.
"There it is!” Alan shouted as he spotted the bottle on a table on the far side of the room. Without thinking, he leaped over the bar, sprinting across the room as if he had just found a long lost brother.
“Oh…DAMMIT!” He said as he shook the bottle. It was at least half-empty, but the worst part was that it was his last bottle from 2344. “What the hell is this?” Bile began to rise in his throat as he looked down at the floor. Someone had spit out a mouthful of blood wine on the floor. Alan couldn’t believe someone would waste a valuable bottle of blood wine like this. Things just weren’t the same in Ten-Forward since Liam left.
***** Main Engineering, Gamma Shift *****
Alan’s mood had lightened up a bit since his discovery of the wasted wine. The major repair work required after the Dominion attack was basically finished. Lately, Alan had been keeping himself busy by reviewing all the computer sub-routines that had been added in the last year (next to science officers, engineers have the strangest hobbies). He found it amazing how much crap was taking up space in the computer system. One of the most amusing ones was a lockout program designed by Lt. Commander Casey to keep people from deactivating the safety measures on the holodecks.
Casey had gone to the trouble to write a very complex program that performed a rather simple task. The safeties could only be unlocked by the General, Sterner, and Casey himself. Now Alan could see the dangers of using the holodeck with the safeties off, but he failed to see why Deiran had taken such drastic measures. Wouldn’t it just be easier to *order* crewmembers not to deactivate the safeties? Alan had also heard rumors that Casey planed on programming the computer to stun anyone who tried to turn off the safeties without appropriate authorization. AC had to laugh out loud at the irony of that! “To keep you from harming yourself, we’re going to harm you!”
Deiran also claimed it would be impossible for anyone to unlock the safeties. In all of his experience, Alan knew that no program was ‘unhackable’. The statement that something is impossible to beat is just an invitation for people to try. And Ryak Sullax had succeeded in proving this point. AC just shook his head.
However, Alan was aware of news much more interesting than an Ops officer trying to prove how smart he is. Over dinner a few weeks ago, Greer tried to explain the concept of fluidic space to the overworked engineer. AC was able to grasp the concept of it, but was to damn tired to care at the time. Now that the Galaxy had encountered a spatial anomaly that appeared to be fluidic space brought fascination to him. One of the ideas floating around on how to investigate and study this anomaly was to fly a shuttle into the vortex itself. As soon as he heard this, Alan made sure to volunteer himself for the mission, if indeed there was a mission. He was a fairly accomplished shuttle pilot and he believed he had a decent shot at the mission. The only thing he could do was wait…
By: Kahn Nilani
I sat in the observation room watching the autopsy unfold around me. It was amazing to see the Breen, a Race so mis-understood being taken apart piece by piece. With that a Nurse entered the room.
"Ma'am I have been asked to take over this duty. and since the CMO is in the senior officers confrence. You are needed out in medical bay."
The nurse turned to look at the autopsy. Suddenly Cat hit a main vessel, the clear blood poured out. The nurse turned her head and vomited.
"Don't worry Christina, I did that the first time i say one of these."
I handed the padd to her, and walked into sickbay. As I entered there were to guards posted. One was Kornan Rios and the other the name is wan't to sure on.
"Is it really nessesary to have 2 guards in here. They are unconsious."
Kornan spoke up
["Yes ma'am it is nessesary."]
"Very well then but keep out of my way."
I moved over and scaned the Breen Patients.
By: "Kornan Rios"
Galaxy "Guard Duty"
**** My Quarters ****
I had just returned from my jog around the ship. I looked at my computer and noticed there was a message waiting.
Security Dept Ens Cornan Rios, Report to Sickbay and guard the breen. Report to the CMO, or the ACMO.
I left my quarters and walked to the Sickbay once entering. I reported to the CMO.
"Kornan Rios reporting for duty Ma'am"
"Oh um yes another security guard is here. Stand by him and keep out of our way ok. It may endanger there lives even more."
"Understood"
I moved over to the wall and took my position.
Right before the senior staff meeting was about to begin, Joerg gave command of the bridge to the highest ranking officer, left the bridge and entered the observation lounge. Nearly everyone was already there, but Dr. Tash was still missing.
Joerg sat down beside the Captain and was quickly informed of the latest order from Starfleet Command, that they should investigate the vortex more closely. Finally the doctor also arrived and the Captain signaled Joerg to start the meeting by summarizing their current status. Joerg stood up, went to the display on the far wall, pressed a button and the image changed to an enhanced view of the vortex.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is our current situation. Some time ago we have received a distress signal from a Breen ship of unknown configuration. After closer examination of the matter it turned out that the Breen were caught in some kind of vortex and were unable to break free on their own." Joerg started to inform the senior staff, while he pressed a button now and then to show images from the Breen ship, before it was destroyed.
"Our initial attempt to rescue some of the Breen left us with two of their crew members dead. Then we tried to move their ship away from the vortex by using our tractor beam, but soon the stress was too much for their ship and it was destroyed." Joerg continued and showed a short clip of the actual explosion to the audience.
"However before the ship was blown to pieces, the transporter room was able to beam several of the crew over to the Galaxy. Out orders now are that we should further investigate to vortex to collect more valuable information about it." Joerg concluded and went back to his chair.
"Doctor Tash will now tell us more about our Breen guests." Captain Price announced.
While Joerg sat down, everybody was waiting for Tash to tell them more about the Breen, one of the most unknown species in the Alpha quadrant.
By: "Derek "
Mac finished his drink and slid the empty glass across the bar. Ensign Parker had failed to show so he decided to cut his losses. Nodding to the bartender, he stepped from 10 forward and headed down the hallway. As he entered his quarters Mac was alerted to the flashing light on his viewer indicating an awaiting message.
“Computer,” asked Mac, “play awaiting message.”
“Message is not playable as audio.” Came the reply from the computers generic voice.
“Type of message?” asked Mac quizzically
“Message contains replicator specific instructions”
“Download to replicator and initiate.” Added Mac as he rose and stepped to the replicator. He watched as the replicator began to form from nothingness to the desired item.
“Process complete.” Stated the computer.
Mac reached into the alcove and retrieved the small dull gray medallion that lay there. As he lifted the medallion what he saw chilled his blood. There embossed was the stylized Orion constellation, but what was most noticeable was the jagged scratch that scarred the entire symbol. Mac swallowed hard, as from his dry throat came a name that he thought he would never speak again……
“…Nemesis…” muttered Mac silently
Lt. Hunter McKenzie, ASST Chief Tactical Officer, USS GALAXY
By: Scene23
In his dreams, nightmares, Matthew relived his own death over and over again. Each night, however, it was different. He did not recall in his dreams his actual death as it HAD occurred; Rather, he experienced it as it might have occurred. The nightmare of choice this night did not include a music-less dance in a civilian lounge. He found himself in a blown-out building on Dronegar, watching through a window as a hundred Rhomboid soldiers approached him.
The basement was unlit, illumination coming from shafts of sunlight streaming in through the tiny basement windows, refracting off the broken edges of the glass in each frame. In each beam of sunlight, motes of dust danced playfully to the tune of a Dronegarian musical instrument being played by an unknown person on an upper floor. Matthew was wishing that the beautiful sound would cease, before it drew the attention of the Rhomboid soldiers passing on the street outside. Unmindful of the danger, the music kept up and the dust kept dancing.
He peeked his head up over a windowsill again, to check on the enemy troops outside. Over a dozen of them were breaking off from the column, going up the steps of the building. He ducked out of sight again, shuffling backward to the base of the stairs to better hear what went on above. He looked up the stairway, from a place in the shadows. Only his eyes were lit by falling light from above. Matthew lifted his phaser. Before he even looked at the charge indicator, he knew it was nearly bereft of energy. Heavy boots clambered up the stairway above, sending debris raining down on Albrecht’s head. The enemy headed up a flight, nearing the source of the music.
The odd tones of the Dronegarian string instrument, sounding a little like a harp, and a little like a lute, came louder as if to drown out the sound of the soldiers’ marching in the dark and echo-filled structure. Then Matthew heard a new sound: A woman’s voice began to sing. It was a terribly sad song of loss and despair. It sounded just like a broken heart put to music, and Matthew’s mouth dropped open in fear and surprise. He recognized the beautiful voice…It was Akira’s voice, and she was singing to him.
The Rhomboid were almost to her door, they would burst in on her and kill her at any moment. What could he do? He thought desperately hard, and came up with nothing! In a panic, he shouted to warn her about her danger, "AKIRA, AKIRA!! HIDE QUICKLY!" The guards stopped their climb, he could see the edges of their boots on the steps above his head. He could also see one edge of the door they had almost reached. As a Rhomboid man looked down the shaft and appeared to meet his eyes in recognition, Matthew saw the door open, and Akira pop her head out to have a look. There was a sudden scuffle, some gasps, and shouting. Matthew jumped onto the steps to head up to her rescue, but stopped when one of the enemy yelled down to him.
"It’s too late, Federationer, we have your woman right here! Perhaps I will kill her right now…Then again, I may wait to let her see me cut out your heart first! Ha haahaha!" added the Rhomboid officer in theatrically maniacal glee. Matthew grabbed a railing, frozen in place by indecision. He bowed his head, squinting, waiting to hear what the evil man said next. What he heard was a harsh, malevolent sounding whisper. The pale bastard was making threats to her, to keep control of her.
The Star Fleet officer looked up, a grimace of anger and hate on his face. He wasn’t going to wait for the enemy to make the decisions here, he would make the rules himself! He raised his phaser, aiming for the step upon which the Rhomboid commander stood. Squeezing the firing trigger, he saw the beam lance out, dust ionizing along its path in a fuzzy electrical display of orange, and strike a half-meter from his target. He had struck the truss holding up the entire section of stair, vaporizing it as well as the step he had wanted. The entire third flight of stairs collapsed, plummeting down onto the second flight with most of the Rhomboid and Akira as well. He gasped when he saw her fall, blood running from her reptilian nose, still clutched by the damned grinning commander.
When the stairs landed on the next flight down, crushing several more Rhomboid, that section collapsed as well. Blood was smearing along the walls, great clouds of dust and debris filled the air muffling the cries and screams of the enemy. Only Akira was silent, her flowing robes making her downward rush seem almost graceful. Matthew watched her in wonder, as the last of the stairs gave way and fell toward him. Their eyes met for the last time. A heavy length of wood, hard as stone, struck his chest, knocking the wind from him and breaking several ribs. He exhaled involuntarily, a whistle coming from the place where a sharp bit had punctured through his ribcage and into his left lung. Blackness enveloped him when another beam crushed his skull…
Lieutenant Junior Grade Matthew Albrecht opened his eyes in the sonic shower of his quarters on the Galaxy. Just as had occurred every morning for weeks, he did not recall waking up and entering the shower. He just found himself there, getting ready for his day. It was just like the day they had arrived at Star Base 357; He had just found himself going about his day as if nothing had happened – but it had! He had died, and he continued to die each night since. *I have got to see a counselor about this,* he told himself. He wouldn’t though. He was just too busy, he told himself. The nightmares would stop, he told himself.
**** 1530 hours ****
He was on duty in thirty minutes. Matthew walked through the halls of the Galaxy, headed for Security. He smiled, his nightmare forgotten for the moment. He was pleased with his new assignment to Beta shift, a coveted billet for those serving the ‘graveyard’ Gamma shift as he had done for so many months.
He was also looking forward to serving with Lt Cmdr Sunder, a man with a reputation for excellent team-building skills with a focus on subordinate development. Matthew was preparing for exams in his Federation Law and Star Fleet Justice courses. He hoped that Sunder would live up to his reputation and allow the junior lieutenant extra time to study. Matthew was confident he would pass his tests, but like any dedicated student, would prefer to pass with distinction whenever possible.
Lt jg Matthew Albrecht
By: "Katrina"
Jurelle stood in the cooled room of the surgical suite looking at the two Breen patients. They were both now in a stable condition and would soon be available for questioning.
The smaller one, the one Jurelle thought of as 'big foot' due to the superior size of his feet, had been a little more worrysome than she had originally thought. His deceptively stable appearence on arrival had masked a small internal injury in what passed for the creatures stomach. His life had been saved by Nilani's quick work with the laser scalpel.
The larger Breen, Jurelle had dubbed 'Scar' due to the probable life-long scar he would have from the injury he had sustained to his right temple. Scar would probably have a headache when he woke up but he would be okay as far as she could tell. The many abraisions and contusions covering his body had been repaired adequately and Jurelle was eager to have the opportunity to talk to them both.
Exhaustive comparisons between the two, the autopsy results and what little they had in the data banks had given them a fairly good idea of normal Breen physiology. In fact, Cat, due to her tireless efforts with the autopsy was now considered quite the Breen expert by all the medical staff. Drs Bellen and Gakor had put in many hours sifting through the Galaxy's database for any shred of information regarding the Breen. Endris had of course added a list of food requirements of the Breen to the replicators menu in preparation (or so she said). Ensign Julius had put in some preliminary work on the Breen's environmental suits, further investigation of which would require the assistance of an engineer.
Jurelle made a final check of all the monitors surrounding the Breen and started to remove her protective clothing in preparation for the senior staff meeting. Grabbing a PADD with assorted Breen data on the way out she nodded to the security men by the door, wondering again why security felt the need to provide two people to guard unconscious Breen. They had muttered something about suspicious circumstances and Jurelle had sighed and allowed them to stand outside the door, forbidding them from entering the room, something she suspected most of them were secretly glad about.
Querying the computer about the time, Jurelle realised she was late for the senior staff meeting. She rushed out of sickbay, muttering something about having to sit through boring security reports...
by Jurelle Tash, CMO, USS Galaxy
By: "Tim Stevens"
While the senior staff were having thier meeting, Lieutenant Bancroft had put Zach in charge of helm. On the viewscreen the vortex had reduced in size by over eighty percent. Something wierd was going on here.
His father had taught him a thing or two about space when he was a kid, but nothing major like this. One time the Yorkshire had encoutnered a space vortex, but it had not been like this one, not at all.
Zach punched in some commands to the helm, bringing up a sensor display. He had to keep a safe distance from the star. The last thing they needed was to be sucked in.
Zach wondered if he would ever sit at this console, as Chief Helmsmen. It was nice thought, a goal to aim at. He would make it up, he would be just like his father.
People in the Lamarsh family had been in Starfleet for over one hundred years. The first being Tony Lamarsh, who entered Starfleet in 2218. He had distingushed himself, and by 2231, was a Starfleet Commodore.
Yes, the Lamarsh family was a proud family, and one that dated back to the begining of the twenty-thrid century.
Zach wanted to continue that line, and be like the rest of his family. And he would, deep down, he knew he would.
By: Amanda
****Senior Officers Meeting****
Lieutenant K'arta finished her report. Leslie watched as Captain Price made a few notes, then nodded to Leslie.
She stood up. This was still a little new to her, being a Chief. Looking at the Data PADD she held in her hand, she began her report.
"The vortex has not had much impact on the counseling department." she began. "Although the arrival of a spatial anomoly has sparked some fears from the Argonii star incedent. However, I feel that this will pass."
Leslie took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. "As on my viewpoint about the Vortex, I am against sending any kind of away team in. I don't like to see people's life endangered, I think we should think of everything possible before we do this. That is all."
Leslie sat back down, taking another deep breath. The vortex really hadn't had much impact on the counseling department. Just a few increased appoitments, nothing more. Oh well.
By: "Charles B. Smith"
Lt. Morris left Chief Jenson in the Counselor's capable hands. She ran for her quarters and into the closet. There, she pulled down a box and pulled out three sets of thin thermal gloves, and her thermal boots. Then, she took down her two ski jackets and wrapped them around the gloves and boots.
She hurried down the corridor and headed for sickbay. The turbolift seemed to take forever even though it was only a few decks. She carried the gear and entered sickbay. There, leaning against one of the rooms off of the main sickbay stood a man that Ronni recognized. It was Lt. Cmdr. Sunder from Outpost 77. She recognized him from some holovids that Captain Karen Davies had sent her.
"Lieutenant Commander! Are the doctors in there with the Breen patients?" she said approaching him.
"Yes, but they are very busy Lieutenant . . . . . " he said very business like.
"Lieutenant Morris. I have some gear for the Doctors that should allow them to keep warm while working on the Breen. It's some of my arctic camping gear. Here, I was going to use this third set for myself to maybe help the doctors, but it looks like you could use it more that I could." she said.
"Thanks. Go ahead and enter, but be prepared, its likely to turn your blue skin even more so!" he said with a little laugh.
Ronni smiled and said, "We'll have to talk later. We have a mutual friend." With that, she winked at him and entered the room.
Upon entering, she said, "Dr. Tash, Dr. Khatroweena! Put these on, they'll keep you warm and still allow you to work unhampered." She wished that she had put on some gear for herself. She handed the gloves to the doctors and then the jackets. She said, "I only have one set of thermal boots!"
"Thanks Lieutenant, but you do realize that we may ruin the gloves." Dr. Tash said seriously.
"Not to worry! I can always get more. Save the Breen and that will help us all!" Ronni said.
The doctors quickly put on the gloves and jackets and both seemed the feel better immediately. Cat, offered the boots to Dr. Tash who put them on and sighed.
The Breen deformed in the transporter accident didn't look like he was going to make it. The doctors were working valiantly, but to no avail. The second Breen was shocky, but otherwise un-injured. The third Breen looked in bad shape too.
Ronni couldn't stand to stay there and just watch. She turned and left. She wished she had the stomach to handle such things. 'Machines are easier to deal with!' she thought. She gave a half smile to the handsome security officer as she left.
As she left sickbay, she headed for Miran's quarters. She really needed someone to talk with.
By:(John Kirk)
" Good to see you Rios. You'll notice it's a bit colder in here than normal. "
Rios's raised eyebrow was the security officer's only response, indicating that a reply was hardly needed for such an over-statement.
" The Breen, you see, " Sunder continued. Rios nodded his head.
" Ah, yes. I remember now. The Breen are as cold as the space they live in. " The Klingon said, as if reciting from some text of forgotten lore. " I have never seen a Breen. "
Sunder shrugged, " Well, now's your chance. Just be careful not to get in the doctors' ways. " He paused and blew into his hands. His breath briefly warming them. " Do you need anything - extra clothes. whatever? "
Riios simply stared at him. " I am a Klingon warrior. If a human can withstand a watch in this temperature, then so can I. " His yellow teeth emerged from within his bushy scrag of a beard.
" You're probably right. " Sunder said good-naturedly. " I'm sorry if I offended. "
" Nonsense Lt-Commander Sunder. " Rios said quickly. After all this was his superior officer. " I appreciate the offer. It is kind of you to apply human consideration to me. " Rios flashed the wide yellow smile again.
Sunder held back a grimace. " Well, I shall leave it to you then. I have another engagement I must attend to. If you'll excuse me. "
" Of course Commander. " Rios held up an arm before Sunder leave. " Before you go though, I must ask: do you... wrestle? "
Sunder looked puzzled. " I can't honestly say that I have any degree of professionalism with the sport, but I suppose I have a good understanding of the basics. Why do you ask? "
Rios studied the security officer. " You seem to have a good amount of muscle on your bones. You obviously have some combat training - I am wondering if you would be a good opponent on the wrestling mat. You are human, so I am offering you the choice of a human martial art. "
" Are you challenging me to a wrestling match Ensign? "
Rios looked shocked. " Commander, I would never presume to offend a superior officer with a challenge! I was merely curious to see if you would be interested in matching me one day? " The klingon's words were carefully chosen.
Sunder understood. It was against Klingon protocol and custom to challenge without cause, especially against a superior officer. Rios was simply curious to see if he could best Sunder in a match. It was a mere test of one's abilities he was after. For a Klingon, it was necessary for a commanding officer to gain the respect of those who served under him.
" I believe that would be an exccellent idea Ensign. Today is out of the question. Perhaps though we can arrange a match in the near future - other than wrestling? "
The klingon's toothy smile grew even wider. He offered a brash deep laugh in response.
" I look forward to it Commander! I will get back to you! "
Sunder smiled back and made his way out of the sickbay. He made his way back to his quarters to grab a quick shower and call Doctor Khatroweena for their dinner appointment.
It had been several days since Deiran had a chance to look over his less important messages. And as he waited for the Senior Staff meeting to begin he looked over every single message he had neglected.
One message was from his diag program. Ryak Sullax had accessed the safety protocols on the holodecks. This was a direct violation of the Captain’s orders. Deiran had set up a program months ago to detect anyone who tried to disengage the safety protocols. He had heard that the science officer was in sickbay for awhile with injuries. He also read about Dr. Khatroweena’s message of disabling the holodecks. He disagreed with this measure, but understood her frustration. She was a doctor and hated seeing the crew injured. Her first impulse was to save the crew from serious injury.
In reality, Deiran had solved this problem along time ago. In the last several months the safeties had been accessed and denied disengagement 467 times. It was the SI code that messed up with the program’s subroutine and read it as a command level code. A minor glitch that was easily rectified. Now you had to be Captain Price, Sterner or Casey to remove the safety protocols on the holodecks. Absolutely no one could remove the safeties now. No matter what they did.
Deiran knew exactly what to do to ensure the crew’s safety. Along with a command level code the computer would ask for a voice recognition of Captain Price, Commander Sterner and Deiran. Casey made a note on his PADD to bring this up during his part of the meeting. If this failed he would program the holodecks to stun anyone who tried to remove the safety protocols without Command level authorization. Of course this was a last resort, but not beyond Casey. The Captain gave him a job to do and he would carry it through even if it took such drastic measures.
*** Senior Staff Meeting, Executive Lounge ***
Deiran listened intently to everyone’s reports. He even made some suggestions to Greer. Greer had become a good friend. But, Casey had reservations about sending a shuttle into the vortex without exhausting every idea possible. There had to have been a better way. Even with Metaphasic shielding it was a suicide mission taking a shuttle inside the vortex.
Blair made some astute observations during his part of the meeting. Casey listened intently. And then it was Deiran’s turn. All eyes were set on him. Something he enjoyed actually. He liked being the center of attention. And he soaked it up.
"Sir I have a few pressing matters to attend to before I make some observations on this spacial vortex."
"First off, I will need you and Commander Sterner to record a sampling of your voice so that I can once and for all lock out the crew from removing the safety protocols on the holodecks. This will be the last time we will have to deal with this. The last resort would be to program the computer to stun anyone who is unauthorized to even access the protocols. But, as I said that’s a last resort."
Some muffled laughs were heard as some caught the joke in what Deiran said. But, Deiran would use a stun program in the holodecks if he had to.
"Also I will be sending K’arta names of anyone who accesses the protocols."
K’arta and Casey nodded at each other.
Casey then went over his Ops report, dealing with Bridge console upgrades, Engineering upgrades and power allocation schedules for all departments.
And then came Casey’s ideas on the vortex.
"Captain I have serious objections in regard to allowing a shuttle into this vortex. I would recommend we exhaust all possibilities before sending a manned shuttle.
"However I do have a few possibilities that Lt. Erikson hasn’t considered. We could preform these metaphasic shielding modifications to a probe, but also modify it so the probe itself becomes cohesive to the vortex. We program the probe to take any readings the Science department will need, recording them in the probe’s logs and then program the probe to return to the Galaxy. The probe simply acts like a sensor buoy."
"This is my suggestion Captain. Again I want to go on record as objecting to sending a shuttle without exhausting every single possibility." Deiran concluded.
"Duly noted ‘Commander." Captain Price acknowledged with a nod indicating he liked the young officers way of thinking.
Deiran sat back in his chair and focused his attention on Lt. Bancroft who was next in line to report. He was getting tired. He rubbed his eyes. He yawned and covered his mouth. He couldn’t hide that he was tired. He was on duty in 9 hours and needed sleep.
By: Price
Captain Price listened diligently to what his Senior officers had to say as they presented their reports to the other officers.
Lee heard the reports from Tactical, about how Lieutenant Blair felt the Galaxy was safe as long as we maintained our distance from the spatial vortex. Troy expressed his concerns over the energy discharge that was emitted from the core of the singularity. It had impacted with the Breen ship and destroyed it, at the same time collapsing the vortex by a substantial degree. Lieutenant Blair was concerned that it wasn't some sort of random discharge from this phenomenon, like a static discharge of lightning for instance, and could possibly be coming from an artificial source of origin. Like an alien weapon or ship. Troy admitted there was no evidence of this, but he felt the precision of the energy beam he observed was too coincidental to have been a sheer random occurrence.
Captain Price noted the Senior Tactical officers observations and the meeting went on.
Excellent points were brought up by Lieutenants Erikson, Mercury and Lieutenant Commander Casey. Captain Price had a feeling that a plan was beginning to formulate thanks to all of the fine officers input. Minor reports from Chief Helmsman Bancroft and Chief of Security K'arta who seemed irritated over one of her officers disobeying orders and overriding the safety protocols on the holodeck, rounded out the senior meeting.
In the absence of Chief Medical Officer Tash, Counselor Wilson expressed the general concerns of the crew. Nothing to worry about from her tone, as Leslie sounded as if any fear retained from the Galaxy's last assignment would soon pass.
"Right. Thank you Counselor." Captain Price acknowledged. Glancing around the room, Lee saw that all officers present had delivered their reports. "That looks like everyone, with the exception of Doctor Tash."
"The Doctor is very busy with trying to stabilize the two injured Breen Captain." Commander Sterner explained. "I'm sure she will be here as soon as time permits."
Lee nodded, "A dedicated Medical Officer. I understand Commander."
As the Captain said the words, the doors to the conference room swished open and Doctor Tash quickly came walking through. She looked hurried while she straightened her medical smock hastily. It appeared she'd just changed out of her surgical gear.
"Sorry I'm late Captain." Jurelle said making her way to her seat around the conference table.
"That's quite all right Doctor. The others have all finished their reports, we are waiting on yours 'mate. Tell us, how are our newly arrived guests doing Doctor?"
Captain Price and the rest of the senior staff looked over to Doctor Tash as she prepared to deliver her report.
Miran went to the holodeck. She hoped that a stroll on the Stephin farm would inmprove her mood. She wished everything could be like it had been before. Oh, she knew Deiran still loved her, but sometimes she wondered if he felt the same as he did when the first started dating.
She missed working on the bridge, missed flying this ship that she now lived as a passenger. It seemed as life had gone on without her.
She knew life wasn't fair, it was a lesson taught well by the Cardassians. She had really looked forward to visiting Bajor. She hoped that she might find evidence that what she saw from the incident with the obelisk was true. She hoped with all her might she truely had another brother. But, if you looked at her life, supposedly she had everything that was supposed to make her happy. She had a loving husband and a beautiful daughter who was the light in her life.
Then why was she so miserable?
"Computer? May I have a punching bag?" The green rolling hills of the Southern Illinois farm disappeared. The gym that the computer brought up was darker, full of shades of grey. The mood was pretty close to what she felt.
Slipping on the gloves she punched the bag. She could feel each jolt through her shoulders and knew she might be a little sore later on, but she continued. She let the bag take her fustration. Tears now streamed down her face and her breath came in ragged gasp.
Miran hugged the bag and slid to the floor. She wiped away her tears, no use in letting others see. She sat there until her breath became normal. She gathered her her thoughts and emotions and hid them away like she normally did.
Her next stop was Ten Forward. She ordered a drink from the tender of the bar, spotted an empty table, and went over to it. Boy, did this remind herof when she first came on the ship. She had spent many lonesome hours just sitting and staring out the bay windows. She looked down at the drink she sipped seeing its blue color.
'Its appropiate,' she thought to herself.
By: "Neg'Puj"
Chanor had just started another 'graveyard' Gamma shift with the other officers there. He'd noticed the new arrival come in, Ensign Neg'Puj, and still needed to assign her a task for the shift.
He'd heard all about the vortex incident, that had happened in Alpha shift (Why alpha shift? It was always Alpha shift!), but security had found little to do, other than send 'Commander Sterner and Ensign Rios to sickbay. Chanor had sent Ensign Taylor to replace them for this shift.
He turned back to the computer, to check out current messages for security and was surprised to find one from Lt. K'arta. He called it up:
To: Lt. Paran
Chanor, I was speaking to Commander Sterner earlier yesterday, and he expressed his disappointment at the lack of significant security presence during the Jem'Hadar attack in keeping them away from key portions of the ship.
I'd like you to design a holodeck programme to improve efficiency and combat procedures. Furthermore, due to the unacceptable number of injuries on the holodeck over recent months, the programme cannot have the safety protocols turned off.
K'arta
Chanor finished the message, and started thinking. Seems he'd found something to do after all, for Ensign Neg'Puj as well, as he had no proper idea how to go about programming a fully fledged security programme. He headed over to the Ensign.
"Ensign, could you have a look at the message from Lt. K'arta for me, and give me your opinions." Chanor asked.
She nodded, and headed over to the terminal.
"As you can see, Lt K'arta wants a holodeck simulation designed. I'm not too good with designing computer programmes. Perhaps you could help me?"
"Of course sir." Neg'Puj replied. "How do we begin?"
"Well, I was thinking of recreating the Galaxy on one of the larger holodecks, so a lot of security officers could train on it at once. As to the combat system itself, I'd like to have a system where if an officer is 'killed' the simulation ignores him, and his phaser fire can't hurt anyone. Sort of like the laser gun ranges, or paint ball back on Earth." Chanor started.
"Paint ball?" Neg'Puj asked.
"Yes. A game, where two sides engage in combat without actually harming each other. Paint is used instead of phaser fire, and people hit are 'out' and take no further part in combat." Chanor explained.
Neg'Puj looked confused at this, and said,
"The point of fighting is to win tactical victories and restore honour. Yet you are seeming to suggest warfare as a game, and that life and death on the battlefield can be simplified into someone being 'in' and 'out'?"
Chanor allowed himself a minute to think over that one. He started, "No, paintball was just an example. The system of combat would be similar. Yes, people do paintball for fun, and not for training exercises but...."
Chanor lost his train of thought. He understood Neg'Puj well. What was the point of fighting with paint for fun? Unless it was military training, it had no real purpose as far as he could tell.
"I think I understand however, as you wish to improve efficiency of the security staff." Neg'Puj finished for him.
"Yes, exactly." Chanor said, "Can you do it?"
"I'll need a bit of help, but let's go down to holodeck one. The computer can help us set up the programme." she concluded.
"Very good Ensign." Chanor stated, and started towards the corridor, with Ensign Neg'Puj following behind.
"Remember Me?"
Chen had went to deck thirteen as quickly as possible, hoping to catch McCauley there, but by the time he arrived to the hallway outside of room 212, the computer confirmed that McCauley was already gone. There was a security detail at every exit on the deck, and Chen had been forced to lie like a rug to slip in without suspicion. He stationed himself just around the corner, in view of the room, yet completely out of its normal line of vision.
The person took a while to come out, but he did eventually show up. He was dressed as a Starfleet officer, a lieutenant, except he wasn’t a Vulcan. He was made up like a Bajoran, symbolic earring and all. One thing was the same, though: He still moved the same as he did in the transporter room. The officer looked cautiously around him, his eyes nearly meeting Chen’s. And that’s when Chen remembered who it was. "Damn." He muttered and quietly shook his head at his luck.
Nine years ago, Starfleet Academy.
Cadet James Chen walked out of his xenobiology class and nearly stepped into Commandant Fasarnn. The Vulcan stepped back. "Excuse me, cadet."
Chen stood at attention. "My fault, sir."
Fasarnn raised his eyebrows, a gesture Chen found Vulcans particularly enjoyed. "I was walking in the same corridor. I don’t believe we should classify this as anyone’s fault."
Chen smiled politely. "If you say so, sir."
Fasarnn nodded. "On your way, cadet."
Chen bowed slightly. He said, "Sir." And continued on his way. He felt the commandant’s eyes on him as he walked down the hall. Just as he was turning the corner, a loud boom sounded. The concussion knocked Chen to the ground in a heap. He quickly recovered and leapt to his feet. He ran back the way he had come in a daze. He saw a pile of rubble on the ground and a person’s hand sticking from the rocks. The hand was dripping green blood. The fire had already been put out by the academy’s flame extinguisher system.
Chen rushed to the pile of plastic and metal and began pulling large chunks off of Commandant Fasarnn’s body. When he had pushed most of it off, he checked the Vulcan’s life signs, nothing. His head had been gashed open and he was badly burned all over his body. Chen looked up and saw another Vulcan, dressed as a cadet, his arms crossed and a smug smile on his face. He looked at Chen and winked at him. He turned around and headed down the other side of the hall. By this time, several people had gathered around and were gawking at Fasarnn’s body.
Chen stood up and ran where he had seen the Vulcan go. He rounded the corner when a fist caught him on the temple, toppling Chen. Chen pushed himself up mostly by reflex and lashed out with his foot, catching the killer on the knee. The Vulcan felt the bone snap and he yelled out in pain. He came forward hard, landing a powerful uppercut on Chen’s jaw. Chen was thrown back against the wall. He landed a hard kick on the Vulcan’s chest, but he didn’t seem to notice. Instead, he kept coming, throwing punches. The Vulcan was too strong and Chen was too dazed from the blast and he was soon pummeled into unconsciousness.
By the time he awoke, the Vulcan was gone. Chen gave his story to the authorities, though nothing ever came of it. They investigated for a month before writing the death off as an accident, a bad combination of faulty wiring and old walls, making an explosive trap. Chen would never forget that day, burying a decent person out of a pile of rubble, seeing the dead, scarred face before him.
Chen shivered as he remembered the man. He still had nightmares about that day. He watched as the Vulcan terrorist headed for the turbolift, suitcase in hand, just as guard change was taking place. Nobody remembered him as he walked into the turbolift and ordered, "Engineering."
Chen followed close behind, and when the turbolift came he steeped inside. "Computer, repeat previous destination," he ordered. The computer chirped and started back up to main engineering. Chen got off quickly, his eyes searching for the terrorist. He caught him with Lieutenant Boudreau. He handed her his identification PADD. "Ensign Kajar Rohn reporting for duty, sir."
Lieutenant Boudreau looked at the PADD and nodded. "Okay, ensign. Why don’t you get to work on helping repair the driver coils. We seem to have cracked them after trying to rescue the Breen."
The impostor nodded. "Aye, sir. I’ll get right on it." Boudreau smiled and nodded. "Great. Get to it, then."
The man nodded and went to one of the warp engine specs and started working. Chen cursed his luck when he realized that his shift started in ten minutes. He couldn’t leave the killer, but he couldn’t just not show up on duty, either. Just then, the solution to his problem arrived. Ensign Luis Guzman walked out of the turbolift. Luis was a young man who had befriended Chen in Ten-Forward after Guzman had beaten several people at three-dimensional chess. He asked Chen to play and Chen agreed. Since then, the two played every Monday and Thursday after duty. "Luis," Chen called.
Luis glanced over questioningly. He saw Chen and smiled. He walked over and said, "Hey, James. What’s up?"
"Luis," he said, "You see the new guy over there?"
Luis looked where he was pointing. "Yeah. Why?"
"I can’t explain it all right now. But I need you to keep an eye on him. This very important, Luis. Can you handle it?"
Luis nodded. "Yeah, no problem."
Chen smiled. "Thanks."
Chen headed to the turbolift and wondered when the Executive officers’ meeting was over. He had to see Captain Price.
Ensign Chen
By: "Lt. Tebrianne"
Tebrianne sat at the Briefing Table. She was still knew to the Senior Staff Meetings scene, but was getting used to it. She listened intently to 'Commander Casey's report and almost swallowed her gum when he turned to her. He'd stopped talking and was looking at her expectantly. They all were.
'Oh crikey,' she thought. 'My turn already?'
Tebrianne cleared her throat and rubbed her nose, trying to think of how to say what she had to say--which wasn't much.
"Well," Tebrianne began. Good start, she thought to herself. Make a smashing impression with that you will. "There isn't really a lot to report from the Helm. We're holding our position at a safe distance from the vortex. I wouldn't want to risk taking the Galaxy any closer than we have already been. And, I don't think a shuttle would last any bloody longer than that Breen ship did. While we had tractor lock on their ship, we were doing everything we could to maintain our position. I don't think our engines, the shuttles or the Galaxy herself, are equipped with the power we would need to pull away if we did want to take a ship close enough to need to pull away. I can have Lieutenant' Shanika work up simulations of a ship breaking away from the pull of the vortex based on the information we gathered from the Breen ship, should that course of action be necessary. Outside of that, there is nothing new to report from the Helm." Tebrianne blew a bubble and popped it, signaling that she was finished.
She ran a hand through her purple hair, and hoped she hadn't forgotten anything.
Dodger
By: "Katrina"
"Sorry I'm late Captain." Jurelle hadn't realised she was quite so late. She felt particularly embaressed as she found her seat and made her way to it.
"That's quite all right Doctor. The others have all finished their reports, we are waiting on yours 'mate. Tell us, how are our newly arrived guests doing Doctor?" Jurelle quickly arranged her information in front of her and started her report.
"Well sir, we have two adult male Breen in a stable condition in the surgical suite I have had prepared for them. Both remain unconscious due to the severity of their injuries but one I hope will soon regain consciousness and be available for questioning.
The larger of the two sustained head injuries and had a number of grazes and contusions. The smaller Breen had internal abdominal injuries. Both were somewhat bruised and would have had multiple fractures if they had a more ridgid skeletal system such as ourselves. The third Breen has been thoroughly examined and the autopsy results have added enormously to our knowledge of the Breen and assisted us with their treatment."
"They have a rather unique circulatory system based on HFC which I haven't seen in any other humanoid lifeform....." Jurelle tapered off as she saw eyes glazing over around her and she realised that detailed medical reports were probably as uninteresting to some of them as security reports were to her. "Uh, well, suffice to say they are rather unique creatures who are fantastically suited to the environment of their homeworld. An autopsy report can be made available to anyone who is interested."
"An interesting thing that did come up in the autopsy was that the dead Breen did not die as a result of the transporter accident, but rather from a rapid increase in temperature, which in Breen causes an effect rather like Caissons disease or 'the bends' causes in humans. We will begin aclimatising the Breen to the increased temperature of the ship as soon as they are well enough to eliminate the chance of the same thing happening here."
"I need to get some work done on the Breen environmental suits as the three we have are almost useless in their present condition. I have actually been wondering why the Breen were wearing them in the first place. It would be an easy matter to keep their space vessel cold enough for them to be comfortable and it would take little energy. I have been able to come up with any viable hypothisis regarding this, other than that they were preparing to go somewhere warmer."
"Anyway, for those of you who haven't yet 'met' our visitors they sort of look rather like terran seals with arms and legs and three eyes. Although they haven't been able to talk yet, they will be able to be understood without any special apparatus and a universal translator. Their voices should be actually quite pleasant to listen to due to the unusual structure of the larynx...." She stopped again, aware that her enthusiasm was making her waffle.
"Well, thats the Breen, I'll be interested to see what we come up with in the way of environmental suit repair. Although the gradual increase of temperature should enable them to live at the ships present temperature for a short period of time they will be terribly uncomfortable without the aid of thier suits. Well I guess thats it." She finished, glad the report was over.
Dr Jurelle Tash, CMO, USS Galaxy
By: Price
Captain Price gave Doctor Tash a nod when she concluded her report and sat back down. Turning, he glanced over to his First Officer.
"Commander, when we finish here I want to arrange to speak with the other two Breen we managed to rescue from the vortex. They might be able to provide us with additional information." Captain Price explained to Sterner.
"Yes sir. They are presently in one of the Residential Apartments on deck nine Captain. We thought it was best to put them in there since those quarters have full environmental controls that can easily be manually adjusted independently from the rest of the ship." Joerg explained.
Lee nodded. "Very good Commander. I trust they are under guard?" he said glancing over to Lieutenant K'arta.
The Klingon Chief of Security nodded her head. "Yes Captain, I have guards posted just outside their quarters sir."
"Good Lieutenant. Have your people keep a close eye on them, but remember, they are our guests here. They have already been through a trying ordeal getting trapped in the vortex and loosing their ship. Let's not make them feel like they are prisoners of the Federation."
"I will keep that in mind Captain. Not that it should matter very much..." K'arta explained, "The Breen are being very tight lipped sir. So far we have not even been able to get them to tell us their names."
Captain Price raised an eyebrow, "Are they not cooperating with your people 'mate?"
K'arta shook her head, "No Captain. They are being very cooperative. They simply are not talking. We ask questions and they just stare back at us in silence."
Captain Price blinked his eyes and gave the Chief of Security an understanding nod. "I see." Turning, his eyes caught Counselor Wilson's. "Counselor, maybe you would have better luck speaking to our guests. Anything you can find out would be helpful."
"I will see to it right away Captain." Leslie acknowledged making a note on her padd.
"Very good." Lee commented while leaning back into his chair and steepling his fingers. For a long moment he glanced around the conference table at the faces of his senior staff, remembering their reports and recommendations. Finally, he lowered his hands.
"All right. When I contacted Starfleet Command, they made it clear that we need to investigate this vortex and determine if it poses any sort of threat to the Federation." The Captain began, "I feel, very much like Lieutenant Commander Casey does, that sending a manned shuttle into the vortex at this time would be premature. However, this is what I propose we do."
Lee paused briefly as he saw that his officers were listening to his new orders. "First, I want to reconfigure a class one probe using the technologies we have discussed here. We need to add Erikson's Metaphasic shielding, Mercury's Neutrino emitter coded to communicate via neutrino pulses and Morse code, and then program the probe to enter the vortex, gather and log some data readings and then return to the Galaxy as Casey suggested." The Captain explained.
"Lieutenant Erikson. I want you to also prepare a shuttle craft to be similarly outfitted. I'm sure Lieutenant Mercury can provide any personnel you'll need to make the actual modifications to the shuttle. We can take the data we obtain from the probe to help tune the Metaphasic shielding or adjust the Neutrino emitter to the best frequency to penetrate the core of the vortex. Pending the results of the probes' mission, we will determine if the shuttle will be launched or not. You should assemble a minimal crew to man her so that you'll be ready if I give you the green light to proceed 'mate."
Greer tried to suppress a smile as he nodded. "Yes Captain. I will get started as soon as the meeting concludes."
Captain Price turned to Lieutenant Commander Casey, "Deiran, I want you to help to program the Probe to collect and log the data and then return to the Galaxy. If you can assist Lieutenant Mercury and his men, that would be great."
"No problem Captain." Casey answered.
Captain Price then looked over to Doctor Tash. "Doctor, please keep me informed of the condition of the injured Breen. Let me know if either of them regains consciousness."
"Sure thing Captain." Jurelle replied.
"Very well then. You all have your assignments. Let's do it 'mates. Dismissed."
The Captain excused his senior officers now that they had their assignments to perform. Lee gathered his padds up and watched as they each got up and began leaving to carry out their duties.
By: "Ryak Sullax"
***** Cat's Quarters *****
'Oh Hell, am I going ever to get to that hot bath?' "OK Ensign Sullax, I'll be there soon. If you feel dizzy or anything, I want you to sit down and relax. Understand?"
[Yes Ma'am, I understand perfectly.]
"Good, Khatroweena Out" Cat rushed back into Sick bay and quickly grabbed a first aid kit. Seeing Ursa there, she smiled. To her pleasure, he smiled back at her. She left to attend to the Romulan Science Officer.
***** Probe Telemetry Station *****
"Ensign, I am not really in the habit in making house calls. If you are having such dizzy spells, wouldn't it be best to have Lieutenant Erikson have someone take your place."
Ryak turned to face Cat, "No Ma'am, I can not really leave or be replaced. We are going to be receiving important information, I must be here." Ryak was trying not to let his annoyance with the questions show.
"Ok Ryak, Let me look at you. And please call me Cat." Cat opened the tricorder and scanned over Ryak. Cat shook her head a little bit. "You said that you are having trouble with focussing."
Ryak only gave a small nod.
"Well, I suspect you have a slight concussion. If you can't leave your station, I am going to give you something to lesson the effects of the concussion. I want you to take things easy and to stay relaxed. And at the most six hours, you are to ask Lieutenant Erikson to relieve you and I want you to head down to Sick bay, to be checked out."
"Yes, Ma'am, I'll..."
"Please, Cat!"
"Yes.... Cat, I will get down to Sickbay before six hours are up."
"Well, you should be feeling the first effects of the drug. Now take it easy, Doctor's Orders" Cat said with a small smile.
"I will...Dr...Um...Cat, Thank You. I can focus better already."
Cat just smiled and headed out, "Maybe this time, I am going to have that bath. Even if I have to transport into it." She quietly told herself as she returned to Sick bay.
Colby licked his lips and looked up. He couldn't see anything except the shadows of the two crewmen looking through the cargo boxes.
"Cripes, there's no telling where that electron wave modifier is," one of the crewmen said. His voice was deep; it seemed to compliment his slight gut and stocky build.
"Katrina said it was either in boxes B-11, B-12, B-13, B-14, or B-15. If anyone knows where it is, she does." The second crewman was merely enlisted, having attained the rank of petty officer in the second class. He was young and skinny, his voice high and unsure.
The larger man turned back to the other and, with a touch of sarcasm, said, "Then tell Katrina to get her skinny butt down here to find it. Oh wait, I forgot. We wouldn't want her to strain herself. Bending over and looking through boxes and all."
The petty officer rolled his eyes as he dug through the cargo box labeled B-11. "It's not in here," came his reply.
"It's not in B-13 either. Could be in B-12, then. That's where they keep the old data transmitters. It might have gotten thrown in there somehow."
The larger man stepped up to the cargo box marked B-13, set his PADD down on top of it, and activated the small keypad. Punching a few numbers, he waited impatiently as the lid slowly started to open up.
Colby felt a small shaking. He looked up at the top of the cargo box. The lid was opening up. He could hear the hissing sound of the depressurization.
Seconds later, the PADD on top of the cargo box lid started to slide backwards. Colby looked up to see what the sound was.
"Cripes!" the officer yelled out of frustration. He grabbed for his PADD, but it was already sliding off towards the floor.
The PADD came tumbling down behind the cargobox. Colby's reflexes were a little too slow, and so he received a healthy dose of PADD directly to his nose. "Ow!"
Both men turned to each other wondering what in the world had just yelped. "Umm... Did your PADD just say 'Ow'?" the younger man asked.
"Either that or we've got a mighty big rat that can talk," the butch replied. He walked back beside the cargobox and kneeled down. His eyes grew wide as he spotted the little boy holding his nose. "What the hell are you doing in here?!"
Colby did the first thing that came to mind and punched the butch right in the nose as hard as he could. It wasn't a fantastically hard hit, but the punch certainly make the man mad. He grabbed Colby by the arm and dragged him out. "Stop it!" Colby yelled as he was drug out. He was picked up and slung over the large man's shoulder.
"Humphrey!" the ensign barked, "Notify security that we've got a problem in the cargo bay." His face was as red as the shirt he wore under his vest.
"Uhhh... Yeah!" The younger man stumbled and tapped his comm badge. "Humphrey to security: we found a kid in the cargobay."
"Come again?" the voice responded.
"Yeah. It looks like Salshyar's kid... At least, I think, I'm not sure."
There was an audible sigh. "Uhhhh... Bring him to security. I'll notify the Captain."
"Ok." He looked at the red-faced butch and both of them started towards the door at the same time.
The security officer tapped his comm badge. "Security to Captain Price.
* * *
Captain Price sat at the table where the senior officer's meeting had just been concluded. Just a few moments ago, he saw the last officer leave the room. He was thinking to himself about the vortex and the breen and the discharge and...
"Security to Captain Price."
The Captain sat dumbfounded for a minute and then suddenly came back to reality. "Go ahead," he said after a moment's hesitation.
["It appears that some officers found a child in the cargobay. They think it's Counselor Salshyar's son, sir."]
The Captain arched his eyebrows. "Come again?"
["Sir, it appears crewman Humphrey and Ensign Walters were looking for an electron wave modifier in the lower Cargo Bays on deck 39. Evidently the boy just popped out of no where Captain. It looks like he's been hiding on board all this time."]
Captain Price tapped his fingers on the conference room table. "Take him to my ready room 'mate. I will be there shortly. Have Lieutenant K'arta.., no, make that Lieutenant Commander Sunder check out the Cargo bay and then meet me in my office."
["Understood Captain. I'll let the 'Commander know sir."] the security officer responded.
"Fair enough. Price out." the Captain acknowledged before tapping his comm badge and making his way out of the conference room and to his office.
While he was walking, Lee again tapped his comm badge. "Captain Price to Counselor Wilson."
Within moments Leslie was on the channel, ["Wilson here. How can I help you Captain?"]
"Counselor, I've just been informed by security that they have located a stow away." Lee explained.
["A stow away! Who is it sir?"] she asked.
"Security believes it is Dev's ward, Colby." he began, "I'm having him brought to my ready room now. I was hoping you'd have a Counselor sent to meet us. I realize you are busy at the moment with speaking to our Breen guests." the Captain asked.
["Yes sir, I was just on my way over there. I will have Counselor Parker sent up Captain. I think Colby should react better to a female counselor."] Counselor Wilson explained.
"I'll leave that to your judgement Counselor. I'm on my way to my office now. Have Counselor Parker meet us there as soon as possible. Thanks 'mate. Price out."
["I'll send her right over Captain. Wilson out."]
The channel closed just as Captain Price rounded the corridor and headed towards the bridge and his ready room.
By: Kahn Nilani
Galaxy "I am freezing"
**** Sickbay ****
"Damn It's cold in here!!"
Jurelle turned around and smiled.
["It's only cold because your allowing your body think it's cold."]
"Look I am so cold that my hands are blue. See!"
I showed my hands to my boss she Just turned around and laughed.
["Hey look he should be here with some warm stuff in a little while. Then we can drop the temperature a little more."]
"More!!! Any more and our breath will freeze."
["It won't. Look it's only..."]
With that someone came through the door, holding Thermal gear.
["Told you it wouldn't be long."]
I rushed over and grabbed the thermal gear. I quickly put it on and pluged in the small power pack.
"Warmth at last!!"
["Yeah it's nice isn't it."]
"You know I have never been this cold. Bajor was never this cold."
["Well think of this as a new experience. I have had many of them"]
Jurelle started to laugh.
"Yeah well I can still out drink you."
By: Price
Captain Price made it to his ready room. He immediately walked over to his desk and placed down the three padds he'd brought to the meeting. Then he stepped over to the replicator to dispose of his empty coffee mug. His thoughts were not on the immediate problems of the ship. After the senior staff meeting, he knew his capable crew were busy making the required adjustments to the probe and shuttle craft. That would take some time to complete. No, Lee's thoughts were on a little Betazoid boy that should be in the process of being escorted to him at this very moment. "What could of made him want to remain on board the Galaxy?" the Captain thought.
"Computer, display civilian record for Torwyn, Colby Camaron." Captain Price called out while swiveling his desk top monitor to face where he was standing.
["Working."] came the feminine dispassionate response. Colby's record snapped onto the screen almost at the same instant.
Captain Price quickly scrolled through it before he realized just how extensive the file had become in the child's short time on the Galaxy. This was going to take more than a few moments to read.
"Bajoran Coffee with cream. Double sweet." Lee ordered from the replicator. Another steaming mug of the tan beverage appeared. Taking the mug, Captain Price sat down and began to read Colby's record starting from the very beginning. He hoped that it might give him some insights into the Betazoid's actions before security arrived with the child and Counselor Parker showed up.
*****
*** A Residential apartment on deck nine ***
"We should talk to them Isidro." The female Breen scientist said softly, "The did save us from being swallowed by that vortex."
"Tell them nothing." Isidro hissed. "That is what we were ordered to do Socorro, and that is exactly what we will tell them. Nothing."
Socorro crossed her arms sharply. It was impossible to see any sort of facial expressions while she was wearing the typical environmental gear of her people, but judging from her body language, it was easy to tell she was not in agreement with her colleagues comment. "That order was given by Isaias back on the Hollis. In case you hadn't realized he's dead now."
Isidro thrust opened his hands in frustration. "Don't you think I know that Socorro? Isaias, Odell, Hai, Ezra,... they are all dead."
"And Nestor." Socorro added quietly, "Do not forget our dear assistant Nestor whom died so horribly during transport."
Calming down a bit, Isidro stepped nearer to Socorro and placed his hand on her shoulder. "I would never presume to forget Nestor." After a long pause, he continued, "But would you have us abandon Isaias' dying orders because these people were kind to us? Do you forget that Graigo, Isaias' first successor, lays in recovery somewhere on board this vessel? What would he do if we were to break from Isaias' orders?"
"It just seems rude to say nothing Isidro." Socorro replied to the scientist. "I'm not saying it's wrong to follow our orders. I just think you are taking Isaias' words too literally."
"What did he tell us before these Federationers rescued us?" Isidro reminded.
"Tell them nothing." Socorro repeated their former Captain's words.
"Tell them nothing." Isidro also repeated before letting the conversation fall back into silence.
*****
*** Sickbay ***
The chilled temperature of the ICU ward of Sickbay was set to a few degrees above freezing. Medical staff, that were passing by, held themselves rubbing their arms and stomping their feet just to stay warm. Every breath exhaled, every word spoken, was accompanied by a cloud of chilled air.
"My goodness, it appears this one is coming to." Nurse Taggart noticed before activating a comm channel on the near by bulkhead. "Doctor Tash, one of the Breen patients is regaining consciousness."
["I'll be right there."] Doctor Tash replied. Jurelle was in her office, so Nurse Taggart knew she'd be arriving in no time.
"Where?" came a single word from the man's mouth, "Where?"
Christina stepped over to the Breen and held his hand. "You are on board the Federation Starship Galaxy. It is all right, you are safe. You were injured before your ship was destroyed by the vortex. Do you remember?"
The Breen blinked his three eyes which were slowly and independently roving around and taking in the sights of the ICU ward. Finally they all focused on the Nurse just when the Breen felt his face and realized he was not wearing an environmental suit. His eyes looked panicked. "No breath."
Doctor Tash came walking in and stood near the Nurse. "It's okay. We have isolated this ward from the rest of the ship and lowered the temperature to make it more closer to your native environment."
"No breath. Must have suits to live away from Breen." The man struggled to communicate.
"Your suits were damaged when your ship was destroyed. I have my staff working with Engineering to have some of our EVA suits adapted for your use until we can get you home to your people." Jurelle explained.
"Hard to breath. Air... too thin." The Breen struggled to explain.
"Yes. We breath in a gaseous environment. Not a liquid based one like your are used to. The HFC of your native planet would be toxic to us humans." Doctor Tash explained, "Let me give you a hypo to help with your breathing."
Jurelle pressed the hypospray against the Breen's neck. He gave a slight nod, indicating that it had helped him.
"Need suits. Not survive without." The Breen commented.
"Yes. I will check on the progress of the suits. You should rest. Save your energy and try not to breath too much. It is hard on your system, metabolizing a gaseous atmosphere." Doctor Tash instructed.
The Breen nodded without saying anything else. Laying back on the bio-bed, he glanced around the room again with his three large eyes and then shut them and tried to rest.
"Keep a close eye on him nurse." Jurelle instructed, "I am going to let Security know that one of the Breen has regained consciousness, inform the Captain, and then go and check on the progress they are making on those EVA suit modifications. It looks like 'Scar' will be needing one as soon as we have one available."
"Understood Doctor. I will keep you informed." Nurse Taggart acknowledged with a smile.
"Great." Doctor Tash said rubbing her own arms, "You try to stay warm now." she smiled before leaving the ICU.
By: Scene23
It was about noon, ship’s time. Gary and Matthew were killing time in holodeck three, where Gary was teaching Matthew a thing or two about powered- armor combat. Each man was cocooned in an alloy framework, to which was attached huge mechanical limbs and apparatus. Gary was laughing as he explained the devices.
He said, between guffaws, "Look, Matthew, I didn’t make these up! The OverDictatorship of Danariaxus Three spent a huge chunk of their gross planetary production designing and building these back in the twenty-second century. One of these babies would cost about ten bars of gold-pressed latinum to build today." As he told the details of the robotic behemoths, he swung his ‘mech’ around in a tight three-sixty. The security officer made piloting one of the devices seem like second-nature.
Meanwhile, Matthew’s machine groaned and stumbled about the deck. "Damned waste of money if you ask me!" retorted Gary’s opponent. With great effort, he managed to return the ‘mech’ to the combat ring for another beating. His heads up display gave constant feedback on the unit’s condition, heading, center of gravity, auxiliary systems, and about twelve other things Matthew wasn’t ready to learn about. The ‘idiot’ warning lamps arrayed around the roll-bars flashed and blazed at the pilot.
Gary activated controls on his red ‘mech’s control yokes to turn on his combat scanners. He saw the poor condition of Matthew’s unit with his thermo-optic stress imager. "Look, Matthew, you gotta admit; After three days of watching you fight battles in holographic courtrooms, I deserve a little fun!" Gary had bored himself silly observing Matthew practicing for his final exams. Now that the tests were over, he wanted to treat his friend to some of HIS personal interests. "And I think it’s gonna be fun to whip you in PA combat! Begin, NOW."
Matthew raised his ‘mech’s arm defensively, and crouched left. His giant, green, sixteen-foot-tall exoskeletal power armor nearly tipped over in the attempt. With no effort at all, Gary swept in and shoved his opponent head over heels. Matthew’s teeth clacked together noisily, drawing a little blood from his tongue. Fortunately, the safeties on the holodeck cushioned the normally dangerous impact of the three ton mech.
Laughing so hard tears squeezed from his eyes, Gary reached his power armor’s arm out to help Matthew up. With a stubborn grunt, Matthew ignored the outstretched ‘hand’ and began to upright his ‘mech.’ It took thirty seconds, but he did raise that machine back onto its feet. "Good job, grasshopper. You’re getting it!" exclaimed Matthew’s opponent.
Frustrated, the lieutenant junior grade returned to the combat ring. Seemingly to make conversation, he asked, "Gary, what the heck is a Breen, anyway?" He had never seen one, and couldn’t remember anything about the uncommon race. All he really knew was that they required sick bay to be freezing cold or the recovering ones might die. "Are they supposed to be dangerous or something?"
Gary approached his side of the ring while answering. Matthew envied Gary’s ability to do both tasks at one time. "All I know is that the ones that are conscious aren’t talking to our people. As for whether they are dangerous, I guess we assume they are until we are told differently." It didn’t occur to Gary that Matthew might be trying to distract him. As he passed his friend in the combat ring, Matthew’s ‘mech’ leapt upon Gary’s in an attempt to knock it down. Gary reacted instinctively by bowing his ‘mech’ over and flipping Matthew across the ring.
"Nice jump, Matthew. You’re learning. You might be dangerous to someone besides yourself in only a dozen more lessons!" joked the ensign. Even though he admired his friend’s high intelligence, Gary liked to have a few vocations at which he could be superior to his friend. Ever since Dronegar, he had noticed Albrecht’s increased interest in combat and defensive training, and that allowed him to take on an instructive role with his closest buddy on the ship.
A cloud of venting gasses surrounded the green ‘mech’ lying on its back across the holodeck. Virtually all the ‘idiot’ lamps were illuminated now. With a wheeze, Matthew extracted himself from the unit. "Actually, that was a lot of fun," admitted Matthew. "Tell you what; I can spare an hour a day for this until I start studying the next courses in a couple of weeks. We’ll see if you can teach these things half as well as you can operate one!" he challenged his friend. Standing on the deck in front of the downed machine, surrounded by steam and a cloud of other vapors, Matthew Albrecht’s face split into a wide grin.
Matthew Albrecht
By: john.kirk@cadresource.com (John Kirk)
He was dismayed that he had to cut their evening short, but he was sure she would be contacting him again. After all, he was interested to know what her evaluation of his eating habits were, especially after the size of the meal he had just eaten! He rubbed his stomach as if to pacify a wounded small animal.
He brought his mind back to his objective: the cargo bay. He couldn't have believed that a child would have been resourceful enough to have lived in a starship's cargo bay for ... how long had he been there anyway, he wondered? He wasn't expecting too much in terms of damage, but he was curious to examine the child's ... habitat, for lack of a better word. It would give him an idea how long the kid had been there and how he had lived all this time. The ship and integrity of the stores were his prime concerns.
Finally reaching the cargo bay, he realized how big the area was. He would begin by scanning the area for signs of localized disturbance, but in Sunder's opinion nothing could replace an old-fashioned hand-search. He needed help. A tap of his communicator would overcome that immediate obstacle, he reasoned.
" Security: this is Sunder. "
" Security here - go ahead Commander. "
" I need an extra pair of hands down in Cargo Bay 2. Nothing serious, but I could use the company. "
" Right Commander. I think Ensign Chen is available. I'll pass on the message to him. "
" Fine. Have him meet me here in less than 10 minutes. Sunder out. " He struggled to place a face with the name. Chen... oh yes, he remembered the report he'd briefly scanned, signed and filed. One of the new transfers from Starbase 357. From what he recalled the man was supposed to be an expert in a Terran martial art of the Chinese derivation. Gong Re? Was that it? Sunder's own Terran martial art of choice was Korean - tae kwon do - the way of the foot and hand. He was more proficient in Orion martial arts, being a master of the Order of the Blue Flame, but chose to also study tae kwon do in deference to his Terran heritage. It would prove to be an interesting comparison, to say the least.
Still, business was business and he needed to make an evaluation of the cargo bay for the captain. With any luck he'd have a cursory examination completed in less than half an hour.
" Now, if I were a fugitive child trying to hide from a bunch of over-sized Starfleet security officers, where would I have stashed myself...? " He wondered out loud. Looking around, he spotted a stack of crates that seemed to resemble a wall rather than a conventional Starfleeet stacking method.
" Bingo. Let's have a look at our small fortress... "
By: "Ryak Sullax"
After Dr.....Cat had left the room Ryak went back to his duties. What is this he thought. They were planning on launching another probe. This time they were going to shield against the distortions. Ryak was kind of annoyed that he hadn't been informed. Well at this point there was nothing for him to do. It was up to engineering. They had all of the data so far.
Ryak still being rather new to the Galaxy he still hadn't mastered where everything was. "Computer show me the location of the astrometrics lab."
"There is no astrometrics lab aboard the Galaxy."
"Computer is it possible to combine the stellar cartography lab and an astrometrics lab together."
"With some modifications this could be done."
Ryak rubbed the bump on the back of his head. He got up from his terminal, grabbed his padds and left for the stellar cartography lab.
Ryak walked into the lab, grabbed a seat and activated the lab. Instantly Ryak was surrounded by a simulation of the known universe.
"Computer locate Earth." The computer found Earth and highlighted it with a small red square. "Enlarge." It looked as if ryak himself had entered warp as the planet went from a small dot to a perfect likeness. It was as iff he was orbiting the planet. "Computer tie into the astrometrics data base. How difficult would it be to adapt this lab into an astrometrics lab as well as keeping it as is."
"Working............This lab could be modified with out relative difficulty."
"Estimate the time required, as well as the personnel needed."
"The combining of the labs will take approximately 12 hours and will only need one qualified person."
Ryak started typing a memo:
Science Department Memo
Subject: Adding an Astrometrics lab to the Stellar Cartography Lab
Ensign Sullax is looking for any person who is willing to add an astrometrics lab to the Stellar Cartography Lab. Ensign Sullax is not at all fluent in any way of getting this done. If anybody is interested in doing this please contact Ensign Sullax. Thank you for you time.
Ryak sent the message over the computer. He kept his fingers crossed and just hoped he would get a response. Ryak worked hard for the next few hours on some tasks he hadn't had time to do. Ryak started to feel dizzy. Wait the six hours were not up. It had only been two. Ryak stood up an took off his tunic. He was getting really hot. As he took off his tunic he saw that the tattoo on his forearm was showing. It was about 4 inches long. It was the Romulan Star Empire symbol with Romulan writing underneath it. The translation of the writing said Tal Shiar 5372198.
When Ryak was at Star Fleet Medical they tried to remove the tattoo but it always ended up returning five weeks later. Ryak grabbed a small container out of his tunic and applied some cover up to the tattoo. Now it was less noticeable. Ryak new that if anybody was to notice his tattoo especially security things would get complicated. Ryak was starting to loose hi footing. The dizziness was getting worse.
"Sullax to Erikson."
"Yes Ensign what can I do for you?"
"Sir I have to report to sick bay, so if I am needed I will be there for a while."
"Very well Ensign let me know when you are done there."
"Aye sir, Sullax out."
Ryak grabbed his tunic and headed for sick bay. He knew that Cat wasn't working but he had no more time to wait. Ryak was not feeling well at all. He stumbled along the corridors trying to make it to sick bay. He was stopped by a few people to see if he needed help. Ryak just said he was fine and carried on. Finally he found it. He walked through the doors and passed out.
Ryak Sullax, Erein (Ensign)
By: Simon Hawke
Robert adjusted his uniform, running mentally through his duties of the day. "Gotta contact Simon, been to long. Uhhhhh, bridge duty in an hour,."
Robert siged and turned to the monitor on the table. "Computer, establish a link with the U.S.S. Atlantis, Lt. Simon Hawke."
There was a slight pause before Simon's face appeared ont he screen. He looked bad, he was pale and he apparently hadn't shaved in a while.
"Simon?"
Simon Hawke smiled weakly, "Robbie, Hi."
"Simon, what happened?"
Simon drew a shuddering breath, " 'Lyssa is dead."
Robert's face fell, "Oh simon, God. I.... I'm sorry."
Simon shuddered. "Everybody is sorry." He said and cut the connection. Robert sat bakc and sighed himself. Life is hard, he thought and walked form the room, heading for the bridge.
===
Ensign Robert St. John
Lt. Thomas's Personal log, Stardate 49803.05. It has been only a short time since Dev left the Galaxy and yet it seems like a lifetime. I knew that I really was in love with her, but I didn't realize just how much until these past few days. I can easilier remember similar feelings when I lost my wife, but those were more intense than this go around.
I have been trying to figure out many things over the past several months, and I still find myself drawn towards what happened on the starbase that caused the death of several Starfleet officers including Gwyen. Each time I look for new answers, I end up with a dozen more questions that I am unable to answer. The strange part is that every time I poke the information that Savek gave to me after his passage, the more I understand some things among which is why he had to wait until he'd passed away before I could see the information. Based upon what I have concluded so far, the result of Gwyen's death may have been an accident as the 'official' report states, but the reason why it happened appears to be something that Starfleet would prefer to have remain secret.
The other startling fact so far is that those who might have been involved in this operation, I guess you'd call it, where or at least belonged to some wing in Starfleet and in particular somewhere in the Starfleet Intelligence. My guess is that whatever they were working on their was some sort of black ops project. Then something went wrong, what is still the question as I have been unable to find any indication of what they might have been working on there. Then it appears they have or attempted to cover up as much as possible with still allowing room for some truth to the accident to be allowed into the public's hands. Mind you this is all speculation, based upon what I have been able to decode and decify from the information that I was given.
I am nearing the point where, my ability to continue to answer codes and riddles is about at an end. I have used every possible solution that I can think of to access the information, but I can only go so far without breaking my oath to Starfleet. However if I continue to find evidence to support some sort of cover up I maybe in a position to continue to work on understanding the information I can dig up, without causing to many eyebrows to be raised.
Unfortunately the more I dig through Savek's information that I was provided the more I realize this information is just not about what happened to Gwyen, but about who Savek was, what role he played in some events and information. In general this information as far as I can tell appears to be some sort of diary or journal that he keep separate from everything else. I even found his password to his personal logs, which I have begun downloading any logs the pertain to my search only. I have no intention to exposure what SI did or has done over the past. My only reason for looking through this information is to find out the truth about why Gwyen died and if I find out that there are some in Starfleet of SI that should be held responsible then I will certainly consider bring to the proper authorities. The information to the proper authorities and people that might find the information useful in bring them to justice.
I guess the one question that keeps popping into my mind is why anyone would still insist on covering up the truth if what they were working on was supposable destroyed when the accident occurred. Causing me to reason that whatever was being worked on at that point in time, was either illegal or questionable in nature. The other option is that whatever occurred they were still willing to go forward with the research or expimantation. Neither of which satisfied some of the information and answered I have reached to this point.
I can not rule out going to Captain Price with the information that I have. At the same time I haven't really gotten to know the captain well enough to go an ask him to stick his neck out on the line for me, nor would I expect him to do so at this moment. I can also say that the information that I have may not be sufficient to demand a response as the information is still less than open knowledge. So until I can solidly say that I have enough information or enough to seek I don't want to involve anyone else.
That is one reason why I have chosen to classify all my personal logs where I have mentioned my investigation into what happened. I have also chosen to keep what I know to myself for the better good of all. I know that this may seem selfish or irresponsible, but I assure you that I am taking this action for the good of the whole. I know that were suppose to work as a group, as a whole, but there are times and cases that one must go it solely for the good of the group.
** Break **
Chris took a break form his personally log. He needed something to drink and decided to grab a bit to eat before he return to working. He just needed a break form this thing. After getting something to eat and drink he returned to eating.
** Back to the Log **
I have just realized that I need to report for duty.
End Log
He quickly gathered himself together and headed for the bridge.
** Bridge **
Lt. Thomas entered the bridge, he was ready for another day at ops. He had spent several solid hours sleeping, as he needed the rest. He was working harder these days than he guessed he would be. He was now manning ops during alpha shift, but at the same time was occasionally pulling duty beyond.
He would readily admit that he enjoyed his job and that he was always doing some sort of work either on his time off or during his shift. The work kept him busy and he felt in some way ensured that things were getting done. When he got off duty he decided to pay the gym a visit and then he'd go off to the holodeck to do some work.
Chris Patton
By: gaijinrussell@sprynet.com
James Chen walked into the cargo bay as fast as he could. He had just reported for duty when they sent him down to rendezvous with Lt. Commander Sunder for a search through the cargo bay. Apparently, some boy had found his way into the cargo bay and hid out. Chen was also eager to report his findings of the terrorist on board.
'Commander Sunder glanced up as Chen came trotting in. "Ensign Chen," he asked.
Chen nodded. "Reporting for duty, sir."
Sunder offered his hand and Chen took it. Sunder's large hand nearly covered Chen's completely. "Well, your just in time, ensign. I think I've found where our little stowaway was hiding." He pointed towards a stack of boxes near the corner, out of the way. It looked something like a fortress to Chen. The type of little forts children have been building in the snow for centuries.
"Who was the stowaway, sir?"
Sunder walked to the boxes, Chen following. "A young boy by the name of Colby Torwyn. He was under the care of Counselor Salshyar."
Chen wasn't quite sure who Counselor Salshyar was, so he just nodded. "Oh. Well, I'm happy that I got called here, sir. I wanted to talk with you."
Sunder's eyebrows raised. "Oh? What about?"
"Well, sir, I believe there may be a terrorist aboard."
Sunder turned and looked at Chen. "Why's that?"
"Because I recognized him from something that happened in my past. I think he was disguised as a Breen. He even was stationed on Deck Nineteen where the Breen were put."
Sunder looked puzzled. "The Breen were taken to Deck Nine. Not only that, but the other two uninjured Breen are present and accounted for."
Now it was Chen's turn to be confused. "Well, I saw this man on Deck Nineteen, nonetheless. I don't know how I could've gotten so confused with what was going on."
Sunder shook his head. "Maybe it was subconscious."
"Sir?"
"Well, I've heard of occurrences when a person would think he saw or heard something, when it was really something else. Maybe something in your mind drove you to that place to find that man."
Chen shrugged. "Maybe."
"Anyhow, if he's on board and he didn't come on with the Breen, then he's been here for at least six weeks. I'll look around, but I don't think much will come of it. Anyway, we should focus on the task at hand. We can only handle one problem at once, you know."
Chen nodded. "Aye, sir."
After the search in the cargo bay, Chen found himself with a standing challenge to test the art of Gong Rei against Tae Kwon Do. He headed to Engineering to check up on what Guzman had to report.
Just as he came out of the turbolift, he ran into Guzman. Before Chen could say a word, Guzman started talking. "James, I'm sorry."
"What is it?"
"I lost the guy."
"What? How?"
Guzman shook his head. "I don't know. He was there one minute and then the next...poof! He's gone."
Chen nodded. "All right, Luis. Don't worry about it."
Guzman apologized again and the went back to work. Chen stepped onto the elevator. He knew he had lost the Vulcan, but swore he'd run into him again. And when he did, it wasn't going to be pretty.
By: RCL
Chief Science Officer's Log. Stardate 49803.05
The shuttlecraft Kepler is currently undergoing modifications in Shuttlebay Two. The metaphasic shield and neutrino emitter discussed at the senior staff meeting are being added to the Kepler in the hopes of being able to obtain data directly from the vortex the Galaxy encountered recently, a spatial phenomenon which has, up to now, totally eluded us and provided distorted sensor readings. As a precaution, a modified probe is being into the vortex, in the hope that we can ascertain an appropriate frequency to modify our new shuttlecraft additions.
Pressing the button on the desktop console, Greer concluded his official log regarding the modifications needed to potentially investigate the swirling vortex, visible through most of the ships port windows. Massive, intense, and elusive, the vortex was a source of intrigue over most of the ship, including the Breen the Galaxy rescued from its powerful grasp.
"Computer please, summon the following officers to the Observation Lounge . . ."
*** Observation Lounge ***
Waiting in the seat opposite that usually occupied by Commander Sterner during senior staff meetings, Greer watched each of the officers he requested enter the conference room. In a few minutes they had all assembled around the long conference table.
"As I'm sure most of you are aware, the Breen vessel was destroyed several hours ago by an unidentified energy burst." Greer opened the briefing. "After discussion with Starfleet Command and consultation with the Captain and senior staff, it has been decided to prepare for a shuttle mission to the vortex." As soon as he finished his sentence, several of the officers assembled gave the anomaly a quick glance, being visible through the conference room windows. "Lieutenant Boudreau, I assume the modifications are coming along as scheduled?"
"Our current estimates suggest that we should be completed with the upgrades in approximately eight hours. We had a few problems installing the neutrino emitter to be compatible with the shuttle systems, but David was able to emitter into the communications system. David and 'Commander Casey should have the probe modifications completed in the next hour of so"
"Great. Once we receive data from the modified probe, we can hopefully adjust the harmonics of the metaphasic shield and the neutrino emitter to be more compatible with the vortex. If not, it might be a rough ride. I've decided on a team for the mission. Lieutenants Morris and Hewson, you'll be coming along since you both have specializations in either plasma or advanced subspace physics. Ensign Tholen, you'll be coming along as well. I've prepared an outline on both the mission specs and what we know so far. Have a look at them and then we'll convene in my office in two hours. Dismissed."
As everyone began to leave the conference room, Ensign Sullax came up to the chief science officer. "Sir." the Romulan began. "May I ask why you decided to turn down my request to be on the shuttle?"
"I'm sorry Ensign, but I need you manning the science station whilst we're on the shuttle Ensign. You've got a field specialization in astrophysics, and although you're not the next ranking officer in the department, I need you to take charge until Lieutenant Morris and I return to the ship." Greer explained. "I'm sure you'll do a fine job Ensign."
"Aye sir. Thank you."
"Oh, and Ensign. Combining the astrometrics lab and stellar cartography . . . interesting idea. I look forward to reading your report."
*** Captain's Ready Room ***
Greer entered the commanding officer's officer to find Captain Price looking through his officer window, either mesmerized or disturbed by the sight of the vortex. "Beautiful, isn't it sir." Greer said.
Lee turned around. "Can I help you 'mate?"
"I'm just delivering the updates on the shuttle modifications and a list of personnel I would like to take on the shuttle mission sir." he said, handing the PADD to the Captain, who proceeded to read the information displayed on the screen. "I've tried to keep the tea, to a minimum as you asked. As you can see, I'm taking a mix of science officers and engineers with specializations in a variety of scientific disciplines in the hope to anticipate whatever we find in the anomaly. Considering the technologies we'll be relying on the communication with the ship and protect the shuttle, I thought we should have an engineer come along. We should be able to leave in eight hours, pending the results of the probe sir."
"Thank you 'mate. Keep my updated on your status." Price said. "Is there anything else Lieutenant?"
"No sir." Erikson replied.
"Well then, dismissed."
"Aye sir."
Greer left the Ready Room feeling a little awkward, despite a lack of any signals or remarks from the Captain that could justify such a feeling. Starfleet Command obviously wanted the shuttle mission to go ahead as a means of assessing the vortex as a potential security threat, even though Captain Price made it clear that he did not. Greer, also advocating a shuttle mission, saw it as a rare opportunity to study a spatial phenomenon with highly unique properties. It was an oppurtunity he felt was worth taking before the anomaly might disappear forever, leaving behind no more insight into its origin or more into the apparently unusual fluid-like properties it seems to contain.
***** Ten - Forward *****
Cat walked quickly to get to Ten Forward. As soon she saw the doors to Ten Forward, she stopped just outside. Smoothing down her skirt and making sure her blouse was sitting correctly and checking her reflection in the door, she prepared to walk through the doors.
' Calm down Girl! What have you got to worry about? It's just a dinner! ' Cat nervously made sure she looked her best again, thought confident thoughts and walked into Ten Forward. She looked around for Ursa, through the observation windows, she saw the rotating, multi-colour gases and discharges that surrounded the vortex. It looked like an everchanging rose, it was a beauty that had terror in it's heart. Cat felt a shiver go down her spine to the tip of her tail and continued her look for her 'date.
She saw him waiting at a table, smiling she walked over to the table. Sitting on the opposite side, she greeted the tall security officer. "Hello Ursa."
"Hello Cat, You look very ... beautiful!" Ursa said a little awkwardly, searching for an appropriate thing to say.
Cat gave a quick smile. "Have you ordered yet?"
"No, Not yet, would you like to order now?"
"Yes, I'm starved. I've hadn't had much chance for food today. And I certainly didn't want to spoil my appetite."
Cat ordered a Caitian dish, mostly fruits and a salad with a light wine. Ursa ordered a large venison steak with an over-sized side portion of roast potatoes and vegetables. He looked over at Cat's dish. "I am a little surprised, I mean you ordering a salad."
Cat replied, "I'm a vegetarian, I don't eat meat. We Caitians don't eat meat."
Sunder looked guilty, thinking back to his order. " Oh. "
An uncomfortable silence rested on the table until the food arrived. "Ursa, Uh, what was it like to be brought up an Orion?"
Sunder took a deep breath. " Well, it was home. I don't know what else to say about it. I can't compare it to a regular Terran lifestyle, and I can't remember my h
uman parents all that well. Images, flashes of faces here and there really. " He took a pull of his tonic water.
" It wasn't boring though, I can tell you that. " He continued. " Life on board the Shadowfire was an education that every Starfleet cadet would have given a limb for. Lots of stories I could tell you. My adoptive father - Kengar Ursa, I took his last name in Orion custom. He was - is a privateer in the service of the clans. "
Cat frowned. " What do you mean by 'privateer'? You mean he was a pirate? "
" No. " Sunder affirmed. " No, pirates live under no code. Usually they are slaves to their own sybaritic desires. Privateers are professionals - contracts filled to the letter, but they also keep a strong sense of honour about their work. "
" I didn't mean any offence. " Cat quickly countered.
" Oh, none taken, I can assure you. I'm used to maintaining the distinction. Don't get me wrong though - Kengar's lived his life under a shadow more than once in his life. " Sunder smiled, remembering a few of the old rogue's escapades. " It's fallen on me as well a few times - quite a valuable source for Starfleet Intelligence every so often. " He quickly changed the subject.
"What about you? I heard that you grew up in a Human society, you are half Caitian/Human. What was that like for you?"
Cat looked at Ursa, "It wasn't easy, I grew up on a Human planet and I soon left for Cait, I just wasn't comfortable. Don't misunderstand me, it's just that I consider myself to be a Caitian."
"I know what you mean" replied Ursa. "What do you like to do?"
"I like to dance," Cat said with a smile. "I'm a pretty mean musician with the guitar and the lyre."
"Ah - can't relate there. Unless there's a kick, a punch or I'm going to incapacitate someone, I'm fairly left-footed. It's my size, I suppose. Why did you choose to become a doctor?" He said after a large mouthful of medium-rare steak. Cat goggled at the pace Sunder was shoving food into his face.
"Oh, I don't know about you being left-footed. Dancing is natural for everybody, just that people get worried about trying remembering the steps. That's when they have problems. Look, when we get some free time, I'll help you if you want." Cat offered Ursa. "As to being a Doctor, I suppose I wanted to find out who I am. It's not really hidden, I've been gengineered. I am somewhat unique. There was no evidence of where I came from, and that makes me a little lost sometimes. I don't have a family to fall back on. I suppose that is the reason why I try to make a family wherever I go. I feel lonely sometimes." Cat looked into the distance, she shook her head. "I became a doctor, because it gives me a chance to learn new things, to explore new horizons. I also like to help people. I joined Starfleet to keep on exploring new things." Cat shrugged, "That's it I suppose. You, why Security?"
" Mmmph. " Sunder excused himself, trying to navigate a large potato chunk down his esophagial tract. " Sorry. I could never see myself commanding a ship. My father's castellan - ship's first officer in Starfleet terms - once said to me: ' Ursa, a ship's captain always thinks there're two entities on his ship: himself and the crew.' I prefer being the unseen third who watches out for those two beings. "
Cat and Ursa talked for a couple of hours, silence only falling occasionally over the table. Ursa continued to eat. After the steak, he ordered a large Deneb chocolate mousse cheesecake. " My particular favourite. " He explained.
"No argument from me on that, I love anything with chocolate." Cat agreed
Suddenly the evening was punctuated by Sunder's communicator. He tapped his badge. " Sunder here. Go ahead. "
" Commander, this is Jorges. We've picked up a stow-away in the secondary cargo bay. The captain wants you to come down and have a look and report back to him. "
Sunder sighed. " Very well. Sunder out. "
He looked at Cat. " I hate having my dinner interrupted. " Cat looked at the remains of his meal: one plate of venison and vegetables, a side dish of mousaka cheese, several glasses of tonic, and the chocolate cheesecake.
" It looks like that interruption came through just in time. I don't think your lower intestinal tract could have stood much more of that. " She observed. " We really need to talk later about your appetite. Consider it a medical favour. "
Sunder looked puzzled. " If you say so. But now I have to leave and investigate this mysterious stowaway. I enjoyed our evening Cat. Thank you for your company. I'll think about that dancing lesson."
Cat watched Ursa head out of Ten Forward. She had wished Ursa's badge hadn't spoilt the evening, it had been a long time since she been on a 'real' date. She looked at the chocolate cheesecake, Cat hooked the plate with her finger and pulled it towards her. She dug the spoon into the cake and began eating. "No use letting that go to waste."
By: "Selene Stockard"
Erin had just entered her office on deck 8 to go through her calendar of events for the day. She had a meeting at 1000 hours and another at 1400 hours. An easy day. But something didn't feel right, she knew something was going on but just didn't know what it was.
Within minutes, Leslie came into her office. "Erin, can you report to the Captain's ready room immeadiately. There seems to be some trouble with one of the children and the Captain wants a Counselor there and I recommended you. Will that be satisfactory?"
Erin looked up at what the Chief Counselor had just asked her to do. She was a little nervous about seeing the Captain, but there had to be a first time for everything. "Yeah Lieutenant. That will be fine. You can tell the Captain that I am on my way."
"Thanks Erin."
Ensign Parker got up from her chair and heading out of the Counseling bay. She walked down the corridor on deck 8 and headed for the turbolift. Upon approaching the turbolift, she waited for the doors to open. It seemed like when you were in a hurry the lift would take forever; and when you wanted to take your time, the turbolift would be waiting for you. Funny.
The lift finally came to deck 8. Erin entered and stated, "Bridge".
Erin liked being on the bridge. She hadn't been on the bridge of the Galaxy yet, but on her last post she spent most of her time on the bridge of the ship. She liked it. It was better than being stuck in a drafty office all day.
The turbolift soon came to the bridge. The door opened to reveal something wonderful that Erin had never seen before. The galaxy class bridge was truely spectacular. In the center were 3 leather chairs, the command chair obviously the center and two other seats at each end. The security and tactical posts were directly behind the command half moon. Ops and helm were located in front of the viewscreen and in the back of the bridge were science, medical and engineering stations.
It was truely a sight to see. Erin could get use to spending most of her time in this spot. Soon her time would come, but not before it was too soon for the young female couselor.
She made her way down to the forward part of the bridge where the Ready Room door was. She pressed the panel to the right of the door and heard, "Enter."
This is going to be fun, she thought to herself.
By: "Tim Stevens"
Zach sat down at his computer terminal, and activatied it. Instantly the logo of the Federation jumped out at him.
"Computer, establish sub-space link with USS Terrance, Captain Jason Lamarsh."
"Working." the computer beeped.
After nearly half an hour is beeped again. "Sub-space link established."
The screen poped to life, and Zach's dad was in the middle of the screen. A man in his late fifties, with a thick grey beard, and thinning hair. He had a gruff sense about him, but was the most wonderful person someone could know.
"Zach!" his father shouted in joy.
"Dad," Zach responded. "How are things on the Terrance?"
"The Terrance, never been better. Were on patrol duty, which if you ask me is flat out boring. But we picked up a comet this morning, so things aren't going to bad." his father paused. "So how are things my boy?"
"Great dad. I got assigned to Beta shift." Zach replied, picking up a cup of coffee that sat on his desk. "They got me out of Gamma shift."
"That's good. Gamma shift isn't very fun. Just wait until you hit Alpha shift, everything happens in Alpha shift."
"To do that dad, I would have to be the chief." Zach replied, laughing.
"I know you Zach, and one day, you will be the Chief Helmsmen, I can feel that."
"Thanks dad, but don't pull any favors for me."
"Me." his father pretended to act hurt. Then he laughed. "I know you want to make it to the top on your own son. I wouldn't dream of messing with that. But I could pull a few favors..."
"Dad!"
"Just joking. So chill out."
"How's mom?" Zach asked, changing the subject.
"She's ok. She got injured on an away team mission last week, but she is recovering nicely."
"Why didn't you tell me!" Zach roared, becoming somewhat angry.
"Because I read the Galaxy's orders. Your on patrol duty, on a vital shipping lane, I didn't want you to get worried."
"I'm not worried," Zach replied, not beliving himself.
"Look, she is ok. I made sure of it. Lieutenant Commander Dusay is a great medical officer, had her patched up right away, so don't worry about it."
"Alright, I love you dad. I got to go. Beta shift is going to be starting here in a little bit."
"Love you to son. I'll call you once we put back into Starbase. I think after the war the Terrance is going to be decommished."
"What dad. The Terrance is only-"
"Eighteen years old Zach, it's feels like her time to go. Maybe I can pull some favors and keep that from happening, I hope I can, but Admiral Martin says it doesn't look good. The Terrance is just outdated, face it, she's an Excelsior class starship, she's just outdated."
"Well I hope not, I wanted to make it back to the Terrance one day, it's a good ship."
"We'll see what happends, Captain Lamrash out."
The screen went blank, replaced by the Federation logo. Time to get ready for work, Zach thought. He could only hope that his father didn't lose his command, that would not be good. He slipped into his duty jacket.
By: Price
Captain Price was quickly aquatinting himself with the details contained in Colby Camaron Torwyn's personnel records within the Galaxy's database. He wanted to know as much about the boy before security had him brought into his ready room.
Lee paused in his reading of the record to see Lieutenant Erikson. The Chief Science officer informed him of the progress they were making on the modifications to the shuttle Kepler, which were expected to be completed by the end of Beta shift. The class one probe that was being reconfigured by Lieutenant Commander Casey and Lieutenant Mercury was scheduled to be completed within the next hour or so, with launch scheduled at 17:00. Captain Price hoped that the modifications to the probe, these same modifications that were being made to the Kepler, would provide more answers to the origin and nature of the vortex before he committed to sending four of his best officers into that spectacular anomaly on orders from Starfleet.
Shortly after Erikson had delivered his report to the Captain and left, Counselor Parker arrived.
"Counselor, come in 'mate." Captain Price instructed to the beautiful young psychologist.
"Thank you Captain. Counselor Wilson asked that I report to your officer sir. She said something about trouble with one of the children on board?" Erin asked.
"Yes Counselor. The adopted ward of the former Chief Counselor of the Galaxy, Devlynn Salshyar. She left just when you transferred on board. Did you get a chance to meet her?" Lee asked.
"No Captain. I'm afraid I didn't get that opportunity." Erin admitted.
"She left in a hurry, having taken a new assignment. Devlynn had made arrangements to have her ward transported to a foster care facility on the planet Betazed, but that shuttle was delayed and she was forced to depart before the boy's transport arrived." The Captain explained.
"So he didn't get on the shuttle? And he's been hiding out on board the Galaxy for these last few weeks on his own?" Counselor Parker asked.
"Exactly, as far as we can tell. Security is going to bring Colby up here so we can have a word with him. They will also be investigating the cargo bay where they found him hiding to find out what he's been up to all this time." Lee paused, "I thought it would be a good idea to have a counselor present when I see him. He was close to Counselor Salshyar, so he might be more comfortable having another counselor around. I've been reviewing his personnel record. The young man has had quite an interesting upbringing. Here, come have a look." Captain Price motioned for Counselor Parker to have a seat and turned his monitor around to where she could easily see it.
Erin's eyes quickly scanned the record. "It seems odd that he wouldn't want to return to Betazed, given what his file says here." She commented.
"My thoughts exactly Counselor. I had met Colby a couple of times. And for the most part I just thought of him as a typical little boy. A bit spoiled perhaps. I had no idea he was raised by Ambassador Luxanna Troi. That explains a lot I think." Lee commented.
"It says here that Colby was under the guardianship of then Ensign Christopher Thomas, but that it didn't work out." the counselor began, looking at the Captain, "Do you know what the story is behind that sir?"
Lee leaned back into his chair. "Christopher and Colby just didn't get along counselor. They were like oil and water. Shake things up and for a while everything was fine, but eventually, Chris would go his way, and Colby would go his own. Then never really hit it off. It's not really Chris' fault. If you read on, he took guardianship of Colby as a personal favor to Tyrella, Colby's birth mother."
"I see. And when Counselor Salshyar took charge for the young man things improved?"
"Yes. Colby and Devlynn got along well. Now on hindsight I can't help but wonder if that is because of the way the boy was brought up on Betazed. They have a matriarchal society structure there. So perhaps the reason Colby was so difficult with Christopher is because he is a man. At any rate, things were going very well for both Colby and Dev until this sudden reassignment."
"I wonder why Counselor Salshyar didn't take Colby with her on her new assignment?" Erin asked.
"I really don't know 'mate. For whatever reason, Devlynn thought Colby would be better off staying on Betazed. She did arrange for him to stay at one of the leading care facilities there. But it all happened so fast. There are a lot of questions that remain unanswered." Lee explained.
"Well, maybe when we talk to the boy, he can help to provide some of the answers. I can only imagine how this must of affected him. He's had such an unstable upbringing. Being shuffled from one home to the next. Taken charge of by one parent and then another. He may feel that the Galaxy is the first place he could really call home. When Counselor Salshyar made arrangements to have him taken away, he might of felt betrayed."
"Well, we should know shortly counselor. Security informed me a few minutes ago that they were on their way up with the boy. They should be here any minute now." Lee got up out of his seat and moved toward the replicator, "Can I get you anything 'mate?"
"A hot chocolate thank you sir." Erin said with a smile.
Tapping in the proper comm
ands, a mug of steaming hot chocolate appeared which he took and handed to Counselor Parker. The Captain then sat back down in his chair, quickly glancing out his observation window at the swirling spatial vortex. In less than an hour, the modified probe would be launched to hopefully tell them more about this strange phenomenon that they had been ordered to investigate by Starfleet Command.
Tuning, Lee smiled at Counselor Parker as she continued to read through Colby's personnel record, including his psychological profile notes that Counselor Salshyar had added to his records. She was beginning to look forward to meeting this young man that she was learning so much about. In a few minutes she and the Captain would both get that chance.
By: (John Kirk)
" The adaptability of humanoids - especially children, is a natural marvel in this universe. " Sunder replied. They had discovered packs of c-rations taken from food stores along with articles of clothing that could have only been replicated. The boy must have waited for hours for access to an open replicator to fabricate a sleeping bag, pillows, dishes and cups. He could get water from one of the hydro spigots used to slush down the bay floor, so that wan't a problem. In fact, there was even a PADD with a few titles of juvenile fiction crammed into its limited memory banks. No, Colby had done quite well for himself.
" Almost as comfortable as my quarters. " Sunder said. " Though a lot tidier. " He added.
" There's nothing here to indicate that the child was kidnapped and stashed here. No signs of struggle. It looks like he was on a ... camping trip. " Chen shrugged.
Sunder had to agree. " Yes, I think our young stowaway has been reading too much " Treasure Island ". I can cite a little evidence of petty theft and minor vandalism, " he said, indicating some damaged crates and the replicated items. " But everything looks intact otherwise. No damage to the bay other than those containers. Now that was reckless. These aren't marked. There could have been anything in there. "
" True. " Chen said, looking at Colby's consumables. " He's been here for a couple of weeks - three tops, judging from the amount of combat rations he's gone through. Look: the third week pack has just been opened. "
" Yes... well that's pretty much all I can gather from all of this. I'll have to get a maintenance crew in here to clean up and get up to the captain for a quick de-briefing before I file a formal report. I don't know why our young waif decided to camp out here, but I'm sure the captain can get that from him in due time. "
Sunder stood up from examining the pile of debris Colby Torwyn had called home for a few weeks. The two security officers made their way out of the cargo bay. As he stood up, Chen couldn't help but notice the muscular development in the commander's legs. A kick from one of those powerful legs would be devastating - if it connected, he thought to himself.
As if gauging the direction of Chen's thoughts, Sunder spoke up. " Gong Rei, eh? "
" Sorry sir? " Chen asked, distracted.
" A devotee of Gong Rei - I noticed it in your file. "
" Yes sir. "
" A nimble martial art. I'm afraid I wouldn't be too adept at it. Too much super-structure I'm afraid. " Sunder said, indicating his bulky chest. " Meant for smaller folk who can capitalize on speed, I believe. "
" More than that. It is a way of life - a method of perception as well. You obviously adhere to some martial philosohpy. I can tell from your build, your poise. You seem to be a well-balanced man. "
" Thanks, I try. I prefer to avoid allowing a martial art to affect my perception of life though. For me, it's a tool I use to incapacitate another. I take no joy from it, but nor do I take any sense of artistic accomplishment. "
" But we learn from all our encounters - 'whatever does not kill me can only make me stronger' and all that, and learning is an art. " Chen countered.
" I think you're looking at it too seriously. I studied terran tae-kwon-do but my primary martial art is Orion Shadhu. It's thoroughly utilitarian in its approach and that's where it ends. I don't like viewing life through fighting. "
Chen pondered this. " Perhaps you're right. But I believe in purity of thought that can only be achieved by following the path that Gong Rei masters have laid out. "
" Then, far be it from me to say otherwise about your beliefs. Tell you what: perhaps when this is all over you can demonstrate your style to me? Better yet, perhaps a slight sparring match? " Sunder challenged, arching an eyebrow.
" Sounds like a good idea Sir. I'll give it some thought. " Chen said thoughtfully.
" By the way, about your terrorist. " Sunder said before the two separated. " It was good that you told me about it before anyone else. I don't think I need to lecture you on the value of the chain of command. " He waited for Chen's assent before continuing. " I doubt he could have gotten on board the Galaxy without us catching him. I know you're new, but you'll find that this ship has the best security team in the sector. Perhaps you thought you saw someone who reminded you of this... nemesis you encountered in the past, but I can tell you Ensign, he's not on my watch. "
Chen nodded in assent at this. He and Sunder then parted ways as the large man made his way up to the bridge.
**************
Later on, in the turbo-lift, Sunder thought back to what had just happened. He'd gotten himself into another combat match! He remembered the wrestling bout with Rios he was supposed to have in the near future. Now he had to match fighting styles with yet another of his security officers. Well, it was good that he'd made Felicia's acquaintance; he'd probably need medical attention after these two were finished with him, he reflected.
He quickly thought about what he was going to tell the captain. He ran through his findings in his head, making quick notes on his PADD to refresh his memory. He exited the turbo-lift and nodded a quick acknowledgement at the security officer on the bridge. He walked quickly over to the captain's ready-room and looked up from his PADD to see someone standing in front of him.
A sudden scarlet wave of embarrassment covered his face as he realized it was Counselor Parker! He remembered the last time they'd met... and what a tit he felt like afterwards.
She greeted him with a curt nod of her head while Sunder felt like he'd forgotten all basic rules of social greeting. He stood awkwardly for a while and raised his hand in an almost... silly wave. He stood there for a second or two after the door opened.
" Well... " Parker asked. " Aren't you coming in? "
" I was afraid you were going to say that. " He mumbled to himself as he made his way to the captain's room.
This was NOT going to be fun.
By: gaijinrussell@sprynet.com
Personal log, Stardate 49803.12 It's been awhile since I've had any real friends. I mean, sure, there are casual acquaintances. People I can smile at and say hi to when I pass them in the halls, but I have no true friends. Not for the last few months. Ever since I killed Admiral Nokuma, very few other Starfleet officers want to be around me. Nokuma was corrupt as hell and he even killed a lot of people, but that still doesn't change the fact that I killed a Starfleet officer. I don't know. Sometimes I just feel like if I continue on feeling so...serious, that I'll go insane. I need somebody I can talk to, not just this damn silly machine. I think that Lieutenant Commander Sunder just might be the type of person I can get along with. He doesn't talk much, but neither do I. I have a sparring match scheduled with him in holodeck 3 in a few minutes. I've also got a meeting scheduled with the ship's chief counselor, Lieutenant Wilson at 1200 hours. Maybe this will provide me with the outlet I need. End Log
Chen sighed. He hated pouring his heart out to the damn computer, but he'd heard somewhere that it was supposed to help you get through things in your head. Chen didn't know about that. He got up and headed out of his room, jogging to holodeck 3.
Chen arrived at the door just ahead of Sunder. The big man came striding up, his legs seemed to be leaping miles as opposed to normal feet. The big man smiled. "Ensign Chen."
Chen nodded. "Commander Sunder. Glad you could make it."
Sunder shook his head. "Wouldn't miss it for the world. I enjoy the practice." He motioned to the door. "Shall we?"
"Of course. But, if you don't mind, I like to spar with a special program. It's the training gardens of Beijing. Master Kwan would take me there all the time. It's kind of...special to me."
"Fine by me."
Chen turned to the holodeck display. "Computer, run program Chen 012." Chen walked through the doors. The environment was as gorgeous as Chen remembered. The birds sang, and the padded combat area was clean. Dozens of stone statues of several deities from numerous religions indigenous to the area surrounded the combat area, looking down on the opponents, granting them certain strengths. Chen walked to the center of the large combat circle while Sunder followed. "Nice," he said. "I can see why you're partial to this place."
Chen smiled. "It's practically where I grew up. Ready?"
Sunder stepped into the circle and got into position. "Sure. Anytime."
Chen bowed softly and got into his own defense posture. For a man the size of Sunder, Chen went with the "Lethal Fluid" position. Basically, it consisted of moving around alot, trying to avoid your opponents stronger, crushing blows. You were also able to make lightning fast strikes when in position. Chen awaited Sunder's move.
Sunder came forward quickly and tested Chen. He lashed out with a fairly straightforward punch to the chest. Chen dodged out of the way and landed his shin in Sunder's gut. Sunder hardly noticed. Instead, he moved incredibly quick and caught Chen with an elbow to the temple. Chen was knocked back and reacted instinctively. He rolled with the blow and at the same time jumped in the air. He hit Sunder right on the forehead. Sunder's head snapped back and he stumbled. "Very impressive. How long have you been practicing?"
Chen shook his head and rubbed the bruise on his temple. "Since I was about four."
Sunder was surprised. "Four? You've been at this for twenty-five years and you still haven't mastered it?"
Chen shrugged. "Like I said in the cargo bay. Gong Rei is a way of life. You must be devoted to it. The masters are men who have lived every day of their lives struggling to perfect it, because they are assassins and thieves. To lose a fight is to face death. I don't exactly have that type of...motivation, but I am close. I hope."
Sunder shook his head appreciatively. "Well, let's get on with it, shall we?"
The next half-hour was comprised of Chen and Sunder taking turns at falling down. Sunder seemed to have the upper hand most of the time, but Chen did surprisingly well. After the session, they were just about even. Both Sunder and Chen were breathing hard. Both of them were extremely sore and bruised in several places. Chen wiped blood from his lip as they were leaving. "Sorry about that," Sunder said. "I got carried away."
"Sorry about the leg," Chen said, motioning at Sunder's slight limp. "Just rub it for a few hours. It's just a nerve paralyzer. Should heal right up."
Sunder nodded. "Right. Well, we should do this again some time. It's been a while since I've had a fight like that."
Chen smiled. "Me too. See you around, Commander."
"Call me Ursa. If I can call you James, that is."
"Of course. See you, Ursa." Chen went to his room to change and ponder whether this just might be a break in the months of loneliness he'd been experiencing. He still had to go see Lieutenant Wilson, too.
"Speculation."
by Lt. Greer Erikson, Chief Science Officer
with additions by Lt. David Mercury, Chief Engineer
reviewed by Capt. Lee Price
"Dinner"
Ensign Erin Parker
Counseling Officer, USS Galaxy
"I Don't Want to Grow Up"
by Colby Torwyn
"The Meeting"
By Ensign Jon O'Hare and Lt K'Eytyanna Samara
by Ensign James Chen
Security Officer
"Options"
Lieutenant David Mercury
Chief of Engineering
"Fluidic Waste"
by Lt. Alan Hewson
Galaxy "Watching History Unfold"
Written by Kahn Nilani
U.S.S. Galaxy
Written by Kornan Rios
U.S.S. Galaxy
"Summarizing"
by Commander Joerg Sterner
Executive Officer, USS Galaxy
reviewed by Captain Price
“Voices from the past. Pt II.”
by Lt. Hunter McKenzie
ASST Chief Tactical Officer
USS Galaxy
=/\= "Beta Shifting" =/\=
by Lt jg Matthew Albrecht
Security Officer
USS Galaxy NCC 70637
"The Breen - Part 2"
by Jurelle Tash
"At The Helm"
Ensign Zachary Lamarsh
Navigation,USS Galaxy
"Senior Meeting"
by Lieutenant Leslie Wilson
Chief Counselor, USS Galaxy
"Cold Hands, Warm Heart"
By Lt. Ronni Morris, Dr. Jurelle Tash,
Lt. Cmdr. Sunder, and Dr. Felicia Khatroweena
USS Galaxy
Kornan Rios entered the sickbay with a decided grimace of distaste at the room's low temperature. Sunder noticed his presence and was grateful for the relief. He walked over to the Klingon.
"Astral Fluidity - Rev 2"
USS Galaxy
Lt. Commander Deiran Casey
revised by Captain Price
"Vortex discussions"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price
Moody Blues
Casey Ti Miran
****** The Jem'Hadar *******
By Lt. Paran and Ensign Neg'Puj
From: Lt. K'arta
Subject: Jem'Hadar defence
by Ensign James Chen
Security Officer - USS Galaxy
"Vortex Reports"
by Lt. Tebrianne
"A Doctors report"
by Jurelle Tash
"Plan of action"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price
by Dr. Felicia Khatroweena, Lieutenant (jg), USS Galaxy NCC-70637
w/ Ryak Sullax, Ensign
"Stow away"
by Colby Torwyn
additions by Captain Price
Written by Lt. Kahn Nilani
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
"Private discussions"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price
=/\= "The Great Breen Threat?" =/\=
by Lt jg Matthew Albrecht
Security Officer
USS Galaxy NCC 70637
Sunder's gut was still tense from the ungainly amount of food he had consumed from his dinner with Dr. Khatroweena. He had even surpassed his regular level of consumption. He was paying for it now though. Sunder's tendency to forget himself at repast had been heightened by the evening's conversation. He had discovered Dr. Khatrow - Cat, he corrected himself - to be a person with a similar background. She could relate to his background and it was refreshing to be able to talk to someone like that.
"What Now"
By: Ensign Ryak Sullax
Science Officer
USS Galaxy
To: Engineering and Science Departments
From: Ensign R. Sullax Science Department
Science Officer
USS Galaxy
Contact at: i2qtnot2b@hotmail.com
Operations-U.S.S. Galaxy
"Nothing New to Report"
by Lt. Thomas
A.K.A. Fleet Captain William Churchill - USS Atlantis
A.K.A Lt. Christopher Thomas - USS Galaxy
A.K.A Lt. Commander John Bruce - Stations Beta 2
Website: http://www.aesim.ml.org/atlantis
"Search in the Cargo Bay"
Ensign James Chen
Security Officer
"Shuttle Update"
by Lt. Greer Erikson
Chief Science Officer, USS Galaxy
by Dr. Felicia Khatroweena, Lieutenant (jg), USS Galaxy NCC-70637
w/ Ursa Sunder, Lieutenant Commander
"The First Assignment"
by Ensign Erin Parker, Counselor
USS Galaxy
"Contacting Home"
Ensign Zachary Lamarsh
Navigation, USS Galaxy
"Ready room activities"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price
" I can't believe how resourceful this kid is. " Chen quipped as he and Sunder scoured through the bits 'n' pieces Colby had managed to scavenge to assemble living quarters in the cargo bay.
"Friends and History"
by Ensign James Chen
Security Officer