"Moving too Fast"
Lt Ryak Sullax
Acting C.O. Science Department
USS Galaxy

Ryak was only on the bridge a few minutes before Lt/Cmd Morris left. Ryak worked hard at getting everything up and running. Ryak noticed that the sensors where still off a bit and he was not getting good enough resolution from the planet. Ryak did his best to realign the sensors from where he was.

A few hours passed before Ryak finally got what he wanted from the sensors. Ryak began to check over the data when he received a message from Lt/Cmd Morris.

"Lt Sullax, I just want to let you know that you are in command of the Science department. I have an emergency at home I most attend to good luck, Morris Out."

Ryak stood looking at his terminal in shock. Things where just moving way to fast. The last little bit had put the science department into chaos. Ryak looked around the bridge and sent a message to all Science Department personnel.

"I request a meeting with all senior Science personnel in my office at 2100. The following personnel must attend.

Lt. Shtik
Lt (JG). Kalln
Lt (JG). Rhys
Lt (JG). Taurean

I need you to be prompt and ready to answer any question pertaining to your fields. Jolan Tru. Lt. Sullax."

Ryak sent the message and handed his position off to one of the newer ensigns. Ryak made his way to his new office and sat behind his desk when he arrived. As Ryak looked at his desk he needed to get things ready for the meeting so he began.

Chris Gagne
ALSO KNOWN AS:
Lieutenant Ryak Sullax,Science Officer,USS Galaxy.
Contact at: i2qtnot2b@hotmail.com
ICQ: 25686024

"Tactics and Special Ops"
Captain Thomas Joshua Strienberg
USS North Star NX 88793

** USS North Star **

Commander Grisom has assembled the senior staff. The captain had received instructions for them and he wanted to communicate them to the senior staff. They were a family onboard this ship, as it wasn't big, but it was powerful. The crew compliment consisted of approximately forty seven people, all of whom were loyal to Starfleet, SI and especially the captain. They would do anything that they believed was justifiable for Starfleet's protection.

Captain Strienberg entered the room for the meeting, they were using the ship's mess hall for the senior staff meeting. They didn't have a fancy observation lounge or something like that found on the larger class ships, but they had their mess hall and it served well.

"I am going to make this staff meeting short and simple as we have a mission to complete. I'm going to need everyone's help on this to get done right and in a timely fashion." the captain said taking his seat.

A eery silence fell over the room that had been so alive with voices just a few moment ago. They were completely focused now on what the captain had to say to them.

"We've been ordered to find and stop Lt. Commander Christopher Thomas, he's been deemed a security threat to Starfleet and in particular to Starfleet Intelligence. Our orders have come directly from Admiral Pressman who fears the man may have become mentally disturbed and is to be considered armed and dangerous." Thomas said to his officers, then continued to lay out the objectives of the mission. "Unfortunately he's no longer onboard the USS Galaxy, Starfleet Intelligence had sent the USS Aurora to take him into custody to ensure everyone's safety. When they arrived, they learned he was no longer onboard and no one knew where he'd left. He's also taken or coerced others into helping him in his madness."

"We'll have to raid the Galaxy to find out where he went with the others, because the commanding officers of the Galaxy are being uncooperative to telling us where he went. Admiral Pressman has been kind enough to provide us with the current command codes for the ship. We'll only use them if needed, I'd prefer to conduct this mission without them being aware some things happened."

The senior officers continued to listen the captain, they were ready to get the mission underway.

"Number one you'll lead a small three man team over to the ship, search and destroy Thomas's quarters. Find if any information about where he may've went, you'll have only a few minutes to do so. The Galaxy's sensors will eventually report three unidentified crewmembers on the ship and security will be alerted and dispatched. I figure you'll have upwards of five minutes to get in and out without having problems, but we'll do what we have to."

"Aye captain, I'll have my team ready for deployment before we arrive. I also suggest captain that we approach the USS Galaxy from the other side of the planet, come around the planet, still clocked. This will buy us some additional protection and time before they realize something's out of place."

"Agreed, this is to be treated as a covert mission everyone." Captain Strienberg said.

"Understood." the first officer responded for the crew. "Any other orders captain?"

"What is our current course and speed at the moment?"

Commander Eric Grisom was a good man and would someday make a good captain, but he was for the moment an excellent first officer. The captain was proud to call him number one and serve with him on this fine ship.

"Our current course is for Cardassian Prime at warp 6, Captain."

"Increase our speed to maximum warp for now, we'll reduce speed as we get closer to the system. Lt. Commander Thomas has a good lead on us already and we'll need to make up the time." Captain Strienberg said.

"Aye captain."

"Ok everyone dismissed." the captain said.

** Bridge USS North Star hours later **

The ship had been proceeding under cloak towards the Cardassian homeworld where the USS Galaxy remained in orbit. They'd been traveling at warp 8.6 which was the best possible speed under the current conditions for the past two hours. Now they were getting close to their objective and everyone was getting uptight and nervous about the mission.

** **

"Captain we're approaching the outer limits of the Cardassia Prime system, I recommend we reduce our speed now." Commander Grisom said.

"Helm reduce speed to warp 3, until we reach these coordinates." Captain Strienberg ordered. He preferred to give procedural orders as needed and not to issue orders in one lump sum. Though he would do so if he believed to be required to get things done.

"Aye captain, helm now showing speed at warp 3."

"Very good, any sign the Galaxy has spotted us?"

"No sir, the cloak is doing it's job." the chief tactical officer said, with the engineering team confirming it.

The bridge returned to its normal silence as the crew returned to their duties and the captain sat back in his chair. He was once more in his relaxed mode and so was the crew, which worked well for everyone involved. The captain seemed more in control when he was relaxed and the crew was also relaxed, however when that got out of balance, things seemed to go wrong.

They all had no doubt left and indelible mark on each other that would last for a long time. The bond would continue to grow stronger and more inseparable the longer they served together. Which was rare in Starfleet Intelligence, one might serve with a fellow officer for a time, but rarely for a long time. However they appeared to be the exception to the rule, through they always wondered why and how long it would last now that the war was over.

Thomas Strienberg thought back to his past and remembered what he could about then Ensign Thomas. He was then known as captain Joshua Strienberg and in command of Starbase 81. However that was a long removed event in his past life and he planned to leave it there. Though he had to admit that there were times when he wished he could go back in the past and correct some of the mistakes he'd made along the way. Nah it was to late for that now, all he could do was forget the past and move forward with his life, the only threat that remained was this Lt. Commander Thomas. Joshua wished there was another way to stop him from talking, but there wasn't, the only way was to kill him and anyone who got in their way.

"Number one, something else that you should know, we been authorized by Starfleet Intelligence to take whatever measures are necessary to apprehend or eliminate Lt. Commander Thomas. Which includes anyone providing aide to him or helping him directly. If anyone from the Galaxy gets in your way, deal with them quickly and painlessly. I want you and your team to use non-lethal measures against any of the USS Galaxy crew that get in your way. No sense in innocent people getting hurt in this matter, plus it'll less risky."

"Agreed Captain, I've already taken the necessary measures to ensure the safety of both my team and the officers and crew onboard the Galaxy. Most of them don't even know what's happening and are innocent people who end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. I'll make sure nothing happens to them, but we will complete our mission objectives as ordered."

"Great. Then that just leaves a few other matters to handle. First what you're looking for number one, anything that relates to Starfleet Intelligence, where Mr. Thomas may have went for his fishing trip, and anything else that might be useful. His room, don't worry about any mess you make he'll not be coming back for it anytime soon. I also doubt anyone onboard the Galaxy has been in his room or can get in there by conventual means. Which brings me to the second point, he may have setup some booby traps for unexpected guest. I want you to take your time and make sure you don't set them off, or else security onboard the ship will be alerted." Joshua said turning to his tactical officer, "Lt. Commander Casey H. Irons when we get with in range you have two things to handle, first begin scanning the Galaxy at these coordinates for Mr. Thomas's quarters. You'll find a small device emitting a signal from his room, pin point it and relay the exact coordinates to the transporter room. Then continue to monitor the away teams activity and make sure they don't get caught. You'll also need to keep an eye on the galaxy and be ready in case it turns to fight us." Joshua said. He was for the moment tired of using the name Thomas, since they were now hunting this traitor down. He would for now use his given name Joshua until he felt it was safe to reconsider this line of thought. "One other thing that will need to be handled, by someone on the bridge and that is tracking the movements of the security officers onboard the ship. Other than that I believe we're all set to get this little undercover event underway."

"Aye sir, I believe that does cover everything that is needed for such an operation. However it might be useful if I have a copy of those command codes that Admiral Pressman gave you to the Galaxy. I'd rather not get stuck over there, by some sort of misfortune or accident Sir." Commander Grisom said.

"Of course number one, let me see your padd there." Captain Strienberg said. The commander handed over the padd to the captain so he could upload the codes that he might need for this type of trip. "Here you go number one, I've uploaded most of the command codes that you might have use for or need is something arises." the captain said, handing the padd back to his first officer.

"If that's it then gentlemen we have some preparations to make for our arrival in Cardassian Prime and contact with the USS Galaxy." Captain Strienberg said. "Dismissed."

** Cardassia Prime **

"Captain we're approaching Cardassia Prime, now being mark 07 by 81 speed 1/2 impulse as ordered." the helmsman reported to the captain.

"Very good." Captain Strienberg said. Then tapped his combadge, "All hands prepare for operation Nosey." He figured it was a good name for this part of the mission, since they were going to be prying into Mr. Thomas's personal affairs, his private logs and anything else in his quarters.

Captain Strienberg thought about it for a moment and decided there was no sense in being unprepared for the possibility of a armed fight. "Mr. Irons sound red alert, all hands to battle stations."

"Aye sir. Red Alert sounded, all personnel report they are now at their battle stations. Weapons and defensive systems are on standby ready for your command." Lt. Commander Irons reported.

"Thank you 'Commander." the captain said turning to his first officer, "Number one I belive we're ready here, don't you have to be some where?"

"Aye captain, my teams already in the transporter room awaiting for me so I should be going." Commander Grisom said getting up from his chair and heading for the transporter room.

"Good Luck Commander." Captain Strienberg said.

"Thank you Captain."

** A few minutes later **

"Captain, the first officer and his team have just beamed over to the Galaxy, no signs of detection so far sir." Lt. Commander Irons said from his post at tactical.

"Thank you Mr. Irons keep me posted on any possible threats to their presence. I would prefer to keep our little invasion of the USS Galaxy unknown for as long as possible. Hopefully they'll never know anyone came onboard their ship and ransacked Mr. Thomas's quarters." the captain stated.

"Aye captain."

** USS Galaxy Lt. Commander Thomas's quarters **

The three man team transported quitely and quickly into Lt. Commander Thomas's quarters. They all held their breath as they finished transport and remained very still to see if the intruder alarms were going to be set off by their unexpected presence. How fortunate that they didn't trigger those alarms as they thought might happen. Either the codes had worked, or they'd been deactivated because of all the new personnel coming onboard the ship. Either way it was a break for them and they would make full use of it now.

"Gentlemen let's get started. First things, first searching the door to make sure no unexpected company arrives." Jonathan said moving to the door, and establishing a security lock out on the door. Using a special device they'd brought with them for the door. Now if security wanted in they'd have bring the door down, unless they had someone onboard that could crack the code. "I'll take the computer console, Mr. Hawks search his bedroom and closet. Mr. Myers you have the rest of his quarters to search."

"Aye sir." And with that said they all headed for their designated duties.

They worked without rushing, but they were moving fast. Myers began searching the other rooms for anything that might tell them where Mr. Thomas had went in such a hurry. Mr. Hawks was searching the bedroom first and then would work on the closet. They were also using specialized tricorders to detect any booby traps he may have left for them. They had to work fast as they were under a time constraint, they figured they would have five minutes to run through the room and get out before someone knew something wasn't right. They moved quickly to search his quarters, not wasting time with neatness.

Jonathan sat down at the desk, where he hoped to access and find some more information out about Lt. Commander Thomas and his whereabouts. He started working on getting access to the files he wanted to find, but he also suspected they might be encrypted and that meant he would just have to download them for later study.

"Computer access and display all logs and personnel logs by Lt. Commander Thomas."

"Working." the computer stated, "Access to personnel logs requires voice authorization." the computer stated.

He took a deep breath as he was expected this and pulled out a few items from his bag of tricks. He wondered what kind of reaction would happen when people learned that Commander Casey had accessed Thomas's personnel files. Then he stopped and decided against that, the commander was not onboard the ship and that the computer would know. However he decided to go the simple way and have Chris Thomas access the files for him. He just had to fool the computer into believing it was a remote link.

"Computer this Lt. Commander Thomas release lock out on personnel files." He said, once the remote link was enabled.

"Authorization confirmed, lock out released." the computer said in response to Thomas's request.

"Thank you Mr. Thomas." Jonathan said as he saw the files being displayed. He asked "Time gentlemen?"

"Two minutes have now past since our arrival, however we've not found anything of importance yet. Though I belive we'll find what we're looking for soon." Myers stated.

"I have to admit that Mr. Thomas is a professional he's not going to make our jobs easy." Mr. Hawks said.

"Thank you gentlemen, but I do believe everyone makes a mistake and I think I found what we're looking for right here." Jonathan said. "Computer download a copy of these files to this padd."

"Unable to do so padd contains insufficient space to record logs."

Jonathan switched padds, "See what I mean everyone makes mistakes, no matter who you are."

"Computer download a copy of these files to this padd."

"Working." the computer said.

"We'll break the codes latter, I believe I know were Mr. Thomas's fishing trip was going to and the captain isn't going to be happy." the first officer said.

The two men working the rooms had already turned the room upside making it appear to be ransacked. They were of course careful enough not to leave any finger prints as they worked in the black uniforms with gloves. No one was every going to figure out what happened here today.

"How much time?"

"Three minutes forty seconds have expired, we're running out of time."

"This is going to be close, we're only forty three percent through downloading these files. Any luck in the rooms?"

"No sir, nothing yet."

"Commander I believe I found something in his closet, actually a few things. However judging by the lack of bulk in these contains and missing items I'd say he took most of the stuff with him."

"Well what did you find?"

"Starfleet Intelligence items, disguise kits, and a few other things. The bulk of what he had is gone and probably with him. I also found this commander a padd with a sophisticated lock out on in." Hawks said appearing from the bed room and handing the padd to the commander.

"Interesting." the commander said, as he glanced at the other padd which was now at fifty seven percent complete. "Time"

"Four minutes and seven seconds have elapsed."

"I believe this will be ... "

Suddenly without warning the padd that the commander was holding is surrounded by the blue light of a transporter beam. With in seconds the padd is gone and their presence will now be known by the crew and there wasn't anything they could do to stop it from happening.

"Computer discontinue transfer of files." Chris Thomas said.

"Transferred stopped."

"Like I said everyone makes mistakes, and we just did. It's time to leave Now." Commander Grisom said.

They quickly grabbed their supplies and returned to the beam in point in the center of the living room. Everything was over now, they'd have to hope that the information they'd gotten would be enough. "Commander Grisom to transporter room three to beam home now."

"Energizing."

** Bridge USS Galaxy **

A padd suddenly appeared in the captain's chair flashing Intruder alert. They all looked at the padd trying to figure out what it meant. Then someone took charge and set to find out.

** USS North Star **

"Commander Grisom to Captain it's time depart. We've been found it by a trap Mr. Thomas setup for us, he was well prepared for unexpected guest in his room. We got all of the traps shutdown, but the one that just got us. However I believe we have what we needed to find out where he went."

[Understood.]

The USS North Star still cloaked prepared for rapid departure, there would be no need to engage the Galaxy in combat.

"Helm take us out of here." Captain Strienberg ordered.

---

tbc...

Christopher Patton
ICQ # 11497863

“Uninvited guests...maybe”
LtCmdr Hunter McKenzie
Chief Tactical Officer and Acting 1st Officer

“What’s the status of the away team Lt.” Asked Mac as he swung the command chair to face the Science station.

“ We have solid locks on all individuals.” The young Betazoid paused slightly, “the same way we had them locked 5 min ago.”

Mac grimaced at the meaning behind the response, Maybe he was being overly cautions...the crew of the Galaxy was the best in the Fleet and they didn’t need to be chaperoned.

“I’m being annoying aren’t I?” asked Mac.

“Yes, Sir “ added the Lt., grinning.

Mac swung the chair back around and looked at the rotating sphere of Cardassia Prime. Somewhere down there party that was searching for them. Between them...several groups of god-knows what. All he had to do was sit back and wait...wait for something to ....

The sound of a transporter beam filled the air of the bridge , much to the surprise of the current bridge crew and most of all as a PADD materialized in front of him and fell to the floor. As Mac picked up the mysterious PADD he saw in bold, flashing, red letters, two simple words...

“INTRUDER ALERT”

Mac was not one that needed a brick to fall on him...although he did look around for any sign of K’Eyt in the mix. Not seeing her he snapped back into command.

“Take us to Red Alert Mr. Hermedhie. We may have visitors.”

“Aye Sir,” responded the Tactical Lt.

“Sir,” asked the science officer. “With the shields up...it will be difficult to maintain positive locks on the search team. If something happens to them while we are at read alert...” the Lt. let the last statement hang.

‘I know Lt. Lets pray that nothing does.” Mac grimaced as he hit his communicator, the red lights of the bridge flashing intermittently onto the scene. “Bridge to Lt. Albrecht...”

LtCmdr. Hunter McKenzie, Chief Tactical Officer (CTO), USS GALAXY
ICQ #6758283

"Rain, er, Bill?"
by Yatoh Senes Derch, longtime associate of Gordall Kalln, esq.

***USS Enoch, Bridge***

"No sir," said Lieutenant Groom on the bridge of the Galaxy, "Their away team did not return to the ship. Security teams are being dispatched now."

Captain Derch tapped his foot uncertainly. Kalln had been supposed to meet him on Deep Space Nine and after hearing that the Galaxy had been delayed to direct the relief efforts he had returned to Cardassia Prime to see what was going on.

"Lieutenant Groom," he said finally, "Please could you convey to the Chief of Security that the Enoch has fifteen fit officers that could be lent to the Galaxy to assist."

"Yes sir," said Groom, "I believe he is busy at the moment, and 'Commander Samara is in command of the ship, but I will relay your message. I'm sure Commander Sunder will appreciate the assistance."

"Thank you. Enoch out."

The viewscreen winked back to show the orb of Cardassia and Derch turned back to his chair. He very much doubted anything would happen to Kalln, and he KNEW the old bugger wasn't going to get killed. Still, concern for your friends and all that.

----------

Tim AKA Tim
Lieutenant, Junior Grade Gordall Kalln, Science Officer, USS Galaxy

"He's dead Tim"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price

*** Jem'Hadar base camp, in the canyons of the Icarian foothills ***

Lieutenant Kalln pulled curiously at the flimsy plastic bonds the Jem'Hadar had bound his hands and feet with. Unlike the other Federation officers they had captured, the enemy soldiers seemed to have a concern for the strength and capabilities of the formidable looking Gnalish Elt. With a scientific interest Gordall peered back at the narrow white bonds and tested them with his reptilian arms. There was some give. They were certainly not flimsy bindings. More than strong enough to hold a human, but Gordall was confident that fully motivated properly he could snap out of them with little trouble.

"What the hell are you staring at?!" Anna hissed, some what quietly given they were all prisoners of war in a Jem'Hadar base camp.

Kalln looked up and over to Miss Gartner with the bewildered eyes of an innocent child. The pronounced ridge over his eyes that served as the equivalent of a human eyebrow raised in a questioning manner.

Anna's eyes narrowed. "Here we are captive by the Jem'Hadar where we are most likely going to die, and I turn around to find you checking out my butt! Show a little respect will you?, you sex fiend."

Kalln glanced away in shock in a perfect dead pan expression. "I assure you I wasn't looking at your . . ."

The Lieutenant didn't get a chance to finish his sentence as three Jem'Hadar came walking over to the prisoners. Two were dragging the naked body of Ensign Kale Danal between their arms. His limp body was drug along as the two other soldiers held either arm and dropped him just a few feet from the other prisoners. He was covered in blood.

The Jem'Hadar second stood there and addressed them. There were a bloody pair of testicles strung from his bandoleer that couldn't help but catch everyone's attention. "Your compatriot attacked one of my men. This is the result. I suggest the rest of you mind yourselves, less you wish to suffer the same fate." Azhel spoke boldly, then he and the other two Jem'Hadar turned and walked away.

"My god, what did they do to Kale?" Anna stated compassionately as she moved towards her fellow Starfleet officer. Lieutenant Kalln sat there and watched as the other prisoners, those not bound like himself, moved towards Ensign Danal who still appeared to be alive, though for how long Gordall didn't care to speculate. As a scientist he knew Kale's chances of surviving were not very high. Not as long as they were all kept captive by the Jem'Hadar.

"Give him some air!" Neil ordered with authority as he kneeled near his friend and fellow security officer. The other prisoners stood back slightly, but could still see Kale's injuries. All of the fingers from both of his hands were missing, along with several lash marks across his chest and the injury to his groin. Kale looked pale. He was shaking as if he were cold and in shock.

Anna managed to grab a blanket and cover Ensign Danal to try and warm him, but it was as if Kale didn't even notice. His eyes were bewildered, almost glassy as he stared out in the distance. Neil grabbed him and held firmly. "Kale! Kale. Hold on buddy. The worse is over. You need to try and stay awake. . ."

Kale's eyes never focused on his friend, but he seemed to understand what Lieutenant Bolitho was saying as if he recognized his voice. Kale didn't appear to be angry. He didn't appear to be in any pain. Anna was not a doctor, but she knew the signs of shock and her intuition told her Danal's prognosis was not good. He'd lost a lot of blood.

"Is that you Neil?" Kale asked in a weak, trembling voice.

His friend had just suffered a more horrific fate than anything he'd ever wished on his worse enemy in the quadrant, but somehow hearing Kale recognize his concerned plea gave Neil some comfort as he smiled. "Yes Kale, it's me. Neilo. Hold on buddy. Try to save your strength. . ."

"I told them nothing. Nothing!" Ensign Danal hissed bravely.

"No one thought that you would Kale. You have a strong will." Neil tried to sooth his dying friend. "You just need to hang in there a while longer. The Galaxy will be getting us out of here. It should be any time now." Bolitho explained, trying to instill hope to the Ensign.

"So tired. Need to sleep. . ." Kale said with heavy eyes. His skin was nearly paper white from the blood loss. As Neil held his friend close in his arms, he could feel there was practically no body heat left in Danal's body.

"No! You have to try to remain awake. You can fight them. You can make it . . ." Neil argued emotionally, not wanting to see his friend die.

Anna grabbed Neil's forearm and shook her head silently. She just needed to make eye contact once with Lieutenant Bolitho to ground him in the reality that there was nothing they could do to prevent the inevitable from happening. A single tear made it's way down Neil's face as he pressed his emotion filled eyelids together and gave Anna an understanding nod.

"Rest Kale. It's okay." she said in a compassionate voice that moved Kalln even from across the camp where he listened to the whole exchange from his seated and bound position. It was one of the reasons why he loved her.

"Shhhh. You did well. Now close your eyes and rest." Anna comforted, running her hand across Kale's cheek in a motherly fashion.

Kale's face softened as his eyes closed. The pain seemed to be gone. A distant memory as his muscles relaxed for the last time. He past away with a peaceful exhale, and then there was silence.

McDowell, McGee, Chen and the other Starfleet prisoners watched in respectful silence as Neil helped Anna lay Kale's body down and cover it with the blanket. Ensign Kale Danal was dead. If Gnalish Elt had tear ducts, Lieutenant Gordall Kalln would have cried.

*****

*** Shuttle craft USS Yosemite, on route to Cardassia Prime ***

Captain Price checked the flight controls of the shuttle. It was still maintaining warp factor three and now just a few hours away from Cardassia space where the USS Galaxy was in orbit about Cardassia Prime. It had been nearly a day and a half since he'd spoken to Admiral Casey about Deiran's incarceration, but still no word yet. Fortunately, the shuttle was now in close enough range to the Galaxy to make sub-space transmissions more practical.

Lee hailed the Galaxy. "Captain Price to USS Galaxy, come in Galaxy."

A moment later, Lieutenant Hermedhie was heard on the other end of the channel. ["Galaxy here Captain, go ahead sir."]

"Lieutenant, let me speak to Lieutenant Commander Samara 'mate." Captain Price asked.

["Patching you through Captain. Just one moment."] Raesene explained.

A moment later the Captain was greeted by K'Eytyanna's somewhat frustrated voice from her quarters. ["Samara here Captain. Aren't you back yet sir?!"]

Lee smiled at Keyt's frustration. He knew she was one of the best Engineers he'd ever seen in all of Starfleet, but her people skills were not listed amongst her strongest characteristics. A necessity when serving in a command capacity as she was doing now. "I'm on my way 'Commander. ETA about seven hours out. What's the current status of the situation on Cardassia Prime 'mate? Can you fill me in?"

Samara sighed. ["It's worsened Captain. Though we do have some more information."]

"Let's hear it Keyt." Captain Price asked over the audio only channel.

["Well sir, the CLA terrorist attacks have continued to escalate. Several officers and civilians have been wounded and killed as the attacks grow more larger in scope and size. I received a report that Doctor Zander died in the last bombing. Believe me, it took every grain of self control I could muster to keep from ordering planetary bombardment right when I heard the news. . . ."] K'Eytyanna said in a frustrated but honestly sincere tone.

"I'm glad you didn't do that 'mate." Lee offered simply.

["I wish my quarters agreed with you Captain. I'm running out of things to break. I think D'Akana is still hiding under the bed after my last tirade."] the 'Commander explained.

"This relief effort isn't going to work if the Cardassians continue to sabotage our efforts to assist them. Have we even managed to restore any of the vital systems to their planet 'Commander?" Lee asked.

["In spite of it all, the relief effort has proceeded to a limited degree of success. Several shelters have been constructed, a temporary communications and power network established. Replicators for food and water are in place and working. Not nearly enough for all of the survivors on the planet but definitely better then what was there before. What ticks me off is that the Cardassians are not the least bit grateful. Even the ones we treat medically all look at us like we are doing this all for our own gain. They are all barbarians. They have no sense of honor."] Keyt explained.

"Hopefully Starfleet will see that there is a point where our presence at Cardassia Prime is more of a hindrance to their healing process than a help." Lee explained. "Any other news to report 'mate?"

["An away team has turned up missing Captain. I sent a search party out to look for them. They discovered that they had been attacked and captured by an unknown force."] Samara explained.

"The CLA?" Lee asked.

["That was what was thought at first, but it's not looking that way now Captain. We managed to transport the leader of the local CLA cell on board the Galaxy."] Keyt explained.

Lee's eyebrows raised up at hearing this, "How in the world did you manage that 'Commander?"

["It's a long story Captain, but basically we sent in an undercover operative to penetrate the ranks of the CLA. When it was discovered that Raghavan, that's the name of the cell leader, was dying of a heart condition, we pulled him out and saved his life. The guy is a megalomaniac, but we are pretty certain the CLA are not responsible for our missing away team."]

"What makes you say that 'mate?"

["Well, the CLA are fanatics. Their number one objective is to rid their planet of all non-Cardassians. Taking hostages is counter to that goal. Also the CLA are meticulous about leaving their signature letters at the sites of their terrorist actions to take credit and inform their people of their work. Where the away team was abducted there was no signature left. Finally, when Lemur mind melded with Raghavan, he discovered that several of the CLA's own foraging teams have likewise disappeared without a trace while searching the edges of the city for supplies to use in the furthering of their Liberation movement. The theory is there may be a group of Jem'Hadar still hiding on the planet somewhere unaware that the Dominion war has ended."] Samara explained.

"That would certainly explain a lot." Lee agreed.

["Aye. It's just a theory right now. When Raghavan recovers from his heart surgery, we will try to convince him to call a cease fire with the CLA until we can find out for sure. Lemur seems to think he will be more willing to work with us now since we saved his life, and in order to clear the name of the CLA over the away teams disappearance. If it does turn out to be Jem'Hadar on Cardassia Prime, getting them off the planet is also within the Cardassian Liberation Army's goals. So working with us should make sense."]

"Let's hope this Raghavan see it that way 'Commander." Lee acknowledged.

["Any word about Commander Casey sir? I've pretty much had my fill of command."] K'Eytyanna relayed in a sarcastic tone.

"I'm still working on it 'Commander. Admiral Casey is checking into the original transfer orders that started this whole thing. If he can prove they were made in error, then Deiran's arrest becomes invalid and Admiral Pressman will have to let him go with a clean record."

["Well tell the Admiral to hurry up Captain. My trigger finger gets itchy when I'm this close to so many Cardassians. Planetary bombardment sounds like a pretty good strategy to me, were it not for our missing crew members. . . "]

Lee gave a slight smirk. He could tell that Keyt was kidding, even though it probably was closer to the truth to the way she felt about the whole situation. But he knew she was a Starfleet officer, and though she talked rough and harshly about the enemy, planetary bombardment was something she wouldn't do on a whim. "I'm certain the Admiral is doing everything in his power to get his son out of the brig of the Aurora 'mate. It's the Casey's we are talking about after all. At any rate, I'll be back aboard the Galaxy inside of seven hours. Then you'll be due for a much needed rest I imagine."

["I'll try to make the furniture that remains last that long Captain."] Keyt said dryly, then added, ["Maybe the Captain's ready room. . ."]

"Not unless you want to scrub more waste extractors 'Commander." Lee replied to Samara's wry joke.

With a Klingon grunt, Samara expressed her displeasure with that assignment. ["I'll try to keep things under control until you return Captain."]

"Bonzer 'mate. See you in seven hours. Shuttle Yosemite out."

"How to Conduct a Break In"
by Lt. Commander Thomas
by Lt. Commander David Mercury
by Lt. Shtik -- Science Officer
by Lt. (jg) Yazron Beq - Tactical Officer
by Ensign Shane Montgomery Wolcott -- Shuttle Pilot
USS Galaxy

** Shuttle Clemens **

Lt. Commander Thomas sat in the back of the shuttle working on ideas to bypass security in boarding the Starbase. However he was nearly finished with his projects and would soon be approaching the other officers in the group for their thoughts on how to get onboard the Starbase.

He'd already left them with the notion they should be thinking about possible ways and now he was about ready to ask them. He probably could easily get himself and maybe one more person onboard without any problem. Getting all of them onboard the Starbase undetected wasn't likely. They'd need some plans to get onboard the Starbase and they'd have come up with a way to get everyone onboard. He would need all of them to help with this phase of the mission, and the extra help would work.

Chris finished up his projects that might be needed to get onboard the Starbase, but he wanted to save them for possible future usage if they could come up with another way onboard the Starbase.

"Ok everyone listen up, we're only an hour away from the long range sensor capabilities of Starbase 81 and we need to start working on a plan to get onboard that Starbase." Lt. Commander Thomas said as he moved forward to join the rest of the group that had come with him.

Shane remained quite watching what happened, he wasn't sure what to do or say so he just waited for a point that he might have something to say about this mission.

"Before everyone starts tossing out their ideas on how to get onboard Starbase 81, let me first fill in some information about the Starbase. You'll also find a schematic drawing of the Starbase and it's systems in the computer under operation break in 81. I recommend that you pull up that schematic now and transfer it to a PADD." Chris said, as he handed each of them a PADD to work with. "You'll find the information and the schematic most useful in working on possible ways to get onboard."

Yaz took the PADD, and called up the information. "It looks like their Security systems are pretty modern, not very easy to fool or bypass..." He passed it on to the officer beside him, not taking note of who it was, and began thinking through the data he had just seen.

Shtik started with the PADD and downloaded the information to the one that he had, erasing the marine periodical that was stored there.

"The systems are pretty modern but I think I have seen many of these before. Yaz I think your right, I don't believe we will be able to fool them but we just might be able to bypass them." the Chief Engineer commented as he looked at the PADD in front of him.

"I agree with them, bypassing maybe the best option." Shane added.

"Computer dim lights, and activate holographic emitter of Starbase 81."

Chris said, he'd come prepared for this detailed planning. Though he hoped that preparation would pay off and get them onboard without any major problems.

"First things first, Starfleet Intelligence probably by now knows that I am no longer on the Galaxy and maybe en route to a fishing spot. They also have probably figured out that while I did provide a good trail that we were taking to go to some fishing spots, they might be aware its not true. Which means that the Commander of this Starbase maybe alerted to our pending arrival, actually my pending arrival. Which means that we may have to alter our plans on a spilt seconds notice." Chris said.

"Now for the factually information about Starbase 81 and Starfleet Intelligence. I have spent the past 2 years looking into what happened here and why my wife and a number of other officers lost their lives, but no one is willing to say how it happened. I believe that the Starbase is or at least some of the Starbase is under the command of Section 31. Section 31 is a black operations organization in Starfleet Intelligence and accordingly doesn't exist." Chris said then took a moment, "Gentlemen what I am telling is dangerous information to know and I would strongly recommend that whatever I tell you or you learn in the next 72 hours be keep a secret for the rest of your lives. Even if what I believe is true and we can find additional evidence to support my theories, there will always be a fragment or area that won't be touched. This of course is because the group is buried behind a lot of protective measures and other controls that would make it hard to dismantle."

"Starbase 81 is an orbital Starbase capable of handling the docking of three galaxy class cruisers and number of other ships at the same time, but doesn't. The Starbase is in fact completely sealed with one expectation a dock port on the planet facing side. It's well hidden and explains why they don't send any ships to this Starbase for repairs. My question is why do you need such a large Starbase if it's not being used for what it's original design and concepts calls for?"

"Perhaps it is a large research base." Yaz stated, "It would make sense to have one structure where all the research can be kept together rather than many facilities dotted throughout the Quadrant."

"A research base of that size could theoretically be producing an experimental device of enormous proportions." Shtik stated with a raised eyebrow at Yaz.

"That is one possibility." Yaz agreed, looking at the Vulcan. "Or perhaps even some sort of ship." Shtik nodded in acknowledgement of the observation.

"Just playing devil's advocate. We might be jumping the gun here. What if this Starbase is just as advertised and the reason no ships ever dock here is just simply because of location." David added to the discussion.

"The base is certainly out of the way for ships to be docking at, however based upon what I see there is no reason why it shouldn't be used for docking. There are several areas of interest in the surrounding sectors that would benefit from having a fully operational Starbase capable of handling starships docking there." Shane added.

Chris smiled, "I believe the base is being used for experimental research and I believe that' what we'll find when we get there and why Starfleet Intelligence is highly protective of the base."

"The Starbase used to be heavily guarded both on the inside and the outside. There were numerous patrols that would be sent out and used, but with the war they had no choice but to allow the ships to be reassigned to other duties. The outskirts of the area are rarely ever patrolled anymore and they don't stop any ships unless reason warrants them to do so. Which means that we shouldn't have to worry about being stopped by any ships out here, since there are none. However that leaves the sensor scans, which could detect our approach and they could contact us and ask our destination, etc." Chris said.

"Which is why our cargo hold is full of supplies that are needed through out Starfleet. Of course since we're a small ship there's not that many parts down there, but enough that we could possible use it to get into the Starbase or at least close enough. They pretty much make it a challenge to get onboard the Starbase, so we'll have to be crafty with our ideas."

"I'll take questions now or listen to suggestions about how to get onboard." Lt. Commander Thomas said.

Yaz decided to state the obvious option. "Perhaps we should just follow routine procedure. As a precaution I brought my uniform, and since it is you they are looking for if someone else handled the communications then they would not be aware of your presence. We could easily bypass the security check-in, they do not ask civilians for ID if a Starfleet officer will vouch for them, so you simply do not wear your uniform. And if we claim to be delivering supplies, then we will come across the cargo bay at some point no doubt, and I hear the ventilation systems from there reach almost all parts of the ship." Yaz smiled, his idea was simple, but may prove effective.

"While the direct approach could prove effective, a more clandestine approach could be achieved my means of the dark matter nebula we encountered earlier." Shtik stated.

"How can that help us? It was almost 12 parsecs from here?" Thomas asked.

"If Lt. Commander Mercury was able to construct a containment field on the outside of the shuttle, gaseous matter from the nebula could be collected and carried back toward the station. If the gas is released as the shuttle is simultaneously powered down, inertia could be used to coast powerless toward the Starbase within the artificially created nebula fragment undetected." Shtik outlined. David Mercury could be seen beginning to calculate the probability of manufacturing the device.

"'I'm just a little black rain cloud, of course.'" Yaz mumbled.

"I beg your pardon?" Shtik asked.

"Sorry, children's literature, terran I believe. A.A. Milne, 'Winnie the Pooh'" Yaz stated.

"'Tut tut it looks like rain!'" Shane Wolcott exclaimed. "I love that cartoon!"

"Indeed." Shtik stated dryly. "Regardless of the Disney references, once our shuttle is within a reasonable distance, we can cross over to the station extra-vehicularly and manually tether the shuttle to the outer hull of the Starbase. From there, we should be able to deactivate any intruder alarms and find some form of access to the interior of the base."

"This little black cloud is doable, in fact its pretty easy but I have to say I don't think it would work. Thomas said it before its over 12 parsecs away, if all of the sudden a small cloud of this gaseous matter started to "float" over towards the station... I don't know I think that it might catch their attention." David replied. "I still think the direct approach is the best. I think the less we hid the better. If we go in through the front door I think we will have better access to everything."

Chris listened carefully to what they had to say and considered the options. "I think the direct approach maybe the best one for the moment. We'll save the theatrics for escaping this place with our lives and the cloud might be useful then. We also risk raising the dubious question by the staff on the Starbase 'where'd that cloud come from anyway?' If we are to assume that they know about my departure from the ship, they've no doubt started searching. Of course I agree with you that if I speak up when contacting them they'll no some things amiss. However I have a good way to address this problem and make sure we're taking as little risk as possible." Lt. Commander Thomas said.

"Lt. Commander Mercury take us in as a cargo ship, under your command." Chris said. "You are after all the ranking officer at this moment in time, while I make some changes." Chris said. He was about ready to go to the back of the ship and change his attire then he stopped. "We have an excellent chances to pull this off and not have any problems. I have to change my appearance to avoid being suspected or caught, but I don't think it'll be a problem." Chris said.

"What do you have in mind, 'commander?" Lt. Commander Mercury asked.

"Well I can't go in looking like this, so I plan to appear as a civilian named William Churchill. He's actually the captain of Starship, but hasn't been seen in several months now. I have the kit ready for us to use, but I was hoping to save it for later, oh well. We do what we have to do and what works best." Chris said.

"Do you really think you can pull this off, without raising questions?" David asked candidly.

"I won't mention my name unless I have to and I have been working on the idea for several weeks about who to get onboard the Starbase. I just finished the idea and disguise and it works great sense the Captain's whereabouts are unknown at the present time."

"Impersonating a captain, is serious business Chris. I just hope you know what you're doing sir." David stated.

"Trust me David I have been impersonating people for a very long time, and I have the experience. The biggest challenge is getting onboard the Starbase and then having a look around without getting caught." Chris said. "You get us onboard the Starbase as we talked about and I'll worry about my part of this operation."

"Aye 'Commander or should I call you captain?" David asked with a smile.

"Will or William until I have identify myself beyond a first name or such. I know I'll have to do it eventually, but lets hope it won't be for a while, shall we."

"Of course Will." David said. "I better get to the front and you better get back there so you can put your new face and clothes on before we arrive." Lt. Commander Mercury added with an air of authority for the moment.

"You are quite correct sir, I should indeed get back there and get to work before we arrive." Chris er Will said heading for the back of the shuttle to put on his new identity and make the records agree with who he was about ready to become for the next few days he hoped. He also would have his back up plan with him and that wasn't going to go over well.

Christopher Patton
ICQ # 11497863

"Preparing for an Expedition"
by, Lt. Raesene Hermedhie

Before he would go down to Cardassia, to watch over his fianceé, Raesene deemed it important to refine his physical characteristics. So as soon as his shift was over, he headed for the Holodecks, where he began a program for physical training. He was armed with only the strange sword. "Katana," he believed that T'Kal had called it.

Soon the program began with a medium-built human charging at him. He quickly cut him down. For the next hour, he gradually worked his way throuhg ther opponents. After dispatching a Klingon, wielding a bat'leth, he got a short reprieve before a blade-wielding Jem'Hadar appeared.

For five minutes they exchanged shots before the genetically-engineered being managed to deliver the "killing" blow. The scene faded into the background of balck and gold lines. Shaking his head at his mistake, he cooled down, and left the Holodeck, heading for his quarters.

"Organization Step 1"
By: The Science Department
USS Galaxy
Appearances by: Lt Sullax
UnAuthorized Appearances by: Lt(jg) Taurean, Lt(jg) Rhys

Ryak looked around his office. It was rather large and bare. As Ryak looked around he noticed that his stuff had been brought down from his lab. Ryak opened one of the boxes and started to place things. On his wall he placed his medals, a Romulan Star Empire Crest, a framed picture of him and a few of his friends in Tal Shiar uniforms taken on Romulus and a few pictures drawn by Sullar. As Ryak put them on the wall his heart fell even farther. Ryak had never felt this lost or helpless.

Ryak finished placing his things where he wanted them. Ryak sat down behind his desk and picked up one of the padds. Ryak read the padd and placed it on his desk. He put his head into his hands and tried to keep his composure.

BEEP BEEP

Ryak looked up from his desk and fixed his uniform. "Come."

Ryak noticed as Lt(jg) Taurean entered. "Sir, I am here for the meeting." She said as she handed Ryak a padd, "Ensign Brooks wanted me to give this to you sir."

Taurean stood at his desk in a very Starfleet fashion. she looked straight ahead and didn't move a single muscle. Ryak looked at the padd and saw that it was a run down of the present status of the science department. Ryak placed the padd down on his desk and pointed to the chair next to Taurean.

"Have a seat Lieutenant."

BEEP BEEP

Ryak stood up from his seat and said, "Come."

Into the office came the Ensign Brooks. "Sir, you requested me presence?"

"Yes." Ryak said as he adopted his usual Romulan stance with his arms behind his back.

Ryak looked as Lt(jg) Rhys entered the room. "I..I.. Sorry, Sir." She said in an out of breath manner as she sat down in the other chair.

"Very well. Lt Shtik is away and Lt (jg) Kalln is MIA, so we will begin now." Ryak looked at the very mismatched senior staff before continuing, "I am aware of all of your abilities and I am also aware that you know who I am. There are going to be a bit more changes to suit this situation we are in." Ryak could see that the scientists looked a bit confused. "As you all know. Lt/Cmd Morris is now the Chief Science Officer. She has had an illness in the family that she needed to attend to." Ryak took a breath as his son flashed into his head. "I have been placed as acting Chief Science Officer. This is very new to me and as it will be to you. I know that the Galaxy runs on a four shift rotation. This means that we are going to need to have our rather limited number of personnel stretched to their maximum. I have to put the following rules into effect until we have control over the situation. Lt Taurean you are going to be the Acting Assistant Chief Science officer until Shtik gets back on board. Now onto the bigger picture. We have a dead planet beneath us at this moment. As a scientist this does not sit well. On top of that the Galaxy is not in good shape. I am now suspending all experiments and all leave. I need to have the galaxy at peak efficiency. the only experiments that will be allowed are those pertaining to the repair of the ship or that of repairing the damage done to Cardassia. This may upset a few people in this department. I need them to understand that we have to get our house in order first. The sooner we get this done the sooner we can go back to normal."

Ryak moved to being in front of his desk before he continued, "I believe that we will be able to have this executed quickly and efficiently. Lt Brooks, I need Stellar Cartography to be back up to speed as soon as possible so that the personnel can be moved to the other areas that need them. Lt Taurean, I need you to start working on the Cardassia challenge. I want you to use what ever means necessary to get the job done fast. If you need to do live testing on the planet's surface, let me know and I will see what we can do to help. Lt Rhys, your task is to get the science department back up to speed. The ship is not in as good of shape as we'd like so you will make sure it is. No one is to leave the ship with out my authorization and I want to be kept up to date on all things pertaining to the job. I want a team effort here for once. Any questions?"

The staff just stood there looking at Ryak. Right as Ryak was going to dismiss the group his comm badge sounded, "Lt Sullax, this is sick bay. We would like you to come here as soon as possible sir. It has to due with your son."

"I am on my way." Ryak said. He turned to the group and said, "Dismissed people lets make this work." Ryak headed out of his office and off to sick bay.

"Admiral's findings"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price

*** Shuttlecraft USS Yosemite ***

Captain Price was growing impatient as his shuttle neared Cardassian space. He made a note to look into getting some additional run-a-bouts assigned to the Galaxy so when the need arises he'd have a craft capable of traveling faster then warp three.

Lee checked the flight console and confirmed that there was just another couple hours before he reached Cardassia Prime and the Galaxy. All of the while spent alone in the shuttle Yosemite had given him lots of time to think. He'd received a reprimand from Starfleet Command over his decision to take action on the last mission and save the timeline from disruption. As a result he'd been demoted to Captain for it. Yet no matter how many times he went over the actions and the decisions he'd made, he kept coming to the same conclusion. He'd do it again in a heart beat.

Interrupting his thoughts, a priority incoming transmission beeped out from the console. Lee sat up and tapped the proper buttons to call up the display. It was the return call from Admiral Thomas Casey he'd been waiting for.

The Admiral appeared on the view screen. He appeared to be hunched over a small personal monitor, crouching as if he was in a hurry and didn't have time to sit. There was also a sense of anxiousness in the Admiral's voice as he spoke softly. It was almost as if he expected to be interrupted any moment. Overall, it left the Captain a little worried.

["Hello Captain. I found out where the orders originated from. They were sent directly by Admiral Pressman. They did not travel through the required channels that would make them valid transfer orders. I'm transmitting the results of the trace now on a coded channel. If you confront Pressman with this he will definitely back down, since if he doesn't he will have to explain why these orders were issued in this covert fashion and on who's higher authority. As much as he hates the Caseys in Starfleet, Pressman isn't going to risk exposing who he works for."] the Admiral explained.

"Thanks 'mate. That was just what I was looking for." Price nodded. "I don't suppose you'd care to elaborate on who it is Pressman is working for?"

Thomas shook his head. ["Believe me Captain, you don't want to know. I'm just putting the pieces together myself. The more I find out, the more I wish I hadn't."] the Admiral explained, pausing to peer over his shoulder, ["Someone is coming. I have to go. Good luck with getting Deiran released Price. Casey out."]

The channel was abruptly closed, causing the Captain to have even more concern over what sort of danger Deiran's father had gotten himself into to obtain this information that would exonerate his son. Checking the computer banks, he could see that the coded file was received containing the full trace of the orders to transfer Lieutenant Commander Chris Thomas to the USS Aurora. The Admiral was correct, they were forged, having not traveled through the required network check points to receive proper validation. In effect, they had Admiral Pressman with this evidence. Using it, they could force him to drop the matter, or he'd have to explain it, exposing his chain of command. Like Admiral Casey, Captain Price believed that Pressman would back down rather then risk that.

Reaching for a data padd, Captain Price began downloading the trace file to the portable device to insure he had a copy of it. He then initiated a sub-space transfer of the coded file to the USS Galaxy just to be safe. When the file transaction completed a few moments later he leaned back in his chair.

"Computer, hail Captain Rema of the USS Aurora."

The computer acknowledged the Captain's command and a moment later Captain Rema appeared on the view monitor.

"G'Day Captain." Price greeted with his usual charm.

Captain Rema had a serious, 'all business' expression on his face as Captain Price greeted him with a smug and friendly grin. ["Good day Captain Price. What can I do for you?"]

"Well for starters you can release Commander Deiran Casey and transport him back to the USS Galaxy 'mate." Lee smiled.

Rema wasn't amused. ["I'm sorry Captain. That will not be possible. I have orders from Admiral Pressman that the Commander is to remain under house arrest on board this vessel until further notice. He said it was a matter of Federation security."]

"Don't play games with me 'mate. You know as well as I do that the Admiral had Deiran arrested simply because he refused to obey Pressman's orders to turn Lieutenant Commander Thomas over to your command." Lee confronted evenly.

Captain Rema crossed his arms stubbornly. He wasn't used to being spoken to by a fellow Starship Captain with such a tone. Admiral's yes, but Captain's no. ["I know what happened Price. Casey didn't follow a direct order from a Starfleet Admiral he doesn't like, and now he's going to have to pay the price for his lack of judgement."]

Lee shook his head. "Maybe, but not today." Captain Price tapped a control on his console. "I'm transmitting a copy of the full trace that was run on the original transfer request ordering Lieutenant Commander Chris Thomas to report to the USS Aurora. You should have it there now."

Rema uncrossed his arms and punched up another display, quickly glancing at it. He was a skilled poker player and held his expressionless face well. ["I have it. How did you obtain this?"]

Lee smiled. "That's not as important at the moment as much as the fact that I do have it,. . ." Captain Price explained holding up his data padd, ". . . and have made several copies of it. As you can see, those orders were a forgery. They didn't travel through the proper channels before reaching the Galaxy."

Rema tried to play it off as best he could. ["So? Starfleet Intelligence doesn't need to follow the proper channels when the situation warrants it. What is your point Price?"]

"The point is this, if these orders are not forgeries, then they must be held accountable by Starfleet Intelligence. If that is the case, then Admiral Pressman needs to clarify who gave him the order to have Lieutenant Commander Thomas transferred off of the USS Galaxy. If he is unwilling to do that so we can confirm the orders, then this entire incident has no relevance since Commander Casey simply refused to follow a transfer request issued by Admiral Pressman without proper authorization. Does that help establish the *point* Captain Rema?" Price asked with emphasis.

["I will have to confirm this with Admiral Pressman Captain. The decision is ultimately his. I'll see if I can hail him to find out what he wants to do in light of this new development."] Rema reluctantly offered.

"Bonzer 'mate. I should be back on board the USS Galaxy inside of the next two hours. I will expect Commander Casey to be back in command of my starship before I get back. If not, I'll have to start making hails and inquiries into who gave the Admiral the authorization to forge the transfer orders for one of my most trusted senior officers. . ."

["I'm sure the Admiral will make a decision before then Price. Captain Rema of the USS Aurora out."]

The channel closed as Captain Price smiled victoriously. If things went as he expected they would, Deiran Casey would be free and back in command of the Galaxy within the hour.

“Reactionary measures”
LtCmdr Hunter McKenzie
Chief Tactical Officer and Acting 1st Officer

“Mr. Groom, I want a full scan of this ship and every non-Galaxy crewmember accounted for! Also, call Capt. Samara to the bridge.

Mac watched as the Senior TacOfficer started the scan. The steady drone of the Red Alert lights cast everything into a ruddy haze. He also knew at that very moment several Security teams were being activated and prepared to repel whatever or whoever was on board.

“Sir...?” asked Groom from behind.

What do you have Winston?”

With thee exception of the CLA personnel in Sickbay, I have two life signs moving on the officers deck.. Both terran, but other than that they are unknown.”

“Can you get a transporter lock on them?”

“No sir, it appears that they have some sort of transporter inhibitor blocking it.”

Mac rubbed his chin. “Ok...coordinate the Response teams and get me Albrecht again.”

A few seconds later the Acting Chief of Security voice rang out. “Albrecht here.”

“ok, here’s what we have, Commander. I have two unknown terran males, on the residential deck. Find them.”

“Already have teams enroute, I’m patched in with Groom. We will be coordinating from the Security office.”

“Good, Just make sure one of those bastards is alive to tell who they work for,” Snarled Mac.

“Aye sir.” chimed in Albrecht, “We’ll do our best.”

Mac cut the connection with a jab of his finger. He unconsciously rubbed his chin again and waited for the battle inside the Galaxy to be resolved. But he knew that the two borders had to come on board from another ship, that ship was what bothered him most.

LtCmdr. Hunter McKenzie, Chief Tactical Officer (CTO), USS GALAXY
ICQ #6758283

"Look at me - I'm Han Slomo"
by Kallny, Mikesy, Lil' Anna, Big Neil and Spooky Mr Chen
featuring a corrected excerpt from "He's dead Tim"

***Nasty Jem'Hadar Prison***

Lieutenant Kalln pulled curiously at the flimsy plastic bonds the Jem'Hadar had bound his hands and feet with. Unlike the other Federation officers they had captured, the enemy soldiers seemed to have a concern for the strength and capabilities of the formidable looking Gnalish Elt. With a scientific interest Kalln peeled back at the narrow white bonds and tested them with his reptilian arms. There was some give. They were certainly not flimsy bindings. More than strong enough to hold a Terran, but Kalln was confident that fully motivated he could snap out of them with little trouble.

"What the hell are you staring at?!" Anna hissed, some what quietly given they were all prisoners of war in a Jem'Hadar base camp.

Kalln looked up and over to Miss Gartner with the bewildered eyes of an innocent child. Though he had a distinctive lack of eyebrows, one got the feeling they were being raised.

Anna's eyes narrowed. "Here we are captive by the Jem'Hadar where we are most likely going to die, and I turn around to find you checking out my butt! Show a little respect will you, you sex fiend."

Kalln glanced away with a perfect deadpan expression. "I assure you I wasn't looking at your..."

The Lieutenant didn't get a chance to finish his sentence as three Jem'Hadar came walking over to the prisoners. Two were dragging the naked body of Ensign Kale Danal between their arms. His limp body was dragged along as the two other soldiers held either arm and dropped him just a few feet from the other prisoners. He was covered in blood.

The Jem'Hadar second stood there and addressed them. There were a bloody pair of testicles strung from his bandolier that couldn't help but catch everyone's attention. "Your compatriot attacked one of my men. This is the result. I suggest the rest of you mind yourselves, less you wish to suffer the same fate." Azhel spoke boldly, then he and the other two Jem'Hadar turned and walked away.

"My God, what did they do to Kale?" Anna stated compassionately as she moved towards her fellow Starfleet officer. Kalln sat there and watched as the other prisoners, those not bound like himself, moved towards Ensign Danal who still appeared to be alive, though for how long Kalln didn't care to speculate. As a scientist he knew Kale's chances of surviving were not very high. Not as long as they were all kept captive. Still, testicles were anything but essential right now...

"Give him some air!" Neil ordered with authority as he kneeled near his friend and fellow security officer. The other prisoners stood back slightly, but could still see Kale's injuries. All of the fingers from both of his hands were missing, along with several lash marks across his chest and the injury to his groin. Kale looked pale. He was shaking as if he were cold and in shock. He probably was.

Anna managed to grab a blanket and cover Ensign Danal to try and warm him, but it was as if Kale didn't even notice. His eyes were bewildered, almost glassy as he stared out in the distance. Neil grabbed him and held firmly. "Kale! Kale. Hold on buddy. The worse is over. You need to try and stay awake..."

Kale's eyes never focused on his friend, but he seemed to understand what Lieutenant Bolitho was saying as if he recognized his voice. Kale didn't appear to be angry. He didn't appear to be in any pain. Anna was not a doctor, but she knew the signs of shock and her intuition told her Danal's prognosis was not good. He'd lost a lot of blood.

"Is that you Neil?" Kale asked in a weak, trembling voice.

His friend had just suffered a more horrific fate than anything he'd ever wished on his worse enemy in the quadrant, but somehow hearing Kale recognize his concerned plea gave Neil some comfort as he smiled.

"Yes Kale, it's me. Neilo. Hold on buddy. Try to save your strength."

"I told them nothing. Nothing!" Ensign Danal hissed bravely.

"No one thought that you would Kale. You have a strong will." Neil tried to sooth his dying friend. "You just need to hang in there a while longer. The Galaxy will be getting us out of here. They should be any time now." Bolitho explained, trying to instill hope to the Ensign.

"So tired. Need to sleep..." Kale said with heavy eyes. His skin was nearly paper white from the blood loss. As Neil held his friend close in his arms, he could feel there was practically no body heat left in Danal's body.

"No! You have to try to remain awake. You can fight them. You can make it..." Neil argued emotionally, not wanting to see his friend die.

Anna grabbed Neil's forearm and shook her head silently. She just needed to make eye contact once with Lieutenant Bolitho to ground him in the reality that there was nothing they could do to prevent the inevitable from happening. A single tear made it's way down Neil's face as he pressed his emotion filled eyelids together and gave Anna an understanding nod.

"Rest Kale. It's okay." she said in a compassionate voice that intrigued Kalln from across the camp where he listened to the whole exchange from his seated and bound position. He had only ever heard her speak like that once before.

"Shhhh. You did well. Now close your eyes and rest." Anna comforted, running her hand across Kale's cheek in a motherly fashion.

Kale's face softened as his eyes closed. The pain seemed to be gone. A distant memory as his muscles relaxed for the last time. He past away with a peaceful exhale, and then there was silence.

McDowell, McGee, Chen and the other Starfleet prisoners watched in respectful silence as Neil helped Anna lay Kale's body down and cover it with the blanket. Ensign Kale Danal was dead.

***A couple of hours later***

"I don't understand," said Kalln finally, "This doesn't make any sense. The Jem'Hadar did not mean to kill him. I very much doubt they have any knowledge of Betazoid anatomy at all."

Anna turned and glared very hard. The meaning was clear. Be careful what you say.

"Listen," said Kalln, "There is something fundamental you have to understand about a Jem'Hadar. Their lives mean nothing, _nothing_. Not to themselves, not to any of their colleagues, and certainly not to their masters."

"What do you mean?" asked Chen.

"Death," said Kalln unhelpfully, then continued, "Death means nothing to a Jem'Hadar. It is irrelevant, not of interest to them. A Jem'Hadar has one concern, and one concern only. To serve the Founders. That is _it_. Nothing else matters. I don't think Terrans are really capable of understanding the idea of having no self-interest, and no self-worth."

"And you are?" quizzed Michael.

"It is integral to my being," explained Kalln, "But I don't want to go into that now. In any case, death - both their own and others - is as important to a Jem'Hadar as..."

Kalln looked around, "That grain of dust over there," he nodded with his snout.

Looks of confusion.

"Exactly," said Kalln.

"What is your point, Kalln?" asked Anna softly.

"The Jem'Hadar I know wouldn't have hesitated to slaughter Kale on the spot for that slight. Now, we know that they wanted us alive for, well, we don't really know that, but they wanted us alive. But what they did..."

Everyone looked a little ill.

"The Jem'Hadar don't understand the Talion Law, they don't understand the concept of vindictive revenge or spite. To be honest I don't really understand why they're alive down here at all. They should have killed themselves when the retreat was called. Look, what I'm trying to say is that there is something wrong with these Jem'Hadar. Something that we might be able to..."

With a fuzzing sound the Jem'Hadar Second stepped through the energy field into the confined area.

"I am only going to ask you this question once," it said, "Which of you is in charge?"

Before Chen could admit his leadership, Kalln piped up, "I am."

Michael turned quickly towards Kalln, stunned by what he heard and not able to say anything, *What the hell is he thinking?*

Anna looked suddenly shocked, "Kalln, they'll-"

"Ssh," said Kalln sharply, and then in a couple of rudimentary Gnalish words he had taught her, "Who stand torture best?"

"You, come with us," demanded the Jem'Hadar.

Kalln demonstrated that he was bound down with a feeble motion of his tied arms. The Jem'Hadar strode rapidly across the ground and sliced some of the bindings with three very fast and very accurate strikes. The others winced, thinking of Kale. Kalln was impassive. He rose out of the half-squat he had been in, silencing any sign of protest from Chen and Bolitho with a stern and quite frightening glance from his black eyes.

As the Jem'Hadar escorted him out, Kalln gave them a parting cheeky grin.

The force field went back online immediately after Kalln was outside the area which represented their prison. Michael slowly walked over to Anna as he watched Kalln leave.

"Is he mad or something? What does he want to achieve by impersonating someone else?"

Anna was still watching the cell door where Kalln just left, she just murmured quietly. "He isn't mad Michael, it's just the way he was built. Kalln is protecting us because he can, it's a Gnalish thing."

***Torture... sorry, _Interrogation_ Room***

"There!" indicated the Second.

"Yes yes yes," said Kalln.

Two lower-ranking Jems pinned Kalln down and started trying to strap him to the table.

"Cease your struggling!" demanded the Fifth.

"I'm trying to get comfortable," said Kalln, "I wouldn't want to go developing a crick or something. I could be here for quite a while."

"If you think that then obviously you are not well acquainted with Dominion interrogation methods," sneered the Fifth as he tightened the metal bands, "You pasquallamich."

"You might be surprised," remarked Kalln, "And I'll have you know I am not. You, though, are a real tollemakaris."

The Second looked confused at Kalln's use of the Jem'Hadar language, "It is of no concern. Commence the treatment."

"No no no," cried Kalln in fright, "I'll tell you everything, everything!"

The Second leered closer, "You had better."

***Back to the Blackstuff***

"Oof," Kalln thumped into the floor.

Anna rushed over to him, and helped him up.

"Did you tell them anything?" asked Bolitho sternly.

Kalln smiled, "Oh yes, I told them everything."

There were general looks of confusion.

"I would like to announce my new identity as Ernest Jiggle, Captain of the USS Maleficia."

Ahs and ohs of realisation were explained.

"Of course," said Kalln, "They'll be back complaining soon, but I think I bought us a little time."

"Don't you dare do something that stupid again!" Anna snapped. "They won't hesitate to kill you."

"I haven't done anything stupid - I told them everything before they could even start torturing me," Kalln countered.

Kalln and Anna both smelt something.

"Your information was in error," declared the Second from behind, "You will accompany us once more, and if you deceive us again you will be instantly terminated."

Kalln smiled again. Anna reached out as he was pulled away.

"I think they might hurt me this time," he said, "Not to worry eh?"

***Two hours later***

They had not heard any screams. None of them really knew what a Gnalish scream sounded like. In short order Kalln was returned to them. This time he looked a little worse for wear, though as far as they could see he was not missing anything. With his arms still bound, he was heaved into the detainment area where he thudded down and lay still. As the Jem'Hadar left without a sound, Anna rushed over to him.

Kalln mumbled into the dirt, "Ow."

Anna did her best to roll him over and cradle his head. She didn't get very far.

"Neil. Neil! Come and help me."

Bolitho rushed over and assisted her to roll the Gnalish's 350-pound dead weight over. Kalln groaned a little.

"What did they do to you?" she asked in a soft voice.

"Oh, little pain generators, primitive acupuncture, a couple of broken bones. The - ah - usual. I've had far worse. And no, I still didn't tell them anything. I think they got bored when their efforts didn't produce the requisite.. ah.. sound effects," Kalln spoke weakly, but still with conviction, "So I fed them some more _shalsh_, er, crap, and they brought me back. Should take them more time to figure this one out."

"Don't go doing anything this stupid again!" she demanded.

"Oh," said Kalln with a rather feeble attempt at a smile, "You'd rather they took Chen then?"

He coughed.

"I..." said Anna, "No, but I, I don't want them to hurt you."

"I think it was worth it," said Kalln, "This should hold them off for at least a day, maybe the search parties the Galaxy must have sent will have found us by then."

"Got any ideas how we're going to get out of here before then?" Anna inquired.

"Not at this moment..." suddenly Kalln's head slumped into her lap, "I need to rest..."

"Sorry to interrupt you two..." said Michael moving over to them, "But I think the question of 'how to get out of here' is our number one priority after Kalln's stunt."

Michael looked at both officers before he continued. "We need a plan and fast before they're gonna torture us all. I really don't like the idea of that. Maybe Kalln can take a lot of pain but I, for one, am not made out of steel."

"I'm not planning to let them torture me either. They'll have to kill me first and I'll take as many of them with me as I can." Anna growled.

"The first hurdle to overcome is this cell's forcefield. Any ideas?"

"No more playing the hero Kalln!" moaned Bolitho waving off Kalln's inbred ability to withstand more in fact, far more than the a human could in similar circumstances. It was all in the nerve endings.

Bolitho continued, "Kale tried it and look where he is now, we need every one of us at our potential best for when an opportunity does present itself and we... all of us will need you for that Kalln."

Though his eyes were closed Kalln still smiled faintly.

Chen moved over into their little huddle, Dr McGee in tow, and nodded, "I agree with Neil. It was a good move and it bought us time, but next time they come looking for me, I'll handle it. That goes for all of you. No stunts. We escape when we have the upper hand and a plan. We don't need to provoke them or else..." he looked at Kale's cold corpse.

Bolitho turned to face his partner Anna Gartner, "I've counted. From what I have seen four Jem'Hadar are guarding our enclosure."

Kalln weakly rumbled his confirmation

"I suspect for us Humans that the escorting Jemmies would be no more than two or three?"

Bolitho turned away already shaking his head, already hating the odds of going up against possible six or seven Jem'Hadar.

Kalln struggled to speak, "There are... at least fifteen of out there."

Neil grimaced, but laid a hand on Anna's shoulder.

"An opportunity will present itself in time and that may mean burying your outright hostility for the moment Anna. Think you can do that partner?"

"Can I just give them a real nasty glare?" Anna suggested innocently. She was back...

Neil just stood there giving her the authority figure look, "Ahem. No!"

"Okay," Anna relented, "But when we make our move just stay out of my way."

Anna suddenly noticed a drop of liquid rolling down the side of Kalln's upturned head, resting in her lap.

"Kalln, are you crying?" she asked.

"No," he croaked, "The dust is irritating my eyes. We don't do crying."

* * *
Tim Fletcher for:
LJG Gordall Kalln, Science Officer, USS Galaxy

Over There
by Lt Commander Endris Gakor, CMO

*** Bridge ***

Several hours had past since Gakor completed the open heart surgery that saved Ragavahn's life. Endris had slept in her quarters during the interum. When she woke, she found her duty assignment had changed. Because most of the senior officers were gone, the Tellarite was one of the few on board who had completed the Command Duty Officer's exam. Rather than returning to the field hospital, she reported to the Bridge instead. Looking in the log, she saw Captain Price was in route to the Galaxy. His ETA was in about 4 hours (allowing for the amout of time that passed since the entry was time stamped.)

Everything was pretty much routine. With no active hostilities, most stations were in power conservation mode, allowing engineering to continue with repairs. The ship was in much better shape than before, a testament to the efficency of the Galaxy's engineering staff. Gakor remembered thinking it would require a Star Base to repair the extensive battle damage the ship had seen. Even so, there were a couple of parts that couldn't be replicated, and would be installed when they next made a Federation port .

Two hours into the shift, a hail came from the Gontag.

It proved to be Legat Jabar. One of the Cardassian's underlings had been one of the observers watching Ragavahn's surgery, and identified the Doctor to his superior.

"Doctor", he said with terse Cardassian arrogance, "you will be glad to know that your patient is contining to recover nicely."

"I am glad I was on hand to perform the procedure myself", Gakor confessed, not letting her racial beligerant tone come up, "it was touch and go there for a minute." Endris paused, turned her head aside, and softly snorted to clear her nasal passages. "What can I do for you, Legat, I'm sure you didn't hail us just for a medical status update."

"Actually, I wanted to discuss the relief operations on Cardassia. I understand a field hospital was constructed under your direction."

"That's true.", Gakes replied wondering where this was going.

"I see. That is a piece of information I needed to confirm. To smooth the transition to Cardassian run relief operations, could you make time to brief us on the first hand conditions you found?", he asked reasonably.

The Doctor thought about the situation. It didn't seem like she could give away any secrets that would compromise the Galaxy. On the other hand, she couldn't leave her post.

"Legat Jabar, I see no problem briefing your officers about the medical conditions of the survivors. However, the war has left us shorthanded, so I can't leave my post. I will not be able to attend to your request for at least 4 hours. Also, I would like to bring Commander Albrecht along. He supervised many of the search and rescue teams, and knows things that could also help you." *By that time, Captain Price will be back and can advise us how to procede.*

Endris closed the channel, mentally preparing for her trip to the Gontag. She left a message for Matthew with a transcript of the conversation so he would be able to prepare for the trip also.

“Through The Gate”
USS GALAXY
Commander Deiran Casey

“What do you want Rema?” Admiral Eric Pressman sniped, his eyes glaring at the screen. He’d been torn away from another one of his meetings. This Thomas affair was getting out of hand and taking up lots of his time and he wasn’t happy about it.

“Sorry to disturb you sir. This is most urgent,” Rema replied, clearly paranoid as he spoke to the Admiral. “The orders for Chris Thomas’ transfer have been traced. Price knows it didn’t go through proper channels and wants Commander Casey released or wants you to reveal whom your superiors are and who authorized the transfer. Need I remind you sir that our bosses would…”

“I don’t need you to remind me,” Pressman huffed back, his face contorting in anger, his teeth grinding like a stone against grain.

Rema said nothing, but sat there, his paranoid eyes darting side to side, his blood pressure was probably rising with each second.

“So what does Price want from us?” Pressman barked.

“He wants Casey released and allowed to take command of the Galaxy,” Rema replied.

“Figures, the Galaxy crew sticks together,” Pressman mocked, knowing full well how close the Crew of the Galaxy were. He had never captained a crew so unified in purpose during his days of command.

“We have to release Casey then… damn you Tom!” Pressman slammed his fist on his desk. “Release Casey, allow him to transfer back to the Galaxy. Admiral Casey wins this round.”

The pain on Pressman’s face of admitting that was like salt in a deep wound. Pressman would have his revenge.

*** Brig, USS Aurora ***

Deiran was lying on the hard bunk, reading “A Tale Of Two Cities” when he heard the cell forcefield disengage power.

“You’re free to go,” the Lieutenant told him, standing next to the cell entrance and waiting for Casey to leave the Brig.

“It is about time, none of you had the right to keep me here in the first place!” Deiran retorted in his usual smart alleck tone, a tone he only used when he was mad.

“Yeah Casey, we’ll miss you,” the Lieutenant spouted back in sarcasm.

“Awwww you do care,” Casey patted the man on the cheek and laughed. “My communicator please?”

The Lieutenant handed Deiran the communicator. Deiran slapped it on and then contacted the Galaxy.

“Commander Deiran Casey here, one to beam over,” he asked.

Casey waved to the Lieutenant and seconds later faded to blue and then vanished from the Aurora Brig.

*** USS Galaxy, Transporter Room 3 ***

“Welcome home sir,” Thomas Jensen said as Casey appeared on the transporter pad in Transporter room three.

“Good to be back Chief,” Casey smiled and exited the room.

He walked along the corridors to the turbolift and noticed how quiet it was, Casey had been incarcerated, trapped in that cell for three days. Freedom felt good. Three days locked up was enough for Deiran. Though he did get to read some of his favorite classical literature.

It was an uneventful ride to the Main Bridge of the Galaxy. But when he did step out of the lift the Bridge crew gasped and then smiled. No one knew he’ d be returning so soon. They looked a bit relieved for some reason.

Casey walked over to Mac. “Hiya Mac, keeping her ship shape for me while I was in Club Med?” he laughed.

“Not exactly Commander, Kay is in the ready room. She’ll be happy to see you.”

“Why is she in the ready room?” then he remembered her rank status, he went from laughing and smiling, happy to be back to stark terror at the prospect of Kay Samara in command in orbit above Cardassia Prime.

“My God!” Casey said. Hunter just shook his head in agreement.

Casey did his patented 180 degree turn on his heels and walked to the Ready Room. The doors opened and he saw Kay sitting at the desk working on something.

“Kay? Busy?” Casey said with a straight face.

Kay looked up and saw Deiran standing next to the door. “No Commander, but I happily hand command back over to you. You can have this desk too,” Samara replied, a Klingon grin showing like the glistening of a diamond.

Casey laughed and sat down at the desk. Kay was about ready to leave, just at the door, before Deiran stopped her. “Kay please have a seat, I’ve been out of the loop for three days, what’s been happening on the ship during my absence? Bring me up to speed please?”

Kay growled and turned around, slowly walked back over to the chair in front of the Captain’s desk and sat down. For the next hour Samara briefed Casey on the occurrences of the last few days.

"It is time"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price

*** Jem'Hadar base camp, in the canyons of the Icarian foothills ***

"It is time." Azhel said bluntly as he and a group of Jem'Hadar soldiers stood before the First. A respected Elder "Gamma" soldier named Ika'Roshe.

The First gave a pointed glance at the pushy Alpha. "It is I who decides when it is time Azhel." Ika'Roshe paused, turning to face the Second, "Unless you wish to challenge my leadership as First?"

Azhel was just an inch taller than Ika'Roshe, but he had seen the First battle enough times to know not to challenge his authority. The Elder had many moves and much combat experience in his years serving the Founders. "No First. I live only to serve. However the men need their rations of White." Azhel pointed to the other's agreement, each giving a slight nod of approval; validating the Second's words. "It is them that I was thinking of."

Ika'Roshe pressed his lips together firmly. "Wait here." he said reluctantly.

Azhel nodded, "As you wish."

The Jem'Hadar watched as the First walked over to the strong box that he had liberated from the Vorta scum that had tried to trick them into believing the war for conquest of the Alpha quadrant had ended. In his years serving the Founders there was one thing Ika'Roshe had learned above all others. That the Dominion never surrenders. Knowing that, the Vorta must have been lying when he said their gods had bowed down to the Federation forces. Ika'Roshe opened the strong box and tilted the lid open, being careful not to let the others see. The velvety black lined interior of the Ketracel white drug vault was amazingly sparse. To one side where a number of broken vials which caused Ika'Roshe to frown.

"Is there a problem First?" Azhel asked from across the cave where he and the other Jem'Hadar soldiers were standing.

Ika'Roshe narrowed his eyes. "Not at all." he said, gathering up the last six vials contained in the strong box before closing the empty lid. The First placed the box down on the ground and walked over to the others. "Do you swear allegiance to the Founders and pledge your life to the Dominion?"

"We do. We live only to serve, First." Azhel replied.

"Then take this as a token of the Founder's appreciation for your loyal service to the Dominion. May they replenish you and make you strong." Ika'Roshe stated in the ritualistic manner.

Azhel took the vials and began rationing them out to the soldiers, taking note at the small amount of white he'd been given to 'feed' the entire platoon, but not daring to say anything. The Second realized they were at war, and that supply lines had been compromised. This quantity of white, while not enough to fully satisfy the men, would serve to pacify them for a short time and relieve them from their pain. As the Second went to exit the cave to pass out the rest of the drug to the others guarding the prisoners and their camp, the First called out.

"Azhel."

Turning back the Second peered into the Honored Elder's eyes. "Yes First?"

"We attack the Federation base camp at first light. Inform the others, and step up the interrogations of the prisoners. We must find out the enemy's numbers and their tactical information." Ika'Roshe explained.

"I will see to it. If Captain Jiggle will not tell us with that deceptive forked tongue of his, then we shall turn to the rest of his crew for the answers. Perhaps the Female whom he mumbles to when he thinks the guards are not listening. . ." Azhel suggested.

"Just see that it is done. No matter what is or is not learned, we move at dawn." the First declared stubbornly.

"Of course First." Azhel bowed before turning to pass out the rations of Ketracel White.

Ika'Roshe gazed off through the cave at the setting sun. His thoughts on his men and their dire situation. With their supply of white now completely gone, all that was left was to fight and to die for the Dominion.

"The Meeting"
by Lieutenant James Chen &
Ika'Roshe, Jem'Hadar First

Chen was prodded into his cell with the others. and the force field flickered on behind him. He frowned at his surroundings. They were bare. There was only one small drain in the middle of the floor. He could guess what that was for. The Jem'Hadar came and went, asking different officers questions. Meanwhile, Chen stood in the back corner, watching the proceedings. As he had expected, nobody said anything. Chen smiled. They were a good group. Danal didn't seem content with what was happening and he began screwing around with one of the guards. Chen didn't like it, but he figured the man was going to make his own play. Besides, if he ordered him to knock it off, he'd tip the hand. So he watched as they beat Danal and dragged him away. He figured the Betazoid had a plan of some kind, he just wished he'd let the others in on it. It had taken all he had not to jump into the fight himself. So instead, he slid to the ground and leaned against the wall.

Then, Kale was brought in. Chen saw what they did to him, and he felt his blood boil. He stayed respectfully back as Kale's friends helped him. Chen had never known the officer well, but he had been a good one. If a little impulsive. He felt grief at seeing what happened. The Jem'Hadar would die for this. That's something they'd all see to, when the time presented itself.

They came again later, and asked for the leader. Kalln stood before Chen could reply. He knew the Elt would stand up to serious torture better, but he didn't like one of his men taking the punishment that should've been meted out to him. Besides, he'd experienced torture before, and he doubted the Jem'Hadar would be quite so demanding as his previous captors. Physically, perhaps, but not emotionally. He could stand it for awhile, but admittedly nowhere near as well as Kalln. When the large alien was returned to the cell, Chen couldn't help but smile at his ingenuity. He still made it clear that nobody should do something like that. Next time, he'd handle it himself.

After awhile, the third arrived and turned the field off. Two guards kept the room covered. He looked among the people in the room, and his eyes rested on Chen's. He walked up to him and looked down at him.

Chen remained seating. He pondered if he could break the man's neck and move fast enough to get to the guards before they fired. He decided against it. The warrior eyed him. "What is your name?"

"Chen."

"Rank?"

Chen shrugged. "I forgot in all this excitement."

The Jem'Hadar's face remained impassive. "Do you wish to die here, Chen?"

Chen shrugged again. "Death is death. It doesn't matter how or when I wish it to happen."

"We will speak with you next. Come."

Chen frowned and stood slowly, keeping his eyes on the warrior's. "Do I get dinner first?"

The Jem'Hadar sneered and pushed Chen in front of him. The others began to rise. Chen shook his head slightly, keeping his eyes on Bolitho, who was second-in-command. Bolitho barely nodded, his eyes comprehending. And the Jem'Hadar pushed Chen ahead, out of the cell.

***

Ika'Roshe turned impassively from the scene that unfolded with Azhel and the federation prisoner. Upon exiting he encountered 2 Jem'Hadar escorting another of the federation prisoners. Ika' Roshe paused and raised his hand, the two Jem'Hadar immediately came to a halt. The federation prisoner took half a step forward, his foot hadn't even touched the ground before both Jem'Hadar whirled as if given an order by some unseen command and began pummeling the federation prisoner known as Chen, who to his credit, blocked the majority of blows. Until a telling blow from one of the Jem'Hadar to the back of Chen's head knocked him sprawling into the dust.

The Jem'Hadar advanced on Chen prepared to stomp him into the ground. Until Ika'Roshe barked. "Enough, bring him here!". The Jem'Hadar obeyed immediately and hoisted Chen roughly to his feet, and half dragged and carried Chen over to the Jem'Hadar first.

Ika'Roshe stared dispassionately at the human nestled between the two towering Jem'Hadar.

"Name" Snapped the toneless voice of the first.

"James Chen. And tell your goons the next time they lay a hand on me, I'll kill them both."

Ika'Roshe nodded seemingly unfazed by the human's outburst.

"Chen, are you the leader of the ....." An agonizing scream interrupted the First emanating from the building just behind him. The first Jem'Hadar blinked and continued as if nothing had happened. Chen had noted the scream. It was one of anguish. Like the kind he'd uttered before.

"Chen in order to save the life of your errant comrades and not subject them to the same treatment of your former colleague and of that..." He gestured to the building behind. "....Cardassian, I require knowledge of what federation forces are currently engaged with on Cardassia prime. You may or may not be the leader, but I believe you in fact, I believe all of you have that knowledge."

Ika'Roshe stared on at Chen, there was an agonizing quiet for a few moments, punctuated by the quite sobbing coming from within the building. Chen winced at the sound, but said nothing. Ika'Roshe waited patiently for the human to answer.

Ika' Roshe nodded approvingly "Have it your way Chen"

Turning to one of the Jem'Hadar."Have the Cardassian that Azhel is busy with executed if this human does not answer in 5 seconds. Then prepare to bring the female prisoner out of the compound, she will be next to be executed ....in front of him." Pointed Ika'Roshe to Chen "If he does not answer."

Chen stared hard into the first's eyes. Then, the Jem'Hadar began to move. "Wait," he said. The Jem'Hadar stopped. Ika'Roshe waited, his arms crossed. "I am Lieutenant James Chen, currently in command of the team which you have captured."

Ika'Roshe smiled. "So you admit that you are indeed the leader?"

"Of this expedition, yes."

Ika'Roshe unfolded his arms and stared back at the human.

"From which detachment are you from, your units strength and numbers? As well as the approximate whereabouts of these other 'Expedtions' as you call them?"

"I cannot give you that information."

"Might I ask why?"

"It could endanger lives. I will not be the one to endanger them. Besides, the ship I come from will keep the numbers constantly fluid."

"Which type of ship and number of vessel's in orbit around Cardassia prime?" Asked the dour looking First.

"Just the one."

"What type?"

"Galaxy class."

"What is the crew complement?"

"I cannot give you that information."

"Why?"

"Because it would grant you a tactical advantage. It's a large number, though. You have no chance, here. I would recommend you surrender. The war is over, you will not be harmed."

Ika'Roshe scoffed. "The Dominion will never lose a war, the Founders would not permit it!

Chen shrugged. "It's the truth, whether the Founders like it or not."

"Your lies will gain you no leverage here Chen. For every lie you tell me your people will be made to suffer. Do you understand me Chen?"

Chen took a deep breath. He didn't want to hurt the others, but any other answer would just make the Jem'Hadar more paranoid. They would believe that they actually had a chance of escape, and would value their prisoners less. "The war is over. The Dominion is broken. You have no strength. As far as we have been able to ascertain, you are the sole Dominion force remaining alive on Cardassia. We're here to serve merely as relief for the Cardassians."

"An obvious lie." Stated Ika'Roshe. "Since when does the victors of a war show mercy to the vanquished? You have merely proved to me Chen, that you are lying." Turning to the one Jem'Hadar underlings, "Have Azhel kill the Cardassian he is busy with and meet me by the prisoners compound, it seems additional lessons need to be taught to our guests." Sneered Ika 'Roshe.

"Prepare one of the humans," Snapped Ika'Roshe looking at Chen smugly "In fact prepare the human female for the circle of combat"

"No! If you have punishments to be meted out, give them to me. Allow the Cardassian to live and send me into your circle. I will take anything you have to give. You saw how well I blocked your men's punches. Your men wouldn't be disappointed by my fighting."

"You, Chen will be forced to watch as the Jem'Hadar slowly crush the life out of your companions." Ika'Roshe paused. "I will ask you one more time Chen. Why are you on Cardassia prime?"

Chen stared defiantly at Ika'Roshe. "Just why I told you. To help the Cardassians."

" So be it!" Said the Jem'Hadar first with an convincing tone of finality. One of the Jem'Hadar warriors turned to go prepare the circle. Chen clenched his fists. He stared hard at Ika'Roshe.

He smiled slightly. "I believe that you will find that the others will be a lot harder to defeat than you think."

Physical Therapy
Lt(jg) Tim O'Connell
Security officer

==USS Galaxy Gym==

Sweat running down his face Tim O'Connell is working out trying to get his strength back. lifting weights lighter then before his injuries was hard, but he did it anyway, Sooner he got healthy sooner he got down to the planet and sooner he got his friends back. He finished his weight training and moved over to a slant board and began to do situps, 50, 75, 100 then he stopped. It hurt too much to do them, painful. Tim finished and decided to work out some frustrations on a holographic opponant.

==Holodeck 2==

Standing in a Klingon Combat circle Tim faced off, his opponant had a bat leht, Tim had his they circled each other swinging swords and they met in a clash of metal on metal the speed and fury of the battle was amazing They were fighting hard when Tim struck out with a harsh fury so fast and hard the holoraphic blades were shattered but tim took the time to run the klingon through. The warrior disappeared in a haze of blue. Tim held the two parts of the bat leht in his hand and had to stand there while his back locked up, Tim had to lay down in the middle of teh ring waiting for the pain to subside.

=15 minutes pass=

Tim sat up slowly, damn his back was killing him. He stood and began to work the kinks out of his back, It had never been this bad, oh well more time and he'd be back to 100 % WHen was his next visit to the Dr.

He got up fully and walked out of the holodeck. His gait was still stiff and sore.

" Sir, I would suggest you look at this. " Ryak Sullax's voice pierced Sunder's concentration. They had picked up the trail of a large group of people up through the rocks of the mountainous region of the desert. Despite several clumsy attempts to cover the tracks, there was no mistaking the large foot-prints of a certain lizard crew-member.

Sunder walked over to where Sullax was crouching. he was holding something cylindrical and metallic. It looked vaguely familiar, and Sunder wasn't able to put it into context by itself.

" What is it? " He asked.

" It's a discarded phial of ketrecel-whyte, sir. " The romulan answered.

Sunder's eyes widened slightly. " Are you sure? " By now the rest of the group had walked over to see what Sullax had discovered.

" Positive. " He affirmed. " Look at the markings on the edges. The Jem H'adar regard whyte as a gift of divine providence from the Founders as a continued sign of their approval of their work. These markings are the glyphic script the Jem H'adar use as written language. It's very ritualistic. "

He turned it over on its side. " Over here are the ampule connectors that attach the phial to their delivery system. " He looked up at Sunder. " This is definitely a whyte receptacle. " He said.

Sunder exhaled loudly. This discovery changed everything. It now looked like they were no longer dealing with amateur fanatics but jem h'adar warriors. A pocket of resistance that hadn't been cleaned up.

Great.

It was getting dark and he knew that they would have to break camp. Now they weren't in a hostage-recovery situation. This was going to be a combat-extraction operation and he didn't like the fact that they were sitting exposed, expecting to see some sign of negotiation. Very soon there would be a group of soldiers, armed to the teeth, looking for their encampment. Even with their personal cloaking fields working, night was still the best time for an attack. The jem h'adar would have to be aware of their presence by now. If they followed standard procedure with the captives, they would interrogate them and kill them after they had revealed all useful information. Surely someone would tell them a rescue team would come looking for them.

He looked around at everyone.

" No sugar coating here folks. Jem h'adar warriors are going to be coming over that hill sooner or later and we need to set up some sort of fortification sooner or later. Between you and me, I'd rather it was sooner. "

" We could set up in that cave over there. " Ral suggested, pointing over to her left. About 200 meters away there was a small cave. While not the most sturdy-looking cave, it looked to be the only game around.

Any port in a storm, Sunder figured.

" Good eye, Ral. Though we'll have to hustle. Lemur: you and I will stand watch while the rest of you start getting the gear together over there. Keep an eye out south, while I cover this outcropping. Keep a tricorder with you, set it to ionized particles in the air. That'll warn us of any cloaked movement. No move it! "

Everyone moved.

"The enemy of my enemy"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price

*** Shuttlecraft USS Yosemite ***

Captain Price gazed out of the main view screen as his shuttle dropped out of warp and slowed to impulse speeds. He'd entered Cardassian Space, where just a week earlier the final battle of the Dominion war had taken place. Debris and ship fragments still littered the area, forcing Lee to have to place the shuttle on manual control just to avoid colliding with the many particles. When the Captain approached the Cardassian system, he could see the collection of ships in orbit around Cardassia Prime. All that remained of the Cardassian fleet along with the support ships the Federation had sent to help the Cardassians get their planet back into livable conditions. Lee tapped the flight controls to slow the shuttle further as he circled the planet in high orbit until he finally located the USS Galaxy. She was a sight for sore eyes. His home in space.

"Shuttle Yosemite to USS Galaxy. Captain Price requesting permission to land." Lee hailed.

["Good to hear your voice Captain. You are clear to land in Shuttle bay two."] Lieutenant' Uhura replied in his deep voice.

"Shuttle bay two. Affirmative 'mate. Yosemite out." Lee responded, adjusting the controls to set up for the automated landing.

Through the shuttle main viewer, the Captain watched as his shuttle neared the Galaxy. The Starship's shuttle bay doors activated, showing the pale blue force field behind the protective hangar doors and the many flight deck officers working in the shuttle bay as his ship approached. When the shuttle was near enough on final approach, the shuttle bay tractor beams locked on and guided the Yosemite into the shuttle bay, laying it down gently on target. Captain Price quickly shut down the shuttle's systems and ran the post flight diagnostic to verify it was safe to depressurize the cabin and exit onto the flight deck.

When the Captain stepped off onto the shuttle bay flight beck from the Yosemite, he could see Lieutenant Commander Casey Ti Miran standing by there to greet him.

"Permission to come aboard 'mate." Lee smiled.

Miran smiled. "Granted Captain. It's good to have you back sir. And thank you for getting Deiran released from the Aurora."

Lee gave a nod, "I didn't do much really. Was Admiral Casey's doing mainly. Is the Commander presently on the bridge?"

"Aye sir. He's been there since he returned from the Aurora." Miran explained.

"Well, best I get up there then and lend a hand. Carry on 'Commander. G'day."

Captain Price then walked across the flight deck with his bag strung over his shoulder and headed for the Bridge.

The turbolift doors swished open allowing Captain Price to step off and onto the Galaxy's bridge. Turning, Ensign McQueen from Security announced, "Captain on the bridge!" causing the command crew from early Gamma shift to turn around and give the Captain a warm, "welcome home" smile and nod. In fact the security officer's announcement was loud enough to draw Commander Casey out of the ready room, since he was expecting the Captain having been informed by his wife, Miran, that he was on his way from shuttle bay 2.

"Welcome back Captain." Deiran greeted as he walked across the deck to stand near his commanding officer.

"Thanks 'mate. I'm glad that the investigation by the Temporal Authorities is out of the way. Now I can concentrate at the problems at hand."

"I've been working on them the last couple of days. If you'll come into the ready room, I can give you a briefing to bring you up to speed." Deiran offered pointing to the office with his thumb.

"That would be bonzer 'mate. Let's go." Captain Price said, then turned and nodded at Lieutenant T'Zaq who sat in the Captain's chair, indicating she should continue with her Command watch while the senior officers are off the bridge.

Commander Casey filled the Captain in on what had happened in his absence. He explained what K'Eytyanna had elaborated on with the CLA movement on the planet. Told him about Lemur's undercover assignment to penetrate the ranks of the CLA, and how they had saved the cell leader, Raghavan's, life by performing the emergency cardiac procedure on board the Galaxy. Deiran informed the Captain that even though the CLA had been causing major disruptions on the planet and to their relief efforts, he didn't think they were responsible for the missing away team. Lemur seemed very convinced after his mind meld with Raghavan that the Cardassian Liberation Army would not take prisoners. And what was more disturbing, Raghavan suspected there were possibly Jem'Hadar still left on the planet somewhere as several of the CLA scavenging parties had similarly disappeared without a trace. Unfortunately their efforts to locate the missing away team had so far been unsuccessful. Lieutenant Commander Samara had recalled all Galaxy crew members back to the starship with the exception of those that were actively a part of the second search party sent in to find them. Unfortunately they were not having any luck picking up their trail.

"I see Commander. What about the CLA? Do you think this Raghavan could help us to locate our missing crewmates?" Lee asked.

"Raghavan is presently on board the Gontag. The Cardassians insisted that once the CLA cell leader was stable that he be transferred to a Cardassian facility capable of handling his recovery. Since there are no functioning facilities like that left on Cardassia Prime, the Gator class starship was the best choice. But to be honest sir, with the Cardassians' attitude towards the Federation's involvement lately, I don't know if they will be very receptive in helping us find a few lost crew members." Deiran explained.

"Well, there is only one way to find out, and that is to ask them. Who is in command of the Gontag 'mate?"

"I believe that would be Legat Jabar sir." Deiran explained.

Punching up a channel on his monitor, Lee ordered, "G'Day 'mate. Open a channel to the Gontag, I need to speak to Legat Jabar."

["Yes Captain, right away sir."] Ensign Tam Li responded.

A moment later the terminal screen filled with the image of the Cardassian Legat. ["This is Jabar. What can I do for you Captain Price?"]

Lee cleared his voice, "G'day 'mate. I'd like permission to come aboard your vessel and have a word with mister Raghavan. It's my understanding that he is recuperating well from his cardiac procedure."

["Raghavan is recovering, but he is still very weak. I do not believe a visit right now would be advisable Captain."] Legat Jabar stated flatly.

"I assure you the matter is of great importance to both the Federation and Cardassian concerns. You may wish to ask the CLA leader if he feels strong enough to hear me out 'mate." Lee insisted.

["I will check. Stand by Captain."] Jabar said in an almost annoyed tone before closing the channel.

Lee glanced over at Commander Casey.

"You see Captain? That's the same sort of ungrateful attitude we have all been dealing with for the last week. Here we are trying to help them rebuild their world after the Dominion devastated it, and all we get is grief for our efforts." Deiran explained.

Lee gave a nod. "They are still smarting from the sting of the defeat 'mate. Their leaders made some bad decisions in allying with the Dominion, and later rescinding that decision. The Dominion made them pay for that. In a way it's their own just deserts given the way they treated the Bajorans during the Cardassian Occupation. They are getting a chance to experience what it's like to be the oppressed rather than the oppressor. Needless to say, they don't like it much."

Deiran nodded understandingly as the view screen snapped back to life with Legat Jabar's image.

["Raghavan says he will speak with you Captain. Give us a few minutes to secure the area and have your transporter officer stand by to receive the proper coordinates."] Jabar stated.

"Thank you Legat. I will look forward to beaming over in the next few minutes. Captain Price out." Lee stated, deactivating the communications channel.

"Well that is something I suppose." Deiran commented.

"If this Raghavan is as fanatical as you've described him, then he will want to do everything in his power to rid Cardassia of all non-Cardassians. Even if that means working with us to accomplish that goal." Lee explained.

"Well he's a fanatic alright. According to Lemur, he said he has the mind of a Megalomaniac. He not only wants to rid Cardassia of non-Cardassians, but then expand throughout the Alpha quadrant. He's a dangerous man Captain. You shouldn't transport over to the Gontag alone."

"It should be alright 'mate. Legat Jabar isn't going to try anything with so many Federation starships in the vicinity and what is left of the Cardassian fleet looming in the balance. And despite his hatred for the Federation and non-Cardassians, I believe Raghavan has got to be at least a little grateful for having his life saved thanks to Federation medical practices."

"Well, be careful then sir. In the meantime, what do you want me to do while you negotiate with the CLA for their help?" Casey asked.

"I want you to step up the search for our missing crew members. Send down more officers to sweep the area on foot. Take the Galaxy into an alternate orbit to make better use of ship's sensors if you have to, but I want our people found." Lee explained.

"I understand sir. I'll send down more officers to widen the search area right away. I don't know how effective the sensors will be though, as most of the planet is still littered with low levels of surface radiation and the native rock formations of the desert canyons tends to reflect our signals right back at us. It makes those areas just outside the city very difficult to get accurate readings on. I doubt we could even get a transporter lock unless we had the precomputed coordinates available to feed into the computer."

"Well do the best you can 'mate. Maybe science or engineering can tweak the sensors to compensate. Whatever it takes. With any luck, maybe this Raghavan and his CLA members will have an idea on where to start looking." Captain Price explained.

"Will do Captain. Hopefully we will know something by the time you return." Deiran nodded.

"Well, let's do it 'mate." Captain Price stated getting out of his seat and making his way out of the ready room.

Commander Casey exited with the Captain to assume command of the bridge while Lee headed for the turbolift and transporter room one.

*** Gontag in orbit about Cardassia Prime ***

Captain Price materialized on the transporter pad of the Cardassian Gator Class vessel. Two Cardassian officers stood by in their pointed shoulder military uniforms with disgruntle expressions on their faces.

"Captain Price, we are to escort you to our medical facility where Mister Raghavan is staying."

Lee nodded stepping off of the Cardassian transporter platform. "Lead the way 'mate."

It was the first time Captain Price had been on board a Cardassian vessel. He'd been to Deep Space Nine though, and was familiar with Cardassian architecture and starship designs. The Gontag reflected that same style in her doorways and corridors, even in her controls.

"This way. . ." the Cardassian soldier motioned.

Captain Price followed his escorts through the various twisting corridors, keeping track. It would be difficult, but if he had to he thought he would be able to find his way back to the transporter room where he first boarded. Finally they approached what looked like the medical ward of the ship.

"Wait here." Lee was instructed by the other Cardassian who stood at his side while the other gentleman entered a private room.

A moment later the other Cardassian emerged. "Mister Raghavan will see you now. This way."

Lee nodded silently and stepped into the private recovery room while the Cardassians stood guard outside. In the medical bed was an older Cardassian who looked weak from his recent surgery. Raghavan had a small oxygen tube running under his nose to assist him in breathing.

"You must be the Starship Captain that Legat Jabar says wants to speak to me?"

Lee nodded. "That is right 'mate. Captain Lee Price. I was hoping you and the CLA could help me out."

Raghavan began to chuckle, but that soon turned into a painful cough thanks to his recently mended open chest cavity. "Why would I, a Cardassian, possibly want to help you?, a non-Cardassian?"

"Well 'mate, it is my understanding that you wish to rid your planet from all non-Cardassians. Is that not what the CLA are all about?"

Raghavan nodded. "It is." the cell leader agreed, though deep in his mind he knew there was more to it then that. The part about revenge on Cardassia's enemies and taking over the Alpha quadrant for example. . .

"Well, as you know several members of my crew have been attacked and reported missing while aiding the Cardassian people on the planet. The Federation has sent us here to help make Cardassia self sufficient once again and capable of supporting life in regards to food, water, power, communications, shelter from the elements. . . once that is accomplished our work is done and we can all leave your world to make it as the CLA envisions, a Cardassia for Cardassians once again. However with my people missing, that causes a problem. Since we are duty bound to find out what happened to them. Initially it was assumed that the CLA were responsible for their. . ."

"The CLA takes no prisoners Captain. That is not our way. We take pride in what we do and take credit for all of our actions. If your people were attacked by my men, they would have been found dead where they fought. You'd of also found our initials carved in the area as a sign to others that the Cardassian Liberation Army is alive and well and that we did this thing. You found no such markings where your crew members disappeared from. Of that I am certain, for the CLA had nothing to do with them." Raghavan insisted venomously.

Lee nodded. "I know that 'mate. As I said, initially it was easy to jump to that wrong conclusion. As from our point of view, the CLA was doing everything in their power to disrupt our relief effort to reestablish your planet's vital systems and medically treat your people of their injuries. However as we investigated, the inconstancies you described began to pop up. But that does leave a problem. If the CLA didn't attack my missing crew members, then who did?"

Raghavan looked like he was thinking deeply about the question for a moment. "The Jem'Hadar most likely." He admitted.

"Exactly. It is possible that even though the war has ended there are still soldiers out there on Cardassia that don't know that and are still operating under the assumption the Dominion war is still ongoing. From what I understand the CLA wants a Cardassia free of all non-Cardassians. That, I would assume, includes the Jem'Hadar 'mate."

Raghavan's expression soured in a way reflective of the history professor he was in his former years before the war. "The enemy of my enemy Captain?"

Lee smiled, "Precisely 'mate. Only you know deep down in your sole that the Federation is only here to help your people and lend a hand at getting you self sufficient. Once that is done we will be leaving Cardassia Prime, and gladly too. But the Jem'Hadar. . ."

"The Jem'Hadar will not leave until the very last man is killed in battle or they kill us. You make a good point Captain. And I must admit, more than a few of my CLA scavenger teams have failed to report back when searching the outer edge of the Icarian City near the foothill canyons." Raghavan confessed.

"Then that may be the place where some Jem'Hadar soldiers still are active. My away team was reported missing very near to that area as well." Lee explained. "Raghavan, I need your help. Your CLA members know this planet better then anyone from the Federation does. Together we may be able to locate where our missing 'mates have been taken and possibly negotiate for their release. By working together on this, it will expedite matters. The Federation can help get the last of these Jem'Hadar off of your planet, and the CLA can help the Federation finish restoring your planet to an operational state so we can fully withdraw and give you and your people exactly what they want most, a Cardassia self sufficient and occupied only by Cardassians. What do you say 'mate? Can you help me out here?"

"Your argument makes sense Captain Price. I am afraid I am too weak to accompany you in this search, but I will send a message to my people to assist in your efforts. But you must agree to make this a joint mission. Both Federation and CLA members must make up this rescue team to seek out the Jem'Hadar and their hiding place where our people, mine and yours, have been taken."

"I understand 'mate. That should work out fine, as long as your members understand that the Federation is here to help them and work with them, not against them. All we want to do is get Cardassia Prime back on it's feet and self sufficient. Once that is accomplished we will be happy to leave your world to return to our own homes and families." Lee explained.

"I will try to make that clear to my men Captain, but understand, there is no love in the Cardassian heart for the Federation. Many still view you as the enemy and if not the root cause of our hardships now, a major contributor to it. Such prejudice and hatred is not easily ordered away."

"Believe me 'mate. I know that. It is difficult for us as well. But for now I think we have a better chance of getting what everyone wants if we work with each other rather than against each other."

"On this I agree. Go now, back to your ship. I will send word to the CLA and they will contact your people on the planet raising the men you need to expand your search." Raghavan agreed in a weak voice.

"Thank you 'mate. I hope you are feeling better and are back with your people soon. G'day." Captain Price stated before exiting the private room to meet his Cardassian escorts that guided him back to the transporter room so he could return to the USS Galaxy.

3/4's pension
Lt(jg) Tim O'Connell
meat truck

Lt(Dr) D'tarna Bellen

Tim walked in to sickbay waiting for a physician to give him a check up and get him back to active duty. He only tolerated it because he needed the physician's ok to get back to work. So here he is hoping to get it at least back to limited active.

D'Tarna Bellen walked over to Tim and spoke, "Lt O'Connell please come with me." Tim sighed and followed her in to an examination room, "sit up here."

Tim sat on the biobed and was patient through all her scans, one bad thing about a Vulcan is you can't read their expressions, however she was making Dr Noises, the hmm's and sighs, while going through the examination. Tim just waited for this to be over and to hear the words back to active duty.

Dr Bellen was reading the padd then disssappeared, she came back in and preformed more scans, Tim was concerned more then ever. He looked back at her and she didn't say a thing. More tests then she was finished. Tim sighed,"this took longer then I thought, when do I get back to my job."

She looked at him and spoke, "come witht me to the office please." Tim shrugged and followed her in. He sat across from her and waitied for her to comment.

"Lt. O'Connell I have noticed some loss of mobility in your extremeties, it's not severe but it is a 5% loss, with therapy it can be improved to a 3% loss." Tim was shocked, 3% meant he couldn't do security work, you needed to have a 1% loss of mobility maximum to continue, His career was over. He sat back and stared as she continued to rattle off how his body had failed to recover completely from his accident.

Tim didn't hear her, he was trying to sort this out. He muttered, "I suppose I'm taking 3/4's pension."

She looked puzzled, "I was not aware Starfleet had a pension plan?"

Tim was startled from his revire, "no Doctor, it's a saying from police work. a 3/4 pension is what you got for being injued in the line of duty."

She looked at him, "I am sure that you can work another department."

Tim sighed, and looked discouraged. "thank you Dr. I'm suire I can do somethng." He got up and walked out of sickbay. His future was now uncertian.

"Finally not in charge"
by Lt Cmdr K'Eytyanna Samara,
Assistant Chief, Engineering,
Acting Captain NO MORE!!!! Yippee!!!

K'Eytyanna transferred the info she was looking up into a PADD.

Moving to the replicator, she got it to make another pot before throwing it hard against the far wall. The pot smashed loudly before gravity dropped its pieces onto the growing pile as D'Akana ran into the bedroom yelping.

Rubbing her forehead to try and ease her frustration, she jumped slightly when her combadge chirped as Raesene spoke over the channel,

"Commander, I'm patching Captain Price through. Hope the broken pottery pile isn't too big."

Growling, she waited a second before speaking, her frustration obvious in her voice, "Samara here, Captain. Aren't you back yet sir?"

[I'm on my way, 'Commander. ETA about seven hours out. What's the current status of the situation on Cardassia Prime, 'mate? Can you fill me in?]

Quickly, she gave a run-through of the situation. After the channel closed, she headed back to the bridge, glad she wouldn't have to worry about this much longer.

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

Kicking the turbolift doors when they didn't open fast enough, K'Eytyanna barged onto the bridge and snapped,

"If I'm needed, I'll be in the Ready Room. When Casey gets back, send him straight to me so I can give him command."

Hunter grinned as she quickly raced out of sight.

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

The doors opened and he saw Kay sitting at the desk working on something.

"Kay? Busy?" Casey said with a straight face.

Kay looked up and saw Deiran standing next to the door. "No Commander, but I happily hand command back over to you. You can have this desk too," Samara replied, a Klingon grin showing like the glistening of a diamond.

Casey laughed and sat down at the desk. Kay was about ready to leave, just at the door, before Deiran stopped her. "Kay please have a seat, I've been out of the loop for three days, what's been happening on the ship during my absence? Bring me up to speed please?"

Kay growled and turned around, slowly walked back over to the chair in front of the Captain's desk and sat down. For the next hour Samara briefed Casey on the occurrences of the last few days.

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

A few hours later..

K'Eytyanna walked into Engineering, feeling like a big weight had lifted off her shoulders.

Heading into the Chief's office, she started going through the latest diagnostics.

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

"Vision of darkness"
Lt. JG Elaine O'Hare

O'Hare woke suddenly. The violent image gone, erased from all brain functions. Something had violently pulled it from her as she awoke. Bolting up in her bed, her breathing was heavy as beads of sweat dripped down the sides of her face. Her emerald colored eyes were wide with fright as they frantically searched her quarters for something, but she didn't know what.

"Wha.....wha..." She gasped.

A few silent moments went by before Elaine threw back the covers on her bed and dumped her legs over the side as she wobbly drew herself up in an upright position.

"Lights, ninty percent." She spoke softly. Her quarters instantly illuminated as she sheilded her eyes from the intrusive brightness. "Damn!" O'Hare barked out. Waiting for a few seconds, she peered out from underneath her delicate hands. Blinking a few times, she stumbled forth until her eyes adjusted. Heading over to the bathroom sink, she splashed cold water on her face and wondered what was next in the life of Elaine O'Hare.

With her closet friends still missing, she relied on her duty and memories of them to help her through the rought times. Most of all, she kept to herself after her shifts.

She had dehydrated her sould of tears over the past few days and sighing seemed to be the only thing she knew how to do. Nothing helped ease the uneasiness and the pain she felt. Not bubble baths, not target practice, not eating a whole chocolate cake, nothing. Something deep down was preparing her mentally for the un-knowing anguish that her whole being was about to be bombarded with.