"An Empty bridge"
By Ensign James Scott

Ensign Scott was standing his post at the turbo lift doors on the bridge. With a sudden flash of light Ensign Scott Covered his eyes. When he uncoverd them he saw the bridge was practically empty Scott quickly steped to the security council and scanned the ship for the Captain and FO. Scott looked up to see Cmder Casey moving to the center of the bridge.

"Commander Casey I have scanned the ship the Captain and others are not onboard. I am regestering over 100 missing crewmembers"

Scott Takes several deep breaths to control his nerves. "Commander What are your orders."

Scott stands at his station waiting for orders of Cmder Casey

"Finding Each Other"
by Lt. JG Be'Tran M'Benga
& Counselor Dallas Walker

The holodeck doors opend, as if hurried. Be'Tran M'Benga stepped inside in a rush. "Computer. Lake Elnara, Betazed, M'Benga program 15-2" she said, and soon the Holodeck was filled with the beautiful scenery of Betazed in it's prime. She set herself dow on the lush green grass, and looked up at the Holodeck generated sky. Tears welled up in her eyes. She thought of Jack. She couldn't stand it. First Benedict,he had meade her feel so worthless. Then Jack,he mad her feel so unloved. How could they do it. How could he. Her tears started to flow. "Why?" she asked of noone. "What is wrong with them. What the hell is wrong with men anyway." She stood up and a look of rage filled her face. She walked over to a tree and pulled a branch off. She used the branch to knock half the bark off of part of the tree, crying as she did so, then she slupmed to the ground in tears.

Dallas walked by a holodeck and saw it was running whoever was running it was running one of her fav places on Betazid, so she decided to step in and take a look around....she saw a young women crying and imdatly went over and put her arms around her.."Whats wrong Be'Tran? Dallas said with concern and tenderness in her soft voice.

"Men." Betta answered, sobbing.

Dallas couldnt help but slightly grin.."Men have been problems for centurys.. even now and with different races we have encounterd..its amazing that they dont cahnge..belive me.. I have had my fare share of MEN...But anyway what about them?"Dallas asked.

Betta looked into her soft eyes. "They can be so cruel. " Dallas' eyes looked so warm and inviting. The Klingon snuggled closer. "Do you mind?" she asked the counselor.

"No I dont" Dallas said quietly..

Be'Tran snuggled into her. She felt soft and warm, in a world that the young Klingon woman was begining to think was colder and colder. "Maybe I just don't under stand them. Maybe I just don't understand my self."

Dallas thought a minuet..and she could feal Be'trans warm body againts hers..its been so long..even if she never has been with a women before..Dallas flushed slightly glad Be'Tran couldnt see her..then she said.." You can never understand men.. I dated a trill and he said (Having 9 lives under his belt and been both men and women) that when he was a women he could never understand men,and hed been a women severle times over..But you seem to be the type of person that knowes yourself...."

"I thought I did." Betta replied. "I thought I knew my people. Klingons. My Grandfather always made the culture seem so glamorous and wonderful. But, sience I've been on the Galaxy..." he voice fade off, and she snuggled even closer.

"Yes since you have been on the Galaxy? Dallas asked trying to get Be'Tran to say her commite..

"Since I've been on this ship, I've met a Klingon woman, whom I admire very much." Betta began, "Fallen in love with a man I though I knew, met another man I thought I loved... and seen the Klingon culture for what it is." her arms were closed so tight on Dallas' waist that if she hugged her any tighter it could easuly impare the counselor's breathing.

Dallas couldnt help but grin this young women was going to squeaze the life out of her..."Have you told this women you love her? Dallas asked

"What?" Be'Tran asked, shocked. It was true. Be'Tran was in love with K'Eytyanna, or at least she thought she was. But how did Dallas know. She was so intuitive. "No... it's... it's not like that." she finally answered.

"Are you sure?"..."I know what its to deny that you love somebody.." Dallas said quietly

Be'Tran sat up, releasing her hold on Dallas. "I don't know." she answered, looking into the eyes of the lovely counselor. "I've been so close with Jack. I just thought I admired her. Maybe there is more to it than I thought." she placed a longfingered hand on Dallas' leg, not able to resist rubbing a bit, "But you... did you deny your love to someone?"

Watching Be'Tran rub her leg...."yes I have..not really deny..but knowing we could never be togther.. you probably know a bit about Vulcan traditon.. I feel in love with Silak...and he feel in love with me too...but we can never ever be together his parents made that perfectly clear..his parents have always been the stritctests parents... and follow vulcan tradition to the letter..." Dallas said quietly wanting to cry..

Betta looked into her tearing eyes. She thought of Jack's parents. Cold and unfeeling. Human. But just barely. "I'm sorry. You loved him very much, didn't you?"

"Yes I did.. and Istill do...we did have some very small time together..I guess he was being rebelious... but as he got older..grew a bit colder..We still talk and he watches over mother for me.. she still lives on Vulcan.." Dallas said very softly that Be'Tran almost had to lean in closer to here her...

Be'Tran could feel Dallas' hurt in her Betazoid mind. She wanted to hold this lovely woman, and never let her go. She put her arms around Dallas Walker and kissed her on the cheek warmly. "And I'm troubling you with my problems." she said softly.

Dallas held Be'Tran closer.."No of course not.." Dallas said with a smile..It felt so wonderful in her arms. Betta had been held by a woman before. When she was growing up, and becoming aware of her self sexually she had always been drawn to women. It wasn't until she went to the Academy that she found herself equally atracted to men. No her heart was aching over the man she loved, and in the arms of who seemed now to be like the sweetest woman she had ever met. "You're so good to me and you hardly know me." she said.

Smiling.."Since I have meet you..your one of the nicest and kindest person I have ever meet.."Dallas said..

Betta snuggled closer. "You're so gentle. Why do others have to hurt people? Why?" she asked.

"I mean... when I first came aboard... nearly the first thing that happened was, we were attacked by Klingons. They killed and hurt people. That's all anyone can say or do about Klingons sience I came onthis ship. I'm so ashamed. We are so... wrong." she started crying again as she rambled, snuggling into the warm body of the counselor like a scared infant.

Thinking a minuet again.."Well people have been asking that for centuries...I dont know why people have to hurt other people..." Dallas said sadly.

Betta nodded. "I know." she said. "But it hurts me when other people get hurt. It hrut me when K'Eytyanna was hurt. It would hurt me if you were ever hurt." this last remark popped out before she knew she said it. She said it softer than the rest, and as she did so, she looked up at the sweet face of the woman holding her.

Dallas didnt know at first how to take the last commate...She was a councelor.. but there seemed to be new emotions stiring up in her..and she saw the sincerity in Be'Trans eyes.

"I bet you don't hurt other people." said Betta, "Beat them, and bruise them, for nothing." she snuggled into Dallas' embrace, "Hold me." she added, "I want someone to hold me I know would never hrut me."

"No i couldnt even hurt a fly.. I have never killed any one in my life.. I dont think I could even shoot down a borg..." Dallas said holding Be'Tran closer.

Be'Tran looked at the womans hands holding her. Suddenly she drew them to her lips, and kissed them. "Sweet hands." she said surprisingly. "Sweet gentle hands."

Dallas was for some odd reason fasinated by Be'Tran kissing her hands.. her lips felt so soft...and then she thought 'Why am I thinking this way..."

Betta held Dallas' hands to her cheek. She loved the feel of her skin. The smell of her skin. She looked up into Dallas' eyes. There was a warmth there that Betta had never known before. Be'Tran lay there cuddling the counselor like a little girl. She had a gentle smile on her face as she asked, "Do you believe feelings can come on you... suddenly?"

"Yes I do...why do you ask?" Dallas said..

"What about love?" Betta asked, "Do you think feelings can come quickly in love too."

" Yes... I do.." Dallas said unsure of where Be'Tran was taking this..

Be'Tran sat up, and looked Dallas in the eye again. She took the counselor's left hand and placed it over her heart. "Sweet gentle hands." she said againDallas could only sit there and stare into Be'trans beautifull intense green eyes...and she could feal Be'Trans live beating heart..

The two women looked into each other's eyes. Betta smiled. "I need to be loved. I need to be loved by someone with soft, gentle hands. I feel so scared. Hold me please."Dallas held Be'tran close to her and stroked her hair and they sat there in comftorable silence...

A silence only broken by the rustle of the holodeck wind in the trees of the banks of Lake Elnara. Betta felt warm and sweet in the arms of Dallas Walker. All other thoughts left her except the sheer exstacy of being held, for possibly the first time in her life, by someone who hadn't ever hurt another living thing. Her heart was racing. Her mind was blurring. Suddenly she wanted to take this lovely woman, and kiss her with all her heart. Dallases heart was pounding.. she didnt know how to move...next...shed never...

Be'Tran reached up and stroked Dallas' cheek. Her skin was so soft. The lovelorn Klingon sat up and pressed her cheek to Dallas'. "You're so soft." she said, in an almost silent whisper.Dallas'es hands shook slightly as she reached up to caress Be'Trans cheak..it was soft..and then moved one of her fingers over her lips....

The Klingon responded by kissing her finger, so softly, so gently. Her green eyes shown with a light that could have illuminated a Jeffries Tube. She hadn't felt the touch of a woman, like this, in years, it felt like returning to a comfortable place. Like the difference between a noisy crowded city, and the peace and solitude of a mountain-lake. "Is it OK?" Betta asked.

"Is what ok?" Dallas asked with a question in her face.."If I... kiss you." said Betta, a smile on her lips, but a tear in her eye.

Dallas nodded... and said so softly like a whisper..."Yes..it is.."

Be'Tran leaned in, and took the counselor in her arms. She put her full, dark lips on Dallas' mouh, and kissed her with all her heart. It had been so long, and it felt so good.

Dallas responded but at first slowly..this was her first kiss with a women..and she didnt want to make a fool of herself..but she reponded ever so slowly..and sighed..

Be'Tran broke the kiss and rested her ridged forehead on Dallas' forehead. "This is crazy, but I think I'm falling in love with you." The Klingon stood quickly and turned toward the general location of the holodeck entrance. "Perhaps I should go."

Dallas was surprised B'etran broke the kiss...and blinked her eyes.. and now she siad she was falling in love with her?...well when the anwsers came they will come..."no dont go.." Dallas said

Be'Tran looked at the beautiful woman sitting under the tree that the Klingon had so severly damaged. "Alright... if your sure it's OK."

Dallas nodded...and held out her hand to Be'Tran. Betta took the hand, and fell into Dallas' arms. Their lips met again, and Be'Tran was again surprised at the sweet taste.

Be'Tran pushed Dallas up aganst the tree slightly as they kissed..... it felt so wonderful to be kissed again.. it had been so long..

"I feel it Dallas Walker." said Betta, "It's hard to fool a Betazoid about love. I believe at heart I am becoming more and more Betazoid. I love you, I think, Dallas Walker."

"I am falling in love with you too..Be'Tran.."Dallas said..smiling..

They kissed again, and Betta ran her hands over Dallas' face, and down her neck. She wanted to go farther, but waited for Dallas to give some indication it was alright.

Dallas Sensed Be'Trans hesitation and said..softly "Its ok..you can go farther.." her breath getting heavy and her heart pounding nervously..

M.Benga reached down and touched Dallas' breast through the fabric of her top. "Stop me if I go too far." she said, and began to undo Dallas' blouse.Dallas threw back her head..her long hair still piled on top of her head...was slowly coming lose.. she bit her lower lip...and sighed in ecasty as Be'Tran touched her breast...

The two women rolled on the floor of the holodeck. They made love to eachother, over and over until Dallas was near exaustion. Their passion came in wave after wave of unbridled ecstacy. It had been so long sience Dallas had known this feeling, and so long sience Be'Tran had known it .

They experienced ecstacy in eachothers arms. For what seemed like hours.Until finally Betta ended up on her back, with Dallas sitting atop her and smiling as Be'Tran rubbed her gently.

"You know we might get caught..should we go somewhere eles? Dallas said ina giggle..

Betta stopped rubbing, and rolled Dallas off of her. She then stood up and picked the Counselor up off the ground. She carried her over to the hol-created Lake Elnara... "In you go, darling." she said loudly, and tossed Dallas in the water, jumping in after her.

Dallas Percieing scream.. reached Be'tran.."NOT bloody fair!!!" She said this because the water was very cold and she had been cuaght off guard..

Betta swam up to her, and wrapped her long arms around her. "Cold?" she said... "I'll warm you up sweetest heart." she kissed Walker passionately.

Dallas moaned..as Be'tran kissed her deaply bitting and nipping slightly.and Dallas arms wrapped around Be'Tran...hugging her closer.

"Where did you come from?" asked Betta, balancing her self in the mud on the floor of the shallow lake.

"No D'Akana, I'm not lunch."
by Lt Pink Bunny (K'Eytyanna Samara) :-)

K'Eyt buried her head into Ensign Cathy Bate's uniform. The cheery Terran stopped outside Lt Samara's quarters and waited for the door to open.

A few seconds later, the bunny in her arms growled,

"Computer, this is not funny. Open the $&*%ing door, authorization K'Eytyanna-Alpha-2-5."

The door wooshed open and Bates entered. Nearby, D'Akana's ears perked up and he headed over to them.

"No D'Akana, I'm not lunch."

Cathy tried not to giggle, and managed to nudge D'Akana into his section without dropping K'Eytyanna. The forcefield activated, and she put K'Eyt down on the floor.

"Umm.. Lt, will you be alright here? Ummm.. do you want anything from the replicator?"

Looking around, Bates saw that the bunny had disappeared from the main section and she shrugged. Just in case, she ordered some water and a bowl of vegetable soup for K'Eytyanna before leaving.

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

Hunter walked upto K'Eytyanna's door and was surprised to find that it opened for him.

Walking in, he saw D'Akana whimpering in his section with a forcefield on. Heading over, he was about to turn it off when K'Eyt's voice called out,

"Hunter, that wouldn't be a good idea."

Turning around, he saw a pink bunny rabbit sitting in the doorway to K'Eytyanna's bedroom. Grinning, he walked over and picked it up before calling out as he held it to his face,

"Hey K'Eyt, nice rabbit, but won't D'Akana start hunting it?"

Suddenly, the rabbit spoke in a distinctly unrabbitlike voice,

"That's why he is in the cage. Now, can you put me down? This isn't funny."

Hunter gasped and nearly dropped the rabbit.

It growled as he put it down,

"Stinking Q did this!"

Lt K'Eytyanna Samara USS Galaxy Engineer/Shuttle Pilot
D'Akana T'Mok (NPC) USS Galaxy Targ

By Ensign Ethan Suder
Engineer

"Where are they?"

For a while it was silent until the transmissions began...

"...Stand by to engage at grid fifteen...."

"...Defiant and Bozeman, pull back to mobile position one..."

"...We have it in visual range, a Borg cube on course zero mark one two five, speed warp 9.-"

"We are the Borg. Lower your shields and surrender your ships. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own, your culture will adapt, to service us. Resistance, is futile."

At first it was exiting hearing the reports from all those other ships. But then each one went down, one by one. As the battle progressed, all that could be heard were the explosions of the ships and screaming of people through the speakers. Suder turned back to the engineering station and then glanced around the bridge. He knew where he was, and when. He had already been here. He was on the Lakota, and about to attack a Borg ship.

He had done this before. Was this Q's dealing, or was this actually happening. He remembered all the people that died on this day because they got caught in an explosion, were sucked out into space by a hull breach, or were trapped in sealed off areas, the main one being, engineering.

On the view screen, ship after ship launched it's assault on the Borg vessel. Green and yellow explosions lit up the dark cubed hull. Most of the ships got caught in the tractor beam or were hit by the discharge of the Borg ships multiple weapons.

The Lakota was the next ship up, along with the Defiant. For a while, the ship was fast and deadly with it's continuos bombardments of quantum torpedoes and phasers. But it didn't last. The shields were finally knocked out and they had more than seventeen hull breaches over the ship. Most decks had been sealed off.

Suder knew from his past experience that there was one more major hit to go as the Borg ship made it's way passed the Lakota. But it never came. Everyone was checking their tactical displays and sensor readings. The Borg ship was gone. For a long moment, everyone seemed to be confused. What had happened? What had happen to that final hit of destruction? Suder turned in his chair and was about to speak as the senior crew vanished in a heartbeat. This wasn't supposed to happen. Then he realized, Q!

Suder jumped up from his console in engineering and looked around. Had he been sleeping? He was back on the Galaxy and half of the crew members were missing from engineering. He stood. "Where are they?" he asked anyone near him. He was about to sound the alarm when he too, disappeared into the unknown.

"Pain and Confusion"
by Lieutenant Leslie Wilson
Counselor, USS Galaxy
portions of "White Christmas" by Captain Price

Shots rang out, tearing bullet size holes in the white snow. Everyone ducked down, Leslie hit the snow hard, and peeked her head up. A solid chain of bullets from the firing gangster, made her duck her head again.

A sleek black car sped away, inside was a helpless Lieutenant' Sullax. As the car went out of sight, the Galaxy crew picked themselves up. Leslie brushed snow out of her hair. It was almost like being back in New York.

She looked around, noticing that some of the crew looked dazed and slightly confused. Then a voice brought her back to the current situation. "Captain! Ensign Salt has been hit."

Leslie turned to the source of the voice. Lieutenant Albrechet. Leslie moved over, with the rest of the Galaxy crew, to the fallen Ensign. She was laying in a pool of blood, her face twisted in pain, as she lay unconscious.

Dr. Kahn examined the fallen Security officer. "She's been hit twice. Once in the arm, and once in the lung. This looks bad. We need to get her where it's warm before she goes into shock.

A few moments later, under the direction of Dr. Kahn and Cat, Lieutenants Chen and Albrechet, had placed Astrid on a door frame, and were leading her to an abandoned building Commander' Mercury had found.

Leslie looked at the ground where Astrid had fallen a few moments before. The snow was stained a dark magenta, but new snow was starting to cover the blood covered portions.

The building the crew was led to was old, dirty, and run down. It didn't matter, everyone was glad to be inside a building. Even if it didn't have power.

Leslie looked around, trying to find Lieutenant Dallas. She had to report and recive orders. Leslie knew Counselor Dallas was here, she had seen her outside. She looked around, noticing quite a few faces. Then she saw the Chief Counselor coming towards her.

Leslie moved to the Chief Counselor, passing the two Medical doctors, who were busy working over Astrid. They had no equipment, so it was no guarantee that the young Ensign would survivie.

Karyn told Leslie, "It is extremely important for everyone to stay warm. Have everyone stand closer together so that they can share body heat. I'd imagine it will get even colder later on. Also, we should make sure everyone is ok and as calm as possible. I'll take this side, you take that one." Leslie nodded, and headed off in the direction of several crewmembers.

Leslie saw a group of officers, all spread apart. She told them to get closer together to stay warmer. They did so. Some officers seemed to be taking the current situation in stride, some of the younger officers were reacting with confusion, and some fear.

She tried to comfort them. She assured them everything would be ok. They responded, some of the fear dissapearing, and they took charge of their emotions.

After all that was done, she moved back to where everyone was, Captain Price stood near the two Doctors, who were still working on Ensign Salt. The ensign had lost alot of blood, and was still bleeding very badly. Captain Price said something to Commander Sterner, who stood next to the captain. Leslie looked at the two Doctors, faces furrowed in concentration. Things looked bleak, but she knew things could change at any moment.

"Oh Man"
By Lt.Jg William Foxtrot
Security

Will bolts out of his quarters at the sound of the Red Alert. He heard the intruder alert klaxon going off. He ran down the hall toward the main security office. He reached the office and entered to his surprise all he saw were a couple of ensigns looking confused.

"Whats going on on?" Will asked agitated.

The ensigns just shrugged and looked confused. Will went to a monitor and read the read out on the situation. He wanted to gasp but didnt. He could only think to himself that his luck was really on a role. The ship had borg on board and the higher officers were not onboard for some reason.

"I want you two in in full armament and patrol the ship." Will snapped the order at the two ensigns while he grabbed a phaser and a rifle from the weapons locker.

"Yes sir." They both answered eagerly.

Will ran out of the office weilding the rifle and headed for the bridge. While he headed for the bridge the death of his parents still haunted him. He then began to wonder where the chief and Lt. Albrhect were. He entered a turbolift while inside he began to adjust his rifle to fire alternating phaser frequencies.

"Intruder detected outside of medical: The computer voice chirped.

"Turbolift new route take me to medical!" Will said quickly. He then tapped his comm badge security meet me outside of medical.

The doors opened and Will ran down the corridor towards sickbay. He turned the the corner and quickly stopped. Before him stood the cold black casings of a dead man with souless eyes. An assimilated security officer. Will quickly raised his rifle and took aim.

"Resistance is futile!" The borg stated.

"Oh really, well then i guess i better surrender. Nah, Fuck You!" Will yelled as he fired at the borg at maximum kill.

The pulse from the rifle hit and the borg flew back and hit the corridor wall then slid down into a slump. The security alarms went off to alert the ship of a phaser blast. The sickbay doors opened and a two doctors peered out.

"Bridge to Foxtrot what happened?" Came a voice over the intercom.

Will tapped his badge and answered."The intruder has been well lets say taken care of."

"I see came the voice. Bridge out." Then there was silence.

Finally the security team made to Wills position. "Glad to see your tried to hurry. Secure the body and take up security positions in sickbay. I am going to go and get some answers!"

******Bridge******

The turbolift doors opened and Will stepped out. "What the hell is going on around here?" Will said aggitated.

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

William Foxtrot
LT. Junior Grade, USS Galaxy
Security

“Suddenly on Sigma losha 2 ”
By Ensign Mike Marc
Tactical Officer

Mike was in TL with Captain Price they were moving to bridge. Suddenly Mike found himself in the 10 Forward where he was before borgs began they assimilation. Mike don’t remember his small trip to bridge, the last thing he was remember was that he talked with other member of crew in the 10 forward.

Mike went to bar and ask one glass of bear. Most of the people that he sow when he was on the way to bar, they talk about Q being on the board.” Heh It is interesting if Q will make me something. ” Though Mike and came to bar .He took glass of bear and went to the table near window. But when he wanted to seat, he had found himself on the planet and he still kept his glass of bear. There was cold and all around him was white. “Wow, real snow. That is real Christmas. Why I have filing that is Q after this. ” though Mike. Mike turn his head and sow Captain with other members of the crew.

After Ensign Salt was wounded, he with others runs to old building. When the last people came to old house. Marc turned his head and sow old box standing in the corner. He came to box and has opened it. In box he sow some old close and strange black metallic thing that w. He took close and that thing and went to captain . But before he came to the captain he gave the close to Doctor Kahn and Doctor Khatroweena . When he came to captain he showed him that strange thing that he found…

"What?"
By: Lt(jg) Ryak Sullax
S.O. USS Galaxy
With parts from Captain Price

The light dissipated and Ryak noticed that he was no longer on the Galaxy. He was outside on someplace that resembled an Early version of Earth. He noticed that it was snowing. Ryak reached down to grab his tricorder but it was gone. "Computer." Ryak said but no answer came. Ryak noticed that his com badge was missing as well. This could only have to be due to Q. Ryak began to quickly put together that he was on the planet or in the holodeck.

"Reach for the sky mister!" a gruff voice bellowed behind Lieutenant' Sullax. The Romulan science officer had found himself in an alley on the planet which he immediately assumed to be Sigma Iosha 2, it being the only M class planet within light years of the Galaxy's last known position. One moment he was adjusting his tricorder on his belt, and the next he found himself here, and the tricorder gone. "Did you hear me, wise guy, or are you deaf?!" the hoodlum goaded, prodding Ryak in the back with the barrel from his weapon. Slowly Sullax turned around. He saw a young man, short, skinny, dressed in shabby clothing, mittens with the fingers worn through and wearing a black fedora crocked to one side of his head. His eyes seemed to grow wide with surprise when he noticed Ryak's pointed ears. "Wat's wit dem ears?"

Sullax rubbed a hand over the pointed ridge of his lobe,lowering his other hand slightly, "There is nothing wrong with my ears. I am just..."

"Git 'em up!" the young hood demanded, jerking his machine gun violently in a no nonsense manner.

Ryak did as the man asked, raising his arms up higher over his head. "Why are you pointing your weapon at me? I have done nothing to..." Ryak was beginning to become annoyed.

"I'll ask the questions 'round here pointy." The hood snapped back, still holding the weapon with enough tension in his wrists that Ryak was hoping it wouldn't go off by accident. The Romulan had studied ancient weapons and recognized the general design of the machine gun and knew it could be most deadly at this range, even if it was a crude projectile throwing gantique by Federation standards. Stepping closer, he noticed the Lieutenant's uniform. "This doesn't look like any sort of suit I've seen in these parts before...."

"I am not from 'these parts' as you put it sir." Ryak explained with his hands still held high.

"Let me see your colors!" the hood demanded.

Sullax looked confused. Ryak thought that this human was very odd. "Colors? I do not believe I understand...."

"Your colors! Let me see them or I swear, I'll waste you right there you freak!" again the hood motioned with the machine gun.

"This is a Starfleet uniform. It is standard issue for all Starfleet officers. The only color I am wearing is on my tunic. If you will permit me?" Ryak explained evenly.

The hood jerked the gun, "Slowly...."

Ryak unzipped his duty jacked to better show his blue tunic. "You see, this is blue, to designate science department. The bands on my duty jacket match see?"

The hood seemed unimpressed with Ryak's explanation. "Blue,that makes you one of Jacko's boys. This is Cantinii turf sucker. What are you doing showing your freak ass around these parts?"

I assure you, I had no intention to trespass..." Ryak explained.

"Shaddup!" The hood snapped. "I'm taking you's to see da boss. He can decide wat he wants ta do wit cha. Now don't give mees no funny business or I'll turn yas into swiss cheese, git it mister?"

"I believe I understand." Lieutenant' Sullax replied walking out of the alley as instructed. Ryak was not going to do anything at this point. Ryak was not even sure what these people were. Where Q is concerned they could be anything. Ryak just needed to remember the history of this era and this planet. Ryak knew he'd remember in time.

As Ryak approached the car he was noticing that he was getting very cold. All of a sudden the guy with the gun turned and started firing. Ryak had enough time to turn and see the rest of his crew mates when another vehicle pulled up and began to fire at the Galaxy crew. The man then kicked Ryak into the car and slammed the door shut. Ryak startled and really ready to fight turned around to see that in the seats was three armed men pointing their guns at him. The other guy was holding on to the vehicle and firing at the crew. Ryak looked around the vehicle and everything started to come to him. He remembered everything about the planet and the era. Ryak just lay there blood boiling taking in all of his surrounding. Ryak was also very intrigued scientifically about this whole experience.

Chris Gagne
Lieutenant(jg) Ryak Sullax,Science Officer,USS Galaxy.
Contact at: i2qtnot2b@hotmail.com

Worried
Casey Ti Miran

Miran was upset with herself. Not only did she make herself look like a fool and embarras herself, she did it to Deiran too. She should have known not to wish for something like she did. She should have known that Q would have corrupted her heart felt wish.

The ride frightened her, made her feel sick. She hadn't experienced anything that violent in a long time. When the Captain disappeared, once again she was nervous. Deiran took the command and she took the chair next to him, the one normally reserved for the first officer. She leaned over to Deiran and whispered a question. He nodded. She stood up and went over to Lt Thomas at Ops.

"Lt, would you do me a bigger favor? At the alert we left Lara asleep in my quarters. Would you see to her, please?" she asked in a low quiet voice.

"Yes, Commander," he smiled. "I'd be happy to."

"Thank you so much." She laid a hand on his shoulder for a moment before he got up to let his replacement have a seat. He smiled once again towards Deiran and left the bridge.

All I want For Christmas.
Lt. (jg) Benedict T'Kal
Tactical Officer
USS Galaxy
Reviewed by Captain Price.

Winston Grooms' face said it all. He leaned over the Tactical station and shook his head, he was in the Tactical Operations Center adjacent to the Battle Bridge, and it seemed that the Galaxy was still being plagued by Q. He was worried.

The tactical sensors came on line as the feed-in from Stellar Cartography took up the processing and updated all relevant systems. It seemed that Lt. Sullax's hard work and effort was paying dividends as the tactical situation materialized out of the maelstrom of chaos created by their hyper speed travel.

The Galaxy was inside the Sigma Dubaii System, several minutes away from orbit of Sigma Iotia II - a Class M planet. They were 100 light years from Federation space. As the system resolution began to increase with the processing of data from science, Winston saw that they were far out of any danger zones. Far across Alpha Quadrant!

He ran a routine tactical summation query on the system and discovered that the Federation had previously contacted the second planet in this system. Sigma Iotia II appeared in a holographic simulation above the tactical table in the center of the room. It was a smooth blue orb, relatively the same size as Earth and with similar gravity. The statistical information flowed across the table screens, oxygen, hydrogen, helium, carbon-monoxide, nitrogen, and trace gasses - standard atmosphere with pollutants exhibiting an atomic but mid-industrial activity, and Human standard population.

The tactical routines flashed through the scenario editors and began displaying information in various secondary screens, targeting data for primary planetary power sources - coal burning electrical generators, hydro-electric dams, atomic fission power plants, no orbital defenses, no orbital offense systems, no known ground to orbit offensive capability.

Primitive by Federation standards. Winston caught an audio sensor warning on a wall screen that drew his attention and he examined the scrolling data stream. It was a science up-date from the Bridge. Sigma Iotia II was under Prime Directive edict, no contact allowed.

The data records for the USS Enterprise NCC 1701 scrolled across the screen for Star date 2268. Apparently Captain James T. Kirk and his senior crew had been sent to this system to investigate an analog radio signal sent 100 years previously by the USS Horizon. On arrival they had discovered that the humanoid population were highly imitative and had been contaminated culturally by a book left behind by the dead crew of the Horizon. "Chicago Mobs of the Twenties" had been the template for the development of their whole civilization. Mobster rule and nineteen twenties technology, that had been the status of the civilization in 2268.

An addendum to the report indicated that Dr Leonard McCoy had left behind a Starfleet Communicator, but an analysis of the culture done at the time had minimized the damage that the technology could have caused because it was just too far advanced for the culture to even examine. Micro miniaturization being what it was at that time, they wouldn't even recognize its circuitry. At this point in time though, they just might have been able to do something with it.

Winston realized that an away team would probably be called for, seeing as Q was involved in all of this mess, and he sifted through the data for the pertinent weapons technology found by the Enterprise, slug throwers using ignited gunpowder and lead projectiles. No armour or force fields capable of neutralizing a phaser. Good. But that was in 2268, there was no telling what might be present 106 years later!

He glanced back at the holographic blue orb spinning above the light table and the data on it's table top screen, the atmosphere and power readings from the short range sensors had indeed confirmed the atomic culture. At this level of technology there would be some formidable military firepower at the personal level, but nothing that could challenge the Galaxy!

He touched the comm link at the Tactical station to put him through to the Bridge just as Benedict T'Kal walked into the Tactical Operations Center. Benedict nodded to him and glanced up at the screens. He raised one eyebrow at Winston as he opened the comm channel. "Lt. Groom to Lt. Mackenzie." Winston said.

There was no answer. Winston waited for a couple more seconds and repeated his comm call. Still no answer. "Computer, what is the location of Lt. Mackenzie?"

"Lt. Mackenzie is on the Bridge." Replied the quiet voice of the computer.

Benedict looked at Winston and they shared a puzzled expression. Benedict studied the screens and called up several oblique references to cultural types, psychological profiles of this culture in the Starfleet Database, any thing that would assist an Away Team with either avoidance or contact with the population.

"Lt. Groom to Bridge." Winston said.

"Commander Casey here Lt." Deiran Casey's voice was all business. Both Groom and T'Kal recognized the tone, Casey was in command on the Bridge, otherwise it would have been Price or Sterner to take the call , and Casey had this way of pitching his voice to project his authority whenever he assumed command.

"Sir. Lt. Mackenzie, he's not responding to hails." Winston said, he sounded as if he was asking a dumb question and didn't really want to bother Casey with it.

"He's no longer with us Lt. It seems that Q is meddling again and has removed several of the Galaxy's officers from the ship. I need a Tactical Officer on the Bridge." Replied the Commander.

Benedict nodded to Groom and turned on his heel, his place was on the Bridge when Mac was away. He tapped his comm badge. "T'Kal to Commander Casey , I"m on my way sir." Benedict hoped Mac was okay, what ever Q was playing at it was turning ugly.

Winston replied, "Sir Lt. Mackenzie's comm badge is still registering as on the Bridge."

Winston watched the tall Bajoran walk out of the Tactical Office and once again turned his attention to the screens before him. "Sir." He continued, "If the Lt.'s badge is still on the Bridge, I'll run a system check with communications, may I request that science run an internal sensor scan to determine a cross reference to personnel and comm badges? There may be more personnel missing."

"I'll get a science officer on the Bridge shortly Lieutenant, it seems that Commander Greer has also been removed." Casey replied. He seemed worried, you could always tell with Casey, the more dire the situation the calmer he seemed to get. He was very calm now.

"Sir, the Enterprise logs show that a subspace communicator was left behind by the Enterprise crew when they were here. It may have no bearing on our current situation, but I would also suggest using the alternate frequencies for covert operations rather than standard broad band. It might alert the Iotians of our presence."

"Very well Lt. Casey out." Came the abrupt reply.

Winston went back to his screens and began patching data through to the Bridge.

Benedict walked into the Bridge and immediately took up the Tactical Station on the arch. He looked to Commander Casey who was sat in the Captains chair, he was holding several comm badges in his hand and seemingly balancing them, deep in thought. Benedict glanced over at the Helm station. Miran Casey was sitting in Tebs' place. Where the hell was Teb? Why was Miran on the Bridge?

Benedict felt the cold surge of adrenaline hit his system with the icy clutch of dread following on its, heels. He looked around the Bridge and saw Jack D'Auria taking Lt. Commander Greers' place. Half of the Bridge crew was missing. He just knew that Teb's comm badge was sitting in the palm of Casey's hand.

"Commander Casey?" Benedict looked down at the blonde-haired Commander. He stood and turned to face Benedict. His blue eyes were steely cold. "Yes Lt.?" He replied.

Benedict looked him straight in the eyes, for the first time perhaps the two men shared something in common. Benedict's question was quiet, just audible to the two of them amidst the sounds of the Bridge. "Where's Tebrianne?"

Deiran Casey's eyes held the same concern, and he looked quickly at Miran sitting at the Helm. She was engaged in plotting an entry path further into the Sigma Iotian system and setting up an orbital plot that would place them above the equatorial region of the blue planet currently on extreme magnification on the Main Screen. He looked back and leaned up to speak closer to Benedict.

His voice was sincere and full of concern, "It seems that Q has scheduled an away mission with half our command crew. Teb is with them." He didn't need to say anything else. The look the two men exchanged said it all.

Benedict nodded. Perhaps Deiran Casey did care about her, his eyes said he did. Well, what went between the two of them before was now put aside. There was nothing like a common cause for that! Benedict knew that Deiran would do everything in his power to get them back , and Benedict would be there to help him do it! He didn't care right at that moment whether Tebrianne would choose Deiran over him, just as long as he got her back! That was all that was important. Any other consideration was moot at this point.

Deiran sat back down in the Command chair and Benedict registered with the computer, he assumed tactical command and readied the ships weapons and defensive systems for immediate action.

He looked at the Blue Planet of Sigma Iotia II revolving slowly in the screen, and prayed for the safety of the woman that he loved more than life itself. The misgivings and the thoughts of loss came to his mind once again, and he cursed Q for doing this to him. He had known that it would happen, almost as if the Prophets themselves had planted it in his mind. He had finally admitted that he was committed to Tebrianne, and he had lost her! Instead of the crippling fear that he imagined would happen, he felt calm, and determined. They would get her back, all of them, the Galaxy was a superb ship with a superb crew, and the Prophets help anyone or anything that stood in their way!

"Commander. I recommend Yellow Alert status. There seems to be no external threat at this time, but, according to the tactical readings the Iotian culture may possess atomic weapons capable of reaching orbit."

By: Ensign Adrianna
Borg Technical Specialist

***Sigma Losha 2 / Abandoned building***

Adrianna wiped her hand across the old pane glass of the abandoned building, clearing a spot through the layered dust so she could see outside. The soft snow had continued to fall, covering everything in its beautiful whiteness. Having agreed to watch this side of the building, she made herself as comfortable as possible and resolved herself too the task at hand.

The chill came through the thin glass in steady waves, and sent shivers through her. Raping her arms in front of her for warmth, she watched...

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

Two men moved slowly down the snow filled alley and stopped. One was much taller and thinner than his counterpart. Both were dressed in layered drab colored clothing and winter longcoats. From where they were, they had a perfect bead on the abandoned building. Working quietly, they moved a few crates into position and crouched down behind them to wait.

"I hate the snow"..Complained the taller man. "It always makes me sick". As he began to talk, he started to unwrap something he had brought with him.

"You always get sick anyway, now stop complaining". Said the shorter man in a very angry voice. "I don't know why the Boss puts up with you?" The shorter man pulled out a cigar and bit of the end, running it under his nose in admiration.

"I do,..its because Im such a good shot." Said the taller man as he finished unwrapping the modified Tommy-gun. At the top of the weapon, a targeting sight had been added. Hefting it into place on the top of the crates, he scanned the building across the street.

After a second the taller man spoke. "Yep, there they are. Do you think that that's really the Fed's? After all..its been a long time."

"I don't know and I don't care. All I know is that its a hit. He want's whoever it is taken out for good. That's why he sent in so many of the Boys. The boss wouldn't commit this much firepower unless he wanted em erased for good."

After a second had passed..came the question "Uh, Abbot..you got a light?"

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

From behind her in the darkness, Adrianna listened to the slow breathing of ensign Salt and the quiet voices of the two doctors. The buildings across the street to her looked old, run down and in a sad state of disrepair. As far as she could see, no-one moved around much, the streets seeming almost deserted.

"You really shouldn't talk to yourself". Adrianna said in little more than a whisper. "There's really nothing out there"...

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

"The girl in the window is kinda cute.. too bad". Abbot's voice sounded sincere as he looked through the cross-hairs of the gun's targeting sight.

"Don't be stupid,..and wait for the Boss to give us the signal". The Shorter man took a long drag on his cigar and locked his angry gaze on his friend.

"Ya, your right. Guess Im just getting a little excited. I never had a chance to kill a Fed before." Abbot smiled.

"You'll get your chance".. The smaller man smiled evilly...

***** A Cold Welcome. *****
By Dr. Felicia Khatroweena, Lieutenant
(Assistant Chief Medical Officer), USS Galaxy NCC-70637
w/ Dr. Khan Nilani, Lieutenant (Chief Medical Officer)

***** Sickbay *****

Cat looked around, she felt disjointed, and she felt like something big had happened, but she had missed it. She looked down at the computer terminal, she the translation routines and a vague memory of Borg taking over the ship returned. She looked over at Nilani and she had the same look of confusion as she gazed down at a PADD. Cat just said "Borg?"

Nilani looked over to Cat. "I'm glad that I wasn't the only one having the nightmare. Q!"

Cat gave a slight chuckle, "It's amazing how a single syllable can mean so much!"

Nilani nodded, "Yeah, chaos, destruction, confusion, the list just continues on and on."

Suddenly the two were flung against a wall, as the IDF system couldn't keep up with the spinning vessel. Cat spat out, "What the..."

After a split second the predictive capabili

ties of the system were able to take into account the spin and people could move, albeit with difficulty. "Damn creature, say his name and bad luck befalls you. Just like the daemon he is." Her growl of frustration was one that Key'tyanna would have been proud of.

As the two were beginning the clean up of the Sickbay, there was a flash...

***** A cold and frozen street? *****

Nilani and Cat looked around at the dark and grey buildings, the drifts of snow on the street. "Dark, cold and grey. How absolutely lovely, remind me about this place when I go on holidays."

Cat shivered, cold wasn't an apt description; frozen would be a more apt one. "Where are we now?" Cat moved over to look at a street sign.

Nilani sneered, "One of Q's Nightmares."

Cat called out, "We're on Elm Street. Oh how appropriate right now!"

Nilani walk to Cat, "You'd better try and get the Galaxy. I've lost my comm and tricorder."

"Can't! Lost mine as well!" Cat looked at Nilani, "First thing I am going to do is to find something warm to wear. Or you'll soon have a Cat flavoured Popsicle."

"Doctors!" Cat and Nilani turned to see Commander Sterner call the two medical officers to him. Cat was happy to see another member of the Galaxy. Not far behind him, she saw a number of other crewmembers. "Misery loves company!"

Nilani turned to Cat, "What?"

"Nothing. I'm glad it wasn't only the two of us." Cat and Nilani jogged towards the XO. "You have any idea what is going on, sir." Cat asked of the second officer.

"Q is the only explanation that I can really give you, Doctor Khatroweena. We are on the planet Sigma Iosha 2. Have you seen any other crew?"

"No sir, we haven't." Cat answered.

"Keep your eyes open. Don't move too far from the group." Sterner turned to continues following his orders from the captain."

Cat wrapped her arms around herself and shivered. She looked around and saw people just quickly hurry off the street or shutter and lock windows. Something was wrong here, something besides us is about to happen.

"Get down sir!" Came Ursa booming voice. Cat looked around and saw Ryak being taken. She also recognised the slugthrower in the man's hand who had Ryak. Cat went flat to the ground, she had taken a hit on the Dronegarian homeworld. She didn't want that to happen again. "They've got Ryak!" she called out.

As she spoke the man pulled the trigger of his weapon. The loud stutter of the weapon echoed between the buildings. Cat heard a stifled yell and she turned to see Astrid get hit. Cat turned back to look at the gunman. He had bundled Ryak into a very odd looking vehicle. Cat saw that the area was clear and she had her duty. She jumped up and rushed over to her.

Cat watched as a door was ripped off to make a makeshift stretcher. With the quick look she had of Astrid, Cat had ripped some of her uniform. She had the beginnings of the 'pressure bandage' for the arm wound.

She looked around and saw a thin alleyway. The scenery looked like something from the twentieth century on Terra. Hoping for luck, Cat began rummaging through the garbage cans. "Bingo." Cat had found some relatively clean plastic bags bunched up in others. Her other piece of treasure was a quarter full bottle of what looked like whisky. Cat removed the top and had a smell. She thought about it for a couple of seconds and then a quick swig. It burned all the way down. "Good," she gasped, "Perfect." She rushed over to assist Nilani.

"Things aren't good, Cat. Good news, the projectile went straight through."

"Good news at least. If we get a heat source, we might be able to cauterise the arm wounds."

"Just the thing I was thinking. Really bad news..."

"I can see..." Cat could see, the bubbly magenta froth coming from the wound in Astrid's lung. The bullet had pierced the lung and blood was filling the lung. Cat checked Astrid's eyes, the pupils of Astrid's eyes were slow to respond to the light. "I was able to find this," she showed the bottle. "It's seems rough enough that the alcohol content to be used as an antiseptic. Hopefully we can use the plastic to stop the blood loss in to the lung."

Astrid coughed and flecks of blood appeared on Cat's uniform. Cat couldn't hide the anxious look on her face. "This isn't a good thing."

Cat used her claws to cut a large square of plastic and liberally doused it with alcohol. Nilani used the shredded strips to make a pressure bandage, she took the alcohol to clean the entry and exit wounds and applied the makeshift pressure bandage.

Nilani watched as Cat used her claws the cut the uniform and then apply the plastic square to Astrid's chest. "I'd never thought I would ever have to do things like this. I'd only hope this works, I've only ever read about it." Cat applied it loosely and watched as some blood appeared under the plastic. Astrid gasped in for more air and Cat and Nilani watched as the plastic dimpled, hopefully making an airtight seal. "With a pierced lung like that..." Cat worked on the makeshift seal.

Nilani continued, "I know." Nilani turned to the Captain. "Captain, Ensign Salt is in a very critical condition. She needs to be hospitalised, immediately. We've done what we can. But... Things could be a lot better."

Ensign Scott while waiting for orders from casey gets on the SHips intercome "will any of the following officers if you are still on the ship please report to the bridge.

LT Albrecht
LT(JG) Chen
LT(JG) Bishop
LT(JG) Foxtrot
or Ensign Torricle

If you are on the ship please report to the bridge." Ensign Scott puts out the call hoping that one of his supperior officers are still on the ship and can assume the role of Chief Security.

"Not all Xmas Surprises are Good Ones"
By Ensign Ral
Security
USS Galaxy
Reviewed by Capt Price

Being woken from a warm and welcomed sleep by the sound of the Red Alert Klaxons hadn't put Lex in the best of moods to begin with. Now she'd been whisked off to some cold and drafty planet fileld with hoodlums. She'd been standing in the corridoor one moment, then the next she was up to her ankles in muddy snow and a car whizzed by her, showering her legs in icy slush.

"What the fuck?" she spun around, instinctively reaching for her phaser, which wasn't there. She went to her Comm, which wasn't there either. "what the hell? Where am I?" she said to the world in general. her mind flicked back to the car.. it loked familiar.. Terran, circa 1920. She'd seen it before in one of James' holodeck scenarios. It was almost as though she'd been planted in one of his detective stories he loved so much. "James? Is this some kind of joke?" no one answered "Computer, End program." Nothing......

She kicked at a pile of snow. The snow didn't seem to care much. So she started walking, rubbing her numbing hands on her arms for warmth. Her breath hung upon the icy air. Starfleet uniforms were designed to provide comfort in certain envirmonments, her body was warm, yet the rest of her wasn't. She missed her bed, her quilt, her pillows, and most of all having someone to curl up with.

"I'm bloody freezing... " she sniffed "Computer, adjust environment.."

She stopped, she was sure, in the back of her head she heard a voice "That's not going to help you... "

"Comput.."

"Ah.. ah ah.." The voice seemed to say "Maybe you're not in the holodeck"

She froze, trying to figure out if the voice was vocal, telepathic or merely a figment of her own imagination. Of course, in Starfleet, there was always the possibility that one could be suddenly transported from the sterile comfort of one's ship, to planetside without one's knowing it. Also possible was instant and painfull death without one expecting it. That was one of the things Lex liked about being a Starfleet Officer, it kept you on your toes. Lex felt that you had to be broadminded about these things or you'd surely go nuts and report yourself to the nearest airlock ASAP.

"Oh great." she sighed, letting that possibility dawn on her "It's really not my day , is it.."

The voice spoke again "No, and it's probably going to get worse"

"Ahh bite me" She said instinctively. This time there was no reply.

She'd walked a good ways, cussing to herself and occasionally kicking the odd piece of snow, when she literally bumped into the impressive frame of Commander Sterner.

"Oh Christ" she stopped in her tracks "Sorry sir"

"Ensign.." Sterner acknowledged with a nod.

Lex fell in behind him with a couple of other Galaxy crew members, reassured to see some familiar faces, yet still with no idea of what was going on, she questioned Ensign Salt, who'd been walking beside her. "Astrid, what is going on?"

Salt sniffed, her nose red "Q" she said in a derogatory tone "Apparently he's beamed a whole lot of us down here, no one knows why."

"Bastard" Lex muttered

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

They had all been standing staring at Sullax and his captor, not the brightest of ideas. The next few moments seemed to happen in slow motion. Lex noticed herself falling even as Price yelled "Down!" she'd hesitated to reach for Astrid to pull her down, sure that the young officer's instincts would kick in. Then ensign salt had been falling too, she hit the frosty ground in a crumpled and bloody heap.

"Oh my God" Lex choked, she rolled her friend over and looked at her shocked face "It's going to be alright" she said wondering if Astrid actually heard her, clamping her hand over the bleeding arm in a vice like grip to try to slow the flow of blood. She could feel each pulse beneath her fingers. The Ensign's breathing was shallow, irregular, it was as though every breath took minutes, yet it had been merely seconds.

Albrecht's voice echoed in her head "Captain! Ensign Salt has been hit"

Kahn and Cat had been over there in a second and began examining Salt. Ensign Ral reluctantly gave her friend over to the doctors. Feeling responsible and wanting to do something but she didn't know what. She knew that they would do everything they could. She pulled off her jacket and handed it to the Dr who draped it over Salt's still body in an attempt to preserve some warmth. Matthew and James had made a makeshift stretcher from a door and everyone seemed to know what they were doing except Lex. She sat up, shivering and faded to the back of the crowd, her hands stained crimson and her fingers turning blue.

"A Little One"
by Lt. Thomas

Lt. Thomas's shift on the bridge was over, so going to check up on Lara wasn't a problem. Plus he'd gotten the strange sense that Gwyen very much wanted to talk with him, but didn't want to appear on the bridge. Either because he asked her not to or for other reason. Either way he was more than happy to get of the bridge and be able to relax without fearing her showing up and causing complications.

Chris exited the bridge and headed for the Casey quarters.

** Casey Quarters **

Lt. Thomas reached the door to the Casey Quarters. He wasn't sure how Lara would react to a stranger, even though she wasn't that old. He quitely entered the quarters, trying not to disturb anything or her, assuming she was a sleep. He found her still asleep, she was so cute.

"You miss not having the chance to raise kids, don't you dear." Gwyen said.

Chris remained silent for a long moment, thinking about the life that he and Gwyen were suppose to share. They were suppose to be together forever, why did she have to die? Chris found himself asking. He closed his eyes, "Yes I do regret not having that chance to have raised a family with you my love."

Now that he knew she was safe and still asleep he decided to contact Miran and let her know. However he decided to step out of the room before contacting her.

"Lt. Thomas to Lt. Commander Casey."

[Yes Lt.]

"Just wanted to let you know that Lara is just fine." Chris said.

[Thanks Lt.]

"Of course." Chris said.

Lt. Thomas returned to his conversation with Gwyen, while he continued to watch over Lara Casey.

Christopher Patton

"Ensign Brandis to the Bridge."
By Ensign Brandis
USS GALAXY

Lucas' jaw still hurt. Dr. Kahn had more strength in her slap than coul have been anticipated. He'd been turned down before; but, never quite like this. Who'd of thought that the Chief Medical Officer wouldn't take kindly to being made fun of. 'Some people just don't know how to take a joke.' Lucas thought, while rubbing his jaw, wondering if she'd loosened a tooth.

He decided he wasn't going to sit still. If Lucas was going to be a prisoner on his own ship then he was going to make sure Sick Bay remembered him.

"Hello, Cat." Lucas said walking up to the only doctor presently avaible (and had not slapped him). "What's the prognosis?"

"Sorry, Lucas. Still, coming up blank. There's just no explanation for your lapsing into a coma." She said, eyes not leaving her display.

Lucas could sense the Doctor's frustrations. She'd worked diligently over the past few weeks on her youthful looking patient. Nothing seemed to bring up anomolies of any kind. Then, she remembered somthing from medical school. "Lucas, I'm just curious; but, have you 'sensed' anything unusual lately...telepathically I mean?"

Lucas found the question odd; but, quickly responded, "No, not unusual..."

The doctor's ears seemed to perk up, upon noticing Lucas fade out. Betazoids were notorious for their honesty and she pressed, "Yes, Lucas?"

Lucas, however, had no intention of staying in Sick Bay for another seven weeks. Diplomacy had taught him limited truth was always best. "Oh, nothing just that I've been hearing some voices in my sleep."

"Really?" She inquired, thinking she finally had some lead to follow.

"Yes, it's saying...over and over the same thing. I just can't explain it." Lucas continued, drawing in the doctor with every word.

"What is it saying, Lucas?"

"Ensign Brandis to the Bridge, Ensign Brandis to the Bridge, Ensign Brandis to the Bridge." Lucas couldn't help but chuckle at how the Doctor had been suckered into a joke and not caught on.

"Very funny, Ensign; but, Dr. Kahn would swallow me whole if I cut you loose." She stated suppressing a smile.

"So, there's nothing you can do?" Lucas pleaded.

"Short of a ship wide lack of crew members and a direct order from the Captian, nope." Cat said in a sarcastic tone.

['Commander Casey to Dr. Khatroweena, come in.] Came Lt. Commander Dieran Casey's authoritative voice.

"Cat here," She said, tapping her communicator in acknowledgement. "Go ahead."

[I've got crew dissappearing everywhere, Doctor. The Captian and several other members of the command staff on the bridge as well; if Lucas is well, I'll need him on the Bridge, immediately. I'm pretty sure that Q has got some trick up his sleves.] The Acting Captian stated as more of an order than a request.

"I wouldn't recommend it, 'Commander. We still haven't been able to explain his lapse into a coma, and..."

[Is he well now?] Casey pressed.

"Well, physically we can't find any abnormalities. But, that isn't to say that they don't exsist. It may very well be some dormant..." The doctor was suddenly cut off again.

[I need him on the Bridge, now, Casey out.] The channel cherped off.

"Well, Ensign. It looks like you'll have it your way." Cat said, still surprised by the coincendence.

"Motion Sickness"
By: Lt(jg) Ryak Sullax
S.O. USS Galaxy
reviewed by Captain Price

Ryak lay on the floor of the vehicle as his stomach began to get very unsettled. Ryak was not used to such transportation. The men sat in there seats staring at Ryak.

"Wat sorta freak do you think it is?" the larger of the two men asked the other.

"Dunno." the other said as he bent over and touched Ryak's ear. "Wat's wit the color of his skin." He said as he touched it again.

"Ok!" Ryak yelled as he sat up. His blood was boiling more now and he was not taking any more. "I have had enough of ...."

"Shad up Freak!" the larger man yelled as he hit Ryak in the face with the butt of his gun.

Ryak felt as the gun slammed into his head. He was not in a position to recover. Ryak felt back to the floor. He could feel a trickle of blood roll down his face.

"Holy check out dis." the thinner man said as he pointed at the blood.

"The boss is gunna like this one."

"Wat ya think he gunna be worth."

Ryak lay there trying to figure out what he could do to get free. As he looked around Ryak noticed a small metal pin next to him so he picked it up and placed it in hi pocket. There was also a loose screw in the seat so Ryak tuned out his captors and work secretly at getting it undone.

The vehicle seemed to be going slower now as well as over a very bumpy area. The men that were holding Ryak hostage had wiped some of the blood off of Ryak's face and were playing with it. Ryak felt very ready to kill them both. The car stopped inside of a large building.

Ryak sat up to see what was going on when he was hit on the back of the head. Ryak turned around to punch the man when he was hit again.

Darkness.

"Plan A"
by Commander Joerg Sterner
Executive Officer, USS Galaxy
reviewed by Captain Price

Joerg looked at the two doctors as they tried to save Ensign Salt's life. He was still shocked by the brutal and violent nature of that planet's inhabitants. But perhaps that was the whole idea why Q sent them to that planet. Although it didn't seem to make any sense, Joerg accepted the current situation as it was. From now on it was nothing more than a failed away mission, with the safe return of all team members to the Galaxy as it's only goal for him.

While the others gathered inside the building, Joerg tried to think of something useful to do. He turned to face the Captain, once he knew what they should do.

"Captain, I think our primary objective should be to disguise ourselves. With our Starfleet uniforms no one will ever believe us that we are part of this society. But I think that's the only chance we have to safely return to our ship." Joerg explained.

"I agree Commander, but how do you think to get some fitting cloths?" the Captain replied.

Joerg smiled as if he'd expected the Captain to ask such a question. He search for Ursa in the crowd of people and quickly found him. With a loud "Ursa, come here quickly." he summoned the Chief of Security to join the conversation.

"This is a violent people, right?" Joerg asked rhetorically.

"Although we won't kill anybody to get what we want, I think a little display of force will get us the things we need." Joerg finished, pointing at Ursa.

"You mean ..." Captain Price tried to say, but was interrupted by 'Commander Sunder.

"I guess I know what he is saying Captain. I'll see to it personally that we have a small supply of cloths and perhaps even weapons. Although I doubt that it will be very easy to obtain those things." Ursa explained.

"But I think you'll manage it Ursa. You're a man of many talents and your men are among the best in Starfleet. What could stand in the way of such a team?" Joerg asked him, again with an evil smile on his face.

Joerg knew exactly what the last sentences did to Ursa. he was a proud man and not afraid of anything. Joerg's question only encouraged him to do his best to get the things they needed.

Before he met with his security officers, Ursa turned to the Captain, who just nodded in acknowledgement. That was all the 'Commander wanted to see and he left the pseudo staff meeting with the Captain and the First Officer.

"I hope this doesn't make ou situation worse 'mate." Lee objected.

"Me too, but for now it's our best chance to move freely through the street and gather information about our situation. Without those cloths we certainly will end up either shot dead or held for questioning and then shot." Joerg answered.

'... if those people on the planet do any questioning before they shoot.' he also added in his mind.

While Ursa prepared his men for their mission, the rest of the crew still discussed their current situation with each other and the possible solutions that could result of it.

"Establishing priorities"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price

Captain's personal log: Stardate 49812.23

Myself and several members of the crew of the USS Galaxy have been transported to Sigma Iosha 2. A planet where the people have developed a criminal government system that is both brutal and violent. Ensign Salt has been wounded having been nothing more than an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire of an unrelated altercation between rival gang members. Doctors Kahn and Khatroweena are working on Astrid now. So far the prognosis is uncertain...

"Captain, I think I've located this building's environmental control unit." Lieutenant' Hermedhie explained.

Lee glanced at the young Tactical officer, a worried expression on his brow while watching the Doctors work on Ensign Salt. "What's that 'mate?"

"I think they used to call them a 'furnace'. A sort of crude combustion chamber for consuming wood and coal products for the production of heat." Hermedhie explained.

"You are starting to sound like a Vulcan 'mate." Lee said with a half grin.

The comment seemed to have been lost on the Lieutenant' who wasn't sure if he should take that as a compliment or an insult.

While he puzzled over it, Lee added, "Do you think you can get it working 'mate?"

"Oh, yes sir. I just need some wood as a fuel source and something to ignite it with." Hermedhie explained.

"I saw some wood furniture over there in what looks like it was the lobby to this warehouse. It should make a good fuel source." Lieutenant Hewson chimed in.

Lee nodded, "Sounds like a plan 'mate. Why don't you and AC work together and get the furnace going to heat up this place? I'm sure the 'mates would appreciate that."

"Very good Captain." AC responded before motioning for Lieutenant' Hermedhie to join him.

Lee watched them go before stepping over to where the Doctors were working on Ensign Salt. It didn't look good. Both Cat and Nilani's hands where covered in blood. Ensign Kalln had managed to locate some water in the old warehouse and brought a bucket of it over to where the Doctors were trying to stop Astrid's bleeding. The amphibious looking crew member stood by and watched the doctors try to save Miss Salt's life.

Lee was watching too when Doctor Khatroweena approached him. "She's in bad shape Captain. I don't think she's going to make it through the night if we don't get her better medical attention. Her lung has collapsed from the bullet wound and she's lost a lot of blood." Cat let out a sigh, "If we were on the Galaxy, or even if I had a portable trauma kit with a dermal regenerator, this wouldn't be a problem."

"Sorry Doctor, but it looks like we will be stuck with using whatever is available for the time being." Lee said solemnly.

"I know sir... But what we have isn't going to be enough if we want to save Astrid's life. She needs to be taken to a hospital."

Lee nodded. "Commander Sterner is trying to round up some native clothing to better disguise our presence here from the Iotans. When he returns, we can see about locating a medical facility to tend to the Ensign's injuries. In the mean time, do the best you can."

Cat gave a nod. "We are trying Captain. I just hope it's good enough, for her sake..." the Doctor then returned to assisting Doctor Kahn in applying pressure to Astrid's wounds.

"Doesn't look good, does it sir?" Greer commented, gaining the Captain's attention.

Lee shook his head. "Not at all 'mate." After a moment of silence, Lee turned and asked, "When you scanned the planet, did you detect any signs of communications satellites in orbit?"

Lieutenant Erikson nodded, "Yes sir. Several UHF and VHF transceivers presumably used for television communications about the planet."

"If we were to locate one of the control stations where the signals are broadcast from, do you think we could get a message out to the Galaxy 'mate?"

Greer nodded, "Yes sir. In fact if we could get to one of these broadcast points, we may be able to establish two way communications with the ship. Assuming she's still in the solar system and monitoring the transmissions from the planet."

"Aye, if Q hasn't sent them away." Lee added. "When Sterner gets back with some local clothing, I want you to check into locating one of these broadcast points. The Galaxy is probably worried about us right about now."

"Sounds reasonable Captain." Erikson nodded.

*****

*** Cantinii family HQ ***

Lieutenant' Sullax landed on the floor with a hard thud. It wasn't enough to rattle him to consciousness, not after being clocked across the temple with the cold butt of a .38.

"Here 'e is Boss. His colors make's 'im one of Jacko's boys. Though he claimed to be from some outfit called Starfleet."

"Da Federation?!" Cantinii seemed both surprised and terrified at the same time. "He said he was from da Federation?"

"No boss, he said Starfleet. Said this here is a fancy Starfleet uniform and that he's some kind of rocket scientist or someting."

"Shaddup you idiot!" the boss snapped back knocking the hoodlum's hat off his head with a snap of his wrist. "It's the same thing you doof. We's hadn't heard from da Federation for over eighty years since the Oksmyx family was over thrown after ordering the hit against the Federation when they came to collect their 40 percent piece of the action."

"Dey's sounds powerful boss." The hood commented.

"They have fancy heaters and other things. But they bleed and die just like you an' me."

"This one is bleedin' boss, strange green blood. He's got wierd skin and pointy ears too."

"Git some water and wake him up. I wants ta have a talk with our friend here to find out what the Federation is doing back on Cantinii turf."

The hood grabbed a large bucket of water and threw it on Ryak, stirring him to sudden wakefulness.

"Rocko, Jake, pick up our,... guest and put him in the chair over there." Mister Cantinii said while clipping the end off of a cigar and placing it into his mouth.

Roughly the two burly thugs gathered the disoriented Lieutenant' and slammed him into a wooden chair in the center of the well decorated room.

Lighting his cigar, the boss took a couple of long drags off the stogie. He was well dressed in a dark gray pin stripped suit, double breasted, with a white carnation flower on the lapel and matching white wing-top shoes. "Welcome to the Cantinii family home mister...."

Ryak's jaw felt like it was on fire. His head was throbbing from the blow to his head. "Ryak Sullax." The Romulan answered.

"Welcome to my home Mister Sullax. Antonio here tells me you are from the Federation."

"That is correct." Lieutenant Sullax responded rubbing his head and checking the injury there.

"Sorry about the lump. Antonio had no ways of knowing you weren't simply one of Jacko's boys what with your colors and all." Mr. Cantinii pointed with his cigar while leaning back and sitting on the edge of his desk.

"What is this predisposition with color if I might ask?" Ryak inquired, satisfied that his head would was an annoyance, and nothing more serious.

"Colors. It's a way the various family's and gangs mark their territory." The boss explained, almost humored by the Federationer's lack of understanding.

"Territorial markings? Like flags?" Ryak inquired.

"No, not like flags. I don't have time to explain it to you if you don't already know." Mister Cantinii said grabbing a dish off his desk and offering it to Ryak. "Mint mister Sullax?"

"No thank you." the Lieutenant responded. Glancing around, he could see Cantinii's burly body guards lurking around, and a woman in a tight fitting dress sitting in a chair in the corner polishing her finger nails and paying no attention to anything at all. "Why have you brought me here?"

Cantinii replaced the candy dish back on his desk and took another drag from his cigar. "Like I was saying, Antonio just thought you was one of Jacko's boys. But now that we's know you are from the Federation, that changes everything. What are you doing here? Come to get a little pay back for what happened all them years ago to your other boys?"

"I assure you, I have no idea what you are talking about Mister Cantinii." The Lieutenant' responded.

"Sounds like he's being a wise guy to me boss..." one of the burly thugs commented.

"That true Mister Sullax? Are you being a wise guy with me?" Cantinii puffed.

"Not at all. I am merely stating that I have no idea what sort of 'pay back' you are talking about. We arrived on this planet completely on accident." Ryak knew he'd blown it the moment he'd said the word 'we', but was unable to stop himself.

"We? Did he just say we boss?"

"That he did Rocko. So where are your other Federation buddies Mister Sullax? Getting ready to put a hit on the Cantinii family? Thinking to take us out with your fancy orbital heaters before we have a chance to retaliate perhaps?"

"No not at all...."

"Shaddup! I knows how you Feds think. All the same. First that Kirk guy, then that Sanders fella, then there was that Ronan guy. My family has keep track of history mister Sullax. You pretend to be interested in our welfare and development, and then, the first chance you get you try to hog all the power fur yourselves. Well not this time. The Oksmyx family had the right idea when they stood up to your Federation. They just didn't act fast enough or have the guts to deal with the problem before it got out of hand. Well I'm not going to make that same mistake." Snapping his fingers, Mister Cantinii got the immediate attention of his resident hoods. "Get Freddy, Stumpy and some of the other boys and go check out where you found this one. We need to make sure we get to them before one of the other families do. Got it?"

"Got it boss. If we find them, what do ya want us to do with them?"

"Round them up and bring them to the downtown night club. It should be safe there if it's kept quiet."

"And if they resist boss? Then what?"

"Then waist them. They need to learn that nobody, I mean nobody comes into Cantinii turf and gets away with it. Got it?"

"Gots it boss. Consider it done."

"What you want done with this one?" the other thug asked.

Cantinii smiled. "Take him down to the club and have them hold him there until we locate the others. I can decide what to do with him later."

Grabbing Sullax by the arm, the burly hood yanked him out of his seat and to his feet. "Common, let's go Fed boy."

"It was a pleasure meeting with you Mister Cantinii." Ryak commented.

Cantinii just puffed on his cigar a few times and nodded before his men shoved the Romulan along and out of his office.

*****

*** Bridge, USS Galaxy ***

"Set a course for Sigma Iosha 2. Full impulse." Lieutenant Commander Casey ordered.

Ensign M'aerikh taps in the proper commands into the helm, but nothing appears to happen. "Sir, the helm is not responding to my commands."

Deiran raided an eyebrow, "What do you mean Ensign?" the Lieutenant Commander got out of the command chair and walked over to the helm station. "What seems to be the matter?"

"Nothing sir, I even ran a level five diagnostic. But when I tap in the proper coordinates, she simply doesn't respond." M'aerikh explained.

"This doesn't make any sense..." Deiran grumbled.

In a flash of light, Q appeared just in front of the Helm. He still had the Santa's cap on, and a Captain's uniform. "Frustrating isn't it?" he smiled, "Candy cane Casey?"

Deiran didn't even look at the red and white striped mint stick. Instead he glared back at Q. "Quit messing with this vessel Q and return the Captain and the others now. This has gone far enough."

"Oh contrare. This has not even begun yet." Q riddled back. "You do seem to have lost the holiday mood though I must say... There must be a way to get you back into the spirit of the holiday season. Let me think...."

While Q began pondering the dilemma of Lieutenant Commander Deiran Casey's serious demeanor, the commanding officer of the Starship was beginning to understand just how frustrating Q can be. "Forget about the holiday season Q. This is serious. You are disrupting the operation of this starship with your actions."

"Oh come now 'Commander. You dare to accuse ME of not understanding the seriousness of the subject. *I* am not the one that has done the forgetting here. Ah, but that is it! Of course, what an excellent idea. Thank you Casey for giving me the perfect idea for reminding you what Christmas is all about."

With a wave of his hand, Q gave Deiran a big round glowing red nose. Just like Rudolph the red nosed reindeer. It glowed brightly, just as Rudolph's did in the song.

"There. That is much better. A glowing constant reminder so you won't forget the Christmas holiday. Why it's a plain as the nose on your face. Good day 'Commander Casey. Parting is such sweet sorrow...." And with a flash, Q was gone again.

The members on the bridge, looked at the 'Commander's nose that was pulsating slightly in a bright red glow. "Q! This isn't funny!" Deiran growled.

Stalemate
Lt. (jg) Benedict T'Kal
Tactical Officer
USS Galaxy

Benedict stood at the Tactical Arch and waited for Caseys' commands. He watched as Miran Casey gave her seat to M'aerikh and went back to the XO's chair. His mind was focussed on one thing - Tebrianne. Everything was ready - if the Galaxy was about to fight then she was as ready as she would ever be!

"Set a course for Sigma Iotia 2. Full impulse." Lieutenant Commander Casey ordered.

Ensign M'aerikh tapped in the proper commands into the helm, but nothing appeared to happen. "Sir, the helm is not responding to my commands." She glanced at Casey and then back at the main screen.

Deiran raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean Ensign?" the Lieutenant Commander got out of the command chair and walked over to the helm station. "What seems to be the matter?" Frustration was clearly edging Casey's words.

Benedict had a sinking feeling in his gut. Q. He was messing with things - what ever he had in store he didn't want Galaxy there to interfere. Tebrianne and the rest of the crew were going to be on thier own. Benedict knew that there was nothing that they would be able to do about it.

"Nothing sir, I even ran a level five diagnostic. But when I tap in the proper coordinates, she simply doesn't respond." M'aerikh explained.

"This doesn't make any sense..." Deiran grumbled.

In a flash of light, Q appeared just in front of the Helm. He still had the Santa's cap on, and a Captain's uniform. "Frustrating isn't it?" he smiled, "Candy cane Casey?"

Deiran didn't even look at the red and white striped mint stick. Instead he glared back at Q. "Quit messing with this vessel Q and return the Captain and the others now. This has gone far enough."

"Oh contrare. This has not even begun yet." Q riddled back. "You do seem to have lost the holiday mood though I must say... There must be a way to get you back into the spirit of the holiday season. Let me think...."

While Q began pondering the dilemma of Lieutenant Commander Deiran Casey's serious demeanor, the commanding officer of the Starship was beginning to understand just how frustrating Q can be. "Forget about the holiday season Q. This is serious. You are disrupting the operation of this starship with your actions."

"Oh come now 'Commander. You dare to accuse ME of not understanding the seriousness of the subject. *I* am not the one that has done the forgetting here. Ah, but that is it! Of course, what an excellent idea. Thank you Casey for giving me the perfect idea for reminding you what Christmas is all about."

With a wave of his hand, Q gave Deiran a big round glowing red nose. Just like Rudolph the red nosed reindeer. It glowed brightly, just as Rudolph's did in the song.

"There. That is much better. A glowing constant reminder so you won't forget the Christmas holiday. Why it's a plain as the nose on your face. Good day 'Commander Casey. Parting is such sweet sorrow...." And with a flash, Q was gone again.

The members on the bridge, looked at the 'Commander's nose that was pulsating slightly in a bright red glow. "Q! This isn't funny!" Deiran growled.

Benedict looked quickly down at his station. He concentrated every effort to make sure that the area of space around the Galaxy was free of hostile vessels - and an errant thought crossed his mind - it was a hazy recollection of a dream - and he quickly dismissed it.

The Galaxy was dead in space. The helm was unresponsive and as Benedict looked again at the blue orb suspended in the main screen - he knew that it was so close - so frustratingly close.

"Sir." Benedict looked straight at Casey - he kept his face straight - not a hint of amusement - this would be humiliating to Casey and his loss of face had to be minimised somehow - Benedict just ignored the glowing red nose as he spoke, "Perhaps using one of the runabouts - maybe Q has just disabled the Galaxy - we could use two or three shuttles as a transporter platform - relay stations to try to beam out crew back."

Benedict waited for the Commanders response.

Just one of those Days
By Lt. (jg) Anthony Mendenhall
Engineer

He had died. He HAD died. He was on a ship, the Borg blew it up, and he died. Just like that. Dead. Then he was alive. Alive. It was one of those massive trauma things that you didn't really want to go through.

He couldn't even describe what it was to someone. It was trying to describe what red was to someone who was colorblind. Red is Red. Dead is Dead. The only way he could talk to someone about it was if they had died once. I mean, your dead. That's how dead feels, dead. Very confusing. Very, very confusing.

And to add to the confusion, he remembered things about the Wraith, her crew, and other things. Very confusing. It was the approximate of a mind meld, only slightly different. I mean, he could remember experiences that he hadn't had. It was freaky! It was weird! It was a Christmas to remember!

Anthony looked up and expected to see security guards come and take him away because he was acting so weird. But when he did, he was standing in snow. Snow! Yes, actual real snow! He looked around and saw other members of the Galaxy crew. He managed to follow them while going through mental shock.

"I commanded the USS Wraith. I died. Blown up by a Borg cube. I was dead. Then I was alive, on the Galaxy. Now I'm still alive, on a snowing planet." Small holes exploded to the left of where he was. Anthony slipped on a piece of ice, falling out of the way of the line of bullets face down. As he was laying on cold ground, his head aching, he corrected himself. "Actually, I'm still alive on a snowing planet where people are firing at me with archaic weapons."

"He's been shot!" screamed a female officer staring at Mendenhall.

Anthony stood up and brushed some snow off himself and turned around to reassure the Ensign of his current condition. "It's alright. I'm just dead. No, wait, I'm alive, at least for now. But you never know."

"Are you alright?" Asked another person from security.

"I'm fine." Mendenhall rubbed his face to get the blood moving, then started to follow the hurried crowd of Star Fleet uniforms. As they neared a shelter, it suddenly dawned on him what was going on. He was being interrogated.

The Galaxy must have been ambushed by some Jem'Hadar soldiers, and Anthony had been knocked out. He was captured, and now was being interrogated and tortured by them. This was really an elaborate ruse to get intelligence from him.

That couldn't be true. That couldn't be right.

"The Captain will know!" He rushed over to Captain Price with a hopeful face.

"Captain!"

Price turned around startled, worried because of Mendenhall's face.

"Sir, I need to know who Lt. Cue is, my sanity is at stake!"

'Excuse me, who am I?"
by Lt jg Aaron Sharp

Aaron/Price lay unconscious on a bio-bed, the EMH running some scans. Peering through the roof, Q looked down on the scene.

*Well now, this could get interesting if I just....* Q thought, and waved a hand....

*******

The darkness receded and Lt Sharp/Cpt Price found himself looking up into the face of the EMH.

"Captain, How are you feeling?"

Aaron/Price slowly sat up.

"A bit dizzy but otherwise fine, mate."

"I've run a complete set of scans and I'm unable to find anything wrong with you. As far as I'm concerned, you have a clean bill of health. However, I am still concerned with your claim that you're not the captain. I recommend you see a councillor as soon as possible."

Aaron/Price held up his hand.

"Hold on a second, mate, I don't know what you're talking about. I claimed that I'm not the captain?"

"You don't remember?"

"No." The EMH looked worried.

"Captain, you walked in here an hour ago claiming to be someone else. You became agitated and I found it necessary to sedate you. You don't remember this?"

"I don't remember any of that. But I feel fine." Actually he felt a little dizzy but he wasn't about to admit it. Unbeknown to him, Q had placed a short term memory block in his mind.

"Very well." said the hologram, "I have little choice but to release you. I can only assume that this amnesia will be temporary and is a result of the sedative I administered. However if it continues, or there is any change in how you feel, you are to report straight back to sickbay. Is that understood, Captain?"

"Perfectly, mate." said Aaron/Price, standing to his feet.

"Alright. I believe you are required on the bridge. Don't ask me why, no one seems to find it necessary to inform the EMH of anything that's going on." The holographic doctor turned to a PADD it was working on, leaving Aaron /Price to himself. He quickly exited the sickbay and entered the nearest turbolift.

"Bridge." he called. He thought back to what had just happened. He couldn't remember anything the doctor had said had happened. Come to think of it, he remembered very little of anything at the moment. He hoped the doctor was right and it all came back quickly. he had this nagging feeling that something wasn't quite right. The EMH had called him the Captain. He was, wasn't he? Then the turbolift doors opened, exposing the bridge. Aaron/Price stepped out towards the tactical arch and noted Commander Casey by the Helm station. At least he remembered Casey's name. Casey turned his head, as if sensing someone there, and looked directly at Aaron/Price. A shocked look very briefly passed across his face before disappearing completely. The pulsing red glow of his nose, however, remained.

"Captain?" Casey said....

Lieutenant jg Aaron Sharp
Helmsman, USS Galaxy

"I Like to Be on Terra"
Civilian T'Zaq

Another day in the lonely prison of Space. T'Zaq paced around the perimeter of the small quarters aboard the Galaxy like a caged panther. It was not fair, having to stay in quarters for the duration of the red alert, while her parents got to be at battlestations! Even though she had chosen not to follow in their steps by entering Starfleet, it wasn't right to just have to sit here while everyone else got to be a part of the action. And not even Surev was around to entertain her. Not like he was very interesting anyway; in T'Zaq's opinion, the man had no personality. But still, being with a bore was almost better than being in solitary confinement.

And those weird dreams.... it seemed like she had gone to sleep, awakened someplace else, then fallen back to sleep here again. It was a most distracting sensation.

Suddenly struck with an idea, she glanced furtively over her shoulder, half expecting to see someone there. Satisfied that she was alone once again, she turned on some music and began to sing. Starting softly, her voice grew a little louder and more confident as the song went on...

(to the tune of "America" from West Side Story)

"Oh, T'Khasi
You lovely planet
Haven of logic and peace..
Always smart people debating
Always their egos inflating"

Oh, T'Khasi
You ugly planet
Planet of stifling tradition..
Always the desert winds blowing
Always intolerance growing
And the scientists crowing
And the V'Shar spying
Kolinahru lying

I'd like the island Ha-wa-ii
Choke down your gagh and come with me!

I like to be on Terra!
OK by me on Terra!
Everything's free on Terra!
Everyone friendly on Ter-ra!

"I like the city of ShiKahr!"
Go get on a ship, it is not far!
"So beautiful, peaceful and quiet there."
You could get killed, better take care!

Parmesan Veal on Terra
Alloyed plastisteel on Terra
Get a hot meal on Terra
Very big deal on Ter-ra!

...percussion riffs and various yelling...

Everyone goes to Terra
Many hellos on Terra
Nobody knows on Terra
Anything goes on Ter-ra!

I like to be on Terra
OK by me on Terra
Everything free on Terra
Everyone friendly on Ter-ra!

I wanna live on Terra...
I wanna live on Terra... (yeah yeah yeeeaaah)
I wanna be on Ter-raa!

As the last strains of the music faded away, T'Zaq slid across the room on her knees, throwing her head back and raising her arms upward in a dramatic pose. The moment was interrupted by the sound of slow applause. T'Zaq looked up to see a humanoid female of average height, in a Starfleet uniform, with curly auburn tresses reaching halfway down her back.

"Bravo. Bravo!" the woman said, sounding rather insincere.

T'Zaq composed her expression and looked up at the woman curiously. "Who are you? And how did you get in here?"

The brunette clucked her tongue disapprovingly a few times and walked around T'Zaq in a slow circle. "I'm Q. And I've found that things have been getting rather messed up, around here in particular." She pulled a clipboard out of thin air and purveyed it with a critical eye. "According to my records, you are supposed to be an engineer aboard this starship."

"I am? But, I'm not even in Starfleet."

The female Q nodded sagely. "My point exactly. The way of things has been altered. And I know whose fault it is!"

"Oh?" T'Zaq raised an eyebrow.

Q raised a clenched fist in the air and nearly shouted. "My Q! It's all *his* fault!"

Unimpressed by this rather irrational display of emotion, T'Zaq remained quiet.

The woman quickly calmed down. "Sorry. I realize your finite mind is not capable of comprehending my relationship to him. But, you know how men are. Listen, now. I've got a deal for you. I'll take you on a much more interesting adventure than this, and then return everythin

g to normal in a couple of your days. Just a little.... practical joke, shall we say, and this time the laugh's on my other half! He needs a little wake-up call, an unexpected complication to his plans, to keep him on his toes. So, what do you say?"

T'Zaq stared at her questioningly.

"I'll take that as a yes." Q clapped her hands and they disappeared in two bright flashes of pure white light.

=/\=
Lt.JG T'Zaq, Engineer USS Galaxy

By Ensign Suder with the help of Specialist Adrianna
"Who The Hell Are You?"

"The girl in the window is kinda cute.. too bad". Abbot's voice sounded sincere as he looked through the cross-hairs of the gun's targeting sight.

"Don't be stupid,..and wait for the Boss to give us the signal". The Shorter man took a long drag on his cigar and locked his angry gaze on his friend.

*His face was emotionless. Cold. His eyes were pure black, with only one instinct in them. He glared down in front of him and saw the two guys. They hadn't seem him yet. It didn't look like they were. In complete darkness, there was no way anyone was going to see him, unless they through an active lightbulb at him, or flashed a torch in his direction.*

"Ya, your right. Guess I'm just getting a little excited. I never had a chance to kill a Fed before." Abbot smiled.

"You'll get your chance".. The smaller man smiled evilly...

*Now was the time to act. Before the signal. Before anyone did see him. Before he changed his mind. If he moved now, he would have to go through with it all the way and that, was what he was going to do. He stood up and looked down on the two men. He was standing on a couple of crates and it would be easy to strike now. He looked across and then back down. Now or never. Now! he thought.* He dropped down the full six feet slamming his two clenched fists into the smaller mans back. He dropped to his knees and gave out a cry of pain.

"Pipe down already will ya'?" the taller man asked waving a hand behind him to shut up his buddy.

He took a step up to the taller man and threw his left fist out into the mans kidney. The tall man dropped to one knee and looked behind him. The man who had hit him was concealed in the darkness. All he could see was the rough lay out of the man. He stood up and twisted on his feet in one quick motion and swung his right hand out to hit the guy who had just taken out his smaller counterpart.

As his fist swung, it was caught by a hand. The gangster tried pulling it free, but it didn't work. The mans grasp on his opponents hand was tightened as he hit him in the face sending him sprawling to the ground. A metal object came crashing into the unknown man and fell on to a crate. He rolled over to see the short man holding a metal pipe.

"Who in the hell are you?" he asked looking at the mans strange clothing with a shiny gold insignia on his chest. "And what is this?" the man asked reaching out t grab it. The Starfleet officer grabbed the mans hand and crushed his fingers until the bones snapped and cracked. He yelled out in pain and then he was silenced and the officer slammed his head into a crate.

The engineer turned and looked at the taller man. He was struggling to get up. The Starfleet man walked over to him and was welcomed by a feeble attack. He caught the mans right arm spun him round. When his back was to him, he grabbed the gangsters head and snapped it hard to the right. He dropped to the floor lifelessly and as the Starfleet officer walked towards the street, he heard footsteps rushing in his direction from around the corner. He rushed over back to the crates where he could escape when he heard them speak out loud.

"Hey you, what are you doin'?" one of the asked. The officer stopped and turned around. He was still in the darkness, but he had to do something.

(To Be Continued...)

Ensign Montana was sitting in the ten forward lounge when he saw a couple of crew members disappear right in front of his eyes. "What the...."

"Security to bridge.....I just a couple of people disappear right in front of me. What is going on? I've already called the security station and nobody has answered."

Walking out of Ten Forward, Shawn sees the the usually busy corridors are unusually slow. "I wonder what the hell is going on here! I'm going to find out one way or the other."

The ensign begins walking towards the bridge.

"Information."
by Lieutenant Commander Greer Erikson

This whole scenario was like visiting one of his Holodeck programs, specifically the one in which he enjoyed playing the piano in the solitude of the smoke filled Chicago jazz club. Seeing Doctor Khatroweena there made it seem more so as he recalled her conversations with the holocharacter Marie. The reality of the situation was reinforced by seeing that Ensign Salt had been injured, a report that Lieutenant' Sullax had been abducted, and the expression of a number of confused Galaxy crew members told him that this was not Holodeck program.

Commander Sterner had managed to obtain attire indigenous to this planet. Greer brushed off some dirt from the sleeve of his suit as he modeled his hat in the store front window, trying to get it to match the style they had seen on some of the indigenous people. "Now, where to start." he remarked, looking to each end of the street, no idea which direction might lead him closer to one the broadcasting centers in this city.

Four city blocks away from his starting location, Erikson came upon a building called a news agency. Unfamiliar with the term he walked in to see stacks of papers and booklets arranged neatly throughout the room, the sound of light music playing in the background which resembled a style of jazz. Behind a bench stood a young lady who looked up at him. "What can I do for ya?" she asked.

Erikson took off his hat before walking over to the young lady and her bench. As he got closer he recognized the mechanic device as a machine for handling currency. It was very much like the one Remy kept on the bar top. "I was hoping you might direct me to the broadcasting station."

"Looking for a job hey? A journalist-type are ya?" the young lady asked as she gave Greer a looking over as he stood there, looking around the interior of the store.

Not entirely sure if she was speaking to him, Erikson turned around and looked directly her, trying to think of something to say. "Well . . ."

"No worries. I have a cousin that works at the local station."

"Then perhaps you can tell me where I could find it. I had directions to get there but I must have left them in my other suit."

"No problem. Ya go down Seventh Avenue for three block and turn left into Acorn Street. Continue down Acorn Street for another two blocks and then turn right into Lincoln Avenue. If ya go down that way for another two blocks ya should come across it." she explained, moving her hands around as if to visual explain the directions. "KWD Broadcasting. That's where ya'll find my cousin."

Erikson considered the opportunity that easy access might give them in trying to contact the USS Galaxy. Even if they only had limited access. "Do you actually think I could get a job there? At the broadcasting station?"

"Sure. Ya'd probably have to start at the bottom like he did, but sure. I don't see why not. The guy ya wanna speak to is Charlie Maccinato. Tell him his little cousin Mary sent ya . . . ."

"Greer Erikson."

"Sure you 'aint makin' it up?"

"No. My name is actually Greer Erikson."

"Hmmm . . . that a strange name Mr. Erikson. Not from around here are ya." Mary remarked as she looked at the magazines an elderly lady had placed on the bench in front of her.

Erikson smiled. "Well Mary, thanks for the information." he said with a nod.

"Good luck with the job." Mary said as she took some money out of the cash register and gave it to the older woman. "Thanks Mrs. Rizzito."

Greer walked out of the news agency and placed his hat back on his head. Turning to his left, he began to follow Mary's directions to the source of the archaic transmissions and hopefully the means for contacting the USS Galaxy.

"Planet Hell"
By: Lt(jg) Ryak Sullax
S.O. USS Galaxy
with experts from Captain Price

Cantinii smiled. "Take him down to the club and have them hold him there until we locate the others. I can decide what to do with him later."

Grabbing Sullax by the arm, the burly hood yanked him out of his seat and to his feet. "Common, let's go Fed boy."

"It was a pleasure meeting with you Mister Cantinii." Ryak commented.

Cantinii just puffed on his cigar a few times and nodded before his men shoved the Romulan along and out of his office.

Ryak was lead down a hall way and into a old style turbolift. As it started moving Ryak noticed that there was noway this was anything close to a turbolift.

Ryak looked around as he heard a faint beeping. Ryak watched as one of the men pulled out a small portable communication devise and started to talk.

"Ya, da doss has someone for you to watch....Ya....No....We'll be there soon.....Ya....Be ready for anything....O.K......Bye."

Ryak stood there and watched as he put it away. The lift stopped and the door opened to reveal a large black vehicle.

"Get in the car Fed boy. If you are a boy." the rather annoying one said as he pushed Ryak into the car. When he did this Ryak bumped into the other man and was able to grab the communication device without him noticing. Ryak got into the car and sat on the seat and watched as the other two got in. One of the men tapped on the window and the vehicle began to move outside.

"Oh damn." one of the men said as they turned onto the street.

"Wat is it?"

"I left my phone in the bosses office."

"Well lets call your number and git it dropped off later."

Ryak began to panic he was not sure if the device he had taken was shut off or not.

"Na I shut it off. Remember the last time I gots a call when we were wit da Boss."

The two men laughed and began to talk about old times. Ryak noticed that there was a small refuse bin in the wall of the vehicle he opened it up to notice there was some sort of metal based paper in it as well as some burnt cotton wrapped in paper. Ryak pulled it out carefully and placed it in his pocket with the rest of the things.

"Hey Fed." one of the men yelled to get Ryak's attention. "Ya wanna smoke."

Ryak looked at the thing that he was offered. Ryak was very confused. It looked like a full version of the item found in the refuse. "What exactly is a smoke?" Ryak asked in a tone showing his annoyance with the unknown.

"Wat ya sayin? Ya Fed's don't have smokes."

"I did not say that. I asked what is a smoke. I am speaking English"

This arrogant comment upset the man as he threw the smoke at Ryak. "Here wise guy. Get smart wit me again and I'll waste ya."

Ryak was sick of all this wasting garbage. "I highly doubt that. Your boss would not like to have someone as valuable as me wasted at this time."

The second Ryak said that the man slammed the butt of his rifle into Ryak's face again. Ryak's nose snapped under the pressure of the hit. Blood started to flow down Ryak's face and onto his uniform.

"Now look wat ya did. The boss is gonna freak." the other man said as he handed Ryak a hand full of rags. "Now stop beating on him."

Ryak felt rather dizzy but was able to grab a small metal object from the seat that was used to light the smoke and place it his pocket.

Ryak could feel the rag fill with blood as the car stopped out side of a large building with a sign that read 'Hospital'. One of the men from the front seat of the car ran in and a couple of minutes later ran out with a man in a white smock and black bag and threw him into the back with the rest of us. The car took of for the bar again.

The man sat there just staring at Ryak as if he was a circus freak.

"O.K. Doc, I need him just like new."

The doctor took the rag away from Ryak's face and said, "Oh My God! What sort of joke is this? I have never seen anything like this before."

"He's a Fed."

The doctor paused a bit. Ryak could see him get even more nervous than before. "I see. Let me see what I can do."

Ryak sat there as the doctor realigned his nose and began to bandage it up. The pain was very unbearable. Ryak sat there thinking that if Cat was here all would be fine. Wait....Sullar!!! Ryak began to think about his son all alone on that ship. Ryak had to get back as soon as he could.

"There that should do." the doctor said.

"That is fine." One of the men stated as the car began to turn a corner. "Thanks for your services Doc." He replied as he pushed the Doctor out of the moving car and closed the door.

Five minutes later they stopped outside of a very luminescent building.

Chris Gagne
Lieutenant(jg) Ryak Sullax,Science Officer,USS Galaxy.
Contact at: i2qtnot2b@hotmail.com

Galaxy "Life and Death Decisions"
Written By Ly. Kahn Nilani
USS Galaxy

I knelt down and tested the pulse of Astrid, it was week and fluctuating. I looked around and found the Captain, standing up I ran my finger through my hair.

"Sir, It's not good. We need to get Astrid to a hospital, if we dont she has less than 5 fours to live. To put it short Captain she is dying and with what I have I cant do anything about it!"

The Captain just looked at Astrid, and nodded his head.

["Ok, get her too a Hospital. But I want someone with you."]

"Yes Captain!"

I moved back over to the make shift strecher and with the help of cat placed astrid on it. I then tore off some of my unifrom to keep her secured. While getting Cat's Jacket and placing it over her to keep her warm.

"Cat I want you to stay with the group!"

["Ok, but Nilani you take care of your self you hear?"]

I smiled and moved back to the Captain.

“Feed a Fever...”
by Lt. Hunter McKenzie
Chief Tactical Officer
USS Galaxy

Mac trudged through the melting gray slush. Stopping at the door, he stamped his feet trying to remove the clinging wetness that soaked through his boots. As he entered the ramshackle building he noticed that Lt. Hermedhie had succeeded in getting the ancient furnace operating and already the warmth was beginning to help the displaced, huddled masses of the galaxy ’s crew. Mac watched as Sunder and Sterner moved away from Capt, intent on their own discussions. Making his way to Price, he turned toward the sound of the Mac’s squishing boots.

“You appear to be squishing, Lt?,” mused the Captain.

“Standard Starfleet uniforms aren’t made for the wet and colll...aaaaaaaaa…AAACCHHOOOO! “

“Bless you, Lt….”

“thank you, sir”

…”and what is our current Tactical situation?”

Mac sniffled as he began. “in a word…terrible. We appear to be in an environmentally hostile, unknown area of operations with atleast one group of unknown, hostile aliens. We have no weapons, we are easily distinguished from the locals by clothing and some also by race. We have no communications with the Galaxy and no current humint or electronic Intel on the planet..(sniff)….and…I have a cold” Mac stopped and sniffled as he waited for the Captain's response.

“Conclusion?” grinned the cap

“Our first priority is to secure the area…and gather info on what were up against.” Stated Mac, “I recommend a small party,

disguised as locals, move out and gather as much humint as possible. Myself and one other should do it. (sniff)

Capt. Price stood thoughtfully for a moment before answering “Very well Lt. Find out what you can…and report back here as soon as possible.”

“Aye. Captain. “ answered Mac as turned and went in search of Ensign Mike. “Nothing like trail by fire.” Thought Mac as he sniffled through the crowd.

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

"Only the Shadow Knows"
by Lt. Cmdr. Ronni "The Shadow" Morris

The smell surrounding her was completely new to her. It was a combination of urine, rotting food, and mold. Ronni looked around at her surroundings and knew she was in trouble. She was in an alley way that looked almost like a decaying version of old San Francisco. It was the closest description that she had.

About a meter above her was some type of metallic support structure attached to the building. There seemed to be a ladder attached to it. She did a little jump and grabbed onto the ladder. It came down toward her, causing her to fall on her backside into a smelly pile of rubbish. "Don't the locals have any sense of planetary hygiene?" Brushing herself off, she climbed as quietly as possible up the metal ladder. As quiet as possible meant only as loud as a Targ in heat. She finally reached the top of the building as she heard a loud squealing noise, followed by a tat-a-tat-tat noise. Cautiously, she looked over the edge of the building.

A motorized vehicle spun around a corner. Out of the window were two black sticks that were emitting small flashes of light. They appeared to be slug thrower type weapons. "Just great!" Ronni said to herself.

Looking around the roof, she saw some clothes hanging off of a line. They appeared to be drying. The clothes were of a fashion that Ronni was unfamiliar with. She decided it might be best to "borrow" some of the clothes so that she could get a better look around. She took a long black coat off of the line, along with a red scarf. On a nearby bench, was a black hat with a very large brim. She wrapped the scarf around her neck and mouth to try to hide her skin color and gills. She put on the dark colored coat and the hat. Her reflection in a nearby window was of a rather sinister being. Ronni was pleased with herself.

She heard a noise around the corner. Rushing to the edge, she saw Ryak being hit in the back of the head with one of the bricks from the building she was on. She saw him being put into a motorized vehicle and the vehicle sped off. Ronni did a running leap for the next building over and made it. From here there was a wire that went from this building to the one across the street. She pulled the belt off of the coat and tossed one end of the belt over the wire. She then wrapped the ends of the belt around her hands. Fortunately the wire was wrapped, because it allowed her to slid down from her building to the roof of the building across the street. As she landed, she almost laughed. She felt like she was in one of her Robin Hood holodeck adventures. She stood up and wrapped the belt around her again. When she looked back down to the sidewalks, she saw several "humans" staring up at her. Across the alley, she saw several people in Starfleet uniforms. She waved to them, and then turned to follow after Ryak.

"Getting some wheels"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price

Captain Price was watching the Doctors work on Ensign Salt. Commander Sterner had returned from his recon mission with some native clothing to disguise the Galaxy crew members presence. He'd deposited the huge bundle of clothing in a pile in the middle of the warehouse floor. Those that weren't already occupied began sorting through the clothes and putting them on.

Lieutenants Hermedhie and Hewson had managed to get the building's furnace going, which provided some degree of warmth from the snowfall out side. Still, Lee was thinking of how they were going to get help for Ensign Salt. Or where on this planet a medical facility was located. Roaming around blindly through the snow was not going to do Miss Salt any good.

While off in his thoughts, Lee was approached by Lieutenant Mendenhall.

"Captain!"

Price turned around startled, worried because of Mendenhall's face.

"Sir, I need to know who Lt. Cue is, my sanity is at stake!"

Lee paused for a moment, drawing in a deep breath. "It's simply 'Q' 'mate. A rather annoying and powerful alien that seems to derive great pleasure in placing Starfleet Captains in awkward situations..."

Mendenhall blinked his eyes a moment and let the Captain's words sink in. "So I'm not loosing my mind?"

Lee shook his head, clapping a hand on the Lieutenant's shoulder, "No 'mate. But knowing Q, we all may before this thing is over."

Doctor Kahn informed the Captain of how critical Astrid's condition was. It was imperative that the Ensign be taken to better medical facilities or she'd die within a few hours.

"Ok, get her too a Hospital. But I want someone with you." Lee relayed to Doctor Kahn.

"Yes Captain!" Nilani replied, making preparations to move the wounded officer with Doctor Khatroweena's aid.

The Captain glanced around. "Ensign Marc, 'Commander Mercury, come here 'mates."

A moment later the young tactical officer and Chief Engineer were standing by the Captain's side. Lee glanced at the Doctors working on their dying patient. "We need to get Ensign Salt to a medical facility or she will die within a few hours. I believe they are called 'hospitals' here. I want you two to go out and arrange for some transportation for the doctors and Ensign Salt. Try to find one of these automobiles that are running about the streets. The larger the better 'mate."

"I understand Captain." David nodded.

"Go see Commander Sterner and get some local clothing to better blend in." the Captain instructed.

"Will do Captain. We will be back in no time at all with some transportation." Ensign Marc added in an up beat tone.

Lee nodded. "Bonzer 'mate. Ensign Salt's life depends on it. Be careful out there, the snow is still falling outside."

"Will do Captain." Lieutenant Commander Mercury finally responded before he and Mike went to pull out some local clothing out of the pile of clothes Joerg had deposited near the covered bottling equipment of the huge abandoned warehouse the crew had taken shelter in.

Doctor Kahn returned to the Captain's side. "I've sent 'commander Mercury and Ensign Marc out to arrange transportation for you and your patient Doctor. That should make it easier to locate a local medical facility somewhere in the vicinity."

Nilani rolled her eyes slightly. "I'd still rather have her on the Galaxy Captain... I can only imagine what the 'hospitals' for this planet are like."

"I imagine they are patterned after the hospitals from a few hundred years ago Doctor." Lee hypothesized.

"Great. Anesthesia and cat-gut sutures. Bladed scalpels and staple guns. I hope Astrid forgives me for keeping her alive what with all the pain this planet's technology is going to cause her."

Lee let out a partial grin. "I'm sure she will be appreciative of your efforts Doctor. Is there anything we can do in the mean time?"

Nilani looked over at Ensign Salt with a saddened look. "Not at the moment. We've dressed her wounds as best we can and stopped the bleeding. Her lung needs to be repaired, and her blood replenished. A general antiseptic to fight off any infections will also be needed. The material they are using in these tiny projectiles appears to be made out of lead. A toxic substance."

"I'm sure they have everything needed to treat this kind of injury at their medical facilities Doctor. Judging from the frequency of their using these weapons, I would think this would be a common occurrence." Lee hypothesized.

"What kind of a world is this where the people are constantly trying to kill each other Captain?"

Lee shook his head. "The Ioshans have based their society around a gangster book left by the crew of the S.S. Horizon. In that book, violence was a way of life."

"Well as a doctor I certainly detest the very idea. The way everyone is constantly shooting at anything and everything, it's a wonder anyone at all is alive on this entire planet." Nilani declares.

"You may be right 'mate. But for now, we will try to keep a low profile and get Ensign Salt the medical attention she needs. Hopefully Lieutenant Erikson will be able to locate a way to contact the Galaxy using one of the broadcast facilities on this planet. Then maybe we can get to the bottom of why Q sent us here in this elaborate game of his."

"That man makes my blood boil Captain." Nilani shuddered.

"Mine too Doctor. Mine too." Lee replied.

Glancing around, the Captain saw Lieutenant Commander Sunder coming down the stairwell from the roof of the warehouse.

"If you will excuse me Doctor, I need to speak to 'Commander Sunder to find out about our security situation."

Doctor Kahn nodded and returned to assist Doctor Khatroweena and their patient Ensign Salt.

Ursa's eyes met the Captain's as the towering Chief security officer made easy work of the last few steel stairs leading down to the warehouse floor.

"G'day 'Commander. I hope you have some good news for me right about now." Lee beckoned Sunder.

Missing Portion of "Team Effort"
by the USS Galaxy Security Dept, Iotia Detachment:
Lt. Matthew Albrecht
Lt. James Chen
Ensign Lexana Ral
and Lt. Commander Ursa Sunder

Salt lay motionless before the large security officer - her blood refusing to be staunched by the make-shift bandage that Cat had patched together. Sunder turned his head away from the sight, in order to focus his thoughts on matters that he could deal with.

He summoned the other security officers together. " We need basics people. Shelter, food, and weapons. Matthew - shelter's your job. " He looked over the building briefly. " This is a pretty spacious building. Let's get everyone set up inside with respect to areas and functions - we need an ops centre, a make- shift infirmary, and a supply storage area. "

" What about defenses? " Albrecht asked, his head darting back and forth to Astrid Salt now and then, concern for his friend obvious in his expression.

" It's going to be pretty basic until we can attain some of the local equipment. Basic survival stuff, I think - tripwires, snares, and booby-traps. You're going to have to exercise your imagination. " Sunder said.

" Ral - this is your first major security assignment - sorry that it couldn't be a bit more accommodating. Sundries are your responsibility. We need clothing. Our uniforms are going to stand out like sore thumbs. But don't get yourself too much over your head. Thieving is the order of the day. "

" Right. Keep myself out of trouble. " She started to remove her outer tunic to turn it inside out, hiding any outside Starfleet insignias. Sunder noticed this.

" Good idea. " Taking a leaf out of her book, he did the same.

" Commander - what about one of those vehicles out there? It may be a useful thing to have - especially when looking for Sullax. "

" Good suggestion - but that may be a group project for later. Chen - you've got electronics in your file folder - it looks like they have a primitive wiring system in this building. See what you can make of it. We need warmth and light in here as well as a security detail to keep an eye on things. "

" What about you chief? " Albrecht asked. " Where are you going to be? "

" I'll tag along with Ral. While she's searching for useful bits 'n' pieces, I'm going to see if I can knock a few heads together and snag a few of those projectile weapons. "

*****

As the security officer walked away from the pack, he thought about his assignment. 'Commander Sunder made him responsible for determining the layout of the building, and organizing a proper usage of the space. *Well, before I start painting lines on the floor and hanging curtains, I better have a quick look around,* he joked to himself. *First, I'm going to need help.*

Looking over the assembled staff, Matthew noticed immediately that one officer stood out from the rest. Ensign Kalln was the most inhuman looking person around, making him a perfect partner for exploring a dangerous area. Any locals who spotted the ensign would certainly be stunned into submission by his appearance! The lieutenant from security made his way over to the large lizard, whose tail was swinging side to side, making a clear spot on the dusty floor. He glanced around, getting an idea of the building's basics before he reached the Elt.

Even from the area near the large sliding doors where the majority of the Galaxy's stranded officers were gathered, the basic layout of the building was apparent. The ground floor was large and rectangular, with a couple of walled-off sections where the comings and goings of freight had doubtless been tracked and managed when the building was still in use. Piles of machinery littered the floor, covered in sheets or tarps, providing shelter for vermin and potentially making great cover in case of an attack. The warehouse area extended as high as the roof through the main area, but a second floor occupied about two-thirds of the ceiling space, with broken out windows allowing a view of the open floor from the offices that no doubt filled some portion of the second floor. Most of the light in the cold structure came from heavy glass windows near the ceiling. A rickety-looking set of stairs led up from one end of the main floor.

"Matthew, my friend. Hello," Kalln greeted before Albrecht could collide with him. Matthew stopped and looked up at his colleague. "Were you looking for me?" The creature placed two of his arms on his hips, and crossed the remaining pair. He winked one large eye, and Matthew couldn't tell if it was a sign of good spirits, or just a reaction to dust in the air. There was certainly enough dust, after all, to irritate even the double-membraned eyes of a Vulcan!

He smiled at his large friend, who stood in his relaxed posture; The Elt could stretch himself to well over seven feet if he chose to, but commonly he stood shorter than Matthew's bare five feet ten inches. "As a matter of fact, Kalln, I was looking for you. How would you like to join me on a little tour of the building, help me plan how we're going to use it?" he inquired. The scaly-hided man nodded, or at least he closely approximated a nod, and gestured for the smaller human to lead the way. "Excellent, thanks buddy," Matthew said as he slapped his hands against his upper arms to generate some warmth in the semi-numb tissues. They began walking across the way, to circle behind some old equipment and approach the stairs.

Thinking of something he had seen earlier, he looked over at his companion. "Kalln, didn't you have some water earlier?" The science officer had delivered a bucket of water to the doctors working on Astrid, and Matthew wondered if the source was in the building. Having spent quite some time in Alaska, he knew how pipes could misbehave in snowy and icy conditions, and was amazed that in such a technologically backward place water would run at all.

The Elt shook his head up and down again, saying, "Yep, well there are some stairs leading down to some kind of sub-level. Lt Hermedhie found a furnace down there as well. But a source of steam from below the city is keeping at least some of the pipes functional. There is a tap that should supply us with whatever water we need, as well as some minimal lavatory facilities," he explained.

The security officer grunted, "Excellent, we can recommend to the doctors that they establish their infirmary near the stairs to the basement, that'll keep them close to the water." Kalln agreed that it would be wise, and added, "Good place to prepare food, too, Matthew," and slapped the smaller human on the stomach, eliciting a mock yelp from him.

Matthew smacked his palms together to stimulate some kind of sensation, and led the way up to the second floor. The stairs were in poor condition, but supported the two men's weight adequately. At the top of the stairs, the door was loose on its hinges, hanging at a slight angle. It opened to reveal a space crowded with old equipment, desks, chairs and cabinets. A thick layer of dust covered everything.

Kalln stood over a desk, and brushed dust from its top. He slid several piles of old yellowed card paper onto the floor to look beneath them. "Take a look at this," he announced as he picked up the receiver of an antique-looking telephone, "Recognize it? It's a telephone. There is another one downstairs, I noticed." Ideas ran through the Elt's mind as he realized the possibilities the 'phone' offered.

Matthew remembered his aunt's antique collection, and how he had always wondered how the simple devices known as 'Phones' operated. He asked his reptilian friend, "Could you get it working?" He noticed a dozen skylights, layered in accumulated grime, letting in quite a bit of gloomy light. "This upstairs area will make a great Operations Room?"

Across the room, next to a large chalkboard, covered with half-erased notes and criss-crossed lines, was a red metal box mounted a few feet above the floor. It bore a large white plus sign. *First aid* he thought as he recognized the kit. He jumped over some debris to reach the box, and tore it from the wall. Opening the tin lid revealed an interior filled with yellowed paper packets of gauze and asprin, as well as a little tube of ointment and a few less easily identified items. "Kalln, could you take a peek around up here while I run this down to the doctors?" he asked excitedly, but didn't wait for an answer. In seconds he was down the stairs, which made a clamorous racket as he bulleted down to the floor, and headed toward his wounded friend...

*****

Lex was rather amused that her assignment was to go and basically steal stuff, and that her CO had basically ordered her to do it. Rather ironic, she thought, although she was slightly unnerved that Sunder would be going with her, "Probably to make sure I don't mess up." She thought. She looked up.. and up.. at the LtCdr.

"Sir." She said

"Ensign?" "Any techniques I may use.. to .. procure stuff.. aren't going to go on my record are they sir?" Sunder pretended to consider this for a moment. At least Lex hoped he was pretending.

"I think we can forget any indiscretions in such circumstances, Ms. Ral." he said, supressing a grin. "Cool." she said, stepping out into the frosty air. They walked for several blocks, their feet crunching on the half-thawed snow. Neither of them spoke much, they were both scanning their surroundings, looking for any kind of opportunity which may present itself. Said opportunity presented itself rather unexpectedly. The two security officers came upon what appeared to be a bank. The streets were bare except for a car with it's engine idling opposite the bank. An arm leaned idly out of the window, holding a cigarette. Sunder and Ral looked at each other for a moment, then at the car. They eached moved towards it, Ral unzipped her tunic halfway and shifted her shoulders a bit before leaning on the open window. She immediately found a gun in her face. "So.. I guess you're not going to give me a drag on that cigarette then?" she surmised The person on the other end of the gun looked rather.. surprised at what had just turned up in his window.. "It's awful cold" She added The gun wavered for a moment, then there was the audible sound of it being uncocked. the hand holding the cigarrette was suddenly in front of Lex's face. "Thank you.." She said softly, taking a long drag and trying not to choke. She leaned back on the hood as there was a brief kerfuffle from within the car as Sunder slid in through the passenger door, took the gun and persuaded the driver to remove most of his clothing.

The car sped off leaving a confused and scared gangster in his underwear, just as three figures emerged from the bank and wondered where the hell their transport was. "I have no idea how to drive this sir." Lex added as the engine screamed at her to change gear "I mean.. it's not exactly covered in the Academy.." Sunder was about to reply when the car skidded to a halt. "Ensign?" he asked "I've seen that type of store before sir. On one of James' holodeck programs. It's Terran, circa 1920. It's a department store." Lex pointed to a building on the far side of a square. It was closed up with the blinds down, a neon sign flickered on and off intermittently. "It has lots of clothes" The car slowed to a stop in front of it, the headlights dimmed and the engine stopped. "I believe they're closed" Sunder observed dryly Lex appeared to be mulling something over in her head. She pulled the car away, screached to a halt, then grindingly put it into reverse.. and floored it. There was an earsplitting crash as the metal blinds folded around them. Then Car and Federation security officers were both inside said department store. A pair of women's knickers hung off the hood ornament and a half dressed mannequin was peering down over the windshield. "I believe they're open for business now sir." Lex replied...

*****

Chen nodded as the others went out to do their jobs. Chen turned and smiled when he saw Lieutenant Commander Mercury standing with the others. An engineer would be helpful with his task. "'Commander," Chen said. "Would you mind helping me out with something?"

Mercury nodded and followed Chen. "What's up?"

"Well, I've been given the job of handling turning the power on, but my knowledge of electrics is relatively limited, and you would have to be better at this than me, so if you could lend a hand..."

"Sure." He looked around. "Where's the fuse box?"

Chen shrugged. "Well, let's find it." The two men set off, investigating the area. After several moments of fruitless searching, they finally found the large, metal box. Chen nodded. "Hello, there."

From the shadows, he heard a voice. "Hello, yershelf, fella."

Both Chen and Mercury spun to face the voice. From out of the darkness, a short, balding man shuffled into view. He was dressed in rags, and had a small, knit wool cap on his head. He smelled of liquor and human excrement. Chen nearly gagged just at the smell of him. "Who are you," Mercury asked.

"Who'd ya tink I am? Ther tooth fairies? I live here. Now, beat it before I get rough."

Chen smiled and stepped forward. "Listen, my name is Chen. I'm a private eye working around here, see. I'm working on this case. A missing heiress--"

"A what?"

"An heiress. You know, a rich dame."

"Oh, you're looking for a dame. Say, my sister is real nice, and none too expensive, neither."

Chen felt his cheeks redden. "Ah, that's not quite what I meant. All I need to know, is if it's okay if me and my associates stick around here. It's your place and all, but we really need to stay here for awhile. Okay?"

The man narrowed his eyes in thought, then he nodded. "Okay. You're the boss, right? I mean, I don't gotta bother wit' everybody else?"

Chen glanced at Mercury and shrugged. "Yeah, that's right. I'm the boss. I make all the decisions, so talk to me. That man, over there," he pointed to Captain Price. "He my right hand man. If you can't get ahold of me, got to him."

The man nodded, the shuffled back to his hiding place. Chen took a deep breath and shook his head. "Let's take a look at this."

*****

Meanwhile, Sunder had unceremoniously managed to disentangle himself from a pair of old-fashioned womens' undergarments draping from his head.

" So much for discretion... " He muttered, dropping the clothing to one side and exiting the vehicle. " Ensign - this is NOT what I consider a stealthy operation. " He said in a chastising tone.

" Sorry sir. " Ral looked sheepish. " I haven't had much experience with this sort of vehicle. "

Sunder looked back. A few onlookers had started to gather around the unusual scene.

" We'd better get moving - before any of this planet's law enforcement officials arrive. I think it's safe to say that we've violated more than a few rules of conduct. Follow me and try to stay low. "

Sunder ducked through the open display and deeper into the shadowed recesses of the closed shop. Ral followed him. Even though the power was off, the Starfleet officers could still make out details and contents of the store. In the rear of the building, Sunder could make out a small sign above a door marked EXIT.

" We need to find basics first. Clothing and food. Grab whatever you can carry and head towards that door. I'll see if they have anything like weapons and utility equipment. "

" Sir - I think they may have simpler versions of the firearms we saw outside earlier. I think they were used for hunting. They look a bit different and they won't have the automatic rate of fire, but they should still be useful. "

" Right now beggars can't be choosers. Hurry now, we have no idea how fast their security is. "

The two quickly meandered through the store. Ral found clothing of all sorts - divided by gender it appeared. She had no idea of sizes but grabbed items of generic clothing styles - trousers, large overcoats, and shirts of indiscriminate size. Seeing a few items of female clothing she took these as well.

Within a few minutes, the awkward bundle of clothing began to weigh on her. She scouted around and saw a line of wide, single-wheeled contrivances which looked like primitive grav-sleds. She piled the clothing articles in it and pushed the thing down the aisles, pleased with her own luck and ingenuity.

Sunder had found a section of the store brightly labled SPORTING GOODS. There were several objects that resembled cleverly carved clubs. He picked up one and swung it, seeing that it was designed for such a purpose. He grabbed four and tucked them under his arm.

Searching throughout the other aisles he also saw a large selection of carrier bags. Realizing that he was going to get bogged down with all of the equipment, he threw the clubs in the bag, delighted to find that there was plenty of room. He ran back and threw a few more in and snagged an extra couple of sacks.

A glass counter held several small slug-throwers. The handguns, as they were labled, came in a wide choice of variety - luckily with their corresponding ammunition directly below them. Behind the counter was a locked rack of larger versions.

With no time for delicate action, he broke the glass counter and threw all of the displayed weapons into one of his sacks, strapped around his shoulders. He reached in and also took all of the ammunition boxes he could see.

Taking the boot knife he always kept under his tunic trousers, he pried open the simple lock on the larger weapons behind him. He bundled six of them into another sack along with the slugs he found in a cupboard in the wall, under the rack.

That was enough. By then, the sounds of congregating people could be heard at the aperture. They couldn't go back for the vehicle and Sunder decided they'd have to abandon it. He ran to the exit sign, meeting Ral pushing an enormous pile of clothng on a wheeled cart.

" Good job Ral. Can that thing propel itself? " He asked quickly.

" It doesn't look like it has an engine sir. I think it's strictly for manual work. "

" I think I can see people over there! " Came a voice from the front.

" Why are dere no police when you need dem? " Another strangely-accented voice wailed. " You in dere - de boss's boys'll be here in a few minutes! Stop where you are! I have a gun! "

" We have to get out of here, now. " He turned quickly examined the door. It was a simple design and didn't look too strong. Stepping back, he launched a powerful leg, kicking the door dow revealing a brick-walled alley way behind the store. " Quick - get out and keep to the alleys. We'll have to make our way back that way. "

Ral nodded her head and hefted the cart through the exit.

" Can you manage that? " Sunder asked.

" I'll have to sir! " Ral panted. They got out of the building and into the alleyway and ran down several blocks before looking back to see if they had been pursued. Finally Ral looked back.

" I think we've lost them, sir! " She said breathlessly. Sunder stopped to look. There were no signs of any pursuers. The straps of his packs were cutting into his shoulders and he paused to re-adjust them. He grimaced in discomfort.

" Damn. If we only had a few more moments we could have grabbed some food or aother items. " He looked at Ral. " Are you okay? "

" It's getting heavy - pushing this, I mean. " She admitted.

Sunder looked askance at her. " Isn't it just clothing? " He looked over the pile - clothing was on top, but Ral had also managed to throw some cans of what appeared to be foodstuffs and other consumables. She'd also managed to put in cleansers, detergents, and other various chemical substances along with some basic medical sundries.

" Quite the haul! " He admitted. " Good job, but how were you able to grab all of this so quickly? "

" Above the aisles were signs listing what was contained in them. I just saw what I needed, grabbed it, and threw it into the cart as I ran down the aisle! "

Sunder grunted in appreciation. " Congratulations. You just added another skill to your list of accomplishments, ensign. "

" What's that sir? " Ral asked.

" Speed shopping. " Sunder replied. " I doubt a ferengi merchant could have done any better... "

Ensign Scott continues to scan the ship. As computer shows the roster of the people still left on the ship he comes accross what hs is looking for "YES" "Ensign Scott to LT Bishop you are the ranking security officer on the ship and are know incharge of security. I am currently maning the bridge security station."

Sir what are you orders?

"Pile of Oak"
by Lt. AC Hewson
Assistant Chief Engineer

“God damn this is heavy!” Lieutenant’ Raesene Hermedhie said under the strain of carrying a rather large wooden table across the remainder of the abandoned warehouse’s lobby.

‘I…uhhgg…know what you mean. Probably made out of solid oak.” AC Hewson, who had hold of the table opposite of Raesene, said. “But I bet this baby will burn.” The large rectangular table, measuring about three meters long, represented the last of the furniture that the two officers had been able to find. The rest of the furniture, which consisted of ten chairs, three small coffee tables, a small reception desk, and three dozen pencils, had already been moved down the basement where the furnace was located. While the other pieces were fairly easy to move, the oak table was quite an obstacle.

After maneuvering through the lobby, down three hallways, and finally to the edge of the stairwell, the table hit the ground with a loud thud.

“Well, there’s no way that you and I can get that down there. I’ll go get some of the others to help out with this piece of kindling.” Hermedhie said as he looked woefully down the stairs.

“Hold up a minute, Raesene. There’s no reason to carry this bad boy down. I don’t think the previous owners are going to mind if we scratch it up a bit

.” AC said as he positioned one end of the table directly in front of the stairwell. Raesene shot the engineer a look of uncertainty.

Moving to the other end, Hewson placed his hands on the edge of the table and began to push. While AC was in good physical condition, there was no way he could push it down the stairs by himself.

“I see,” Hermedhie, who was considerably stronger than his counterpart, said as he positioned himself next to Hewson. “On three: One…two…three!” The two officers pushed as hard as they could, inching the table ever close to the point of no return. After another minute or so, the weight of gravity pulled the table, causing it to careen down the stairs. The noise was almost unbearable as the legs of the table passed over each step. With a final crash, the table smashed into the wall, breaking into pieces.

“Not to shabby.” AC said with a smile as he slid down the railing to the floor below. Raesene laughed as Alan gained too much speed on the way down, and almost collided with the solid concrete wall at the bottom.

“All we need now is a fire starter,” Alan said as the two men loaded the furnace with some of the debris.

“Just leave that to me, Lieutenant.” Raesene said as he broke what was a table leg over his knee. “I’ve got a few ideas.”

“All right Hermedie, I’m going to see if I can find Lt. Erikson.”

"Fire..."
by, Lt. (j.g.) Raesene Hermedhie

Staring at the pile of smashed furniture, Raesene began to work on lighting the furnace. He looked around, and found two metallic pokers. Raesene began to clash them together over the pile of rubble, eventually igniting it. Stoking the fire for five minutes, Raesene then turned and returned to Capt Price for more orders.

By: Ensign Adrianna
Engineering Technical Specialist

Adrianna lifted a large reddish trench coat from the heaping pile of cloths that filled the center of the warehouse. Examining it for a moment she noticed the material was a rusty leather that blended well with her hair and eyes. The coat had deep pockets and a styled collar that immediately drew her too it. Smiling, She put it on, enjoying the warmth the coat brought with it.

Feeling better, she was startled by the sound of a crashing table somewhere off in the back part of the building.

"What was that"? She asked a nearby Ensign going through the clothing pile himself.

"Oh, that's just Lieutenant Hewson working on getting some wood down to the Sub-level." The smiling Ensign seemed a little more than amused at the irony of the event, and that made Adrianna smile too.

"Well, I hope He's ok..um, could you hand me that Hat"? Adrianna pointed to a French style red ladies beret.

"Thanks, well I'll see you later." She smiled at him a final time before moving off toward something that had caught her interest. Near the edge of the building, a large tarp covered object stood like a silent mystery waiting to be explored.

Looking around as if she were about to get caught doing something she shouldn't, she lifted a corner of the dust covered tarp and looked underneath. What she saw surprised her, to say the least. Removing a section of the tarp, she took a closer look.

"Well, I'll be damned." She said almost to herself as she gazed upon her new discovery. The old style metal safe was something right out of an old mobster movie. Its dull gray metal and clicking dial combination locks were in perfect condition. She ran her hand across the front of it and gave the pull bar a try.

"Just my luck." She said to herself. "Locked."

Smiling once, she placed her ear to the cold metal next to the combination dial and listened to the old style clickers as she made a slow turn......

=/\= "Ah, Provisions..." =/\=
by Lt Matthew Albrecht

On the roof of the warehouse building, Matthew Albrecht was pacing. There was a semi-defensable position there, but without automatic weapons of the sort the locals seemed to all carry there was little a defender could do from it. *With some guns and a few more security officers, we could hold off an attack for a while up here...* he told himself. The thought offered little reassurance. A couple of officers were up on the roof with him; Volunteers were occasionally switching off at two opposite corners to observe the sidewalk below and the passing traffic. However, the lookouts had to be replaced every hour or so due to the snow and cold. He observed a tactical officer sitting in the SouthWest corner, huddled over a wastebasket that contained a rock that had been heated on the furnace in the basement. *Clever... I'll have to be sure his idea spreads.*

The officer whispered to him, "Sunder's back," and Matthew headed right over to the edge. He could see the chief and Lex, laden with duffel bags and a wagon of some sort, piled with cloth. He could only assume that the two security officers, both sporting local raiment, had been successful in their search for sundries. After promising to return with warmer garments, Matthew headed for the ground floor.

Lex had an exciting story to tell of their run-ins with the local mob, and the surprising failure of local law-enforcement to thwart their supply run. She even joked that she should perhaps return to the department store for more goods. She pointed to the doctors with Astrid Salt, and explained that she had been able to find some simple medical supplies and some canned food as well. Things were looking up for the team, though the wounded ensign still required urgent medical care.

While Lex held up various pieces of clothing against Matthew, to find the appropriate combination of shirt and dungarees, he took the opportunity to catch the young woman up on certain mundane details. Partially to make conversation, and partially to make himself think happy thoughts, he told her "I thought of a name for the kitten, Lex."

She raised her eyebrows in a questioning expression, "What'll his name be? Erik, I suppose?" and she winked. It took her friend a few seconds to get the reference, but he quickly chuckled. He shook his head, but before he could tell her what name he had chosen, chief security officer Sunder interrupted.

"That'll look fine, Albrecht. Just put it on. Aren't you interested in the weaponry we collected?" he asked, enjoying the expression on Matthew's face when the question hit home. The lieutenant's eyes snapped open.

Matthew said, "Well, what did you find??" Ursa showed his stash of guns; Revolvers, rifles, and a few shotguns. They quickly collaborated on the proper usage of the small cache of defensive equipment. In moments, Matthew was loaded with warm trenchcoats, blankets, and rifles for the lookouts on the roof. They had decided that the lookouts would give their long-range weapons to their relief whenever new officers took their turns on the flat, tar- papered surface of the building's top. He also took a baseball bat, a shotgun, and a pocketful of shells for himself.

In short order, a proper defense and rotation schedule for guard duty was being assembled. With warm blankets and actual weapons for the posts to handle, Matthew anticipated an easier time finding volunteers to take shifts up above. *I wonder if Ursa managed to find a magnifying device...* he wondered.

"Welcome to the Team."
by Lieutenant Commander Greer Erikson
with additions by Captain Price

Walking away from the new agency and following Mary's directions, 'Commander Erikson walked several city block to reach a seven story building on the corner of Lincoln and Fourth Avenues. A large sign adorned the front of the grayish building and identifying it as 'KWD Broadcasting Inc.'. It seemed like a likely candidate for UHF and VHF transmissions, broadcasting something referred to as television across the city. The same kind of emissions he detected on the planet with the Galaxy's primary sensors.

Walking up the small flight of stairs he pulled on a brass handle and opened the glass door to reveal a main office. The glass doors closed behind him and he made his way towards the only discernible exit from the officer, to the left of a desk where a young lady was seated and pressing keys on a primitive recording device he had never seen before.

"Excuse me sir." she said as she discontinued her typing. "You are not permitted to enter that door. Is anyone expecting you sir? Perhaps I can call them down to meet you."

Greer turned around and walked to the front of the desk. "Not that I am aware of." he replied.

"Then I am sorry sir, but you are not allowed to enter that room." she pointed out whilst placing files from one side of her desk to the other side.

"Can I ask why?" Greer inquired.

"You may ask and I shall tell you. It is company policy I'm afraid. We just can't allow anyone to come and go as they please. For all I know, you could be working for a rival broadcasting station and I am not willing to risk losing my job over it either."

"I understand." Greer said as he tried to comprehend the dilemma of broadcasting facts which were neither sensitive or confidential for security reasons. "My name is Greer Erikson. I am here to speak with Charlie Maccinato."

"Is he expecting you this morning sir?" the receptionist said as she went to pick up the telephone receiver.

"I don't think so. His cousin Mary sent me to see him."

"Very well." The receptionist picked up the telephone receiver and dialed an extension number, presumably to Mary's cousin. "Mr. Maccinato, this is reception. There is a Mr. Greer Erikson here to see you . . . . . yes sir . . . . . yes sir . . . . . I understand sir . . . . . very well. I will tell Mr. Erikson to expect you shortly." she said, placing the telephone receiver down. "Would you please take a seat, Mr. Maccinato is on his way down."

"Thank you." Greer said as he went and sat down on the black leather conch to the left of the reception desk.

A quarter of an hour passed as the scientist carefully examined the room for details which might be helpful. The floor was covered in a dark red carpet and around the lobby were some potted plants which added some contrast to the carpet color. Framed photographs appeared along the walls, presumably of people held in high esteem by the employees or employers in this building. In general he had not learned anything new since sitting down. "Mr. Erikson?" a husky voice came from behind Greer.

Turning around he saw a man of approximately the same height, an olive complexion, and dressed in a suit of the same style Erikson was wearing. "That's me. Mr. Macchinato?"

"You got it in one Mr. Erikson." the man said as he extended his hand for a handshake.

"Pleased to meet you Mr. Maccinato. I was told by your cousin Mary that there might be a possibility in getting a job here. We are," he said, inadvertently thinking about his crew members, "that is, I am interested in broadcasting."

"You're quite to the point aren't you Mr. Erikson." Charlie said as Greer waited to see his reaction to his straightforwardness. "I like to see that in a person and that's the attitude we like to see in our employees."

"Well I believe in not wasting time. I am interested in learning as much as I can from this company and perhaps even learning to use the equipment." he said as he recalled the his conversation regarding contact with the Galaxy. "I understand that your company uses ultra-high and very-high frequencies."

Charlie smiled. "Eager too. Please." he said, signaling for Greer to follow him to the doors the receptionist had stopped him from entering. "Yes, we use UHF and VHF to transmit to the entire city. Our current range also allows us to broadcast to most of this entire region. We are also an affiliate station to a larger network that transmits world wide. We have a satellite uplink and downlink to broadcast and receive international programming and news feeds from around the globe." Maccinato spoke with a certain amount of pride in his station. "Why the interest in our broadcasting capabilities?"

Greer smiled. "Well, if I'm going to work here, I think I should know as much as I can about this place. Wouldn't you agree?"

"You're very sure of yourself Mr. Erikson."

"Not really." Greer said as he stopped walking. "If you weren't even considering hiring me then why would you have let me passed reception. Since I am already inside the building, I can also assume that you do not consider me a security threat either. The only presumption I can make is that you are seriously considering me for the job."

"Perceptive too. Good." Maccinato said as they continued to walk down the hallway and passed several offices. "This is where you can work. You'll be reporting directly to me, but I'll need you to run errands every now and then around the city. In the morning I usually expect a coffee on my desk . . . I take it black with one sugar. I am always on time so don't be late" Maccinato said as he sat down in a chair. "In the evenings you'll need to take my news reports to the copy editor who will then take it to the anchormen upstairs for the evening news. Understand all that Mr. Erikson?"

"Yes Mr. Maccinato. I believe I do."

"Good. I don't like having to repeat myself either. Can you start early tomorrow morning?"

Greer sat there somewhat bewildered. "So I have the job then?"

Charlie stood up and handed Greer a file. "You seem like a nice enough guy and since my cousin Mary recommends you, then that's good enough for me. Mr. Guillome," he said to another employee before Greer could point out that Mary only mentioned a job and she hadn't recommended him for anything, "this is Mr. Erikson. See you tomorrow morning Mr. Erikson. Don't be late. I'm sure Mary will be pleased you got the job. Be sure to say hi to her for me."

As Charlie walked off, Mr. Guillome came over and shook Greer's hand. "Welcome to the team. The name's Tony Guillome."

"Greer Erikson."

*******

As if it weren't hard enough to find the station, it was just as difficult to find where he had left Captain Price and the rest of his fellow officers. After two hours he finally managed to navigate his way back near their initial arrival point. Looking around he was unable to find any of the Galaxy crew members. The doctors and the injured Ensign Salt were gone, the Captain and Commander Sterner were gone, no one was there and this was a big city.

Pacing for a few moments he heard a whistle. Looking around he was unable to see were it had come from. Another whistle was heard and he looked up to see what looked like one of the security officers from the Galaxy on top of a warehouse, beckoning him to come over the street.

Erikson knocked on the door to the warehouse a few times and was greeted by the face of Ensign Ral when she opened the door. "The Captain is over there." she said as she pointed to a white-haired man dressed in a suit and looking out one of the warehouse windows.

Walking over he was not exactly sure if it was Captain Price since he so rarely saw Lee dressed in civilian clothing. "Excuse me sir."

Turning around, there was no more doubt that it was indeed Captain Price. "How did your scouting expedition go 'Commander?"

Erikson frowned a little as he tried to organize his thoughts on how to explain what had happened to his commanding officer. "Captain, I did locate a source of UHF and VHF transmission several city blocks from here. I also managed to . . . . well . . . I kind of managed to get a job there."

Lee raised his eyebrow in a curious fashion.

"A job? Bonzer work 'mate. What exactly are you doing?, Communications engineer? Programming director? Broadcast equipment operator?" Lee asked.

"Well sir, as far as I can tell, I'm the assistant to the producer." Greer explained, "I am supposed to start tomorrow morning."

Lee nodded. "That is a good start

'mate. Maybe we can get to their communications equipment and send a message to the Galaxy without them realizing it."

"I learned that they have orbital broadcasting abilities. A sort of communications network of satellites around the planet that relay signals from the surface." Greer explained.

"Humm," Lee thought placing a finger to his chin, "We will probably have to reconfigure one of these satellites to send it's narrow band signal out into space rather than back down to the planet for the Galaxy to have any chance of detecting our signal."

"My thoughts exactly. Though I am not sure that can be done from this... What did he call it?" Greer paused thinking, "Oh yes, from this affiliate station. Evidently it is a small cell broadcast terminal that is just one part of a larger planet wide network. I haven't seen the equipment yet, but I would think the larger corporate organization would control the satellites."

"That's a fair assumption 'mate. Well, first order of business is to just gain access to the broadcast equipment. The 'mates back on the ship are a sharp bunch. They may have already figured out a way to listen in to this planet's broadcasts anticipating we'd try to use them to send a message back to the Galaxy." the Captain explained.

Lieutenant Commander Erikson nodded. "My thoughts exactly. I'm sure Deiran would have thought of that."

"Well bonzer job 'mate. Tomorrow we can attempt to send a signal to the Galaxy and hope that they are indeed listening in to the planet's local transmissions."

"How is Ensign Salt doing sir?" Greer asked.

"Not very well I'm afraid. 'Commander Mercury and Ensign Marc are out arranging for transportation. The Doctors say Astrid will die within a few hours if she doesn't receive better medical treatment than we can provide here."

"These weapons the Ioshans use are primitive but effective." Greer commented.

"Aye. Most weapons that cause death are 'mate."

"What about Lieutenant' Sullax sir? I heard he was taken away at gun point?"

"Aye. Our first priority is to care for Ensign Salt. Once she has been safely taken to one of the local hospitals on this planet, we can put together a team to go looking for him. Now that we have local apparel thanks to Commander Sterner and the others, we should be able to move about without drawing as much attention to ourselves."

"I wish I could go with you sir. Ryak is one of my officers." Greer explained.

"I know 'mate. But contacting the Galaxy is a priority at the moment. And right now you are in the best position to try and do that. Do you think you will need any help with the broadcasting equipment at this 'station'? I can send one of the engineers with you if you like 'mate."

"I don't know Captain. Like I said, I haven't seen the equipment yet. I might be able to make a better determination tomorrow when I get inside. I can probably figure it out."

"Okay, well if you do need someone to help, just say the word and you'll have it. We need to let Casey know that we are relatively safe and on the planet. I just hope that Q hasn't sent the Galaxy back across the quadrant again." Lee commented.

"Me too sir. This is a nice place to visit, but I don't think I want to stay here very long."

Lee smiled. "I thought you'd enjoy this Mister Erikson. Sort of similar to those 'gumshoe' holo-novels you like to run 'mate"

"That's on the holodeck with the safeties on sir. Not with a bunch of Ioshans that really want to kill you."

Lee nodded solemnly glancing back at Ensign Salt while the Doctors continued to prepare her for transport to the hospital once Mercury and Marc arrive with some transportation. "Aye." Lee said flatly, putting the conversation to rest.

"Excuse me sir. I'd like to check on Ronni." Greer excused himself sensing the Captain drifting back into deep thought.

Lee nodded. "Good work 'mate."

Lieutenant Commander Erikson smiled shallowly and turned to go find Ronni, leaving the Captain alone with his thoughts.

"Ace! Stuff! I love rummaging!"

Kalln looked around the cluttered upper floor as Albrecht left. It looked a little different to the ground floor, having a lower roof and being filled with things covered with dust sheets. The room was billowing with dust, and the floor was covered in scrape marks that Hermedhie and Hewson had made as they dragged all the flammable furniture away. Kalln was left with piles of smaller junk, the occasional thrust-aside dust sheet and a few larger items made of metal that the others had left - metal not being known for its suitability for furnace burning.

He still wasn't a hundred per cent sure what they were all doing on the planet, but it was presumably Q. It would be alright, the cold air had little effect on him, and he enjoyed the opportunity to experience something new, but Vaughn was not with him and all he seemed to have was his uniform. No communicator, no Gnalish Satchel, no Tricorder, no Force Rod, no Ixlewarns. Just him, and several square metres of black, blue and purple ribbed cloth. Oh well, at least there was some stuff up here to rummage with.

He stepped forward to the first discernible pile. It looked like Hermedhie or Hewson had already disturbed this pile looking for firewood. He rummaged through it. A primitive axle, a small radio, two broken bottles. Not inspiring stuff. He picked up the radio and tapped it speculatively with a long finger. It rattled. He shook it gently, and half of the insides slid out of the other end.

Nuts!

He discarded the radio and continued foraging for things. The next thing he came across looked a little more promising. It was another of those phones. The first had been on a desk, and totally smashed inside. This one appeared to be intact, if a little dusty. He picked up the, the, the * receiver, that was it, and clumsily attempted to fit it where he could speak and hear. He was most surprised when a soft tone emerged from the end near his mouth. He quickly swapped it around, and the constant note was in his ear. Aha! Looked like he wasn't going to have to get them working. He traced the small wire protruding from the back of the peculiarly shaped object along the floor and through several piles of rubbish. It eventually plugged into the wall. Kalln was pleased to find a dozen other wires all protruding from the same set of primitive sockets. Tracing them all for a few minutes, he made a small collection of phones. Some were working, but five weren't . These he unplugged, and piled up. He arranged the working phones in a line, seven in all, and then headed off to find someone to tell.

***

Downstairs the officers were huddled in small groups, despite the heat being generated by the furnace. He approached Captain Price, who seemed to be giving someone a pep talk.

'Captain,' he said, and Price turned towards him.

'Yes, Ensign?'

'Upstairs, several telephones - that's what they call their hardwired communicators - are working. They are emitting a tone which I think represents functionality. There are seven of them, which I have arranged against the west wall. They possess numerical keypads, which are used to direct your communication. What would you like to do with them sir?'

Tim Fletcher for:
Ensign Gordall Kalln, Science Officer, USS Galaxy

Tebrianne clutched herself tightly. The cold bit through the light fabric of her duty jacket. It was a big difference from the regulated temperatures on the Galaxy, or even the cold she was used to growing up. Additional clothing was starting to come in as the crews assigned to gather native clothing returned with bundles.

Teb found a large woolen overcoat and a pair of gloves with the fingers missing. The fingers would have been very nice--Teb's felt cold enough to fall off right where they were.

"Nothing like a little frostbite for Christmas," she muttered through chattering teeth.

She'd looked around when they'd arrived and hadn't seen Benedict yet. She hoped he was okay. Without Ben there, Teb felt more alone...even with all of the Galaxy crew members shuffling around on their assigned tasks. A fire was going in the furnace in the corner--the room slowly heating.

Teb felt helpless. It wasn't a new feeling--not for a helmsman. Teb knew there was a technical name for it--something Counselor Dallas could probably go into great detail on, but Teb knew it was a depression common to helmsmen who were usually overlooked when the "real work" needed to be done. The flight department got everyone where they needed to be--after that, it was up to the other departments to get the job done.

So, here she was...stuck on a freezing ice blister of a planet, hundreds of light years from home. She had no idea where Benedict was. After watching Lt. Sullax being pushed into a car, Teb became more nervous. Ben could be anywhere on the planet...and probably without a phaser, or a communicator, or even the katana from his quarters she'd admired on more than one occasion. It didn't help to increase her morale.

Teb shuddered as a spasm of shivers hit her. She clutched her knees to her chest, resting the heels of her boots on the crate she'd found to sit on. A pint of rum would be good, she thought.

At least the Q mess was over. Well, her Q mess was at any rate. Teb had no doubt that the rest of this was all Q designed. Or, their presence here was Q induced. What was he trying to prove? And, why did he have to bring them here in the middle of winter? Why couldn't he have put them in one of the warmer parts of the planet?

Teb rested her chin on her knees and watched as Dr. Khan and Cat tried to save Ensign Salt. Teb didn't really know Salt very well...she'd met her once or twice in Ten Forward, but that'd been the extent of it. Teb's mood fizzled further as she watched the doctors' failing efforts. They needed to get her to sickbay. But there was no sickbay here.

Tebrianne felt so helpless. So alone. She fought back the burning tears that threatened to fall. She didn't need to look like some bloody crybaby in front of half the crew. Teb discretely brushed away the tears that did escape and turned her attention toward the other crew members that were bundling up around the pile of clothing. It was time for the people that actually did the work to do it...she'd just wait until there was something for her to fly.

By Ensign Suder
Engineer
"Who The Hell Are You? Part II"

"Hey you, what are you doin'?" one of the asked. The officer stopped and turned around. He was still in the darkness, but he had to do something.

"What's your name?" another asked.

"Suder." the engineer replied.

"Oh yeah, well Suder, step into the light please." the man which seemed to be the leader said.

Suder stepped forward and lowered his head so they couldn't see his eyes.

One of the men took a couple of steps forward and looked at Suder. Then, without warning grabbed the golden insignia off his uniform.

Suder grabbed the mans wrist and twisted it and then slammed his right heel into the mans chin sending him flying into a pile of garbage. The man dropped his communicator and another stepped forward with a gun out ready to shoot.

"Yur fast, and lethal. Lets see you try that again." another man said walking forward crushing his communicator.

Suder just looked at the man as the other two slowly walked behind him. The man asked him to do it again, so he did. He hit the gun away and jammed in his fist into the mans throat. The other two attacked him from behind. One of the men was welcome by a foot in the stomach, while the other managed to hit Suder round the back of the head with the base of his gun.

Suder felt himself falling to the floor and hearing one of the men speak before losing consciousness.

"He's fast, and tough, the boss'll want to meet this guy." The men grabbed Suder and began dragging him across the wet ground to their car.

Ensign Mingus finds himself walking down the corridor of the USS Galaxy, trying to become familiar with the ship. On his way, he runs into Ensign Shawn Montana, whom he discovers, is on his way to the bridge.

"Ensign Montana, I know you from Beta Prime. That's been a long time ago, how are you?"

"I'm doing alright I guess, I'm just getting frustrated right now trying figure out what the hell is going on!" Montana leans up against the wall of the corridor and sighs.

"Do you want to fill me in now or later?" Mingus asks Montana; his attention had been grabbed by that last statement.

Montana just looks at Mingus wearily. "Have you had a tour of the ship yet? If not, I'm not too terribly busy right now and I'm not getting any answers, so, come along with me. I'll give you a tour and fill you in on what I know. It all started when Q...." Shawn was walking down the hallway already.

They toured the holodeck, tenforward, sickbay, and various other locations, they finally wound up back in ten-forward, drinking some Kahlua and creams. "Anyway, so now we are wondering where our people are and what is going on. That pretty much brings you up to date as far as what I know of the situation." Montana ordered an ale.

"So, all these problems have been caused by Q? He just loves to make trouble doesn't he? I have never met him, but, I already don't like him." Mingus had a look on his face of purest contempt.

"I have met him, like I told you and believe me, it's no picnic." Rolling of the eyes adds great measure to the sarcasm dripping from the mouth of Montana. "Well, let's have another round and catch up on old times."

"The Party Has Just Begun"
By: Lt(jg) Ryak Sullax
S.O. USS Galaxy and Prisoner

Ryak was taken out of the car and walked into the building. As Ryak entered he noticed a sign on top that read "Teaser's Night Club". The guns of his captors never left his back. Ryak looked around as they entered. The place was dimly lit. To one side there was a bar and a large stage in the middle of the room with a pole sticking out the center. Around the sage were many tables. To one side there was three men working on a stack of papers.

"Next!" One of the men at the table yelled.

Ryak watched as a young lady walked onto the stage and started to dance to some music. Ryak watch as one of his captors walked over to the table. The lady began to do some sort of mating ritual for the men.

She began to remove her clothing as she danced with the pole. Ryak was shocked. He did find this rather educational considering he has never seen such behavior.

"Get your eyes off the entertainment!" the captor said as he returned.

The two men walked Ryak over to a room and locked him in alone. The room was small and plain. There was a table and a chair in the corner. There was no windows or anything else. Ryak looked over to the table. It was a wooden table with a pen and some paper on it. There was nothing else. Ryak walked over to the chair and sat down. Slowly and carefully Ryak pulled out the items he had acquired. He looked down at them. A pin, some foil, some cotton, a communication device and a screw. Ryak had no idea what he could do with any of these. Nor did he know how long he was going to be alone. Ryak took the communication device and popped off the back. Inside was many rudimentary circuits and chips. Ryak thought to himself for a bit and realized he could adapt this into some sort of sonic disruptor. It wouldn't do much harm with the amount of power it could emit but it would give off a loud enough pitch to render his captors disoriented for long enough for him to take their weapons. Now to actually make it work.

Ryak heard a noise outside the door so he quickly put the things back in his pocket. The door opened and in came one of the men with a plate of food. "Here eat up, freak or I'll break something else." he spouted as he left the room.

Ryak looked at the food and was turned off by its look. But the utensils could come in handy. Ryak put his things back on the table and began to work on his sonic resonator. Time passed quickly. Ryak was annoyed. Give him an anomaly in space or a star chart and he could tell you all you needed in no time but this was engineering stuff. Ryak had to think back to the academy. Ryak was done. He placed the back onto the device and put it in his pocket. He then stripped the paper off of the cotton from the 'smoke as they call them' and placed the cotton into his ears. Ryak picked up the bread on his plate and began to eat it. The rest was not suitable for Romulan consumption. Ryak was still confused at how a human society could get so away from the norm. Ryak was used to human's but this was unreal. He didn't even think that there was human's out here. Ryak began to think of the last images of the star charts when he disappeared. But they were not all that clear. Ryak finished the bread and waited for his captors to come for him. Ryak waited and waited but nothing.

Ryak was beginning to notice how uncomfortable his uniform was becoming. It was dirty, bloody, damn and smelly. Ryak needed to get out of this room.

"Hey get in here, human swine!" Ryak yelled as he threw his plate against the door.

The door opened and into the room came his two captors. "What do you want freak and what is a human?"

Ryak just looked at them. He pulled out the communication devise and said, "How do you get this thing to work?"

The two men became very nervous. "My phone!" one of the men said as he grabbed it. "How did it get it."

"Who cares. Check and see if he made a call." the other one replied.

The man turned on his phone and dropped it instantly. Ryak watched as the two men dropped their weapons and fell to the floor. Ryak quickly reacted. He ran over to the closest man and grabbed his gun. As he did this he kicked him in the face sending him flying into the wall and going unconscious. The other man who was screaming grabbed his gun and tried to raise it towards Ryak. Ryak spun around and kicked him in the head felling his heal slam into it with a crack. This ended up knocking him out cold as well. Ryak picked up the devise and shut it off.

Ryak slowly opened the door and looked out. There was nobody in the hallway. Ryak made his way down the hallway towards the main room. Ryak stopped outside of a room with an open door. As he looked in he could see a small ancient portable computer on a desk. Ryak walked over to it and sat down. It was a small device capable of holding a small amount of data. Ryak closed it and grabbed some of the storage data holder that were next to it and placed it into the bag under the desk. Ryak put the bag over both of his shoulders and made his way down the hall again. The bandages on Ryak's face were disrupting his view so Ryak had to take it slowly. As Ryak turned the corner to enter the room one of the guys yelled.

"The Freak is loose!"

The men at the table pulled out their weapons and began to fire. Ryak pulled back around the corner as the projectile slammed into the wall. Ryak pointed his weapon around the corner and fired. Ryak was momentarily startled by the noise and feel of the weapon as it spewed ammo. Ryak looked around the corner to see that he hit one of the men. Ryak thought to himself how inefficient this weapon really was. The fire fight went on for about ten minutes before Ryak Ran out of ammo. Ryak threw his weapon onto the floor and ran back into the room which held the computer. In the room was a window large enough for the Romulan to squeeze through. Ryak blocked the door with the table and opened the window. The men began to shoot at the door and kick it to get it opened. Ryak worked as fast as he could to get out the window and did as they kicked open the door.

Ryak picked up the bag and put it back on his back and began to run down the snowy street. Ryak was having troubles with running in his StarFleet Uniform. A couple of seconds later Ryak noticed that the men from the building were chasing him. Ryak ran down alleys and up streets. The men kept after him every so often firing their weapons to try for that lucky shot. Ryak turned down a back lane and kept running his heart pounding. Right before he turned again he noticed a large building with many people walking in and out of. As Ryak got closer he noticed a sign that read 'Trinity Shelter For The Homeless'. It was located next to the hospital where he had been before. Ryak knew that the men would probably check the hospital first with the assumption that he was hit. Ryak knew that he did stick out but here he may have a better chance at survival in the shelter. Ryak ran up the steps and into the building.

Chris Gagne
Lieutenant(jg) Ryak Sullax,Science Officer,USS Galaxy.
Contact at: i2qtnot2b@hotmail.com

=/\= "SAFEST Place In The World" =/\=
By Ensign Adrianna
and Lt Matthew Albrecht

After several minutes of playing, Adrianna realized that she was never going to be able to get the safe open on her own. By the rules, she knew that she should tell someone of higher rank and get instructions.

"What if it's just a big empty safe?" Adrianna mumbled to herself as she considered. Adrianna realized that she probably shouldn't waste the Captains time. Looking around, she saw Lieutenant Albrecht nearby.

"Excuse me, um..Lieutenant." Adrianna approached him nervously. She realized he had been placed in charge of securing the entire building.

"I've discovered something that could be important. It's an old style safe. Looks like steel alloy construction. Against the far wall, just over there." Adrianna pointed to an area within one of the first floor offices.

The security lieutenant looked back to the common area, at all the Galaxy officers in varying states of local dress. Deciding he could spare himself a few minutes, he gave into his natural curiosity. Gesturing for the specialist to lead him into the room, he said, "Have you been in here trying to open it? What have you tried so far?" he asked, not hiding his intense curiosity from the young-looking woman.

Inside the room there were signs that Hermedhie and McKenzie had been there; Tracks in the dusty floor suggested a desk or table had been dragged out, and smaller trails indicated chairs had been sacrificed for heat as well. The ceiling sported a dark light fixture, hanging askew. On the walls were large, cloth bulletin boards with notes, posters, calendars and such still pinned up.

They arrived before the safe that stood as high as the El-Aurian's nose. "The combination lock operates by a system of 'tumblers' that you can hear clicking when you turn the knob," she explained, moving her hands as if turning a knob back and forth. "Usually there are three numbers..." After a short explaination of the lock's operation, Matthew had a good layman's understanding of old-style mechanical locks. He had some experience with combination padlocks--as a kid he had loved to dig through hsi family's antiques. Finally, she said, "So I tried to listen for the clicking sounds and figure it out, but I don't hear well enough."

He wiped a layer of dust off in a swath across the safe's door, and wiggled the handle. "That's intriguing..." he commented. Ideas ran through his head. "Well, I think you're right, whatever's in here could really help us out. I think we can call this an important project, worthy of an engineer's time, don't you?" he asked.

Adrianna smiled at the 'official' confirmation of her plan to open the safe. She sighed, "But how are we going to open it?"

Both of them took on postures of thoughtfulness. His arms were crossed, and he drummed his fingers upon his upper arms while he stared at the ceiling of the room. She rubbed a finger across her chin while looking off into the distance and frowning. Suddenly his eyes opened wide, "Do we have anyone with enhanced hearing, perhaps a... a..." he fumbled mentally with his knowledge of other races. Did Elt have superior hearing? Klingons? Delphinians?

But Adrianna had other ideas. "I had a password at the Academy that I was constantly forgetting. I wrote it down somewhere secret so I could always find it," she said softly. Matthew's attention was caught, his attention was always better attracted by low voices than full ones. He looked over to her, to see what she would do next. The attractive woman moved to a wall, and started rifling through the myriad notes pinned to the blue cloth bulletin board there.

"I think I may have found something." Adrianna said, removing an old postcard that had been one of the first things pinned to the bulletin board. On one side it had a picture of a beautiful ballroom singer standing before a microphone. The picture was black and white, and the card itself yellowed with time. On the back of the card was scribbled a simple message and a series of numbers.

The message read..-

Enjoyed the Club, safest place the world..
Don't forget to call me... 919-773-8812

Adrianna handed the card to Matthew as she spoke. "The word 'Safest' is underlined. and the numbers 773 appear to be in italic's. What do you think Sir?"

The lieutenant studied the card and slowly began to smile. "Definitely worth a try. Would you like to do the honors?"

Adrianna returned his smile and moved over to the safe. Placing her fingers together she stretched out her arms. After a moment she was ready.

Reaching for the tumbler she was about to make the first turn when a troubled look came over her face. "Um, Sir, which way first? Left or right?"

The Lieutenant had moved closer to get a better look. "Well, I thought you were the expert on these mechanical locks," he teased. "But if I recall correctly from my great-grandfather's footlocker padlock, I believe you start by turning the tumbler to the left, give it a full rotation before matching up the first number. Then the opposite direction for the second number and finally left again for the last." His voice was little more than a soft whisper, as if to reflect the tension and excitement of the moment.

After she completed the number sequence, they both looked at each other. After a second Adrianna spoke. "Ok, give the pull bar a try."

Matthew took a hold of the long metal bar and pulled downward. To there surprise, they both heard a loud audible click from within the safe as the door swung slowly open, until it stopped, leaving a one-inch gap between the door and the frame.

Excited by the moment Adrianna yelled. "We did it! I can't believe it but we did it!" Before she realized what was happening she threw herself into the Lieutenant's arms in a tight hug. As she realized what she was doing she pulled herself back and composed herself.

"Um, sorry about that Sir." Adrianna tossed him an awkward smile and an innocent tilt of her head.

"Don't worry about it." The lieutenant returned her smile. "Now, let's see what we've got here." Putting his shoulder into it he opened the large steel door of the safe.

What was within surprised them both. For a moment all they could do was stare.

In the bottom of the safe was a secured hatch with a spinning access wheel in the center. Otherwise the safe was empty. On the inside of the safe door there was a simple lever to operate the lock.

"Looks like an escape hatch Sir." Adrianna smiled at the irony of the situation.

"That indeed is what it appears to be. We should let the captain know about this, and YOU should be the one to tell him." Matthew's voice was filled with confidence.

"Before we trouble him..Um..don't you think we should see where it leads?" Adrianna tossed Matthew her most innocent smile....

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

***** Warehouse *****

Cat finally felt warm, the wool knit dress, boots and the jacket were doing well in keeping her warm. When AC and Raesene had got the Central Heating functioning, Cat almost purred. It felt so good to be warm again.

The 'hunters' had returned with a veritable treasure trove. Clothes, food and Fates be praised, antiseptics, bandages, tape and other minor medical items, with the old first aid kit that Matthew had found, things were looking a little brighter.

Astrid's eyes opened, they were red and she winced as she tried to sit up.

"Layback Astrid, you'll only do more damage to yourself." Cat gave a firm push to Astrid's uninjured shoulder. "Stay there."

"Water!" she half gasped out. Cat looked at Nilani and dunked a glass into the clean water used for Astrid's wounds.

Cat gave the glass to Nilani as Cat moved around to support Astrid as she went to sit.

"Don't drink too quickly. Take small sips." Nilani passed the glass to Astrid, her hand under the bottom. Astrid sipped the water a few times, with Nilani supporting the weight of the glass. Astrid pushed back the empty glass, "Do you want more Astrid?"

Her only reply was a slight nod. Nilani filled the glass and Astrid took only a few more sips before she seemed to lose her strength. Before Cat could gently lower Astrid's head, she had already lost consciousness.

"Well that's a moderately good sign. I hope Marc and Mercury are able to find that transport soon." Cat looked at Nilani. "The new bandages and the warm clothes can only help." Cat put her hand on Astrid's forehead, "I think her temperature is down a bit." With a watch that was found by Sunder's Scavengers, Cat was able to take Astrid's pulse. "Pulse is fine, the thing I'm most worried about is her blood pressure. I can't work out how to work that one."

"We can only do what we can, Cat! Take a rest, I can watch her for a few minutes."

"You sure?"

"Of course, I'm sure or I wouldn't have offered. Now go." Nilani thumbed over her shoulder to the door of the makeshift infirmary.

Cat stood up. "OK! Call me if you need me."

"Yeah, Yeah" Nilani nodded towards the door.

Cat headed out, she looked around the warehouse, and the only thing that seemed to be missing was the red glow that seemed to permeate everything when the Galaxy went on RED ALERT. Everybody was all tense, just waiting.

Cat found one of the big hats, it matched the tan of the dress, it was needed to cover her feline ears. She decided to head up to the roof of the warehouse. The cold air was a good remedy as any to clear her head.

She got to the roof, she saw Ursa just about to come down "Cat! What is Astrid's condition? Any better?"

"Astrid is in a critical condition, but her condition is not deteriorating." Cat hoped Ursa wouldn't catch her in her lie. Ursa didn't need to be worried about one of his people, not with the situation they were all in now. She looked back at Ursa. "I'm up here for some cold air. Help me clear my thoughts."

"It's sure chilly enough, so how about you? You doing ok?" Ursa asked Cat.

Cat was a little surprised, "I'm doing alright Ursa, just a little light on sleep is the major problem. Too much drink at the Xmas party, a Borg Invasion of the Galaxy and now being stranded on a backward planet whose inhabitants shoot first, ask questions later. On top of that, it really screwed up plans I had for us after the party." Cat looked up at Ursa with a mischievous twinkle in her eye and a sly smile went across her face.

Ursa raised an eyebrow, "It's going to have to wait until we get back to the Galaxy."

Cat only nodded and stole a kiss from him. "Just a little incentive to help you get us back to the ship."

Ursa looked around, making sure that nobody was looking, he quickly returned the kiss. "I have to get down to the Captain. You be careful!"

Cat watched as Ursa headed down. When he was out of her sight, she looked around at the sky. As she looked up, she wondered if the Galaxy was looking down at them. She hoped that they had an idea of where to look. She didn't enjoy the idea of being stuck on this planet.

"The Biggest, Fattest, Hugest, most Enormous Christmas ever!"
Part 1 of 3

By and starring Ensign Gordall Kalln, Reeto-Vaughn, Kahn Nilani, Devlynn Salshyar, Matthew Albrecht, Mike Marc, Chris Thomas, Karyn Dallas, Jack D'Auria, Be'Tran M'Benga, Ursa Sunder, Taleen Cyndanian, Deiran Casey, Casey Ti Miran, the Bridge Dudes, Ryak Sullax, Felicia Khatroweena, Joerg Sterner, Robert Price, Dallas Walker, Greer Erikson, Rr'Lonni Morris, Raesene Hermedhie, Hunter Mackenzie, K'Eytyanna Samara, James Chen, Lexana Ral and a cast of thousands.

The door opened and Kalln tentatively peered in. The Holodeck was filled to the brim with people, staff and civilians, and the smell of alcohol was in the air. Vaughn stuck close to his legs, sniffing the air. As soon as he stepped in, he was ambushed by the Chief Medical Officer, whom, he noticed, was wearing some kind of party dress. Kalln himself was wearing a long cape in the traditional manner of his people, but in regard for the season he was wearing red rather than the more conventional black.

'Hmm,' said Kalln, rubbing his chin, 'I imagine that you will be trying to get me to wear one of those santa hats?'

Kahn beamed at him, 'That's right!'

'Well, you see, there's a problem. As my head is not constructed in a humanoid fashion, I can't wear one.'

Kahn continued beaming, 'Not so fast, Ensign. Why do you think the CMO does this job?'

With a flourish she produced a bundle of red fur which turned out to be a jury-rigged Gnalish santa hat, specially designed for those with horizontal necks.

'Well if I've got to wear one, then so can Vaughn,' he laughed.

But Kahn was already waving it in front of him. He bent down and affixed the diminutive red hat to the protesting cat. Fully prepared now, he waded out into the throng of people, with the intention of greeting every last one of them.

The first person he came across was the Science Counsellor, as he knew her, Devlynn Salshyar. The attractive woman stood amongst the crowd and he approached her.

'Hey doc!' he said, 'Merry Christmas! How are you?'

'Please, don't call me doc,' she replied, 'Save that for medical.'

With a big grin she spread her arms wide. Kalln looked a little uncertain and then she leant forward and gave him, robes and all, a big hug.

'That's for Christmas Cheer,' she said.

'Uh, thanks,' said Kalln.

'Have you tried Deiran's eggnog yet?' Devlynn asked.

'Actually no, I haven't. I only just got here. Is that the queue over there?'

'That's the one,' she replied.

'Better get moving then,' said Kalln, 'Oh, before I forget, this is for you.'

From within his voluminous red robes he produced a small black package, tastefully tied with a small red ribbon, and handed it to her.

'Merry Christmas!' he said, 'Now we're even. Now remember, don't open it until Christmas!'

'Thanks Kalln!' Devlynn said as the giant creature made a beeline for the eggnog queue.

As he was passing the snack stands to collect a glass or two (or three) Kalln noticed the red posterior of Matthew Albrecht protruding from under one of the tables.

'Hey, Matthew,' he said, 'What are you doing under there?'

***

"Hey, Matthew, what are you doing under there?"

Hearing his name called, the costumed man looked up from his spot under the table, striking his head in the process. A small shower of gingerbread cookies fell from above him, landing on his head - a few of the morsels coming to rest in Matthew's cloak's hood. He squinted his eyes shut from the pain, then opened them and smiled at the officer looking down at him.

'Kalln, long time no see!' he exclaimed.

For some reason, the security officer had been fond of the large lizard/small dinosaur since the time they met a month before.

Kalln nodded, 'True, true, but that doesn't answer the question: why have you taken up refuge beneath the sugar cookies?'

Lieutenant Albrecht turned his head from side to side, trying to spot something and jogging his memory back to what he had been doing before being interrupted.

'Oh, yes. Well, I thought I saw my new kitten run under here... But I left him back in my quarters.'

His expression of deep concentration cleared up suddenly; 'Did you bring Vaughn with you? I must have seen Vaughn run under the table...'

The large reptile's feline familiar made his reappearance just then, crawling up behind Matthew's head and playfully plucking a cookie from the pocket of his Father Christmas hood. Wearing Kalln's cat like a fur scarf, he stood from under the table.

'Got milk?' the security officer asked rhetorically, while brushing off his cloak.

The two men exchanged gifts; Matthew handed Kalln a brightly-wrapped package of Christmas candies, and Kalln presented his friend with a small box attractively wrapped in black paper.

Taken by surprise, Matthew tried to refuse the gift:

'No, Kalln, this package for you is just some candy, a little fruitcake... I'm not expecting reciprocation...'

But Kalln would hear nothing of the sort.

'Matthew, this is non-negotiable! Just enjoy it,' the large science officer began to walk away, smiling, ignoring Matthew's protests, 'And remember, don't open it until Christmas!'

As the many-armed lizard man tromped away towards the eggnog, Matthew held the little black box to his ear and gave it a slight shake. Frowning comically, he looked at the box and then placed it carefully into his large velvety gift sack. His gloved hand came out of the bag with another shiny package, and he began to make his way back into the crowd of guests...

***

Kalln reached the front of the eggnog queue after uneventfully giving out a few presents. There he was pleased to find his friend Mike Marc.

'Hiya Mike,' he said, taking a glass and spooning some of the gloppy liquid into it, Fancy bumping into you again.'

'Hiya Kalln,' replied Mike, 'How are you now? Do you want to drink with me? And Happy Christmas pal.'

They moved away slightly so that others could get to the eggnog. Kalln raised his glass.

'I'll drink with you,' he said.

They took a long drink together. Kalln somehow managed to get the glass over his teeth and actually got all the liquid down his throat without spilling any. Humanoids just didn't realise how damn useful lips were. Mike swigged his glass like a pro. They both gasped together as they finished.

'Okay then,' said Kalln, 'This is for you.'

From beneath his festive robes he produced a small black parcel and handed it to the surprised Mike.

'Don't open it until Christmas,' Kalln warned.

'What is that?' exclaimed Mike, taking it, 'You know you're the first person on the ship that gave me something. Thanks. Sorry, I haven't yet got a present for you, but I will give it to you tomorrow. It's OK?'

'That would be wonderful, Mike,' replied Kalln with a grin, 'Look, I have to go and meet some of the others. I'll see you tomorrow then?'

'Yes,' said Mike, 'Happy Christmas!'

Leaving the vicinity of the food and drink, Kalln made his way out into the crowds of people around the dance floor. He met up with a few of the junior officers that he had gotten to know and gave them their presents. As he neared the stage, he saw a figure lost in thought. It was Chris Thomas, looking like he'd found his favourite teddy bear but that it had both of its arms cut off. It was a most peculiar expression.

'Hi there,' he said, walking up, 'I'm, Gordall Kalln. Remember me?

***

'Hi there. I'm Gordall Kalln. Remember me?'

Lt Thomas turned to see who it was.

'Hello, sorry I don't remember,' Chris said.

He'd been so caught up in his own problems that he really didn't remember some of the people he'd met, though he knew if he thought about it long enough he'd probably remember.

'Kalln, right?' Chris said, hoping he was right.

'That's me. How are you?'

'Like I said, I have had a lot on my mind, but what can I do for you?' Chris asked.

Ever since Gwyen's return, he'd not really felt much like partying. He was happy to have her back in his life, but that was just it: she wasn't alive. He was the only one who could see her, and that made it impossible to say something.

'Just thought I'd give you this,' said Kalln, and produced a black-wrapped present from under his red robes, 'Now don't you open it until Christmas. I think you'll find it* interesting.'

Chris watched as Kalln turned and walked away. He decided to return to his quarters and drop off the gift.

The one true gift he wanted, he'd never be able to have.

***

Kalln stood and watched the holographic band for a few minutes, and then found that he was standing next to Karyn Dallas. He turned to her.

'Hi,' he said, 'I'm just popping round saying hello to everyone. How are you doing?'

***

'Hi, I'm just popping round saying hello to everyone. How are you doing?'

'I'm doing very well, thank you,' said Karyn to the new member of the Science Department.

She had never seen a Gnalish Elt before. She had learned what little was known about them at the academy, but it wasn't the same as actually meeting a member of the race face to face.

'How are you adjusting to life on board the Galaxu so far?' asked the counsellor.

There was bound to be some difficulty at first. Though she knew society had become more accepting of others over the years, she also knew from her own experience there were still some who weren't as accepting.

'All right I guess,' said Kalln, 'So far everyone has been really friendly. I think I'm going to enjoy working here.'

Kalln gave a brief smile. Karyn returned the grin. She liked this new member of the crew. He seemed very at ease with everyone and acted as if he'd been here forever. The two chatted for a few moments longer, remarking at the good mood everyone was in.

Before Kalln left Karyn to talk to the others, he pulled a small gift from his voluminous robes and handed it to the counselor.

'I wanted to give everyone a gift to show my appreciation for everyone's friendliness. Please do not open it until Christmas, it is very special.'

Karyn didn't know what to say. It was very sweet of Kalln to give her a present. She felt bad that she had no gift for him.

'Thank you, Kalln. This is very sweet of you. I promise I won't open it until Christmas.'

Kalln patted the young counselor on the arm and was off to greet more crew.

***

'Well,' remarked Kalln to his diminuitive feline companion as they walked away, 'She was nice.'

Vaughn stopped and seemed to be rubbing his nose.

'What do you mean,' Kalln asked.

Vaughn stretched, and mewled.

'I don't care whether or not you think she's a good swimmer. She's still nice. How have you been getting along with the other pe- sorry, animal companions on board?'

Vaughn made a sort of snorting sound.

'Oh, that's good,' said Kalln, 'Just try not to get this lot infected with Halcyon syndrome or something, okay?'

Vaughn made a different snorting sound that even someone who couldn't understand his complicated language could tell was meant to represent indignation. Kalln decided this didn't warrant a comment and walked away. Vaughn sniffed, and then trotted after him.

Kalln found Be'Tran M'Benga and Jack D'Auria as he crossed the dance floor once more. They seemed to be trying to dance with eggnog.

'Hello Jack,' Kalln said, 'Hi Betty. Are you having fun?'

***

'Hello Jack. Hi Betty. Are you having fun?'

Be'Tran giggled.

'Yeah. We're having fun,' she said, taking a sidelong glance at her lover.

'We always have fun.' She continued giggling.

Jack stopped sipping his Egg Nog, and tried to catch a glimpse of her face.

'Betta, this stuff has really gone to your head.'

'No,' she said, still in the troughs of laughter.

She turned her gaze on the big lizard infront of her.

'It's just that I don't think anyone has ever called me 'Betty' before.'

Kalln took on an expression that indicated that he felt he had offended the woman.

'Don't get me wrong,' she said, touching him gently on the shoulder, 'I like it, I really do.'

'Well I'm glad to hear that,' said Kalln, 'Here, you two, take these, and don't open them until Christmas !'

He handed them each a small, black-wrapped parcel that he produced from under his voluminous robes.

Betta shook her box, and placed it to her ear.

'Hmmm....' she said quizzically, 'It didn't blow up....'

(The Famous Egg Nog had gone to her head, and it was still there.)

'And I hope I didn't break it.'

She leaned over and planted a kiss on the big lizard's ckeek.

'Thank you. I need a little cheering up this Christmas.'

Jack put his arm around her shoulder, and held her close. He kissed her forehead, and then cast his gaze to Kalln.

'Thanks,' he said, smiling.

'Okay then,' said Kalln, 'Merry Christmas! See you around,' and he was gone.

***

"The Biggest, Fattest, Hugest, most Enormous Christmas ever!"
Part 2 of 3

'They seem like a lovely couple,' said Kalln to Vaughn, 'I bet they'll be going ahead with that silly marriage ritual these humanoids are so obsessed with pretty soon.'

Vaughn expressed some cynicism over this, and also over Kalln's apparent lack of the same.

'Ah, good luck to them,' said Kallln, then, 'Ha! Listen to me. It must be this Christmas Spirit. I feel practically happy. Looks like I won't need to put quite so much effort into the old demeanour tonight. Let's go see who else we can get cheered up by.'

***

Kalln came face-to-face with Sunder at Gakor's Snack Stand.

'So,' said Kalln, 'Lt Commander Sunder. We meet at last.'

Sunder looked surprised. While still chewing one of Gakor's spice tarts, he looked up to see a giant four-armed lizard addressing him, two of his arms akimbo. Strangely enough, he was dressed as some alien reptilian version of Santa Claus - in red robes and all.

'I'm sorry... ' Sunder tried to say through a mouthful of tart.

Gakor had used just a bit too much paprika in the filling. As a result, his mouth was a bit dry and the tart didn't seem to want to go anywhere. He took a swig of mocaccino and washed it down, starting again.

'Excuse me. I'm afraid I haven't had the pleasure. Mr...?' Unable to see a uniform amongst the scales and the robes, Sunder didn't know the lizard's rank.

'Ensign Gordall Kalln - the latest addition to the Science Division,' the lizard said exhuberantly, 'You'll have to excuse the outfit, but this is the closest possible approximation my race have got. I thought the party would be a great way to meet as many people as possible.'

'Well, it certainly is an ice-breaker,' Sunder agreed amusedly.

The lizard was definitely a sight for conversation. He looked more like a Santa for Earth's Triassic period than one for the Galaxy, but, despite his fearsome appearance, Sunder could sense a youthful optimism of adventure in the Ensign. He guessed it was probably the first time Kalln had been assigned to a deep-space mission.

'Welcome to the Galaxy, Mr Kalln. I'm sure that you'll not want for excitement while you're on board. But you said: "At last we meet?" I wasn't under the impression that we had a prior appointment.'

'I've heard so many stories about the legendary giant in security that I wanted to meet you for yourself,' he sounded disappointed, 'I'm sorry, but I expected you to be a bit taller.'

Sunder was slightly disgruntled. Though the lizard stood about half a meter taller than him, he'd never been in the position where his height was less than expected. It was an odd experience.

'Sorry to disappoint you,' Sunder grumbled.

'No, no - please don't be offended. I should have realized that I had been influenced by humanoids. Their concepts of height are a little less than my own. I thought it would have been enjoyable to match strengths and skills with someone my own size for once.'

So it was a challenge the Gnalish was looking for. Sunder looked at the creature - was there a way he could tackle him? The thought was tempting, despite the obvious size discrepancy between the two officers. It would have to wait though. This wasn't a proper time and both the holodecks were being used for the party anyway. Still, it was a puzzle for Sunder to ponder over the next little while.

'Don't be disappointed, Mr Kalln. You may have your chance in the future. At some point, remind me to tell you about the Elanid wrestling we have on the Orion Clanworlds. You may get more of a surprise than you bargained for,' Sunder finished with a sly expression.

'Then let me give you a surprise in exchange now,' the lizard said with a flurry of motion as two arms reached into his robe for a darkly-wrapped package, 'I understand that this is a season for gift-giving and I didn't want to be left out. I have something for you. Please open it at the appropriate time.'

'That's - very thoughtful of you, Mr Kalln,' Sunder said, awkwardly accepting the gift, 'I didn't get anything for you.'

'Then let's just say you owe me one,' the lizard winked.

He turned to walk away, and then turned his head back.

'Oh,' he said, 'By the way. I was on Deep Space missions when your parents were still gametes.'

Kalln's attitude was extremely disarming, Sunder thought, watching the Gnalish leave. One would have expected him to have been a bit more... bestial. But Sunder found his manner very pleasant and exuberant. It took the security officer completely by surprise. He turned the package around, trying to distinguish what it was from its unrevealing square shape.

Yet another surprise this year's celebration had brought...

***

Kalln walked away, breathing out and sinking down to his more comfortable height of about five-five.

'Boy,' he said to Vaughn, 'I love wind-ups. I hope he doesn't take me too seriously. I bet he could do a fair amount of damage.'

Vaughn expressed the thought that perhaps if Kalln got his neck broken it would be his own fault.

'Well, yeah, but let's hope it never comes to that, eh?'

Kalln returned to the dance floor, where people continued to steer away from him for fear of injury on his many limbs and rather awkwardly placed tail. Wading out, he found Taleen Cyndanian getting on down.

'Hi,' he said, 'I'm Gordall Kalln. I've heard of you. I've met a lot of folks, but I've never actually met a Cytherian before. What's it like?'

The pretty blonde woman considered the question as well as she could in her current state of inebriation, and then replied:

'I never danced with a giant lizard before. Come and rock with me and I will tell you.'

Conveniently (or inconveniently depending on your musical tastes) a rather pappy but quite well jazzed-up waltz came on at that point, and grasping her with four arms Kalln whisked Taleen away across the dance floor. When she stopped spinning, she looked around to find that people had started diving for cover to avoid the Gnalish's four-foot-long razor-tipped tail which he had been unconsciously dragging behind him. They fell apart as Kalln stopped to help people up.

'Sorry, sorry. My mistake, sorry.'

After people had been mollified, Kalln returned to Cyndanian.

'Sorry about that, got a bit carried away. Ah, this is better.'

A quiet bit of soft Christmas rock came on, and they danced a little slower.

'Cytherian aren't much different from Terrans. The differences don't show. We live a little longer, we're raised a little different. I had a Terran husband for a while. Do you like the Galaxy?'

'With people like you on it,' replied Kalln with a cheesy grin, 'Definitely.'

Taleen punched him jocularly on the arm. Kalln stopped dancing.

'Look,' he said, 'I've got to go and meet more people, but here, Merry Christmas.'

Reaching into his mysterious but quite festive red robes, he produced a small black box tied with red ribbon. He handed it to Taleen, who accepted it with delight.

'Oh thank you,' she said, 'Merry Christmas to you too!'

'I'll see you around,' said Kalln, and with a wink, he strolled away with Vaughn.

After a little more wandering, and a little more gift-giving, Kalln came upon Deiran and Miran Casey standing together. Kalln's face lit up with happiness. Vaughn snorted in disdain.ue have on the Orion Clanworlds. You

'I heard you'd split up!' exclaimed the lizard, 'I'm so glad to see you together again.'

***

'I heard you'd split up! I'm so glad to see you together again.'

'Thank you Gordall,' replied Deiran as he looked up to find himself facing the enthusiastic Ensign, 'I appreciate your sentiments.'

Deiran took one of Kalln's left hands and gave him a good strong handshake, and flashed his famous smile.

'I'm as happy as pie,' he continued, 'Are you enjoying the party Gordall?'

It was his duty as Second Officer to boost morale and be friendly with everyone. Deiran found this creature to be quite interesting anyway.

'The party's alright. It's nice to see everyone so happy. Cynics and depressives need that kind of thing. By the way, I like to be referred to as Kalln. We use first names as a way to distinguish between generations, so unless my Dad turns up, which seems unlikely, I'd rather be called Kalln.'

'My apologies Kalln, I meant no disrespect. I just haven't seen any anthropoligical papers on the Gnalish Elt. It's Kalln from now on," Casey replied in his usual polite, commanding manner.

'No worries, as you seem to say around here. Look, these are for you.'

Kalln reached within his red robes with two hands and produced a small gift in each. They were nattily wrapped in black paper and tied with a red ribbon. He handed one to Miran and one to Deiran.

Accepting graciously, Deiran said his goodbyes and watched as Kalln headed away.

***

Kalln decided that he should go see the guys who were probably wasting away on the bridge. He was an Ensign too, after all, and it was just luck that the party was eight til midnight. He made his way across the holodeck towards the entrance, where Dr Kahn was still dishing out hats to the late arrivals. Someone has apparently stitched or replicated a seemingly endless supply.

'Hi,' he said as he passed the smiling doctor, 'I'm just on my way to see the guys on the bridge. Wouldn't want them to feel left out.'

Kahn smiled as he left.

Kalln and Vaughn made their way out of the holodeck and towards the nearest turbolift. Even around the rest of the ship people were getting firmly into the festive spirit. Not many corridors were unbedecked with various decorations. They made their way as far as the bridge. He stepped out to find Scott Duquesne, James McCloud and Elaithin Jii.

'Hi guys,' he said, 'I just thought I'd pop up here and wish you all a Merry Christmas.'

He was met with a couple of blank stares, and a sort of amused exasperation from those who looked like they'd rather be at the party.

'Look,' said Kalln, 'I have presents for you, but maybe it would be easier if I just dropped them off at your quarters.'

He was met with the same round of expressions.

'Oh well,' said Kalln, his perpetual grin growing wider, 'I'm sure something will be along to cheer you all up.'

With that, he left the bridge. Returning to the party, he passed Ryak Sullax's quarters. Noting that he hadn't seen the officer at the party, he decided to pay a visit to the fellow science officer.

***

Ryak heard the chime at the door. Checking to make sure it hadn't awakened his son, he went to answer it. As he opened the door he saw Ensign Kalln standing there.

'Is there a problem Ensign?'

'Hello Ryak,' replied the uncharacteristically enthusiastic lizardine officer, 'Just wishing you Merry Christmas.'

'Christmas is a Terran tradition. I am a Romulan.'

'Stuffiness is a Romulan tradition, and I'm a Gnalish. But let's not split ends over the humans endless stream of enforced customs. Look, here's a gift. Don't think I'm giving it to you because that's what's people do. I'm giving you this as a friend.'

Ryak looked at the gift that the Ensign just handed him. Ryak looked very annoyed. He looked at the Ensign then back to the gift. Ryak was very aware of this custom from living his life on Earth but he never followed it. His parrents were kind enough to do there best at raising him Romulan. Ryak turned and grabbed a clean glass from the table and poured some of the (real) Romulan Ale he had there and poured some for himself. He gave the glass to the Kalln and raised it to him.

'Here is to your health.'

They both took a drink.

Ryak looked to see the Ensigns reaction. He probably didn't expect it to be real. The replicated swill is not even close.

'Aah,' said Kalln, 'There's one custom that seems to be universal, and that's drinking to each other. I can't say this stuff does much for me,' he said this with a wink to the Romulan, 'But it's a good spot of synthale I suppose.'

Ryak nodded at the ensign and took the glass back and said, 'Jolan'Tru.'

'I'll see you on duty, Ryak,' said Kalln with a smile.

The door shut and Ryak went back to his son.

***

Returning to the party, Kalln found that it had begun to snow. On the stage was a most unlikely figure. Ursa Sunder, singing his little heart out. Pushing his way towards the stage, he came across Felicia Khatroweena.

'Hi Cat,' he said, 'I never knew whatsisface up there was a singer.'

***

'Hi Cat. I never knew whatsisface up there was a singer.'

Cat turned and looked at the scaly member of the Galaxy.

'Kalln, I didn't know you had that much Egg-Nog. His name is Ursa Sunder. Not whatsisface!'

'I know that! I just like to call him whatsisface. Well, I certainly didn't expect to see him to sing like that. Just doesn't seem to be the type.'

Cat gave a small chuckle, 'Neither did I. Wasn't it beautiful. Ursa just totally surprised me.'

'He didn't seem the type to get up on stage,' Kalln pointed to the stage, 'Wonder what it was about?'

Cat returned a demure smile, 'I think I know.'

She watched the Chief Security Officer come off the stage, 'Kalln, I have to go.'

Cat looked at Ursa, a little dreamy eyed.

'Hey Cat, before you go, I would like you to have this.'

From within the voluminous robes the Gnalish brought out a box. Cat looked at it, surprise on her face. She tried to find how to open it.

'Thank you Kalln. Thank you.'

Kalln put a scaly clawed hand on Cat's.

'Not yet! Open it up on Christmas Day.'

'What's in it?' Cat asked curiously.

'You'll find out on Christmas Day! And no peeking! You know what happens to curious cats.'

Cat looked into the dark eyes of the Gnalish, 'Stay away from that one.'

The smile belayed her tone.

'Thank you Kalln, I can't wait for Christmas to find out what it is. I'm sorry I don't have anything for you.'

'Not to worry! See you around,' Kalln disappeared back into the crowds.

***

'Now there's a couple waiting to happen,' said Kalln, 'Maybe it already has. Nodules, it's like Melrose Place in here!'

Vaughn expressed puzzlement.

'Risa, you know, where you met that lovely, yes, well, there's a district called Melrose Place. You remember it. Yes, they were, weren't they? In public too. That sort of thing never happens on the homeworld. Thank someone for interstellar travel eh? Who's next?'

Kalln located the steely features of the Executive Officer amidst the thronging and slowly whitening crowd. He strolled up to Joerg Sterner and said:

'Good evening to you sir.'

Sterner turned to regard Kalln. He had organised the introduction that the new Ensigns from SB74 had undertaken.

'Good evening to you Ensign. I hope you enjoy the party while it lasts,' he said cryptically.

Kalln looked quizzical, though his dark side was telling him much the same thing.

''Cause such happy occasions often tend to be interrupted by some nasty surprises,' he added.

Forty-eight seconds later, the yellow alert started.

***

Tim Fletcher for:
Ensign Gordall Kalln, Science Officer, USS Galaxy

"The Biggest, Fattest, Hugest, most Enormous Christmas ever!"
Part 3 of 3

In the aftermath of the yellow alert, Kalln caught Captain Price as he returned to the party.

'Evening there, Captain,' he said.

'G'Day Ensign,' the Captain replied, regarding Kalln's outfit, 'Enjoying the party I take it 'mate?'

Kalln nodded, 'Aye sir. A most interesting human ritual celebration. The Gnalish have nothing quite like this Christmas of yours.'

The Captain took a bite of Lieutenant Gakor's angel food cake.

Swallowing quickly, Lee replied, 'Certainly there must be holidays that your people celebrate as well 'mate?'

'Weeeell,' pondered Kalln, 'Us Elt, we're a bit too cynical for large organised events or holidays. But the Tarn, that's the other race of Gnalish on the planet, you know the normal ones who have females and-'

'I'm aware of the details, Ensign.'

'Okay, anyway, they have a cracking set of holidays. There's this brilliant one. Now what's it called* oh yes, the Grrvok Ahismo.'

At this point, a small group of Ensigns began to congregate around him and the Captain.

'Well,' he started, 'All the male and female Gnalish Tarn in a Maaaltok, that's kind of like a tribe, go out into one of the Haelkarn, that's a big field near the tribal lands. Now, obviously nowadays we all live in cities like civilised people, but this is an old tradition and there's still a lot of those Haelkarn's knocking around.

'Anyway, I'm getting off track. The males and females take a their Duvar, that's a kind of wooden nodule that the females make as a gift for their mate, and they go and push them into the grassy ground in the Haelkarn. Then they start up a kind of music that frankly sounds like bad Country played on an accordion, and then they all start dancing around. The celebration culminates with a terrible howling sound - I think they're trying to sing - and then the nodules are stomped into the ground with their powerful tails to signify the coming season of fertility. Then they all get together and produce a whole new batch of the little buggers.'

Kalln noticed at this point that the Captain seemed to have dozed off.

'Sir, are you paying attention?'

Lee, obviously distracted, glanced up at Kalln and feigned a smile.

'Yes, yes Ensign. Nodules that are stomped into the ground, quite interesting. I imagine it's not that unlike our own customs dealing with mistletoe. If you will excuse me 'mate?'

Price made to give Kalln a somewhat nervous gung-ho friendly slap on the arm, but the lizard intercepted him and handed him a small present instead.

'Remember sir, don't open it until Christmas.'

'Oh, uh, thank you Ensign. I'll let you continue. Goodnight!'

Kalln let the Captain escape and turned back to explain to his audience the even sillier Nail Kobacks.

***

Half an hour later, when Kalln finished his little summary of the silly things about the Gnalish Tarn, he found Dallas Walker sitting alone at a table.

'Hi,' he said to the counsellor, 'You made it snow, didn't you? I like it.'

Dallas looked up from her drink and smiled.

'I'm glad you enjoy it. Please, have a seat,' she said with a smile and indicated the empty chair, 'How do you like being on the Galaxy?'

Kalln brushed the light coating of snow from his shoulders and sat down. Vaughn curled up below him.

'Oh,' said Kalln, 'It's alright compared to some of the rustbuckets I've been on. You should have seen the Narcosis. That was back in the days when they didn't put big enough quarters in the damned ships.'

(The USS Narcosis was destroyed in 2343)

'Really,' Dallas asked with interest, 'They were that bad?'

'Oh yes. Tiny quarters, no replicators, constant attacks by nobody-knew-whom along the Alpha quadrant edges. Fun though.'

'We all look back on it as an age of adventure, and discovery. Was it really like that?'

'Well,' replied Kalln, 'For a long while there were no Romulans, and the Klingons we got with the Khitomer Treaty, and we hadn't yet heard of the Cardassians or the Ferengi. The Dominion were a million light-years away and nobody needed to worry about the Federation being assimilated or infiltrated. So yes, it was nice. But it didn't feel like it at the time. Listen to me, I sound like an old grandad. I'm still in my prime, me. Anyway, this is for you. Merry Christmas.'

He produced, with a deft movement, a small black-wrapped present.

'Oh, thank you!' said Dallas enthusiastically.

'Don't open it until Christmas,' warned Kalln, standing, 'I'll see you around.'

'Thanks, Kalln,' shouted Dallas to his expansive retreating back.

Kalln found his way once more onto the dance floor, where he found his two superior officers dancing. Well, in Greer Erikson's case it was more of an attempt than a full-fledged success.

'Hi boss, bossess,' he said to Greer and Ronni Morris, 'Just wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. These are for you.'

He handed them each a present, and they looked a little unsure of what to do with them.

'Don't open them until Christmas!' he said, and without giving them a chance to respond, strode away.

Returning to snack stand, Kalln came across the stern-looking Raesene Hermedhie.

'Hi there,' he said, 'I'm Gordall Kalln. Pleased to meet you.'

'Greetings,' replied Hermedhie, 'I am Raesene Hermedhie.'

Kalln exchanged a knowing look with Vaughn. The cat had been prompting the Gnalish with names all night.

'You're not too fond of Christmas, are you,' asked Kalln with a friendly smile.

'To be honest,' replied Hermedhie, 'I have more important things to worry about. I really should go and attend to them.'

He made to leave, but before he did so Kalln pressed a small black present into his palm.

'Don't open it until Christmas!' said Kalln, 'Go banish your spirits.'

Hermedhie left, and Kalln turned to Vaughn.

'Cultures are amazing, aren't they,' he said, 'Vampire hunting at Christmas! Brilliant! I like it. Anyway, who haven't we seen yet?'

The terrible lizard and the worse cat roamed for a while, Kalln doling out presents to the occasional friend, when they neared one of the walls of the artificial ballroom. There Kalln noticed a sprig of mistletoe that someone had cunningly positioned, and beneath it, two faces that he recognised. He approached Hunter Mackenzie and K'Eytyanna Samara.

'Hey you two,' he said, 'Before you start any of that, Merry Christmas!'

K'Eytyanna spun her head around and growled, baring her teeth as she snuggled up to Hunter. It was quite obvious she wanted to be undisturebed. Kalln backed away a little, and raised all four hands.

'Hey, hey, hey,' he soothed, 'It's alright. Calm down. Look, I won't hold you up for long. I just want you to have these.'

He held out two small black gifts, which Hunter managed to take despite the weight of K'Eyt.

'Remember not to open them until Christmas,' smiled Kalln.

'Uh, thanks,' replied Hunter, 'Merry Christmas.'

Kalln walked away with Vaughn.

'Damn, she's cute,' he said quietly, 'Pity about the temper. Bloody Klingons.'

They wandered a little further, and then Kalln had a great idea. Sounding it out with Vaughn, he ignored the cat's fevered protestations and continued.

***

Someone had thoughtfully left an antique standing microphone in the centre of the stage, and Kalln walked up and grabbed it. The holographic band stopped playing, and all eyes turned to the stage to witness the grey lizard shape clad in red. People started murmuring throughout the room:

'*what is it?*'
'*who?*'
'*I think it's a Gorn*'
'*that's no Gorn*'
'*oh, it must be a Saurian*'
'*listen, punk, I'm a Saurian and he looks nothing like me*'
'*hey, does he have four arms*'
'*isn't he one of the new science officers*'
'*yeah, I nearly walked into him in the corridor*'
(And from Jack D'Auria: 'Hey, I didn't think I'd drunk that much already.')
'*sssh, he's saying something*'

Kalln leaned in close to the mike, and said:

'This one is dedicated to the Dominion.'

Silence washed across the room (excepting those already totally ratassed) as Kalln signalled something to the holoband, who started up a military marching rhythm. Kalln began to sing in a deep, tuneful voice, totally belying his lack of proper lips.

'Hey, Mr Churchill
'He comes over here,
'To say we're doing splendidly,
'But it's very cold,
'Out here in the snow,
'Running to and from the enemy.
'I have had enough,
'I am going home,
'Can you stop the Cavalry?

'I wish I could be standing now,
'In the arms of the girl I love,
'Though she calmly waits at home,
'I wish I could be standing now*

'Babadubadubdub
'Dabadubadub
'Dubadubdubdubadub
'Dubadubada
'Babadubadubdub
'Dabadubadub
'Dubadubdubdubadub
'Dubadubada
'I wish I was at home,
'For Christmas.'

The song concluded with the loud ringing of bells. Kalln took a long bow to the stunned audience, and then a few small bursts of clapping emerged. He walked from the stage looking terribly serious.

***

Meeting up with the deeply embarrassed Vaughn, Kalln beamed widely. Vaughn sighed inwardly. This creature was being a disgrace to his race tonight. Enthusiasm, interest, happiness. These were not the ways of the Gnalish Elt! Hopefully he'd have calmed down by the morning. Anyone would have thought he was drunk if they didn't understand his unique digestive system. Vaughn was enjoying himself, of course, but he was a Reeto, and that was what Reetos did. Kalln shoud know better. He expressed this displeasure with a flick of his tail and a low purr.

'Hey, none of that,' said Kalln, looking down at him, 'Just for once I'm gonna have a nice social time. Singing and giving presents are a good way of doing that. Hell, let me enjoy myself for once. It's the damned Terrans, they've infected me. I'll be alright in the morning. Don't you worry.'

Vaughn sighed with resignation and indicated that he would put up with it until then. Kalln looked away, and headed off to find some more people to bug.

***

Kalln popped his head between that of James Chen and Lexana Ral.

'How are you two doing? Enjoying yourselves?'

Chen turned, slightly surprised to see the large, gray alien.

'Um,' he said, 'Yeah. You?'

Kalln nodded his head quickly, 'Oh yes. I'm having a lot of fun. Spreading the Christmas cheer. Here, take these.'

Kalln started rummaging in his robes, finally pulling out two presents.

'Here you are. And remember, you mustn't open them until Christmas. Good evening.'

And he was gone. Chen turned to Lex in perplexment, but she was just as puzzled.

***

Jack was looking for Betta everywhere at the party but he couldn't seem to find her. Either she was not in the holodeck or he had lost her in the crowd. He sighed and took another sip of his tea. The fog around his brain was slowly dissipating. Feeling a presence behind him, he turned around and looked up and up and up.

'Hello again, Jack. How you doing?' said the exhuberant Kalln.

'Oh, hi Kalln. I caught your performance. Quite good, however, the song was a rather strange choice.'

'Well, seeing the circumstances we're in at the moment, I think it was rather appropriate. What with the war and all.'

'I seem to remember that during Christmas, on Earth, it was customary to cease hostilities for the duration of the celebration.'

'A good custom, even better if they would stop altogether.'

'I must agree with you there, Kalln.'

'Now tell me, where is that gorgeous companion of yours?'

'Betta?'

'Betta, Betty, that's the one.'

'I don't know. After her performance, she disappeared. I cannot seem to find her anywhere.'

A worried look crossed Kalln's face, but then he quickly replaced it with the usual reassuring grin.

'Not to worry,' he said, 'I'm sure she'll be back soon. You two have a Merry Christmas together. I'll see you on duty, Jack.'

'Yes, see you.'

***

Kalln left the party just before his duty shift, when even more weirdness ensued. But that's a story that's already being told*

Tim Fletcher for:
Ensign Gordall Kalln, Science Officer, USS Galaxy

"Something fun is going on."
By Lt jg George Prince

After taking his last drink in ten forward George headed out to the shuttle bay. On is way there he ran into a few new faces and stopped to say hello. Once he was in the turbo lift he started to think about what he had to do.

The lift stopped and George exit. When he walked into the shuttle bay he saw every shuttle lined up. He walked around the shuttles makeing sure they were in one. George stopped at the last shuttle finding a cube on the floor.

"What is this thing? I better take it into the office." Prince said as he looked at the cube.

"Hey, this looks like a Borg cube." George put the cube in his pocket and started on the next row.

"Beginning All Over Again"
by Tal'yana Lan
NCO, USS Galaxy

**Two months ago, Tal'yana's Personal Quarters**

Tal'yana sighed, looking around the room. A frown creased her forehead as she assessed her living space. Under her breath, she mumbled, "...in so many years, Starfleet's yet to give me a room big enough to fit all of my instruments... do they expect me to practice in the holodecks?"

Shaking her head, she resigned herself to her current situation, knowing that sooner or later she would get accustomed to the feel of being on a Starship again. At least she was moving again, not simply wasting away on a planet or space station. She was in the stars again.

Sitting down on her bed, she pulled over a PADD, calling up one of her current writing projects, grumbling at her lack of an instrument to tinker on. She would have to pester the Captain about that later... but not now.

Just as she had moved herself into a comfortable position, her door chimed. Again she sighed, calling out, "Come in!"

A tenative hand poked through the doorway, as a man wearing a Lieutenant's uniform walked in. His head sported the tale-tale markings of a Trill, although fainter, as his line had mixed with human blood. He swallowed heavily. "Miss... Lan?" He looked across the room, as if in an attempt to verify his 'suspicions'. Tal'yana looked at the man, perhaps five or six years older than her, and her eyes widened as recognition set in. A smile crept across her lips. "That's me."

She motioned towards a near-by seat, "Come in, come in!" Chuckling, she sat up, folding her legs in front of her while the Lieutenant sat down.

The man nodded, still staring at her... the idea of joining might be far from new to him, but it is always disconcerting to meet someone you have a relation to... a much younger someone, at that. He held out a hand towards the unfamiliar woman. "I'm not exactly certain as to how I should greet you... with the handshake of a new acquaintance, or the hug one usually greets the person who was once their grandfather with."

Tal'yana smiled. "I'm not exactly your grandfather any more... haven't been for quite a few years..." She clasped his hand in both of hers. "But the resemblance is clear... you look so much like your mother..."

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

*Present*

Tal'yana sat in the ten-forward lounge, playing contentedly on the piano. The lounge was surprisingly empty, perhaps due to whatever was going on around the ship. Rumors abounded, but Tal'yana rarely, if ever, gave much credence to rumor.

One less thing to worry about.

Leaning on the side of the piano was Lieutenant Mason, who for some strange reason still insisted on calling her "Grandpa," despite numerous strange looks from the occasional passerby. Over the past few months, he was the only one she had created any sort of rapport with. At times she found his attentions most amusing... the man had taken her up as a mentor, and almost a mother, despite the fact that he had lived eight years longer than her.

Not only that, but he also seemed to have a never-ending wash of women-problems... always amusing... but rarely interesting, in Tal'yana's opinion.

She concluded the piece, and stood up, looking at her 'grandson'. "Well, kid... it looks as if you need to be heading off... you've got duty in a few hours, and should get some rest..." He chuckled, nodding, and headed out. Tal'yana closed her music, and walked towards the bar, intent on buying a drink.

"Exits and entrances"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price

On the roof top of the abandoned warehouse building, Lieutenant Chen and Ensign Ral were standing watch. Each keeping an eye on the other buildings and automobiles that occasionally would streak down the snow covered streets. Often with another car following and firing it's slug thrower weapons.

Ensign Kalln had managed to rig up a telephone line to the roof that would allow the security officers stationed there to 'ring down' to the others inside the building. Lexana was examining the device when Chen piped up.

"There is a large vehicle pulling up to the front of the building..."

Ensign Ral stepped over to the edge of the rooftop, peering over the concrete ledge down at the street below. The winter cold sent a chill through her body. More so than even the vertigo of the three story drop to the street. "It looks like some kind of delivery truck."

Chen looked closer, holding one of the 'tommy-guns' that had been acquired for the protection of the away team. The cold steel had a numbing effect on his hands as he grasp the handle of the primitive weapon. "Wait... that looks like Ensign Marc getting out. This must be the vehicle they got to transport Ensign Salt to the medical facility on this planet."

Lexana agreed with a nod. "I'll let the others know. I've been wanting to try out this 'telephone' anyway."

****

Ensign Marc came into the warehouse, shaking off the water and snow that had accumulated on his hat from the short trip from the street to the warehouse. In his arms were several loaves of freshly baked bread he'd taken off the delivery truck. The warmth of the interior of the warehouse was a pleasant surprise. "We've arranged for transportation to the hospital sir."

Captain Price nodded at the Ensign. "Bonzer job 'mate. The Doctors will be glad to hear that I'm sure. Where is 'Commander Mercury?"

"He's in the vehicle Captain. He can't turn it off so he wants to make sure the engine doesn't die in the cold." Mike explained, then looking at the armful of food, added, "I brought some bread for the rest of the crew sir."

"I'm sure they will appreciate that 'mate. Pass it out and I'll let the Doctors know their transportation has arrived."

Lee walked over to the make shift infirmary they had managed to set up for Ensign Salt. "'Commander Mercury and Ensign Marc have returned with transportation Doctor. If you are ready, we can move Miss Salt and get her to a better suited medical facility."

Doctor Kahn rose to her feet. "Good. There is no time to loose. Astrid regained consciousness briefly, but she seems to have fallen back into a coma. We will need help to lift her."

Lee turned and waved at a couple of officers. "Commander Sterner, Lieutenants Hermedhie, Bancroft, can you lend a hand 'mates?"

Within moments the officers had gathered around the improvised back board that Ensign Salt was laying upon.

"Okay, on three let's lift and carry her out to the street." Doctor Khatroweena directed, "One, two, three, lift."

Astrid had a lithe frame anyway, with so many people about, the chore of lifting her, the wooden door she laid upon, the bundle of blankets and limited medical supplies was no burden at all. Carefully the officers carried the wounded Ensign through the warehouse. The other officer watched in silence. All understood the severity of Astrid's wounds.

"Get the door 'mate." Lee lifted his chin in the door's direction.

Hunter was quick to comply, swinging the door open and holding it there with one hand as he moved out of the way.

The truck David and Michael had acquired was a bread deliver truck. It was large enough to easily accommodate the stretcher, the doctors and their equipment.

"Who is going with us Captain?" Doctor Kahn asked climbing into the back of the truck with Cat and Ensign Salt.

Lee glanced around. "'Commander Mercury will drive you since he needs to keep the vehicle running. Ensign Marc can go too since he helped locate this transportation."

"Sir if it's okay, I'd like to go too."

The Captain turned and saw Lieutenant Matthew Albrecht standing by him. "Lieutenant?" Lee questioned.

"If they run into any trouble it would be wise to have a security officer with them. That and Astrid is one of my friends sir." Matthew explained candidly.

Lee just gave a nod. "Very well Lieutenant. You can go with them."

"Thank you sir." Albrecht nodded before boarding the truck.

Lee watched as the doors were closed and Commander Sterner slapped the side of the cab to signal they were all loaded up. With a loud grinding noise, the large vehicle began moving down the street in route for the nearest hospital which would hopefully have facilities adequate enough to save Ensign Salt's life.

"Let's get back inside and out of the weather 'mates." Lee instructed as the rest of the Galaxy members returned inside the warehouse.

****

"Is it just me or is the snow getting thicker?" Lexana asked from the roof of the warehouse.

Lieutenant' Chen shook his head, letting a tuft of the powdered snow topple off his black hair to the ground. "Maybe a little. It's refreshing. I always wanted to have a white Christmas in real snow." He smiled.

"You have a warped way of looking at things Mister." Lexana replied, "Anyone else would look at this as being the worse Christmas ever."

"A lot of life is in the way you look at and perceive things Ensign. True I'd rather be back on the Galaxy, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate the little things that are special about this place."

Ensign Ral opened her mouth as if she were going to give the Lieutenant' a witty retort, but stopped as her eyes focused on a number of automobiles that were approaching the warehouse. Instinctively, Chen turned to look. The cars all sped to a screeching, sliding halt outside the warehouse as a number of men piled out. All with machine guns. They quickly made their way through the snow to surround the building.

"Cripes!" Chen declared. "We need to let the others know."

Lexana was already cranking the generator handle for the antique phone to contact the others in the warehouse.

****

"Duh, okay, so this is the place boss. Now what you wants us to do?" a rather short stocky fellow said in a deep yet dim-witted tone.

"Shaddup Stumpy!" the taller, better dressed one with a tooth pick in his mouth snapped. "Surround the perimeter and have the boys stand ready to blast the place. You heard what Mister Cantinii said. We's to round 'em up and bring 'em to the nightclub downtown. If they don't come all nice like, we waste them. Get it?"

"I got it boss." Stumpy nodded. "Who's gonna go tell them to come on out boss?"

SLAP! "Shaddup and get into position!"

"Okay, okay boss. Whatever you's say...."

*****

"Sir trouble. A number of automobiles just pulled up and surrounded the building. They have weapons and are taking up strategic positions around the warehouse." Sterner explained, "Ensign Ral just phoned it down.

A worried look rested on the Captain's face. "That's not good. If they decide to storm the place, I don't think we have much of a chance with these limited weapons 'mate."

"Agreed sir. But we can't just give up." Joerg added.

"What we need is to make a discrete exit. Somehow sneak away without the men outside knowing we've gone." Lee thought out loud.

"Captain, I may have found just the thing." Ensign Adrianna chimed in.

Lee and Joerg both turned to face the Ensign. "Let's hear it 'mate."

"Lieutenant Albrecht and I discovered what appears to be an underground escape route hidden in the buildings safe. I'm not sure where it leads, but it seems to go on for quite some ways Captain." Adrianna explained.

Lee glanced at Commander Sterner.

"Sounds like it's worth exploring Captain. Much more promising that a fire fight in here." Joerg commented.

"Agreed. Let's get the others and get ready to move 'mate. They could storm the building any minute once they are in position."

Within a few minutes, the remaining Galaxy crew members had gathered what things and clothing they could and had prepared to exit through the secret passage that Adrianna had discovered.

"OKAYS YOUS IN THAT BUILDING THERE. WE KNOWS YOUS ARE FROM THE FEDERATION AND THE BOSS WANTS TO HAVE A HEART TO HEART WITCH YA. SO COME ON OUT NICE AND SLOW WITCH YOUR HANDS UP HIGH AND WE'S WON'T HAVETA WASTE YAS."

"Sounds like they are giving us an ultimatum sir." Joerg commented.

Captain Price nodded. "Aye. I want you to get everyone out the escape tunnel Commander. The security officers on the roof as well. I'll try to stall them as long as I can to give you some additional time."

"Sir, as first officer I can't allow you to do that. Your place is with the rest of the crew Captain." Sterner reminded.

"Don't worry Commander. I have no desire to be a martyr today. I'll be right behind you." Lee smiled.

"CAN YOUS HEAR OKAY IN THERE? THE BOSS IS A BUSY MAN. HE'S NOT GOT ALL DAY TO MESS WITCH YOUS."

"Go 'mate. And hurry it up." Lee ordered. He watched as Commander Sterner turned to oversee the evacuation before returning his attention to the hollering gangster who was speaking for the mob of gunmen surrounding the building.

"How do we know that you'll not gun us down if we surrender to you?!" the Captain shouted back.

"YOUS DON'T. BUT WE'LL GUN YAS DOWN FOR SURE IF YOU DON'T COMES OUT SEE? BESIDES, BOSS FINDS IT HARD TO TALK TO A BUNCH OF CORPSES. SO WHAT'S IT GONNA BE? ARES YOU COMMIN' OUT, OR ARE WE'S GONNA HAVE TA COME IN AN' GIT YAS?"

"I need to talk it over with the rest of the 'boys'." Lee stalled, "Can you give me a few minutes to discuss it with the rest of my 'gang'?"

"SURES. I'LL GIVE YOU A WHOLE MINUTE AND THEN WE COMES IN BLAZING. GET IT FED BOY?" the lead mobster hollered back, over a round of laughter from the rest of the Cantinii family gang.

Lee turned and saw the last of the crew members making their way slowly through the hidden escape tunnel. Commander Sterner was racing down the flight of stairs with Lieutenant Chen and Ensign Ral. The harshness of their combined weight on the dilapidated steel stair case was too much for the rusted fasteners that held it in place. With a loud crack sound, the entire steel framework tore away from the wall it was anchored too.

"Look out!" screamed Joerg as the entire staircase began to lean towards the center of the warehouse.

Ensign Ral grabbed onto the hand railing and clinked to it for her life. Lieutenant' Chen was knocked off balance and toppled over the side. His hand just managed to catch one of the exposed supports and broke his fall as he dangled from the collapsing stairwell.

"Don't move!" Lee called out, running towards the falling staircase. It had momentarily stopped it's movement, but the tell tale sounds of creaking metal were enough to let everyone know it would soon begin collapsing again.

The Captain moved over to near the staircase and began moving everything he could out of the way. Clearing an area so Lieutenant' Chen could drop without falling on crates or machinery.

"Common Lieutenant' you should be able to drop down." Lee called out.

Chen did so, and landed on his feet. A good four or five meter drop. Ensign Ral and Commander Sterner were not in positions that were nearly as fortunate.

"Ensign, see if you can go over the side like Chen did." The First officer instructed evenly.

Lexana's knuckles were white from grasping the hand railing and crouching down in the stairwell. Slowly her eyes found the First Officer's. There was a strength there in Joerg's expression that somehow conveyed the message the they would be all right. Slowly with great care, she got to her feet and climbed over the hand railing.

"Hurry Ensign. The whole thing is going to collapse." Captain Price reminded.

Lexana extended her arms, lowering herself as far down as she could before letting go. Both Captain Price and Lieutenant' Chen were there to catch the falling Ensign and help break the fall.

The sudden shift in weight caused the stairwell to begin collapsing again. Quickly the Captain, Lieutenant Chen and Lexana scurried out of the way.

Joerg felt like he was on a combination fun house and roller coaster ride. Only there wasn't anything fun about it. The stairwell collapsed further, nearly knocking Sterner off of his feet.

"HEY, WHAT'S GOING ON IN THERE? YOU'D BETTER NOT BE TRYING ANY FUNNY STUFF OR WE'LL WASTE YAS!"

"Go Captain. You and the others get out the escape tunnel while you still can!" Joerg shouted back in an adrenaline filled tone.

"Now who's being the martyr Commander?" Lee called back.

"You are going to be captured if you don't leave now Captain. Go. I'll follow if I can." Joerg shouted back.

Lee glanced at the others. "Lieutenant' Chen. Take yourself and Ensign Ral and go out through the escape tunnel. We will be along in a few moments if we can 'mate."

"No sir." Chen replied candidly.

Lee glanced over and raised an eyebrow. "That wasn't a request Lieutenant' that was an order."

"Yes sir I understand. But no sir. I'm not going to leave Joerg here. If it weren't for the Commander, both Lexana and I would still be trapped on the roof."

Lee glanced over at Ensign Ral. "I'm not leaving either sir." Lexana smiled.

"Damn you all." Lee cursed returning his focus to Commander Sterner, "See what you've started 'mate. Now no one is following my orders."

"I'll be happy to write them up when we get back to the Galaxy Captain. Nothing more annoying that saving your fellow crew members and having them refuse to leave." Joerg commented in a shaky voice that matched his rickety stance on the wavering stairwell.

"Well, go on over by the door well and try to stall them then 'mates." Lee instructed.

The two security officers grabbed their weapons and moved to the building entrance, taking shelter behind the reinforced concrete walls.

"TIMES UP FEDS. WHAT'S IT GONNA BE? YOU COMING OUT NOW? THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE BEFORE WE DRILL YA."

"I wish he'd shut up." Lexana whispered to Chen at the opposite side of the entrance.

Outside the building, several more automobiles come racing down the street. These looked different from the cars the Cantinii family were utilizing. There are no side boards or suicide door handles to let gunmen hang off of as the car races by. These appeared to be of a sleeker design. All painted black and lowered with very dark tinted windows.

"Heys boss, looks over there!" Stumpy pointed.

Antonio's mouth gaped open, nearly allowing the toothpick to fall out. "It's Jacko's boys. Quick, everyone, seek cover!"

The black cars came screeching to a halt in the street just a few meters away from the Cantinii family's automobiles. Their doors bolted open and several brightly dressed hoods piled out and began opening fire on the rival gang.

"What's going on?" Lexana asked at hearing the screeching of tires and gun fire in the street, followed by the distinctive sound of someone being shot and falling to the ground.

Chen carefully peered out the window to have a peek. "Looks like some sort of opposing faction attacking these guys." Chen could see that most of the gang members in the sleeker cars had darker skin. Many wore blue shirts, bandannas, and hats and were festooned with gold necklaces, rings, and tattoos. But what really caught his attention was the weapons they were using.

"That sounds like phaser fire..." Ensign Ral declared with widening eyes.

Chen pulled away leaning his back safely against the cold concrete wall. "It is. This other gang seems to have these guys well outmatched." Glancing at his machine gun, James added, "And us too."

The staircase was still creaking and threatening to collapse. Lee looked around for something that might be of use in helping Joerg avoid being injured or killed by the steel stairwell he was presently trapped on. Looking around, the only thing he could see was what appeared to be a very long electrical cable that was coiled up near the covered bottling equipment. Looking at the warehouse ceiling, there were several pipes and fixtures hanging down from the roof. Grabbing the extension cord, he uncoiled it and began fashioning a sort of lasso with one end. "Hold on 'mate. I may have an idea."

Swinging the make shift lasso the Captain manages to get enough momentum to try and catch one of the roof fixtures. Flinging it, the cord just misses the pipe some ten meters away. "Hang on 'mate... I'll get it." Lee said resting his tongue in the corner of his lips. True to his word, his second attempt succeeded. The lasso gripping the pipe and tightening as planned.

"Here Commander. Try to catch the end of this cord when I swing it to you 'mate."

Joerg tried to steady himself on the groaning stairwell that felt only moments away from total collapse. Swinging his arm out, he tried catching the electrical cord the Captain had swung his way. His first couple of attempts failed, as the stairwell moaned and buckled. Finally he caught it, just as the metal framework have out collapsing underneath him. Joerg held onto the cable, wrapping it around his right arm for leverage. The noise and cloud of dust billowed throughout the warehouse, but in the end, the Galaxy's first officer was still dangling from the electrical cord lassoed onto a pipe from the ceiling.

Lee smiled when the dust had cleared and he spotted that Joerg was still safe. "Well don't just hang around there 'mate. We've got work to do!"

Joerg shook his head and began climbing down the cord. When he reached the warehouse floor, he dropped and landed on his feet, brushing his hands off like nothing extraordinary had just happened. "Shall we go sir?"

"Aye 'mate. That would be an excellent idea." Lee turned and stuck two fingers in his mouth, whistling for the Chen and Ral to withdraw. The Security officers came running.

"Sir, there is a rival gang out there and the appear to have phaser like weapons." Chen explained running across the warehouse floor.

A concerned look formed on the Captain's face just as a large explosion ripped through the front of the warehouse, knocking everyone down from the concussion of the blast.

Shaken, Lee shook his head groggily while sprawled on the floor and straining to look out across the dusty warehouse. There was a gaping hole where the warehouse entrance used to be. It was brightly back lit, most probably from the automobile headlights shining in the opening. Several men begin piling into the opening screaming and chanting different obscenities. Lee glanced over at the tommy-gun laying on the floor where Lieutenant' Chen had dropped it when the concussion from the blast had thrown him hurdling across the room. When he went to reach for it he could hear the discharge of energy weapons like the one's James had just warned of. Glancing up, Lee could see a large bald man with a blue bandanna tied around his forehead. He was smiling in a grimace that showed the sharp contrast of his white teeth against his darker skin. He had a multitude of gold adorning his neck and wrists and held what looked like a bulky hand gun as he leveled it at the Captain and fired.

There was a flash of light as the wide dispersion phaser blast struck Captain Price and the others just before everything went black.

****

From the back of the warehouse, Lieutenant' Bancroft waited in the escape tunnel within the old safe. She stuck her head up out of the tunnel and could just see the gang members rushing into the building after blowing the front doors off their frame. Tebrianne watched as these differently outfitted gangsters began firing their energy weapons at the Captain and the remaining Galaxy crew members. Knowing there was little else she could do, Tebrianne did the logical thing and pulled the safe door shut, spinning the tumblers before descending the escape tunnel. "Need to let Lieutenant Command Sunder know about this." Teb thought. An uneasy feeling welling in the pit of her stomach as she scurried to catch up with the other Galaxy crew members as they made their way through the network of tunnels that lead to places unknown.

"Taking Command."
by Lt jg Aaron Sharp

"Captain?" Casey said, slightly confused at the Captains sudden reappearance.

"Report, mate." Aaron/Price said walking briskly down to the command well. If he *was* the captain, he'd better start acting like one, he thought.

"We're currently stuck in position outside of the Daubii Sigma system. We've tried everything we could think of to break free, but the controls won't respond. Level five diagnostics show no problems at all, and yet, we're paralyzed. Then," Casey paused for impact, "Q showed up again. It seems he's responsible for holding us here, and for the disappearance of yourself and several crew members. Obviously, though, he's returned you. At present we're trying to listen in to any old style radio signals in the hope that our people might use them to contact us. Perhaps you could shed some light as to what is going on, sir."

Aaron/Price looked at Caseys nose and thought he was shedding enough light as at was, but he didn't say it.

"I'm afraid not, 'Commander. I don't know what Q is up to, but he seems to have the upper hand at the moment." He walked over to the helm, and reaching past Ensign M'aerikh, tapped a few controls. Nothing happened.

"Hmmm. Any idea where the rest of the crew is?"

"We assume they're on the Sigma Iosha II. We have no way of knowing for sure though."

"Alright, mate, keep trying to break us free. Also, put together a list of missing crewmen and see if there's anything that stands out, or if there's any common link between them. Q must have a reason for taking the specific crew that he did, and I want to know what it is. I'll be in my ready room if the situation changes, 'Commander. You have the conn." Lt Sharp/Cpt Price turned and entered the ready room. He sat down behind the desk and leaned back in the chair. Quickly he sat back up again. Something wasn't right. He couldn't put his finger on it but it didn't... It didn't... *feel* right. Almost as if he didn't belong here. He got up and moved over to the window. When he tried the helm controls his fingers seemed to know just what to do. It was uncanny. He tried to clear his mind as he stared out the window. This was all Q's doing. He wasn't sure what was going on, but whatever happened, he had to put it right. He continued staring out into space.

Lt jg Aaron Sharp
Helmsman (accidently Captain) USS Galaxy.

Party, Party, Party!
By Ensign Ken Miller

Ensign Ken Miller was bored, very bored. His shift had just ended and he had just been patrolling area after area. He was sitting at the bar, drinking and thinking about his party, he had been planning this for several weeks, since he had came on board in fact, but when he mentioned it to people, they had been quite subdued in whether they would go or not, yet he still thought it would be a great way to meet new people and become familiar with everyone. He didn't make friends easy, and thus he really had to force himself into situations, a party would be the perfect vehicle for such an attempt.

Walking away from the bar, he noticed a noticeboard, where people had put up notices like "Racquetball partner required" "goods wanted" "goods for trade" etc.. Thinking about this, he thought his party could be advertised here, he walked back towards the bar and asked the bartender if he could add a notice to the board.

"Yeah, sure. It's a free service for ships personnel, what message do you want put up?" Miller thought about it for a second. "So you mean, I could put up a notice now?"

"Yeah, thats the point off the the board, to make sure everyone can have a say." said the bartender.

"Could you put "Party notifcation. Any personnel wanting to welcome a new ensign on board contact Ensign Ken Miller as soon as possible so he can work out how many people will want to go to the party, which will probably be in his quarters"

"Yeah, theres no problem. So you thinking of having a party, then?" the barman asked.

"If I can get enough people to come, I'm beginning to get the feeling noone likes me." Miller mentioned, a rue grin appearing at the corner of his mouth. "Anyway, thanks for helping me out"

"No problem." the barman replied, turning back to start drying a glass.

Ensign Miller sighed. "Oh well, time for bed." turning around and walking towards the door.

Hurry up and wait
Chief Counselor Dallas

Karyn was edgy. On the outside, of course she tried not to let it show. Most of the crew had calmed down significantly since the furnace had been up and running. Karyn was grateful for the heat, at least now her fingers could defrost. She just felt so damn helpless. She wished she could DO something. While she knew in a situation like this, keeping the crew company and making sure they were ok was important, she felt WEAK. Her feelings intensified as she looked at the still body of Astrid Salt.

It was the kind of feeling she despised. Ironically, a big part of her job was reassuring people it was ok to succumb to their emotions. It was all right to feel...vulnerable. Was that how she felt? This question puzzled her even more. How could she feel weak when she was "normal?"

She could walk, move freely and be treated like everyone else. Her life was supposed to be complete. This was going to make her happy. There had been a void in her for as long as she could remember. For a long time, she had written it off as sadness for her father. Now she had to admit it was because of her "problem", her "weakness." That had caused the void.

She remembered the way her father used to look at her. There was so much pity and shame in his eyes. Every time he looked at her, he was reminded that Karyn had caused his wife's death. It was so much easier just to bury it all. She decided long ago she wasn't going to be the recipient of anyone's pity or patronism ever again. The funny thing about voids is, they never really go away. Humor and cheerfulness tend to fool one into acceptance. Now she had it all and still the void remained. It was time to admit to herself that she was still angry, scared and a little unsure. She had a lot to learn about herself but she had a lot to give. It was time to let go. She hadn't noticed the tears that had begun to trickle down her face.

Fortunately, at that moment Lexana and Ursa showed up carrying loads of clothes and supplies. Hopefully, everyone would think her tears were meant to express joy. For now, it was time to get back to work. Admitting your feelings was one thing, letting them cripple you was another. She went over to them and grabbed some supplies, helping to distribute them to the crew.

A few moments later, she found herself beside Astrid. She wasn't a doctor but sometimes just holding someone's hand helped. She had covered her with one of the blankets she grabbed. Both Cat and Nilani looked exhausted so she decided to offer some assistance. "What can I do to help you?" Karyn put forth a smile. She had more important things to do now. It was time to worry about someone else.

"Can You Drive?"
Lt. Commander Mercury
Ensign Marc

"So what exactly are we looking for?" the young Ensign asked as Commander' Mercury and him walked out of the warehouse. The streets were buzzing with people and fast moving vehicles. Mike started to cross the street but didn't pay attention to the fact that one of the vehicles was baring down on him. Quickly David pulled him back to the curb.

"Watch where you're going, you idiot!" the man called out from his window as he raced by.

"I believe that is what we are looking for. I hope the come in bigger sizes." David said. They both carefully crossed the street waiting to make sure it was clear. For there current position they could see that the heart of the city was a couple of blocks down.

"I can't believe that this is what Earth really looked like back in the day." the Ensign seemed in amazed how primitive the city looked.

"It makes you think how we ever ended up traveling the stars." David replied. Walking past a local bank, Mike noticed that a larger vehicle was parked outside.

"Commander' can we use this?" Mike pointed to the vehicle near the curb. "It is much larger then the other ones we saw in the street."

"Your right but who are these people walking in and out of the bank. They look like there are armed with those primitive weapons that were used on Ensign Salt. What are they doing?" David seemed tenative about interacting with the locals espeically the ones with weapons. "Why don't we keep looking, I would rather not have to deal with those weapons again."

"Agreed, what about that one?" Mike pointed to a huge vehicle about two blocks down. It appeared to be parked next to a food store.

"I think it is delivery truck . Today is our lucky day " Mike Sad

" Yes you right , Lets take a look." As they got closer to the vehicle they noticed that it was not being guarded like the last one. It appeared that an older man was taking things out from the back of the truck and bringing them inside. The vehicle was left open for five minutes at a time. "I think this one will work perfectly. I need a couple of minutes to figure out how to get the vehicle started. The last time I looked at a combustion engine vehicle was in a history book in my Evolution of Technology class at the acadamey. It should be that hard but you never know. You keep on eye out for the guy while I get it started. Alright?"

"Sounds like a plan, will go the next time he enters the building." David and Mike slowly walked across the street and stood near the front end of the vehicle. The older man walked out from the store and filled his cart. David was close enough to see that the man was delivering bread to this store. The man now entered the building and it was time to move. Mike quickly ran to the back of the vehicle and stood guard watching the man inside to make sure he was coming back out. David opened the front hood of the vehicle. He quickly glanced over the engine. His eyes were moving fast, analyzing and trying to figure out what he needed to do to get this working. He moved his hands over the engine. He followed one of the lead wires with his finger.

"That's it I got it, Marc get in the truck, were leaving." David yelled as he opened the driver side door.

"I don't hear it running?"

"I need to re-wire it from inside, but it will only take a second, get in." Mike quickly opened the door and got in. Mike looked at David, he hand his hands under the steering wheel. Mike notice that there were a set of keys dangling from the steering consol. Being curious what would happen, Mike turned the keys. The engine roared, and so di David. David received a shook as the engine started.

"What did you do? David barked as he held his fingers.

"I just turned the key. Sorry Commander' "

"I guess we should have looked for those first, lets get out of here. Um... drive... drive.. ahh." David put the vehicle in gear and stepped on the pedal. The vehicle didn't move.

"What's wrong?" Mike asked.

"Uh... Oh your pedal." David stepped on the gas. The vehicle raced down the street. The old man run out from the bilding. When he sow that his truck was stolen, he took his big gun from his cout and begun shooting in to the truck ,but it's was late because truck just turn to the left on next corner. The last words thats hearts Mike and David were "You busters !!! Give me my truck back ."

"I think we did it " sad Mike with smile.

"Ye , you right " replied David

"Do you know where is warehouse ? " Mike asked

"I think , yes I remebered the way "

"Ok , I think we must hurry "

"Yes , I thing so too "

David pushed pedal to the end and track disappeared from the view.

Anguish
Lt. (jg) Benedict T'Kal
Tactical Officer
USS Galaxy

The Tactical Arch was a lonely place to stand and watch as the world moved in slow motion. Benedict’s mind set up sub-routines to handle the endless monitoring of the tactical information that didn’t change. Routine could be a terrible thing. It gave one time to think.

Thinking was something that Benedict would rather avoid right now. He wanted to do something – act against the events, accomplish something toward getting through this endless waiting. His thoughts kept returning to last night. The last glimpse he’d had of Tebrianne as she angrily turned away from him and moved away.

Every second of that incident replayed itself, as if it was on a constant loop. His last sight of Tebrianne just might be that one – where she’d been angry at him, or just plain angry at something. And that ‘something’ was standing several feet in front of Benedict wearing an absurd red nose. He tried to put it behind him but it just wouldn’t quit.

It wasn’t Deirans’ fault that Q had done what he had done – but it was his fault that Benedicts’ last memory of the woman he loved just might well be anger – and he’d compounded it by leaving her at the party. He had gone back to his quarters to wallow in self-pity and get himself drunk! He’d lost several hours where he just might have spent that time with Tebrianne.

Instead he’d been selfish – self absorbed – stupid! He missed her. If she didn’t come back – he just didn’t want to face that possibility. She would be back he kept telling himself – she had to come back! He felt his breathing quicken and tried a calming meditation – it just controlled his physiology – his mind was still caught up in that endless loop of diminishing hope.

He’d already known that the shuttle idea wouldn’t work – but he’d had to offer something – anything to show his mind was on the job. He glanced over at Jack who was scanning the science station. He looked up at that second and they exchanged worried glances. Jack just nodded as if to say, “It’s going to be okay.” And gave him a small smile of encouragement.

Benedict nodded in return. His eyes spoke volumes though. He was glad of Jack’s friendship – he was as close as a brother could be to Benedict, and if anything happened to Teb, Benedict knew that he would have to rely on Jack to help him get through it. If he could.

Benedict caught a hint of something else in Jack’s eyes too. He knew that something was happening between Jack and Betta – Jack hadn’t talked to him about it – but then that was expected, as neither of the two men openly discussed the affairs of their hearts. It was somehow understood without having to be spoken – to Benedict it was simply the Japanese way, and to Jack it was the Vulcan way. It amazed Benedict how close in cultural sentiments they were sometimes – the suppression of emotion came easily to both of them when faced with these personal problems. At least they controlled their outward appearances.

Benedicts’ mind returned to Tebrianne. The long-range sensor scans of Sigma Iotia 2 indicated that the largest continent was cold and snow bound in the northern hemisphere – it was the largest of the populated centers and a likely choice for the teams arrival. Benedict surmised that Q would be wanting them to be involved with the inhabitants of that world – why else take them there? So at this moment Tebrianne would be down there in the snow and the cold.

He knew that if he could, he would be there with her. Why hadn’t Q taken him as well? Instead leaving him here to suffer alone. Taking her there and separating them at what would have been a very special time for both of them. It was Christmas Eve. A time for sharing, and giving and loving. A time for family and for closeness – a time for the sharing of kindness to those who were less fortunate and for gathering with friends and strengthening those friendships.

He’d had plans! a quiet dinner this evening with candlelight and soft music, just Benedict and Tebrianne alone. Now that seemed a long way off – perhaps never! All he could see in his mind was her angry face turning away from him, and the way she had snatched her arm out of his grasp. He felt the burning sensation of his guilt. He’d left her there. He had left her.

Now she was gone. He was beginning to feel numb. The Tactical Arch wavered in his sight and he placed a hand against it to steady himself. He took a deep breath and fought the sudden rise of emotion. His face became a hard mask. His eyes burned and no amount of control could stop it. He glanced up self-consciously and was thankful that no-one saw him wipe the tears away quickly as if he was just tired and his eyes hurt.

He had to regain his self-control, to remain calm and stoic as Jack was capable of doing when he chose to. It was a game – all a game to Q! Yet Benedicts’ entire life was now tied up in it – and he had no idea what the rules were – no one aboard the Galaxy did!

Benedict was happy to see the Captain again. Captain Price would be able to come up with the answers if anyone could – Benedict had an immense respect for the Captain. He would solve this riddle and get the Galaxy’s crew home.

Until then Benedict just had to wallow in his own anguish.

"In Good Standing"
by Lt. Thomas

** Casey Quarters **'

Lt. Thomas found a comfortable chair and sat down, he was tired. He'd been asked to stop by and check on Lara Casey, but he just couldn't leave her alone, nor was he really comfortable about moving her. He figured that one of the Casey's would come by in a few hours and then he could depart, in the meantime Chris decided to use the time wisely.

The ship was no longer engage with the Borg, but was someone else. Q was really playing havoc with the ship, either because he was bored, or people where giving him ideas. He'd been granting Christmas wishes to the crew and in doing so, causing problems ship wide. Chris wanted nothing to do with the troublesome Q and so far he'd been lucking not to have to deal with him. They it stood right now he had enough of his own troubles to worry about having Q come around and mess with him. The return of his wife, and he knew it wasn't Q's doing as the return started back on Boreth, long before Q decided to play Santa Clause.

"Why the long face?" Gwyen asked as she sat down next to him.

Chris looked into Gwyen's eyes, trying to determine just how real they were. He was the only one who could see, hear or talk with her and that was even to this date nerve racking. He really wasn't sure if he was going mad, or if Q was playing around with his mind. The one solid thing he new is that Gwyen's return had occurred long before Q's Christmas visit.

"Just thinking about what the future would've been like, had you not died."

Gwyen lowered her head, she wasn't sure how to respond. It wasn't her choice to die, but she didn't know what the answers were surrounding why she died. "I don't know if there's anything I can say to make it better, but I did love you very much. Our love was so great that it must be why I have returned to you, but where we go from here is anyone's guess."

Chris touched her hand, trying to let her know that he didn't blame her, at least not anymore. For a time he couldn't help but somehow hold her responsible for dying. Logically he knew it wasn't her fault and he accepted that, but the emotional makeup wasn't so easy to dismiss.

They touched each other, for the first time without hesitation or inhibition. They felt a surge of energy through there system and then it was gone as soon as it came, but it felt very good. Having healing effect on their own personal pain.

---- to be continued....

Christopher Patton