Galaxy "Appointment"
Written By Lt. Kahn Nilani
Chief Medical Officer

I watched Ensign Benedict raised took his top off, there was an image on his back. It was an Image that I had seen many years ago in the Underground tunnels and on Cardassian Buildings that had been destoryed.

"Tikaru" I whispered

I just looked as the image brought back the memories of the occupation and of my rescue. It was they who attacked while the others focused on my rescue! I shook my head to clear out the cob webs.

"Your secrets safe with me Ensign ::stops and thinks:: it seems as thou we have the distinct honour of being wanted by the the Cardassian/Dominion Alliance!"

["Why? what did you do?"]

"Oh nothing much just killed a Gul's son, so I have recived a number of messages saying that I am to go into cardassian space and surrender to them otherwise my sister is dead. She has never been free of the cardassian's in all her life!"

I finished with the Medical Tricorder and slamed the flap shut.

"Only if I had of known all those years ago, none of this would have ever happened!"

"An Intressting chat"
by Ensign John William McQueen

John woke up to to noise from the clock alarm. He cheked the cronometer. *Two hours to Gamma begins.* He got up and took on his uniform. Cheked if he had some new messages, there was one new messages form Lt. Commander Sunder. It was about his idea on doning a traning program for the Security Deparment. Sunder said that makeing a holodeck program during a mission behind enemy lines was not the best idea. But Sunder semed to be positive to the idea anway. *Well, it looks like I must wait with makeing this program untool later.* He turned off his terminal and headed to Teen-Forward.

*****Teen-Forward****

John entered Teen-Forward and glanced at the officers there. He walked to a table and called a waiter to him and ordered a standard breakfast with tee. The waiter walked away, and John looked out tru the window and looked at the stars passing by.

"Mind if I seat?" He heard someone said. He looked up and saw a Bajoran officer dressed in a tactical uniform.

"No, not at all. Please join me."

"Thank you. By the way I´m Ensign Beneditct T'Kal." The Bajoran said as he sat down.

"Ensign John W. McQueen." John said and hold out his hand, Beneditct took it.

"Nice to meat you John."

The waiter came with John's breakfast and Beneditct ordered the same as John for him self.

"So, you are working at Tactical, hove does things going up there?"

"Yes, things are going quite well, we tried to find this Cardassian Battleship, but as far as this, Zero. Hove about you?" Benetict asked. John drank some tee before he answered.

"We try working as usual, but it´s not easy with all this SI pepole on our back. Lt. Commander Sunder whant us to keap an eye on them. I think he not like the SI:s 'nead-to-know-policy' nor do I."

"Who don´t like that." Benetict said. John looked at the chronometer.

*Ten minuites to my shift begin.* He thinked.

"Well, I got to go. My shift starts in ten minuites, and I don´t want to be late. Can we continue our chat after the shift?"

"Well, I´m going to be on holodeck then. But if you whant we can join me."

"Great. I be there. Bye." John finished and made hi way to the Security Department.

Ensign John William McQueen
Security Officer, USS Galaxy

"Captain's Log"
by Commander Joerg Sterner
Acting Captain, USS Galaxy

"Captain's Log: Stardate 49808.22

It's now two days after we passed Cardassia Prime with the installed phase cloak. We have had many encounters with both Jem'Hadar ships and Cardassian warships, but so far we have not been able to locate the real target of our mission, the Battleship. The only thing we can do is to keep looking for the Battleship and destroy it upon discovery.

The phase cloak is working perfectly so far, although it uses a huge amount of energy. But cloaking a large ship like the Galaxy and yet even preventing any damage is worth that price. I can only hope that there is no malfunction in that system or we'll have quite a hard time explaining our presence here deep in Cardassian space.

The special photon torpedoes Admiral Pressman and SI have provides us with, have been configured and are ready to go. They are stored in cargo bay 2 and are under the combined protection of SI and security officers from the Galaxy at all the time. Admiral Pressman himself has ordered that precaution so that nothing could go wrong once we find the Battleship.

The communications black out is beginning to raise tensions aboard the ship. Some people are even beginning to ask how long that mission is going to take, because of it. I personally hope that we will find the Battleship faster than the Valiant, because eight month without communications could turn out to be a major problem aboard our vessel.

Lieutenant Commander Deiran Casey is beginning to fell much better and wants to be released from sickbay and put back on active duty. I have given our Chief Medical Officer completely free hand in that matter, she has to decide when the time is right for him to serve as First Officer again. Meanwhile 'Commander Sunder is still second in command and doing an excellent job. Although he doesn't freely admit it, I think he is quite qualified for command."

After that Joerg pressed the button to end the log entry. He was sitting in the Captain's ready room and thinking. 'What if the Battleship is already out of Cardassian space?', 'What if the Cardassians and Jem'Hadar already found a way to cloak that ship?' and many other 'What if ...' questions filled his mind. He knew that in order to save the Federation and the Alpha quadrant from the Dominion/Cardassian alliance that Battleship has to be stopped, but at what price is yet to be seen.

Joerg slowly stood up from his chair and even slower walked to the door that lead back onto the bridge. As he entered the bridge, Ursa looked at him, but Joerg nodded to him that he should remain seated on the Captain's chair.

"Status report, 'Commander?" he then asked.

"No changes sir. We still have no trace of that Battleship Captain." Ursa answered.

Joerg nodded sadly and started to go up the ramp to the turbo lift. Before he entered he turned.

"I'm in my quarters now, relaxing. If there's any change in our situation inform me at once. That's an order not a request Ursa." he told his First Officer, who just nodded in approval.

Then he entered the lift and was on his way to his quarters to take a quick nap. On his way down he thought again of Captain Price and how he was spending his vacation right now. 'Strange', he thought, 'after all the troubles we've been through I haven't thought of the Captain for a single moment and now that we seem to have all the time in the world I can't stop thinking of him.'

Then the lift arrived at the appropriate deck and Joerg exited. He went slowly towards his cabin door and entered. He didn't even bother to turn on the lights, he knew his quarter by heart, so he just wandered in the direction of his bed and lay down once he found it. He stared at the ceiling for some moments, before he closed his eyes and was soon asleep.

"Temporary Quarters??"
Ti Miran

Lara was with Ambra Trenton, who graciously took the two misfits in. Miran stood in the door of the quarters that she had shared not long ago with the man she loved more than anything. She really didn't want to go in, it was too painful.

There was still a blood stain, which almost caused Miran to turn and walk back out. She had to get clothes for the two of them and some of Lara's toys to keep her happy. She also had to get Bobbie. She couldn't let her beloved pet starve or be left alone as it would be without her.

It was hard to hold back the tears. On one of the selves stood the wedding cake topper, the bride and groom smiling at each other, lost in each others eyes and hearts. There was the picture of Miran and Deiran shortly after Lara's birth holding their beautiful daughter. Even the furniture brought back memories. The couch were they had sat for hours holding each other. The bed were Lara was conceived. The rocking chair- she could almost see Deiran holding a crying baby in his arms rocking her to sleep.

Getting down to business she grabbed just a few essential items and left, fearful of what other memories would come to mind.

*** Miran sat on the bed, Lara standing at her knee. Miran felt bad about the used bed in the Trenton family quarters. They had been given Ambra's daughter's room.

Bobbie was having a field day playing with her family, extended as it was. Ambra didn't have any of Bobbie's litter left, but there still was plenty to romp with. Miran only had one shiny objects with her thankfully, but she would still have to watch her earring to make sure none of the ferrets took it.

"Are you okay?" Miran looked up at Ambra standing in the Doorway.

"Yeah, just thinking."

"Well, if you're interested, Dinner is ready. Oh, and Miran, don't worry about taking space, the more the merrier. Besdies I think Bobbie enjoys being back." Miran smiled warmly at her friend.

"Thank you. I really appeciate it." But she wanted to be back in her own quarters with Deiran at her side. Not wanting to offend her hosts, she attended dinner with them.

"Bullet the Blue Sky"
by Lt. Tebrianne Bancroft
(with additions by Lt. Commander Deiran Casey)

***

Tebrianne raced through the corridors of the Galaxy, her heart pounding in her chest. What had Aaron said? Deiran was in sickbay, in critical condition? Teb spun around the corner and propelled herself into sickbay.

It was empty!

Actually, it was empty except for some nurse cleaning up a mess of blood around one of the biobeds.

"Where's--?"

The woman looked up at Teb and froze her with a frosty look. The woman didn't like Teb...it was pretty clear on her face.

"Lt. Commander Casey has been moved to another room," the woman said with a sneer. "I don't think it would be good for you to see him right now?"

"Wha-- What happened?" Teb asked, pressing her hands against her stomach in a futile attempt to calm the fluttering.

"No one knows for sure," the nurse said. "But, he had a pretty nasty stab wound to the abdomen."

Teb shuddered. "Oh god."

The room started to spin. Teb reached out to steady herself on the biobed and her knees buckled. The floor rushed up, but caught herself in time. Teb looked up at the nurse. The woman hadn't even moved. She was looking at Teb with disdain.

Teb swallowed hard and fought to find her voice. "Wh-- Where is 'Commander Casey?"

"Like I said," the woman said. "He's been moved to another room."

"Which bloody room?" Teb snapped in a near-snarl.

The woman looked Teb up and down. "Medical Bay 3."

"Thank you," Teb said quietly.

The woman didn't answer.

Teb turned and left sickbay.

***

Teb hesitantly stepped into Medical Bay 3. Deiran lay on the bed in the center of the room. Tebrianne approached his sleeping form slowly. He looked peaceful lying there.

Teb reached up to brush a strand of hair away from his face. He stirred and she quickly pulled her hand back.

"Teb!" Deiran said in shock. He had to admit, he never expected to see her face here. But, he was glad to see her. She looked beautiful. He could see the concern on her face, she couldn’t hide it.

"Cheers, Deiran," she said softly. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better now Teb, thank you. Cat told me I died for 40 seconds. But, I’m okay," Deiran replied. Part of him wanted to reach out and take her hand and hold it close to him and the other part wanted Teb to be Miran. Deiran was not used to confusion.

"What happened?"

"I’ll tell you the truth if you keep it quiet. If this got out my career would be over," Deiran said, his voice not as bright as before.

"I understand," Teb said. "I won't say anything to anyone."

"I might have lost Miran. She hasn’t spoken to me in 2 days. She threw her ring at me when she found out what we had done. I was destroyed when she did that. I still love her Teb. At the time I was irrational, hurt, guilt-ridden…" Deiran paused, it was humbling admitting this to anyone. "I attempted suicide."

"You what? Oh my god..." She turned away from him, her dark eyes filling with the pain that accompanies the realization of forcing a man to suicide. She tried to squeeze her eyes shut, as if doing so would keep the tears at bay. A lot of good that did. She turned to face Deiran again, wiping the tears away. She could tell by the look on Deiran's face he hadn't expected the anger he saw in her eyes. "How could you? How could you do this to Miran? To Lara? To Starfleet?? To everyone who loves you? A night of indiscretion and you can't live with yourself anymore? You decide to kill yourself because Miran threw you out for sleeping with me. You boff me and then run back to your wife. She throws you out, you couldn't deal with the shame of it, so you try to kill yourself. And then you leave us to deal with your shame? Brilliant plan, Lieutenant Commander. I'll bet they'll make you an admiral for it.

"You selfish son of a bitch. Did you think of anyone but yourself? Did you think I wanted to bear the guilt of knowing that I was the reason you killed yourself? You bastard! How could you-- God. Go to bloody hell, Deiran Casey."

Tebrianne ran from the room. She could hear Deiran's protests as she sprinted through the door. She ran down the hall, toward the turbolift. She had to get away.

Teb slipped through the doors of the turbolift.

"Deck 5."

Teb noticed the chronometer on the wall.

"Bugger me," she snarled. "Gamma shift. Computer, Bridge."

The turbolift changed direction as Tebrianne wiped her tears away again.

"Lt. Bancroft to Lt. Sharp," she said into her commbadge.

"Sharp here," he responded. "What's up, Teb?"

"Aaron, I've got to pull gamma shift on the bridge. Can I get a raincheck on that dinner? We can do it again tomorrow night if you'd like."

"That'll be fine," he said. "Have a good shift."

"Thanks," she said. She closed the channel and leaned back against the solid surface of the turbolift car.

***

Teb floated through Gamma shift on auto-pilot. She could feel everyone's eyes on her as she worked. She ignored them all. She didn't need to let them in and shatter the walls that were keeping her sane. Keeping her from breaking down then and there.

0800 came quickly. Actually, it was a very long tedius gamma shift. Very little of anything happened. Tebrianne kept her focus on flying the ship...and away from anything extraneous.

"Hold please," she called as she slipped through the doors of the turbolift and noticed she wasn't alone. It was the new tactical officer. Teb leaned against the wall and concentrated on her fingernails. They needed painting. They looked like rubbish. She felt like rubbish.

Teb stuck the nail of her thumb into her mouth. She knew she shouldn't be chewing on her nails, but she didn't really care. What was there to care about anymore?

Teb glanced up at the man across the car from her. Her eyes found his. Violet eyes. She couldn't break away from his gaze. There was so much there. She felt like she'd come detached from her body was floating in pools of violet.

He smiled at her. She continued to stare. Oh my god, Tebrianne thought. She had to find something else to look at before the walls came crashing down. She found the panel next to the door. It would work as well as anything else. She concentrated on its contour and texture. Focus Tebrianne, she urged herself.

The door opened and he stepped out. Tebrianne broke her gaze and quickly moved to where she could see him walking down the corridor.

"Oh wow," she whispered. "That was intense." She shook her head and instructed the computer to take her to deck 5.

Lt. Tebrianne, USS Galaxy, Chief Helmsman
[tebrianne@elsinore.net]
UIN# 2172851

“The Calm pt. 2”
by Lt. Hunter McKenzie
Chief Tactical Officer
USS Galaxy

Acting Captains eyes narrowed as he addressed Admiral Pressman. “Admiral, I assure you, even with the uniqueness of the Galaxy’s crew. They are your best, probably your only, hope of pulling of this hare-brained scheme.” Jeorg handed the PADD back to Mac, who took it as a dismissal and quickly moved back to the Tactical arch, beside Lt Groom.

“Tough audience, huh?” muttered Winston under his breath.

“The toughest,” added Mac as he winked and walked to the TurboLift.

Tactical Operations Center

Mac sat down at his desk as he rubbed his eyes. He hadn’t had a good nights sleep since the Phase Cloak had been activated and he knew that he wouldn’t be sleeping anytime soon. For some reason his mind went to Derian Casey and his latest misfortune. Mac tried not to bend to the rumors that circulated about him and Lt Bancroft. He considered them both friends, albeit not close. He had heard that Derian was out of danger and he would have to stop by and see what he could do for Miran and Lara. He made the final adjustments to the duty roster and leaned back in the chair. He’d just close his eyes for a few minutes……
…….just to rest them……….
……………..for a minute……
……………………just a min…….::snore…….snore::

Ensign Kamin walked into the Tactical office and looked incredulously at Mac ’s sleeping form sprawled in the chair in his office Arching an eyebrow in a way that only a bemused Vulcan could, he stared at Mac for a few seconds before tuning back to the door.

“Computer dim lights to 20 %, until Lt. McKenzie awakens.”

“Acknowledged” replied the ships computer.

As Kamin walked out of the office he muttered one word.

“Humans.”

Lt. Hunter McKenzie, Chief Tactical Officer, USS GALAXY
ICQ # 6728583

"What a rush"
By Ensign Ethan Suder

Suder had been busy all day. Sure he was an engineer, and being at war, all systems had to be operational to the best standards. But the Chief of Engineering had him running around the entire ship. From Jeffries tubes to conduits to plasma cells. He hadn't actually been formally introduced to any of the senior staff, or anyone for that matter. The moment he came onboard the ship, he was asked to get to work straight away. Suder had expected this. He walked down a corridor, heading towards sickbay. Well, a conduit outside sickbay. He put his engineering kit down and opened a large panel on the wall and heard footsteps racing down the corridor. He picked up his tricorder and saw Tebrianne racing towards him, and then he watched her go into sickbay only just allowing enough time for the doors to open. He sensed that she was worried, concerned for someone. He ran a quick scan of the conduit and grabbed several other tools and began realigning the power system in the conduit. A couple of minutes later, he finished. He put his tools away and stood up to enter sickbay when the doors opened and Tebrianne came racing out again. She didn't say a word. She just saw him and ran off. Maybe she didn't know who he was, or that he was a new edition to the crew. Suder stepped into sickbay and saw a nurse. He was looking for a Doctor, but couldn't see one. For a while he stood still looking at the nurse who was just finishing tidying something. She paused and looked at the engineer holding the engineering kit."Is there a problem?" she asked. Suder stepped forward and thought for a few seconds before answering. Now this nurse was hard to read. She kept her thoughts to herself. Very hard to do to Betazoids. He tried not to listen to peoples thoughts, but this time it just happened.

"Yes, I um, I need to make an appointment for a check up. I've been busy from the moment I came onboard and haven't checked in yet." he replied.

The nurse walked to a console and brought up a list of names, Suder didn't recognize them."I can fit you in tomorrow if you would like, 1300 hours." the nurse said.

"OK, 1300 hours it is." Without another word, the nurse got back to what she was doing before Suder walked in.

While Suder walked back to engineering he wondered why the moral was so low. Everyone he had spoken to was a bit down. They were beginning to forget their "pleases" and "thank yous" and "byes". Perhaps it was just him. Perhaps people knew what happened to him a few years ago. He wasn't sure, but he thought it was most likely the war. He carried on heading for the turbolift and soon found himself in engineering asking what he could do next.

"Cupids Helper"
by LtJg. Numa Taurean
Science
Ensign V'ehlma M'aerikh
Helms(wo)man
USS Galaxy

Numa entered Ten Forward. As usual, it was packed to capacity. She scanned for an open table but didn't find one, however, she noticed an empty spot at an occupied booth. Numa smiled and made her way to the spot.

The tables occupant was none other than V'ehlma Maerikh the Adorian Klingon helmswoman. Numa didn't know her very well, but it she was determined to change that. Besides, she had an agenda to meet, and part of that agenda was getting to know the blue skinned female.

"Is this seat taken?" Numa asked the silver haired woman.

V'ehlma looked up at Numa. "Of course not, please take a seat."

"Thank you." Numa plopped down in the plush bench of the booth and flagged down a waiter. "I'd like to have a glass of water with a lemon slice, please."

"One glass of water with a lemon slice coming right up." The waiter repeated the order.

"So tell me, V'ehlma, how are things on the bridge?"

V'ehlma took a swig of her herbal tea before answering. "Well, things are going a lot more smoothly now that that vermin of an officer isn't around." She was talking about Lt. Commander Lyle.

"Yes, I heard that he was placed in the brig because of trying to go into a restricted area. I'm glad that I never had the 'pleasure' of meeting him."

"Oh, really." V'ehlma's face lit up. "Then I'll have to introduce the two of you," she joked.

"Oh no, I wouldn't want to impose on you like that. I'm sure you have quite a bit of work to catch up on instead of taking a leisurely stroll to the brig for a chit chat with you're new found 'boy friend'. I know I have too much to do right now." Numa giggled.

"Ouch! That hurt." The Andorian flipped the luxurious coils of silver hair behind her shoulder.

"I didn't take you for the sensitive type, Klingon." Numa took the glass of water from the waiter and thanked him.

"Ouch again. Is this pick on V'ehlma day or something?" She took another sip of her tea.

"Not at all." Numa heard a familiar voice cut through all the other noise. It was a familiar one.

"Hang on, I'll be right back." Numa stood mingling with the crowd in search of her friend. She found her at the bar.

"Betta." She called out to the tall slender form of the Klingon engineer.

Betta turned and smiled. "Numa. I'm glad to see you."

"And I you, Betta. Come, I have a table."

"Good. You lead and I'll follow."

Numa led Betta back to the table where V'ehlma sat.

"You remember V'ehlma." Numa introduced.

"Yes. She was on the bridge once when I was there. If I recall there was a lecherous grub of an officer that wouldn't leave any of us gorgeous females alone." Betta shivered at the though of Lyle.

The women chatted for some time.

"Hey, I was thinking about throwing a dinner party a little later. I'd like for the two of you to come."

"Okay, Numa, count me in. Is it okay if I bring Jack?"

"Of course you can bring Jack, Betta. I wouldn't dream of have you around without your better half." Numa gave Betta her popped-eyed expression and wriggled her facial tendrils. Betta just laughed at the comical expression.

"I'm not so sure I can come." V'ehlma informed. I have a lot to catch up on.

"Oh, no. You can't miss it. I have someone that I'd like to introduce you to." Numa was on the verge of pleading and begging the Andorian to show up her dinner party.

V'ehlma stiffened. She wasn't sure if she trusted the science officer or not now. V'ehlma hated being set up, and she could feel that this was exactly what the young and lively Benzite was doing. She was curious though, so she accepted the offer.

"Okay, I'll come by for a visit, but I can't promise that I can stay too long." V'ehlma's eyes sparkled.

"Then it's a date." Numa clapped her hands together.

V'ehlma excused herself from the table, and Numa filled Betta in on the deatails of how she was going to introduce her friend Bishop to V'ehlma. She knew that they would be the perfect match for each other. Even if the two Andorians didn't hit if off, they'd at least be friends.

"Afflicted"
USS GALAXY
Lt. Commander Deiran Casey & Counselor Dev Salshyar

Dev sat down next to Deiran’s bedside. Concern for him written on her face. He could see the compassion on her face.

"Dev, hello, come to shrink my head?" Deiran asked. He really didn’t feel like it, but knew sooner or later he had to talk to her. He remembered once before going to Dev before he married Miran. She helped him then, maybe she could help him now.

"I know what you did Deiran," Dev wiped a tear from her eye. She could feel his pain and Deiran knew it. She had been there for Deiran Casey just before he and Miran were about to be married. He had had cold feet then, but she knew that they would get married and be happy. Never had Devlynn expected that this would occur.

At first he felt anger. But he knew he couldn’t hide from Dev’s Betazoid abilities. "I’m ashamed of what I did Dev. I regret it very much. Especially sitting in this stupid bed laid up. But, even more that I was so screwed, I tried it when Lara was in the room. But I couldn’t, can’t live without Miran. I love her so much. I need her in my life. All I could think about was living a life without her in it. I looked at my life and it wasn’t worth living under those circumstances," Deiran’s eyes became moist, but he was strong this time. His Strength, at least inner strength was coming back.

"Then it's true?" She knew what his response would be.

Deiran put his head down, not looking at Dev he replied, "I did sleep with Tebrianne, if that's what you mean. I hate myself. I’m a complete piece of crap. I had the most wonderful wife, beautiful lover and I made a mistake with a friend and it cost me her friendship. In one act I hurt two women," Deiran spoke, his voice containing suffering in the tone. He was paying dearly for his actions.

"You first need to forgive yourself. Deal with the guilt inside Deiran like you would a Cardassian warship. I know you’re pretty good at that," Dev smiled and let out a giggle. A lighthearted moment was needed by the two of them.

Deiran could see how she was strategically approaching the matter. "Typical!" he thought.

"That’s not easy Dev. Miran won’t speak to me. She threw her ring at me! The symbol of our love. I admitted my mistake to her, partly because I thought it was better coming from me than a nasty rumor. And partly out of guilt and condemnation. I made love to another woman. It was one act, one night and though it was beautiful I know now how strong my love is for Miran. I will never do that again. EVER! I was weak one night, the last time I’ll be weak ever again."

"What would you do if you found out Miran cheated on you?" Dev asked. She knew the answer even before Deiran Casey said it. She knew that he loved Miran and would do anything to keep someone else from getting between him and his wife, and their daughter.

"Find out who it was and kill him," Deiran replied quick, not even a second thought. Dev could feel the prodigious anger that emanated from his soul as his thoughts dwelled on anyone else with his wife. Deiran was not afraid to kill. His love for Miran was so strong that he could be irrational when it came to her, which made him quite dangerous.

"She’s at that stage Deiran. But, if I know Miran she’s hurt and afraid of being alone. To everyone it was clear that she loved you. You were both meant to be together. Can’t the Iceman earn her love again?" Dev smiled as she asked the question.

People who knew Deiran, learned how to talk to him. If you were serious, he was serious most of the time unless he was in a great mood. But, if you were smiling and happy he tended to be the same. Dev knew this and wanted to keep him in good spirits.

"I can do anything I set my mind on doing, you know that," Deiran replied to her playful antagonism.

"I just wanted you to remember that," Dev was laughing. She made her point.

"Dev, if anyone finds out about what I’ve done my career is over. Please, as a favor to me, keep it quiet?" Deiran begged.

"Keep what quiet? I don’t know anything," she replied with mock seriousness. She and Deiran both knew that if either of them spoke of what happened in his quarters that she would have to report it to the Captain and that would mark the end of Deiran's career in Starfleet.

Dev had only to worry about how she was going to explain the incompleteness of her report to her superior officer, however, she would cross that bridge when she came to it. [NRPG: Cat, we should write a log about Dev and Cat discussing how to cover up what Deiran has done]

"Thank you Dev," Deiran paused and then spoke again, "I’m going to get Miran back! I love her too much to just let her go. I miss her even now. I want to take her into my arms and kiss her and embrace her passionately, show her how much I still love her. All I have now is her in my dreams. I want Lara to grow up in a happy home. I never want to cause Miran pain again. It hurts me too much," Deiran said the words, and then looked down at his gut. It was hard to tell if it was his gut or his heart he was nodding to though.

"I do have to ask you about what happened with AC." She needed to have something to put in her report.

"Well first he has a great right. Which he would never have landed if I’d known it was coming and wasn’t dead drunk at the time!" Deiran didn’t like being sucker punched. "I don’t remember much, except getting punched. He struck a superior officer and I’ll make sure he spends a few days in the brig and a reprimand is put on his record. Other than that..."

"Do you know why he punched you?" She intended to speak with AC about this also.

"My initial thoughts on the subject is that he’s a madman. He hit Greer too I’ve heard. I’m not Betazoid Dev, I don’t know why he did it. I can only speculate."

"Okay speculate then," she replied.

"Maybe he doesn’t like me to be sexually active. Or maybe he has a childlike crush on Tebrianne and found out we had been together. I don’t know. I only know he’ll regret hitting me," Deiran laughed.

"Okay. I’ll put that in my notes." She nodded and tapped the PADD that she carried with her everywhere.

Cat came into Med Bay 3. "Sorry Dev, Deiran needs a nap," Cat had a hypospray in her hand.

"No Cat, common..." Deiran tried to protest but was quickly in dreamland. A victim of Cat’s quick draw.

"Cat, may I have a word with you sometime," Dev said as she stood to head out of sickbay, "I think we have a story to correlate."

"New Family Members"
USS GALAXY
Lt. Commander Deiran Casey w/excerpts
by Lt. Tebrianne Bancroft

"This just arrived for you Commander," the nurse said as she set a large basket of fruit next to his bed.

"Who’s it from Alyssa?" Deiran asked.

"The entire science department," the nurse replied.

"That was very nice of them," Deiran commented as he took an apple from the top of the basket. Biting into the apple he watched as Alyssa walked out of the room. "Thank you Alyssa."

She called back a "your welcome" as she exited Med Bay 3.

Med Bay 3 was just down the hall from main sickbay and was staffed by a few nurses. A few doctors offices were also present in the Bay. But, at the moment it was very quiet. Deiran was getting antsy as he laid in the bed. *I’m getting up, no one can stop me.*

Deiran slowly moved to the side of the bed, his legs hanging towards the floor. He placed one foot at a time on the floor and was standing on his own two feet for the first time in two days. It didn’t last long.

"Deiran Casey, get back in that bed!" Cat shouted like a mother scolding a child.

"Common Cat, let me out of this prison. I feel fine," This time he wasn’t lying he was healing, his body regenerating at a quick rate. Deiran was a strong and healthy man. With 24th century technology, he healed even faster than a human would hundreds of years earlier.

"NO! You may feel fine, but your body needs another day of bed rest to regenerate and operate at 100%. You’re stuck here. Commander Sterner has given Nilani and I full discretion as to when to allow you back to duty. So, if you really want out of here, be a good little patient and obey your doctor. Lay back down!"

"You’re as bad as my mother Cat! Sheesh!" Deiran laughed as he laid back down on the biobed, albeit reluctantly.

"For the time being, I am your mother," Cat replied with a giggle. "You are able to have visitors, two of them are outside if you’d like to see them?"

"Sure, anything than just sitting here while floating undetected in Cardassian space and I can’t do anything but JUST SIT here!" Deiran let Cat know he wanted out of bed in his rather charming way.

"Good, first up is Lt. Ronni Morris and then Counselor Salshyar," Cat smiled. "Popular with the ladies as always Deiran." Cat laughed uproariously as she left for her office.

Deiran shot a sheepish grin back at her, the famous Casey smile once again was shining.

Ronni walked in, a smile on her face.

"Hiya Deiran, how are you feeling?" she asked.

"Like a caged animal who’s bed ridden and wants to return to the Bridge so he can kick some bootie. I want outta here!" Deiran yelled the last sentence loud enough so Cat could hear him in her office a few paces away.

Ronni laughed at Deiran’s impatience. "You’re incorrigible! I just came by to check on you, see how you were doing. I’m glad you’re still alive. Bum, you almost died on me!" Ronni said in her playful way, but her eyes were wet with tears that hadn’t fallen.

"Hey, just keeping the medical department on their toes. As XO it’s my job!" Deiran laughed. He was glad to see Ronni. He had no one else to play with.

"Well don’t die on me again, I’ve already lost two brothers…I’m not about to lose another," Ronni replied.

At first Deiran didn’t catch it. When he did, he was shocked. Ronni had never said that to him before. She was like family to him. She was a special woman. And at the moment the one person who could help him with Miran.

"Ronni! Do you mean that?" Deiran asked. Desperately needing love from someone at the moment.

"Of course I do you ape! I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t. I love you like a brother. I was there at Lara’s birth, I was there at Miran’s side when you got married. We’ve been through allot together and you…" Ronni stopped and wiped her face, a few tears had crept down her cheeks as she thought about her brothers. "…you’re special to me. Kind of like taking the place of my brothers. We’re family."

"We are! Come here!" Deiran motioned for her to come to him. They gave each other a loving hug. After they separated, Deiran spoke up, "And like a brother I’ve seen you naked way too many times!" Deiran laughed. Ronni hit him in the ribs.

"Ouch! Hey I’m still healing there!" he said, still rubbing his side. "Oops sorry," she giggled.

"Do me a favor Ronni? Please?" Deiran begged.

"What…?" she said, acting annoyed.

"I’m not going to let Miran get away. I love her too much. She’s everything to me. But, she won’t talk to me. I want her to know that I love her more now than I ever did before. I’m sorry for hurting her. Please help me get her back?" Deiran was begging.

Ronni could see he meant what he said. "Well, you should’ve told me that sooner. She and I had dinner in my quarters last night. She was here to see you when you were asleep. But, she specifically asked Nilani to keep you sedated. I think she’s staying with Ambra."

"Crap! She was here? I have to get her back Ronni!" Deiran was getting annoyed now. "What did she say about me?"

"Well, she told me how you hog the covers for one thing! Some gentleman."

"I don’t hog the covers, she does," Deiran replied, smiling. But the smile turned into a frown, "Do you think she can love me again?"

"She still loves you, stupid! She’s just mad. You hurt her," Ronni said, her expression changing to a hint of anger. She hadn’t completely forgotten what he’d done.

"I know Ronni. And hurting her, I hurt myself. She’s so much apart of me, I can feel my pain and hers," Deiran said softly. His love for Miran was hurting him. But it also gave him something to hold on to.

"I can feel it Deiran. I’ll help you, because I want to see you both together. You were meant to be together," Ronni replied.

"Thank you. First I have to talk to her, tell her how much I love her. With your help I can do this." Deiran was getting excited. For the first time he had hope.

"The Iceman can do anything!" Ronni mocked him. "I have to get to work. See you soon." Ronni hugged Deiran again and then left.

A few minutes later, Dev came and talked to him. They spent the better part of an hour together in counseling before she left. Cat pulled a dirty trick and put him out with a hypospray. The next thing Deiran knew he was looking up at the beautiful face of Tebrianne.

"Teb!" Deiran said in shock. He had to admit, he never expected to see her face here. But, he was glad to see her. She looked beautiful. He could see the concern on her face, she couldn’t hide it.

"Cheers, Deiran," she said softly. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better now Teb, thank you. Cat told me I died for 40 seconds. But, I’m okay," Deiran replied. Part of him wanted to reach out and take her hand and hold it close to him and the other part wanted Teb to be Miran. Deiran was not used to confusion.

"What happened?"

"I’ll tell you the truth if you keep it quiet. If this got out my career would be over," Deiran said, his voice not as bright as before.

"I understand," Teb said. "I won't say anything to anyone."

"I might have lost Miran. She hasn’t spoken to me in 2 days. She threw her ring at me when she found out what we had done. I was destroyed when she did that. I still love her Teb. At the time I was irrational, hurt, guilt-ridden…" Deiran paused, it was humbling admitting this to anyone. "I attempted suicide."

"You what? Oh my god..." She turned away from him, her dark eyes filling with the pain that accompanies the realization of forcing a man to suicide. She tried to squeeze her eyes shut, as if doing so would keep the tears at bay. A lot of good that did. She turned to face Deiran again, wiping the tears away. She could tell by the look on Deiran's face he hadn't expected the anger he saw in her eyes. "How could you? How could you do this to Miran? To Lara? To Starfleet?? To everyone who loves you? A night of indiscretion and you can't live with yourself anymore? You decide to kill yourself because Miran threw you out for sleeping with me. You boff me and then run back to your wife. She throws you out, you couldn't deal with the shame of it, so you try to kill yourself. And then you leave us to deal with your shame? Brilliant plan, Lieutenant Commander. I'll bet they'll make you an admiral for it.

"You selfish son of a bitch. Did you think of anyone but yourself? Did you think I wanted to bear the guilt of knowing that I was the reason you killed yourself? You bastard! How could you-- God. Go to bloody hell, Deiran Casey."

"Tebrianne!" Deiran called out as he watched her run from the room. "Please stop!"

*Just brilliant you shallow, stinking piece of trash. It’s official Casey, you’re a jack ass. You seem to have the habit of hurting the women who mean the most to you.*

Deiran sat up in the bed. His hands covering his face. His life couldn’t get any worse. First Miran hates him and now Teb. "What’s all the commotion in here?" Cat asked as she ran into see what was happening.

"Don’t worry Cat, it’s just my life going to hell," Deiran replied.

"Here I was all worried. Go back to sleep," she returned with a smile.

"I’m not tired. Hand me a PADD please?" he asked.

"I just told you to go to sleep, you need your rest!" Cat argued.

"I have been asleep for a few hours. I’m getting cabin fever. Please give me a PADD so I can start piecing my life back together?" Deiran said, no longer joking. He was clearly upset. And now more determined than ever to change his circumstances.

"You’re a terrible patient Deiran Casey," Cat replied as she threw a PADD his way. Deiran caught it in mid air.

He then began typing in a letter:

To everyone in the Science department,

Thank you for your kind regards, the fruit basket was very nice. I enjoyed it very much. Thank you for thinking of me. It was a beautiful gesture and meant allot to me. When I get out of bed, I’ll buy you all a drink.

Cordially,
Lt. Commander Deiran Casey

Computer address letter and send to everyone in the science department.

He then sent a thank you note to Ensign George Prince for the card he left for him.

*Now if I can get in the good graces of two beautiful ladies I’ll be back on track*

That was going to be easier said than done. But, as always Deiran Casey was already formulating plans to do the impossible. Yep, the old Casey was gradually returning.

"The Blip."
by Lieutenant Greer Erikson
Chief Science Officer

The turbolift stopped at Deck One and the doors opened to reveal the command center of the ship in the process of changing over from Gamma to Alpha shifts. "Begin day watch." Commander Sterner said as both he and Admiral Pressman went to their respective seats in the center of the Bridge. As the Alpha shift officers took their respective duty stations, the lighting level on the Bridge began to increase.

Lieutenant Erikson made his way towards the far side of the aft Bridge stations where Lieutenant' Sullax and Ensign Nog had been maintaining a vigil throughout the night, during a period which many officers referred to as the 'graveyard shift'. Before departing, Sullax handed him a PADD with the duty log for the Science department. "I understand that you have been up most of the night Ensign." Erikson remarked as he placed the PADD down and took his seat.

"I had some trouble sleeping sir." the Ferengi replied, not looking away from his the display as he continued to actively scan the region they were now entering. "I was trying to utilize my time efficiently."

"Well you look tired to me Ensign." Greer observed from the relaxation in his posture. "I think it would be in your best interest if you were to take a break."

"I will be all right Lieutenant." he said as he almost let of a snarl. Greer interpreted as being related to his long hours on the Bridge and felt a little more justified in making him take a break.

"Mr. Nog, when we do find the Battleship, we do not need fatigued officers on the bridge of this ship." Greer said as he tried to give him a reassuring smile. "Trust me, I've stared at those displays long enough myself to know when it is time for a break. It will be here, ready for you, when you return. Until then, Lieutenant' Taurean can take your place."

The mission advisor scratched his rather large forehead a few times before he looked back at the Human. Although Erikson was seated, the small stature of the Ferengi made it possible to look directly into his eyes. "Aye sir." he said reluctantly as he pressed a button for the current laboratory supervisor to take his place at the Science Two console.

Nog walked away and waited near the turbolift doors until a carriage was available a few minutes later. Shortly thereafter, Numa Taurean reported to the Bridge and assumed Nog's position at the neighboring console. "Have the sensors detected anything of interest yet Lieutenant?" she inquired as she began to continue a scan the current system.

"Lieutenant' Sullax's duty log reports that other than the usual Dominion traffic we detected from time to time, astrometrics has been having a field day. Apparently a few hours ago the sensors detected a planet with a western magnetic pole."

"That is rather interesting." Numa said as the information peaked her curiosity. "That would be one of only . . . four known planets with that particular feature, if I remember correctly. I would imagine that the geological formations alone on such a planet would contain some very unique examples not found elsewhere in the sector. I would love to have been given an opportunity to study them."

"Agreed. It is only a shame that we don't have the time to . . . " Greer began to say until his attention was attracted to a small unidentified blip which appeared on the sensors. "Well, what do we have here." he remarked, pressing a few buttons on the console to hone in on the unidentified object. "Numa, are you tracking an unidentified object approximately ten light years from our current position?"

The Benzite looked at the display in front of her and began to confirm the reading from the Science One station. "Yes sir." she said as her blue hands changed scanning parameters. "It appears to be an object traveling at warp four."

"I'd say that is a possible candidate for a starship of some description." he said before swinging his chair to face the command area of the Bridge. "Excuse me, Commander, Admiral, we're detecting an unidentified vessel approximately ten light years away, presently traveling at warp four."

"Can you identify it Lieutenant?" Commander Sterner said as he stood up and turned his attention to Erikson and Taurean.

"We are attempting to do so now." Greer said as he turned back to his console. Recalibrating the sensor resolution to obtain a more informative scan, he quickly read the information adjacent to the graphical display. "The modifications to the sensors pinpointed it, so we can at least assume it is a vessel containing minerals indigenous to Dominion fleet designs."

"Location of the unidentified object is confirmed sir." Lieutenant Thomas said as Ops began receiving the information relayed from Science. " The vessel is at bearing zero-nine-five, mark three-zero-one."

"Checking the sensor readings against know Cardassian and Dominion vessels." Erikson replied as he began the comparative analysis. "Numa, check the variance patterns against the parameters entered in by Ensign Nog. See if you determine a match."

Numa worked to compare the variance pattern located on her console against the one the sensors were detecting. "I'm unable to determine any match from this distance Lieutenant. The vessel appears to have a mass which is not in proportion to a single vessel. Perhaps the sensor modifications are unable to distinguish between several vessels?" she suggested.

Greer recalibrated the sensors in an attempt to resolve the sensor scan and see if there was more than one vessel being detected by the modified array. "Sirs, we still cannot identify the class of vessel. The data

we are receiving indicates that it has a mass approximately several times greater than the Galaxy, but at this distance I cannot tell you any more than that."

Admiral Pressman restrained a smile as he turned towards Commander Sterner. "It appears we may have found the target Commander."

"Helm, lay in an intercept course, warp four point five." Joerg said as he sat back down in his chair, the Starfleet Admiral taking the seat next to him. "Engage."

"Aye sir." Tebrianne said as she entered in the coordinates and placed the Galaxy-class vessel on an intercept course with the unidentified Dominion vessel.

"Gift Baskets and Friends"
Ensign Keras T’Vek
Science Officer
USS Galaxy

Ensign Keras T’Vek stepped out of his CO’s office with the card with the signature on it. With that last signature he had gotten everyone in the Science Department to sign it, the next step being to deliver it.

He quickly wrapped up the basket and placed the card on it and was on his way. He noted that several people seemed amused to see the Vulcan carrying the large colorfully wrapped basket down the hall way.

He quickly made his way to the turbolift and in a few seconds was on his way, his thoughts trying to decide what was the most logical thing to do after he delivered the basket. Return to the Science Labs and wait for something to do he decided.

Soon the doors opened revealing a corridor and he stepped out heading towards Sickbay. The corridor appeared lonely and sad as he mad his way towards his destination. When he arrived he handed the basket to a nurse, Alyssa, telling her that is was for Lt. Commander Deiran Casey from the Science Department.

He then quickly turned around and left the Sickbay, he noted that Lt. Ronni Morris was waiting to be seen by the Lt. Commander and almost decided to approach in reference to the message but decided it was not the most logical time to do so, she appeared preoccupied.

As he made his way down the corridor heading towards the turbolift he also noted that Tebrianne was on her way towards the direction of Sickbay, most likely to see the Lt. Commander as well. Besides that nothing else worth mentioning occurred on his trip back to Sickbay.

When he arrived in Sickbay he went straight to his desk to check for messages, there were two. One was from his CO saying that he was assigned to Beta Shift when the schedule returned back to normal, he noted that it was the same shift as Lt. Ronni Morris.

The second message was as follows;

To everyone in the Science department, Thank you for your kind regards, the fruit basket was very nice. I enjoyed it very much. Thank you for thinking of me. It was a beautiful gesture and meant allot to me. When I get out of bed, I’ll buy you all a drink.

Cordially,
Lt. Commander Deiran Casey

He quickly deleted the two messages and began to think about what needed to be done, nothing at the moment he decided. He decided that he would go visit one of the few people he considered a friend, Lt (jg) Ryak Sullax, in Stellar Cartography. He may need something done that Keras could accomplish.

He left the Science Labs and made his way towards the turbolift and in a matter of minutes was soon outside the doors to Stellar Cartography. He entered and his eyes quickly adjusted to dim light source, he was surrounded by stars and other celestial objects due to the lab running.

He noted that Ryak was working on a blip towards the corner of the sensor range, "Greetings Lt. Sullax, I hope you fare well." He said his eyes noting the sleeping form of a child on a couch. He had heard that Ryak had gone to Romulus to pick up a child but he had yet to see him.

"Images"
By Ethan Suder
Engineer
USS Galaxy

For the past few days, Suder had been uncomfortable. He had been working all day non-stop on each of his shifts and on two days, he had worked three hours longer than he should have. Things had been quiet. He had met no one, except for the nurse last night and David Mercury.

Lieutenant Mercury had given him a list of system check and repairs he could be working on during his shifts. No matter where he was assigned, there were only people passing by in corridors. Right now, he was sleeping. He had gone to bed early as he had worked an extra shift today, he thought he'd knock off early anyway.

As he had dozed off quickly and soon saw flashes of light led by images he did not recognize. They were images of people, on a ship. The more he saw, the more he remembered who the people were. There was a women. He had seen her on the bridge today. And there was a man. The man he recognized as Derian. That was it. That was all he knew of the two. There were feelings floating around them, anger, confusion, concern, excitement, love, guilt! The images were all mixed around with things that had already happened. The feelings got stronger, mainly guilt, concern and love. The images shot through Suder's mind too fast for him to comprehend what had happened. He let out a scream of pain and saw himself sitting up in his bed. Sweat dripped from his head and soaked the pillows he had thought were the most important thing for a bed.

He moved aside the cover and stood up dizzy with a headache like nothing he had experienced before. He strolled forward walking into a glass table that fell to the floor on it's side cracking. He stumbled to the door and the feelings he had just felt grew stronger. Coming from someone near by. He hit the panel on the side of the door and the doors hissed open and for a moment, he concentrated on who was walking by. There was a passing ensign, but had her back to him, so she didn't see him. The feelings came closer. It felt like a barrier was pushing him away. The feelings were so strong. He wanted to get to sickbay, but he couldn't move. He didn't even know where sickbay was, or where he was, or what ship he was on. Another image came smashing into his skull and then as quickly as it came it left. Suder saw someone racing by at a quick walking pace and knew the officer. It was Derian. He didn't see Suder, but just walked by. As he did walk by the feelings swung out one more time and hit him before dissipating in his mind. He stumbled back a step before falling back and slamming his arm into the glass table smashing it. He lifted his head for a moment and saw a distorted version of his doors closing. Then he just blacked out...

Suder was awaken by the beeping of the computer. *The time is 0700 hours. You have a shift in one hour* the computer calmy said.

No matter what the situation, it was calm. Lousy Computer Suder thought. Then he felt the pain as he tried to get up. He looked up at the ceiling to see that he was on the floor, no where near his bed. He looked over at his arm. There was a puddle of blood dried into the carpet and his arm was cut, more like shattered which was the way his table looked. He sat up with trouble and tried to remember what had happened. But he couldn't. He remembered feelings, distinct feelings. But they weren't his. He remembered someone passing by his quarters, but that was all. Perhaps later on he would recall what happened. He went and washed his arm and had a quick shower before sliding on his uniform. After his shower he grabbed his engineering kit and began heading for the doors when the chime to them rang. He froze and then spun around and looked down at the table. What was he going to say if the person at the door asked about it? That he fell out of bed? That he accidentally broke it when moving it? He pressed a button on the wall panel which he saw was damaged and then looked up at the person at the door. It was Lieutenant Alan Clarence Hewson. This guy he had never met before. But from the moment he just saw him, he felt the pain in his heart. Was it him that passed his quarters last night? No, what he felt last night was from someone who had done something wrong and felt strongly about two things. But what two things were they?

Hewson was holding a padd and a smile. He was either smiling at the new engineer or he had seen the smashed table in the back. Suder took the padd and pressed the screen twice and looked at another list."That's your duty assignment today." Hewson said.

Suder didn't look agitated, or annoyed, or OK with it all. In fact, he had no expression on his face. He was just looking at it with his cold black eyes.

"Is something wrong Ensign?" the Lieutenant asked.

Suder's gaze rose and met Hewson's."No, sir. Of course not, it's just that...."

"Just what?" Hewson replied.

"Nothing, I'm fine. Just a little tired that's all." Suder replied. He looked back at the padd and then smiled to ensure that Hewson brought his story.

"Good." Hewson replied. He was about to leave when he turned back and looked at Suder who was lost in the padd. "Having problems with your table?" he asked.

Suder looked at him and shook his head twice."No, no problem." he replied.

Hewson gave what looked like another smile before turning and heading off towards the next turbolift. Suder took a step back and finished reading the padd."Computer, how long is my shift today?" he asked.

*Your shift today is seven hours long.* the computer replied.

"I can't get all this done in seven hours. What are they trying to overwork me, keep me away from engineering?" Suder snapped. He turned and was about to throw the padd when he saw a reflection of himself in the view screen panel on the wall. The Starfleet uniform reminded him of his past. He took several deep breaths before walking out of his quarters. People he passed knew that he was in a bad mood. His eyes told everyone that. They were fixed on the floor about ten meters in front of him. Those cold black eyes could have bursted out of his head if he wasn't a Betazoid. He walked into the turbolift to begin a impossible shift. How was he going to run a system check on every plasma manifold, replicator and internal sensors in seven hours? Even the best engineers shouldn't be able to do it in that time. But they always managed to. Perhaps he could to. He still felt that he could use a hand, just one person, but he had asked for a hand on three occasions when he had been given assignments like this and the answer was "we need everyone where they are right now, if we go into battle or if something unexpectedly comes up, then we're going to need every hand there is" Suder forgot who told him that and was getting the feeling that he was either not wanted or not needed in engineering. It felt like someone was trying to get him out of the way, but who was he to argue with that? Just an Ensign of course.

“What’s up, JENNA?”
by Ensign Jonathan Lucas Brandis
Operations Officer
USS Galaxy

Lucas had done some covert missions in his time, but the moral was always higher that this.

“Computer.....” Lucas commanded in a frustrated tone. “Never mind, Jenna?”

=Yes, Lucas.= A soft emotionally female voice replied.

“What was that song I was working on at Riceah called?”

=I need more input than that, Lucas...you worked on over 500 song on Riceah.= Came the reply.

"Jenna, it’s the one I wrote for the girl on Riceah." He said, knowing what would come.

“Oh, you mean...”

Quickly, he cut her off, “I remember her name, just the song, please Jenna.”

“The name of the song was ‘In My Arms Again.’”

“Yeah, thanks, play it Jenna.” Softly and sweetly and gentle melody began to permeate the room. Picking up his paper thin keyboard, Lucas began playing along with the song and singing in a voice all too sincere, honest, and humble, almost a whisper at first and rising with definite purpose.

Before the first chorus, he was interrupted, by Jenna.

=Lucas, you said you wished to be appraised of Lt. Commander Casey’s condition.=

“Yes, how is the love machine?” He said, jokingly.

=He is concous and in stable condition.= Came the all to welcome response.

“Good...I think this song can wait for now. I’m going to see the XO, keep the place in order while I’m gone.” He said, stepping out of the room, in a much better mood than when he’d walked in.

Ensign Brandis
ICQ# 15584849

"Boring as Ever"
By Ensign Anthony Mendenhall

While the bridge was a pretty cool place to be on, right now it was boring. Boring boring boring. For the past two hours Anthony had watched the how the cloaking device in engineering was sucking up all the power from the ship.

When Mendenhall had heard that the Galaxy had run right through two Dominion ships, he passed it off as some joke. It wasn't until he heard the Ferangi, Ensign Nog, talk about it did he finally belive it.

He watched the little letters and lights blink on and off. Everything normal, or at least everything was as normal as it could have been. He wished right now that he was fixing something. All he wished to do was something with his hands that didn't involve hitting keys.

Then it happened.

Lt. Erickson stopped in mid sentence. Something about a planet with a messed up hemisphere. "Agreed. It is only a shame that we don't have the time to..." Then Mendenhall turned and look over towards the science station.

"Well, what do we have here." Anthony went back to his duties but wasn't really watching anything. "Numa, are you tracking an unidentified object approximately tenlight years from our current position?" He asked the Benzite.

"Yes sir. It appears to be an object traveling at warp four." This had to be the ship they were looking for.

"Excuse me, Commander, Admiral, we're detecting an unidentified vessel approximately ten light years away, presently traveling at warp four." Mendenhall totally absorbed himself in the conversation neglecting the engineering station.

"Can you identify it Lieutenant?" asked Commander Sterner.

Next thing he knew, heard those sweet words. "Engage."

"The Muse"
by Lt. Tebrianne Bancroft

***

Moving and trying,
Slipping and dying.
My heart sang its song
You turned the melody all wrong.

Why was I blinded by your light,
A starburst in the night.
Your soul set me on fire
Your music sent me ever higher
In a flash, the masks came down,
You raped my dreams. The star goes out.

Feeling and falling,
Tripping and calling.
My heart sang its song
You turned the melody all wrong.

No one told us the rules of our game,
Passions posing, dancing the dance insane.
My heart beating with yours
Your heart stoking the fires once more
In a flash, a moments indiscretion,
You broke my soul. The light fades out.

Reaching and crying,
Falling, not flying.
My heart sang its song
You turned the melody all fucking wrong.

Tebrianne pushed the guitar away and stared at the lyrics on the PADD. Music had always been her therapy. It was where she turned when she needed healing. Her anger and frustration had subsided, but not nearly enough. She still felt the pain of Deiran's admission.

How could he just quit? She had always heard what a strong man he was. He was supposed to be a hero. When the hero felt shame, did the hero see no other option? When the woman was gone, was he such a small, helpless man that he couldn't live any longer? Was that a hero?

Tebrianne wondered how many knew how weak Casey really was. Or, had everything else been a fragile shell and she pushed him over the edge? Had she been the cause of the breaking? She didn't need that. She didn't want to be the one responsible for driving Starfleet's brightest star to the point of burning out.

Tebrianne closed her eyes and sat in silence, trying to calm herself. In her mind's eye, she saw a pair of violet eyes staring at her. She felt herself calming in their warmth...their reassurance that things would work out in the end.

She opened her eyes again. She pushed her forelock out of her eyes and picked up the guitar again. She strummed a few chords of an old U2 song. Bullet the Blue Sky. It had been the first song her band played together. She grinned from ear to ear as she continued the song. She closed her eyes and let the song flow from her...feeling herself entering the emptiness of the void. It was just her and her music.

Suddenly, AC Hewson was floating in the void with her. The image of AC punching out Deiran...a drunk as a skunk Deiran.

Teb stopped playing and opened her eyes. Why had she suddenly thought about AC? It was the song. AC told her he liked it when she played it in Ten Forward one night. It had been after a grueling shift, a small group had gathered there and she'd brought her guitar along.

On her way back from her shift on the bridge, she'd heard a couple ensigns talking about Deiran getting his clock cleaned by AC. Hearing that bit of news brought a smile to Teb's face. It was mean to take delight in the pain and suffering of others...but, Deiran deserved a little more pain and suffering. To think that he would just try to snuff his own candle. What a selfish--

Teb set her guitar down before she smashed it against something. She'd have to buy AC a drink for popping Deiran. She knew AC and Deiran weren't the best friends, but she couldn't figure out what would force AC to hit Deiran. What would drive a man to jeopardize his career like that?

Personal Reflection
Chief Counselor Dallas

It had been a difficult few days for Karyn. She had spent the last few days researching suppressed memories. Endris Gakor had just recovered some memories regarding her younger brother Tuskcan, who died under mysterious circumstances when he was still very young. Shortly after his death, Endris underwent a Vulcan mindmeld that had pushed those memories deep down. Now these memories had resurfaced and it was going to take some time for Endris to come to grips with her feelings of pain and loss. She was also worried about Com. Casey. Dev's initial reports had not been extremely detailed about the situation and she was begining to want some answers. Karyn had heard the rumors about he and Lt. Bancroft. Piece that together with Casey's injury and well... Karyn had a clear idea of what they were dealing with.

Tomorrow she would have a meeting with all of the education dept. to discuss goals and any ideas/concerns the teachers might have. Teaching was one of her passions and one of her goals was to spend as much of her free time as possible talking with the teachers. Not that she would devote any less time to counseling, of course. She didn't know how Erin juggled all her responsibilities. Her thoughts turned to Deanna Troi. Her good friend had sent her a communique after she had been promoted congratulating her and wishing her luck. Since her letter, Deanna had sent Karyn several small messages with words of encouragement and advice. Karyn's mind continued to wander and eventually her thoughts turned to Alan.

Alan Michael Taylor had also grown up in Guardian City. The two had met at the hospital after they each had taken a parent(he his mother, she her father) there for injuries sustained during another drunken rage. She had been fourteen and he fifteen. The two slowly began to talk of the frustrations they shared at home. As each parent became more dependent on alcohol, the more violent they became. The two turned to each other for comfort, often sneaking away to share brief moments together. Alan had given Karyn her first kiss. Alan loved Karyn deeply and he wanted to find work in Starfleet so he could support both of them. He left to find work the same day she left for her job on the Enterprise. He promised her he'd come back for her once he'd found a job that would make her proud of him. The day he left was one of the coldest days of her life. She'd cried the whole shuttle ride there, wondering deep in her heart if he truly would come back for her...

Karyn was startled as she realized the milk she was drinking had become warm. She shook off the memories not wanting to remember the rest and she went back to her work. She decided to send a message to Dev, to find out what was going on. It was time for some answers....

"Back in the Loop"
by Ensign Be'Tran M'Benga ~~~

Be'Tran was in engineering, nearly at the end of her shift. She was wandering the twisted walkways around various pieces of equipment. Equipment she now knew was used to phasecloak the ship.

Phasecloak?

Had anyone suggested it to her, just by word of mouth; she would have said "impossible"; but now, well, she was begining to believe anything was possible.

Her thoughts turned, of course, to Jack D'Auria. She pictured his face in her mind; smiling at her through a messy bang of black hair.

She smiled back at her imagination.

Her commbadge beeped:^ D'Auria to M'Benga^.

She knew she was telepathic, but this was rediculous. "M'Benga, otherwise known as 'Imzadi' to you, here..." she answered.

^Cut it out. Betta^, responded Jack, over the comm, ^I'm with lieutenat Erickson.^

"Oooooh, and your so cute when you're brown-nosing." she giggled; and suddenly, D'Auria realized he didn't give a tinker's damn who "caught him" with her. Whether it was just flirting over the comm, or making love on the holodeck floor. He didn't care if Admiral Pressman himself caught him; he was that proudly inlove with her.

"OK, Betta," he said, smiling, as Greer glanced over at him from where they were working. "I just wanted to let you know I wont be able to stop by, at least not until late. I'm working on a project with Lieutenant Erickson."

^That's cool.^ said Be'Tran, over Jack's communit. ^What kind of project?^

"We're recalibrating the sensors to better detec Cardassian vessels. It's a throwback to something I learned at that listening post I was stationed at. You remember. I told you about it last night." was D'Auria's response.

"Of course." said Betta, meaning the part about the listening post. "Anytihng I can do to help?"

Erickson's voice came over the comm ^If you're through up in engineering, and you know anything about rcalibrating sensors, we can use all the help we can get.^

Be'Tran checked the chronometer. Her shift had been over for 5 minutes. The next shift was coming on.

"You kidding, sir," she said to Erickson. "That's all I've been doing is studying sensor recalibration. Ensign Praskovya and I had a few ideas for jumping up our sensor- gain ourselves. Where are you working right now?"

"Science lab." said Jack.

"I'm on my way." said Betta, rather loudly. She closed the commchannel, and began scurrying around the engineroom. She picked up a tool kit, a portable, and a few other odds and ends, including a tricorder and PADD, and bolted from engnineering; in a hurry to assist her lover.

*** Back in the Science Lab.

"Thank you, lieutenant, for letting me call her, and tell her... " began Jack.

"Not at all." said Greer, "I wouldn't want her worrying." he seemed near laughter; "Besides, I had a feeling that, if you told her you were working late, she'd wanna help. It's hard to catch you to 2 apart these days."

That was one thing that Mr. D'Auria found highly appealing.

"We need all the help we can get, Ensign," said Greer, "I wasn't kidding about that."

He looked darkly at Jack, and they both caught each other's unspoken words. What would happen to the Galaxy, if they were caught out here unawares, and unprepared.

~ David Lyles ~
a.k.a. Ensign Be'Tran M'Benga
Engineering, USS Galaxy

Reflections in the Eyes
Ensign Benedict T'Kal
Tactical Officer
USS Galaxy
(With excerpts from Nilani Khan)

Benedict saw the expression in the doctor's eyes and dropped his head - he looked away. He knew what she was thinking. 'Tikaru - the Assassin.' His name was a two edged sword - it struck fear into his enemies the Cardassians, but it reviled his own people. He was still a pariah. He had been a weapon fashioned by his people, by his father, by his own heart, and by his own weakness.

He stood before her, a man who was known to be half blood Bajoran, and not fully accepted for that - but also a man who was known to be an emotionless killer, even to his own kind. A man who was infamous for his attacks against the enemy - attacks that brought reprisals and more deaths for those of his own kind. His calm was disintegrating around him.

It had been five years since that name had been said to him. The Bajoran government had allowed him to silently slip into anonymity, recognising his wifes name T'Kal as his. They had consented to providing him with the means to enter Starfleet Academy, and in some way try to win back some of his self-respect with service to the Federation.

As Benedict Tikaru, 'The Golden Tiger' he had performed necessary duties for his people against the Cardassian overlords that had taken Bajor. He had joined the ranks of the resistance at the age of seventeen. His parents had been taken by the Cardassians in a raid against the Resistance. They had died cruelly at their hands. He had been too young to know what it would take to win a Star of Sacrifice. He had simply done what needed to be done, and in so doing had sacrificed his soul.

He had become lost somewhere between his fathers' words of wisdom and a dark place that swallowed him bit by bit. For the last five years Benedict had been dragging himself out of that dark place. He'd had to do it without Ayalessa.

Benedict had managed to keep his past quiet during his Academy training - the medical staff had not known the significance of the tattoo. To them, it had been simply an intricate piece of body art. But here - before a Bajoran doctor - he knew that his secret was no more.

He knew what she was thinking. He knew that he had more blood on his hands than any man had a right to. True, it was Cardassian blood - but he had taken every life personally. The majority of his 86 kills had been with his blade. Personal combat, in the most ferocious sense - taking the fight into his enemies homes. Dealing death as easily as breathing. Killing. Butchering. Murdering.

The fear was in her eyes. The tattoo was not just on his skin, it was on his very soul. It was who he was, who he is, and always who he would be. Tikaru - his fathers' name had been a badge of honour, a shield against his enemy, and a reminder to him of what he fought to preserve. Yet it had become known as a symbol of fear and death.

Benedict had taken his wifes name, in part for the same reasons, it was something that he had done in his ignorance of what it made him in the end. Just a killer. Alayessa had been the only part of his life that did not fear and revile him. She had been a pillar of strength for his existence.

He knew that without her, he would have taken his own life eventually - in the old way - with a blade. His father had instructed him in the correct way for a Samurai to die at his own hands. The three cuts. Lateral incision across the belly, then upward into the sternum and finally if he was strong enough, the cut across his own throat.

It was an honourable way to die. It would have cleaned his soul of the blood that soaked in to his pores. Alayessa had brought him strength with her love, and with her understanding of what they both were. They had become One. He missed her strength so much. It was an aching hole in his heart. Every single day he thought of her. She would not let him go. Her spirit was with him always.

He was trying to heal - trying to forget. Yet he was haunted by her kami. Her spirit was around him, and he wanted to remember her as she was when they loved, not when they killed. But that was so hard to do. The killing had been so easy, and her Klingon ways had rejoiced in it - as he had done in his own dispassionate way back then.

A part of him always searched for her kami in those around him. In the old ways of his fathers' ancestry, they believed that a spirit would inhabit an item, a place or another person in rebirth. Benedict believed that some day he would be reunited with her - it was his karma. Whether it was a reunion in life or death was immaterial.

He simply waited for the day. Until then, he would serve as his father had taught him. Starfleet was an honourable career - it gave him back his face. He had finally found a home, aboard the Galaxy. He had found officers that he could serve, as a Samurai should - in honour and with duty.

The momentary expression in the eyes of Dr Nilani Khan threatened to destroy all of that.

He waited for her first words. She would help him or destroy him.

"Your secret's safe with me Ensign" she said. The doctor paused for a moment and a small smile creased her lips, "It seems as though we have the distinct honour of being wanted by the the Cardassian/Dominion Alliance!"

Benedict sighed in relief. He hated to ask personal questions, but it seemed the right thing to do at the moment. He was exposed - some trading of information about their respective pasts might make them both a little more comfortable. Benedict clung to the idea that she would be a friend. Despite his history.

"Why?" he asked. "What did you do?" Benedict could see it in her eyes. She had done something that she was ashamed of, or deeply troubled by.

"Oh nothing much." she replied. She said it in a dismissive manner, trying to take some of the seriousness out of the moment. "I just killed a Gul's son, so I have received a number of messages saying that I am to go into Cardassian space and surrender to them otherwise my sister is dead. She has never been free of the Cardassian's in all her life!"

Nilani Khan flipped the tricorder she had been using closed with a certain finality. She looked back to Benedict with a haunted look in her eyes. "Only if I had of known all those years ago, none of this would have ever happened!"

Benedict stepped closer to her. She was no longer a doctor, or a superior officer, she was a woman - a Bajoran woman grieving for the lost years of her sister. Wondering what pain she was in. Wondering if she could do anything about it but pay for her past.

In that moment, Benedict felt very close to her. He placed a hand upon her shoulder and looked into the troubled eyes. "The Prophets guide us in everything we do. Have some measure of peace, in that we all serve to their ends. If ever you have the need of help, or the need for a friend - then please ask of me what you will." Benedict's eyes grew hard and sharp, "We are in Cardassian space - and after the mission, perhaps the Captain would assist in allowing a rescue of your sister? They are the enemy once again to the Federation, and giving freedom to your loved one may be considered. I will help all that I can."

He felt the ice in his veins again. The rising of the spirit and the waking of the tiger. "Tikaru will serve where ever the Prophets have need."

"Babysitting Tomalak 2"
By Ensign William FoxTrot
with Lt. Junior Grade James Chen

Swoosh, the turbolift doors open. Foxtrot steps out with the Ambassador Tomalak following him and James following the Ambassador.

"Here we are deck 13 Ambassador. If you will head this way, we will be at the shuttle bay."James directed.

James took the lead and started down the hallway. Will followed Tomalak as he was walking Will had to cover up a yawn with his hand. Tomalak realized this and glanced back at the security guard.

"I cant remember the last time I got some sleep." Will thought to himself.

They entered the shuttle bay and Tomalak imediately went to examining the shuttles. Tomalak wasted no time, and went straight to asking Will and James questions. The two men answered all the questionsand showed him what he wanted to see. Then Tomalak just went about walking the Bay and looking at everything. The two security men leaned against the wall watching him.

"Man, I am beat! I cant even remember what my quaters look like anymore." James saidwith fatigue in his voice.

Will just nodded to tired to even speak. Then his mind started to wander to other things. He wondered how his parents were doing. He thought of the situation the ship was in and what might be in store for the crew. Then his thought went completely off the wall. He realized he had only really met and talked to two people: James and Ambassador Tomalak. He then rubbed his forehead and brought his thoughts back to the Shuttle bay. He say Tomalak coming towards him.

"Centurion, I would like to see one of the ships Holodecks."Tomalak said looking straight at Will.

"Yes,sir." Will answered.

Chen was already at the door waiting. The two men escorted the seemingly tireless Romulan to a Holodeck.

"Here we are, sir." Chen said

"Centurion pick a program of yours to show me." Tomalak asked of Foxtrot.

"I think I know of the perfect program for right now." Will said with a wink towards Chen. Chen raised an eyebrow in wonderment at what the Ensign was up to.

Will began entering a sequence into the control panel on the wall.

*Enter name of program* the computer asked

"Computer, Foxtrot Vacation program #5." Will said with a smile.

*Enter when ready* The computer's monotone voice informed them.

The three men entered the Holodeck to be standing at Tropical Paradise Bar. There was the Ocean, a cool breeze bringing in the smell of the ocean. The sand coming up to the edge of the bars floor.

"Program begin" Will ordered.

With that a group of women came running up from the beach and dragged Chen and Ambassador Tomalak off. Will just headed over to the bar. He sat down and looked at the other two. He say Chen with a smile on his face at the attention of the women. Will even thought he saw a slight smile on the Ambassadors face at the sigght of romulan women around him. He then turned around and leaned against the bar.

"You want your usual Will?" The holodeck bartender asked.

"Yeah, The usual, Sam." Will answered exhausted.

"How come you never enjoy the women here, Will you come in here and drink and then leave." inquired the program.

"None of these women are what i am looking for." Will answered as he sipped his fake beer.

Chen walked over to the bar and sat down next to Will. "Thank you for sharing your program, Will. Hey look at the Ambassador I actually think he might be enjoying himself.

"No problem, I thought this would be some way to get us a rest." Will smiled.

The two turned around to check on Tomalak and saw him heading there way. They knew it was to go.

"Centurion, I am ready to go back to my quaters, i have some things to prepare." Tomalak said ruining the break.

"End program" Will ordered.

The program quickly went off as quickly as it came on. They escorted Tomalak out and headed for his quarters. They arived at the ambassadors room and he went in without a word. Will and James took there places at the sides of the door.

"You think the Ambassadors curiosity is satisfied now ?"Chen whispered.

Will smiled real wide."That and a whole lot more."

Breakfast in Ten Forward
Ensign Benedict T'Kal
Tactical Officer
USS Galaxy
(Excerpts from John McQueen's "Interesting Chat")

"Mind if I have a seat?" Benedict said as he approached the only vacant seat in Ten Forward. A Security Officer, Benedict had not met before was seated staring out of the window.

"No, not at all. Please join me." The man smiled as he snapped out of his revierie. He indicated the seat opposite with an open hand.

"Thank you." replied Benedict as he slid into the seat. "By the way I´m Ensign Benedict T'Kal." He offered his hand and the man shook it. He had a strong grip, and a pleasant face.

"Ensign John W. McQueen." he said.

"Nice to meat you John." Benedict looked around for a waiter and caught his eye. He was already on his way to their table with a laden tray. It looked good, and Benedicts stomach growled. Belgian waffles, fruit juice, pancakes, hot tea and a small jug of maple syrup. Benedict smiled at John McQueen and turned to the waiter."I'll have one of those" he pointed to Johns tray."But I'll have Japanese green tea, thankyou."

The waiter nodded and walked away. The conversation in Ten Forward seemed to be quiet this morning - well Gamma Shift had been over with for thirty minutes now, and this was Benedicts Evening meal rather than the breakfast that McQueen was eating. Well, whatever tasted good!

"So, you are working at Tactical" John observed indicating Benedicts uniform, "How are things going up there?" he asked.

"Yes, things are quiet at the moment. Not much to tell." Benedict didn't go into detail, as the current mission briefing was restricted to senior officers and the Tactical Department. "How's security duty?" Benedict smiled.

"Working as usual, but it´s not easy with all these SI people on our back. Lt. Commander Sunder wants us to keap an eye on them. I think he doesn't like the SI's 'nead-to-know-policy'- nor do I."

Benedict nodded in understanding. SI operations were always on a need to know basis - this usually rankled with local security, but he was surprised that McQueen would mention his commanding officers thoughts on the matter. 'So' he thought, 'security is watching the SI guys.'

"Who doesn´t like the way they operate?." Benetict asked the rhetorical question and shrugged.The waiter arrived with Benedicts breakfast and they both ate in silence for a few minutes.

John looked at his chronometer."Well, I have to go. My shift starts in ten minutes, and I don´t want to be late. Can we catch up after the shift?" he asked Benedict.

Benedict smiled. "I'll be in bed - I just got off shift - but I might see you in here in shift change tomorrow." He extended his hand. "It's been nice talking to you John."

Benedict wondered again at security's interest in the activities of Starfleet Intelligence. He thought better of mentioning it to anybody. It was none of his business, unless the special equipment didn't work as planned. Then it would be everybody's business!

He went back to his breakfast and wondered how Lt Bancroft was doing. He should have said something to her in the turbo lift. But he felt as if doing so would have insulted her. He hoped that a simple smile had said it all. Benedict was no stranger to pain. He was only new here - and he didn't even know the woman, had never spoken to her and had only seen her properly during this last shift.

He had wanted to look into her eyes ever since seeing her in his holodeck re-creation of the Jaw Breaker Battle. He wanted to see if the computers' composite hologram had lied about the strength he had glimpsed there. After all it was just an image. She had not glanced his way for the whole shift. Benedict had given up trying, and at the last had left the Bridge totally pre-occupied with his Tactical Scenario.

When he'd heard her voice asking for the computer to hold the lift he had found himself suddenly surprised. So much so that it took a moment for him to realise that he had slipped into his calming routine. The whole physical reaction her presence had prompted still surprised him. In fact it baffled him.

He had eventually stopped avoiding the sight that he had tried all shift to see - and looked up at her. When she had finally looked at him - as he knew she must - he had smiled. He had wanted so much to identify with her situation, to offer comfort, to tell her that everything was going to be alright, and to see if the strength was still there. He saw a haunted expression - and it had killed any chance of him speaking to her. He couldn't possibly intrude on her sadness!

But the computer hadn't lied. He didn't know what quality the hologram had captured that had grabbed his attention - he was begining to think that it was one of those rare premonitions rather than anything the computer could create. She had a far deeper strength in person. Her pagh was strong. He knew without a doubt that she was strong enough to weather this storm.

She had a strong karma - he could feel it. He looked around the space of Ten-Forward and caught three female ensigns looking at him. He smiled at them in a friendly fashion and they hurriedly looked away. Benedict shook his head and smiled to himself. He glimpsed a pair of troubled dark eyes surfacing in his thoughts and he lost the smile. 'The storm is only just beginning' he thought.

***** truth or Truth *****
By Dr. Felicia Khatroweena,
Lieutenant (Assistant Chief Medical Officer),
USS Galaxy NCC-70637

***** Sickbay *****

[Medical Log - Stardate 4980824.21
Medical Condition of Deiran Casey, Lieutenant Commander
Attending Physician: Doctor Felicia Khatroweena

At approximately 0740 this morning, Deiran Casey was found in his room with a deep trauma wound to the abdomen. Trauma to the right kidney and to the upper intestinal track. The apparent cause of trauma was a dak'taj, a Klingon dagger found in the quarters. Blood matching the Lt. Commander was found covering the weapon.

Rushed in under medical emergency transport to Sickbay, he was in critical condition because of major blood loss. Life signs had already weakened to a critical level and emergency treatment was initiated.]

Cardiac and brain wave activity was degrading. Despite our efforts, death occurred at 0749 for a time of 38.56 seconds. Neural and cardiac stimulation were successful in resuscitation of the patient.

Deiran Casey is at this time resting in Med Bay 3. It is considered by me his known almost pathological hate of Sickbay would hinder is recovery. If this is not satisfactory, then I will have him confined to his quarters, under medical jurisdiction.]

Cat leaned back into her chair and paused to collect her thoughts, she still felt unsure on the 'official' story that came from Deiran. An accident with a knife while he was drunk. Plausible, Cat just did not believe it.

[Deiran Casey has said the wound was caused with an accident on cleaning the weapon while intoxicated. The wound inflicted is not congruent with this explanation. No other explanation is forthcoming.

He is now responding well to treatment and resting. He should be able to return to full duties in a week's time. Light duties in no more than four days.]

"Computer, attach Medical Notes for Deiran Casey, date 4980824." Cat had the computer attach all the relevant medical notes to her log.

Cat still felt didn't feel comfortable with herself, she was directly withholding information and in the future this could some back and haunt her. Really she had no proof, nothing she could point to and say, and 'This proves what I'm saying.' If she was wrong and it had been an accident, it could destroy Deiran's career.

'If I'm so wrong, then why did he ask to die.' Cat couldn't answer her own question. Cat was stuck between the proverbial rock and a hard place. No matter her decision, if she was wrong it could have drastic consequences on Deiran.

No, she had only one real option; she would have to take it upon herself to watch Deiran. To not say anything and keep a close eye on Deiran Casey. Officially it was up to counselling to do the rest, but Cat didn't always do things the official way anyway.

As Cat re-read her own report, about to send a copy of her report to Sterner, Christina popped her head around the door, "Cat!"

She looked up; Christina jumped a little at the expression on Cat's face. "Hey, you Ok?"

Cat's expression, changed quickly to annoyance and then just as fast to neutrality. "Yes Christina, What is it?" Her voice as neutral as her face.

"We have a special event," Christina said with a sparkle in her eye.

"What?" Cat tried to hide the annoyance in her voice.

"We've had one of the new crew just walk in a make an appointment for a physical. For tomorrow at 1300. Do you want to take it?"

"Sure, I'll take it."

Christina turned around as Dev, came up to the door. "Hello Dev" greeted Christina, "You want to talk to Cat." Christina moved out the way to let Dev into Cat's office.

"Hello Cat, you got a bit of free time?" asked Dev

"Hi Dev, Sure. Christina!" Cat turned to face the nurse. "I'll talk to you later." Turning back to Dev, Cat was about to respond when...

[Holodeck 2 to Sickbay. We've got an injured crewman, he's slow to respond. Looks like he has been hit by a big electrical discharge.]

"Not another idiot removing the safeties, I'll have their hide..." Cat exclaimed harshly.

[No Ma'am, I think there was a malfunction in the Holodeck. Unsure, but I've called someone to look in on it.]

"Will bring him in. What do you want me to do the diagnosis by remote control?"

[Yes Ma'am, We are bringing him in. Graceson Out]

Cat looked at Dev again, "I'll be with you in a minute or two." She walked over to her door. "Hey Christina!"

Christina turned and headed towards Cat. "Yeah Cat?"

"We've got what sounds like an electrocution in one of the Holodecks. When they come in, check them out. Call me, Nilani, Endris or Leah if anything is wrong." Ordered Cat. [** NRPG: Hey Nilani or Endris, could you please help out Ensign Raesene Hermedhie when he comes in. Thanks **]

"Sure thing Cat!" Christina went out, preparing Sickbay for the incoming wounded.

Cat returned to her seat, "Sorry about that Dev, So I'm the next target on that list for counselling huh?" Cat said with a forced smile.

"Not quite," Dev said a little hesitantly as she got up and closed the door of the office, shutting out the sounds of the sickbay outside.

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

"Dinner Date"
a story by Polina Praskovya
engineering

People were packed into Ten Forward like sardines in a can. There wasn't much space to move in. Never before had the ensign seen the place so crammed with off duty personnel. Even when engineering had been closed off was it this crowded.

Polina pushed her way passed several science officers trying to find a seat. She was getting ready to pull a double shift, but she wanted to get a bite to eat before going back on duty.

"Ahh, there's a seat," she said to herself.

She wriggled passed two more officers and sluggishly made her way to the vacant seat. She glanced around and saw that there were three others pushing their way towards the prize.

"Oh no you don't. That's my seat." Her voice was an inaudible hush.

It was time to pour on the charm. She batted her thick lashes, smiled impishly, and looked at the crowd of men in her area.

"Could you please move. I'm trying to get to that seat over there."

A security officer looked at Polina and returned a smile. "Of course. Anything for you." The gold suited man began pushing a clear path to the table. She was right behind. It was times like this that Polina wished that she had a more powerful build. But what she lacked in size she more than made up for with charm and pheromones.

She reached the table just as a young Bolian science officer did. He looked at the green skinned beauty as he slammed his body into the chair.

"How rude." Polina griped. "That's my chair.

"

The Bolian looked at her. "I believe that I was here first. The seat was vacant."

"Yes, that may be so, but I had a dinner date with this ensign." She informed the Bolian.

"Oh, I didn't know that." The Bolian looked at the other occupant of the table sheepishly. "Very well, you may have the seat."

"Thank you so very much." Polina kissed the blue skinned officer on his cheek.

The ensign seated at the table looked at Polina as the Bolian disappeared into the crowd.

"We have a dinner date? Excuse me, but I think you have the wrong person."

"No I don't." Polina smiled at Benedict T'Kal. "I'm here with you, and I'm about to eat, so we are on a dinner date." Again she smiled.

Benedict couldn't help but chuckle. "As you wish. By the way, if we are on a date, let me introduce myself. I'm Ensign Benedict T'Kal."

"And I'm Ensign Polina Praskovya. I work in engineering, and might I add that you have the most beautiful and captivating eyes that I've ever seen."

"So you are the much talked about Green Goddess."

Polina was astonished that the tactical officer had heard about her. This made her wonder if there was anyone on board that didn't know about her.

[Ensign Praskovya, please report to holodeck 2 with an engineering kit.] The voice that came across her comm badge was Lt. Boudreau. [There seems to have been a malfuntion in the security protocol measures, and I'd like you to take a look at it.]

Polina tapped her badge and replied, "Aye aye, ma'am. I'm on my way."

"It looks like our 'date' has to be cut short. I'm sorry." Polina excused herself from the table.

Bededict T'Kal once again was left to his own thoughts.

"Demon of obsessions."
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price

Nog was not in the most sociable of moods. He'd been ordered to take a break by Lieutenant Erikson after spending several hours during Gamma shift monitoring the ships sensor array at Science Station two. It wasn't Nog's assigned duty, but the Ferengi was unable to sleep. Thoughts of the Valiant and the colossal battleship were making it incredibly difficult to sleep. Dark circles had formed under the Ensigns eyes and though he was keeping alert by drinking large quantities of Ractn'gino, He still looked like hell.

After sulking in the corner of Ten Forward for what he thought would be long enough to appease the Galaxy's Chief Science Officer, Nog exited the lounge to return to the bridge. It was like he was addicted to the sensor station and finding the source of his nightmares for the past several weeks.

Nog stepped off the turbolift and onto the bridge. Day shift had begun, but beyond that something was different.

"What is happening?" Nog asked Lieutenant McKenzie where he was standing at the tactical arch in the rear of the bridge.

"Lieutenant Erikson located a ship on the sensors, we are following it now. It is believed to possibly be the battleship we have been searching for." Hunter explained.

The news seemed to form a bewildered look on the Ensign's face. On the one hand he was glad that they may had found the battleship that was responsible for destroying the Valiant and his friends from Red Squad. On the other hand, his shoulders tightened and a lump formed in the pit of his stomach at the prospect of once again facing the demon of his obsessions. "They've found it?" Nog said questioningly.

Hunter nodded. "They believe so. Lieutenant Erikson was looking for you to help confirm the readings Ensign since you are the only one that has actually seen the warp signature for this type of ship."

Nog glanced at the Chief Tactical Officer and pressed his lips together, nodding his thanks. It wasn't exactly the picture of confidence, but Hunter could tell Nog meant well. He watched as the Ferengi tentatively stepped down into the command well.

Pressman was waiting.

"There you are Ensign. Lieutenant Erikson has some readings he wants you to examine. It is believed to be the battleship we have been after." Pressman said in an even, almost anxious tone.

Nog straightened some what and wished he looked more presentable for the Admiral. "Yes sir." he nodded, working his way over to where Erikson and Taurean were monitoring the sensors.

Greer saw Nog approach. "Ensign, we've found something. Lieutenant' show Nog the readings."

Numa tapped the controls and a display of the enemy vessel's warp signature popped onto the near by display. "We've cross checked this against the Starfleet database for know warp signatures and no matches were found. The vessel's size and mass indicate it could be the target we have been looking for." The Benzite explained.

Nog leaned forward and glanced at the warp signature. "That looks like it could be it..." he started but made an odd, almost worried expression before adding, "...but this spike here doesn't look right. I don't remember the battleship displaying that pattern." The Ensign tapped the controls to get a better look at the readings.

Pressman was listening in. "The difference is most likely due to the sensitivity of the Galaxy's sensors Ensign. The Valiant didn't have sensors that were of the quality that this Galaxy Class Starship carries." The Admiral glanced away from the science stations and back at the main view screen, "It's the battleship. I'm sure of it."

Joerg listened to the Admiral as well as to the Ferengi tactical advisor. While Nog seemed to have some reservations about the warp signature, even he admitted that it's warp signature looked a lot like the intended target. "Lieutenant' Sharp, how long before we are within visual range at current course and speed?" Sterner asked.

Aaron checked the console. "About fifteen minutes Commander, assuming the enemy ship doesn't change speed sir."

Joerg gave a nod. In a little while, they would know for sure.

*****

Tiny beads of sweat formed on Nog's large forehead. He was now sitting at Science Station Two and closely monitoring the sensors. The warp signature of the enemy ship they were hunting was still strongly being displayed, but no matter how he adjusted the sensor settings, he could not explain the odd power spike that was not present when they located the ship with the Valiant. "This isn't right...." Nog mumbled to himself. "Something is wrong here..."

Lieutenant Erikson and Lieutenant' Taurean couldn't help but over hear the Ferengi talking to himself. Numa glanced at Greer with questioning eyes.

"He's a little jumpy from the Valiant incident I think Lieutenant'. That and he was up for half of the midnight shift. It should pass." Erikson explained.

Vulcans are known for having sensitive ears, but even those green blooded people are amazed at the receptive powers of the Ferengi lobes. Nog grew angry and his eyes burned across the bridge at where Erikson and Taurean were standing near Science Station One. "I am not 'jumpy' Lieutenant." Nog hissed low enough so only the scientists could hear. Erikson immediately realized his mistake, not used to the sensitive lobes of a Ferengi. Stepping over he and Lieutenant' Taurean gathered closer to have a private conversation.

"These readings are different sir. I know, I was there on board the Valiant the first time we attempted to destroy this battleship." Nog hissed.

Greer nodded, "Okay Ensign. But what does that mean? 'It's different'? Couldn't it just be as Admiral Pressman said, the difference in the Galaxy's sensors compared to the Valiant's?"

Nog shook his head and snapped back. "No. I know what I am doing Lieutenant. These reading are different. But I don't know why or what that means." Glancing over his shoulder at the two Galaxy scientists, he added, "I am not being jumpy, or scared. I am just stating facts SIR."

Numa's expression betrayed that she didn't entirely believe the Ensign. Greer did a better job of it nodding and placing a hand on the Ferengi's shoulder. "See if you can figure it out Ensign. If it's not the sensors, then there has to be a scientific reason for the warp signature differences. It's up to us to find it."

Nog again pressed his lips together, licking them slightly upon noticing how dry his mouth had suddenly become. It was like the bridge was a sauna. He was covered in sweat beads from the pressure of the situation and the struggle with his own inner fears about this enemy vessel. "Yes sir. I will do my best."

Nog continued to ponder over the differences in the readings for the next several minutes. Punching in different commands and taking new sample readings. It was only frustrating him further and reaffirming his personal knowledge that the readings were just... different.

"Sir. Enemy vessel appears to be slowing." Lieutenant' Sharp called out, "They are coming within visual range now."

Sterner called out, "Match their course and speed Lieutenant'. Put them on screen, maximum magnification."

Aaron tapped the controls to do the Commander's biding. Within moments the main view screen snapped up an image of the huge Cardassian built Dominion battleship.

Nog swallowed hard when he saw it. Everyone around the bridge looked on at the sheer size of the massive warship.

"That looks like the target Commander." Admiral Pressman said raising to his feet. "Excellent." He smiled. Pressman watched the image for a moment in silent admiration before getting back to the business at hand. "Okay Commander," Pressman started pointing a finger at Sterner, "I want the forward torpedo tubes loaded up with a full spread of the photon torpedoes in cargo bay 2. While that is being done, we should get closer to the enemy ship and record as much technical data and intelligence as we can before destroying the ship and returning back to Federation space."

Joerg nodded. He was somewhat glad that the Galaxy had managed to locate the enemy ship this quickly. Three days was not that bad compared to the Valiant's eight months to carry out the same task. Pressman was right, the sensors on the Galaxy had made a world of difference. "I'll see to it Admiral."

"One other thing, notify Ambassador Tomalak that we have located the target. He will want to be on the bridge when we launch the attack." Pressman added.

"Consider it done Admiral." Commander Sterner nodded and then went to notify the appropriate people to carry out the Admiral's orders.

"They have dropped out of warp Commander." Lieutenant' Sharp explained.

"Take us out of warp also Lieutenant'" Pressman replied for Sterner while taking a couple of steps forward into the command well, directly behind the help and operations station where Lieutenant Thomas was sitting. "Get us in closer. I'd like to navigate a full 360 degrees around the enemy ship to record as much information as possible."

"Aye sir." Aaron acknowledged laying in the proper course and making the appropriate speed adjustments.

At the science station, Nog rocked his head back and forth while sucking his teeth slightly in frustration. He was still unable to figure out why the reading coming from the battleship appeared different than before. Having seen the ship with his own eyes, he was beginning to question his own judgment. Maybe Lieutenant Erikson was right about him. Maybe he was taking this whole mission too seriously to heart. For weeks the cold terror had kept the Ensign up at night. Remembering the faces of his dead friends and colleges on the Valiant. His short time serving with Starfleet Academy's Red Squad. The best of the best. Had he let his inner terror and need for revenge affect his judgment? Nog was beginning to doubt his every action, and it was showing on you young, inexperienced face.

"That's it, take us around Lieutenant." Pressman said in a soothing voice as if there wasn't a care in the world. His reliance on the phase cloaking device had provided the security blanket needed to cast aside concerns over detection by the enemy. Nog glanced at the screen and the immense battleship they were leisurely flying around in the cloaked Galaxy class starship. The Valiant was having to weave and dodge heavy phaser fire to get this close. Thanks to the cloaking device the Dominion didn't even realize the Galaxy was there.

Nog watched as the ship began to circle the gigantic battleship that now completely filled the view screen. In the rear of the bridge, Ambassador Tomalak exited along with two security officers.

"You are recording this correct Chris?" Pressman asked of the acting Chief Operations Officer.

"Yes sir. Every byte." Lieutenant Thomas replied.

"My that is an impressive sight." Tomalak expressed from the rear of the bridge standing near Lieutenant McKenzie at the tactical arch with Chen and Foxtrot, the two security officers that had primarily been responsible for 'guarding' the Ambassador for the past several days.

"That it is Ambassador." Pressman responded from the command well.

The Galaxy began to loop around the front of the battleship while the entire bridge crew watched in silent awe. It was both out of respect for the engineering marvel and knowledge that soon the Galaxy would be destroying the starship and all of the Jem'Hadar and Cardassian soldiers that manner her.

That was when Nog's expression really became worried. His eyes widened. "Admiral..." he said in a shaky tone.

Pressman turned and glanced over to look at Ensign Nog. It sounded like the Ferengi was going to fall apart, something Pressman thought might happen, but wasn't prepared to handle. "What is it Ensign?"

Nog swallowed hard before speaking. "Sir,... that, that, that is not the same ship the Valiant attacked. The markings are different Admiral. I'm sure of it." Nog paused at this revelation, "That is probably why the warp signatures of the power plants do not match either Admiral. They are similar, but each warp signature is unique like a finger print. Sir, this is a different battleship..."

Pressman was not easily caught off guard. It was a rare occasion that anyone could do that to the seasoned Starfleet Admiral as Lieutenant Thomas was well aware. But Nog's observation certainly did the job. "That's not the prototype Ensign? Are you sure?..."

"Positive sir." Nog said evenly. He was still frightened, but he gained a renewed sense of faith in his abilities now that he found a scientific reason why the warp signatures were different and knew it wasn't just his nightmares playing tricks on him.

"That would mean that..." Commander Sterner started.

Ambassador Tomalak finished the Commander's statement, "That there are more than just the prototype out here."

All eyes turned to Admiral Pressman. He continued to look out the view screen and motioned to Lieutenant Thomas. "Continue recording Lieutenant. We were ordered to locate and destroy a battleship and by God, that is exactly what we are going to do."

Chris glanced at the Admiral and then nodded, "Yes sir. Continuing scans."

Nog shifted uncomfortable with the knowledge that there were more than one of those massive battleships alive and well in Cardassian space.

"Contact?"

Gamma shift was nearly at an end. Jack had been up almost 16 hours, having worked both Beta and Gamma shifts, courtesy of admiral Pressman's throwing a monkey wrench into the regular rosters. There was still a lot to be done and it wasn't finished yet. D'Auria didn't really mind, actually he was used to it, having worked under far worse conditions on the Nimrod. At least, here nothing was kept together by spit and bailing wire. A sudden sense of melancholy touched Jack just then, thinking back to his time there. One of the newest ships to enter service, from her first day on the Nimrod had been in battle, first against the Klingons, then the Dominion/Cardassian alliance. And she had come through for her crew every time. A proud ship, a proud name. He missed her, even though he kept telling himself such feelings were illogical. It was just a ship, made up of alloys and equipped with man-made systems. It had no soul. Even as he thought this, his human side rejected it; it was stupid to assign flesh and blood qualities to an instrument, but somehow, deep inside he knew that his Vulcan side was wrong.

At that moment, the doors to the science lab opened and in stepped Betta. A small smile curved his lips as he saw the light of his life, his Imzadi, walk towards them. 'Greetings, Imzadi'; he didn't say the words aloud, just thought them in his mind. Surprise was evident on her face and a warm feeling spread through him as he saw her eyes widen, knowing instantly what had happened.

'Jack, I can hear you in my mind!'

'I didn't know if we could do it, Betta', he thought back at her. Betta's face was beaming, they had connected, on a level deeper then anything either had experienced before. Their love had taken the next step. Now they were truly Imzadi. Noticing Lt. Greer looking at the both of them, with a cat-that-ate-the-canary kind of smile, both of them straightened up.

"Hello Betta, good to see you."

"Jack, Lt.. Where do you want me to start?"

"You can take over my part of the work. Jack will make sure you're up to speed as to what we want done. I have to be on the bridge."

Greer looked apologetically towards D'Auria; "Sorry about making you pull another shift, Jack. When the both of you finish this and nothing out of the ordinary happens, you can take off. Get some rest, I need my people well rested, then report back here for your regular shift."

"Thank you, sir. And I have also observed, Sir,that you have not taken your own advice to heart. Might I suggest that you take your own advice once your duties on the bridge have ended", said Jack with a deadpan expression. However, his eyes were mirthful and Erikson grinned back good-naturedly.

"Will do, ensign, will do. Now get to work, both of you."

A moment later, he was gone, leaving Jack and Betta alone in the main science lab. The second the doors closed behind him, Betta was all over Jack, pinning him to the console and kissing passionately as her hands ran seductively over his body. After a few moments, Jack managed to push her off, both of them quite breathless.

'Will you stop that? We have work to do', he thought at her. 'What, you don't like my kisses anymore', she thought back, hints of laughter in her thoughts.

"Of course I do and I wish we had more time too, but right now, we don't. The faster we finish however…."

Jack let the sentence he had spoken aloud hang in the air between them. With an impish grin, Betta grabbed her tools; Jack proceeded to tell her what they had been working on and within minutes, she was working on the iso-linear chips. They worked in total silence for a while; Be'Tran stealing glances at Jack from time to time. Inwardly, she smiled as she took in his form. 'Look at him, hard at work. Nothing fazes him, nothing disturbs him.'

He stood in front of a console, tapping in commands and algorithms, making sure the setup reached peak efficiency. He could see the way every line of code meshed with the other in his head, could visualize every action and reaction as if he was inside the computer, as if he was part of it. It was logic, pure and simple. It was his job to make sure that the unexpected was expected which meant that not only logic could be used. The element of chance was not to be underestimated. No matter how good your preparations were, no matter how well the plan worked, you could still lose. Jack was not about to loose, over a 1000 lives depended on it. He would not fail.

Betta could almost see the concentration hovering around him, it was as if a physical force was at work. She decided to tease him a little; right now, he was more Vulcan than even ensign T'Vek.

"Hmmm? What did you say, Betta?" Jack looked up, a frown on his face. M'Benga grinned a bit before repeating herself. "I said, Numa has invited us for a small dinnerparty in her quarters. She wants to introduce V'ehlma M'aerikh to Xavier Bishop from Security. Kind of a match making party if you get my drift."

Jack rolled his eyes in mock frustration. "Oh no, not that again."

"What?"

"Betta, matchmaking? If there is one way of getting two people mad at you, that is it."

Betta got up from the floor, replacing the thin grid to protect the iso-linear processors and went to stand next to Jack, placing her arms around his neck as he gazed at his console, seemingly ignoring her.

"Come on, Jack, don't spoil this for her. She is my best friend here and V'ehlma is also. With all that's been going on lately, I haven't had the chance to spend much time with them. And you and I haven't had much time together either, lover", she said, quickly nibbling on his earlobe. Not getting a response, she looked at his profile. Jack was looking at something intently, his attention lightyears away. His hand went to his commbadge.

"D'Auria to Bridge."

"Lt. Taurean here. What's the matter, Jack?"

"I show a large object, traveling at warp at a distance of about 10 lightyears from us."

"Affirmative, it just appeared on our boards. We are heading towards it, we can't see if it is one or a number of ships."

"Very well, science is standing by. If there is anything we can do…"

"Just keep watching for anything out of the ordinary", said Numa as she looked at Erikson, who nodded his agreement. The more eyes were on the lookout, the better.

In the lab, Betta had released her hold on Jack and had activated another console, checking out every square nano-inch of the surrounding space. It was time to get to business.

=/\= "Murphy's Stout" =/\=
by lt Matthew Albrecht

Matthew nearly spilled a pint of faux-Irish ale all over his tunic, but he recovered control of the heavy glass just as the dark, foam-topped liquid began to roll over the pilsner's lip. He righted the drink, a quarter ounce of the delicious beverage running down the side and dripping onto the bar. The person that had jostled him was likely across ten-forward already, he reasoned. The quick-thinking barkeep produced a damp towel and sopped up the small mess and slipped an absorbant coaster under the drink just as Matthew rested it upon the bar once again. "I tell ya, Door; This place just keeps getting more busy," he said, and his frown turned into a smile. The half- Cardassian bartender was smiling and the lieutenant found it to be contagious.

Door replied, "Yessir, it's busy all right. I like it that way. Things are cooling off, morale is improving--quite a feat considering where we are!" If anyone would know the spirit of the crew, it would be him. Door saw and heard things that would make Admiral Pressman's ears burn if he heard them. The admiral might be even more put out by the fact that the ship's most non- judgemental confidant was a Cardassian! But few ever heard the bartender spill any beans. Perhaps he never did.

The security officer took another swig of his ale, wondering how the Romulans could call their throat-heating dregs 'ale;' There simply was no resemblance between a fine Terran ale and that colorful liquor. He licked his lips, closing his eyes to enjoy the moment. He opened them again, noticed Door still across the bar, wiping a large brandy snifter with a clean white towel. "So, Door," he made conversation, "you told me once you've never been to Cardassia Prime...?"

He laughed in response. "No, I wasn't even raised by Cardassians! Nope, it's the Prophets for me!" he professed and reached up to jingle his earrings. His smile was genuine, and totally lacked malice. Few Cardassians achieved such a look of humanity. "But enough about me, tell me a little bit about your family. Who knows how long we'll be in this part of space, eh?" Door put one elbow on the bartop, and rested his chin upon his fist and looked right at the security officer.

Albrecht considered a moment, and decided he did want to talk about his family. "Okay, I'll give you a little insight into my life. You have probably heard more stories about families around here..." he looked at Door for any sign of boredom, but the gray-skinned man just lifted an eyebrow attentively. A server appeared for an order of drinks, but even while filling glass after glass with different beverages, he listened intently.

"Well, as you know, I spent most of my life growing up on Tellar," Matthew began. "My folks are the Terran Ambassadors to Tellar, and we moved there shortly after my birth. We lived on a huge estate, I attended public school there, essentially growing up a Tellarite! I'd spend a couple of months each Summer--Summers on Tellar are not what many people call pleasant--I'd spend my Summers on Earth at the Albrecht domes in Alaska. It was my father's idea of keeping me attached to my roots. The family has owned huge tracts of land there for centuries, weathered old Earth wars and all kinds of social and political upheaval there. My family's been in politics for two centuries." He took a big draught of his ale, finishing it, and slid the pilsner glass over to his friend for a refill. The break allowed Door to cross to the replicator for another tray of Pan-Galactic Gargleblasters.

When the refreshment needs of Ten-Forward's patrons were met, he returned to his story. Without intending, Matthew's tale became darker, "Well, as you know, Tellar is now threatened by the Dominion/Cardassian forces. Of course," he conceded, "so are several other worlds like Andor and Vulcan. But it is in danger nonetheless. Some of my father's political associates on Tellar, including the Tellarite Ambassador to the Federation Council, want him to leave, take my mother with him and get back to Earth where it's safe." The lieutenant's expression indicated he had mixed emotions on the matter. "My father's no war hero, he's never even fired a phaser! But I've never known him to let fear stop him from performing his job. The last thing he would do would be to abandon his friends and run away," Matthew declared.

Door pushed his last tray of drinks toward the waiting server, and leaned over the bar. "Lieutenant Albrecht, I can see you're bothered by your father's stubbornness. Do YOU think he should leave Tellar?"

Matthew, halfway through lifting his ale to his lips, put the drink back down. "I am proud of my dad," he qualified, "but that won't save him from a Cardassian energy rifle. I know what they do to political prisoners. And he's got my mother with him." The bartender reached out and patted his arm.

Door turned his body, indicating he was going to walk away momentarily. He rested his left hand on the bar, "Perhaps after we get out of this part of space, you should send a little message their way?" With that, he left to see to other clients. Matthew just nodded thoughtfully.

Lt Matthew Albrecht
Security Officer
USS Galaxy NCC-70637

"Surprise Date"
Benedict T'Kal
Tactical Officer
USS Galaxy
(Excerpts from Polina Praskovya)

Ensign McQueen had just left, and Benedict was lost in thoughts of a pair of dark eyes when he was dragged out of his reverie by a Bolian Ensign dropping into the chair opposite him. Benedict looked up in time to see the man turn to face a female ensign in Engineers uniform pouting at him.

Benedict looked at her face and saw the rush of calculating thoughts play across her features as she briefly glanced at him, and then back to the Bolian.

"How rude." The green skinned girl said, "That's my chair." She indicated the seat which the Bolian had just claimed.

The Bolian looked at her with a disgruntled expression."I believe that I was here first. The seat was vacant." He said. His words had a ring of finality - a challenge.

The girl simply smiled radiantly at him, "Yes, that may be so, but I had a dinner date with this ensign." She pointed at Benedict.

The Bolian was so busy looking contrite that he didn't see Benedicts eye brow rise in surprise - the girl was obviously using her femanine status to get her own way. For a moment he looked around Ten-Forward and realised that there was no other vacant seats. His dinner-come-breakfast was already half eaten, and the poor Bolian was going to relinquish his seat to an unscrupulous girl.

"Oh, I didn't know that." The Bolian looked at Benedict rather sheepishly. "Very well, you may have the seat." He looked somewhat embarrassed, and Benedict felt a pang of conscience as the man was shamelessly manipulated.

Benedict took another look at the girl. 'She must be the Orion ensign Praskovya' he thought to himself - 'the one they refer to as The Green Goddess.' Benedict had heard a few tales of this woman's manipulations of the male crew - it seemed that she used her Orion talents on every male she came across. That was why everyone heard about her - they all had to be warned!

"Thank you so very much." The girl smiled at the Bolian, and then as if to confirm Benedicts assessment, she kissed the blue skinned officer on his cheek. The poor man was totally flustered and backed off quickly to let her claim the seat. He wandered off with a bemused expression and a light step - feeling rather pleased with himself.

Benedict smiled at the charade and looked up at the ensign."We have a dinner date?" He asked."Excuse me, but I think you have the wrong person." He didn't approve of her methods but then it was harmless enough under the circumstances.

"No I don't." she smiled back at him. "I'm here with you, and I'm about to eat, so we are on a dinner date." Her smile was radiant, and Benedict realised that she was quite beautiful. He chuckled as he reached for his tea. In fact she was stunning! She could certainly fill out a uniform. 'Is it getting hot in here?'he thought to himself.

"As you wish" Benedict replied. He took a sip of his tea and put the cup down. "By the way, if we are on a date, let me introduce myself" he held out his hand and she leaned over the table as she slid gracefully into the seat and took it. "I'm Ensign Benedict T'Kal." Her hand was warm, and touching her felt like the softest velvet. Her eyes held his for a very long second and they were like two emerald stones glinting with a hint of mischief. Benedict felt an instant attraction to her.

"And I'm Ensign Polina Praskovya. I work in engineering, and might I add that you have the most beautiful and captivating eyes that I've ever seen." She was staring at him and resting one long fingered hand on the table and the other propped her chin up. Her lips were a darker shade of green and moist as her tongue peeked out seductively. "So." Benedict said, his tongue seemed to have dried up -"You are the much talked about Green Goddess." He reached for his tea again and pushed his plate aside. She reacted with surprise as he said her nickname amongst the male crew.

Just as she was about to reply, her comm badge spoke. [Ensign Praskovya, please report to holodeck 2 with an engineering kit.] Her face registered dissapointment as it continued [There seems to have been a malfuntion in the security protocol measures, and I'd like you to take a look at it.] Polina tapped her badge and replied, "Aye aye, ma'am. I'm on my way." She looked at Benedict and said, "It looks like our 'date' has to be cut short. I'm sorry." She got up a gave him a little wave as she departed.

Benedict watched her shapely form move through the crowd. He shook his head as he realised that he too had fallen prey to her pheremonal machinations. He smiled to himself, 'Well', he thought, 'I got out of that date unscathed!' She was dissapearing through the crowd and his thoughts turned back to a pair of darker eyes.

"Breaking Point"
Ensign Benedict T'Kal
Tactical Officer
USS Galaxy

Benedict hit the track in the Arboretum dressed in a lightweight jogging suit of black and scarlet stripes. He started his running regimen at the same time every night - he smiled at that! Every night was about mid-morning for him. Gamma shift wasn't all that bad actually, he liked it. Hell, he just loved his current assignment.

Bridge crew on board the Galaxy! He still couldn't believe his karma! To be transferred here, after Commander Venning had promised him total obscurity - the Prophets worked in mysterious ways!

The first kilometres went by easily as he got into rhythm, his breathing sucked energy from the air, and his feet drew it in from the ground. His meditation technique when running was to imagine the two energy forces pumping through his body, meeting at his lower belly - his centre, so that he actually drew power from his surroundings. When it came into focus, he felt that he could keep on going forever.

He'd had a light first shift on the Bridge. The thoughts of that eight hours were compiled into two neat piles in his head. One of which had nothing to do with his work; he decided it was just too damned close to home to be looked at right now. He had also met with the doctor this morning - even that had brought its share of trouble - but he felt secure with Nilani. She would keep his secret, as it seemed she had her own issues to take care of.

He had met two other crew members this morning over his dinner - ensign McQueen from security - he'd make sure he caught up with him again for a drink, and ensign Praskovya. He shook his head again at thoughts of the green skinned beauty. Next time he ran into her he'd better a little more careful - she seemed like the predatory type.

Alayessa had been the same type. Although the Orion had more in her female armamentarium for seduction than Alayessa ever had. He shoved the comparisons out of his mind and thought of work.

The tactical assessments and phase cloak ideas that he'd been looking at during his time on the Bridge had been sent to Lt. MacKenzie as soon as he'd got back to his quarters after breakfast. MacKenzie was on Alpha shift, so he'd probably be reading about it right now. Benedict knew that the hopes of the command staff were placed with the new weapons brought aboard by Starfleet Intelligence - but he felt that every plan needed a back-up plan. He'd sent it labelled as such to Lt MacKenzie.

Gamma shift has a reputation of being slow and boring - he'd wanted to make sure that his commanding officer knew that his time was never wasted during any period on shift. He had a brief image float into his head and he again put it aside, he also felt a little guilty and wanted to justify his time even to himself.

At that brief pang of conscience he broke into a sprint - he was warmed up and moving fast as he came around a turn. He loved the green and the colours of the flowers, the earthy smells and the beauty - being here amongst real plants and real people beat the holodeck recreational programs every time!

Benedict could see a female runner in front of him jogging along at a pace that would eat the miles - she was obviously working her body, as she was drenched in perspiration. Her hair was pulled back into a dark cloud, and she looked over her shoulder as he came up beside her, still moving fast. She gave him a quick smile, and he recognised her as one of the Counselling staff. He didn't know her name. He smiled back and nodded as he went by.

That was just another reason - the company of real people. The holodeck always seemed hollow to Benedict - he went there for work, but not for pleasure. He found his pleasure with the company of real people, in real places. The holosuites were excellent for work - there was nothing like the technology for learning and experiencing.

He slowed his pace back to jogging, and passed a couple sitting on a bench, holding hands - the way they gazed into each other's eyes and leaned close to each other brought a smile to Benedicts face. Real people, and real emotions - he revelled in it.

The sight also brought back memories. Alayessa's face swam before his eyes. She had been shorter than he by almost six inches, and her hair had been auburn, with softer highlights made by Bajors hot sun. Her Klingon heritage showed in her high forehead and strong body, but her human side had given her the deep blue eyes that he adored and a gentle side to her nature when they were alone.

The sudden stab of pain that struck him with the imagery made him clench down upon the feelings that cascaded through him. He felt so much loss that he nearly staggered. He knew that a part of him fought against the loss, and denied that he would ever forget her. He rationalised that it was still so close to the anniversary of her death that he felt the guilt of her passing. 'Why her and not me?' he thought the inevitable question. He had already forgotten some of the small things about her.

The worst part was not knowing the things that he forgot - and furiously trying to conjure the images of her he did know. He concentrated on the colour and shade of her eyes, but they swam in his mind and changed, and he couldn't tell any more what exact shade they were. His vision clouded momentarily and he felt a hot tear burn its way down his cheek.

The scene played out in his mind. The Cardassian soldier had fallen as he made the diagonal cut across his chest; the vibroblade katana had sliced him to the spine. Benedict had moved past him and intercepted another Cardassian as he brought up his disruptor, the mans arm was severed at the wrist with a lightning cross-cut and a palm strike had shattered the mans sternum, driving bone fragments through his lungs like shrapnel. He was dead before he hit the floor.

A disruptor beam had sliced the air close to Benedicts' head; he could still smell the ozone after all these years - his guilt crashed in on him again as he thought about the blue shade of her eyes. He could smell the ozone from the blast that had killed her, but he couldn't remember the exact colour of her eyes!

The Cardassian that had aimed at Benedict had hit his wife instead. Her scream echoed in his mind. The Cardassian had been disintegrated by a phaser blast from Alayessa's own weapon as she fell. Benedict had turned at her scream like the world had suddenly slowed to a crawl. He saw her fall. Her belly ripped open and gushing bright blood; she sprawled upon the floor and fired her phaser again at another target.

He had turned back to her and a Cardassian trooper had rushed him - he had been so fixed upon Alayessa that the mans' death as his blade cut him cleanly in half went without notice. The last moments of her death had always been imprinted upon his mind.

He could smell her blood, feel its heat as it spread over his hands and then everything devolved into chaos. The words came to him as clear as ever, but the exact timbre of her voice, and the colour of her eyes was lost to him.

He ran, and did not realise that his speed had picked up with his racing thoughts. He pounded the track and the Arboretum faded from his conscious sight as he ran. He passed the Counsellor again, but did not see her. His eyes were fixed ahead with the image of his dying wife.

He fought for control, but as he passed the couple sitting on the bench, they were kissing. A surge of pure white-hot rage hit him and he exploded in a burst of speed. He ran on, and finally exhausted, he came to a halt, breathing hard, almost blind with tears. He collapsed to his knees and shook his head to clear his vision.

He concentrated on his breathing and fought for his self-control. The image of blue eyes swam before his eyes and changed again. He couldn't believe that such a significant memory could be gone from his mind. His thoughts screamed at his failure to remember and he slammed his fist into the ground. "Why can't I remember your eyes?" he whispered. In his confusion he didn't notice the approach of an ensign who knelt beside him. He felt the mans hand on his shoulder and closed his eyes.

"Are you okay buddy?" the man asked. "Do you need sick bay?" The concern in his voice was evident; he was about to reach for his comm badge when Benedict grabbed his hand.

"No. No its okay - just stumbled that's all." The lie was equally evident, but so was the look in Benedicts' eyes. The ensign just nodded in understanding. "Thanks my friend." Benedict really meant it. The brief display of brotherly concern was more than he had experienced in a long time.

The man simply smiled." Name's Paul, Paul Raines - I'm off duty at the moment. Can I buy you a drink? If you want to talk to someone I can listen okay? Or I can find a Counsellor for you?"

Benedict wiped his face and stood on shaky legs. He held out his hand and Paul took it. "Benedict T'Kal. Thanks Paul. I appreciate the offer. Give me a minute to get changed and I'd like to take you up on that drink. I think I need one." He could feel the emotions being packed away again. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't remember Alayessa's eyes, and another image came to mind that he flung aside with an inner rage at himself.

"Unexpected Gifts"
by Lt. Endris Gakor
with Spines the Fish
and Lt. Matthew Albrecht

*** Personal Quarters ***

*Drudgery*, *Boredom*, *Fish flakes approaching*, *must...race... others...to...Oinkus*, *Hey, there's the cute little Torka with the sexy fins*, *I want to spawn!*, *She really tips my scales*, *Snacks! Is that a Cat?*, *No, must be the replicator*, *Helm, set fins to cruise, swim factor 5*, *Boredom*, *Drudgery*.

Spines was bored, but his tiny head was crammed full of piscado thoughts. The fish tank seemed to be getting smaller, or perhaps it was just getting crowded. A month after returning from the Qul' elth, Endris had finally received the shipment of fish she had been expecting for months. The Tellarite mudfish flopped near the bottom, positively groveling in the mucky Oinkus at the base of the tank. 3 other fish had also arrived, one of which was a yellow Delphinian B'Kosh which Ronni swore was rare and exotic.

*Look! A flash of light!*, *the door must have opened*, *I wonder who it could be*, *Maybe that nice man that fed us when Gakes went on vacation*. A visitor plunked a bag into the fishtank, so the brilliant but miniature Terran cat fish could adjust to the water temperature of the tank. The mysterious donor turned and abruptly left without depositing other evidence of his presence. Sensing a change, Spines swam up to the thin plastic membrane and caught distorted images of his new companion. *Are those tusks?*, *They look sharp*, *I am scared*, *I hope mommy returns soon!*

*** 5 Minutes Later ***

Gakor returned to her quarters from the ship's gym. Ever since the memories of Tuskcan's death returned, she felt the need to physically release her stress. She had left a large dent in more than one of the punching bags, and a couple of dom jod sticks with broken handles.

"Starvation!", she exclaimed. Her quarters were colder than normal. Endris ordered the computer to crank up the heat, and trotted over to the closet to retrieve the fur parka Matthew had given her during her visit to Earth. While the Tellarite was heading for her extra coat, she noticed a plastic bag bobbing up and down on the surface of the fishtank! Intrigued, Gakor approached and saw that someone had left a new fish for her to enjoy.

It didn't take Columbo or Quincy to figure out who was suspect. Endris dusted the bag with a forensic powder, and a familiar thumb print appeared. *Snacks! It looks like my busy hu-mon friend did more than just bail me out of the poky*, Gakes concluded. With the recent exhausting events, she didn't have time for pranks, even if they were pleasant ones. Releasing the fish from captivity, Endris watched the newcommer mingle with Spines and the other festive swimmers. *Wonder where Muffin hid the fish all this time, we've been back for weeks*, Gakor thought as she started to search for her beaux.

-/\-Computer, where is Lt Matthew Albrecht currently located?-/\-

-/\-Matthew Albrecht is currently in Holodeck 1-/\-

*Hey!, he told me he wanted to eat later, but was worried about the holodecks being booked up. I wonder what he is up to....*, Endris thought while racing out the door.

*** Med Lab 3 ***

Before stopping to see what mischief the security officer was provoking, the doctor wanted to look in on Lt Commander Cassey. Cat did a splendid job of healing his wound. But the nurses gossiped about the 'cut' being much more than a scratch, which was also evident from the amount of blood recruited. Endris suspected there was some trauma here that wasn't being addressed, but didn't want to pry. Perhaps if she told the human the story of Tuskcan, and how she was coping with the agonizing memories of his death, it would help. Also, she could offer to watch Lara while the two adults Casseys got back together.

Swiftly, the intervention was completed. Endris scooted out as soon as possible. Deiran's distaste of sickbay was both noticeable and vocal. However, the man did seem to soften a bit when Gakor told him about her brother. Empathy was a powerful healing tool, and the Tellarite had good reason to employ it. Regardless of the Commander's dismissive smile, Gakor stoutly refused to countermand Cat's orders for him to remain at bed rest. Not wanting to disrupt his concept of 'relaxation', Gakor went out the door and continued her trip to the holodeck.

Before she could leave, nurse Kenna summoned her to Main Sickbay. Lt. (jg) Raesene Hemedhie had just been brought in from Holodeck 2 after being hit with a large electrical discharge. Gakor used a capacitance dissipator to remove excess current in his system. The man seemed to be in good shape despite his ordeal, and was breathing smoothly now that he was in treatment. Endris flexed her Tellarite muscles and propped his legs up to insure proper circulation, then engaged the regenerating unit. Remarkably, something had protected the man from serious internal injuries.

Apart from his electrical jolt, Raesene was largely untouched. Then Gakes recalled Matthew was in the holodeck. If one had already malfunctioned, there might be a dangerous glitch in the system! The equipment would take time to mend the Lieutenant's injuries, and could easily be monitored by the nursing staff.

*** Holodeck 1 ***

The doors refused to open. Gakor raised her voice and croned "Muffin open this door now if you know what's good for you!"

A couple of minutes later, the doors parted to a dense jungle scene. *What the*? thought Gakor. Then she noticed the fortress like block structure rising out of the mist. It was obvious he had received her message about plotting a jailbreak/rescue for Nilani's sister. Apparently, he must have used his knowledge of Cardassian juris prudence to create a templet for the program.

Weaving her way through clusters of ferns, Endris would have to tell Numa about this scenario. *That girl loves plants*, she thought of her Benzite friend. Soon, she saw Matthew under a Mugato palm cactus. The human motioned for Gakor to keep silent, then gestured towards a group of simulated Cardassians armed with phaser riffles.

Crouching as low as possible, Gakor moved close to her friend, but tripped when her hoof caught on a rock. Matthew caught her in a tight hug, and the two hid from the Cardassian patrol, trembling in fear despite the presence of holodeck safeties. But the malfunction in Holodeck 2 had the immunologist in a panic, and she snorted in dismay. Reacting to Gakor's muffled snort, a Cardassian pointed his weapon in their vicinity and fired. A cascade of ceiling panels showed the pair this was no longer a game.

Both Gakor and Albrecht attempted to have the computer terminate the program, but the machine was stuck in a loop. The muzzle of a rifle poked through the ferns concealing the hiding couple, just as the emergency transporter deposited them safely in Cargo Bay 4.

*** Cargo Bay 4 ***

"Starvation! These holodeck malfunctions are a menace. We should shut them down for the safety of the crew." "I agree, Gakes", Matthew said sincerely. Since his 'boss' had temporarily been kicked upstairs to serve as the XO, he used his authority as acting security chief to shut down the malfunctioning, unsafe devices. He also notified the Captain, XO, and Engineering of the problem.

"All that fright made me hungry", grumbled the Tellarite. "Oinkus?", she said hopefully. Despite their brush with danger, it was a good idea to placate Gakor when she was ready for a snack. Gallantly, he extended an arm and lead the good Doctor to 10-foreward for a meal.

Calm, he willed himself.

The sight of the mammoth battleship filled the screen, despite the image rendering system of the viewscreen to compensate for its size.

It was a beast. A creature created solely for the act of destruction. Sunder gauged that the phaser emitters looked to be at least 5 - 10 kilometers in width and the torpedo launchers looked like teeth, deeply recessed in shadowy jaws.

This monster was ready to pounce, and Sunder silentl swore that the minute the GALAXY removed itself from under its phased rock, the behemoth would have it in its maw.

He was just sbout to come off his watch when the alarm had signalled the battleship's detection. Knowing his place in an alert, Sunder had reversed his course and headed back to his chair. The startled officer of the watch literally leapt out of the way to make way for the security chief's massive bulk cannonading toward him.

" Make a hole! " Sunder bellowed. " Captain to the bridge! " He shouted again as he toggled the comm-system. His voice echoed in the tiny enclosure of the bridge. For a second he almost felt claustrophobic.

" Keep us on intercept course and close to within the safety distance Admiral Pressman recommended. " He ordered in a lower voice, as if his previous bellowing would alert the Cardassians to the GALAXY's presence.

" Sir, aye sir. " Came the helmsman's response. The GALAXY began to shift its position, orienting itself toward the behemoth as tiny particles of debris and stray matter passed through its phased hull.

Sunder could feel his armpits grow moist as the image of the Cardassian super-battleship grow larger. Of course, the increasing size of the approaching ship was a computer-generated illusion, but the impression of the ship's size was not. It wasn't too hard to imagine what those cadets felt like when they first set their eyes on it, while only surrounded by the fragile hull of a DEFIANT-class escort cruiser too. He spared a brief thought and wondered how the young Ferengi engineer was holding out. The only survivor of the last failed attack on the vessel, Sunder had recognized the haunted spectres that dwelt within the Ferengi's eyes as the same ghosts that haunted him from time to time. Fear was the common denominator shared by all species.

It wasn't too long before Commander Sterner was on the bridge with a very anxious Admiral Pressman in tow.

" Captain on the bridge! " He called out in the archaic custom and moved himself to the XO's seat.

" Thank you, Mr. Sunder. What have we got? " Sterner asked as he settled into the captain's chair. He settled in and looked at the black giant on the view screen.

" She's a big, bad bitch sir. " Sunder said softly under his breath.

Joerg caught Sunder's tone. He looked sharply at the large man, knowing that Ursa was not one for exposition. There was a moment of sudden silence; like a thunderbolt had just struck, leaving a deathly quiet in its wake. Ursa and Joerg exchanged glances with each other; the two men saw each others' concerns reflected in the other's eyes. Sunder nodded his head, as if in affirmation of some wordless communication that had transpired between them.

Admiral Pressman sharply broke the silence with his reedy voice.

" That looks like the target, Commander. " Pressman said. His voice seemed to rise in pitch with the excitement of the chase. Almost imperceptibly, Sunder shook his head with disgust. He knew Pressman's type. The man was more obsessed with the technology of an enemy race than the welfare of those who served under him. his imperious nature almost made him prefer Tomalak's company. At least the Romulan wasn't wearing a Starfleet uniform.

Pressman watched the image for a moment in silent admiration before getting back to the business at hand. "Okay Commander," Pressman started pointing a finger at Sterner, "I want the forward torpedo tubes loaded up with a full spread of the photon torpedoes in cargo bay 2. While that is being done, we should get closer to the enemy ship and record as much technical data and intelligence as we can before destroying the ship and returning back to Federation space."

" I'll see to it, Admiral. " Sterner replied, throwing a quick look at Sunder. Ursa answered with a slight nod and accessed the fire control inventory menu on the control padd on his chair. He silently gave the orders to move the weapons ordnance to torpedo launch control. Hearing the Admiral's next request, he notified Tomalak's security detail to escort him to the bridge.

Sunder wondered if the admiral would still be this bold if it wasn't for the phased cloaking device the GALAXY was currently sporting. He threw orders around the bridge as if the crew's lives didn't hang on them.

" Typical... " He muttered.

It wasn't too long before Tomalak was on the bridge.

" My, that is an impressive sight. " He murmured appreciatively. However, the romulan's face showed no sign of the awe that was present in everyone's face on the bridge. Sunder knew better though - it was a carefully crafted mask, to hide his fear and to show no commonality with the Starfleet officers around him. Romulan superiority in the face of danger at all costs. Sunder's own face was such a mask, but wore his for a different reason than Tomalak's brand of racism.

" Sir... " A shaky voice said from behind Sunder's right. It was the Ferengi ensign that Sunder had just thought about previously. He hadn't seen him come on the bridge and his appearance was somehow magically evocative.

" What is it Ensign? " Pressman's voice took on a tired sarcasm with the interruption.

" Nog swallowed hard before speaking. "Sir,... that, that, that is not the same ship the Valiant attacked. The markings are different Admiral. I'm sure of it." Nog paused at this revelation, "That is probably why the warp signatures of the power plants do not match either Admiral. They are similar, but each warp signature is unique like a finger print. Sir, this is a different battleship..."

The mad light in Pressman's eyes told Sunder what his next actions were going to be. The man looked like he had just been cheated in the last hand in a game of Deneb goldrush poker and the crew of the GALAXY were going to suffer for it.

All eyes turned to Admiral Pressman. He continued to look out the view screen and motioned to Lieutenant Thomas. "Continue recording Lieutenant. We were ordered to locate and destroy a battleship and by God, that is exactly what we are going to do."

Chris glanced at the Admiral and then nodded, "Yes sir. Continuing scans."

A jagged thought ripped through Sunder's mind as he considered the ramification s of the Ensign's statement. Sunder looked at Joerg. " May I point out sir, that all information gathered from the VALIANT's encounter with the other battleship should be considered invalid now? " He asked with a note of restraint in his voice.

" Explain. " Sterner ordered.

" It's another battleship. " Sunder replied simply. " There will be basic similarities I'm sure, but with only one other battleship to use as a reference, only the most rudimentary structural characteristics can be confirmed: armament placement, power output, etc. "

Tomalak looked at Sunder with a raised eyebrow. " What is your point, Mr. Sunder? " Sunder ignored the romulan, aiming his comments at Sterner and Pressman.

" Yes, explain yourself Commander. " Pressman ordered, his face fixing into a solid unreadable block of stone.

" We know virtually nothing about THIS battleship, save that it looks like the other one! We can't engage an enemy we know virtuallynothing about. Begging the captain's pardon, but it's my duty as XO to point out any order that will needlessly endanger the ship and the lives of this crew. " He turned to look at the Ferengi. " I think the cadets of Red Squadron were instrumental in illustrating this point. " Nog gulped at the mention of the VALIANT's crew. Sunder's words brought his fears to life.

" Your Mr. Sunder may have a point. " Tomalak ventured. " I find him to be a man of startling perception. It would be prudent to gain more information about this new enemy instead of simply attacking it outright. Considering the differences we have noted between your GALAXY-class cruisers, I'm quite sure the Cardassians are capable of likewise surprising even the vaunted Federation Starfleet. "

The romulan's words hung in a pregnant stillness about the bridge. All that could be heard was the incessant beeping of console instruments and the resonant throb of the warp engines in the depths of the starship.

This was the moment that Sunder knew would come. Here he was in the middle of it all; stating an argument and becoming the centre of all things. The next command would decide whether the GALAXY would recklessly hurl itself into combat with an unknown foe or not.

Pressman's face had changed shape now. Now it had become a visage of twisted anger. Frustration tinged his words as he spat out: " Are you afraid, Commander? "

" Yes sir, I am. " Sunder said boldly, standing up to address the admiral directly. " And so is everyone else in this bridge, if they've got good sense. But I deal with my fear sir; I master it like all the officers who wear this uniform - and more importantly, I know when to fight and when the other guy has got a bigger stick than me. " He stepped closer to the admiral, drew himself up to his full height and fixed him with his full 280 lbs.

" And sir: your stick isn't big enough. " He finished intimidatingly.

"Bigger than Life It's Self"
** by Ensign Be'Tran M'Benga **
a followup to "Contact?"
** by Ensign Jack D'Auria **

Be'Tran stared at the science-lab monitor. She couldn't believe her eyes. Jack D'Auria was at her side, looking over her shoulder; but he soon darted to another terminal and began running power-signature scans.

Be'Tran ran three seperate scans of the object on the screen infron of her. She hit her comm; "M'Benga to bridge. Are you seeing this up there."

"Don't worry, Ensign, we see it." came the voice of Commander Sterner.

"Stay on this channel, and continue to relay information." was Lieutenant Erikson's reply.

"Betta," D'Auria called from across the lab, "something's wrong here. If this is the ship we've been looking for, It'snot exibiting the same signatures."

Be'Tran crossed to his monitor, "Then it must be another ship."

She called up the image on the science lab's main viewer. It was huge. It was the most gigantic space vessel Be'Tran had ever seen; and she could tell from Jack's expression, and the feelings he was eminating to her, that he shared her awe.

"Another ship." Jack said, almost softly.

"Oversized super-hulk model Cardassian Warship number two." said Be'Tran, as if joking, but she was all business.

As she spoke she was transferring the data they had been able to obtain from the lab-sensors to the bridge.

** On the bridge;

"Your stick isn't big enough." said Ursa Sunder.

Admiral Pressman glared menacingly; but Numa Taurean was destracted from the argument from an exclamation from Lieutenant Ericson.

She darted to his side, and observed the monitor at the science station. Data was coming in from the lab. Data Numa couldn't believe, no matter how limited it was, it conveyed one obvious point about the object of the Galaxy's mission.

"That thing's bigger than life it's self." she said aloud.

~ David Lyles ~
a.k.a. Ensign Be'Tran M'Benga
Engineering, USS Galaxy

"Emotions"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price

Things were happening on the Bridge of the Starship Galaxy. The ship, phased and cloaked, had just located the Cardassian built Dominion battleship that Admiral Pressman had been searching for. After barking out orders to get the special phase cloaked photon torpedoes loaded in the forward tubes, Lieutenant Commander Ursa Sunder, acting First officer, expressed some valid concerns over the mission thanks to the discovery by Ensign Nog that this battleship was not the same one that had destroyed the USS Valiant.

"Are you afraid, Commander?" Pressman hissed.

"Yes sir, I am. And so is everyone else on this bridge, if they've got good sense. But I deal with my fear sir; I master it like all the officers who wear this uniform - and more importantly, I know when to fight and when the other guy has got a bigger stick than me." Ursa countered in a firm tone drawing closer to the Admiral, "And sir: your stick isn't big enough."

Admiral Pressman glared straight ahead at the Lieutenant Commander's uniform. Sunder had stepped closer, crowding the Admirals personal space in an attempt to intimidate the seasoned Starfleet veteran. Slowly, in keeping with his rising anger, Pressman let his eyes rise up past the towering Chief of Security's uniform collar. Past his rugged chin and steady but slightly flaring nostrils to look into his eyes. Ursa stared straight back. He could see that Pressman was not the kind to be easily intimidated. Looking into his eyes, the orphan saw something he'd seen before in his days with the Orions. Cold, heartless eyes. Relentless, and hard like that of a killer.

"You are out of line 'Commander..." Pressman said evenly in a controlled but forced tone. He was definitely angry, but was doing his best to maintain on an even keel. "In case you haven't noticed, the Federation is at war with the Dominion 'Commander." Pressman continued, pointing a thumb over his shoulder at the battleship on the main view screen. "And that ship belongs to the enemy. It will server as a suitable target to test these new weapons. The ship's internal configuration is irrelevant. Phased torpedoes will not care. They will pass right through her shields, through her hull and explode once inside the ship." Pressman paused for a moment.

"Now 'Commander, the Galaxy has a number of strategic advantages as well." Pressman started ticking off points on his fingers. "One. We have a Tactical Advisor on board who is familiar with this battleship from a prior encounter. Two. The Galaxy is phased and cloaked, making us both invulnerable to conventional weapons and giving us the element of surprise to aid in our attack. Three. We have superior weapons in the phased photon torpedoes. Theses weapons have never been seen before by the enemy and will render their defenses totally ineffective scoring a decisive victory for the Federation." Pressman took a step back while a wry smile formed on his mouth. "Now 'Commander, given the facts, I think it's safe to say the Galaxy will fare quite well against this enemy ship. Do you think that is a big enough 'stick' Mister Sunder? Or should we test it out on a rundown white Klingon battle cruiser first?!"

Near science station two, the Admiral's soliloquy seemed to help ease some of Ensign Nog's concerns. Pressman made a strong argument for the advantages the Galaxy had in this pre planned assault. Much more so than Captain Watters had made to Red Squad on board the Valiant.

Ursa bared his teeth at the Admiral. Pressman was referring to his father's ship, the SHADOWFIRE. The casual way the Admiral had tossed out the last stab made the Bear clan member's blood boil. Fortunately Commander Sterner interceded.

"That will be enough Ursa!" Commander Sterner bellowed. "We all have a job to do. The sooner we do it, the sooner we can all return home." Commander Sterner watched as Ursa and Pressman maintained hard eye contact while he spoke. Sunder moved back as Joerg had requested, but he still glared at Pressman.

Joerg glanced at the Admiral. "Sir..." he said, waiting for the Admiral to glance over to him before he continued to speak.

It loathed Pressman to do so. 'Commander Sterner was giving him a savage stare typical of those raised of Orion. To look away in a staring contest is considered a sign of weakness. It pained the Admiral to have to be first to divert his attention from this latest annoyance. "What is it Commander?" he said sharply.

"Lieutenant Commander Sunder does have a valid point. We should continue to collect as much data as possible before destroying this enemy ship. There is an oft chance that we may discover something that could endanger the mission." Joerg said evenly.

The Admiral scoffed at the comment. "I seriously doubt that Commander. Just get the weapons loaded and ready. Lieutenant Thomas is currently scanning and recording technical data as we speak. Right now,..." Pressman stopped and glanced out the main view screen at the battleship, "...right now we have the battleship right where we want it. She's unaware of our presence and moving at sub-light speed. She's a ripe target Commander. I'd rather take her out right now then run the risk that she jumps to high warp, causing us to have to hunt her down again. Is that clear?"

Joerg nodded. "Perfectly Admiral. The special torpedoes are being loaded as we speak. Lieutenant Mercury has his men working on it under supervision of the Special Forces officers you brought on board. David figures it will be about twenty minutes before he has a full spread loaded in the forward tubes."

Pressman nodded. "That should be all it takes to take out this target. You have until then to collect intelligence data on the enemy battleship Commander. When the weapons are loaded and armed, we attack."

At the rear of the Bridge, Ambassador Tomalak quietly watched the entire exchange with the utmost attention. Silent and practically unnoticed, the Romulan watched with genuine curiosity. He seemed amused by the entire situation. A slight smile curling on the corners of his mouth.

*****

*** Elsewhere on the Planet Vulcan ***

Captain Price waited patiently in the sitting room of his former Captain's home. A Doctor had stopped by to examine the dying mentor that had taught Lee everything he knows about commanding a starship. Captain Price waited anxiously for the Doctor and Tei-Sue to exit from Shoak's room. Finally they did.

Lee stood up and could tell, even from the two Vulcans, that the diagnosis was not good. "How is the Captain doing Doc?" Lee asked.

The stolid Vulcan glanced back. "As well as can be expected for someone in the final stages of Bendii Syndrome." The Doctor replied.

Tei-Sue looked at the Doctor and nodded. "Thank you for your time Doctor."

"I only wish I could do more." was the only response. The Doctor then looked at Captain Price before showing himself out of the Shoak home.

Lee watched him leave before turning to Tei-Sue. "So what did the Doctor say? How is Shoak doing? Did he say how much..." Lee's voice trailed off. There was genuine concern, but he couldn't bring himself to finish asking how long it was before his friend and mentor would die from this mental disease. Emotion filled his compassionate voice.

Tei-Sue responded to the awkward silence. "The Doctor expects my husband to pass in the next few days." She said in a sterile, Vulcan tone. There was no emotion in her statement at all. A sharp contrast to Lee's words.

"Can I see him?" Lee asked.

With a nod Tei-Sue agreed. "You may, though the Doctor said in these final days it is unlikely that he will be coherent or even regain consciousness for any length of time."

Lee nodded. He remembered how the Bendii Syndrome had affected his friend the last time he had visited Vulcan. Then Captain Shoak was very emotional. He was sad, hostile, argumentative. He laughed and cried when he found out about the loss of the Enterprise-D, one of the prized Galaxy Class Starships that Captain Shoak had a key role in getting built.

Following Tei-Sue, Lee walked over to Shoak's room. He watched as she opened the door and motioned for him to enter. Lee stepped in and slowly Tei-Sue closed the door behind him.

Across the room, Shoak laid in his bed. He looked frail. A hollow figure of the man he once was, even compared to a year ago when Lee last visited him. Gray had over run his hair color, what was left of it. Shoak had lost a great deal of his hair from the medications administered to slow down the progress of this horrible incurable disease.

Lee walked over tentatively stopping at his mentor's side. "Hi 'mate. Are you awake?" Lee asked. He couldn't tell since Shoak was laying on his side, facing the far wall. "It's me Captain. Lee Price from the Galaxy. Remember old friend?" Still there was no response. Reaching over to a near by wooden chair, Lee dragged it across the floor and sat down. "That's okay Captain. I'll just have a seat here and when you are ready to talk I'll be here for you 'mate." Lee said in his Ausy accent. He wasn't sure if he was talking to help his friend or to help himself deal with it. But in the end it didn't matter, he was going to stay there and talk whether he got a response or not. It made him feel like he was doing something, which was better than the alternative.

"So, what should we talk about Captain? Maybe that time we were sent to meet up with the Klingons on Qo'nos? Or that time we were on Starbase 14?..." Lee began to ramble on.

Outside of her husband's door, Tei-Sue leaned forward with an open hand resting flat on the door. Her head was lowered. Her forehead just barely touching the wood below her hand. A small tear ran down her cheek.

"Seasons Past"
Ensign Benedict T'Kal
Tactical Officer
USS Galaxy

Benedict felt wrung out. He'd accompanied Paul Raines to Ten-Forward and spent nearly four hours talking. Paul had been right - he was a good listener. He was a good man. He was currently aboard the Galaxy as a civilian bio-geneticist, working with the Science Section. He had his family aboard with him, a wife and a small child.

Benedict sighed and dropped onto his bed still fully dressed. He covered his eyes with both hands and steadied his breathing. He felt slightly light-headed. Paul had helped him drink several flasks of hot sake and he was feeling the effects of the real alcohol.

He lay immobile for several minutes. "Computer - dim the lights to 5% illumination and play Benedict Music Score 6 at low volume." The lights went down and the soft strains of classical flamenco drifted across him. He wanted to sleep, but he knew that he wouldn't be able to for a while at least. He had poured his soul out to a stranger this evening. After four hours he felt that he had connected with another human being - Paul would remain a friend. The simple show of concern for another person touched Benedict - he knew that he needed it. He needed to feel like a human being.

Alayessa used to be his best friend, confidante and lover - there had been no one else in his life in five long years. He knew that he went through this every year -things would get better, and forgetting things was a part of healing. But he couldn't reconcile himself to that! As Paul had rightly pointed out, it was all part of a natural process - he just had to weather the storm. Benedict knew that he was doing that. He was strong willed and usually rock solid.

He'd been able to step out-side himself during his chat with Paul Raines, and he could clearly see the stress factors that had led up to this crisis point in his life. It had only been a few days since the anniversary of Alayessa's death - a bad time for him anyway - but was compounded by the stress of Starbase 74, and his apparent escape from obscurity. Then there was the fact that he was clearly concerned for the first time about his posting. He was on board a starship with a crew that was like a well-oiled machine - they were a family, he could tell. Everywhere he looked showed the unmistakable signs.

Benedict had felt totally alone for the first time in years - he was no longer struggling against something that provided support in its adversity - he could no longer say that it was 'him' against 'them'. He was expected to join the family, and he had not realised how much that had affected him. He had people trying to make friends with him and they were genuine about it. There was nothing fake about this whole ship.

He had realised how much that had meant to him - and he had tried to summon up the images of Alayessa as a means to feel as he once had. But those images were incomplete now - he'd not seen that before. He fought against the healing process and now he knew that he really had no choice but to relinquish her memories. Time was a cruel master - it healed everything. Paul's words came back to him, "Don't fight it, embrace it. Let her memory go if that's what she wants of you. Would Alayessa want you to do this to yourself?"

It was that simple question that brought home the real truth. No. Alayessa would never sanction his behaviour. She would laugh at his stupidity and tell him to grow up. He felt a stab of sadness, but at the same time he knew that it was truth. He would have to grow up sometime.

He had to let her go. His constant companion. She was dead - and they would re-unite in death. But he had to start living his life - here, aboard the Galaxy.

He felt much better. The images in his mind wandered. The radiant smile of the Orion girl and her mischievous eyes drifted in and out and brought a smile. Paul Raines gesture of kindness. The flashing smile of the runner in the Arboretum. The giggling ensigns in Ten-Forward. Cathys' warm smile. The deep brown eyes that wouldn't let him go.

He saw her face in his mind. The haunted expression in those eyes. The strength of her pagh. The red flame in her hair. The slenderness of her hand. Her sadness at her pain. Benedict sighed - it was no use. She was the Lt. Commanders woman, and he shouldn't be thinking about her. He realised that she was a part of his current crisis. She had made him face a reality - he would eventually find another woman that would capture his attention. It just had to be a woman that was already in love with another man. Not just any man - but his superior officer.

Benedict sat up and rubbed his eyes. The room spun slightly. He reached over and grabbed his guitar. He began to play along with the music eddying through his quarters. It seemed to calm his mind and spirit enough, but he felt disconnected from the music once again. He gave up trying to lose himself and thought about her again.

She was untouchable. "Leave it at that." He said to himself.

"Ambitious Lieutenants"
by Dragynpup aka Numa Taurean
with additions by Captain Price

" Sir... " A shaky voice said from behind Sunder's right. It was the Ferengi ensign that Sunder had just thought about previously. He hadn't seen him come on the bridge and his appearance was somehow magically evocative.

" What is it Ensign? " Pressman's voice took on a tired sarcasm with the interruption.

" Nog swallowed hard before speaking. "Sir,... that, that, that is not the same ship the Valiant attacked. The markings are different Admiral. I'm sure of it." Nog paused at this revelation, "That is probably why the warp signatures of the power plants do not match either Admiral. They are similar, but each warp signature is unique like a finger print. Sir, this is a different battleship..."

Admiral Pressman gave Commander Thomas an order to continue recording the scans of the massive ship that more than filled the view screen. His words echoed in Numa's head. "Continue recording Lieutenant. We were ordered to locate and destroy a battleship and by God, that is exactly what we are going to do."

" Are you afraid, Commander? " Pressman spat the accusation at Ursa. Numa felt that it wasn't only aimed at him but also to all that were on the bridge.

Numa couldn't help but feel the fear welling up with in her. She stared at the menacing ship before her and thought that the only other ship that would cause such feelings would be a Borg Cube. The Benzite swallowed hard. She kept her calm exterior. Meanwhile Ursa Sunder and Admiral Pressman continued their oratory battle.

" Yes sir, I am. " Sunder said boldly, standing up to address the admiral directly. " And so is everyone else in this bridge, if they've got good sense. But I deal with my fear sir; I master it like all the officers who wear this uniform - and more importantly, I know when to fight and when the other guy has got a bigger stick than me. " He stepped closer to the admiral, drew himself up to his full height and fixed him with his full 280 lbs.

Numa continued gathering the information scanned and sent all she had to the science lab that Betta and D'Auria were in. She half listened to the discussion-taking place.

"You are out of line 'Commander..." Pressman said evenly in a controlled but forced tone. He was definitely angry, but was doing his best to maintain on an even keel. "In case you haven't noticed, the Federation is at war with the Dominion 'Commander." Pressman continued, pointing a thumb over his shoulder at the battleship on the main view screen. "And that ship belongs to the enemy. It will serve as a suitable target to test these new weapons. The ship's internal configuration is irrelevant. Phased torpedoes will not care. They will pass right through her shields, through her hull and explode once inside the ship." Pressman paused for a moment.

Numa's attention was on the Admiral as he spoke those words. Already she was thinking of a few reasons of her own why the Galaxy shouldn't have a confrontation with the second Battleship. Numa's thoughts were interrupted by Pressman's voice once more.

"That should be all it takes to take out this target. You have until then to collect intelligence data on the enemy battleship Commander. When the weapons are loaded and armed, we attack."

It was time for her to act. The blue skinned science officer snapped to attention rigged as a stone statue. "Admiral Pressman, sir, if I might be allowed to speak." Numa's voice was strong and heard by all on the bridge.

Admiral Pressman looked at her with a bit astonishment on his face though not one of surprise. "What is it Lieutenant?"

Numa stiffened. Her gaze was straight-ahead and unwavering. Her loathing for this admiral was all too real. He cared for no one except maybe himself. "Sir. We now know that there are two of these ships."

Before she was able to complete her statement, Pressman interrupted. "At least two Lieutenant. We are all aware of that. So what is your point?" the Admiral asked bluntly reflective of his mood after the confrontation with Lieutenant Commander Sunder.

Numa's eyes blazed with fury. Her skin flushed a darker shade, and her fingernails dug into her clenched fists. She hated this pompous arrogant bastard. She fought to keep her cool.

"I would like to interject another proposal that you may have not considered."

Again the admiral stopped her before she could go on. "We have worked long and hard to devise a plan when coming up against the Battleship. We have had the top minds in Starfleet working on this, so I hope you won't mind my saying that we have thought of everything."

Numa turned her gaze towards the white haired man. "With all due respect, sir, might I be able to finish my statement before being cut off again?" Numa didn't wait for him to answer. "I wanted to state that maybe we should think about following this ship to see if it might lead us back to a main base or ship ward where there are others being produced. Perhaps it is on its shake down mission as we were before being pulled into this clandestine mission." Numa took a breath and continued. "It's apparent that they have no idea that we are here, so why not take the opportunity to learn as much as we can?"

"Continue." At least she knew that she had his interest now.

"We can use the cartography lab to attempt to plot out the probable course that the ship is on. Lt. Sullax has been working long and hard on the current program there, and I think that you would be impressed with what we've been able to learn so far. We've been tracking all of the ships that we have encountered up to this point, and we have been able to determine most of their headings using his mapping expertise."

Numa couldn't tell what the admiral was thinking at this time, so she continued. "I was just thinking that maybe it would be a good thing to gather as much information before showing our trump card. After they know that we possess this technology, it won't be as easy to learn the whereabouts of their base." Numa stood silent.

Admiral Pressman thought for a long moment about what the Lieutenant had suggested. Glancing around the bridge, Pressman's eyes caught Ensign Nog's for a fleeting moment. The Ferengi had a worried look in his eyes. A desperate one. Pressman could tell the young Starfleet officer was experiencing dejavu all over again. Finally, Pressman shook his head. "No Lieutenant. We don't want to get greedy like the crew of the Valiant did. We have a specific mission to accomplish. To test out these new weapons and destroy a battleship. Nothing more. It could take weeks or even months before this vessel returns to the ship yards where it was manufactured, if it ever does. And there is no guarantee that they wouldn't enter high warp speed leaving the Galaxy behind at a moments notice. No. We have this ship in our sights right now. We should take advantage of the situation and carry out our mission. If things go right, they will never know what hit them." Pressman explained in a commanding voice. He then paused and added, "It was a good thought LIeutenant. But our mission objectives are clearly outlined on this one." Glancing over to Ensign Nog momentarily, Pressman's voice lowered slightly, taking on a more sincere tone, "I only wish that Captain Watters would have realized that on the Valiant."

“It‘s not as bad as it seems”
By Lt Jg Aaron Sharp

Aaron walked the corridors of the Galaxy, deep in thought. Obviously Tebrianne had a lot of things on her mind at the moment so he couldn’t really blame her for jumping up and leaving the way she did. It was frustrating, however, since he’d had a lot he wanted to talk to her about. There was so much that he needed to share, and sometimes a councillor just didn’t seem to be the right person to talk to. His com badge bleeped at him.

=/\= Lt Bancroft to Lt Sharp. =/\= Well, this wasn’t totally unexpected. Tebrianne wasn’t the rude type.

“Sharp here,” he responded, “What’s up, Teb?”

=/\= Aaron, I’ve got to pull Gamma shift on the bridge. Can I get a raincheck on that dinner? We can do it again tomorrow night if you like. =/\= Aaron smiled, already felling a lot better.

“That’ll be fine. Have a good shift.”

=/\= Thanks. =/\= came the reply.

Then his badge chirruped again, signaling the channels closure. Aaron smiled all the way back to his cabin, and was still smiling as he drifted off to sleep.

*****

Lieutenant Jg Aaron Sharp
Helmsman, USS Galaxy, NCC 70637

"Cuiraecen's Bolt - Part 2"
By Lt. (j.g.) Raesene Hermedhie and Ensign Counselor K'Elana.

Raesene was standing in the Holodeck, watching the sea wash onto the shores of Seaharrow. He had done this everyday after his return from the Qul'lelth. This ritual was done so that he would never forget his past. The life that had been torn from him so violently. He was so enraptured, that he did not notice the storm rolling in, out of the east. Then from the storm came a massive surge of electricity came shooting from the cloud, striking Raesene full in the back, knocking him out. But he was not dead... merely badly injured. The massive energy spike caused several alert systems to go off, indicating that for some reason security protocols had gone down in the holodeck.

K'Elana was just walking past the holodeck, when she heard the alarms go on. Something was very much wrong, she could sense it. It could have been her Klingon instinct, or her Betazoid empathic abilities, that told her someone was suffering inside. Hoping the door wasn't locked, K'Elana rushed in heart racing.

K'Elana found the door unlocked, and entered quickly. There she discovered a small fire burning on the roof, being quickly suppressed by some of the ship's systems. She also noticed a large man laying face-down with a large burn mark on the back of his uniform. There was a heavy smell of ozone in the air. Rushing over to him, she noticed that he was barely conscious... and in great pain.

Muttering a Klingon curse, K'Elana bent over him, and reached out with her mind, sensing his pain as though it was her own. "Hang on in there..." she whispered, and looked around for a second. The holodeck malfunctioned once: it could do the same thing again... They had to get out of there.

Raesene was mumbling in several languages. Only two of them were recognizable to K'Elana. He was muttering something about a bolt from Cuiraecen. The rest is some sort of gibberish that was indecipherable. But the surface feelings are great pain, and it was obvious that the electrical jolt did some kind of internal damage. Then he suddenly lapses into unconsciousness.

K'Elana felt his mind slip away from her, into the darkness behind his eyelids. She bit her lip, and tapped her comm. "K'Elana to Sickbay," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. No reply. She tried again. "K'Elana to Sickbay?" Same thing again. It was obvious something was wrong with the comm system, so K'Elana decided to do this the Klingon way: manualy.

The man on the floor before her, was bigger than her, and she knew lifting him was going to be near imposible, but she had little choice. Bracing herself, K'Elana took him by the legs and arms, keeping his back away from touch. She managed to straighten with him on her shoulders and began carefully pacing toward the exit.

As K'Elana staggered out of the exit, she bumped into a young female human. "Excuse me," She said. Then, K'Elana noticed that she wore the turquoise sweater of the medical department. Thinking fast, K'Elana asked, "Could you please help me with him? He was struck by some sort of freak power surge in the Holodeck."

The young lady quickly moved into action. She began checking over the burn marks on Raesene's back. "These are very serious," she said. "He has third-degree burns in the area where he was sturck. We need to get him to SickBay as soon as possible. And seeing as they have called a communications black-out, we will have to transport him there manually. Luckilly it is only one deck."

"Luckilly..." K'Elana echoed. "All right. You take the hands, I'll grab the legs, and we'll drag him into the turbo-lift. One deck down, and we're in Sickbay. Let's just hope he doesn't wake up till then." K'Elana sighed, placing the big man onto the floor.

"Be careful," Mhistecai said. K'Elana eyed her with a typical Klingon expression.

"I am being careful." K'Elana sighed, as she rose back on her feet. The two lifted the body, and began making their way toward the lift. K'Elana was glad she'd come across someone in the corridor. The thought of dragging him alone, gave her shivers. He was pretty heavy...

At last they reached Sickbay, and by then K'Elana's ridged forehead was covered with drops of sweat.

"Finally..." she whispered, as the doors of the turbolift opened, and K'Elana saw the doors of Sickbay a few meters away. "You stay with him, and I'll have someone get an anti-grav unit."

Not willing to wait all that long, Dierdren Mhistecai waited for K'Elana to start for the door, then picked Raesene up in a Fireman's carry. She then strode into SickBay and Gave him over to the Medical technicians, and Lt. Endris Gakor, the supervising medical officer.

By the time K'Elana got there, Raesene was laying on a bed in the Sickbay, with a bunch of doctors running around him. At first K'Elana wanted to be angry with Mhistecai, but then realized she's done the right thing. She sighed, and found herself a place to sit down. She wanted to stick around and find out what will happen. Her head seemed a little heavier than usual... What a first day on the job...

"Home team 1, away team 0"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price

The atmosphere on the bridge of the Starship Galaxy was tense. In the last several minutes, Admiral Pressman's orders had be questioned not once but twice by the Officers on board the ship. Presently the only person on the command deck that didn't seem on edge was Ambassador Tomalak, though that may simply have been a Romulan facade.

A hail came through the silence from Lieutenant McKenzie's tactical station. "Forward torpedo bays are loaded Admiral. Full spread. Maximum yield." Hunter relayed.

Pressman removed his thumbnail from his mouth where he was nervously biting it in anticipation. "Good. Helmsman, bring us around to the bow of the enemy battleship. I want to be looking head on at her when we open fire."

Lieutenant' Sharp nodded, "Bringing us around sir."

Commander Sterner called out, "Make sure you keep us a safe distance away Aaron. We don't want any of the debris from the explosion colliding with the Galaxy."

The helmsman called back "Aye sir."

Admiral Pressman glanced over at Commander Sterner and gave a slight smile. At least he was of the mind set that the Battleship would be destroyed. Which was the whole purpose of this mission Pressman thought.

"We are in position Admiral. Holding steady at three thousand kilometers." Lieutenant' Sharp called back from the helm. Thomas glanced over at Aaron from his station at Ops where he was recording everything the Galaxy's sensors was seeing. Without moving a muscle on his face, Chris winked and then returned his gaze forward to watch the death of the enemy Battleship.

The bridge grew quiet. To the left, Ensign Nog sat tentatively at the edge of his chair of science station two. He, like the others, was turned around to face the main view screen and watch the Galaxy's attack. His breathing was shallow and hurried as he licked his lips. "This is for Red Squad...." He mumbled to himself.

Pressman waited a long minute with the weapons at the ready. Steepling his fingers just in front of him, he tapped the bridged pair against his smiling chin a couple of times before pointing with them like he was holding a sword or something. "Fire." He ordered in a deep, commanding voice.

Activating the controls, Hunter called out, "Torpedoes away."

Tomalak, the bridge crew, everyone watched the main view screen as several glowing phase cloaked photon torpedoes sped away from the Galaxy and traveled through space towards the unsuspecting Dominion Battleship.

"Impact in 4... 3... 2... 1... Now." Lieutenant Thomas called out from the Operations station.

The crew of the USS Galaxy watched as the flashes of light penetrated the enemy vessel, then a moment later exited the opposite side without detonating!

"Torpedoes have past through the target Admiral. They are continuing on course." Thomas informed.

"What the Devil?!" Admiral Pressman blurted out, glancing around the bridge. He noticed Lieutenant Commander Sunder fold his arms and give him a smug, unimpressed glance, but Pressman was too concerned over the mission to worry about trivial matters like Sunder's insubordination. Glancing over to Ambassador Tomalak, Pressman noticed the Romulan didn't appear to be the least bit surprised.

"This is the same problem we have been experiencing with this type of weapon. We were hoping you had discovered a way to correct it. Evidently not..." Tomalak's tone was condescending and arrogant at the same time. A quality highly valued among the Romulan people.

"What went wrong?" Pressman asked, standing from the command well and making his way up the ramp to the tactical station. "Did you arm the torpedoes correctly Lieutenant?"

Hunter nodded, "I believe so Admiral. Everything was showing as green, as it still is now. It's like the phase generators on the torpedoes didn't disengage as designed when the torpedoes entered the enemy ship's hull."

"See if you can verify that the proximity sensors were online and didn't malfunction Lieutenant..." Admiral Pressman explained practically standing over Hunter at the tactical station. Behind him Tomalak was chuckling slightly, amused at Starfleet's latest failure.

"Admiral." Commander Sterner called back in a stern tone. It surprised everyone on the bridge. Even Ensign Nog who was once again sweating bullets stopped to look at the Galaxy's acting Captain.

Pressman looked up. "What is it Commander?!" he said heatedly. The conversations and distention of the Galaxy crew over the last few minutes and the frustration from this latest development apparent in his tone.

Joerg took a step towards the Admiral. The Commander was still standing in the Command well, directly in front of his Captain's chair, but some how taking that slight step forward added emphasis to his words, even if he was still looking up at the Admiral on the tactical deck.

"Sir. We must send the abort signal and detonate those run away torpedoes. They are a danger to all passing ships that frequent this area of space. To do otherwise would be irresponsible." Joerg explained in a firm tone.

"Negative Commander. If we detonate those torpedoes it will tip off the Battleship of our presence. She'd likely jump to high warp and we'd loose our tactical advantage." The Admiral explained, glancing back down at the tactical display McKenzie was punching up. "We are in Cardassian space anyway Commander. Those stray torpedoes don't pose a threat to Federation Starships."

"SIR!" Commander Sterner practically shouted, gaining Pressman's immediate attention through scowling eyebrows, "We may be in Cardassian space, and they are our enemy, but that doesn't give us the right to leave live photon torpedoes running stray through their space. There are civilian transports that also travel through this sector. If one of those phased torpedoes were to strike one, we'd be responsible for the deaths of hundreds or thousands of innocent people!"

"I told you Commander. This mission is too important. We can not risk being exposed by the Cardassian Dominion Alliance." Pressman growled.

Lieutenant Commander Sunder unfolded his arms and began walking up the command ramp to the Tactical station while he spoke. "Then we will have to track down and destroy those rogue torpedoes manually ADMIRAL. That way we can fulfill the mission objectives and our responsibility as Starfleet Officers at the same time." Ursa stopped at the other side of Hunter who was beginning to wish *he* had pulled Gamma shift this time around. "That is possible isn't it Mac? Using the Galaxy's phased weapons to destroy a phased target?"

Hunter looked at Ursa and then at the Admiral before glancing at the tactical station straight ahead of him. "I suppose in theory it could be done. But targeting an active photon torpedo is no easy trick 'Commander. And there are six of them all flying away in a full spread..."

Lieutenant Erikson glanced at Lieutenant' Taurean and Ensign Nog before taking a step towards the Tactical arch as well. "I think we should be able to destroy the torpedoes if we can matched the phase variance frequency of their internal phase generators with the Galaxy's phasers. It shouldn't be too difficult to match them up."

Admiral Pressman was turning red from all of the recent events. He was now leaning on the tactical station next to Hunter, clenching his fist, causing his knuckles to turn white with rage.

"What is it going to be Admiral? We can detonate the torpedoes remotely by transmitting the self-destruct signal, or we can track them down manually one by one. But either way... we are NOT going to leave them out there where they could harm an innocent civilian ship. SIR." Joerg's tone was rock solid and everyone could tell he was willing to stand behind his decision no matter what Pressman said. Court marshal or not.

Pressman stood there leaned over the tactical station for an awkward moment. He and Sunder were sandwiching Lieutenant McKenzie between them, causing the Chief Tactical Officer to feel boxed in. But Hunter was content on letting the situation play itself out, trying to walk that thin line between duty and loyalty. To the left of the tactical arch, Ursa began to crack the knuckles of his right hand by wrapping his massive left over it. Slowly he popped the joints one by one. Lieutenant' Chen recognized the Chief of Security's habit. It was something Ursa tended to do when he was getting ready to get physical, though this hadn't come to that yet.

"Fine." Pressman relented. "Track down the stray torpedoes and dispose of them with the Galaxy's phased phaser banks. Just keep an eye on that Battleship and be sure you don't expose our presence." Pressman straightened up, giving Hunter more space at the tactical station. "And find out what went wrong with the phased torpedoes. They should have detonated once inside the enemy ship's hull. We need to find out why they did not and fix the defect, or we will have to destroy that battleship with conventional weapons and tactics."

Pressman's words sent a chill down Nog's spine. The thought of taking on that Battleship again with regulation phasers and photon torpedoes did not appeal to the Ferengi in the least. "Admiral! If I may be permitted, I would like to aid Lieutenant Mercury in diagnosing the problem with the phased photon torpedoes sir."

Pressman looked at the nervous Ensign and gave a nod. "Your help would be welcome Ensign." Pressman then went to look away and return his gaze at Commander Sterner, but Nog wouldn't let him.

Stepping closer and asserting himself (quite a feat for a four foot tall Ferengi...) Nog added, "Sir.... I believe that members of the Galaxy crew could help to expedite the discovery and repair process in fixing the defect in these torpedoes. Can we have permission to bring in the people we need to get the job done Admiral?"

Pressman glanced around the bridge of the Galaxy. A film of sweat lined his balding forehead. Secrecy was an important part of this mission. Not only at the Romulan's insistance, but Starfleet's as well. The fewer people that knew of these technologies and their capabilities, the better for everyone concerned. Still, accomplishing the mission successfully was the top priority the President had handed down to the Admiral. In light of the Valiant's failure that was understandable.

"Very well Ensign. Inform Lieutenant Mercury to use whatever resources are needed to get the job done. Just get those torpedoes fixed and working." Pressman straightened up and turned to Commander Sterner. "I'll give you six hours Commander. You have that long to track down these stray torpedoes and destroy them with the Galaxy's phased weapons. In six hours, if the Battleship is still within our reach, we will attack, with or without the phased photon torpedoes. Is that understood?"

Sterner nodded. "That should be plenty of time to destroy these six torpedoes Admiral. But if the phased torpedoes are not ready by then..."

"Then you had better do everything in your power to assure that the torpedoes ARE ready by then Commander. That is a direct order." Pressman glanced around the bridge, letting his eyes pass by Taurean's and Sunder's on it's scan of the command deck, "And I am getting tired of having my orders questioned on this starship. Officers that can not carry out their orders have no business wearing that uniform. Now you know what needs to be done, so go and do it. I want solutions from here on out people, not questions." Pressman's tone was angry and frustrated which was understandable. Tugging on his black duty jacket, Pressman jerked his head at Commander Sterner, "The bridge is yours... for now Commander. Six hours. No more."

Pressman turned to leave, but before he past Ambassador Tomalak, the Romulan reached out and grasped his upper arm, turning him around. "Admiral, I believe that it would be a wise precaution if I accompanied the Ferengi specialist to where the weapons are located. Since you have authorized non-cleared personnel to assist in the weapons repair, I think one of us should be present at all times to oversee the work being performed. I am certain my government would insist on this."

Pressman nodded. "Very well Ambassador. I assure you, the men and women on this Starship can be trusted with the confidentiality of this technology. That is one of the reasons this ship was chosen."

Tomalak put on a doubtful expression, diverting his eyes towards Taurean and Sunder, "Yes, I have seen Admiral. But if it's all the same my presence while the weapons are worked on would be a safe precaution."

Pressman nodded. "As you wish Ambassador."

Tomalak released Pressman's arm and the Admiral made his way to the turbolift, leaving the bridge.

Clapping his hands together and rubbing them as if to warm them up, Tomalak put on a satisfied smile. "Well. I guess that means we will be accompanying you to Cargo Bay 2 Ensign."

Nog swallowed. Not so much at the thought of having an annoying Romulan watching the officers of the Galaxy troubleshoot what went wrong with the weapons and gloating over Romulan knowledge of said systems. No, the Ferengi had his fill of that on the trip to the Galaxy aboard Tomalak's Warbird. It was the pressing timeline the Admiral had placed on finding an answer to the problem that troubled Nog. The Engineer's work was definitely cut out for him and the crew of the Galaxy.

"Well let's get going Ambassador." Nog replied, heading towards the turbolift. Ambassador Tomalak, and the two security officers assigned to accompany him also entered as the turbolift doors swooshed shut.

"Problems and Solutions"
***By Ensign Suder... Engineer***

Over the past few days, Suder had noticed the way people were reacting to his presence. Or maybe it was the presence of the "Battleship". He was too confused with what had happened to him last night to even stroll into other people's thoughts and look at what they were thinking. He was walking down the corridor on deck seven trying to piece together the facts he knew from his dream. Was it a dream? All he could remember was he had seen two officers and their feelings. Both good and bad. If feelings were bad or good? He had always thought that they were just feelings. Just another aspect of life. He was supposed to work a seven hour shift but had to extend his shift to ten in order to get the jobs on the data padd complete. Every system checked out, some didn't but then he readjusted them and then they did. He was tired and on his way to Ten Forward. He hadn't been there yet, with all the recent activity he hadn't had time, but he thought that maybe he could interact with some of the crew, try and make some friends rather than enemies. The doors slid open and he took a step in. He was still in the proximity sensor range for the doors and they remained open. He looked around and saw only a handful of people. The officers were most likely on the bridge, while everybody else was either resting else where or were at their stations. Suder walked in and took a seat next to a window. When he saw a waiter walk over to him in just waved a finger and shook his head, mentally saying "No thanks".

Suder took a deep breath and looked at a data padd he was carrying and settled it on the table. He looked at the information on it and was trying to solve a problem. The Emergency Medical Hologram on his last ship was having some problems. Although "It" had been active for 1647 hours due to the war, the Chief Engineer had made some modifications so that it could run for at least three more months. But things weren't working out. In his spare time Suder worked on a way to solve this and then he would report back to the Lakota, that was, until they entered enemy territory. What better way to die. Behind enemy lines with no way to tell anyone that he might not be back. Not that it mattered. Most of his friends were on ships that had been destroyed by the Dominion. His family was in ruins. His father and mother missing and his brother lost somewhere in the Badlands. And now he was about to be entered into the list of the missing "Suders". It was only a thought that he was going to die. He had never been this far behind enemy lines before, and he had more than a few encounters with Dominion ships. The more he thought about the war and his duty, the more an encouraging idea got him thinking. He stood up and ran out of Ten Forward.

The doors to one of the Holodecks opened and Suder ran in and stopped to take a breath. He strolled across the gridded room and tapped a few commands into the computer panel on the wall next to the door. The room changed in a heartbeat and an artificial environment had been created. It was a bright room. A grey walled room with lots of computers and consoles. It was the lab on the Jupiter Station. He had been her several times when he was working on the Engineering Corpse at Starfleet Headquarters.

"What are you doing here?" someone demanded from across the room. Suder turned and looked at a man sitting on the far side of the room. He had the new uniform, with the grey lining, a recent update to his program, and a white dirty overall on. He was an engineer. The man was short, with a very unique hairline, and beady eyes. The image was a very close simulation to that of the Dr. Lewis Zimmerman. The man who had created the EMH and this program. The diagnostic for the EMH.

"I'm running your program to research the possibility of a new hologram." Suder replied as he set the padd on a computer and sat at one of the station and began accessing the computer database. The hologram on the other side of the room jumped up with fear on his face and took several large steps over to Suder.

"'A new hologram'? Am I being replaced??"

"No, but your the closest thing to an engineer that I can interact with at the moment. And your a hologram, and since I helped with your creation, I'm going to use what I know to create an entirely new program." Suder explained. The holographic engineer took a seat opposite Suder.

"What kind of new program is it?" he asked. Suder looked up at the intrigued but worried program that he had helped design.

"An Engineering program." Suder replied.

For several hours, Suder had been in the Holodeck working on his new program and answering all the questions that the hologram with him had to ask. Finally, Suder shut down the program and decided to call it a day. Although for the past few days he had done nothing but work everywhere on the ship except in engineering and the bridge, he found some comfort in the fact that he had finally found a project which would keep him occupied for a while. First thing in the morning, he would go see the Chief Engineer and see what he thought of his ideas. He still hadn't met the Chief, but tomorrow, he would change that. And maybe he'd drop by on the bridge and take a look around and meet the crew, if the incident with the battleship was over by then that was. He had completely forgotten about his experience in his dreams last night and went to bed without a second thought.

Again, flashes of light shot across Suder's mind. The flashing stopped and Suder found himself in his uniform standing in an area of white light. He looked around and saw nothing but whiteness. All of a sudden, with each heartbeat, different feelings shot through his head and heart. He dropped to his knees and clenched his fists and put them to his head, gritting his teeth trying to get rid of the feelings. Who's were they. Again, he saw the female officer from the last dream. She was upset. And then he saw the other officer, but he couldn't quite remember his name. He felt a pain in his arm and he looked down to find that his sleeve was rolled up and his arm cut open again like it was this morning when he woke up. He realized that he hadn't gone to sickbay as he didn't have time, but why would it be cut all of a sudden. He heard laughter and looked up. It was a the laughter of a voice that made him smile normally. But this time, he just walked along following the laughter. The feelings had jumped out of Suder and he couldn't quite sense what he was feeling. He turned around to look for anyone who might be with him and found himself looking at the walls of his old quarters. He turned back round and saw the rest of the room with an open door with a beautiful women standing at it, half dressed. She had lovely red hair, not too red, a dark rusty sort of colour. Her body had a nice set of curves that would make any man crazy. She smiled and gestured with her index finger, encouraging him to walk up to her. As Suder walked toward her, she ran into the bedroom and as Suder turned and looked inside, he was heartbroken. The women he saw, was his wife. He remembered now, And the person she was with, was someone he couldn't quite recognize. They were both in the bed that Suder had slept in every night and Suder just stood by the door, wide eyed at what he was seeing. His wife had always been faithful, what was she doing??? The anger built in Suder. He wanted to kill the man she was with. Instead, he just turned around and began heading for the door and as it opened, Derian walked by. As if someone had actually stabbed him in the back, Suder raised his head and looked at the ceiling as pain grasped his heart and squeezed. His mouth dropped open slightly and blood ran down the side of his lip while his eyes were wide. He had a calm expression on his face and felt himself drop to his knees.

Sweat dripped off his head and covered the sheets. Suder was led still. He looked almost peaceful. And he was. The same scenario played over and over in his mind, him meeting his wife and then seeing her with another man and then seeing Derian. Was this connected?? Suder was dreaming as if it were real. Of course, he didn't know any better. But as soon as the night came, it went. It was morning. 0800 hours and Suder was still in his deep sleep. He should have been up two hours ago so that he could be at work for 0700. The chime to his door rang, but Suder didn't move. The chime rang several times and a young man even called out through the door a few times. After several minutes, the crewman outside the doors tapped into the panel on the wall and the doors slid open. The security officer, James R. Torricle walked in and looked around the room. There was no sign of blood, or a struggle, or Suder's body. Nothing that would suggest he was unable to get to work. Until he entered the bedroom and saw Suder resting in his bed. Not moving a muscle, only to breath of course. Torricle stepped over to the side of the bed and called to Suder a few times and even shook him a bit to wake him up. But he didn't even stir. Torricle tapped his communicator and looked down at the officer which he could not wake.

"Torricle to sickbay, I've got a problem here." he reported....

Galaxy "And they Keep rolling in"
Written by Lt. Kahn Nilani
Chief Medical Officer

["Torricle to sickbay, I've got a problem here."]

I tapped my com badge

"Go Ahead!"

["Ma'am I have Sunder here, he is in bed and not moving!"]

"Understood I am sending a team to get him and bring him back to sickbay."

["Aye ma'am Untill then no one will enter!"]

"Good, there on there way and should be there within a Min. Kahn out"

I moved over to a Bio bed and set it up, grabbing a tray of instruments along side the bed, the door to sickbay opened and in came the Emergance team carrying Sunder on a portable stretcher.

"Ok Place him on top of the bed!"

"Failure Before Their Eyes"
** by Ensign Be'Tran M'Benga **

Jack and Be'Tran were still at work in the science labs, collecting as much data as they could on the hulk of Cardassian-constructed Dominion overkill.

As soon as new data came in, they punched up directly to Numa and Greer on the bridge.

Be'Tran was staring at the gargantuan vessel, clearly viewable on the main monitor in the lab. It was the most terrifying thing, in a way, she had ever seen.

The federation was at war; and this was their enemy. She imagined the Galaxy (and, for that matter, the whole of StarFleet) as a frightened third-grader, being harassed by the proverbial "school-bully".

She shook her head sharply, causing her long, flowing, frizzy hair to bounce wildly from side to side. With her reservation appearently shaken off, she retuned to her work.

Jack noticed Be'Tran's mood. "Are you alright?" he asked in a loving tone.

"Yes." replied Betta, just as softly.

Jack put his hands on her shoulders, and looked deep into her green eyes. The most beautiful, and beguiling eyes he had ever seen in his life. "You're afraid, aren't you?"

She nodded, and sank inot the comfort of his arms, resting her ridged forehead against his face.

At that moment indicators went off in the lab, and a claxon sounded. It was an automatic signal. The Galaxy was firing weapons.

Jack rushed to a monitor. The ship was firing torpedos. Be'Tran glanced at the monitor over Jack's shoulder, and then back at the hulk on the viewer.

"M'Benga to Taurean; Numes, what's going on?"

"Stand by." came the voice of the Benzite.

Be'Tran turned back to her console, and accessed the Galaxy's status, through the bridge-monitor link. The Galaxy launched several torpedos, all phasecloaked, just as the ship was.

The torpedos sped toward their intended target, the Dominion Battleship; and proceeded to pass through it as if they had never even been there. Never been fired in the first place.

"What the hell..." said Be'Tran, aloud, not knowing what to make of it.

Jack studied his own monitor. He shook his head uncertainly.

"Something's not right here." said Be'Tran to her lover.

"A Glitch"
by Lt. Thomas

** Bridge **

Chris watched the conversation and disagreements flying across the bridge as Pressman was determined to complete the mission at any cost. Which was when someone became dangerous as they became obsessed with accomplishing something. This was something that he was all too firmialr with as he'd been there and done that before, and in fact some might say he still was obsessed as he was still looking and reading information trying to find out why his wife died on that starbase. He'd found many clues and information that might be useful in finding additional information, but he'd found no solid leads yet on who was responsible and why the cover up was needed.

This was crazy here they were sitting in the heart of cardassian space, and yet undetected at the moment, but as soon as they destroyed that ship everyone would know that was near by. This wasn't going to be a very fun mission, now that he could see the size of the ship. In fact he really wondered if they truly had the firepower to destroy this vessel, even using the new torpedoes that were brought aboard to do just that, destroy this ship.

He was continuing to scan the ship trying together more tactical data about the ship, in case there really was more than just a few of these monstrosities running around out there in space. This wasn't good news for the federation and its allies, but hopefully they would be able together enough tactical data about the ship to stop it in the future.

Chris returned his focus back to the sensor readings that ship was collecting for study.

Christopher Patton

"Tag Team..."
by Counsellor Devlynn Salshyar
& Doctor Felicia Khatroweena

Dev sat in the Doctor's office, awaiting Cat's return. She came back in and took her seat, Dev smiled. "Sorry about that Dev, So I'm the next target on that list for counselling huh?" Cat said with a forced smile.

"Not quite," Dev said. She was a little hesitant to breach the subject with Cat, but knew that they had to correlate their stories for their respective reports. She stood and closed the door to the office, shutting out the sounds of the sickbay.

"Cat, what I wanted to talk to you about was..."

"...Deiran." Cat said, with a half smile / half grimace.

"Yes." Dev breathed. "Well, Commander Casey's situation is quite sensitive Cat, and I need to have your utmost promise that you will keep what I'm about to say to yourself for the duration of our careers." She looked deeply into the other woman's eyes.

Cat thought for a moment. "What are you getting at Dev?" Cat asked a bit uneasy.

"Promise me Cat." She said again.

"Okay, I promise."

Dev nodded. "Cat, Deiran's wounds were self inflicted. He tried to kill himself..." She could sense the shock from Cat but continued to speak, not waiting for her response. "After the tryst with Tebrianne, he went back to his quarters and confessed to Miran. She didn't take it well, as should have been expected. Feeling dreadfully, and very sorry for what he had done, Deiran saw death as his only avenue of possibility."

Cat's jaw hung low. "You mean... I expected something like that. Oh." Cat sighed as she sat back in her seat. "I wish you hadn't told me that."

"Yes Cat." Dev said, "and it can go no further than this room, if the Captain were to know that Deiran had tried to kill himself, his career in Starfleet would be finished. We can't let this get out."

"Then how are we supposed to do that?" Cat asked.

"There will be only two official reports on this, yours and mine. As long as they say the same thing, no one will question us." Dev smiled. "I don't want to see Deiran go down Cat, and I know that you don't either."

Cat frowned slightly. "Dev, I can't do that. We can't ignore this. In no way can I see this as beneficial to Deiran, his not having to deal with this trauma. I mean, how can he get help for this if we can't talk about it. There are some things more important than a career."

"For Deiran? Cat, we don't treat the symptoms in this situation. We treat the disease. Deiran has a lot of issues that he needs to resolve..."

"Tell me something I don't know. Dev, I can't in good conscience ignore this. I have to make that..."

"Cat, you know as much as I do. Starfleet is Deiran's life."

"And what about Deiran's life? What about the lives of those who are under his command? Unless he is perfectly healthy, he shouldn't be in a command position."

"I don't intend to ignore what has happened, Cat. I want to help him as much as you do."

Cat frowned and Dev could almost read Cat's thoughts behind her feline eyes. "Dev, he's not getting out of my sight until this is dealt with." Cat said matter-of-factly. "But if anything like this happens again..."

"I agree with you fully, and I was hoping you would think so. Cat, I need someone to help me help Deiran deal with his fear of sickbay. And that's where you come in. Of course, that's not the only thing that you'll be helping me with, but we have to remember that we can't talk to him about his attempt, if he admits it to either one of us, we'll have to report it to the Captain."

"But isn't it enough that we know?" She added.

"I don't know what rules you operate under, I'm not a doctor, but as a counsellor, I don't have a report this unless my client says it to me, then I'm obligated to place it in a special report to the Captain. Right now I can ignore it, and I will, for Deiran's sake."

"All right Dev." Cat paused for a few seconds. She then reached over and turned her desk terminal around so Dev could read her report on Deiran. "As you can see, it's really the best I could do. Any half competent doctor could see from the scan data what really had happened."

Dev looked at Cat, after she had studied the report for a few moments. "Ok. We need to work out how we are going to do this. The hardest job is going to get Deiran to listen to us. He's too independent for his own good."

"Hmmm, well, He won't be back on duty until I'm happy about his condition." Cat asserted.

"Deiran, isn't going to like that at all," advised Dev.

"I know! But, I'm not going to leave a job half done. Not for anyone."

"I can understand your point of view on this matter Cat. What we need to do is formulate a plan. Is Deiran still in sickbay?" Cat nodded. "Good, let him go back to his quarters. Only to his quarters, we can have Security take him there if we must."

"I'll go inform him that he's free to go, but Dev, we need to make it clear to him that it's not over."

"Agreed," she said, picking up her PADD. She followed the feline doctor out into the medical bay where Deiran Casey sat on his bed.

"Dev, Cat," he said as they approached. He went to stand, opening his mouth slightly to speak.

"Sit Deiran." Cat directed.

"Deiran, we need to talk to you."

"About what happened."

"We both know, and we're not going to let you get off scott free."

"We're worried about you Deiran."

"I want you to understand our point of view on this. As much as we care for you, the well-being of the entire crew rest on our shoulders."

"I wanted to keep you in sickbay, Deiran, but Dev suggests that we can let you go for now."

"But you'll be restricted to quarters for a few days, at least until we have a chance to talk some more."

Deiran was speechless, the verbal assault by which he had been taken was quite startling. Especially from these two. He merely blinked as they spoke, not knowing what to say, or when to say it.

"Do you understand Deiran?"

He nodded slightly. "Good," Dev said. "A Security Officer will be posted outside your door at all times, if you wish to leave your quarters you are to contact myself to the doctor, we will come and get you. Deiran, you're not going to be able to pull this again." She nodded her head succinctly.

"Uh," Deiran managed to get out. He stood and walked toward the door. A security officer appeared from nowhere and stood behind him.

"Remember what we said, Deiran."

He merely nodded. Deiran Casey was speechless...

"Too Long, No Sleep"
By: Lt(jg) Ryak Sullax
S.O. USS Galaxy

Ryak worked hard at his compiling of the sensor information. Ryak had only left the lab for a shift on the bridge. His time on the bridge gave him some opportunity to gather some more specialized data for him to compile. Ryak had enough time to eat before he picked Sullar up from day care and put him to sleep on the couch in the Astrometric/Stellar Cartography lab once again.

Ryak worked hard at getting all of the vast information that he had collected into the computer. Ryak watched as the space they were in get filled with new data. After about five minutes Ryak had only the terminal and his son on his mind. Ten minutes passed when Ryak noticed a blip at the corner of the lab. Ryak started to call up the information on it when he heard the doors to the lab open. T'Vek entered and Ryak was not able to see him right away. As the lab darkened again Ryak noticed him.

"Greetings Lt. Sullax, I hope you fare well." T'Vek said. Ryak noticed him look over towards Sullar.

"Jolan-Tru T'Vek," Ryak whispered back. At that moment the lab went into a warp to the area of the blip. Ryak noticed that T'Vek seemed to loose his balance slightly as he probably did not expect the lab to react in this manner. "I am doing well, I hope you do not mind that Sullar is here. But it has to be if I am going to get all of this catalogued. When he awakes I will introduce you to him." Ryak's stopped his sentence quickly as a large battleship appeared on his screen. "T'Vek grab a seat." Ryak pointed at the seat next to him. T'Vek sat down and quickly acquainted himself to the terminal lay out Ryak had constructed for the lab. "Help me get as much data about this ship as you can. You work on getting as much data as you can about that ships internal structure and engines without them finding out. I am going to focus on weapons and shields. It doesn't look like the vessel we are supposed to looking for."

Chris Gagne
A.K.A. Lieutenant(JG.) Ryak Sullax
Science Officer
USS Galaxy
Contact at: i2qtnot2b@hotmail.com

"Breathtaking Encounters Of Wondrous Beauty"
USS GALAXY
Lt. Commander Deiran Casey & Ti Miran

When the devout religion of mine eye
Maintains such falsehood, then turn tears to fires;
And these, who often drown'd could never die,
Transparent heretics, be burnt for liars!
One fairer than my love! the all-seeing sun
Ne'er saw her match since first the world begun.

Deiran sat in his bed reading Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet. His bed. It was now. Miran apparently moved out when he was in Med Bay 3. It tore Deiran up that she moved out. *I’m not giving up, I'll get you back Miran!* His thoughts began to wander from the play to his own Juliet. Her beauty, her sweet voice, feeling her love tangibly, loving her in the still of night. Feeling her hand against his chest as she snuggled close to him in their bed. Their bed, that's what it should be called. In his mind it sti

ll was their bed.

Deiran continued to read:

 
MERCUTIO
		 You are a lover; borrow Cupid's wings,
		 And soar with them above a common bound.
ROMEO
		 I am too sore enpierced with his shaft
		 To soar with his light feathers,
		 and so bound, I cannot bound a pitch above dull woe:
		 Under love's heavy burden do I sink. 
MERCUTIO
		 And, to sink in it, should you burden love;
		 Too great oppression for a tender thing. 
ROMEO
		 Is love a tender thing?
		 it is too rough, Too rude, too boisterous,
		 and it pricks like thorn. 

Deiran stopped after reading this portion. He wanted to throw the PADD containing the words clear across the room. They hit home, like an arrow piercing his heart. The words stung. At this point in his life it was all too true. It does prick like a thorn, and tears at the soul.

He read a few more scenes and stopped. Being cooped up in his quarters, in his bed was driving him nuts. He needed exercise, to get out of his prisons. He desperately wanted on the Bridge. He wanted to assist in taking down the Cardassian/Dominion battleship.

Deiran had his share of glory, but he was a very greedy man when it came to that glory. It drove him insane that he couldn't participate, he did trust the crew to get them all out alive. Sterner would see to that.

He would have to sit this one out.

It wasn't like he didn't have his own internal war to fight. He had to keep his family together. Deiran never lost, he may be down, it may look hopeless and bleak, but Deiran Casey never gave up. His tenacity was limitless. He'd continue on until his goal was achieved.

Just days ago he'd lost his hope, his will to live, but he got it back and the old Casey returned. You could get him down, but not long.

As he read, the silence was too much. He didn't hear Miran's voice as she whispered to Lara a sweet love poem in Bajoran, the coos of Lara, her giggles and even her crying. He missed it all.

"That's it, I have to get out of here!" he said out loud to the low lit room.

He had his red uniform on already, he put on his Lt. Commander pips, combed his hair just right and left his quarters.

*I’ll go to the holodeck. If I can't have my family in real life, I can at least dream.*

He strode along the corridor of deck 8. Heidi Mason accompanied him, she was assigned to keep track of him for Dev and Cat. They had put a tracker and a life-signs apparatus on him. They were monitoring him 24 hours a day. *I’ll have to convince Dev and Cat I’m okay now* A few Ensigns passed by, staring at him. Shocked to see him. He shrugged the thoughts away of what they might be thinking and continued to the TL. Once inside, he was met by a Bajoran man, who also wore red. He had never seen this man before.

"Hello Ensign, Lt. Commander Deiran Casey, we haven't met," he said holding out his hand in greeting. Deiran's eyes exuded a strength as he stared into the Ensign's violet eyes. The power Deiran showed the man was almost overwhelming, Casey's determination to get his wife back was fueling his motions, his thoughts and even his muscles and the mirrors of his soul.

"Nice to meet you Commander. Ensign Benedict T’Kal," the man replied, shaking Casey's hand.

Casey gave the man a very strong hand shake. Just to reinforce the strength he showed in his eyes. Almost as if there was a connection between the two men. There was nothing threatening, just a friendly, masculine greeting.

The TL stopped at deck 11. "Good day Ensign, nice to meet you. I'll buy you a drink if we're ever in Ten Forward together," Deiran said as he exited and headed for the holodecks.

Walking down the corridor, he felt good, at least better than he did being imprisoned by the Medical staff. Deiran hated being restrained in any form. He could control himself, but there was nothing wrong with a little exercise and entertainment.

He needed to hug Miran even if it was a hologram.

When he turned the corner, he was shocked.

There before him was Miran, the real Miran. His heart sank, he took in her whole being, made a mental picture. She looked so beautiful. *You were stupid to hurt such a beautiful woman. I need you Miran.*

Deiran smiled, gazing at her just as he had on their first date, his eyes sparkling, "Hello Miran, I miss you," he spoke with a tone that always comforted her in the past. Hoping it would work this time also. "I love you Miran," he told her, not a man to pass up any chances given to him.

And as he stood there looking at her, the words of Romeo echoed in his mind.

 ROMEO
		 O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!
		 It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night
		 Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear;
		 Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!
		 So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows,
		 As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows.
		 The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand,
		 And, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand.
		 Did my heart love till now?
		 forswear it, sight!
		 For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night. 

Miran's heart seemed to stop. She stood there like a deer caught in the headlights of an on coming vehicle. Part of her wanted to run into his embrace, the other half screamed betrayal. She felt herself trembling.

Deiran knew her very well by now. He could see that she was trembling and knew what it meant. *Miran, I’m sorry.* He could even read her thoughts. Knowing that she felt trapped, wanting to run and wanting to stay. He would be as gentle with her as he always was in the past. He could feel her pain, as he felt pain also.

He moved closer to her, gently reaching for her hand. "Miran, I know I betrayed our love. I can't live without you, Miran. I know that now more than I ever did. Without you, I'm incomplete. Give me another chance, please?" His voice was soothing, with a tinge of desperation.

Her bottom lip quivered betraying the tears she so gallantly held back. She pulled her hand away from his.

"Please Miran?" His voice seemed to cry, anyone who heard it could’ve felt the pain inside him.

"Leave me alone," she sobbed and started back the direction she came from.

"Wait Miran, please let's talk!"

Miran stopped, "Only with Dev," and she proceeded down the hall.

He watched her walk down the hall. His heart was breaking with each step she took to get away from him. When she turned the corner he did a 360 and went to the holodeck entrance.

=/\= Casey to Salshyar =/\=

=/\= Dev here Deiran, what do you need? =/\=

=/\= I’d like to set up an appointment with you for Miran and I. Could you get in touch with her and set it up? She said six words to me, ‘leave me alone and Only with Dev.’ You’re my only option at the moment. Casey out =/\=

He didn’t give Dev a chance to say anything in response, she could say it in the counseling session. He’d be seeing allot of Devlynn anyway, something he wasn’t looking forward too. Nothing personal against her, she was a great person, he just didn’t like counseling or medicine, sickbays or anything having to do with it.

"Load Casey program 31 and add Casey algorithm parameters for an on going randomness in the program. Set specifically to the specified characteristics of Casey Ti Miran and Lara Casey," Deiran said to the computer as he stood at the LCARS panel of holodeck 2.

He entered and saw Miran holding Lara as she was putting her to sleep. Deiran smiled, this was what he wanted. His heart melted. He watched as Lara slowly fell asleep and Miran put her in the crib. Miran watched Lara as she slept.

Deiran walked up next her, put his arm around Miran. He kissed her on the cheek, she smiled at him. Deep inside he wished it was real.

He’d have his old life back for at least an hour, and that would be enough to keep him going.

Back to School
Chief Counselor Karyn Dallas

Karyn hadn't gotten much sleep last night. She kept having dreams about her last moments with Alan. She kept waking up just before they kissed goodbye. He was off to find work and she was off to her brand new job on the Enterprise-D. She really didn't know if she'd see him again. Life, after all could change in an instant. She met up with him years later at the Academy. He was studying to be a security officer, she a psychologist and a teacher. The two resumed their love affair as if it had never even ended. The two were no longer frightened, powerless, teenagers anymore and it soon became evident that each had changed. Neither one was ready to give up their careers for marriage, and they each needed breathing room. Alan had never really dealt with his feelings of anger toward his alcoholic mother. She would hit him, verbally abuse him and yet, he still loved her. They both carried a lot of anger from their childhood which caused their "separation". Karyn had always felt Alan resented her because she was a constant reminder of his past. They had each gone their separate ways, still promising to marry in a few years. At first they had kept in touch, the letters were strained and eventually they stopped coming. This was devastating to Karyn, who had come to the conclusion he deserved someone else with less baggage.

She shrugged all these memories off as people from the education dept. began to file into her office. She had gathered some comfortable chairs and arranged them into a circle. She preferred this arrangement instead of a conference table because it was less intimidating. She didn't want to preside over her staff, she hated throwing around her authority. She hoped people would come to respect her as their CO because they wanted to, not because they had to.

"Hello, everyone. For those of you that don't know me, my name is Karyn Dallas. I called this meeting mainly so we could all get to know each other and discuss some of the procedures for the dept. I've looked over Erin's notes and I just want to use this time to address any concerns you might have."

Karyn listened carefully as each teacher introduced themselves and told what grade/subject they taught, as well as any suggestions they had about improving the department. Most teachers wanted to see more programs to help those having trouble with certain subjects. Classes on starships weren't as big as they used to be in ancient earth schools, but it was still difficult to cater to each individual student.

Karyn listened to these concerns, occasionally suggesting her own ideas here and there. She was glad everyone was talking and sharing their own ideas. Teachers, like most people on board, spent their time running around. Sometimes it was nice to be with people who knew what you were going through.

"And now it's time for everyone's favorite, Starfleet's yearly curriculum." Everyone, including Karyn herself, gave an audible groan. The yearly curriculum published by Starfleet's Education Department, outlined the objectives they wanted to see covered. These objectives were helpful but very lenghthy. It was almost impossible to cover them all.

Karyn handed everyone a PADD with the lengthy goals.

"Thank you all for coming and please feel free to come to me with any questions or concerns. Keep up the good work!" As they filed out, she was already thinking of the the Counseling Dept. meeting that was due to begin in about 5 minutes. She hoped it would be as successful.

Miss, Miss, Miss, Reload!
Ensign Keras T’Vek
Science Officer
USS Galaxy

"Jolan-Tru T'Vek," Ryak whispered back.

At that moment the lab went into a warp to the area of the blip. Ensign Keras T’Vek was off balance momentarily due to the quick visual change in his surroundings but quickly corrected the problem.

"I am doing well, I hope you do not mind that Sullar is here. But it has to be if I am going to get all of this catalogued. When he awakes I will introduce you to him." Ryak's stopped his sentence quickly as a large battleship appeared on his screen. "T'Vek grab a seat." Ryak pointed at the seat next to him. Keras sat down and immediately began to familiarize himself with the controls as Ryak continued to speak.

"Help me get as much data about this ship as you can. You work on getting as much data as you can about that ships internal structure and engines without them finding out. I am going to focus on weapons and shields. It doesn't look like the vessel we are supposed to looking for." Ryak said while tapping away at the console magnifying, bringing up new images, organizing data, and amplifying the resolution.

"I will be pleased to help you." Keras said as he turned to his console and began to use several techniques so that the Warship would not detect the in-depth scans as he began to receive the data.

He raised one eyebrow as he looked over the information, the vessel was using a massive energy source but he was unable to detect for what, most likely the Cardassians are not being efficient in there use of energy he thought as he looked at the chart, then he glanced up to see several objects flying towards the Warship.

"Sir, you may wish to see this." He said showing no emotion to the fact that several fast moving projectiles had just been fired and were on there way.

"Interesting." Was Ryaks reply as they watched the projectiles fly right through the Warship as if it was not event there.

"Chance Meeting"
Ensign Benedict T'Kal
Tactical Officer
USS Galaxy

Benedict stood alone in the Turbo Lift waiting for it to take him to the Tactical Office. He had recieved a message from Lt MacKenzie that had made his day. He was being transferred to Alpha shift as soon as the current crisis was over.

Admiral Pressman had made several changes to the shift routines, and until this mission was over, Benedict would be remaining on Gamma. He thought about those same shift changes. They were responsible for placing Lt Bancroft on the Bridge during Benedict's watch - she was usually on Alpha shift. Now he was going to be second to Lt MacKenzie on the Alpha shift, so when-ever MacKenzie relinquished the Bridge TacOps station Benedict would have to take his place. In the meantime his duty station was at the TacOps staion on the Battle Bridge.

He sighed for the umpteenth time - he really didn't know what the hell was wrong with him. He'd been confused, and a little mad at himself. He thought of Tebrianne Bancroft again, and wondered why he just couldn't get her out of his mind. He hadn't even spoken to her! He'd stood opposite her in a turbo lift - and he'd looked into her eyes. He knew she was in love with Casey - she had to be! Casey must also love her - or else why sacrifice his whole family for her?

He had absolutely no right to intrude or even speculate - and that was worse - he'd been doing nothing BUT speculate on the whole thing since he'd seen Tebrianne in the holodeck, and then on the Bridge. He'd literally lost his fucking mind!

Just as Benedict expected to leave the car as it stopped, he realised that this wasn't his destination. The door slid aside and he looked directly into the face of Lt Commander Dieran Casey. Benedict immediately felt guilty. The man stepped into the turbo lift with a smile on his face, accompanied by a female security officer.

The expression on the mans face was easy to read. It showed confidence, strength and purpose. He looked directly at Benedict and extended his hand.

"Hello Ensign" he said. "Lt. Commander Deiran Casey, we haven't met,"

Benedict shook the mans offered hand - it was a strong grip.

"Nice to meet you Commander. Ensign Benedict T’Kal," Benedict was impressed. The man stood before him with no outward hint of his present circumstances. There was a deeply hidden anguish in the mans eyes though - as if he was trying to put a brave face on things. Benedict sensed an inner determination in the man.

In person Casey was no longer boyish, as he had appeared to Benedict in the holodeck sim. He had that aura of command that staff officers so often exuded, but Benedict thought that it was a little misplaced - as if he was trying to wear a coat that was too big.

He wore the same expression in his eyes as the one Benedict had seen on the Bridge during his holodeck re-creation. Casey was determined to win. Benedict wondered what it was he was trying so hard to defeat. Was the security officer accompanying him there to protect him?

Benedict looked at her briefly. She was watching the exchange with interest - well, she was watching Benedict at least. She smiled when he glanced at her and she was at ease - Benedict instantly knew that she was not there to protect Casey from someone who might be trying to kill him. She was watching Casey's movements with concern.

The mans life had hung on a very thin thread no more than 24 hours ago. He was standing there large as life as if nothing had happened. Benedict knew that if there was someone out to kill the Lt Commander, he would be able to identify the attacker. There would have been an arrest by now. Benedict knew security protocol, and this ship was certainly staffed by professionals - he was certain that security would have the situation well in hand.

That left the man standing in front of him. Benedict glanced at Caseys comm badge and realised that it was a medical issue sensor. It was keeping an eye on Caseys life signs - he was healthy by the looks of it.

Benedict had only one thought at that moment. Seppuku.

He looked in Casey's eyes. He knew it instantly. He'd tried to take his own life - that was the reason for the security officer, why he wore the sensor, why he was not on duty. It was the only explanation. Benedict thought of Tebrianne, of the look in her eyes - she knew it too. It fell into place - she blamed herself!

He'd been discovered, or exposed in some way - the affair obviously a secret, he'd done the only thing open to him. He'd attempted to commit seppuku in order to absolve his sins. He'd failed. Was the determination Benedict saw in the man the determination to die? He'd known men with the same affliction - a drive to end life so powerful that it consumed everything.

Casey was a man so consumed with his own honour that he disregarded everything else. Did he know that there was no dishonour in finding love? There was dishonour only in failure. To Benedict, the thought of failing at seppuku was not an option. He speculated upon what the man was going to do now.

The turbo lift came to a halt. The computer voice said. [Deck 11]

"Good day Ensign, nice to meet you. I'll buy you a drink if we're ever in Ten Forward together," Deiran said as he exited.

Benedict just smiled and nodded at the superior officer. He dissapeared with the security woman in tow. She smiled at Benedict as she left the car.

As the doors closed and the lift went on its way, Benedict once again turned his mind to Tebrianne Bancroft. Dieran Casey obviously thought that the knowledge of their affair made public was too much to bear. It would have shamed her beyond words.

He felt her shame as if it was his. He thought about Casey, and wondered if he'd like someone to show him how to commit seppuku properly. At that moment Benedict would have gladly obliged.

"Remember..."
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price

*** Shoak home, the planet Vulcan ***

"....and then Turner pulled it anyway causing the box to depressurize sending shaving cream all over his uniform." Lee laughed.

On the bed before him, Captain Shoak remained motionless as he had for the last several hours. It was getting difficult for Captain Price to continue to talk to himself, reliving experiences from his past on board the Galaxy, but he still clung onto the hope that Captain Shoak might come around and at least acknowledge that his friend had come to visit him.

After the last story, the room grew rather quiet for a long moment. Lee's thoughts were on the disease, the Bendii Syndrome, that was causing the Vulcan to die. It was difficult dealing with a world without Captain Shoak in it. It was like a part of Lee was dying too.

To break the silence, Lee glanced at the night stand near the Captain's bed. "You want some water Captain?" he asked. Standing he drew a glass from the pitcher. "He you go 'mate."

Carefully, Lee placed a hand on his former mentor. The last several hours while Lee relived tales from the Galaxy's past missions, Captain Shoak had laid motionless with his back to him. Now was the first time Lee saw Shoak as he leaned over the dying Vulcan. His skin was very pale. His lips dry and chapped. And his eyes, they had dark circles hanging in the hallows of his sockets. But he was awake. His eyes distant and glassy as they looked out. Out past Lee Price, past the wall at the end of the room,... possibly out past the barriers of the universe itself.

"You are awake Captain. That's bonzer 'mate. It's me, Lee Price. Here, I brought you some water."

After a moment when Shoak didn't move at all, Lee poured some of the liquid into his hand and gently pressed it to the Vulcan's lips. It moistened them, though Shoak didn't actually move a muscle to drink.

Discouraged Lee backed away and put the glass back down. "Well, it's here for later when you need it 'mate." Lee's thoughts were no longer on past events. He was angry and worried. There was nothing he could do about his friends condition. Nothing anyone could do. The best he could manage was to make Shoak comfortable and wait for him to ultimately die. It was hard for Lee to imagine a world without Captain Shoak in it. That realization was probably the hardest truth the Captain had ever tried to face.

Lee sat down in the chair with a down beat plop. It was hard to stay positive while these thoughts of loss worked through his mind. He let out an almost unnoticed sigh in despair.

"Lee." Came a weak and distant voice. Gruff, yet amazingly centered at the same time.

The Price glanced around the room, wondering where the voice had come from, or if he'd actually even heard anything at all.

"Lee." Captain Shoak repeated just as softly as before.

Again the Captain glanced around, but this time he realized who it was that spoke. Rising up, he placed a hand gently on his mentor's shoulder and leaned over to see him. Shoak's eyes were still just as glassy as before. His focus light years away.

"I'm here Captain." Lee started swallowing dryly, "You're former 'mate from the Galaxy."

"Lee do you remember the first time we met?" Shoak asked in a raspy near whisper.

Lee's thoughts were racing over the loss of his friend. Shoak had been like a father to him all of these years. He'd taught him everything he knew about running a Starship and being a Captain. The knowledge that he was loosing him to this mental sickness was first and foremost in his every thought. Remembering things that happened in his academy days was the last thing he wanted to do. But given the hopelessness of the situation, Lee though perhaps remembering the past and sharing it with his friend was the only thing he really could do.

"Yes. Yes sir, I remember. It was my last year in the Academy. You'd come to the campus to talk to a number of the graduating cadets about possible positions on the USS Galaxy." Lee smiled, "I remember going out of my way to 'accidentally' meet you on campus."

"Lee. That was not the first time we met." Shoak said in a deepening voice, though still weak and distant, "The first time we met has not happened yet."

A bewildered look formed on Price' face. His eyes narrowed not understanding what his former Captain was talking about. He knew his friend was dying, and how the mental disease Bendii Syndrome affected Vulcans. In the final stages like Captain Shoak was in right now, it was reasonable to assume that a delusional state might result. There was a good chance that his friend was just not aware of what he was saying.

"I don't understand 'mate? What do you mean we haven't met? Don't you remember? I bumped into you in the Campus cafeteria. You ended up asking me to join you for lunch... remember Capt'n?"

With great effort Captain Shoak managed to roll back over to face Lee. His eyes were still glassy as before, but this time they managed to focus onto Lee's. "No. We have not met for the first time yet. But we will." Shoak said evenly and in the clearest voice he had managed this evening.

Lee still looked confused, but his expression softened at seeing his former Captain make eye contact. "I don't quite follow you Capt'n. What do you mean?"

Shoak reached out with his hand and placed it onto Price' forehead. Slowly he moved his fingers apart and began melding with Lee's mind. "My thoughts to your thoughts. My mind to your mind..." the Vulcan chanted in a weak, shaky voice. "Remember....."

*****

An explosion blinded his eyes in a field of white and orange sparks. Quickly he placed hands in front of his face to shield them for the moment. The floor seemed to tilt and buckle, causing him to stumble slightly off balance. He quickly bent his knees and widened his stance. As the light faded, he could see that he was on the Bridge of a starship.

"Hull breaches on decks nine, ten and twelve!" a female Lieutenant called out from the tactical station. "They are coming around for another pass."

"Shield status?" yelled the man sitting in the Captain's chair. He had a gash on his head and was wearing an old style Starfleet uniform."

"Shields are gone. Life support too. Main power is down 67 percent." The short hared Lieutenant replied. "Brace yourself, incoming attack!"

He turned and glanced at the main view screen. An old Romulan Battlecruiser swooped down and began to open fire. The weapon's energy impacted with the ship, causing more explosions around the bridge.

["Warning, Warp containment field is weakening. Detonation is imminent."] the computer automated warning began to repeat.

"Shoak, see if you can buy us more time!" the man in the Captain's chair called out, though he too was only wearing Lieutenant's stripes around his arm bands.

"I will do my best Captain." he replied before making his way towards the nearest turbolift.

Another explosion rocked the ship, toppling the officer to the floor. The floor of the bridge begins to rip apart as the supporting beams from the deck below are driven through the flooring.

"It's no use Captain!" the Lieutenant at tactical screams out over the sound of crunching metal jutting through the flooring. "Shields are gone. Power is off-line. There is nothing else we can do..."

"One thing." The Captain declared. "All hands, abandon ship. All hands, abandon ship."

Another explosion ripped through the ship, causing her to tilt off axis. The sound of the hull giving way could be heard resonating throughout the ship. Within moments it would all be over.

Then several transport beams enveloped members of the crew, whisking them away from certain death.

{"Remember....."}

*****

Another flash of white light, now in a conference room. Several officers surround the table that is strangely bent to conform to the semi circular meeting place. There seem to be officers here from three different eras, some with Starfleet uniforms from the past. Some with uniforms like his own, and others with uniforms never seen before.

"G'day 'mate. Welcome on board the Starship Galaxy. Glad you could join the team Ensign...."

{"Remember...."}

*****

The transporter beam faded and he found himself on an even older ship than before. Excelsior class if he wasn't mistaken. In his hands two full boxes of tools he'd brought along to aid in the repairs of the systems. An Asian Captain greeted him with a toothy smile. "Welcome aboard the Starship Excelsior Ensign. After that last battle she is in need of a good Engineer."

{Remember....}

*****

The mind meld ended as Captain Shoak's own strength faded. It had taken everything he had left in the way of energy to initiate the meld with Lee. Now, his time was nearly up.

Lee stumbled backwards when Shoak released him. He landed, fortunately, in the near by chair and grasped the arms tightly. Lee was panting and trying to understand all that he had saw and experienced in the last several minutes. His heart was racing and he felt a pounding in his head from the Vulcan form of telepathy.

Finally he weakly stated, "I don't understand Capt'n...."

Shoak blinked slowly and looked out with distant eyes once again. "You will. And when you do, you will remember....."

It was the Captain's dying words.

"Tracking Down the Problem, Part I."
by Lieutenant Greer Erikson

"Erikson to Ensign T'Vek." Lieutenant Erikson said from behind the tactical arch as he watched the mighty Dominion vessel on the main viewscreen. "Keras, we have to get as much data on the vessel as possible. You know the drill . . . electromagnetic scans, spectrographic analyses, and the such. Lieutenant Taurean is already making the data will be available from the science labs on Deck Five where Ensigns D'Auria and M'Benga are currently working on a subspace profile."

["Yes sir."] the Vulcan replied is a typically stoic tone. [" I also believe that Lieutenant' Sullax is busy between Astrometrics and Stellar Cartography."]

"Understood. We only have a few hours and we need all the information we can get. Erikson out." Greer said as he reached over and tapped his comm badge. For a few more moments the site of the ship made Erikson's mind wander as he tried not to think about how many of these things there actually might be. Taurean had a point about finding them, but then again, so did the Admiral. "What do you think about the torpedoes Numa?" Greer said as he broke his own concentration and moved back over to the science stations.

"Truthfully sir, I don't know where to begin." she replied honestly. "In theory they should have detonated just as the Admiral pointed out, but we don't really have a lot of information on the nature of the torpedoes."

"And that isn't making it easier to determine a reason for it either." Greer added before turning to the neighboring science station. "Mr. Nog, you don't have any ideas on the matter, do you?"

The Ferengi turned towards the tall Human. His face was covered with a sheen of perspiration which seemed to have appeared some time after he returned to the Bridge. "No sir." Nog replied, still trying to deal with the haunting image of the superclass vessel that destroyed the Valiant.

"Matter, phased or not, still obeys the laws of physics. There has to be a perfectly logical explanation for why they simply passed through that ship. And we need to know why." Greer said as he rubbed his fingers against the stubble on his chin. "Perhaps if we begin a reviewing the ship's computer for information about the science behind phasing . . . computer logs, technical reports, that kind of thing."

"Aye sir." Numa said as she continued to coordinate matters from the primary science station.

"It might be an idea if we got Lieutenant Morris on that information search too. She's had a lot of experience in practical sciences." the Chief Science Officer said as he pat Taurean on the shoulder.

******

Looking up at the intelligence officers guarding the phase cloaking device, Hewson tried to make out what one of the men were talking about and to whom. It seemed likely enough that he was talking with Admiral Pressman over the comm system since he seemed to focus his attention away from the other intelligence officer, but he was not in audible range and could not be sure from that distance. "What do you suppose he's plotting to change now David." AC jested as he handed the Chief Engineer a PADD.

"I have no idea." David replied as he looked at the diagnostic report Hewson just handed him. Reading over the information on the red PADD in his hand, Mercury shook his head. "Nothing. The torpedo detonation systems are working well within the specified parameters."

"I didn't think there was a problem with then, but it was worth a try." AC remarked.

As Lieutenants Mercury and Hewson began to recheck the diagnostic report together, one of the darkly dressed men began to walk over to the two engineers, his place near the phase cloak replaced shortly thereafter by another intelligence officer.

"Admiral Pressman wants a physical examination of the torpedoes." he said without any regard to the fact that it sounded like a demand.

"Mercury to Ensign Nog." David said as he tapped his comm badge. "Please report to the entrance of Cargo Bay Two in ten minutes. Mercury out."

"Mr. Suder," AC said as he handed Ethan the PADD with the diagnostic report, "please conduct another diagnostic and recheck the results with this systems report. If you find anything, Lieutenant Mercury and I will be in Cargo Bay Two."

"Aye sir." the engineer responded as he looked at the diagnostic report. "Computer, run a level two diagnostic on the torpedo subspace detonation systems."

******

Ensign Nog was waiting for Lieutenant Mercury as requested, his loitering scrutinized by the two intelligence officers guarding the entrance to Cargo Bay Two. Receiving a nod from the intelligence officer who had accompanied the investigative team from Main Engineering, the two intelligence officers guarding the entrance to cargo bay moved aside.

Located in the center of the cargo bay was the sensitive phase torpedoes transported over from the Romulan warbird. Flipping open his tricorder, Lieutenant Mercury began to conduct a quick scan of the torpedoes as the intelligence officer watched him carefully. "I'm not detecting any malfunction in the torpedo systems, but the only way we can be sure is to pull one of these babies apart." he recommended as he placed his hand on the cold torpedo casing. "AC, Nog," he said as he turned to both engineers, "let's take that one apart and see if there's some kind of technical problem."

"I don't think so." one of the intelligence officers in the room interjected. "Not without authorization from Admiral Pressman."

"Fine." David said as he closed his tricorder. "But the Admiral wants to know why his torpedoes aren't detonating. To do this, we need to have a look at the mechanism itself." the Chief Engineer explained. The man in the dark uniform looked down as the ground for a moments before looking back up at Mercury, giving him a nod to proceed. "Lieutenant Hewson, Ensign Nog, please continue."

Hewson and Nog opened up the black access panel to the internal components of the phase torpedo as the intelligence officer reported the procedure to the Admiral. He knew that Mercury was correct, but he didn't want to be held responsible for potentially destroying such a complex piece of technology.

"No Boom"
By Ensign Anthony Mendenhall

It still amazed Anthony how much energy the phased cloak sucked. Right now he was monitoring to make sure nothing that engineering was incharge of blew up. Mendenhall trusted that Lt. Mercury wouldn't let anything happen to his ship, so he wasn't too worried that anything would blow up. Right now he was watching Pressman.

"Good. Helmsman, bring us around to the bow of the enemy battleship. I want to be looking head on at her when we open fire."

Lieutenant' Sharp nodded while his fingers flew over the controls. "Bringing us around sir."

Sterner added, "Make sure you keep us a safe distance away Aaron. We don't want any of the debris from the explosion colliding with the Galaxy."

The helm man just called back. "Aye sir."

"We are in position Admiral. Holding steady at three thousand kilometers."

"Fire." The words echoed through the engineer's head.

"Torpedoes away." More energy was drained from the ship as cloaked torpedoes were launched.

Everyone on the bridge watched as the glowing destructive weapons sped toward the enemy ship.

"Impact in 4... 3... 2... 1... Now." No boom. At first he thought he missed something. Where was the boom. Every exploding ship went boom. That could only mean one thing. The nifty torpedoes things didn't work. They just flew through it.

In a whisper Mendenhall told himself in confirmation. "No Boom."

"Sighting the Titanic"
by Lt. Endris Gakor

*** Corridors ***

After her fright on the Holodeck with Matthew, Gakor decided to jaunt down to the lounge for a calming meal. Her plans to generate a program to rescue Nilani's sister were momentarily scrapped by the Holodeck malfunctions.

On her way to the lounge, the Tellarite reached up and opened an external view port. With all the recent tribulations, Endris wanted to get a look at the stars. She did not expect to see a huge, intimidating Mega Cruiser with Cardassian markings on the hull.

"Stavation!", she said on viewing the eye-poping monstrosity. She noticed Commander 'Bonehead' Lyle, the observer from the Star Base, lurking nearby. From her conversations with security, the immunologist thought he was confined to the brig after his breach of SI's commandeered Cargo Bay. Obviously, the man had been keeping a low profile after the scrimage. She hadn't even heard Lyle's name mentioned in lounge conversations.

Gakor felt her fur tingle, and turned to face the mysterious Commander. She wasn't even sure why the man had boarded at their last port of call. But Gake's friend Lieutenant Morris had voiced complains about his inspection reports. "I wish you hadn't seen that", the Commander said with a tinge of threat. "We have to talk". Only then did the Tellarite Doctor notice him brandishing a palm phaser, on a setting so low the internal damperners could not detect it. Endris did not let on that she had spotted the concealed weapon, but did speculate why the Commander would think it necessary to use covert force.

"It just so happens, I was on my way to 10-Foreward for a meal. Since I dine there often, no one would question my presence there, with or without a companion. Would you care to join me for Oinkus?", Gakor questioned. The live man with his hidden little gun was making her more nervious than the super destroyer outside the Galaxy. It was obvious whatever technologies were protecting them were functioning properly.

After a minute, Lyle conceded to Gakor's argument. Whatever his hidden motives or adgendas, he could not afford to draw suspcion to himself.

*** 10 Foreward ***

Endris and Mr. Lyle sat at a large round table. The Doctor ordered a spiced Breen Coddle fish and Tellarite spuds, with a mug of Rhomulan synthale. Her human companion selected Klingon Bregit lung and Gagh from the menu, with rakageno for a beverage.