USS Galaxy Sim Log Stardate: 49811.8

Ensign Mingus sits at a table thinking to himself of the things that Ensign Montana has told him. "So Q is taking all these people to different places and just leaving them there" Scatches his head and orders an ale. Sipping it slowly. Finally he finishes it off and walks out of ten-forward and heads towards the bridge.

V'ehlma's brow bristled as she hammered her fist down on the flight control console and hurled a colorful stream of klingon oaths at it.

"I judge by your language that you have not solved our navigational situation," stated Commander Casey matter of factly.

V'ehlma heard the muffled steps as the red nosed Commander moved behind her. "Sir," she began, "I have continued to run diagnostics on the current 'situation' with our flight control, but they all come back negative." V'ehlma couldn't help the tinge of anger and sarcasm that coated each of her words as they left her mouth.

"Continue running the diagnostics until you do find the problem." Retorted Commander Casey in a subdued conversational tone.

The young Andorian/Klingon woman gritted her teeth and clenched her right hand into a fist until her polished nails bit into the palm of her hand. She looked intently at the console and regained some of her lost composure as she noticed the reflection of Casey staring over her shoulder from the shine on the LCARS station. Poor man, she thought as she focused on his bright red nose. "Aye, sir."

"Captain." V'ehlma started at the Commanders voice as he turned abruptly and addressed Captain Sharpe/Price.

"Report, mate." Commanded Captain Aaron/Price as he walked briskly into the command well to stand next to Commander Casey.

"We're currently stuck in position outside of the Daubii Sigma system. We've tried everything we could think of to break free," began the Commander as he looked down at Ensign M'aerikh, "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."

Ensign M'aerikh continued to eavesdrop on the conversation as she watched their reflections displayed on the glossy finish of her console.

"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." Captain Aaron/Price stepped next to V'ehlma, and reaching down, taped a few of the controls on her console. V'ehlma smiled knowing what the outcome of the Captains actions would be. Nothing. V'ehlma smiled to herself at the absent minded reaction of the Captain to perform the same diagnostic instructions she had been performing since the ship had become 'paralyzed'.

Without even waiting to observe the outcome of his futile actions, Captain Aaron/Price turned his attention back to Commander Casey. "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."

"All right, 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." Captain Sharp/Price turned and walked from the command well and entered through the doors of his ready room.

Commander Casey looked down at V'ehlma and sighed, "Continue running the diagnostics ensign."

"Aye, sir." Responded V'ehlma drone like. This was going to be one boring shift.

Their first night stranded on the planet came and went. The central heating was working and took the chill out of the warehouse where the Galaxy officers were staying out of the way. Feeling a hand brush against his forehead which woke him from his restless sleep. Greer opened his eyes to find 'Commander Morris looking down at him. "Good morning." the Delphinian said as she smiled.

Getting up onto one elbow he gave her a kiss before he looked around the interior of the warehouse. At one end was Captain Price and Commander Sterner already awake and presumably discussing their current situation. There seemed to be no indication that they had even gone to sleep. "Good morning." he finally said as he looked at Ronni's face. "What time is it?"

"I suppose not. That has to have been one of the worst night's sleep I've had in a while." Erikson said as he started to massage the tensed muscles his neck. "I guess I better get this day started." he said with a yawn. "Maybe if I get there early, I can have some time to familiarize myself with he general layout of the building and this very old equipment they use."

"I'm sure you'll manage. In some ways it doesn't seem so silly now that you spent so much time in those Holodeck programs of yours."

Greer smiled as he mused the remark to himself. "Who would have thought that a Holodeck program designed for leisure would make good practice for a situation like this." he said as he grabbed the jacket he had been using as a blanket during the course of the night.

"I wish I were going with you." Ronni said as she adjusted the way his jacket sat on his shoulders.

Greer smiled at the idea of his Delphinian companion walking down town during the day. "I wonder how we would explain you being blue and having gill slits."

Greer finally reached the corner of Lincoln and Fourth Avenues as he remembered from the previous day. The snow seemed a little than yesterday but perhaps it just seemed different to someone who spent their days on a starship with environmental controls. Walking up the small flight of stairs he pulled on a brass handle and opened the glass door which led to the lobby and reception. "Good morning Mister Erikson." the receptionist said as she notice him enter the building.

"Good morning." he said as he made his way to the main office entrance. "Is Mister Maccinato in yet?"

"No sir. I do not expect him for another half an hour." she replied as she continued with her own work, only occasionally looking up at the new addition to the staff at KWD Broadcasting Incorporated. "Security has received your papers and your desk is ready. If you have any problems, just dial extension five-six-three-zero-two and ask for Jeanne."

Walking down the hallway he made careful observations of the people that were already working in the office. Most of them seemed to be in the same position as Greer, working for station superiors. Over to one corner of the main office, a young lady walked away with a cup of coffee she had prepared from a small machine. Remembering Maccinato's request for a coffee by the time he arrived, Erikson walked over and stared at the coffee machine.

"Coffee, white, two sugars." he said as he waited for the coffee machine to do something. After a few moments he began to shake his head. "I forgot about that. They don't use replicator systems." Looking around the bench he found the equipment he needed to make a cup of coffee. "I think I should have paid attention to the Holodeck simulations a little more closely." he mumbled, grabbing a cup and a container with ground coffee. Having finally worked out how to make a cup of coffee, Erikson moved to his desk where he saw a small pile of papers waiting for him.

"Good morning Mister Erikson." Tony said as Greer sat down in the chair and tried to work out what he actually had to do before his boss came in.

"Good morning Mister Guillone." Greer replied to the gentleman he met the day before. "That weather is getting a little unpredictable out there."

"Certainly is." Tony said as he nodded in agreement. "Not unusual for this time of year though. Not as bad as last year have you. By the way, call me Tony. We save all the formal stuff for the bosses upstairs or the big honchos with the flash offices."

"And you can call me Greer." Erikson said since they seemed to be dropping the formalities. "Good thing Mister Maccinato had this position open."

"Yeah, after what happened to the last guy, I bet they were wanting to fill the position quickly enough. No one in the company wanted to take it." Tony said casually as he received a stack of paper from the copy runner.

Greer looked at him with a puzzled expression. Whatever had happened to his predecessor was never raised by anyone in the building the day before. "What do you mean exactly?"

"Oh, so you never heard." Tony said with some suprise. "The last guy was run over. Right out front the building too. The authorities said it was an accident, but I think the guys upstairs feel a little differently."

"Well you see Mr. Erikson. Information is power and there are some people who will do anything for power. Power gets you money, gets you the girls, gets you cars, and gets you pretty well anything you want." Tony explained. "You probably know all that already. That why guys like you and me start on the bottom and guys like Mister Maccinato have their flash cars and stuff.."

Greer frowned a little as he thought about what had happened to his predecessor. What Tony Guillone was saying was not impossible from what he had already seen on this strange planet. "I guess you're right."

"Did you see this morning's new broadcast?" Tony said as Greer began reading through the memorandums sitting on his desk. "It looks like there was a bit of trouble down on the west side again. You'd think they would have done something about it by now."

Greer screwed up a piece of paper and threw it in the bin. "I'm sure the authorities will deal with it eventually. They can't do nothing forever."

"They can if they've been bought out." Tony said as he lowered his voice to avoid being overheard.

Erikson took out a small note book from his pocket and wrote down some of the information that Guillone had mentioned. Maybe it would help them some how. Looking at the clock near Mister Maccinato's office which read five minutes to nine. Standing up and walking over to the bench, he made a black coffee with one sugar, as Mister Maccinato requested the day before.

"I'm glad to see you made it on time Greer." the sound of Charlie's voice said as Greer placed the hot cup of coffee down on the producer's desk. "I need you to get down to the recording studio and pick up some memos. Tony can show you the way."

The elevator stopped and Erikson walked out on the fifth floor where it appeared the recording studios were located. As he walked to Studio Room Three he noticed a number of strange devices which did not look like anything in one of his Holodeck programs.

In the back of one of the rooms was a display which seemed to illustrate some kind of planetary bodies. Looking around to see if anyone noticed him, he walked into the small communications room and looked carefully at the display which turned out to be a schematic of the satellite system used by KWD Broadcasting Incorporated. Taking out his note book once again he began to take down the what seemed to be the most important information on the tracking display. If all went well, he or one of the Galaxy engineers could devise a plan to use one of the satellites to send a message home.

"What do ya think ya are doing 'ere?" an angry voice said as Greer scurried to hide the note book back in the inside of his suit jacket.

"Lost." the security guard said without much suprise. "So yer the new guy hey? Well where'd ya wanna get to?"

Greer sighed with relief. All he needed was some stray security guard to walk in at the wrong time and he may have a lot of difficult questions to answer. "Ah . . . Studio Room Three was where I was headed."

"Then ya wanna head down that corridor there and it's the second door on the left. Try not to get lost again." the security guard said as he stepped out of the doorway. "It's a big building and it's possible for ya not be found."

Greer walked out of the room and closed the door, still trying to work out if the security guard had threatened him or was just making a passing comment. "Second door on the left." he repeated to himself as he proceeded down the corridor to pick up what he had originally be sent to do.

One of the strong, tall men grabbed a handful of Suder's hair and pulled his head back to see if he was still unconscious. He was. The man let go and turned around to face his boss. "Come on boss, let me wake him up, please?" Dave asked.

"Not yet, if this guys really as tough and fast as I was told, then he won't join us if we hurt him." the boss replied.

At that moment, Suder began to stir. His eyes opened slightly to a bright light. He tried moving, but his hands were tied down to the arms of the chair he was sitting in, but his legs were loose.

"He's stirren'." Dave said grabbing his gun off the table near Suder and standing behind him.

The boss put his cigar out and walked over to Suder and put a hand on Suder's head pushing it back. His eyes opened.

"Well, well, well, what have we here. What's with your eyes and why are you wearing such strange clothes?" the boss asked.

"I want you. I heard about what you did to my boys down town, and we could really use someone like you. Care to take up a job?" he asked.

"No, I just don't want to work for you. Your guys tried to kill one of my friends, I'm not going to work with people who will do that to people I know." Suder explained.

The boss gave a hand signal to Dave who came strolling forward smiling. He put his gun away and hit the Ensign. The force of the punch was so hard Suder felt like his head had been knocked off. Blood began spilling out of his mouth as Dave hit him three more times.

Suder looked at his wrists. He was tied up by rope, but it wouldn't be hard to free himself if he could just grab the lose end. Dave hit him again and laughed at his defenseless opponent. Suder looked at Dave and read his thoughts. He could tell he was going to be hit again, and he'd just go berserk if he did.

As Dave stepped forward again, Suder kicked out his right leg catching Dave right in the stomach. Dave fell to one knee and grasped his stomach. Suder grabbed the loose bit of rope with his teeth and pulled on it. The rope loosened and his arm became free. He quickly untied his other hand and stood up. He let Dave get up coughing a little as he did so.

Dave took on a fighting position as if he were boxing. Suder just stood still looking at him. Dave went to give his opposition a right hook, but Suder held up an arm blocking the punch and then slammed his head into Daves head. Dave fell to his knees and looked up, dizzy from the blow. Suder gave two quick punches that sent Dave rolling across the floor in pain.

Suder looked at the boos who was cradling behind his desk looking worried now that Suder had turned his attention to him. But then Suder just strolled over to Dave and reached down into his jacket and pulled out his gun. Then without another glance at Dave or the boss, he left the room.

It was raining slightly when Suder reached the streets. First objective was to find someone he knew. He knew Adrianna was here, but where? Second objective: find home. He began walking down the streets looking around trying to find someone he knew. But while doing this, all he could think about was home. But where was home? Betezed? The USS Lakota? The USS Galaxy? Whichever one it was, that was where he was supposed to be.

George entered Ten Forward after checking ever shuttle in Shuttle Bay 1. He wasn't in his best mood but still willing to talk to people. As he walked over to the bar he saw a lieutenant get out of a chair.

George ordered his drink and turned around. At a table in the middle of the room sat someone who he had seen before, looking up after her 'grandson' as he left.

Prince sat on the other side of the table and said, "Hi, you mind if I sit down? The name is George Prince I fly the shuttles that collect dust in the Shuttle Bays."

Tal'yana fought the urge to roll her eyes at the newcomer, inwardly thinking ~Let me guess... yet another would-be suitor. Just humor him...~ She brought her glass up to her lips, sipping at the liquid for dramatic effect. "I'm Tal'yana Ved. I entertain the people on the ship."

"So, how did you get on the Galaxy without being an officer?" George said trying not to sound angry.

An eyebrow quirked up as Tal'yana caught the slight edge of anger in the man's voice, and her eyes narrowed ever so slightly as she tried to ascertain the cause of his foul mood. Then she remembered the 'problems' that had recently been plaguing the ship. She sighed, nodding, now perhaps understanding the bent to his reaction.

"I'm a non-commissioned officer, hired by Starfleet to entertain its 'troops' on the Galaxy. As it were, I'm an 'entertainer' of sorts. I sing, dance, play music... basically add an esthetic quality to the officers' lives." Tal'yana smiled slightly, allowing her words time to sink in, as she waited for the man to respond.

George sat there there trying to think of something to say. That is without trying to come on to her. Then he remebered of the cube in his pocket.

"Oh, I found this cube thing in the Shuttle could it be yours by chance?" He pulled the cube out as he took a drink.

Tal'yana chuckled. "Hardly likely... with as cramped as my living quarters are, I've barely room for small knick-knacks." She deftly snatched the thing from George's hand, and turned it over... placing it on the table after a while. "I've seen pictures of those things, on news-feeds and the like. Not the sort of toy I'd want to be playing with. As it is, don't you find it eerie how... detailed it is..." She lowered her voice conspiritally, as if it would do any good, "With the nutcase running around the ship, who knows whether this thing would suddenly become real and try to assimilate us all into mini-borg?"

It was an offhand attempt at humor, to at least improve George's disposition for the moment, but oddly he pulled out a tricorder and scaned the cube.

"No, there is no major power running. There is a botton on the side here. I wounder what it does?"

~Let me guess... if you saw a red button marked 'End of the World', would you just press it?~ Tal'yana thought idly.

Prince pushed the the button only to find a hologram come out of it. It's was a borg ready for anything.

Tal'yana shook her head at the projection, thinking ~God, I guess so. Mark this one up as a no-brainer...~ She looked over at the Lieutenant, biting off a scathing remark about idiocy and pushing pretty red buttons. However, the roll of her eyes was indicative enough of how she viewed this particular officer.

The hologram starting acting out a battle scane, which ended in the borg's death. "Well, I think a friend of mine would like to see this. It seems to be a camera of some kind and it taped a battle. Odd." George put the cube back on the table and took a drink.

"Perhaps the owner would like it back... had you not thought of posting a note?" She interjected. This conversation was not going well at all...

"Look at the time I have got to go. It has been nice talking with you. Maybe I will stop and listen to you sing, play music, or what ever. See you then or when you need a Shuttle. Right now I have a meeting."

~Yeah... in about four more lifetimes, perhaps...~ She chuckled under her breath.

George got up from his seat and left. As he walked away the cube and his drink was still on the table.

After George left, Tal'yana looked up at the bar-tender. "Are they _always_ like this?" He merely laughed, shrugging. Walking over, he grabbed the man's drink, and looked over at Tal'yana.

Tal'yana's eyes rolled. "Like as not the poor boy expects me to call him up later, to return it to him..." She picked it up, tossing it to the bartender. "Perhaps you could place it on your rack over there."

Tal'yana echoed the chuckle. "Not heartless... just a little pickier than that."

Q clapped her hands, herself and T'Zaq disappearing in two bright flashes of light. In an instant, they reappeared elsewhere. The sensation was a new one to T'Zaq. It was like being in a pool where you could only see in one direction. Or kind of like being squeezed into a piece of paper. T'Zaq decided that she did not like this sensation at all. She tried to speak, but found that words did not behave in this universe as she was used to.

Q must have gotten the point, for in a few minutes T'Zaq found herself in another environment. Considerably more comfortable than the last one, but still not perhaps what she was used to. The atmospheric substance around her wiggled and rippled like lime-green Jell-o.

"Sorry." Q said sarcastically. "I forgot your finite mind cannot handle being in a two-dimensional universe. I hope you find this more accomodating?"

"I.... thought.... you.. had..... a.. plan?" T'Zaq spoke slowly; trying to communicate in this atmosphere was remarkably like talking through buttermilk.

"I'm getting to it, I'm getting to it! We need a place to hide for a while until I can put my plan into action." Q said irritably. She clapped her hands again, but this time nothing happened. She muttered something under her breath.

"I am being deliberately blocked from interfering in his plans." She stomped her foot angrily, for a moment looking almost like a child about to begin a temper tantrum. Fortunately, she seemed to recover control quickly. With a heavy sigh, she admitted, "There's nothing more to be done."

"You mean.... I.. am.. stuck here.... for... good?" T'Zaq would have made a threatening gesture if she had been able to move at all in the gelatinous atmosphere.

"Yes. It looks-- no wait, there is one thing I can do." Q clapped her hands again, and the Jell-o shattered into billions of tiny fragments around them. A bright white light appeared on the horizon and moved toward them, engulfing them in a crescendo of pure, emotional music.

When her vision cleared, T'Zaq found herself on the bridge of the Galaxy. She was wearing a Starfleet engineer's uniform, and for some strange reason, had a plate of fettucine alfredo in her hand. Rather than staring around in utter stupifaction, T'Zaq took this strange happenstance in stride and pretended she had intended to suddenly appear on the bridge this way. She even took a bite of the fettucine to prove her point. It was quite good, too.

The command chair swung around, bringing Lt. Commander Casey into view. He stood up slowly and looked at T'Zaq. "Welcome back, Lieutenant'. Any word from the others?"

"Well.... I haven't seen them, actually. Sir." Even with her mouth full, T'Zaq tried to remember her manners. She tried to ignore his glowing red nose. Apparently another one of Q's antics.

"Your assignment, then, Lieutenant, is to try to locate any communications band the missing team might be using. They might be trying to communicate with us even now."

"Understood, sir. I'll get right on it." T'Zaq walked to the turbolift and ordered it to engineering lab. As the doors closed, she took another bite of the fettucine and nodded approvingly. "Good stuff, Q."

Ensign scott wasn't shure what to do his shift was over Amazonly enough the second shift was all present and he found him self relieved of duty For the shift along with manditory leave for having been on duty for 24hrs striaght. In another way he was completly relieved has he was dead on his feet.

Standing at the turbo lift door an ensign entered to take his place at the turbo lift door of the bridge. Scott turned to the ensign "How about if I take your shift" The ensign started to turn the watch over to him when LT Cane turned towards him from the security station. "I told you to go to your quarters and get some sleep that is an order don't make me right you up." James nodded in the direction of the LT And exited the bridge.

As he made his way to his quarters he couldn't help but to think about the missing crew members. And how they were going to get them back. Only one reacurring thought keep coming up. This is somthing of Q's doing and it isn't going to end till Q is ready for it to end. Scott enters his quarters and falls asleep in his chair drinking glass of warm Milk.

Sitting at the keyboard, Ensign Miller was sweating, his quarters were in darkness a black shroud of shadows enveloping the area around the computer terminal apart from the flicker of light which the screen created.

Ensign Miller had brought his own terminal aboard the Galaxy, he had had it for almost 10 years, it had been upgraded so many times, there was nothing left of the original. Not many of the crew onboard the Galaxy had their own terminals, and certainly very few of them had their own power source, if the Galaxy should be attacked, life support would probably fail before his computer system did.

"Susan, I'm telling you I can't get back to Earth for a while. I just started this assignment, I can't take a holiday now! I'm trying to make a good impression on the captain, if I ask him for a holiday now, he'll skin me alive!" Miller said into the computer console.

"Laz, I know but I'm desperate down here! I need your skills, if we can crack the encryption on that program, the ferengi board of commerce promised us a starship! They think it's uncrackable, but if there is any bugs in the code, they want to know about it! Think of it our own starship, we could travel the stars, see new planets, explore the frontiers... We could be together. You do want that don't you?" The woman on the console frowned. "You said you'd ask the Captain if I could come live with you, have you done that yet?"

"Yeah, I know I said I'd ask the Captain, but he's not on board the ship right now, I can't talk about it... its not for civilians. I'm sorry." Miller smiled. "But I'll ask him as soon as he gets back ok? I promise. And as for the program, upload it to me here, and I'll work on it during my breaks, and send you progress reports okay? I miss you, you know. I've not made many friends here, but you know what I'm like, prefer my own company and all that stuff, although there is this really attractive entertainer who came on board the Galaxy recently. Tal'yana Lan, she seems quite nice." Miller let loose an invuluntary laugh, as he saw Susan's cheeks turn red and puff out. "Its okay, I would never be unfaithful to you though, darling. You know that."

This seemed to pacify Susan slightly. "You better not! I'll cut your testicles off and feed them to my pet koi! She sounds like a slut anyway. If you're ever unfaithful to me, you had better be very good at hiding becuase I'll come after you and hurt you. You understand, don't you dear?"

Miller crossed him legs, and breathed deeply, "Yes, dear... clear as crystal. I gotta go now anyway, upload the program and any progress you've made so far as soon as you can. Don't go through the ship's computers, I don't trust some of the crew here... Use the encryption key I have you to encrypt the files, noone could break that, not with all the computer systems in the known Galaxy." Once he'd said this, he realised he had had the perfect idea! "Susan, I've just had the best idea in the world! Have you tried a brute-force crack on the encryption?"

"No, it would take too long with the pathetic computers we have here, were not allowed to use military standard keycodes." It then clicked and her face lit up like a christmas tree "But YOU are! Do you think you can link the Galaxy's computers together without getting caught?"

"I don't know, I'll ask around on my shift later okay, I gotta go now. Love you. Bye" Miller put his hand up to the screen, Susan did the same, so it was as if they were touching across the enormous distance seperating them.

"Goodbye Laz. And remember and ask Captain Price if I can come stay as soon as possible! I don't trust this Tal'yana Lan..."

Miller pulled his hand away from the screen, you've never met her! you know nothing about her, how can you not trust a person you've never met?" he shook his head from side to side in disbelief.

K'Eytyanna hopped down the passageway, hoping that none of the various animals living aboard the Galaxy, such as cats, would find her.

Suddenly, she heard the sound of a cat meowing. Quickly, she sprinted down the corridor for a turbolift, where she could hopefully hide, as fast as a rabbit can.

Luckily, she managed to slide between the doors as they closed. An female ensign from Medical looked down and blinked in surprise. The ensign was about to pick her up, so K'Eyt snapped,

The ensign yelped and K'Eyt groaned, "I'm Lt Samara from Engineering. The one that you may have heard rumors of getting changed by Q."

"Computer, stop turbolift, authorization K'Eytyanna-Alpha-Omega. Damn you, Q. This isn't funny."

A flash of white light blinded her for a second and when her eyes adjusted, she saw Q standing over her. He reached down and scratched behind her ear as she growled at him. He quickly picked her up and said,

"No, I am not. I've been humiliated, nearly eaten by my targ and chased by some cat that I didn't have to time to recognize."

Commander Casey looked up from the padd he was checkign to see Lt Samara lying in a heap on the floor in front of the viewscreen - back in her normal form instead of a rabbit.

"Just remeber next time - if you are going to kick anyone in the family jewels, make sure it isn't a Q."

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

Gakor lingered on the bridge for a few minutes after making her report to Lt Commander Cassey. When became clear the human was preoccupied with running the ship with a reduced staff load, Endris asked to be excused. *I'd like to examine a few of those cats*, she thought. *Maybe I can determine why their behavior was so unusual.* Endris smiled, absorbed by numerous possibilities. *On the other hand, I could consult with Ensign Kalln for an opinion when he returns*, she finished dashing for the turbo lift.

"Deck 12", she ordered. The lift plunged downward, heading towards Sick Bay. Only a short while latter, Gakor entered Sick Bay. Albrecht's kitten had crawled up on the top supply shelf, delicately balancing on the edge as it batted its fore paws at an air vent. The rapidly circulating stream of atmosphere from the vent blew back the kitty's fur, pushing it preposterously close to the edge of the metal 'cliff'. "MEOW"!, it cried loudly.

Gakor promptly rescued the cat, who looked appreciative when the predicament was resolved. "Meow", it purred in a calmer tone. The doctor examined the cat, but couldn't find anything out of the ordinary. However, its neural activity levels seemed to have spiked to a high level some time ago. They were falling, but still elevated for the kitten. Endris decided to provide another bowl of culinary stimulation and replicated a serving of feline supplement 23.

I have just completed an examination of Albrecht's new pet. Aside from elevated neural levels, I have found nothing out of the ordinary which could have influenced the animal's behavior a few minutes ago. When Ensign Kalln returns with the away team, I will ask him about it. He seems to know quite a bit about felines.

Also, I have asked Ensign Taleen to analyze the equipment left behind by the missing crew members. She should be posting her report to the computer shortly. Besides Albrecht's kitten, the other household pets have returned to the quarters of their owners. For humanitarian reasons, volunteers are taking care of the pets of those people who are missing during their absence.

"Snacks! Look at the time! I haven't eaten since last shift!" Endris exclaimed, forgetting the computer was recording a log.

The Tellarite's outburst over food would not be saved for posterity, but she left Sick Bay vacant with the EMH in charge, heading for 10 Forward to meet her dietary needs....

Lee slowly opened his eyes. His vision was blurry for a few moments while everything around him seemed to be spinning. Then he realized that he was sitting inside some sort of vehicle and that it was the passing scenery that was causing his vertigo. Twisting his head he could see a dark skinned man smiling with a shinny silver tooth. He was pointing a weapon at the Captain that looked remarkably close to a copy of an old style type-two phaser.

"You just sit tight and chill my man." The silver toothed man warned in a basey tone. He was wearing a blue bandanna and had a huge 'enforcer' type of build. Lee looked him over while rubbing his chest where the phaser had struck him. The man had a number of dark tattoos on his bare forearms, that were similar in design to many of the graffiti markings they'd observed on various buildings and walls on this planet.

Lee nodded as he looked around. Joerg, Chen and Ral were also seated in the back of this large black automobile. It seemed to be exceedingly long and quite plush on the interior. The windows were tinted dark, and though evening was falling, even the artificial lighting along the city streets seemed to be subdued because of the dark tint. The Captain touched the glass out of impulse.

"Bullet proof and shatter proof, so don't get any heroic ideas or I'll bust your ass, turkey." The silver toothed hood warned.

Lee gave the man a glance and then gently rocked Joerg. The First officer was likewise stunned and went through much of the same things the Captain just had experienced.

"I'm not entirely certain 'mate. But I believe we are being taken for a meeting with someone...." Lee looked back at the silver toothed man and raised his eyebrow in a beckoning fashion.

"I see sir." Joerg replied rubbing his chest and waking the others while continuing, "Is that a good thing or a bad one Captain?"

"Papa Jacko said to get you turkeys away from the Cantinii family and to bring you in. Said if we couldn't get you alive to make sure you were dead." The hood twisted the circular ring on the old style phaser, adjusting the setting to a deadlier level before pointing it at Captain Price in a threatening manner, "You don't want to meet with Papa Jocko?"

"On the contrary. I am looking quite forward to the visit, I assure you 'mate." Lee replied raising his hands slightly.

The silver toothed hood closed his grinning mouth and gave a satisfied nod. "That's what I thought you'd say." He then leaned back at the far end of the stretch limousine and kept a vigilant eye on the Federation guests.

The automobile seemed to travel across town. With little else to do, Captain Price and the others glanced out the windows at the city streets. It was growing dark out, but the street lights still provided adequate lighting along with the neon signs and bright lights decorating some of the buildings. Many of the streets they past were very run down. Buildings were boarded up and people that looked ill, injured or dying lurked the gutters carrying bundles of items or dragging bags containing who knows what. Other areas of the city appeared to be more prosperous. One section seemed to be brightly lit with bold signs and was crowded with people walking the streets and engaging in various forms of trade. There were drug dealers, prostitutes, pawn brokers, every form of criminal activity imaginable. And the most interesting thing was, practically everyone was carrying a weapon of one kind or another.

The limousine rounded a few turns in this brightly lit neon sign section of the city and soon pulled into a private garage. The automobile pulled into some sort of cargo elevator and began ascending an unknown distance on it's way up to the top floor.

"This is Papa Jocko's building. Just chill and you'll be let out in a few minutes. This is the safest place in the whole city. Even Tito's boys can't get in here." The silver toothed hood explained.

Captain Price sat back glancing over at Commander Sterner, Lieutenant Chen and Ensign Ral, all of who had awaken from being stunned in the abandoned warehouse. He had no idea who this Tito was the silver toothed man was referring to, but gathered from the boast of keeping him out, that he was some other power on this mixed up planet.

Lieutenant Commander Casey's nose was continuing to pulsate brightly. Q's whimsical tribute to 'Rudolph the red nosed reindeer'. It was giving the Operation's manager a head ache.

"Sir. Here is the list of missing crew members you asked that I prepare." Yeoman York explained handing her padd to Casey.

Deiran took the data padd and was grateful that the lovely Yeoman didn't make any sort of comment or crack any jokes about his pulsating nose. "Thank you Yeoman. That will be all."

Glancing at the padd, Deiran quickly scanned the names of the officers who had disappeared from the USS Galaxy leaving their comm badges, phasers, Tricorders or any other form of technology right where they were standing. Immediately a name jumped off the padd and hit Deiran square in the face.

"You've found something 'mate?" said Lieutenant Sharp in his pseudo form as Captain Price.

"Sir, I am reviewing the list Yeoman York prepared that shows all of the officers that are missing from the USS Galaxy."

Aaron reached one of his hands over and took the padd from the Lieutenant Commander. "Bonzer. Now we will know who we are missing 'Commander." Almost immediately Lieutenant' Sharp's eyes read the Captain's name at the top of the list. "Is this some sort of joke 'Commander? There must be some mistake. I'm right here."

"Perhaps sir." Deiran said while boldly reaching and removing Aaron's communicator badge, "But it never hurts to double check."

The pseudo Captain Price and 'Commander Casey both looked as the gold communications pin was turned over and Lieutenant' Aaron Sharp's serial number was etched in the rear of badge.

"This must be some sort of a trick 'mate. Lieutenant' Sharp must have some how switched communications badges with me before he was taken by Q." the substitute Captain declared.

"Possibly sir. But until we know for sure, I think it would be best if you reported to Sickbay for a full examination." Deiran insisted.

"I'm not leaving the bridge 'mate. Not while a good portion of my senior staff and crew are missing from the Galaxy." Aaron declared in Captain Price's voice.

"Sir. Until this discrepancy can be explained, we have no way of knowing if you are who you say you are. I would be remiss in my duties if I allowed you to remain in command of the Galaxy under such circumstances." Deiran tried to explain evenly.

Deiran glanced over to the security officer stationed on the bridge. He was about to summon him when a bright flash appeared in the Command well and Q popped in, still wearing his Santa's cap.

"With everything else that is going on, I'd think that would be the least of your worries. Besides I think it adds a certain degree of character to an otherwise bland face. Wouldn't you agree Price?"

Suddenly Aaron remembered exactly who he really was, and what Q had done to him. He still looked like Captain Price, his wish to be 'Captain' of the Galaxy, but now his memory was back. "I... think I know what's going on 'Commander..." Aaron stuttered in the Captain's voice.

"Q!!! MY NOSE PLEASE!" Deiran demanded with crossed arms and a reddening face that nearly matched his nose color from his welling anger.

"Oh very well since you can't seem to see anything past it anyhow..." with a snap of his fingers, Deiran's red glowing nose returned to normal.

"'Commander, I believe Q has altered my appearance to look like Captain Price. I really am Lieutenant' Aaron Sharp. I just didn't remember before because of Q...."

Q rolled his eyes. "Oh please. I grant you exactly what you asked for and that's the thanks I get? It's a wonder why I even bother to give you humans anything at all."

"Q, stop your meddling and put Lieutenant' Sharp back to his true form. I've had just about enough of your antics." Deiran warned.

"My meddling? Why Casey how arrogant of a specimen you truly are. So focused on your immediate needs and wants. Granted it is a weakness of your entire species, but you... you seem to have elevated it to a whole new plateau of selfishness. Indeed, it is the one endearing quality I like about you. "

"I'll let you struggle with the puzzle for a while longer. I only hope your minds are not too primitive to make the connection as to why I have brought you here. The Captain shows promise on the planet surface, though even he gives me cause to doubt at times. Hopefully at least one of you will be clever enough to figure it out." Q explained in his lecturing tone. Turning, he faced Lieutenant' Sharp. "Next time, put more thought in what you wish for." And with a pointed finger, the pseudo Captain Price transformed back into a smiling Lieutenant' Sharp. "If you will excuse me, it's Christmas Eve 'Commander. I still have many Galaxies to visit." With a flash, Q once again disappeared of the Bridge of the Starship Galaxy.

Vaughn cursed as K'Eytyanna escaped into the lift. He was only going to offer her membership. Obviously she scared easily for a Klingon. He padded away from the closed Turbolift doors. He had left the new vocal synthesiser in his quarters, so he couldn't operate it. He decided to make his way to the meeting place. Returning down the corridor he vaulted up into the open conduit near the ceiling. It was so thoughtful of the Engineering teams to leave them open so often. The cats would have no access to the Jeffries' Tubes otherwise. The access panels were difficult to remove when you were a foot high and lacked opposable thumbs.

He made his way into the tube system and lithely leapt up the ladders. It was a good job cats did not have a fear of heights; jumping two feet onto an inch-wide rounded smooth surface with a hundred foot drop below you was some humanoids idea of hell. They had such shortcomings. You just had to learn to accept that and let them get on with pretending to run the universe.

He found his way to Shuttle Bay 2, where the creatures were assembling. They seemed to have already removed the access panel, and he leapt down to the white panelled floor. There they were, behind the crates. Rank upon rank of cats, ferrets, gerbils and other pets.

'Has anybody consulted with D'Akana recently?' asked Vaughn as he approached the group.

Mittens turned to face him. Mittens was a tabby male, young and strong by Terran feline standards.

'Stripe is with him now,' replied Mittens, 'We should have an answer within five minutes.'

'Okay then,' said Vaughn, 'Then I call this meeting of the General Animal Council to session! On the agenda today are: what we can do to celebrate Christmas without being noticed, the disturbing loss of several of our possessions, and that infuriating Endris Gakor who appears to have misinterpreted our depositing of the relevant communicators as something to do with that omnipotent interferer Q.'

The day had been long and Erikson had discovered many new things about this strange planet which seems to have taken out of a page from Human history. Photocopiers, telephones, television, and all matter of primitive equipment filled their homes and offices.

"Greer," Mister Maccinato said as he walked out of his office, carrying a briefcase and a jacket to protect him from the harsh cold of winter, "can you finish those few files on my desk before you leave for the day."

"Yes sir." Greer responded, considering it a valid opportunity to stay back late in the building without arousing too much suspicion. "See you tomorrow morning Mister Maccinato."

"Good night." Charlie said as he put his winter coat on and walked out of the office.

On his return, Erikson could see Tony waving at him from the other side of the main office. "See you tomorrow."

Sitting down at his desk, Greer carefully removed the small note book concealed in the inside of his suit jacket, the scientist began to study his notes and attempt to comply with the order he received from Captain Price. Inside was several notes pertaining to the information he was able to gather from the communications center on the fifth floor of the building. The rest was little notes about the different kinds of equipment and procedures used in the building.

PIcking up the receiver, Greer dialed the number featured on one of the first few pages. "Five-six-three-zero-two." he said softly, waiting for Jeanne to pick up the telephone at the reception desk downstairs. After several minutes, with no answer, he assumed that almost everyone had left for the day and made his way to the elevator.

Two floors later, the metallic doors of the turbolift predecessor opened to reveal the fifth floor. Erikson cautiously peered out of the elevator to see if anyone was walking around the fifth floor, and after being caught up there earlier, he doubted he could use the same excuse. Without the slightest trace of activity he walked carefully out of the elevator and strode to the communications room he discovered earlier in the day.

"So where do I begin." he remarked as he once again stood in front of the tracking display.

Looking at the panel he noticed several buttons which had been labeled, presumably with their function, and several which could have been almost anything. On the old-style display, several flashing points seemed to be highlighted as they moved around the large sphere in the center of the display. Could these have been the satellites he had heard about from Maccinato?

To one side, Greer took note of some books arranged specifically on a small shelf. Grabbing one of the books at the top, he browsed through it, trying to work out if it could be any use. Repeating the procedure with all seven books, it seems that they of no intrinsic use for his purpose.

Under the main display was a small series of draws which looked as if they could possibly contain something. Trying to pull one of them out he soon discovered they were locked, protected by some antiquated form of security device. Remembering seeing a thug do something from his Holodeck program, Erikson tried to repeat it, placed a small pin in in the small hole and vigorously moved it around until he heard something. Pulling at the draw seemed to opened it up for him to looks around.

A quarter of an hour later, he was still sitting there, trying to make sense of what the communications manual was saying. Some of the terms he seemed familiar with since they had not changed in several hundred years of technical advancement. Others were more problematic since they did not relate to technology he was familiar with. Making detailed notes from the book, he tried to record as much information as he could.

Greer placed the heavy manual back in its original location as not to arouse too much suspicion. Pushing the draw back he heard a small click which seemed to have locked it once again. As he tested the lock a little by jiggling the draw, Greer heard the elevator bell, announcing some one was about to enter on to the fifth. Quickly, he switched off the light and took cover near the large working desk in the corner of the room, the only place he had some chance of seeing without being easily seen.

Patiently he waited until he could see the brim of a hat he had seen earlier. A security guard. The man was oblivious to Erikson's presence or that someone had been in the communications room, walking straight passed it without even so much as a look.

After several more minutes, and with no sign of the security guard, Erikson got out from under the desk and went over to the tracking display he had seen earlier. Just as he reached over to flick a switch for one of the satellite controls, he heard another noise. Once again, he switched off the light and took refuge under the desk to one corner of the room. Once again, the security guard walked passed the communications room without looking. After a few moments he could hear the sound of the elevator arriving on the fifth floor. Believing it to be safe now, he got out from under the desk, once again, and tried to determine exactly how he could send a message to the Galaxy.

"I can't believe we are doing this. This tunnel has to be a hundred years old if its a day." Adrianna's whispering voice was magnified in the darkness and gloom of the tunnel.

Next to her, the reply from the nameless Ensign came quick enough. "Its not like those thugs gave us much of a choice. Where do you think this tunnel leads?"

"Actually I have a few theories." Adrianna replied. "Whatever you do don't touch the walls if you can help it. Their covered in slime." The sound of dripping water echoed through the tunnel as the crew made there decent deeper into the unknown.

Adrianna had pushed her way to near the front of the group, and now stood directly behind Lieutenant Sunder. He had stopped, as the tunnel entered some kind of a small chamber. Raising a shotgun into the ready position, he raised his hand behind him as a sign for the group to stop.

Ursa waited another second than flashed a quick hand signal to someone from security that was there with him. After a second, they rushed into the small circular chamber.

A tense moment later, Lieutenant Sunder reappeared. "All clear." Ursa whispered out to Adrianna and the others.

Adrianna was amongst the first to follow him into the small chamber, and what she saw amazed her. On the wall opposite the entry, a metal rung ladder climbed up and into the looming darkness high above.

"Looks like we're going up." Ursa's voice was serious as he examined the durability of the ladder. Slinging the weapon over his arm, he began to climb. Next in the order was Adrianna, then the others began to follow.

"Keep even spacing, and don't group together too tightly" Ursa ordered as he began to climb. No one in the group was about to argue. The general mood was subdued, with the loss of the Captain and the others.

The ladder climbed over a hundred feet up through the growing darkness, before ending in another sealed metal hatch. Ursa braced his legs against the ladder in order to better anchor himself and gave the hatches metal wheel a heaving turn. After a moments resistance the hatch opened outward, heavy even for Ursa to manage.

The area beyond was not nearly so dark. Ursa moved up through the hatch, and helped Adrianna who was next.

Spread throughout the large cellar were many great barrels, Including a hollow one that had concealed the hatch. Against all the walls, great wine racks with thousands of bottles layered in dust could be seen. Across the expanse of the large chamber, a stairway led to a reinforced door to the upper level.

Both of them started helping others into the room. Quickly, Ursa positioned his armed security team in strategic area's throughout the cellar.

"Sir, I have a good idea where we may be." Adrianna said to Ursa as her reddish eyes caught his.

"Well, I'm open to any idea's you might have Ensign." Ursa's voice was calm and full of strength.

" I think we might be below a nightclub." The code we found to open the safe had made mention of one in a round about way."

"Sir, I have a report of music on the other side of the door, muffled and faint, but definitely old earth style....

Ronni saw Greer off, and she went back to work. She slipped out of the warehouse where she had found the others the night before. As evening approached, Ronni continued her search. This running from roof top to roof top was hard, but it was the only option that she really had. She had lost Ryak's vehicle, and it wasn't like she could ask directions. A blue skinned woman with gills would stick out just a little on this planet of humans.

Suddenly a scream came up from the alley way below her. Looking over the edge of the building, she saw two men threatening a young woman. Ronni climbed over the edge of the building and carefully slid down a drain pipe. From about 3 meters up, she dropped down behind the men as they were approaching the terrified young woman. She stood up and said in as deep a voice as she could muster, "Don't move cretins."

The two men spun on their heels to face the new person. The one on the left said, "Get lost buddy, we're just havin' a lil fun."

Ronni tilted her head a little and said, "You know what? Me too." With that, she did a roundhouse kick to the bully on the right. As the other one took a swing, she grabbed his outreached arm and flipped him over her shoulder. As he landed with a thud, she drove her fist into his face. From the looks of it, it wasn't the first time his nose had been broken.

The woman screamed and Ronni turned in time to mostly avoid the knife. It snagged her arm, but it wasn't deep. Dropping to her knee and planting her hands on the ground, Ronni deftly placed her foot accurately between the Thug's legs. His eyes rolled up into his head and he fell to the ground in a fetal position.

Ronni stood up and grabbed her arm. The young woman ran up and said, "Sir! You're hurt! Here, let me take you to the hospital." Ronni shook her head. The large hat and scarf still concealed her face. She said, "No. No hospital please."

The young woman nodded her head, "I think I understand. Listen, I work near here. Let me take you there and I can patch you up. I'm a nurse. Can you walk?" she said.

"That was a very brave thing you did. My name is Jennifer Maloy. Thank you for saving my life." she said trying to peer under the hat.

Ronni shook her head and said, "Not brave, just the right thing to do. If even one person doesn't take a stand against injustice, then there is no hope for a world."

Jennifer nodded her head, "I wish there were more people who thought like you did. With the gangs running the streets, normal citizens don't stand a chance. There is enough misery without adding intentional harm. I work at the Trinity Shelter For The Homeless. I see troubled people every day. It's all I can do some days to keep from screaming.

Ronni nodded. The thought of people living homeless was mind boggling. At her home world of Delphi, nobody was homeless, ever. Ronni sighed.

They arrived at their destination. They went in a back door and climbed up a level of stairs. Jennifer said, "We'll need to pass through the main room to get to my medical supplies. Will you be ok?" Ronni nodded yes and they quickly headed across the room. As they were about to enter into the little room, Ronni noticed someone reading a sign on the wall. It was Ryak. She said, "Ryak!" As he looked up, she lifted up the brim of her hat just enough to let him see some blue skin. His eyes opened wide, and she entered into the office to have her wounds dressed.

"I saw a friend of mine. Could you bring him in here? Plus, not to down play your skills, could I have him look at my wounds first. He has some medical training too. This way, you won't know who I am and wouldn't be able to tell anyone about me. It would be safer for both of us." Jennifer nodded to indicate that she understood. She turned and went to get Ryak. Ronni sat in a chair against the wall and put her head back and closed her eyes. It had been a long day.

Ensign Montana enters ten forward and looks around to see if there is anybody he knows present. Looking in the corner, he sees the beta shift doctor Taleen sitting at a table, playing with a kitten. He walks over to the table.

"I'm sorry Doctor, I didn't mean to scare you, I'm just a quiet walker. I apologize. That's a cute kitten you have there. Cats have always been my favorite animal. I used to have one just like that when I was a child. Oh, by the way I've been meaning to come to sickbay and get my physical, I was told to report there earlier, I just haven't had time. Can I get you some dinner?"

Taleen loosened Mouse's claws from her shoulder and looked up, "Our dinner is already ordered but I would be more than happy for company. This is Mouse, who is getting baked fish and cheese for dinner. Please have a seat."

Shawn sits down and scratch's Mouses fur, eliciting a loud purr. "Baked fish and cheese, huh? You're one spoiled kitty, mouse. I'm just trying to get out and meet some of the crew and I figured this is the social center of the ship. I've been on this ship for a few weeks and had nothing but work to do, it's been a busy place, what with all this weird stuff going on. What do you make of it?" Shawn stretches his back and relaxes against the plush seat.

Taleen thinks for a few moments, trying to make sense of it herself. "I really don't know, Ensign...I believe that Q is involved, whoever that is, and has somehow completely disrupted everything as well as kidnapping most of the senior officers."

She looked up at Shawn, "I hope you don't mind if I don't wait, a good steak shouldn't get cold, and they do have good steaks here."

"No, not at all. I agree that steaks are best tasted while warm." A grin spreads accross his face.

"The last good steak I had was when I lived with my mother back on Bajor. She knew how to make the best t-bone. It would just melt in your mouth and the spices she used, ummmm, my mouth is already watering just thinking about it."

Shawn lapses into thinking. "I've been visited by this, Q person. He gave me what he called a Christmas present, but it ended up hurting more than any joy it might have brought. Not a pleasant character."

Taleen shifts slightly and looks at Shawn. "He is a little trouble maker, that's for sure. What exactly did he do to you, if you don't mind my asking?" She continues eating, but looks at Shawn with interest.

"Well, I lost my parents a long time ago. It hurt very much because I loved them dearly. Q brought them back to me, I was able to spend a small amount of time with them but before I could tell them I loved them and missed them, Q made them vanish again. It was like ripping the scars open on my heart and starting the bleeding again. I hate Q for what he's done and will always hate him, but it's too late now. He's off in his own world somewhere out of reach."

Shawn claps his hands and watches the waitress approach. "But enough talk about that, how has your christmas season been?" As Shawn's order comes, Taleen speaks softly.

"Christmas is not a holiday celebrated on Cytheria. I knew nothing about it until I met Davi. It was celebrated on Earth and I spent the last few years with Davi's parents. Losing Davi, I think I lost part of me but it seemed to help them. The dance was fun while it lasted. Did you celebrate Christmas on Bajor?"

"We didn't celebrate it as 'Christmas'. I mean, we still exchanged gifts and all, but it had a different name, Han'kah, similar to earth's Hannakuh. I enjoyed those special times with my parents. Great memories. I remember the dinners, and most of all, the sense of security and love coming from all my family." He thinks about his version of christmas and smiles faintly. Eating some more, he thinks about the ship and it's crew.

"You know, this is my first time aboard a starship and I'm still getting used to being here. It's kind of scary sometimes, hoping I don't mess up. Make the right decisions, y'know what I mean. What was your first post like?"

Taleen smiled as she slipped a small piece of meat to Mouse who was now curled up in the chair next to her. "This is my first post, and so far it seems to go from everyday boring to frantic at the drop of a hat. One day it is birthing babies and the next day war wounds. You never know what to expect. How is it going for you so far, other than the run in with Q?"

Shawn took another bite and chewed slowly. "Things have been a little dull, routine security checks, working on tactics, etc. All pretty much repetition, but I enjoy my work all the same. These recent problems with Q have certainly livened things up a bit and given us all a little extra to do around here."

Taleen looked at the time. "It is almost time to go to work. Why don't you come to sickbay now and lets get that checkup out of the way. I have to drop Mouse off at my quarters, then I am ready for work." She pushes her plate back and waits for an answer.

By now, Shawn has finished his meal and is wiping his mouth with a napkin. "Yeah, I would like get my checkup out of the way. I'll meet you in sickbay in a half-hour." Standing, Shawn bows to the Doctor. "It was nice to meet you and have this conversation Doctor." He turns and exits Ten-Forward.

Ensign Taleen Cyndanian, Medical Staff, USS Galaxy
ICQ # 14035112, Nickname - Karilla

Tal'yana fit the protective eye-wear back over her eyes, letting the planet's dual sun beat on her skin... soaking in the life, the radiance. All in all, she was enjoying this ship's holodeck simulation. She'd have to remember to thank the Ensign who gave her the program chip sometime later.

As she lay there, eyes closed, she let her mind wander, reaching back into the memories of the entity that lay inside her... recollecting the circumstances that led to her becoming Lieutenant Ephriad Moray's "Grandfather."

Ephriad Lan, Lt. Moray's "Grandfather" and the fifth of seven Lan hosts, had been the giving type, sometimes too giving. He had been visiting Earth while on leave, and met a young Terran couple, the Moray family, who ran a small farm off the mid-northwest coast of what used to be the United States. A quick and steady friendship developed between them, and in time, he was asked to be godfather to their first born, Elias Moray.

Four years later, the Moray couple were killed during a shuttle accident while en route to Paris. Ephriad immediately offered to take care of young Elias, bringing him up as he would his own son... eventually bringing him aboard the USS Destiny, when he was finally given a post aboard a starship.

Elias was seventeen when a Ephriad was murdered at the hands of a Klingon radical, in the name of honor, while on leave. Elias was taken back to Earth, and soon joined Starfleet, hoping to carry on in the tradition of his adopted father. Some years later, when he married, he named his first born son after the Lan host...

Sitting up, she removed the cover from her eyes, and straightened out her bathing suit. Grabbing a robe from beside her, she quickly dressed, and headed out across the beach for the nearby cafe.

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

David and Mike carried the comatose officer into the back of the bread van. Cat, Matthew and Nilani climbed into the back to look after Astrid. David and Mike headed around to the front and climbed in.

Cat's nose twitched as she breathed in the smell of fresh bread. "Hmm, Smells nice." She moved over and adjusted the blanket on Astrid.

"Certainly does," replied Matthew, "You could sell this and make a bit of money on Tellar. They'd go wild on this smell." He held on to the hand of his friend. Cat saw the look of worry in his eyes, but she stayed silent. Suddenly a horrendous screeching sound came from underneath the truck.

Nilani rushed to the small moveable panel between the cab and the back. She flicked it aside.

Mike looked on as David was wrestling with a long lever from the floor of the truck. "Commander, the pedal?"

David gave a grimace and nodded. His foot pushed the pedal, and the lever moved a lot smoother. "Thanks, Ensign."

"Hey, Commander?" Nilani called through the small window. "Anything wrong? That didn't sound too healthy."

David turned to face the doctor. "Still haven't quite got the handle of this thing yet."

David slowly manipulated the pedals and the van started to move, in reverse. Only after a few metres and clanging of garbage cans was heard as David hit the brake pedal. Shaking his head, he shoved the lever the other way. Haltingly, at first, the van started on its journey.

It took a few minutes for David to get the routine of driving the truck. A number of times came the blaring of horns as other drivers were complaining on the lack of 'courtesy' from the van.

They had driven for a while, when Cat came flicked open the window. "Had any chance in finding a hospital?"

David shook his head, as Mike turned to Cat. "No luck yet. Hopefully find one soon."

Cat gave a small grimace. "It's taking too much time. Has to be a faster way for us to find one." Cat looked back and down on Astrid. Her head came up, "Astrid needs that hospitalisation soon!"

The cargo elevator stopped with a jolt upon reaching the top floor of the fancy downtown building. Captain Price peered through the smoked glass of the limo and could see several large men, also wearing blue bandannas and lots of gold jewelry, guarding the double wired cargo lift's doors. When they had raised both the outer grating doors and the inner ones, the limousine pulled out of the elevator and continued forward for several meters before stopping on a giant turn-table type of apparatus. Moments later the passenger door was opened from the outside.

Lee glanced at Joerg and the others before slowly getting out of the long stretch limousine. There were three other men standing by, all with similar phaser weapons as the silver toothed man in the automobile. Captain Price stood near the car, soon joined by Commander Sterner, Lieutenant' Chen and Ensign Ral. Finally the silver toothed hood exited the limo and slammed the door shut with one of his massive hands. He was a lot bigger standing than he appeared seated in the limousine. This guy would even make Lieutenant Commander Sunder take notice.

Two of the gang members began frisking Captain Price and Commander Sterner, checking them for weapons. While they were doing that, Ensign Ral noticed the other gangsters were watching her closely with wanting eyes. It made Lexana very uncomfortable, especially since she could sense their lustful thoughts.

"These two turkeys are clean Ice." One of the hoods declared licking his lips and preparing to move on to Ensign Ral.

"Be gentle with that one Slash. Papa might want to add her to his crib." The silver toothed gangster smiled.

Chen and Ral were patted down as well. After doing a thorough job of it, Slash nodded back. "All clean as a whistle. And soft too...." He snickered.

Lexana's eyes sharpened to a scowl, but that only seemed to make the crude gangster even more amused with himself after groping her body.

"Common. Papa Jacko is waitin' on you." the silver toothed hood called 'Ice' ordered with a wave of his phaser.

Captain Price and the others turned and began walking. The other thugs followed closely behind and seemed to be amusing themselves with the way Lexana walked.

"Knock it off you two. Show some respect!" Ice yelled back while still walking. "Papa Jacko hears you talking that jive, he may think you are dissing him. Remember what happened to the last 'banger that dissed the Papa?"

Lee watched as this 'Ice' person lead them down a long, well decorated hallway to two big wooden doors adorned in gold accents. Two additional armed guards stood watch outside the doors and confronted 'Ice' as he approached.

"This be them. The white hared jack rabbit there is the leader. They call him a 'Captain'." the silver toothed man explained.

Ice turned back to the Captain and the rest of the Galaxy crew members he'd managed to capture from the warehouse. "You all just chill and be cool. You diss the Papa, he's likely to have you chopped up into little pieces and fed to his dogs. And that's if he likes you. Otherwise he's likely to just sick dem dogs on you and watch them eat you alive."

Lee listened, not fully understanding the lingo this 'Ice' person was using, but from his tone, he gathered it was a warning of some sort.

The doors swung open and they all stepped inside. It was a huge penthouse office. Luxuriously furnished and surrounded by glass windows that offered a spectacular view of the surrounding city below. It was difficult to determine just how high up they were from the street, but it was obviously several dozen floors. The doors opened up to a giant semi-circular hard wooden floor. In what was the middle of the half arch, stood a giant desk with a very large black leather chair that was presently turned about and facing the rearward windows that artistically accented the grand office.

Lee glanced around and took note of the entrance doors being closed. The two groping thugs that patted them down had taken sentry positions just inside the doors. The Captain was confident they could easily over power those two if it came to it, especially with Lieutenant' Chen's skills. But it was the guards beyond and throughout the building that worried him.

Ice glanced back, a bit annoyed at having his captives answer the boss. He then turned back to face the kingpin of this downtown gang. "I did as you asked Papa. You said to bring you the Feds, to get them away from the Cantinii family, and here they are. Just as I promised." The silver toothed man stood proud, waiting for the kingpin's response.

Slowly the chair began to pivot around. Billows of smoke hovered in the air from the cigar Papa Jocko was smoking. The arid scent left a stinging sensation in the Captain's nostrils. Papa Jocko was a large man. He was completely bald and dark skinned. There was a wild look to his eyes that seemed to hold some strange power. He was wearing a finely tailored suit with a blue embroidered emblem on the lapels that matched the graffiti and tattoos adorning all of Jocko's men. He puffed on the cigar for several moments before removing it and letting out a boisterous laugh.

"You have done well Icey. You will be rewarded most generously. Tell me, how did the Cantinii family take to having these Feds taken from their keeping?"

"They died to the last man Papa. Twenty three dead." The silver toothed man replied.

"I will be sure you receive a bonus for your efforts. Now, please, leave us. There is much I need to discuss with these people."

"As you wish Papa. This man they call 'Captain'. I believe he is the leader." Ice explained.

"Most excellent. You may leave. Take the guards and wait outside." Papa Jocko explained.

With a nod, the silver toothed man turned and exited, taking the two lustful hoodlums with him. Captain Price turned and watched as he left and waited for the solid wooden doors to close before returning his gaze to the gangland kingpin, Papa Jocko.

"So they call you 'Captain'. I take it you are one of these mighty starship Captains that we have heard about for so many years?"

"Aye." Lee said reluctantly. "Name's Price. Captain Lee Price from the Federation starship Galaxy."

Papa Jocko smiled widely. He had a very large mouth with many straight, pearly white teeth that sharply contrasted his very dark skin tone. "Captain Price. It is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance. Might I offer you and your people some refreshment?" Clapping his hands firmly, Papa Jocko summoned several servant women from an adjoining room. They carried large silver platters. Some of them contained food, meats, fruits, vegetables. Another contained many bottles of liquor, another one contained what appeared to be various forms of narcotics, in powder, crystal and liquid form, with various tools for administering the drugs.

The women seemed to be cowering when they entered, none raising their heads or daring to make any eye contact or utter a single word. They simply walked to a near by table, placed the platters down and then turned to leave.

"Captain, please, help yourself to whatever you should desire. You are my guests here in my humble abode." Papa Jocko explained.

Lee watched the women leave and shook his head. "No thanks 'mate. I'm not really hungry at the moment."

Papa Jocko watched and could see that none of the Galaxy crew were going to partake of his hospitality. It seemed to hurt the kingpin, but Lexana could sense that he half expected as much.

"Oh please Captain Price. I assure you it is quite all right. None of the food is poisoned."

Lee nodded. "Oh I believe you 'mate. Maybe later on we can have something, but right now I'd just assume not to if it's all the same with you Mister Jocko."

The kingpin smiled while holding his cigar. "Please Captain, call me Papa. Everyone does."

"Fair dinkum 'mate. So 'Papa', tell me, why have you gone to all of the trouble of bringing us to your little part of the world here?"

Jocko took a drag off of his cigar before answering. "I wanted to make sure none of the other bosses got to you first. You see, unlike the other gangs that jockey for power, Papa Jocko here has a bigger vision. And I believe you can help me to fulfill that vision Captain Price."

Commander Sterner crossed his arms and commented, "Let me guess, you want us to help you defeat your rival gangs so you can take over the planet for yourself..."

Lee cast Joerg a quick glance of disapproval, but it didn't matter, Papa Jocko just went ahead and responded.

"Who do you think you are talking too Mister? If Papa Jocko wanted to take over the planet, Papa Jocko could already do that. We have the fancy heaters already. If I wanted to wipe out the Cantinii family, Tito's boys, The Vipes, or any of them, I just need to say the word and their as good as rubbed out."

Papa Jocko leaned back in his huge black leather chair puffing on his cigar. Slowly, he removed it, putting it out in the ashtray on his desk. "I want your ship Price, and all of the technology it holds. With that Papa Jocko can leave this place and expand the family business to new frontiers."

The declaration left the Galaxy crew members dumbfounded. There was no way Captain Price was going to hand over the USS Galaxy to a violent gangster so he could 'expand' their illegal empire to other planets and different systems throughout the galaxy.

"Sorry 'mate. That's not going to happen. The Federation has strict rules when it comes to Captains handing over their starships to gangsters from other worlds." Lee said evenly as if Papa's plans hadn't phased him.

"I know all about this rule you are talking about Captain Price. You are referring to what your people call general order one. The non interference directive." Papa Jocko explained much to everyone's surprise.

"Actually it's now called the prime directive 'mate. But yes, that is one of the reasons you'll never get my starship."

Papa Jocko smiled evilly. "I believe you are mistaken Captain. This 'prime directive' or general order, or whatever it's called today... it has been broken before. Running this organization I have learned one thing. All rules can be broken given the right circumstances."

"Not this time 'mate. There is nothing you can do that will make me change my mind on this. The Galaxy is not for gangsters like yourself."

"Captain, you make it sound like I'm planning to have one of my boys feed you to the sharks. Or have you tortured until you agree to hand over your starship to me. You couldn't be more wrong." Papa Jocko explained. "Like I said, you are simply my guests here today."

Lee was a little unbalanced and didn't know exactly how to respond. "I don't quite follow 'mate. How exactly are you planning to convince me to hand over the Galaxy to you then if I might ask?"

"Simple Captain Price." Papa explained rising out of his chair and walking over to a small control panel on the far wall. "You may wish to move from there miss..." he called out to Ensign Ral who was standing on the dark ring of inlaid wood on the floor.

When she stepped off the semi circle, Papa Jocko activated a control and the floor began to move. A panel slid away and soon a strategic display grid rose up out of the floor. It had an enlarged portion of the planet mapped out on it.

"This is a strategic model of this planet Captain. This here is our present location. You might call it the capitol of New Chicago. This is Old Town, or what's left of it after the rebuild from the last world wide war." Jocko explained using a pointing device to accent areas of the map.

Papa Jocko smiled. "Because in exactly 48 hours, if you do not turn over your starship to me, I will launch a full atomic assault over this entire region using the sub-orbital platforms left over from the last war. Which, I might add, are fully under Papa Jocko's exclusive control."

"If you do that 'mate, you'll be killed along with everyone else." Lee pointed out.

Papa Jocko smiled. "Hardly." Tapping another control on a remote device the surface map appeared to rotate to the opposite hemisphere of the planet. There was a small isolated continent there that the gangster kingpin pointed to. "I have a base set up here. A sort of home away from home I use from time to time to get away from the chaos of New Chicago. Me and my boys will be safely there when this continent, and all life on it, is vaporized in a wake of nuclear destruction. The warheads launched from orbital platforms your own Federation inspired when that Captain Kirk showed how effective orbital weaponry can be."

Lee gasped and was speechless for a moment. There were literally hundreds of millions of people that inhabited the densely populated continent Papa Jocko was planning on destroying.

Papa Jocko's expression became dead serious as he clicked the remote unit and sent the strategic floor display receding back into the floor. "I don't believe so gentlemen. In 48 hours the face of this planet will change one way or another, and Papa Jocko will come out on top. The deaths of all of these people will be on your conscious Captain Price. You'll turn over that starship all right. You Feds have always been suckers for saving innocent lives. It was Captain Ronan's weakness too. General orders or not."

"Nothing turkey. You are free to go. You've got 48 hours to turn over your starship to me, or this continent will have one long nuclear winter for the next forty years." Papa Jocko smiled.

Lee glared back without saying anything more. Motioning with his hand, he turned to exit the way they had come in.

"Not so fast there Fed man, the broad stays here." Jocko declared while lighting a new cigar with some sort of metallic instrument.

Captain Price, Commander Sterner and everyone stopped in their tracks as Lee pivoted on his heal. "What are you talking about? You just said we were free to leave?"

The kingpin gangster removed his cigar and blew a steady stream of smoke upwards into the air. He then smiled that pearly white smile again. "I said you were free to leave. The broad stays here. She's my insurance policy that you don't try and strike up another deal with one of the other gangs see."

Captain Price walks back over to Jocko's desk leaning over it angrily. "That is unacceptable! Ensign Ral will not be remaining here. I will not permit it."

Jocko smiled. "You are not in a position to dictate terms Captain. The broad stays."

With a snap of his fingers, the rear doors opened and several of the armed thugs piled into the room.

"Take these three and show them the way out of the building. See that they reach the ground floor relatively intact. The broad will be staying as our 'special' guest. She's our insurance policy that these Fed boys behave like gentlemen." Papa Jocko ordered.

"Sure things Papa." Slash happily agreed as he grabbed Lexana's arm, practically drooling.

The other hoods withdrew their weapons and began to corral the Captain, Sterner and Chen out of the kingpin's penthouse office.

"If you harm her Papa, I swear, the Federation will be the last thing you will have to worry about 'mate." Lee declared with a waggling finger.

"Yeah right. I've heard that before. You just be sure you turn over that starship within the next 48 hours or you can kiss 'doll-face' here and this whole continent goodbye. You understand Price?" Papa Jocko declared sucking on his cigar in the corner of his mouth. His pristine suit and gold jewelry seemed to glitter at just the right moment to accent his threat.

Lee's mouth tightened. He was angry, but knew this wasn't the time or the place to confront this mobster and his gang. His knuckles whitened under the stress of the balled fists he'd formed to control his impulses to simply wind up and wallop this jerk. With a controlled nod, the Captain turned and walked out of the penthouse office. Sterner and Chen followed along with Jocko's escort thugs. As they exited, James glanced at Lexana with sorrowful eyes. The Betazoid could sense he and the others were worried for her safety. An emotion she equally shared.

In a near by building, directly across the street from the towering Jocko gang head quarters, a short, lanky man sits partially concealed at a near by window. His eyes are almond shaped with a slight slant to them, his skin a light complexion. On his head is a headset plugged into a parabolic dish. A primitive, yet effective listening device that was pointed at Papa Jocko's penthouse office. As the conversations continued in the gangster kingpin's office, the man carefully taps out a code on a transmitting device.

The signal broadcasts to an orbiting communications satellite, and relays back to the planet, deep into the secret underground city partially between Old Town and New Chicago. The remnants of what was left over from the last world war when everything was destroyed. Upon rebuilding, New Chicago partially covered the dilapidated city that existed before, creating a network of underground tunnels, buildings and commerce. A city, under a city, where the Asian gangs, most notably Tito's Yakuza, ruled the underground. Even as the Yakuza learned of Papa Jocko's plans, another set of signals bounce through the orbiting satellite, streaming downward to a tiny broadcast station, KWD Broadcasting Incorporated. Where Lieutenant Commander Greer Erikson carefully stalked around a darkened control room, trying to figure out a way to contact the USS Galaxy.

K'Eytyanna stormed into Engineering, finally glad to get rid of that stupid bunny rabbit form now that she was the highest ranking Engineer on the ship since her superiors had disappeared to Woop Woop land for all she knew.

A few of the ensigns nearby picked up her mood and let her pass into the Chief Engineer's office.

Sitting down in the chair, she looked around, totally uncomfortable about being in charge after her brief stint on the Qul'etlh.

"Computer, bring up a complete status of every single working piece of equipment aboard this ship upto Level 4, and dump it to a PADD for me. Add in a list of all Engineers still aboard, and also pass that list along to Ops plus Lt Cmdr Casey since he will want to know what he has to work with. Log a Engineering meeting for 10 minutes time."

It gave its typical 'Working' reply, and 30 seconds later, informed her the tasks were complete.

Picking up the PADD, she started scanning it for awhile before she got up and walked out into Engineering for the meeting

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

Has anybody seen my Owner?
by Lt Endris Gakor
with a guest appearance by Reeto Vaughn.

Not wanting Albrecht's kitten to be injured by his natural curiosity, Gakor confined it to a large roaming cage. Now he would not be able to climb and fall, or otherwise hurt himself in exploring his environment. Endris decided to examine Ensign Kalln's file. She had barely met the reptilian crewman, and knew little about him except for the comment he enjoyed the Tellarites cooking at the party. And also that he liked cats.

Reeto Vaughn was supposedly telepathic. An argument could be made for sentience due to the intelligence of the feline. *Snacks! I wonder if Vaughn has any ideas on how to contact the missing crew members*, Endris thought. Even if the animal did have ideas, it was locked in a cat's form, and couldn't assemble complex devices. The Tellarite began to wonder if there was a way to communicate with Vaughn. If the cat could sense thoughts, it might be able to pass them on.

And the pet would need to be fed while the owners were gone. Endris looked at the dietary comments in Reeto's file, copying them onto an isolinear chip for reference. Then she went to Ensign Kalln's quarters, to feed Vaughn and care for his needs. Despite repeated callings at the door, Gakor could not summon the animal. *Strange*, thought Endris, *A telepathic cat should be able to sense I am here to help.*

*Starvation! Why would a cat wander into the shuttle bay? If the pilots tried to launch a shuttle, the animal could be injured!

Gakor trotted down to the shuttle bay, wondering how hard it would be to find a small beast in such a large area.

Endris heard a large fracas in progress when she approached the doors. Meowing in several octaves, penetrated down the halls. Some type of pet gathering was in progress. Gakor walked through the doors, only to face a whole bunch of disgruntled cats and various other mobile pets. They looked distinctly peeved at having their meeting disturbed, or perhaps most missed there owners.

The Tellarite quickly scanned for Vaughn before the mob of claws and teeth could misinterpret her presence. In the center of the assembly, a feline stood on his aft paws, leaning against a crate. Endris quickly identified this as Reeto, and projected a thought in his direction.

*Do you have ideas about how to get in contact with your owners?*, Gakor thought. Sensing the doctor's willingness to help, Vaughn asked his fellows to retreat. *I understand you can sense my thoughts, but how can I understand yours?*, Endris speculated.

The cat pawed at his id tag. "What are you trying to tell me?", Gakor verbalized. Again the cat pawed his id tag, then walked towards the doors. "Do you want me to follow you?", Endris guessed. Vaughn's tail looped, and his head bobbed up and down in a most human confirming motion.

Gakor said, "Very well. I will follow Vaughn if the rest of this group returns to their homes. I don't want people to miss their pets.", the Tellarite said jovially. This had to be one of her strangest ideas yet. Soliciting advice from a house pet, even a very intelligent one, had not been done before (to her knowledge).

The cats and other pets began to move out of the Shuttle bay, parading back to their homes.....

Tebrianne winced as the the door to the safe clicked shut. She was sure the thugs that had just grabbed Captain Price would hear her. There was a moment of internal debate before she turned down the tunnel to catch up with Commander Sunder.

She didn't like leaving Captain Price, Commander Sterner, Lt. Chen and Ensign Ral behind, but there was nothing she would be able to do against the group that had taken them. Not if they've got phasers.

Teb's first instict had been to tap her communicator to get ahold of Cmdr. Sunder. When her hand met the woolen fabric of the coat she wore and couldn't find the pin attached to her uniform beneath it, she remembered that they had all appeared here without their comm-badges.

Bollocks, she thought. How the bloody blazes did those blokes get ahold of phasers.

Teb didn't get a good look at the phasers, but they from what she could see they looked like the old-style phasers that the Enterprise crew would have carried. If the Iotians, or even a few of them, had phasers...that was bad. Things did not look good for the Away Team...especially since the Iotians appeared to have access to more advanced technology than the Away Team. That and the fact that the Iotians had Federation technology...a severe violation of the Prime Directive. Things looked really bad.

After what seemed like forever, the dark brown muck Teb had been crawling through turned into light reddish-brown muck. She tried not to think about what the muck really was. At least it didn't smell that bad--no worse than gagh.

Teb finally caught up to the rest of the Away Team as they were starting up a ladder.

"Commander Sunder," she said quickly, her voice low to keep from alarming the rest of the team.

Sunder stepped away from the ladder with her and nodded. "What do you have, Lieutenant?"

Tebrianne looked up at the imposing figure of Ursa Sunder and swallowed hard. This was the first time she'd ever really spoken to him face to face. She could tell immediately why he was such a good Security Chief, and why she chose helm instead of Security. She could never command the type of respect Ursa Sunder commanded. She might be able to hold a room with a perky tune or a sultry ballad, but Commander Sunder had more presence than she'd ever hope to--

"Oh, yeah," Teb said, snapping back to reality. "Crikey, I'm sorry, sir. Captain Price, Commander Sterner, Lt. Chen and Ensign Ral have been captured, sir."

"Not the people that had us surrounded, sir, but a different group...a group who had phasers, sir."

"Understood, Lieutenant," he said. "That changes things." Commander Sunder was quiet for a moment, his eyes dark and forboding as his mind worked. "Keep on rear guard, Lieutenant Bancroft. You've done well so far. You would have made a fine security officer."

"Thank you, sir," Teb said, adding a 'yeah right' in her head. "I've got you blokes covered." She gave the Galaxy's Chief of Security a nod as he ascended the ladder.

Teb watched Ursa climb the ladder and couldn't help wondering how Ben was doing. She fought back the depression that crept in at the thought that she might not be able to spend Christmas with him. She brushed a rattling beaded braid away from her eyes and started up the ladder when a scratching caught her attention.

Teb froze. She hefted the revolver she'd been given and carefully moved to a partially barricaded doorway. The scratching sounded again. Teb peaked around the corner--just enough to see what was on the other side.

The largest, hairiest, most digusting rat Teb had ever seen in her life skittered away from the rubble and across the tops of her boots. With a yelp, Teb jumped back and barely kept herself from unloading the ancient firearm into the scraggly rodent.

"Bloody, stupid thing," Teb snapped, suddenly feeling glad no one else had been there to see her reaction.

She turned back to the ladder, muttering curses under her breath as the rat scrambled its way down the corridor. As Teb reached up to hoist herself up the ladder, she didn't have the chance to notice the twin wires that shot out of the darkness and hit her in the back. With a jolt, Teb's vision darkened and she slumped to the ground with a soundless thump.

In the darkness, Michael Verner coiled the wires from his taser back into the weapon casing and looked over the body of the young woman he had just sent into the dreamland. She was pretty--a little green around the gills--but pretty nonetheless. Kicking in his augmented strength, he hefted her to his shoulder and melted back into the tunnel. Mr. Johnson will be pleased, he thought. Perhaps these newcomers would give them the edge the company needed to rise above Papa Jacko. Mr. Johnson would be very pleased.

Deiran couldn�t stay in his seat. Standing up, his hands behind his back. He was staring at the viewscreen and hoping that his friends were okay. Who knew what was going on. For all he knew Q sent them into a war zone.

He was glad the stupid red nose was gone though, it was best that he put that embarrassing memory out of his mind and forget it ever happened.

�Helm, what�s our status?� Casey asked. He shifted and now his hand was resting underneath his chin. He stole a glance at his beautiful wife who was sitting in the XO chair next to him.

�We�re not going anywhere sir. Propulsion is on-line and working fine, but we�re not moving,� helm replied.

�Weapons on-line, no threat that I can see sir. We�re the only starship on sensors for light years.�

That was a relief. What the hec was Q thinking? �Why here Q? What is the significance of this planet and this part of our history.� Deiran needed to know who his senior staff was and their take on the situation.

�Casey to Engineering, who�s down there?� he asked. Casey didn�t like not knowing who his chief officers were. He wanted to hear Mercury�s voice on the other side, turn to see Teb sitting at helm. And Mac at Tactical, Greer at Science station one. Fat chance at the moment. He knew where Thomas was. Lucas had taken his place, he wanted an experienced Ops officer on the Bridge and had insisted on Lucas reporting to the Bridge. He knew T�Kal was good, he just wasn�t as familiar with him as he was with Mac.

�Thank God� Kay why aren�t we moving? What�s going on? I want to get us near Sigma Iota 2. Is there a problem with impulse power? The AM/M reactor? What?�

Deiran could hear and sense the stress in Kay�s voice. It seemed she was as frustrated as he was.

�Okay Lieutenant. All current senior ranking officers in all departments. Report to the Observation lounge in thirty minutes. Have a pre-lim report on the current situation in your department ready. Casey out.�

The senior staff, well the ranking department officers, were all assembled. Deiran made a grand entrance and took his seat at the head of the table.

�We have over 100 crew missing, absolute chaos is running rampant on this ship, and we�re not moving despite the computer saying everything�s fine. Our crewmates are probably in grave danger and I�m looking for results, answers. Anything! I�m not about to let anything happen to them. I�m wondering if any of you have any suggestions?� Casey said matter-of-factly as he started the meeting. As he always was business as usual.

Casey stood up and reterieved a chair for Miran and positioned it next to him. He then sat back down and looked at everyone waiting for suggestions, reports, anything that would give him something to go on to get them all out of this. Normally he�d do it, but Captain�s let their crew handle it while the Captain made the final decision. It was the one draw back of command.

Ryak climbed the steps to the old building and pushed open the door. Ryak's eyes took a second to adjust to the darkness. As everything came into focus Ryak could smell a musky odour emanating from the building. Ryak looked around to see a small box of clothing next to the door. Ryak could feel his wet jacket slowly soaking into his uniform. His boots were causing his feet to ache as the water in them got colder.

"Hello my son, how may I help you." a soft womanly voice said from the darkness.

"Well?" she said. Her eyes widened and her face went pale when she got a closer look at Ryak. "Oh my! You are ill."

"No Ma'am, on the contrary." Ryak replied. "My nose seems to be very sore and I am cold and wet that is all."

Ryak took off his wet jacket to adjust better to the buildings warmth. The woman became more panicked as he did.

"You are one of Jacco's boys." she said, "You shouldn't be over here. There initiations are getting weirder by the week. Come lets get you a place to rest up."

Ryak was about to say something but he didn't care at this point. As they made their way through the building Ryak could see hundreds of beds with people everywhere. Ryak could see small children up to the elderly just laying around in the dark.

"I do not understand?" Ryak stated, "Why are all of these people here and what is this place?"

"You are joking right?" she asked. Her language skills seemed to be much better then the others on this planet.

"This is a shelter for those who can not afford a place to live. We keep as many people as we can from freezing or death." She said in a sad voice.

"I find this unacceptable." Ryak stated in his pattened tone, "The Romulan Empire or the Federation would never stand for this."

This caused even more panic in the lady. She stopped and came right up to Ryak and whispered, "Are you part of the Federation?"

"Oh then you can only stay here for two hours. They will be looking for you and if they find you here we'll be shut down." She said as she pointed to a bed and walked away.

Ryak sat down on the bed and pulled the computer from the bag. Ryak turned it on and began to scan over the data storage devices and noticed many different things about the people that were holding him hostage. They seemed to be getting major amounts of currency from somewhere. This seemed to be traceable back to the Feds. Ryak had no idea what any of this meant but he was sure it could be used for leverage in the future. Ryak noticed a small icon in the corner of his screen. Ryak used the small knob to click on it and a message read 'unable to connect'. Ryak was confused. He looked at the cords hanging out of the back of the computer to see if any could help.

A man seated in the bed next to him walked over and picked up one of the cords and placed it in the wall. The man nodded and sat back down. Ryak clicked the icon again and the computer began to squeak. Ryak was a bit startled but was impressed as this very slow device came to life. Ryak began to type things into the computer but found his speed to be redundant as the computer couldn't process all that fast. Ryak began to call up the info on the planet and saving it to the storage devices. Ryak finished up for the time being. He was very annoyed with the speed of the computer. Ryak packed it all up and walked over to a large sign on the wall and began to read it.

Ryak looked up as the woman lifted up the brim of her hat just enough to let him see some blue skin. His eyes opened wide, and she entered into a room.

A couple of seconds later the young woman returned and said, "There is a young lady that wished to see you. She says that you will be able to dress her wounds."

Ryak was a bit confused by this and said, "I find that to be a bit odd. If you believe it is wise I will follow." Ryak walked behind the woman to find Lt/Cmd Morris to be seated in a chair with her had back. Ryak also noticed blood coming from her arm. Ryak saw a medical type kit on the wall and walked over to it.

"Please leave us." Ryak said to the woman. Ryak waited for her to close the door before he opened the kit. "Commander are you alright?"

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

Taleen left Mouse in their quarters and headed off to the sickbay. She still had a bunch of tests to run on the equipment, Ensign Montana coming in for his checkup and she wanted to check on some of the pets left behind.

She checked into sickbay and did rounds to find out who was presently in sickbay. Mom and Baby had went home, there were a few minor things in at the moment, and nothing scheduled until the others were back aboard, unless it was an emergency.

When Ensign Montana came in the checkup was routine and everything checked out. Taleen went back to checking the left behind equipment. She had ask the EMH on the gamma shift to do some checks that his computer programming might suggest, but his report came up negative.

She ran over the tests that she had done so far. There were DNA traces from each of the person the item belonged to, traces of saliva, probably from the animals, and on some there were hairs, that had turned out to be the animal hairs.

She went back and brought up the vet information on the different pets of the missing people. There was nothing unusual about any of the pets, as far as she could tell. It was very frustrating.

Going back into the main sickbay she found the duty nurse. "I will be in the vet office, if you need me, just holler.

As she went through the halls she saw animals scurrying around the corners. She thought she saw Mouse, but if it was, she was avoiding Taleen. "Mouse, here Kitty," she called. There was a faint Mousy "Meow", but that was all.

She turned around and headed toward her quarters. How in the world could that cat have gotten out. She entered the quarters, only to find Mouse curled up in the middle of the bed, asleep. She ruffled her hair, and Mouse opened an eye, and yawned and stretched. Taleen shook her head, and went back to the sickbay. Something strange was going on.

Ensign Taleen Cyndanian, Medical Staff, USS Galaxy
ICQ # 14035112, Nickname - Karilla

James hadn't personely meet this officer who was know in command however he wanted to make a good imprestion. Standing and coming to attention. "Commander I am Ensign James Scott Representave from security. We have enough personal to maintain security through the sensitive areas of the ship.

As for getting the crew back has any one checked to see if the shuttles will fly. if so we can use them to bring the crew back. As for moving the ship I have heard of this being done in one of 2 ways. First of all using the manuvering thrusters to propell the ship. If that doesn't work. I read a report were the enterprise rapidly decompressed a shuttle bay to turn the ship away from a collistion. If we opend all the cargo bay and shuttle bay doors and then all at one time drop the force fields this would cause enough rapid decompresstion to move the ship forward. If this is done several times we could achive enough speed to begin moving towards the planet."

Ensign Scott nerviously sat down to wait for a responce from the rest of the group.

Every floor of KWD Broadcasting Incorporated seemed to be empty and quiet. The night had progressed slowly and Lieutenant Commander Erikson believed he had finally worked out the basics of this antiquated satellite communications device. If he couldn't, he really did not see how they had a chance of contacting the USS Galaxy from the planet surface. Placing the black and red wires together, he receive a swift electrical discharge which hit his fingers and left a slight burning feeling them. As a reflex he shook his hand around a few times to try and make the slight tingle disappear.

This time a handerchief stood between his fingers and the electrical current which powered the device. The direct contact between the two wires caused two of the lights on the communications panel to be activated as was indicated from the manual instructions. Smiling at the first step, Greer pressed the override button and a new menu appeared on the communications screen. He looked carefully at the option which included everything from alterating the amplitude of the satellite frequency to modifying the strength of the signal gain.

Looking quickly through his notes from the manual, there was no way that the satellite system was designed to handle a subspace or other alternative form of transmission. 'Commander Erikson tapped away at the old-style keyboard in front of him to enter in a new ultra high frequency. Assuming the ship was in range to receive the satellite transmissions, he hoped someone on the Bridge might find the transmission and send a reply on the same frequency. It seemed logical that they would analyse the planetary tranmission to find their missing crew members.

Using the limited modifications to the communication curcuit, Greer activated the basic coder and began transmitting on a high bandwidth frequency which would not be heard by the indigenous receivers unless specifically sought after. "USS Galaxy. This is Lieutenant Commander Erikson. Please respond." the scientist said in anticipation of a response from a familiar voice. "I repeat, this is Lieutenant Commander Erikson. USS Galaxy, please respond."

His message was answered only with static as he continued to wait for a response. The simple display indicated there was no sign that another message was being sent on either ultra high or very high frequencies from an extraplanetary response. "USS Galaxy. This is Lieutenant Commander Erikson. Please respond."

Once again there was only static coming through as a response to his message. Leaning back into the chair to stretch his arms, Erikson noticed the clock on the wall of the communications room, reading one o'clock in the morning. After waiting for another half an hour without even the slightest indication of a reply, Erikson decided to take a different approach in trying to reach the Galaxy. Writing down some notes on a new page in his note book, basing the plan on using the satellite system itself in the way Humans once used satellites to search the sky for extraterrestrial life.

After two hours of working away at the keyboard he had finally accessed one of the satellites owned by the company and in a high orbit around the planet. Typing in the same voice message he had broadcast earlier, he placed the message into active memory and processed it through the auxillary transceiver system of the satellite. The words were changed into a series of zeros and ones using a simple algorithm in the hope it would draw too much attention from the broadcasters where he worked. Pressing the release button, the message quickly dashed across the screen as it carried the coded message to the satellite and out into space.

Replacing the wires and the modified curcuit back in to the communications panel, Erikson looked around the room to see if there was anything else left to indicate that someone had been there. Picking up his coat and handerchief, he walked out of the room and over to the elevator, pressing the button to request a carriage. As he waited on the fifth floor, Greer thought eagerly about getting back to the warehouse where he could let his fellow officers know the encouraging news.

Mike sat in the truck and watch in to window. Outside the window he sow that it was snowing and some people were trying to find some food in ash can. The next image that he sow that some children were playing on the road. " David , stop the car now " sad Mike

David pressed on the brake and truck stopped. Mike opened door and jumped on the road and went on the next side of the road.

When children sow that some strange man came out from the truck them run ,but only one child left.

"Now you must drive forward to the next big billing , and then turn to the left . There you will see big gray bilding it will be the hospital. And now give my bread I need to go " sad boy

Mike gave the bread to boy and he run out. Mike ran to truck and jumped in to it .

"Now ,we must drive forward to the next big bilding and after it turn to the left " sad Mike

All of the faces in the conference room looked grim. Casey sat facing them all after asking his questions and for a moment no-one spoke. Benedict started to put everything he knew - or thought he knew into an order that would be intelligable, and decided to keep his mouth shut for a few seconds.

At least Casey wanted to do something - but Benedict knew that what ever they did do - would be at the behest of Q. All active and inactive options depended upon a like action or inaction from that over-bearing omnipotent being.

Benedict saw Ensign Scott lean forward eagerly - a little unsure of himself, he addressed the group. His suggestions - at least some of them had already been investigated, and found to be useless. But at least the young officer wasn't timid about starting the ball rolling. Benedict was glad that Scott was the senior ranking security officer on the Galaxy at present - it simply meant that the fearsome giant of a man who usually had the honor was down there riding shotgun over the crew. Benedict gave thanks to the prophets for that - Ursa was about the best man he could think of besides himself to be guarding Teb. Hunter and Raesene were also there - tactical skills the away team would not be lacking!

Benedict looked squarely at Casey as Scott finished and said, "Sir, the shuttle idea has been tried - no luck - they won't even leave shuttle bay - same problem as the Galaxy."

Benedict looked around at the faces turned to him and continued, "Tactically the Galaxy is secure for the present. We have full sensors, weapons are at alert status, security as Ensign Scott has already indicated is sufficient to secure the ship from boarders. Long Range scans show no hostile vessels, and short range scans show a planetary system that is technologically incapable of harming the Galaxy."

He glanced around again and settled on the stern face of Casey sans the red nose, "Apart from looking for another Borg Cube to be dropped on top of us at a moments' notice, I would say that the Galaxy is in no immediate danger. As for the Tactical department, both Lt. Hunter Mackenzie and Lt. Hermedhie are missing. This at least gives me some confidence - as Commander Sterner, Captain Price, Lt. Commander Sunder and the two Tactical Officers pose a significant tactical and strategic advantage for the away team in terms of experience. However they are unarmed, without communications, or any sensor devices. We know nothing about where they are or what they are doing - or more to the point what Q has done with them."

Benedict touched his padd that lay on the table in front of him. It activated the link between the Tactical Operation Centre and the display screens in the Conference room. Several screens lit up with images from the Federation archives.

"Lt. Groom and myself have put together this tactical appraisal of the current scenario. As you can see by the material represented here, there have been several visits to Sigma Iotia 2. The first by the Enterprise under Captain Kirk."

Benedict went on to explain the culture - and its' reliance on copied technology and cultural ideaology - in particular the weapons technology available, and the dangers of introducing current Federation technology. In particular the fact that Federation technology was left behind by the Enterprise, so long ago.

"The communicator that was left behind by Dr Leonard McCoy is of concern. It's technology would have been barely understandable back then - but probably not now. I would therefore assume - as a worst case scenario, that they have subspace communications and are capable of picking up transmissions from the Galaxy. We can't tell either way, because it seems that Q is interfering with that too."

Benedict kept his face totally calm and expressionless during his discourse, it was at odds with the frustration and worry he felt - if there was anywhere in the universe he wanted to be - it was standing next to a certain pointy-eared firebrand with dark flashing eyes and cheeky smile - where-ever the hell she was!

Adrianna moved closer to the stairway leading out of the cellar and she could hear it too. The sound of a female voice singing a beautiful sad song, as behind her a band played soft support. The music was both beautiful and haunting as it filtered down into the large airy cellar.

Lieutenant Commander Sunder had just finished hearing the report from the guard when suddenly, the entire room erupted with activity.

Every shadowy corner seemed suddenly alive as an army of small, darkly clad forms surged out to surround the Galaxy crewman. They come from behind barrels, and from every area of darkness like a living army of stealth. Before the security teams could even respond, they had been overcome.

Moving like a cat, and making no sound one of the Dark clad men moved to stand bravely before the Lieutenant Commander. The figure's face was raped in a dark mask that left only the eyes revealed. They were dark and almond shaped, with a slight upward slant.

"You are the leader of these people?" The voice was soft yet veiled in strength as the leader of the Shadow force directed his question at Ursa.

"Your people are cold and hungry...and we are not your enemy. I have been sent to rendezvous with you and instructed to take you to an area of safety. "The man's voice had an accented English that Ursa took for some kind of Asian decent.

Adrianna had watched the entire display from the stairway and still couldn't believe it. The crew was completely surrounded and didn't even have a chance to respond before it had all happened.

"Because without our help..you may never see Your Captain Lee Price again." The man's voice was quiet and unwavering. "You are crewmen from the Starship Galaxy are you not?" The question was neutral and held no menace. The figure only waited for the affirmative response he seemed to expect.

"Gathering information is one of the things we do best. However, just as you have your Captain, I have mine. As you might expect mine is most eager to meet you. If you would now allow us to take you to somewhere safer."

As he gestured to one of the nearby walls, a large wine rack slid back and too the side. The area beyond revealed a large tunnel which lead from the damp cellar.

"If you would have continued on your present course, you would have walked right into the middle of what's left of the Cantinii family. Armed as they are, I doubt few of your people would have survived. The alternative is clear, come with us and save not only yourselves, but many others." The mans statement was spoken as one of simple fact.

"You leave me little choice. All right people, for now we cooperate." Ursa's voice was still full of commanding strength as he began directing his people into the tunnel.

"A wise choice." Was the leaders only reply, as with a single gesture his men too fell into place. Moving with the grace of cats, they followed the federation crewman into the tunnel.

"Who is your Captain?" Ursa asked the leader as they watched there people moving out of the area together.

With the majority of the senior officers missing,including our security Chief. The next most senior officer Ensign James Scott had taken charge of the Security detail, 'not that I minded after all, well with me still a starship rookie and being on the Galaxy for less than a month!'

Bolitho shook his head to clear his thoughts as the turbolift came to a halt. Ensign Scott had assigned the remainder of the security detail to the Galaxy's most sensitive area's,

I reached down and pulled out my type two phaser, once again checking the settings ensuring that it was on stun with a narrow beam dispersal pattern, holstering my phaser I excited the turbolift and glanced around to get my bearings 'WOW" I thought to myself, the sim at the Academy of engineering on a Galaxy class starship did it no justice at all!

This was my first visit to engineering and its usually not the place you would find a security officer. Well these were strange times as the Captain and over a 100 of the crew were missing from the Galaxy.

Ensign Scott had advised us at the briefing that "Q" was responsible and that some of the remaining crew had been disfigured?

Looking around, the remaining Engineering officers were scurrying around doing "engineering" things. So I decided not to get in their way and skirted around them to do a preliminary sweep of the area.

I began by looking behind consoles, checking out the jefferies tubes,and unfortunately every now and then getting in the way of an engineer. In my latest bumping I turned and apologised to the engineer, he merely shrugged and smiled and then glanced nervously over in the direction of the Chief Engineers office, being the security professional that I was I wanted to know what was this man scared of.

Following his gaze I noticed ...." what was that a Klingon..., no wait a minute ...a half Klingon....and .....

half Bajoran?" I stammered out. The engineer standing next me nodded and quickly scuttled away.

'Boy did she look angry, come to think of it she was quite attractive when she angry' thought Bolitho.

Bolitho quickly turned away from the angry acting chief engineer as she marched past him on her way to the turbolift.Bolitho sighed and guessed that this was going to be a long dull shift!

Miller was swivelling round and round in his chair, his eyes closed. He had been having some difficulty in sleeping after talking with his girlfriend when...

A bright flash of light, blazing into every corner of the room seemed to just pop into existence in the middle of the room.

"What the ....?" he exclaimed struggling up out of his chair, which continued spinning on its own. He held his hand up to his eyes to shield from the awesome light which dissipated to reveal what appeared to be a man in a Santa Claus costume.

"Q." Miller groaned. "I wondered when you'd get around to bothering me." he shook his head slightly and slumped back into the chair.

"Hmmm, obviously my reputation precedes me. What would you like for Christmas little boy? No wait a second, this isn't right." he mused stroking his chin.

There was another flash and suddenly Q was sitting in an armchair, which hadn't previously been in the quarters, with Ensign Miller sitting on his knee.

"Thats better, now little boy, tell Santa what you want." Q smiled widely, but it was a smile without substance.

Miller looked around with a look of supreme puzzlement on his face, he turned and looked down at Q's face, his puzzlement turning into anger. He jumped down off Q's lap.

"What the hell! Q stop this and leave us alone!" Miller looked furious, practically shouting at Q.

"Well, well the human shows his true colours at last." Q stood up and walked over to Miller, who was beginning to look rather anxious, he wasn't scared of much, but being in such close proximity to an omnipotent being who could wipe out humanity with a click of his fingers, well it was disconcerting to say the least.

Q put his arms on Millers shoulders. "Its okay, I understand. I just want to do something nice for everyone and what do I get. abuse, insults... Is it really worth it? A tear seemed to roll down his cheek. "What do you want for Christmas?" Q seemed genuine, and Miller had calmed down a little because of it.

"If I tell you what I want will you leave me alone?" Q nodded sagely. "Fine, then I wish my girlfriend Susan was on board, I'm lonely. I don't really know anyone on board. You're the only person whose been in these quarters!" Miller was soon pouring his heart out to Q, who was finding ot hard to stifle a yawn.

"Mmmn, yes, yes I see, wel I have to go now, things to do and all that..." Q was edging away from Miller, moving into the centre of the room.

Q continued to edge backwards. "If I bring her back, will you stop whining?" Miller just nodded quickly.

"Very well. Merry Christmas" Q clicked his fingers and waved bye bye, he clicked them again and suddenly he was gone in another flash of light.

Miller breathed in, beads of sweat, mixed with tears on his cheeks. He'd never opened up his heart to anyone before, and even though it was only Q, he felt much better for the release. It was as though a burden had been removed from his shoulders.

"Laz? Is that you? Whats going on?" the question came from the cupboard against the wall.

Miller practically ran up to the cupboard in a daze. He opened it up and peered inside.

"Laz, what the hell just happened? One moment I'm eating dinner, the next, poof! I'm in your cupboard! said Susan as she stepped out of the cupboard.

"Um, Q happened! He gave me what I wanted for christmas, I don't know why. I think he's trying to be nice to people. Maybe he isn't such a bad guy after all." Miller looked around the room. "And he left me a free armchair!" Miller laughed and took Susan in his arms. He waltzed with her while he hummed a tune.

After a moment she pulled away from him and asked "Laz, who is Q and how the hell did he get me here?"

Miller looked a little bit more composed than he did earlier , the mad look in his eyes changed to that of joy. He seemed a different man from who he'd been before Q had turned up and gave him back his girlfriend.

For the next ten minutes or so Miller recapped on the recent events of the Galaxy. At the end of it Susan looked less confused. She asked "So am I here permanently or will I suddenly disappear back to Earth?"

"I don't know Susan, I really don't know." Miller stroked his beard and looked at the armchair. It appeared to have moved slightly across the room.

"Ouch!!" came from the chair, which suddenly turned into Q. "Is this how you treat all your furntiture?" he grumbled, rubbing his backside. "That hurt you know."

"Well, you shouldn't have been eavesdropping! Q, Thank you for giving me this present. It's the one thing I wanted." Miller smiled at Q, who seemed genuinly touched by the sentiment. "Theres jut one thing we have to know. "Is Susan here for good, or will she disappear back to Earth suddenly?" he asked, while keeping his voice level.

"Yes and no." he said. A small smile was appearing at the corner of his mouth. "What I mean is, Its up to you really. I've given you my gift, and what you do with it's up to you. I can take it back with a snap of my fingers." Q raised his fingers as if to do just this.

"Wait! Stop! I want her to stay." Miller shouted out, waving his hands in the air.

Q smiled "Merry christmas!" he said in a flamboyant fashion before disappearing in a flash of light.

"I've missed you." Susan said quietly into Millers ear. "Now explain about that Tal'yana Lan you told me about."

" Tebrianne's gone! " The cry came from the back of the tunnel. Looks of worry were exchanged among the Starfleet party. A few officers tried to backtrack their path and see if they could find any trace of the missing helmsman, but there was nothing to be found. Lieutenant Bancroft had been taken just as surely as ...

Dozens of shadowy figures surrounded them, silently and intimidatingly. They materialized out of the dark just as if they had always been there. Their weapons were taken away from them during the brief discussion Ursa had with their leader.

" We were too late for that one. We saw them go, but we could not have reached her without losing you in the catacombs. All things will be explained when you speak to Tito. "

The group was eventually led into a darkened hall. Large enough to accommodate the Starfleet officers and their escorts, but still ambiguous enough to intimidate. It ws difficult to make out details in the room because of the dim light. Candles were burning smokily in what appeared to be cast-iron candlelabras, set up in corridor-like fashion up to a central dias.

Beneath them, he could hear the sounds of fast music filtering up through ventilation shafts. That seemed to confirm Adrianna's earlier hypothesis that they were located nearby or above a nightclub of some sorts. He looked over at her. She too, had caught the music and nodded.

What people Sunder had met were definitely asian in appearance, but there was something un-natural about it. The look had been forced. Sunder was no expert on facial surgery, but these people had themselves altered to appear asian. Their body types were all wrong, their hair vaired in colour, and even those with darkened pigments had changed their facial features. There were no true asians in the room from what he could see.

He approached the dias. A young man - no more than his mid-twenties Sunder guessed - sat lounging on a wide-backed chair. His hair was long and dark and styled in the way ancient oriental emperors were known to wear it, as he remembered vaguely from some history text course he had taken in his academy days. He barely acknowledged Sunder's presence and fingered a red flower he held gently in a long finger-nailed hand. He too was non-asian. Sunder assumed this was Tito.

" So you are the other officers from the Federation Starship. " He said, his attention still focused on the small flower he stroked. It was a statement, not a question. " Welcome to the Shadow City. "

" Haven't the faintest clue. You keep this place pretty dark. It's difficult to get your bearings without any light. " Sunder lied. He'd actually memorized the twists and turns of the corridors on his way here. He could lead the entire group out if he had to.

" Security. The catacoms are the highways to the Shadow City. This is a mere gathering room where I can interview people. It also helps when meditating. A dark room reveals inner light for the questing soul. " The man replied. " My name is Tito. " He said, finally lifting his head. " This is my place and you are currently under the protection of the Yakuza. "

Sunder faintly remembered the name. The Yakuza. An ancient Earth crime syndicate based in around Earth's orient. Somehow the Iotians had modeled their entire society after some of Earth's greatest crime organizations. Sunder had seen evidence of the Italian Mafia and now he was observing this planet's version of the Japanese Yakuza. It was strangely fascinating and discomfiting to witness. There was no way for this culture to redirect itself onto a more natural course of development from what Sunder could see.

The way Tito emphasized the word 'protection' made it seem like some sort of a ritual. He seemed to be waiting for something.

" No, you don't. But a little gratitude would be in order. The Cantinii family is small, but they are a ruthless and savage mob. You would be well to stay away from them. "

" The Cantinii Family - is that who's holding our associates? " Sunder quickly asked.

" A quick one for the information, aren't we? " Tito smiled faintly. " No matter, I shall merely add it to your growing tab. No. The Cantiniis were interested in your friends, but much like the rest of their Latin cousins, their power is diminishing. No, your friends are being held by a more dangerous force - Papa Jocko's Posse has them. The most powerful gang-leader on the planet - right now. " He added with that faint smile again.

" I have no wish to engage my people in any sort of power struggle on your planet. I simply want to find my friends and get off this planet. "

" If wishes were horses Commander Sunder, beggars would ride. It is one of my favorite sayings; please forgive my reliance on a cliche. In this situation it applies most aptly. You cannot help but be involved with what is going to happen on this planet. It was your Starship HORIZON's frist visit to this planet that set things in motion over a hundred years ago. The ENTERPRISE's subsequent visit after that reinforced the cultural pathways we were destined to follow. Now you are here and are inextricably linked to the events that are about to come. You have no choice, and that is why you are under my protection. "

The man un-nerved Sunder slightly. The slight man was polite to a steel point. No matter how thin the metal is though, the foil is still a deadly weapon. Sunder realized he was a careful and meticulous individual with a hidden agenda up his sleeve.

" Fine. What conditions does your 'protection' involve, Tito. I can see we're going to be set up for something, and I want to know what it is. "

" I like you Mr. Sunder. You are frank, in a brutish way, perhaps, but still I can tell you are a man to deal with. Very well. I shall inform you of your obligations to us. But listen only once - I shall not repeat myself. "

" Wait... I will have to confer with the officers under my command before any deals are made. This time, you will have to repeat yourself Tito, like it or not. "

The man's face was impassive. He offered a slight nod and looked at the large security officer with a stern resolution.

" I have very little time for politics or manipulation Mr. Sunder, so I will be as frank as you. This world is suffering under the constant stress of civil strife. From the cities, the struggle reached outwards into other parts of the world. The book that was left here with the HORIZON gave us enough insight into city warfare, but the technology left here by the ENTERPRISE allowed us to expand our own capabilities to the point where there is no safe place left in the world. We are constantly plagued by violence and our technology is designed around death and destruction to a global level. My researchers have confirmed that we have a limited lifespan on this planet as the rate of destructive technology progresses further past the point of control. Men like Papa Jocko now have the means to destroy the planet and I suspect he is now looking to your associates for a way to secure his own safety. " Tito paused for a moment. " And I am seeking for a way to secure this planet's safety. "

Sunder looked around at the people surrounding him and the others in the darkened chamber.

" A fine speech Tito, coming from a man who surrounds himself with soldiers of his own, armed with the very weapons you espouse are the key to your world's destruction. "

" Ideas are nothing without the force to back them up, Mr. Sunder. Tell me, is your starship of exploration merely armed with good will, or does it carry weapons of its own? "

" Touche. " Sunder admitted. " But how can I believe so readily that you represent the best wishes of the planet? With all your troops and weapons of your own, you don't strike me as having the planetary population's consent. Are you gambling that I am so desperate to get my friends back from Papa Jocko that I'll be gullible enough to believe that you are this planet's white knight? "

" You are desperate enough to get your friends back, Mr. Sunder and you have no assurances that I am the best chance of survival my world has. But answer me this: if not me, then who else is willing to save it? " Tito answered back quietly, but with conviction. " Take this as proof of my word: I renounce all your obligations to the Yakuza and release you. My gift of protection is offered freely and without recompense. "

" If you like. But I'm hoping that you will stay of your own accord. We can save your friends, but we also need to save this world. Your people have done enough damage to my world and I think you already owe us enough to set things to rights. "

" What's your game? " Adrianna piped up. " You brought us here, and now you're just willing to let us go - just like that? " Tito turned to face the engineer with the look of forced tolerance.

" The mighty oak stands and is broken in a hurricane. The willow bends with the winds and is left standing amongst its stronger neighbours. " He said in a lecturing tone. " We were prepared to deal with Papa Jocko before your arrival. "

He turned back to Sunder. " But with the abduction of your friends, there is another factor in our success. I cannot force you to assist us; but I do need to convince you of your obligation to this planet's culture. Even if our state cannot be altered, you must at leastprotect us from ourselves - and rescue your friends. I ask for nothing that you have already provided - yourselves. "

" If you wish to go - so be it. There is no purpose in forcing you to assist us. You may stay here in the Shadow City - as long as it is left standing - while we go to stop Papa Jocko from holding the world hostage. "

Sunder looked at Adrianna and the other officers. McKenzie, Mendenhall and the rest all shared the same expressions. They wanted to go with the Yakuza to find the Captain and the others. But there was more to this than Tito was saying.

" If I let you in on my plans, I cannot afford to let you leave the confines of the City. If you wish to leave then do so now and ask me no more questions. If I have your assurances of assistance, then please listen. "

The choice was before them. Every bone in Sunder's body said to take up the fight and rescue the captain and the missing members. But could he contribute to the further degradation of this planet's culture? He lived by his own ethics and kept the conscience of his own soul. He was going to go with the Yakuza, but who among the party was not willing to be a party to his own convictions?

" By all means. They are all here. " Tito said, finally standing. " I will leave you for a few moments and will return when your decision is made. " With a wave of his hand, Tito and the Yakuza shadow warriors melted back into the darkness just as silently as they had appeared. Sunder turned to face the gang of Starfleet officers.

The bakery delivery truck was crowded with passengers. It was a large truck, but with Ensign Salt stretched out on a large wooden door sitting in the middle of the cargo area, there was little usable floor space. Cat and doctor Kahn were seated on the humps above the rear wheels of the vehicle, giving them ample reach to administer any kind of attention they could to their patient. Mike Marc and chief engineer Mercury occupied the seats in the front, leaving Matthew to stand crouched over in the doorway between the cab and the cargo area.

The security officer had an excellent view of the road ahead of them, and spent his time with their little party alternately looking out the windshield for anything resembling a hospital and looking behind him to check on the worsening condition of his friend Astrid. The doctors were holding a hushed conversation about their patient, but over the engine noise and road noise in the ancient-style vehicle Matthew couldn't hear a thing.

His mind began to wander. He began thinking about what would happen when they found a medical facility... How would they get Astrid inside? Could they afford to release the wounded officer to this planet's archaic care? There would have to be a way to allow the doctors to care for her using a hospital's more advanced equipment. As he considered and reconsidered their situation, he came to three conclusions:

One, they would have to sneak Astrid into the medical facility in order to avoid delays and questions. Two, the doctors would have to impersonate local medical practitioners successfully enough to avoid interruptions. Three, David, Mike and himself would have to run interference in the hospital to acquire the materials they needed.

Matthew started formulating a plan, and turned to discuss his ideas with doctor Kahn when the van slowed to a stop and Mike Marc got out to talk to the locals and ask for directions...

Lt. Thomas had left Lara in the care of the ships teacher, while he went to attend the senior staff meeting. From what he heard a good number of the senior staff were missing and with it would come problems. He wasn't sure just what kind of problems that might come from such absences on the ship, but he was sure there would be some.

The next issue that faced Lt. Thomas was the issue of Q and his tampering with people, either by their choice or inadvertently through others actions. While he knew full well that he was having his own problems, they were non-Q related and he'd managed to live with them for over 3 months now. He figured that eventually Q would get around to him, but he had little us for Q's talents. While he mourned the loss of his wife Gwyen he couldn't bring himself to wish things were different.

Given the time he'd had to think about things, it was no surprise that he'd looked over his life and thought about the 'what if's'. He'd come to the conclusion that if he started to tug on one of those strings, or changed something his life would be entirely different. The one that he'd spent plenty of time thinking about, was what if Gwyen was still alive. Either because there had been no accident, she'd never been assigned to the project or any hundreds of possibilities that he could think of that would've made things different.

Each time he analyzed the possibilities of what might have happened, the conclusion was very much disturbing to him. There were just to many if's that surrounded his life and Gwyen's, no matter how much he'd love to have here with him alive and in the flesh, he couldn't, wouldn't ask for that no matter how painful.

Then the next question arose what else could he ask for, and the simple plain truth was nothing. Each and every time he considered something he couldn't help but run calculations against what might happen as a result of his decision. He'd limited his time at the Christmas parties and such, every since his wife's death he'd never felt like celebrating much anymore. He couldn't believe just how little of a social life he truly had until thinking about it now.

Lt. Thomas entered the bridge and noted the lack of senior officers everywhere. This was going to be very interesting to see what these junior officers could up with, now that the spotlight was being placed on them. While Starfleet training had prepared them for duty, only real life experience could truly prepare them for what might lay ahead of them. Q or no Q this situation was real enough and demanded professionalism.

Chris was fitting his own demons of sorts and trying to live with them wasn't easy. He would never claim to be prefect, for if he was then his wife wouldn't have died. Even if she'd those responsible would be known and out of a job, but he wasn't. He was just a man with dreams and goals, some that had been crushed when Gwyen had been killed.

He found himself looking out the monitor screen as he moved towards the conference lounge. He wasn't sure he should be here on the bridge or in any position of command. What if he had truly lost his mind? If he'd not lost his mind, then he was doing one hell of an acting job. He'd been able to convince everyone, including himself that he wasn't delusion or mad beyond recovery.

He found himself once more focused upon the only thing that mattered to him any more, his Starfleet Career. He saw his career as means to an ends, to find and punish those responsible for the death of his wife.

Chris noted the people sitting in the conference room. All of them with the expectation of Lt. Commander Derian Casey were young unexperienced officers. He would just have to wait and see what they might come up with, he listened while the Commander brought everyone up to speed on what had happened so far. Chris wondered if the officers would follow old naval tradition and refer to him as Captain, as he was the senior officer and currently in charge of the ship.

Lt. Thomas listened to everything that was being said with great attention. He wasn't sure what his role would be in current events, but he was very much aware that he had a duty to the ship and its crew.

The truck few around the corner, as the commander rushed to find a hospital. And there it was, what we had been looking for all this time, the white building of the local hospital. The Commander applied the brakes and the truck screached to a halt, I slid out the back wrapping a piece of cloth around my head.

Cat picked up her legs and I lifted her from her armpits, we moved quickly into the Emergancy section. We placed her on a spare strecher and I moved to the reception table.

"Yes you can my friend has suffered a number of gun shot wounds, she has lost compression in one lung and is bleeding fairly substancialy! Also She is on boarder line unconsiousness and her eyes are dialated!"

The Nurse just looked for a second. Then she started to move, running out a door and pressing a button!

The doctor and the nurse ran into a EM room and started working on her. I turned to Cat, you and Mike stay here and look out for the ensign. My self and the Commander will fins somewhere to stay.

I walked out of the Emergancy room and into the Truck, I looked over to the commander.

"Uh-oh, I just remembered..."
(with parts stolen from limo rides and red nose districts)
By Lieutenant jg Aaron Sharp

Aaron/Price walked back out onto the bridge, unable to stay in the ready room any longer. He just felt too uncomfortable in there. As he approached Commander Casey, a yeoman handed him a Padd.

"You've found something 'mate?" said Lieutenant Sharp in his pseudo form as Captain Price.

"Sir, I am reviewing the list Yeoman York prepared that shows all of the officers that are missing from the USS Galaxy."

Aaron/Price reached one of his hands over and took the padd from the Lieutenant Commander.

"Bonzer. Now we will know who we are missing 'Commander." He looked at the Padd and the first name on the list jumped up and slapped him in the face. "Is this some sort of joke 'Commander? There must be some mistake. I'm right here."

"Perhaps sir." Deiran said while boldly reaching and removing Aaron's communicator badge, "But it never hurts to double check." The two officers both looked as the gold communications pin was turned over and Lieutenant' Aaron Sharp's serial number was etched in the rear of badge.

"This must be some sort of a trick 'mate. Lieutenant' Sharp must have some how switched communications badges with me before he was taken by Q." the substitute Captain declared.

"Possibly sir. But until we know for sure, I think it would be best if you reported to Sickbay for a full examination." Deiran insisted.

"I'm not leaving the bridge 'mate. Not while a good portion of my senior staff and crew are missing from the Galaxy." Aaron declared in Captain Price's voice.

"This is foolish 'Commander. It's obvious who I am. There has been some sort of mistake and I have no intention of leaving the bridge 'mate. So I suggest you just drop it 'Commander." Aaron was getting angry.Even though he wasn't sure if what he was saying was entirely correct, Casey was getting under his skin.Suddenly there was a bright flash in the Command well and Q appeared, still wearing his Santa's cap.

"With everything else that is going on, I'd think that would be the least of your worries. Besides I think it adds a certain degree of character to an otherwise bland face. Wouldn't you agree Price?" Suddenly Aaron remembered exactly who her really was, and what Q had done to him. He still looked like Captain Price, his wish to be 'Captain' of the Galaxy, but now his memory was back. "I... think I know what's going on 'Commander..." Aaron stuttered, thoroughly embarrassed.

"Q!!! MY NOSE PLEASE!" Deiran demanded with crossed arms and a reddening face that nearly matched his nose color from his welling anger.

"Oh very well since you can't seem to see anything past it anyhow..." with a snap of his fingers, Deiran's red glowing nose returned to normal.

"'Commander, I believe Q has altered my appearance to look like Captain Price. I really am Lieutenant' Aaron Sharp. I just didn't remember before because of Q...."

Q rolled his eyes. "Oh please. I grant you exactly what you asked for and that's the thanks I get? It's a wonder why I even bother to give you humans anything at all."

"Q, stop your meddling and put Lieutenant' Sharp back to his true form. I've had just about enough of your antics." Deiran warned.

Lt Sharp turned to Commander Casey and spoke. "Sir, I'm really sorry about this. I had no intention of causing problems.."

"Forget it, Lieutenant'," Casey replied, "With Q around, there never seems to be anything but problems." He flashed a famous Casey grin, which looked much better without the red nose. "If you're feeling ok you can return to your post."

"Yes sir. Thank you sir!" Aaron replied, feeling better. He turned and walked over to the helm and relieved Ensign M'aerikh, who took a post at an aft station. It felt good to be himself again. He was going to make up for his mistake by doing what he did best. Only better than before. He had to find a way to get the Galaxy moving.

"Click, Click, Click, Click, Click, meow." His tail thumped. "Click, Click, Click, Click, Click, meow." Yet again, his tail thumped again. "Click, Click, Click, Click, Click, meow."

*Red circle, red circle, red circle, red circle, red circle, red circle, red circle, red circle, red circle, red circle, red circle, red circle, red circle, red circle, red circle, RED CIRCLE!!!!!!!!!!!*

The small count down on the replicator went to 00:00. When Anthony first came board the Galaxy, he had set up a program that made the replictor replicate food automatically for his cat Digit. He had done this for obvious reasons, namely he got caught up on a shift, and didn't have time to make Digit his dinner.

The cat scuddled arcoss the floor on it's two legs, made it up the small ramp Anthony had made, across the table to the replicator. Furiously digging into the food, Digit devoured the food. Air didn't matter, he had to finish it before something else ate it. Whether it goes in by the mouth, or up through the nose, into the nasal cavity, then back, it just had to get into his mouth somehow.

After devouring the food, Digit made his way over to the HIS bed, and started to lay down. Then the hair stood up the back of his neck. A funny looking man stared at the cat. It didn't FEEL like a person, but it looked like one.

Q pulled out a checklist and looked down at it. "Let's see, Ensign Digactal, LT. Digeck, and ah, Digit." He looked up an frowned. "I thought I had decided not to include animals with even LESSER intellagence than those humans." The word human was exagerated, and it sounded like he was eating Lermurin Pork.

"I think i can safely say what your wish is little kitty." With a snap, he was gone.

*Legs... in back. Legs not on back since pet ran over Digit.* The cat flopped down on it's rear, not use to the sensation of all four legs. After a little practice and prancing, the cat stood proudly guarding his bed.

Mendenhall muttered to himself. "Up on Hathway, right on Fairbanks, then I went left on Sratus. I'm almost sure. No, it couldn't be. This isn't right. I've never seen that building before. I think I'm lost, and I think therefore I am. Drat."

All he had wanted was a little bit of fresh air, and some time to thinks things over. Dying was a very traumatic thing, especially when you die. He had tried to explain it to the 3 earred ensign. That ensign Q was having a very twisted sense of humor. I mean, all she wanted to do was to hear about it when people talked behind her back.

Just then an explosion echoed behind him. Archic gun fire was heard, and a car started racing down the street. Obviously something was going on, and Mendenhall wasn't going to be apart of it. He pulled the old coat he had gotten back at the warehouse closer, and made a dash behind a nearby building.

"All right, what should we do now?" Said Karyn to Counselor Wilson. It had been a long time since Jacko's boys took Captain Price, Com. Sterner, Lt Chen and Ensign Ral on their little adventure. She wasn't comfortable with the whole idea but at that moment, there was little choice. The image of the gun pointed at her was still fresh in her mind. You would have thought by now she would have been used to violence, especially with her family background. Nothing could have prepared her for the moment that barrel was shoved in her face.

"Don't worry, 'mate Capt. Price had said with a reassuring smile, "we'll be ok. You just guard the fort while everyone's away. We'll be back soon." "Not a problem, Captain. Anyone comes near us, we'll just psycho-analyze them to death!" Karyn said, jokingly. "A war of words... I like that, fewer injuries that way." Said the Captain ruefully.

Karyn understood him all too well. This was no longer about Q trying to teach them a lesson. It was about survival. A person only had to take a look at Ensign Salt to realize that. And so it was now that Karyn and Leslie sat alone in the abandoned building waiting for the others to return. It was the best option she knew.

Part of her wished she could have gone with everyone to the hospital. At least then she would be doing something. She believed strongly that something as simple as a physical presence could speed the recovery process. Unfortunately, there was no room or time for such luxuries. Besides, someone had to be here when Greer and the others returned. She had no idea what this Papa Jacko wanted but if he'd gone to all the trouble to look for the Captain(and considering the fact his thugs could have killed them on the spot), she had little doubt they'd be coming back in one piece. Karyn and Leslie had chatted for a few moments, each expressing their thoughts on the current situation. Karyn had shared her story on how she had gotten her new legs from Q. She also admitted the only thing she had really done with them since arriving to this place was to pace.

"What are you trying to do, wear a hole in the floor?" "I'm getting rid of my nervous energy. Now that I've got these legs, I might as well use them. Besides this takes up less energy than pacing in my wheel chair does." The movement was invigorating. She used this time to think about what she had experienced over the last few months.

Who would have thought when she'd first come aboard, that she would be Chief Counselor onboard the starship? Deep down there was a part of her that felt she hadn't earned it. Sure she had the experience and the motivation, but still the little girl inside her questioned it. I never know how to take a compliment, do I? thought Karyn. She knew she was going to have to forgive herself for not knowing what to do all the time. Sometimes change meant reevaluating who you were, in order to help the greater good.

Kalln heard Joerg Sterner, Ral and Chen rush past doing some important security thing, but ignored them and continued rummaging through the stuff on the second floor. Security had half-inched several of the phones and got Kalln to set up an intercom system between the ground floor and the roof. The three officers didn't even notice him, squatted amidst the junk and the dust-sheets, as they dashed past. Security, thought Kalln, always off doing something terribly important. Never taking the time to stop and look at things, how they work, what they mean. That was what it meant to be a science officer, and that is what Kalln had been for a very long time. For eighty years, off and on, Kalln had been a science officer in one respect or another. Even on the Feckless, with those mercenaries, Kalln had been the one who investigated, thought, planned and generally allowed things to happen instead of being the one who actually did them. Ah well, maybe these young officers would mellow with age. Kalln thought Sterner might take offence at that, and suppressed a smile. He resumed his rummaging, in the hope of finding something else to add to his already-hefty stack of useful items. Not having access to his saddlebag-style Gnalish rucksack, he had improvised with several lengths of tough nylon and a dust sheet. He had also managed to filch a few of the clothes from downstairs, and made himself a proper Gnalish cloak, concealing in most respects. With it fully folded, he looked like a five-foot-high armchair with a black sheet draped over it.

It took a few moments for the meaning of this to penetrate Kalln's brain. That sound had come from quite close. Maybe in the warehouse downstairs. He got up slowly from his squatting position and padded softly over to the stairs. He could hear the sound of yelling from outside. All he could make out were the words 'come on out'.

Sounds like a siege, thought Kalln, then remembered who they were and where they were.

'Oh damn,' he muttered as he scampered over to the stairway, inasmuch as a giant lizard in a black robe can be said to scamper.

Looking down, he found that the stairs had collapsed, and that the warehouse was mainly empty, and that he was too late to prevent the Captain, and Sterner, Chen and Ral from being lead away by blue-clad thugs. Kalln swore softly again as he crouched down at the top of the mangled stairs and watched. What else could he do? He was a century old, level-headed science officer, not a brash young security Ensign. Watch and learn, that was the key. Rushing into a fight would only get him filled full of the small metal projectiles that the gangsters fired, and though Kalln was sure his subcutaneous chitinous plates could take a few, he didn't relish the prospect. He listened to what the remaining gangsters were saying.

'Hey, yo man,' said one, who sported a long silver chain at his belt, 'We sure took those Feds out right. Didn't seem to be many of them though.'

'Look, brother,' said another, 'Don't complain about it. You wanna go up in a firefight against a big bunch of Feds with better burners than us then fine, but don't expect me to be there standing by yo side.'

'Hey, J,' said a third, 'Chill. Fact is, Papa's got who he wants and there ain't a thing no-one can do about it. We're laughing right now.'

Kalln watched and listened, silent and motionless, as the gangstas conversation turned to females and cars and alcohol. If any of them had cared to look up into the wreckage of the staircase, they would have seen a dark silhouette, formless but threatening, looking back down at them. But none of them did, so the effort was totally wasted. Kalln took an interest again when there was a screech of tyres outside. The door burst open, and four more gangsters, apparently from a rival gang for their uniforms were different in style, charged into the room.

'Yeah,' said the one with the chain, 'You messin' with Papa's boys now. Better not.'

'We work for Mr Head,' said the first of the figures, 'And we're here to take the Feds.'

'Ha, you is too late, Head-boy,' said J, 'Papa's boys, we got the Feds hours ago. They're havin' a little meetin' with Papa right now.'

'Izzat so?' asked the Head guy, and promptly raised one of the slugthrowing rifles and opened fire.

The dumbfounded Boys dropped under a hail of bullets they for some reason were simply not expecting. Maybe they were too enamoured of their own immortailty. Maybe they were cocky. Maybe they were just plain stupid. The end result was the same: three smoking corpses with shocked expressions on their faces.

'Okay, spread out,' said the first Head Guy, 'There must be some Feds around here somewhere.'

As one of the figures, wearing some kind of red coverall, approached the site of the wrecked staircase, Kalln realised that he had better make a move now or he would be discovered. The red-dressed figure looked up at him, and realising that there was a large figure looking back at him tried to cry for help.

'Mmmm! Mmmm mmm mmmm!' he yelled as Kalln scythed down out of the air into him. Razor-sharp claws and talons carved through the gangsters clothes and body as if it were plascrete under a fusion cutting beam. The razor-tipped tail whipped round and caught the gangster in what remained of his face, neatly puncturing a hole in one cheek. Kalln swiftly extracted himself from the shredded body, and turned to face the other three gangsters who had noticed with some displeasure the demise of their comrade.

'Hey! You piece a'crap! I'll kill you!' yelled the third, and raised his tommygun.

Kalln used his powerful legs to leap high over the arcing spray of bullets towards them.

Kalln felt the impact of bullets against his skin as he slammed into the third thug. The man went down, hard, and didn't sound like he was getting up again. Kalln span on one foot, facing the others, and threw back his hood. He snarled viciously, as he had been painstakingly trained to do in the Gnalish Space Academy, and the men screamed, broke and ran. Snarling and growling didn't come naturally to a Gnalish. They were peaceful and well-spoken by nature, and their vocal cords couldn't cope with too much snarling. Kalln, not really thinking about it, cut the men down as they ran with flicks of his claws.

Calming down a little, he tried his best to clean the blood up with a few spare rags, and then looked to find a way out of the warehouse. The streets had to be crawling with thugs looking for him and the other officers, and he stood out in a crowd.

"The time has come for the blood to run in the streets paved with gold. We have lived like animals in the zoo of the ghetto for so long, and like animals we kill each other in our hatred for others. We must move into the suburbs and punish the rich for their ignorance, and the horror of death, and give them a taste of the same. And when we kill the government's children and the streets smell of death, maybe then they'll see our situation in a new light, and put an end to the chaos in the ghetto and put an end to the killings."

After making some progress towards understanding Reeto Vaughn, Gakor headed to the ready room for the senor staff meeting. She had several things to report.

First, triage had been set up in Cargo Bay 1, should the missing crew members be retrieved with injuries. Second, the strange behavior of the cats and other pets was under investigation, with hopes it might provide clues towards a solution. From the looks of things, Q had nothing to do with the parades of the animals, which gave Endris a reason to hope. Perhaps the felines were somehow at a stage of evolution that left them immune to the seemingly omni-potient brat. If this hypothesis proved true, there might be a way to exploit it to defeat Q's manipulation of events. Last, but not least, the equipment the pets had delivered to Sickbay was being scanned to see what (if any) clues they could provide....

But this was the first time she heard the ship wasn't moving. "Snacks!", Endris exclaimed, gaining the room's attention. "When Picard first met Q, the Enterprise appeared to be in some sort of tractor field according to reports. However, when Q removed the field, the ship had traveled the distance it would have covered as if there were no impediments for the duration of his visit. What if we ARE moving, but our instruments indicate otherwise?"

"I checked into public fleet records when Q first bothered me. When I refused to capitulate to his 'fun and games', he left in a huff. I thought it important to review accounts of Q after that incident."

"I know the ship does not appear to be in motion, but what if we tried to launch something smaller? A probe perhaps? If nothing else, we might be able to push a message recorder into the atmosphere of the planet and establish communication with the away team. It's too early to tell, but it looks like our 'pets' have a range of senses which either block or inhibit Q, or perhaps Q just considers them to primitive to monitor. If this is true, we might be able to develop a simple 'cloak' that could protect a small probe long enough to get it down there without it being molested....."

"An interesting idea", Cassey commented. "I wonder what engineering thinks of this 'proposal'", he continued. Endris knew the prospect of outwitting Q was slim, and there were bound to be technological challenges. Gakor waited to see what the rest of the staff had to say....

"Engineering Meeting"
by Lt K'Eytyanna Samara and Lt Jg T'Zaq
reviwed by Cmdr Casey and Cpt Price

Looking around, K'Eytyanna noticed that everyone had finished turning up. She was about to speak when her combadge chirped, causing her to growl.

[Thank God� Kay why aren�t we moving? What�s going on? I want to get us near Sigma Iota 2. Is there a problem with impulse power? The AM/M reactor? What?]

[All current senior ranking officers in all departments. Report to the Observation lounge in thirty minutes. Have a pre-lim report on the current situation in your department ready. Casey out.]

"Okay everyone. Lt Cmdr Mercury and Lt Hewson have been taken by Q, along with a lot of the crew, to who knows where. Until then, as the highest ranked engineer still aboard, I'm in charge. I'm appointing Lt Jg. T'Zaq as Acting Assistant Chief, assuming she has no reason why not."

K'Eytyanna waited for a few seconds, in case there was any major complaints from Lt jg T'Zaq, or anyone else.

"First priority is to get this shop moving anyway possible. If we have to, I'll send everyone out in EVA suits to push. Second is to locate and communicate with the missing crew."

Some of the crew gulped, knowing full well that Lt Samara would actually do that.

"Lt Jg T'Zaq, I'm putting you in charge of looking for a means to communicate with the missing crew - wherever they are. I'm in charge of the moving problem. I will arrange for the computer to pick an even mix for each group, and possible shift changes. Assuming Commander Casey has no other tasks for us, this will stand till the crew get back. Any questions?"

"I have already begun the effort as per Lt. Commander Casey's order." T'Zaq replied coolly.

"Until I get back, my team can start a Level 3 diagnostic of the warp drive, reactor and impulse engines. Everyone is now dismissed."

K'Eytyanna waited for the engineers to disburse before rushing out of Engineering to make Cmdr Casey's meeting.

Rushing into the briefing room, K'Eytyanna took an empty seat and ran through her computer report on the PADD.

The diagnostics came up clean, and K'Eyt hoped the Level 3 one would find something wrong, doubting it though.

With a rough shove, Captain Price, Commander Sterner and Lieutenant' Chen were shown out of Papa Jocko's downtown head quarters. James turned around with clenched fists, ready to take out some frustration on the brutish hulk with the blue bandanna on his head. The Lieutenant' thought better of it though and simply walked to the street where Captain Price and Sterner were standing.

"I know 'mate." Lee acknowledged Chen's frustration. It was hard knowing one of their fellow officers was being held against her will.

Lee nodded his head. "Of course not 'mate. If Papa Jocko knew half as much as he thinks he does, he would know that already. But this planet seems to have a skewed value on things. Coercion, extortion, intimidation seem to be common place here."

"Well we can't just leave Lexana in there." Chen blurted out angrily while staring at the building.

"Not so much a plan as a course of action. We need to get back to the warehouse for starters." The Captain explained.

"But the others have evacuated the building when these thugs stormed the place and took us sir." Lieutenant Chen reminded.

"Aye, they did. But Lieutenant Commander Erikson doesn't know that. He will be returning to the warehouse to report how his efforts to contact the Galaxy went." Lee said evenly, "So that's the first place we need to go."

Lee nodded. "I think it's likely. When Q brought us here, we were at the outskirts of this system aboard the Galaxy. If he just wanted to place a handful of us on this planet, he could of done that without hurdling the Galaxy across the quadrant. No, the ship is here for a reason. That's probably why he sent us here without our communicators."

Lee looked at the Lieutenant' "Possibly..." he paused, "No time to worry about that at the moment though. We need to get back to the warehouse and see what progress 'Commander Erikson has made at contacting the Galaxy. I'll feel a lot better once we are back on the ship. Then we will be in a better position to deal with this Papa Jocko."

"And if we can't contact the Galaxy sir?" Commander Sterner asked examining all possibilities.

The Captain paused and took a deep breath. "Then it's unlikely that we will be handing a starship over to the largest crime lord on the planet."

"If we don't, that clown is going to vaporize half the planet. I'm sure of it. The guy is looney." Lieutenant' Chen explained making a circular motion around his ear with his index finger for emphasis.

"Fortunately we have some time left before that happens. And right now we are wasting it 'mate. Let's head for the warehouse and find out how Greer did at contacting the Galaxy. We can work out a plan from there."

"Agreed." Joerg nodded. Then turned to Lieutenant' Chen, "Come on, if we are fortunate and the Galaxy is in orbit, we can use the ship's sensors to locate Lexana's coordinates and beam her out of Papa Jocko's keep. Her Betazoid blood should make it relatively easy to distinguish from the Iosians."

"First things first Commander." Lee pointed out, "Let's locate Erikson and see how his first day as a broadcasting assistant went. Let's go."

Captain Price turned and started walking down the street. Commander Sterner and Lieutenant' Chen turned and began to follow.

"We should try and obtain some local means of transportation Captain. It could be a long walk." Joerg pointed out.

"Aye." Lee nodded. "Keep your eyes open and we can try to obtain whatever transportation we come across."

"Very good Captain." Joerg nodded as the three Federation officer, all dressed in local attire, continued walking down the street.