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

***** Science Labs *****

Viara, Greer and Cat were making little progress on the virus, to little time was available. The St Louis was so close and those on board didn’t have much time. It made the three of them work harder, but only minor progress was made. But any progress was far, far better than none.

Cat heard Greer’s commbadge beep and overheard the message that he was being ordered to the bridge. Greer’s face showed his feelings as he left the lab.

Cat watched him as he left. She was sure that the St Louis was close now, or the senior bridge staff wouldn’t have been ordered.

Cat moved out towards the turbolift and tapped her badge just as she left the Labs. “Khatroweena to Sickbay: I want you to initiate emergency protocols. Get the medical teams ready. I want a report on the quarantine protocols.”

=/\=Yes Cat... Sickbay is completely changed over to stand-by quarantine protocols. We can initiate full in thirty seconds. All Medical away teams are under quarantine protocols.=/\= Karina’s voice came from Cat’s badge. =/\=As to the emergency wards on decks five and six, eighty percent converted on thirty seconds stand-by. The rest should be ready soon.=/\=

“We’re are close to St Louis intercept, have all teams warned. All teams are to work in quarantine protocols until I say different. Push getting rest of those wards changed. I want the Captain to know we can handle any number infected wounded, if this turns into a battle. I’m heading for the bridge. I’ll keep you informed. Cat out!” Cat continued on her journey to the bridge.

Operations is going to hate her being up there, an obvious snub to it, but she wasn’t going to allow anything to have a chance of going wrong. If there was a battle and wounded were on the St Louis. She wanted the Galaxy ready to give any medical assistance for any wounded from that ship.

***** Bridge *****

Cat looked upon the bridge as the turbolift arrived. Everybody looked tense as they waited for the up and coming conflict. ‘At least everybody doesn’t want it to happen,’ Cat thought.

She looked around, she didn’t want to get in anybody’s way. She moved to the other end of the tactical arch, away from the turbolift, next to Commander Casey.

“Captain, Medical is ready.” Cat reported.

The captain saw his CMO on the bridge. “Doctor, shouldn’t you be in Sickbay?” His voice was calm, but a tinge of annoyance crept in.

“Yes sir, but I’m going... want to make sure that Medical is totally on top of the situation. Something has gone wrong for this situation to get this far. Like you I want it to stop. Medical is under quarantine protocols, we can handle infected wounded.”

Cat breathed out heavily. Her being in the bridge was tantamount to dereliction of duty. But if a conflict was fated, then her being on the bridge meant she had a better chance of making sure that she wasn’t derelict to her duty as a doctor. Right now, Cat could see if the St Louis didn’t heed the words of the Captain, then the inevitable was going to happen. She had all the respect of the Federation for her Captain and this crew, but battles were always unpredictable. She was there to make sure any wounded, infected or not were going to get aid. And damn anybody who would stop her.

*********************
--
Trevor Ayliffe
tayliffe@nexus.edu.au
ICQ: 3722239

"Dr. LaMerinder, I Presume?"
by Ensign Rockford T. Sloane, MD
Crisis Team - Trauma Specialist
USS Caduceus NCC-9462

~~~ Transporter Room, USS Caduceus ~~~

Rockford was staring at the Captain as she began to speak

"Ensigns, welcome aboard the USS Caduceus. I am Mercedes Manion, Captain and commanding officer. This is Yeoman Feldman. He will assist you in locating your quarters, getting settled in, and answering any questions you might have. After you get settled, I'd suggest reporting to your commanding officer, respectively. Those of you in medical can report for the moment to Dr. LaMerinder, as Dr. Jergensen is currently on an away mission.

The same goes for you, Ensign Singleton. Counselor O'Keefe is currently on an away team, along with Commander Kozlov. For now, Mister Singleton, I suggest you begin reviewing the personnel folders of the crew of this ship. I suspect you have arrived just in time. Dismissed."

With that, Captain Manion turned on her heels and left the room.

Rockford opened his mouth to ask a question, but quickly closed it as the Captain obviously was not in a listening mood. He frowned slightly as he thought. "Where the hell is the crisis?"

Realizing that he might have to take things into his own hands, Rockford started to speak up. He was interrupted by the Yeoman who handed him and the rest of the team some data PADD's with directions to their quarters. Giving them a quick glance Rockford found a detailed map of the ship with specific areas of interest marked out. He nodded to himself and said. "Thank you Yeoman Feldman. If it's not too much trouble, can you have my things taken to my quarters? I would like to report to Dr. LaMerinder and find out exactly what this crisis is."

The Yeoman said that it would be taken care of, to which Rockford replied "Thank you." He then nodded to the other members of the team and headed out the transporter room door glancing at the data PADD to see where the nearest turbolift was.

~~~ Deck 3, Primary Sickbay, USS Caduceus ~~~

On his way to find the primary sickbay Rockford had been reading the specs of the Caduceus and he was impressed, very impressed. "A hospital ship, son of a... I can't believe it. Someone at the top has finally come to their senses." Rockford thought.

He was a dedicated doctor and felt that there was no finer institute to work in. His attitude was a little prejudicial but then most doctors thought the same as he, with the other sciences coming in a close second of course. Still all in all he was glad to see that Starfleet was giving a little more than the customary lip service to his noble profession.

He was still wondering exactly what he would be doing as the trauma specialist on this crisis team when he walked into the primary sickbay. He looked up and was amazed a the size of it. "My God! Have I died and gone to medical heaven or what?" Rockford suddenly realized that he had spoken aloud when he heard someone say. "Excuse me?"

Turning he saw a pretty female nurse approaching. He quickly tried to recover and stuttered. "Uh... I... uh... yes can you tell me where I can find..." His mind suddenly went blank as the nurse smiled. He glanced at his data PADD again. "Yes.. uh a Dr. LaMerinder?" He finished trying to look dignified despite the fact that the nurse was still smiling at his expense.

The nurse gave him a puzzled look. "I am not sure we have met before doctor...?" She asked.

"I apologize, I am Doctor Sloane, I was instructed to report to Dr. LaMerinder I am with the crisis team." Rockford hoped the nurse knew about the crisis team since he had no clue himself.

"Yes Doctor Sloane, we have been expecting you, please follow me." The nurse turned and lead him through the sickbay. Rockford was again struck by the sheer size of the medical facility. They came to a series of offices and the nurse asked him to wait outside as she informed the on duty, Doctor in Charge that he had arrived.

As he waited his glance fell longingly over the sickbay again, and he wondered exactly how someone got a permanent assignment to the Caduceus.

Ensign Rockford T. Sloane, MD
Crisis Team - Trauma Specialist
USS Caduceus NCC-9462
An Allied Electronic Simulations Affiliated Sim
ICQ #31408187

"Tensions High"
by - Lt. Cmdr. David Mercury
Chief of Engineering
USS Galaxy

Lee shook his head. "Sorry 'mate. Summon the senior bridge staff, and take your post. I want our best people at their stations to insure no one gets the jitters on this one."

"Captain if it is alright with you I would rather remain on the bridge instead of going to Main Engineering, I just got a weird feeling about this one." the young Chief asked.

"Granted, inform Mister Hewson." Lee replied.

"Yes sir. thank you sir," David tapped his comm badge. "Mercury to Hewson"

[Go ahead David]

"AC I know you just received a call to report to the bridge, remain in Main Engineering. I am going to stay on the bridge."

[Remain here, understood, AC out]

* * *

"Raise shields. Helm, set intercept course Alpha-1. Half impulse." The General ordered.

*Alpha-1, why such and elementary tactic, what was the Captain thinking.* David thought to himself.

"Intercept course Alpha-1 laid in Captain. Ready to engage at half impulse." Lieutenant Commander Bancroft replied.

"Do it 'mate. Stand by to follow it up with evasion Beta-2." Lee ordered.

*What is he doing?* David moved his hand through his hair and turned back around towards the Science station console. "Mercury to Hewson"

[Go ahead David]

"Increase power to the forward shield emitters and be prepared to redirect power from the main deflector dish." David ordered.

[Alright, but if I might ask why?]

"I'm not sure, something strange is going on, I just want to be prepared. I will keep you posted."

Dan Josephs

" Battle Station"
By Ensign Koll Enro
Science officer
USS Galaxy

Enro had been half way to the Stellar Cartography lab when the Galaxy had gone to red alert. Immediatly he had gone to his Battle Station in the science labs. This was going to be one of his first Battle situations and he was excited.

*** Science Lab***

Enro runs into the science lab and immediatly goes to a console on the right wall. Wondering whats going on he accesses the ships sensor logs. It appeared to him that the Galaxy was after the St. Louis but he could only assume. He had tried to access the comunication logs but he couldnt gain access.Out of the corner of his eye enro noticed Darain Elik walking into the science lab.

" Ensign " Elik says in greeting. Enro only nods and gets back to work. Koll once again looks at the current sensor logs and wonders when the actions going to start.

"The Bold and the Beautiful." (Not necessarily in that order)
Co-authored By Mikey Dorffen, Helmsman, USS St Louis
& Annaietalsie Lahav, Attack shuttlecraft dept. head, USS Pompeii, On Leave

One of the few things in life Annie Lahav actually disliked was helplessness. She didn't like it when she couldn't resist the Cardassian slave trader or prevent her real parents being taken away from her; She barely stood serving in the Pompeii while knowing that somewhere out there her step sister was hidden within a Maquis cell and could be revealed and murder on every second; And she couldn't bare the thought that there was absolutely nothing she could do to help right now. Her uniform - the one she was wearing now - had three pips on the collar, which means Starfleet believed she was rather useful.. so why is it that she didn't feel like that right now? True, she WAS only a passenger and she WASN'T a member of this ship's crew, but the ship was also in crisis and there was definitely a way to put her talents in use ... she would've asked Dan, but the doctor was probably very busy and she didn't want to create disturbances with their unexplained mind link while his talent was needed the most. The other option, however, was a lot more logical. It involved a certain department head which shared with her the same type of work, although she suspected she was somewhat better at it ...

It didn't take long before Annie entered Mikey's office and sat behind his desk, waiting for her Betazoid friend. Aside from attempting to find a suitable temporary job for her, she also needed to talk to him about his promise to her. He couldn't have forgotten about it, and wasn't going to break it--she knew he wont do such thing. It was far too important to her. After talking with Daniel, she realised that she couldn't get on with her life until this was dealt with.

While being mentally linked with someone may seem interesting, and it may seem like a good chance for study, it becomes a pain in the proverbial butt after a while. Especially when one of the sides is vital in order to keep his ship from entering an early grave, or if the other side was her.

Mikey's desk, as one might well imagine, was a mess. Not only were there clutters of the starfleet sort, but they were waging a battle with his personal belongings that also claimed a stake for desk space. Annie wasn't sure who was winning and who was losing, but she didn't want to be there when whoever was destined to win, won.

Nevertheless, she did find it quite amusing although she was an organized person. It reminded her of her desk back when she lived with her three step siblings - when four people had the same desk, things tended to get messy - and for some reason, Mikey's desk looked as if four different people were using it simultaneously. There were piles of PADDs so tall that they'd fall with a misplaced breath. There were *toys* of various sizes and shapes, most of which Annie didn't recognise from any of the more modern cultural icons or programs.

'How cute.', she said, taking one of them in her hands.

Mikey was kind of a buff when it came to television shows. She'd heard him talk about it on one of his public relations classes at the Academy, when he had to give a talk on a subject of his choice.

Then there was actually paper, piles of it with scribbles on and faces sketched (There was a very interesting one of Captain Thiana that Annie pretended not to see) and ideas and ...

It was scary to think what was going on in Mikey's mind when you looked at his desk.

She decided that it needed a bit of a clean up, just like she used to do when Tanya, Darin and Marianne got their shared desk really messy. She had come to this decision when she's discovered one of his PADDs had slipped into a half finished meal. It looked like a kabob, but it had long since passed it's usefulness in life ... civilized life at any rate, only those on a microscopic level had any use it now.

She picked it up and took it over to the replicator to dispose of it.

When she returned, she found that by peeling the plate off of the desk she'd uncovered a red envelope. It wasn't sealed, and was face down on the desk.

Annie is as honest a person as you're ever likely to meet, and, admittedly inquisitive, she'd never been one to peek at Mikey's private things. Growing up with Terrans - which she regarded as her only real family now - Annie was fully aware of the current time of year. Saint Valentine's Day was only a few days ago if she remembered correctly, and here Mikey was, with a card at the ready. She smiled to herself, recalling how Valentine looked back on Ra'anana, which - although it mainly contained Jews - was part of the world love 'carnival'. Tanya always got some letter, and Marianne too, and Darin kept sour face all day long, and...

Annie, not one to peek, accidentally opened it up slightly by sighing heavily. It blew back for a moment, before springing shut. She giggled a little before thinking ... if she knew Mikey as well as she thought she knew Mikey, then the card would be from Mikey for her anyway. So, if that were true, why was she freaking out over sneaking a peek at the card? It was awkward as it is, and most of her preferred not to get it at all ... but a little part of her was flattered, and even appreciative.

Then she felt guilty for thinking about stuff like this while everything else on the St Louis was going through hell. She should just get it over with, and then find Mikey and ask him to give her a temporary job, perhaps Gamma shift on the bridge or shuttlecraft OPS duty. In a quick huff of 'It's for me anyway, and it won't take long', she snatched up the card and flipped it over. She smiled triumphantly as she saw the boyish scrawl of 'Annie' on the front of the card.

Annie opened it up, and tried to pull the card out. It wouldn't budge. She opened the envelope as much as she could, looked over at the door to Mikey's office to make sure she would be undisturbed and then returned to the card, giggling a little more. 'This is SO cute.', she thought to herself once again.

It was stuck tight within the envelope. Looking a little more closely, it was too big for it's home, and on further inspection still, she saw that it was kind of stuck to the envelope from the inside too. She gently prized the two pieces of paper form each other, and with a little more brute force, she slipped out the card.

She was touched.

It was a homemade valentine's card, albeit with Mikey's distinctly 'Mikey' style. It had roughly been cut out of red cardboard, jagged edges looking like they'd been cut with kindergarten scissors.

After searching around the desk some more, she deduced that it had been cut with kindergarten scissors, as she found a pair hidden behind a heavy leather bound book. They were even more impossible to use however, as the 'blades' were stuck together with glue.

Presumably the same glue that had been used to stick the crepe paper heart onto the front of the card, and the same glue that had locked the card inside the envelope. The entire thing looked as though it had been made by a six year old, and to Annie, it was incredibly cute (if a little sticky).

She opened it. It read:

To Annaietalsie,

There was a blonde girl named Annie,
Who got a nice card from her man-ee,
Mikey's his name,
(This rhyming is lame),
I'm rubbish at poetry, but I'm great in bed.

What do you say?

Love from '?'

(On reflection, stating his name in the verse, and then signing with a question mark wasn't the greatest feat of logic Mikey had ever performed.)

Annie's face turned completely red as she read the last two sentences. Blushing was something the naive Annie did quite often, but not at this intensity. On one hand, it WAS extremely touching and flattering, playing every string of her hopelessly romantic soul. But then came the fifth sentence, throwing her completely off-guard and shocking her. She didn't know what to do.. she didn't even know what to say. Mikey claimed that he was 'great in bed' but she didn't even know whether she was 'great in bed'. She wasn't even sure what qualifies under 'great in bed'.

Perhaps Mikey was far less mature than her in behavior and morality, but in terms of THAT kind of experience, it seemed that he had far more from it than her. A nasty thought slipped into her mind - maybe it was time to change that? After all, Mikey did love her, and she really...

No - he didn't REALLY love her. Not according to this letter. Not according to 'Great in bed'. Sex was called by Humans 'making love', but it wasn't always an expression of love, simply the result of accelerated hormonal actions intended for procreation purposes, a pure biological process ... she remembered what her sister Tanya once said: 'People spend too much thought and resources about procreation'.

But then there was her response, 'Love is our best means of survival'. Was she loyal to it? And was it really *love*? Was she in love with Lieutenant Junior Grade Michael Dorffen, or simply drawn into his and her illusions?

She didn't have a single second to think about it because at that moment, the door slid open. Instinctively, she rose up a little, placed the letter on her chair, and sat on it again, then pushed the envelope away a little as Mikey stepped into the office. She hoped that her cheeks were no longer Crimson, and smiled.

"H..h... hi Mikey..."

"Oh, hey ..." Mikey said, his face lighting up as he saw his friend behind the desk. "And to what do I owe this most gracious honour m'lady?" He smiled cheekily as he began to look around the desk. He was looking for a PADD he'd been working from detailing some engineering schematics. It actually belonged to Ensign Roan down in engineering, and he'd borrowed it to look over the helm-engineering relays.

"To.. uhhhh... well, I want to..", she tried to recall her original intentions. The nerves of steel and light-fast reflexes which were her main weapons when flying an attack shuttlecraft kicked into action, and she managed to let out a fairly good response. "I want to help your department in the current crisis - to relieve some of the stress. I was thinking of helm gamma shift or perhaps aiding in the shuttlebay. After all, I am a pilot and a Starfleet officer ... right? I can't just sit in the side and watch because it's not my ship.."

Mikey wasn't really listening, having found his PADD with kabob stains on the screen. He was now trying to find something with which to wipe that clean, and it was obvious that he was in a hurry. "Great, but I'm really kind of in a hurry ..."

Annie shuddered, hoping that Mikey didn't search for a certain greeting card currently resting in a cozy position between her rear to the chair.

"Okay ... so what was it you wanted to talk about again?" Mikey asked, relaxing a little by jumping and bouncing onto the couch stationed in his office. He closed his eyes and rubbed them with his fists like a rudely awakened little boy. Still lying down, he turned and studied Annie. Mikey was almost napping and Annie just sitting there talking to him gave the Betazoid just a feeling of sheer ... completeness and warmth. It was just ... nice.

Annie, on the other hand, secretly sighed in relief. She'd hate to hurt Mikey by telling him she took a look at his card - which he, perhaps, didn't even intend to send. She was also unsure of what to do once she officially gets the card ... but for now, the issue of returning it to its place without Mikey noticing was more important. She watched him again, and a naughty smile emerged on her face. 'Good in bed'? Perhaps it was a referral to snoring.. then again, probably not.

"I was talking about a temporal assignment. Here, on the St Louis." Annie said, kind of fragmented-like. "I can't really do anything to help with this disease thing unless I'm assigned. And, ironically, you're the one whose got to do it - quite a change from the previous times we got together." She smiled nervously. "Mmm?"

Mikey didn't answer the question and instead swung his legs over the side of the couch so as he was sitting upright; as upright as a Dorffen could get anyway. He examined her again, running his obsidian orbs over her pale features; her yellowy hair; her oh-so slightly ridged Bajoran nose. She'd let him touch the nearly invisible ridges once, and experience he'd not soon forget. He sighed.

"Okay, what is it?" he asked her.

Annie was shocked. It was a turn-a-round for Mikey to be the insightful, questioning, /adult/ one in their twisted little relationship. It almost made her forget that he was the one who wrote the card that was now so intimate with the seat of her uniform.

"Err...". she scratched her head, unsure of what to say. Now, your average person would probably find an excuse and tell a little white lie, but not Annie Lahav. Perhaps she could shoot Dominion fighters out of the sky, and perhaps she was one of the youngest Lieutenant Commanders in the fleet - definitely in her area of expertise - she was a very, very bad liar, and couldn't lie to those she cared for. It was very ironic that both of her step sisters used to work in the only branch of Starfleet which needed good liars - S.I.

Mikey's eyes were on her now--she just had to get out of there.

"Listen Mik-" she stood up as she began, but then heard a rather loud ripping noise--Mikey had been overzealous with his use of the glue on the card, and it obviously hadn't dried yet. Yes, that's how enthusiastically the glue'd been smeared. Enthusiastically enough to stick Annie to the chair.

"Wha- what was that?" Mikey asked quickly. He knew what it was as well as Annie knew what it was. Neither were sure who was the more embarrassed or would be the more embarrassed in a few moments.

Standing up, she yanked the card from off her behind, and gave it to Mikey. She lowered her head with shame, her cheeks burning in scarlet flame once again. "I... I read it.", she said quietly. "I'm really really really sorry... it's beautiful - the heart, that is."

Now it was Mikey's turn to blush. Mikey was one who usually caused the deep red flushes in people and it was a rare instant when someone turned the tables on him--and it was a very rare instant when it was Annie, the sweetest, most unmalicious creature in the galaxy.

"Oh."

He snatched it off of her, crumpling the card slightly. He then apologised under his breath, stood, and stroked his fringe from his eyes to behind his ear.

"Dear." he couldn't look at her. They were standing opposite each other, the offensive card between them, Mikey desperately rubbing his palms on his hips in a subconscious movement.

"Oh Dear."

He tested the water, looking over into her eyes. They were about the same height so there wasn't one looking up or another looking down--there were just the two sets of eyes locked on one another ... as Mikey's mind desperately worked to get him out of this situation.

"So ..." Annie said finally.

"Yeah ..." Mikey laughed, and then retracted his breath sharply, the jocular sound as if in a vacuum. He sighed. "Look, Annie, I didn't mean .. No. I just didn't mean for you to find the-"

"No no no Mikey.. It's my fault. I shouldn't have touched your desk. It simply looked so messy, and it reminded me so much of my own office on the Pompeii that I simply couldn't resist...", she said quietly pleading for his forgiveness.

"Yeah," Mikey was kind of relieved she hadn't freaked out. He had no idea how he could even think she would--Annie'd only ever been truly angry once in Mikey's presence, and the Betazoid was unconscious at the time. So really she'd never been angry at all in his conscious mind's presence ... or whatever. He's going to shut up now--Mikey never was very good with minds. "Look, I'll get rid of the card ..."

"No."

"No?"

"No." Annie inhaled deeply. She couldn't believe she was doing this, the latent redness in her face starting show again. She could see that even though there was huge embarrassment on her friends part at the discovery of the card, but maybe he was a little hurt? Maybe he expected ... more. She was in no way going to do anything with him, but she felt that she needed to show him that she did care. "No. I want that card."

"You want it? Why ..? You obviously read it all ... surely, I mean I can see you're shamed as it is, why'd you want to keep it?"

"Well ... it's kind of sweet. Very sweet, and perhaps one of the few honest greeting cards I've ever got. The verse is a little extreme. No, the verse is VERY extreme ... but I can see that you've spent a lot of time and effort on making the card and cuting and *gluing* ..."

Mikey giggled. A piece of sticky crepe paper fell to the floor off of the card. He gently gave it back to her.

"I'm sorry. I know it's nothing to say that you shouldn't have seen it--I didn't intend that ..." Mikey's English accent got confused as he tried to explain what he was feeling. "But I shouldn't have written it in the first place ... it was disrespectful. I'm sorry."

Annie sighed, and smiled. When she tried to look reassuring, she was always more successful than lying "It's okay."

"No. No, it's not. It was wrong."

Annie pulled a face, playing her cards well. This was an overblown situation and she had to give Mikey a relief before the poor Betazoid will do something even more extreme to express his regret - or worse, feel bad about himself, which was VERY un-Mikey. That gave her an idea. "Okay, who are you and what've you done with the real Mikey Dorffen?!"

"Stop it, I'm really sorry."

"Okay, Mikey, you're really scaring me now ... You're acting so ... so ... grown up!"

He cracked a grin.

"It is kind of scary, isn't it?" he winked.

"Wicked, Lieutenant." Annie winked and reached out a hand which Mikey took, filling the gap between them. Mikey could feel his Annie-Angel sighing heavily, relived that the two were back as friends--she's been biting her polish-flecked nails since Annie had found the card. Mikey-Devil snapped his pitchfork in disgust.

Mikey quickly broke off before he suggested something that Mikey-Devil was whispering his ear, and caused irreparable damage to their relationship. He grabbed his PADD and said-

"I need to get back to the bridge."

"Sure."

"I will sort that stuff out for you."

"Okay."

"And I am sorry."

"Go, Lieutenant, they need the second best pilot onboard on the bridge."

He smiled and darted back out of the office. Annie toed the carpet beneath her feet thoughtfully. She peeled open the card and reread the verse--the blush rose again, but this time she didn't seem so ... red.

"Too Little, Too Late"
by Captain Mercedes Manion

The split viewscreen showed a live feed on one side, and a tactical display on the other.  It showed the USS Galaxy in blue and red, showing full shields and weapons at the ready.  Mercedes watched with a feeling of sick dread as the USS St. Louis raised her shields and continued to move onward.

*They're not going to stand down,* she thought to herself, unconsciously drumming her palm against the arm of her chair, in time with her heartbeat.  There had to be something to do.  Some way to get the sick people aboard the St. Louis to treatment in the Kendan atmosphere without offending the Kendans, or breaking the Starfleet regulations regarding quarrantine.  

Just then, Lt. Vanx spoke up.  "Captain, look!"

Manion looked up to the screen in time to see the Quarrantine unit separate from the St. Louis and seemingly disappear as it dropped from warp.  

"Lt. Vanx, please establish contact with the QU if possible, and get me estimated time to re-attach the unit."

"Aye, Captain."

Manion watched as the Galaxy maneuvered to a new location and then stared with dread at the Galaxy as it fired a spread of torpedos.  They didn't impact the Intrepid-class ship, though.  Then, in a flash, they detonated, and the tactical display showed the impact taking the St. Louis out of warp.

"Captain..."

Lt. Vanx's voice brought her out of her introspective.  "Yes, Lieutenant?"

"Captain, the QU is spinning out of control.  I finally raised Dr. Jergensen on her comm badge.  Trevor Allen is in a stasis tank, he has taken the Ocero virus.  The Doctor is requesting assistance, Sir."

"Lt. Vanx, give the order to scramble the rest of the Paramedic flight team.  Have them equip in full biocontainment gear, and get them out there to get the QU under control, and to give them any aid they might need.  Have them keep in constant contact with us, and make certain we know the status of the QU at all times."

Just then, she saw the Galaxy move off into a smoothly executed maneuver, which even *she* recognized. Alpha-1. Basics! Why? Price was up to something...

"Ensign Ryn, hail the Livingstone.  Mister Coghlan, I want four options for intercepting the St. Louis if necessary."

There was something nagging her intuition, but Mercy could not get a firm grip on what it was. She knew her crew needed to be ready, and she needed to get the latest update from Kozlov. She hoped that he had managed to get someone from the Kendan hierarchy to sway to the side of assisting them.

"Flight team away, Captain." Ensign Ryn announced from tactical.

"Very good. One less variable to worry about."

She sat back and watched the tableau on the viewscreen. As a hospital ship, they were specifically under orders to remain out of a battle situation if at all possible. And she would. Unless it became obvious that there was no sense in continuing a battle.

And that meant a viable and rapid treatment for the virus.

Under her breath, Captain Manion said, "Oh Viktor, use that famous charm of yours and get us some assistance."

She hoped it would not be too little, too late.

Captain Mercedes Manion
USS Caduceus NCC-9462
An Allied Electronic Simulations Affiliated Sim
capt.manion@Caduceus.zzn.com

"Distant Thunderstorm"
By Commander Robert Strauss, Lt.Commander Daniel Rosenblith, Lt. Tyler
Jackson, Lt. Adam Harris, Lt. JG Mikey Dorffen, Lt. Jg John Crane
Senior Crew, U.S.S. St.Louis

Daniel and Ray sat alone in the senior officers' conference room, looking over the files. Looking at his reflection in the Transparent Aluminum windows, Rosenblith thought he looked very funny - like a fully-geared 20th. century Astronaut in the middle of a living-room. If not for the grim situation they were in and the glum face of Ray who sat next to him and read the report out loud, he might've even laughed.

"Thank you, Ray.", he said when she finished. She had a beautiful voice, soft and shy yet very clear, but she seemed to use it only on rare occasion or when duty required it. She nodded briefly, her face turning a little Crimson, and picked up the PADD. "You should also visit sickbay to see if you have the virus.", he added grimly. Ray obeyed quickly and spun toward the door, her dark blue hair flying around her for a second until it returned to its previous, settled shape. He watched her back, and sighed.

After all, that's what was so ironic about the whole situation - the disease obviously reached the inner sides of the St.Louis if he was infected. Maybe it was by the Ocero or by one of the doctors which encountered and treated them, but the whole crew was probably exposed to it by now, despite the quarantine on sickbay and the cargo bays were the Ocero were held.

He narrowed his eyes with determination, standing motionless and erect next to his seat. They were not going to fail, and he was going to make sure of that. If he'll have to be court martialed along with Thiana, he'll carry his punishment with pride because now the path was clear. It was the path between life - and death.

The door swished open.

Mikey Dorffen tumbled into the room as if shoved by some unruly person who was behind him in line ... there was nothing strange about that kind of instance though, it was common place for Mikey to fall in and out of rooms--it was just his way. Making sure he had gained his feet sturdily, he flashed a half-hearted, lop-sided, poor-bloke smile of sympathy towards the besuited Daniel and then took his seat.

"Hello Mikey.", Daniel said, smiling. "Have you seen Ms.Lahav lately? I thought she'll volunteer in sickbay like she did the last time, but I haven't seen her there."

The card. The hideous, hideous card. Words were funny things when they got to Mikey's tongue. It was often a long and twisted process for them as they decided whether or not they would actually roll off of the pink muscle, or whether they'd hang there, forcing his mouth to open and close but no sound forthcoming. "She ... helm ... reassigned ... Oh God."

Rosenblith nodded and smiled politely, and Mikey went back to hiding his face.

Crane calmly moved in after the bumbling Dorffen. He glanced around the room to see who else was there. He moved to his chair and sat down drawing a few looks as he did. He loyalty to the ship had always been in question and in times like this he couldn't blame them. Even Rosenblith, which was one of the few St.Louis members which he considered as a good friend, stared at him unhappily - but that could be dismissed as a general tension and distress.

Strauss walked in and took his seat near the head of the table, across from The Doc.... er the XO, Dan. He looked around the table, seeing almost everyone in their seats. Dan would most likely be starting the meeting soon.

Tyler Jackson entered the room last. He was busy working on the berry solution, and left his work at the last possible moment to make it to the meeting on time. All eyes watched him as he took his seat, allowing the meeting to start. They were all there, except for one seat that remained vacant - Thiana's. Although he told Ray to notify her, the Captain apparently had other things to do. Resting, he hoped, or perhaps taking care of the bridge that was now manned mostly by Beta shift staff and junior officers. He cleared his throat, politely demanding the other's attention, then started.

"Shalom, friends. In less than an hour, we're going to enter the space around Kenda II and hopefully obtain the possible cure - the berries. Captain Thiana asked me to gather a senior officers meeting, and do all the necessary arrangements. She might also join us later - but we should be able to devise a plan ourselves. If anyone here objects what we're about to do - please leave the room now, and your protest will be noted in my log. The rest..", he looked at them, eyeing each one for a second without adding a word. They all knew what it was all about.

Mikey didn't know what to think. He might've been a senior officer, but he had the mentality of a seven year old in his twnetysomething body. There were all these codewords like 'honour' and 'responsibility' and 'Starfleet directive' and he had no idea which one to follow. One said, Do the right thing for your career--walk out. Another said, Do that and you'll look like a Doof. It wasn't fair. He'd managed all this time without doing it, so why now did he have to be an adult?

He settled into his seat.

Crane had no intention of leaving either. But just to see what would happen he lifted himself less than an inch of the chair. He sat right back down as he thought the joke had gone far enough - especially as Rosenblith gave him a suspecting glare.

"Beseder..", Daniel said eventually. Cold sweat started to gather near his temples, but he was determine not to fall unconscious. Just a couple of hours.. a couple of hours to keep himself stable, and after that he'll be either healed - or dying. Until then, he was going to give all that he had for the success of their mission. "Before we continue, I'd just like to say something which might not matter in a couple of hours.. but if we'll succeed, and I'll remain as executive officer, I'd like you to consider me like some sort of an overall department head.. I mean, if there are any problems within the department, any complaints or just need someone to talk to - I'm here to take that off Captain Thiana's shoulders, and leave her to deal with the theoretical parts and big decisions."

He shook his body violently, as trying to drive the odd feeling in his throat away. He was never good at things like that, and started already to get dizzy - not only because of the disease. The sooner he moves subject, the better. "Anyhow, that's what we're doing now - getting practical. First of all, I'd like a report from you - how are your departments handling the crisis, what's the morale status, and what are your personal opinions. And don't spare me on that last part."

Seeing as how the last person in the room got the worst seat, Tyler was looked on first to give his department's report. "Well sir, Science teams are working with medical to help expedite the cure. Twenty percent of my staff have been infected and are incapacitated. Morale is faltering due to the losses in personnel, but I think that we'll be able to hold up. Personally, I'm confident in the curative properties of the berry."

"I sure hope you're right..", Rosenblith sighed. The chance that the berries weren't even the answer was hung over his head like a five ton guillotine. If he and Zeri had broken quarantine with chances to infect the entire quadrant with a deadly plague for virtually nothing, he would feel like an idiot. Of course, he would also be dead, but he'll have enough time to torture himself before the physical tortures will become even less bearable - and by that time it wont matter at all.

Harris decided to speak regarding his department "Regarding the Security department sir, about 15% are infected and unfit for duty. About 5% have questioned the orders and decided to form there own mutinous group."

"I hope you did something about it.", Daniel muttered angrily. If it wasn't enough that the QU's crew might burst into a foolish rebellion by a random flaming spark, their own crew now started to become very discontent - but Daniel couldn't blame them. If only things were different.. he might've done the same thing. He returned his attention to Adam, which heard his comment and was in the middle of answering it.

"...have placed all the current members of this group in the brig to stop them from causing any problems to the mission at hand. Also, the morale of the department just continues to fall lower and lower as time passes. Personally I believe that as a member of this crew that we serve under the Captain and if her orders state that we must continue in this manner then I am in full support of her decision." Adam finished making sure everyone knew that he was in no ways mutinous.

"Yeah, but ..." Mikey's father would shout him down for starting sentences with 'Yeah, but'. He'd say, "Michael: /Yes/, But." Right now he wanted to know about the situation with the other ships. "What're you going to do about it? I hate to be the voice of panic here, but these golden fingers-" He cracked his knuckles to demonstrate, "-can only get us so far ... what about security and tactical measures to protect us if the Caduceus catches up with us? What about other ships Starfleet'll detach?" Mikey hated talking at these meetings. He always sounded like he was just causing trouble, and his comments never won any votes of favour from the rest of the senior staff.

Crane spoke up " Starfleet won't send any more ships until the Galaxy is adrift ..." This comment drew looks of worry. " The Intel department is me and PADD but were ready. I......" Crane considered how to word his next comment " would like to offer my...talent's to all other departments. I am trained in most areas."

"I don't think we are going to fight the Galaxy, Crane, and I'm sure the famous Captain Price will not hurry to shoot us out of the sky like a young hotshot might have. We're Starfleet - all of us, and don't you forget this for a single moment." He glances around, making sure Thiana didn't arrive while he wasn't paying attention. But her seat was still empty, and the room lacked her presence, that glow which always warmed his heart when he was in the same room with her. Thinking of the Ocero storyteller's words when they spoke earlier, Dan continued.

"If to be honest, ladies and gentlemen, I'm counting on our speed that we won't need to face such situation. If we WILL be intercepted by the Galaxy before being able to achieve the medicine.. I'm going to suggest the Captain to delay them as much as possible, and then surrender - anything in order not to fight against our own men."

Mikey was no turncoat, especially if there was a 'cause' at stake; Romulan- Starfleet-Dominion coups; SI murders; being trapped in a soap opera ... all in Mikey's job description. But surly the Galaxy was here to help? Surly they'd go get the fruit? He knew that they were faster but knowing Starfleet there'd be all nice ways of stopping them first--disabling their capacity for warp being top of the list.

There was a tense silence, as the officer exchanged glances. They all knew that by saying that Rosenblith has undermined the Captain's decision, and that in a few minutes they might witness an inevitable clash on the St.Louis' bridge, but none objected or supported Rosenblith. Eventually, Mikey spoke again when Rosenblith looked over at him. "Helm's fine under the circumstances ... We're a smaller department since our visit to Earth, so we've only one infecte- /dead/ crewmember." He paused. "I've assigned 'Commander Lahav to the department for the time being as she's stuck here. Otherwise, I've full evasive manoo- maneu- manu- _dammit_." He started again. "Otherwise everything's dandy."

* What a Doof. * he thought as he felt 20 pairs of eyes upon him. He quickly looked to pass the buck onto the next department head.

"Hmm... Dandy?", Daniel couldn't resist saying.

Mikey mentally poked out his tongue.

Strauss spoke up, giving a quick status report of the team's readiness, including the fact the Knight had gotten himself confined to sickbay. "possibly if he doesn't show too many symptoms, I would like to get one of those fancy suits you are wearing, and have him available, should action be needed".

"I'm afraid not, Commander.. as someone who has the disease, obviously," Rosenblith tapped on his helmet, "I can reassure you that even a strong SEALS officer wont be able to withstand the effort. You'll just lose a man down there, or waste time in dragging him after you, in my opinion.". WhiteSong nodded in agreement, and Strauss sank into his seat, probably thinking of a possible temporal replacement to his new 2iC

Daniel searched for Jackson among the fairly large St.Louis senior crew. The science chief was one of the few among them he didn't know personally and had no assessment of his nature or character. Sure, he remembered the man's actions on Faltos and when he and that Vulcan brought the orb to the St.Louis, but besides that there was nothing much he could make out of the man. "I've asked my.. aide to send you all relevant information about Kenda II, but it's not very detailed, and does not include information about the berries which we will use to extract the medicine from. Lieutenant Jackson.. can you please fill us up on the subject?"

"Our research has uncovered little information on the berry itself, only it's curative properties. The Kenda have used the berry for many generations, and it may have something to do with their extended lives. The information on the curative properties have come to us mainly in story, but there are these medical cases of Kenda contracting a disease and the berry juice was used to cure the victim. The Kenda medical files are available for everyone to see. Our research has yet to reproduce the effects, but we are close to a breakthrough."

"So basically Lieutenant these berries might not actually work?....Well we have to try nevertheless" Harris added to the conversation, saying the same words that crossed the minds of most of his colleagues.

"We'll have to take a chance.", Rosenblith said and nodded toward Jackson. "You all know that - we've been gambling on this no-win scenario since its beginning, I'm afraid.. but if Tyler thinks it might work and save or lives, I'll second him. Please be sited, Lieutenant."

As Jackson finished and returned to his seat, Daniel approached the holo-emitter near the port-side wall, moving sluggishly because of the E-suit. He activated it, and quickly loaded a program which Ray prepared for him in advance. A three-dimensional image of Kenda II appeared, with several red spots on it, most of them centering on a small continent in the northern hemisphere.

"The red dots represent main storage facilities where the berries are stored in its original form before being transferred to the Kendan industries which are processing them into food products, cosmetics, medicines, etc. . Since we will obviously not be permitted to take it because of the bio-hazard situation we're under, and the fact that we have no time to negotiate. As much as I hate to say this.. we need a plan of attack. Minimum violence or usage of force.. but Maximum berries - we'll need as many as we can get."

Harris started before Strauss could speak.

"I believe that to obtain the best amount of berries that every available security officer and SEAL aboard the ship should be beamed over to the storage facilities to collect these berries. With the current amount of security officers and SEAL's aboard available for duty, I believe that we will be available to collect enough berries to accommodate the entire crew." Harris finished allowing the others to add their comments.

Once Harris had finished, Strauss spoke up. "Actually, that won't be happening... We need to sustain a defense force on the ship. I am also not going to sacrifice the stealth of the operation with a bunch of security officers bumbling around on the planet. We will take an equal amount of security officers as SEALs, and each security man will be paired with one of my team. If Knight is made available, that will mean I will need up to nine officers from your department. I would like yourself, Darhe'el, Pepys, Ensign's Kombre and Klarr and Randal included in those numbers. The rest I leave up to your discretion". After a quick, but short-lived objection and glare from Harris, Strauss nodded to Rosenblith to proceed.

"Allright.. fair enough.", Rosenblith spoke up, well aware that it wasn't his field of expertise. "Question is, in which method? And on which objectives? The berries are storaged on these large tanks, resembling 20th. century military fuel tanks for those of you who are familiar with that era. Ray - my aide - sent me some photos of one of the factories - this one here.", he pointed toward one of the red dots. "We have several problems. First, the storage tanks are quite wide so there's a chance we'll need to get down by shuttles if OPS or engineering can't find a way to Transport it somehow. Also, it's lightly guarded and we do not want to kick off a war with the Kendans - so we'll have to do this without violence, or die. Third.. this is just one storage facility, and there are over twenty major ones across the planet. Are we going to concentrate on one, or several?"

He smiled sheepishly, his eyes trailing toward the more strategy-oriented members of the crew - Strauss, Crane, Harris and the tactical chief he was not familiar with, all sitting next to each other in the traditional 'conference room table' formation. "I'm sure I'm missing a lot.. but we can start with this. I mean, we can't just barge in there without preparing.. right?"

Strauss once again started speaking. "Engineering and science are going to have to work on getting a transport method worked out. I know captain Kirk once beamed a section of ocean out, whales and all... so I am expecting that with the updated technology, we can beam an amount of berries to storage containers. Now as I understand it, the problem with just entering orbit and beaming them aboard, is the fact that there is a lot of machinery around the storage and processing facilities, that are interrupting our transporters. This is where engineering comes into play". Strauss looked over at the Tuvek, Chief Engineer. "Do you think that you can outfit a bunch of transport amplifiers to float in the berries"?

In the usual Vulcan style, Tuvek thought for a second, then replied "Yes, it is possible".

"Good get on it". Strauss said. "We are going to need a set of three for each team... eight teams, with one Command team, that makes... eight times three..."

"Twenty four" Tuvek offered quickly.

"Good, twenty four. I leave it up to you and OPS, to get the storage facilities here together". He paused and turned to the rest of the people sitting at the table. "The teams will make their way in, and put the transport amplifiers into the berry tanks, once the ship has done their thing, I imagine that all heck will break loose, because alarms will go off as the berries reach a certain point in the tank. That means that you should be ghosts, well before the ship starts the beaming process. I imagine the ship can beam the amplifiers back, with the berries"? A nod from the tactical chief was the answer he got. "One last thing... We will be wearing E-suits the entire time. If this goes south, I want you all to be sure that we didn't infect anyone on the planet. Hopefully, Lt. Comdr.. Rosenblith can find us some nice lightweight ones, not like the tank he is carrying around".

Strauss looked over at Rosenblith, and nodded, turning the meeting back over to him.

"Sure thing - in fact, they're modified to carry an EPX-5--", Rosenblith was abruptly cut by the red klaxons which suddenly woke up to life. He didn't even need to dismiss the rest, which snapped on their feet and hurried out of the room. Fortunately, it was only a short walk to the bridge which was on the same deck, and from inside the room Dan could hear them dismiss the Beta shift crew and take their place. He could also hear Zeri - so that's where she was all the times. She knew.

"I'll come.. in a moment.", he said to Tuvek, which was the last to leave and looked at Daniel behind his shoulder. The Vulcan didn't offer further help, and Daniel forced himself to stand - against his legs' will. Slowly, he tried to move his entire aching body in the same direction. It wasn't a complete failure, and he was able to get to the bridge just in time to see the Captain giving out her orders. Some of the senior staff members which now manned the bridge looked at him with expectation - expectation to stand up for his word. And so he intended to do, even though a part of him screamed and protested against it.

"Zeri..", he said, his voice sounding raspy through the special E-suit. "Zeri, we should not engage in combat. Have Dorffen to evade them.. but if we'll be pinned I'll have to demand that we... that we will surrender."

====
- Oded Magger
Allied Electronic simulations
ICQ enlisted 12129457

"What's Going On"
Ensign Roger Conklin
Science Officer
U.S.S.Galaxy

With the red alert going off ensign roger conklin was rushing to get to the stellar cartography.He got on the turbolift and said "stellar cartography" the turbolift moved to the deck where he had asked.A few second's later the turbolift stopped and roger stepped off the turbolift and moved to the stellar cartography lab.He noticed ensign Menden rushing to get to the turbolift"Hey Menden,what's going on"and ensign conklin."The Galaxy is going to go into battle with the St.Louis"said Menden."Why are we going do battle with another Federation starship"said roger."I do not no"said Menden."I have to go"said Menden."O.K. Menden"said roger.

Ens. Ericson Ross
Crisis Team Science Officer
Assigned to USS Caduceus

After the Captain's brief welcome, Yeoman Feldman handed Ensign Ross a small red PADD, indicating his quarters and an electronic tour of the ship. 'Impressive,' he mused to himself as Feldman went on talking. 'They did a better job of refitting this old battleship into a flying hospital than I would have thought possible.'

Ross thought they would all be reporting to a common place to the leader of the Crisis Team for a situation report and mission briefing. He looked down at his PADD to find out just who in the Science Department he should report to. Lieutenant Junior Grade DePlainer. Human/Betazoid female. Ross hefted his bags and headed for his quarters on Deck 7, only one deck below the transporter room.

On his short walk, Ericscon considered his new CO. She seemed a bit harassed, almost as if she hadn't slept in a few days and probably wouldn't for a few more. He didn't envy anyone in command. Being a department head on a ship this size would be bad enough, but trying to coordinate it all within the parameters of the assignment while maintaining Starfleet rules, regulations a protocols made Ericson wonder why anyone in his or her right mind would even consider such a position. Was the reward really worth the gray hairs?

He arrived at his quarters quickly and simply dropped his bags on the bed in the spartan room. He hated being late, and preferred being just a little early. Now, with a new supervisor no doubt expecting him, he didn't want to change that and get a reputation for being late. Looking at the PADD again, he saw that there were science labs on Deck 9 in the saucer section and Deck 12 in the drive section. Since the primary labs were on Deck 12, he decided to try there first for Lt. DePlainer.

As he was walking towards Deck 12, he noticed a few other things about the Caduceus that one might expect from a hospital ship, but he never really thought about. The wide corridors and extra wide doors made maneuvering gurneys easier and some decks had exits on both ends of the oversized turbolift car.

The turbolift stopped him on Deck 12 and Ensign Ross made his way through the maze of halls to the office of the Chief Science Officer. He hit the door chime and only had to wait a moment to be granted entrance.

"Ensign Ericson Ross reporting for duty, sir." Ross said, standing in front of DePlainer's desk.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ens Ericson Ross
ICQ# 31385439

"To the Rescue"
Lt. j.g. Ordell Kincade
Assistant Chief Engineer, U.S.S. Caduceus

Ordell and Lt. Claymore monitored the QU unit as it drifted, twisting in space. They noted that Captain Manion had sent over a paramedic flight team to it.

"Knowing the Captain," Claymore said, "she'll want to have an engineering team sent over to check it out before it's reattached to the Caddy." "Indeed she will, sir," Ordell agreeed, scanning the QU unit.

"It lookes like the thrusters are damaged somewhat," Ordell reported. "There's a couple of hull fractures that need to be repaired before we go to warp. Other than that, the rest can be repaired at leasure."

"Of course, Captain Manion will want it repaired ASAP," Claymore said. "I'd be wondering about her sanity if she didn't," Ordell replied, knowing that they would never know when the QU's services would have to be called on again. As Claymore brought up the engineering roster to decide who would be sent on the mission, Ordell thought back over the past few months on the Caddy. Some of the other engineers on the Aeolus, his prevoius post, said that he would regret requesting a transfer to a medical ship. However, there hadn't been a dull moment yet. This was turning out to be a very interesting ship, the crew was great, and the missions were unusual.

"Front row seat"
By Ensign Kelt,
Flight Control Officer

-- USS Galaxy, bridge --

With the call of the senior bridge staff to battle stations, Kelt knew he would not be spending a lot of time at the backup helm console. As soon as lieutenant commander Bancroft would relieve lieutenant Sharp from his post, Sharp would be taking the backup helm console. Back on the USS Kyoto, Kelt had once witnessed an emotional discussion between a junior operations officer, and the chief of operations. A day earlier, lieutenant Fairbank, the chief of operations, had relieved ensign Dorial from his station, because of an alert situation. During the discussion the next day, Dorial had questioned the standard protocol in regard to this matter.

Although it was soon clear that lieutenant Fairbank was a better and more experienced officer than ensign Dorial, the discussion had broadened to the more fundamental issue of the protocol itself. It was argued that many of the junior officers were not much less experienced than their superiors, and that in addition to this, the officer that was being relieved of duty often had the advantage of being 'worked into' the situation, while the superior officer often had to receive a briefing on that situation.

Kelt had then involved himself, and mentioned that the ship's commanding officer usually had a better way of communicating with his senior officers, due to longer service time. While this was a most logical argument, Kelt had made himself slightly unpopular by adding that was a trait of emotional beings that the communication depended on which person communication was made with.

As Kelt now watched lieutenant commander Bancroft relieve lieutenant Sharp of the helm console, Kelt realized that this was a classical example of when the protocol should always be executed. The commanding officer had established that a confrontation was imminent, and had summoned his senior staff. But recalling the incident with the Ferengi trader, Kelt concluded that him being relieved by lieutenant commander Bancroft in the middle of a crisis situation was far from the standard procedure. It was rather more an example of a situation where the officer on duty was a better choice, because of his experience in the current situation.

But Kelt was not an officer to question protocol. In fact, he was more one to support it. Even if protocol resulted in illogical action, it was still illogical to go against it, for the simple reason everyone was dependent on that protocol. So Kelt cordially nodded at lieutenant Sharp, and left him the backup helm console, instructing him to watch thruster output as he had been doing so far.

Kelt entered the turbolift, along with two other relieved officers. "Deck *", he ordered the computer (* being the deck of the battle bridge). Kelt decided that the battle bridge would be a excellent place to be of service during this time. Instead of what Kelt thought was standard procedure for a Galaxy class Starship entering battle, Captain Price had decided to enter the battle with the entire ship, not just the Stardrive hull. Apparently, captain Price did not think the Intrepid class StLouis would be a threat to the Saucer section of the USS Galaxy. For that reason, Kelt estimated it was very unlikely that there would actually be any service required from him on the battle bridge.

-- Deck *, battle bridge --

Kelt entered the battle bridge, and took his station there. No operations were being performed from here yet, but at least the officers present were provided with all the necessary data to be able to get a clear view of the situation. Kelt started analysing the data, when warning signals started flashing; the confrontation had begun.

"Full Body"
USS GALAXY
Commander Deiran Casey, First Officer
Lt. Commander Casey Ti Miran, Shuttle Operations

Deiran sent his petitions to the subspace relay and had nothing else to do. It was rare when he actually had time to spend with his wife and child during Beta shift. Sitting at his desk, he watched Lara play for a little bit. Gazing at her with wonder. At two years old, the little girl was already a beautiful angel like her mother. She had his blue eyes, they were a bit lighter than his, ridges on her nose that were diluted to the point they were almost invisible. A cute button nose. When Lara smiled, few people could resist returning her smile and feeling a bit better inside. She was her father's pride and joy. She always lit up a room.

Miran was laying on the couch, her feet up and she was relaxing. She looked fairly happy considering what had happened in the last two days. Deiran was the most blessed man in the universe. He had been given the heart and soul of the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life. For the last six months Deiran only had eyes for her. He had changed his ways and was afraid of losing the only important part of his life, besides Starfleet.

Lara was rubbing her eyes, fighting the sleepiness. Miran started to get up to attend to her. "No honey, I'll put her to bed," Deiran said. He walked over to Lara, swept her up in his muscular arms, putting her little head on her daddy's shoulder and closed her eyes. Deiran walked a few paces before Lara was sound asleep. He laid her down on her bed, covered her up nice and snug, and gave her a tender kiss on the forehead and returned to the living room.

As he walked in Miran was walking into the bedroom. He followed her so they could talk. She was retrieving a blanket, her favorite one which Kateli Stephin had made her.

The inner turmoil had been bogging him down. He was mired in overwhelming grief. Miran picked up her blanket off the bed and turned to see him standing a few feet from her. She looked into his eyes and could see the gloom, the agony coursing through his soul. She knew she needed to get his mind off of the situation. Deiran cared about many things, he was loyal to friends. She knew Deiran really cared for Thiana. She was like a big sister to him.

"Ohhh," grumbled Miran. Deiran watched as she reached for a spot on her neck and shoulder and she started rubbing. Her muscles were aching. Deiran knew the signs from her pregnancy with Lara.

"Are you sore hon?" Deiran asked. He watched as Miran sighed and shook her head. "Sit on the bed and let me get the knot out for you. Relieve some of the strain on those muscles."

"Thank you sweetie, that would be appreciated." She smiled at him and he could see the weariness in her eyes.

"Anything to get my hands on you and touch you," Deiran laughed, a playfulness in his manner. He was attracted to his wife regardless of her pregnancy. To him she glowed, lit up like a sun when she was pregnant. She was vibrant and vivacious. She smiled more. Her skin seemed to glisten and shine.

Deiran had Miran sit on the edge of the bed. He sat down behind her and put his strong hands on her shoulders. He rubbed slow and put pressure on her muscles with his digits. The movement was calculated, each finger in the perfect spot to soothe the pain, letting it fade away with each motion.

Miran let out a gratified sigh and moan as her husband's strong hands began to loosen up her tight muscles. "Tell me what is bothering you."

"In about forty minutes, this ship will be firing on the St. Louis. It's tearing me up. There's nothing I can do at the moment to stop this," Deiran was distraught at the turn of events. His first mission as XO, it had to be a tough one, like many of the firsts in his life. His first date, his first kill, his first command shift, his first battle. The universe seemed to test him. He let out his frustrations by talking to Miran and continuing the massage.

"You could do a better job without this," Miran said. She took off her shirt so Deiran would have an easier time massaging her back. Deiran had moved to rubbing her back. Making sure her lower back would be loose. But, he noticed no bra straps once the shirt was gone. Deiran smiled, tempted to begin a massage somewhere entirely different from her back.

Deiran couldn't hide his enthusiasm. He wasn't sure how Miran felt, but to Deiran she was too sexy to resist. He behaved himself. He had to keep his mind on making her more comfortable. That was the purpose. 'Keep telling yourself that, stallion,' he thought to himself. How could any man resist such a sensuous, erotic woman? Pregnant or not.

“There are times when Starfleet Command does some really boneheaded things Miran. No wonder the War with the Dominion is dragging on. The men and women at HQ are so far removed from combat they forgot what its like. Content to sit at their desks with their feet up, basking in the glory, while the men and women in the trenches die,” Deiran started venting. Miran listened as he rubbed.

"How about some Chopin?" he suggested, his hands still pressured against her back muscles. Nothing like a bit of Chopin for relaxing a woman's muscles.

Miran shook her head in approval and a few seconds later Deiran requested, "Computer play the Prelude to the Raindrop by Chopin." The music began to play. It was difficult for anyone not to relax to the sound of the piano gently enticing the listener to slow down and enjoy the beauty of the piece. It played over and over again.

Miran's eyes closed and she lost herself in the music and the gentle touch of Deiran's strong hands.

“This is difficult for me. Thiana is my friend. Why can't the Captain trust me? I would give my life to save him and this crew. I may be 24, well 25 soon… but I have the experience of a 35 year old. War matures men quickly. I know what I'm doing is right,” Deiran belted out, his hands cupped across Miran's shoulders and neck.

It seemed as if Miran's back muscles began to loosen with each second that passed. Deiran was relaxing her and he knew it. He finished her back and started on her feet. Slowly taking each toe with his fingers and slowly rotating against the bone, the other hand applied pressure to the base of the arch. It sent tingles of release all the way up to the tip of her spine.

Then he worked on her ankles. They were a bit swollen. Deiran retrieved some herbal ointment and rubbed the substance into her skin. But to not ruin the pants she was wearing, she willingly removed them. The scent of the herbs pierced Deiran's nasal passage with glorious rose blossoms. He couldn't help but massage the rest of her legs all the way up to her thighs. Miran's legs were like fine porcelain figurines that were delicate to the touch and beautifully sculpted, each curve, each line perfect in form and balance. It was driving poor Deiran crazy. He would cast flirty smiles and winks at her with each different palpation. Playing with her, seducing her. She seemed to enjoy it and return his advances with smiles and distinct looks of her own. Complete attraction in complete silence.

Until Deiran started ranting again. Miran didn't care, she was getting a very calming massage. Deiran was venting, both were happy.

But the venting's vehemence began to wane. All Deiran could think about was the beautiful woman in front of him. His wife, bare and seducing him with her smile. He received the message. He put his hands on the sides of her upper thighs, taking the last piece of clothing that was snug around her hips and slowly, precisely propelled the piece of clothing to the floor.

Miran smiled and moved a bit and then laid flat on the bed. Deiran smiled. It didn't take long for him to escape from his uniform. Throwing the clothes every which way, not caring where they landed. He laid next to her, getting in the spoon position, kissing her shoulders and neck. His hands traced the fine line of her hips and breasts. His touch gentle and arousing.

Deiran and Miran were in their own world. Total bliss. Just for fun, Deiran changed the music to “Bolero.”

["Senior bridge officers, please report to your posts. All senior bridge officers, please report immediately to your posts,"] Mac announced over the ship wide intercom. It came at the most inopportune time.

“My God!” Deiran muttered under his breath. How could any man stop himself, this close to the prize. “My God! Stop the ship, I want off!” Deiran was furious.

“You are relieved of duty aren't you?” Miran asked. The lovers still embracing, neither wanting to let go.

“Yes, but this may be the best time to return to duty. If I'm on the Bridge, maybe I can help Zee and Lee in some way.”

Deiran didn't want to move. “I don't want to go. Only a battle could get me out of this bed, my darling,” Deiran kissed Miran on the side of the neck, gave her a loving hug and rolled over to get out of bed.

Several minutes later Deiran was in his uniform. He walked over to Miran and gave her a passionate kiss on her rose petal lips. “I'll return, don't lose the mood… please?” he begged her with a smile.

He stood, did his characteristic 180 turn and walked out of his quarters on his way to the bridge. Hoping that Lee would reconsider his earlier decision.

Miran sighed looking up at the ceiling. She loved the fact that Deiran had spent the time with her. She appreciated the massage and just feeling his love for her. This was eating Deiran up, she knew that and wished that there was someway that she could help him, but felt helpless. Now, when they finally got some time to themselves, the Galaxy had to engage in battle.

"Damn..." she stated frustrated at the situation.

"Here goes."
by Ensign Jordan Arisa
Helmsman
USS Galaxy

The time spent with Lieutenant Commander Mercury had been wonderful, he was so good looking and charming. Jordan really felt that they had warmed towards each other immediately. Dan had had to go off to his shift, but they had arranged to have dinner the following week. Jordan was cooking, she would have to ask Taya for some insight.

Jordan sat in the living area of her quarters and finished off her weekly report she had to make to Lieutenant Commander Bancroft. She really needed to have a talk with Teb, but it could wait until tomorrow.

Her guitar lay on the table next to her, it was made from wood from Betazed and made the most beautiful sound. She gripped the cool wood and began to play. She thought back to the time when Destiny had first performed the song she was playing. Her stomach had betrayed her and when she opened her mouth no sound came out. They had been so young.

"Computer, Play Destiny's Proditio." the soft music began to play in the background. Jordan let out her shiny black hair, then leant back. She felt tired and she wasn't due for her shift for another five hours. Just a couple of minutes wouldn't hurt....

--

Camilla Claudia Pretlove

=AES=USS Galaxy=AES=
Ensign Jordan Arisa
Helm Officer
USS Galaxy
=AES=USS Galaxy=AES=

FKS Shilhom: "Barriers and Blockades"
by Captain Latimer Mosheil,
Commander, Free Kendan Defence Fleet

***Aboard the FKS Shilhom***

Tensions ran high aboard the Free Kendan Ship 'Shilhom,' but perhaps they ran no higher than through the air filling the executive conference room.

Captain Latimer Mosheil, most senior flag officer of the Defence Fleet, veteran of the Kendan civil wars which wracked the system twenty years ago, captain of the best of the best crews in the fleet, paced the room stubbornly. He hated agitation, and he hated indecisiveness. Yet, in the present crisis, he was faced with both.

His entire crew was agitated by the approaching plague vessel from the Federation... many of the captains in the fleet had called for a pre-emptive strike upon the vessel before it entered the Kendan system... even some among his own crew echoed such sentiments.

Yet, his hands were tied by the indecisiveness of his commanding officers and the civilian ruling council. No one wanted a war with the Federation... Of course, that was only the most remote possibility cried about by paranoid naysayers from the radical fringe elements of Kendan society. No one really thought war would erupt once the Kendan Defense Fleet destroyed the Federation plague ship.

Oh yes. Many in the fleet, even Mosheil himself felt certain of the inevitablity of the neccesity of destroying the 'St. Louis.'

The Federation representatives aboard the small shuttle craft had assured the prime minister's office that the plague ship would be stopped by a newly arrived vessel called the 'Galaxy.' Yet, that had been twenty minutes ago and the St. Louis still continued on its course into the Kendan system.

With less than ten minutes before the ship entered the Kendan system, Mosheil and the defense fleet had a lot of hard decisions to make.

With his entire senior staff assembled in the board room, and the fleet captains of the second and third Kendan fleets participating through the communications systems on either side of the oval-shaped board room, Mosheil was in the middle of the defence fleet's nerve center.

"Tactical..." he began, in a slow and drawn-out voice filled with the exhaustion caused by the situation. "Tactical has informed me we have less than ten minutes until the Federation plague ship arrives in system."

A chorus of hushed voices erupted from both within the board room and, in quieter voices in the background of the comm. links from the other fleet captains.

Mosheil continued. "Further, we have monitored the communications between the four Federation ships in the area. One ship, the one we identified as a science vessel has already departed the area at high warp. The other two have made several attempts to communicate with the plague ship. Despite their efforts, the plague ship is still on course for Kenda II."

Another chorus of vocies... louder this time... flowed through the room.

"Before I called this meeting of my senior staff as well as Captain Strauz, and Captain Yoral, and their senior staffs, I officially placed Kendan ground forces on alert. Within two minutes our planetary defense systems will be fully mobilized."

Turning to face his senior staff, Moshiel said in his gravest voice, "As of now, we are at red alert."

"Then it's decided," said Koral Teshin, Chief of Security.

"No. We still need options. That's why I called this meeting. I need options," Moshiel said, sitting down at the head of the table.

Scanning something on an off-screen console, Captain Yoral said, "On their current approach vector, the St. Louis will enter Kendan space less than one million kilometers from Kenda II. That doesn't give us much space to work with. If they were any further out, I would suggest Alpha and Bravo wings of the Second Fleet could intercept them there and target their propulsion systems..."

Nodding Mosheil said, "An option, but perhaps too risky an option. At that distance, we would need to destroy their propulsion system with the first volley of weapons fire... Their ship would drift a few thousand kilometers closer, but once the forward elements of the Second and Third fleets arrive, the larger corvettes could tractor the plague ship back out of system... If, and only if, we destroy their propulsion systems with our first volley."

Speaking up, Teshin said, "That is not likely Captains. Our polaron beam technology and micro-fusion torpedos would... by my estimates... require more than a single volley from two wings of attack fighters to collapse Federation shield technology."

"And if we don't have space enough for more than one volley according to that plan," interrupted Captain Strauz, "then we will have to destroy the St. Louis... no targeting of weapons systems, no targeting of propulsion. Simply lock torpedos and destroy the vessel by an means necessary"

Mosheil never liked Strauz, he was always much too gung-ho, much too ready to leap into bad situations and much too willing to use violence and strong arm tactics to achieve his ends. But, he was a dependable officer and somewhere down deep inside, he had all the makings of a good leader... if only he could drop that incessant attitude...

"If a military solution is the only means of averting this crisis Captain Strauz, then I agree," Mosheil said.

"You mean there are other potentials here?" Strauz asked.

"What of our ambassador to the Federation, what does she say?" Captain Yoral asked, remembering the last briefing on the diplomatic angle of the situation.

"Officially, the Federation deeply regrets the entire incident. They want to assure us their Captain Price will prevent the St. Louis from entering Kendan space and..." Mosheil began, his words drawing more than a few sneers from the assembled crew. "And unofficially, our ambassador has suggested that if the Galaxy fails to stop the St. Louis before she reaches our main blockade line, there will be no diplomatic repercussions if we are forced to destroy the ship."

"So," Strauz began, his voice cold and biting, "the Federation in its benevolence has allowed us the chance to destroy the plague ship only when we are kilometers and minutes away from witnessing the genocide of our race. I feel fortunate."

"I will remind you Captain, the situation may not come to that," Mosheil said. "If you check your tactical display, you will see that the Galaxy is within weapons range of the St. Louis. I have been assured..."

"You have been assured that one Starfleet Captain will destroy a ship filled with Starfleet officers? That must be a weighty task upon Captain Price's shoulders, is it not?" said Strauz.

Mosheil turned from the viewscreen and looked at his senior staff. Standing, he walked to the bridge door and in a strained voice said only "Battle stations."

"Feelings" By Ensign Neil Bolitho
Security - USS Galaxy

Takes place right after"Here Lizard, Lizard"

Neil struggled to pull air into his lungs. The natural act of inhalation was, for a better choice of words, impossible. Neil’s lungs burned for that elusive breath. His rib cage ached.Finally air rushed into his oxygen-depleted lungs and Neil collapsed on the grass.

Gulping in large, deep, satisfying breaths, Neil tried desperately to focus, but the tears in his eyes were blocking, even hindering his vision. Tears ran down his face clearing his vision and bringing the lithe, attractive form of Lexanna Ral sharply into focus.

With the first outhale of breath came the accompanying laughter. Neil was on the receiving end of one of Lex’s icy cold stares, whew those eyes…. But even that couldn’t stop Neil’s continuing laughter.

Lex was sitting up, furiously waving away the attention of curious onlookers gathered around her and, of course, the tree. Extremely red faced Lex rose to her feet flashing another withering glance at Neil, which slowly broke into a rye smile. Lex waved and turned this time watching where she was running.

Neil watched the figure of Lexanna Ral disappear out into a magically appearing computer arch and into a corridor beyond. The door swished shut returning the park to its tranquil splendour. Neil wiped the tears from his face and rolled onto his back to study the cloudless blue sky above him.

*Umm better get Lex to give me a copy of this program! Strange how so many different races and cultures all had their forms of ‘Parks’.* thought Neil.

It was easy enough to help someone when they appeared hurt, as was the case with Lex now, she was genuinely distressed about what she had ….umm …eh… earlier seen. Neil had easily slipped into the role of the listening confidante. Putting his own problems, feeling and emotions on hold, tightly bottled up inside him, as Lex poured out her feelings about James Chen and how much she had missed him. Lex had needed company at that point and come to think of it so did Neil. But now Lex was gone and Neil was left alone starring up at the sky. His own bottled up feelings gave way.

*What was Anna thinking? It can’t be serious, can it?* Neil had been waiting for a right moment to invite Anna to a Klingon opera, he had been hoping to do it in the Ten Forward this evening. You know the one where at the end after defeating incredible odds the two combatants jump on each other like Voles. I’m pretty sure Anna would have enjoyed that !*

That raised another question how did he really feel about Anna? That was a question he had been trying to answer for the last couple of weeks. He had taken Anna’s fairly abusive behaviour ever since they had been paired up together, not that Anna was really as bad as she made out to be. Neil had just been pulled into the ever-increasing circle of friends that Anna had made on the ship, all of them prepared to put up with her antics and go the extra mile to keep her on this ship!

Even the command staff had been mesmerised by Anna Gartner; she had assaulted medical staff upon being beamed back from the Ferengi freighter. Commander Casey had gotten involved and the rumour had done the rounds that Gartner’s tenure in Starfleet was definitely over.

*But here she still is and involved with Kalln!*

*KALLN.* yelled Neil to himself. *That ….that ….LIZARD!* He knew how he felt about Anna, he had even made a few wise cracks that made absolutely no sense at all. *Something about putting someone to the Klingon sword?*

Suddenly the red alert klaxon blared out destroying the peaceful tranquil setting. Neil was on his feet heading for the exit at a dead run. Realising that he would have to put all this confusing…. nonsense on hold until this conflict was over!

What's Going on
By Ens. Tim O'Connell

"Soran what the hell is going on with this ship?" Tim O'Connell asked his Vulcan partner. Compared to Soran's calm facial expression O'Connell was a bundle of nerves and showed it. "One second we were dealing with the ferengi and next thing we are in pursuit of a Starfleet vessel."

Soran looked over and replied, "we are doing our duty, that is the logical thing to do." Tim shook his head. "This isn't taking on Jem's or arresting some ferengi for criminal activitity these are fellow officers we may have to board the ship and use force to subdue them and that concerns me."

Soran responded, a frown crossed his normally unflappable face, " I agree that the necessaty of firing on fellow officers is disconcerting but if we must we will."

O'Connell replied, "I know if we have to we have to, but it doesn't mean I have to like it." the Vucan responded, "If you expressed pleasure in that action it would be more disconcerting to me then the action itself."

With that phrase the two officers walked along the corridor waiting for the red alert to either cause them to have to act or as they hoped to stand down.

"Commander, the Kendan fleet is moving,"Korvin reported from the helm of the Livingston.

"Status?"

"Weapons armed, sheilds up, and they seem to be dividing into wings."

"Damn,"Koslov swore as he looked over Korvin's shoulder at the display.

"It seems they have lost confidence in the Galaxy,"O'Keefe commented.

Korvin nodded his agreement.

"Good news is were being left alone, they're pulling everything into defencive positions, so they haven't got the people to waltch us too."

"Chances are they have a sensor array waltching us or some ground battery locking on, but at least it's some breathing space,"Koslov said.

"Likely enough we'll be clear to beam down to the planets surface without someone scrambling the signal. Mabey talking to Vice President Vutros in person might be more likely to convince him that the St. Louis isn't a threat. What do you think sir?"

Bas Veerman
Ensign Kelt
USS Galaxy

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"Bring my people back!"

By Homelios,
Ocero storyteller, and speaker

-- USS StLouis, cargo bay --

Homelios breathes in and out, slowly. On his day and age, all the confusion, tension and excitement around him is too much to keep up with all the time. He sits on a bench, resting, while Makehr is investigating the current situation. Tension around the Federation people has been a good way to spot trouble from the beginning of it all. According to commander Rosenblith, the Federation ship was going against their own people in order to get to a possible cure. Accoding to the current rise in tensions, there is a fight coming close. Red lights, and a siren indicated the alert status.

'What have we become part of,' Homelios thinks to himself. Ever since they left the burning citadel, and their home world, the Ocero have been persued by trouble. Space just isn't the place for a people who refuse to take up arms, even against violent species. If not for these Federation people, the Ocero would be no more. The disease now seems to be an inevitable part of the curse put on the Ocero. And if the disease isn't going to be the end of them, the Federation people will be. All the technical talk on ship strength and tactical analyses he has overheard was a bit too much for Homelios, but he does realize the StLouis is going against the odds, as well as their own people. Homelios cannot understand how a people, who seem to have such peaceful and philosophical standards, can turn so violent all of a sudden.

Makehr returns to Homelios, and Homelios is surprised how well the boy is handling the situation. Even at his young age, he is acting like the leader he is destined to be. Homelios knows he is supposed to speak for the Ocero until the boy is initiated into manhood, but realizes he will soon be advising Makehr, not just telling him what to do.

"Homelios," the boy speaks with a respectful tone, "I have talked to one of the caretakers. They are saying the StLouis is going into battle with one of her own kind."

Homelios nods: "That is what I feared. What else have you learned?"

Makehr is agitated as he announces his next discovery: "I have found an unused computer terminal, and I think I know how to use it. Maybe we can find out more that way."

Homelios smiles as he gets up. Indeed, the boy is a bright one. The two of them move over to the edge of the cargo bay, and enter in a small adjacent room. Makehr sits down at the small terminal, and with Homelios watching over his shoulder, Makehr starts pushing the controls. Homelios looks amazed as the young boy seems to know what he is doing.

"You know how this computer works?" He asks.

Absently, Makehr answers, "Yes Homelios, it's really not that hard to use. It was clearly designed to be user-friendly."

Homelios wisely remains quiet on that remark. He had learned to operate the computer on the Ocero vessel, but this seems like sheer magic to him. The boy is smart, yes, but he supposes his own age has something to do with this as well. His ability of learning new skills seems to be a bit low these days, and Homelios is glad the boy is capable of operating the computer without his help. "What can you find out?"

"Not much," Makehr replies, "All of the operations that can be performed need some level of security clearance, and we don't have any security clearance. The information present is mostly protected as well, but some of it is open and public. I suppose I could try to get around some of the low-level security checks..."

"No." Homelios interrupts. "We must conform to the rules of our hosts. If there is open information in there, find what you can, but stay off their secured systems."

"Yes, Homelios." Makehr answers, and continues to search. He searches through the computer archives, carefully making sure he is not touching secured systems. Considering most of it is secured, information is scarce. Then he comes to the alert log, which is of course public information.

"Hmm, there was an alert only a few minutes ago about the Quarantine Unit detaching from the StLouis hull. That must be that other medical bay from the other ship. There were still Ocero people in there!" Makehr explains.

"That's it. Makehr, we cannot allow our people to be separated. I don't know where the captain of this ship is taking us, but she cannot go there without all of our people." Homelios exclaims emotionally. "Come on!"

The two of them leave the terminal, and move as fast as they can for the nearest turbolift. They enter the turbolift, and as Makehr tries to figure out how to operate the panel, Homelios remembers the computer responds to voice commands.

"Computer, where is captain Thiana right now?" He asks, speaking to the ceiling.

["Captain Thiana is currently on the bridge"] the female computer voice responds.

"Computer, take us to the bridge then." Homelios continues.

["The bridge is an area restricted to authorized personnel only"], the computer states.

Homelios remembers Commander Rosenblith being third in command of the ship, and deduces there must be a second in command. "Computer, who is the officer second in command of this ship?"

["First Officer and Seal Commanding officer is Commander Strauss"]

"Computer, where is this commander Strauss?" Homelios continues.

["Commander Strauss is currently on the bridge."]

"And that is still restricted, of course." he answers, more to himself than to the computer. Then, the ship trembles in shock, and Homelios is caught by Makehr. they look at each other in fear, and realize the battle has begun.

"Come Makehr, there is nothing more we can do, but hope we survive, and may join the rest of our people later. Let us return to the cargo bay." Then, the boy and the old man step out of the turbolift again, and rejoin the other Ocero in the cargo bay.

" On Alert"
Ensign Philip Grasso
Operations Officer, USS Galaxy

**** Ensign Grasso`s quarters****

Philip couldnt be more excited. He belived that what the Galaxy was instore for was a great opportunity to make his Father proud. That had always been his misson in life, to make his father proud , and he went to great lenghts to do it. Philip quickly took a sonic shower and got into his uniform. While he was doing this he couldnt wait for the action to start. Finishing getting ready Philip walks out of his quaters and to the Turbolift.

**** Turbolift****

Philip entered the Turbolift and looked around. It brought him back to his days on the Gateway, wondering around looking at all the wonderful things starfleet had to offer, That was one of the main reasons he became a Starfleet officer.

" Deck Ten" he tells the computer.

The turbolift starts moving twoards deck ten. He was going to geta drink and wait until he had to go to his battle station on the Battle Bridge. He had started to enjoy being a Back-up. The Turbolift stops and he exits.

**** Ten Forward****

Philip made his way to Ten Forward and takes a seat at the bar.

" Romulan Ale" he tells the Tender.

A minuet later he takes his drink and look out the window, one thing was for sure, he was going to be on Alert for the rest of the Day.

"Why"
Ensign Roger Conklin
Science Officer
U.S.S.Galaxy

When ensign conklin got to the Stellar Cartography lab he got to his station and looked over the logs for the past few hours.He wanted to know why the St.Louis would break the quarrantine.

All of his questions would have to wait because they were going into battle.This would be the second time he was in a battle.The first time was on Deep Space 5,and he lost his best friend.He looked at his station when the warning signals started flashing he knew the confrontation had begun.

"First Year Cadets"
by Lt. Commander Christopher Thomas

** USS Galaxy **

Lt. Commander Thomas sat at operations, glancing at Lt. Commander Brancroft, as the captain continued to order first year maneuvers taught at the academy. He couldn't understand why the captain was doing this, because in all honesty the captain should be sending a clear cut message to the captain of the St. Louis to stand down. He didn't relish the idea of launching a volley of torpedoes and phaser fire on another Federation ship, but eventually a very hard decision might have to be made very soon.

Chris continued to read the information that was being flashed across his console. He followed the captain's orders about what the ship was to do at the moment, but if the St. Louis continued on it's course a decision would have to be made soon. In the mean time this procedure was only going to delay things, if the crew on the St. Louis could not be reasoned with then that would be bad. The more he thought about the situation, the more he came to realize that the captain was trying to delay the St. Louis as long as possible.

Chris thought about the situation for a moment, "Captain I suggest we use the St. Louis command codes to take the ship off-line, you do have the command level clearance to call up those commands and use them."

Lee considered the 'Commander's suggestion. "It might be worth a try 'mate. I think Lieutenant T'Kal had mentioned it might be a possibility. Though I doubt Captain Thiana hasn't already covered that angle." Captain Price pointed out with a hint of respect for Thiana after having studied her Starfleet records.

"Understood, no one wants to leave a Federation ship defenseless given the current political nature of war. However by issuing those commands it would certainly ensure the St. Louis and her crew will remain quaninited to their ship and unable to spread the virus." Chris said. He didn't want to say this, but sometimes, someone among the crew has to play the role of the grim reaper and this was his time.

"Give it a try, but hurry 'mate. The St.Louis is barring down on us as we speak."

Chris smiled back to the captain, "Aye captain, I'll have the information ready for your use when you feel the time is right." The captain wanted to try things, before moving to more drastic measures. "Captain, there is one other thing, if they're desperate enough they may have hacked the codes and changed them. It would take them on average about two to three hours to do that, assuming they did and they are healthy enough to attempt the procedure."

"In all honesty 'Commander, I would be surprised if Captain Thiana didn't automatically change all of the codes when she decided to take the St.Louis and head for this system. It's worth a try of course, but I think we are dealing with someone more seasoned than to attempt to steal a Federation Starship and *not* change the regulation access codes. Keep me posted."

Chris returned to working. He was pleased the captain heard him out about trying another option short of blowing up the ship. He wasn't sure if his suggestion would work, but he believed it was a viable option given the situation.

"Captain they've altered the codes as I suspected would happen, given enough time to do so. Had we acted sooner they might not have had the time to change the codes." Chris said.

"Understood."

"I will continue attempting to override the command codes, but there are infinite number of possible." Chris said and then added, "Captain considering the situation and how desperate the crew of the St. Louis appears to be they may attempt to do the same thing to us. I recommend a full rewrite of our own security codes to ensure they don't or aren't trying the same thing."

"Proceed." Captain Price ordered.

Chris set to work on making sure the crew of the St. Louis couldn't use the same trick he'd suggestion moments earlier against the Galaxy. He knew that even though his attempted failed they would have seen what he tied to do and would no doubt return the favor. He figured it was worth a shoot and would cause them to focus their attention elsewhere, while the captain tried other ideas.

Christopher Patton
ICQ # 11497863

"Possible Magic Tricks"
by: Ens. Coghlan

"Mister Coghlan, I want four options for intercepting the St. Louis if necessary."

Affirming the order Coghlan called the alternate Helmsman over and walked over to the Tactical post

"Ryn I'll need your help on this we need four choices for the Captain and one for the Louis."

"ONE FOR THE...." Ryn began before biting her (NRPG:his?) tongue and beginning again this time barely above a whisper. "Hold on what do you mean one for the Louis?"

"We nearly have a cure, if we find one for them and the Captain says so I want to be able to....Pull a Rabbit out of my hat, so to speak."

"You want me to help you create a program that would target the Galaxy?"

Coghlan turned and smiled at the young Ens.

"I never said that, this would only be used to help defend the Louis against,........unknown attackers?"

Ryn looked at the smiling Helmsman and finally decided to agree with him.

"Ok but I had nothing to do with it. If it fails its your problem."

Coghlan thanked the Tac officer and began the series of possible approach and attack runs. But in the back of his mind he hoped against hope that they would not be needed. Once they were all ready Coghlan turned to the Captain.

"The interception series are ready if you need them Captain."

**************************************
Ens. Coghlan
Chief Helmsman (And dreadful speller.)
USS Caduceus
**************************************

"Anticipation"
by: Tyler Jackson, CScO, USS St Louis

Having just exited the staff meeting, Tyler took control of the main science station on the bridge. As he took a quick look around, he watched the other officers return to their stations and start working on the upcoming confrontation with the Galaxy. Returning his attention to his duty station, he tuned the sensors to pick up information on the Kenda system. All of the relevant information was transferred to the ops station, the number of ships, their relative positions, and what was generally happening on the planet.

While the sensors were gathering information, Tyler took a moment to gather his thoughts and take a deep breath. He had never been in a starship confrontation before, and it just didn't seem right for his first time to be against another starfleet vessel. The strain on his eyes was starting to bother him so he started rubbing them. With his eyes closed, his thoughts returned to home. He hoped that he would be able to see his parents again, hell, he hoped he would be able to see Earth again.

A beep from his console brought him out of his trance and back to reality. He open his eyes to see that someone from the Galaxy was appempting to access their command codes. "Captain, the Galaxy is attempting to shut us down using the old command codes. I will monitor their attempts and make sure that they do not cause any damage."

Tyler Jackson
Chief Science Officer
USS St Louis

"The Cure, Part 1"
by Lieutenant Commander Viktor Kozlov

*****Shuttlecraft USS Livingstone*****

[Commander Kozlov, please explain yourself!]

Kozlov allowed himself a slight smirk as the half panicked Kendan Captain scrambled to figure out what had happened. He had only given the somewhat cryptic message "Emergency, got to go." Before ordering Vetra to bring the Livingstone immediately to warp, leaving the Captain and crew of the warship scrambling to respond.

[I say again, Livingstone. Please respond!]

Things were happening quickly. The Galaxy and the St. Louis had started to close on one another when suddenly, the St. Louis had ejected the QU from its hull while at warp. The quarantine unit had taken a beating while trying to stabilize itself, and its passengers had a fresh set of injuries to add to their virus induced ailments. That, combined with the sudden increase in movement in the Kendan fleet, was all Kozlov needed to see. He knew there was very little time left to prevent an even bigger disaster. And that meant cutting some corners.

Their research had yielded a possible cure… The virus, or what they had thought was a virus, seemed to be a microscopic colony creature native to Kenda II and found in the bloodstreams of every Kendan citizen. While the organism boosted Kendan immune systems as was probably responsible for the race's longevity, when introduced into an alien bloodstream, away from it's native environment on Kenda II, the organisms activated some sort of defensive mechanism, feeding off of the alien host and desperately leaping from lifeform to lifeform, trying to find one that was compatible. Surprisingly, none of the nearly one million non-Kendans living on Kenda II was infected. Apparently, the organism thrived in the Kendan atmosphere itself and would quickly leave the bodies of an alien who accidentally absorbed some of the organisms through respiration or other methods, as long as they were on native soil.

It meant that the cure to the 'virus' could be as simple as beaming the infected Ocero and Starfleet crew down to the surface of Kenda II and allowing nature to take its course. The Kendans, however, were not so easily convinced. They feared that the organism might have mutated to a form that posed a threat to Kendans on the surface. Kozlov's own research, and the research of the doctors on the Caduceus, did not support the Kendan's fears, but it would take longer than anyone had to convince them of that fact in a conventional matter.

Kozlov looked around the cockpit. Everyone was properly suited up, including himself. If his theory was wrong, the last thing they needed was to catch the virus themselves.

"30 Seconds to the QU." Stated Vetra.

Kozlov opened a hailing frequency. "Dr. Jergensen. We need to transport over a patient to the Livingstone. We may have a possible solution. Whom would you recommend?"

The comely CMO did not hesitate in making her choice. "Take Lieutenant Allen. He's currently in Stage III. Nothing your tests could do would make his situation any more dire. He's currently in stasis. I'm feeding you're the transporter coordinates now."

"Thank you Doctor. Let's just hope this works."

The transport took only seconds. Kozlov was shocked to see the condition the Caddy's Chief Paramedic was in. Only a few hours earlier, he had been perfectly healthy. Now he was close to death. The virulence of the organism was increasing with each jump to another incompatible host. He knelt down next to Allen and did his best to stabilize the man. "Vetra, get us back within transporter range of Kenda II as quickly as possible."

"Aye, sir." The Andorian responded, in a clipped, professional manner. In moments, he had spun the Livingstone on its tail and brought her back up to warp. At such speeds the journey back to Kenda II would take only minutes.

"We're being hailed again." Said O'Keefe. "It's from Vice President Vutros in the Capital."

Kozlov stood up and made his way to the front of the cockpit and slid into the co-pilot's chair to the left of Vetra. "Onscreen." He ordered.

The main view screen showed the glaring face of Vice President Vutros. Sub windows showed the equally concerned visages of Chancelor Sidon of the Kendan Medical Consortium, Captain Mosheil of the Kendan Defense Fleet and Sernok, the Federation Ambassador to Kenda II.

[Commander! What is the meaning of this?"] shouted Vutros.

"Mr. Vice President. We received a Starfleet distress signal. We merely responded to the signal in as expedient a manner as possible."

[Be that as it may,] said Vutros, [we are hardly fools. Our long range scanners monitored your rescue operation. You beamed an individual over from the ship in distress. And now I see that you and your crew are wearing environment suits. You are also on a course directly back to Kenda II. I will make this simple, Commander. No vessel carrying the virus, not the St. Louis nor your shuttlecraft, will be allowed near Kenda II. If you do not cease your current course of action at once, I will order the fleet to intercept you.]

"I understand your concern, sir." Said Kozlov. "I'm asking you to reconsider."

[This is not open for debate!] said Vutros. [Millions of lives could be at stake here! None of us want a war with the Federation, but you and your cohorts appear to be leaving us little choice. We have been monitoring the skirmish between your two ships. Our sensors indicate that the Galaxy should have been able to overwhelm the defenses of the St. Louis minutes ago, yet they continue to jockey for position and exchange minimal weapons fire. Captain Mosheil, do you concur?]

[I do.] Said the stony faced military leader. [It's fairly obvious that Starfleet is loathe to destroy one of its own vessels. While my fleet will not interfere in the conflict at this time, should the Galaxy and the Caduceus allow the St. Louis to continue unopposed on its course to Kenda II, they will leave us with no choice but to take decisive and permanent action.]

Kolzlov looked into the faces of the Kendans. They were a proud, independent people, but it was obvious they were rattled at the thought of a plague ship reaching their homeworld. He understood completely. Would the Federation do anything less? Through it all, Sernok, the Federation Ambassador to Kenda II, simply sat and observed, lending support to neither side.

"Sir, we are convinced that the so called virus is nothing more than the organism you refer to as Viracra. It should be completely harmless to Kendans and will likely leave the bodies of our infected test subject and harmlessly return to the Kendan Atmosphere. If you would only allow us to make the attempt, we could prove our findings and negate the need for any hostilities on either side."

[Your test would involve beaming an infected host down to the surface of Kenda II and risking the lives of our citizens. We are well aware of the Viracra's ability to travel as an airborne organism. We simply can not take the risk that it has mutated into a new strain while living in the bodies of the Ocero and your Starfleet personnel.]

"We need not expose your population to risk." Said Kozlov. We can beam down to an isolated region. Perhaps one of the uninhabited islands in your Southern Sea or the Northern Polar Ice Cap. The risk would then be minimal to non-existent."

[Any risk is unacceptable.] Stated Vutros. [There are hundreds of millions of people living on Kenda II. I consider the lives of the Ocero and your infected crew an unfortunate but relatively small price to pay for our security. It's my understanding from Ambassador Sernok that the Fedaration would see no need for retaliation against us should we be forced to defend ourselves against a rogue plague ship.]

Kolzlov looked into the eyes of the Vulcan Ambassador. He seemed cool and detached and offered nothing in the way of support. Setting his jaw, Kozlov continued. "You are leaving me no choice then, but to implement a quarantine of the Kenda System."

Vice President Vutros's jaw slackened slightly at the words. [Why would you do such a thing? It would be completely unwarranted!]

"Would it?" asked Kozlov. "Chancelor Sidon, you believe that the Viracra could have mutated into a more lethal form, is that correct? One that could threaten the Kendan people as it has threatened the alien hosts it has infected?"

[That is what we have discussed.] replied the Chancelor. [But I fail to see your…]

"..The point is," Kozlov interrupted, "That if your fears are correct, we have an organism that is potentially lethal to all forms of humanoid life in the Alpha Quadrant, an organism with origins on Kenda II, that is carried in the bodies of every Kendan citizen. If there is any truth to this, and currently, you are seeking to block any way of proving otherwise, then it is my duty on behalf of Starfleet Medical to act. I will be recommending an immediate quarantine of the entire Kendan system. Should you choose to violate this quarantine, Starfleet will enforce it via a military blockade. In addition, we will institute a Quadrant wide ban on contact with Kendan citizens. Their ships will be escorted back to the Kendan system, where they will remain. Kendans presently on other Federation worlds will be rounded up and placed in quarantine themselves, before being shipped back to Kenda II. All joint scientific, business and political ventures will come to a halt while our scientists conduct a meticulous study of the virus and its potential threat."

[Nonsense] stated Vutros. [You do not have the authority to enact such restrictions!]

[But those who receive word of his findings will have such authority.] said Ambassador Sernok, choosing to speak for the first time. [And such a course of action, under the current circumstances, is both prudent and logical.]

"Thank you, Ambassador." Said Kozlov, calmly. Inwardly, he was breathing a massive sigh of relief. Sernok hadn't said much, but had come through when needed.

[We will need to discuss this.] said Vutros.

"But of course." Said Kozlov. "But please be swift. The conflict between St. Louis may be steeled sooner than we like. If the St. Louis survives, and your fleet takes action against her, I will immediately broadcast my recommendation directly to Starfleet Command and the Federation Council."

Vutros muted the audio link and Kozlov watched, steely eyed, as the politicians debated and haggled for nearly five minutes. He said a silent prayer, hoping that the Kendans w

ould see the light of reason. Finally, Vutros reopened the audio and spoke.

[Commander. You and the Livingstone are cleared to either land or beam down to the following coordinates. This location, on our frozen polar continent, is uninhabited and Sidon believes that the intense cold would impede the spread of the airborne virus, should there be a threat. We only ask that you keep us posted at all times of the progress of your research.]

"That you, sir." Said Kozlov, breathing a sigh of relief. "I am certain we will prove your courage and trust justified."

[Pray that you do, Commander] replied Vutros. [Pray that you do.]

"Lieutenant Vetra." Ordered Kozlov. "Bring us into orbit above the coordinates. You and I will be beaming down with our patient."

"It's not whether you win or loose but how you play the game"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price
Captain - USS Galaxy

The USS Galaxy held steady as she cruised towards the USS St.Louis at half impulse. Gazing at the image of the Intrepid class USS St.Louis on the main view screen, it looked as if both ships were engaged in some sort of wild game of "chicken".

"Ready forward phaser array. Target her secondary hull. Port side, about twenty meters ahead of the Aft Tractor Beam Emitters." Captain Price called out from the command chair.

Hunter McKenzie, the Chief Tactical officer, tapped in the sequence to do as the Captain had ordered. "Gee sir, you think you could pick a smaller target to shoot at?" Mac replied dryly.

"I have every confidence in your targeting skills 'Commander." Lee replied evenly in monotone with out so much as blinking while he gazed dead ahead at the main viewer.

While the Captain was getting the Galaxy's weapon's pointed at the target; Commander Casey quickly punched up the engineering schematic for an Intrepid class starship to see what it was the Captain was aiming at. His small, armrest monitor flashed with the deck plans while Deiran quickly ran a finger down the list. Besides the tractor beam emitters at the rear of the deck, there were only a few crew quarters, laboratories, and secondary ODN/EPS trunks on that deck. It was true that the bottom most portion of the warp core reactor that was there as well, but it was safely protected in the center mass of the ship. Deiran raised an eyebrow. * What are you up to? * Casey thought to himself.

Deiran wasn't the only one.

"Sir, I'm only seeing minor systems, crew quarters and laboratories on that deck. Are you sure that is the target you want to pick? Wouldn't it be better to take out their propulsion and weapons first?"

It was Lieutenant Commander Erikson at science station two. He had also punched up the schematics to an Intrepid class starship on his monitor.

"They would seem minor at first glance 'mate. But there is a reason for targeting that area of their ship. I can't go into it right now, but suffice it to say, with the Kendan Fleet mobilizing on our heals, taking away the St.Louis' ability to defend herself is not something I'm willing to do at the moment. Our job is to stop her and hopefully turn her away. If the Kendan Fleet gets her in their sights...." Lee's tone trailed off. His eyes were hard and unwavering as he watched the view screen image of the intrepid class starship close to within optimal weapons range of the USS Galaxy. "I think they are likely to shoot first and ask questions later."

"The St.Louis is within weapons range Captain." Lieutenant Commander McKenzie informed.

At the front of the bridge, Lieutenant Commander Thomas let out a quick curse. "Damn!" Tapping his console, Chris stated, "The St.Louis detected my break in attempt sir. It looks like you were right. They have changed the codes." Chris watched his display as a small string of characters scrolled across his screen, transmitted from the USS St.Louis no doubt. "Would you like to play a game?" it stated. The dry sense of humor of the St.Louis officer who sent the message back (CscO Tyler Jackson) made Chris smile. With all of the tension of the situation and dire outcomes, it was refreshing to see someone was like Chris, and could still find it inside themselves to laugh in the face of danger.

"Hold it... hold it... " Lee said calmly, biding his time. "Now, hard to port, Evasive maneuver Beta-2. Mister McKenzie, fire when you have a clear shot at the target."

Lieutenant Commander activated the flight controls and had the Galaxy veer to one side of the USS St.Louis. As the two starships past their broadsides, Hunter let loose with the Galaxy's main phaser array. A bright, semi circle of red energy swirled around the top portion of the Galaxy class starship as it's beam finally emitted and lashed out at the USS St.Louis, striking the target precisely where the Captain had ordered.

Captain Price clenched onto the arms of his chair, bracing for the St.Louis' return volley, which never came. "Status report." Lee called out.

"Heavy damage to their aft deflector shield. Field strength down to fifty one percent in that area." McKenzie reported.

Lee nodded. "Well the gauntlet has been thrown. Helm. Bring us about; attack maneuver Gamma-3. Weapons, load forward photon torpedoes tubes." Captain Price raised his hand with his index finger pointedly raised to emphasize the next order, "And disable the proximity detonation fuses on all torpedoes. Run them hot out of the tube."

Deiran gave the Captain a quick glance. Typically, photon torpedoes were launched unarmed, and then activated when they were within proximity of the target. That was standard Starfleet protocol to avoid having a torpedo accidentally explode should the ship take a direct hit to the forward torpedo launchers. It also prevented the launching of the deadly warheads when two ships were to close together like the USS Galaxy and USS St.Louis were now. Lieutenant Commander Casey had thought Captain Price was not going to destroy the St.Louis. But this latest command had him worried he was wrong. Biting his lower lip slightly, Deiran resisted the urge to confront the Captain about his intentions. Every instinct in his body made him want to question his commanding officer's orders, but he wasn't going to do that in front of the crew. Casey knew enough about the sovereignty of the chain of command to avoid that level of disrespect.

"Loading forward tubes, proximity detonation fuses deactivated. They are running hot in the tubes Captain." Hunter reported.

"The St.Louis is turning to engage sir." Deiran pointed out from the XO station. "Her weapons are charged and ready. Zeri will fire this time Captain. I'm sure of it."

Lee glanced at his first officer and gave a nod, "She didn't want to fire the first shot." the Captain agreed.

"You got it sir. Just like she wasn't the first to use force in the skirmish with the USS Caduceus. It was Captain Manion's attack on the St.Louis; grabbing it with three tractor beams that could have destroyed both the St.Louis and the quarantine unit strapped to her back, that made Captain Thiana feel she had to fight her way out. That's how she thinks."

Captain Price nodded. Deiran had pretty much confirmed what he had deduced reading through the Starfleet records for Captain Thiana. Though the two Starfleet officers had never met, Lee felt that he had a better insight into the sort of person Zeri was having studied her personnel file.

"Target Captain?" Hunter asked from the tactical arch.

"Same location 'Commander. Concentrate phasers only on the same target point 'mate."

"Aye sir." Mac said curtly. He was a little annoyed that his battle plans for defeating the St.Louis were not being utilized, and that so far, the Captain's attack strategy was not obviously apparent.

Again the two Federation ships approached each other, like two gallant knights jousting amongst the stars.

"Evasive maneuver Delta-4 Helm. Hard to port. Mac, fire at will 'mate."

Again the Galaxy altered course to avoid colliding with the St.Louis. As the two ships past, Lieutenant Commander McKenzie activated the main phaser banks and pummeled the smaller Intrepid class starship in the same location with full phasers. A bright flash radiated out as the sharp beam of energy abolished the weakened shields in that one area of the ship. The hull erupted as the reduced energy from the phaser blast scorched the hull causing it to explode as the secondary ODN/EPS trunks erupted on board the USS St.Louis.

Again Captain Price gripped his chair, waiting for the retaliatory strike from the St.Louis. Only this time, Captain Thiana obliged. Twin phaser beams sang out and left glowing trails across the under belly of the USS Galaxy's shields, causing the giant starship to jolt as the two ships past each other.

"Report." Lee called out.

Lieutenant Commander Thomas checked the Operations console and the master situation monitor he had displayed. "Direct hit to Ventral shields sir. Shields strength is holding at sixty eight percent. Minor damage to decks 37, 38 and 39. Security is reporting things are a mess down there, but no one appears to be seriously injured. Just tousled around a bit sir."

"The St.Louis aft shields have failed sir. Minor hull breach twenty meters fore of the Aft Tractor Beam Emitters. The St.Louis has erected emergency force fields to contain the breach." Hunter explained.

"Fair dinkum 'mate. Let's hit em again in the same spot just to be sure. Helm, bring us around. Attack pattern Epsilon-5." Captain Price ordered.

* Crickey! * Tebrianne thought, * Are we going to execute every First year Starfleet Academy maneuver in order according to the Greek alphabet? * The pert Romulan/Vulcan officer wisely kept her thoughts to herself as she responded, "Aye sir. Attack pattern Epsilon-5."

Even while the Galaxy swung around for another pass at the USS St.Louis, Commander Casey scanned the Kendan system and the approaching Fleet of the Kendan Defense Force. "Captain, I'm detecting a fleet of ships heading towards our position."

Lee turned his attention away from the main view screen long enough to glance at his first officer, and then to Science Station One where Lieutenant Commander Rr'lonii Morris was stationed. "How about it 'Commander. Are you reading anything on long range sensors?"

Ronni brought the lateral sensor pallets on-line to scan the Kenda system. She immediately detected the Free Kendan Defense Fleet heading their way. The fleet of 23 ships and many small snub fighters was technologically no match for the Federation starships, but their mere presence did help to complicate an already sticky situation. "I'm detecting 23 ships and maybe... 30 or so small one man fighters heading this way. At present speed, they should be within weapons range in the next two minutes Captain."

Lee's eyes narrowed. "Does the St.Louis know the Kendan Fleet is on it's way?"

With confidence on the border of cockiness, Commander Casey nodded, "If we can see them, you can bet Zeri has seen them sir. The Kendan Fleet is no match for Federation weapons and shielding technology Captain, but their ships can still cause damage should they concentrate their efforts or try a Kamikaze run at the St.Louis." Deiran glanced at the screen as if he were looking beyond the physical and into the meta-physical with his thoughts. "Zee will not waste any more time with us Captain, now that the Kendan Fleet is on it's way. I think she'll try to get by us and then head straight for their Fleet."

Lee nodded. "Then we need to make sure we finish the job this time around. Mister McKenzie, same target as before."

Hunter looked up from the Tactical arch with a questioning glance. "Sir? Wouldn't it be better to target their engines?"

"Same target 'mate." Lee said flatly.

With a sigh, Mac nodded. "Aye Captain."

One last time the St.Louis and Galaxy approached each other. Captain Price watched as the Intrepid class starship grew bigger in the view screen.

"Do it 'mate. Hard to port, Evasive maneuvers Zeta-6. Mister McKenzie, fire at will and make it count."

Again the Galaxy changed course, following one of the basic escape battle tactics taught to all Starfleet cadets at the Academy. The mighty Galaxy dipped down low, slipping under the St.Louis and firing her main phasers at the unshielded area just meters in front of the St.Louis' Aft Tractor Beam Emitters. Subjected to the full strength of the Galaxy's phaser array, the entire secondary ODN/EPS trunks melted into a pile of shorted metal as sparks and explosions radiated outward into space. Inside the St.Louis, the emergency containment force fields kept the rest of the ship's life support environment safe throughout the rest of the starship. Of all the targets on board the USS St.Louis, Captain Price had found the one place where he could attack without endangering the crew of that ship. Throughout the attacks, not a single St.Louis crewmember was injured other than thrown off their feet from the surgical strike. Of course that entire secondary ODN/EPS system on the St.Louis had been completely disabled in the process. While that did leave the St.Louis with weapons, engines and power, all secondary systems were off-line, including the holodecks, the replicators, which were already malfunctioning, and the transporter systems. Because of the damage and the hull breach, it would take the St.Louis at least a full day in a spacedock to repair the damage and get the ship's secondary systems working again. Effectively, Captain Price had taken away the St.Louis' ability to beam it's virus infected crew to the surface of the planet.

The St.Louis returned the Galaxy's fire with that of their own. Only now Captain Thiana took off the kid gloves. This time, rather than a streaking run across the Galaxy's Ventral shields, the St.Louis targeted the Galaxy's impulse engines with focused phaser fire. Pattern Zeta-6 had taken the USS Galaxy under the St.Louis, exposing the starship's impulse engines for a perfect shot from the primary phaser banks of the St.Louis. Not only had Captain Thiana taken advantage of knowing where the Galaxy would position itself, but her crew had somehow managed to adjust their phasers to match the shield modulation of the Galaxy, allowing their weapons to hit the Impulse engines with full force.

The Galaxy rocked violently under the explosion as crewmembers throughout the ship were toppled from their feet.

"Report!" hissed Captain Price.

Chris called up the updated master situation display. "Direct hit to our impulse engines Captain. They somehow matched our shield frequency modulation with that last attack. Impulse engines are off-line. Injuries reported throughout the ship."

A hint of a smile or possibly admiration flashed briefly upon the Captain's face.

"Heavy damage to the St.Louis secondary systems Captain. Aft shields are gone. Their ODN/EPS system is fried. Otherwise, they are fully operational." Lieutenant Commander McKenzie reported. Then, looking up from the tactical arch he added, "Sir, we still have a full load of photon torpedoes ready to launch." Hunter's tone was not anxious with excitement, but remorseful; almost ashamed that it was his job to point out they could still destroy the St.Louis while she was still in range.

Lee raised his hand once again. "Hold that thought 'Commander."

Listening to the tactical report on the St.Louis' condition, Commander Casey had to figure out what the Captain was doing. Punching up the Starfleet database on tactical information, Deiran ran a search on the Intrepid class' secondary ODN/EPS system. When he finally realized why the Captain was attacking that subsystem, he couldn't contain himself. "You took out their transporters?"

Lee glanced over at Deiran. "Aye." He said simply.

Deiran could hardly contain his smile. It only lasted for a second though before he felt duty bound to point something out. "Sir, that was an excellent strategy. I didn't think that was what you were doing." The First Officer's smile dropped to a more somber, serious expression as his voice grew somewhat softer. "But I need to inform you that the Intrepid class starship has landing capabilities."

Lee leaned back in his chair and fumbled in his duty jacket pocket for something. "You don't say? Gee, it's a pity the Kendan Defense Fleet don't have that same ability; much like the Galaxy."

Pulling out an old, antique, gold watch, Captain Price pressed the button to pop open the cover. Deiran had never seen the antique chronometer before and could see the analog hands and Roman numerals that rounded the dial. Glancing at the watch, Lee watched the second hand with keen concentration as he spoke.

"Mister McKenzie. Prepare to fire photon torpedoes on my mark."

Hunter gave a quick swallow. "Shall I lock them on target Captain?"

Lee shook his head. "Negative. Standard star cluster spread. Straight as an arrow 'mate. 'Commander Bancroft, bring the Galaxy around and match the heading and Zenith of the St.Louis."

Teb pivoted in her seat at the flight control station to look at the Captain. He was still staring at the antique watch. "Sir, Impulse engines are off-line."

Without blinking an eye, Lee replied, "Thrusters 'Commander. Just get us into the correct orientation... quickly 'mate."

"Aye sir." Tebrianne spun around and manually took control of the six thrusters to turn the Galaxy around and set it exactly behind the course the USS St.Louis was heading on, perfectly in line and at the exact same Zenith orientation. It took a steady hand to pilot and maneuver a starship like the Galaxy manually with just thrusters, but the Chief Flight Control Officer made it look easy as she chewed and popped her gum. "We are in position Captain."

Lee didn't move his gaze from the gold watch. To his side, Commander Casey watched as the second hand swept to the twelve o'clock position.

"Do it 'mate. Fire forward photon torpedoes."

Hunter activated the launcher and six immediately armed photon torpedoes streaked away from the Galaxy in a standard star pattern towards the USS St.Louis.

Everyone on the bridge of the Galaxy seemed to grow quiet, as if collectively they all were holding their breath. Captain Price continued to peer at his watch. Deiran could feel a lump building in the pit of his stomach. If Zee's ship was struck by even one of those torpedoes, this whole thing would be over with the St.Louis' aft shields being down. "Why isn't she trying to evade?" Deiran asked quietly.

Still not diverting his eyes from the watch, Lee answered quietly, "Because she is a good starship Captain 'mate. Mister McKenzie are you tracking the torpedoes?"

Hunter felt like shit. He knew the same thing Deiran did; that if one of the torpedoes struck the St.Louis with her aft shields down, she'd be destroyed. "Yes sir. Impact in ten seconds."

Lee nodded. As was typical, Mac started a count down.

"ten, nine, eight, seven..."

With each count, Deiran grew tenser. Captain Thiana Zeri. His friend. His Fencing tutor. In just a matter of seconds, she and her crew were going to be destroyed because he was unable to talk Zee out of doing what she thought was best for her crew.

"six, five, four, three..."

"Why isn't she doing anything?!" Casey said in an excited, pained voice.

Lee raised a hand with 1 finger extended, signaling his First Officer to be quiet. "'ave faith Commander." The Captain said calmly, still watching the gold timepiece.

"two, one, impact." Hunter called out. Everyone on the bridge, except for Captain Price, looked at the screen expecting to see a brilliant explosion. At that moment, the mechanical ticking of the Captain's watch could be heard from as far away as Science Station One. When there was no explosion, Deiran glanced at the Captain.

"We missed?" Commander Casey said in disbelief, and then, jumping out of his seat he cheered, "WE MISSED! WOO-HOO!"

The outburst caused the corner of the Captain's mouth to smile momentarily. Deiran quickly regained his composure.

"I'm sorry sir. I just..." he let the explanation trail off.

"Tactical analysis Mister McKenzie." Lee called out, still looking at his watch.

Hunter cleared his voice. "I believe Captain Thiana recognized that we fired a standard star spread of photon torpedoes and decided that rather than evade, to ride it out and thread the needle, taking the chance that the photons were not set for proximity detonation."

Lee nodded. "That would be my analysis too. It takes a lot of nerve to let six photon torpedoes simply fly by your starship with only a few meters clearance. What do you suppose we should do about the wayward photon torpedoes 'mate?"

"The prudent thing would be to detonate them to keep them from reaching Kenda II sir." McKenzie explained.

"I agree once again 'Commander..." Lee said, taking his time and still staring at the second hand of his watch. "Prepare to send detonation signal on my command...."

Silence fell over the bridge for nearly thirty seconds waiting on the Captain's command to detonate the six photon torpedoes that were headed straight for the Kenda system and the Free Kendan Defense Fleet that was heading to intercept the St.Louis.

From science station one, Lieutenant Commander Morris was monitoring the progress of the Free Kendan Defense Fleet. "Captain, the Kendan Fleet has detected the incoming photon torpedoes. They are scrambling to clear out of the way, opening a corridor through their forces."

Deiran glanced at the Delphinian science officer, at the main view screen and then back at Captain Price. "Son-of-a-bitch! You had this all planned from the beginning."

Lee kept looking at his timepiece. "Quiet Commander.... Mister McKenzie.... Do it 'mate. Detonate photon torpedoes."

Hunter transmitted the destruct signal and immediately, all six photon torpedoes detonated, sending a large, shock wave radiating outward from the blast point. The scrambling Kendan Fleet had managed to clear far enough away from the torpedoes to avoid being destroyed, but took heavy damage as their ships were caught in the shock wave from the blast that grabbed onto their ships and sent them hurdling through space along the wave front. Away from the now vacated corridor left behind for the USS St.Louis to head down at maximum impulse.

"Sir, the blast has disrupted the Kendan Fleet's blockade of Kenda II. The St.Louis has just increased speed to maximum impulse. They are not going to be able to reach her before she reaches the planet Captain." Lieutenant Commander McKenzie explained.

Lee closed his watch and placed it back into his coat pocket. "Then I guess it's up to us then 'mate. Range to St.Louis?"

"Sir, they have traveled beyond weapons range. Without Impulse power, there is no way we can stop them." The Chief Tactical Officer explained.

Deiran looked down at the floor of the Galaxy. He was elated that Zee had managed to get by the Galaxy, but he remembered his duty to Starfleet Command. He was a Casey, through and through. The Federation was his life. And he hated to loose. "Captain, there is one possibility I have to point out..."

Lee turned to his first officer and looked directly at him. "Let's hear it 'mate."

"Well sir, we could use the warp engines and jump to light speed for a brief instant. It's been done before by other starships, even from inside a solar system like we are now." Deiran felt like a hypocrite and a heel. Here he's been advocating letting the St.Louis go, and now, in the final battle, he's handing the Captain the answer to defeating her. His personal and professional conflicts were pulling his emotions in all directions at once.

Teb, hearing the Commander's suggestion, pivoted in her chair at the helm to face the Captain. "I can do it Captain. I've practiced inner solar system warps on the holodeck. The Kenda system is wide enough to allow us to do it. I'm sure of it."

Lee regarded both officers for a moment then shook his head, the hint of a smirk seeping through his words. "Sorry 'mates. Inner solar system warp jumps are against Starfleet Regulations. Since Admiral Miravanelli was quite specific that we were to carry out our duty according to Starfleet Regulations, I am afraid I can not allow the attempt."

Deiran tried to hide his smile. "Gee sir, that's too bad. You know how I hate loosing..."

"Aye know. It's a real shame. But regulations are regulations." Lee tried to look disappointed. "Mister McKenzie, hail Starfleet Command and let them know our status and that the St.Louis has managed to disable us and prevent the Galaxy from carrying out our mission."

"Aye Captain. Right away." Hunter replied.

"I can get a team of engineers to work on the Impulse engines right way Captain." Lieutenant Hewson informed from the Engineering station.

Lee glanced back and gave a nod. "Bonzer 'mate. Make sure your men take their time and get everything right."

"I'll do that Captain." AC replied with a smile, realizing that they were out of the fight, and that the Galaxy had managed to get out of the conflict without violating Starfleet orders, taking much damage, or destroying a Federation Starship. Loosing a battle had never felt so good.

"On Alert" Part2
Ensign Philip Grasso
Operation Officer
USS Galaxy

**** Ten Forward****

Philip nearly jumped out of his seat when the action started. The moment he had been waiting for had arrived. Phil quickly finished his drink and ran out of the lounge. Making his way threw the twisting corridors he enter a Turbolift and heads for the Battle Bridge. The lift gently starts to move twoards the Stardrive section were the Battle bridge was located . He was so excited he could barley breath.

*** Deck 8***

Phil ran out of the lift and headed for the Battle Bridge. Entering the Battle bridge he quickly took his post at the Ops Station. He silently starts to acess the ships situation, The Galaxys impulse engines had been damaged and the St. Louis was on its way to its primary target. he thens looks at the view screen right infront of him. Then turning back to the other officers on the Battle bridge ge prepares for what was sure to be an exciting time.

By Dr Fara LaMerinder and Rockford T. Sloane, MD

~~~ Primary Sickbay ~~~

The Nurse returned and said, "Come this way. Dr LaMerinder is expecting you."

Rockford nervously straightened his tailored blue medical uniform with a small tug at the sides. While Rockford was growing up he had always had his clothes tailored specifically for him and Rockford had not given up the small vane attachment to his previous life when he had joined Starfleet.

Rockford walked into the tastefully decorated office and saw a pretty woman seated behind the only desk in the room. Smiling his best smile, Rockford stood in front of the desk and said. "Ensign Rockford T. Sloane, MD reporting as ordered sir."

Fara stood up as Dr Sloane was shown into the Office. "Please have a seat. I understand that we will be transferring to the QU as soon as it is secured again. You also need to contact Lt Cmdr Kozlov, who is in charge of the away team."

She hands him a padd with the pertinent information on it.

Rockford took the PADD that was handed to him and quickly scanned it. He could not believe his eyes. "A virus?" He thought to himself as he immediately began running through quarantine procedures utilized during the treatment of patients who have contracted or were potential carriers of a communicable disease.

He quickly read the pathology and saw the incubation period as well as the severity of the symptoms. He frowned at the particulars but he decided to hold his judgement in check until he could get a first hand look at it.

While Rockford had done a considerable amount of study into exobiology he knew that he was in no way an expert at it. He hoped that he could get a chance to discuss this further with a more qualified scientist.

His first priority, however, was the treatment of the patients that were infected. He knew that he may only be able to lessen the pain and make the end more easy for them. Sometimes that was the only way a doctor could help his patient, by giving them a little dignity while they were dying. Rockford hated the feeling of helplessness during those times.

"Thank you Dr. LaMerinder I look forward to working with you in the future." Rockford stood up and executed a slight half bow at the waist. He found that most species preferred a non contact form of salutation and he had seen his father use this same bow when he dealt with the various business contacts from different worlds. Rockford had found that it worked in the medical field as well.

"I will report directly to Lieutenant Commander Kozlov." Rockford said as he turned and walked out.

Fara smiled as Dr Sloane walked out of the office. He seemed like a very straight forward person and would be a good addition to the team.

"Battle Cries" by:
Acting Ensign Viara Rhys
Junior Science Officer
U.S.S. Galaxy

Viara having just left Lieutenant Suder in Ten Forward walked into Bio Lab 4. She had not even had a chance to review the work Lt.Commander Erikson and Dr. Khatroweena had done before the ship's Yellow Alert Klaxon's sounded.

"Great!" Said Viara to herself as she walked out of Bio Lab 4. Viara approached a turbo lift and stepped inside. "Bridge" Ordered Viara.

As the turbo lift ran upto the Bridge Viara's thoughts began to race. *I can't believe the Captain is going to actually fire on another Federation ship! How can I just stand by and not do anything. Then again how can I? If they touch down on that planet they'll kill all of those innocent people.* The turbo lift came to a halt as a Tactical Officer stepped onto the turbo lift with Viara.

"Lieutenant" Said Viara as she nodded at the Tactical Officer.

"Hello Ensign." Replied the Tactical Officer.

"Headed to the Bridge?" Asked Viara.

"No, I'm needed on Deck 7, I'll be manning the Targeting Sensors." Replied the Lieutenant.

"Ahh I see." Said Viara as the door slid shut.

"Deck 7" Ordered the Lieutenant.

"So, how has Tactical been treating you?" Asked Viara.

"Good, and Science for you?" Questioned the Lieutenant.

"I'm...surviving." Said Viara as the turbo lift came to a stop.

"See you around, Ensign." Said the Lieutenant as he exited the turbo lift.

"Yeah, I'm sure you will." Replied Viara as the lift's doors closed and continued toward the Bridge.

Suddenly a violent jolt throws the turbo lift into chaos, throwing Viara to floor. Viara stabilizes herself on the turbo lift floor, as the panel explodes out and smoke flows from the ceiling.

"Great!" Said Viara out loud as she stood and checked the lift's status.

*Looks like I'll be here a while. Primary Power and Emergency Back Ups to the lift are damaged. At least Emergency Blocks are in place.* Thought Viara as the turbo lift again is jolted violently.

"Okay, what now?" Said Viara looking at the lift's status again.

*UHHH OHHH* Thought Viara as she read the status report.

Ensign Roger Conklin
Science Officer
U.S.S.Galaxy

After the St.Louis fired on the Galaxy's impulse engines.The Galaxy rocked violently under the explosion.In stellar cartography Ensign Conklin was tossed to the floor,he landed on his left wrist.He let out a cry of pain and got to his feet quickly,He knew he had broke his wrist.He left stellar cartography and head to the turbolift,when he got on the turbolift he said "sickbay" and the turbolift was on its way it stopped the door opened he stepped out moved towards sickbay.His wrist was in so much pain that he had not notice that his head was bleeding.He entered sickbay and looked around for someone to help him.

"Academy Days"
by Lt. Commander Tebrianne Bancroft
Chief Helmsman, USS Galaxy

***

** Bridge, USS Galaxy **

Tebrianne watched as the St. Louis disappeared into the distance. With a sigh, she reconfigured the helm console to her standard configuration. She'd figured that since the captain insisted on running every academic move in the book, she might as well run the helm console in the basic academy mode.

She'd nearly swallowed her gum when the captain started calling out maneuvers. Academy basics! It all made sense after the fact, but he could have bloody let on that they were trying to let the St. Louis get through. The captain brought his top officers to the bridge and asked them to perform maneuvers that any third year cadet could do in their sleep.

A snap of the gum in frustration. Teb glanced back at the captain--making sure to avoid Deiran's gaze. They were still at alert and the captain hadn't released the bridge to the Beta shift staff so Teb continued to monitor the status of the thrusters. Another snap brought stares from the rest of the bridge crew. Tebrianne shrugged and ran a diagnostic on the helm.

She wondered where Ben was. She hoped the could have another night together--a night that didn't turn out bloody retched like Sterner's party. Their lovemaking had been nice, but the tension from the fight with Deiran had really soured the mood. Maybe she could put in for the day off tomorrow and they could spend some time together after Gamma shift. It wasn't like the Galaxy was going to be going anywhere very fast--not without impulse engines.

A couple of taps at the console and Tebrianne had the following alpha shift free. A nice quiet evening with Benedict was definitely in order now. She mental note to replicate a Bajoran hairbrush when she got off duty. A nice, quiet, romantic evening...

******************************************************
Lt. Tebrianne, USS Galaxy, Chief Helmsman
tebrianne@elsinore.net UIN# 2172851
*** ** *** ** *** ** *** *** ** *** ** ***
The Tebrianne Bancroft Archive. Now Online!
http:/www.elsinore.net/tebrianne/
******************************************************

Breaking Away III
By Dana Jergensen MD
CMO USS Caduceus Quarantine Unit. Lt. Jergensen finished her rounds. Trevor had been sent to the Livingston. She had hoped the Shuttle would have towed them back into civilized space. She had no clue as how to fly the QU. The staff nurses were more involved in the bedside care of the sick to wory about it. They were adrift and she realized the small part they now played in the unfolding battle. She went to the AP ( Attending Physician's) Office. It was little more than a cubilce used by doctors and nurses to consult in privat among each other. Like everything else she cam in contact with, the room was trashed. Among her character flaws was that she was an unrepentent slob. I lifestyle of being constantly on the move and being somewhat wealthy cleaning up after herself not one of her more 'refined' traits.

Plates and coffee mugs and data PADDs covered the table. She wondered idly just who cleaned up here? Did the Caddy have a janitorial service?

During her Starfleet Orientation she lent out her extensive wardrobe to fellow students in exchange for house keeping chores. Her class was legendary for being the best dressed class. She even gave a few makeovers to some of the staff. She pulled over a chair, sat and put her feet up on the table. Leaning back she tried to get some much needed rest.

"Eruptions of the third kind."
By Security officers Ensign's Anna Gartner and Neil Bolitho
USS Galaxy

Neil had been doing what he thought was a pretty decent job of avoiding Anna Gartner the whole morning. He had conveniently arranged to swap duty stations with Carol Salt whose turn it was to stand guard at the armoury for a few hours. Next he had arranged to visit the armoury in the saucer section for a physical stock count of the phaser rifles. That completed Neil dropped by ten-foreward for a quick bite to eat with Tim O'Connell whom he promised a Bat'telh session with later on when he was off-duty.

Neil cautiously entered the security office, looking left ,right, left again. Not seeing Anna, he quickly headed straight for the Chief's office, where Lt Albrecht currently held sway over matters security. Silently he hoped the Lt would be able to find him something to do before Anna showed up!

Looking left and right scanning the office constantly on the look out for the fiery 5 footer. Neil collided with another security officer exiting the office. Padds flew from the other security officers arms. Neil immediately without noticing who the officer was, dropped to the floor and began gathering the scattered padds.

Neil was slightly annoyed that the other security officer was not bothering to help. All Neil could see was the regulation Starfleet boot tapping impatiently on the floor. 'Come to think of it, it was a rather small boot, which could only belong to a female. Hopefully not a certain female!'

Wincing in anticipation, Neil looked up and sighed to himself as the menacing form of Anna Gartner. Hands on hips, boot tapping impatiently, eyes accusing. Glared back down at him

Neil still kneeling offered the pile of padd's back to Anna.

"Uhh... Hi Anna!"

"Don't you HI me!" Scowled Anna. "I want to talk to you!" Totally ignoring the out thrust padds in Neil's hands.

"Umm, uh Anna I have ehh ... some things to do, can it...can it wait?"

"NO!"growled Anna.

"Anna I really don...."

"Now!" Interrupted Anna through clenched teeth." Reaching down she grabbed Neil's ear between her thumb and forefinger and pulled him to his feet literally dragging the moaning security officer arms laden with padds past the grinning smiling faces of their colleagues to the brig!

Entering the brig area Anna with Neil 'literally' in tow entered brig Alpha 1. Anna swung Neil round so he was facing the entrance to the brig,before finally letting go of his ear. Neil emptied his arms of the padds onto the bunk and began rubbing his quite red and painful ear.

" What did you do that for?" growled Neil quite annoyed.

"Talk !" was the one worded response from Anna, glaring back up at her friend and security partner.

"That was sore!" Whined Neil still holding his ear, suddenly realising that he would have to get past Anna before he could leave the cell. Neil began feeling a little uncomfortable knowing exactly why she had cornered him.

Anna was obviously unhappy with Neil's answer. Shrugged and kicked him in his shin. Neil let out quite a loud yell and fell onto the bunk while rubbing his bruised shin, finally he glared back up at Anna.

" Thats it I've had enough!" Neil stood and attempted to leave but found his way blocked by Anna.

"Outta my way Anna!" Anna refused to budge.

"I don't want to have to go through you!" Growled Neil.

Anna cocked her head and looked at Neil a little in surprise. 'Maybe she had indeed pushed him alittle to far this time? Nah!'

"Computer engage the forcefield on Brig Alpha 1 authorisation Gartner Gamma Alpha 6713."

The electronic forcefield spring up around the entrance to the brig, Neil roared out a few Klingon curses, before slipping into terran one's " God Damn it Gartner, what the hell do you think your doing?" Yelled Neil extremely irritated.

"Talking to you! " smiled back Anna now making herself comfortable on the brig's solitary bunk.

"You're crazy!" Neil bellowed.

Anna just continued to smile sweetly up at him. "Gee, you are a fast one."

Neil ground his teeth together and mentally counted back from ten. It helped... a little. Much calmer he asked. "Anna, please lower the forcefield."

"Make me." She answered.

"Make you?" Neil yelled as his blood reached the boiling point. He held his hands out as they shook before him. "So help me I'll bounce you off every wall in this cell!" Neil was just venting, but he was worried that Anna could force him to say something that he might truly regret later.

Anna stood up to confront him. "Try it and you'll be walking funny... Or should I say funnier."

Neil growled but stopped. He didn't want to be angry at her, he gave up. Neil tried to defuse the situation. "Okay Anna, what do you want?"

"Some answers. What has gotten in you since Ten Forward and why have you been avoiding me like the plague all of the sudden?"

"Nothing."

"Liar." Anna spatted. "Has it something to do with Kalln?"

"No."

"No? So you don't care that we slept together?"

Neil felt his left eye twitching. "No."

Anna noticed the twitched too and she stared at him until Neil started to break. He wanted to air his feelings out, this entire Kalln thing has been eating at him. "Okay, yes it does. Why did you sleep with him!"

"It's my life or have you forgotten?"

"He's... He's a lizard!"

"So, what if he was a Klingon. Would you have mind then?" Anna said.

"I don't know Anna. It's a hell of a shock and the two of you freaked out poor Lex when she..." Neil stopped wondering if he should had mentioned Lex.

"She knows!" The female Ensign gasped. "So that's why she moved out! How much did she seen?"

"Well, enough to make her to vow to have sex never again."

"And you, why is this bothering you so much?" Anna studied Neil closely as she ran a hand up his arm cooing. "Is it because I went after Kalln instead of you?"

Neil jerked back. He didn't mean to but he was just so angry. "Don't tease me Anna, I'm not in the mood for your games."

Anna stood there watching his reaction intently. "So I was right."

"Why him Anna?" Neil demanded. "I thought we had something."

"We do. You are my friend. Hell, the first one I had in a long while, not too many people can put up with me."

"But I was hoping it could be something more. Or am I just kidding myself?"

A painfully look came over Anna's face. For the first time, it looked like Neil had her on the defensive with a simple question. "I never thought of you being more than just a friend." She admitted. "We work together and even I know about the dangers of people being lovers and co-workers. If a problem develops under the sheets, it'll carry over to their work."

"I hear you." Neil said softly turning to take a few steps away from her towards the entrance of the holding cell. His eyes caught a group of security officers standing at the door leading into the main Brig area, watching and listening to them. Neil finally lost his temper. "Get out!" He yelled at them. "Can't anyone have a private moment without it becoming ship gossip!"

The security officers quickly turned and left. Neil stood there just brewing as Anna moved to his side. "So what happens now?"

Neil paused for a moment, after feeling calmer he said. "I don't know." He looked at her. "Do you love him?"

"I like him and despite his fierce appearance, he's very kind and gentle."

"But do you love him?" Neil repeated the question.

"I'm finding myself growing to love him..."

That wasn't the answer that Neil wanted to hear but he managed to say. "Then I'm happy for you."

It wasn't hard for her to detect the less than thrilled sound in Neil's voice. "You don't sound happy."

"I just finding this a lot to accept Anna."

Then came the hard part for Anna. "Do you still want to work with me?" She asked.

"I.....I ...." Neil was hurt he wanted nothing more than to lash out back at Anna just to make her feel as miserable as he was feeling. It was a selfish thought yes but the matters of the heart make you do strange things.

"I need some time to think things over!"

Neil winced at the hurt look on Anna's face knowing that his stubborn pride had got in the way again

"Anna!" interceded Neil quickly. "Its my fault I read all the signals wrong, I'm the one who screwed up this time. I should never have let anything personal interfere with our working relationship!"

"I...I just need some time to sought myself out! OK?" Stammered out Neil 'Damnit he said it again why couldn't he just tell her yes he wanted to work with her.' Thought Neil.

Anna's soul piercing gaze settled on Neil making him shiver inwardly "Neil Bolitho!" enunciated Anna. " I suggest you think very long and very hard about our friendship." Anna's tone was as chilling as her gaze. "I don't let very many people close to me, in fact you were the first real friend I've had in a very long time. If you can't get over this........infatuation! " spat out Anna clearly furious. "Then I guess we .....you became friends for entirely the wrong reason!"

"Anna .. I...."

"Computer lower forcefield to brig alpha 1 authorisation Gartner echo alpha 1309." Interrupted Anna staring straight ahead

"Anna, wait I....." Said Neil pulling Anna back by her sleeve.

Anna turned on Neil as they were exiting the brig, ripping her sleeve out of Neil's grip "You know Neil I'm extremely disappointed in you, I thought you were different instead I find out your the same as any other human male, perhaps I am better off with somebody like Kalln! At least you know where you stand with him!"

Neil gritted his teeth and grabbed Anna by her shoulders.

"Anna, can I at least ......"

The punch to Neil's solar plexus dropped him to his knee's, as the breath rushed out of his lungs. Anna pushed a strand of hair out of her face as she glared down at the bent double security officer who was for the moment still her partner.

"You know where to find me when you've made up your mind Ensign!" snarled Anna. Turning on her heel she left the brig and the prostrate officer.

Neil drew in a painful breath of air. Twice in two day's, both females, that in itself should tell you something!

"Little Girl Lost."
By Ensign Anna Gartner, Security Officer
USS Galaxy - Deck 11 Residential Apartments

Anna moved up the corridors of the Galaxy on deck 11 making sure it was secured. Sensors could do the job but an added visual was also desirable because sensors could miss the little things and they had the time before they reached the USS St. Louis.

There was a lot on her mind. She couldn't stop thinking about of Kalln and their time together last night but the fight she just had with Neil was now nearly consuming her now. Anna couldn't believe that Neil was jealous about her being with Kalln and now their friendship might be in ruin because of it. But this wasn't the time to brew about it. In about less than 30 minutes the USS Galaxy was about to intercept the St. Louis. What happens next was anyone's guess.

What Anna understood was that the St. Louis was infected by a dangerous disease and when the USS Caduceus, an medical vessel came to help the St. Louis opened fired on her in order to escape. Now the Galaxy was heading to stop the St. Louis before it could reach Kenda II. Apparently the crew of the St. Louis believes that a cure to the lethal infection ailing them lied on that world.

Anna wasn't concern about any possible confrontation between the Galaxy and the St. Louis. The Galaxy wasn't a lightly armed medical ship like the Caduceus. If it came to a shoot-out the St. Louis, an Intrepid class ship wouldn't stand much of a chance but their ship was faster. If they could get by them, the Galaxy would be hard pressed in a pursue. The St. Louis could move faster at warp speeds and could maintain it much longer.

What did concern her was the idea of a Federation ship firing upon one of their own. The thought of it was making her sick. Anna had seen death in all of its ugliness and she thought that nothing else could possibility get under her skin but this was. To fire upon a ship with a Federation crew was a nightmare. Anna was happy being on light duty assignments, to be as far from the bridge as possible when all of this goes down.

Anna glanced up to the silent klaxon panel resting on the corridor wall. When it sounds and glowed yellow it would signal that they have caught up with the St. Louis and if goes to red... Well, then it'd be warning that the photon torpedo was about to hit the fan. Maybe it wouldn't come down to that. Though she hadn't met him yet, Captain Price from the way the crew described him, was a bit of a miracle worker. Perhaps he could find a way to avoid...

Suddenly Anna spotted a civilian crewmember running across the corridor up ahead.

"Sir!" Anna called out to him. "You're supposed to be in the shelters!"

The man turned and ran up to her gasping in exhaustion. "I can't find my daughter! She ran off again!"

"It's okay sir. Does she have her commbadge?"

"No." The man said. "She keeps taking it off because she knows that how we always finds her."

Anna groaned inwardly. They might be heading into a battle and there's a little girl running around. Kids on starships... Bad idea!! "I'll take it from here, return to the shelter."

"No way!" the man said. "I've got to find her!"

Anna's eyes narrowed as she grabbed his arm. "I said you will return to the shelter. I don't need two civilians running around. We'll find her... Go!"

He stared at her, hesitant. Anna was growing impatient and she growled at the 6' 1" man towering over her. "I will carry you back to the shelter if you refuse." Then softly, she added. "I promise that we'll find her, please return to your wife. What's your daughters name and what's she wearing?"

"Tina, Tina Fisher. She's 11 with blonde hair and she has on a green jumpsuit." The man said then pleaded. "Please find her."

"I will, now go." After he left Anna tapped her commbadge. "Ensign Gartner to Lt. Albrecht."

[Albrecht here.]

"Sir we've got a kid lost somewhere on the ship and her father told me that she has removed her commbadge. Her name is Tina Fisher, 11 years of age, blonde hair and is wearing a green jumpsuit."

[I'll notify the rest of security and see if we can locate her with sensors by scanning for people that's not wearing a commbadge.]

Anna smiled even though Albrecht couldn't see her. "Great idea sir. Now I see how you made lieutenant."

Albrecht laughed slightly. [Anna, sarcasm won't get you anywhere. Better get moving Anna to find her. I'll be sending help in a second.]

"I'm on it. Anna out."

Anna hurried forward looking up and down the maze of corridors on deck 11. The deck was so huge that it'd take an entire security squad to sweep it. Even if Lt. Albrecht programmed the sensors to scan for people not wearing a commbadge it'd take several minutes and no doubt they'd be getting false leads. Finding a child on a ship this huge even with sensors is not 100 percent reliable.

"Tina!" Anna started to shout. "Tina Fisher!"

Anna kept moving. 'This is hopeless!' She thought. 'She could be anywhere on this ship and trying to find her while the entire crew is busy preparing for a possible battle is even more hopeless.'

"Tina!" She shouted up another winding corridor. "Where are you? Please come out... My voice was growing hoarse with all of this yelling!"

Then she thought of trying something else. The deck was silent and deserted, it might work here. Anna stood quietly, closing her eyes and focusing. She had somehow developed a Heighten Sense of Awareness while she was trapped on 119 and lately that ability had grown dulled by the apparent lack of use over time. However, sometimes it worked unexpectedly and now she hoped it'd work this time when she needed it the most.

Anna remained quiet and listened, stretching out, probing the corridors of deck 11. For a moment Anna thought she was wasting time when... Her eyes flew open and smiled. "Got ya!"

The little Ensign moved forward and followed the winding corridors like a bloodhound on the scent of her prey. Every step Anna took she moved faster when the klaxon panels dotting the corridors suddenly start to wail and glow yellow.

"Damn it!" Anna cried. They must be closer to the St. Louis than they originally thought.

She turned down another corridor and Anna started to slow her pace. "Tina?" she called.

A tiny whimper reached Anna's ears. The Ensign moved directly to doors of the holodeck 2. There, cowarding in the corner of the huge deep frame and the metal doors leading into the holodeck was their lost little girl.

Anna knelt down next to the small blonde haired child in the green jumpsuit and was surprised to see it was the same little girl that nearly ran her over just a few weeks ago. Face stained in tears, Tina looked up at the yellow uniformed woman.

"The scary noise started." She whispered.

Anna looked up the flashing yellow klaxon. "Yes, it's a scary noise and that's why I have to take you to the shelter and to your parents. Are you ready to come?"

Tina nodded. Anna started to stand and offering a hand but the child unexpectedly moved to her feet wrapping her arms around her neck and then her legs about her waist. The Ensign struggled for balance with the child grafting herself to Anna for safety.

Adjusting to the added weight of her passenger, Anna stood there for a moment hugging the girl. She secretly enjoyed being with the children. For some reason even though she can be rough and abusive to adults, but to children Anna can't help but feel motherly. "It's okay. Nothing is going to happen, I promise you." She whispered in the child's ear.

Then with her right hand she reached up between them tapping her commbadge. "Ensign Gartner to Lt. Albrecht."

[Albrecht here. Did you found her?]

"Yes, I found her sir and I'm taking her back to her family."

[Well done Ensign but hurry we're about to intercept the St. Louis and she's not stopping.]

"Understood. Gartner out."

With her arms wrapped about the girl, Anna started to head for the shelters. Half there the yellow flashing klaxon suddenly changed to red and the scary sound just got scarier.

“Madness And Miracles”
USS GALAXY
Commander Deiran Casey

Deiran was just a few paces from his door when he stopped and looked back. “Oh Lord, what terrible timing.” Deiran hated leaving Miran. All that wonderful foreplay, the spontaneity. All wasted. He only hoped she’d keep the mood churning within her for when he returned.

Deiran walked down the corridor and into the Lift. “Bridge,” he called out. The computer obeyed.

This was a decision that Casey made on a whim. The way he felt at the moment it might be a bad tactical maneuver. But, Lee was a good man, an understanding leader. He knew that Casey never passed up a chance at battle. This was important, possibly he could convince the Captain to use a bit of grace. Just disable the St. Louis so they wouldn’t get to Kenda II.

The lift doors opened and Casey stepped out onto the Bridge. He nodded to Mac as he passed and then walked down the left ramp and down into the command well. Praying that the Captain would reinstate him to duty.

"Request permission to assume my post sir," Deiran asked in a sincere voice. Doing his best to show the Captain that he had calmed himself and was ready to act like a First Officer.

Captain Price paused for a moment while he considered the request before giving a slight nod. "Granted."

"Thank you Captain," Casey replied humbly before taking his station and punching up a tactical display on the arm of the XO's chair. It felt good to be back. Only problem was he couldn’t get his mind off the tension in the air, Zee’s safety and his wife.

Casey saw that the tactical plan that Mac had designed was loaded into the tactical computer and ready whenever the Captain wanted to use it. Casey kept his mouth shut and let the Captain make the decisions on this one.

Deiran heard Price’s plea to Thiana. ‘Please Zee, accept, we’ll help you Zee. Don’t make us do this.’ Casey pleaded under his breath. Lee didn’t hear as he was still speaking to Captain Thiana.

There was no response from the St. Louis as they entered within the Galaxy’s short range sensors. They were close enough for battle.

"Red alert. Signal battle stations," the Captain ordered. Casey could hear the apprehension in Lee’s voice. Deiran liked what that meant. The situation was affecting the Captain, his moral convictions were surfacing. Or at least Casey hoped so, he had known the Captain long enough to recognize his mood.

"Battle stations. All hands report to battle stations," Casey called out over the ship's intercom system, "This is not a drill. Repeat, battle stations, all hands to battle stations. This is not a drill."

From there on out, everything was a blur to Casey until the Galaxy fired on the St. Louis. Casey’s stomach felt like it would cave in. Just sitting in this chair violated everything he believed in, once they engaged the St. Louis. But, he had no other choice. There was only duty now and Starfleet was aware of his boycott.

"Captain?" Hunter inquired. "Shall I prepare to execute our attack plans?"

"Negative 'Commander," Lee finally replied. Casey noticed the long pause as Lee was pondering his move. He could see the Captain’s troubled expression. The sheer weight on the man’s shoulders was reflected in Lee’s eyes.

"Sir?..." Hunter's voice trailed off, not understanding what the Captain was doing. "Orders then Captain?"

"Raise shields. Helm, set intercept course Alpha-1. Half impulse," Lee ordered.

Hunter's eyebrows arched slightly. "Shields are raised Captain."

Casey hid his enthusiasm. Thiana would bounce off that maneuver like water off a duck’s back. The Captain was putting on a face, as the expression went. A mask, so that he appeared to be following orders. At least that’s how Casey interpreted the tactics Lee was using. The maneuvers were so easy, Casey could have defended against them in a tac-sim when he was 14 years old.

‘Maybe I reached him,’ Casey thought as the Galaxy started an evasion Beta-2 maneuver. Casey was reading his Captain’s mind, anticipating his plan and decided to sit back for the ride. The Casey smile glowing like a supernova accompanied by a sparkle in his eye.

"Starting Impulse Repairs... Very Slowly"
by Lt Cmdr K'Eytyanna Samara,
Engineering - USS Galaxy

-------------------------------------------------------

Scrambling over to the monitor island, K'Ey brought up the impulse drive status. Most of it was damaged badly, especially due to the explosion in the Intermix chamber which cost the life of Lt jg Adrianna, but her engineering mind quickly started working out the most efficent repair schedule.

{Damn it! Forget that. If we don't slow down these repairs, the crew will have to do something bad.}

Her combadge chirped and she tapped it, "Samara here.. What is it now?"

[AC here. The captain wants the impulse drive fixed.]

"I don't suppose he put a time limit on it?"

[No, he didn't. I don't want to even hear what you are thinking of, K'Ey, but you have my blessing. AC out.]

Bringing up the Engineering manifest, she started working out what would be the most inefficent way to get this job done.

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

Ten minutes later after all the fuss over the brief fight had died down..

Calling everyone over, K'Ey spoke,

"I've got some bad news. During the combat with the St Louis, the impulse drive system suffered a lot of damage, including an explosion in the intermix chamber. I regret to inform you all that Lt Jg Adrianna died in the explosion, and Medical has been unable to save her. A funeral service will be held later on. For those of you who are interested, the St Louis is on its way to Kenda II to find a cure hopefully, and the Kendan Fleet is disabled. However, we have a task before us. I have drawn up a schedule to repair the impulse drives, and other damage. Dismissed. Lt Jones, let everyone know their assignments. I'll be examining the damage."

Passing a padd to one of the Lts, she headed off to the impulse drive.

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

Turning around, K'Ey saw the twenty-five engineers she had selected. Wiping her forehead, she spoke,

"Okay. I've done a check on the damage and found it is extensive. First thing, everyone is to get into EVA gear with mag-boots."

One of the ensigns nearby groaned and she snapped angrily,

"Ens Davis, follow me. Everyone else, get suited up."

The man walked over and she motioned him around the corridor.

Grabbing him by the collar, she growled,

"Listen up, Mister. The only thing standing between one crew and a planet dying is those impulse drives. If we have to strip them down and scan them inch-by-inch with hand scanners, we will strip them down and scan them inch-by-inch with hand scanners. Do you understand, Ensign?"

He nodded, "Yes, Lt Cmdr. I'll go suit up."

Tapping her combadge, she alerted the bridge that the damage was extensive and could take days, even weeks, to repair.

The blue energy feild that was the transporter beam disapated bringing the small away team from the shuttle Livingstone into a landscape that reminded Lt. Vetra of home. Cold and barren, harsh but at the same time beautiful. Suddenly his duty in overideded his desire to appretiate the surroundings and his attention was brought to Commander Koslov and the prone form of Lt. Allen.

"Scan the area Lieuteant are is the organisim present?"

Korvin unfolded his tri-corder sweeping it around the area. Looking at the bio-read out he replyed.

"They are present commander,"Korvin reported.

"Good, now lets see if our theory is correct,"Koslov said as both officers looked down to examine their patient/test subject who lay wearing a half open eviroment suit on the icy ground around them.

Ensign Richeson
Tactical Officer USS Galaxy
"Under Fire"

***USS Galaxy Battle Bridge, During the battle with the St. Louis***

As Ensign Richeson watched the Galaxy fire phasers at the smaller Intrepid class ship, he still could not help having mixed feelings. But what made Tim even more confused was why Price was using such basic maneuvers. Hopefully the good captain had a plan. After the Galaxy started the Epsilon-5 maneuver a young Ensign finally spoke.

"How many more maneuvers are we going to try?" she asked. She obviously didn't really expect an answer, just thinking out loud.

"Well..." Tim started, "Plenty of letters left in the alphabet." he said dryly.

Barely a minute later the Galaxy began evasive maneuvers. The St. Louis was returning fire, and was not limiting their targets like Captain Price's ship. Captain Thiana was a formidable opponent. Her ship had targeted the Galaxy's impulse engines. Only for some reason the shields did not take the impact of the phaser fire. The large vessel violently shook.

Tim looked at the people around him, many of them had fallen from the impact. Small electrical explosions where erupting from the ceiling. It was obvious that the ship had taken a direct hit. Ensign Richeson quickly taped a few buttons on the tactical station. The impulse engines where off line, and there where causalities on some decks.

To Tim's right, a science officer was checking a more thuro damage report.

"How bad is it?" Tim finally spited out

"It's bad." the male ensign replayed. "We're not going anywhere for awhile."

With a nod Tim looked back to the view screen, he saw the St. Louis making a break for Kenda II. He knew that he could not do any thing to help stop it. His job was to man the Battle Bridge, 'Just in case'. The small explosions continued to appear at random, and many of the people around him where still on the floor.

Tim tapped his com badge, "Richeson to Medical, we got wounded on the Battle Bridge, get up here now! "

=/\= On our way. =/\=

"Good..." Ensign Richeson turned and walked down to the helm seat. The officer manning it was hurt, maybe dead. But Tim was no doctor. 'Better leave it to the professionals' he thought. The Galaxy was on thrusters speed, with torpedoes armed.

As Tim heard the turbo lift doors open he turned to see a female doctor, "Hey Doc! Down here. This guy don't look to goo..."

He didn't get his sentence finished before another electric explosion engulfed Tim....

"The Cure, Part II"
by Lieutenant Commander Viktor Kozlov

*****Kenda II, Northern Polar Continent*****

The Kaminar Steppes were as barren a location as one could find on Kenda II. Cold winds swept across featureless icy plains, driving the temperatures far below the freezing point. The only life to be found within 1500 miles of Kaminar were the stubborn lichens that somehow managed to survive, clinging to the rocky strata, nearly a quarter mile below the ice sheets.

And of course, there was the Viracra, the microscopic organisms that meant long life to the Kendan people and death to the infected aboard the USS St. Louis. The Viracra were everywhere in the Kendan atmosphere, even at the top of the world, where they had little hope of finding a warm Kendan host in which to thrive.

The soft howling of the wind was broken by the faint whine of transporters, as three environment suited humanoids appeared suddenly where few had ever bothered to tread before. One of the trio lay silently on his back, unaware of what was going on around him. The other two quickly surveyed their surroundings, momentarily overcome with a sense of awe at the beauty and desolation stretched out before them.

Kozlov couldn't help but admire the scenery. Born in St. Petersburg Russia, after his parents left Capella IV, he had spent his childhood exploring similar vistas with his father, the Colonel and his twin brother Pavel. They would travel to the Siberian wastes and spend days hunting and fishing. It was a part of his world that his mother, a Capellan native, had no interest in. To her, snow was as alien as a mutaran class nebula, and though she grew to tolerate it, she often pined for the hot, dry expanses of her homeworld.

Kozlov could see that Vetra had no such reservations. The Adorian was giving the landscape appreciative glances, no doubt thinking of his own frozen homeworld. His antennae seemed to project forward, ever so slightly, as he scanned the horizon, his instincts as a security chief taking precedence even here, in the most remote location on Kenda II.

"Scan the area, Lieutenant." Ordered Kozlov. "Is the organism present?"

"They are present, Commander." Vetra reported. "Approximately 75 per cubic meter of atmosphere… Slightly less than what we found when scanning the populated areas."

"Good." Replied Kozlov. "Now let's see if our theory is correct." The two officers began to unpack the equipment they had brought with them. They started with the small portable heater. While the environment suits might have afforded them protection from the elements, they would be exposing the unconscious Lt. Allen directly to the elements, in the hopes that the Viracra in his system would take the hint and return to their native environment. Kozlov had no intention of loosing his patient to hypothermia. Next they set up their bio scanners. The devices would be plugged directly into their medical tricorders and provide a more detailed analysis of their progress, should any occur. Finally, they set up a triangle of pattern enhancers, just in case the political situation took a turn for the worst and the team needed to evacuate quickly. Kozlov hoped it would not come to that, but less then a minute earlier, before they had beamed down, it looked as if the USS Galaxy was hesitant to take the steps needed to stop the advance of the St. Louis. And that meant the Kendans could be taking matters into their own hands soon.

Next, they began to unzip Lt. Allen's environmental suit, fumbling with the snaps and clasps through their heavy gloves. There was no turning back now. They had just exposed the virus to the Kendan atmosphere. If their theory was wrong, they might have just sentenced the people of Kenda II to death. Kozlov tried to put such thoughts out of his mind. He unhooked his medical tricorder from his belt, connected a thin ODN cable from the tricorder to the bio scanner, and began to run his tests. For the moment, Allen's readings held steady. His bloodstream and tissue was filled to capacity with the Viracra, which were literally eating away at him from the inside out.

"Commander, we have company." Said Vetra, pointing skyward. It took a few more seconds before the small craft came into Kozlov's more limited visual range. It was a Kendan atmospheric shuttle.

"At least it's not one of their attack ships." Said Kozlov, optimistically. "Let's see what they want." He added, then turned back to his patient. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Vetra nervously fingering the grip on the type II phaser tucked away in his belt. Vetra had insisted on bringing it along and Kozlov had been inclined to agree. They could always claim that it had been for protection against the native predators… Not that there were any to be found anywhere near their transport site…

The craft descended in a lazy spiral, landing on the frozen hard-pack twenty meters away. The side loading doors opened and three men wearing Kendan bio containment suits stepped out. Two of them were armed.

"Easy, Lieutenant." Said Kozlov under his breath as Vetra visibly tensed. "If they had wanted to take us down, they could have done it from the air."

As the figures approached, Kozlov recognized the man in the lead. "Come to inspect our work, Chancellor Sidon?" he asked.

"I've been appointed by my government to monitor your progress. Should you have a breakthrough in your research, either positive or negative, I am to report it to Vice President Vutros immediately."

"Well, then I'm glad you are here." Said Kozlov. "You can help me monitor the bio scanners. They will be tracking the levels of Viracra in the patient's system, as well as analyzing the atmosphere surrounding the patient for signs of increased Viracra saturation."

"And will your scanners tell us if the Viracra entering our atmosphere are similar to the native organisms?" asked Sidon.

"On the molecular and sub-atomic levels." Replied Kozlov. "If we do have a mutant strain, we'll know about it soon enough." Their conversation was suddenly interrupted by the sound of Kozlov's comm-badge chirping. Moments later, Sidon's own communications device began to buzz. The two doctors looked at one another and retreated a safe distance away from one another. Kozlov tapped his badge. "Go ahead."

[Bad news, Commander] said the voice of Counselor O'Keefe, calling from the Livingstone. [I've just confirmed with the Caddy. The St. Louis has fought her way past the Galaxy and is en route to Kenda II.]

"Fought her way past the Galaxy?" said Kozlov suspiciously. "That seems highly unlikely."

[Nevertheless. The Galaxy has given up the chase. Apparently her impulse engines were damaged in the fracas. What's more, the Galaxy's last volley of torpedoes missed the St. Louis entirely and vectored in on the Kendan fleet. No one was hurt, but the fleet had to scatter to avoid the torpedoes, opening a hole in the blockade for the St. Louis.]

"How convenient." Kozlov muttered. "Are we and the Kendans the only ones aware of the stakes we are playing for here?" While he was outwardly exasperated, part of Kozlov was relieved to hear that the Galaxy had not blown the St. Louis to bits. After all, what good was all of their research if the patient died before they could get the results? "Thank you, Counselor. Please keep me up to date."

Kozlov trudged across the ice back to his patient. Other than the beginnings of frostbite around his extremities, there appeared to be no change. "Der'mo!" he swore. "I can’t be wrong about this!"

"Problem, Commander?" asked Sidon as he approached.

"No progress yet." Said Kozlov. "But we have only been here a short time."

"It may be longer than we have." Said Sidon grimly. "I just received word. The St. Louis has made it through the blockade and is on course for Kenda II. From their approach vector, it would appear they intend to enter the atmosphere. When they make the attempt, they will be met by the planetary defenses, which they may find somewhat more difficult to make their way through than our fleet."

"Chancellor, there has to be a better solution." Said Kozlov. "If you could just buy us a little more time!"

"I'm sorry." He said. "But it's out of my hands."

A creaky, unsteady voice joined the conversation. "Go ahead, blow them out of the sky!"

The two doctors turned, looking startled. Allen was slowly trying to push himself up to a sitting position. "Lieutenant Allen!" Kozlov exclaimed.

"Bunch of worthless traitors." Continued Allen, his lips chattering from the cold. "They deserve it!"

Kozlov rushed to the bio scanners and checked the readings. Then he wiped the frost covered console with his sleeve and checked again. There was no doubt about it. "It's working!" he shouted in elation. "The little buggers are fleeing his system. The air around Allen is swarming with them!"

"Are you certain?" asked Sidon.

"Check the readings for yourself, Chancellor." Suggested Kozlov, stepping to one side. The bronze skinned Kendan carefully ran through the readings, paying careful attention to the genetic sequencing of the microscopic Viracra that were now exiting the Lieutenant's body through every pore. They were an exact match for the native organisms, all the way down to the last protein strand. Sidon looked up from the bio scanners and regarded the harried looking Starfleet officer before him.

"It appears you have proven your point, Commander. Your patient appears to be recovering and our atmosphere does not appear to have been compromised. Of course, a single test subject hardly qualifies as exhaustive medical research."

"If you want more test subjects, Chancellor." Said Kozlov. "We have a whole ship full of them heading straight for Kenda II. Unless of course you still intend to shoot them down and start an inter-galactic incident…"

"No, of course not." He replied. Sidon pressed a series of tabs on his wrist communicator. "This is Chancellor Sidon. I have confirmed that the Ocero virus is not a threat. Repeat, the Ocero virus consists of standard Viracra, nothing more, and poses no threat to Kenda II or its citizens!"

[Are you willing to stake the lives of your people on that, Chancellor?] replied Vice President Vutros over the comm link.

Sidon hesitated for a moment and glanced at Kozlov. Then, closing his eyes and muttering a silent prayer, he responded. "Yes, Vutros. I am."

There was a pause before Vutros replied, one that seemed to drag on into eternity from Kozlov's perspective.

[Very well, Chancellor. I'm ordering our planetary defenses to stand down. As long as the St. Louis does not engage in open hostilities, the ship and her crew will be cleared to land on our surface.]

"Thank God!" Kozlov said out loud, garnering a curious look from the Chancellor.

"We would prefer that you thanked the generosity of the Kendan people." Stated Sidon. "No doubt, your diplomats are never going to hear the end of how you attempted to blackmail our entire civilization with that quarantine of yours."

"Desperate times call for desperate measures." Said Kozlov.

"We would prefer that you took your desperation to another system next time." Replied Sidon, sarcastically. "That being said, Commander, congratulations to you and your team."

There was an audible moan as Allen struggled to regain his feet. Vetra came over and politely but firmly forced him to lay back down. "Where are the replicators around here?" Allen complained. "I'm so hungry I could eat a bucket of Ferengi Tube Grubs!"

For the first time since the whole scenario began, Kozlov's face broke out into a broad grin. He tapped his comm-badge. "Kozlov to O'Keefe. Fiona, please relay the following message to Captain Manion… Mission accomplished!"

Awakening by
LTjg Trevor Allen
USS Caduceus
Paramedic/Flight team.

Allen felt the the transporter beam as he was taken from the QU. A few minutes later he opened his eyes and saw what looked like Commander Kozlov looking at him. Trying to talk with nothing more than a few words came out that made no sense to those who listened.

And then every thing went black.

----Planets surface-----

The light was bright and the air was cold this was the first thing Allen noticed he could hear some voices to his left but couldn't make them out. He hurt from head to toe even his hair hurt.

A few minutes later Allen could hear Cmder Kozlov Allen covered his eyes to try and shade his eyes from the bright kendren sun.

Allen listened to what he was saying the pain was still to much to sit up right. However he did notice the pain was less.

"Chancellor, there has to be a better solution." Said Kozlov. "If you could just buy us a little more time!"

"I'm sorry." He said. "But it's out of my hands."

Allen thought to him self I can understand looking at his Arm he noticed that the infuser was gone. Allen tried pulling him self up and cross his arms to protect them from the cold. As he began to feel the cold of the atmosphere and the disorientation of not being were he laid down and not knowing what was going on.

In a creaky, unsteady voice "Go ahead, blow them out of the sky!"

The two doctors turned, looking startled. Allen was slowly trying to push himself up to a sitting position. "Lieutenant Allen!" Kozlov exclaimed.

"Bunch of worthless traitors." Continued Allen, his lips chattering from the cold. "They deserve it! The next distress call I hear from them I recommend we go the other way as fast as we can."

Looking around he could see more clearly the baron land and the equipment that was set up. He watched The commander work and talk with some one he didn't recognize.

He The cold was beginning to set in and he could feel the virus leave.

Allen let out an audible moan as he struggled to regain his feet. Vetra came over and politely but firmly forced him to lay back down. "Where are the replicators around here?" Allen complained. "I'm so hungry I could eat a bucket of Ferengi Tube Grubs!" Realizing he was defiantly feeling better.

However he did notice that the Pajamas he was know wearing from the QU was not giving him much protection from the Elements.

"Sir Can we go home know and can some one tell me what is going on and why I am feeling better on an icy baron waste land in pajamas from a virus that should have killed me hours ago."

Allen sat there shivering and looking up at every one.

=/\= "Slam Dancing on Deck 38" =/\=
by Lt Matthew Albrecht
Asst Chief Meat Truck
USS Galaxy

** Main Security, Deck 38, USS Galaxy **

The curly-haired lieutenant rubbed his eyes to relieve the heavy-lidded feeling. He had only managed thirty minutes of napping before the ship had been placed on alert, and had been in Security ever since. Of course Ursa was out coordinating teams and overseeing the evacuation of civilians into the shelters all over the ship. The outer hull areas would soon be completely vacant, as dictated by standard protocols. But would that be necessary?

Matthew expected that under normal yellow-alert conditions, (if there were such a thing), he would be attending to the civilians instead of his chief. But, Sunder had come up with something much more interesting for him to attend to. He had said, "Matthew, I want you to run a schematic of the bio- containment subsystems and security forcefields. The boarding situations we’ve been practicing this year have been lacking in the area of infectious agents, and we need somebody to coordinate that aspect of ship defense. Heidi will back you up, don’t waste any time!" The chief was, as usual, thoroughly prepared to face danger himself; but he always let his assistant tackle the really fascinating research matters, Matthew decided.

After forty minutes of planning, Ensign Mason and lieutenant Albrecht had devised the beginnings of a crisis plan. "Okay, Heidi. Our Gamma shift personnel are the freshest. Put Sanchez’s team and Taylor’s team in E-suits now," he instructed. The ensign nodded and opened a comm channel to the lieutenant’. While she attended to the task, Matthew plotted the two teams’ operational points in each hull. He remembered Sanchez’s performance on Dronegar; he could count on the hard-as-nails officer to effectively handle a boarding situation if she and her team received proper support from him and Ensign Mason.

Heidi spoke up, "Sir, Gamma teams are suited up and ready for a bio-hazard situation. I have downloaded to the team leaders our containment plans," she added helpfully. She was seated at her console, with Matthew standing near her. He turned to look over her shoulder at her monitor.

He furrowed his brow. "If I were an infected Saint Louis crewmember, where would I want to beam aboard a Galaxy class starship?" he wondered aloud. Just then klaxons sounded and the alert lighting changed from amber to crimson. They both pretended not to notice the upgrade in status, and what it meant was happening outside the ship.

Ensign Mason looked up and back at the lieutenant. "WHY would they want to beam aboard a Galaxy class starship?" she replied. He met her eyes and decided to himself that he couldn’t imagine the answer to that question. After all, an Intrepid class ship wouldn’t stand a chance against the USS Galaxy in a protracted battle. Boarding parties wouldn’t have sufficient time or sufficient numbers to effectively sabotage her. So why would they want to get aboard, anyway?

If he could determine the motivation of the other crew, he could anticipate what sort of plan they would come up with. But… then it occurred to him. They couldn’t realistically hope to disable or capture the Galaxy, but they could steal from her! The Galaxy had several things the Saint Louis might want, but most likely of all, they would have use for a runabout - especially if they suffered damage in combat that might hinder their attempts to reach Kenda II.

As this thought appeared, the Galaxy shuddered from phaser fire striking her shields. PADDs fell from counter tops, lockers sprang open, dumping their contents upon the spasming deck, and the ensign spilled out of her seat to collide with the ACSO sprawled upon the deck from the drastic heaving of the ship. Matthew and Heidi exchanged shocked expressions—it had really happened!! The USS Galaxy and another Starfleet ship were exchanging fire!

Their mutual disbelief would have to wait, it appeared, as the control panel beeped a request for damage status. Mason righted herself and tapped in a response to the query, "Main Security intact. No injuries. Send maids with brooms and dustpans."

Matthew began signaling his teams for their status, though he knew that most of them were on higher decks, deeper inside the ship where such a blow wouldn’t have knocked them to the deck. Quickly, the teams responded positive statuses. No injuries among security personnel. Matthew mentally readied himself for continued exchange of weapons fire. *At least no one’s fired off photon torpedoes.*

"Message Received and Understood"
by: Lt Tyler Jackson; CScO
and Ensign Mathias Dayell; Science Officer

Tyler watched on the main viewscreen as the two starships played their little game of throw and catch. As needed, he monitored the Kendan fleet, but mostly he watched the main viewscreen as that was where all of the action was happening. In his haste to watch the battle, Tyler would casually scan his terminal before returning to the viewscreen. Had he been more careful, he would have noticed the movement in the Kendan fleet earlier, but by the time he did notice, the majority of the fleet was mobilized.

"Captain, I'm detecting movement in the Kendan defense fleet. They are approaching our coordinates."

"Understood" was all that Captain Zeri said.

Tyler decided to keep a keener eye on the terminal from that point on, and was doing so until a message came across his comm badge.

=^= "Ensign Dayell to Lt Jackson"

Tyler calmly tapped the badge and returned the signal. "Jackson here, go ahead."

=^= "Sir, we have analyzed the message from the Caucadeus. Their research shows that if we expose the plague victims to the Kendan atmosphere, the disease will vacate their systems, thereby curing them. We have run a few simulations, and we have every confidence that it will work."

A smile came across Tyler's face for the first time that day. "Understood, good work down there." He tapped on the comm badge to close the channel.

"Captain, our research has found that if we expose the plague victims to the Kendan atmosphere, that will be sufficient to cure the disease."

"Thank you lieutenant, that was the news I was waiting to hear."

"Through the keyhole"
By Lt.Commander Daniel Rosenblith
& Lt.Commander Annie Lahav (NPC)

"You sure you can handle things here?", Annie said in a rather maternal tone, glancing over the ensign which took over her place in the battle bridge. It wasn't as fancy as a Sovereign class' battle bridge, but it was good enough for its purposes and since Annie's ship - the Pompeii - was also an Intrepid class, she knew it by heart. The ensign, somewhat annoyed by her tone which reminded him a little of his mother and suggested that he wasn't good enough in what he did, frowned.

"Yea!"

"Didn't think otherwise.", the Bajoran winked, then hurried to the turbolift. The lift rocked for several times during its voyage to the main bridge, and for several seconds Annie was sure that it was the end. The end of a life she didn't manage to fully live like she hoped to, a life which she wished to get so much more of, yet wouldn't be angered if they ended right here.

But there probably was a higher being observing her from above, because it didn't end, and by the time she got to the bridge it was still intact. Shouts and small clouds of smoke resembled an image she was painfully familiar with - a ship in the midst of a decisive battle, against the odds. A security ensign {{OOC: Randal? :) }} approached her threateningly, but then she heard someone speaking behind him, and the ensign allowed her to enter, returning to the security console next to her new friend Adam. Considering every new friendly person she met a friend was one of Annie's best qualities, but sometimes proved to be one of her worst drawbacks. However, in Harris' case it didn't prove to be a drawback, and same went in the case of the speaker.

"Hello Dan.", she said softly, and hurried toward him. The St.Louis' executive officer, wearing a heavy and sealed E-suit, looked very poor and miserable to her. He was sitting shrunk in his corner, watching the battle almost helplessly while coughing once in a while. She placed a hand on his forehead instinctively, only to realize that she couldn't sense whether it was burning hot or not with the helmet in the way. She settled for crouching next to him, and spoke up.

"What's our status?"

"Baad..", she noticed his body shivering. The doctor was probably on a higher stage of the disease, and the ship's constant rattling and shaking didn't help him too much. "The Cap.. captain refused to give.. give up like I... asked. The Ocero stor.. ryteller will be pis...pissed.", a broken smile surfaced on his face. "That's.. that's Zeri. Got.. gotta admire her."

Annie glanced toward the Captain, who was staring at the viewing screen with tense concentration, her hands grabbing the armlets of her seat. She was the only Bajoran CO in Starfleet, and a woman nonetheless. Annie knew her from before coming to the St.Louis, and in a way regarded her as a role model. 'One day', she used to think, 'I'll be a Starfleet Captain just like Captain Thiana'. Now, seeing her 'model' face to face brought these old day-dreams back, causing her to smile back. "Oh yea, I agree. So what ab-"

*Doof. What a stupid helmsguy*

The voice echoed through her head, without actually being heard by anyone else. She glanced in its direction, seeing Mikey bending over the Conn. console. He was beaming thoughts mindlessly again, probably since his entire attention was concentrated on outmaneuvering the Galaxy, which wasn't as agile as the intrepid class. A glance at the viewing screen verified Mikey's mental statement.

"Good god, that's a beta series evasive! I could do it ten years ago!", she whispered to herself with surprise, and approached Mikey. He smiled toward her as she looked over his shoulder, at his console, while trying not to disrupt any of the other bridge officers - which obviously had a toughest job than Mikey.

Whoever piloted the Galaxy made a wonderful exhibition of the most basic, dumb and easy to read maneuvers in the Academy's glossary. And they were quite good at it.

"And now I spin it in thirty degrees while adjusting the pitch and yaw a little, and using the Beta 6 pattern... tidly!", Mikey murmured enthusiastically. She could guess what thought crossed his mind - showing Annie what a great pilot he was, and impressing her. Although she would never admit it in front of him, she wasn't too impressed - Mikey was good, but not distinguishably good, even when facing such piece-of-cakish maneuvers. Still, she could think of a fair amount of helmsmen she had the honor to meet and which would've done a far worse job handling the Galaxy's clumsy dance. She gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

"How about thirty-two degrees, Buchus?"

"Sure, Phoenix, that'll do.", his grin broadened. The Saint Louis easily dodged another Galaxy maneuver, and prepared to the next one.

"So, what's up?", Annie asked Mikey, who seemed to be enjoying himself greatly.

"I think they took out our Transporters, so Doctor R's plan to beam the SEALS down wont do.. and the Kendans are pissed so we can't send a shuttle over, sorry."

"I could fly past-", Annie started, but then decided not to proceed. Sure, she could fly past, and maybe even make it, but on her way back they would be ready, and not many SEAL officers and berries could be squeezed into a shuttle without completely ruining its maneuverability.

"Oh nonononono!!", she heard Mikey's voice, drawing her back into the smoke-filled reality. "What?", she asked, but a second afterwards Mikey's answer was rendered obsolete as she noticed that one of the Conn. console's screens had several red dots flashing in it.

"Photon Torpedoes.. are they insane?", she muttered angrily to herself. Mikey, who was no longer having fun, tried to think of a suitable evasive pattern. Annie's grip on his shoulder suddenly tightened.

"It's a standard star pattern... they're up for something new now, either that or he's done playing. But I have a feeling... Mikey, have you ever surfed?"

"Well!", he said, jerking his head. "If we survive this I promise to teach you!"

She giggled. "OK.. then let's surf the spacewaves... move foreword, full impulse, and don't turn."

"You sure?"

Annie turned around, looking in the direction of the Captain. Thiana Zeri gave her a reassuring nod, almost causing her heart to leap out of her chest. She spun back, and smiled. "Yea, let's do it."

"Full impulse ahead.. wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!"

Annie's other hand held Mikey's chair, stabilizing her. From behind, she heard the Chief Tactical officer's stern voice counting seconds until impact. She but her lower lip, praying that she wasn't leading this ship to a certain doom. But no - the famous Captain Price would never destroy a fellow Starfleet ship, right? He would only disable their engines and weapons, and he didn't do both... so he probably had another thing in mind, or knew something they didn't know. It wasn't possible that the famous Captain of the premier Galaxy should would heartlessly destroy them... right?

'You're not very convincing.', she told herself silently, and looked down at Mikey. If he was going to die because of her...

"Yeay!", Mikey jumped, his raised fist nearly hitting her face. On the screen, she saw the torpedoes passing by - all of them - and heading toward the Kendan fleet which was visible in the 'horizon'. "Yes!", she hissed, closing her hand to a fist. Somehow, her role models never managed to disappoint her - even Marianne, her sister.

"Whooo-hooo!", she heard Rosenblith cheering from behind, the coughing. The thought of the usually calm and non-enthusiastic doctor cheering like a kindergarden kid - or like Mikey - made her sweet smile to grow even wider.

"Now what, Annie?", Mikey said, pulling her sleeve. For a second, he reminded her so much of the Cadet she had met in what seemed to be a different lifetime now. It was still the same Mikey, even if hidden behind the new uniform and the two pips.

"Surf on. We can land on the planet - it's an intrepid class after all.", Annie suggested.

"Yea, and those Kendan ships ran away like a bunch of Andorian Gon'Letts fleeing a very hungry Andorian, by Rixx.", the Betazoid Helmsman smirked. "Captain - permission to land on Kenda II's surface?", he proclaimed, then whispered toward Annie:"I'll let you help if you want."

"No, I'll just watch.", she returned a whisper.

Doctor Rosenblith, who was watching the entire drama from the 'front row' bent toward the Captain. "I think we can continue with our previous course, and land on the SEALs' original destination - the Kaminar continent. It'll be the easiest area for us to enter the atmosphere, since it's relatively thin there. Earth was not the only planet to suffer from holes in the Ozone layer, I suppose.", he frowned lightly, awaiting for his CO to make her call.

====
- Oded Magger
Allied Electronic simulations
ICQ enlisted 12129457

“First Page…”
Lt. (jg) Benedict T’Kal
Tactical Officer
USS Galaxy

Ensign Catherine Page paced her quarters and came to a decision. The USS Galaxy was about to confront the USS St. Louis – a battle was certain. The whole crew had been talking of nothing but the up-coming fight for hours. Cathy was on Gamma shift. That wouldn’t commence for another couple of hours. Anything could happen.

Cathy was frightened. Battles always scared her. It had taken months for her to pluck up the courage to do what she was now planning. The little gossip attempts were circulating but it seemed that no-one was game to confront either Lt. Commander Bancroft or Benedict about it. It seemed that they were ‘off-limits’ to the rumor mill since the debacle with Casey. Cathy wondered why Benedict could see anything in Bancroft! She wasn’t worth it! Hell she was already credited with trying to break up a marriage – she was sinking her hooks into a man that belonged to Cathy!

It was true! Cathy had gone over her own logic thousands of times. Cathy had seen him first! She had been interested first! He would have come around if it hadn’t been for that Romulan bitch sinking her fangs into him! It was her fault! What Benedict T’Kal saw in her Cathy just couldn’t work out. She wasn’t particularly attractive – and she slept her way into promotions! Everyone knew it! Just no-one said it – anymore at least. Everyone knew that she had Deiran Casey in her back pocket - and other places!

She stopped pacing and faced her own reflection in the mirror. She was beautiful – she knew that! Her long, honey blonde hair and blue eyes were amongst her best features – she was definitely not lacking in the attentions of men. All except the one she really wanted. Benedict. He wouldn’t have her – not the way she wanted him. Not now. Not ever. Cathy knew that. He had to be shown – but before he would turn to her – she needed to get rid of that Romulan bitch!

She had started trying to get back into Benedict’s life recently. He’d accepted her apology – she knew that he would! He was too trusting for his own good – that was why Bancroft had managed to deceive him – sooner or later she would betray him. Cathy had seen the argument at Sterners’ party. Bancroft had humiliated him in public – all to get at Casey’s wife. Bancroft really wanted Casey back – it was so obvious! The bitch! Just thinking of that betrayal made Cathy’s face curl into a snarl.

She had followed them out of the party – Cathy couldn’t believe that Bancroft would try to humiliate Benedict further by that disgusting display in the Arboretum – but to pit Ben against Casey in a fight! That was the end! Cathy had to put an end to this bitchs’ plans! Cathy could see it – why couldn’t Ben? Bancroft had basically armed him with a sword and set Casey against him – Cathy had stood frozen in terror as she watched from a distance as the two men had fought. It was the most frightening fight she had ever seen. Benedict had fought for his life – for what? So that he could be humiliated by Commander Casey! All for the benefit of that Romulan Whore!

Cathy walked over to her closet and removed the small case hidden there. She sat on the bed and unlocked the case. It was a complex DNA security lock and it took several seconds to process after sampling her DNA. As it clicked open a slight hiss revealed it’s vacuum seal. The small devices sat in molded foam. They made up a complex device that was forbidden in the Federation.

Cathy Page had risked quite a bit in obtaining it. A Ferengi had managed to broker the deal to get it – she had provided certain packets of information in return. Ensign Catherine Page had given details that she knew she shouldn’t – to people she knew would use it. All for a device she had learned of to get the one thing that she wanted most.

She took the small injector – very similar to a standard medical injector and loaded it with one of the six cartridges. It was filled with a liquid suspension containing medical nano-probes. These molecular devices were highly specialized. They set about building a small implant within the body upon injection and activation. They were very similar to Borg units.

The second device was a holographic interface module linked to the implant. It would record images, sensations, thoughts ..it would also implant them through the link. Cathy planned to create memories – false images. The planet that spawned this technology used it to re-educate it’s criminal elements. Cathy was going to re-educate Benedict T’Kal!

After-all, Tebrianne Bancroft was a bastard Vulcan – and Cathy knew that she had to have used her mental powers to influence Benedict! She was only going to fight fire with fire!

Comfortably Numb
By:Ens. Tim O'Connell and Neil Bolitho
Security officers, USS Galaxy

Well the Galaxy had laid in a pursuit course on thrusters so we should arrive in at the Kenda homeworld in 2 months give or take a day at the current speed!

His shift ended Tim O'Connell walked the corridor back to his quarters. He punched in his access code to enter and walked in. He saw his roomate looking like total hell sitting in a chair totally in the dark.

"Hey Neil, you look like Fel'kur just popped in a few seconds ago, what's up"

Neil raised the bottle and drained it before turning his blood shot eyes to take in his friend and roommate.

"Leave me alone!" replied Neil in a sulky tone a he hurled the bottle against the far wall where it smashed into little pieces joining plenty of other broken bottles littering the floor.

Pushing himself out of the seat, Neil stumbled over to the replicator, pushing past his surprised friend.

"Com, Computer!" Neil placed both hands on the wall to keep himself upright. "A bottle of Te....Teq ...Tequila, one sliced lemon and salt. The computer briefly hummed and the items appeared in the replicator. Neil picked up the bottle ignoring the lemon and the salt and headed back to his chair..

Tim had only seen his friend like this on 2 other occasions and made a deduction. "Neil what's her name?"

Neil turned round in surprise almost falling over from the sudden movement finally balanacing himself against a chair.

" Ahh if only I knew the answer to that one question, it would save all of us a real alot of time! Don't you think Tim?"

"The ultimate question? What is the name of the one , your soul mate the person who will make you ultimately happy, who will bear your children? The one who is destined to be your life's partner! etc, etc" smirked Neil.

"I think I will have more chance finding the answer at the bottom of this bottle?"

Slurred Neil falling into a chair and opening the botle, taking a large swig from the bottle

Neil crushed the cap with his other hand and threw it onto the pile of broken glass at the other end of the room

"Hell I don't know Tim, I will never under...under...un..what ever them?"

"Neil, even a Vulcan can't understand em, but which female has you so stupidly drunk?" Tim settled down to hear Neil's sob story, "lemme guess, that hot blonde in medical, or the stellar cart cutie?"

"I committed the the worst Tim I fell for someone I ...no we.....work with and got it thrown back in my face!"

Tim blinks twice, "either Lex and she's dating a small building or, Anna?? " he looked shocked, "you have a thing for Anna Gartner?"

"Yeah I have a thing for Anna, but she doesn't want Human's she wants Lizard's!.Neil paused there watching the shock rise of Tims face!

"Anna... Lizard you mean Kallin, but he's 7 feet she's 5 feet she must like her men cold blooded" His mind raced at the thought of Anna and Gordall together in that way he had a full flash of nausea. "that's an image I didn't need in my head."

"How could I be so stupid!, I mean she crazy Right Tim?"

Tim snorted, "well duh she's nuts but she's so damned cute." he smiled, "besides you know what I told you about dating partners, a bad idea"

"I need you to tell me that?" snapped Neil "Do you think I planned this to happen!" Growled Neil standing and shaking his finger at Tim.

Tin ignored the oustruck finger of his drunk friend.

"Well I didn't, it just.... did!" swayed Neil in his chair leaning forward to offer Tim the bottle.

"Wanna a drink?"

Tim guided his very drunk friend back to the table, "I don't need this and you have had more then enough bubba, time to sleep it off now"

"Ahh c'mon, you and I have closed a few bars in our days at the Academy here was also that time on Risa where we weren't sober for the entire duration we were there!"

Tm smiled remembering those times, "well yes but we also weren't on board a starship. He took the bottle over to the replicator and recycled it. he spoke, "computer lock out all alcoholic beverages from the replicator untill 1200 tomorrow. authorization O'Connell theta 231.

"Spoil sport!"

Tim looked over at his friend, "well someone has to be and the last thing I need to do is take your drunk self to sickbay, got it."

"Got it !" Smiled Neil evily knowing he had a spare bottle stashed under his pillow, that will at least help him out until Tim curfew's was over or until he drunk him self to sleep!

Neil stood up from the table aiming for the bed and the hidden bottle but he had to stop as the room spun violently

'Hmmm the next time that bed comes round, I'm on it !' thought Neil in his befuddled state.

Making a desperate lunge Neil fell far short of the spining bed, landing heavily on the floor, Neil broke out into a laugh and began singing Klingon nursey rhimes, the one where The Klingon girl split the monster in half and ate its still beating heart.

"Oh and Neil," Tim Stated walking over to the door, "Give me the bottle you have under your pillow, you are too predictable"

"Bottle under my pillow, why would I do that, it would give me a stiff neck if I slept on that! replied Neil innocently from the floor trying very hard to keep his gaze on Tim standing by the door.

"whatever Neil just don't puke on my bed or you will be sorry" Tim's eyes flashed and he headed out the door to find out what the HELL is going on on this ship.

"Ah, yes, our orders."
USS Galaxy
Lt. Karyn Dallas, Chief Counselor
Ensign Ruina Keigan, Counselor Assistant
with excerpts from "Old Memories" and "Getting your meat where you get your bread" and additions by Capt. Price

***A few hours earlier, Bridge, USS Galaxy***

Karyn sat on the Bridge, trying hard to resist the urge to start drumming on the armrest of her wheelchair. The tension was so thick, it seemed as though you could cut it with a knife. Moments earlier, Commander Casey had informed her of the situation with the St. Louis. Things did not sound good. Things had to be pretty bad if a Starfleet Captain would disobey direct orders, and risk infecting thousands of others in search of a cure to their deadly virus that may or may not work. 'Desperate times called for desperate measures,' thought Karyn.

They had a clear idea how the virus affected a person physically, but still no clear idea how the virus affected a person mentally. There was a good possibility Captain Thiana was under the influence of this virus and was not making clear judgements. How else could an extremely competent Captain go from following orders to blatantly disregarding them? Karyn was about to find out. She had been asked to assess the psychological state of the Bajoran, while Com. Casey tries to convince her to break their present course and return to quarantine. She hoped Casey could convince her to turn around before more lives were lost.

She felt the knot in her stomach tighten, a clear sign things were going to get worse before they got better. After trying to hail Captain Thiana twice, they finally got through to her.

“Hi Zeri, it's been a few years. It's good to see you again. Nice to hear your voice, you are as beautiful as you were ten years ago Zee. You haven't aged at all,” Deiran said, he was smiling and looked calm, relaxed. You would have never known that inside he was hoping Thiana would listen to him and take his advice. He appeared outwardly, as if it was just a reunion and nothing more.

“This is a friendly call and not business I take it?” Thiana asked pointedly.

“My apologies Captain Thiana,” Deiran smiled.

“People change, Commander,” Zeri smiled ruefully. “You've done well for yourself, I see. First officer on one of the best ships in the 'Fleet.” She knew how to treat a Casey- stroke their egos. Karyn sensed the Bajoran was generally happy for her friend, even if there was a bit of ego stroking going on.

“The St. Louis is a fine ship, Zee. You must be proud,” Deiran stated. Hoping the small talk would loosen her up so she'd listen to reason.

“I am very busy Commander. You encoded the transmission with our sign from years ago. What can I do for you? Who's in danger?” she asked. Karyn noted the annoyance in her voice, as if she couldn't be bothered with idle chit chat. Her voice was steady and determined. Even as she spoke, her mind was focused on a million other tasks to help ensure the safety of her crew.

“Actually, I'm calling for a reason. You're the one in danger. I apologize for using that code but it was imperative that we talk Zee. Do you remember when you gave me my first fencing lesson?” Deiran asked, if he could get her to respond to their past, maybe she would respond to him in the present.

“Yes I do, you showed promise on the first day. I told you to always be aware of your opponent attacking from the left. You learned to counter it in three lessons,” Thiana smiled as she remembered the times she had spent teaching Deiran. “You've grown into a handsome and successful man Deiran. I'm proud of you,” she replied.

Casey wanted to stroll down memory lane but he had a job to do. “Thank you Captain,” Deiran smiled. He blushed a little, Zee still got to him a little bit.

“I know about the St. Louis's condition and about the Ocero, Zee. You know that I'm stationed on the USS Galaxy as First Officer. The Galaxy has been sent to handle the crisis. Starfleet has authorized Captain Price to use force Zeri. I have asked the Captain to let me speak with you in hopes that we can come to an agreement,” Deiran was treading lightly, using unthreatening words but giving her the details of the situation. Thiana didn't even wince when she heard the words, clearly she had been expecting someone to intervene. Still, the knowledge that the Galaxy would use force, if necessary, didn't seem to faze her.

“My crew is dying Deiran. Did your father fail the Cillarians? He didn't let his crew down, he didn't let them die. He taught me to always do what was best for your crew. You know that, he taught you the same,” Thiana replied. Deiran could see the anguish in her eyes and could hear it in her voice. It was eating her up inside that she couldn't do more. "I will not let this crew die." It wasn't hard to hear the desperation and sorrow in her voice. The Bajoran was exhausted, the strain of seeing so many lose their lives, though not blatantly showing to the rest of the crew, was evident as Karyn observed her.

“Yes, and I'm sure my father will be happy to help you if you cooperate. Let us assist you. Starfleet has given us orders not to let you get to Kenda. I'm in the middle Zee. Your one of my dearest friends, and what is happening has also put me on the other side of my Captain. I care for your crew just as much as you do. Is there anything we can do? Can you think of any way to solve this without violence?” Casey asked. He truly was having trouble with coming to grips that he may have to fire on his friend. He could not even think of firing on a ship that Zeri was on.

“No Commander, this disease is devastating. I have to get to Kenda or everyone on this ship is dead. This includes me. Being under quarantine isn't going to help us beat this virus. Our only hope is the possible cure on Kenda. Just allow us to get the cure and we could all be saved,” Thiana pleaded.

“Starfleet is concerned about the virus. We can't allow you off the ship. You have my word Captain, that we will do everything possible to save your crew and your ship. Just please don't leave your ship. Don't force our hand. Zeri, I won't let you down. We'll find a way. Remember I'm a Casey,” Deiran smiled.

“I'm sorry commander, the safety of my crew, their very lives are at stake. Getting to Kenda is our only hope. I will go through anything I have to, including courtmartial,” Thiana replied, melancholy filling her voice.

Deiran's face became somber as he heard the words come from his friend. “I wish there was another way Zee. I don't want to do this. I don't want to take part in stopping you. I don't have a choice Zee,” Deiran said, he wasn’t hiding behind a façade now. He wanted her to see the turmoil within him. He did have a choice, he was bluffing. He already told his Captain what he would do. If he did send a formal petition to the Federation Council it would rock the very foundation of UFP government. It would cause Starfleet to reconsider it's tactics when dealing with dangerous situations.

Deiran had the guts to do what was necessary and what he felt was right, no matter what Starfleet Command's orders were.

“I understand Commander. Hopefully we'll talk again under different circumstances. Thiana out.”

The main viewer switched to the UFP symbol. Karyn slowly exhaled, Casey had given it his best shot, but unfortunately they were no closer to solving this problem, then when they started. Deiran tried his best to hide his emotions but his frustration was not hard to miss.

Capt. Price turned to Karyn. "Observations, Counselor?"

Karyn took a breath, "I believe Captain Thiana is fully competent, Captain. She is very aware of what she is doing, and does not seem, at this time, to be under the influence of the virus. She's not happy we're attempting to stop them, but she's not at all surprised we're here. She's completely focused on the safety of her crew and is not overly concerned with the consequences of disobeying orders. She is confidant her crew will stand behind her no matter what happens."

"So you don't see anything in her behavior that could be a direct result of the virus?" asked the Captain.

"It's difficult to say. This whole situation is definitely taking its toll on her emotionally and psychologically, which is understandable given the circumstances. Right now, I have no way of knowing for sure if her behavior is due to the virus or if her desperation is a direct result of the emotional strain. We simply don't know enough about the virus right now."

The Captain nodded his understanding. "I know what you mean, 'mate. Hopefully we'll be able to shed some light on this situation, before it gets any worse."

Karyn nodded. "I'll have my staff coordinate with sickbay to see what we can find out about the psychological effects of this virus. I'll do a little more digging into the psych profiles of the crew, so we have an idea what to expect from the St. Louis crew when the time comes. I imagine we'll have to walk a tight rope on this one."

"My thoughts exactly, Counselor. Please use discretion when talking to your staff, I don't want this causing too much of a stir amongst the crew. I'm hoping we won't have to use force when the moment comes, but we have our orders."

*Screw our orders,* thought Karyn. Our orders would have us kill hundreds of our own people without batting an eye. She understood they couldn't afford to risk infecting hundreds of thousands, but there had to be a better way. Her job was to help people live life, not help people destroy life. Price watched as all these things passed through the Counselor's mind. He imagined the expression on her face was the same expression that had been on his, when he'd been given their orders.

"Aye, Captain." replied Karyn somberly.

“My apologies Captain, I’d thought she’d listen. She has changed. The Zeri I knew would have listened. We were close. Normally she would never put me in this position. Her crew’s plight is more serious than we realize. I would suggest we take into account, sir, that the senior officer’s on the St. Louis have a clean record for the most part. A good ship, good crew, a great captain. I believe there’s a better way to handle the situation sir,” Casey told his Captain. He walked to the command well and sat next to Lee. Hoping with all his heart, he wouldn’t be put in a position that would find his ship firing on Zee’s."

Karyn entered the turbolift with the image of Deiran's disappointed face still in her thoughts. All they could do now was wait and prepare the best they could, which was exactly what she intended to do.

***Counseling Offices***

Karyn entered the reception area of the counseling offices and was greeted by Ensign Keigan. She was grateful Ruina didn't have a patient in her office right now, so she could have a private moment with her. She thought it strange Moses wasn't around, though he wasn't due to come in for another few minutes. He usually showed up at least five minutes early. Karyn couldn't really blame him for deciding to sleep in a few minutes longer. She had a feeling no one was going to get much sleep in the upcoming weeks.

"May I speak to you in my office for a moment?" Karyn asked Ruina.

Sensing this was of some importance, and that their CO was not in the mood for plesantries, the counselor just nodded and followed her into her private office. When the doors had closed and Ruina had settled, Karyn spoke.

"Before I begin, I want you to know that what I'm about to tell you must not be told to another member of this crew until the Captain deems it appropriate. I'm only telling you this now because we have a difficult mission ahead of us and I'll need your help. The situation is rather delicate and must be handled with care. Ruina nodded, showing she understood.

"A few days ago, the USS St.Louis made first contact with an alien race while responding to a distress signal from their failing vessel." They call themselves the Ocero. Shortly after the two hundred Ocero refugees were beamed onto the St. Louis, it was discovered that many of them were infected with some sort of virus that the transporter biofilters failed to detect. Several Ocero have already died, along with some Starfleet Officers from the St. Louis. It appears that everyone on board the starship has somehow been exposed to this virus even though every known precaution has been taken since the initial outbreak was detected."

"I'm assuming we sent someone to investigate." stated Ruina. Karyn nodded.

"As soon as Starfleet was made aware of the situation, the USS Caduceus, our medical response vessel, was sent to investigate. The St. Louis has been under guarded quarantine since the Caduceus arrived two days ago. Starfleet Command just got a message from Captain Manion of the USS Caduceus. A short time ago, Captain Thiana of the USS St.Louis ordered her ship to head for the Kenda system. Captain Manion tried to stop the St.Louis from leaving by securing the Intrepid class starship with three tractor beams. The St. Louis in turn attacked the Caduceus, disabling her weapons and tractor emitters and proceeded to break quarantine at high warp. They are presently heading for the Kenda system now."

"They've broken quarantine? What would bring Starfleet officers to break orders?" asked Ruina. Karyn answered, "Right now we don't know. Here's what we know so far:

"Tests on the Ocero refugees and the virus they carry have shown that a certain native plant there may hold the key to curing this deadly virus. Apparently, preparations were being made to study the possibility scientifically, however, the condition of the Ocero refugees on board the St.Louis was worsening as their time runs out.

Karyn took a breath, It looks as though Captain Thiana decided to take matters into her own hands. Kenda II a heavily populated world in the heart of the Alpha Quadrant. There is a large space port on that world that services all trade in that sector of space and they are not a member of the Federation. If the St.Louis gets to that planet and manages to infect the populous there, all life in the Alpha quadrant could be wiped out in a matter of weeks. Most who contract the disease die from the third stage within a matter of days. Our biofilters are useless at detecting it and so far, the way it is transmitted from person to person has not been discovered. Our lack of ability to discover the cause of the virus, or even detect who is carrying it and who isn't, plus the rapid progression from stage one to stage three where the person's internal organs literally explode from within.

"I see. said Ruina, clearly trying to process all she had just heard.

"What is the Galaxy's role in this?" asked Ruina.

"We're going to intercept the St. Louis and take things from there." Karyn stated.

You don't think we'll have to ..." Ruina's question went unasked, but Karyn knew what she wanted to know.

"Right now we don't know what's going to happen. This virus is extremely serious and we have to do whatever we can to keep innocent people from getting hurt at all costs. Ruina, I'd like you to get the latest info from sickbay on the virus. See if you can spot any psychological effects in the victims, anything that might give us an idea of what to expect, should I or anyone else speak with them. I want to know about unusual symptoms, delusions or hallucinations that might accompany the physical symptoms."

"I'll get right on it." answered Ruina with determination. After Ruina left, Karyn prepared a PADD for Dr. Mo explaining as much as possible to him, as well as what she needed him to do next.

"Dr. Mo, I'd like you to do some research into the psychological profiles of the crew of the St. Louis. We're going to have to play this very carefully and I want to know exactly who we're dealing with. Even if the crew hasn't contracted the virus, they're bound to be under extreme stress and fatigue. We're going to do everything we can to reason with the crew, and I want us to be prepared for anything. Give the information to me as soon as you can. I'd like to get it to the Captain ASAP."

Karyn left her office, PADD in hand and turned to see Cadet Casey at the front appointment console. "Alexa, please give this to Dr. Mo when he comes in. I'll be in my office, doing some research for a little while. This is extremely important, so please make sure he gets it right away."

"Yes, Lieutenant." answered the Cadet.

*Back to the salt mines.* thought Karyn. Anyone who thought being a counselor was easy had never spent an hour in her wheels.

Ensign Philip Grasso
Operations officer
USS Galaxy

**** Battle Bridge****

Phil could only stand and watch as the Med team moved throughout the Battle Bridge tending to the wounded. It apperared that the Galaxy had taken a harder hit than he had first imagined. As the med team finsihed up Phil took his seat at OPS. He quickly accessed the data concerning the St. Louis and the misson, looking for any possible plan of action that could help the galaxy.

Phil once again stood up and walked twoard the tatical station so he could get a broader look at the situation. Getting to the console he quickly punched up the location of all the ships in the area, but before he can finish the console explodes in a brilliant array of lights and gasses. Phil had just enough time to scream before he fell to the floor knocked out. what seemed like an internity later he was just barley able to open his eyes and see a group of doctors hovering over him and then he blacks out.

"A Time to Pray"
by, Lt. Raesene Hermedhie
Tactical Officer, U.S.S. Galaxy

---------------------------------------------

The dread confrontation between the two Federation starships was quickly approaching. Raesene hoped that this conflict could be resolved peacefully. Even though he was a paladin for a god of battle, this kind of conflict proved nothing. Oh, there was the detail of the plague the Saint Louis was carrying. But beyond that... There was no honor in this fight.

Raesene was moving like a man without a mission. For he really did not know what he was needed to do next. This situation had totally confused him. His spiritual center was out of whack because of this confusion. And a paladin was nothing without that spiritual center. So he resolved to try and contact his deity, to learn what he was to do next.

He found an empty Holodeck, entered it and began the lighting of certain incenses, and began a series of precise movements for prayer. He spoke incantations that were supposed to bring the person closer to his deity’s presence. But nothing seemed to work. No response was coming from Cuiraécen. It was almost as if he could not answer. Then the ship shook from a hit to the hull. Raesene could tell because of the ship shaking badly.

He quickly left the Holodeck and made his way to the Tactical Center, where he received the report that they had been struck in the Impulse Engines, totally frying them. They would be out of action for quite some time, and apparently the Saint Louis was free to reach Kenda II. He hoped that they would not devastate that planet or cause the plague to spread to the entire galaxy.

"Sir, Can we go home know and can some one tell me what is going on and why I am feeling better on an icy baron waste land in pajamas from a virus that should have killed me hours ago."

"You were our test subject,"Vetra said simply. "The test was sucessful and you lived as will the crew of the St. Louis and the Ocero refugees."

"Oh,"Allen said still looking dubious. "And the wasteland?"

"Kenda II, this is their polar region, one of the farthest places from civilization possible on this planet."

"I think I see what happened but you and the Commander will have to fill me in on the details, on the Caddy perhaps? Over some hot coffee?"

Korvin smiled if only slightly.

"In a couple minutes Lieutenant, we'll beem back to the Livingston, and then go report back to the Captain,"Koslov said, then he turned back to the two Kendans "If that's okay with you?"

"Yes, I assume your ship the Cadduceus will over see the 'treatment' of the crew of the St. Louis?"

"If I know the Captain, you can be sure of it,"Koslov replied.

Then both he and the Andorian began packing up the equipment they had beamed down with all the while monitoring Allen to see if his recovery was as complete as it appeared. Both gathered that he would have a considerable stay in sickbay under the waltchfull eye of the staff there to see that he recovers completely.

Once everything had been packed Koslov bid a strained fairwell tot he Kendans and then tapped his combadge.

"Counsellor, three to beam up."

"Understood, standby,"Came O'Keefe's enthusiastic reply.

Then the away team dissapeared from the icy tundra in blue light of the transporter beams.

"Fuzzy duck?" by one very hung over Neil Bolitho
and one soon to be very intoxicated Lexanna Ral.
Security officers -USS Galaxy

Neil's bloodshot bleary eye's opened with the his quarters door swishing open. Blinking and rubbing his eye's, Neil could just make out a figure, standing in the entrance silhouetted by the lights in the corridor.

An extremely attractive figure, definitely humanoid, female, Neil's heart jumped.

"Anna?"He asked hopefully.

"No, its me Lex. Computer lights!"

"Ahh No!" yelled Neil painfully as the supernova exploded above burning his eye's. Neil pulled the regulation duvet back over his head to block out the Nova which had just erupted over him burning his eyes. His head felt twice its size hence the headache that was twice as painful. Surprisingly Neil still had a half filled bottle of clear liquid in his one hand.

Taking a swig from the bottle helped make the pain go away, then another and another. Finally the herd of elephants stopped their stampede long enough for him to make out a voice calling out to him.

"Neil! Neil! Neil don't make me come in there and haul your ass outta there! Neil can you hear me, I'm talking to you?

"Go away Lex." mumbled Neil taking another swig hidden under the Duvet.

"Computer. Lights 50%"

Neil took another swig and felt the bed tip slightly as Lex sat down on the edge. "You look very silly right now" she observed

"Ow.. away" he said with a mouthful of tequila

"I ran into Tim earlier. He told me you were beating yourself up over this."

No answer came from the Duvet so Lex continued. "Look, I'm sorry. I was so caught up with my own problems I didn't listen to you. I should have"

"I guess I can be totally self-centered at times. I know it's hard for you right now. Your shift partner is someone you end up caring about a lot. You watch out for each other and you'd lay down your life for that

person. It would be unnatural for you not to feel something."

The duvet was still silent, except for a faint glugging "Look, I'm talking as a friend, not an ex counsellor ok. I know it's hard when you care about someone and you see them wanting someone else.."

A sharp comment came from under the duvet about Lex's counselling abilities earned someone a slap on the back of the head which was felt through the duvet.

"Hey! Don't take it out on me that's not fair and you know it" She said "Damnit.. Neil.. What? You want to beat up on yourself more about this? Would you like me to bring you a Klingon Pain stick so you can pickle your brain and torture yourself at the same time?"

"I want to be alone."

Lex's eyes wandered about the room, she could make out several bottles on the floor. "Do you have alcohol under there? "

Glug.. glug

She frowned and decided to try and pull the duvet off, he'd get up if he was cold. She pulled, but Neil pulled back, making himself a kind of tent. So she decided to move the "Tent" and its occupant off the bed entirely. Bolitho and bottle hit the floor rather solidly. He lay there moaning for a while whilst Lex untangled the duvet.

"Oh my god, you're completely hammered."

"You heartless woman. Leave me alone"

"Not likely, you're going to kill yourself. Or throw up on Tim's bed and he'll kill you.. Or you're going to try and make a jacket out of Kalln.. and he'll kill you. Or Anna will kill you. Either way this is probably your best option."

She half dragged, half carried him to the shower, and put it on "Damn Cold" whilst holding him under there. Her Tunic sleeve got soaked, but she didn't really care, she was concentrating on sobering him up, or trying to. After about five minutes of him yelling, she let him sink on the floor with a towel and went to try and replicate a hangover cure.

By the time she came back with something which resembled a glass of vomit, Neil was sitting on the floor with a bottle of Romulan Ale. "Oh Good Grief. " She said "Here.. drink this, give me that"

Neil knew somewhere in the fibre of his being that Lex was trying to help him, somewhere he just couldn't find it at the moment.The icy cold water was making his teeth chatter, only the contents of the bottle that he refused to surrender to Lex was keeping him warm, or should I say his stomach warm!

Lex stood at the opening of the shower offering the glass in her hand and wanting the bottle in return.

"Romulan torturess!" groaned Neil

Lex's glare would have stopped a horde of charging Jem'Hadar. It brokered absolutely no argument, Neil without realising what he was doing accepted the offered glass and handed the bottle to Lex!.

Neil refused to look at the contents of the glass and did his best not to breath in what he was sure was noxious fumes opening his throat he downed the glass's contents, trying desperately not to gag at the same time!

Neil waved the empty glass in the direction of Lex who was admiring the bottle of Romulan ale. "This is good stuff Neil!"

"A gift from my father, for some or other occasion!"replied Neil grimacing as Lex's hangover brew kicked in and the water was ...c.c.c.cold!

"You wasted this on some drunken binge?,I'm disappointed in you!" Lex's tone took on a disapproving one.

"Hey Tim knew where the hidden stuff was, this was all that was left!"

Lex took a taste "Ah.. You shouldn't waste this.. Damn!" she wheezed

Neil goggled at Lex and reached for the bottle "Hey.. "

"What?"

"Give me that.."

"No"

"No?" He sighed "Lex.. it's mine"

"True" she observed taking another swig

"Oh. you're drinking now?"

"Yah."

"Any particular reason?"

"I'm female" She acknowledged " I don't have to have reasons"

"What brought this on?"

She paused, letting the bottle back into Neil's hands while she thought. ."I feel rotten I guess. I'm just trying to drown things"

"Like me"

"Kinda.. Hey.. ever play Fuzzy duck?"

"I've heard of it.. why?"

She grinned as only Lex could "Want to learn how to play?"

"The Best Laid Plans" Part I
Joint Post By:

Ens. Rockford T. Sloane, MD
Ens. Ericson Ross Science Officer
Crisis Team Assigned USS Caduceus

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Deck 12: CSO's Office ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ens. Ross continued to stand in front of the desk, waiting for the Chief Science Officer to acknowledge his presence. After several moments, he politely cleared his throat. A rather young looking, and very attractive female Human looked up at him. She had long dark hair braided into a single thick pony tail that reached to the small of her back. Her dark green eyes held a warm friendly smile that gave Ericson a sense that he could trust the woman. Her fine boned facial features covered by pale, milky white skin captured his attention for several seconds.

"I'm sorry, Ensign. May I help you?" She asked. Her voice sounded tired, as though she had been there for quite some time.

Ross was caught somewhat off guard by the woman's beauty but quickly regained his composure before he spoke. "Yes. . . I'm looking for Lieutenant Deplainer. I was told to report to her. I'm Ensign Ross."

"Ah, yes." She replied. "Lieutenant Deplainer isn't here at the moment, but she told me to expect you. The current missions' status is still being evaluated and we aren't sure just yet how your talents will be best used. She said to go ahead and take the rest of the day off."

"Okay." Ross said, not sure what else to say. "Thank you. Do you have any recommendations?"

"Well. . " She said, pausing briefly. "We have holodecks for your enjoyment with several interesting and entertaining programs, but you'll have to see the duty operations officer to schedule time. There is also the 'Eight Forward Lounge' on Deck 8 where many of the crew go to relax."

"Care to join me?" Ross asked.

"Thanks, but I have to get these sample reports done for the Lieutenant and I'm way behind. Maybe another time." She answered with a tinge of regret in her voice.

"Maybe later then." Ross said as he turned to go, giving her a smile which was returned warmly.

* * * * *

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Deck 8: Eight Forward ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sloane slowly took a sip of the Ederan Sherry, sighing contentedly at the rich earthy flavor of the Ederan grapes. He slowly began to breath in through his nose as he let a small amount of the liquid slide down his throat.

The Ederan palate was uniquely equipped with tiny air ducts that brought air from holes under the eyes into the mouth. Because of this particular trait the Ederan's cuisine was more flavorful if ingested with a small amount of air. Sloane had discovered the hard way that human physiology, especially the mouth and throat, were severely restricted in the ability to process the unique flavors found in Ederan food.

Leaning back, Rockford stared out the huge transparent aluminum windows at the front of the room reminiscing about the summer spent on Ederan with his family. The planet was a veritable Eden to look at, but they quickly found that the food was not to their liking. Finally they spoke to their host about it and were astonished to discover the secret of Ederan cuisine. Rockford's father began experimenting with the food and found that if you allowed a small amount of air to accompany the food, the flavor increased dramatically. It took a while to get it right. If you allowed to much air you had a tendency to choke or even belch uncontrollably. An act which Mrs. Sloane absolutely forbid in polite company. So, after a bit of practice they could eat quite comfortably and they continued with their vacation and enjoyed many exotic recipes.

Rockford was smiling at the memory of him and his older brother belching at the dinner table while their mother tried her best to scold them. Father, on the other hand, was much to lenient when it came to his son's, and Rockford could remember when he quietly told his wife to allow the boys to be boys for a while.

Rockford's trip down memory lane was interrupted when he heard someone say.

"Cognac please."

"I know that voice." Rockford thought. Turning around he saw one of the crisis team members he had beamed over with standing at the bar. "What was his name...?" He thought frantically hoping the ensign would not turn around before he could remember. "Oh, yeah. Ross... science or something." He said to himself.

Rockford stood up quickly and walked over to the science officer. Stopping next to Ross, and leaning on the bar, he quietly motioned to the bartender for another sherry.

* * * * *

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Deck 8: Corridor ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Three days?" Ross thought to himself. That was how long it would be before he could schedule time in one of the holodecks. The books were filled up with people wanting to use them for recreation, training and other pursuits. He didn't bother to request a time slot, figuring that he'd be too busy three days from now to be able to use it.

Walking towards Eight Forward, Ross thought about the labs he had left only a few minutes ago. They were at least as good as those on any starbase. The laboratory on Deck 12 had many stations and consoles that he couldn't wait to get his hands on. There were null/variable gravity labs, dissection tables, neutron microscopes, sensor grids that could detect some particles to .0000001 parts per million and a plethora of other equipment and computers with access to libraries and ship sensor functions that could keep a scientist busy for days just examining a molecule of water, much less more complex studies they were sure to find themselves involved in.

"Damn." He said aloud as a thought came to mind. "I forgot to get her name."

With over a hundred officers on board, and most of them in blue uniforms, he wasn't sure how long it would be before he ran into her again.

The Caduceus was different from any other ship he'd been on. Granted, he hadn't been on very many, only a few while he was a Cadet, assigned to a ship here or there for some practical field experience. But this one still felt different. The people weren't the same and their functions varied greatly from that of officers on a typical starship. Maybe it was just the nature of scientist and doctors to be so serious all of the time. People on this ship walked with a purpose, very little wandering about. Their expressionless faces looking straight ahead with far away looks in their eyes as though they aren't really there, but where ever they had been or were going, working on some incalculable problem that required immense attention and concentration.

Ensign Ross found himself at the doors to Eight Forward and entered the lounge. There were a few people already in the comfortable room, some sitting at the bar but most at tables.

"Cognac, please." Ross ordered as he stepped up to the bar. As the bartender handed him his drink, Ross heard someone talking to him.

"Ross, right?" The voice said as an officer in a blue uniform walked up to the bar.

"Yeah." Ross said as he began to extend his hand to the Human.

"My name is Sloane, Rockford T. Sloane. He said as he bowed slightly at the waist.

Ross quickly retracted his hand and nodded back. He couldn't help but notice Sloane's tailored fitting uniform and manicured look. Even his Ensign's pip had a gleam that seemed to be missing from everyone else's. 'Real gold?' Ross asked himself silently, not saying anything out loud for fear of embarrassing himself.

"So what's all this talk about a crisis?" He asked Sloane. "They gave me the rest of the day off."

"I'm not quite sure. I checked in with the ship's doctor. Apparently the CMO is not on the Caduceus. She seems friendly enough. She told me I should contact the First Officer for further duties, but according to the ship's computer, the first officer is not on the ship." Sloane answered.

"I know. The CSO isn't around either. I wonder if she went with them." Ross commented.

"You know it could be, that with this virus and all I'm sure they want the best officers attending the away team mission." Sloane said.

"Virus?" Ross asked. "What virus?" Wondering what information Sloane had that he didn't.

"Dr. LaMerinder gave me a data padd with some information about the current mission. It's over at my table." Sloane answered, motioning over to his table across the room.

The two men walked over to the table and took a seat, setting their glasses down on the table. Sloane picked up a blue data padd and slid it over to Ross.

"I studied exobiology at the Vulcan Science Institute, but mainly as it applied to medicine. Maybe you can make some sense out of the scientific data." Sloane commented as Ross looked the information over.

Ericson wasn't sure what to make of it, much of this was completely new to him. Virology was a strange bird indeed, requiring extensive study and was pretty much hit and miss when it came to diagnosis and treatment with each new case.

"This is just the raw data." Ross began. "I'm not sure where they're going with it and without further tests it would be hard to say. But if I had to make a guess, the pattern associated with the pathology is not random enough." Ross began to get a little uncomfortable with what this was leading up to. "If I had to make a guess, and bear in mind this is just an untested hypothesis, this virus may be programmed."

"I'd like to get a hold of a body and do an autopsy." Sloane said. "There's so much information that could be obtained."

"Yeah, but there are no bodies here on the Caduceus. Everyone infected was on the St. Louis or the quarantine unit." Ross said, picking up his glass and taking another drink, mulling over the options. "I might have an idea."

"An idea? What is it?" Sloane queried.

"I can get us a body, or at least simulate one using the information in this padd. All we have to do is program a holodeck." Ross answered.

"So, what's the problem, lets go." Sloane encouraged.

"I've already looked into it. There isn't any holodeck time available for three days." Ross answered dejected.

"Would something like a holosuite work?" Sloane asked.

"Any room equipped with holographic emitters would be fine, it doesn't have to be that elaborate. I mean, it would just be a simple lab." Ross answered.

"That's easy. Follow me." Sloane said with a wry smile on his face as he stood, leaving his drink on the table.

"Where. . ." Ross started to ask, but stood to follow Sloane, wondering if he had already made enough connections on the ship to interrupt schedules. Somehow, if that turned out to be the case, Ross decided he wouldn't be a bit surprised. Sloane had a friendly, charismatic way about him that seemed to exude confidence.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ens Ericson Ross
USS Caduceus Science Officer
ICQ# 31385439

Ens Rockford T Sloane MD
USS Caduceus Trauma Specialist

"The Best Laid Plans" Part II

Joint Post By:

Ens. Rockford T. Sloane, MD
Ens. Ericson Ross Science Officer
Crisis Team Assigned USS Caduceus

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Deck 2: Sickbay 3 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sloane and Ross walked into Sickbay 3 on Deck 2. Sloane was getting a little discouraged. They had already checked the primary Sickbay and Sickbay 2 and had come up empty. The holographic medical training rooms in those two sickbays had been commandeered at the beginning of the mission and reserved for emergency use. They noticed a nurse working at a console and walked over to her.

"Excuse me." Sloane started. "You wouldn't happen to have a holographic medical training program, would you?"

"Yes, Doctor. Did you need to schedule some training?" The Bolian female nurse asked as she turned from her console to face the men.

"Well, actually, it's kind of an urgent matter. The room wouldn't happen to be open now, would it." Sloane answered.

"As a matter of fact it is, but they've taken one of the subroutines off line for upgrades." She said.

"Which one?" Ross asked.

"The one that creates and controls the assistants. Nurses, doctors, the EMH and such." She answered.

"That's okay, we don't need those. I have my nurse right here." Sloane said, pointing at Ross.

"It'll take me a few minutes to program the parameters into the computer." Ross said.

Five minutes later, Ross completed programming the computer and they walked into the empty 10 foot by 10 foot room and stood facing each other.

"Computer," Sloane began. "Standard autopsy configuration with peripherals."

Instantly, a biobed appeared between them and computers and analyzing equipment lined the walls. There were several trays full of instruments over the bed and they were clothed in bioprotective robes.

"Computer, plastiseal gloves and protective mask." Sloane ordered.

A pair of synthetic gloves and sterilized paper mask appeared on a tray and Sloane put them on.

"Gloves?" Ross asked. "This is just a hologram and there are sterilization fields anyway if it was real."

Sloane smiled somewhat sheepishly. "My preparation for surgery is the same every time. As a trauma specialist I'm needed instantly, so things have to be automatic. I may not have a sterilization field on an away team."

"Oh." Ross said, understanding the doctor's reasoning, but he couldn't help but view this strange man wearing gloves as somewhat of an odd throwback.

"Computer, patient selection, recently deceased human male, age 32, standard physiology, all other parameters random selection, apparent cause of death will be subroutine 1A of program Ross autopsy 1." Ross ordered.

The required patient appeared on the biobed between the two men. Extremely pale with post mortem lividity having already set in. There was a rash on the skin covering about 80 percent of the body.

"I haven't done an autopsy since my medical rotation in my first year at the Academy." Ross said with some concern. He had faith in Sloanes ability to adequately perform the autopsy well enough, and Ross knew that he would be able to analyze the samples, but he would have to be guided through the procedures of obtaining them.

"Normally, we would start with a level 1 autopsy procedures." Sloane began. "That would start with cutting the body open, examine visually each organ and removing and weighing them. Level 2 would involve dissecting each organ and taking tissue samples. Maybe we can make some shortcuts here. Computer," Sloane said. "Extrapolate autopsy program to include completion of levels one and two procedures."

Immediately, the body changed to a fully dissected cadaver with all of the organs removed and ready for tissue samples to be taken and level 3 examinations. The computer had already recorded mass and weight of the organs and all other pertinent information.

"Great." Ross said, somewhat relieved that what he considered to be the hardest part was already done.

"Yeah, that should shave a few hours off of this process." Sloane agreed. "Why don't you start examining the major organs and I'll work on the circulatory and nervous systems."

"Sound's like a plan." Ross answered as he went to work.

"By the way, what exactly am I looking for, other than the abnormalities?" Sloane asked.

"We'll start with standard viral pathology. But according to the data in the padd, there might be something that looks like an organized, systemic attack on the host."

* * * * * 2 Hours Later * * * * *

"Damn!" Sloane cursed. "Damn it! We shouldn't have taken the short cuts!"

"What?" Ross asked. "What happened?"

Sloane pointed to where he had just finished exposing the spinal cord. "See anything wrong there?"

Ross was at a loss. "I don't see anything there." He commented.

"Exactly. Computer, why does the patient have no spinal cord?" Sloane asked.

The computer answered, "Insufficient data supplied by subroutine 1A for its effect on the patient's spinal cord."

"Computer, list all areas of program Ross Autopsy 1 where information was bypassed due to insufficient information." Ross ordered with a concerned look on his face.

They turned to a computer console where a list had been generated by the computer. After a couple of minutes of watching the detailed list scroll, Sloane ordered, "Computer, freeze program." Turning to Ross he asked, "How do we make up for this many deficiencies? There's thousands."

"Computer, based on the effects of the virus on known areas of the patient's body, extrapolate the probable effects of the virus on all areas of the body where there is insufficient data." Ross ordered.

"Ready." The computer answered.

"Computer, reset Ross Autopsy 1 to beginning of level 3." Sloane ordered wearily.

The two men began their painstaking tasks again, retaking samples and examining them.

* * * * * 4 hours later * * * * *

"I can't find anything. This patient's dead and I don't know why." Sloane said. "If I had to make a guess, I'd have to say that this patient was virtually worn out from the inside. But from what? There's nothing here that could have done that."

"Do you hunt?" Ross asked.

Sloane sat down heavily in a chair. "Sort of, but what's that got to do with anything?"

"What's the first thing you look for?" Ross asked.

"A hunting lodge with a well stocked bar?" Sloane quipped.

Ross was glad to see that the doctor hadn't lost his sense of humor. "Okay, what's the second thing?"

"Tracks or spores. Something to follow. Why do you ask? Are you tired of playing doctor?" Sloane replied.

"No." Ross chuckled. "We're looking for the wrong thing. We're looking for the animal without first finding a trail that will lead us to him. This is a cunning little devil. What we have here is a trail all over this patients body that will lead us right to the prey."

"What are you talking about?" Sloane asked.

"Come here." Ross said, walking over to a computer console. "Computer, create a visual representation of subroutine 1A."

On the screen appeared a glowing yellow square.

"Is that what the virus looks like?" Sloane asked.

"Probably not." Ross answered. "But that's the best the computer could come up with based on the information we've provided. Look," Ross continued. "See these striations?"

"Sure, all of the organs were full of them." Sloane answered.

"Watch." Ross said. "Computer, extrapolate data from subroutine 1A and show me a time lapsed representation of patients liver from a healthy sample to the current sample."

"Ready." The computer answered.

"Begin." Ross ordered.

On the screen in front of them they saw a healthy liver. A number of tiny yellow squares appeared on the liver and began to move over it.

"Computer, increase time speed by fifty percent." Ross said.

The yellow spots on the liver moved more quickly, seeming to consume the organ as it began to lose color, looking like a liver from a 120 year old man.

"Wow." Ross said. "That's an aggressive sucker."

"Viruses are a hearty breed. There was never a cure for any virus until the late twenty second century. Even then they were mostly able to inoculate against them." Sloane said. "Where's that data padd? How are they saying this virus enters the body?" He asked.

Ross picked up the padd. "It says here that they believe it was inhaled."

"If that's the case, given the aggressive nature of the virus, it should have attacked the lungs first and the patient should expire long before it reaches the other areas of the body." Sloane observed.

Sloane called up the data on the lungs. "Look here. There's minimal damage to the lungs. It shows two sets of striations. If we assume one set is the virus entering the body. See here where the striations enter the lungs. And over here we have a second set of striations. But overall they're really in pretty good shape. What if the second set of striations is the virus leaving the body."

"Do viruses do that?" Ross asked.

"Not normally." Sloane answered. "But why, if the virus is inhaled, are the lungs not the first things to go? I've got an idea. Computer, access quarantine unit data files. Select nearest compatible living patient information. Display viral progression through living host if the virus was inhaled."

"Ready." The computer answered.

They watched as the yellow squares entered the simulated body, travel through the lungs and went immediately to a single kidney.

"Okay, that's pretty consistent. It enters the lungs and goes directly to the blood where it attacks the kidneys." Sloane observed.

From the kidneys, the viruse progressed to the spleen. Then to the appendix and on to they lymphatic system.

"Computer, freeze program." Sloane ordered.

"What's wrong?" Ross asked.

"That's inconsistent with typical viral progression. An inhaled virus typically should attack the lungs and then move on to the blood stream. That's pretty much what happened here. The virus then should have moved on to the heart or maybe the liver. Even if went to the kidneys, it should have gone to both. Why did it go to just one? From there, it went on to other nonessential organs en masse. There are no stragglers that moved to other parts of the body." Sloane said.

"It's almost as if it's purposely staying away from the organs that would kill the body. Instead, it looks like it's trying to keep the body alive. But. . . " Ross trailed off.

"If we take into account how fast the virus attacked the liver sample, if it was a typical inhaled virus entered into the blood stream, with that rate of progression the patient would be dead in hours. The lungs would go, the heart, the liver, all of the vital organs. That didn't happen. This virus is purposely keeping the patient alive." Sloane said.

"Those would be the actions of a sentient, reasoning being." Ross said incredulously. "A colony of life forms move in, live as long as they can, and then leave the host through the lungs before the host dies and move on to another victim. We need to tell someone about this."

"But this is just theory and conjecture. There are a lot of variables and unknowns we can't explain or account for." Sloane cautioned.

"Science is 90% theory and conjecture. But if there's even a small chance that we're right, the consequences to the Federation if this becomes an epidemic are horrifying. The Dominion will be the last of our worries." Ross said.

"Computer, end program." Sloane ordered as both men quickly left sickbay three to tell someone about their discovery.

* * * * * 90 minutes later * * * * *

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Eight Forward ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sloane and Ross sat at a table in Eight Forward looking a little dejected, nursing their drinks and their wounded pride.

"Nine hours." Ross said. "Nine hours we spent in that room doing autopsies and research. And for what? What a waste."

"How were we to know they'd already figured it out. But I'll tell you what, if they hadn't we'd have been up for a commendation for this one, that's for sure." Sloane consoled.

"At least they did find a cure. What'd you want to do now?" Ross asked.

"I don't know." Sloane said, feeling somewhat melancholy.

"Wanna go huntin'?" Ross asked.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ens Ericson Ross
USS Caduceus Science Officer
ICQ# 31385439

Ens Rockford T Sloane
USS Caduceus Trauma Specialist

"Livid"
by Ensigns Tim O'Connell and Gordall Kalln, USS Galaxy

Tim O'Connell was on a mission searching for the Gnalish Elt science officer. He was massively pissed off, the last time he was upset like this he put a fellow cadet in to sickbay.

'Computer Locate Ensign Kalln,' the computer replied that he was in his quarters. It took only a few minutes to reach the door, and Tim triggered the bell.

'Yes, yes, come in,' came a deep voice from inside.

The door opened and Tim walked in. At the table in the centre of the room sat the lizard thing on his special seat. He had no roommate on account of his somewhat unique biological requirements, and he was alone now. Before he could greet Tim, the large Irishman stormed up him and slammed his hands down on the table.

'What the HELL were you thinking?? You KNEW how Neil felt and still you could not control your hormones!'

Kalln was not prone to reacting quickly to anything. His physiology was against him in such cases. Were he human, he probably would have leapt to his feet and shouted something back. This was the response that Tim was pretty much expecting.

Instead, Kalln just looked up at him with his massive black eyes.

'Well??' thundered Tim.

Kalln said, very calmly, 'Would you mind telling me to what you are referring?'

If Tim wasn't absolutely livid before, he was now.

'You screwing Anna in front of Lex and not giving a shit about Neil!'

Kalln seemed to pause to consider this, then started ticking things off on his fingers.

'Point One, hormones had nothing to do with it. I don't even HAVE hormones, so to speak.

'Point Two, Anna seduced ME. I won't even be in season for another century yet.

'Point Three, I did NOT know about Neil. I assume you're telling me he "had a thing" for Anna, as you people say? How am I supposed to know that? Do you think I can be bothered to interpret every-damn-single primate behaviour you make?

He has started to rise as he spoke, and now stood eye-to-eye with Tim. He said the last very quietly...

'Point Four, if you've come here to start a fight, I really wouldn't advise it.'

Tim was startled at the realization that Anna came on to Kalln.

'Wait, you're telling me that Gartner seduced YOU? Why didn't you control yourself? If you weren't in season why did you screw her?'

Tim was calming down a bit - he did not want to tangle with the large Elt when he stormed in but this was not the reaction he expected, and not the answer he had anticipated.

'-And you didn't know about Neil at all?' he continued.

Kalln looked suddenly weary. It was a bizarre expression on his reptilian face but it communicated quite well.

'Neil is young. Very young, compared with me, if you think about it. He acts with such enthusiasm about everything. Everything is now, now, so terribly important. Now Gnalish don't start impulsive and we become less so as the years pass. So when Neil acts in, as far as I can tell, exactly the same way around Anna as he does around Lex, or Marilyn, or Cat, how am I supposed to infer anything from that?'

O'Connell rubbed his head, 'This is so completely messed up right now. All I knew is that I had to scrape my roomate off the floor, he tells me a sob story about how the love of his life was stolen by you, and then he blows his stack at Anna and makes a total idiot of himself.'

Tim sighed, 'And as for his emoition, he can't help it he grew up in the Klingon empire, for them this would require me to, well, kill you for Neil's honour but I really have no desire to.'

Kalln snorted, and Tim inferred a combination of amusement at the concept and general disrespect for Klingon codes of honour - one of Kalln's pet hates. Tim ignored him and continued:

'I guess I owe you an apology for storming in here ready for battle without hearing your side of the story.'

'It's okay Tim,' said Kalln, 'You're human, humans do these sort of things.'

Tim said nothing.

'Look, can you get Neil to come round and talk to me? Or let me know if he's in? Assuming he's sober, that is.'

Tim smiled and replied, "I'll get him in her when he's sobered up. Now if you would excuse me I need to see someone."

Tim O'Connell walked out of Kalln's quarters with more questions the he started with and only one more person to speak to, and he knew where she was.

"Feds vs Feds"
By: Lt Ryak Sullax
S.O. USS Galaxy

Ryak dropped Sullar off at the day care and headed off to see Councillor Dallas. As he entered the floor that the offices where on Ryak heard the Galaxy sound Red Alert. Ryak knew that the councillor would have to wait to see him another time so Ryak entered the turbolift and headed for his lab.

Ryak walked into the Astrometric/Stellar Cartography Lab and walked over to his control terminal. Ryak quickly put his lab into play. The lab quickly surrounded Ryak in space. Ryak was getting very used to the transformation. He quickly brought the area of space that they were in. Ryak could see that Galaxy, St. Louis and a fleet of Kendra ships as well as the Cadduceus. Ryak moved his view over to the St. Louis and noticed a small quarantine unit making its way towards it. Ryak tried to focus in on the unit when he noticed an explosion from behind him. Ryak turned around to notice that the Galaxy had fired something at the St. Louis. Ryak looked down at his controls to see what it was. All of a sudden the action begun. Ryak's hands were trying to get as much information as they could. Ryak watched as the Galaxy took shots at the St. Louis. As the St. Louis came at the Galaxy, Ryak moved his view to a better one to see what he could of the St. Louis. The attack caused Ryak's lab to fluctuate. Ryak quickly diverted power to the lab. He had to see what was going on. Ryak was trying to calculate any spacial anomaly that they could use to their advantage. Ryak started to collate all data of this region. Rya watched as all the data highlighted next to everything around him. Now Ryak had to try and eliminate all the non-essentials. The Galaxy was hit again. This time rather hard. Ryak lost the power to his lab. Ryak couldn't even get his terminal to work. Ryak quickly grabbed the repair kit and pulled open the access panel.

Ryak was the one that designed this lab he was sure he could get it running. After about three minutes Ryak had his lab up and running again. Ryak watched as the Galaxy fired a spread of torpedoes. Ryak had no time to worry about these he had to find a way to get space to work for them. Ryak quickly tied his lab into the bridge science station to see if they could use any of the data he was finding.

Chris Gagne
ALSO KNOWN AS:
Lieutenant Ryak Sullax,Science Officer,USS Galaxy.
Contact at: i2qtnot2b@hotmail.com
ICQ: 25686024

"Tarnation"
by Ensign Gordall Kalln, Science Officer, USS Galaxy

***USS Galaxy, Science Labs***

By the time the fight started, Kalln was down in the science labs with Petty Officer Hartoo. Some science work was of such a priority that even a Red Alert did not cause them to stop. Right at this moment was one of those occasions. For the last five months, various members of the department had been working on growing authentic Chupacra crystals. The call that had gone up to the bridge had concerned them, and with Erikson and Ronni engaged in not speaking with each other, and doing important bridgey things, it fell to Kalln to rectify the current problem.

'How in the hell did that happen?' he asked, staring at the foot-long crack that had developed in the blue crystal formation.

'We're not sure, sir,' said another crewman, 'It was like this when we came in.'

Kalln strode forward to the laboratory table where the crystal lay.

'Does anyone have a medical tricorder?' he demanded impatiently.

Taking the blocky little box from one of the staff he ran it over the smooth surface.

'Aha!' he said, 'Right, we'll need a cellular reanimator and a subatomic tachyon welder.'

'Ooo,' said Hartoo.

The tools appeared in Kalln's hands, miraculously summoned up by diligent workers. Kalln reached forward, and with his lower pair of hands lifted the crystal out of the bath of nutrients it reclined in.

Just then, a security ensign came dashing past the open door of the lab.

'Hey,' he said, 'We're under a red alert here! Lock down stations!'

'Science department emergency, 7G,' responded one of the Yeomen.

'Oh,' said the security officer, looking disappointed, and continued on his merry way.

Kalln turned back to the shimmering, writhing crystal before him, and raised the tools in his upper arms. He applied the humming instruments to the edges of the crack, and before their very eyes it began to close. Kalln began to smile as he finished, and pulled the tools away from the now intact surface.

'Well that's done-'

At this point, the Galaxy was struck by fire from the St Louis. Kalln stumbled, the uncomfortable height at which he was standing not the best for balance, and the crystal slipped out of his grip. Even as he corrected his own gait, he was powerless as the giant blue orb crashed into the ground and shattered into a horrendous number of tiny pieces.

'Tarnation!!' he yelled.

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

What the hell is going on
By Ens, Tim O;Connell and Anna Gartner
USS Galaxy

Tim O'Connell storm up to Ensign Gartner and Ral's quarters. He is very upset bordering on pissed off. What the hell is going on, when did Neil get so moon eyed over someone like Anna Gartner. He took a breath and rang the door chime.

A few moments past when Gartner finally answered the door. Even though O'Connell was brewing he was taken back to see her in a rather short sexy red bed robe that showed off her shapely legs. Gartner was all smiles when she opened the door but it disappeared when she saw it was O'Connell.

'So she was expecting someone else.' O'Connell thought and the idea who it might be made him nausea again.

"Did I came at a bad time?" He inquired but knew the possible answer.

"Yes. Say what you need and make it quick."

"How's this for quick What the hell is wrong with you, I just had to scrape my roommate off the floor and he told me that you are dating Gordall Kalin, I came from his quarters and he said you seduced you. So like I said, what the hell is wrong with you ?"

Gartner stared at him for a long moment, then her lips curled up into a smile. "Where should I start? The part that at the age of eight I cried for a week when my pet hamster died or when I sliced opened a Jem'Hadar to see what their insides looked like?"

O'Connell blink for a moment before recovering. "You know what I mean! What the hell are you doing?"

A sigh escaped from Gartner lips and she gave O'Connell the, 'You're boring me look.'

"Okay little 'Timmy'." She said. "Neil pissed me off that he was reconsidering about working with me but if it means anything I'm sorry about punching him in the bread basket. About Kalln... I'll seduce anyone that I like and besides Kalln wasn't doing any complaining. What's wrong with you... Jealous too?"

Tim thought for a moment, "Honestly, a little" he smiled and continued "but that's not the issue Neil is my friend now he's a sad drunk person, I have only seen him that way when he screws things up with someone he genuinely cares about. I know he had strong feelings for you, why do you think I haven't tried yet; don't think I didn't consider it. Besides what ever happened to you in the past I consider you too good of a friend to let you fall in to that 'psycho chick' bullshit."

Anna's eyes nearly popped out of her head. "Neil's drunk? Over me? Just because we fought over me boinking Kalln?!"

O'Connell nodded. "Yes. He's drowning himself in alcohol because what happened today between you and him."

He watched Anna closed her eyes and she let a breath out. "Okay. I'll talk to him in the morning to smooth things over but with my luck we'll probably just start fighting again."

"That'll be great and it would go a long way to pick him up."

Anna shook her head and laughed. "Who would had thought that I had to cheer someone else up instead of the other way around." Then she looked at O'Connell hard. "By the way, watch who you are calling a psycho chick!"

Tim raised his hands, "When I heard about you from Neil I said you had balls the size of a Galaxy class and I would be proud to have partnered with you on the Police force."

"Buttering me up, eh?" The little Ensign grinned then frowned. "But you could had done it without the balls the size of a Galaxy class ship comment though. You got the wrong gender you know."

Tim looked at her in the silk robe, "definately the wrong gender, but I meant mental balls y'know guts. On another note if Kallin makes you happy I'm happy for you."

Anna smiled. "I know what you meant and Kalln does make me happy. For Neil, he's a good friend... If he still wishes to work with me."

"I don't think you'll get any argument from him on that point." O'Connell said.

Anna studied him for a moment. "I'm not the most polite person and I can't remember the last time when I said please and thank you but I'm grateful that Neil has a friend like you looking out for him."

"Yes but I think he needs you right now. Please work out the problem between you two because he might be jeopardizing his career if this goes on."

"Don't worry, I'll straighten him out one way or another." She said with a sly smile.

O'Connell shot her a doubtful look. Anna noticed it.

"Don't worry, I'll keep the kid gloves on." She grinned.

Tim raised an eyebrow and replied, "Actually smacking him around might do him some good."

Found
By Dana Jergensen MD
CMO USS Caduceus Quarantine Unit. Dana, exhausted responded to the Paramedics and shuttles call to stand down. She for all intents and purposes put the QU in neutral. The shuttles engaged their tractor beams and began to bring the QU home. Other shuttles took the sick on board and began to get them to Kenda for treatment. With the virus identified bio filters were updated making it possible to detect it. A crew beamed aboard in bio suits and began to sweep the QU. Dana was transported to Sterile booth on a shuttle as the now empty QU was vented into space.

The atmosphere was re-established and she was beamed back this time with the pattern buffers set to screen for the virus. She came through 'clean'. It was discovered that the buffers could detect the virus but if a person was infected it could not be seperated drom the host.

Dana had not contracted the virus. She still felt dirty though. The round-robin with the shuttles brought fresh crews to the QU. They began to get things fixed and in working order. She crawled up onto a bio bed curled up and went to sleep, oblivious to the work going on around her.

"Who Are These People?"
Ensign K. Moses Amenhotep, Counselor
Lt. Karyn Dallas, Chief Counselor
USS Galaxy

Moses read the PADD on his desk. The information was stunning. Moses seemed a bit confused. He walked into Lt. Amy Green's office. "Lieutenant?"

"Yes, Moses?" Amy lifted her head for a moment still concentrating on her PADD in hand.

"Is all this true? I mean, the St. Louis, I don't understand." Moses was grasping at straws.

"I've got my own problems Ensign, were working with the Caudaucus for ways to make the Ocero more restful, I don't have time for a philosophical debate about who's right in this situation. I think everyone would agree, the Ocero are the real losers." Amy replied whistfully.

Moses' blood shot up, "With all due respect Lieutenant, I disagree."

Amy placed her PADD on her desk and looked at Dr. Mo. "Just who do you think you are?"

Moses snapped to attention, "Ensign Moses Amenhotep, sir.

"Well Moses," Amy shot back sarcastically, "Maybe you should concentrate on the orders Chief Dallas gave you and mind your own business."

"This IS my business!" Moses snapped back to attention and eyeballed Amy, "Sir!" Moses turned around and went back into his office. "Computer...access personal files...USS St. Louis!"

[Define Parameters]

"Counseling records, psychological profiles, official reprimands...whatever you've got" Moses seemed frustrated.

[Data transfer in 5 minutes]

Moses sat down in his chair and leaned back, clasping his fingers together...waiting...

++5 minutes later++

[Files complete, access 3978.345]

Moses looked down at the files. His mind raced as he read through...The data only confirmed what he already knew. "Computer? Locate Lt. Dallas."

[Lt. Dallas is in primary grade classroom 4.]

Moses tapped his comm badge. "Lt. Dallas, may I speak to you in private for a moment?" asked Moses.

[Sure, Moses] replied Karyn, a little puzzled by the formality. [Meet me in sickbay in 10 minutes]

"Thank you sir. Moses out."

Moses downloaded the information he needed onto his PADD, and grabbed his vest as he took off out the door.

***Sickbay***

Moses walked in to sickbay and found Counselor Dallas talking with one of the little children on board the galaxy. "Excuse me, Lt. Dallas?"

Karyn continued talking with the small boy and motioned Moses closer. Finally she stopped and turned toward Moses. "Dr. Moses, I'd like you to meet Zachary." Karyn had been trying to soothe the boy for the past fifteen minutes. His mother was in engineering working round the clock to prepare for the upcoming confrontation. Both Zachery's parents had divorced several years ago, placing Zachery in the role of "man of the house." His father was a security officer on board the USS Pegasus, which didn't allow much time for visitation. Zachery missed his dad terribly, but tried to hide his loneliness and fear from his mother to protect her.

Moses took his eyes off of Karyn for a moment to acknowledge the little boy's presence, "Great, nice to meet you..." Moses said uncomfortably as his eyes went back to Karyn. "Lt..."

Karyn cut him off, looking back at Zachary and smiling, "Zachery is Lt. Freeman's son, he's been worried because he hasn't seen much of his dad lately." Karyn eyeballed Moses trying to communicate to him to take notice of the boy.

Moses was unphased, He looked back at the boy, "I'm sorry, I know your dad will be back with you soon...." Moses turned back to Karyn.

Lt. Dallas was visibly annoyed by Moses' insensitivity to the boy, "Zachary, why don't you go find Nurse Monroe, I bet she has some treats around here somewhere."

The boy quickly hopped of the bed and ran out of the room, closing the door behind him. "So!

Karyn said, folding her arms in front of her. "What's on your mind?"

"I've checked the St. Louis' personal profiles as you suggested, they're loyal to a "T". It's a good crew. I know many of them. Some of them were my students. They'll follow their captain, Lt., whether or not the Captain's right or wrong. Their good cadets. They follow orders well."

"Your conclusions then?" Karyn asked still bitter about Moses' lack of concern for Freeman's son.

"I don't understand a Captain who is willing to break quarantine, assault another vessel, and continue to ignore orders. It doesn't make sense. Why does the St. Louis have to reach Kendra II. Why didn't the St. Louis ask us to find the cure on Kendra. What kind of pompous Captain, risks the lives of her crew and others, without asking for help. This is pure ignorance! If she would have pulled this stunt at the academy in simulations I would have thrown her out of my course so fast she wouldn't have known what hit her. In my opinion, Captain Lee has every right to use whatever means necessary to stop that ship. I feel sorry for those on board. Captain Thiana is going to have a lot of explaining to do if she survives this incident."

"ENSIGN Amenhotep," said Karyn trying to keep from losing her temper (and losing miserably) answered him, "need I remind you that you are no longer a professor at Starfleet Academy, calling all the shots. The fact is, you don't really know what you would do in this situation because you haven't spent any time in the Captain's chair or in Captain Thiana's shoes. Until you know exactly what is going on, I'd refrain from stating such judgements out loud until they are ASKED for. I don't pretend to completely understand Captain Thiana's motives, nor do I need to understand them. This is not my immediate concern and it should not be yours. Nor is it any of your concern to worry about the consequences from Captain Thiana's actions. The only people she will have to explain anything to is Starfleet Command. I'd appreciate it if we could just skip the anger stage and head right to the acceptance stage, because I believe you and I have work to do. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal clear, ma'am." said Moses, suddenly remembering how stinging Karyn's temper could be. It had been a long time since someone had the courage to go eyeball to eyeball with him, especially a young woman like Karyn. Moses had a hard time swallowing her words. For more than 10 years, Moses HAD been calling the shots, and now he was just another name...just another ensign. "Lt.? Permission to speak freely?"

Karyn's eyes rolled back, "...better make it good..."

"Just for the record, I find it hard to believe that we're all so worried about our own *buddies* that we're willing to risk the health of a whole planet and the alpha quadrant in order to let them save face." Moses slowed his speech. "If something does happen...to infect...just one person on Kendra II, who's fault will it be that we didn't try to stop it...." Moses awaited her reply.

As her temper cooled she continued,"Look, this is going to be difficult on all of us. I'd be lying if I said this doesn't go against everything I stand for as a Starfleet officer and as a human being. Unfortunately, I don't have the luxury of ranting and raving about the morality of the situation. It's like you used to say in Ethics, 'Starfleet is full of officers who will insist they know what is ethical in every situation, but everyone soon learns nothing is black and white. Everyone must learn to walk the tightrope without falling.' Welcome to Tightrope Walking 101, Moses." Moses smiled, he wasn't surprised that Karyn would remember something like that. Karyn placed a hand on his shoulder. "Let's let everyone else keep us from getting killed by the people out there, and we'll keep them from killing each other in here, ok?"

"Agreed. answered Moses. He looked as though he had something else to discuss but wasn't sure if he should open his mouth for a very long time.

"Is there anything else Moses?"

"Well yes," Moses began, "I talked to Mrs. Casey a few nights ago and it seems she is still quite upset with her husband. Apparently, he had an affair with Tebrianne Bancroft several months earlier. Miran knew about the affair but she did not know the young woman was in fact, Tebrianne. I spoke to her briefly the other night after the party where, apparently she overheard someone talking about it. I would very much like to help Mrs. Casey, she was a good student and a competent helmsman. Is there anything I should know about beforehand?"

Karyn sucked in a breath. How could she sum up the Casey situation in 100 words or less? "Both Deiran and Miran have been through some rough times before, but they have always managed to work through them. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that he loves her and would do anything for his wife and family. Right now, I think Miran needs a friend to listen to her problems, more than anything. Deiran is still adjusting to his new position so it'll take some time getting used to the new changes, especially with the new baby coming. I trust your judgement and I know you'll do what you can to help. Keep me posted and let me know if I can be of any assistance."

"Thank you Miss...I mean Lieutenant Dallas."

Karyn smiled at the slip. "Now get back to work, before I make you write an essay on what it means to be a responsible Starfleet Officer." Karyn teased.

Moses smiled. "You're enjoying this way too much you know." he said wagging a finger.

"Ahh, the joys of being Chief." returned Karyn, sporting her trademark grin.

USS Galaxy "Alert"
Written By Lt Commander Kahn Nilani
Chief Medical Officer, USS Galaxy

Ensign Philip Grasso had just lost consiousness, he had recived a large wach to the head. Plus the shock of the explosion had a lot to do with it, there were burns to more than 60% of his body and they wern't the normal soft tissue burns. These were true 3rd degree burns, with the skin being crispy and all. Nilani looked around and picked up the medkit, she pulled out a hypospray and placed it on the ensign's neck.

The Ensign woke up enough for Nilani to lift him up and help walk him to sickbay. They both entered sickbay and Nilani placed him on the bio bed, pulling on some gloves and using the medical tricorder to locate any further injuries. There were fragments of the console all through the upper body of the poor ensign, the burns were currently easier to take care of.

Nilani picked up the dermal regenerator and ran it over the damaged skin, all she was concerned about was getting the burns to a lower level of damage. It didn't take long so she turned her attention to the fragments of console all imbeded into the Ensign's skin. There was a piece in the bottom eye lid, it had penertrated the eye but in low risk area.

Nilani placed the headset on and moved to take the piece out, she did so with ease. The problem was that it was a large piece and that at the moment any damage wouldn't be known untill the wound was fixed.

**** 10 min later ****

Nilani finished up on the ensign and placed a hypospray to his neck, she released it's contence into his blood stream, slowly the Ensign woke up. Nilani looked over to the clock, noting that her apoointment was soon to see the counselor.

***** A Doctor's work always starts after a battle *****
By Dr. Felicia Khatroweena, Lieutenant (Acting Chief Medical Officer), USS Galaxy NCC-70637

***** Bridge *****

Cat had left the bridge, she didn't like the whole need of the battle. It worked against her fur, the whole idea of a battle of Federation vs Federation. But with the St Louis gotten away and heading to the planet. She could only hope that the Caduceus discovery was the right one. She shook her head, because if they were wrong, the Alpha Quadrant was doomed. The battle left her with more immediate concerns right now, they had wounded.

As the turbolift began it's descent to Sickbay, an emergency medical alert was put through to her commbadge, =/\=Richeson to Medical. We got wounded on the Battle Bridge. Get up here now!=/\=

"On our way" Cat quickly returned. She called out to the turbolift, "Battle Bridge."

***** Battle Bridge *****

The 'lift quickly accelerated down, until it arrived at the Battle Bridge. Cat quickly surveyed the scene and saw the injured helmsman. He was slumped over the console. Another officer was looking over the body. The officer looked at Cat and called out, "Hey Doc! Down here. This guy don't look to goo..."

Suddenly a bright blue explosion erupted from the console. Cat used her arm to cover her head and eyes from the explosion. She rushed over to the injured men. The science officer was rushing around to provide help. She looked over the helmsman, he had been blasted back off the erupted panel. His chest was still smoking and blood was everywhere.

Tim had fallen back from the explosion, he didn't take the full brunt like the helmsman. But the explosion had literally blown up in his face. Cat could see the chest rising and falling, he was still alive. The gasping she could hear meant that his lungs had been burnt.

Cat quickly summed up the situation, with out her medikit, she was next to useless. She tapped her badge, "Khatroweena to Transport: Medical Emergency Beam to Sickbay"

***** Sickbay *****

=/\=Yes Ma'am=/\= came quickly and very soon, the battle bridge faded with the blue sparkle of transport. Sickbay waxed into reality, two nurses quickly transferred the helmsman to a biobed and began attending to him. Another nurse came and helped Cat get the unconscious Tim to another biobed. Cat quickly jabbed a hypo against his neck, and injected Tri-Ox into him. Tim's breathing slowed, his body was able to get enough oxygen now. This gave Cat more time to start on healing his trachea. After that, she could work on the scarred and bloody face.

"Give me three hundred parts per million, TriOx-Zaroniline." The nurse grabbed a mask and adjusted the regulator to medical gas outlet. The gas would help regenerate the burnt trachea. She had the nurse carefully hold it against Tim's face, while Cat attended to his face.

Cat removed the shreds of flesh and carefully applied the synthiskin. She flattened and smoothed the artificial skin. Soon, it was difficult to think that Tim wasn't ever his normal handsome self. She applied the hypo again, injecting a cell accelerator to decrease the time to heal his wounds.

"Make sure his hands are restrained. When he wakes up, that synthiskin is going to itch, apply some cream to soothe it. Don't let him touch it for a day or so. Watch him carefully. Also keep a close eye on his breathing. He is going to have a very sore throat when he wakes up. Call me when he awakes."

Cat moved to the next patient with the organised chaos of Sickbay continuing.

*********************
--
Trevor Ayliffe
tayliffe@nexus.edu.au
ICQ: 3722239

"Date"
by Ensign Mike Marc - USS Galaxy

Mike was in his quarters. He studied the battle between the USS Galaxy and the USS St. Louis. From the tactical side, it was very clever fight. But from other side, it was very unusual because Mike never thought that one federation ship would open fire to another. But sometimes it happens and Mike wanted to find out why the USS St. Louis broke quarantine. "I need to talk about it with Benedict, maybe he will know " - though Mike. Suddenly Mike remembered that today he had a date with Ulya in Ten- Forward.

" Computer what is time now ? "

"The time is 15.45 " - replied computer voice.

" Oh my god, I need to take the shower before I go to date "- thought Mike and he run to shower.

++ 10 minutes later ++

Mike came out from the shower and got on his clean uniform. Mike likes himself in uniform. Before he went from his quarters, he took three red roses from the replicator. After he came out from his quarters he enter to TL and ordered it to move to Ten-forward.

"Why I'm nervous ? This is not my first date. Maybe she doesn't come to date; what I will do then ? " - thought Mike during the TL ride. When Mike left the lift it was 3.59. Mike looked over the Ten-Forvard and didn't see her. So he found the free place for him and sat. "They always come late , this is women. " - thought Mike who begun wait.

++ 30 minutes later ++

" She don't come but why ? What wrong with me? Maybe I'm not her type or what? " - thought Mike as he drank his third glass of Klingon coffee.

"Hi Mike. Sorry that I'm late but I had a lot of work to do " - said women's voice.

Mike immediately turned his head to the left and saw Ulya. " Yes " - thought Mike and stood up.

" No problem, sit please " - Mike said to Ulya and after she sat down, he gave her the flower.

" This is for you Ulya . "

"Oh thanks . It is my favorite flower. How did you know ? " - asked Ulya smelling the flower

" I don't. It's my favorite too. I'm glad that you like it. And you look great today . "

"Don't lie to me you, I just finished my work. But thanks you casanova " - replied Ulya with a smile.

" If you looked like this after work How you looked when you free ? "

"Oh thanks you little cupidon. And if you don't mind let's meet here in one hour I need to take a shower It is ok with you ? "

"Of course yes but I have proposition let's meet in 1 hour near the holosuite I have a surprise to you . "

" Yes I don't believe you. But it is ok with me. So bye for 1 hour. " - said Ulya and kissed Mike to his lips and ran to TL.

"Oh , what was it ? I think I like her very much. " - said Mike and went to his quarter. He need to write good holoprogram because, his phrase about a surprise was bluff.

"Ops Center"
by Ensign Elaiithin Jii
Operations Officer, USS Galaxy

In the Operations Center on the USS Galaxy, all the various ensigns and crewmen were rushing about, trying to insure everything ran smoothly for the other departments. Particularly since the USS St Louis was currently firing on them. With Lieutenant Commander Thomas, and Lieutenant Brandis on the Bridge, Ensign Elaiithin Jii was in command.

"Ensign Elaiithin!" Quince cried over the Red Alert klaxxon. "Engineering says..."

Elaiithin didn't hear anything else at that point because the universe became topsy turvy.

Now, those on the bridge knew that this was because the St. Louis had just fired and disabled the Galaxy's Impulse engines. However, that didn't do the Operations Center much good, seeing as how that was only a few decks away.

It also had a lot to do with Ensign Elaiithin's forehead colliding with the bulkhead from that impact. Not to mention Quince hitting the rear of his head. From the young Bajoran's perspective, Slaan appeared to be unconscious.

"Ensign Quince!" he cried out. Yep, the trill was definately unconscious. Jii lifted the other officer up, half-holding, half-dragginf his fellow operations officer toward the door. According to the readings from his tricorder, the EPS grid behind the wall was about to overload.

"Everyone, get out of here!" he yelled as loud as he could. Most appeared to have heard him, and he noticed Ensign Trinker rounding up the rest. Just as Elaiithin and Quince neared the door, the EPD grid blew, sending sparks, errant energy, and a nice little shock wave.

That aforementioned shock wave sent Elaiithin careening into a wall. At that point, he lost consciousness.

In the Clear
Captain Thiana Zeri
USS St Louis

It seemed like the luck of the draw was with them. Of course it helped that the Galaxy threw the battle. They could have easily beaten the St Louis, for she was no match for the larger Galaxy class starship. It seemed as though they had someone in their corner.

"I think we can continue with our previous course, and land on the SEALs' original destination - the Kaminar continent. It'll be the easiest area for us to enter the atmosphere, since it's relatively thin there. Earth was not the only planet to suffer from holes in the Ozone layer, I suppose," Doctor Rosenblith stated, frowning lightly. Thiana smiled at the good doctor's lack of knowledge of the atmosphere.

"Sorry, Doctor, it doesn't quite work like that." She laid a hand on his shoulder and turned to Lt Jackson. "What are the conditions at the SEAL destination?"

"The region is under a region of High pressure, weather is mostly calm, but a bit windy. There is a low pressure to the East, so the winds are primarly from the north." Thiana curtly nodded. High pressure would mean less upward currents except for the thermals which the sun would cause.

"The population density is low in this region right? We can land away from settlements?"

"Yes captain," the science officer replied.

"Lieutenant Dorffen, take her in..." she stepped up behind him and input the coordinates, "Here. Winds should be a little calmer at the surface, though the upper winds might be rough."

"Aye, Captain." Thiana turned her attention away from the helmsman, knowing he was capable of doing his job without any more of her help.

"Lt Jackson, how long do you think it will take to handle this 'cure'?"

"For the worser cases, I would say anywhere from 14-24 hours, but I can't be sure without studying it in greater detail. I would estimate about 6 hours for those not yet suffering from the real high fever and in between for those in the various stages in between."

"Ensign Randel, I want to send a message to the Caduceus for Captain Manion's eyes only. Can you do it?" He gave her a look like she would have been stupid to think otherwise and nodded. "Good." She readied a message telling the captain that she would surrender to her and to her alone in exchange for her crew to not be taken into custody. She could only hope that she could work out that her crew wasn't punished for her decisions.

"Ensign Schneider, start organizing people to go out to the surface once we land. We need to do so quickly and as less chaotic as possible." Thiana knew that they would have to get out as soon as possible from this area. She was also worried that the Kendrans would send someone to stop them.

Thiana sat back in her chair, closing her eyes, trusting her crew. She tried to force herself to relax, but she was still concerned over what would happen next.

USS Galaxy "Alert"
Written By Lt Commander Kahn Nilani
Chief Medical Officer, USS Galaxy

Ensign Philip Grasso had just lost consiousness, he had recived a large wach to the head. Plus the shock of the explosion had a lot to do with it, there were burns to more than 60% of his body and they wern't the normal soft tissue burns. These were true 3rd degree burns, with the skin being crispy and all. Nilani looked around and picked up the medkit, she pulled out a hypospray and placed it on the ensign's neck.

The Ensign woke up enough for Nilani to lift him up and help walk him to sickbay. They both entered sickbay and Nilani placed him on the bio bed, pulling on some gloves and using the medical tricorder to locate any further injuries. There were fragments of the console all through the upper body of the poor ensign, the burns were currently easier to take care of.

Nilani picked up the dermal regenerator and ran it over the damaged skin, all she was concerned about was getting the burns to a lower level of damage. It didn't take long so she turned her attention to the fragments of console all imbeded into the Ensign's skin. There was a piece in the bottom eye lid, it had penertrated the eye but in low risk area.

Nilani placed the headset on and moved to take the piece out, she did so with ease. The problem was that it was a large piece and that at the moment any damage wouldn't be known untill the wound was fixed.

**** 10 min later ****

Nilani finished up on the ensign and placed a hypospray to his neck, she released it's contence into his blood stream, slowly the Ensign woke up. Nilani looked over to the clock, noting that her apoointment was soon to see the counselor.

"Wishing for a miracle"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price
Captain - USS Galaxy

Captain Price had retired to his ready room to take the call with Admiral Miravanelli. When Lieutenant Commander McKenzie informed Starfleet Command of the Galaxy's failure to stop the fleeing USS St.Louis, Admiral Miravanelli hailed in short order. She didn't sound none too happy about it when Hunter spoke to her.

Lee settled in his leather chair and gazed out the observation window briefly. Lieutenant Commander Rr'lonii Morris had convinced the Captain to let her take one of the Galaxy's shuttlecraft and a team of EVA certified crew members to go and try to assist the USS Caduceus and recovering their disabled Quarantine Unit. As the Captain looked out the large rectangular portal, he could see the shuttlecraft USS Yosemite streaking away from the ship. Engineering was already busy evaluating the damage to the Galaxy's impulse engines. Lieutenant Commander Samara, the often hot headed Klingon / Bajoran Engineer had mentioned that engineering officers would need to survey the damage from outside of the vessel, requiring a space walk with magnetic boots. It still surprised Captain Price that the USS St.Louis was able to cause that much damage to the ship's impulse engines with a single phaser shot. It's amazing just how much Starfleet Captain's depend on shielding technology to protect their vessels in battle.

Consigning himself to the arguments and objections the Admiral was undoubtedly going to subject him to, Lee activated the view screen.

"G'day Admiral Miravanelli. Sorry to keep you waiting ma'am."

To say the Admiral looked furious would be a grave misjustice. "I cannot believe that you allowed the St.Louis to escape. What reasons have you got that could allow you to even consider the possibility? Are you aware of what will happen to the Federation, to all of the Alpha Quadrant!?"

"Admiral, I tried to destroy the St.Louis by firing a full spread of photon torpedoes at her unprotected backside." Lee retorted.

The Captain began counting off the ticks on his right hand. "The Galaxy engaged the St.Louis. Through repeated strategic strikes we managed to permanently disable her ability to use transporters. While positioning this vessel to take out her planetary landing capabilities, we were attacked. The St.Louis some how managed to get through our shields and disable our impulse engines. In a last ditch effort to stop her from reaching the planet I ordered a full spread of photon torpedoes fired her way. When the St.Louis managed to avoid our photons, I ordered that the torpedoes be destroyed rather than allowing them to continue on their present path and impact with Kenda II causing untold death and destruction." Captain Price closed his hand and peered into the monitor at Admiral Miravanelli.

"Admiral, Captain Thiana did what she did for her crew and the Ocero people. I know a little about her and I trust her instincts. I don't believe she will expose the Kendans to this virus unless she's certain the cure will work. I didn't want to disable the St Louis, because the likelihood was that the Kendan fleet would attempt to destroy it if it had been disabled."

"No. Instead, you allowed it to continue on its flight." Miravanelli growled. "Damn it Price, you were ordered to stop that ship! All research we have on the virus has said it is one hundred percent fatal. We know barely anything about it. All I know is you have potentially allowed the release of a virus that could destroy the Alpha Quadrant. Why?, because you didn't want to deal with the St.Louis. Why did you allow it to escape?!"

"I didn't 'allow' the St.Louis to escape Admiral." Lee said flatly with a hint of annoyance, "She got away. There is a difference 'mate."

The Admiral's frown deepened and her eyes narrowed sharply on the monitor as Captain Price continued.

"Did you receive Captain Manion's transmission for the USS Caduceus just prior to the battle? She stated they have new information about this virus and know how to deal with it?" Lee asked pointedly to put Admiral Miravanelli on her guard.

The Admiral uncrossed her arms and shifted her weight slightly. "I will be checking the data shortly Captain..." she explained in a CYA fashion but then steam rolled right into her next statement, "But that is not the point Price. The Galaxy could have easily prevented the St.Louis from getting anywhere near Kenda II!"

"Thank you for your tactical analysis Admiral." Lee stated in a sarcastic tone in-line with what he'd just had to listen through, "With all due respect ma'am, you were not even here to see the battle unfold."

Miravanelli grew angry, "I didn't have to be there Price! That Galaxy class starship should have been able to disable the impulse and warp engines as well as transporters of the St.Louis. Your crew could have then been ready to render any aid required, with all away teams working under quarantine protocols, while the doctors of the USS Caduceus continued researching for a cure."

"And watch the crew of the St.Louis die in the next few hours as their organs begin to explode..." the Captain commented stopping the Admiral momentarily.

"Your orders where to stop that ship Price. Starfleet medical, the Kendan Government and even myself, we know nothing about the virus. Your compassion for the crew of the St.Louis is commendable. But your willingness to infect the whole of the Alpha Quadrant because you are going by the instincts of a Captain that is stressed to the ears with worry for her crew, potentially under the first stages of the disease, is not. " The Admiral scolded. "I have no doubt that Captain Thiana is a good Captain. None of us are omnipotent or perfect. She wanted her crew safe, but at what potential cost?" Admiral Miravanelli was no longer angry. Her tone was more serious and bottom line. "You should have destroyed the St.Louis if that's what it would take to stop her Captain. Not let her get away"

Captain Price slapped his palm against the top of his desk, gaining the Admiral's attention with a start. Pointing, his eyes narrowed, "I tried to stop that starship Admiral." Lee paused for a moment, trying to regain his composure. "We managed to take away the St.Louis' transporters and would have succeeded at disabling her planetary landing ability, had Captain Thiana not managed to destroy our impulse engines through some technical wizardry that allowed them to penetrate our fully functioning shields. This..., notion of yours that I am responsible for letting the St.Louis get away is blatantly wrong Admiral. While it may be true that this vessel failed to carry out the mission objective of stopping the St.Louis; to make accusations that this crew or this Captain did not attempt to carry out our orders according to Starfleet regulations is absolutely wrong."

A long, tense few seconds past while Captain Price and Admiral Miravanelli just looked at each other.

Finally the Captain broke the silence with a resolute, "Is there anything else Admiral?"

"Captain Price," Admiral Miravanelli began slowly with a hint of despair, "I must protest your actions in the recent situation of stopping the St.Louis. In allowing the vessel to escape you are party to allowing the St.Louis to break Quarantine Restrictions. I am sorry, Captain. I have to report this to Starfleet Command where it will be decided if disciplinary actions are warranted."

Lee nodded quietly. "That is your prerogative Admiral."

Both the Captain and Admiral exchanged long glances across the monitor on the Captain's desk. Finally, Miravanelli decided there was nothing further to be said. "You will keep Starfleet Command posted of any further developments for the time being Captain. Given your recent record for taking matters into your own hands in regards to your vessel, this is not likely to go well for you. We can only hope your 'intuition' has not been misplaced in Captain Thiana and the crew of the St.Louis. God help the Kendan people if you are wrong Price... Admiral Miravanelli out."

The Captain's monitor switched to the UFP logo. Lee leaned back in his chair and let out a long, stressful sigh. The Admiral was right of course. Things were now out of his hands. All the Captain of the Galaxy could do now was sit back and hope. Hope with all of his heart that he hadn't made the biggest mistake of his life in allowing the St.Louis to reach Kenda II.

Lee gazed out the observation portal at the still stars and hoped for a miracle.

"A LETTER HOME"
Ensign Mohammed Uhura
Science Officer
USS Galaxy

Mohammed Uhura sat in his office. The Galaxy and the St. Louis had engaged in combat, which resulted in the Galaxy getting hit and having damage done to it's impulse engines. He had heard that the repairs were going to be slow. Mohammed Uhura decided he would send a letter home to his family.

Sitting at his desk he pulled out his PADD and began writing.

Dearest Tashi,

I hope this finds you in good health and spirit. I miss you my beautiful wife and my love for you grows ever day. I hope the children are doing fine? I hope things are well for them. Things onboard the Galaxy are very interesting now. We have engaged the St. Louis. The battle was short and curiously...first year academy. The results were that the St. Louis has lost transporter ability and our impulse engines were damaged.

I know you have worried about this but my darling I believe it was the Captain's plan. He was ordered to stop the St. Louis and to use force. He followed his orders...without destroying another Federation ship nor disobeying orders. I greatly admire him. He reminds me of the stories great- grandmother use to tell me about Captain Kirk. I only hope that one day I will be as good a Captain as Capt. Price and Capt. Kirk.

I still intend to try command. Once things calm down here I plan to approach the subject with my superiors. I also found out that my academy friend, Chris Reynolds, has been transferred to the USS Sovereign. I wish him luck.

Well, my love I have to go. I'm still on duty. Give my love to my parents and the children. I love you and miss you. Remember me in your prayers.

Love, Your Husband.

Mohammed reread the letter and tapped the save button. He would send it immediately after his shift.

"Still Breathing"
Ensign Tim Richeson
Tactical Officer USS Galaxy

Also Staring Dr. Cat.

*** Sick Bay ***

It had been over an hour since the console had exploded on the Battle Bridge, and Tim was finally opening his eyes. He tried to sit up but was halted when he realized that his arms where under restraints.

With a sigh, he said, "Hey! Some one let me go! I itch like hell!"

After a few seconds he realized that nobody had heard him. Sickbay was filled with wounded. He lifted his head as high as he could. What the young ensign saw, did not appeal to him. There had to be over a dozen people being treated.

Tim soon realized that his uniform had been torn to shreds. And there was scar tissue all over his chest. He tried to reach his left hand over to itch it, but the restraints stopped him once again.

"Doctor, he's awake."

A few seconds later, Doctor Khatroweena stood next to Tim's bed.

" You took quite a hit." She said flatly

"Yeah.... I was there." he glanced back down to his chest. " So, how am I doing?"

She nodded slightly, "Well how do you feel?"

"Itchy, and I got a head ache... Glad to still be breathing."

"Well I had to apply synthiskin to most of your chest. You'll be itching for a few days." There was a serious tone in her voice.

"Great.. few days..." That was not appealing at all to him. "What about these restraints?"

"Do you promise not to scratch your new skin?"

"No"

"Then they stay."

Tim's eyes widened "Whoa whoa whoa... You mean I have to be in restraints till I

heal?"

Cat grinned a bit before she answered, "Yeah, you cant scratch or you will damage the skin."

That was a bit disappointing to Tim, "How long will it take?"

"Best case? Day or two."

' A day or two?' he thought to himself. 'Shit.......' "Common Cat, lemme go back to my quarters."

Cat shook her head, "Your not going any where till that skin heals. Now I'll get some cream, that will help with the itching." She turned and walked away, wagging her tail behind her...

"Thanks... Dr. Gato...." Tim put his head back down and thought what he was going to do for the next few days.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tim Richeson
ICQ: 32783878
AOL IM : Timmmi420

"Lost..."
Based on STAR TREK created by Gene Roddenberry Engineer - USS Galaxy

Lieutenant Ethan Suder was in Engineering when the announcment was made."I've got some bad news. During the combat with the St Louis, the impulse drive system suffered a lot of damage, including an explosion in the intermix chamber. For those of you who are interested, the St Louis is on its way to Kenda II to find a cure hopefully, and the Kendan Fleet is disabled. However, we have a task before us. I have drawn up a schedule to repair the impulse drives, and other damage. Dismissed."

During the initial attack, Lieutenant Adrianna had been injured, as well as many other officers. He walked out of Engineering with a data padd and made his way to deck 39 to begin repairs. His cold black eyes were fixed on the floor ahead of him. He looked like he was a thousand light years away. And he was. It was his body doing the work, not his mind. As passing junior officers greeted him, Suder continued to walk, giving a nod every now and then to the passing people.

He arrived on deck 39 and saw another injuried officer being helped to his feet. The officer was then taken to Sickbay. Suder's mind was now set on repairs. Nothing but his job. He loved his job. Engienering was an endless experience. He was hoping that soon, maybe, he could take his place as a Chief Engineer. When he first arrived on the Galaxy, he hated the ship. "A poor design" he had once thought. But he was wrong. The ship was magnificant. He would't mind being Chief Engineer on this ship, but he figured that it would be a while before that happened. Maybe with the war going on, he could look at ship listings, see which ships were in need of Chief Engineers. Or maybe he should just stay on teh Galaxy for a while.

Suder opened a conduit, still thinking about his Engineering future. He was a very commited officer and worked hard whenever he could. Anything to do with engineering. Suder ran his tricorder readings over the conduit and then opened his engineering kit. He began running diagnostics over the conduit and then found the problem.

"Wake-Up Call"
by Ensign Elaiithin Jii, Operations Officer USS Galaxy

An half an hour after the battle's end, Elaiithin Jii awoke in sickbay. Closest to him, he saw Dr. Khatroweena. The half-Catian Doctor came over from Ensign Grasso's bed, seing that the Bajoran was awake.

Looking around, Elaiithin could tell that most of the injured were either from Operations, or had been on the Battle Bridge, the two sections that had taken the most damage from the St. Louis' weapons.

"How are you feeling, Ensign?" purred the Doc.

"Oh, me? I'm perfectly fine, except for this splitting headache." he responded.

Cat pulled a small device out of her jacket, and placed it on Elaiithin's temple. After a few moments, the pressure in his head eased, and the headache was gone.

"Well, Ensign, you're in here enough...you should almost be in Security. As for what happened...you hit your head on the bulkhead in the Operations Center when you were pulling Ensign Quince out with you." Cat said by way of explanation

The Security comment struck a cord with Elaiithin, but recognizing that the Doctor had important things to do, he kept it to himself. "Did everyone make it out?"

"Everyone from OPS is fine and accounted for. You're the last one to awaken."

"Thanks, Doc. Anything else, or am I clear to go?" he asked hopefully.

"You're clear, Ensign. Go on" she said with a nod of her head. " Get out of here."

"Thanks again, Doc!" Elaiithin said as he walked out of sickbay.

Now what? Elaiithin thought to himself. This has got to have been the wierdest day in my career in Starfleet so far. This morning...there was that um, incident, with Chloe in the Jeffries Tube, and, subsequently, a night in the brig. Then, Rotan an I worked out this morning, after my fight with Lieutenant Brandis. Then, on my way to lunch, I find Lexana sitting on the floor of the turbolift, and she calls me "Lieutenant". Now that was wierd...I really ought to check up on her. And then of course, lunch with the Lieutenant, and then this whole thing with the St. Louis came up. Definately a long day.

Before long, Elaiithin found himself working with the repair teams from Engineering in the OPS center. As they worked, he couldn't help his thoughts wandering. He'd been increasingly unhappy with his job of late. And Lexana's continued insistence that he transfer to security didn't help.

Elaiithin ran over it in his mind. Some of the times he had felt most alive recently were in security-type situations---like pulling Ensign Quince out before the EPS grid in the OPS Center had blown.

Maybe Lex and Rotan were right. Maybe he should transfer to Security. After all, if he ever hoped to command his own ship, he would have to serve in the various departments. After several months on the Galaxy, and his prior six months on the Kongo, maybe it was time for a change.

Besides, he thought, harrassing Lex is a lot of fun. Where better to do it from than Security?

His decision made, Elaiithin stick around and helped for a few hours until repairs were completed. He then headed back to his quarters and sent in his transfer request from Operations to Security.

"Musings"
Lt. j.g. Ordell Kincade
Assistant Chief Engineer, U.S.S. Caduceus

The emotions in the Caddy's Main Engineering were mixed; first was the joy surrounding reports that a definate cure had been found; second was the somber mood of reports that the St. Louis had fired upon and disabled the Galaxy.

Ordell wished he could provide assistance to the Galaxy, but the Caddy was still in hot pursuit of the St. Louis and they couldn't afford to stop long enough to beam him over. But of course, he knew that the Galaxy's engineering crew didn't really need his help anyway; they were all very capable engineers who were fully capable of handling the repairs. Also, he knew that if most of the St. Louis' crew wound up arrested, Captain Manoin might need to have him avaliable to help the few St. Louis crewmembers who hadn't gone along with their captain's actions run the St. Louis until Starfleet Command assigned a new crew to the ship.

Ordell checked the warp engins and hull integrity for the umpteenth time. Like any good engineer, he felt a connection to his ship, often thinking of the ship as his "baby". Ordell chuckled at the thought, finding it a bit odd that anyone would think in such a way; but then, it was no more odd than the way some captains' relationship with their vessel was portrayed, that the captain was "married" to the ship. Of course the engins were still within operating peramiters, and the hull was holding together well enough.

"Three Little Maid's......"
By Lt. jg. John Crane
Chief Inte Officer
USS St Louis Bridge

As the senior staff exited that conference room and onto the bridge, John felt as if once again he had nothing to do. The Captain had given orders to all the officers but him. His little used Intel department just seemed to be a waste of his time and the ship's time.

He moved to the small tactical display behind the command area. He had an alternative mission on the St. Louis. It was not aa devious as it would seem. What no one knew was that he was sent here as a test of his loyalty to Starfleet Intel. A test he was failing. To pass he would have found some way to aid the Galaxy in it s attack of the St. Louis.

His Starfleet contacts have slowly started to ignore his calls. However his non starfleet contacts were quicker than ever to talk with him. But all of this was matter for another time.

________________________________________
Lt (jg) John Crane, Chief Intel, Uss St Louis

By: Ensign Rotan Heratta
Security Officer - USS Galaxy

Flashback - 6 Years ago..on Nausicaa III

Rotan stalked through the jungle like a predator. The Nausicaan was garbed in a camouflage suit of color-shifting fabric that blended him perfectly into whatever was behind him. In this case, that happened to be a tropical rain forest alive with a million shades of green.

As he moved through the mud-soaked earth the rains fell in steady sheets, pounding the tropical world around him like a hammer. Most humanoids would have found the harsh climate intolerable. The humidity had climbed to one- hundred percent and the temperature was higher than most earth deserts. The rain that fell planetward did so with the driving force of three Terran gravity's behind it. Nevertheless, Rotan didn't have the climate on his mind at all.

Rotan Heratta was home.

Lifting a small device, he studied its readout and confirmed what he had already knew. He had been getting closer to the weak distress signal he had detected during his hunt. Climbing a ridge of blasted shale he saw for the first time the source of the signal.

A Federation Type II shuttlecraft had carved a path through fifty meter's of forest during a crash-landing. Finally, it had come to rest against a cliff face of rocky shale that formed naturally throughout the forests.

*So there you are..and Federation if I'm not mistaken* Rotan thought to himself as he moved closer. The damage to the small craft seemed extreme, with one of its warp nacelles completely missing. The likelihood of survivors was not high, but Rotan would play it cautiously regardless.

Approaching the Shuttle, he was surprised to see its access doors opening. A Federation officer in an environmental suit moved from the shuttle. Holding a device in his hands, he seemed to be sweeping the area. Rotan recognized the scientific instrument as not being a threat. Deciding to show himself, he stood to the full measure of his height. Taken off guard the Officer almost dropped the Tricorder, backing up several steps as Rotan approached.

"Do you require..Assistance?" Rotan said in his best Federation Standard. His voice was a booming baritone that carried even through the rain and wind that surrounded them.

"Yes,..I have two wounded Crewman inside. I sure hope your the Nausicaan we've come for?" Replied the Federation officer.

"I am Rotan Heratta." Was all he offered as he closed to within a few meters of the man.

"Good..We would have arranged to beam you up, but the atmosphere prevented us from getting a positive lock. The Captain ordered us down in the shuttlecraft, but we didn't expect this level of storm in the area."

"I will aid you with your wounded. I have a camp nearby with some of my men. There we have suitable shelter to..accommodate you." Rotan's facial fangs contracted as he said the last.

"That would be appreciated. Let's get moving then." The officer turned back toward the shuttle access gesturing for the Nausicaan to follow...

"This is going to be interesting, learning about these people." Thought Rotan as he moved to follow the small Terran....

End of Part I -