"Hold On"
by, Lt. (j.g.) Maltos Saria
Counselor, U.S.S. Saint Louis
---------------------------------------------

Maltos and Ekila were still holding each other in fear, when the ship shook a second time, this time from some sort of hit. Apparently, the opposing warship had begun the fight to destroy the plague-infested vessel.

As they awaited the blast that would end their brief existances, the ship shuddered a third time. The lights flickered briefly as the power had to be rerouted. As this was transpiring, it occurred to Maltos that Ekila was hlding on a little too tight... And as he had not been this close to a woman, since his days as an infant...

Now somewhat uncomfortable, Maltos shifted slightly. Picking up on this discomfort, Ekila pulled away, and asked, "What's wrong?"

Maltos weakly smiled. "I am not used to such fine company..."

She smiled. "In other words, you have no experience with holding a female close. It is all right. Leira will provide a way through it. Besides... we are all the other has at the moment..."

With that the ship shook again, violently... And this time they would hold on to each other, until the troubles had passed.

"Back to the Caddy"
by Lieutenant Commander Viktor Kozlov

"Kozlov to Ops, we are approximately 10,000km out, heading 240 mark 090."

[Confirmed, Livingstone] replied Vanx over the comm link. [Slow to one quarter impulse and bring her around 45 degrees to port. Flight Control will take you into Shuttle Bay 1]

"Negative Lieutenant." Said Kozlov. "The Livingstone should be considered hot. Let's keep her parked outside until we can get a team to scrub her down like the QU. Meanwhile, I'll need myself, O'Keefe and Vetra beamed out of our E-suits and onto the ship. Our patient needs to go to sickbay and should be treated as contagious until further evaluations can be performed."

[I'll take care of it, Commander. I'll let sickbay know Allen is coming.]

"Thanks Vanx."

[Oh, and as soon as you are able, Manion would like your team to report to the bridge.]

"Will do." Replied Kozlov. "Out." The connection was closed and Kozlov turned to face the rest of his small away team. "Good work everyone."

"Why do I need to be in isolation?" asked Allen, exasperated. "I feel fine now!"

"We'll let the rest of the Caddy's medical staff make that determination, Lieutenant." Said Kozlov with a half smile. He admired Allen's grit. An hour ago, he was near death, and now, he wanted nothing more than to hop back into the cockpit of one of his paramedic shuttles and to get back to work. The young man had a real future ahead of him if he managed to avoid getting himself killed.

Before Allen could reply further, he began to shimmer and fade. Moments later, Kozlov felt the familiar sensation of his molecules being disassembled. When the prismatic wavering before his eyes ceased, he was back aboard the Caddy, along with Vetra and O'Keefe.

"Welcome back, sir." Said the petty officer working the transporter console.

"Thank you crewman." Answered Kozlov has he stepped down from the pad. He glanced at his compatriots, who seemed no worse for wear. Their uniforms, however, were a mess. They had stripped off their jackets before putting on the e-suits and their shirts and pants were a wrinkled, sweaty mess from the confinement. "Let's take fifteen minutes to get cleaned up and then report to the bridge." He suggested.

"What's left for us to do?" asked O'Keefe.

"That's a very good question, Counselor." Answered Kozlov. They had accomplished their mission in more ways than one. Not only had they uncovered the cure for the Ocero virus, but they had managed to stave off a military skirmish between the St. Louis and the Kendan Planetary Defense Forces. Now all the St. Louis and the infected patients on the QU had to do was spend some time on the surface of Kenda II while the Miracra organisms voluntarily fled their systems for their native soil. After that came the ugly politics of the situation. The St. Louis had broken quarantine and fired on two separate Starfleet vessels, resulting in casualties during both incidents. They were prepared to risk even more casualties battling the Kendan fleet. Then there was the Galaxy, which had just 'failed' in its attempt to halt the St. Louis's progress. Considering the firepower of the Galaxy, and the seasoned veterans on her staff, they had either committed an act of insubordination of their own, or had used the worst tactics imaginable. Either way, they were going to hear about it from Starfleet.

Frankly, Kozlov didn’t want any part of it. "If it were up to me, Counselor," he finally replied. "I'd finish up the last of our doctoring and hightail it out of here as soon as we can. But let's go grab fresh uniforms and report in. I’m sure Captain Manion already has our next ten steps planned out in her head."

Happy to be home, the three officers exited the transporter room and made their ways to their respective quarters.

***** *****

Sickbay Blues
by Ensign Philip Grasso
USS Galaxy

**** Sickbay****

Philip slowly opened his eyes as the Hypospray began to have its efects. immediatly he felt sharp pain all over his body, he could barley hold back a scream of pain it was so intense. Loking down to his had he had saw the dermal regenerator had done a pretty good job.A few moments later Doctor Kahn Nilani walk in to the area in which he was located.

The doctor was there for only a few minuets, she just wanted to notify him of his condition and noted that he would have to stay in sickbay for a while, then she was gone. Mear moments later a Nurse walked in with some surgical tool.

" Im going to try to get the bits of console out of your skin" she said putting a Hypo to his neck injecting a pain reliefer into his blood stream. Carefully the nurse began to pull pieces of console out of his skin, even with the pain killer it still hurt like hell.

After finishing the removal the nurse ran a piece of equipment over the areas were the metal had been repairing the damage to the skin. Feeling his face Philip noticed that the burns were healing nicely and should clear up in a few weeks. But quickly he thought about the wound to his eye and couldn`t help wondering if his eye would be okay. A few moments later he fell asleep and dreamed of the past.

*** USS Gateway(Dream)***

He was in the Mess Hall at the time . Violent explosions shook the ship, the sabotage had started. Fifteen men killed in the first explosion and many were to follow. Quickly his mother rushed them to the bridge which sure to be the most secure place on the ship for the Time beign. The entire day he held onto his sisters hand, he had always been the strong one in the family. Then three hours later it happened the captain had called for the evacuation. the sabators had completed their task, all the scientific equipment had been completly destroyed and the ship was doomed to be the same. The evacuation was nearly only half way dome and the ship just blew up.

The dream passed quickly , when he woke up only ten minuets had passed. Staying in sickbay was sure going to be fun.

"Disappearing into the night"
by Ensign Jordan Arisa
Helm-USS Galaxy

Jordan hung onto the sides of the turbolift as the Galaxy rocked from the volley being fired at it. The moment the red alert klaxons had gone off Jordan had run into the turbolift, heading for the bridge to play gofer to Lieutenant Commander Bancroft.

She had just been about to send a message to Taya about the wonderful Lieutenant Commander Mercury, but duty called. And, after all, that was what she was here to do, her job not chat to friends about her romantic liaisons with fellow officers.

She felt her hair bounce against her back as she jogged out of the turbolift and onto the bridge. Captain Price glanced in her direction as she entered. Jordan smiled at him, he turned his head back to the viewscreen and Jordan continued.

"Welcome to the bridge Jordan." Teb quipped as Jordan approached the helm. She smiled at her superior officer, she was being to enjoy Teb's British sense of humour.

"Well, we under attack, I thought you could use some help, since we were under attack and all. What can I do to help?" Jordan looked at her superior officer awaiting her orders. -- Camilla Claudia Pretlove

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

The Merger
by Lt Luke Claymore, Chief Engineer, USS Caduceus

*** Computer Core ***

The gel packs were screaming, but only Lt Claymore with his silicon based telepathy could hear them.

*We hurt.* *Pain.* *Lash out.* *Destroy.* When the quarantine unit was jettisoned from the spine of the St Louis during her brief battle with the Galaxy, the link to the Caddy had registered that many of the silicon bio gel packs were damaged. As a reprisal, Luke had determined from the computer's "thoughts" that it intended to retaliate against the ship to prevent spread of what it considered infectious.

There was only one solution rapid enough to be implemented in time. =Computer- record Chief Engineer's log=

"The damage to the silicon gel packs is more extensive than I originally thought. I have tried to project nurturing thoughts, to inform the gel packs that repairs are underway without success.

Effective immediately, I resign my commission. Lt (jg) Ordel is now acting chief engineer. I can repair the gel packs, but only by melding my physical silicon form with the injured units. The computer projects this will give the gel packs the strength to mend themselves, but I will not be able to gather back into my physical form after the merger.

=End log. Flag copies for the CO, XO, and Lt Ordel.=

With a regretful sigh, Luke turned off the temperature compensation units and started to heat up to his normal body temperature range. His sides blurred, as a lava-like puddle accessed and entered a plasma conduit.

*Help* *Healing* *Survival*, the flowing silicon form of Claymore emitted as portions of him joined with individual gel packs. *Merger* *Live* *Repair*, he proposed in simple thoughts. The plan was working, but Luke had lost his ability to communicate with the outside world. His silicon nature had been sacrificed and imprinted on the gel packs in order for them to continue in harmony with the ship.

Luke's spirit was now integrated into the core of the Caddy. The former chief engineer knew that his sense of personal integrity, and dedication to duty might one day come in handy if they were also imprinted in the ships 'nervous system'. One day, technological advances might be able to retrieve Luke and resurrect him. Who knew? In the mean time, the merger with a higher biological intelligence would mean the Caddy's computers were a tad smarter. Perhaps Binar consultants would be able to determine the effects in greater detail. For now, all was well, and the hospital ship sailed on minus one crewman....

A Tale of Two Accidents
by Lt Endris Gakor, Doctor

*** Holodeck 4, Accident Simulation Program in progress ***

Pieces of twisted Mazda lay over a downtown street. The passenger side had been caved in by a Range Rover. The smaller white vehicle was totalled, crumpling the side of the engine 4 inches upward from its normal position. Seams and cracks appeared in surfaces normally smooth and functional. In a manner of minutes, the broken Mazda would be towed to an impound lot for public safety. Oil and other fluids leaked in puddles under the wreak, and a corona of broken glass surrounded the now undrivable vehicle. Police and medics were quickly on the scene to learn details and gather facts, as the driver and sole occupant of the Mazda staggered out to survey the damage, briefly glanced around, and collapsed back into the seat of his car.

Doctor Gakor pulled her frizy hair as she watched paramedics strap this adult male human to a back board and attach a cervical collar. A thin scarlet crease, delicate enough that it marked tissue and skellular muscular damage rather than causing a bruise, indicated where the man's knee had impacted the dashboard. The larger green truck had little damage in comparison, in fact, no parties from that vehicle claimed injuries at the time of the accident. The man was dazed and confused by the severity of his injuries, and did not look responsive to the fact that he had just survived the demolition of his only transportation.

Endris wished she could administer a hypo with modern pain medications, but knew that it would do the hologram no good, the program was not adaptive enough to allow for participation of 'observers'. Instead, she consulted the PADD she had brought with her containing the Nausicaan designs that didn't quite work, and sketched an improvisation inspired by the program she was viewing.

Endris searched the holo program, trying to place the time and locale of these holographic events. She smelled gourmet fumes of a local restaurant, and wabbled over to investigate the fragrance. Near the intersection, a vending machine held copies of the San Diego Union Tribune, February 21st, 1999. Several people passed by on the sidewalks in diner attire, marking the time about 7pm. The police did not stop them, since they were obviously not witnesses to the accident, and the couples continue to their meals.

"Snacks!", Endris exclaimed dramatically, swivelling her hips like a turret and following the progress of the EMT's. For some reason, the accident victim looked familiar. Gakor decided to follow up on this and track his case. Soon, the ambulance sped to Mercy Hospital, where they Xrayed the right leg and examined the wounded knee. Pain medications were administered, and a splint and crutches allowed the man to hobble home after a visit to the pharmacy.

The 24th Century doctor tried to reason out why an accident victim 400 years earlier would look so familiar and peak her curiosity so. The computer identified the simulated human as Daniel Woodward. Endris craned her neck to scroll through the interface which listed the parameters of the simulation. The details listed were amazingly extensive, who ever anomously programmed this holosim wanted the flavor of the original human to filter through.

Just then the baby kicked, and the toll of the Teresi virus caused Endris to collapse. Gakes had requested the holodeck for recreational use, and had chosen the bit morbid scenario to reflect on her disappointment about the danger she and her child were in. Unless a cure was found expediently, both her and the child might die. With no crew members accompanying her private quest, there was no one there to help. Especially with a program calibrated to ignore her presence. But some things transcend the sum of their algorithms, and the program proved a method of assistance after all.

Gakor slumped to the deck, but before she bumped her head, the accident victim in the program somehow noticed her plight. Despite being confined to a brace and physically impaired, he was alert and attentive. The man eased Endris to the floor, and noticed she had some kind of touch pad on her interesting garb. There was no way to describe her alien appearance, although there seemed to be something friendly and familiar about the female. Dan saw the woman's belly heave up suddenly, and felt her abdomen. The woman was obviously pregnant, and there was no way with his miniscule medical skills he could provide extensive care.

The Padd device was technically advanced, but the human had worked with computers for years. After a few mistakes which scribbled more diagrams on the PADD, he found how to type a plea for emergency medical assistance into the device. But there was no obvious way to transmit the message to the outside world.

Just then, the woman groaned in pain, and roused somewhat from her collapse. "Who are you?" she stammered, obviously forgetting the facts she collected prior to her injury. "I am part of you", the human said cryptically, "the part that wants to survive." The human tilted the Padd so that Endris could see the request for medical assistance. "I have composed a message, but I don't know how to send it.", the human said with a smile of encouragement.

The Tellarite, exhausted from her ordeal and forgetting the coridical monitors she wore, reached out and punched a button on the Padd with a stubby finger before slumping back into a coma. The program, which ended, had no way of comprehending the monitors purpose. Medics appeared moments after the incident, to a room with blank yellow grid lines on black panels.

*** Later, in Sickbay ***

"Cat? Is that you?", Endris queried. The feline doctor came into view and replied affirmative. Rubbing her head, Gakor glanced at her friend and noticed a worried expression on her face.

"Starvation! Do I have to pry the facts out, or should I ask the computer to reveal them?", Gakes joked. "I can tell by your expression the news is... Depressing."

Cat considered hedging a moment, recalling that Endris was quite resourceful and would get the information she sought one way or another. After a pause, the CMO decided the stress imposed by those 'alternate methods' would place more stress on her patient than being honest and forthright with Gakor.

"You were found collapsed in Holodeck 4. A Padd in your possession had a diagram for a neural muscular booster. The computer has analyzed this, and you have been injected with the substance." Cat paused and then continued. "Snacks! You finally found it Endris! The diagram was the chemical structure for the cure for the Teresi virus. I don't know how you obtained it, but the program you ran must have somehow stimulated you to create the diagram".

The news was too good to be true. Endris was elated, until she ran an arm over her tummy and felt no kicking. A large crescent shaped scar marked her stomach. She was also weak from the infuser unit attached to her arm, that continued to medicate her and monitor the cure.

"I see you have discovered the problem. The fall ruptured the umbilical cord, we had to preform a Caesarian to allow you to survive. You lost a significant amount of blood, and almost died on the table.", Cat informed professionally, but Gakor knew her long enough to detect a slight tremble in her friend's voice.

Endris fought hard to regain her composure. To be cured was indeed wonderful, but the child....

"Did my son live?", she said with amazingly restrained sobs. The doctor knew the baby was male for some time before the emergency delivery.

"Under the circumstances, Matthew has not yet chosen a name. Your son is in critical condition, and can not be moved from the incubator that is sustaining him. Needless to say, we will give him the best possible care. In fact, since the USS Caduceus is in proximity, we have the resources of a hospital ship for consultation if necessary."

"I want to see my Dumpling", Gakor said with a face starved for mercy.

Cat had anticipated this, and had a pair of orderlies position the biobed so the Immunologist could view the incubator. After seeing the cherubic little baby, Gakor rubbed her forehead and fainted. The shocking news was too much for her to take in her situation.

Before consciousness totally fled, the doc heard Cat summon Matthew and Counselor Dallas to assist with the newest wrinkle....

"While In Sickbay"
By Nurse Karina Dawson, Specialist, USS Galaxy NCC-70637
w/ Ensign Roger Conklin, Science Officer

***** Sickbay *****

Roger walked in and looked around at the continual hive like activity in Sickbay. Everybody seemed to be very busy. He saw some nurses work on a man with a burnt chest. He saw a Caitian work on the scarred face of another officer.

He moved back as another medical emergency rushed by. He could see the look of desperation in their faces. He looked at the female officer that they were trying to save. He looked up at the biobed, his science background allowed him to understand some of what the bed was reporting.

Suddenly the display seemed to falter and this seemed to motivate the group even more than what they were before. He watched for a few minutes and saw their failure and watched the energy seem to just drain away. He heard the doctor record to a tricorder, "Death of Lt Adrianna from massive third degree burns and internal burn trauma. Time of Death..." Soon the morbid routine of reporting a dead crewmember was finished.

The doctor moved off to another patient and the body was being removed from the Sickbay. The person that was left, turned and held a moment of surprise in her eyes as she saw him.

"Yes? Can I help you?" Karina asked of him. She saw the way he was holding his wrist. "Give me your arm?"

Roger looked around, he felt slightly guilty. All these serious wounded and he came in with a sprained wrist. It hurt, but not as much as the other people felt, at least he worked in on his own feet "Look it can wait. Just a bit of a sprain."

"Nothing is just a bit of. You come with me." Karina led him to a empty bed. She looked around and saw all the doctors busy. She scanned Roger's wrist with a tricorder and saw the twisted muscle. "You're right, it is a sprain."

"You a doctor?" Roger asked.

Karina smiled as she shook her head. "No, I'm Nurse Karina Dawson."

Roger nodded, "Roger Conklin."

"Pleasure to meet you Roger. I'd shake your hand, but you'd probably not enjoy it." Karina quipped.

Roger smiled and watched as Karina played his wrist with a bright blue beam from a silver pen. She kept it moving for about ten minutes.

Just as Karina was finishing up, Roger noticed the Caitian walk over. He saw her look over Karina's shoulder and asked "Everything going ok?"

Karina nodded, "Almost finished. Just dealing with a sprain." She twisted the 'pen' and the beam stopped. "You'll feel a small twinge for the next day or so just be careful." She told him.

"Did Karina look after you properly?" Cat smiled.

Roger nodded towards Karina, "Yes she did."

"Good! Oh by the way, Dr Khatroweena!" She extended to shake Roger's hand, and quickly swapped so to shake his good hand.

"Ensign Conklin," Roger introduced himself.

"If you feel any pain tomorrow, you should come in," Cat advised him.

Roger nodded and headed out.

Lt Allen was lying on one of the shuttles bio beds as they made there way back to the ship. Allen was feeling much better at least alive. His insides still hurt a little but he could tell the pain meds were still working.

Allen looked up at the councilor at one point when she came to check on him. "Ma'am when we get back and I am released from sick bay I think we need to talk I am not sure I am cut out for this ship(caractor talk only)"

Allen laid back next thing he knew he was in sick bay under observation.

Waking up he looked at one of the orderlies working sick bay "Can I have something to eat"

She came over "I see you are awake must be feeling better let me go find the Ships doctor or the CMO and find out one of them will want to talk to you I am sure if not both just relax."

Looking up at the ceiling from his bed. "Just want something to eat that can't hard be a medical decision."

So he waited.

"Recovery Mission"
by Lt. Cmdr. Ronni Morris
ACSO, USS Galaxy

The shuttlecraft maneuvered carefully out of the shuttlebay. Ronni tapped in the coordinates and the craft gently rolled toward the floating quarantine unit. Ensign Lanton and Lt. Hall were putting on EVA suits.

Ronni positioned the shuttlecraft and activated the shuttlecraft’s tractor beam. The tractor beam steadied the slowly rolling unit. When it was stabilized, she activated the generator that she had added to the shuttlecraft’s repertoire. With some quick modifications, she had been able to create a generator that would expand the shuttlecraft’s integrity field around the much bigger quarantine unit. When everything was set, she turned to the other two officers and said, "Primary concerns are life support and quarantine integrity. The most, if not all, of the ‘virus’ should have left the quarantine unit, but we can’t take any chances. We want the unit intact so that the Ocero can be given a proper burial, according to their traditions."

The two officers nodded and Ronni beamed them to the outer hull of the quarantine unit. When she had finished checking the status of the integrity field generator and the tractor beam, she pulled up the file on the Ocero again. They were a simple and beautiful race, as fair skinned and light haired as the Delphinians were blue skinned and black haired. Their tradition required that they be buried near their home, at high noon. This way, they could easily find their way home.

"Ensign Lanton to Commander Morris"

"Morris here"

"Commander, the swing arm that held the QU to the St. Louis has been severely damaged. When the St. Louis jettisoned the unit, the arm snapped. Where the arm meets the QU, there is a hole forming as the QU metal joint rips." Said the Ensign.

"Understood Ensign. Help Lieutenant Hall finish repairing the docking coupling on the other side, I’ll take care of the swing arm. Morris out."

Ronni watched as the Ensign’s booster pack pushed her along the hull of the QU. Ronni turned back to the controls and pushed the shuttlecraft around the hull. She wished again that she had asked Miran to pilot the shuttle. Ronni had taken the basic classes, but she was no expert.

On the other side of the QU, Ronni saw where the swing arm’s gentle motion was ripping the metal of the QU. The tractor beam had probably made the ripping worse. Cursing herself as a novice, she pulled up a schematic of the shuttlecraft’s phasers. It would be tricky, but she had an idea.

She opened the panel on the floor near the back of the shuttlecraft. She had to re-route the ODN connection and move the power coupling, but she was able to integrate part of the tractor beam with the phasers. It would give her about 30 seconds of fine tune shooting, but it should work. She just wished she would be able to test it before it was to be used.

Lt. Hall’s voice popped into Ronni’s head. The Engineer was a full Betazoid, and he was very handsome. Ronni wondered if that was one of the reason’s she had picked him. She dismissed the thought quickly, but she thought she heard a mental laugh from the Lieutenant.

{Commander Morris - The swing arm is moving even more now. I am afraid that if we don’t do something now, it will tear open the full QU.}

Ronni said, {I’m on it. You two, just brace yourselves. The hull integrity field will not let you go far, but I do not want to take any chances.}

Closing the floor panel, Ronni stood up and took the shuttlecraft’s helm again. Pulling up the modified phaser controls, she targeted the ripping section and with a surgeon’s precision, the beam welded the arm connections to the QU.

She smiled at her own work and said, "Maybe I should have gone into Medicine. I am that good!" She checked the sensors, and the welding was holding. She laughed at her comment, "I’m beginning to think like Deiran!!" And that made her laugh again.

"Commander Morris, we’re done here. Hull integrity is at 100% and life support is normal. We set the controls to refrigerate the climate inside, to better preserve the bodies."

"I’m on my way. Good job you two."

Ronni maneuvered the shuttlecraft around and then beamed the two officers in. As they took off the EVA suits, she said, "You two did great. I ’m putting this in your records."

With that, she steered the shuttlecraft back toward her home.

"The Battle Inside"
by, Lt. Raesene Hermedhie
Tactical Officer, U.S.S. Galaxy
---------------------------------------------

The night of the battle with the Saint Louis, Raesene settled into bed to try and relax from the hectic events of the day. And to try and calm the strange feeling that he was cut off from his god, Cuiraecen. This was quite troubling.

Nodding off, Raesene entered the world of dreams. The dream was quite disjointed. It showed parts of his life from the time he gave himself to the Lord of Battle, to the present... It also showed some of his possible futures... The most intriguing seemed to have a man standing there... A man in white robes... And holes in his hands, feet, and side. A man saying, "Come to me," and "I am the Way and the Life."

Raesene woke up, confused. Who was this being of great light that had called to him? Raesene got up, and suitably interested began searching for records about someone like this being... And came up with an answer:

Jesus.

"EVA"
by Lt Cmdr K'Eytyanna Samara,
Engineering - USS Galaxy
-------------------------------------------------------

Grumbling in annoyance as Ensign Meadows fumbled with his suit's helmet, K'Ey double checked her own suit.

After a few more moments, she snapped,

"Let me help."

Grabbing the helmet, she adjusted it before giving it a hard wack, forcing it on.

Meadows grinned,

"Thanks. I wish they had designed these suits better."

The other engineers smirked and tried not to laugh. Eventually, everyone was suited up and the group headed out of the airlock.

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

K'Eytyanna moved across the hull, enjoying the sensation of zero-g unlike some of the others, who had already turned a nasty shade of green.

Up ahead, she could see one of the impulse drive outlets and hurried ahead to check it out, just in case.

Luckily, she found that it was already damaged, so did not need to be sabotaged.

She grinned as she mentally thought, {Hmm.. that should add an extra few hours of work on top. All the better to help the St Louis.}

"Cassandra Houlihan."
By Ensign Houlihan
Chief Surgeon
USS Caduceus

"I love you Nathaniel." Cassandra smiled at the image of her husband on her computer screen.

"Speak to you soon. Scully out." His image disappeared and was replaced with the federation emblem. Cassandra smiled to herself, she missed him, but the Caduceus was where she belonged right now. This was where Quentin would want her to be.

She continued to comb her long blond hair into a french twist as she heard her daughter approach from behind. She could tell it was Ahree from her light footfalls.

"Momma."

"What is it sweetie?" She turned to face the half romulan. The young girls gorgeous curly brown hair shone in the artificial light, complimented by her tan skin.

"school starts in fifteen minutes." she replied quietly.

"I'm sorry honey, daddy just called. He says he loves you all." she smiled, then looked beyond her as Sela bounded up, her blond curls flowing behind her. Korina was not far behind, her head buried in a book, with a mass of auburn curls falling in her eyes. "You all ready?"

"Yes mom." they all replied in unison.

Cassandra smiled at her brood as she ushered them into the corridor and then the turbolift. When she had married Quentin all those years ago she could have never imagined this outcome. The first few years of raising her girls had been hard, knowing that they were Quentin's, but not hers. Now, however, she loved them with all her heart, with Nathaniel at her side...

***Sickbay***

The girls were safely at school, Cassandra could concentrate on the day at hand. She entered sickbay and decided to talk to the officer on duty before scrubbing in on any surgery's.

She couldn't make out who was behind the desk, so she quietly entered the office and spoke.

"Good morning, what's going on this morning?"

~BONK pt 2~

By Ensign Jeard Hilton
USS St. Louis

***Jeard's quarters***

Jeard in his half conscious state wanders in to his room and goes unconscious once more. he starts to say some words in a sleepy voice, NO it cant. Its impossible your alive.

***Jeard's hallucination***

"You can't be alive you were caught in the terrorist bombing of the pluto colony." jeard said. "I was 20, you hated me going to the pluto colony, But you said go on I'll wait for you, when the bombing happened you didn't bother to look for me" a mysterious woman said. "I'm sorry, No don't run away" Jeard said.

***jeard's quarters***

Jeard unstably got up and passed out on his bed.

***8 hrs later***

Jeard jerks himself up off his bed. "Ohhh,Aggghhh" Jeard said as he went over to his late 21st century ''decrative'' fidge chest. He opened the cold metal chest and pulled out a bottle of wisky. "Hmm, Nineteen ninty nine....................a good year.". With Jeard hurting all over he takes a huge swig and drinks half a bottle, "Now I feel better." He said walking over to the repliocator. "Computer cotton rag" It starts to sound normal then it makes a loud screaming, jeard while holding his hand over his ear he slams the replocateor and the noise stops and his rag popes out. Jeard stands up and walks over to the mirror expecting to use the rest of the bottle for an aniceptic. Looking in the mirror he said "I'd like to know who whiped me"

Found
By Dana Jergensen MD
CMO USS Caduceus Quarantine Unit.

The QU was now within range of the Cadduceus. Dana was awake and mulling about. Engineering teams were still at work on the various systems and the tranporters were back online. Her reports were mostly finished and the relevant data was given over to the crisis team. She was aware that new crew had been taken aboard but her isoplation from the Ship left her somewhat in the dark.

She looked around the various rooms on the QU. it was almost spotless and to her eye it looked as if it ready to deployed again. She, though, was far from ready. She wasn't sure what had been happening with the St. Lou and Galaxy and she made it he rbuisness not to get involved with the Starfleet Politics. She finfshed up and prepared to beam over to the Caddy.

“Best Laid Plans….”
Lt. (jg) Benedict T’Kal
Tactical Officer

Ensign Catherine Page
NPC Science Officer
USS Galaxy

Cathy gathered a small amount of equipment from her lab in the Life Sciences area – the injector was included in the array of medical equipment. She added a medical tricorder and a padd with the precis of a set of experiments that she would ostensibly be working on for the next few weeks.

CSO Erikson had approved the experiments after going over the data that she was going to collect – and with the current test cases on the Galaxy at present she couldn’t very well miss. Catherine’s primary qualifications were medical with a genetics specialty – she had indicated the number of hybrid crew on the Galaxy – and also the number of hybrid prone relationships.

Her experiments were to gather long term data on the hybrid crew – a study that would take not months but years. It was one of her listed experiments that would add to the Federations Cultural Science database – only a small set of data captures – but possibly significant. It was the perfect cover for what she had in mind.

She prepared another capsule for injection. The drug would create a short-term memory loss in the recipient – totally harmless but a period of between one or two hours would be lost after a few minutes – a side effect was a heavy sedative.

Cathy was on Gamma shift – it was still Beta, and her tasks this evening had mostly been completed. She had already organized to have an evening meal with the ‘girls’ – she would meet up with Benedict as a matter of accident. The Officers Lounge was a favorite haunt of the Tactical Officer – and he played his guitar there quite often. Door – the Cardassian Bartender had told her that he was going there to play today.

So it would happen tonight. It was still at a stage where she could stop. She briefly thought about it – but smiled coldly at pitting her wits against that Romulan bitch. Cathy accessed her science terminal and ran a diagnostic function on the software she had installed as part of her experiment. The specialized holographic construction algorithms had been a part of her deal with the Ferengi – she needed it to create and alter the memory engrams that the implant would collect. All she had to do was use the collector within a few meters of the implant recipient to down-load the recorded memories – or upload the altered ones.

All she had to do was get the nano-probes into Benedict T’Kal – and she knew that that was impossible without his awareness of it. Benedict had to be convinced to help her – and the experiments were authorized and he would have a vested interest in hybrid genetics – he was half human and half Bajoran – but Bancroft was a Romulan – Vulcan and…Cathys’ mind just didn’t want to contemplate any further. Didn’t he know it was impossible? There was no way that the woman would have his child without extensive assistance from a genetic scientist. Her blood was green! Copper based – and his was red – iron based! Not compatible in the least!

She felt a flash of pure rage at the thought that Bancroft had stolen him! Benedict belonged to Catherine Page – and she was going to make sure that the Romulan bitch paid for her crime!

She finished up her work and left the lab.

*** Officers Lounge ***

Benedict shifted his weight and pulled Teb closer into his embrace. He was standing behind her – holding her with both arms around her waist and she was leaning into him and giggling. He nuzzled into her neck and inhaled the fresh scent of her skin.

Jack D’Auria leaned against the wall and seemed interested in a red headed Ensign sitting across the room. Raesene Hermedhie smiled at Tebrianne and tossed back the last of his drink as he finished his rendition of a funny rhyming tale. Mike Marc looked like he wanted to laugh too – but didn’t quite understand the punch-line.

Benedict had another set to do on the small stage. His guitar was stood next to the stool – a sure sign that he was going to go back there soon. He had come to enjoy the small gatherings of crew that came to hear him sing and play in the Lounge. It had upset a few people when he had changed shifts – he could no longer play the ‘late night’ gigs that were so comfortable. He kissed Tebs’ bare shoulder and whispered into her pointed ear, “I’m going to play my last set..” He nipped her ear and she giggled again. “I wrote a new song for you.” He murmured. She turned in his arms and slid her arms around his neck bringing his face down to hers – she smiled and kissed him. He lifted her fully off her feet and kissed her in return – then put her down and moved over to the stage.

Tebrianne watched his every move as he took up his 12-string guitar and made himself comfortable. He looked out over the few people gathered in the Lounge and he said, “This is a new song. I wrote it for my lady.” His fingers started to gather notes, the lead in was a gentle sound of alternating notes that gathered intensity…”It’s called ‘Fire Heart’..” He looked at those dark eyes that were riveted to his and smiled as he started to sing. It was a song of consuming passions – and it made it quite clear to everyone in the room how he felt about the Chief Helm Officer who was now beginning to blush furiously.

In the back of the room behind a screen of greenery Cathy Page sat within a cloak of anger. She hadn’t anticipated Bancroft being here – she would have to wait for a later opportunity. Damn that Bitch!!

Benedict was obviously deeply held by the mind-witches control! That would end soon! A feral smile crossed Cathy Pages’ features.

Two Captains, One Problem
by Captains Thiana and Manion

The transporter effect faded away, and two figures, one in standard issue cold weather gear, the other, an Andorian officer in his gold collared uniform, stood on the cold tundra near the massive shape of the USS St. Louis.  Mercy Manion was amazed at the sight of a ship she’d been chasing in space now resting on the surface of the planet. Shuttles and runabouts were one thing, a full-sized starship was quite another. She could tell by the look on his face, so was Lt. Vetra.

Surrounding the Intrepid-class ship were hundreds of people, milling about and talking.  Some were being held up by others, and some were on anti-grav transport units, but were now sitting up and looking around, dazed.

“Quite a sight, isn’t it, Lieutenant?” She asked her Chief of Security.

“Yes, Ma’am.” Came the succinct reply from the Andorian officer.

“Captain Thiana should be here at any moment…” Manion said, letting her words trail off.  She and Vetra both knew what she was thinking. This was a distastful duty at best. Nodding slightly to Vetra, he stepped to her right shoulder, and fell a few paces back. He had insisted on accompanying her, and, as she had expected, Kozlov had echoed the idea, so she had agreed. She’d ordered him to stay out of the way, however. She was not happy about taking Thiana into custody, and, given a choice, would not do so. However, the other captain had broken quarantine, and had risked the safety of the crew of the Caduceus by firing on her, as well as the Galaxy when that ship had tried to stop her. Granted, Manion thought, she was trying to save lives, and, frankly, Mercy Manion could not say what she would have done if the roles had been reversed.

That was the disturbing thread of her thoughts as she glanced up and saw the compact figure of Thiana Zeri striding toward them. Looking at the Bajoran captain, Mercy had to make an assessment. She was ten years younger than Manion, and about a handspan shorter, but the only word that Mercy could come up with to describe her as she walked toward her was ‘spitfire’. A Spitfire was an archaic pre-spaceflight flying machine-tough, fast, and reliable as the sun.  Manion felt it was an interesting metaphor.  As a physician, she let her eyes examine Captain Thiana as she approached.  She showed signs of extreme stress, as well as exhaustion.  Whether or not she'd contracted the Ocero virus, Manion could not tell. She simply had to like the woman approaching her.  She seemed a stalwart officer.

And that was totally incongruous with the fact that she'd now broken multiple Starfleet regulations, and was turning herself over to Manion knowing she would most likely face court martial.

She waited for the other woman to speak.

"Captain Manion, thank you for coming. I do request a few minutes to get a few things from my ready room and say goodbye to my crew."

"Of course, Captain Thiana.  I hope you will understand that I must send Lt. Vetra here to accompany you.  It appears that your crew, and the Ocero will all survive the virus.  I am pleased at that.  The outcome could have been much, much different."

With that, she nodded to Lt. Vetra, who stepped up beside Captain Thiana.

"Captain, I will ask you to be certain that your crew is standing down. I would hate to have an accident occur now that the crisis is over, wouldn't you?"  Manion asked, polite but concerned.

"Captain Manion, before you, you see most of my crew. They will not interfere with you here or onboard. I trust my officers to follow my orders. I had prefered to do my goodbyes privately, but as you wish. I only wish to have a moment in my ready room to myself, if that may be allowed. If you will follow me, I would like to head to the bridge now."

"Of course." Manion said, feeling a touch of concern. With that, they headed for the nearest landing hatch.

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

The Officers Lounge
By Ensign Jordan Arisa
Helm - USS Galaxy

Jordan sat next to the bar sipping on a glass of altair water as she listened to Benedict T'Kel strum out his love for her superior officer. Lieutenant Commander Mercury sat on the other side of the room listening to the music. She ran her fingers through her shiny black hair, then smiled at him.

T'Kel finished his song and returned to his lover, Jordan smiled at the Cardassian bar tender as he invited her up on stage. She had overcome her stage fright many years ago, but there was always the initial adrenaline rush as she faced the audience and took the mic. Her long green dress shone in the artificial light as she spoke.

"Evening all, I'm Ensign Jordan Arisa, part of Destiny. I thought that I would sing one of our songs, 'Dream Catcher'. Maestro, if you please." Jordan tapped her foot as the intro played then began to sing along with the serene melody.

The audience clapped in approval as the young ensign finished and departed from the stage. David stood waiting by the side of the stage as she descended the stairs.

"What did you think?" she asked him, taking his extended hand.

"It was wonderful." he smiled back at her with his beautiful burning embers. Jordan bowed her head as the blood rushed to her cheeks. He was simply divine.

"Well, I presume that our Chief Engineer is famished after having his ship beaten about. Would you like some dinner, I'm sure that I can whip up something in my quarters?"

--
Camilla Claudia Pretlove

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

"A personal thank you"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price
Captain - USS Galaxy

Captain Price laid quietly in his quarters. The fingers of his hands were inter linked and rested squarely across his chest while the Starship Captain stared at the ceiling; his thoughts light years away.

It was gamma shift. Without moving, Lee acknowledged the door chime when it sounded with a resolute "Come."

The door swished open and a smiling Commander Deiran Casey came walking into the Captain's quarters. His arms held behind his back as he walked.

Lee blinked and turned his eyes only in the Commander's direction, not moving otherwise. "G'day Commander. What can I do for you 'mate?"

"It appears to have worked sir." Deiran beamed. "I just got word from the St.Louis. Landing on the planet has neutralized their illness as the organisms leave their body to migrate to their home deep in the Kenda planetary core."

"That's bonzer news 'mate. I'm glad everything worked out." Lee nodded.

Deiran removed his arms and showed the Captain a squared off bottle of a light blue liquor. "I thought you might like to join me in a celebration drink Captain. Romulan Ale, circa 2274. I've been saving it for a special occasion. Saving the lives of the crew of a starship and seven hundred Ocero refugees seems as good of a reason as any." He smiled.

Lee pointed over to the far wall near the replicator. Captain Price had a number of glasses and mugs that he'd collected from around the galaxy. Moving to the hutch, Deiran selected two of the glasses and poured a pair of drinks for the Captain and himself. Taking them both into either of his hands, the First Officer turned and walked towards Captain Price where he laid on his bunk.

The Captain sat up and took the offered glass, swirling it around and smelling the restricted liquor. It wasn't the first Romulan Ale Captain Price had ever had. But it did smell like an exceptional year.

"I wanted to thank you for not destroying the St.Louis Captain." Casey said evenly.

Captain Price looked up at his First Officer and blinked once. "I tried to destroy the St.Louis Commander,... if you recall."

Deiran tried to hide his pearly white teeth behind his grinning lips. He didn't do a very good job of it. "Of course you did Captain. Whatever you say sir."

"To Captain Thiana and the St.Louis." Lee said raising his glass.

Deiran clicked his against the Captain's before they both indulged in the Romulan Ale. Both men let out a satisfied sigh upon finishing the fine liquor.

"What is our current status 'mate?"

Deiran wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and before replying. "Lieutenant Commander Samara and a team of engineers are conducting a space walk to evaluate the damage to the impulse engines now. We should know more when they conclude their appraisal of the damage caused by the St.Louis. Ronni and a couple of crewmembers took the USS Yosemite out to help stabilize the Quarantine Unit from the USS Caduceus. Captain Manion's ship has since taken over the salvage operation and is making repairs to reintegrate the QU with their vessel. There is minor damage to a number of systems throughout the vessel, but nothing major to worry about. We've been through a lot worse than this before."

"Any casualties?" Lee asked.

"A few; especially on deck 23 near the main impulse engines. Lieutenant' Adrianna is in critical condition. It doesn't look like she's going to make it."

Lee nodded. Adrianna had proven to be a dependable officer. If she didn't make it through this, it would be a great loss. "What about the Caduceus and Captain Manion 'mate?"

"Like I said, they are repairing the QU and reintegrating it with the rest of their ship. Captain Manion took an away team down to Kenda II to examine the St.Louis and Ocero refugees to verify they are now recovering from their infliction. I believe they are taking Zee into custody."

"She's going to have to answer for her actions 'mate. Fortunately things worked out the way they did. I'm sure she didn't make any friends along the way thought with Starfleet Command." Lee commented.

"Well she's got me sir." Deiran smiled. "I'll put in a good word with my father. He knows how important Zee was to me growing up. If anyone can help to point out the heroics of the situation, Admiral Casey can."

"Hopefully that will help 'mate. Starfleet has, in the past, looked over more serious breaches of protocol when rules have been broken like this. Hopefully the powers that be will see past the rules and regulations and realize that Captain Thiana's actions saved the lives of not only her crew, but all of the surviving Ocero as well."

"I'm sure my father won't let them forget that Captain. That is the strongest argument to be made for her actions in this whole thing." Casey nodded.

After a long moment of silence, Deiran added, "Well, I don't want to keep you Captain. I just wanted to say thanks for not taking some other course of action against the St.Louis. It means a lot to me sir."

"One of my officers needed another solution 'mate." Lee said standing and extending his hand.

Deiran took it firmly and shook.

"I simply came up with an alternative." Lee explained.

"You lost sir." Deiran stated shaking his head, "I don't think I could have done that."

Lee smiled. "That's why I am the Captain and you are the First Officer 'mate." he winked. "Pride is a good thing, but it can be your biggest enemy at times. Remember that."

"I will sir. Thank you." Deiran nodded before exiting the Captain's quarters.

Lee watched Deiran leave before walking back to his hutch and pouring a second glass of Romulan Ale. Replacing the stopper in the squared bottle, the Captain raised the cup in an imaginary gesture, "Here's to loosing." Before downing the rest of the fine liquor.

Vince Randal
USS ST LOUIS
----------------------
Dreams.....

Vince was relieved from the bridge after the fire fight with the Galaxy. He went staright to his quarters and tried desperately to relax. His nerves were shot. He determined right then and there that he liked it better not seing the whole drama of ship to ship combat. His nerves couldn't take it. He sat at the table in his quarters and looked over too Nix who was slumbering soundly. A drink of Scotch would have been nice but he needed to keep his wits somewhat together. He checked to see if Zahara had stopped by and not surprisingly she hadn't. He drummed his fingers on the table. Peeking out the window he saw the black of space and was gla d there weren't any high energy blasts streaking at the St Louis. It was decidedly a good thing he was in security instead of helm.

20 minutes later...

Nix had awoken to find his friend Vince sleeping in the chair at the table, his head slumped forward. The small boy tip toed over and climbed onto the security officers lap and dozed off at once.

Vince stirred slightly.....

The Galaxy was coming fast. The Captain sat collected in her chair, back straight eyes forward. "Mr. Randal ready the phasers." She looked at the Galaxy as one might look at a mountain they were determined to climb, scared but absolutley sure they would conquer. Vince nodded and activatred the weapon systems. The bridge became alive with activity distance was called off and and the news that the Galaxy had locked phasers was revealed. Then the two ships were right on top of each other.

Vince had his hand poised to let fly ith everything the St louis had. But The Captain held up her hand and shook her head as the two vessel sailed by one another. The Galxy wasn't waiting and fury burned a hole in the underside of the St Louis. The bridge rocked and people were thrown from their spots. Vince held on to the console grolwing curses in Italian at the Galaxy. He'd forgotten he even remembered his families native langue. Now it seemed he was fully fluent.

The st. Louis turned and began another pass. Damage report called out that they were hitting the crewdecks near some power system or some such thing. Vince was in the dark about most of it all he knew was that he was gonna cook those bastards where they stood. He only needed the word to be given. The two ships sped by one another again, attack patterns and defensive patterns in full display.

The captain looked at Vince and with tired, yet determined eyes gave a quick nod. Vince sneered and let rip with all the gusto the St Louis could spit out at the big Galaxy class vessel off her port side... the beams burned into her shields. They chewed through and scorched the underbelly of the mighty starship that stood in the St Louis's way. Vince let out a woo-eee just as the giant starship fired back and Vince was sent down to the floor hard. He leapt up and realised that his left hand was being very uncopertive and he looked at it. It was broken he assumed. He ground his teeth as they read of the status reports, things were looking bad. He looked up and the Captain was picking herself up off of the floor with the help of that Crane guy whom Vince had never really had any dealings with.

The two ships passed each other again and Vince spoke up for the first time,"Hey Skipper,"He said through clenched teeth,"I got an idea, let's get the tubs shield modulation. I know this trick where you send a comm signal wave through the shields of the enemy vessel then by the distortions that will occur you can get at their shield modulation. That's how I cheated at the acadamy anyway." Vince shrugged hoping the Captain would try it at least.

She nodded,"Very well do your best Mr. Randal,"She had iron in her voice,"But if you get it then only their engines. I will not have deaths on my hands."

Vince clenched his teeth and nodded. He went to work right away and he'd have to be quick about it. As the ships sailed back past each other he was just getting the data when booom Something big blew up. Vince held his station like a drowning man to a lif preserver. But within seconds the distortion effect gave him his answer. He grinned savagely as he hit the fire commands and the Stlouis tore into the Galaxy's Impulse systems. In a few secods they were damaged severly.

Vince leaned back against the bank on monitors behind him clenching his damaged hand in a tight fist.

Nixx woke up to see Vince, still sleeping flexing his hand, twitching it pracically.

Vince slept on....

"What do ya mean we don't have shields?" The captain roared leaping from his seat and storming over to the con station and shoving the man sitting there aside.

"It's these old Intrepid Class vessels sir,"The man said picking himself up off the floor and looking at the crochety old man looming over his station,"There just not as good as the top of the line Zeri class."

The Captain hissed at that name. Then grabbed the Officer by the shirt and stuffed him back in the chair. More explosions thundered through the deck and the Captain staggered to his seat. His hair, now salt and pepper, was matted to his scalp with sweat. On the view screen the huge Zeri class warship, USS Strauss beared down on the much smaller intrepid class ship. The USS St Louis was the oldest ship in the fleet currently and it had seen better days. The Cpatain ground his teeth in frustration as more hyper-phased energy bolts blazed againt the St Louis's shiElds. "Fire back at them now!!!!!"He bellowed.

The Intrepid class vessel spit forth a volley of quantum torpedoes and the weapons aray on the Strauss blew apart.

"Ha you mooks!" Captain Randal screamed,"Just like your name sake all talk and no balls!" Everyone on the bridge turned and looked at him."What?" He asked and they all turned back to there jobs. "Get us out of here before they send more ships out to help. We got places to be right damn quick."

The St Louis hit warp and speeded away.

The mission was simple, sneak into the Federated space, the area where the the factions in the federation broke into splinter groups all vieing for control of the whole. Their mission was to blow up the ship yards. The fact that they were an old ship, the crew were all misfits and the Captain had no real experience said alot for what high command thought of the odds.

The ship rocked,"Report!'Randal bellowed.

"Warp core breech in progress.."The ops chief bellowed

BOOM.

Vince's eyes popped open and he leapt up with a howl. Nix fell on the floor and looked shocked. "What the hell?" Vince said shaking his head.

Nix got up and looked at Vince with a sad grin,"You had dream."

Vince looked at him and smiled too,"You aint whistlin dixie."

"Nature Walk"
by: Tyler Jackson; CScO, USS St Louis

After the St Louis had settled in for a nice soft landing on the surface, Captain Thiana ordered that the crew rotate out to the surface in order for the virus to be expelled from the ship. Senior officers were to rotate out leaving half of them behind, while the regular crew members were to only leave a skeleton crew behind. Those officers that had the most contact with the virus were to be rotated out first, and that included medical, science, and security.

Tyler took the forced vacation in hand, and took a few scientific instruments with him to the surface. ~If I'm going to be banished from the labratory, at least I can study up on the local flora and fauna.~ he thought. The majority of the crew had already disembarked the ship by the time Tyler made his way outside. On his way down a gang plank, he noticed a strange looking tree nearby and decided that would be the best place to start his "nature walk."

Dodging and weaving his way past the crewmembers standing closest to the St Louis, Tyler happened on Zahara Kai, Vincent Randall, and a small Ocero boy. Zahara glanced over at him, looked at his equipment, rolled her eyes, then went back to talking with Randall. Tyler returned her antics by shruging his shoulders and giving her a quick smile. ~Hey, I'm a scientist, this is what we're supposed to do.~

As Tyler made his way to the tree, he stopped when he saw Captain Thiana off with two other officers. One of them was an Andorian that he didn't recgonize, while the other was a medical command officer. He looked on while they talked, then Captain Thiana turned and started walking back to the St Louis with the other officers.

Tyler caught the attention of a nearby NCO. "Hey, what's going on over there with the Captain?" "Don't you know? Rumor has it that they're going to courtmarshall her for everything that she did." All of the color rushed out of Tyler's face. "C-c-courtmarshall? Are you sure?" "Yeah, that's what everyone is saying." The NCO said, turning back to his other conversation.

Tyler was afraid of this. He knew that the senior officers would be questioned, and his name would be brought up in conjunction with the possibility of a cure here on Kenda II. It would also be brought up that he instilled the thought of 'hope' into everyone's minds. He was the one that brought the information before the senior crew without verifying the information scientifically. This would not be good ... not good at all.

"Reconnection"
by
Lieutenant A'lynn Vanx
Chief of Operations
USS Caduceus

A'lynn sent the Caduceus's thanks to Commander Morris for her help. She then began to coordinate the reconnection of the Quarantine Unit to the Caddy.

She was beginning to feel the tension drain from her shoulders a little. The mission wasn't completely finished, there were still people down on the planet getting cured, but the Caddy crew was mostly back together. Commander Kozlov and his away team had beamed back a few minutes ago, bringing a cured Lt. Allen with them. Dr. Jergensen and her crew were also mostly cleared and back onboard. But there was still a great feeling of loss. They had lost crew members on this mission, they had lost friends. To the virus, to the St. Louis. People were going to have to cope with that, and A'lynn definitely did not envy Counselor O'Keefe her upcoming job.

Turning her thoughts back to the QU, A'lynn checked the speed and path of it's approach. Just a few slight corrections and things were running smoothly. She had never done a real connection of the QU to the Caddy before. But she had done it in simulation and it was similar to the reconnection of the saucer to the stardrive section of a Galaxy class. She had completed the latter extensively in holo simulations and once in a real situation.

100 meters to contact.

Things were still going smoothly. It would only be a few seconds now. She could feel her heart beating a little faster than normal. Doing something like this for the first time always excited her in a way. Even a slight mistake could cause damage to the ship, a large mistake could be much worse. She always had the utmost confidence in her abilities, right up til the last few seconds then the doubts started to flow. She had to trust the readings on her board and go with it.

10 meters, 5 meters... the entire ship shuddered as the QU impacted with the Caddy. A'lynn look at the read outs scrolling across her screen.

She turned to Kozlov sitting in the Captain's chair. "The Quarantine Unit is securely back in place, sir."

Lieutenant A'lynn Vanx
Chief Operations Officer
USS Caduceus

The Pads
by LTjg Trevor Allen
Chief Paramedic/Pilot
USS Caduceus

LT. Allen had finally been cleared from sick bay. After getting dressed he made his way to the transporter to beam back to the QU to bring it home. However on his way he saw out side one of the windows that someone was making the attempt. Shaking his head who in god green earth is flying my QU. As he watched it dock he was relieved to see a perfect connection. Letting out a sigh of relieve he headed to the QU there was something he need from there.

By the time he got to the QU it was abandoned except for a small army of Engineering officer making repairs. And final cleanup He was impressed at how clean it was already almost looked like it was ready for redeployment.

Allen went to the were he was storing his data pads he had collected from the dying officers when he noticed they weren't there he began to frantically look for them throwing stuff out of his way.

A full Lt. came over to him grabbed him by the shoulder "What in the world do you think you are doing we just got this place cleaned up.

Allen turned to him in a very stern voice. "I had a stack of 32 data pads right in hear where are they."

"Well LTjg Ensign tore over there is preparing to wipe all the data pads for the next deployment."

Allen yelled "NOOOOOO" Rushing past the Lt. and the XO who were just beginning to leave he shoved the Ensign out of the way. And began to check through the pads "HOW MANY OF THESE HAVE YOU WIPED ENSIGN" HOW MANY"

None yet sir I was just getting them sorted and ready. "You are so lucky." Allen began shuffling through the pads looking for the ones with the messages he had recorded from the dying patients ignoring the shouts of the LT. behind him and the pleas of the poor ensign. After he had all of his pads he headed out of the QU leaving one poor ensign with a messed up pile of pads and a lot less to wipe.

Exiting the QU he was obliviouse to what every one was saying or that the XO and Ops officer were even there.

Trevor rushed to his quarters and sat on the floor Computer security lock level ten LT. Allen's Quarters. When the computer chirped in acknowledgment He began to check each pad and put them in piles of St. louis and Caduceus ships. At the top of each pad he had written the name of the person and the ship they were assigned to.

He began to reread every pad all 32 to make sure that none of them had been wiped or damaged. As he began to read the first one he knew this was going to be a very painful day but he knew the relief these would give to the families back home.

"Plans Into Motion..."
by Lt. Commander Tebrianne Bancroft
Chief Helmsman, USS Galaxy

***

** Officer's Lounge, USS Galaxy **

Tebrianne watched Benedict as he sang on the stage--his fingers gently strumming the guitar. She could feel herself turning about six shades of green as all eyes turned toward her. She tried to ignore it while another part of her wanted to hide behind the pint of stout sitting in front of her on the bar.

As Benedict's voice drifted through the lounge, Teb felt shivers run through her body. A smile crept across her face. She loved it when he did that--just with his voice. Goosebumps dimpled her bare shoulders and arms despite the warm atmosphere. The bustier she wore left her shoulders, most of her back, and her navel exposed, but the chills had nothing to do with the amount of uncovered skin on Tebrianne Bancroft's body.

With another chill inducing flourish, Ben finished the new song. In a burst of mischievousness, Teb stuck her fingers in her mouth and began whistling and whooping it up. The applause grew louder and the crowd in the lounge raved in adoration for Ben's performance. It wasn't the desired effect Teb wanted, but it still made her smile. He was supposed to be embarrassed by her display, but she only incited the crowd into showing even more appreciation. Oh, well. Best laid plans...

Teb's black leather jacket was draped over the bar. As she listened to Benedict's next song, she pulled the PADD sitting in the pocket of the jacket out and glanced at it again. Risa. A reunion on Risa. A Punk Brats reunion. And, it looked like the timing would work for the Galaxy's next stop into a starbase and her next shore leave. It sounded like Sarah P. had already lined up a number of smaller clubs for them to play at. And, the main auditorium? The Punk Brats on Risa? It was wild.

Teb couldn't tell Ben. He'd want to be there and if he were in the audience, she knew there was no way she'd be able to play. She could handle a crowd on the Galaxy...but on Risa? She hated the thought, but she had to not tell him what she was up to. Give him a private concert later. Make it up to him--in spades. She would be going to the Flight Control Conference on Telenes IV. A good cover story.

Teb realized that Ben had finished his set and was returning to the bar. She noticed that she was absently playing with the ring in her navel as well. Damn nervous habit. She'd only re-pierced it that morning and already the habits were coming back in force. She knew as soon as she saw Ben's pierced belly button, that she would re-pierce her own. And, for kicks, she re-did the piercing in her nose. Her left nostril was still a little tender where the tiny symbol of the Romulan Star Empire sat. A person would have to look pretty close to see what it actually was, but Teb thought it was nice.

"That was fab," she said as Ben approached the bar.

With a slight bow, he scooped her up in his arms and nuzzled at Teb's neck.

"And, so was that," she said with a coy grin. She leaned in close and nibbled at Ben's ear, quietly whispering, "And, watch where you put your hands, mate. We're in public and I'm ready to fall out of this thing as it is." Teb adjusted the bustier and glanced up into Ben's eyes--a violet haze seemed to descend on her. "Jack, Mike, and Raesene, I certainly hope you blokes will excuse us, I've got to take Ben back to my quarters and rip his clothes off."

She didn't wait for responses from the tactical officers gathered around the bar as she started dragging Benedict T'Kal toward the exit. It was going to be a long--but extremely enjoyable--night...

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

The Tebrianne Bancroft Archive. Now Online!
http:/www.elsinore.net/tebrianne/
******************************************************

Sink or swim
Ltjg WhiteSong to-Ennie MD.
CMO USS St.Louis

WhiteSong was in sickbay organizing the rotation of patients to enter into the atmosphere, she just hoped this was all not in vain. If all went according to plan, the patients would be purged of the plague once they entered into Kenda's atmosphere.

All the stage 3 patients were to be rotated first, they had to stay the longest. Up to 16 hours, she just hoped the St. Louis had 16 hours. She tapped her combadge "Captain we are ready to start rotating patients to the outside." The Captains voice came back "Understood Doctor, keep me informed"

WhiteSong attached a medlink to each patients neck so she could monitor their vitals from inside the ship. WhiteSong's tail started to twitch as she again tapped her combadge, "Start the transport rotation, 8 to beam out"

WhiteSong's tail was shaking so violently now her whole hind quarters were also shaking. She hoped this worked, if it didn't it mean certain death for the St.Louis.

"Reporting"
by Lt Cmdr K'Eytyanna Samara,
Engineering - USS Galaxy
-------------------------------------------------------

Walking back into Main Engineering, she heard towards where she knew AC would be and knocked on the door.

However, when she got there, she realised that it was Gamma shift now and he was off-duty, so she would have to inform the Captain herself.

She grinned, "At least nobody else will be blameable if Starfleet ever finds out."

Shrugging, she turned and headed to the nearest turbolift.

"Computer, location of Captain Price."

{Captain Price is in his quarters.}

"Damn. I guess I'll have to drop it off to him there. Computer, take me to Captain Price's quarters."

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

Tapping the chime, K'Ey waited till the Captain called out for her to enter. Straigtening her back, she walked in and spoke,

"Captain, I have a report for you on the status of the impulse drives."

Lee smiled as she passed it to him, "Wonderful."

He quickly scanned it before looking up and passed it back,

"Are you sure this will take 2 week, Lt Cmdr? You do know that the St Louis is currently on the Kenda II surface?"

"Oops.. I believe I made a small mistake."

K'Ey quickly made some modifications and passed the report back.

Price grinned, "Now that sounds better. 2 days is fine. I believe that you should also give this to Deiran, both versions that is."

K'Eytyanna nodded and quickly left the room.

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

Deiran stopped and turned when he heard his name being called out.

He waited until Lt Cmdr Samara caught up with him and passed him a PADD,

"Captain Price asked me to give you this report. Both versions."

Deiran skimmed through it, and realised what she had planned.

Looking up, he grinned,

"I believe that the a lot of people would have been very thankfull to have you do this. Its just good that we don't have to wait around here any longer then neccessary."

K'Ey nodded and moved off towards a turbolift. Tapping her combadge when she was inside, she spoke,

"K'Eytyanna to Impulse Drive Repair Teams, you can take off those bulky tools and use whatever equipment will speed this up now. Sorry about that. K'Eytyanna out."

"Pillow talk - ?!?!"
By Ensign Anna "Buff" Gartner, Security Officer &
Ensign Gordall "Yeuchh!" Kalln, Science Officer and provoker of vomit
USS Galaxy

***USS Galaxy, Anna Gartner and Lexana Ral's quarters***

[Chime...]

[This is your requested wake up time.]

[Chime...]

[This is your requested wake up time.]

The computerized female voice registered on Kalln's consciousness, piercing through layers of sleep. There was a silky slithering on the bed beside him, and the pleasant pool of warmth that had been curled against his back was gone.

He rolled over and when he opened his eyes, Kalln could make out Anna's lithe form slipping on her robe. Even though the lighting in her quarters was very dim, his Gnalish Elt vision permitted him to see perfectly in near darkness.

"Anna?" Kalln said without sign of weariness.

The young human Ensign closed her robe and tied it off before glancing down on him, "Yes?"

"Where are you going?"

"It's my duty shift silly," she laughed, "I have to get ready."

"Oh, then as you humans say, 'happy trails'."

Kalln laid his head back down on the pillows. With Lexana Ral still moved out, Anna had unexpectedly called him wondering if he wanted to spend the night with her. He, always having been one to follow sound Greek advice concerning horses, gifts and mouths, said yes.

"Slept okay?" Anna asked, "Sorry about the bed being so small."

Kalln chuckled (a somewhat disturbing sound that would have done Anna some damage were she not already irrevocably scarred), his feet were hanging way over the end of her bed.

"I can sleep anywhere, when I have to."

"And you only need a couple of hours a night, eh? I wish I did. I'm exhausted. Aren't you an amazing lizard?"

Anna knelt down by the bed to gently kiss Kalln on the end of his snout, and ran her fingers against his scaly forehead, "And I do mean amazing."

Kalln closed his eyes, enjoying her touch. Now he why Vaughn liked having his head scratched - especially by females.

"My beautiful Annabel Lee," he murmured.

"What's that?" asked Anna softly.

"It's a poem by your Mr Poe. Look it up."

"Can I ask you something Kalln?" Anna breathed quietly into his ear, suddenly changing the subject.

The way Kalln felt right about now, if she asked about the defensive system about his homeworld of Gnala, he would probably tell her - at least what he knew. He'd been tortured by the best of them - Section 31, Cardassians, Roviture - but this was far more effective.

"Sure," he said as her hands stroked over his face and under his chin.

"What do you think about us?"

"About us?" Kalln opened his eyes a crack, puzzled by the question.

"Would you like it to be more?"

Kalln sat up to look directly at her.

"More? Anna, we're sleeping together. How much more can there be?"

Anna paused for a moment before saying, "Computer, lights."

Immediately the darkness concealing the room was banished by the radiating brightness of the ceiling lights. Kalln blinked as his eyes quickly adjusted from night vision to normal vision.

Anna got up and crawled onto the bed next to him. "What do you think of committing ourselves to each other?"

Kalln stared blankly at her... confused.

Anna tried again putting it in a different way: "Okay, how about this: would you like to be my boyfriend?"

"Boyfriend?"

Kalln was more than a little startled. He expected that Anna was curious about him, in the same way as he her, and was prepared for their intimacy together to end sooner or later. However, now the little Ensign was asking him to take part in the human ritual of 'dating', or 'going out'. Clearly their intimate time together wasn't over yet, and he felt strangely happy for a Gnalish Elt.

After composing himself **secondary brain keep your mind on your job, tertiary brain SHUT UP** he continued to speak.

"I'm, I'm, well, honoured that you would ask me such a thing. However, you must understand that my species... we don't have permanent relationships like you are asking. The Tarn do, but they're a wacky bunch if ever I met one.

"But I enjoy your company and... " Kalln smiled slyly at Anna, studying the red silken robe she had on and knowing that piece of flimsy material was the only thing separating them, "And I would like to continue exploring it."

He slowly moved over to her and nuzzled his huge nose against her neck. His upper arms raised to her shoulders and gently tugged at her robe exposing her bare shoulders.

"Kalln," Anna moaned softly as she felt his lower hands caressing her legs and up to her thighs, "I have to get ready for my shift."

Kalln frowned unhappily but he released her. Anna hopped off the bed, drawing her robe back up around her again. He then watched her heading for the bathroom, but giving her the saddest look.

Anna glanced back and saw those sad looking dark eyes and sighed.

"Stop it," she warned.

Kalln continued to give the sad puppy dog eyes.

"I said stop it!" Anna growled, "Or I'll make a coat out of you!"

The large lizard then rested his chin down on the edge of the bed which made Kalln look even more woeful and innocent.

Anna shook her head in frustration, "Okay! Okay! I'm taking a shower, it might be crowded with the two of us but you can join me."

Kalln perked up a little, then looked sad again.

"That's not much good," he said, "I can barely fit in the shower on my own. Look, let's just call it a morning. I should probably be getting on to Ten-Forward to laze around all day chatting."

Anna grinned, then turned and flounced off to the shower, hair bobbing. Kalln crawled off the bed and pieced together the remnants of his uniform. It was going to be a long day... twenty-two hours, in fact.

And he still had to go and talk things through with Neil.

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

"Code Blue."
Lt. Dr. Felicia Khatroweena, Assistant Chief Medical Officer
Lt. Commander Khan Nilani, Chief Medical Officer
Lt Commander Casey Ti Miran, Shuttle Pilot
Dr Grinch, EMH

*** Casey's Quarters ***

Miran awoke, her breath came in violent gasps. She had not yet picked Lara up from day care so that she could rest a little before having to be a mother. Now, she was stricken with excruciating pain that seemed to stab at her body from deep within. Panic hit. She found it hard to concentrate. Her first thought was the child. Mewing from the pain and sneezing violently she tried to sit up, but was unable to move as another bolt of blazing pain shot across her abdomen.

She collapsed back into the chair and gripped the armrests with white knuckled fear. A trickle of sweat dripped into her eye and she blinked it away. She fought for breath. A groan of animal like fear escaped her lips and she felt the tears of fear and desperation run down her cheeks. She struggled to sort out her thoughts, she had to get help... something was terribly wrong.

She managed to tap her commbadge. She cried out as another bout of pain ran through her body. "Sick-bay." She squeezed out through clenched teeth. "Casey Ti..." She sobbed. "Some...thing is...wrong... It hurts... so... so...much... Help me."

=/\=On our way.=/\= Came a voice from the comm. Miran couldn't recognize the voice, she was passed caring...as long as help arrived. She felt her consciousness slide for a moment as another flash of blue white agony struck her. She leaned sideways as the hot vomit from the pain spat out the remains of her lunch.

She was dizzy and her thoughts were beginning to ramble. All she could hold on to was the thought... 'My baby...not supposed to hurt... too early... noooo... please! It hurts' She was gasping now - short sharp dragging breaths that hurt so much. She slid off the chair and tried to lean forward over her hands - she retched again with another stabbing bolt and felt her insides shift. She sobbed and tried to hold her stomach, feeling a warmth spreading across the silk gown she wore.

As she sat up and looked down in horror at the widening pool of red blood around her knees. She looked wildly around the room now, seeking help... seeking Deiran but not seeing him, she screamed...

*** Sickbay ***

Cat tapped her badge. "Transporter Room One. I need a medical emergency beam out. Casey Ti Miran to Sickbay. Authorization Cat Alpha One." Cat breathlessly called out.

"Aye, aye," came the instant response.

She knew that it took four seconds, and every second counted. Miran's voice was full of pain. Every alarm bell Cat had, was screaming at her. Cat's free hand was almost a claw, she was frustrated by every split second being wasted. A pregnant Bajoran woman was feeling pain!

Suddenly the familiar blue sparkle of transport materialization appeared in the centre of Sickbay.

Cat found Miran on her hands and knees, she was gasping her breath, Sobbing! The acrid stench of blood struck Cat immediately. Miran looked confused, soaked with sweat and tears. She looked up as if noticing she was somewhere else and found Cats' eyes. She sobbed to her pleadingly, "Cat? My baby!" She shuddered as another bolt of agony ripped along her spine, another fresh wave of blood ran freely down her legs. "It hurts," she moaned.

"Oh Fates!" Cat gasped as the situation hit her. She turned to Nurse Christina Opel, "Code Blue. Ten ccs of atrophine." She called out loudly enough for all in Sickbay to hear. "Prep the surgery suite - stat! I need help. Get her up onto the table." She turned her attention to Miran as Sickbay launched into organized chaos.

As two orderlies lifted the Bajoran woman onto the central bio-bed, as Cat activated the sensors and waited impatiently for it's scans to give her an assessment. Nurse Opel prepared the hypo and was about to apply it to Miran's neck. She looked at Cat for the okay. Cat shook her head, "Not yet!"

Miran groaned and feebly thrashed on the bed - her back arched. She was covered in blood and clutching the bed. Her eyes tightly clenched shut against the pain.

Nilani stepped out of the near-by ward. She was just stripping gloves after performing a routine appendectomy on a Petty officer who had thought he had indigestion earlier in the evening. It had been quick and painless, and Nilani wondered what the sudden call to Code Blue was all about. As she looked across the suddenly active Sickbay, she caught sight of the blood, and the thrashing feet.

She walked closer and saw Miran Casey, the Bajoran woman was racked with pain and covered in her own blood. Nilani stopped as the sight hit her. One of the nurses stepped around her and she shook her head and moved in, just as Cat looked across at nurse Opel.

The sensor readings clarified. Cats' eyes widened as she took in the import of the readings and looked hurriedly to Opel. She nodded once and the sedative was administered with a hiss. Miran relaxed almost instantly. She was unconscious.

The nurse looked from the pool of bright blood to Cat. She looked stunned - yet her professional demeanour was falling into place quickly.

Cat saw the question in her eyes and shook her head to stay quiet. She called out, "I want blood, at least six litres. Replicate more if we need it." She looked once more at Opel, "Prep her." She said quietly, all business now. Miran was now a surgery patient and Cat slipped into her surgeon role. "Stasis unit and an incubator." She called out across Sickbay and she hurried to dress for the procedure. "Activate EMH." She said as she was assisted by two nurses into a gown. She noticed Nilani for the first time standing by the medical bed.

Nilani looked at her and nodded. "I've been on duty for two shifts - you do it," she said. "I'll assist if you need it - but I'm tired and this..." She looked down at Miran, "is going to take a while." She finished quietly.

"State the nature of the medical emergency." The EMH appeared between the two women and looked around at Cat with a slightly quizzical expression.

Cat shrugged into the gown. Miran was being carried to the surgery suite, and nurses were gathering equipment. She looked across at the hologram and said, "You will assist me in an emergency surgical procedure. Patient Casey Ti - Miran. Get updates and get in there." She motioned to the surgical suite.

"Of course Doctor." The EMH replied. He hurried into the suite as his uniform was replaced holographically by the correct surgical garb.

Nurse Karina Dawson followed Cat and Nilani into the scrub room. "What's going on?" She asked as she herself began to dress for surgery - "Everything was normal when she came in last time.." Her voice betrayed the worry she was feeling - everyone in Sickbay knew that this was bad...very bad.

Cat looked up at her as she washed off the soap from her arms and hands. She replied, "The baby is being aborted. Her immune response is totally off the scale. The large size of the child is causing complications. She's haemorrhaging badly. If the child isn't removed, it could kill her. Right now she's bleeding to death."

Karina nodded, "What about Commander Casey?"

Cat dressed, moved on to the surgery. She walked on as if she hadn't heard the question. Nilani was busy scrubbing and just looked across at Dawson and then Cat - they exchanged glances.

Karina asked again, "Cat! What about Casey?"

Cat shook her head, "I don't want Deiran in here until after surgery. I'd rather have him pissed at me for a few days, rather than have him doing something idiotic for the next few hours." Cat didn't want to have an anxious Deiran being a right ass in her Sickbay. Right now, she didn't want to have to worry about him as well.

"He's the XO!" retorted Karina.

"I wouldn't care if he was the President of the Federation. He doesn't belong here." She backed through the doors and into the surgery suite.

Karina looked at Nilani and was about to say something to the CMO when Nilani cut her off. "Miran doesn't need him right now - she needs us! One thing I do know is that I agree with Cat. We don't need a know-it-all in here trying to tell us how to operate." Nilani left Karina to finish scrubbing and followed Cat.

Four nurses were ready for them, the EMH had gotten everything settled. Dr Grinch nodded as Cat reached the table.

"The patients' blood pressure is dangerously low - foetal life signs are weak and erratic, blood is on standby and I've started an intravenous anaesthetic and blood plasma." He nodded towards Miran.

Nilani moved over to stand beside Miran's head. She looked peaceful now - sleeping a blackness that drowned the pain. Her hair was covered in a blue cap and she had a respirator over her face - but she was still a beautiful woman. The nurses were still cleaning her up and the room was full of quiet purpose.

Nilani Khan was also Bajoran - and she shared the woman's heritage. A stab of self doubt struck her about her own pregnancy. She was still early in the cycle - yet she couldn't help but see herself in Miran's place. This should be a time of joy and music - with friends and family assisting the Bajoran birth. Not this bloody parody of a birthing!

She reached out and took hold of Miran's limp hand. It was cold and clammy - attributed to her blood loss and low respiration. Nilani held it tightly, hoping that the Prophets would somehow give this woman new strength for the ordeal that was happening to her.

Cat tapped a sensor interface and the holographic imaging system created an overlay of the two patients above the bed. At a glance, she saw evidence of massive haemorrhaging. The Bajoran vascularisation was far more than a humans - and this was the threat to both Miran and her unborn child. She could tell immediately that there was no way she could repair the damage with the child still in the womb. At first glance the child was being deprived of oxygen because of the blood loss.

Miran's immune responses worried Cat. There was something else that the scans weren't picking up. Her tail flicked in frustration and she growled deep in her throat.

The EMH said, "The foetus is going into shock doctor." He looked pointedly at Cat and she nodded.

"I'm going to start the Caesarean." She opened her palm and said, "Scalpel." It was slapped into it within a split second and she moved to the first cut.

Nilani held her breath and clutched Miran's hand in both of hers. She trusted Cat, she was a damned good surgeon, possibly even better than Nilani in some respects. Her senses told her things that Nilani needed a probe for - and she seemed to have all the right instincts. Nilani's lips started to move silently as she sang a prayer to herself. She sang to Miran's pagh - the song of renewal and healing.

Dr Grinch said, "Ready with suction, sutures and spreader." The team of six medical officers became a single operating unit. The incision opened Miran Casey's distended belly and the Caesarean began. The first objective was to save Miran Casey - stop the internal bleeding and restore her blood pressure.

The child was barely old enough to survive on its own - that would be another matter - Cat knew the Fates had made their choice. If everything went well - perhaps both lives would be saved - right now, she was struggling to save Miran. Cat believed in the Fates - that everyone was dealt a fate - or destiny before they were even born. Everyone existed for a reason - it was up to the individual to seek his or her own reasons - and Cat knew this was hers. To save lives. To be an intercessor with the Fates themselves - to cheat them when ever she could!

Nilani sang softly - the sound of her voice becoming loud enough for all to hear - a soothing rhythm that began to change the atmosphere from worry and fear to hope and expectation.

The child was brought forth and delivered to another team of nurses - the EMH continuing to assist her with Miran. It seemed that a myriad of blood vessels were collapsing as fast as Cat and Dr Grinch sealed off others. They gave Miran three of the six litres of whole blood as they fought a failing circulatory system.

"Dr she's going into defib! We're losing her!" said Grinch in his characteristic acidic tone. He looked at Nilani next to him with a pensive expression. Seemingly, the only member of the surgery team that displayed annoyance at her soft singing.

Cat worked quickly, calling out instructions to the nursing staff and medical technicians as she deftly cauterized three more bleeders. They injected various substances into Miran Casey and Cat was handed a heart stimulator as all hands were removed from her body. Nilani let her go reluctantly but didn't cease her music.

"Flat line," said a nurse, calmly. Cat nodded and looked at the med tech for the ready signal. She gave it and Cat activated the biobed's internal stimulation systems. Miran's back arched as the charge shot through her body. In the ocean of silence, there was only Nilani's Bajoran song. "No response," came after a few seconds.

The procedure was repeated. Miran's limp form jumped again. "Still nothing," came the calm reply.

"Come on Miran!" Cat almost snarled at the senior officer. "Don't you give up on me!" She called out for another stimulant injection - increasing the dose to try to get activity going. She applied a Cortical stimulator to keep the brain functioning.

One of the nurses working on the baby began to cry. Tears were streaming down her face as she looked from the tiny blue coloured baby boy to the lifeless body of Miran Casey. She knew they were going to lose both mother and child and she couldn't maintain her professional composure. This just didn't happen!

Cat activated the bio-bed again - Miran jumped as Cat snarled, "Miran - come back lady! Don't you DARE leave me alone to face Deiran!"

"Heart rhythm established doctor...settling down." The medical officers around the table breathed a collective sigh of relief, all except Grinch. "She's still losing blood doctor." He said in his 'may-I-remind-you' tone. Cat just ignored him and went back to work. They continued for several minutes.

Nilani held Miran's hand again and stroked her temple as they worked - she still had strength of spirit. Nilani could feel her pagh - she still had something to live for.

"Get me some more blood," Cat called out. "On it already." Came the instant reply - Miran had gone through six litres so far - and three litres of plasma. They were winning though - and Cat could see an end in sight.

Suddenly the heart monitor gave out its staccato alarm. The imaging system zeroed into to Miran Casey's heart and the unmistakable signs of a blood clot registered. She went into cardiac arrest. The stimulants were already at a high dose - more would be too risky. The heart had stopped again.

Nilani Khan's eyes brimmed with tears. She squeezed the woman's hand as if that might wake her up - or the sheer strength of Nilani's will, would restart her failing heart.

"Flat-line," called out Opel.

"Damn it!" Cat shouted - the team responded as they should and gave the doctor more room to move. She activated a low-level force field and started a heart massage. Miran was totally unresponsive. It was as if the woman knew what was happening, the nurses taking care of the baby were going through the motions, it didn't look good.

Nilani leaned down so that she was close to Miran's ear. "Miran," she said softly. "You have a son Miran. Come back. Live, Please Miran!"

The cortical stimulator was re-applied and all eyes were riveted to the monitors. Cat had to remove the clot and start the heart - she had to get to it before it moved out of the heart and caused more damage. If the clot reached Miran's brain, there would be the inevitable damage - a stroke.

She made a small incision through the woman's chest and operated a micro probe. The extraction took a minute twenty seconds. The nurse giving the time elapsed every ten seconds - Cat had three minutes to get her heart going again. Nilani sang softly into Miran's ear the whole time, a prayer of atonement and forgiveness - beseeching the Prophets to aid her, comfort her - bring her home safely.

The tension and the continued stress of saving a life in these situations seemed to beat at Felicia - and as always she stood against the Fates and battled on. She had been operating on Miran for three hours now.

"Clear!" She said. All stepped away from her - Nilani still hovering close. Cat hoped with all her heart that the Prophets of the Bajorans were listening to the Chief Medical Officer right now. They needed it!

The heart stimulator hit Miran again and she jolted on the table. Her heart started first go - and Cat was flooded with relief. Dr Grinch smiled at her. "Well done doctor." He said and commenced to work on the remaining closures.

Cat simply nodded to him. They worked steadily for the next half-hour - there were so many small bleeders - it seemed that the baby had caused some of the damage - which was disconcerting. Dr Grinch looked up at her and said, "I can finish here doctor - she is out of danger." Cat sighed and turned to the nurse who stripped her gloves and replaced them with a fresh pair.

Nilani looked up at Cat and nodded her thanks. She was so tired - she had been on duty for over sixteen hours and the stress of this operation was hard on her because it was so close to home.

Cat moved over to the incubator and the two nurses that had taken care of their tiny charge. The little boy was lying on his back. Small tubes were inserted in his nose and sensors inside the incubator were showing his life signs. Cat looked at the tiny face - all scrunched up and a shade of blue tiny fists balled in the air and a tuft of dark blonde hair atop his head. He was so helpless and Cat felt a wave of despair surge through her. She knew without looking at the sensors that the child was battling for its life.

The nurse beside the incubator looked up and wiped the tears out of her eyes. Cat met her gaze and she looked away. The sensors were showing a massive immunological response in the child's tiny body. A war was raging inside there, Cat didn't have the time it would take to do anything about it.

She moved over to a dedicated console and proceeded to examine the data that the nurses had compiled while she had been struggling with Miran. She saw why the nurse had been crying - and she let out a slight gasp as she read the final analysis.

She looked over to Nilani and back at the readings. This had further implications for Nilani too - but now wasn't the time to bring it up!

Cat moved over to the baby, looked upon his face - he was sealed inside the clear electronic womb, and she spread her fingers on the cover and watched for a while. The clear splashes of her tears went unnoticed - the nurses doing what they needed to do and ignoring each other's emotions.

The baby was dying. It's own immune system was killing it - the rare blood type of his father had resulted in a one-in-a-million genetic fatality. Miran was Bajoran and Deiran human. Usually there were no problems with this racial mix, but Deiran had an extremely rare blood type and the Bajoran immune system was reacting to it as if it was an invader in the tiny body. It had turned on itself. Miran's blood had been supplying the baby up to now - but as the pregnancy progressed it had taken over it's own metabolic functions and now it's immune system had kicked in.

Exo-obstetric Immunosensitivity Syndrome. EIS, a cruel hybrid factor that struck more often in the exotic race mixes. But not one reported case for Human/Bajoran births so far, that is until now. She thought briefly about Commander... Captain Sterner. Had he volunteered blood for Casey? She didn't think so; but she was sure as hell going to check! Nilani Khan's child was half human as well.

There was absolutely nothing that could be done. Modern medical science was wonderful. But, there were still some things that were beyond the grasp of science. And it was cases like these that Cat was left feeling inadequate.

A little later Dr Grinch moved up behind her and in an almost uncharacteristic moment he placed his hand on her shoulder and squeezed. "The patient is sedated and been moved to recovery doctor." He said quietly. "She will be fine. It was a pleasure to assist you."

Cat turned to him and for a moment forgot that she was talking to a hologram. "The baby will not live for more than a few hours - less more likely." She shook her head. "The Fates have been cruel today - and I feel so helpless." Her voice cracked. "Keep Miran sedated - the trauma would do more harm to her - I don't want her watching her son die."

She stepped away and removed her gloves and gown. She looked pointedly at Nurse Dawson. "Get Deiran down here. He deserves to see his son." She said in a voice full of emotion. "And Counsellor Dallas. Call her first - she needs to be here for Deiran."

Cat walked into her office and closed the door. She leaned heavily upon it and wept in the sanctity of her private place.

"Music Mystro"
By: Ensign Rotan Heratta
Security- USS Galaxy

The sounds continued, strange shifts in the verbal range that Rotan didn't understand. It was like some horrible kind of torture. A torture that assaulted His sensitive hearing perception like an ice-cold dagger striking into the heart of every nerve in his body. Some races actual seemed to enjoy it, but why Heratta would never understand. Just as he was sure he couldn't take another second of it..it ended.

*How could anyone possibly enjoy this?* He thought as he looked toward the area where Benedict T'kal was just finishing up his..attack. A second later, the applause began. The crewmen in the lounge had seemed to love his performance. Also, He noted that Lieutenant Commander Bancroft was giving Benedict special praise.

She, it seemed...more than the others had actually seemed to enjoy his show.

*There are some things about these cultures that I will never understand* Heratta branched open his facial fangs and hissed in the direction of T'kal to emphasize his point. Lifting his mug of warm Nausicaan Rotgar...He downed a deep swallow...

Perhaps it was just that the events of the last few days had been rubbing on the Nausicaan. Surely, the Captain had handled the situations with the other Federation Ships to the best of his ability, however perhaps Rotan had misjudged the man. He had after all..failed.

This was a troubling fact to the Nausicaan. His Captain had failed. It would prove difficult..perhaps impossible to serve under a man who continued to..fail. Nausicaan society had ways of dealing with a weak link, but the Federation it seemed did not.

*Well, perhaps this was an isolated event. Perhaps even, He had meant to fail.* The Nausicaan didn't really believe that.

Rotan considered the situation more carefully. *To a Nausicaan, failure was never a viable option. Yet perhaps a Human Captain didn't think that way. Perhaps in the political arena of the Federation there was little choice other than to stage a "controlled" failure. In that case, this would not be a sign of Human weakness.* Rotan shrugged as he downed the last of the Rotgar.

*Time will tell* Rotan thought to himself as he got up from the table. As interesting as this mission had been, he had hoped for more action.

"Perhaps the action was there all along, but just in a different form." He thought to himself out loud as he moved from ten-forward in route to his quarters....

Home
By Dana Jergensen MD
CMO USS Caduceus Dana Steeped off of the transporter PADD. Capt. Manion was not onboard she had gone to handle things with the St. Louis. She didn't recognise the Transporter Operator but judging by his expression HE had seen her before. She waved and headed out.

First stop was her office. She entered SickBay waved at everyone and made a beeline for her office. In passing there were a few faces she didn't recognise. Dana thought to herself that she would have to make introductions later.

Her office was as messy as ever. She stepped around some boxes and sat at her desk. She had a need. Dana was acustomed to more than a replicator could do. When she had a craving for something, replicators just wouldn't do. Her father had taught her appreciation for the finer things in life. His law practice is stil among the most succesful in the Quadrant.

Hans Jergensen was corporate lawyer that could stymie any Ferengi. His ability to entertain clients was legendary. He wasn't one to flaunt his wealth, but neither was he ashamed of it. Now Dana would invariably have a craving for something that a mass produced machine could NEVER replicate to her standards. Dana grew up in tasteful elegance. Working her way through college, even though she didn't have too, was her own decision. It only made her more appreciative of things.

She went from box to box, looked in drawers. Dana was looking for a gift her father had sent with a note saying, " No succesful office is without." He would, of course, prefer her to be in private practice somwhere, but had long ago learned never to argue with the Jergensen women. He took great pleasure in the arguments Dana had with her mother. When Che and Dana were going at it he was left in peace. Dana and her mother would agrue for hours about everything and anything. Despite the fireworks they all loved each other fiercely.

She put one of the boxes on her desk. She had just been moving into the CMO's position when the epidemic broke out on the St. Louis. Sh ehad found what she was looking for. Dana held up the bottle, it was filled with an amber liquid that spoke of only luxury. The label read 'Famous Grouse'. A Scotch whiskey that was very hard to come by. Now Dana tore aprt her desk looking for a glass. Finding none she reluctantly headed for the replicator.

" Glass tumbler with three ice cubes."

It appeared and she took it back to her desk. She poured in two fingers over the ice. Swirled the Scotch and sipped. She tipped back her chair and let the liquid warm her throat. Privately she also craved another of the vices her father instilled in her. The occasional cigar.

"The Self-Proclaimed Expert"
starring Lt. T'Zaq
Engineer, USS Galaxy

and Ens. Cathy Page
Science Officer
NPC of Benedict T'Kal

With her duties in engineering done for the day, T'Zaq headed down to Ten-Forward to participate in the social life. Oft visiting the lounge was a rather new resolution she had made, for two reasons. Foremostly, to dispel the rumor that engineers, and Vulcans in particular, had absolutely no interesting life. And secondly, to further her research in humanoid mating customs.

Since discovering Ten-Forward, she had found that a multitude of sexual activity at all levels could be found happening there. Right about the time when Beta shift ended, the real fun started. The pheromones were thick enough to make even a Deltan dizzy.

The usual impromptu performances were starting, marking the most interesting part of the evening. T'Zaq looked around the packed room for an empty seat. Spotting one, she moved toward the table, behind its occupant, clapping her hands over the other woman's eyes. "Guess who?"

Ensign Cathy Page sighed long-sufferingly. "T'Zaq, I'm really not in the mood..." She was busy watching the couple across the room. Benedict T'Kal was holding Tebrianne in the way that Cathy wanted him to hold her - she ached for it!

The Vulcan removed her hands and fluidly sank down into the seat across from Cathy. "I apologize. I still do not believe I grasp this concept of humorous spontaneity."

Cathy ignored the half-Vulcan, returning her focus to Benedict T'Kal - he'd moved to the small stage and was about to sing once again. 'He's mine...' she thought. She clenched her teeth, suppressing her angry reaction at T'Kal's dedication of his song to "his lady". Cathy's arms were folded defensively across her chest and hidden under her sleeves her fists were balled in white knuckled anger.

T'Zaq tilted her head and tried to look into Page's eyes. She was riveted on the singer. She seemed angry for some reason. T'Zaq had gotten to know Cathy over the past few months. She was a science officer working in Life Sciences - a far cry from Engineering. Cathy was a usually happy woman who spent most of her free time here in the Officers Lounge. This angstful mood just wasn't like her!

They listened to the song that Benedict T'Kal sang to the blushing Chief Helm Officer and in its words Cathy found all the things that she felt about the man singing the song - he was singing about her..not that Bitch! HER!!!

"Are you all right?" T'Zaq asked her.

"I'm just fine..." Cathy moaned, her gaze following Ben off the stage and over to the bar where his 'lady' awaited. Some bloody lady...the First Officers Ex- Mistress!!! Home-Wrecker!! Man-Stealer!!

"You are?" T'Zaq craned her neck, trying to locate the object of Page's riveted attention in the crowded room. "Who are you staring at?" She asked.

The ensign sighed and sank back into her chair with a scowl. "Benedict T'Kal, of course. The guy with the guitar and the voice that melts your heart..." She sounded wistful.

A casual observer might have seen T'Zaq's ears perk up a little. "You are smitten with Benedict? Aren't he and Tebrianne Bancroft involved in a seemingly permanent relationship?"

Cathy re-crossed her arms over her chest and glared levelly at T'Zaq. "Yeah. You know him?"

"Only of him. I don't believe we've ever met officially, but his reputation as a Tactical Officer is well-known."

The two females stared as Benedict swept Tebrianne into his arms and nuzzled her neck affectionately. Teb pulled away after a few seconds and said something to the others at the bar, then grabbed T'Kal's hand and began pulling him toward the exit.

'Nooo.... that Romulan bitch...' Cathy thought - her breath caught in her throat, her expression betraying great unhappiness.

T'Zaq looked a little puzzled and peered closer at the retreating couple. She didn't know Tebrianne well, but from a cursory glance, the couple seemed totally in love. T'Zaq glanced back to her counterpart at the other end of the table. It occurred to her that Cathy's feral glare seemed more like a she-wolf contemplating a kill than a casual interest in another womans man. Wisely, T'Zaq decided to keep this opinion to herself.

After a few seconds, the couple disappeared through the door and Cathy turned back to face T'Zaq. "Well, there goes the entertainment." she sighed unhappily.

"If I may present an opinion..." the half-Vulcan began, "I believe you are approaching this matter in entirely the wrong way."

"Oh?" Cathy stared at T'Zaq - perhaps the Vulcan might have some insight into Vulcan/Romulan methodology that might help her in her quest.

The engineer nodded sagely. "Yes. You are blindly rushing after Benedict, trying with all your power to capture him. But, like the Teresh-Kah, a man cannot always be caught by brute force. You must create a lure, something so tempting he would leave his supposed love to have it. Then you can ensnare him into willingly giving his heart to you. But only this way it may work, and even then it cannot be guaranteed. I would not suggest trying anything rash, my friend. Failure could result in ruining your own reputation and losing him forever."

All the while that T'Zaq had spoken Cathy's face expressed more and more incredulousness. Cathy looked at T'Zaq and growled, "You sound like you're quite the expert on such matters," She looked angry. "Benedict and I had a relationship!" Her voice quavered with the emotion that comment evoked. "I'm not blindly rushing after him! She ripped my heart out when she stole him from me!" She was speaking in a low voice - full of venom. "He still has feelings for me! He still wants me! But she's a..." Cathy stopped herself just in time...she was going to say a Vulcan Mind Freak.. and Cathy was speaking to a Vulcan..."she's a bitch!" She managed.

"You don't know anything!" Cathy snarled. "You can shove your bloody advice! What can you talk about anyway? You're a Vulcan - no feelings at all! Such a bloody expert in relationships aren't you - well where's yours? I don't see *you* with a guy!"

T'Zaq tilted her head to one side - Cathy's anger seemed to have no impact on her at all. She smiled patronizingly at the other woman. "Just because I know the rules of the game, and how to win, does not mean I wish to play it at this time."

Cathy glared at her and bit back her anger. She didn't want to waste it on T'Zaq anyway. She had other plans..She released a slow breath and gulped down the Manhattan that rested on the table. She contemplated the empty glass. She had to be more controlled...plan a little more...bide her time...in some ways the Vulcan Engineer was right. She had to be subtle..she already knew that.

Cathy grinned for the first time that evening, although the feral look in her eyes made the smile look a little scary. "Well, I'll give it some thought." She stood up from her seat and started toward the door. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a headache." She walked off - leaving T'Zaq to shake her head and sigh.

~Those humans,~ the Vulcan thought, ~Always in such a great hurry to get what they believe they must have.~ She wondered why Cathy was so seemingly possessive over the man she had lost. And why had the human not accepted her advice? T'Zaq knew herself to be *the* expert in such matters, and anyone who didn't care to listen...? Well, they could fend for themselves! It would be interesting to see how this drama unfolded...

"A Simple Choice."
By Captain Thiana Zeri, Lieutenant JG Mikey Dorffen

Thiana rode the lift to the bridge, feeling the weight of the universe on her shoulders. She had managed to save her crew and the Ocero, but at what cost? She could have infected the whole of the alpha quadrant with this stunt. The doors opened and she stepped on the bridge. She looked at the faces turned towards her.

"I have surrendered myself to the USS Caduceus. If it can be arranged, I will be the only one court-martialed. Captain Manion wasn't able to promise that condition of my surrender but is trying. It was good serving with you." She looked down, trying to keep her emotions at bay. Not being able to say anything more, she started to walk towards her ready room.

First she broke her oath to Starfleet, now she was going to break another promise. It would take just a moment, the phaser was in a drawer of her desk.

Mikey swung around in a complete circle at the front of the bridge, waving his feet above the floor as he stool twirled on it's base. He tried to make it look like a melancholy movement, but it came off looking like a physical expression of Mikey's mental state of mind: "Par-TAY!"

Munchkins began dancing their merry little song. Mikey cackled evilly.

* Ding dong the witch--Oh My! *

No, Mikey wasn't in the wrong song--'Oh my!' was just a shocked expression that had come out, for he was truly shocked. Unless he's practicing, Mikey's mind doesn't usually pick up stray emotions, but here was one emotion at would not be ignored, could not be ignored.

Suicide.

Mikey closed his eyes.

His feet felt funny. There was a strange ground below him, a gravely, sandy type of Terra that crunched when he shifted his weight. When he opened his eyes too, there was just ... strangeness. It was dark where he mind had taken him, but from behind he knew there was light, he could feel it on his back. So there was the beach that never met the Ocean, stretching for miles around and meeting with a black horizon that climbed and enveloped the sky.

And there was Thiana.

The proud Bajoran, standing, facing the light behind Mikey and yet in the shadow. She looked worse than usual, and if Mikey had taken the time to notice her before, he would've known that she had looked haggard and pained even before this strong transformation. This was it for her; this was the end of her tether.

"Lieutenant." she nodded.

"Captain."

"Well, was there a reason for this visit?" she asked him, looking at a point over his right shoulder. She was rubbing her hands on her forearms as if trying to keep out a chill. In fact, there was a wind. No, no, more of a draught, a draught that ran it's gentle fingers along the nape of Mikey's neck and causing the hairs there to stand up on end. "Speak up Lieutenant."

"Where are we?" he asked, impotent as to what other inquiries he should make.

"Please Mister Dorffen." she scorned slightly, moving around him. Crunch, crunch, crunch. "That's not important. I want to be alone, that's what's important. I don't want to be here."

Crunch, crunch, crunch.

She preempted his next question. "No, Dorffen. Not here, physically. I won't want to be where I am in life. I looked back at the last few months ... my life ..."

"I don't understand."

Crunch, crunch, crunch.

"I know." she said as she regained her original position having made a full circle of the young Betazoid. "I'm here all the same. This is my life." She was indicating the desert-like expanse all around them, the only distinguishing landmark being the light to Mikey's back. A light he was unable to turn as gaze at. "My life is like this place. I have no one. I know others will argue, but look at me ... I am a woman alone. Loveless. I need someone, but am alone. And what do I do? I risk my crew, not only here, but over and over and over again. How long? How many more times?"

"Please, I just don't-"

"-understand. Yes, I know."

She sighed. It was a time heavy sigh, one which bore the mark of a woman who had finally said enough is enough. A single exhalation said all that there was to be known of Thiana's thoughts, her very being crying out for release in the smallest over movements.

Her eyes fixed on the light behind Mikey. He stared at her eyes, looking into them, trying to read her soul. All he got was the white hot reflection, and a feeling of lust, want for that light.

"It's a simple decision." Thiana said at last.

"What is?"

"I just step into the light and it'll all be over. I'll have solitude. Peace. A happy ending. The universe will be a better place."

Despite his better judgment, Mikey began to realize just what was going on. This is what Thiana viewed as her life. This is the isolation she felt. No being should feel this ... even Thiana. Mike grinned in his head in Thiana's mental landscape, the thought 'Even Thiana' crossing his mind.

"No."

"No?"

"No." Mikey repeated. "You can't."

"Oh yes I can."

"But-"

"Lieutenant, you will not speak without my permission." came the short reply.

"Permission to speak Ma'am?"

"Permission denied."

"But-"

"I said, Permission denied." Thiana sighed again. "It's my decision to make. You can't stop me. It's not your right to stop me. Things will be better for it. My life for those that lost theirs because of my actions." She began to walked towards Mikey and then passed him, towards the brightness. Mikey was rooted to the floor, unable to even turn.

"Captain! Captain! Captain ..."

Crunch, crunch, crunch.

"Captain Thiana!"

Crunch, crunch, crunch.

Mikey thought quickly.

"Zeri!"

Crunch, cru-

There was a definite pause, the Bajoran woman stopped in her tracks by the jarring use of her given name. Mikey thought he heard her say something as the moment hung in the air.

Crunch, crunch, crunch.

* Dammit! * Mikey swore. Another plan came to him.

On the bridge, Mikey snapped forwards and then backwards as he came back to reality from the sandy dark place of Thiana's mind. She was in the ready room, wasn't she? (Mikey never paid that much attention when she was on the bridge).

On word from the helmsman, Commander Strauss entered into the ready room and gently took the phaser from his captain's hand. She just crumbled. He took her into his arms as she cried. They sat there in the floor, phaser forgotten, as Captain Manion and St. Louis bridge crew gathered in the door way.

"Restricted Duties & Parenthood"
by Lt Commander Kahn Nilani
Chief Medical Officer (Light Duties)

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

*** 30 min after counseling Session ***

Nilani walked into the sickbay feeling rather detached from her session. The Counsellor had done a good job in getting into her deepest darkest secrets. Some of which not even her closest friends knew about.

Nilani moved into her office an turned the lights on. Her desk was rather messy and there was a rather large mould growth in a used coffee cup. Nilani moved over to the desk and started to clean up, right then the computer placed a message.

=/\= Incoming Sub Space Signal =/\=

Nilani pressed the accept button and a series of database files started downloading, Nilani looked over to the terminal and pressed a button. The preview screen popped up and started to show the files, Nilani smiled.

"Excuse me Dr Kahn!" Nilani turned to face the voice

"Yes nurse Anara?" Nilani said sarcastically.

"Are you ok? You seem to have been rather occupied! And what is this secrecy about your medical file?" Anara spoke, looking rather confused.

Nilani looked up and smiled. "Well I can tell you, but you have to promise not to tell anyone else!"

Anara nodded in agreement.

"W.....w......w......ell" Nilani started sneezing.

Anara's face lit up.

"You're pregnant! Who's the Father?" Anara said excitedly

Nilani laughed at her question. "That one is going to stay a secret" Nilani replied.

"Ok I was just a little curious. "Anara said in a tone that could be described as pushy.

Nilani smiled and walked over to Anara. "All things come to those who wait, Remember that and everything will be fine." Nilani commented as she left her office doorway and walked out of sickbay.

**** 10 min later ****

Gymnasium

Nilani entered the gym and quickly changed clothes. There were a few others using the facilities - but they were wrapped up in their own exercise routines. She walked over to the free bars and mats.

She moved over to a bar that was hanging a good 8 feet off the ground, she jumped and grabbed the bar and started to do chin ups. On the fifth pull-up she started to sneeze - she hung on and started to spasm with the uncontrollable urges. She was two feet off the floor and trying to hang on, but her hands were slipping..

She felt a pair of hands grip her hips and take the weight of her body and she let go while still sneezing..she felt her feet touch the mat and sneezed once more..her eyes cleared and she blushed furiously at the smiling face of a Bajoran male still supporting her with one hand on her arm. She recognized Benedict and said, "Thanks."

Benedict grinned. "A sneezing fit doctor?" His violet eyes were merry - he stood casually with a black and gold exercise suit that looked like it was annealed to his muscular frame. His raven black hair tied in a ponytail hung over his left shoulder - it was long enough to drape over his commbadge.

She felt his strength of pagh once again - a Bajoran spiritual strength that was clear and almost overwhelming. She flicked a strand of blonde hair over her shoulder and just grinned.

"Then you are twice blessed." He said. "I am happy for you." He indicated the bar above her head and said don't you think you should be doing something a little less energetic?

She arched her eyebrows at him and quipped, "I'm not that far gone." She smiled at his concern - it was almost impossible for a Bajoran woman to keep pregnancy a secret. She sneezed three times in quick succession.

Benedict laughed. "Maybe I should show you a set of exercises that you can do without hanging off a bar."

"Well - if you want!" Nilani shrugged "Just be careful, I'm not exactly in the proper condition!" Nilani sneezed a number of times again. "See." Nilani commented.

He chuckled. "Okay I'll go easy on you..ever heard of Tai Chi?"

*** Later ***

Benedict waited for the doctor to exit the change room and asked her if she wanted to join him for a coffee in the Officers Lounge. She nodded and he led the way to the turbo lift. Tebrianne was on Alpha shift as usual. Jack D'Auria had a second shift - but he'd told Benedict that he was putting in for a transfer. He was shipping out the next time the ship was in port.

Khan Nilani was a fellow Bajoran - and she knew Benedict's secret life - the one that he'd had to re-live to save her sister Illiyana. They seemed to have a bond after that little adventure - a tenuous one but Benedict respected Nilani. She had put her own life on the line and been there through the whole thing - she had fought alongside Benedict - and that meant a lot!

*** Short Time Later ***

The two reached the doors to the Officers Lounge. Nilani stopped for a second and started to sneeze. Three quick sneezes later she looked at T'Kal and nodded. He grinned at her. They stepped through the doors and Nilani looked around and found two spare seats, she took one and T'Kal slid into the other.

"Coffee or tea? " Benedict asked. She smiled and said "Coffee." He moved over to a replicator and ordered a cup of coffee and a pot of Japanese Green Tea.

Nilani looked around for a second, and then quickly reached into her jacket pocket. Benedict wondered why she was being so furtive and she pulled out a hypospray and placed it against her neck. Nilani's urge to sneeze was halted for a while. She looked calmer as she took the proferred cup.

"So T'Kal, what are you thinking?" She asked as he sat down opposite her.

Benedict put down the pot of tea and poured a cup. He smiled at the Bajoran doctor - she was very attractive - and very direct. He looked into her eyes and said, "I was wondering why you need to hide the drugs. Unless you don't want people knowing your condition." He replied in Bajoran. " And please Nilani - call me Benedict - or Ben."

He settled back in his seat holding the pottery cup between both sets of fingertips and gazed through the rising steam at Khan Nilani.

Nilani looked across the space beween them and decided the best way to reply. She started to speak in a form of short cut version of Bajoran. Only members of resistance cells knew the speech. "The drugs are just to stop my sneezing, I can't have rumors going around the ship at the moment. If people see me using the hypospray they will naturally think it is for some other condition. As for when I get fat, well I can't do anything about that and then my little secret will be out." Nilani smiled, taking a sip of her aromatic coffee. "You know I think about it, the Captain dosn't know! Actually the only people that do are You, Anara and Cat. The father dosn't even know!"

Benedict was surprised, but he kept his face composed and neutral, partly because he hadn't heard that language in a long time, and secondly he was a little surprised that she would not have told the child's father. As she was being direct with him - Benedict decided to do the same. "Why doesn't the father know?"

Nilani looked into Ben's eyes and said, "The father is no longer aboard the ship!"

Benedict looked at Nilani and held her eyes. "Commander Sterner?" He asked in a whisper just loud enough for Nilani to hear. Nilani just nodded slightly in response.

He took a sip of the hot tea and thought about the situation. Sterner had transferred to a ship of his own - a command. Would he have done so if she had told him? Perhaps she feared that he would turn down his command to stay with her. Benedict nodded to her. He could understand those kinds of motives. Nilani was doing the honorable thing - and she obviously didn't want anyone else to know who the father was.

He said, "I will not say a word to anyone. If you need anything - all you have to do is ask."

Nilani thought about what he had said for a few minutes. They sat in silence - Benedict sipping his tea and Nilani savouring the strong taste of coffee. She contemplated the strength of the man sitting opposite her. Spiritually he was as strong as a Bajoran Vadek - and she knew that he held to the same beliefs as she. Benedict T'Kal was a Hero of Bajor - known to only a handful of Galaxy crew members as Tikaru - The Golden Tiger. He was a man that would honor his responsibilities totally.

She remembered his actions at the Cardassian labour camp - he had helped her free her sister and she owed a debt to him for that. It seemed that Benedict had taken it upon himself to owe a debt of duty to her when he'd found out about Illiyanas' captivity. He had risked his career and his life to save her - and at the time she hadn't even known him - just recognized who he was from the tattoo his body wore. She had seen it when she had examined him upon first arrival on the Galaxy.

Now she was looking at Benedict in light of the needs she saw arising from her current state of affairs. Jeorg wasn't here - and she couldn't tell him without the possibility of risking his new command. Nilani knew what it meant to him. If she could get the CMO position on his new ship then it would be a different matter - but somehow she doubted that they would allow the transfer. In the mean time - she knew that she would need help. The Spiritual welfare of her child was very important to her - to any Bajoran - and the needs of that education could only be truly comprehended by another Bajoran.

Benedict T'Kal was more than adequately equipped to serve as a Spiritual Guide to both her child and herself..in fact she couldn't think of a better man to ask.

Nilani leaned towards Ben a little "Actually there is. " She began. "I do not know if he is returning or not. But I do know that no matter what happens, I want to bring my child up in the Bajoran custom." She smiled and held his violet gaze. "Would you do me the honour of being my childs' God Father?"

Benedict blinked. It was perhaps the last request he would have thought of recieving from Khan Nilani. He took a moment to think seriously about what that meant for him. It was a Family tie..it would bind him to the child for life. It would bind him to Nilani too.

She was waiting for his answer and he took another slow sip of tea. How would Teb react? He didn't think she'd mind..in fact she would also see Benedict in the light of his love for children. He did love children. He smiled at Nilani as he placed the cup on the table with both hands.

He sat up straight and took a deep breath. He could tell that she was serious. He bowed slightly at the waist and said, "The honor would be mine. I accept."

=/\= "Pissing Match" =/\=
by a handful of Meat Trucks:
Ensign Neil Bolitho-spurned meat truck
Ensign Lexana Ral-caffeinated meat truck
Ensign Tim O’Connell-lonely meat truck
and Lieutenant Matthew Albrecht-father-to-be-meat truck
off-duty USS Galaxy Security department

"Computer, location of Ensign Lexanna Ral?" questioned Lt. Matthew Albrecht sitting quite comfortable in his quarters going over Lex's homework.

[Ensign Ral is located deck 3 section A21.]

* Hmm if I remember correctly those are not her quarters...* " Computer whose quarters are those?"

[Quarters currently assigned to Ensigns Bolitho and O'Connell]

**a few short minutes later**

" F....Ducky Fuzz!" stammered out Neil.

Slowly a very sick grin came across his face as he realised he had actually got it right much to the chargrin of Lexanna Ral whose eyes were almost permanently crosseyed. Neil chuckled to himself.

"What?"growled Lex, her eyes straightening for a brief second as she focused on Neil before they crossed again.

"Stop that!"growled Neil trying desperately not to follow suite with Lex's eyes doing their little hypnotic tango..

"Stop what ?" asked Lex in suprise as her eyes focused then crossed again.

"That!" replied Neil pointing to her eyes.

"Whats wrong with them?"quizzed Lex.

"There doing that....thing!" Indicated Neil as he crossed his hands in front of him for effect.

"Thing? Neil what are you talking about?"

Neil was about to set off into the lecture from which Lex would never have recovered when the door chimed.

"Must be Tim checking to see if its safe to come back!, the doors open!" grinned Neil.

Lt Albrecht stood in the open doorway, his figure framed by the brighter light outside the room. He surveyed the grisly scene- two of his officers, plastered, one in a totally drenched uniform like he had just stepped out of a shower, the other slightly damp. The quarters of Neil Bolitho were a shambles, looking worse than any Academy Cadet's quarters that Matthew had ever seen. Broken and unbroken bottles littered the floor, with the broken glass thankfully restricted to the area against a wall across the room. O'Connell was nowhere in sight.

Lex looked up "Holy shit" She half dragged Neil to attention, Saluted (which no one does) and accidently hit Neil in the face as she did so. "Hullo Lt" She slurred before both of them fell down.

The assistant security chief stepped inside the room, and stepped to one side of the door to avoid a pile of something that might have been clothing... but might not have been. Again he looked at the room's two occupants, who, despite their state of dress, did not seem to be in the middle of anything exclusive. He had intended to ask Lex to expand on a theory she had mentioned in her report about Starship Hostage situations. But now...

Tim walks in to the room looking more flustered than normal "Computer override lock out authorization O'Connell alpha 117 and give me a bottle of tequila" The computer accepted his request and he grabbed the bottle.

"Joining us Tim?" Lex giggled. She couldn't stand up just then. The room was moving and the Tims.. wait, there was only one of them, wasn't there?

The ensign shoved past Matthew, seemingly oblivious to him. The lieutenant just tilted his head inquisitively, to see if perhaps the newly arrived officer was also intoxicated.

After taking a large drink Tim growled, "for some unknown reason your dreamgirl" he then pointed at lex, "and your roomate wanted to screw a 7 foot lizard. That nut seduced HIM, 2 things Why and Where was I when she was in the mood?" he asked rhetorically while ticking off the questions on two outstretched fingers.

Tim took a breath in the middle of his rant and noticed Lex was laying on the ground next to Neil. "I thought you were going to talk to him not get hammered with him, well move over. After finding out that she got lucky I'm more depressed then normal, Is every person on this ship getting laid but me, I mean Sunder, Albrecht... Tim trails off as he sees the Lieutenant in question staring at him, "shit!" Turning to Neil, "telling me would have been a good plan" Tim Shrugged, "well Lt. want something to drink" Tim takes another pull on his bottle.

Albrecht continued Tim's thought, "You forgot commander Casey, who seems to be cranking out children at an alarming rate. And Benedict T'Kal, at least, I'm assuming he's... 'Getting Laid' as you say." Matthew's eyes darted to the Tequila bottle. *Well,* he considered, *We ARE all off duty. And I haven't had a drink yet to celebrate my engagement...* He licked his lips and replied to O'Connell's offer. "Well, O'Connell, if you're offering, I'm accepting. I'll have just one drink," he said, though he didn't really think he would reject a second, third, or fourth drink.

O'Connell held out the 80% full tequella bottle to the Lt. "Here ya go leftenant, lieu, General, Admiral, whatever your rank is"

Neil groaned and rolled over slowly pulling himself up to at least level where the bed was. " I would have If I could see, Lex just whacked me in the eye!"

"You did that on purpose Ral and now you're gonna pay." Growled Neil all of a sudden deadly serious. "Tim hand me those molecular binders." Deadpanned Neil.

Lex's lazy smile fell away as she gazed up in uncertainty at Neil. "What!"

Neil's face was like stone "Tim you heard me, pass me those binders!"

Lex's looked up at Neil in uncertainty, "Uhh Neil it was an honest mistake"

Neil's face studied Lex's before breaking out into a beaming grin! "Gotya!"

"You bastard. I'm going to get you for that. After you pass out I'm going to pluck your eyebrows into a funny shape.."

"Oh good, then they'll match yours." He grinned

She would have hit him one, but there were several of him and she couldn't decide which one to pick. So she settled for giving him an icy look.

The large Irishman began to laugh long at the image of his roommate with eyebrows like Lex.

Lex used Albrecht to pull herself up. She stood there trying to look sober. "Is this about my homework?" She asked.

In her climbing, Lex had nearly caused Matthew to spill the glass of tequila. The lieutenant had availed himself of the replicator to acquire himself a tall, ridiculously narrow glass to drink from. He brought it to his nose with his eyes closed and inhaled the harsh odor. He opened his eyes and answered Lex's question with "It's nothing that can't wait for our next duty shift, Lex." He held in his right hand a small container of salt, as well as a slice of lime. He lifted his right hand, putting the lime to his lips and sucking upon it theatrically. Quickly, he licked salt from the back of his left hand, and downed a large swallow of the amber liquor. His eyes popped open, and with a slightly out-of-character grimace he declared, "Now that's the shit!"

The change of mood in Neil and Tim's quarters must have disturbed the half- Romulan security officer who decided to charge things up a bit. Lexana, standing next to Matthew, proceeded to ask the computer to play some music, she selected a 20th century terran group named Creed, and selected her favorite song "My Own Prison" . She set the volume to "Loud" and told it to play.

Neil had finally risen unsteadily to his feet, bracing himself against the bed. "Zur, I .... I .... would like to propose a piece of toast to you and Dr, Dr eh..."

Tim leaned across and whispered in his ear.

Neil grinned and slapped Tim on his back, spilling his drink all over the back off Tim's tunic. Neil oblivious to Tim's angry snarl continued. "Thas right Dr Drisen Korga on your recent audit." Smiled Neil suddenly wondering why his glass was empty.

Neil held out his glass to Tim" Make full!" barked out Neil before finally collapsing on the floor.

Albrecht decided that Bolitho meant to congratulate him on his engagement and impending fatherhood. He attempted to thank the younger officer, but Neil was far too busy acquiring more booze.

Tim after taking a healthy drink out of the bottle, grabbed his roomates hand and tried to pour the glass which seemed to be eluding him but he managed to get a good portion of the liquid in the glass.

Suddenly his eyes perked up and he began rooting through the mess and returned with a silver bottle with Klingon script. with a conspiritorila glint he held it up "2312 bloodwine from the stash of General Martok fighter of the dominion any takers."

"I'm in.. But you guys have some catching up to do." Lex said "I'm still disturbed from the.."

"Lizard?" Neil piped up

"Lizard.."

"She saw the Lizard.." He snickered Tim cracked up and responded, "you ssaw the lizard's lizard" continuing to laugh uncontrollably he missed sitting on his bed falling instead on his butt.

They both joined in "Off to see the Lizard.." Lex sank back down to the floor.. "I can't move.. The Lizard had better come to see me " Tim and Matthew just looked at each other for a second, they instinctively took a glass each.

"Here Lizard Lizard... " Lex had tears falling out of her eyes . She lay on the floor for a while, trying to get a hold of herself.. then announced "Damn, I'm hungry.. anyone want Nachos?"

"I want Lizard.." Neil said "Someone once told me it tastes like chicken..."

"T'Kal has some Lizard Boots" The 1/2 Romulan announced, trying to remember how to order things from a replicator.

A while later, they all sat in a circle… Matthew was pouring drink number three, but taking it slow. Neil had somehow managed to remain conscious. Lex piped up "I say we play truth or dare"

"With a part Betazoid?" Tim stared at her "You have to be kidding"

Matthew added "Lex, I don't think I want the entire ship knowing my deep, dark secrets.."

She sighed "Ah well.. Neil and I were playing Ducky Fuss"

"Fugzy Duck" Neil corrected

"Fucky Duck.. I mean Fuzzy Duck" she said "Hey.. I'm sauced... " She grinned "Cool!"

Tim fell down and still laughed uncontrollably, "anyone ever tried quarters?"

Neil stared through glazed eyes at his friends and of course his superior officer sitting in the circle on the floor! How lucky he was to have such great friends, Tim he had presumed when he had left had gone to give Kalln and Anna a piece of his mind Neil groaned inwardly, hoping the damage was not irreparable. Tim was a great friend that would go out of his way to protect someone he cared about! But he was about as diplomatic as a Borg cube! Shaking his head, Neil shifted his unfocused gaze to Lex.

Lex who had first tried to console him, then sober him up and then just joined in with the drinking antics. I wonder if they taught her that on the Starfleet counselor's course?

Lt. Matthew Albrecht, now there was a big surprise. When the Lt. had first arrived Neil had immediately expected a dressing down, but I guess the Lt. is human after all. A little unwinding can be very good once in a while!

Neil's incoherent thoughts drifted across to Anna and Kalln and how to resolve the situation with as little bloodshed as possible. Prefarable his own! Thinking of Anna prompted Neil to wonder what the time was!

"Computer....Computer! shouted Neil above another of Lex's strange fascination with music from the terran past.

"What's the time!"

Bolitho listened to the computer while grinning at Lex as she forfeited another round and emptied the glass while screwing up her face at the aftertaste!

"What? Please repeat the time!"

Neil sat in numb horror as he realised he was due to begin his next duty shift in 20 minutes, scrambling up from the drinking circle, mumbling.

Tim saw his friend jump up and run to the replicator.

" I'm late, I'm late. " He stumbled over to the to the replicator and ordered a litre of Raktajino and headed into the bathroom which was as much a mess as the rest of the quarters. Downing the first litre bathroom much to the mirth of Lex and Tim who had realised what was wrong.

One sound seemed to carry quite well above the din of rock music: the sound of a comm badge chirping. Lex and Tim seemed less than motivated to receive any calls, but Matthew’s ears and eyes perked up when he realized the comm badge was his own. He nearly shouted, "Computer, pause music!" Once the music stopped, he then commanded, "Computer, replay last comm badge message directed to Lieutenant Matthew Albrecht."

The computer complied, playing the message again. It said, in Cat’s voice, "Matthew, report to Sickbay. There’s been an accident, Gakor’s here with complications. Khatroweena out."

Never had a man sobered so quickly. Matthew propelled himself toward the door, never actually reaching a standing position at all, just going into a full-tilt run out the door that responded only a microsecond ahead of the person slipping through its opening. On his heels, Lexana Ral followed. She knew that Sickbay would have a treatment for her condition and hoping that she wouldn’t be discovered traipsing through the corridors lit like a lamp. She didn’t have room for another demerit.

Neil stormed out of the bathroom having climbed briefly into the shower with the settings still set for icy cold from Lex's breif attempt to sober him up! The cold water had done the trick, not bothering to dry himself Neil pulled on a clean uniform and headed out grabbing his Bat'telh before realising that Lex and Lt. Albrecht were gone!

"Were'd they go?|" Neil directed his question to Tim who was still drinking on the floor!

" Some comm message for the Lt. who took off like a 'Bat out of hell' with Lex following him!" replied Tim

"Neil what do you think of Lex?" Asked Tim taking another pull at the bottle.

Neil stared incrediously at his partner before shaking his head.

"I don't have time for this now Tim!" Thinking not Tim as well! "I will see you later ok!" Neil not waiting for a response was out of the room and on his way to see Anna Gartner!

"Marginal victory"
By Lieutenant Commander Daniel Rosenblith, M.D.
Executive Officer, USS Saint Louis

"The air pressure..", Rosenblith coughed, "Should be able to minimize air infiltration from the alien planet while we dispose from those critters. If any of them are in the air the will be ejected - as long as we use only two of the hatches, and keep the airlocks pressurized. Life support should be able to compensate - and," he coughed again, reaching to his nose that was no longer protected behind the thick cover of the helmet. As the doctor returned his hands to its original place on the his lap, the Assistant chief OPS officer noticed that the back of it was stained by blood.

"I think I can handle it, sir.. I know my way around chemistry. If not for the way things turned out I could've been a science officer today.", she smiled a small smile, glancing at the PADD. "You better go out now, everyone else already did."

"Allright, just go out yourself before you start the process.", Daniel replied. Even while being sick, he still cared about his CO-workers. "And make sure no Ocero will remain on board, too."

"Will do.", she said, making a note on her PADD and cursing herself for forgetting about the Ocero. They were so quiet, so harmless, that it was quite easy to forget that they're actually on board. They were not as noisy as the previous alien species who visited the St.Louis, in understatement. If not for the disease.. she could actually regard them as quite charming.

"And make sure Ray will go out, too. She seems like the person to stay on board while the rest will go elsewhere." Rosenblith spoke. He interpreted her silence as a mark that she had no idea who was he referring to. "You know - Ray, from your department. Yeoman, I think."

"Family or first name? I'm not sure if--", she stopped herself, and smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, doctor, I'll find her. Just go outside, OK? Take a stroll, clear your mind."

"That's my line.", Rosenblith muttered in a way that almost made her believe he wasn't joking, and entered the airlock, walking slowly toward the light in front of him - a light, which was not an artificial one. All of the St.Louis' airlocks and hatches were widely open, and the fresh air that came through them had the smell of hope..

He exited the doorway, his eyes narrowed as they were struck by the glimmering sunlight. He turned around, looking up at the enormous body next to him - a body that could move faster than light, sustain hundreds of people, save life-- and take them away. He reached for the hull, suddenly feeling a little stronger, and patted it.

"Goodbye."

He knew that being the executive officer he will carry the accusation for not removing Zeri from command when he could. He could plead that he was sick all the time, but that would be a lie. He didn't even know that he was sick when he allowed her to convince him not to go against her. On retroperspective, he could see three reasons for that. First, he admired her, beyond the admiration an XO holds for a good CO. He didn't want to use the words 'falling in love' because they were impossible for him, but still all these foolish romantic holomovies he watched during his adolescence continued to crawl restlessly in the back of his consciousness. Second was his fear of command.. and taking it. Outside his sickbay, he was almost like a fish outside water, and the new challenges scared him even after the conversation he had with 'auntie' Kai. And third.. third was perhaps the one he hated to admit the most, but also the most important.

He didn't want to die.

He bit his lower lip in frustration. They will strip the doctor title from you, the Starfleet badge, the dignity, and perhaps even the freedom. They will use you as a scrape goat, blaming you for not stopping HER, and make an example out of you. Sure, the rest of the senior officers and Strauss might lose a pip or earn a harsh reprimand, but he was going to pay. Wouldn't it just be better to die?

'No.', he said to himself mentally. 'Nothing worths dying for.. only risking your life.' but that was also a lie. Perhaps, if they had waited for a little while longer, a treatment would be found, a medicine that would kill these microscopic life forms without risking an entire planet's population. He did it blindly, afraid for his own life, and completely disregarding those directives he had sworn to keep even if he will be forced to pay the ultimate price.

"But you can't be a hero when facing a certain death.", he said softly, resting his hands on the St.Louis' hull. His voice was now slightly stronger and louder, and his thought became more and more clear. The bleeding stopped, and started to dry and congeal as the hot ship air began to blow through the hatches. He moved away from them, ordering the nearby men and women to take their distance as well, and begun to march away from the Intrepid-class vessel, his heart carrying less-than-intrepid thoughts.

"I noticed a.. Human habit to state the obvious. You look troubled.", someone said. David spun on his heels, and faced the Ocero Storyteller who was looking at him with a pair of wide eyes. He seemed to be as troubled as Daniel was, probably because of the previous fight. "Why?"

"Because in the end, I broke my promise to you.. and we did wage war against our own.", Daniel said, knowing it was only a small part of the truth. "But for that, I will be punished - we will not continue to fight our own now that it's.. over. The only good thing about it is that the galaxy didn't lose a whole species.". Daniel suddenly felt somewhat cheered, as the Ocero's presence reminded him of the side-effect of his cowardliness. Perhaps it wasn't enough to cover for the fact that his motives were less than chivalrous, but at least he wasn't completely bad.

"But was it worth it?", the Ocero's voice was soft and piercing at the same time. "I see you want to be left alone.. I will join my people, then."

Daniel watched him leave. No gratitude, no appreciation - just the straight truth. Perhaps these aliens are not as fit as the Humans are for survival, but if all the species on the Galaxy were like them, perhaps it would be a paradise.

But it would not. It would take just one Dominion-like warloving race to destroy paradise. That is also why they, Starfleet, were not only scientists, healers and diplomats but also warriors. So was he, and so was Thiana. And that is why they did not lose their life today.. only their reason of being, and their morality.

*Was it worth it?* the words still echoes in his head, without an answer. But whether it was worth it or not, it no longer mattered. The Ocero, and the St.Louis' crew, won. He lost. He sat down on a rock, fairly far from the Saint Louis, and gazed at its hull gloomily. Then, he sighed and buried his head between his hands.

====
- Oded Magger
Allied Electronic simulations

It's working
Ltjg WhiteSong to-Ennine MD.
CMO USS St. Louis

WhiteSong was in sickbay carefully monitoring lifesigns from inside the St. Louis. By her calculations the first rotation of patients and Ocero had been outside for 3 hrs.

She hated to admit it, but Dr. Rosenblith was who she was most concerned about. Why him? Why did he have to infected with this? Now that he was outside, she just hoped the microscopic lifeforms would leave the bodies of the infected, and go back to where they are supposed to be. She just hoped that the Sivaoan Fates had mercy on this ship and let things go according to plan. She got down on the floor in a Sivaoan prayer position and prayed with all her heart that the Fates would help.

WhiteSong's prayer trance was interrupted by a beep from the console, indicated a change in one of the patients vitals. She got up and hurried over to see what was going on. Dr. Rosenblith's fever had gone down 3 degrees, and he was no longer losing blood. His blood pressure had come up to almost normal, and his breathing wasn't so labored. WhiteSong also noticed that everyone's vitals were improving as well.

"IT'S WORKING!!!!" She yelled out to everyone withing earshot. There were cheers and whistles through sickbay. People were patting each other on the back and hugging each other. Her tail curled into a very tight helix as she tapped her combadge "WhiteSong to Captain Zeri, Captain it's working. Their vitals are improving, I thought you could use some good news. WhiteSong out"

WhiteSong once again got down on the floor in a prayer position, but this time to thank the Fates.

"Wildchild Makes a Decision"
by Lt. Commander Tebrianne Bancroft
Chief Helmsman, USS Galaxy

***

** Tebrianne Bancroft's Quarters **

Tebrianne Bancroft stretched against the softness of the sheets that she and Benedict had nearly torn apart the night before. Raven dark hair splayed across the pillow above her head like a fan. As she sat up, clutching the sheet to her bare chest, she saw the note from Ben. His daily workout, most likely. She couldn't understand how he could workout at this time of the day. The most strenuous activity Tebrianne even wanted to think about was lifting a mug of raktajino.

She slid out of bed, dragging the sheet along behind her. Teb disappeared into the bathroom and emerged twenty minutes later with one towel wrapped tightly around her body and another around her hair. A quick trip to her desk for messages and repair status told her that everything was progressing as normal. The shuttle operations were on schedule and Aaron was doing a brilliant job of coordinating the bridge operations for the impulse repair teams.

Tebrianne let the towels fall to the floor as she moved to the closet in the corner of the room. It took her a moment to decide what she would wear. She was off-duty for Alpha shift because of the Gamma shift duty she'd be pulling that evening. Gamma command watch. Tebrianne shuddered at the thought. Captain Price had to have gone daft to think that she was remotely qualified to sit in charge of the bridge. She had a difficult enough time commanding her own department, let alone the entire bridge. Of course, the image she presented didn't help matters much.

"It's hard to get any respect when people just think of you as some punk kid," she said to her naked image in the mirror. She tilted her head sideways and looked at herself in the mirror. She frowned and turned sideways. Running her hands over her belly, she sighed again. "Crikey, I've probably lost another five pounds. It's got to be the sex...too much more of it and I'm going to waste away." She smiled for a moment, thinking about her night with Ben. "But, it is fun wasting away."

She disappeared into the closet and returned with her overalls and a halter top. It was a comfortable day. She slid into the overalls and put on the halter. It took five minutes of searching to track down her sandals. She strapped them onto her feet and checked herself in the mirror again. Good enough.

***

Teb strolled down the corridor thinking about the upcoming trip to Risa. How to tell Ben without him getting upset... She already knew she was going to use the Convention as a cover. Would he buy it? Of course he would...and Teb hated that. Their trust was so deep that she knew she could lie to him and he would believe her without question. Could she even bring herself to lie to him? If she lied to him and found out, would he ever be able to trust her again?

It felt like she had been wandering the ship for hours. She'd just passed Ten Forward again for the third time. Down to engineering again. She had to keep moving. Keep the thoughts moving. Something had to come out of all of this... She couldn't do a concert with Ben in the audience. Not with the band. Not in front of a crowd of strangers. As much as she wanted him there with her, she would be a basket case. She had to go alone...and the only way she could go alone is if Ben didn't know where she was going--or why.

She wouldn't tell him the truth. She would tell him it was a Conference. She would endure the consequences when she got back, and if everything went well--he would never know. She hated herself for being bloody deceitful like this, but it was for the best. For the band.

Maybe he would never find out about it, and she was worrying for nothing. Hopefully, she was just being daft about the whole thing and everything would work out.

Tebrianne glanced up as she rounded another corner and realized she was at holodeck 3. A quick check of the status told her that it was available.

"Computer, reserve holodeck 3 for me for the next hour."

=/\= Holodeck 3 is reserved for Commander Bancroft. =/\=

"Computer, load program Tebrianne's London Pub. Setting 3."

The computer whirred and clicked for a moment and the computer responded with a chirp. =/\= Program complete, you may enter when ready. =/\=

Tebrianne stepped through the heavy holodeck doors and into the gloomy of a smokey London bar. The crowd was thin and buzzing with light conversation--as well as the fine spirits offered from the bar. As she stepped fully into the room, the arch disappeared, dissolving into the oak door that led to the outside.

"Bri," the man behind the bar shouted. "Long time, lass."

"Bloody too long, Riley," Teb said with a grin. "Is the piano free?"

"It's always free for you. Hell, I'd kick Mick off the piano myself for you, Bri," the bartender said with a grin.

The large bouncer turned and gave Tebrianne a nod. He raised a mug of ale in his meaty fist and downed it with a gulp. A thunderous belch erupted from the man as he slid the empty glass down the bar toward Riley.

Teb laughed as she made her way to the piano. She was feeling more relaxed than before she entered. It was the call of the music. Of course, the pint of dark ale Riley just planted on top of the piano would help.

"Smoke?" Riley asked, offering Teb a thin white stick.

"You know I don't do that, Riley," Teb said as she started to play.

"Yes," he said with another nod. He slapped the stick between his lips and a small box in his other hand produced a small flame. Touching the flame to the stick seemed to bring great relief to Riley. "Your 24th century ideals."

"And the fact that it's bad for me," she said. She glanced up at him as he took a long drag and smiled at her. He waved the cigarette at her and exhaled. "And my voice."

"Don't they have advanced medical procedures for that in your 24th century?"

"Probably."

"Well?"

"I don't know."

He muttered something unintelligible as he turned back toward the bar.

"What?" Teb shot him a look that would have withered the bloke where he stood--if he were paying any attention to her.

"Nothing," he said aloud. "Just wondering whatever happened to the rebellious little PunkBrat that used to get this place rocking."

"That hurts, mate," she said. "I'm still a rebel." Am I? she thought. Aren't I? Or have I gone soft? "Give me the bloody cigarettes, mate, and stand back. Time to liven this place up." Teb pounded out a few chords and Riley turned to her with a grin spreading from ear to ear.

He produced another cylinder from the pack and slid it between Teb's lips as she continued to work the keys of the piano. A touch of the flame and the cigarette flared to life. Tebrianne kicked the piano stool away and launched into the keys with newfound fury. It was good to be back. It really had been too long.

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

The Tebrianne Bancroft Archive. Now Online!
http:/www.elsinore.net/tebrianne/
******************************************************

Repairs of a Different Kind
Lt. Karyn Dallas, Chief Counselor
Lt. Commander Khan Nilani, CMO(On Leave)
USS Galaxy

Karyn had not been on the Bridge when the Red Alert sounded even though it was customary for senior officers to come to the Bridge when such a situation occured. She hated battle situations, even if they could be sugar-coated all in the name of Federation ideals. Battles meant injuries and possibly casualties. Casualties. She hated counseling grieving crewmembers, especially grieving children. How could she explain that mommy or daddy had gone to a better place? If Karyn had learned anything in her troubled life, it was that talk was cheap and patronism was worse. Besides, she knew in her bones somehow everything was going to be okay, and even if it wasn't, what more could she do on the Bridge? Somehow she knew declaring to Capt. Price that she got the distinct impression of aggression from the St. Louis crew, was not going to be insightful news.

So Karyn had spent the duration of the battle in sickbay or in the ship's classrooms with Ruina and Moses, trying to keep everyone calm as the ship rocked and jerked. She realized, not for the first time, no one truly gives children enough credit. They seemed to know exactly what was going on(or at least the basic gist.) which they must have picked up from their parents. One child, around the age of five, had asked her if they were firing on the St. Louis because they had been bad and needed to be in 'time out'. Karyn mustered up her best fib, hoping the little girl would accept her answer but the little girl didn't seem to believe her.

When the battle was over, Karyn reported that the children had suffered minor injuries and were being brought to sickbay. Karyn didn't ask what had happened, figuring she could find that out from Nilani or Cat in sickbay. The most important part was that they were still in one piece.

Karyn and Ruina walked to sickbay, while Moses stayed behind to help clean up the disheveled classrooms. Karyn left orders for him to report to sickbay as soon as he was finished. She wanted him to get the gash on his forehead looked at, but she knew he wouldn't worry about himself until the children were attended to. She wasn't concerned though, once Cat saw his injury, there'd be no argument. As Ruina and Karyn traveled through the ship's corridors noting the scorched bulkheads and exposed conduits, Karyn watched as teams of engineers began their repair work. Business as usual, right back to normal. Karyn took comfort in the routine, noting she herself had a session with Khan Nilani in ten minutes. This would give her just enough time to drop her patients off with Ruina and head to her office(or what was left of it!)

***Sickbay***

Sickbay was buzzing with activity when the two counselors and their charges entered. Corrine Jacobs reluctantly unwrapped her arms from Karyn's neck and followed Ruina and little Percival Madison, so they could receive treatment. Karyn saw Nilani standing at the foot of a biobed, monitoring his vitals.

"Well, we're still here. A little banged up I'll admit, but still here. How are things at this end?" asked Karyn.

"We are in one piece, thank the gods. Some minor to moderate injuries reported but nothing extremely serious. I was just checking in on Ensign Grasso. He seems to be recovering all right, I just wanted to check in with Cat before our appointment. I'll meet you in ten minutes." answered Dr. Khan.

"I'll right, sounds good. That'll give me a chance to put my office into some kind of order and to see what motif this latest battle has created." Nilani laughed, understanding all too well the consequences of living on a starship.

***Ten Minutes Later, Chief Counselor's Office***

Karyn observed the young Bajoran sitting before her. Nilani was doing her best not to look uncomfortable, but it was clear she didn't know how to act around the Chief Counselor. It wasn't like the two were enemies, but for the most part, both women had really only spoken to each other regarding proffessional matters. Cat had initially pushed Nilani into speaking to a counselor several months earlier, when she was being blackmailed by the Gul holding her sister hostage. Karyn had been relatively new then, so she hadn't had a chance to personally meet all of the crew. From the beginning, Nilani struck Karyn as the type of person who had learned to rely solely on herself for survival. It wasn't easy for her to ask Karyn for help, and Karyn respected her for it.

"How are you?" asked Karyn. Karyn posed the question, more or less to break the ice. She watched as Nilani debated on how she should answer. The truth was she had been getting by. There were days when it felt like she was in limbo, not wanting to get out of bed, but unable to sit and do nothing for fear of loosing control completely. Nilani opted for the semi-straight forward answer.

"Better, I suppose. I've been trying to sort things out, while trying to stay busy which isn't hard considering what's happened here lately. Karyn nodded her agreement, wanting her to continue. "I've done a lot of thinking lately about Leah...about me, about..." Nilani let her voice trail.

"About the baby?" asked Karyn softly. Nilani nodded. She knew Karyn knew about her pregnancy because Karyn had requested a current physical for Nilani, thinking her problems might have a phisiological cause. The pregnancy had shocked Karyn as well. Usually she had an idea of who was with whom before it hit the rumor mill. Karyn couldn't recall ever seeing the CMO with anyone. She wasn't concerned with who the father was, so much as she was concerned with the doctor's emotional health.

"How do you feel about the baby, Nilani?" The Bajoran thought about it for a moment. Truthfully she was so shocked by the news, she hadn't had a chance to let it all sink in.

"I was really surprised when Cat told me. Guess that explains, at least in part, why I'm so tired all the time. It wasn't planned...the father isn't onboard...I haven't told him yet. I have some time before I start showing and have to make any decisions." Karyn could in some ways empathize with what the Chief Medical Officer was going through. It wasn't easy being bombarded with all this news, especially in the midst of all the excitement.

"Have you been sleeping ok? Anything unusual to report?" the Chief Counselor asked.

Karyn thought she saw the doctor wince. Not wanting to pressure her, Karyn offered gently, "If something's bothering you, I'd like to help. You don't have to tell me anything you don't feel comfortable with right now, but I want you to know that whatever we discuss here will not go outside this room. You'll not be judged by me or anyone else." Nilani felt her discomfort begin to ease. She appreciated Karyn's gentleness and at the same time her refusal to beat around the bush. As a doctor, she expected the same honesty. Reluctantly, she replied.

"I haven't exactly been sleeping well." This was definitely an understatement. For the past two weeks she'd had trouble getting to sleep at all. At first she blamed it on Leah's death or the stress from their latest assignment. Then the nightmares started. She shuddered at the memories they evoked.

***Drewar Prison Camp, Bajor***

She was cold. The meager clothing she wore didn't protect her from the elements. She had the overwhelming sense that she needed to stay busy. Or they would...would...she had to stay busy. Suddenly, she heard a noise behind her. Had she remembered to do her "chores"?

*Oh no, if they found her, there was no telling what they would do to her. She had to get away. The little girl called Nilani began to run..

***The Present***

"Nilani? Are you ok?" asked Karyn with concern. The doctor's eyes seemed to glaze over as they were talking. Then she began to tremble uncontrollably.

As if suddenly remembering where she was, Nilani was startled out of her memory. It was just too real. She had to get out of there, before she fell apart. As if on cue, her comm beeped.

[Khatroweena to Nilani.]

Nilani looked toward Karyn, then tapped her badge.

[Nilani here. What's up Cat?] asked the doctor, hoping the shakiness in her voice went undetected.

[Petty Officer Williams is complaining of sharp abdominal pain. I think he might have an appendicitis. Sorry to disturb you but he asked for you specifically. I thought you should know.]

[Thanks, Cat. I'm on my way.]

She turned to Karyn. "I need to go. It's an emergency." Karyn nodded, knowing Nilani was greatful for any opportunity to leave. "We can continue tomorrow around the same time, ok?"

"All right." answered the CMO.

Before leaving, Karyn called "Nilani?" she turned toward the counselor, "I hope in time, you'll learn to trust me with your memories both good and bad. Sometimes we think no one will understand us if we open up to them. I've learned talking can also heal wounds. When you're ready, I'm here to listen."

Their gaze met, then Nilani nodded before walking out of Karyn's office.

Karyn sighed, knowing her work had only just begun. For now, she would try to get some sleep.

"Lets Dance"
By: Ensign Rotan Heratta
Security - USS Galaxy

After the uncomfortable situation in ten-forward, Rotan realized that he needed to take his mind off of the current series of events on the Ship. Deciding that an open Holodeck might provide the release he needed, He chose holodeck two.

"Computer, load program Jem'Hadar alpha-seven..setting six." Rotan half growled into the control arch next to the entrance to the Holodeck.

After a second he heard the standard annoying chirp and the computer spoke.

=/\= Program complete, you may enter when ready =/\=

Rotan Heratta stepped through the reinforced holodeck doors, letting his fangs extend in satisfaction as his gaze swept the darkness around him. Normal humanoid vision would have revealed nothing in the darkened gloom, however he saw clearly the Jem'Hadar warriors that surrounding the battlecircle.

The dull gray walls of the anti-chamber stretched up into a closed arch high above. From the center of the arch a glowing white cone of light blasted down and illuminated the heart of the Battle Circle. The Circle itself filled the center of the massive chamber, a glowing grid of phosphorescent blue created a ring in which combatants could battle.

Currently, a Klingon warrior was being held in the air by his throat. His body was beaten and one of his eyes swollen closed. He had obviously put up a heroic fight, but his time was done.

"This warrior fought bravely" Growled the Jem'Hedar First, as he cast what was left of the Klingon aside. Too bad we do not have more prisoners like him!" After a second the Jem'Hedar turned to those of his warriors who were gathered around him.

'Perhaps you do!" Rotan Yelled out in a deep voice that caused all those gathered to turn in his direction.

"Do you challenge Me?" The Jem'Hedar leader yelled back.

"If you have the stomach for it..Ka'ta dog!" The Nausicaan approached the circle and stepped within its glowing boundary.

The Jem'Hedar was not foolish, taking a moment to size up his new adversary. "I have not fought one of your kind before, what do you call yourself?" The leader asked.

"I am Rotan Heratta, a Nausicaan warrior who has never faced defeat at the hands of....your kind!" The Nausicaan opened his facial fangs at the Leader, hissing the last as he thrust his head slightly forward to emphasize the point.

"We shall see." Was all the Jem'Hadar said as he began moving in a slow circle around the Nausicaan.

Rotan matched the movements of the Leader and waited for what he knew would come.

The Jem'Hadar Leader didn't wait long, thrusting out with a fast forward jab which Rotan could have easily blocked. Unfortunately, the leader turned the move from its obvious course and stuck up and into the Nausicaan's jaw with surprising force.

The blow caused Rotan to reel back to the edge of the battle circleand down to one knee. Something was not right, the Jem'Hadars strength was incredible..even for one of its kind.

"Impressive." Rotan offered, noting the Jem'Hadars half-smile as he wiped away the blood from the side of his mouth....

To be continued...

"The Cruelest Of Fates"
USS GALAXY
Commander Deiran Casey & Lt. Dr. Felicia Khatroweena
reviewed by Counselor (Lt.) Karyn Dallas

*** Bridge, Beta Shift ***

=/\= "Sickbay to Commander Casey," =/\= the distinctive voice sounded over the comm.

Deiran in his usual confident swagger, tapped his badge, he always did it quickly, "Casey here. What do you need?" he was sitting in the Command Chair and perusing over reports, UFP news articles and some classified information for Command's eyes only.

=/\= "Please report to sickbay," =/\= the voice asked.

"On my way Doctor, Casey out," Deiran tapped his badge to discontinue the comm and started up the ramp to the lift. "'Commander Morris, you have the Bridge." Deiran disappeared behind the lift doors.

It was a short trip to deck 12. Casey was walking along the corridor like life could not be any better. Thiana was okay, in big trouble, heading for a Court martial hearing, but alive. The Casey family would be there for her along with all of the family's allies. His wife was in love with him again. He couldn't ask for a life better than what he had. To top it all off, his sister would be coming aboard when the Galaxy stopped at Station 357 for some minor repairs to the impulse engines.

Casey was actually getting used to going to sickbay. He still hated it, but the leader in him could handle being there now.

Entering sickbay he could feel emotions swarm over him. Melancholy, mourning, sorrow, despondency, hopelessness; all creating a black cloud over the entire room. Deiran's mood changed real quick.

A few of the nurses looked at him with tears in their eyes. He gave them a reassuring smile. He saw Nilani walk into the main portion of sickbay. "Hello Deiran," she said and patted him on the shoulder and walked into her office.

Leader's have a sixth sense. They have to emotionally survive and lead multitudes. Deiran at times had a seventh sense. He could see the grief in everyone's eyes. It gave the man chills. A foreboding darkness hovered above him. He did not know what was wrong, but by the looks of the faces in the room something horrible had happened.

As he stood there and waited for Cat to come, he looked around. He saw a stain of blood on the rug a few paces from where he was standing. There was a fear in him now. He still did not know what had happened but that blood was still relatively fresh. He could almost smell it.

Deiran stood there tall, perfect posture and a slight smile on his face. Just enough to reassure everyone in the room that things would be okay. He didn't know what was wrong but it was his duty to keep up morale no matter what. He cared for the people in this room, whether he liked medicine or not. Many of them here helped save his life just under a year ago.

Deiran lost himself in his thoughts, reliving his time here with a huge gash in his gut, that he had put there. Miran was his life, she was everything to him. At a time when he thought he'd lost her he was set on taking his life rather than live without the only woman he loved and would ever love.

He felt himself being shaken. It brought him back to reality and he looked down to see Nurse Opel. "Commander, Dr. Khatroweena would like to see you in her office."

"Thank you Kristen," Deiran nodded to Nurse Opel. Giving the woman his best smile. It almost glowed. This room and these people needed some cheering up, that was his job. He did his best to reassure the young nurse.

It had the opposite effect when she saw Deiran's smile. She walked away quickly and as she walked away he could hear her crying. Soft, muffled sobs. Deiran did not like that at all. His smile wasn't that bad.

He strutted along and found Cat in her office. She had her back turned away from the door, she was looking out the portal, her tail moving very slowly and he knew enough to know that the motion of her tail signified she was unhappy to say the least.

"Good day Cat," Deiran said, a purposeful cheerfulness vibrating from his voice. He was trying to perk everyone up, but it wasn't working.

Cat didn't turn to face him right away. She wiped her face with her hands. She stood with her back to him for what seemed like an eternity. She still hadn't spoken. Casey doubted she could speak at all in her grief-stricken state. He could feel her emotions. They were so strong, emanating from her, filtering out into the room.

"Please sit Deiran?" she asked as she finally turned and faced him for the first time. She walked from behind the desk and shut the door to her office and then back to behind her desk where she sat down. She looked up into the air and around the room. She looked everywhere but at Deiran

Deiran took the seat in front of the desk. It wasn't the time to be cocky. He could feel that in the air. So he just sat there quietly and waited for Cat to tell him what was wrong.

"Deiran, Miran has given birth to your son. I had to perform a Caesarian to save her life. She's lost a lot of blood and is in critical condition. She'll need to stay here. She's a strong woman, after what she went through a few hours ago, most women would be dead. I'm not going to sugarcoat this for you. She died, but we were able to resuscitate her," Cat paused for a breath and was staring at Deiran. He sat there, silent. Pure silence. He said nothing. Content to just listen. Inside he was trying to keep himself together.

"She will recover. We have her sleeping now." Cat informed him.

"My God!" Deiran said softly. He couldn't say anything else. There was a lump in his throat and he just couldn't talk. His eyes stared blankly at Cat.

Cat could see the pain on Casey's face and the dark gloom in his eyes. She could tell he couldn't talk. The Iceman exterior had melted away the second he learned about his wife's condition.

"Deiran, I'm obligated to tell you about your son. He was born premature. He has something called Exo-obstetric Immunosensitivity Syndrome. EIS for short," Cat informed him, Casey could see she was doing her best to keep control.

A knock came on the door and Cat said, "Come!" The door opened to reveal Karyn. "Come in Counselor."

Karyn parked her wheelchair next to Deiran. Cat handed her a short report on the situation.

"How is the baby, Cat? He will live?" Casey asked. Karyn and Cat could hear his voice shaking, trembling in desperation. He was using every ounce of strength he possessed to keep control.

Cat was silent. "He will live for a few hours."

"Cat can I see Miran and my son?" he asked. Deiran's face was almost pearl white. His eyes were full of distress and anguish. As he sat there, he finally lost control and buried his face in his hands. Low sobs could be heard by Karyn and Cat.

Deiran was overpowered by darkness. There were no words for the emotional strain flooding over him. Karyn put her hand on Deiran's shoulder.

"Please let me see my wife and child?" he said, anguish flowing from him.

Deiran stood up and walked to the door, he waited for Cat to lead him and Karyn followed. He didn't look at anyone. His head was down, his eyes immersed in tears. He was perfectly quiet as he followed Cat.

She took him to the incubator. Deiran gazed at the little frail, blue form.

Deiran put his face on the glass and wept. As he was grieving he managed a few words, "be strong, fight valiantly." It was all the man could manage. Deiran stayed there, his face positioned over the incubator, a constant sob shaking his chest. He was overcome by grief. He wanted this baby so badly.

Deiran stopped and looked at his son. "Hello Dalane, I'm very proud of you," he whispered. His fatherly instinct took over. He put his hand on the glass, desperately wanting to let the little man take his finger. Wondering if his son even had the strength to grip his finger.

"Be strong Dalane," Casey whispered again. "You can fight this! Get used to winning!"

Normally Deiran would have been telling the boy that he was a Casey now. But, all he cared about was for his little son to live. Deiran would not accept the odds. His son would pull through. He would find a way to beat this EIS. He had too beat it. 'Fight hard.' Deiran begged the boy. 'Fight to live, little man.'

Deiran looked at the little boy with pride. He turned to Cat, "May I see Miran?" he asked quietly.

Cat led him to the biobed where Miran was resting. She was in a medical gown, sleeping soundly as she always did. He could see the strain on her face, even as she slept. Her body looked weak from the immense amount of blood loss. She didn't look like the Miran he was with the night before. She was pale and weak, her hair was matted with sweat.

Deiran turned to Cat and Karyn, "Can we be alone?" he asked quietly. He hardly looked like the Iceman now. The intense sorrow he felt was taking its toll on him. For the first time in his life, he knew what real fear was. Faced with the loss of his wife and child, allowed him to face that fear head on. He would never be the same man.

Cat and Karyn did as he asked and left him alone with Miran. When he saw that he was alone with his love he spoke to Miran "Don't leave me my love... please!" he leaned over, putting his head on the bed beside Miran's head and all the fear, all the pain of what was happening to his family came out in a wail of torment.

"I need you," he cried. "I need you..." he said repeatedly, whispering, "I love you Miran." He wanted to take her in his arms and protect her from the pain, the overwhelming agony she would feel when she awakened.

Deiran looked up to the ceiling and begged, "God, please let my family live. PLEASE!"

He didn't know what would happen to his family. He was afraid to even touch his wife's frail body. Miran was still in critical condition and his son was fighting for his life. He laid back down next to his wife, weeping for her and his son. Cat and Karyn could hear his cries through the door. He would never be the same again.

The Calm After... Before... Before and After The Storm
By: Rob Howald (Cmdr. Robert Strauss, CO SEAL Team 23)
USS St. Louis

*********

The general abundance of action had died down. With the landing of the massive ship, the tenseness felt like it drained out, like someone pulling the plug on a bathtub. The cure was already known to work... the advance team had been good enough to pass that info around... and that is what most likely saved them from the Galaxy. There was no way that the captain of the Galaxy would have lost like that under normal circumstances. A small, discrete salute was his tribute to that captain for having the sense and the balls to follow that sense. The thought in the back of his mind that the parts to come would be ten times worse than the previous problems only made him more mentally tired.

Even though he had done nothing too physical, once the ship landed and the helm had advised that they were down, Strauss collapsed into the nearest chair... luckily it was his. Drained of all energy, he just nodded at her, as the captain left the bridge to enjoy the healing benefits of the Kendan atmosphere on the sick and dying. A few others remained at their stations. Generally these were the people that didn't appear to have the disease. Strauss thanked his lucky stars that he could be counted among them. He was suprised that the small masks they had worn during the "assault" on the QU had kept him and his team from getting sick.

It was funny to watch the forward viewscreen. The view had been pulled back and panned down, so that everyone could be seen milling around the ship. Temporary quarters had been set up on the planet and people began to bed down in these. Apparently the windows had been opened so that there would be free air flow, so that they would be treated even in their sleep. The Ocero refugees were camped all around, using their own bedrolls, and nothing else. Replicators had been set up and an almost carnival atmosphere had arisen. People sat around campfires, told stories and jokes... and generally enjoyed their new lease on life. Especially after a lot of them had recently come to the conclusion that a lot of them would have died soon.

The captain came back in and announced to the now almost empty bridge "I have surrendered myself to the USS Caduceus. If it can be arranged, I will be the only one court-martialed. Captain Manion wasn't able to promise that condition of my surrender but is trying. It was good serving with you." Strauss was about to object, but she immediately stared at the ground and turned, walking quickly to her ready room.

The helmsmen... Mikey Dorffen swung around in an almost jovial mood. It wasn't what Strauss wanted to see. He glared at the young Lt.(jg) who immediately closed his eyes and turned back to his console. "Mind your station, and leave the antics out of it". Rob said sternly.

After a few minutes of not saying anything Strauss walked over to him and looked at him... He had expected at least an 'Aye sir' in response but none had been forthcoming. The young Betazoid seemed to be in a trance. Strauss decided not to disturb him, but did call a medical team to the bridge. Rob was worried that something was wrong with him, perhaps an unknown reaction to the virus.

Another minute of waiting... *where is that medical team* he thought to himself, as Mikey turned and said. "The Captain, she needs you sir" There was no mistaking the urgency in his voice.

The worrying about Mikey's health immediately was replaced with the sheer terror of the thought that there might be something wrong with the captain. He quickly made his way over to her ready room and walked in. She was standing there, phaser in hand. He looked at her eyes... they were the eyes of someone who felt the hurting would soon go away. Grabbing the phaser gently and passing it out of the door to Mikey, he moved closer to Zeri. She began to cry and he pulled her close to him, and held her in an embrace.

Her tears fell on his uniform jacket and her head was buried in his chest. Strauss sank to the floor with her, as her legs gave out to her uncontrollable sobbing. The bridge crew stood in the doorway watching. Eventually, they too were crying for their captain. And Strauss, usually the hard ass, no nonsense mook couldn't hold out, as he joined in. Not only for the fact that the captain was crying... but from the fact that she had sacrificed everything she had to save their lives, and now the question was, in a different sense... would they be able to save hers?

Commander Robert Strauss
CO, SEAL Team 23
Assigned USS St. Louis

Binge Kombre
USS STLOUIS

DREAMS...

Binge ran down the corridor as fast as he could. Once again, he was late for his shift. Binge entered the brig and relieved the guard on duty. He then began checking on the inmates. As he passed the different cells, he heard a voice calling him from one of them. Hestopped to look inside. As he looked, something compelled him to lower the forcefield and step inside. A man was crouched over covering his face in his hands.

"help me....i'm dying...free.." he mumbled as he lay on the floor.

"Who are you?" Binge asked.

The man looked up at him and smiled an evil smile. Fear gripped Binge as he realized that the man was himself.

"What's going on?" he asked. "What's happening?" Suddenly out of control, Binge ran. He ran as fast as he could, and as he ran, he heard the voice shout after him.

"Thats right!" the voice shouted. "Keep running Binge! Keep running from the truth!"

Binge charged into the corridor at light speed and slammed into Captain Zeri.

"You didn't think we'd find out did you?" she said. "You thought that if you kept your mouth shut, everything would be fine."Well you were wrong Binge."

Binge turned around and ran the other way.

"Guilty conciense Ensign?" She called after him. "I hope it eats you alive."

Binge ran untill he came to his quarters. He Quickly unlocked the door and entered the room, locking it behind him. Panting, he slid to the floor.

"Binge."

He looked up. There in front of him was his fiance, Kimmy.

"Oh no." he said. "Not this."

"I thought I new you Binge." she said. "I trusted you." I was going to marry you." She shook her head sadly. "I'm sorry Binge. "I can't marry a murderer."

"That's not what happened!" he sputtered.

"Good bye Binge" she said, and slowly faded away.

In his dream, Binge screamed a horrible scream.

In the real world, Binge slepped deceptively peaceful as the computer continued reminding him that he was 30 minutes late for his shift.

The beauty of night
By Lieutenant Commander Mercury and Ensign Arisa
Chief Engineer and Helmsman
USS Galaxy

Jordan dulled the lights slightly as midnight approached. They had just finished eating an interesting dinner, the menu had been suggested by her friend Taya, it was...eclectic to the say the least. David now sat on the sofa drinking the Bajoran wine Jordan had replicated.

"You going to sit down?" He quipped as Jordan rushed about fixing some things.

"Yes, of course I was. Now where were we?" she asked picking up her glass. "Ahh yes, best holiday...mmm" she pondered for a moment as she slipped off her shoes and sat next to David on the sofa. He was remarkably handsome man, with deep, penetrating eyes. "The best holiday I ever had was when I went to Bajor with Destiny. In fact where I bought this dress. The six of us stood on the top of Mount Jala, overlooking the main city. It was the most amazing sight you have ever seen, aside from the bustle of the central area were the hanging gardens, so many colours you cannot imagine. Then further out were the Dakhur waterfalls. I could have stood there and watched the water for ever. If I have ever experienced a perfect moment, it was that one."

"Unbelievable, I consider myself a well travelled man but in all my journeys I have never seen anything that could compare to that. Ever since the accident I haven't.."

"What accident?" Jordan interrupted.

"When I was ten my parents and I were coming home from vacation when our shuttle crashed. Both my parents were killed and I was pretty much cripled." Looking at Jordan, David noticed that she was really uncomfortable. "Hey, its alright you couldn't have known." Reaching out David grabbed Jordan's hand. "Its been a really long time, it always makes me feel better to talk about it." Jordan squeezed David's hand.

"But I don't understand, if you were cripled?" Jordan gestured towards David.

"Artificial implants..."

Jordan curiously ran her hand down David's face. "It feels real."

"Umm...that's because it is... implants are only in my legs and arms." David laughed.

Now completely embarassed all Jordan could do was laugh. "What about.." Jordan looked at David.

"What?"

"You know.." Jordan motioned her eyes down.

"HEY! completely real, 100% real. Fully functional real!" David laughed.

Jordan chuckled, slightly embarrassed, "David, you're a very easy person to get along with. You definitely have charisma." Jordan smiled as she set down her wine glass on the table and moved slightly closer to him, feeling the warmth of his body near hers.

"There is something about you... ever since I saw you. I can't get you out of my mind. I get very nervous when I see you. Almost..."

"David, you don't ever have to be nervous around me. I know what you mean though, from day one on the Galaxy when I bumped into you, I have been thinking about you."

David smiled and set his wine glass down. Inching even closer to Jordan, he touched her face. It was as smooth as silk. Her eyes captured him.

"Wow." she said softly as she looked into his eyes, the small amount of wine taking effect. There was silence for a moment as David ran his fingers through her silky hair. Jordan felt her heart beat slightly faster at his touch, she felt his hand grasp the back of her neck. She leant in and joined him a long passionate kiss. "Who have you been practicing on?" she whispered into his ear as he nibbled on her neck.

"Guy's got to have his secrets, otherwise everyone would be a good kisser." They separated for a brief moment to share a smile. "Care to move this to the bedroom?" Without words, Jordan got up and held David's hand as she led him into the bedroom.

David pulled her down onto the bed, the two undressing each other as they continued to kiss. "Damn your bedroom eyes." she whispered. Sweat began to gleam off their bodies as they made love.

***Some Hours Later***

It had to be around four o'clock in the morning. Jordan had never been a good sleeper and she wondered why she had woken up now. Though, she didn't care, David's arms were locked around her body. It was so wonderful feeling him next to her. Damnit, she had fallen heard over heels in love...so fast. She exhaled slowly and decided to just lie and watch David sleep.

=AES=USS Galaxy=AES=
Ensign Jordan Arisa
Helm Officer
USS Galaxy
=AES=USS Galaxy=AES=
Lt. Cmdr. David Mercury
Chief Engineer
USS Galaxy
=AES=USS Galaxy=AES=

"Request Approved"
by Ensign Elaiithin Jii
Newly Transferred Meat Truck, U.S.S. Galaxy

Gamma shift on the Galaxy. There was an odd mood pervading the ship. There was a sort of general malaise about losing a fight...but there was another mood below it.

The crew seemed....well....happy.

An emotion Elaiithin himself certainly understood. Sitting in his quarters, reviewing an article on the State of the Federation from the Starfleet News Service, a certain young Bajoran officer couldn't help his mind wandering. They were at war with the Dominion, after all, not other members of the Federation. Prophets only knew what would happen to the St. Louis crew now, but at least they were alive.

Because it could have been a lot worse. What would have happened if the desperate St. Louis had simply rammed the Galaxy in it's attempt to get to Kenda II? Then, not only would the Ocero species have been completely wiped out, but the valuable crews of two Federation Starships...

Well, best to let it all go. There were other things to worry about now, and the fate of the crew of the U.S.S. St. Louis was in the hands (Prophets help them) of the Starfleet Admiralty. They would likely..

A beep from his desk distracted him from that train of thought.

"Computer," he said. "Display message."

The computer obliged, and a message from Captain Price appeared on the screen. His transfer request had been approved, he was now a Security Officer. Lieutenant Commander Sunder had likewise approved his request to be partnered with Rotan Herratta.

Well, that makes it official, Elaiithin thought to himself. I report to Security as of Delta Shift this evening. I should find Rotan and tell him.

After changing into the proper coloured uniform, Elaiithin headed off to the Holodeck, where the computer told him Herratta was.

"Returning to Starbase 357"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price

Captain's Log. Supplemental

"My inability to stop the USS St.Louis from reaching Kenda II has turned out to not be as tragic as Starfleet feared. Upon arrival to a remote continent on that planet, the alien organisms that infected the Ocero refugees and crew of the St.Louis quickly vacated their hosts bodies and made their way harmlessly to the heated core of the planet to complete their migration and spawn.

Evidently, the violent deaths of the Ocero and infected members of the St.Louis crew was attributed to these alien organisms sudden release as they could hold their spawning cycle no longer, causing the violent deaths of the host and releasing thousands of new organisms into the ship.

Teams of Doctors from the USS Caduceus have been down to the planet and verified that the surviving crew and Ocero are once again well. The last of these alien organisms have migrated off of the St.Louis, traveling to the core of the planet to complete their mating cycle.

The Quarantine Unit that was left tumbling in space just prior to the Galaxy's confrontation with the St.Louis has been recovered thanks to the efforts of Lieutenant Commander Morris. It has been repaired and reintegrated back into the USS Caduceus by her own personnel.

Lieutenant Commander Samara projects it will be two days before the Impulse engines are back on-line. I have authorized Engineering to begin internal repairs while the Galaxy sets course to Starbase 357 at Warp Factor 1 where the rest of the external repairs can be completed more quickly."

Captain Price paused for a moment to collect his thoughts as he stared out his ready room window at the passing stars.

"I have not received word yet on the fate of Captain Thiana Zeri of the St.Louis. I know Captain Manion went down to the planet after verification was given that the viral threat from these organisms had been neutralized. It is likely that she went there to relieve Thiana of her command to face charges for breaking quarantine and firing on a Federation Starship. Hopefully, Starfleet will see past all of that and realize that it was Captain Thiana's willingness to act that saved nearly a thousand lives on board the St.Louis.

I've also not heard word from Starfleet Command regarding my actions in this matter. My failure to keep the St.Louis from reaching Kenda II could likely be viewed as aiding and abetting Captain Thiana in violating Starfleet orders. But given the outcome and likely embarrassment it would cause Starfleet Command to move forward on such charges, they may decide to let the matter drop. It really all depends on how severely they handle Captain Thiana. My thoughts and prayers go out to her.

Computer. End log." Lee stated evenly. The computer complied with an acknowledgment tone.

Lee stood up and stood in front of the observation window. His hands folded behind his back as he gazed at the stars. It would be another 23 hours before the Galaxy reached Starbase 357 at present speed. It was late into Gamma shift and the Captain was tired. It had been a long, stressful few days. Turning, Lee started for the exit to the bridge, pausing at the doorway long enough to call out, "Lights." The computer dimmed the ready room lights and the Captain stepped onto the bridge.

Glancing around the circular command center of the Galaxy, Lee saw many of the usual faces. His eyes finally turned to the command chair where Lieutenant Commander Tebrianne Bancroft sat awkwardly and gave the Captain a nasty glance.

The Captain smiled. "Cheer up 'mate. Things could be worse then serving as Gamma shift commander every now and then."

Tapping a few commands on the armrest, Teb sighed, "If you say so sir." Seeing that Lee was making his way to the turbolift, she added in a kinder voice, "Have a good evening Captain."

Lee stepped into the turbolift and called back, "No worries 'mate." as the turbolift doors swished shut.

"Looking Ahead"
By Ensign Yazron Beq
Tactical Officer
USS Galaxy

***Beq's Quarters***

Yaz sat at the desk in his quarters. Lorraine had gone to bed about 1/2 an hour ago with a good novel in her hand. Yaz had a herbal tea in his hand. He read the log he had just wrote on the console.

~Well that's another battle survived, and hundereds of lifes saved. But still some died. Adrianna being among them - just after I had met her and got permission to use her research. She was a beautiful women and evidently - from her research - a brilliant scientist. She will no doubt be missed dearly. I will continue research on Borg technology in medicine and other good uses in her honour.~

Then another thought came to him, he began adding to the log.

~But as the saying goes, look ahead not behind. I am going to file a request with Captain Price to have our wedding re-scheduled. I will surprise Lorraine - if the answer is in the positive.

I will also have to plan another workout with Lucas in order to discuss this - he also makes me work hard, and I need some hard work about now.~

He closed the log.

"Computer, record message."

['Recording'] said the voice of Lorraine (he had reconfigured the computer responses to his voice print).

"To Captain Price,

After the delay to our previous plans, Ensign Lorraine Ronalds and myself would like to request to have our wedding re-scheduled. I also request that my mother (The head of the Trill Ambassadorial Corps) be allowed to come aboard for the ceremonies as she has access to high warp transports and we would not need to make a detour to collect her.

Please inform of the details if you can cater for these requests.

All my faith and loyalty,

Ensign Yazron Beq."

"Computer end recording and send to Captain Edward Lee Price."

['Message ended and sent']

Yaz sat for a moment before finishing his herbal tea and heading for the sleeping quarters - and Lorraine......

Ensign Yazron Beq, Tactical Officer, USS Galaxy

"Bar Tending at it's Best"
by Ensign Julia "Jules" Reynolds (NPC of Tebrianne Bancroft)
Engineer, USS Galaxy

Raoul din Ghari (NPC of Tebrianne Bancroft)
Bartender, USS Galaxy

***

Julia Reynolds watched the solitary figure wander past the doorway of Ten Forward for the third time.

"She's a remarkable woman," a voice said behind the Galaxy engineer.

Jules turned at Raoul's approach. "Who?"

"Tebrianne," he said, pointing toward the door. "You were just watching her walk past again. She's a remarkable woman. You and she used to be roommates if I'm not mistaken."

Julia nodded, her blonde hair bobbing as she did. She pushed a shock of hair out of her eyes and glanced up to meet the bartender's gaze.

"What happened?"

Jules smiled and took a sip of the Andorian Blue she'd ordered about an hour ago. No one knew why it was just called a Blue, other than the outrageous color of the drink. "Life happened," she said. "Promotions happened. When she became Chief Helmsman, she got new quarters. I stayed where I was and got a new roommate. We kinda tried to keep in touch after that, but we've always worked opposite shifts."

"I know what you mean, Miss Reynolds," Raoul said. "She's a busy woman. That coupled with her current relationship, and there isn't much time left."

"I know," Jules said forcefully. "She doesn't have time for her friends anymore. I saw her in here last night with her boyfriend and several of the tactical officers. It's usually Teb and-- Nevermind, I told myself I wouldn't do this..."

"Have you tried to talk to her? About the way you feel?"

"No." Jules poked at the cubes of ice in her drink with the small blue straw. "I... It's complicated. And, there are other issues and things. It's just really difficult. I mean, she was my first friend on the Galaxy...and, I was hers--except for Prescott, but they haven't talked in forever. It's like she doesn't care about any of us anymore."

"I think she cares, but she is involved in a relationship and that is her primary focus. You have to remember that this is new for her. You should take the time to talk to her. She may not be talking to her, but it is a two way street."

"That's the problem," she said under her breath. "I can't talk to her about this. I mean, there's so much...and then the fact that I was the blabbermouth that told the entire ship about the affair with Casey."

Raoul nodded and glanced at the chronometer on the wall. "Look, Ensign," Raoul said. "I get off work in a few minutes. If you would like to go somewhere a little more private to talk about this. In my position, I get to talk to Tebrianne more frequently because of the amount of time she spends in here. If there are rough waters, perhaps I may be able to smooth them."

Julia looked up into Raoul's eyes. They were friendly eyes--like Tebrianne's. She smiled. "That would be nice. Do you want to meet in Holodeck One?"

"As much as I would love to, my holodeck time for the week is all used up."

"It's on me," Julia said with a grin. "And, call me Jules."

"Jules it is then," he said. "And, I will meet you at the holodeck in ten minutes."

***

Raoul stepped into the holodeck and was immediately surrounded by tall buildings stretching up into the sky. Ahead of him sat an outdoor cafe with small round tables and umbrellas. He spotted Jules seated at one of the tables and quickly crossed the street to her. A gentle breeze was blowing across the sidewalk. It was a nice relaxing setting--a far cry from Ten Forward.

"Nice place," he said sliding into the chair across from Julia.

"I come here a lot after duty," she said. "I just watch the people walking along the street, or chatting with each other. It's really relaxing."

Raoul glanced around the square and noticed a Vulcan woman sitting on a bench across the street. A lock of reddish hair flopped down across her eyes as she strummed at an electric guitar. He didn't need a second glance to tell him who it was. "You care for her, don't you?"

Julia turned away from the table and tried to focus on the waiter telling a couple at the other end of the cafe what the special of the day was. "Yes," she finally said.

Raoul nodded and placed a hand on Jules' forearm. When she looked up at him, he smiled at her but said nothing.

"It's silly, isn't it?"

"Does she know?" Julia shook her head. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"I don't know what to say, Raoul. I care for her. It was always difficult for me to listen to her go on about Greer, but I knew exactly what she was feeling. I was in the same boat...just she was the one I wanted to spill my guts to. When she found out that Greer and Ronni were seeing each other, I thought I may finally have my chance."

"And then the incident with Commander Casey happened?"

"Yes," she said. "And then the Casey fiasco. I practically pushed her into it. I told her what to wear and pushed her out the door. I didn't think she'd actually do anything that night... I stayed in her quarters hoping to say something when she got home, but she and Casey had done it. I pretended to be interested...interested in Casey and jealous of her. Really I was jealous of Deiran Casey. Jealous that he was the one that... I'm so messed up..."

"I don't think so, Julia," Raoul said. "Where I come from on Alpha Centauri, it is not uncommon for a man to love another man. Or a woman to love another woman. If you love the person, then that is what matters. If you get caught up in cultural taboos, then you run into trouble. What about now? Why don't you go to Tebrianne and talk to her as a friend?"

"It's difficult."

"Because of the social situation?"

"Because of Benedict T'Kal," she looked up into Raoul's eyes and managed a weak smile. "She's so happy. That's very important to me. I want Teb to be happy."

"What about yourself?"

"What about me?"

Raoul took a sip from the glass of water that a waiter had deposited on the table several minutes earlier. "What about your happiness? You should be happy too, yes?"

"Well," Jules said, her brow furrowing in frustration. "Yeah, I guess so. But, if Teb is happy, I'm happy."

"But, are you?"

"Ye--" Julia Reynolds frowned again and her shoulders slumped. "No, I'm not. I'm miserable."

"Tebrianne is still your friend, Julia," Raoul said softly. "Don't turn away from her because of your unrequited feelings. Perhaps her friendship will bring back some of your own happiness. I'm certain having your friendship will make Tebrianne happy."

"I don't know," Julia said, scraping at a soup stain on the table. "I've done some pretty rotten things to her. Because of what she did with Casey, I told a bunch of people about it to hurt her...for hurting me. I blabbed everything when she told me not to. And, it hurt her pretty bad. I was so jealous, I wanted-- I don't know. Maybe she is better off without me."

"I know you don't mean that," Raoul said. "I know you want to be a part of her life. You may not be a part of her life the way you would like, but that is for you to decide. Is her friendship worth it to you?"

"Yes. Yes it is."

"Then maybe it is time for you to talk to her," Raoul said. "I hear she is going to be going to Risa soon. Perhaps she'll want a friend along."

"What about--"

"He's not going to be there," Raoul said. "It's a long story, but Tebrianne is going to be performing there with her band. She doesn't think she'd be able to do it if Benedict was in the audience. Perhaps she'd like a travelling companion for the trip to Risa. That would give you the chance to get to know each other again."

"Yeah," Julia said, a smile forming. And, then more excitedly, "Yeah. We could stay up all night talking about Molten Rebar. I could find out what's happening in her life. God, Raoul, just the thought of being able to sit down and talk to Tebrianne again is great. You're the best." Julia bounced out of her chair and threw her arms around Raoul. "Thank you, Raoul."

She ran off across the street leaving Raoul watching her back. He smiled to himself and glanced across the street again at the solitary figure with the guitar. "What is it about you," he asked softly.

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

The Tebrianne Bancroft Archive. Now Online!
http:/www.elsinore.net/tebrianne/
******************************************************

“A Sin For Retribution”
USS GALAXY
Commander Deiran Casey, First Officer

Mistakes come back to haunt you. There are times where you get off scott free and other times where retribution rears it’s ugly head and brings the pain of punishment. That day had come for Deiran Casey.

Casey’s future was cloudy now. He could feel inside that he was changing, that his mind and spirit would never be the same. He was broken and shattered beyond recognition. It wasn’t visible to anyone but those who truly knew the man.

The frail body of his son, his failing health was an eternal reminder of Deiran’s sins. The boy was a few hours old now and his life signs were getting weaker. Deiran hadn’t moved from the incubation system for an hour. He was leaning on the machine that was keeping his son alive. Deiran’s eyes were dry of tears now. His pain was shown in silent sorrow.

Deiran had been asking why this had happened. Lara was healthy as can be, her immune system stronger than his in some respects. She also showed signs of tremendous intelligence. She was a beautiful child. What had happened with Dalane?

The odds had finally gone against him. Deiran knew why this happened, why his son was just hours away from death. He had no one to blame but himself. It was retribution for his sin of adultery. There was no other way to explain the almost impossible odds of this happening.

Casey was Irish, and though many believed Christianity was an ancient, out-of-date religion, Casey’s family did not see it that way. He believed in sin, morality, a higher being that watched over humanity. That because of God’s existence, there was good and evil, blessing and cursing, pardon and punishment. His life’s one fatal mistake had cost him a son and self respect all in the span of a year. This was his price. The pain was unbearable and eternal.

He despised what he did that fateful night. He hated it with all the passion that burned within him. Just a few days ago he was on cloud nine, the new Executive Officer of one of the grandest ships in Starfleet, popular officer in the Federation with a legend that was building extemporaneously with each day.

But none of that mattered anymore. In fact nothing at all mattered. Casey could only see his little son. All of his thoughts were on Dalane. It was a grand Bajoran name, in the ancient language it meant peace and strength. A striking contrast to the little one’s current condition. There was no peace, and his strength was waning.

When things seemed at their worst, Deiran began thinking of posterity. He owed it to his son, Miran and to Lara that Dalane be remembered, loved and cherished no matter how short his life.

“Nurse Opel, can you fetch me a holographic imager please?” he asked just loud enough for Kristen to hear.

“Yes sir, right away,” she replied and left to get him the item he requested.

A few minutes later Casey was taking pictures of Dalane. He would fix the image later so that the incubation system was not in the hologram. Deiran was quiet as he used the imager. The slight clicking sound could be heard as Deiran took the hologram’s of his son. An eerie sound that gave shivers to Nurse Opel as she stood in the next room.

=/\= “Ambria Trenton to Commander Casey,” =/\= the voice startled Deiran from his actions.

“Yes Mrs. Trenton? Casey here,” he replied in a somber voice.

=/\= “I’m sorry to bother you sir, but Mrs. Casey hasn’t come to pick up Lara,” =/\= stated Ambria with concern.

“My apologies. I will come and get her myself,” Casey replied.

In all the action and distraction that had come upon him he forgot to pick up his daughter from the nursery. ‘Poor little princess,’ he said to himself, mad that he forgot about her in all the pain he was feeling.

It also reminded him that he did have Lara. That he still had a child to protect, raise and love. Lara was beautiful and his pride and joy. He was ashamed that he’d forgotten about her in all the commotion. She deserved to meet her little brother and to see her mother.

But Casey didn’t want to leave Dalane’s side. Deiran would spend every second with his son. “Check that Ambria, I will send Dr. Khan Nilani to pick her up ok? Miran is indisposed at the moment,” Casey replied and disconnected the comm. There was no joy in his voice. He didn’t even sound like Deiran. He was beyond sadness. A darkness had attached itself to his soul.

“Kristen would you please ask Nilani to get Lara for me and bring her here, please?” Deiran replied. His voice sounded like a robot. Slow and toneless.

Kristen nodded silently and left the room.

Deiran would not leave Dalane’s side for anything. An entire army could not remove him. He was situated so that he was close to Dalane but could see Miran. He left her door open. He would not let his family down again. Once was enough. He would be by their side and not sleep until he knew Miran was safe and was with Dalane until he took his last breath. He and Lara would even sleep in Miran’s room. No one was going to get him to leave, unless they wanted an informal court martial on their records.

The constant churning of thoughts was exhausting him. He had been on duty for 10 hours before Cat called him to Sickbay. He had been up five hours before that. But, he was tired, weary from the emotional strain impacting him. He would remain awake as long as Dalane was alive and until Cat told him that Miran was out of critical condition.

Everyone in sickbay knew there was no arguing with the man. He was the first officer and one of the most stubborn men any of them had ever known. Those in sickbay, knew just how stubborn he could be.

It was about ten minutes later when Lara and Nilani showed up. Lara was in Nilani’s arms and Lara was smiling. Nilani had been tickling her.

Nilani handed Lara to her father.

“Thank you Nilani for retrieving her. Can you ask Cat to set up two beds in Miran’s room please?” he asked, his voice so low that Nilani had to strain to hear what he said.

“Yes Deiran, that won’t be a problem,” she replied. Nilani left Deiran and Lara alone with Dalane.

Casey hugged Lara tight and could not hold back his tears. They were slow as they descended his cheeks. “I’m sorry princess,” he said, his heart guilt-ridden. He was saying sorry for the condition of her brother, the fact that her mother was in critical condition and the fact that he had cheated on her mother all those months ago. He was apologizing to her, just to apologize for his sins. He knew nothing would ever bring his family atonement after this and that’s what afflicted him the most. It was all on his shoulders. His curse.

Deiran put Lara over the incubator so she could see Dalane. “Lara, meet Dalane, he’s your little brother. You’re a big sister now,” Deiran told the little girl. She smiled, not understanding the severity of the situation.

Lara held her hand out to Dalane. Her little fingers could barely reach the glass enclosure. He let her down a bit more and she smiled at her brother.

“’Lane, Da!” Lara giggled.

That was the final blow. Deiran broke down there. He did his best to stay strong in front of Lara but hearing her say her brother’s name was just too much to endure. The little girl could hear her father’s sobs and knew there was something wrong now. She took her little hand and placed it on her father’s cheek.

“Da cry,” she said with a frown. All Deiran could manage was a hug, squeezing her tight with all of his love and sorrow. At the moment his little princess was all he had to lean on. She couldn’t carry on a conversation but she was there in his arms.

It was Lara’s bed time. Deiran walked into where Miran was sedated and let Lara see her mother sleeping. “There’s mommy, princess. She’s resting,” he put his finger to his lips and the sound “shhhhh” came from his mouth.

A half hour later Lara was in dream land and Deiran was hovering over Dalane’s incubator.

"Recommitment"
by Lt. Cmdr. Morris
ACSO, USS Galaxy

Ronni finished the video to her sister and stood up to get ready for her Beta Shift. She was still feeling good for the job they had done on the Quarantine Unit, and she was please over the messages she had received from the USS Cadeous. Both Lt. JG Ordell Kincade, Acting Chief Engineer, and Lt. Vaix, Chief of Operations U.S.S. Caduceus both sent thank you notes to the USS Galaxy on the whole and Ronni's team in particular, for their assistance. Ronni was never one to turn away from praise!

She headed up to the bridge and relieved Greer at Science Station One. They had had a nice breakfast together and were going to have dinner too. As he got up from the seat, she gave him a quick wink and an even quicker goosing. He only jumped a little.

Pulling up her configuration she got to work. The sensor grid was back online and most of the repairs were being finished on route to Starbase 357. The work to the main dish and the hull would be completed there. She got the diagnostics started and checked on the status of the various science projects. Stellar Cartographies systems had been destroyed. The whole project was put back at least a year. That was a waste. Several other projects had been hampered, but on the whole everything would be ok.

Ronni pulled up the spacial grid between their current location. She then plotted all of the ships in the area and other possible threats. She also confirmed with Starbase 357 that the equipment that several of her Science Officers ordered was in and ready to be loaded on the ship.

As she was going to check the status of the diagnostics, she heard

=/\= "Sickbay to Commander Casey," =/\= the distinctive voice sounded over the comm.

Deiran in his usual confident swagger, tapped his badge, he always did it quickly, "Casey here. What do you need?" he was sitting in the Command Chair and perusing over reports, UFP news articles and some classified information for Command's eyes only.

=/\= "Please report to sickbay," =/\= the voice asked.

"On my way Doctor, Casey out," Deiran tapped his badge to discontinue the comm and started up the ramp to the lift. "'Commander Morris, you have the Bridge." Deiran disappeared behind the lift doors.

Ronni stood up and signalled for Ensign Uhura to take over her station. She smiled and winked at Deiran as he walked past her. She kind of hoped it was time for his physical. His hatred of sickbay was almost legendary, and he always hated to be probed and prodded.

Ronni sat in the Command chair and follwed protocol. She checked course headings, even though she had just been plotting the course, and checked off that she had done it. She checked repair status again, and time to arrival and Starbase 357.

She turned to Ensign Trinker at the Operations station and said, "Ensign, I want a full status report of the crews of the St. Louis and the USS Caduceus. Any messages from Captain Thiana or Captain Manion should be put through to the Captain immediately. "

"Aye Commander." he said. Ronni felt sorry for the Benzite. He had come on board when she had, and here he was still an Ensign. He had never pushed himself and fell rather short on some evaluations.

She liked sitting in the Command chair. It felt good. Maybe she would Captain a Science vessel someday. Or maybe the USS Galaxy herself. She laughed mentally at that thought, but she did like this. She would have to have talk with the Captain . . . . . .

"APOLOGY" By Ensigns Neil Bolitho and Anna Gartner
Security - USS Galaxy

Neil rushed out of his quarters still pulling his tunic, Bat'telh in hand, leaving O'Connell behind to continue what he had........ started .... whatever it had turned into.

What had started as a 'feeling sorry for myself, leave me alone I want to get drunk binge' had turned into quite a festive ...ehhh competition. His friends had rallied around him and made him stop the woeful act of self pity. Lex being half romulan, unfortunately had the upper hand, when it came to consuming alcohol, but Tim with his typical Irish tenacity refused to lie down and admit defeat! Lt Albrecht had by his own admission got past the 'drinking till you drop' stage, but was enjoying himself quietly.

Neil smiled to himself oblivious to the cursory glances from his colleagues as they saw a dishelved, wet haired, black bags under his eyes, Bat'telh wielding security officer charging perhaps a little recklessly down the corridor.

Neil arrived outside Anna and Lexanna's quarters and immediately wondered what was he doing here, Anna had probably by now had requested the boss for a new partner. She had enough problems on her hands, with adding some love sick infatuated puppy to her already unstable brewing ingredients. There was no-way, that Anna was going to take him back, the look in her eye, just before she had knocked him down, he had, had the misfortune of seeing twice before in combat situations with Anna and both times they had chilled his soul.

Neil now stood uncertainly in front of Anna Gartners quarters staring at the door, his hand a few centimeters from the door chime. Anna was probably still so angry, that she would probably explode if she knew he was there now! No! No! he had to try make amends, but still if he spoke to her a little later, maybe she would have calmed down. Yes! Yes! that was probably better. Neil was arguing mentally with himself. Neil backed off from the door until he bumped into the corridor wall. Giving the door a bitter glance, Neil turned and headed back down the corridor when the sound of the doors opening spun him around.

The 7 foot unmistakable frame of Gordall Kalln advanced out of the quarters followed immediately by Anna Gartner. Kalln turned back to face Anna and picked her up of the floor with his lower arms and hugged her. Anna put her arms around Kalln neck and hugged him back, it wasn't long before her eye's fixed onto the solitary figure standing in the corridor watching them.

Anna's eyes widened at the sight of Neil Bolitho, his dishevelled dirty uniform, the haggard worn look on his face and finally the Bat'telh clenched tightly in his hand as he gazed back at Anna. Anna tapped Kalln on his shoulder and whispered in his ear. Kalln slowly lowered Anna to the floor and cautiously turned to face Neil.

Anna with a concerned look on her face stepped in front of Kalln much to his annoyment and spread her arms wide to show she was not threatening and firmly said.

"Neil I want you to put the Bat'telh down!"

Neil was speechless at Anna's words, suddenly he noticed Kalln's protective stance ready to jump in front of Anna should he (Neil) act threateningly.

" You....You...."

" NEIL!" Interrupted Anna alot more forcefully this time.

"Please I'm asking as your friend, put down the Bat'telh!"

Neil shook his head in utter amazement, which only enforced Anna and Kalln's opinion that he was fighting some inner demon.

"Wait Anna, Kalln I'm only hear to apologise for my behaviour, its not what you think really!

Anna watched Neil suspiciously then pointed to the Bat'telh that he had with him. "If you're here to apologise then why bring the Klingon toothpick?"

Neil felt like the situation is spinning out of control and he felt a headache coming on. "It's a gift." He said quickly then held it out to her with both hands. "My way to make amends for everything."

Anna raised an eyebrow. "A gift?"

"Yes. It's part of an old Klingon tradition." Neil said.

"Okay." Anna said carefully. "Tell you what, I'll take it from you any way and I'll let you explain in detail what is going on." She then reached out and took the sword from his hands.

"Sure." Neil said then rubbed his tired eyes.

"Are you okay?" Anna said softly. "O'Connell came over and told me that you basically crawled into a bottle of booze."

"He would be quite correct, except I crawled into several bottles."

Looking over the ragged and tired fellow Ensign, Anna gestured towards her quarters. "Would you like to come inside to discuss this over and maybe pump some coffee into you?"

He nodded. "Yes, I would like that."

Anna led Neil to her quarters and as he walked in Anna remained just a the door to speak to Kalln.

"I'll handle it from here now." She told the towering lizard then noticed the look of concern. Anna was amazed how fast she was picking up the various moods on the reptilian Gnalish Elt face.

Kalln said. "I would feel better if I stayed for a while to be sure that nothing happens... Neil doesn't look well."

"I'll be okay." Anna assured him, then grinned evilly. "Besides there's nothing he can start that I can't finish. I can handle him"

Kalln looked hesitantly. "Are you sure?"

"Yes." Anna said. "I'll be fine."

She grabbed his chin pulling Kalln's head down to gently kiss him on the forehead. "Now go you silly lizard. I'll see you later at Ten Forward."

Kalln agreed and gave her shoulder a gentle seize before leaving. After watching the 7 foot lizard heading down the corridor, Anna turned and entered her quarters. There she found Neil nearly passed out sitting on the couch. She placed the Bat'telh on the table then headed to the replicator and called up some coffee... black. With the steaming cup in hand she head back to him while grabbing a chair from the table and seated herself in front of him.

"Still alive?" she inquired playfully handing him the cup.

Neil lifted his head up from the comfortable back cushion. "Well I can still hear you." He accepted the cup of coffee, taking a sip.

"So, you're here to apologise and brought a peace offering." Anna said. "Why?"

"Because..." Neil paused for a moment gathering his thought careful. "Because the alternative was unthinkable. I will admit that I was hurt when I found out about you and Kalln. I was hoping that I would be the lucky one... But I know better now. But I need to ask, why him? Why Kalln?"

"I'm not sure if I can give you an answer to your satisfaction. I will admit that I was curious, I was looking for fun and to *ahem* ...to boldly go where few girls had gone before."

Neil is stared in amazement. "You... You... went out..." He searched for a polite word.

"Boinking the nearest alien?" Anna helped out.

"Yes!"

Anna shrugged. "I won't hide it, I wanted to go out and experiment. It had been a while since I did anything wild and I haven't been with a guy up close and personal for two years. But I was surprised that I started feeling deep emotions for him and I don't care if he's a humanoid lizard! I love him and his appearance isn't a factor."

"Well, you sure topped yourself."

"All right, enough of me, time is wasting. What about you giving me your Klingon weapon as a peace offering?"

Neil took another sip of coffee. "It's Klingon tradition in seeking forgiveness. Actually there are four ways to do it. First is to simply ask forgiveness to the person they had offended. Second is to offer a gift of something valuable to the offended person. Third is to settle the situation in honourable combat or lastly, if one truly feels that he wronged him/her, he might pay the ultimate sacrifice, by killing himself before the offended party."

"So you decided to try number two?" Anna said standing up and walked to the table picking up the Klingon weapon.

"Yes, and the Bat'telh is the most valuable item that I own."

He watched Anna closely inspecting the bladed weapon. She appraised every detail and craftsmanship.

"This wasn't replicated, was it?" She asked.

"Sharp eye. It was forged by my own hand. I wanted to create my own weapon so it'll be tailored to be used by me."

Anna's eyes widened. "I'm impressed." She ran a hand down the flat side of the long curved blade, then gripped the leather wrapped handholds before taking a few practice swings.

Neil could tell she wasn't trained to use the weapon and it was too big to be used by Anna with her tiny stature. However he could tell she liked the Bat'telh.

Surrendering ownership of his weapon was a difficult thing but it was worth it to smooth things over with her.

"It's beautiful Neil but I can't accept it." Anna said.

"What?! I don't understand?"

Anna walked to him and presented it back to him. "This is a sword of honour, your honour. I can't take that from you. I'm glad that you would give so much to gain my friendship back but if you wanted it, you only needed to ask. Also I'm not sure if you want me to have any sharp and pointy objects."

Neil took the sword back and smiled. "So we're fine now?"

"No but we're better." Anna grinned sinisterly. "So would you had killed yourself for me if I asked?"

"Ah... No. I don't take my Klingon that seriously."

"I'm also sorry about punching you. You could had me busted so easily and kicked out of Star Fleet."

"I might had but I was too busy in being sorry for myself." Neil said giving her a wink.

The two Ensigns laughed together until Anna said. "Neil, do you realised that we have to report for duty in 5 minutes?"

"You go on and I'll catch up. No sense in both of us being late."

Anna looked over his uniform. "Just step into the sonic shower, uniform and all. That should freshen up the clothing enough. What's that yellow goo on your sleeve?"

Neil looked at it. "Oh, that's Nacho cheese."

Just one of those days

By: Ens Tim O'COnnel and Neil Bolitho
Security USS Galaxy

Tim O'Conner walked in to 10 foreward after one hell of a shift, Soran thought he was ill and insisted he go to sickbay once Tim explained about the game of Fuzzy duck with Bloodwine he relented but did make him drink some Vulcan Has perat tea to allow him to finish his shift. He really needed a drink but figued better give it a rest tonight, people might think he was some sort of drunk. scoping the room he saw Neil sitting alone.

After getting a large coffee from Door he walked over to Neil and sat down, "well Neil you look worse then I feel."

Neil managed to pick his head off the table where he had been resting it. Trying desparetly to focus his eyes on his friend and grunted before lowering his head back onto the table!

"and How was your shift with Anna she didn't kill you did she?" he asked with a chuckle.

"I'm still here aren't I mumbled Neil from the table, "that in it self should tell you something!" Do you know what being stuck behind a desk felt like. Those 6 hours were the longest of my life all I wanted to do was go to sleep, now that I'm off duty where am I in the Ten-Foreward drinking Door's awfull coffee unable to fall asleep! All because you want to chat!"

Tim looked straight at Neil, "well I've had worse coffee then this, at least he's not trying to serve us Kanar, couldn't handle fermented fish juice." Tim Shifted in his seat and continued, "and Lex, now that is one hell of a drinker actually drank my weight in booze, smart, a wickedly cool sense of humor, a damned good officer. not to mention pretty damned cute dontca think?"

Neil lifted his head off the table and gazed at his friend with one open eye The only time Tim complemented a women that heavily was when he was.... well..... interested in them. Neil merely shook his head and rested it again the table, motioning with one arm for Door to bring some more of his poisonious brew.

"When are we going to Risa Tim?" mumbled Neil again trying to change the subject!

Tim Shrugged, "well I don't know once we get some leave time saved up.... we'll head to Risa and come back very happy" Tim grinned evilly, "However, there are a few on this ship I wouldn't mind either. You've been here longer. maybe you can help wuth some inside Intel," Tim glared at his friend, "and don't be so evasive this time."

Neil sighed to himself, discussing members of the opposite sex was the least of the topics on his mind at the moment, considering his relationship with Anna was still balancing on a knife edge! Door arrived with a container filled with his potent brew,and placed it on the table in front of Neil

"Thanks Door." Smiled Neil lifting his head up and propping it on his hand!

Neil took a sip of the brew, and gazed at his friends face, who was eagerly awaiting the sordid details. Playing for time Neil said "Ok...ok.. which one the hot blonde in medical or the Stellar cart cutie?" Remembering that somewhere Tim had commented on these two!

"What about em? Why are you diverting me?" Tim's eyes narrow, "are you interested in her, dude I backed off for Anna this time I don't.. Give me one good reason to back off." Tim was staring at Neil the whole time.

Neil smiled a little sheepishly knowing full well he couldn't fool his friend. " Ok well since you are so determined to crash and burn! I have known Lex since I came aboard, you couldn't ask for a better friend, yeah she is great, one of the guys, a loyal friend, someone who will always be there for you in a pinch! But......." Neil paused briefly, judging Tim's reaction.

"Nah Tim! I'm not interested in Lex that way, although I certainly agree with you she is definitely very pleasing on the eye! grinned Neil

"However I believe her heart is taken my friend, by a certain Lt. James Chen a security officer whom I did have the pleasure of serving with. I believe Lt James Chen is currently away on a classified Starfleet Intel mission.

If or when he returns, that is who Lex is waiting for at the moment and she is missing him ........alot!" Neil leaned back in his seat sipping his coffee to gage his friends reaction!

6 years on the rough streets of Chicago had given Tim emotional control that a Vulcan would envy, when he wanted to display it; it allowed him to keep from disembowelling a few criminals; he sat back thinking, this could be a plan but it's NEIL anyone else I'd suspect something. He sighed, "Neil, if this was anyone else telling me this I'd chalk it up to the old fake boyfriend thing, but you're too Klingon to pull a stunt like that so thanks for not letting me make more of an ass of myself than I already have besides I do have a habit of handeling things with the diplomacy of a Jem hadar and the tact of a Borg drone. After all , I am the only cadet to actually commit mutiny during the kobiashi maru exam.

Neil grimaced and was about to tell Tim that he had recently done enough 'making his name ass for both of them for the next five years or so when Neil suddenly sat up and looked wide awake, "You committed mutiny on the simulator and still graduated?" asked Neil not believing a word

Tim grinned, "You would have found it very honorable, picture it, I'm standing the security tac section on the bridge 5 warbirds in front the Commander of the ship is William NChayev real whiney mommy's boy, we lost all weapons, shields falling I recommended we get the hell out of there, his response he called me a coward, ME the man who took on General Martok, the man who defeated a Naussican, so I shot him and took command of the vessel, sadly we lost warp power and core containment was failing so I did a suicide run shutting down the matter/antimatter containment at the same time final results 15 less warbirds, I'm sure that the gates to Sto Vo Kor were lit that day."

"I'm sure they were! What did the brass have to say about your little stunt?"

Tim laughed at his friend's reaction, " M'boyo the were not amused, I got poor scores from Command, Security, Tactical, passed barely, and I got a written reprimand for mutiny, however, you'd get a kick out of this, THe KDF had sent 3 officers and a member of the High counsel to observe the exam to see if they could use it. Well the councilman was very impressed, he said if starfleet didn't let me graduate, I would command a vessel for him, and get to pick my own first officer. I think he was a big wheel in the Empire Gowron, GOrton something like that, my memory is still foggy from that bloodwine last night."

Neil stared back at his friend " Gow...yeah.... right!" Neil drained the last of his coffee from his cup! "Look Tim far be it from me to tell you who you should or shouldn't go out with, maybe you should speak to Lex and see what she has to say?"

Tim shrugged and stared at his coffee, "you just said she's in LOVE with the guy, not just dating him.. what do you think she'll say I guarentee It won't be postitive for me. Oh well 2 roomates one likes coldblooded men, and the other is pining for James Bond" we picked a fine bunch to lust after eh?

"Hey were at war, who knows if he is still alive, who knows if we will survive this war, the decision is yours !"

"Well Neil, at least I know that SHE doesn't like cold-blooded men." Tim jibed his friend, "and besides, I might do that anyway, I have been shot down before y'know been there done that got the t shirt as they say."

Neil stood, feeling very tired, There was only some much a human body could do without sleep, and Neil's body was way past yesterdays bedtime Stiffling a yawn "Tim I need sleep, do me a favour keep everyone away from our quarters until my next duty shift, that includes Lex, that last thing I need is her gloating about how fragile us humans are!"

Tim Smiled, "sounds like a plan, no go sleep, I'll keep her away so you can pass out in peace."

"Important Business"

Lt. Jg. Jonathan "Lucas" Brandis
USS Galaxy-Operations Officer

There was something there. In his mind. Lucas couldn't let go of the feeling. It seemed a sixth sense, but something in him felt like his life was going to change drastically in the next few months. He didn't know how for sure although the thought that it had something to do with family kept creeping into his mind. Shrugging it off he continued to file his reports.

The last mission was a stressful one. Lucas had been ordered to commence the safe evacuation of non alert status crew members and their families to the saucer section. It was the duty of an Operations Officer to coordinate and oversee evacuation procedures; it was the only time that any one single officer had control over several departments, regardless of rank. He had even ordered a Lt. Commander to help clear a crew member's family from a corridor near the Main Impulse Engines. Fortunately, he'd listened and they succeeded before the entire compartment was flooded by anti-matter ions, moments later.

The last report went to the Captain. Price would definitely be pleased; Lucas sure as hell was. The response time of the crew had been almost instantaneous. As a result, light casualties and minor damage had been reported. Nothing made an Operations officer happier than hearing that. Being an Operations officer meant dealing in situations that not only effected systems, but people directly. It was an aspect that one rarely saw in the line of duty. One that was well appreciated by those in all departments.

Sending the report, Lucas felt he needed to vent plasma from his own little mind. "Computer, begin personal log."

=Acknowledged=

"It was strange. All I did was react, all I did was jump in and grab the five year old from the corridor. But, it keeps running through my mind. For all the Latinum in the Universe, I would have risked my life to save him. When the tricorder I held warned of the radiation hazard, I went into fight mode. I don't know if it was the innocence on the child's face or the surprise of being in the heat of battle. But, it's definitely triggered something in me. I want to stop talking to algorithms and binary codes and gel packs. I want some one to love and hold and cherish. I want a real family, like Deiran. Pause recording."

Lucas got up from his desk in his quarters and walked to his family crest. It was etched into a valuable crystal, worth about 50,000 bars of gold pressed latinum, handed down the generations of his family. It had a rich history. A rich heritage that meant more to Lucas than what a Ferengi would have seen in it. But, it was hollow. For Lucas, no, for Jonathan Lucas Brandis, Zea Toa, Son of the First House, Holder of the Sacred Scrolls of Zed, Keeper of Pali's Peace, Ruler of the RaRazed, and Master of the Betazed Chalic it was missing his own personal heritage.

"Continue. Maybe I'm not seeing the forest for the trees as the Terrans say. Maybe. But, I know what I want. I guess I always have. Computer...end Personal Log and delete."

With that Lt. Brandis walked out of his quarters, not knowing where exactly he was headed.

Based on STAR TREK created by Gene Roddenberry

By Lieutenant (jg) Suder
Engineer

"But Why?!"

Suder strolled into his quarters and looked around. Empty... As usual. It seemed that everyone was together these days on the Galaxy. But even in the darkest of times, Suder had been taught that there is always something that can make one happy, or even smile. He took off his jacket and sat at his console. The lights in his quarters were on a low level shine. As if it was midnight. But it was enough to see everything. Not too bright, not too dark. Suder let out a long sigh and looked at the console in front of him. Although he was tired of working a double shift to get the flow regulators online again, he wasn't in the mood for sleeping. It was one of those moments that he just wanted to be in this state of mind forever. He couldn't describe what it was. He wasn't depressed and he wasn't overwhelmed with joy. He tapped a few controls on the console and then looked at the large view screen on the wall to his right. Lots of data was flowing across the screen at a fast rate. Suder read bits of it every now and then and slowed it down when he came to an interesting section of the news article. It read:

This section would normally be a list of ships and personnel lost in action, but that's on the first page as you know. This section is dedicated to the USS Lakota that managed to escape from Dominion imprisonment. Captain Benteen and her crew managed to destroy a Dominion prison camp and evacuate all the prisoners except for five officers that were taken to another prison camp a few hours before the attack. The ship is undergoing repairs before sent out to fight the Dominion again. Captain Benteen will be fighting for the main crew member that was not evacuated with them: Commander Rachel Sanders.

Suder sat back in his chair and pondered on a few things for a moment. He then looked at a data chip that was on the side of the desk. He picked it up and slid it in a slot and accessed the information on it. A video began playing. It was on an old ship. There were two people, a male and a female. Both Betazoid. The ship began to shake all of a sudden and the lights flashed. And then it happened, the Borg came. They beamed on to the ship and accessed the data banks right before assimilating the two crew members. "Computer, run a diagnostic on the data on this chip, record any imperfections in the video and display cause of it." he said. "The diagnostic will be complete in one hour and seventeen minutes." the computer replied.

Suder got up and left his quarters with another data chip in hand. This one was an old program. One that he carried round with him no matter what ship he was on. It was a command program for the holodeck. When Suder reached the holodeck, he slid in the chip and walked into the holodeck. He had a red uniform on now, this was telling everyone that he was in the command system. No longer an Engineer. At least, not for another few hours...

Based on STAR TREK created by Gene Roddenberry

By Lieutenant (jg) Suder
Engineer

"Command..."

Suder stepped through the air lock and made his way to teh bridg of the USS Defender. Along his way, the First Officer joined him. Commander Emma Houston. Her hair was tied back. It was dark, but the light shone well off it.

"Starfleet give us more orders?" Emma asked.

"Yep. We're to go to the Dralus Sector. We have to explore the sector to see if a possible construction of a shipyard can begin."

"Makes sense. It's pretty far from the front lines." Emma concluded as they stepped through some doors and on to the bridge. Emma took her place at the tactical station and glanced around at the bridge crew. Commander Baxa was on Security, Teleka at the helm, Donna Sarane at science and the rest of the senior officers were at other locations, mainly Engineering and Sickbay.

Suder sat down and looked around before giving orders to the crew. "Helm, set course for the Dralus Sector, warp seven." he ordered. "Commander, keep us alert of all space traffic. Baxa, I'd like you to start running those diagnostics we've been putting off on all the command protocal systems." he continued. The bridge crew began their new or old assignments.

"We should arrive at the Dralus Sector in seventeen minutes." Teleka informed everyone.

"Good, I'll be in Engineering, Commander, you have the bridge." Suder said as he stepped off the bridge and made his way to Engineering. When he arrived, Commander Sanders was busy working on a conduit that had overloaded. No doubt this was the result of the last conflict that this Defiant class ship was involved in. Suder remembered the mission. He last ran this program just before he arrived on the Galaxy. "What's our status?" he asked.

"Everything is running fine at the moment. We're going to need to run a diagnostic on the warp core soon." she replied as she closed the conduit and stepped over to the warp core.

"Anything I should be aware of?" he asked.

"It's just a routine check. It shold have been run two days ago, but somebody had to call it off." she said jokingly.

"I might have to make an official protest with the Dominion, their attacks are just interfering with ship runnings." Suder replied.

"I'd appreciate the help."

"Well, we'll be arriving at the Dralus Sector in less than fifteen minutes. I'll let you know when you can run your diagnostic." he reported. Sanders nodded and then watched Suder leave Engineering.

Ten minutes passed quickly and Suder was back in his chair on the bridge. The command chair. The ship came out of warp as easily as it entered it. Everyone looked at the view scree, which began flickering with static the moment the Defender dropped out of warp.

"Captain, I'm having problems scanning the sector." Emma Houston replied.

"Something wrong with the sensor array?" Suder asked looking round.

"I can't scan anything either, in fact, I can't pick up anything in this system." Teleka reported. Suder glanced at Baxa and he shook his head. "Full stop. Commander, any theories as to why we can't see anything?" Suder asked.

"No, sir, but while we're on the subject, communications is down as well." Houston replied.

"Engineering, what's going on down there?" Suder asked after tapping a button on one of the consoles by his chair.

"I'm not sure Captain. It looks like something or someone is jamming out sensors and communications, but I've never seen this sort of effect by jamming systems." Sanders replied from Engineering.

"Helm, full stop!" Suder ordered. "All right people, lets get those sensors back online. Or at least the view screen." As the bridge crew began to work on the assignment of getting visual sensors back, the ship shook violently. Everyone fell to the floor and rolled to the right. Something hard had hit the ship. Not just a phaser or a torpedo, but something big. Everyone struggled back to their seats and Baxa was the first to say a thing.

"Captain, I have visual sensors back online." he reported.

"Good, damage report!" Suder rpelied.

"No casulties, hull integrity is down to seventy three percent on the port side." Houston replied.

"What hit us?" Suder asked.

"That did!" Teleka said tilting his head forward slightly at the view screen. The static vanished and the view screen now displayed a devestating site. An asteroid field. The Defender had drifted into it and was now in the thickest part of it all.

"Captain, I'm picking something up on sensors. It's a station of some kind. I've never seen one this big, or of this configuration." David Bolt reported from the science station. The ship shook again. This time it was different. There was no impact explosions, or collisional noises.

"That was close, an asteroid just passed out port side by fifty three meters." Houston said.

"David, launch a probe to get more information on that station, Helm, get us out of here!" Suder said. As David launched the probe, Teleka engaged the impulse engines and aimed the ship in the general direction of an opening. As the Defiant class vessel swiftly swung round asteroids to avoid more impact damage, the fewer asteroids were visible.

"Sir. I'm recieving data from the probe. The design and materials in the hull of the station don't match anything in our records or data banks." Bolt replied.

"Helm, full stop once we've cleared the asteroid, raise shields. There'll be a senior staff meeting in ten minutes. Bring all the information on the station to my ready room in five." Suder said. The crew began working and Suder left the bridge and made his way to the ready room of the ship.

“Results and Repercussions”
by LtCmdr. Hunter McKenzie
Chief Tactical Officer, USS Galaxy

“...No sir.” answered Mac sharply to the talking head currently on the viewscreen. The tactical office was cloaked in semidarkness and only the light from viewer shown on his face.

“Excuse me?” answered Admiral Takaeda, Chief of Starfleet Tactical, in disbelief

“You heard me correctly, Admiral. I’m not changing my log or my report concerning the St Louis incident.” Mac paused briefly as he thought how easily the whole mess had quickly been labeled an ‘incident.’ “As far as I’m concerned, Capt. Price acted well within standard tactics during his engagement with the St. Louis.”

“Hummph,” grunted the Admiral as he leaned back in his chair, lifting a PADD from his desk. “According to the report and data logs, and I quote ‘…Capt. Price then executed maneuver Zeta –6…” The Admiral then sat the PADD down and looked hard at Mac. “Is that the Tactic that you would have implemented?”

“No sir.” added Mac reluctantly. “But, then again, I'm not the Captain of the Galaxy, either”

Takaeda leaned forward, taking a deep breath “Mac…Listen to me. Price is on the short list of several of the powers that be here at Starfleet. He didn’t make any friends with that little Klingon excursion he took And now…failing to stop the St Louis has set him back even further. These people may not be able to take action overtly against price, but you ca bet damn well that there will be covert actions taken…” The Admiral paused, a look of reluctance passing over his face as he spoke in a lowered tone

“When these people move against Price, you will either be with them….or against them. That choice will also color your career, also I need to know where you stand, Mac. Once and for all.”

Mac paused as he considered the words he had just heard. He wasn’t like Casey that had things done for him just because of his name. He had worked for everything he had gotten and with a few changes to his report could mean the difference in his commanding a ship sooner than otherwise possible. All of his chances would depend on his next few words…his career, his life in Starfleet…his view of himself.

“The higher, the Fewer, Admiral.” Stated Mac with conviction, the words of the Galaxy’s motto sliding from his tongue with out a second thought.”

Admiral Takaeda sighed visibly and nodded. Takaeda, Out!” he added as the screen was replaced with the SF seal.

Mac sat in the dimly lit office, the steady thrum of the warp engines an almost soothing sound as he steepled his fingers and leaned back in his chair. Moments droned on as Mac replayed the final question Takaeda had asked and as Mac replayed it over and over again…he finally repeated the same answer.

“The Higher, The Fewer.” He answered as he swung himself to his feet and stepped from the office.

Lt. Commander Hunter McKenzie, Chief Tactical Officer, USS Galaxy
ICQ 6758283

“Broken”
USS GALAXY
Commander Deiran Casey, First Officer
Lt. Commander Casey Ti Miran, Shuttle Operations

Deiran could hear the med machines. He could hear the goings on in the main room of sickbay, he could hear the constant beep of his son’s heart monitor. He also heard Nilani walk up behind him. But he didn’t move, he didn’t say a word. He couldn’t. The situation had silenced him, his heart was as frail as his little boy’s. Everything around him moved slowly all he could concentrate on was his son.

"Commander." Nilani spoke gently and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?"

Deiran wanted to reply but he couldn’t. His voice had left him. His throat felt like it was obstructed by an invisible lump. He wasn’t physically choking, but he was emotionally choking. Deiran was a passionate man, he wore his emotions on his sleeve half the time. He couldn’t express himself, he couldn’t explain the pain. It was just there and the anguish was eating him up piece by piece.

He didn’t turn to face Nilani, he couldn’t bring himself to turn his gaze away from his son. Each second the little man was alive was priceless to him and he would be there for all of it. He would cherish the time he spent at Dalane’s side for the rest of his life. Dalane was a precious gift to him, no matter how long he lived.

Nilani had been looking over Dalane with a medical tricorder and when she finished the reading, she squeezed his shoulder in a touch of comfort and then moved away.

Nilani walked over to the ICU observation room, to the replicator.

"Two Coffee's, white, two sugars." She spoke to the computer, the replicator hummed softly and produced the two cups of coffee. Nilani took them and walked back into the ICU area, she handed a coffee to the commander and pulled up a chair herself.

Deiran took the cup from Nilani, and nodded his thanks. But he did not turn his loving gaze away from his son.

They sat silently. Nilani sipping her coffee. Both in a silent vigil over the sleeping baby. Without warning the computer console sounded an alert, Nilani stood up quickly and moved to the incubators' side.

Deiran stood, his face full of panic and the tears came. ‘No God, please give him more time, don’t take him from me,’ he begged silently. His eyes were deluged with sorrow as he stood out of Nilani’s way and prayed for his son to keep fighting.

The child was moving in pain, his heart rate racing and all vital signs quickly deteriorating. Nilani moved quickly and picked up a hypo-spray, placing it against the child’s neck.

Within seconds the child relaxed, but the vital signs continued to fall. Nilani knew that there was nothing that could be done to save the child. Only try to make it's last moments as comfortable as possible. She knew that the end was near - and she lifted the child in her arms and held him out to Deiran Casey.

Deiran knew what this meant. He knew that the end was near, he could feel it, he had seen enough death in his career to feel it on the horizon. He gently took the baby into his arms and cradled the boy with all the gentleness and adoration of a mother. His silent sobs shaking his body. He couldn’t hide his devastation. Nilani saw his pain, the torment in his eyes.

The tiny baby's eyes opened and looked up at his father, his tiny fingers flexed around Deiran’s thumb. For a moment it was as if father and son communicated as their eyes met. ‘Love you son.’ ‘Love you dad. I fought as hard as I could.’ His blue eyes were peaceful - and slowly they closed.

The heart monitors gave a steady tone - no longer registering a heart beat. Nilani reached over and silenced them. In a tearful voice she said, "Computer, time of death 2212 hrs." She turned to face Deiran.

"Commander, I am so sorry!" Nilani spoke, looking to another doctor to take over.

Nilani left the ICU area rather quickly but Deiran didn’t notice. He brought his son’s lifeless body close to his chest and wailed in grief. His legs too weak to stand he sat down and wept for his son. He rocked forward and back, his hand on the baby’s head. Deiran lost control and couldn’t hold anything back any longer. All of his travail came in a torrent, like a storm approaching without notice… at that moment he broke down completely.

Everything he was feeling, the total loss and the sanctity of the moment flooded over him. His spirit broke and he’d lost all awareness of what was around him. He could only think of his son, Miran and Lara. He couldn’t see healing in his future, he couldn’t see joy or happiness in his future. He was as low as he’d ever felt in his life.

At that moment he would have made a deal with the devil for his soul so that his son would live. But that was impossible. His thoughts were jumbled, broken. His mind was not functioning properly, all of his strength was gone. All of his hope- gone. All of his faith- gone. All of his pride and swagger- gone. He was an empty shell.

A nurse came to take the body of his son and he held on to it, he refused to let him go.

“Commander, I’m so sorry sir, it’s procedure,” she said. The nurse was sympathetic to his loss but it was imperative they study the boy. This was a rare case, if they were going to prevent this from happening again they needed to know exactly what caused it. They would take samples from Dalane and then prepare him for burial.

Deiran reluctantly let go and whispered to him, “I love you Dalane.” The nurse took the baby away and Deiran was left alone. He was still weeping for his son. There was nothing Casey would not have done for his son, if he could trade places with him he would have. But for the first time in Deiran’ s life he was helpless to change the situation. He felt powerless, it wasn’t a feeling he was used too.

As he sat on the floor, immersed in his thoughts a fiery anger began to push itself to the surface. Deiran stood to his feet, walked over to the nearest wall and with all of his rage, pain and regret punched the wall with his right fist. He punched it again, again and another time, until his fist was a blur as it moved and collided with the wall over and over.

Deiran shattered his hand. He was so overwhelmed that he couldn’t even feel the pain. The pain he felt inside had already broken him and numbed him to the outside world. He stopped and looked at his hand. He could see blood, a piece of bone sticking out through the skin. He didn’t care. He wanted to feel the pain now, he wanted to punish himself. He wanted some other kind of retribution than the loss of his son. He wanted a miracle. A miracle that would never come.

He walked into see Miran. Lara was sound asleep, he didn’t disturb her. Deiran stood over her a moment, brushing the hair from her face. He leaned down and kissed her forehead. As he straightened, she moaned slightly and gently came awake. Through his tears, he smiled down at her.

"What happened? Where is my baby?" she whispered weakly.

"Shh... you need to rest. I promise to tell you if you sleep." He positioned himself next to her and gently took her into his arms and tenderly rocked her. It wasn't but a moment she had slid back into sleep. He needed her, asleep or awake, he needed to feel her close. His tears came ever so quickly. He cried from his pain and for Miran and the pain she would feel when she would awaken and find out the fate of their child.

"An Ending & A Beginning”

Lt. Commander Kahn Nilani
Chief Medical Officer

Commander Deiran Casey
Executive Officer

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

**** 45 Min after Commander Casey's last post ****

Nilani was on duty simply because she needed to do something. She was qualified for all of this and there was in little addition to her restricted duty status. Nilani walked into the ICU area and moved over to Commander Casey.

"Commander." Nilani spoke gently and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?" Nilani pulled out a Medical Tricorder and took a reading - aiming the device at the tiny baby.

The Commander just sat there looking absently at the tiny form. She finished the reading and squeezed his shoulder a touch of comfort and she moved away.

Nilani walked over to the ICU observation room, to the replicator.

"Two Coffee's, white, two sugars." She spoke to the computer, the replicator hummed softly and produced the two cups of coffee. Nilani took them and walked back into the ICU area, she handed a coffee to the commander and pulled up a chair herself.

They sat silently. Nilani sipping the coffee. Both in a silent vigil over the sleeping baby. Suddenly from the computer console came a warning beep, Nilani stood up quickly and moved to the incubators' side. The child was moving in pain, his heart rate racing and all vital signs quickly deteriorating. Nilani moved quickly and picked up a hypo-spray, placing it against the child’s neck.

Within seconds the child relaxed, but the vital signs continued to fall. Nilani knew that there was nothing that could be done to save the child. Only try to make it's last moments as comfortable as possible. She knew that the end was so near - and she lifted the child in her arms and held him out to Deiran Casey.

He gingerly took him from her and cradled him. The devastation in his eyes brought tears to Nilani and she had to look away.

The tiny baby's eyes opened and looked up at his father - and his tiny fingers flexed around Deirans thumb. His blue eyes were peaceful - and slowly they closed.

The heart monitors gave a steady tone - no longer registering a heart beat. Nilani reached over and silenced them. In a tearful voice she said, "Computer, time of death 2212 hrs." She turned to face Deiran.

"Commander, I am so sorry!" Nilani spoke, looking to another doctor to take over. She couldn't see past the tears. She had to get out of sickbay! She took several steps away from him and stifled a sob. She just couldn't handle this - the grief in the First Officers eyes flooded through her like a Tsunami. She ran. Outside she made it a little way down the corridor. She was holding her belly as if to protect it - the thoughts racing through her mind were full of death and confusion. She collapsed in the corridor sobbing.

She needed strength and peace, and she didn't know what to do - where to turn! Joerg wasn't here to tell her everything would be alright. She clutched her knees and rocked against the wall. The sum of all her turmoil seemed to boil up inside her. She needed help - Karyn wouldn't be able to give her the help she needed. She tapped her commbadge. "Computer location of Benedict T'Kal!"

=/\= Benedict T'Kal is in Holodeck 2 =/\=

Nilani stood up shakily. She set off at a fast walk, which developed into a run through the corridors, until she reached holodeck 2. She tapped on the interface and recognized the program. It was the Bajoran Temple - the doors were not locked. She entered and looked around at the Bajoran temple scene. The gardens stretched away - the Arcacia blossoms as always were in full bloom.

She stumbled in, trying unsuccessfully to stifle the wracking sobs that escaped her chest. As the arch disappeared she half ran down the gravel path to the central court. The great doors stood open - inviting the devout to enter and she rushed into the cool of the interior - past the inner doors and the steps down into torch-lit darkness.

She saw Benedict standing in front of the golden fire-filled bowl that stood between the massive pillars. He was turning toward her - his ochre robes draped to the floor. As she saw him he moved a step toward her - worry etched on his face.

He stood tall and dark within the temple - his jet black hair swept over his shoulders - the blaze of silver shining with reflected light. Even from this distance she could see the violet depth of his eyes, the grace with which he moved.

Her hands went to her mouth and she started crying openly - the tears running down her cheeks. She ran to him and collapsed into his arms crying.

Benedict was surprised – but her distress was so overwhelming! He held her and allowed her to settle to the floor with him. She was holding him hard and he feared for the fate of her child – why else would she be here – sobbing her heart out! He smoothed her hair away from her face, which was still buried in his neck – he felt her tears, and instinctively he started to rock slowly. He cradled her in his arms, kneeling beside her on the stone flagstones of the temple.

She would tell him when the time was right. She sobbed so heart-brokenly that he was moved to tears himself yet still did not know the cause. He murmured softly in her ear – making the gentling sounds that his mother used to make with him when he had been hurt. The song came out of his memory un-bidden. It was a Bajoran lullaby – one his mother had sung for him to sooth the hurts and the nightmares of his youth. His voice was soft and half-whispered – and he sang for her – not knowing what pain she felt – or why she needed him. But his obligation to her was now sealed in this place. Benedict’s powerful arms wrapped her in comfort and he rocked her as he sang.

It was a long time before he felt her sobbing subside. She had remained wrapped in his arms, cradled in the center of the vast high-ceilinged temple. Benedict sat in complete silence now. Simply waiting for her to tell him what was wrong. She was distraught – but it couldn’t be a physical pain – she wouldn’t be here – she’d be in sickbay. Benedict knew that she needed comfort – possibly she had sought him out because she needed a Bajoran to comfort her.

He gently stroked her hair. It was long and glossy – a dark blonde. Different in texture and color to Tebriannes fine raven locks. She didn’t seem to be the strong doctor that he saw in the sickbay – she was simply a woman who needed him.

She moved against him and pulled away slightly – not looking at him, as if embarrassed for the first time. He brushed a strand of hair away from her eyes and pulled her face around so that he could look at her eyes. She had tear-stains on her cheeks, and red rimmed eyes that held so much sadness. She closed her eyes and pressed her cheek against the warmth of his palm. A moment later she looked into his violet eyes. They were an ocean of calmness, and she seemed drawn into them – for a moment time seemed to stand still before he smiled at her.

“Can you tell me what is wrong now?” His voice was soft, and he spoke in Bajoran, the words fluid. He could see by the flickering blue light of the altar flame that she was calmer, but her eyes were haunted.

Nilani nodded slightly. “Miran Casey lost her child. Her son was born a few hours ago. There was nothing we could do – Deiran was..” Her voice cracked and another tear fell into Benedict’s palm.. “he was.. I was with him when..”

Benedict pulled her into his shoulder and cradled her in his arms. He felt a sense of loss for Miran and Deiran Casey. Deiran was a proud man. Miran had given him a son and he had lost him. Benedict could imagine what was going through Nilani’s mind. She was afraid for her own child. She was alone.

"You are blessed Nilani. Don't fear for your child." He whispered. "Everything will be fine. I'll be here for you." He pushed her away slightly and looked into her eyes. "You have nothing to fear." He said with conviction. "Pray with me. The Prophets are with us in this place." He stroked her cheek with his palm and smiled in encouragement. "We give blessing for the life growing within you - and we must pray for the Caseys'."

Nilani nodded. She was feeling the calm spirit of the man sitting so close to her - riveted to his gaze, unable and unwilling to forgo the comfort she felt flowing from him. She gave a brief thought for Tebrianne Bancroft, and knew without doubt why the Chief Helm Officer had fallen for this man.

“A Small Favor.”
Lt. (jg) Benedict T’Kal
Tactical Officer

Ensign Cathy Page
NPC Science Officer
USS Galaxy

Benedict T’Kal stood at the tactical arch during his shift with not a small amount of pride. Every so often he would have to tear his eyes off the woman sitting in the Command Chair in front of him to keep his mind on matters of duty. He was proud of her – Tebrianne felt uncomfortable in command of the ship – but she underestimated herself so much! One day, Benedict knew – she would have her own command. Perhaps even he might aspire to it – but then there was a great deal of time between now and then.

The sensor sweep was clear – nothing happening in security this time of night, and all the systems were in the green. He ran a level one diagnostic at the scheduled time – and cast another glance at the woman he so deeply loved. He loved the hair – she had grown it out for Joerg Sterners’ party – and he had brushed it for her almost every night now. The meditation exercises they were doing together were bringing them a calm that Benedict had never experienced before.

He had been getting some strange dreams too – since they had Mind Melded in the Arboretum. He was often seeing visions that he knew were not his. Last night he had dreamed that he was standing if front of the largest gathering of people he had ever seen – and he knew that this was a part of Tebrianne – her past. He envied her that – and he knew just how much that feeling meant to her. He also knew just how much sitting in that seat meant to her. He grinned – the only time he got to spend with her on the Bridge these days was when she took that chair!

Sometimes he wondered just what it was about her – some un-definable quality that made her so ultimately desirable. Was it her rebellious nature? Or the sensitivity and artistic nature of her personality? She just made him feel more alive – and more deeply aware of his own inner strengths. They were like two complementary hearts.

The diagnostic gave a small beeping and he examined it. A slight frown and he touched the sensor pad and sent a query to the computer – it replied a second later with confirmation and his mind slipped fully into work mode. “Bridge Tactical to Engineering.” He said.

“Engineering. Samara here.” The Klingon woman responded.

“I’m picking up a variance in sensor readings on short range scan mode for the port array. A diagnostic tells me it’s within acceptable tolerances – but I’d like it checked out. It’s only a minor glitch.”

“Understood. Out.”

The system wouldn’t effect the combat readiness of the Galaxy – nor interfere in standard operations – but the last thing that Benedict wanted was a glitch on Tebs’ watch. She had turned slightly at the sound of his voice and she just gave him a very slight smile. He nodded seriously at her, but didn’t comment – she knew everything was alright and looked back at her console. He could hear her tapping away.

A moment later his screen changed and the words, “Love you..” scrolled across the comm system. He fought hard to keep a straight face and managed to look like he was perusing an inter-ship com query. He erased it quickly. Sometimes her irreverence struck at the damnedest times!

Benedict hadn’t had the chance to discuss his meeting with Khan Nilani with her yet. He wondered once again how she would take his commitment to the doctor – being a God Father was a great responsibility – and even more so that Nilani couldn’t tell the real father about the child. It was an honor to be asked – and in part it was a gift that she had given him. The child would be a part of Benedict’s family. Because of that bond, Nilani would also be counted amongst that select group. The Galaxy had become his home in more ways than he could have possibly imagined.

It was a Bajoran tradition for the closest friends and family to be a part of the life giving cycles of birthing – and Nilani had asked Benedict to be a part of that process. He was deeply moved by it – and felt the spiritual closeness of the Prophets in guiding that outcome. He remembered praying in the holodeck temple the night that he joined the expedition to the Cardassian zone to rescue Illiyana. The Prophets had shown him a vision of the Tikaru – it confirmed his presence there and affirmed his personal commitment to offering his life in return for the girls freedom should the Prophets demand it.

He felt tied to Nilani in a spiritual sense – and her request had only confirmed that. Benedict knew that everything happened for a reason – known only to the Prophets most of the time. He felt truly honored to be part of her family, and he would help her as best he could. He would have to discuss the responsibilities with Tebrianne. Without the childs’ father being there it obligated him to fill that void.

He tapped a few words into his console and sent it. He smiled and made himself look busy. On Tebriannes screen the words appeared and he caught the bright blush flush her features. She cast a glance backward to see him looking studiously at his console. Benedict’s suggestion would have to wait…..

*** Later ***

Ensign Cathy Page tapped her commbadge. “Page to T’Kal.” She said. She was gathering her equipment from her lab. It was early Delta shift – and she was finished for the Gamma rotation – and she knew that Benedict would also have left the Bridge. Hopefully Bancroft was asleep - she was normally on Alpha shift and this was the time of day where she could share a meal with Benedict alone.

Benedict broke away from the lingering kiss and smiled at Teb. They were in the turbo lift alone heading to her quarters after the shared shift. He was beginning to think seriously about asking her to share quarters – all this mucking around was driving him crazy! But then the opposite shifts that they had to face would make it difficult to share! He sighed as he tapped the commbadge. “Ben here Cathy.”

Tebrianne knew all about Benedicts’ ‘friendship’ with the science officer. Benedict hadn’t gone into detail – he didn’t need to. Tebrianne was well aware of everything Ben had done in his life. The shared Meld had enlightened both of them.

Cathy smiled at the sound of his voice. He sounded happy – chirpy almost! “Hi – I was wondering if you wanted to catch up – I was heading to Ten Forward and I needed to ask a favor of you – it’s just a small favor.” She smiled – she knew that Benedict would respond to that – he always helped his friends..

Benedict grinned at Tebrianne as she ran her fingers through his hair – she seemed fascinated with the silver streak that he’d kept after the party for Sterner. He shook his head as he replied. “Sorry Cathy – Teb and I have just gotten off shift – can it wait for tomorrow?” He leaned in and brushed his lips against Tebs, she bit his lip and held on to it playfully.

Cathy stopped dead in her tracks and the smile froze on her face. It quickly turned into a scowl and she bit back an ugly swear word. “Sure..” She replied in a sugar coated voice. “No problem. I’ll see you later.” She tapped the commbadge closed before she swore and kicked the wall. This was not happening the way she wanted it to!

Tebrianne kissed Benedict and a moment later said, ‘What does she want?” He kissed her back and replied, “Don’t know – but it can wait.”